Frieda Steinberg interview, September 10, 2014, November 10, 2014, August 15, 2017: transcript

AN INTERVIEW WITH FREIDA (FAYE) STEINBERG An Oral History Conducted by Barbara Tabach Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project Oral History Research Center at UNLV University Libraries University of Nevada Las Vegas ii ©Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project University of Nevada Las Vegas, 2014 Produced by: The Oral History Research Center at UNLV – University Libraries Director: Claytee D. White Project Manager: Barbara Tabach Transcriber: Kristin Hicks Interviewers: Barbara Tabach, Claytee D. White Editors and Project Assistants: Maggie Lopes iii The recorded interview and transcript have been made possible through the generosity of a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grant. The Oral History Research Center enables students and staff to work together with community members to generate this selection of first-person narratives. The participants in this project thank University of Nevada Las Vegas for the support given that allowed an idea the opportunity to flourish. The transcript received minimal editing that includes the elimination of fragments, false starts, and repetitions in order to enhance the reader’s understanding of the material. All measures have been taken to preserve the style and language of the narrator. In several cases photographic sources accompany the individual interviews with permission of the narrator. The following interview is part of a series of interviews conducted under the auspices of the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Claytee D. White Director, Oral History Research Center University Libraries University of Nevada Las Vegas iv PREFACE Freida (Faye) Steinberg (white suit) hugs her husband Dr. Leon Steinberg. The couple were 2009 Pursuit of Excellence honorees by Adelson Educational Campus. Far right: Miriam and Sheldon Adelson. Freida (Faye) Steinberg – Compassionate, generous, nurturing, and a darn good cook. In 1930, Freida Stendig was born into a growing Orthodox Jewish family in New York City. Her father was a Hungarian immigrant and a watch repairman who Faye recalls: If they put out their hand, he said he had to help. If he'd make five dollars for that day, he would give away half of it … He'd just say God's going to provide. He never said no to anybody and that's the lesson I learned and took with me all my life. When her father Elias’s health became problematic, his doctor suggested that he relocate to San Antonio, Texas, where the climate would be more hospitable. Faye describes her mother, Anna as a writer and a dreamer. Anna married young, attended Hunter College and wrote song lyrics. She instilled Faye and her siblings with a desire for v education. As she explains through this oral history, her parents were her most significant influencers. By the late 1950s, Faye was becoming an influencer herself—on her growing family and on the small but growing Las Vegas’s Jewish community. If a person were to speak the name Faye, most locals immediately envision Faye Steinberg, the petite woman with a broad and engaging smile, and a gracious, but determined, persuasiveness. Faye is also part of a love story with her husband, Dr. Leon Steinberg: In 1946, at a Jewish Community Center USO Dance in San Antonio, the pretty, sixteen-year-old Faye caught the eye of a dashing young army enlistee named Leon Steinberg [1928-2018]. She wasn’t looking for romance. However, by 1954, the couple married. That same year Leon completed medical school at the University of Illinois, and in 1958, the Steinbergs moved to Las Vegas where Dr. Steinberg became the founder of Sunrise Hospital Radiology. Faye is woven into the fabric of Las Vegas Jewish community: Temple Beth Sholom became an integral part of their lives from the moment the Steinbergs moved to Las Vegas for Leon to establish his medical career, which thrives as Steinberg Diagnostics. Always a true visionary and advocate, Faye exemplifies what it means to provide a Jewish foundation through participation in her synagogue, supporting education, and being philanthropic with many organizations. She is the cherished family matriarch: a wife, mother, and grandmother – and darn good cook! She and Dr. Steinberg raised their five children—David, Alan, Dinah, Brian and Suzanne—in Las Vegas. Among the attributes most often mentioned by others is Faye’s way around the kitchen. Her children’s friends loved to hang out at the Steinberg home and the kitchen at Temple Beth Sholom on Oakey Street was named in her honor. