The Columbus Jewish Historical Society

This interview for the Columbus Jewish Historical Society Oral History Project with Eleanor Shane Resler is taking place at 226 S. Columbia Avenue, on May 5, 1984. The interviewer is Marjorie Loeb.

Interviewer: Eleanor came to Columbus from Warsaw,
Indiana to attend Ohio State University where she met her husband,
Jack Resler. Eleanor’s many leadership awards and generous support
of both non-Jewish and Jewish organizations, are mainly a matter of
local record. The additional material attached to the interview at
this time, is a history of the Shane Family, written by Eleanor’s
father.

Resler: My name is Eleanor Resler.

Interviewer: And where were you born, Eleanor?

Resler: I was born in Warsaw, Indiana. I’d like to tell you a
little bit about my family, where my mother was born in Ligamira,
Indiana the daughter of Jacob and Ida Bound. My father was born in
Warsaw, Indiana the son of Henry Shane and Henrietta Newstrom…Shane.

Interviewer: When did your grandparents come to Warsaw? Your
father was born in Warsaw?

Resler: Yes.

Interviewer: And when did they come to Warsaw?

Resler: They came ’39 Saxony Germany. Robert, Solomon, who was
a stock buyer, dealing in cattle, died in 1838. One of five
children, my grandmother, Salia Shane was born in 1839 in Saxony,
Saxon Weimer, Germany. Her father, Buroque Newsbom, was a
manufacturer and merchant of, looks like education. Her mother, who’s
maiden name is Fermina Eliel, was born in Hes Cassel and died in
1853.

Interviewer: Excuse me, but how do you spell her name?

Resler: E-L-I-E-L. My mother’s mother’s name, was also born
in Germany and was a relative of (indistinct), and her name was Wallace and
she was, no, her married name was Wallace and I don’t know what
her name was before she was married, but she was a cousin of Baron
Routhschild, and she lived in the Baron’s home until she grew up.
Then she came to Cleveland, and married my grandfather. She married
my grandfather, Jacob Bound and they lived in Ligamere, Indiana. My
mother was the oldest child of four children. My mother lived in
Ligamere all of her life until she married, and she’s very
beautiful. She was considered one of the most beautiful women in
northern Indiana. And as I have mentioned, Mr. Hopson came to visit
that town and with famous for Hopson’s kiss, I don’t know how
many of you people know about that, but anyway, he kissed mother and
for this she was very famous. Then my mother married my father,
Richard Shane, who is a young lawyer, in Warsaw, Indiana and they
had two children, Eleanor and Patricia.

Interviewer: I don’t think we got your date of birth, Eleanor.
When were you born.

Resler: Eleanor was born July 8, 1904. Patricia wasn’t born
until 16 years later. We grew up in that town so happily and enjoyed
it so much and everyone was so gracious to us. And it just so
happened that since there was no temple in that town, Eleanor became
a very diligent member of the Presbyterian Sunday School, not a
Presbyterian really and Patricia went to the Methodist church. We
grew up dearly loving our community and quite involved in church
work too. There we became members of the Campfire Girls and various
organizations in the town and went to the Warsaw High School (indistinct).
The high school was all lovely and wonderful and we enjoyed the

whole time of growing up and made such very good close, precious
friends, so we thought so much of the high school, that we decided
that we would go back to the high school and give them a scholarship
to the person who had done the most, in the four years of high
school, to promote good will and understanding among their fellow
man. This was to be delivered each year in person and this is now
the 30^th year that we are returning.

Interviewer: You were active you say, in Sunday School and I was
wondering if there was no temple in Warsaw, did you go to services
in any other town in Indiana?

Resler: No, we didn’t.

Interviewer: And did you do, follow any of the home religious
ceremonies in the Jewish faith?

Resler: Not really. I remember that once a year, my grandfather
used to get this box of something, and we said, grandpa Shane got a
box of funny crackers and that’s what we would eat. And it was
really Matzah and we didn’t know it.

Interviewer: Had you had information about any of the family?

