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Beth Strasser: What were some of the hardest problems faced in life in the
Pittsburgh area once you moved here? Dr. Pauline Reinkrant: Make a living.
Strasser: Make a living? Reinkrant: Sure. After all the
____________________________[unintelligible] after six months or seven
months before ywe arrived in United States.
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Reinkrant: All the time from September 15th to May 4th. We met an
excellent professor from Columbia University who said it's no use for you
to settle in the city because it's not a place to raise children. Try to
pick a smaller place. So we turned to Pittsburgh, I think I told you this
story already because I had a cousin there.
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Reinkrant: And we were lucky so far. We didn't know anybody. We didn't
know anything. We didn't know anything in this city, but we were supported
by the Jewish Federation because that's what they do. You take it out on
[??] somebody. You have to live with_____________________________. You're
supposed to look out after you for five years until you get the
citizenship. This financial responsibility is not undertaken by very many
people.
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Reinkrant: And the idea was that the Federation could not definitively
[??]. It's not for people who gave you an update.
_____________________________.
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Reinkrant: So, it was afforded very little money, but you couldn't go
wrong. But it is the hardest thing-- one of the hardest things was to find
a decent place to live. Over you-- A federation bought us first a place on
Race Street near Homewood Avenue. And at this time. It was still an all
White neighborhood. Because [??]. I remember so vividly the last thing,
European type people and the rides to conquer the surrounding hills and
once we went up to the trail. She didn't know where to connect to, and he
came out and put into it an absolutely [??]. Out of boards of cardboards
and stuff.
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Reinkrant: And these poor people looked at us as [??]
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Reinkrant: But then we moved away from Homewood and moved to Penn Avenue
in Point Breeze. Two nice homes to live. But then they didn't want us
anymore because they didn't want children. We moved to a [??] place after
this. Everything was broken up and I don't know how many people lived in
this, this rooming house. I don't really know. There are so many and just
one bathroom. And then finally really got in touch with a Quaker family. It
was a friend's family. And Mrs. Wheeler and her husband. Our friends. And I
went to their meeting one Sunday and this [??] turn out to be a European.
And after a little while, she said, well, they are living from here and
there and they are very pleasant. So they asked us whether we wanted to
move to the third floor. [unintelligible]. So then eventually we got this
whole third floor consisting of four rooms in a once very elegant residence
but it is kind of rundown. Belong to Kingsley house and it was a very low
rent and we lived there for nine years. And of course it had disadvantages,
but we didn't see as Europeans. For instance, that it was terribly cold in
winter. Well in the winter it's cold. One has to get in the kitchen. One
covers yourself up very warm during the night. It's cold. It's cold. And
then you have to move out. And by this time--
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Reinkrant: You had saved up already. Two or three thousand dollars and we
could pay the don payment on this house.
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Reinkrant: The double mortgage. And now this lasts until we moved in 1950.
It's very satisfactory. I've never liked to move on because its
comfortable. Its a modern home. No dark corners where the dust can get and
I could not get it. Anyway, I could do all kinds of things in my life, but
doing real good housework and always brushing and grooming and dusting,
that's something I cannot do. So, as soon as I could afford it I had
somebody to come and clean. [unintelligible] But this was then, of course,
the next house. I remember when he-- when he came to Pittsburgh, he wrote
down all these technical terms. And every morning he set out to visit 3 or
4 of them walking distances that are unbelievable for America, because we
had no money. We had no car. We probably could have [??]. But that's what
you did.
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Reinkrant: And everywhere he filled out an application, of course, the
application go to the waste paper basket as soon as he turned his back. And
so took-- you know, they always asked for American experience. They ask you
to get American experience. He has a master's degree in Civil Engineering.
It's a very high poition. To get American experience if one doesn't want to
give them the job. And then, and then they said also to turn to Jewish
company and understand there were no Jewish civil engineering companies.
Just started with the war. But the 11th steel is the only really big
company to [??] the steel mill. A big state [??]. But the [??] disbanded.
So it-- so happens in February. It was February. Sometime in February 1940.
He came to the company. He had applied to a job before. And it turned out
that somebody had left this very morning.
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Reinkrant: And so you got this job in February 1940-- 41 and has been
working ever since. _____________________ [unintelligible] nervousness.
He's a person-- he's artistic and sensitive. He was a wonderful musician.
[??] perfect. The possibilities for [??]. There's no money in music. So
instead he insisted on becoming a Civil Engineer. But he never liked it.
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Reinkrant: I always distrusted him to do construction because construction
is a very risky job. He was always a very good mathematician, and when we
came, I knew that he that this was [??]. I told you him why don't you go
back to school? Take some graduate, masters. He never wanted it, because he
was a kind of stubborn person.
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Reinkrant: Which I couldn't [??]. So eventually he became a [??]. He got
his first job as a construction engineer. He couldn't accept the
responsibility. This kind of nervous person. ___________ It's all kinds of
confidence.
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Reinkrant: I'm mean. Um, but the position is blown up. Chemical plant.
They had their offices on [??]. Near the old steel mill. It doesn't exist
anymore, this plant. ___________________________. But he disliked this job,
so very much. This [??} occupation.
