Konover, Simon and Doris, 1985 - 2015

This file contains information on Simon Konover’s experience fleeing the Nazis as well as his career in real estate and his philanthropic endeavors. There is some information about his wife Doris Konover and their there children. This file also contains the transcripts of Konover’s 1985 and 2004 interviews.

Topics covered in this interview include: Growing up in Poland, his father’s occupation driving buses before the war, escaping a labor camp to Lumza, Russia where he joined the army driving trucks, experience during the war, being sent to Siberia, experience after the end of the war returning to Poland, immigration to America via Cuba to join brother David, last name change, information about his surviving brothers David and Harold, working in New York, moving to Hartford and working at Grody Chevrolet, meeting and falling in love with wife Doris & starting their family, going to night school to learn English, working for his brother David in the flooring business at Channing Konover & moving up the ladder, how he got into the real estate business with his first motel, with Mr. Carvel (Carvelle?), progression to developing shopping centers, business experiences, and his perspective on the global and local Jewish Community.

Topics covered in this interview include: Soliciting money for the Federation, in particular major gifts; his children’s continued sense of commitment to the Hartford community, his experience working with the Federation and various community members, opening the JCC on Saturdays, and the Endowment Fund.