FISCHMANN Adolf (Adi)
^{aka FISCHMAN}

Uncle Adi with his kid sister Cila Grandma (circa 1970)

Agi's Story

Agi on meeting her Uncle Adolf in New York after arriving as a refugie

We landed in New Jersey on December 5th, 1956.    [...]    The next day a Red Cross volunteer took the New Jersey turnpike and drove us to New York.   [...]
   This was on a Friday and that very afternoon my Uncle Adi showed up at our hotel.  He was an old timer who had lived in America since 1938 and he was a chochem (wise guy).   After our emotional reunion, he said, “I could take you home with me but you are better off here.”  Translation: “ Let the Jewish Family Service take care of you.” I said  he was a wise guy, didn’t I?
   He invited us for Sunday Brunch and quickly departed because the Sabbath was closing in and it is forbidden to orthodox Jews to travel on the Sabbath.  Uncle Adi was an orthodox Jew and he eyed my half-Jewish husband suspiciously. The next day I dug out five dollars from the lining of my winter coat and had my hair done.  On Sunday we took the subway and found our way to Uncle Adi’s apartment in Brooklyn. “Your hair is very nice.”  My Uncle said.  “I had it done.”  I answered.  Adi was rendered speechless but he did not waste any time in delivering to us Lesson Number One:  We do not come to America to have our hair done, we are here to SAVE MONEY! 

Special thanks to Adi's widow, Joli FISCHMAN, who was instrumental in reconstructing both the 
FISCHMANN & SALZBERGER family trees