Max. 4/25/03
A Biography of Ruth Levy
Over the course of the last century, people have been affected immensely by the events that have occurred. Many were personally involved in them or knew someone who was. Others were involved emotionally. In 1929, there was the great depression, a distressing time for everyone. Forced to make sacrifices, families became sick with malnutrition or other illnesses. As Americans were beginning to heal from the wound of the Great Depression, WWII struck in the 1940’s. It was a devastating time, even in other countries. Families were split up by the draft, and many lives were lost. Almost ten years later the decade of the Korean War began. It had a small affect on most Americans, as it was a war away from home. In the late 1950’s began a time all would look back on as hateful and immoral. It was the era of the McCarthy Hearings. Eager to take the spotlight in a time of indecision and fear, Senator Joe McCarthy presented a list of Communists in the U.S. Accusing anyone he pleased, he ruined the lives of thousands. Following this was the Civil Rights Movement. The movement was composed of thousands of organized protests including marches, speeches, boycotts and multiple other forms. It was a time of dissension between Americans, and a hard time on everyone. After the Civil Rights Movement, was an exciting period for America, the space race. In a personal competition against the Soviet Union, America reached the moon in a heat of triumph to conclude the last “leg of the race.” The final event was the Watergate scandal. An unscrupulous President Nixon had broken into the Democratic headquarters, trying to attain secret documents and information. Many lost faith in the government and their leaders.
Ruth Levy, an 81-year-old Brookline resident, shared her life stories and ways in which theses events had affected her. In nearly all of her actions towards different situations in her life, there has been a visible and overlaying theme. She has always acted in some way to promote the idea of social justice, peace, and equality. Through the major events, her dealings have been conscientious, passive and non-violent. She has always been dedicated and passionate in her convictions. She has her own way of objecting through her thoughts and words, but she still fights vigorously and independently to achieve her goal of peace. Though she is always involved in rallies of defiance, peace or equality, she stands alone in her own mind. She is on the side of the rebels, but is her own team. It is an excellent trait and she has carried it with her through her years.
Born in Poland on August 25, 1922, Ruth lived with two older brothers, a mother and a father. She was from a small, impoverished town where everybody knew everybody. Living with her grandparents, aunts and uncles in a support group, she was under crowded living conditions. Though the conditions were harsh, Ruth had exceptionally loving relatives. At about the time she was born, her father left Poland, destined for America. “The law at the time in America, was that a male who wished to establish residency in America had to work there for a six year period, showing that he could support a family.” Her father’s selfless act might have later saved Ruth’s life during World War II. At the age of six, when her father had been in America for six years, Ruth boarded a ship to America with her mother and two brothers. Being only six, she did not fully comprehend the situation. However she could understand the sadness and sense of separation on her families’ faces. The voyage could be described as a horror. Ruth and her family were always ill and the close quarters of the ship added to the unpleasantness. Arriving in America in 1929, she disembarked from the ship and was met with the Great Depression. After reacquainting with her father and settling down, he lost his job to the depression. But, they would not give up. Her father, in hopes of impressing upon Ruth the kind of life America could be, took an apartment in Burrough Park, Brooklyn. At that time, Burrough Park was an opulent Jewish community. Those who had risen in social and economic stature moved to Burrough Park. It was a giant step for the family, but together they could endure the times. The community was forthcoming and honest. “It was a soap box neighborhood.” People spoke whatever was on their minds. Ruth and her family were very close. Her relationship with her mother was especially strong and flourished in their new environment. Ruth described her mother as, “very bright and very enterprising.” Her mother was an unusually intelligent and remarkable person. She had had a minimal education, but learned important life lessons and skills independently. With an energetic quality, she was always optimistic and tried to make the best of every situation. Ruth had also enrolled in school. It surprised her that she was the only immigrant in her class. However, imaginably it would be a problem that she did not yet know English. In her class, there were a few Yiddish speaking children who would kindly take Ruth to the back of the room and explain in Yiddish what was happening. Through this process, Ruth was gradually able to learn English.