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Reinkrant: And we knew very well that what could save him was his music?
So I thought you could always move to France and music together.
________________________. It helped me great deal that I was lucky enough
to find my position to continue. I was so devoted to my job and I loved it
so much that it helpd me when I got stuck. Some kind of _______________.
But the classroom door closed--
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and most people forgot. ___________________________________ I should say
the most difficult thing was _______________________________________.
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Reinkrant: But we were lucky. Because we got our jobs. We never lost it.
We move to this top floor apartment and lived there for many years. I was
looking through [??]. Seems about the same time as me. Traveling from place
to place until you have enough money to buy a home. Then, you had a few
places and there was always some kind of thing. After all, property,
house-- properties and houses. Like one wants to squeeze out a piece of
property. Living room apartment. You want to live in a modern apartment
like now? We all-- uh, if you can pay $200, $300 rent for a one bedroom
apartment. How many people can live. So we got the pension. Social
Security. So we--
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Reinkrant: And the Protestant[??] group and get along with other people.
Because children, they're even worse ____________________________. Two
years young. They found out very soon about the privileges too. But they
are not mature enough to accept the responsibility.
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Reinkrant: [??] certain set up. [??] like this. But we could not get
through because for the [??] a problem. Told them this and that. And we
don't have the money for this. We don't have enough money. You are both
working. You don't--
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Reinkrant: Have it. I can't understand it. How the people, especially I
would say that she was in Oberlin College while the-- my classmates are
mostly daughters and sons of ministers and all kinds of middle class
businesses and they can afford to send their children to college and do
have trouble. I don't understand why these people have property, I said.
They do not live on it. For instance, it's possible.
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Reinkrant: They wanted all kinds of things Americans children have because
they have much more than any European could ever dream. So I think that it
can be difficult because of [??]. But it's never a consolation. Never is.
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Reinkrant: My husband would-- he always said, it could be worse. What do
you mean by it could be worse? This doesn't mean anything to you.
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Reinkrant: You always seems that it's miserable. But why? I cannot compare
with the ones battling. Below your income or social or security or illness.
This doesn't exist. It's all the same problems.
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Reinkrant: And it was my idea. That we all [??] to tell you the truth. I
really think that you--
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Reinkrant: Sometimes I think all sorts of Europeans going to. Now the
generation of ___________________. And the generation before supports all
this ever growing. Who is going to support them with Social Security. Will
the social system be able to carry on like now? But what is going to happen
then. Grow 80 years. 85, 90. __________________________________.
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Reinkrant: Well, of course I might believe. But, I wouldn't do anything to
end my life. I enjoy it, too. In my comfortable house. We have adequate
income for food and [??] And friendship. Of course I love to livebut
generally, in general.
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Reinkrant: Science does not help. Science does not help live a happy--
prolong your life. But everybody loves it. Strasser: [??] isn't it.
Reinkrant: Yeah. To end your life. Strasser: Prolong it indefinitely.
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Reinkrant: I hate all those ideas. I think that sustained [??]. These
parents they have now. Picking up the living room.
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Reinkrant: But they do it all over the place. So the cry-- what the song
called for a decent way of dying before [??] I hate that.
___________________. Things around the eyes because it's a tremendous cost
and it's wasted on all of them. What do you want to come?
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Reinkrant: Of course. I was always one to-- science prolongs your life. Or
it does a great deal. The best in care. Kept your life for as long as
possible. Just kind of make a different choice to say who's going to apply
all the medical arts to people under 50? And once you're past 50 or 55,
you're not going to apply all the medical knowledge to prolong your life.
This is impossible, right?
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Reinkrant: So. Strasser: Don't you think it would be frightening.
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Strasser: The Social Security system is a bit shaken. Did you find being a
Jew, were there any bad feelings showed to you? Because you were--
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Reinkrant: All of them. Strasser: Would you like to go on?
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Reinkrant: They had ______________. I made note of one infraction. I um--
although I invited people in the [??]. They were nice. I think of the one
con. It might, also.
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Reinkrant: I had trouble getting-- it's such a long, drawn out story. I
was raised a Catholic. Because my mother was Catholic and according to the
Roman posture I was raised in a Catholic church. Also in secondary school
you had two periods of religion.
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Reinkrant: And it was difficult for me. I never gave it a thought. What it
means to be Jewish. And here I was forever surrounded.
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Reinkrant: Sometimes we fall under the auspices of Jewish and this was
very difficult for me. You understand? I mean, the--
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Reinkrant: I know so little of the Communist Party, although I have seen.
I said, I just don't know anything about them. I don't know. I only know a
few people.
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Reinkrant: But the worst early settlers were the new comers. The middle
class, educated. I have two examples that make me feel, just to give you an
example.
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Reinkrant: We know. I didn't understand the meaning. But we know-- I know
now. If you meet somebody and if somebody says welcome to this country.
Many of our best friends are Jews. We know that is an antisemite. Because
why single out a Jewish friend? Why? Why greet somebody? He says I was
always surprise because I'm much too slow in getting all the dirty news.
