Growing up Jewish in Russia

This interview discusses growing up in Soviet Russia, strating around the beining of the Revolution until the 1970s when Samuel and Elka left Russia for the United States. It hightlights their careers in economics (Elka) and engineering (Samuel), though they immigrated after they retired. They mention an adopted child (children?) but their names are unclear. Hard to understand at times, probably due to the subjects learning English later in life, however most of it is legible.

Gussie Kantrowitz reflects on her connection to Sophie Tucker. Her father went to heder with Sophie Tucker's mother back in Aslev, Russia, and they met the Abuza family (Tucker's family) in Hartford through Anna, Tucker's sister.

Gussie came to Hartford when she married her husband Samuel Kantrowitz in 1912, immigrated to America from Russia with her family at the age of 10.

Sam Kantrowitz discusses his immigration from Russia first to New York then to Hartford to join his sister. He left because of violence and pogroms. He became a furrier, which had been his family's trade in Russia and was the owner of Connecticut Furriers into the 1960s. He met his wife Gussie in 1910 and they married in 1912.

Interview focuses on Kaplan's experiences as a Soviet soldier during World War II as well as his career after the war, commenting on the ways in which anti-semitism impacted his life.