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Interview of Sam Gurvitz conducted by unnamed interviewer. Gurvitz describes his family’s emigration from Russia to North America. He discusses the ethnic composition and culture of the North End’s Jewish community. Gurvitz speaks about growing up in the North End, describing his living conditions, educational background, family members, leisure activities, and work experience. He discusses his current involvement with different museums and libraries, listing his contributions and titles. Gurvitz explains fundamental differences between Judaism and Christianity, comparing their beliefs, practices, and places of worship. Gurvitz discusses Jewish traditions and holidays, reflecting on his Passover, Shabbat, and Purim celebrations. He talks about his father’s Kosher restaurant business, his immigration to the North End, and his initial work experiences. Gurvitz discusses his encounters with anti-Semitism and anti-immigrant attitudes during the mid-twentieth century. He describes the Italian, Irish and Jewish sections of the North End, the tensions between these groups, and how the North End’s ethnic makeup has changed over time. Gurvitz discusses the Jewish community’s relationship with the larger Boston community and neighborhood organizations. He concludes the interview by discussing major historical events related to North End and Boston, including the Boston Molasses Flood of1919, the Boston Police Strike of 1919, the origin of the Ponzi scheme, and the Brinks Robbery. Other topics mentioned include Christopher Columbus School, Suffolk Law School, Franklin Institute, Washington and Lee University, Carlisle University, the Cushman School Harvard Business School, Northeastern University, Boston University, Eliot School, Jewish-Russian emmigration, Jewish-Lithuanain emigration, Jewish-Polish emmigration, Elizabeth Peabody House, Civic Service House, Hebrew Free Loan Society, hippies and counterculture, Boston Commons, West End Esplanade, Settlement Houses including the North End Union, Boston English High Track Team, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Harvard Library, Boston Public Library, the DeYoung Museum Library, Brandies Museum, Massachusetts Italian Historical Society, Boston Brahman, Gerbitzers Kosher Resturant, Anti-Semitism Temple Israel, Gerbitzers Kosher Restaurant, John F. Fitzgerald, Boys Club of Charlestown, Old North Church, Salem Street, Hanover Street, Bar Mitzvah, Yiddish, Shabbat, Passover, Purim, Chanukah, Music School Settlement, Cantoreo music, Torah, Orthodox Judaism, Prince Street, Italian Immigration, Irish Immigration, Hebrew School, World War II, Baldwin Place Synagogue, Rabbi, Isreali flag, East Boston Jewish community, West End Jewish community, Boston Pops, Commission Merchant, Durgin Park Restaurant, Nahant, Massachusetts., Haymarket Square, A.W. Hastings, Lovell and Hall, Brockway-Smith, Jackson-Newton, Boston Floating Hospital, New England Medical Center, North End Park, Boston Commons, Italian Festival, festivals in North End, Commonwealth Laundry, North End Branch Public Library, The Boston Molasses Flood of 1919, the Brink Robbery, Judge Felix Forte, the Ponzi Scheme, influenza pandemic of 1918, childbirth.
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