Faces of the West County: Eva Newbrun

Retired teacher, founder of The Learning Place, and Steve's mother-in-law!

Educator Eva Newbrun (Photo by Steve Einstein)

We’re well into September by now, but it was in August when I started to hunt for the next Face of the West County. I thought that—what with the school year about to kick in—I’d find one of the area’s devoted and remarkable teachers to feature. When I found one, she was hard to pin down, being the busy, engaged woman that she is. Then by the time we finally made a date to talk, she was sick with COVID. (If you hadn’t noticed, it’s really going around.) We’ll get to her another day.

As luck would have it, I was sitting on a ferry to Bainbridge Island this past weekend, going to a destination wedding. (I’m no fan of destination weddings, but this one was pretty fantastic.) There, in front of me, was my mother-in-law. She is not just a compelling character, but she’s a teacher, an educator, and inspiration to boot—and she lives in Sebastopol. Here she is!

Where and when were you born?

I was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1934. I’ll be 91 in two weeks.

A rather unfortunate time and place to be born. Who else was in your family?

I had one brother, Eric, but he died from Addison’s Disease at age 11. I had a sister too, Doris, who died before my birth. Unlike my siblings, my mother Annie lived a long life, dying at almost 101. She was a driven woman, still leading the exercise group at her senior living residence in San Pablo, right up to her 100th birthday.

I’m married to Erni, but only for the last 69 years! My two daughters, Karen and Debbie, both live here in Sebastopol, as do my two great-grandkids. Our son Danny is in Oakland. And then there’s my favorite (and only) son-in-law, who is also here in Sebastopol.

When did you get to the states?

It was May 6th, 1940. My father was arrested by the Nazis after the Anschluss. (That’s a German word that literally means “union or annexation” but refers to the 1938 political union of Austria with Nazi Germany, a key event leading to World War II. (The Sound of Music, the story of the Von Trapp family, also takes place in ’38, after the Anschluss.) My father was picked up off the street for being a communist (which he wasn’t). After he was released, he was told to take his family and leave the country. My brother died a few weeks later.

We left in December, with a transit visa to go to England, and then another visa to get into the states. I was only four when we left Austria. We stayed in London for 18 months. My mother wanted to stay in England, being afraid of the violence in the United States.

A bit ironic, isn't it?

Though the Lindbergh baby kidnapping and murder was in 1932, that really scared people, and especially a mother like mine, who had already lost two of her three children.

We eventually went to New York City where cousins lived. I grew up in Washington Heights (see the Lin-Manuel Miranda film, In the Heights, which takes place after the Jews moved out and the Dominican community moved in) which was a neighborhood full of German speaking immigrants.

I actually met your mother, Annie, in that Washington Heights apartment about 50 years after your family first moved into it. She had a famous neighbor as I recall. Another German Jew who was about her age.

That would be Doctor Ruth! She lived across the street. They went to the same synagogue.

You graduated from a rather renowned high school.

Yes, I did. Music and Art High School, where I played the string bass. I went on to Brandeis University in Massachusetts, where I studied psychology with Abe Maslow and became a social worker. After marrying Erni, a week after college, we went to Rochester where Erni was in grad school, and I worked in the welfare department.

How did you end up in California?

That’s a long story, but ultimately it was Erni coming here for his PhD and then his becoming a professor at UCSF.

I had three children within three years. The youngest one is your wife!

Hey, thanks for that.

And your professional life?

When the kids started school, I went back and got a teaching credential, and then a masters in learning disabilities.

And from that, came your business, A Learning Place?

That’s right. That’s where I made my mark as a diagnostician, and more importantly I helped struggling students figure out effective learning strategies. It was a very gratifying career. I retired at 65. It was a fantastic run.

Hobbies?

I was a real dilettante.

Okay, what exactly is that?

I’m a jack of all trades and a master of none! I love music. I made silver jewelry, then got into ceramics, and in more recent years into painting. I played guitar, piano, string bass, and now, the alto recorder. I played none especially well. I loved playing tennis, skiing, camping and hiking. These days I’m in a small recorder group here in Sebastopol, and of course, a book group.

