Description:Dorothy, Ted, Evelyn, and Chester were probably friends of Hi.

Description:This appears to be another image of a woman writing good bye to Lawrence before he leaves to America. The inscription reads: "I wish you, Liev, that all your wishes will come true and you will be lucky. Amen. For the memories. to Liev. From Anuita, 21 February 1904." Also from F. Malina photo studios. [show more]

Description:Someone, somewhere. Obviously a Military someone. Probably in Australia?

Description:This July, 1944 washed out picture shows a Wallaby in Australia Back marked with number "913"

Description:Long after Berl (Bernard) Pellicoff left Russia (Nsofska) and his friend Moshe and after he lived in Philadelphia, he won a huge financial award from the U.S. Government as a result of an eminent domain seizure made after World War I started (the property was important due to its proximity to the Pennsylvania Railroad freight yard.) He used those funds to move to Atlantic City and ultimately purchased the 100 room Majestic Hotel. Every summer, the grandkids visited them in Atlantic City and are depicted here in 1926. George is upper left. Herbie Bell, upper middle, and Mort Bloom, upper right. Elkie is next to her grandmother, and Baby Hi, here 5 years old, being held by his grandparents. Gil (Elkie's son) writes: Fanny Bell—Ethel and Abe’s sister somehow ended up owning 100% the Majestic Hotel. This hotel was 100+ rooms, served three Kosher meals a day, attracted Jewish patrons from New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and had many Jewish entertainers as guests throughout the years. The location was on the beach block of New Jersey Ave in Atlantic City. Aunt Fanny never left the hotel, would not even sit outside on the huge porch. Dale and I would go there with our Mother and the big treat was Aunt Fanny taking us to a high walk in vault and giving each one of us a dollar---a lot of money in those days. Gil wrote these words to his children about his Majestic Hotel Experience: This is the hotel that my great grand-father Beryl and great grandmother Duba owned. ( see link below ) Somehow my great--aunt Fannie took it over when they died eliminating the rightful inheritance of my grandfather Abraham, and my great-aunt Ethel who lived in California. Anyway, Aunt Dale and I were taken there on many occasions by our Mother. Aunt Fannie was always pleasant to us, taking us to a giant build-in wall safe, making a dramatic contribution to both of us of one dollar. In those days that was a very generous gift. The hotel offered three strictly kosher meals a day. We would venture into the back kitchen and I would enjoy spinning the knife sharpener around. There were several African-American porters and elevator operators, maids who lived in a basement-like area on the street level. They were always very friendly to us and I remember an elevator operator letting us ride with him up and down many times when no guests around. Each meal had tons of food. Breakfast had fruit juices, lox, bagels, rye, cheeses, eggs, pancakes, waffles, pastry on and on. You get the idea. Every meal was a feast and the guests did not miss a meal. There was a cardroom off the main lobby. My Grand-mom Jenny, your great great grand-mother, played poker there , high stakes 1-2-3 cent poker with a bunch of avid old lady poker plays. My Grand-mother, I later learned, folded her hand unless she had an almost guaranteed winner. The huge front porch looked out on the avenue. However, the hotel was on a beach block thus a short walk to the boardwalk and beach. The guests would sit and rock on the rocking chairs. There was also a sun room running along the main lobby. This room had many plants. Tropical fish, tropical birds, plenty of sun and ocean breezes. Apparently my family forgave Aunt Fannie for acquiring sole position of the hotel in that we went there frequently and greeted Aunt Fannie as though nothing negative ever occurred. Not sure how my Aunt Ethel reacted, three thousand miles away. Our memories of our times at the Majestic always made Dale and me happy. [show more]

Description:Beryl, Ethel´s father and Moishe´s friend, was Lawrence´s contact in the U.S. when he came to the country in 1903. Here is depicted in Philadelphia.