Ruth’s family ran a business at home to acquire the money necessary for living in Burrough Park. Her mother would buy what were known as remnants, or unused balls of fabric from the Lower East side of New York City. With a second hand sewing machine in hand, together she and her mother would go from door to door of the wealthy suburbanized neighborhood, and ask if anything was needed to be “made to order.” The fabrics included curtains, linens and anything else. Soon the small side-job turned into a popular business within the community. People would place orders for different linens and Ruth’s mom would bring them over from a stand on 13th avenue. With a new central location, the family moved to 13th avenue, which was basically apartments atop stores. Even though the business was running well, the depression was becoming more demanding. Now, the hopeful family could not even afford the smallest of apartments in Burrough Park. They rented a two bedroom “railroad flat” and, then rented those bedrooms out to boarders who were a regular source of family amusement. With an easier rent to pay, income from the boarders, and everyone in the family helping immensely, the family became less pressured for money. Eventually, circumstances became greatly improved with the end of the great depression. However, all were blind to the fact that WWII was edging closer day by day.
As the depression ended, the Roosevelt administration began. Ruth thought highly of the administration and the wonderful programs it initiated. She was very pleased with the WPA, as it was an opportunity for artists and musicians to find a job in the art field. She was also empathetic to those who did not have jobs and who were economically pressed as she had just experienced the frustration of unemployment first hand. This is an example of Ruth’s love for equality and her burning desire to help those in need and to give those who are underprivileged an equal opportunity. Also, with the end of the depression, orders picked up steadily because people could afford to spend more money now, and many were eager to indulge right after the Great Depression period of compromises. With the new customers came more money and soon the little fabric stand on the corner became a store. Ruth’s brothers became an even greater help to the success of the store, and, being the only daughter in the family, she was allowed some freedom and privileges. She was allowed to pursue her interest in academics. This interest would end up making Ruth the only one in her family who would go to college. Soon, the family could afford to purchase a house. But just as soon, the war arrived. With the war, she started college, where she met her husband, George. Before they were even romantically involved, they were very good friends and shared many classes. After a year or so together, a disconcerting event changed the course of their relationship. “Pearl Harbor was bombed and war was declared.” Ruth remembers her future husband’s tentative approach, as he told her the news that he had signed up for the army. She respected his choice, though not approving of it, and, upon his departure, wrote to him daily, with dedication. In turn, he, lovingly, wrote back. Their friendship rapidly became more intimate and caring, though nearly half of their intimacy was on paper and ink. In time, the war came to a jubilant end and George’s army career finished. George greeted the grateful Ruth from the bus, and within half of a year, the couple was engaged and married.
Also, at the beginning of the war, Ruth’s father had written to their family back in Poland, asking them to immigrate to America. But, not wanting to leave the place where they felt safe and comfortable to go to the unknown oversea, her relatives refused the offer. During these times, as the war was rapidly picking up, Ruth participated in many rallies and protests against the war. Her quest for peace was infinite and dogged. She also remembers taking part in civil defense actions. These included standing out on the streets at night during blackouts. She vividly remembers the whirring of sirens all around as she sat outside. When asked of her family in Poland, Ruth had several survival stories of friends. It seems that Ruth’s bravery, intelligence and determination ran through her whole family. However, many back in Poland, could not escape the horrors of the war. Nearly all of the close and loving friends and family from her childhood overseas were murdered. This was traumatizing for her, as she had but little to say on the subject. Ruth also remembers the changes from the war. There were no men or boys throughout the town. She says it seemed like a little piece of a surreal and dream-like life, and then it was back to reality as almost half of the men who had left, actually came back. The time was traumatizing for many as it was so intense and stressful what with melancholy and anxiety. But there were a few who did not wish to take part in the war. To help them, Ruth was involved in a support group that helped set up buildings known as school factories. They would establish fictitious institutions. This allowed those who needed refuge from the drafts to be excused for school. As the war ended and those who had
gone to the schools had, obviously survived, a total elation erupted in the country. Many got married as soon as they arrived home. This time was known as the Baby Boomers. When Ruth became married to George, the two moved next door to their parents house. “…the only major move,” Ruth says, “in my life.” Along with families, the economy was also flourishing. There was a great improvement from the past, and Ruth and others were now living a fairly comfortable life-style. As things came to a peak, the 1950’s approached and with them, the Korean War.
