Katz, Abraham and Ida (Farber), August 26, 1974

File — Folder: 3

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This file contains two seperate oral history interviews, both conducted on the same day. One is with Abraham Katz, the other is with his wife Ida.

Topics covered in Abraham Katz's interview: Growing up (Orthodox) Jewish in Hartford, regular and Jewish education, keeping kosher, time at Hartford Public High, going to Yale when very few Jews could (some undergrad, special degree to Law school), helped getting Jews into the YMCA, changing Hartford after war/people moving out, meeting and marrying wife, various fraternal organizations (including one of the few Jews admitted to the Elks, son Morton first Jew elected head of Elks ca. 1970), connections in the Hartford Jewish community, participation in Hartford government.

Topics covered in Ida Katz's interview: Growing up as an (Orthodox) Jewish girl in Hartford, Father’s mattress business, Summers spent at Woodmont and Savin Rock (Charles Abuza had a hotel at the later), Learning to drive when most women didn’t/her father’s crank start car, Her young married life, (Sort of) keeping kosher (Yes as child, partially as an adult with her own home), Start of The Emanuel, Raising money for Emanuel synagogue organ.