hist-1 | Dallas Jewish Historical Society

Dave Andres

by Bryan Cytron | Apr 7, 2015 | 1920s and Earlier, Video Oral History | 0 comments

In preparation for June 6, 2004, the 60th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy known as D-Day, Dave Andres z”l shared his memories from age 19 of watching the invasion from the English Channel while serving with the U.S. Navy. Born in Dallas, TX, on April 24, 1925, to Chaya Ruchel and Harry Andres, Dave was drafted into the Navy at 18 and trained in Balboa Park in California. Following his naval service, he returned to Dallas and studied at SMU. Dave eventually became the founder of Dave Andres Real Estate and was a longtime member of Temple Emanu-El. He was a dedicated supporter of Dallas Hebrew Free Loan Association, a baseball coach at the JCC and Dallas Metro YMCA, and, along with his wife, Ruth, helped the Dallas Jewish Historical Society through their financial and hands-on generosity. Dave passed away on December 30, 2004.

Click here to watch his video.

Betty Ann Ablon

by Bryan Cytron | Apr 7, 2015 | 1930s, Video Oral History | 0 comments

Betty Ann “Bebe” Ablon was born in 1938 in Boston, Massachusetts. Bebe and her family had moved to Dallas by the time she completed high school. Afterwards, she attended SMU as one of three Jewish girls at the time, graduating as an English major. Bebe went to graduate school to work in community centers. She also worked for Hope Cottage, an adoption service agency, ultimately becoming the Vice President. Bebe belongs to the National Council of Jewish Women and Temple Emanuel and is engaged with the well-being of Dallas’s Jewish Community.

Click on the image to watch the video, or click here.

Kitzi Ball

by Bryan Cytron | Feb 11, 2015 | 1920s and Earlier, Video Oral History

Kitzi Ball was born in 1926 in Des Moines, Iowa, before moving with her family to Ohio, followed by moves to Chicago and New York City. Kitzi’s father was a store manager and later became Vice President of the Three Sisters Company. Kitzi lived in Chicago and was an X-ray technician at the time that her family moved to Texas in 1951. Kitzi married her late husband, Myron z”l, in 1952 and they later settled together in Dallas. Kitzi dedicated her time as a volunteer at Golden Acres for 25 years, serving as a friend and confidant to the elderly there. Kitzi and Myron had three sons together.

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Mimi Aronoff

by scott cytron | Feb 9, 2015 | 1920s and Earlier, Video Oral History

Born in Dallas, TX, in 1929, Mimi attended John Henry Brown School and Forest High School. Her father, who eventually owned Goodman Produce Company, immigrated from Poland to the U.S. at age 13. On June 21, 1947, Mimi married her husband, Melvin, who had the opportunity to meet Albert Einstein at a seder dinner through the military. Her family was active in three synagogues – Temple Emanu-El, Agudas Achim, and Shearith Israel – and Mimi was president of Mizrachi Women in Dallas. On the day of her son’s bar mitzvah, she heard on the radio that President Kennedy was assassinated, and later that night saw Jack Ruby at Temple.

Click on the image to watch the video, or click here.

Fonda Schepps Arbetter

by DJHS Admin | Oct 14, 2014 | 1960s, Video Oral History

Fonda Schepps Arbetter was born in 1956 in Dallas, Texas. Her great-grandparents, Nathan and Freida Schepps, founded Schepps Dairy in Russia before coming to Texas and continuing the family business. Fonda attended preschool at Congregation Shearith Israel and years later met her husband at one of the singles’ events she had put together at the Jewish Community Center. Fonda has been a very active member in the Jewish community, having been inspired by her father’s involvement and hard work. She has been on the Board of Directors for Congregation Shearith Israel and has displayed leadership in many other Jewish organizations.