4 North Shore Towers Courier n January 2017 CLAIRE BENNOUN LEVITAN: At Home on Three Continents BY FRED CHERNOW Claire Levitan was born to Turkish parents, who were forced to flee Channakale, and then Istanbul, because of anti-Semitism. Her grandfather was suspected of spying for the British and she and her parents’ departure to Egypt was swift and secret. Claire’s odyssey started in Egypt, where she spent the first three years of her life, and continued on to the United States, where she now resides. Decades later her three sons settled in Israel and Brazil. She now spends part of each year visiting them and adapting to their adopted countries. WHAT WAS LIFE LIKE IN EGYPT? I have no memory of it, but family lore reports a wonderful life. We were living in Egypt during the 1920’s, which were golden years. But then many decades later, the extended family actually did suffer, becoming refugees to Israel, as they were forced to leave their worldly wealth, living in tents with much hardship upon their arrival in Israel. This was a result of Gamal Abdel Nasser overthrowing the Egyptian monarchy and introducing authoritarian reforms, consequently violating human rights. Life became intolerable for Jewish families. In the early thirties we arrived in Providence, Rhode Island, an alternate entry point to Ellis Island, in time for the effects of the Great Depression of 1929. It was a snowy December day, and coming from a desert climate, we had never seen snow. We children thought it was falling sugar. My family settled first on the lower East Side, and then moved to the “suburban” New Lots section of Brooklyn, which bordered Brownsville. I attended Thomas Jefferson H.S. and graduated with what was then called a “commercial” diploma. I worked as a secretary in the daytime and took college courses at night. Later on, being a single mother with commitments and family responsibilities, I actually attended all four branches of City University: Brooklyn, Queens, Hunter and City Colleges. At City College, I shared classes with a returning veteran from WWII. Three months after meeting, we decided to marry and moved to California, so he could attend the University of California at Berkeley. Like most women at that time, I dropped out of college, prioritizing my husband’s career. Life was exciting there in Berkeley, but we returned after three years to New York, where my husband finished college and went to medical school. I soon had three children after nine years of marriage. But alas, marital problems developed and I found myself a single mother with three young sons. But I managed to go back to school to earn my degree in education from Queens College with the help of my mother, who helped care for my three children. I eventually was appointed to a Special Services school in South Ozone Park, Queens. Many of the children in this school came from economically challenged families. Life is not easy for working parents with no extra funds, nor time for their children’s needs. This was a tremendously satisfying job, giving the help I could give to many needy children. I eventually earned a Master’s Degree in reading instruction and stayed teaching in South Ozone Park for twenty five years. WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO NORTH SHORE TOWERS? My alma mater, Thomas Jefferson H.S., was planning a 50th reunion, and I became the coordinator. That was when I met up again with an old middle-school friend, Sol Cohen, with whom I used to bike ride to Canarsie pier in my good old Brooklyn days. Sol was now a widower, living in North Shore Towers. Well, to make a long story short, some time afterwards, we ended up living together at North Shore Towers. His invitation to move in was irresistible. HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE NST WOMEN’S CLUB? Two years ago I had the pleasure of working with Bobbie Gould, starting a Women’s Club, which began with 12 women, and now has 265 members. We plan trips, organize speakers, who may be of interest to our members, plan parties and dinners, and try to provide assistance to new residents. It has been an incredible journey from Egypt to the United States. I was able to receive a free education, which enabled me to achieve so much. I will always be grateful for the opportunities offered me by this great country. I understand the immigrant experience and encourage the political system to help new arrivals, providing education and opportunities for success. tism.Her d ret. e wons, which d d f il At vet d is thr mari mother h l Claire and Sol Cohen Claire in Israel 4 NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER ¢ December 2016
NST012017
To see the actual publication please follow the link above