Hulda Gittelsohn
Hulda Gittelsohn was born on Corey Hill in Brookline around 1915. At the time of her birth, a nurse noticed that Hulda was blowing bubbles, and thought Hulda a much too serious name for a newborn, and thus gave her the nickname “Bubbles” which stuck for her entire life. Hulda’s great grandfather, Ferdinand Nordanshield, was one of the original founders of Temple Israel in the 19th Century. Hulda attended Wellesley College and majored in English Composition. She graduated in 1937 and married Carl Tischler the next year. Unfortunately, Hulda’s family had its share of tragedy. One of her brothers died when he was 21, a few short months after he was married. Her other brother Freddy died two weeks before their mother in 1970. Also, when Hulda’s two children were college-aged, their father, Carl, passed away from a heart attack. She continued to raise her family and remained active at Temple Israel, especially the Sisterhood and the Council. Hulda would remain a widow for 17 years, until she grew acquainted with Rabbi Roland Gittelsohn at Temple Israel. They married and her life changed drastically as the rabbi’s new wife. She has fond memories of the dozens of trips they took to Israel and to other destinations all over the world. Rabbi Gittelsohn passed away a few years before this interview. Hulda continued to stay active and engaged in her retirement community.
Hulda talks about her family's Swedish and German heritage, the story of her nickname "Bubbles," and the religious customs she grew up with. She recalls her experiences at Temple, attending Sunday School, and her confirmation with Rabbi Fleisher. Hulda talks about attending Wellesley College, meeting and marrying her husband Carl Tischler, and enduring family tragedies – losing two of her siblings and the death of her husband from a heart attack. She discusses the importance of sisterhood for a young widow and how she found support in Temple Israel, where she remained an active congregant and volunteer, and through which she met her second husband, Rabbi Roland Gittelsohn. Hulda and her family traveled around the world, and she remembers her trips fondly to Israel and South Africa especially. Finally, Hulda reflects on becoming a widow for the second time and her life in the retirement community where she is a resident.