Well, as they might say in Australia—where you have also lived—there’s no flies on Eva!

What’s the hardest part about being 90?

Well, of course there’s the advancing aches and pains of aging. My biggest challenge is diminished hearing. I’m clearly slowing down. … But the hardest part is probably losing so many close friends. I guess that’s what young friends are for.

When did you get to Sebastopol?

In ’91, we bought a house to escape the summer fog and chill of San Francisco. We found a lovely acre off Bloomfield, not far from our daughter and favorite son-in-law. It was initially only for weekends and summers, but when COVID hit in 2020, we moved up here for good. We feel especially blessed by the wonderful neighbors we have here. I’m really at home here now.

Anything to say about our domestic situation here these days? Here’s a leading question. Does the current swing to an authoritarian leader, worry you as someone who fled from Austria in 1938?

Absolutely. My father was arrested by the Nazis and taken off the street. Seeing our government act in similar ways is distressing. Seeing people arrested for who they are, and not for what they did is very reminiscent from my own childhood.

We were so grateful for the asylum we found in New York and for the American relatives who helped us get a visa to come here. It saved our lives. I say that out of an appreciation for what this country has stood for in the past. We’re seeing it change now.

Would you like to weigh in on the current situation in Israel/Gaza and in particular, with the Netanyahu government?

Well, first of all, October 7th and the mass slaughter of Israelis, and the taking of 250 hostages by Hamas was horrific. The trauma that caused within Israel, was also felt by many of us here. That said, I’m very upset with the Israeli response of widespread devastation, mass death and starvation of innocent civilians in Gaza and the treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank.

I’ve been to Israel numerous times, and we actually lived in Jerusalem for a year in the mid-80s. I care very much about the place, but the policies of this current Israeli government are very upsetting vis-a-vis Gaza and the West Bank.

Alright, let’s lighten up a bit. Exercise regime?

I used to do pilates. Now I just stretch a lot and swim some.

Last good book?

I Seek a Kind Person: My Father, Seven Children, and the Adverts that Helped Them Escape the Holocaust, by Julian Borger. The title speaks for itself.

Most memorable famous person you’ve met?

Eleanor Roosevelt. She was a trustee at Brandeis when I was there as a student. I lived in a women’s co-op called The Roosevelt House. She was coming to Brandeis to give a speech, and I had the idea of inviting her for dinner. She accepted the invitation and sat around with us after dinner for quite a while just engaging with us.

Favorite city you’ve ever visited?

Sydney, Australia. Between the beauty of a harbor city and the friendliness of the people, it wins.

So let’s talk about our far less grandiose town of Sebastopol. What do you like most about life here?

Well, it’s beautiful here with nature all around us. Having grown up in New York City, it’s nice to know your neighbors and live in such a friendly community.

Safeway, Lucky’s, Pacific, Whole Foods or Fircrest?

Fircrest. That’s more my speed. I’m an Andy’s shopper as well. Wonderful selection there.

You and Erni are often spotted at the Rialto. What draws you there?

In particular we love the Metropolitan Opera live broadcasts, as well as their quality movie selections.

You’re remarkable in a number of ways, but one thing that I notice, is that at very close to 91, unlike many of your peers, you continue to make new friends.

Of course I miss all the old friends I’ve lost. Nothing to do about that. But it’s true, that I remain welcome to making new friends. It helps to stay curious. I love learning about new people.

Your next anniversary will be your 70th. Wow! I remember that about 35 years ago, after I had been married for one year, that I asked you if it’s true that the first year of marriage was the most difficult. I’ll never forget your answer. You said that it was actually the first 34 years that were the hardest. That was funny. What’s your secret?

Mostly keeping the family together. Sharing a common background and interests is good, but being stubborn (about staying married) helps. Accepting our differences is critical, and we sure have plenty. After all these years, we still manage to learn from each other.

Well, Mrs. Newbrun, those of us lucky enough to know you are learning loads from your example. Mazel tov on your upcoming 91st, and your approaching 70th! Well done!

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