The following interviews were conducted by Lawrence Baron, an adjunct professor from Saint Lawrence University (Canton, NY), in conjunction with WRVO (NPR, Oswego, NY) from 1983 - 1986.
These interviews culminated into a one-hour radio documentary, Haven from the Holocaust, a one-hour radio documentary about the refugees and the people involved with them. The documentary is a production of WSLU-FM, North Country Public Radio, St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY. Jackie Sauter, Executive Producer. Beverly Hickman, Producer. Dr. Lawrence Baron, Researcher & Script Consultant.
The interviews were originally recorded on audiocassette tapes with little quality control. The recordings contain many deformities and the interviews tend to end abruptly. Transcripts are provided for all recordings.
Interviews were digitized from the audiocassette tapes in 2004 and 2005 by SUNY Oswego students as part of a class project. The sound files linked below are .mp3 files; .wav files are available upon request.
Tape 269
Date recorded: Unknown
Interviewer: Unknown
On this tape:
- Morice Kamhi discusses his experience in Europe during World War II and his life at Fort Ontario.
- Leon Levitch, pianist and student of music before arriving at Fort Ontario, discusses school, piano tuning, working with two pianists who were also residents, and establishing a chorus at Fort Ontario.
- Fredi Baum discusses experiences and general information about Fort Ontario and the community.
- Newspaper columnist Samuel Grafton discusses his New York Post article concerning immigration during World War II and his conversations with President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Tape 270
Date recorded: Unknown
Interviewer: Unknown
On this tape:
- Ruth Gruber details her travels to Italy to accompany the refugees, their return to the U.S. on the troop ship Henry Gibbons, and the train trip to Oswego. She discusses residents' experiences at Fort Ontario and government decisions concerning the residents future residency after World War II.
- Walter Greenberg remembers the train trip to Oswego, the fence at Fort Ontario, his Bar Mitzvah, and being a member of the Boy Scout troop.
- Jack Bass discusses childhood experiences at Fort Ontario and his life in Europe before traveling to the U.S.
- Jolanda and Jack Bass discuss their mother's hardships during the war and her singing talent.
- Manya Breur remembers her life in Europe before and during World War II, her family's traveling, their time in 5 camps, and being chosen to travel on the Henry Gibbons. Her experiences at Fort Ontario include her marriage and the birth of her daughter.
Tape 271
Date recorded: August 1984 (Safe Haven Oswego Reunion)
Interviewer: Unknown
On this tape:
- Ruth Gruber discusses Safe Haven, her employer Harold Ickes (Secretary of the Interior), and individuals at Fort Ontario including Joe Langnas, Olga Maurer, David Hendel, Fred Baum, Alex Margulis, Ralph Manfred, Edith Semjen, John Hunter, and Jolanda Bass.
- Adam Munz details his trek on foot across the Alps to Italy and his time at Fort Ontario.
- Liana Brown discusses her travel to the U.S. and family hardships.
- Fredi Baum remembers work as an administrative assistant to the director at Fort Ontario and the fence. He spoke seven languages.
- Julius Krauthamer, a rabbi from Auburn, remembers his travels to Fort Ontario, bringing supplies and food deliveries.
- Karl Bader recalls coming from a concentration camp in Italy, arriving at Oswego, maintaining sewing machines at the Fort Ontario and moving to New York City after the war.
- Samuel Grafton, a writer for the New York Post during World War II, discusses an article he wrote that suggested a way to bring refugees to the U.S., "Free port for people."
Tape 272
Date recorded: Unknown
Interviewer: Lawrence Baron
On this tape:
- David Simmons was an Oswego resident during World War II. He remembers life as a child at Fort Ontario.
Tape 273
Date recorded: July 1984 (telephone)
Interviewer: Lawrence Baron
- Side A & B (both in one file)
- Transcript
On this tape:
- Joseph Smart, Emergency Refugee Shelter of Fort Ontario director from 1944 - 1945, discusses organization, community relations, government rulings, residents and Christmas 1944.
