Sophia Wise

Item Information

Title:
Sophia Wise
Description:
Sophia Wise speaks about her family background. As a child her mother sang Tumbalalaika, which she didn't realize was Yiddish until she took the January term Yiddish course at the Book Center. She speaks about her great-grandfather's Yiddish letters, which she hopes to be able to read. Sophia then goes into detail about growing up as a Jew in Orlando, Florida and her family's involvement in the Jewish community. Sophia's Aunt Tess Wise established the Holocaust Center in Orlando and was one of the pillars of the Jewish community in Orlando. The conversation then turns to Sophia's Jewish identity, particularly as she began her studies at Smith College and moved away from home. She later speaks about her passion for Yiddish, the concept of Yiddishland, and how much there is left to be done in the field of Yiddish. Sophia discusses her time at the Yiddish Book Center, its significance, and her experiences studying Yiddish in the January Term program. She particularly lights up while describing the many positive reactions she has encountered when people learn she is studying Yiddish. At the end of the interview, Sophia reflects on her experiences with Yiddish, its significance, and her advice to future students. To cite this interview: Sophia Wise Oral History Interview, interviewed by Hillary Ossip, Yiddish Book Center's Wexler Oral History Project, Karmazin Recording Studio, Yiddish Book Center, January 21, 2011. http://archive.org/details/SophiaWise21january2011YiddishBookCenter ( [date accessed] )
Creator:
Yiddish Book Center (Allie)
Date:
January 21, 2011
Format:
Film/Video
Location:
Yiddish Book Center
Collection (local):
Oral Histories
Subjects:
Advice
Favorite Yiddish word
Childhood
Family history and stories re. ancestors
Jewish Identity
Yiddish language (feelings of/about
Meaning
Descriptions of)
Yiddish learning
Other Jewish languages
Theater
Music
Holocaust
Religion and ritual
United States
Yiddish Book Center
Youth group
Summer camp
Food and culinary traditions
Roots/heritage
Jewish community (descriptions of place and social dynamics in a particular time)
Orlando
Florida
Tess Wise
Holocaust Memorial Resource Education Center of Florida
USY
Kadima
United Synagogue Youth
National Yiddish Book Center
Wexler Oral History Project
Link to Item:
https://www.yiddishbookcenter.org/collections/oral-histories/interviews/woh-fi-0000104
Terms of Use:
Rights status not evaluated.
Contact host institution for more information.
Language:
English