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(Thanks to Fred Berman - who has been liberally plagiarized here - for his research and memories.)
There seems to be a bit of debate concerning Isadore Berman's arrival on this planet. He claimed without hesitation
that he was born in Baltimore, Maryland shortly after his father Joseph immigrated from Russia in 1904. However, evidence
exists that he was actually born in Dvinsk, or perhaps Vitebsk a few years prior to Joseph's migration from the old country,
coming to America one year after his father, in 1905 at the age of five, and accompanied by his mother Mary and three year
old sister Bessie. A brother, Jonah (also known as "Yank"), was born in Baltimore in 1908. The Bermans apparently
lived in Baltimore until about 1909 when they moved to Andalusia, Alabama, arriving in time to be included in the 1910 census
with several other relatives already established there. Like many others in his situation, Joseph set up a general store
to support his family.
Izzy's denial of his birthplace stemmed from his desire to be viewed as a real American. He talked like he was born
here, but would every now and then let you know that he understood Yiddish and Russian. He wasn't ashamed of his roots,
he just thought someone had to break free of the old country chains, and who better than he?
Wherever he was born, there is no doubt that he grew up in Dixie. He looked like an aristocratic Askenazim, but his
voice revealed his down-home upbringing. He graduated from the University of Alabama with a law degree in 1920 and moved
to Montgomery, AL. While his style and interests were purely Southern, he was as poised and polished as any Ivy Leaguer
- articulate, gregarious, excellent taste in clothing, charming and ingratiating in social situations, a great conversationalist
and raconteur.
In 1921, he partnered in an insurance agency and began building a solid reputation in the property and casualty business.
He quickly became a most eligible bachelor and cut a wide swath through Montgomery society before marrying Jeanne Freigel
in 1932. In the early 1930s, his business partner's misdeeds almost forced him into bankruptcy, but he elected to pay off
all creditors in full, an act that earned him a lifetime of respect and full ownership in the newly christened I. Berman
Company insurance agency.
Social animals that they were, there was always a party at Izzy & Jeanne's house. Businessmen, athletes, artists
(usually invited by Jeanne), dozens at a time, flowed through the house from the kitchen to the library.
To be continued....
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