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Interview with Freida (Faye) Steinberg September 10, 2014 November 10, 2014 August 15, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada Conducted by Barbara Tabach Preface…………………………………………………………………………………………..iv Session 1 Explains her given name, Freida Stendig. Recollections of her Hungarian born father Elias Stendig and her mother Anna Stendig who attended Hunter College. Mentions her sisters; attending vocational school. Born in New York City; family moved to San Antonio due to father’s health. Father was a professional watch repair technician; Faye learned about the business, which steered her toward jobs while in college. Mother became ill and Faye took care of her……..……….1 – 4 Attended University of Texas; degree in nutrition, minor in education; unhappy with working as a hospital dietician, took a long-term substitute teaching position in an elementary school in San Antonio; would become a dedicated educator in Long Beach CA and Chicago IL. Mentions receiving the Pursuit of Excellence in Education Award from Adelson School in 2009….….5 – 10 Tells the story of meeting her husband Leon Steinberg in 1946; at age 16, at Jewish Community Center USO dance that she attended with her sister Naomi. Talks about Leon, Polish-born, who escaped just prior to Holocaust; his studiousness and medical school studies. Their conversation about her feelings on love and marriage as sacred prior to his departing; they would not see each other for another six years, then he invited her to his graduation, romance blossomed thereafter; back and forth with his medical studies between Long Beach and Chicago……………….11 – 18 Explains how they eventually moved to Las Vegas in 1958: Leon’s medical specialty was radiology, in addition his parents had moved to California; a new project in Las Vegas called Sunrise Hospital needed a radiologist. First concerns for Faye: a synagogue and a kosher meat vii market; joined Temple Beth Sholom, shopped at Sam Cline’s market; joined Sisterhood/Women’s League; rented a place to live with their growing family; active in Combined Jewish Appeal, where they also made many friends………………………………………………………………..19 – 21 Early homeowner of a house on Griffith, then build on Chapman Drive, both walking distance to synagogue; later years built in Tournament Hills. Talks about her five children: David, Alan, Dina, Brian, and Suzanne. Mentions leading a delegation to United Jewish Appeal in 1978. Describes both her and Leon’s religious background; her practice of keeping kosher, talks about keeping a kosher kitchen and finding kosher foods locally……………………………………………22 – 25 Describes educating her children in Clark County public schools in 1960s-1970s; much of life centered around temple youth activities such as United Synagogue Youth, B’nai B’rith Youth, hosting parties at their home for the kids. More about the Sisterhood, kitchen at Oakey location of Temple Beth Sholom was named for her…......………………………………………….….26 – 28 Session 2 Recalls the Steinberg home on Chapman Drive being a gathering spot for her children and their friends; Shabbat dinners, parties, house rules; keeping kosher kitchens; baking cookies. Lessons learned from being poor as a child led to her philanthropy. Organizations that she has been involved in over the years: Hadassah, ORT, ADL, Sisterhood; chapel wing, bride’s room and mikveh of Temple Beth Sholom’s current location is named for Fay and Leon Steinberg....29 – 33 Talks about growth of the Jewish population in the valley; turnover of rabbis; opening of new synagogues to meet the needs of Reform and Orthodox Judaism; awards and recognitions her husband Lee (Leon) and Steinberg Diagnostics has received over the years; raising children with expectation that they be nice to all; secular Judaism and he feelings about Jewish faith…..34 – 39 Describes how she celebrates the Sabbath, Shabbat dinner; Friday nights with Leon saying the blessings. Recalls using jeweler/watch repair training from her father to get a job when attending University of Texas Austin; grandchildren’s bar/bat mitzvahs; March of the Living; importance of Jewish education; Adelson school……………………………………………………….40 – 44 viii Session 3 Describes her husband Dr. Leon “Lee” Steinberg’s family heritage; born in Poland, moved to Chicago when he was 10-years-old; worked as janitor for his sponsoring uncle’s business; quick study at learning English and studious in all classes; his studies at University of Illinois were interrupted with serving in Air Force. The couple was married August 29, 1954, love story of being married 63 years; courtship remembrances. Talks about Lee becoming a doctor of radiology, enrolling children in pre-school and joining Temple Beth Sholom…………………………45 – 48 Recalls bar and bat mitzvahs in the early days of Temple Beth Sholom; mentions being honored by Jewish Nevada for Women’s Philanthropy. Talks about Sam Cline and access to kosher food; mentions Chabad coming to Las Vegas and her husband doing tefillin with Rabbi Schanowitz; joy of being a grandmother and reminisces about her own parents; shops at Trader Joe’s and Smith’s for kosher foods now. Thoughts about education and schools in Las Vegas; Jewish youth programs; naming of her children…………………………………………………………...49 – 58 ix 1 SESSION 1 This is Barbara Tabach. Today is September tenth, 2014. I'm sitting with Faye Steinberg in her lovely home. My real name is Frieda. My oldest sister is eleven and a half months older than me and I used to call Naomi Naye. She said, I'm going to call you Faye. So because my older sister named me Faye and I was very, very attached to her—in fact, we were attached to each other. I always wanted to outdo her and out read her. But it turned out we were pretty much sparring all the time and we were pretty equal. But I've been Faye ever since because she named me Faye. But legally it's Frieda. I lately decided that at my stage of life I better really let people know my real name. So it's Frieda, parenthesis, Faye Steinberg. But I love the name Faye. What was your maiden name? Stendig, S-T-E-N-D-I-G. My father [Elias] was quite a guy. I have the utmost respect for my father and mother, remarkable people, brilliant in their ways. When I go to speak about each one of them, I can't stop because...my father was a humble man. He was apprenticed at a very young age to be a watch and clock repairman. He was so good that if he couldn't buy a part, he could make the part. And my father's Hungarian. But one of the things I admired most about my father is that he had a kind heart. He could never say no to somebody. If they put out their hand, he said he had to help. If he'd make five dollars for that day, he would give away half of it and not worry about his wife and kids. He'd just say God's going to provide. But he never said no to anybody and that's the lesson I learned and took with me all my life. And my mother [Anna] was also a very special woman. She married my father; she was eighteen. She fell in love with him. She already had two years of college under her belt. She 2 was sixteen; she was in Hunter College. She was a writer. She was a dreamer. She wrote the lyrics for a lot of popular songs and she sold the rights to them. But people would come to her and she would write. And when she told me some of the songs, I said, “Momma, people are singing those songs.” She said, “That's my lyrics.” Wow. My mother and father had a love affair for many, many years. Actually, she was from a reform [Jewish] home and she turned orthodox to please my father. So he came from Hungary? He was born in Hungary? My father, yes, he was born in Hungary. And then he came to United States and he brought over his younger brother and his mother. When did they arrive, do you know? Do you remember? I have the information, but I have to get it for you because I have it upstairs. But he was one of three boys. And also, his father had a previous wife and had other children and his mother had others. Then the two of them married and had the three sons. So it's his, hers and theirs. I used to say to my husband, “My God,” I said, “That's confusing.” I said, “I want just one man in my life.” And thank God that's what it's been, one man. That's all I want. I said to him, “I have one God, one man and one temple.” There you go. That's my motto. And I told that once to Rabbi [Felipe] Goodman and he laughed. He says, “You really believe that?” I says, “Yep.” I said, “I've been with him now…” Actually, we just celebrated our sixtieth anniversary. Mazel tov. Thank you. Thank you. 3 That's great. I couldn't wait to celebrate my twenty-fifth and then we celebrated that and then our fiftieth. And thank God now we just celebrated our sixtieth. That's wonderful. So your parents—how long were they married? Well, till they died. My mother died very young. She died in her early fifties. She had cancer. That was very scary because I lost a sister to cancer. Now, you had your older sister, Naomi. Yes, Naomi. And then I had a sister Shirley who was so brilliant that when she went to high school she knew that my parents had no money, so she went to a regular high school, but she studied and worked. Every time she heard that you could take special exams, she took it. She got a scholarship to Vassar. She got a scholarship to Smith. This girl just went right through, and