Resler: No, we didn’t.

Interviewer: What was for first contact, then, with more formal
Jewish religious ceremonies or groups of Jewish people?

Resler: My first contact with the Jewish ceremony and religious
people was when I went to St. Mary of the Woods, and these friends
of my grandmother’s picked me up at the station in those days, and
on the first holiday we went to temple. And that was my first
experience with temple. That was when I was a freshman in college.

Interviewer: And how long were you in the college there?

Resler: Just one year.

Interviewer: And what changed your mind and brought you to Ohio
State University?

Resler: I didn’t’ like it because there weren’t very many
boys there. There weren’t any boys at all. And the social life was
not very exciting for me. So my friend’s roommate said to me,
“Eleanor, you have grown up in a small town in Indiana, you don’t
know any of your own people, you have never met any of the Jewish
young men, and you probably never will at the rate you’re going,
why don’t you go someplace else. Why don’t you go to Ohio State
where there is the most wonderful Jewish community in the whole
world?” And then she named a few like, Bob Weiler and Eleanor
Steinhouser and I told my parents about this and they thought it was
a good idea. So my cousin and I took off for Ohio State.

Interviewer: What year was that? When did you come to Ohio State?

Resler: That was in ’24.

Interviewer: And was your roommate the roommate you mentioned,
was she a Jewish girl?

Resler: Yes, she was a Jewish girl from Indianapolis, Indiana.
Maxine Davis was her name.

Interviewer: But she stayed on?

Resler: No, she didn’t stay on, she left too. She got married.

Interviewer: So you came to Ohio State and did you immediately
meet Jewish boys and girl?

Resler: I immediately met…yes I did. And I was at the A.E.Phi
house for a little while, and then I went over to the S.D.T. house,
and that’s where I became a member.

Interviewer: And what did you think of the sorority girls here?

Resler: I didn’t think very much of them-of the idea. And I
remember one day I was going to class and one of the girls came out
of the house and said, “Eleanor, where are you going?” And
I said, “To class.” And she said, “Why today?”
And I said, “Why not?” She said, “Because this is a
holiday.” I said, “A holiday? What holiday?” She
said, “This is Yom Kippur.” I said, “Yom Kippur, what’s
that?” And I had never heard of it. So that was my experience
and it was fine and then I learned to like the girls and I accept
their way of living and everything was just lovely. And I went
along, and went to parties and things, and one of the parties at the
hotel, I met Jack. My favorite name for a troubadour was always,
Jack. And he was Jack and he was handsome and we finally had some
dates and then I went home after my father passed away and he came
to Warsaw and we decided to get married.

Interviewer: Did your father pass away within you first year here
at Ohio State?

Resler: Yes, uh-huh.

Interviewer: Very suddenly, huh?

Resler: Well, yes it was. Suddenly.

Interviewer: And your father had a very nice position in
town, had he not?

Resler: Oh yes, he was the county attorney and he was head of
very many-it was through the war. He was chairman of the
distribution of coal and was very well thought of in the town. Very
active in the Bar Association. I’m just wondering, maybe I came
back the second year for a little while, until Thanksgiving time. I
did.

Interviewer: Then you went home?

Resler: Oh yeah. When I went home, I stayed home for the past
few months. Finished out the quarter then I stayed home.

Interviewer: Then when were you married?

Resler: We were married that following Spring in 1924.

Interviewer: And then you were introduced to the Jewish Community
of Columbus.

Resler: Right.

Interviewer: And what was your reaction?

Resler: Oh, it was fine. I thought the people were just lovely
and I enjoyed it very, very much. And really felt as if I belonged
there for a short time.

Interviewer: And then you were members of Temple Israel?

Resler: Right.

Interviewer: Did you start doing anything at home in regard to
Jewish ceremonies in your home? Or did you participate in any of
Jack’s family?

Resler: Well Jack’s family had the Jewish ceremonies so that
was my first experience, and I felt it was wonderful because I
always liked religion. Even when I went to St. Mary of the Woods I
was a good catholic didn’t make much difference. I was doing
something that I felt was religious and worth while.

