My dad grew up in a working-class Jewish neighbourhood, and I got a scholarship from my dad's union to go to college. I went there to get an education, not as an extension of privilege.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I'm Jewish. Went to a Jewish school.
My father belonged to a Jewish social club.
I was from a poor Jewish family in the South Bronx. My father was a plumber, but when I was 16, he got sick and I had to take over. Being a plumber in the South Bronx wasn't fun.
I was an all-sport athlete growing up. My dad, I think, hoped I would go to college on a scholarship.
When I was little, I went to a Jewish community day school for most of elementary school.
Although I was raised Jewish, my upbringing didn't include any formal religious education or training.
My undergraduate education, at the City College in New York, was made possible only by the existence of that excellent free institution and the financial sacrifices of my parents.
I asked my parents for permission to study in America and they were so sure that I wouldn't get in and get a scholarship that they encouraged me to try. So I applied to Yale and got an excellent scholarship. I then worked for the Boston Consulting Group for six and half years.
My father had a brilliant scholastic record in high school and was awarded a college scholarship. Unfortunately he had to turn it down so that he could continue to support his family.
My dad was Jewish. My mom is not. So I was not raised anything.