brilliant, brilliant young woman. They have four children, but she died. Problems. I have an only brother. There's five girls and one brother. Oh, my. Yes, Yes. My sister Shirley and then my younger sister Miriam, oh, what a gal. She also worked her way through and did it. I worked my way through college. I worked because I went to a vocational high school, which they don't give you scholarships. At that time you had to go to a regular public school or recognized high school that was pushing and helped the kids get scholarships. When I applied for a scholarship, they said, “Not unless you went to a regular public high school.” However, I can't complain. Where were you born and raised? Well, that's a long story. I was born in New York City. We moved from New York to San Antonio, Texas, which is a long story. My father's health was so bad. He had severe bronchitis 4 and he was constantly sitting over the bench. And the doctor said, “You're not going to survive in this cold, damp city; unless you get to a warmer climate, I don't think you'll make another year.” So my father said to my mother, he says, “So, listen...” At that time there was five of us; the fifth one was born in San Antonio. But my mother had more miscarriages than live children. It was so sad. I was too young to be a nurse. I was my mother's nurse. My older sister learned everything, became an apprentice. My father taught her, watch and clock repairing. He taught me a lot, too; that's how I worked my way through the University of Texas. I took a job in a jewelry store. I said, “I know how to appraise, watch repair. I know how to do this. I know how to do that.” I walked in with a big mouth. And he said to me, “Can you really do all that?” I said, “Give me a chance. I need a job.” I showed him that I could. And I said, “And I also used to work for Shore's Jewelry Store in San Antonio, Texas, and so did my other sister.” And he liked the whole family. He absolutely trusted us. Some of the other people were complaining; how do you trust this to be able to go anywhere to sell? He says, “I trust the family.” But luckily, that's what it was. But getting back to my mother, my mother had more miscarriages than live children. And sad to say, at a very, very—and I never got over this—at a very young age, my mother used to say, Freydela— she used to call me by my Yiddish name — Freydela, don't go to school today; I don't feel good.” Oh, wow. And if you would know what they meant to me...because I wanted school so desperately. I loved school. And it was away from the turmoil of everything. I was her nurse. My husband says to this day I would have made a fabulous nurse. I know I would've. But I liked teaching better. I 5 became a teacher. So you went to UT [University of Texas]. Yes. And I got a degree in nutrition and I worked as a dietician in a small hospital. But I didn't enjoy it. It was not my cup of tea. So how did you get into education? Well, I took a minor in education, figuring that if I liked nutrition, I would either work in it or I would teach nutrition. I always had the theory that we are what we eat. And if we eat correctly and we have the proper nutrition, we could take better care of our bodies. And I still maintain that and I tell that to my children all the time and to my grandchildren. But I loved education. After I worked as a dietician for a short period...and I was not happy. I went to a small, little hospital in Uvalde, Texas. And I said to myself, this is not for me. What's a little Jewish girl doing in Uvalde, Texas? And nobody understands me. I don't even know where that's at. Well, I hardly know, myself. And all I can say is I gave them notice after six months. I says, “This is just not for me.” I went back to San Antonio. I went back to stay at my home because my mother said, if I'm back in San Antonio, “You have to stay at the house.” I said okay. So I went to the school board and I told them I would love to be able to teach in the field of nutrition. And they looked at me. “There's nothing in nutrition or home economics.” I said, “Something, in that area.” And they said, “There's nothing available.” So I said, “But I would love to teach.” He says, “Well, it just so happens that there is an opening”—that's my handyman that's out there. I'm just looking at what he's doing. He's dusting, whatever. So he said, “There's an opening in one of the schools. A teacher is going on maternity leave.” At that time, umpteen years ago, if you were pregnant and you appear pregnant, you had 6 to quit teaching. They don't let you teach into the ninth month like I did with my oldest boy. Yes, they made you quit. So it turns out that—she