The interviews include memories of life in Europe, the Lower East Side and early 20th-century California. The residents include retired teachers, shop owners , and former entertainers and models:
Rachel Hoff, born in Oakland, offers these words:
My job was to model face and skin products — to get customers to buy them. I also did some modeling for a Chicago newspaper. I modeled as an older model until 15 years ago. I liked my job. I didn’t really use the products, as I believe they are bad for your skin. One time, there was a woman who I knew couldn’t afford the products and I told her to go to the drugstore because it was cheaper….”
Elizabeth Pavel, in a sadder tone, recalls having to wear a yellow star.
And Charlie Bernstein recalls coming west to work on the space program, then retiring and becoming a scienceteacher. “They were drop-out kids. Kids that never finished high school…I got along with them great and they looked at me like a grandfather, you know. The pay was terrible but I didn’t care,” he said.
“Our hope is to preserve the wit and wisdom of our elders,” said the project’s co-chair, Helen Loewenstein. “Ultimately, the photos and personal stories will be included in a beautiful book that will preserve the legacies of our elders for future generations.”
Linda Polse, Reutlinger board member, said: “For me, Punim is an extension of honoring thy mother and father to our community at large. This is a gift of our history as a people.”
The exhibit opens to the public on Monday, Sept. 22 at Reutlinger, 4000 Camino Tassajara, and will remain a part of the facility’s permanent museum collection after appearing at the federation’s “Choices” event on Monday, Oct. 27 and at the Reutlinger’s Solid Gold Ball on Saturday, Nov. 22. For information, call (925) 648-2800.