The Korean War was very different from WWII. It was a war away from home, and most Americans were not involved. There were no drafts. Ruth knew no one who was personally involved in it, however she had heard of it from the media and on the radio. Still, it made no great personal impact on her in comparison to other events. Even with the war, it seemed Ruth and her family were still on the upsurge of fortune. But her increasing fortune and luck was inevitably coming to a halt, as the Korean War quickly passed by, and in came communism and Senator Joseph McCarthy.
The McCarthy period was adverse for Ruth and the U.S. It delivered a sense of extreme anxiety, uneasiness and sometimes fear. Many felt vulnerable to McCarthy’s power. Ruth, especially, had some interesting stories about the times. She described her emotions as anxious and nervous as though there were always eyes on her. But, magnanimously, Ruth gave her time and effort to help friends who had been black-listed or who felt exceedingly nervous. She gave her care, and silently objected to the reign of McCarthy, expressing her yearning for peace and social justice. From the beginning, Ruth could see right through McCarthy’s malevolent scheme, and she despised him. Finally, America saw the truth, and McCarthyism was put to a relieving halt. With McCarthyism leaving people’s minds, new issues appeared such as racism.
The Civil Rights movement picked up as many realized the immoral values of the ranks of American people. Ruth, especially, was a major supporter of the movement. She was involved in many protests from marches to passive acts. Ruth wanted equality and was a major supporter of Martin Luther King. She respected him as she respected her own mother. In some ways, it seems Ruth has an predilection to be fond of M.L.K. as they share many golden qualities. Both are against violence, conscientious and gallant in their dealings with others. When Ruth was at her apex of hopefulness of the success of the movement, King was assassinated. Ruth was devastated to think that someone could kill such a non-violent, good-willed, remarkable person as King. Her mourning was of great magnitude, but she, too, was strong and waded through the sadness. As the civil rights movement became a success, Ruth healed and moved on with her life. America soon entered another period of negative interaction with Soviet Union, the Space Race.
The Space Race was an exciting period for most people, however Ruth was not as enthusiastic. She was fine with the competitiveness of the missions, but did not have that much of an interest in the entirety of them. Also, she resented the Soviet Union. She hated their restrictions of vital freedoms. But, she was pleased when America surpassed the Soviet Union’s efforts with the final landing on the moon.
In perspective, Ruth had a remarkable and amazing life rich with love, benevolence and persistence. Throughout her life she treated people kindly and with respect. But, she did not care for authority. She was a rebel- a fighter always defying the callous laws, rulers and the status quo. Seeing Ruth’s evident search for social justice as a thematic idea interwoven within her life is inspiring. To uncover one’s true intents in life is amazing. Through her wisdom and courage, Ruth has allowed for her life to be illuminated and examined. With Ruth as an example, one must follow his or her convictions strongly, and, when the day is over, an overlaying idea will begin to connect events in life. To seek self-truth is the most predominant goal and Ruth has accomplished this with grace and determination.
TU B’SHVAT
It was an old tree, say the hundreds of lines twirling around its core.
It was a large tree, say the long outstretched roots;
A child’s tree, says the rope ladder lying lifeless on the damp ground.
It was a popular tree, say the spots of worn bark.
It was an inhabited tree, say the tiny holes dug into it;
A child’s tree, says the rope ladder lying lifeless on the damp ground.
It was a big man, say the massive prints preserved in the mud.
He was inexperienced, says the drop of blood tainting the withered tree;
And the child wept for it, says the deserted blanket stained with the smell of salty tears.
The man left hastily, says the multitude of broken twigs off of the path.
There was a big crash, say the suddenly scurrying footprints of animals;
And the child wept for it, says the deserted blanket stained with the smell of salty tears.
It was a strong tree, though, say the jagged cuts.
It never gave up, says the ground sprayed with sawdust;
A child’s tree, says the rope ladder lying lifeless on the damp ground.
They put a sign on it, says the rusted nail embedded into the bark
But nobody could have known, says the utter silence
And the child wept for it, says the deserted blanket stained with the smell of salty tears
It was a child’s tree
And the child wept for it
Max Stein-Golenbock
February 2004
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