Bacharach, Frieda_1974/12/19, Oral History

Subjects of interview include: Growing up Reform Jewish in Europe Living in Hartford/Hartford Jewish Community, Beth Israel/Council of Jewish Women

GREATER HARTFORD JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY ORAL HISTORY COLLECTION

Tape No.: 84 No. of Tapes: 1 Name of Interviewee: Frieda Bacharach Date of Interview: December 19, 1974 Occupation: Buyer at G. Fox Date of Birth: circa 1883 Place of Birth: Piturisk, Czechoslovakia Transcript (yes/no): yes No. of Pages: 24 pages

Abstract:

Frieda attended school and temple, studying German and Hebrew while in Europe. She had one brother and four sisters. Her father was a cattle man. They were not wealthy but lived a comfortable life. She grew up in a kosher home and practiced Reform Judaism.

Her father’s brothers were in America and in 1900, when Frieda was 13, they came through Ellis Island on the boat, Columbia. They were met in New York by an uncle and taken by train to Hartford. Frieda lived with an aunt, Theresa Gon on Mulberry Street across from the Kashmann Market. She attended the Barnard Brown School. Adam Ames was the Principal. She learned to read and write English very quickly. Her schooling took her through the ninth grade. There was a mixture of Jewish and non-Jewish children in school and everyone got along well.

Frieda married Sam Bacharach at age 28. He had been caring for his ill mother. They lived on Jefferson Street. Sam took over the family food business on Park Street. They joined the Congregation Beth Israel on Charter Oak Avenue. Rabbi Elkin, who officiated at their wedding at his home, was the leader.

Frieda worked for G. Fox as a buyer of ribbons. Her social life was quite busy. She enjoyed card playing and was active in Beth Israel and the Council of Jewish Women. She recalled the building of the Bulkley Bridge in Hartford and remembered fondly owning a two cylinder Maxwell car.

After daughter Harriet was born, they moved to 690 New Britain Avenue and stayed 39 years. Her son Sam Jr. was born in 1918 during the Flu epidemic. Her husband died in the epidemic. Both Harriet and Frieda got the Flu, but survived. When Sam Jr. was 13, he had his Bar Mitzvah at Beth Israel. Harriet was confirmed there as well and later on, after she married, Harriet and her husband Abe became charter members of the new temple.

Subject Index: Community Activities( in the Jewish community) Eastern European Jewry Education- Jewish Education- secular Ellis Island Oral History Synagogues- Beth Israel