Take me back to the Oral History landing page.
Josephine Datz - Immigrant Stories
Josephine (Jo) Datz was born into a Jewish family in Johannesburg, South Africa, and grew up during the nation's harsh Apartheid period. She discusses the nature of that system, and South African history and culture extensively. In 1989 she married Rabbi Michael Datz, who was working in South Africa on a sabbatical at the time. Following their marriage, they lived in Curacao for a short period, then moved to the United States. Rabi Datz accepted a call to Temple B'rith Sholom, a Reformed congregation in Springfield, Illinois. Datz concludes with her thoughts about becoming an American, and about the current situation in Israel.
Interview Links
Feature Excerpt
Authoritarian Society
Abstract
Interview Session 01 (Audio)
Family background & growing up in S. Africa
Interview Session 02 (Audio)
Marriage & immigration to America
Transcript
Photos
Caption
Sylvia Gon (nee Barnett), Josephine’s mother, on her wedding day on November 17, 1957. The wedding was in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Where:
Johannesburg, South Africa
When:
November 17, 1957
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Sylvia Gon (nee Barnett), Josephine’s mother, on her wedding day on November 17, 1957. The wedding was in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Where:
Johannesburg, South Africa
When:
November 17, 1957
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Fajwusz (Philip) Gon, Josephine’s father, circa 1960. He lived in Johannesburg, South Africa at the time.
Where:
Johannesburg, South Africa
When:
Circa 1960
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Fajwusz (Philip) Gon, Josephine’s father, circa 1960. He lived in Johannesburg, South Africa at the time.
Where:
Johannesburg, South Africa
When:
Circa 1960
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Josephine Gon, age three, in the backyard of her family’s home in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1966.
Where:
Johannesburg, South Africa
When:
1966
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Michael Datz’ and Josephine Gon’s wedding portrait. The couple was married in a traditional Jewish ceremony on May 22 1989, in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Where:
Johannesburg, South Africa
When:
May 22 1989
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Michael Datz, circa 1992.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Circa 1992
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Fajwusz (Philip) Gon, Josephine’s father, and Rosemary Gon (Mulholland), Josephine’s stepmother, in Springfield, Illinois, June 6th 1998.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
June 6th 1998
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Josephine and Michael Datz attend an event in Springfield, Illinois in 2001.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
2001
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Michael, Geoffrey, and Nathan Datz at the Datz family home in Springfield on March 29th 2002.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
March 29th 2002
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
From left to right: Josephine Gon, mother Sylvia Gon, and Josephine’s sister Sara Weiss (nee Gon), in Johannesburg in 2003.
Where:
Johannesburg, South Africa
When:
2003
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo