Interview with Denise Wolff, July 12, 1978

Partial Transcript: This is Ken Chumbley from the University of Louisville Archives. It's July the 12th, and I'm talking this afternoon with Mrs. Jacques Wolff about her life and early experiences here in the US.

Segment Synopsis: The interviewer introduces himself and the interviewee and provides the date of the interview.

Partial Transcript: Mrs. Wolff, could you begin by just telling us a little about where you were born, when you were born?

Segment Synopsis: Born on September 13, 1909, in Hagenau, Alsace, which was part of Germany until after World War I, when it became part of France. Describes her father's work has a hops merchant, her early education in Hagenau, and her memories of World War I. Married Jacques Wolff in 1930 and had two sons. Describes the Jewish population of Paris, where they owned a plant that manufactured metal barrels.

Keywords: Alsatian Jews; Franco-Prussian War, 1870-1871; French Jews; German Jews

Subjects: Haguenau (France); Jews--Commerce; Jews--France--Alsace; Jews--France--Paris; Jews--Migrations; World War, 1914-1918--Jews

Partial Transcript: In 1939, I spent the summer in Strasbourg because nobody stayed in Paris [in] July and August.

Segment Synopsis: Recounts the lead-up to World War II, the German invasion of Belgium and France, her husband's service in the French army, and her family's movements during 1938–1940.

Keywords: French Jews; Jacques Wolff; Limoges (France); Lyon (France); Strasbourg (France)

Subjects: Jewish refugees; Jews--France--Paris; Jews--Migrations; World War, 1939-1945--Jews--France

Partial Transcript: When was the armistice signed? Was that in 1940?

Segment Synopsis: Describes how her family obtained exit visas and escaped from France to New York via Spain and Portugal. Also discusses her two brothers-in-law who remained in France, one of whom died in Auschwitz and one of whom joined the French Resistance and survived the war. Recalls sharing a ship with Carol II, the former king of Romania, and his mistress, Magda Lupescu.

Keywords: Jacques Wolff; Shoah

Subjects: Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--France; Jewish refugees; Jews--Migrations; World War, 1939-1945--Jews--France; World War, 1939-1945--Jews--Rescue--France

Partial Transcript: Did you have any expectations of America?

Segment Synopsis: Describes arrival in New York, including being met by Mrs. Kling from Louisville. Recalls being set up with a furnished house in Louisville. Recounts her family's efforts to settle into their new home, including her eldest son learning English from neighbors and in public school. Remembers receiving a warm welcome from non-Jewish neighbors.

Keywords: Barret Avenue (Louisville, Ky.); Eastern Parkway (Louisville, Ky.); French Jews; German Jews; National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW); Selma Kling

Subjects: Jewish refugees; Jews--Migrations; United States--Emigration and immigration

Partial Transcript: What were Americans saying about Hitler at the time—American Jews?

Segment Synopsis: Recalls American knowledge of the Holocaust. Discusses her parents and sister, who remained in France and survived the war. Describes her brother-in-law's military service.

Keywords: French Jews; Shoah

Subjects: Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--France; Jewish refugees; Jews--Migrations; World War, 1939-1945--Jews--France; World War, 1939-1945--Jews--Rescue--France

Partial Transcript: So you got here, and you got settled into the American way of things and all, and it was a little uncomfortable and all for you at first, I suppose?

Segment Synopsis: Describes being surprised by prejudice against Catholics and by racism in the United States, which she had not encountered in France.

Keywords: African Americans; Segregation

Subjects: Anti-Catholicism--United States; France--Race relations; United States--Race relations

Partial Transcript: Any other recollections of life here and your first encounter with it?

Segment Synopsis: Describes helping with the resettlement of Jewish refugees and Holocaust survivors in Louisville during the late 1940s. Many of these refugees were Orthodox Jews from eastern Europe. Also discusses helping resettle Cuban Jews and Russian Jews during the 1960s.

Keywords: Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS); Highlands (Louisville, Ky.); Jewish Vocational Service; Jewish Welfare Federation; Linker's Bakery; National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW); Selma Kling

Subjects: Holocaust survivors--United States; Jewish refugees; Jews--Migrations; Jews--Soviet Union--Migrations; United States--Emigration and immigration

Partial Transcript: About this time, there was kind of a growing Zionist movement. How do you feel about that?

Segment Synopsis: Discusses support for and opposition to Zionism among American Jews. Recalls that Rabbi Rauch (of Congregation Adath Israel) initially opposed Zionism but came to support the State of Israel after 1948. States her support and concern for Israel, although she would not want to live there.

Keywords: Rabbi Joseph Rauch; Reform Judaism

Subjects: Jews--Attitudes toward Israel; Zionism--United States

Partial Transcript: What kind of work were you involved in after the refugees got settled? Did you become active in other Jewish programs?

Segment Synopsis: Discusses involvement in various charitable and communal organizations in Louisville, including French language instruction and translation. Recalls receiving awards from B'nai B'rith and the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) for her community service.

Keywords: Adath Israel Sisterhood; Club 60; Fort Knox (Ky.); French Jews; Jewish Community Federation of Louisville; Jewish Ladies' Benevolent Society; The Temple

Subjects: Jewish women--Societies and clubs; Women in charitable work--United States