MEMORIST:           ALAN GOTTLIEB

INTERVIEWER:     HARRIET MEYERHOFF 

DATE:                     JUNE 3, 1999

LOCATION:            SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 

Transcript (PDF)

Biography

Alan gottleib was born in Savannah, Georgia in 1928. His father was born in Savannah and his mother was born in Detroit, Michigan but came here with her family so that her father could be the Rabbi at the B’nai Brith Jacob. Very early in his life, Alan moved to Miami. He lived there a very short time and moved back to Savannah.

The family owned a bakery and even though Alan’s main business was a delicatessen he helped in the bakery.

Growing up, Alan spent a lot of time at the Jewish Educational Alliance and the B’nai Brith Jacob synagogue. He participated in the youth groups, sports and Hebrew school and made many friendships.

After Alan got married, he and his wife opened a store. Not only was it a bakery, but a delicatessen and fancy food store. It was extremely popular but too large, it soon closed and he went to work for M&M supermarkets. He was the Director of Food Services and went into the catering business. When the supermarket chain decided to go out of the catering business, he left them and stayed in the catering business himself. He did more than cater – Alan made kosher TV dinners for hospitals and hotels that needed the specialized food. He cashered (koshered) kitchens at large hotels to cater conferences in Savannah and Hilton Head Island, although the majority of his cooking was done in the kitchen at the BBJ. Alan was also responsible for catering for local prisons and military.

Scope of Interview

Mr. Gottleib speaks of his life in Savannah, Georgia. He tells about his family, who they are and what brought them to Savannah. His family were pioneers in the kosher food business in Savannah. He tells of his place within the family business and how he came upon the profession he had for the majority of his life. Alan speaks about Jewish life in Savannah during his life.