AUDIO

Interview with Helen Chong

Ask a librarian about this item

See original record

Date

7 Oct 1993 - 07 Oct 1993

By

Chong, Helen, 1944-

Reference

OHInt-0407-06

Description

Helen Chong born in England to Jewish parents who went there from Germany in 1939. Interview focuses on her parents' life in Germany during the period of Hitler's anti-semitism; childhood in Sydney where parents emigrated in 1949 and where she received her education; growing up in a Jewish environment in Australia, and later in Palmerston North, New Zealand, where she moved after her marriage to Robert Chong in 1970. Mentions the harrassment of Jews in Palmerston North and connects it to the economic depression. Mentions the help they received from people on coming to Palmerston North, especially the staff of Palmerston North Girls' High School where she got a job as a mathematics teacher. Talks about her husband's culture, (Chinese) and discusses having a `mixed marriage'. Describes the compromises both have made so that children would share in both cultures. Describes her involvement with WIZO (The Jewish womens' group) and being helped in to the Jewish community by Sheba Gordon.

Abstracted by - Susan Hawes

Awards/funding - Award in Oral History

Interviewer(s) - Susan Hawes

Recorded by - Susan Hawes

Venue - 65 Pitman Road

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-006817-006819

Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-1577 and OHA-1577a (Additional material).

2 photographs + 1 sheet with 2 images of Helen's father, Alfred Meyer taken before and after his six weeks stay in Buchenwald Concentration Camp and two images of a medal given to Alfred's ancestor for bravery at the Battle of Waterloo, 1815..

Search dates: 1944 - 1993

Additional description

Alternative form available: Copies held at Manawatu Museum

Use/Reproduction

No public use without permission of donor and interviewee Copyright: Copyright held by Manawatu Museum Society

Access restrictions

Restricted - Content cannot be accessed without permission - Access requires written permission of both the donor and interviewee

Part of

Slices of lives oral history project

Format

3 C60 cassette(s), 1 printed abstract(s), 1 interview(s), 3 Hours Duration, Oral histories, Illustration: 2 photographs + 1 sheet with 2 images of Helen's father, Alfred Meyer taken before and after his six weeks stay in Buchenwald Concentration Camp and two images of a medal given to Alfred's ancestor for bravery at the Battle of Waterloo, 1815.., Equipment used: WM-DC (Walkman Professional); Sony ECM-144, clip on electret microphones

There are 4 items in total.

See original record

Click to request to view this item, access digital version (if available), and see more information.