[T1S1] Respondent provides background information: maternal grandmother born in Poniewierz, Rabbinic family; maternal grandfather born in Wetebesk, Poland; little knowledge of grandparents early life; names two children, one Respondent's mother. Respondent notes mother's marriage in Poland, 1913; aunt came to United States, 1934, married in Chicago; gives detailed background: husbands education and work. Respondent explains parents remained in Poland, father noted surgeon with high position, changed family name from Borkowski to Borke; taken to concentration camp and disappeared. Respondent reflects on arrival in United States: came because of aunt and uncle, family not religious; mentions depression in Poland early 1920s, difficult time for Jews, family not affected due to father's high position; after 1926, conditions better for Jews. Respondent discusses family assimilation in Poland; learned Hebrew for Bar Mitzvah, father did not attend. Respondent recounts early high school education, able to enter best schools through father's clout; discusses life with aunt and uncle in Silver Spring, MD; move to Chicago to attend College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois, Chicago, 1947; remained for 10 years for undergraduate and graduate work; arrived in Pittsburgh, 1957; comments on attending Polish Church; notes Dr. John Adams, Dean, Duquesne University School of Pharmacy, influential in bringing Respondent to Pittsburgh. Respondent discusses marriage to Helen Finke, psychologist: 1949, now divorced; provides names of 2 daughters, careers, three grandchildren; their religious practices: Reconstructionist; notes 1 grandchild Down's Syndrome. Respondent explains requirements for university in Poland: good grade in religion (any religion); reflects on meeting wife, mother from Hungary, rejected Judaism, father from assimilated family; provides names of wife's siblings and careers; wife attended City College, New York, graduate degree: Chicago; family move to Pittsburgh. Respondent mentions health services in Poland: private doctors; notes parents move to Russia: better job opportunities, return to Poland.
Contributor
University of Pittsburgh (depositor)
Identifier
pitt:ais196440.055_t1s1
Relation
ais196440.055
"Borke, Mitchell L. - April 19, 1999" Metadata
Metadata Details
Title
Borke, Mitchell L. - April 19, 1999
Creator
National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), Pittsburgh Section
Description
Respondent PhD Pharmaceutical Chemistry, born 1919. ;
Contributor
Borke, Mitchell L. (interviewee), Herzog, Bernice;Herzog, Marvin (interviewer), University of Pittsburgh (depositor)
Date
1999-04-19
Type
oral histories (literary genre), Sound
Identifier
pitt:ais196440.055
Rights
In Copyright. This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to
your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).. Rights Holder: University of Pittsburgh, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