said to me, “Would you consider teaching a fourth grade class?” I said, “Do I qualify?” And she said, “Well, you had X. But if you'll take one or two more education courses immediately and continue taking a couple more, then you'll qualify.” I said, “I would love to.” And apparently, they were desperate and I was desperate for a job. And I went to the principle, told him that I was going to be the new teacher. Went to the teachers, asked them, where are the children? What are they taking? Where are they now according to the lessons plans? I spent a weekend studying like I was trying to pass a medical survey. It was something. I worked hard. And then I walked into the classroom and I looked at them. I'm in my early twenties. And I look at them and I say, “Oh, my God.” And I said to myself, just remember you're the teacher; they're the students. I got to know them all and within a week I loved them. I loved the teaching. I said, “My God, this is my profession.” I love children. I've always loved children, to this day. What was the name of the school? I don't recall, but I could look it up. How many students did you have? How big was the class? Oh, it was a large—this was in San Antonio. But then after I got married I taught school in Long Beach, California. Then I taught also in Chicago where my husband took his residency training. That's when I got pregnant with David. That's when Lee borrowed money so that after I had the baby I didn't have to think about going back to teaching. He wanted me to just take care of David. 7 But I have such luck. When I was in Chicago, I had a Jewish principal. And he says to me, “Faye, I know your husband is a doctor and I know you're pregnant, but don't tell anybody what month you're in. You can stay as long as you want.” I said, “Wonderful.” I stayed into my ninth month. We only had one little car. I used to drive Lee to work—no. Yes, I used to drive him to the hospital like six in the morning, and by 6:30am, I was at school. I opened the school with the janitor. And I was happy to do it. I loved it. And then I realized that that's what I enjoy the most. Every time I think about teaching, I've said to myself that was really my calling because I love working with children. Well, education has been important to you. Always. It always has been. And then when you read something in here, it will tell you about how I supported every Jewish educational thing that ever got started; I was part of. Talk about that; this article that you're referring to. Let's just spend a little time talking about you and education. Well, the newspaper article tells it even a little more. I'll show you. But the most important thing is—this is the film festival. We're referring to local newspaper articles that you've— Yes. Well, this tells a lot. Okay. This is the [2009] “Pursuit of Excellence” from the Adelson School? Yes. Well, at one time I had, I think, six grandchildren going there. I gave them a big sum of money for scholarships. So I helped pay for something at the school, whatever it is. And I do the same at the synagogue. They just named the social hall in our honor. Then when we first built the synagogue, I had the honor of...in transition from going from 8 one place to the other, they needed a place to put their Torahs, and it was in my home. In my home. In this home in a special room upstairs, which I can show you. I told them it was secret; nobody knew it. Of course, afterwards the rabbi mentioned it to other people and it came out. But when they were here, it was—anyone that needed to get the Torahs, open door; come and go and take them. But they were stored in our home. Wow. That's quite an honor. It had to be a kosher home. And I had a special place to put them. And they couldn't just get into the Torahs. I had them in a special area where there was a curtain. So they had to put a head covering on, a kippah or yarmulke, whatever you want to call it. She says it the way it is. That's the Jewish word. Now, Hebrew is a kippah. It was done safely. We have enough insurance on the house and this and that. But the most important thing, it was quiet; nobody talked about it. Were you a firm teacher? Well, let me say this. I taught with my heart and soul. I loved the kids. I managed to see if they were hungry. If they were hungry, I used to bake for them. I used to worry about that they had milk. The second graders, sometimes you could sense that they needed a little milk break. I used to tell them, I would say—other teachers did it, too. But I used to say I want to see that my class has it. I think I was a good teacher. I cared for each student. I was worried about each child's progress. I