Last edit of the page 2022.JAN.12
James Louis Wohl was born February 27, 1936.
This account is written by Gary Simon, and helpful information and insight was provided by Jimmy’s niece Jan.
I have ten cousins on my father’s side. Two of these I never met.
Cousin Alan Levy perished in combat in Germany in World War II. Those family members who have been to Europe made sure to visit his grave and bring back photographs.
I never met cousin Jimmy. Jimmy died in 2005 at age 69.
Jimmy spent most of his life in institutions, and I was never taken to see him. As the story was given to me, his birth was complicated and he was born with serious mental challenges. The story comes to me as hearsay, and I cannot attest to its level of accuracy.
The family lived in Tampa. Jimmy’s birth was difficult. His mother Esther was in serious distress, and her baby was in danger. The obstetrician in charge stepped out of the delivery room to talk with Esther’s husband Isador. What should be done? The doctor confronted Isador with the unsavory options. If left to usual procedures, the baby would likely be born with serious mental injuries. Of course, the delivery process could be altered in a way that the child would be stillborn. How would Isador like to proceed? The story, as it has come down to us, is that Isador requested that the birth continue, doing everything possible for the child’s health. The story is of course not verifiable, but it has been passed down through whispers over the years. In fact, it is contradicted by Dora’s letter.
The closest account of Jimmy’s birth comes in a letter written by Dora Simon Iskowitz/Ibsen to her brothers Nate and Abe. The date of the letter is just “Sunday.” Jimmy’s birth date was Thursday, February 27, 1936. Sunday would be March 1, 1936. The document is a weak copy, and many parts cannot be read. It is also likely that two letters may have been placed together.
Sunday
My dear Brothers:
Will life ever hold any joy for us?
I’m about to give a detailed report on the real havoc that we are living thru!
I’m here, but if Mama were alive she would have to witness this horrible thing – God was good & spared her further worry & troubles.
Thursday nite when the baby came – it was Esther or the baby! Oh God! Well, it was only Esther we cared about & we nearly were frantic. Happy to say that today we all are rejoicing because Esther is past the critical stage & is feeling fine.
The baby was born still (dead). Doctors & nurses worked on it until life began to show. It was born with a blood clot on the brain – a hemorrage & a throat filled with mucus (Esther had a cold you know). A quart of mucus was pumped out of the baby Thursday. Fri & Sat with all its rallying he had severe convulsions – yesterday Esther gave him a <illegible>.
Last nite the doctor told Isidor that the baby may be all rite but the greater chances were for it to be a cripple – imagine poor Isidor – he told the doctor this: “He’d rather have God take him away than to have a cripple & feebleminded baby.” In fact the decision was made with Esther. She appears brave but believe me I know just what that poor kid is going thru!
So it stands that way. The crisis about the baby’s health will be known Wednesday, until then we’re hoping & praying. But my sentiments are like Isidor’s.
Please, for God’s sake don’t breathe word to Ruth or anyone. I’m not even letting our Edith know – she has enuf worries now.
But, no one knows what hell I’ve gone thru since I cam here. I swear that if I didn’t love my sisters & brothers & husband I’d jump in the river. Honest to God, I just can’t stand much more – I’m just worn out.
The baby weighed 6 lbs – is the picture of Esther – poor soul wasn’t even strong enuf to even think of a name for him but I know it’s gonna <section of text missing> Nothing is too good for any of us – never gets tired doing wonderful things. For that @ least we can be thankful.
<section of letter discussed other things>
Henry wrote that our business has been terrible & I sit here with a head so damn full I’m about to plotz. But I’ll live thru it, I guess.
But God forbid if Esther’s condition warrants my staying over, I guess I’ll just have to – but I hope not.
<section of illegible text>
I’m not worried about Esther anymore. She’s definitely OK. I’m not worried about the baby either – if he’s gonna be crippled & demented the doctor won’t let it live, if it’s going to be normal we can all rejoice over the bay.
Ruthie & I are fasting today. Thursday is “Esther tanis,” please fast on that day – it’s a mitzvah. [NOTE: This refers to the fast of (the biblical) Esther. The date was Thursday, March 5, 1936. This suggests that this fragment came from a second letter.]
Well, dear ones, I feel somewhat relieved to have been able to empty out my heart & forgive me. But I know you would have wanted to know all this. Just don’t <illegible>.
God bless you, best wishes & all our love.
Dora
This simple announcement appeared in the Binghamton Press and Sun-Bulletin, noting that Esther had once lived in Binghamton. It is plausible that Edith Simon Levy placed the announcement, but that cannot be affirmed.
There are few descriptions of Jimmy. In August of 1942, Abe Simon visited the Wohl family while awaiting the final disposition of his army medical case. In a letter to Nate Simon, he wrote “Jimmie is getting along nicely. He is now in the yard with a hose spraying himself with water to keep cool.” Jimmy was six years old.
The remaining details were supplied by Jan in 2014.
Medical reports revealed that James had impaired mental development at birth, with an intelligence test suggesting a score of 63, and hand written doctor’s notes indicating that James had the mental capacity of a four year old. James lived at home until he became a resident of a facility in Kentucky designed to serve as a group home to children with disabilities. When his age required a change in placement, James was moved to a group home in Florida. This allowed his mother, Esther, to visit more often. His mother doted on him! She prepared elaborate baked goods, purchased fine clothing, and always had a large variety of books, puzzles, and magazines to give to him. For his birthday, she decorated extensively with a colorful, youthful theme. There were balloons, plates, napkins, and table cloths used to create a festive backdrop for every get together. James recognized his mother particularly, and always received her with the same spoken words: Mama, Mama! He embraced her every time we visited. James followed his greeting and hug with the same spoken words: cake, books. He appeared to joyfully anticipate the sweetness of his mother’s cakes, and she spoon fed him after placing a colorful bib over his shirt to protect his clothing. Following the excitement of eating freshly baked cake, James anticipated the reading materials, and his mother promptly provided comic books, puzzles, and magazines with many photographs. James grasped the books, and turned through the pages as his mother would slow him down and point, on occasion, to an object, say its name, and listen for James to repeat the word. He did not, and yet she continued to do this for some time following each get together. James had a limited ability to express himself, and his command of the skills of daily living were limited, requiring that he be assisted to care for his basic needs. Even with all of these conditions, when James saw his mother, his excitement was palpable, his joy was irrepressible, and his attachment to his mother appeared to reside far above words.
It was my pleasure to drive Esther, his mother (my grandmother), to see James when he resided in the group home in Arcadia, Florida, and later when he moved to a small group home very, very close to Esther’s home. When James moved close to his mother, she visited every Sunday, and always brought him the same treats, cake and books. She would point to me and say my name. James learned how to say Jan. He also started offering me that same warm embrace he gave his mother. Her devotion to her son was unstoppable, and even as her health failed, she insisted on visiting James. When Esther knew her days were passing, she made one request of me: visit James. James passed away about 18 months after his mother. His life was a testimony to the power of love, gentleness, and the unspoken bond between mother and son.
James passed away on September 4, 2005. He is buried in Rodeph Sholom Cemetery in Tampa.
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