Interviewer: When did you first begin to be active in Jewish
organizations in Columbus?

Resler: Well, I was completely obsessed with the idea that
people should love each other. The people of all faith should be
friends and love each other. And the people of the various Jewish
groups should be friendly and enjoy each other and so I sort of went
into that with all of my-everything that was in me. I really felt
that we should be close and do together and be together and enjoy
each other, regardless of the type of Judaism that we were
practicing.

Interviewer: Did you ask, when I first became interested?

Resler: Yes. I was always interested in inner faith. I guess
that was the beginning of everything for me. And then as I went into
that I went into other parts too, and tried to be helpful in the
community.

Interviewer: I suppose the reason I ask is because you became so
deeply involved, that almost every Jewish organization there is in
Columbus, became the president of almost every organization there is
in Columbus. What lead you into your role of leadership that you-

Resler: Well, I always, somehow, even when I was at home
belonged to The Bicycle Club, I was the president of that. I don’t
know why it seemed that was the way it went. And I went into, I was
interested in the Children’s Hospital too, and I went into the
TWIG and-

Interviewer: Now, would you say non-Jewish organization?

Resler: Yes, it was. When I went into the TWIG, one of my
friends came to me and said, “Now, we’re putting your name up
to join our TWIG, but we’ll have to find out, because we hope that
you’re going to be welcome.” So a couple of my friends, Peg
Durston and her sister Julia, went to the TWIG and they gave my
name, but they didn’t tell them my religion. So they accepted me
as a member and at the first meeting, I was a little bit late,
because I had been at, it was Rosh Hashanah and I had been at the
temple. So they said, “Why are you late?” And I said,
“Because I was at the temple. It’s Rosh Hashanah.” And
they said, “What is Rosh Hashanah?” And I was sitting at
the end of the table, there were about 15 girls sitting around
there, and I preceded to tell them about the story of Abraham and
Isaac and everything that they had all stood for, and they seemed
very interested. So then, I went to the next meeting, and the next
meeting, and about one more meeting, they asked me if I’d be the
secretary. And then I went to another couple of meetings and they
asked me if I would be the president, so I wound up being the
president of our TWIG.

Interviewer: And you were the only Jewish person.

Resler: That’s right.

Interviewer: And how did you meet the women who introduced you
into that organization, Peg and Julia?

Resler: Well, they were neighbors. Neighbors and friends and
unfortunately, neither of them are still living.

Interviewer: Then you were a member of Sisterhood and Council.
And how long was it before you became particularly interested in
those organizations? What part of the sisterhood or Council
interested you most? Activities?

Resler: It was mostly the interfaith aspect that I could foster
those things in those two organizations.

Interviewer: And how did you do that? That would be interesting.

Resler: Well, by well I joined an organization that included all
organization. Jewish and non Jewish and made sisterhood a member.

Interviewer: No one had done that before.

Resler: That’s right. And then later, a little later, I went
on the board as the first Jewish board member of the YWCA. And some
of the sisterhood members became involved and enjoyed that. And
Council didn’t vote for it so much, because they said they were
not a religious organization so they couldn’t really join in to
the interfaith aspect of it.

Interviewer: The first organization wasn’t that you talked
about to which we introduced your sisterhood was a religious group,
not a just, general community group.

Resler: The first organization I joined, I have to remember what
that was, I think it was groups of religious groups. Yes it was. And
then Council, wasn’t especially not really involved.

Interviewer: But then you became very interested in our, I don’t
know what it’s called but it’s not the United Fund. What was it
called before that? You were very active in that were you not?

Resler: Well, in the United Jewish Fund, because I’ve always
felt-I’ve always been interested in charity. Any charity.

Interviewer: And you were also interested in the community wide
United Fund, or United Way it’s called now. Didn’t you serve on
the board?

Resler: No, I don’t think I did. I don’t think I did – I don’t
really remember.

