Interview Books, 2007-2010

File — Box: 1, Folder: 1

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This book contains the following interviews:

Raisa Andreevna Davydova Ayvazyan: Ayvazyan was born May 12th, 1939 in Uzbekistan. She discusses her experience growing up during World War II, as well as her education and her husband’s work as an engineer. She taught Russian Language and Literature. She also addresses how she found the LDS Church and visions she has had of Jesus.
Sonia Bertinat de Malel: Malel learned the teachings of the LDS Church through her mother, who became a member in 1959. Malel was married in 1957 and had two children with her husband, who wasn’t a member of the Church. Malel was highly active in the Church: she worked for the Primary Organization and later the Relief Society Organziation. She discusses her mother’s advice, her struggles throughout life and how the Church called her even in troubled times, and her move to Israel. She also discusses her son’s mission and the building of the Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies. Included are some letters from her son’s mission.
Lyubov (Lyuba) Dorfman: Dorfman was born in 1956. She discusses her family history at length, which was filled with trauma due to the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia where they lived. World War II was also difficult for the family, and Dofman’s father almost had to have his legs amputated after being involved in the fighting and contracting gangrene. She recalls her strained relationship with her mother, her childhood and how being adopted affected her, and raising her own family. She also discusses how she likes living in Israel as opposed to Ukraine.
Loresa Escritor Dela Cruz Dumlao: Dumlao was born in 1968 grew up in the Philippines. She relates her parents’ histories and how they met, her school experiences, as well as her baptism into the LDS Church in 1988 and subsequent vision of Jesus Christ. She participated a great deal in Church life, teaching in the Primary and the Relief Society, and was involved in music as well. She also mentions her work life and her dreams for the future.
Minerva Felix: Felix was born in 1974 in the Philippines. Like others, she talks about how her parents met and their histories. She talks about her decision to join the LDS Church at seventeen years old, as well as her mission to Hong Kong. She also mentions relations between the United States and the Philippines and talks about her husband and young son.
Marissa Galvan (history, not an interview): Galvan was born in the Philippines. The history discusses her parentage, her childhood growing up with four siblings, her education through college, and her job history. It also mentions her baptism.
Carmen Burbitz: Burbitz was born in 1951 in Argentina. She discusses her family background, mentioning that her father was a Jewish political refugee. However, because her parents were unmarried, she was adopted by new parents in Argentina. She discusses her early schooling, her marriage at the age of sixteen and her children, and her conversion to the LDS faith. She recounts her experiences as a missionary in Buenos Aires and her involvement in the Church. She also discusses various health problems she has experienced, including thallasemia and cancer. Finally, she discusses her move to Israel, where she met her second husband.
Gloria Gutman: Gutman moved to Israel from Argentina, although she also has Polish heritage. She discusses her education, which she received up through high school. She also talks about her family’s Catholic history and her conversion to the LDS faith.
Ramzieh Hammad: Hammad was born in Israel in 1953 and came from a household of seven children. She talks about her family, and the tragic deaths that have occurred within it. She discusses her education and the difficulties imposed upon it growing up as a Muslim girl, her teachers, her marriage, and how she became a teacher. She also talks about joining the LDS Church in 1983, her adopted daughter, her friends, her travels, and her retirement.

Dates

2007-2010

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.