Marjorie Ruth Blumberg was born 3 Feb 1925 in Chattanooga, TN. Right off the bat, you may note, she was eager to perform. She was the daughter of Leah and Louis Blumberg and the sister of two-year older Herbert. The family lived, for a time on Missionary Ridge in Chattanooga, the scene of fierce fighting during the War Between The States.

It was all very natural and understandable...Marjorie Ruth simply couldn't stand still whenever music was playing. Here she is at the age of two, mandolin in hand and already doing the high kick, at three ready for recital to "Tip Toe Through The Tulips"

and then, at the age of five, dressed for her "Russian Dance".

Within a short time, the family had moved back to Chattanooga, then to Nashville and, later, to Roanoke, VA. It was in Roanoke that Marjorie Ruth grew through her teen years into a beautiful young lady, and graduated high school. She was active in the Young Judeans and had a very active social life, including weekend parties at Washington & Lee and VPI.

And...as you will note, Marjorie had more on her mind than boys and dates. She won honors for her essays (see inset from the Roanoke Times [BRK edit: and the essay is listed further down]) and is listed in the "American Jewish Yearbook, 1940-1941" And, as president of the Roanoke Young Judeans, she won a trip to the Young Judean Camp in Port Jervis, NY

From her earliest years, Marjorie Ruth had shown a talent and love of art; her portfolio yet contains some of her early sketches and drawings to enjoy. She wanted to study art at a top school and that school, as it happens, was in Richmond VA and known by the appellation, "Richmond Professional Institute, College of William and Mary" [RPI]. Marjorie Ruth entered college Sept 1942 and proceeded to have the time of her life…as well as to learn the techniques and processes of creating fine art.

...But...it was not all about art!

At RPI, Marj met and roomed with Joan Shapiro (nee Harrison) who became her best friend and, later, maid of honor at her wedding: It was a most joyous time…dates, parties, wild dances (including a solo bacchanal to the "Bolero"). Being away from home for her first time, and "cutting loose", Marjorie Ruth decided she wanted to be known as "Marj" or "Marjorie", not "Ruth" as her family and friends had known her till college.

And it was there, a few months before her graduation that God took Ellis by the hand on a train ride from Hampton to Richmond for an afternoon tea party where his love would be among the group. And it was God's hand (helped by Joan) that told Marjorie to accept a date for the party because, at least, it meant a Sunday supper out. Well, as is often said, "the rest is history". Ellis was blown away when he saw that beautiful poised young lady in the checkered suit with a tam perched prettily atop her darling head. Early in March, on the third date, Ellis asked Marjorie to be his wife. But she did not acquiesce until weeks later. At her June graduation, with her parents and dear Aunt Rosetta present, Marjorie became engaged to Ellis…Glory Be !!!

Essay by Marjorie on "the influence of a good Jew on his community", 1940

The Influence of a Good Jew on his Community

The distinguishing mark of the good citizen, regardless of race, color, creed or position in life, is his willingness to accept the responsibilities of his citizenship. The merit of a modern man’s citizenship is the extent to which he realizes the necessity of co-operation in community life. Whether one likes it or not, each literally works for all and all for each. To ignore or attempt to cut the subtle connection of this economic unity is not to preserve individualism, but to lose it in chaos.

Citizenship, if it is to escape being a mere technicality, must be backed by the quality of our day-to-day living. Any frank portrait of the Jew as a good citizen of his community is necessarily filled with exciting variety. With minor changes in the old rhyme, he may be either doctor, lawyer, merchant, chief, rich man or poor man, yet, under all this variety, there is the unity of a single all-inclusive purpose: his share and influence in the life of his community.

What does this imply?

From time immemorial the Jew had had to fight against the fear and antagonism of his Christian neighbor in both social and civic life. Much of this has been caused through lack of knowledge between the two groups. The Christian has felt that the Jew wished to keep apart. One of the most persistent of Christian attitudes toward the Jew is that of curiosity. Only as they come to know each other will they come to share their gifts, their customs, traditions, background and further the development of a fine, true community. They must learn to live and work together. Harmonious, happy community life is difficult unless friendly appreciation is established.

The American of today, and of tomorrow, will want to attain a sympathetic understanding, open-mindedness and tolerance to other people of diverse cultures; thereby enriching his whole life through building of a better community. The barriers that separate them can only be broken through personal contacts.

