Doris

Doris' grandparents, all four, came from Poland or Russia at the turn of the century. Her grandfather on her mother’s side was a tailor and when he first came to the United States his family settled in New York City. Her father’s family came from Russia and settled in Providence, Rhode Island. They had a farm there where her father grew up. That’s what they did – they were agricultural people. Her parents were born in the United States. Her mother was born in New York and her father was born in Providence.

Doris was never very religious. Her father worked for the post office in Manhattan and he never told them he was Jewish because it was not a good time. There was a lot of prejudice in the 1930’s and he just didn’t say anything – so her family kind of kept it quiet. She says that what really made her Jewish, was anti-semitism. At the time that was the strongest thing. Doris thought, “what do you mean you don’t like me? You don’t even know me!” And she was angry all the time.