Description:Look how pretty Betty looks in these candid shots taken while sitting in the front patio area of their home at 1735 Crest Dr, Los Angeles, California 90035. Hi and Betty bought this house from the family of Richard Wordes circa 1966. Depicted in one of the pictures is a delightful photo of Dennie (Denise) Bloom standing behind Betty. They had two dogs, an Australian Collie (Nuge) and sweet Shana (as in Shana Punim). Betty was approximately 40 years old at the time of these photos. [show more]

Description:On December 30, 1926, Betty was born at Providence Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. This Certificate of Birth states that her father was Sam, a white male who was 27 at his last birthday (which would have meant he was born in 1899) who lived at 121 Harmon, having been born in Canada and who´s profession was brick layer. Her mother was Ann Cohen, who was born in Russia and who´s occupation was housewife. A little Wisotsky background: Sam and Ann Cohen Wisotsky were married (in Detroit?) and had 5 children: 3 girls and 2 boys. The oldest was Irene Wisotsky Rubin (b 1925), Betty (b 12.30.1926, d. 3.17.2013) was second, and Marcia, was third. The oldest boy was Morton Wisotsky (b.1932) whom every one called Sonny, and Allen Wisotsky. (Ann´s mother was Gertrude (Bubbie) Cohen. She died approximately 1960. Sam (born in Canada of eastern Europe, perhaps Poland roots in 1899) was a great grandfather. Barely 5´2" (and almost as wide) he was a brick layer, mason, who did some wonderful stone work, including building the fireplace in our house in Riverside, California in 1958. He loved to play pool, and said to all of his grandsons, "that he was the best boy from all the girls", or to his granddaughters, "that he was the best girl from all the boys". He was a kind man and always paid attention to his children and grand children. An interesting story was that during prohibition, while still living in Detroit, he was caught bringing boot leg liquor across one of the great lakes from Canada into the U.S. Arrested and told he had a chance to save himself if he would tell the police who were his bosses, he refused, and served time in a Federal jail. In appreciation for his silence, during the whole time he was in jail, once a week, many bags of groceries were placed at his wife´s Ann´s doorstep to take care of the family. Ann, disbursed the groceries to the other wives who went to jail with Sam. Ann was a tall woman and towered over her husband. Not nearly as gregarious as her husband, she was the boss of her household, and cooked all the meals at the Jewish Holidays. Irene married Mitchell Rubin (a contractor) and had three children, Mona )who married Fred and had one daugher), Suzanne who married Phillipe, and Dawn, who married a successful businessman in Virginia. . Marcia, who worked in retail at May Company Department store in Los Angeles, married Jimmy Reid, a tall slender man who worked for the U.S. Post Office. Jimmy was a superb bowler. They had two children Deborah and Jeff. Jeff married a lovely woman and had one child. Sonny was a multi talented man. He served in the Army in Korea. Was involved in theatre, played guitar, and later in life wrote poems. He was married twice, and had two children. He is alive at this writing, and is the last of his generation to be alive. Alan, was everybody´s favorite as a kid. Handsome, a great athlete, he ultimately married twice. He became a High School teacher and met and married a colleague, Lindy. Alan had three children, one from his first wife, and two with Lindy, Zev (who married Jinny) and a wonderful daughter who is married. [show more]

Description:Its not known exactly when Vera followed Lawrence to the United States. Mort estimated it was 1905, which could be correct. What is confirmed is that Vera came after her husband, Moishe died of a heart attack in Kiev. She came with her children, Rita, Sonia, Anna, Masha, Luba, and Sasha. She settled in Chicago. This picture was almost certainly taken in Chicago and includes all of her children (except Lawrence, who was in Los Angeles, and Anna, who died of influence in epidemic of 1918). Starting back row left is Rita standing in front of her husband Morris Grodsky (cross armed). Their daughter, Masha, is an infant being held by Vera. Since Masha was born March 8, 1920, and appears to be a few months old in this picture, we can surmise that this photo was taken circa June, 1920. Next is Emmanuel Rytslin standing next to his wife Sonia. Kneeling in front of them in a white shirt and arms crossed is Robert (Bobby) Rytslin. This picture was taken in 1920, and the great Soviet experiment, initiated with the Russian Revolution of 1918, was settling in at this time, and soon thereafter, the Rytslins moved back to Russia to participate and support the Soviet experience. Emmanuel died incarcerated soon thereafter. Sonia apparently lived somewhat longer but died at an early age. Bobby spent the rest of his life in Russia, marrying a Russian woman and having one daughter, until he moved back to the United States decades later with the help of the Odinaks. Next is Sasha, right behind Bobby. Next is Anna Talmey and her husband, Sam. Seated in front of Sam is Luba. Obviously smiling was NOT in the tradition of group portraits in this era. [show more]

Description:HJB put together the family tree that you see here, which, with Mort´s book, is about the best data that we have.

