Hirth, Ann and Michael, 1995 - 2001
Scope and Contents
This file contains several copies of invitations to Ann Hirth's interview at the JHSGH as well as a letter of acknowledgement. Folder contains a Journal Inquirer newspaper article (4/20/1995) featuring a story about Ann Hirth and her parents experience of escaping Nazi Germany before the inception of WWII. Additionally, it contains the obituary of Ann's husband Mike Hirth.
This interview covers Ann Hirth’s life growing up in Vienna, her family’s emigration to Israel/Palestine, her education and ability as a translator, her travels and various jobs including meeting her husband Michael “Mike” Hirth, moving to New London and living on a chicken farm with her husband and in-laws, moving to Manchester for Mike’s job with the Central Connecticut Cooperative Farmers Association.
Mike Hirth also speaks, giving details about his life and emigration to New London from Europe after surviving the Holocaust, general information about the Jewish farming community, coming from the same town in Poland as Rabbi Leon Wind and discovering that they were both alive after the war and living in Connecticut.
Both reflect on the Jewish communities where they lived and their families’ varying levels of observance.
The second half of the interview involves a question and answer section with the audience, which is where Mike speaks the most. Their youngest son, Stephen Hirth, is one of the people who asks a question.
Dates
- Creation: 1995 - 2001
Access Restrictions
Open for research use.
Interview
Ann and Michael Hirth were interviewed by Adele Gaster at the Hartford JCC on April 19, 1995 at a meeting of the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford.
Full Extent
From the File: 16 Linear Feet (2 filing cabinets)
Language of Materials
English
Container Summary
Invitation to JHSGH general meeting featurng an interview with Ann Hirth. Obituary. Photocopied newspaper articles. Letter to Ann Hirth from Marsha Lotstein. Oral History Transcript.
Genre / Form
- Agriculture & Farming
- Family History
- Immigration
- Nazis/ Nazi Germany
- Yiddish
- oral histories (literary works)
Geographic
Occupation
Topical
- Beth Sholom B'nai Israel (BSBI) [Formerly Temple Beth Sholom and Congregation B'nai Israel]
- Central Connecticut Cooperative Farmers Association
- German refugees
- Holocaust survivors
- Immigrant(s)
- Israel Bonds
- Jewish Community
- Jewish Pioneers in Palestine
- Obituary
- United Jewish Appeal
- World War, 1939-1945
- Zionism
Repository Details
Part of the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford Repository