Prewar Jewish life in Alsace

Carl Henry Levy was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on May 7, 1913 to a wealthy German Reform Jewish family. He attended a secular private college-preparatory school. During those years, he printed a magazine in his attic, was chief editor of his school newspaper, and was involved in a Jewish youth group. He was finishing undergraduate philosophy studies at Harvard just as Hitler rose to power in Germany. With his peers, he organized a demonstration against the rise of fascism and the arrival of German ships to the United States. He also led the North American Committee in Cincinnati to Aid Spanish Democracy during the years of the Spanish Civil War. He graduated from Harvard in 1934, Magna cum Laude. In 1941 he met and married Edith Entratter shortly before enlisting in the US Army. He served in Europe from July 1944 to September 1945, participating in the Battle of the Bulge and the liberation of Ohrdruf concentration camp. Carl used the office typewriter from his desk job as Warrant Officer to write to Edith every day. After his return, he founded Lucky Stride Shoes and retired in 1960. Carl Henry died in New York City on August 24, 2001.