Description:Ethel must have taken the boys to Chicago. She often would take a train without Lawrence, who would usually stay in Los Angeles. Its July, so its summer, when they often traveled. We have 8 pictures, lets take them clockwise from the upper left. #1: Depicts, from left to right, Rita, Luba, Ethel, and Anna, with baby Hi (age 2) in front. The poses haven´t changed in 100 years, but the hemlines of the dresses certainly were longer then. #2 clockwise: Top left is Anna, carrying Meta, then ?, then center top is Vera Blumen Bloom (mother of Lawrence, Rita, Anna, Luba, Sasha, et al) who followed Lawrence to the U.S. (her husband, Moishe, died in Russia). To the right of Vera might be Aaron Perliss, with straw hat, (see Mort´s book page 23), who is the man that Lillian Luba Blumen Bloom Perliss married. Luba is top right. Below Luba is Ethel, who´s hands are on Rita´s shoulders. In front of Rita is George, then Morris, holding his daughter Masha, someone holding HI, and Mort on the lower left. Behind mort with the frizzy hair: ?. #3: That appears to be Rita, getting her Metta to look forward, then Hi, Masha, George, and Mort, with that cocky bent of his head. #4: Is that Lawrence? upper left, then Ethel, George, Masha, and Hi (looking forlornly down), Aaron Perliss holding Mort. #5: Vera holding Meta, then Masha next to Mort, George, and Hi. #6: Vera, Ethel, Rita, and the 5 kids. #7: Vera and Ethel. #8: Center: Same cast of characters, juggled around. Ethel holding Hi. Mort on the ground in front. I don´t think that is Lawrence, too big of a silly grin. [show more]

Description:The back of the picture says "Swisher Studios, Chicago". Bobby was Sonia´s only son. He was born in Chicago, where this picture was taken, circa 1923. Sonia and her husband Emmanuel, with Bobby, moved back to where Sonia was born, for the Grand Soviet Experiment, in Russia. The Czar had been removed, Lenin was in power, and many looked to Russia as the start of a movement which would sweep the world, and provide equality amongst peoples. There would be no robber barons, no uber rich, but only system of everyone working together, for the betterment of all. It was called: Communism. Unfortunately, before too long, Stalin came into power, and there were many were More Equal Than Others, (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_Farm) First Emanuel was said to have died in some labor camp in the 30's and then Sonia died also. Bobby lived for years and was raised in the Soviet Union. See Mort´s book about how he was brought back to the U.S., where he died in New Haven, Connecticut. [show more]

Description:By November, 1944, Hi had been stationed in Brisbane, Australia. (For a wonderful history of Mort´s war assignments, read his War section in his book.) Brisbane and Australia played an important role in the war. Even receiving the title "The Battle of Brisbane". https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Brisbane Within days of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, U.S. military planners began examining the possibility of pursuing the war against Japan from a base in the southwest Pacific. On December 14, 1941, Brig. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower proposed the construction of a military installation in Australia, and that plan was approved three days later by U.S. Army chief of staff George Marshall. On December 22 a convoy led by the USS Pensacola disembarked more than 4,000 troops at Hamilton Wharf in Brisbane. Nearly one million U.S. troops would pass through Australia between 1941 and 1945, roughly 80,000 of whom were stationed in Brisbane at the height of the war. Brisbane’s population in December 1940 was estimated at 335,000; the American presence in the city would have a significant demographic impact. Initially the U.S. troops were greeted warmly. Indeed, many African American troops related that throughout their deployment in Australia they had received better treatment from Australians than from their countrymen. In March 1942 U.S. Gen. Douglas MacArthur was ordered to Australia from the Philippines. The following month he was appointed commander of all Allied forces in the Southwest Pacific theatre, and in July he moved his headquarters from Melbourne to Brisbane. MacArthur’s first major operation as supreme commander was the defense of New Guinea after a Japanese invasion force threatened Port Moresby. Under extremely harsh conditions and lacking even the most basic provisions, outnumbered Australian troops under Gen. Sir Sydney Rowell fought gallantly, ultimately halting the Japanese advance about 32 miles (50 km) from Port Moresby. MacArthur made no secret of his belief that the Australian troops lacked spirit, however, and in September 1942 he ordered Rowell relieved of command. The action sparked widespread resentment of MacArthur among the Australian forces, an opinion that would not recede with time. As time passed, however, resentment toward the U.S. "occupying" army turned to resentment. They were labeled "over sexed, over paid, and over here". There was even a riot in Brisbane, where scores of American soldiers were injured, and one Australian soldier killed. Built mostly out of resentment of the Australians for the heavy handed, brutish manner of the American troops, rioted over a two day span. This picture, just labeled "Pearl", was perhaps a girlfriend of Hi. [show more]

