Oral history interview with Melvin Solomon, 1996.

ArchivalResource

Solomon, Melvin, 1919-. Oral history interview with Melvin Solomon, 1996.

Oral history interview with Melvin Solomon, 1996.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/55703595

Interview begins with discussion of Solomon's father, Samuel Solomon, who immigrated to the United States from Poland in 1902. Solomon describes how his father, whose given name was Solomon Checzewski, was renamed Sam Solomon by immigration officials. Sam Solomon lived in New York City for a time, and earned money making shirtwaists. After a few years he relocated to Charleston, South Carolina, where he had ties to the Old Country and the promise of a wife. Solomon recalls how his father opened a small dry goods establishment in Charleston selling mainly to peddlers, and soon met his future wife, Sophie Prystowsky. Prystowsky's four brothers liked Solomon and did their best to keep other suitors away from their sister until the couple married in 1912. Solomon discusses how his father's business, Sam Solomon and Company, grew and thrived over the years, and notes Sam Solomon was someone new immigrants could rely on to supply them store credit. Interview continues with memories of Sam and Sophie Solomon's adherence to Orthodox Judaism. Solomon also recalls his grandmother, Molly Prystowsky, would not eat food touched by non-Jews and obtained a special permit from the city of Charleston to keep a cow and chickens in her backyard. Solomon describes growing up in Charleston's predominantly Jewish St. Philip Street neighborhood and discusses friends and relatives of his youth. Solomon's sister, Frances Solomon Jacobson, adds that she was the first family member to move away from St. Philip Street and notes this was somewhat of a rebellious action. Melvin Solomon recalls days at Courtney School and remembers attending both Beth Israel and Brith Sholom synagogues. A lively discussion about Solomon holiday gatherings ensues and it is mentioned that the Solomon's constructed an outdoor sukkah at one point. Other topics discussed include an African American man named Isaac who worked at Sam Solomon and Company for over fifty years and learned to speak Yiddish, memories of minyans held at the store and mention of Jewish burial customs.

Sound recording : 1 sound cassette : analog.Transcript : 19 p. ; 28 cm.

College of Charleston, Marlene and Nathan Addlestone Library