Jews in San Antonio

[smis]

Originally Posted by eger

I moved from Fl to Texas, and my family is Jewish although I don't consider myself one since I do not practice the religion. I am happy to get away from the Jewish population in FL as I find most to fit the stereotypes including most of my family.

Oy vey!!

[royal744]

Originally Posted by eger

I moved from Fl to Texas, and my family is Jewish although I don't consider myself one since I do not practice the religion. I am happy to get away from the Jewish population in FL as I find most to fit the stereotypes including most of my family.

I'm not a Jew but am happy to count a goodly number as friends. I met a Jew not too long ago from Del Rio, Texas whose family has been there for more than a century. He spoke with a deep drawl and wore cowboy boots and jeans with a giant shiny belt buckle. Great guy. They celebrated the High Holidays in a large room above the movie theatre his family owned in town.

Another Jewish friend I've known for about 40 years or so runs cattle on his ranch in central Texas and is an attorney whose main income comes from a large scrap metals business and who contributes to all sorts of charitable organizations. We don't see eye to eye politically, but I love the guy all the same.

I guess there are stereotypical Jews, but I'm not really sure I know any of them because they are in all walks of life and believe so many different things that pigeon-holing them is difficult at best.

I even met some Jews on a beach outside of Bombay once. I asked them why their ancestors sailed in the wrong direction, LOL!

[royal744]

I think the Institute of Texan Cultures is a great place to research Jewish history in Texas. It goes back further than you might think and was spread throughout the state more in the past than it is today. Not many people know that on the upper floors of the Institute there is a "library" which I put in quotes because it is more of an archive and not, as I recall, a place where casual users can browse the stacks. It could be that there is such a section but I have not seen it. I believe the Institute also has a publication it sells on Jewish culture in Texas, but it may not be in print, currently. Ask at the store next to the entrance. A lot of Jews entered Texas through the port of Galveston, as did thousands of others.

[royal744]

When I first moved to San Antonio in the early '70s, I asked a friend where I should open a bank account. Without missing a heartbeat, he replied. "D&A Oppenheimer on Commerce Street." I didn't know it at the time, but this was a private bank insured by precisely no one, and yet it had survived about 100 years of crashes and depressions. I opened an account there. The people at the bank were wonderful and friendly and personable. I told the clerk at the window - the place looked like the 19th century! - I wanted to borrow some money. He said I would need to ask "the head banker." He showed me through the a gate in the low rail where Jesse Oppenheimer (I think it was Jesse) sat. He and I talked for a few minutes. He said, "Well, the Board is going to have to approve your loan." I asked him when that would be. I swear to God and am not kidding, Jesse spun his ancient chair around in a circle and faced me and said, "The Board just approved your loan." That's my idea of a banker and banking. I still mourn the day that this wonderful institution shut its doors.

[eger]

Originally Posted by royal744

I'm not a Jew but am happy to count a goodly number as friends. I met a Jew not too long ago from Del Rio, Texas whose family has been there for more than a century. He spoke with a deep drawl and wore cowboy boots and jeans with a giant shiny belt buckle. Great guy. They celebrated the High Holidays in a large room above the movie theatre his family owned in town.

Another Jewish friend I've known for about 40 years or so runs cattle on his ranch in central Texas and is an attorney whose main income comes from a large scrap metals business and who contributes to all sorts of charitable organizations. We don't see eye to eye politically, but I love the guy all the same.

I guess there are stereotypical Jews, but I'm not really sure I know any of them because they are in all walks of life and believe so many different things that pigeon-holing them is difficult at best.

I even met some Jews on a beach outside of Bombay once. I asked them why their ancestors sailed in the wrong direction, LOL!

It all depends on where they're from, Jews from NY are usually rather loud. Ever watch Houswives of NY City? That is a perfect example of what drives me nuts. Don't get me wrong I have no problem whatsover with Jewish people, it's just the very loud ones.

[LindaGrace]

Originally Posted by eger

It all depends on where they're from, Jews from NY are usually rather loud. Ever watch Houswives of NY City? That is a perfect example of what drives me nuts. Don't get me wrong I have no problem whatsover with Jewish people, it's just the very loud ones.

If it's loud people you dislike, you'd dislike our family reunions too and we aren't Jewish!

[Bowie]

The OP hasn't posted in this thread in over three months, which implies that the question has been answered satisfactorily. Since then, it's drifted a bit too far from the original topic to be allowed to continue. Thread closed.