Interviewer: I’m just looking at the list of marvelous awards
you’ve been given and I think we’ll make this a part of the
record, but first I want to ask you about your involvement with
Heritage House, because I think that has been such a marvelous
thing. Not only for you, but for the whole community. And I’d love
to hear the story about how you became involved and the development
and your contributions to it, and your personal involvement. Do you
want to start and tell me how it all began?

Resler: Yes, I would love to if I can remember all of the
details. I remember first it began with Woodland Avenue, and
Heritage House was just a little house over there and I use to love
to go over and see the people and the ladies, and I don’t want to
leave out anybody who’s involved, and I can’t remember the names
of all the people. Over at the Schonthal Center when they had their
first discussion. These ladies-

Interviewer: These ladies, what were their names now?

Resler: These ladies were named…I’ll have to read it. I
don’t remember who else was there. These ladies, Reva Gordon, and
the sparks flew and the argument was so heated, you wouldn’t
believe it. Well, as you know…

Interviewer: What organization was that?

Resler: Just a group at the Schonthal Center. I don’t know
how we happened to gather together, but there was a committee
meeting.

Interviewer: And was there an old people’s home at that time at
all?

Resler: No.

Interviewer: No. There was nothing.

Resler: Nothing – yet. And the feathers flew and people just
were frantic with each other and then they stood out in front and
had discussions and made Mr. Luckoff their treasurer and from that
moment it went on, and now we see the results.

Interviewer: And the ladies were Mrs. Thiesman, Mrs. Nutis, Mrs.
Finkelstein, Ted Finkelstein’s mother, Mrs. Erlin and Mrs. Bob
Mellman, and these were the ladies who wanted to do something.

Resler: Right.

Interviewer: And how did you get interested?

Resler: I don’t know, they just asked me to come to that
meeting I guess that was the first-it was it was the first that I
had even known about the thoughts and the process.

Interviewer: And then you bought a home on Woodland? Or was that-

Resler: They bought the home on Woodland. I really had nothing
to do with it. But they went ahead and bought this home.

Interviewer: And how long did that exist?

Resler: I don’t, I can’t tell you. A few years. But all I
can remember is the wonderful, odor of noodle soup when I walked in
that house. It was great. And people seemed to be enjoying it even
then. Even though they were crowded and it wasn’t satisfactory,
they were enjoying it then.

Interviewer: Now, who were the people who enabled them to move to
the new Heritage House? Were you…?

Resler: Well, I think the names are on the plaque in the
entrance of Heritage House. In those days, a woman was a great help.
Zacks? Mr. Zacks was a great help. And I think Bob Wiler was in on
that too. And Don Erkis I believe, and let me see who else. The
names are there and everyone can look.

Interviewer: What was the big issue about having a Jewish old
people’s home. What were the pro’s and the con’s?

Resler: Some people felt that it just wasn’t necessary. And we
didn’t need it and it was going to be an expense and it was
taking, I just hate to say really, because I don’t feel I’m in
the position to make all the remarks about it, but they just felt
that it was an unnecessary addition to our community, and each
family could take care of their own. In those days, they were doing
a pretty good job at it.

Interviewer: Then you became, from that moment on, you became
involved.

Resler: Yes. I was on the board I believe from the beginning.

Interviewer: From the beginning. The story that I heard the other
night about the contributions to Jack May. I think you should tell
that.

Resler: Well, he made a contribution to the wing, it’s called
the Resler Wing, so it was really his wing, and then he made other
contributions, I can’t really tell you all the contributions he
did make. Every time there was a need, Jack’s would pipe up and
say, “I’ll do it. I’ll take care of it.” And he was a
great influence in the whole building, with very much in favor.

Interviewer: And he did that for you, because of your interest.

Resler: He knew that I loved it, and it was my interest too, and
of course you know I was the, well not exactly the first president
of the women’s auxiliary, I was second we shall say, and then
president of the home at one time.

Interviewer: How long did you remain?