Description:Carol, the "C" of the ABC girls of Mort and Frances, is smiling oh so sweetly in this photo. It appears to be taken from the west side of Lawrence and Ethel´s house at 6818 and 6820 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood California 90028. (Those plants in Carol´s background appear to the be plants that grew on that side of the house.) [show more]

Description:An interesting photo of the changing of one of the engines of an Army war plane. The back sets the date (Dec, 1944) and describes someplace in Australia: "T´ville". Perhaps "Townsville, Australia" https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/15116615.pdf [show more]

Description:Mort details this in page 16 of his book: "neither Fannie nor Abe went to college. My mother graduated from Camden High School, and then she went to a normal School, where you were taught to be a teacher in about two years. She got a job teaching at this little country school in Laurel Springs, New Jersey. One interesting thing about her job was that she taught the Dorrance children. Arthur Dorrance was the man who owned Campbell’s Soup. Dr. John Dorrance, his nephew, was a chemist and he invented the idea of selling the soup without the water in it — condensed soup. they became multi millionaires. The school is now private and appears to still be in existence. https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/new-jersey/laurel-springs-school-207582 The story of the Dorrance family and Campbell soup is well documented. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Thompson_Dorrance [show more]

Description:After finishing training in Texas, Hi was sent to Australia and then the Philippines. This "Christmas and New Year" card doesn´t specify, but it must have been celebrating Xmas, 1944 and Jan 1, 1945. The name on the inside says "Cal", who might have been the recipient of the card. Hi wrote on the back of the card that "this damn place (not sure if he is referring to the cock fight location or the country in general) is a lose (sic) from the word "go"". [show more]

Description:In the next several items, Hi´s military records are depicted. This was the envelope which held most of them. All of them sent to the house at 6816 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, California.

Description:July, 1944

Description:Actually this could have been anyone´s military barracks, but because it was in Hi´s collection, this undated, unidentified photo is likely his.

Description:A solid "B": "Very satisfactory" learning how to fix a plane.

Description:Before the Air Force was the Air Force, it was the Army Air Corps and then the Army Air Force ... General Hap Arnold was its commander and that´s who´s signature is affixed to this document showing its appreciation to Hi for his service: "Together we built the striking force that swept the Luftwaffe from the skies ... which was then unleashed on the Japanese. [show more]

Description:Definitely not an anti-vax person, Hi got all his vaccines and these 1945 documents prove it.

Description:Hi´s corporal stripes, insignia of the Army Air Corps, a wallet size version of his Honorable Discharge, and his dog tags. "Unofficially, identification tags came about during the Civil War because soldiers were afraid no one would be able to identify them if they died. They were terrified of being buried in unmarked graves, so they found various ways to prevent that. Some marked their clothing with stencils or pinned-on paper tags" [show more]

Description:On 8 January 1946, Hi was honorably discharged from the Army Air Corps. He was inducted 5 September 1942 into Fort Macarthur, California, named after Arthur MacArthur, Douglas´dad. In a typo, they spelled Hi´s address as "Burry" Avenue. Not the most heavily decorated guy, he received the Good Conduct Medal, the World War II Victory Medal (always nice to have one of those) and a few others. Looks like he mustered out with $106. [show more]

Description:1942, it looks like everyone in the service got $10,000 free life insurance.