could see if some child was emotionally upset or had problems or this or that. I tried to give them lots of love and attention. At that time you could hug them and kiss them. Now you can't even hardly touch them. But nobody said I can't hug and kiss the kids—so I was hugging and kissing them and telling them how proud I am of you. In fact, when I was in Chicago, I had a problem. One kid 9 was the class clown. And I said to him, I said, “You can't continue this way. You just can't.” I said, “You're disruptive.” I said, “You're one of the smartest kids there is; and yet, all of a sudden, instead of doing to your potential, you're doing just the opposite. You can't stay in my class. Either bring your mother or father and I want to talk to them or you're out of my class.” So you ask me what type of teacher. I took it to heart. I wasn't going to let them in second grade think that they can be disruptive and not do their work. I expect you even to do more because you're a smart guy, not less. So when I said you bring your mother or your father, one of your parents, I want a parent interview. If not, you're out of my class. [His] mother came in and she was angry. I spoke from the heart. I said, “It means a lot to me that you came because you're out for the same thing I am, to see what's with your child? Why am I saying this? Well, he could be the smartest in the class. He's got the capabilities, but he is not doing his work.” I told her some of the things that the child did. She said, “Well, you're right.” I said, “Please help me. Talk to him. Tell him that...” She says, “Well, first of all, he's not used to having a white teacher.” I said, “Then maybe he should have another teacher.” It never occurred to me. I said, “All my kids, I like them. I don't care what color they are.” I says, “What matters to me...Are they doing their work? Are they happy? Are they progressing? At the end of the school year are they going to show enough progress to where they can go to the next grade?” And the mother says, “Well, I'll see what I can do.” So I thanked her and I told her it means a lot to me. I said, “If I don't see a change, you'll understand why I'm going to switch him to another class.” She says, “Well, his friends are all in this class.” I said, “That's fine. I want him to stay. But he has to help me and he has to do his work. And he could even be one of my helpers with some of the students.” 10 That guy turned around. I venture to say that one of these days he's still talking about his crazy second grade teacher. But I called it the way it was. I said, “If you don't like me and you think you can clown around, no. We have a lot to do.” All the sudden, from first to second grade, now they have to learn cursive. Now they have to learn history. Now they have the advanced math. Now they're writing composition. Not that they don't start in first grade, but I expected more of them, much more of them. What can I say? I loved teaching. How many years did you teach in total? Total four years. I reminisce and I think to myself I could have still continued teaching, if I wouldn't have met Lee and started my family. And there goes my—and my husband says, “They're yours; you've got to take good care of them.” Well, let's talk about how did you and Lee meet? Oh. Well, it's due to my sister Naomi, my older sister. So what year are we? I'm sixteen. It's 1946. My older sister hears there's a dance at the Jewish Community Center and there's a Jewish USO. She said her friends are going to the dance. She wanted to know if she could go. And my mother says, “Okay, go with your friends.” Then all the sudden, I hear Naomi talking. And I said, “Oh, well, if Naomi goes to the dance, I want to go to the dance because I love to dance.” And I always loved to dance. My mother says I danced before I walked. So Naomi said, “Faye can't go. She's only sixteen.” I said, “I'm sixteen and a half and I want to go to the dance.” So my mother says, “That's okay. The two of you go together. Walk 11 over there. Walk in together. Don't let anybody walk you in. And don't let anybody walk you out. Then you just come home after the dance and that's fine.” And my father's working, so my mother's using her own sense. You've got to understand my mother was an advocate for all of us. She never said no to us. When we were reasonable, she was reasonable. She married my father at eighteen. So come on now. My sister's seventeen and a half and I'm sixteen and a half. You're going to a dance. It's only a two-hour dance, from three to five. It's not like it's a long—maybe sometimes it started at two thirty. But whatever my mother said we did. She said walk in