Resler: I think I had it for three years.

Interviewer: And you were the first woman who was president?

Resler: That’s right.

Interviewer: Tell me about going every week and speaking to the
residents. Your personal involvement. I’d love to hear about that.

Resler: Well of course I’ve loved it. I think now for about 20
years I’ve been going on Friday’s to assist in the services in
the Shabbat services and I’ve enjoyed it so much. I’ve enjoyed
all the folks so much, and we seemed to enjoy each other. Heritage
House has grown from I think 50 to now 150 and then we’re planning
50 more rooms right now. In hopes of an addition to that, the growing need for assistance for senior citizens is
becoming more and more of a need in our community, all communities,
all the time.

Interviewer: So do you intend to keep fighting for it?

Resler: Certainly.

Interviewer: Tell me about your involvement with Temple.

Resler: Well, my involvement, I am past president of the Temple.
And as it happened, as of last night, I discovered, I am the oldest
living past president of our sisterhood. And I’ve always been
involved with the Temple, and Jack was interested in the Temple and
he gave the land for the Temple and was instrumental in the building
of the Temple and always was very, very interested, and I am too.

Interviewer: Was there a special interest in yours as the
Heritage House was? Or the Temple was more Jack’s?

Resler: I think the Temple was more Jack’s interest. I think I’m
involved in the human side of the Heritage House. It does things to
me, to my heart.

Interviewer: And that’s true of all the various other
organizations that you’ve been so involved with, that you have
felt personally. I almost can’t read, all these hundreds of
organizations and awards that you received. Citizen Journal, Top
Ten Women of ’63. Now, what were you doing in 1963?

Resler: 1963 was the year that my grandchild was born and I was
all excited about that. I don’t know what I was really doing in
1963, but I guess I was just taking over, being active in my various
interests.

Interviewer: And the year before that, you had been given the
award of the B’nei B’rith Woman of the Year.

Resler: Yes.

Interviewer: Can you remember what you were involved in doing in
that year?

Resler: I’m afraid not. I’m afraid I can’t remember.

Interviewer: And an interesting thing is, that you have been
involved in other synagogue’s and Temple’s in the community. I
see that you were given an award by Beth Jacob’s Brother’s
Synagogue in the year 1970. It seems to me, we left out Rabbi
Greenwald’s part in your life and in Heritage House. I’d love to
hear about that.

Resler: Well, Rabbi Greenwald and I became friends when —
father passed away. And I was there quite a bit of the time and
Rabbi Greenwald came over to express his sympathy, and he was the
Rabbi, their Rabbi, at the time, and we became friends. And I don’t
remember exactly how it was, but he sort of enlisted me to accompany
him on his trips to the various stores to leave checks at holiday
time. And I can’t remember, I should remember the name of the
holiday. At Passover time, yes it was. And I enjoyed that so much
and I knew that the people were enjoying in all, I think I’ve used
this word a little bit too much. So anyway, that went on for quite a
few years, and the Rabbi was very encouraging to me and what I was
doing, and helped me understand a little more of Orthodoxy and his
wife became a very good friend of mine too, and to this day, when I
go to Denver, I get in touch with his son and his wife, and we
always have a night together. I would like to add that this was the
first time that the rabbi had ever came in to our temple. And I was
so pleased about that, as you know, as I have said before,
interfaith, was a very important part of my life. And when the rabbi
condescended to be one of our visitors and partake in our service, I
was very, very pleased.

Interviewer: You spoke of the Orthodoxy of Rabbi Greenwald, what
did you think of the relationship between the German Jews and
Russian or Polish Jews, or Jews from other countries in Columbus.
Did you have any reaction to that?

Resler: I felt sad that they weren’t in much contact with each
other as they could have been, or should have been and I felt that
this could well be taken care of and that these obstacles could
easily be removed and I feel that now, they have been.

Interviewer: So what changes have you noticed?

Resler: Oh, I’ve noticed that the Orthodox, the Russians use
have been so very successful in finances for themselves and have
been a great asset to the community financially and have made a
place for themselves socially, probably because of that. Partially.

