Abstract
There is so much to learn from each person in this world, especially from people who have lived a lifetime of unique experiences during ever changing time periods. This project focused on conducting ten extensive interviews with senior citizens in the Jewish community of Delaware. The people who were interviewed ranged in age from 80 to over 100 years old. Each interview covered the time and place the interviewee was born all the way through to their opinions on the current political climate. There are countless takeaways from each of the interviews, ranging from understanding anti-Semitism in the 1940s to thinking about the biggest threat Jews face today and everything in between. Every interviewee has a lifetime of unique experiences that shaped their lives, and hearing their stories will help shape the lives of all those who choose to listen.
As part of her Summer Scholars Internship project, Dalia Handelman prepared a poster presentation for the Symposium on August 15, 2019. Click the button below to see the full poster.
Dalia Handelman's project was also featured on the UDaily website on August 21, 2019. Click the Article button below to read the article.
Yetta Zutz Chaiken was born May 13, 1922 to Max and Tillie Zutz, she attended P.S. DuPont High School and the University of Delaware, graduating in 1943. Yetta married her high school sweetheart, Frank "Sonny" Chaiken in 1942. The two of them spent a lifetime of supporting the Jewish community of Delaware as well as many other causes.
Interviewed by Dalia Handelman on June 19, 2019.
Constance "Connie" Savot Kreshtool received a Masters degree in Chemistry from Cornell University and came to Wilmington to work for Dupont. Connie was President of Congregation Beth Emeth, the Siegel Jewish Community Center, and the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods. Among other volunteer activities, she read books onto audio tape for the blind, was a Brownie troop leader, volunteered as a reading assistant at the Shortlidge School, participated in political marches, and once attended an official luncheon at the White House. Connie lived an active, involved, and productive Jewish life. She enjoyed making Shabbat dinners and Passover Seders, lived her belief in Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). Mrs. Bernard Kreshtool passed away on January 11, 2022.
Interviewed by Dalia Handelman on June 25, 2019.
Faith Brown has been an active member of the Delaware Jewish community for many years, teaching in the Hebrew schools at Adas Kodesch and Congregation Beth Emeth, founding and leading in choral and dance groups at Adas Kodesch with her husband Lou for over 60 years, and currently co-leading weekly Shabbat services at Lodge Lane. Faith and Lou visited Israel 10 times as volunteers in Arad for Jewish Federation of Delaware and with Sar-El in the Israeli army on the Golan Heights.
Interviewed by Dalia Handelman on August 7, 2019.
Faith and Lou Brown were both born in Wilmington, Delaware. They both grew up in Wilmington but had very different childhoods. Lou was born on the Westside of Wilmington, which he described as the “tough” side. Lou served in the navy during World War II. When he got back, Faith and Lou’s parents had bought a house next door to each other. They soon started dating, fell in love, and eventually got married.
Faith and Lou both valued traveling immensely. They have traveled to about 27 countries and wherever they go they look for a Jewish community. They have gone to Israel ten times, mostly as volunteers helping to build up the state of Israel. They founded an Israeli dance group 70 years ago that they are very passionate about. Faith described the dance group as “bringing a little piece of Israel with them everywhere they go.” Zionism was a very big part of their lives, growing up and as adults.
Interviewed by Dalia Handelman on June 28, 2019.
Helen Citron Gordon was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. She met Mendel Temkin Gordon there and married him at the ripe old age (for the time) of 26 in 1954. They soon relocated to Wilmington, Delaware, where Mendel had been hired by the DuPont company. They joined Congregation Adas Kodesch Shel Emeth and Helen began teaching Sunday School there in 1959. She was administrative director of AKSE Talmud Torah from 1972 to 1992, working closely with the educational director of the school, Gladys Gewirtz, wife of Rabbi Leonard B. Gewirtz. Helen discusses her childhood, growing up in Atlanta, education, employment and recollections about Ahavath Achim synagogue.
Interviewed by Dalia Handelman on June 27, 2019.
Ann Jaffe was born March 5th,1931 in Poland. During World War II Ann and her family lived in a forest for three years, hiding from the Nazi’s. She and her family were liberated on July 4th, 1944. She moved to Wilmington, Delaware in 1975 and has lived in Delaware for 45 years.
The most striking part of Ann's interview was when she explained to me her attitude on life. She explained that after the holocaust she was filled with hatred. She told me the story of when her attitude towards the world changed. She had just spent years living in a forest, wearing the same clothing and eating nothing more than a potato a day, fighting to survive. Her father overheard her speaking about the hatred she felt. Her father sat her down and asked, “We were victims of hatred, did you like it?” Ann quickly responded, “I hated it, of course, I hated it.” And her father said, “Then why would you do to others the thing that was so hateful to you?” She has always kept this piece of advice with her. Ann is a woman who has survived the worst imaginable events and yet holds hatred for no one. If a woman like her can let go of hatred, then we should all be able to do so as well.
Interviewed by Dalia Handelman on July 9, 2019.
Frances Atlas Stein was a native Wilmingtonian, born on September 14, 1929. She was an active member of the community. Frances was a past president of Congregation Beth Shalom, being the first woman to serve as president. She was also the first Executive Director of the synagogue, a position she held for 17 years.
Frances was a member of many organizations, including the Kutz Home and its Auxiliary, a life member of Hadassah, the Jewish Historical Society, and Jewish Family Service.
Interviewed by Dalia Handelman on July 31, 2019.
Norman “Buddy” and Phyllis Weiner Aerenson
Long-time residents of North Wilmington, Phyllis and Buddy are dedicated to giving back to the community. Together they live the definition of commitment. This shines through when you see them together as a couple, as supporters of the JCC, and role models among the Jewish Community, Wilmington and beyond! Phyllis and Buddy Aerenson received the Harry Cohen Leadership Award from the Bernard and Ruth Siegel Jewish Community Center in 2012. Phyllis’ strong passion for art has helped transform the Siegel JCC lobby with a beautiful Art Space.
Interviewed by Dalia Handelman on August 6, 2019.