together; walk out together. That afternoon I went with my older sister to the dance, older sister, eleven months older than me, eleven and a half she used to say. She used to say, “I couldn't say eleven months. Eleven and a half.” I went to the dance and I'm having a fabulous time dancing, fabulous. Everybody's cutting in. No matter what the dance is, I could follow it because I just loved music and I loved dancing. So Lee cuts in. [He says] he stood in the doorway, picked me out, said that's the girl I'm going to dance with—well, meet. He takes two steps with me and he says, “Let's not dance; let's talk,” and then gives me a big beautiful smile. And I look at him and I see his shining eyes and cute dimples. I said, “Okay.” What do I know? He said, “Let's talk.” So I go off the dance floor… And we start talking. Somebody comes over and says, “Would you like to dance?” I said, “No, thank you, I'm talking.” So Lee quickly pulled me further away so nobody would come. And then we spent the afternoon talking and he just told me how—mind you, he's only to years older than me. His birthday is in January and mine's in February and two years' difference—It was fun. He asked me if I came there a lot. I said, “No, it's my first time,” I said. “I'm here with my older sister Naomi.” He said, “Well, how did you 12 get here?” I said, “We walked over.” He said, “Can I walk you home?” I said, “Oh, no. Nobody walks us home; this is my mother's instructions.” So I told Lee and that's exactly what we did. Then he asked me to come back the following Sunday. I said I would try. This went on for maybe three weeks. Then finally he says, “I'd love to meet your family one day.” So then I told my mom, “He's a cute guy.” This is a little bit—I've got to show you a picture from when he was a soldier boy. I have pictures of us. But here he is in our early marriage. This is in 1978. He had a bunch of hair and now he has no hair. But he was cute. He had shining eyes and a beautiful smile and he spoke so beautifully. And I didn't even know that he was not American born because he has no accent. Oh. Where is he from? Poland. They got out of Poland just before they closed the doors and they killed the Jews in 1938, mid-1938. After that the rest of his family were all destroyed. It was sad, sad, sad. So many beautiful cousins and aunts and uncles were destroyed. And in Poland. You've heard of the Holocaust. He didn't tell me this story until much later. When he came here he was ten and he couldn't speak a word of English. They put him in an elementary school where he was in like a first grade and it was an insult to him. My husband, Lee, was so indignant that he should be put in with these young kids that within six months he had learned English and he was perfect and he was way ahead of everybody. He was a scholar in Poland. Wow, smart man. Well, he's very smart. But from the outset, as a young kid. 13 He's gotten all the honors in medicine, the highest honors in medical school. I mean he graduated with all...I can get it for you, all the different honors that he has. So you could probably see this in him as a teenager. I just loved the way he smiled. I just loved the way he talked. I loved the way he spoke of his parents with such utmost love and respect. See, to me that's important. When you give family credit and enjoy doing it—and I liked the way he talked to me. I still to this day—every now and then he gets a little angry with me, but nothing but—I guess I do the same. That's marriage, right? Yes. [Laughing] And you said you've been married how long? Sixty, a little over sixty years. That's a long time. I'm hoping to celebrate seventy. I'm sure you will. God willing. So where did you get married? Well, it's a long story, but we got married in Los Angeles [1954]. Before he left the service, he says, “You know, Faye, I'm so happy we met. “I love you.” He asked, “Do you love me?” And I said, “No, I don't.” He said, “Well, how do you feel about me?” I said, “Lee, I like you very much, but I can't tell you I love you because love to me is a sacred word.” Certain things to me have always been sacred. This is part of my mother's training. She used to say marriage is sacred. Children are sacred. Certain things are sacred. You never make fun of them and you hold them in high esteem. 14 So I said, “I like you as a person. I'm very fond of you.” He says, “Well, in that case, hold my dog tags for me. I'm going to see you again.” He said, “Here's my dog tags.” I said, “Okay,” and I took his dog tags and I held them. Anyhow, every now and then he'd write me. Then I saw him only once before his twentieth birthday. It's a long story. He had his pa