Borden, Abraham_1972/09/20, Oral History

Subjects of interview include: Coming to America, Jewish Community, Organizations Education, Work as lawyer, Wife, Jewish Groups, Politics, Judge, Mt. Sinai, President of Federation, Fundraising Jewish Families, Community

JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF GREATER HARTFORD ORAL HISTORY COLLECTION

Tape No.: 38 No. of tapes: 1 Name of Interviewee: Justice Abraham Borden Date of Interview: September. 20, 1972 Occupation: Former Justice of the CT. Supreme Court, Presently State Referee Date of Birth: (Circa) 1891 Place of Birth: Piater, Kievskegubernia, Russia Transcript (yes/no): yes No. of pages: 31

Abstract: One of the most eminent Jewish citizens of Hartford, Justice Borden came to the United States in 1898 at the age of seven. He lived with his family in the Jewish community, living first on Ann St. and later on Pleasant Ave. He went to elementary and high school in Hartford and graduated from Cornel University Law School and entered the law office of Romeyer and Lawler in Hartford. During the time he practiced law he became interested in politics, becoming an alderman and later secretary to the Mayor. He served on the bench for forty years starting as Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, then eight years as Judge of the Superior Court and finally Justice of the Supreme Court of CT. He also held the position on the Parole Board for four years. The names of Jews who were in the legal and political activities during the early part of the century are mentioned. Judge Borden was very active and influential in developing Jewish organizations. He and his wife founded the YMHA and YWHA to provide recreational space for the Jewish Community. He served as President of YMHA for ten years. He also was one of the founders and tireless fundraisers for Mount Sinai Hospital and the Jewish Community Center, the Old Peoples Home and the Jewish Federation. He was served as president of all of these organizations. He attributes the growth and prosperity of Hartford Jewry to tradition, education and respect for parents. He had a close association with Abe Ribicoff whom he hired and subsequently made a partner in his law firm.

Subject Index: Judges Lawyers Oral History Politicians Hospitals Community Activities (in the Jewish community) Community Leadership (in the Jewish community) Eastern European Jewry Fraternal Organizations Hartford History (Jewish)