| Melvin C. and Ethel (Wiesenthal) Schwartz (1946): In an effort to rejuvenate the Society, American-born children of members were cajoled into joining the Society and attending its meetings and banquets. In this photo, Melvin C. Schwartz and his wife Ethel (daughter of Jacob Wiesenthal) are shown at the 1946 annual dinner. Ethel, who was born in Brooklyn, spoke only Yiddish and did not learn English until she began attending public school; so she was able to follow what people were saying at Society events, all of which were conducted in Yiddish. Melvin, whose family emigrated to New York in the mid-19th century, dreaded these occasions because he did not understand a word of Yiddish. |
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