Disciplines

Jewish Studies

Abstract

Irene Konig’s mother was born in Ukraine, coming to the United States at 2 years old, while her father was born on the Lower East Side. Konig grew up with her parents and brother in a one bedroom apartment on Morris Avenue across from Taft High School. At 15 years old, they moved to East 180 St near Tremont Avenue because their apartment building was sinking and condemned by the city, before moving to the Highbridge neighborhood, later. She recalls the Bronx deteriorating, with burning buildings and trash on the streets, as she got older.

On Morris Avenue, the neighborhood was mixed with various immigrant groups and is remembered as a safe place, with older women sitting outside and watching the children play. Konig and her family would often go to Claremont Park and others in later neighborhoods, particularly to promenade on the Jewish holidays. Her family was not religious, but she later educated herself as an adult. Her mother would make classic Jewish dishes, and she had attended night college. Her father had a small advertising agency. Konig had positive memories of her public school education and was a good student, making the SP program.

After high school Konig went to City College, got a degree in art, and became a teacher, after being told that was one of the few careers women could have. Her few years teaching in the Bronx were troubled by poor experiences with administration, so that she stopped teaching and got a master’s degree in psychology. Though she got sick later in life, Konig still has created over 400 art pieces. She moved to Austin, Texas in 1976 and has raised her family there, becoming involved in keeping the community together and forming a “Damn Yankee” club for Northerners like herself. Konig remembers the Bronx fondly, attributing her upbringing there with her good values and high moral standards.

Keywords: Morris Avenue, Taft High School, Wade 117 JHS, PS 70, Claremont Park, Ukraine, Texas, City College, race, safety, crime, education, 1967-68 Teachers Strike

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