It is unfortunate that all Jews are judged by the majority of peoples, not individually, but collectively. The good Jew, with the welfare of all Jewry at heart, realizes that, being of this minority group, he must actively meet his non-Jewish neighbors more than half way. In times such as these, when distrust and hate of the Jew is being fostered all over the world, each Jewish person is morally obligated to so live and work in his community as to be a counter-influence against all harmful propaganda. In every phase of community life, be it politics, education, literature, music or social service, the good Jew, through his active participation, does much to overcome any prejudice of his non-Jewish neighbor, and by so doing, further the American ideals of democracy.

The life of the late Adolph S. Ochs, former owner of the New York Times, is, to me, one of the most outstanding examples of the influence of a good Jew on his community. It is not only because of the fact that I was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the home of Mr. Ochs, where I remember him visiting our Religious School in the beautiful temple sanctuary which he gave to the Reform Congregation in memory of his Mother and Father; nor is it because of his many worthwhile philanthropies in the United States and abroad for the good of all humanity; but because of the esteem and love heard in the voices of all people when they speak of him. Not only the Jew, but the non-Jew as well, seem to take personal pride and reflected glory in his active interest and work for the betterment of all in his community. Their respect for him was greatly due to the fact that although his interests were varied and wide-spread, he never gave up his religion.

Religion is the basis of all Community life, and the non-Jew has a deep respect for religion and the observance of special holidays. He expects the Jew to use his Temple, not as a building of four walls and a roof, but as a House of Prayer, and he also expects the Jew to observe the requirements of his High Holidays. To see the observance only among a few engenders a distrust for the sincerity of all. Therefore, as a leader, the good Jew must have a knowledge and pride of his heritage, and recognize his responsibility to set an example to bring others into closer and deeper affiliation with the Temple.

Every community has its agencies of relief, support and healing. One of the outstanding traits of the good Jew is his readiness to apply the lessons of the Good Samaritan to modern life. Along with the great philanthropists, we find the name of Nathan Straus, whose gifts were many, but whose greatest service to his community and the country at large was his establishment of the Straus Milk Fund which has saved the lives of thousands of babies. The Boy Scouts of America owe much to Mortimer Schiff, one of its founders and presidents.

All are sharers in the glorious adventure of life in America. It is the task of the good Jew to see that no basic human rights shall be destroyed; that human personality shall be cherished; that all shall continue to live in freedom, to think, write, say and do what they please, so long as the greater social welfare is not menaced; to see to it that none shall be forced to take charity; that all who want to work shall find it and that one’s labors shall bring adequate returns.

Christians and Jews, before the challenge of these common tasks, should be patient with each other, trusting, helping and working together for human liberty, justice and progress in the name of the one Eternal God.

So the good Jew, in his contacts with his Christian neighbors, shows himself a worthwhile, desirable person, reflecting merit not only upon himself, but upon his fellow Jews, and becomes an integral part in the development of his community.

Letter to the parents about Ellis, dated May 6, 1946

page 1 page 2 page 3 See Ellis's letter

Sunday night

Dearest Mother,

Well, my mind's made up, I'm definitely madly in love with Ellis and I'm going to marry him. You & Daddy may think I'm a little hasty especially after the episode with Bill, but honestly Bill couldn't hold a candle to Ellis and I thank the Lord that things turned out as they did. I know when you meet him you'll say the same. I don't think anyone could ever love me as much as Ellis does nor could make me happier. He likes the same people, the same things I do. We have so much fun together and he's so wonderful that you all will be crazy about him.

Irv and Les and Ellis hit it right off this weekend especially Irv & Ellis. Cotillion dance was very nice & Joan & I got orchids from the boys. At the dance Ellis went over & spoke to Mrs Chaeney & asked her to dance etc & naturally she went for him right away. First thing this morning she told me how sweet she thought Ellis was and also that all the chaperones commented on my gown & a few other nice things. Today Joan, Irv Ellis & I and Judy and another friend drove to Williamsburg. Well by the time we got there it was so late we didn't have time to do any sight seeing but went to a wonderful place for dinner called The Travis House. First we were served champagne cocktails out in the gardens & then later for dinner we had scalloped oysters as a side dish which were delicious, rare roast beef, candied sweet potatoes, creamed celery, asparagus, and ice cream with fresh strawberries plus a few other side dishes. It was all served by candle light and I must admit very romantic.

Ellis wants to give me a ring for graduation & we're definitely decided we want to get married this summer - of course with the family's permission I just know you all will love him too. I know I'm doing the right thing and there is no doubt in my mind about us. Ellis will want to talk to you & Daddy at graduation so be ready for it.

I'm going to bed now. Have been going hard since Friday so I'm dead tired. Love to you & Daddy & please let me hear from you immediately - also got the box with my dress. Thanks a lot.

Love again,
Ruthie

https://www.elliskatz.net/our-family/marjorie/