You see, I was speechless. I didn't know what you mean. I wasn't used to
it. So this was a woman from Hungary. Well, what did--
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Reinkrant: they know when they come to Duquesne University? They already
know that I'm Jewish. How do they find out? Why do they? They don't-- first
system [??] and another one.
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Reinkrant: I'm always surprised when five years, the last years of
teaching the community-- we got a new professor in. I don't know you. I
don't know what you are. Well, anyway, this man is Jewish. He's now head of
the German Department, which is fine, you know.
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Reinkrant: They give him the job just to demonstrate there's no
antisemitism, but there is, of course. He can't be anything else on two
grounds. Number one, he's German. Belongs to my generation. He's a little
bit younger. He has the idea that if the United States hadn't joined the
war, the First World War and the Second World War, Germany would have been
victorious and imposed their rules of life on all. Well, he said he would
never forgive the United States for entering the war.
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Reinkrant: He never would. you see? Now he has just made his newspaper
very [??]. Sure there were lots of problems. But it's a very long story
about my spiritual development. I don't know whether I mentioned it. We
sent the children to a liberal Jewish synagogue.
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Reinkrant: The [??] synagogue. And they will stop the fear, forever. One
of the most learned men.
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Reinkrant: And since we had to-- you have to wait for the children to be
through with summer school to take them home. To get them home again.
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Reinkrant: So I started to go to services. And some Saturday or Sunday
when-- because all the Jewish services are on Saturday mornings. [??]. And
some days during the winter ______________________________________. All
kinds of things.
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Reinkrant: There was a brilliant speaker. And a very bright man. So little
by little I started going to see [??]. What Jews stand for. And the things
they value. I like it very much.
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Reinkrant: So I'm not a passionate Zionist, I would say. I think it's
important that the Jews have a homeland. And applies only to be able to go
someplace with the Holocaust. What everybody's just-- demons don't die. No
kind of miracles. ________________________________.
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Reinkrant: My older brother was married to a Jewish girl. He suffered from
fascism because they wanted him to divorce his wife. and send her to one of
those nice [??] institutions.
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Reinkrant: And he held on to her, which was very courageous. And that's
another _________________________________________________. His wife was
doing them. Went through all the [??] and all these kind og things.
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Reinkrant: Well she told me. I know that her parents were sent to one of
the concentration camps. I ask her what the country had done. This is 5 or
6 children who had succeeded to go on a ship which legally ran into [??].
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Reinkrant: She said they all got off the ship just as the English was
just-- sunk. With all the people on it. So, nobody really realized. So we
need the homeland.
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Reinkrant: One needs to have a place where one can go when people get all
crazy again about and upset about something. And it has some really--
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Reinkrant: Some distress among the nations like the Germans. It will be--
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Reinkrant: They have everything. Yeah it was nice in German history, which
I know so little of.
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Reinkrant: They tried, somehow, to get rid-- to overcoming some issue
which is absolutely has no relation to what really causes that. So, it
doesn't count against [??]. But the amazing thing is that they cannot
really do anything because we hold on to the law.
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Reinkrant: And as long as those tablets are there, the 10 commandments.
Somehow humanity will survive as humans. Otherwise we'll become wilder than
beasts. It's really, I think, sometimes. It's a great injustice to say that
while we are beasts. Real beasts. Because the human race is much beastier
and the beasts can really raise their for to be to survive and the fittest
survive. But the human beasts are much worse. Right now they are worse.
This conference in the African state. We know that Genghis, I think was his
name, killed thousands and thousands of Asiatics who lived on the East
coast of Africa, for centuries. And then you go. Everybody's killed
off._____________________________________. To kill eachother. That's
beastly.
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Reinkrant: But as long as one has this one special place. Which says on
behaves like this. One doesn't need to do--
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Strasser: that only exist with it the Jews and Christianity, doesn't it?
Reinkrant: What? Strassser: That only exist with the Jewish faith and
Christianity?
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Reinkrant: Well, yeah, sure. Christianity. I don't know why it doesn't
show more [??]. It's amazing. I don't understand why. Well, I understand to
certain degree. I don't know. These are also touchy question.
___________________ St. Paul was the founder of Christianity. Not Jesus.
St. Paul. But St. Paul who was sold in the Jewish and the Roman citizens
[??] Had the vocation. So that's what they said. Had the vocation. Had God,
to spread the Jewish faith among his brothers because he saw their faith
progressing. But he knew very well that it was not acceptable for a greater
number of people because it's too difficult. Otherwise, it was a region
where they had been--
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Reinkrant: Persecuted, 1500 years before Saint Paul. And so he made it
palatable for them. But still, he wasn't successful.
_____________________________________.
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Reinkrant: But not the rich one. Because in addition to very basic
religious changes, it was also a social revolution. But when the rich
people saw that there was no possibility to overcome Christianity, they all
turned Christians and kept the high responsibility. It's very hard.
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Reinkrant: It's one of the most complex questions. I see.
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Reinkrant: I do not discuss in general with other people. Number one, I
haven't had the chance to talk to intellectuals. I have no contacts to
people whatsoever with anybody.
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Reinkrant: Because the people who came to Pittsburgh. They are all very
courageous. And building up a--