Description:Envelope containing Hi´s support docs for Manilla Synagogue

Description:This letter from the Army Chaplain, Dated December 11, 1945, confirms that Hi must have donated some money so that the Jewish Synagogue in Manilla, Philippines could be rebuilt.

Description:For the sum of $6.60 (to be taken from his military salary) 22 year old Hi makes his mom and dad beneficiaries of $10,000 in life insurance.

Description:Hi was in Basic Training, as a private, then a Clerk, as a Corporal, then busted back to Private as a Truck Driver (i never asked him what he did to get busted back to Private), and finally a Corporal as an Air Craft Mechanic.

Description:A "Personal Affairs Officer" was available to anyone who needed transition help to civilian life.

Description:This 2-8-1954 certificate apparently allows Hi to purchase a house, which they used to buy 8400 Lennox Blvd., Van Nuys, California. Its the house I lived in until we moved to Riverside in 1956. There was a 10 year window to use the VA benefits, so Hi purchased it just within that period. [show more]

Description:$10,000 in life insurance, from VA benefits.

Description:Premium $39.60

Description:$10,000 in life insurance, from VA benefits.

Description:$10,000 in life insurance, from VA benefits.

Description:Confirmation that Hi received vocational training.

Description:1946

Description:Dora, wife of Bernard and mother of Ethel, Abe, and Fanny in an undated portrait, obviously taken in a photo studio.

Description:Probably taken in Camden, but this picture doesn´t look like my polaroid. I traveled in the summer and both Elkie and Dale are wearing warm coats, probably indicating that it was during my trip.

Description:This picture is in color so it couldn´t be my black and white polaroid snapshot, but still looks like the Zaris home, probably two years later in 1968, when I repeated my summer journey, but this time by going standby on a flight East. My traveling partner was long time State Assemblyman Burt Margolin. [show more]

Description:Perhaps this is Eleanor Elkie Zaris Not sure who the other 3 people are. Back of photo marked: Elite Studios, Atlantic City

Description:February 4, 1946, Elkie (Eleanor - Mrs. Jack Zaris) replied to Hi´s recent letter, filling him in on all the news in Camden, New Jersey about her family and passing on many good thoughts to the Bloom family. Hi had just recently discharged from the service, and presumably Mort and George were on the same track. Elkie talks about her two children, Gil and Dale, and how they all hope they will be able to go to California to see "Aunt Ethel". Elkie encloses $5 for the new nephew, Kenneth Bloom, and asks Roz to use it as would appropriate. She asks if Hi is going to join any Veteran´s Groups, and mentions that her brother in law (her Husband Jack´s brother) Loren ?, who was a prisoner of war, is head of AmVets. It should be noted that Elkie and Dale, together, and then Gil on a separate trip, ultimately did visit California, some 16 years later in 1962 or so. Dale grew up to be a Social Worker and marry an attorney who dedicated his work to helping the indigent as a Public Defender. Dale was a published author. Her first (and only) book, "Lust of Linda Levy" is available on Amazon. Its remarkably well written. Dale had several kids, and died in 2023. Gil married Sue and had a child, worked extensively and ultimately became vice president of a large shopping market. Both Gil and Sue still live in New Jersey. Sasha visited Elkie in Camden, on several occasions, the first time being in the summer of 1966, when he was 15, taking advantage of a Greyhound Bus trip fare which allowed him to pay "$99 for 99 days". He left the Greyhound terminal in Hollywood, California and arrived in Camden, 3 days later. He visited with Elkie, Jack, her husband, Elkie´s mother Fanny. Gil, and Dale. He returned to see Elkie two years later, in the summer of 1968, where he flew to see them. On both of those trips, he then traveled north to see the Odinaks in New Haven, Connecticut. [show more]

Description:Again, the high quality polaroid was probably from my polaroid.