Tape 274
Date recorded: November 19, 1983
Interviewer: Lawrence Baron
On this tape:
- SUNY Oswego professor Seward Salisbury talks about religion in Oswego, schools and child residents.
- Muriel Perry, Oswego school teacher, recalls teaching at Fort Ontario and relationships with residents.
Tape 275
Date recorded: January 1984
Interviewer: Lawrence Baron
On this tape:
- Walter Greenberg discusses his life before coming to the U.S., concentration camps in Italy, experiences at Fort Ontario, the Boy Scout troop at the fort, school and housing.
Tape 276
Date recorded: September 23, 1986
Interviewer: Pat McKeon
On this tape:
- David Wyman discusses 1930s + 1940s U.S. immigration laws, anti-Semitism, President Roosevelt's plan to bring refugees to the U.S.
Tape 277
Date recorded: August 1984 (Safe Haven Oswego Reunion)
Interviewer: N/A
On this tape:
This tape includes a recording of the reunion celebration.
- Joseph Papp presents introduction to the celebration.
- Moric Kamhi introduces Ruth Gruber.
- Ruth Gruber - speech about Emergency Refugee Shelter at Fort Ontario.
- Governor Mario Cuomo - speech.
- Manya Breuer sings three songs.
- Presenters included: Walter Greenberg, Adam Munz, Leon Levitch, Florence Freedman, Yolanda Bass, and Rochelle Sidell.
Tape 278
Date recorded: November 19, 1983
Interviewer: Unknown
On this tape:
- Ralph Faust, principal of Oswego High School during World War II, discusses refugee children in school.
- Virginia Dean, principal at Fitzhugh Park School during World War II discusses refugee children in school and overcoming language barriers.
- Harold Clark organized a Boy Scout troop at Fort Ontario for young male residents. He discusses the focused interest the boys had, work ethics and community involvement.
Tape 279
Date recorded: Unknown
Interviewer: Lawrence Baron
On this tape:
- Geraldine Rossiter recalls visiting the Fort Ontario, friends she made, outings, and her friend Edith Semjen.
- Aulus Saunders, SUNY Oswego Art Department chair during World War II, discusses art exhibitions, college and community relations.
Tape 280
Date recorded: January 1984
Interviewer: Lawrence Baron
On this tape:
- Steffi Steinberg discusses life with her family in Europe before and during World War II, voyage on the Henry Gibbons, and Oswego school experiences.
Tape 281
Date recorded: November 2, 1983
Interviewer: Lawrence Baron
On this tape:
-
Michael Dobkowsky, associate professor at Hobart and William Smith College and author of The Tarnished Dream, discusses anti-Semitism.
Tape 282
Date recorded: April 30, 1986 (telephone)
Interviewer: Lawrence Baron
On this tape:
- David Wyman discusses U.S. immigration, immigration quotas, and anti-Semitism.
Tape 283
Date: July 1984 (telephone)
Interviewer: Lawrence Baron
On this tape:
- Sharon Lowenstein, who wrote A Raw Deal for Refugees, Oswego, 1944-45.
Tape 284
Date: 1987
Interviewer: N/A
Radio Program: Haven From The Holocaust. A one-hour documentary produced by WSLU-FM, North Country Public Radio, St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY. The program includes excerpts from previous interviews. Participants include: David Wyman, Josiah DuBois, Samuel Grafton, Sharon Lowenstein, Ruth Gruber, Geraldine Rossiter, Lawrence Baron, Fredi Baum, Leon Levitch, Steffi Steinberg, Muriel Perry, Edith Weiss, Walter Greenberg, Seward Salisbury, Manya Breuer, Joseph Smart, Adam Munz, and Moritz Konig. Jackie Sauter, Executive Producer. Beverly Hickman, Producer. Dr. Lawrence Baron, Researcher & Script Consultant.