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Portland's Syrian/Lebanese-American Community Oral History Series English
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Oral history interview with Sherma J. Norris

This oral history interview with Sherma J. Norris was conducted by Robert J. Gassner on August 26, 1988. The interview was one of a series conducted in 1988 by Oregon Historical Society volunteer Robert Gassner with members of the Syrian and Lebanese community in Portland, Oregon.

In this interview, Norris discusses donating a photograph to the Oregon Historical Society. She then talks about her family background and early life in Portland, Oregon, as part of the Syrian and Lebanese community. She discusses Syrian and Lebanese clubs and organizations, including the Syrian Star Society, which later became the Syrian-Lebanese Social Club; and talks about Lebanese- and Syrian-owned businesses in Portland, particularly those run by her family. She briefly outlines the events of her life. She talks about her education at St. Mary's Academy and her childhood friends. She talks about her involvement in the Republican Party and support of Governor Victor Atiyeh; the members of the Syrian and Lebanese community that were friends with her parents; and speaking Arabic at home as a child. She speaks at length about her family, siblings, and children. She closes the interview by describing a recent trip she took with her daughter.

Norris, Sherma J. (Sherma Jwayad), 1914-1997

Oral history interview with Nora B. Womack

This oral history interview with Nora B. Womack was conducted by Robert J. Gassner on September 6, 1988. The interview was one of a series conducted in 1988 by Oregon Historical Society volunteer Robert Gassner with members of the Syrian and Lebanese community in Portland, Oregon.

In this interview, Womack discusses her family background and early life in St. Helens, Oregon, particularly the immigration of her parents from Lebanon to the United States in the 19th century. She talks about the Syrian and Lebanese community in St. Helens and in the Portland, Oregon, area. She briefly discusses working for the telephone company, as well as the work of her husband, Robert W. Womack, for the Jones Lumber Company. She then revisits the topic of her childhood and the Syrian and Lebanese community in St. Helens, including her memories of cooking Lebanese food. She talks about the activities of the Lebanese Ladies' Society, as well as other Lebanese cultural groups in Oregon. She talks about how the independence of Lebanon affected the Lebanese community and about the contemporary issues affecting Lebanon. She discusses the charitable work of the Lebanese Ladies' Society and talks about Lebanese cuisine. She closes the interview by discussing her siblings and their families, as well as her extended family.

Womack, Nora B. (Nora Baseel), 1905-1998

Oral history interview with Sam J. Kahl and Zaki J. Kahl

This oral history interview with Sam Kahl and Zaki Kahl was conducted by Robert J. Gassner in Portland, Oregon, on September 6, 1988. The interview was one of a series conducted in 1988 by Oregon Historical Society volunteer Robert Gassner with members of the Syrian and Lebanese community in Portland, Oregon.

In this interview, the Kahl brothers discuss their family background, including their distant relation to Oregon Governor Vic Atiyeh and the life of their uncle, S.A. Kahl. They describe the experience of immigrating to the United States and how they came to settle in Portland, Oregon, in the mid-20th century. They talk about the Syrian and Lebanese community in Portland, including the activities of the Syrian Orthodox Church and the Syrian Lebanese American Club. They speak about the religious faith of people in Syria. They also briefly discuss how the independence of Lebanon in 1948, and the creation of Israel, affected the Syrian, Lebanese, and Palestinian communities. They close the interview by talking about Syrian- and Lebanese-owned businesses in Portland.

Kahl, Sam J. (Slieman Joseph), 1926-2006

Oral history interview with Sam Teeny and Minerva Teeny

This oral history interview with Sam Teeny and Minerva Teeny was conducted by Robert J. Gassner on September 8, 1988. The interview was one of a series conducted in 1988 by Oregon Historical Society volunteer Robert Gassner with members of the Syrian and Lebanese community in Portland, Oregon.

In this interview, Sam Teeny discusses his family background and early life Zahle, Lebanon, and Portland, Oregon. He talks about members of the Syrian and Lebanese community in Portland, and about his social life. He also talks about speaking English as a second language. He discusses his involvement in the Lebanese/Syrian softball league. The Teenys talk about the history of the Syrian Orthodox Church in Portland and the Syrian Lebanese American Club. They describe the effect that Lebanese independence had on the Syrian and Lebanese community in Portland. Sam Teeny then talks about Syrian and Lebanese businesses in Southeast Portland, particularly the businesses operated by his relatives. In closing, Minerva Teeny describes a traditional Lebanese wedding and Sam describes the various businesses he's owned and his youth ministry work.

Teeny, Sam (Samuel Joseph), 1924-2016

Oral history interview with Esther Azorr Rask

This oral history interview with Esther Azorr Rask was conducted by Robert J. Gassner on September 10, 1988. The interview was one of a series conducted in 1988 by Oregon Historical Society volunteer Robert Gassner with members of the Syrian and Lebanese community in Portland, Oregon.

In this interview, Rask speaks at length about her family background, particularly the experience of her father, Albert Azorr, as a Syrian immigrant. She also talks about her family's connection to the Atiyeh family. She speaks about the Syrian-Lebanese community in Portland, Syrian-owned businesses, and the Syrian-Lebanese Social Club. She talks about the religious life of the Syrian and Lebanese community. She closes the interview by discussing her early life in Portland, including her education and social life.

Rask, Esther Azorr, 1928-2005