Summary(01:00) Linda (mother American, father from Poland) was born in Manhattan on January 15, 1944. Howard Simka (father from Boston, mother from Poland) was born March 17, 1942 in the U.S. Howard and Linda married in 1965, have lived all their lives in Brooklyn, as did their parents. Howard grew up at 629 Troy Avenue, married Linda and moved at age 22 to Ocean Avenue, later Gravesend for 29 years. Since 1995, Linda and Howard live in Park Slope/Prospect Park -- (03:46) Howard worked as a chemist in the paint industry in Brooklyn. Both like the energy, diversity, convenience, schools of Brooklyn -- (05:32) Members of reformed Union Temple of Brooklyn for 25 years. Linda grew up in a secular Jewish home although father conservative Jew. No Jewish education, now learning at Union Temple. There, adults can do their bar/bat mitzvah. Howard did his bar mitzvah as an adult, family not observant. Union Temple an eye opener, prayers in English, female Rabbi. Like family. Howard and Linda welcome the prospect of merging with a larger community although concerned with not being swallowed by it -- (16:00) New reality of Covid: services and activities on Zoom. Activities limited to walks and shopping. Managing by themselves -- (18:30) Both Linda and Howard grew up eating kosher but are not today -- (21:00) They have travelled a lot, but consider Brooklyn home.
NoteTitle supplied by cataloger. Audio interview conducted on June 9, 2020 by Ariane Loeb. Collected through the Brooklyn family Jewish History Project of Brooklyn Public Library. This project is funded by the David Berg Foundation.
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TitleLinda and Howard Simka family.Oral history interview with Linda and Howard Simka conducted on June 9, 2020.
Biographical Note(01:00) Linda was born in Manhattan. Howard Simka was born in the U.S. Howard and Linda married in 1965, have lived all their lives in Brooklyn, as did their parents. Howard and Linda moved to Ocean Avenue, later Gravesend. Since 1995, Linda and Howard live in Park Slope/Prospect Park. Howard worked as a chemist in the paint industry in Brooklyn. Members of reformed Union Temple of Brooklyn for 25 years. Union Temple is now merging with another congregation. Linda and Howard welcome the change, with some reservations. They have travelled a lot, but consider Brooklyn home.