4 North Shore Towers Courier n February 2016 Ana Maria and Mal Salit: Where were you born, Ana Maria? I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, into a family that emigrated in 1895 from Russia. People ask me how I got such a non-Jewish first name. Like so many other children I was named for family members who had passed away. In my case, two aunts named Hannah and Manya. Translated into Spanish it became Ana Maria. What was it like growing up in Argentina? My family was middle class as were most of the 500,000 Jews living in Buenos Aires at the time. We enjoyed a nice life, even if was under a dictatorship: first Juan and then Eva Peron. But Eva was a charismatic figure beloved by most of the citizens. I did well in school, and when I won a contest, the first prize was getting a certificate and a kiss from Eva Peron. I’ll never forget it. What did you do career-wise as a young woman? After earning my BA in Argentina, I sold real estate as a partner in my own firm. There weren’t professional schools open to women at that time. Clouds were darkening for Jews in Argentina and I left my business to look for opportunities in the United States. In 1960, I boarded a freighter bound for New York along with a girlfriend. We settled in the Bronx and then a hotel for women in Manhattan. My family cried for me to return home and I went back to Buenos Aires, but conditions were worse and opportunities fewer. After a while I came back to New York. How did the two of you meet? In August 1962, I went to the beach on Fire Island with friends. There I met a tall, dark, handsome fellow named, Mal, who seemed very popular with the girls. We chatted briefly but I sensed something special about him. When it was time to leave the island I went to the ferry that took visitors back to the mainland. I was on a long line waiting to board. To my surprise Mal was standing directly behind me. The line moved slowly but our friendship moved quickly. He took my phone number and called me two days later. A year after that encounter, we were married at the East End Temple on 23rd Street and Second Avenue. We honeymooned in Jamaica. Mal, where did you grow up? I was a Bronx boy who attended PS 82 and Taft High School. At age 18, I enlisted in the Army. Most of my buddies went off to the Battle of the Bulge. Many never returned. I went from Okinawa to the occupation of Korea. Soon, I was a Staff Sergeant and finished my service at the historic 38th Parallel that separated the two Koreas. What was next for you? At age 20, I was discharged and enrolled at NYU on the GI Bill. Upon graduation I got a job in an ad agency and left to become a salesman in textiles. I started at Celanese as a marketing rep and eventually as a Vice-President in Sales at Macfield. I became a partner and ran the New York office for more than 20 years. In 1991, I retired. What are some of the things the two of you did after Mal’s retirement? Ana served on the Temple Israel Board and worked in many capacities, including PTA President. We became life members in 1995. We loved living in our Strathmore house in Great Neck. Mal volunteered at the Jewish Museum in Manhattan. We enjoyed summer weekends at our West Hampton Beach co-op, playing golf and the beautiful beach. Mal served as co-op president for four years. Together, we traveled extensively since 1980. Do you have a family? Yes, we have two sons. Mason is the currently head of the private bank at Bank Leumi. He lives in Woodbury with his wife, Lauren, and three children. Wayne is a lawyer and former Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan for 12 years and is Director of anti-money laundering compliance at Deutche Bank. He lives with his three children and Lisa in Port Washington. We are so happy to have them close by. When did you move to North Shore Towers? Since 1995, we have divided our time between NST and Boca Pointe, Florida. Having joined the Men’s Club at NST, we participate in many of their activities, especially the Couples Canasta group. Our family gathers for celebrations in West Hampton each year, but we think of NST as home. It has been a great place to live. Don’t Cry for Me Argentina This is a love story that spans two continents, involves a ferry boat, and ambitious, good looking people who have been married for more than 52 years. They have given of themselves to each community in which they lived. Couple at their 60th wedding anniversary Mal after college graduation Ana Maria at age 6 in Buenos Aires
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