Interviewer: You have been very helpful in establishing a new
reform congregation in the far north side. Can you tell me how you
became interested in that?

Resler: Yes I can. The member’s of this group came to town,
good many of them professional people, university people,
professors, and they wanted and felt that they would like to have a
congregation up north. And I know that they went to several other
people in the community and asked for cooperation and they weren’t
encouraged. So they came to Jack. And Jack felt that this was a very
important need in the community. So he put himself at their
disposal, and they started their own congregation and he encouraged
them, both with assistance financially and also of his knowledge.
And they started their congregation, and I — he promised them, I
don’t remember exactly what he promised them, but when they had
100 members, he promised that he would give them land for their new
temple. So he offered it to them. Well, they didn’t particularly
want that piece of land, so they took another instead. And now they
have reached, I think a membership of 200-250, I’m not really
sure, but they have grown and they have prospered and they are a
wonderful congregation. I’m sorry Jack isn’t here to see what he
has-the plant he has promoted.

Interviewer: Shifh? to Temple Israel?

Resler: Oh yes. They belonged to the same group. And when there
are temple group meetings, they are well represented.

Interviewer: Speaking of religious groups, I believe you were
very much interested in the fellowship church. Can you tell me about
that.

Resler: I have to tell you about that. It’s so important to
me. It was such an important spot in my life. It just seemed the
right way to explain people to people. Different groups to each
other, fellowship church was a place that all faiths and all
religions, all races could find a common denominator. And we
attended the services, and they were all positive for every
religion. There was nothing negative about any religion in those
services. And the people who helped start it, Emily Kinsley, was
such a wonderful person in her own right, she was just the epitome
of everything good and special and wonderful for all people. And Dr.
Faust was our president and I was his secretary, and I have just
never, never known anyone who was more dedicated and more interested
in people of all faiths, than Dr. Foust. And I just wanted you to
know, that these two people were very important. It lasted for a
certain length of time, and finally, it lasted during the important,
dangerous days. It was during the war, and it was during Hitler’s
time, and there was much unrest in the world and fellowship church
was a great help in those days. And we needed to explain inner faith
and man’s kindness to man and we needed something to encourage us.
So Marjorie, you asked me why isn’t —?

Interviewer: No, I just wondered if anything has taken it’s
place.

Resler: Well it isn’t in existence anymore because the need
lessened. Now, things are a little bit different again. And we very
possibly could use another fellowship church. So far, nothing’s
taken it’s place.

Interviewer: I think there’s another organization that you’ve
been connected with, a religious organization that you might want to
tell me about?

Resler: Well, I can talk a little bit about the House of
Tradition. It’s a spot up on the campus where many of the students
assemble and it is a place where they enjoy themselves and can stay
out of a lot of restaurants and bars that are not so helpful for
students. So I have been up there several times, and I feel that the
rabbi up there is very, a wonderful leader, his name is Rabbi
Kaplan, and his wife is exceedingly remarkable and she has the
students for meals, at least over the weekend, and it’s a place
they can go and eat for very little, and they can worship in their
own way. They are very Orthodox. And those who go, seem to just love
what they’re doing. And it’s a place for a group that wouldn’t
otherwise have a meeting place. And it’s, I feel, a very important
addition to our campus. And these people have made a place for
themselves. And they’ve shown themselves to be very helpful in the
campus.

Interviewer: And I suppose you’re helping them, very much.

Resler: I try.

Interviewer: To they have any relationship at all to Hillel?

Resler: They may have some, I really don’t know. I’m
interested in Hillel, too. Very interested in Hillel and I think
they do a great job. But I really can’t tell you.

Interviewer: Have you been on the Hillel board?

Resler: Oh, yes, for many years. I am right now. I don’t get
up there as much as I’d like to, they have a wonderful rabbi too,
and I think he’s doing a fine job, and Hillel is doing very
nicely.

Interviewer: And you’ve been associated with Hillel for some
time?

