Interviews with Izzy

This is a collection of Audio recordings from conversations with Isadore Fahn

Part 1

Izzy recalls his journey to America, reading a Yiddish postcard from his father and sharing stories of family, survival, and searching for work while trying to keep the Sabbath.

Part 2

Izzy recounts his rise from garment work in Seattle to success in the wool trade, his brief return to Germany after WWI, and his eventual decision to leave Europe—and traditional business—behind for good.

Part 3

Sura Kamil Fahn shares vivid memories of family life, emigration.

Part 4

Sura and Tauby reflect on rising antisemitism in 1930s Germany, family struggles during the Depression, and building new lives in America—woven with memories of lost opportunities, sibling tensions, and enduring love for those left behind.

Part 5

Sylvia reflects on her childhood in Dortmund, her close-knit but struggling family, and the journey that brought her to America with Ernest in 1931—interweaving memories of hardship, resilience, and the loved ones left behind.

Part 6

Sylvia recalls family joys and losses—from building a new home and Ernest’s business ventures to the heartbreak of relatives lost in the Holocaust—highlighting resilience amid tragedy and the legacy of their shared history.

Part 7

Izzy recall life in early 20th-century Solotwina (Starunya?), highlighting the challenges of growing up Jewish amid rising Slavic nationalism, antisemitism, and the protective role of Austria—painting a vivid picture of identity, resilience, and community tensions.

Part 8

Izzy shares his early love of reading and how that influenced him wanting to go to America at age 17.

You can Download the transcripts below for added context to learn more of Izzy’s story.