Resler: Oh yes, yes, yes. As long as I’ve been in Columbus.

Interviewer: And all of this is part of your interest in
religion?

Resler: Yes, and young people in campus.

Interviewer: Now I understand you were secretary of the Franklin
County Mental Health Board. Can you tell me about your connection
with the mental health board?

Resler: Not a whole lot really, except that I did try to attend
the meetings, and I tried to cooperate with what I could, but at
this moment, I can’t tell you very many of the details except that
their very diligent, and they do a very good job.

Interviewer: One of your major interests, apparently, is in older
people, is evident by your concern about Heritage House, I also
understand that you were on the board of the Senior Citizens
Placement Center and you were on the advisory counsel of the Senior
Recreation Center. Did you do much work for those or were you just
lending your support?

Resler: Oh, no. I just mostly — and lend my support in the
ways that I can, and of course I tried to attend the meetings.

Interviewer: And you were given an award for Outstanding Service
in Franklin County. You became a member of the Senior Citizens Hall
of Fame.

Resler: Yes.

Interviewer: What year was that? Two years?

Resler: Two years, three years ago I believe. 1980 I think so.

Interviewer: And you had an award for Good Neighbor of the Year.
The CJ Award.

Resler: That was a long time ago.

Interviewer: How were you a good neighbor?

Resler: Somewhere I have the clipping that tells about how I was
a good neighbor, but you know I can’t find it? I don’t remember
what they said. I should have come much more prepared.

Interviewer: No, but that was some time ago, and I can
understand.

Resler: Oh yeah, that was a long time ago.

Interviewer: And you have many, many other interests, besides
that, but I do feel that was very nice to have received.

Resler: —- I have.

Interviewer: Well there’s really a lot, there has been a lot
going on with you in the last two years. The Resler Theater was
recently dedicated–

Resler: The Jewish Center.

Interviewer: And that was your contribution and also the Roth
Family. And that was part of the new Jewish Center that was opened.
And I see also that you’re going to be award a Citizenship Alumni
Award this year from Ohio State.

Resler: Yes.

Interviewer: And you and Jack have been president of the-you’ve
been a member of the President’s Club at OSU since it’s
inception is that correct?

Resler: The President’s Club at OSU was really Jack’s baby.
He was the person who had the idea. He was the person who took them
up to here, Max Lerner, when Max was in town, telling about of
Brandies University, and from that, came the idea of the President’s
Club of Ohio State University.

Interviewer: Well, it certainly has grown. It’s another —.

Resler: Jack’s, anyway.

Interviewer: And then the Mayor’s Award in 1982 I see you’ve
received.

Resler: The Mayor’s Award was this year.

Interviewer: Oh, 1984.

Resler: It hasn’t come yet. It’s coming, I think in
September.

Interviewer: And this is for…..

Resler: Good citizenship.

Interviewer: —–

Resler: That’s right.

Interviewer: Well, Eleanor, you’re one of our very, very
meaning citizens and you are so damn modest about everything, pardon
me.

Resler: Well, I just hope so because there are so many people
who have done so much more.

Interviewer: I don’t know.

Resler: I feel that there are. I feel that there are so many
people who really deserve many of these honors more than I should
have.

Interviewer: I think one of the things that have carried you
through was your wonderful background, and your wonderful parents,
and your wonderful friends.

Resler: My children, and my grandchildren, and my great
grandchildren want to hear this record. So I hope that maybe we can
have a copy for them. Would that be possible.

Interviewer: Of course. And thank you very much. It’s been
great.

Resler: Well, I’ve loved it. I love telling about my past. I
would just like to, before we turn off this film, I would just like
to thank Marjorie for all her encouragement, for her outline of
whatever we’ve done here, because without it, with my memory, I
wouldn’t be able to tell you a single thing. And I really thank
her and appreciate what she has done.

Interviewer: Well, I’ve had a great, great time because I
admire what you have so much and it’s just fun.

 

This concludes the interview.