Staff Writer
The Sag Harbor Historical Society kicks off its “Fridays on the Porch 2019” series on July 12, with journalist and professor Karl Grossman who offers a talk at 5 p.m. on “The ‘Unusual’ Jewish History of Sag Harbor.”More than a century ago, Mr. Grossman’s paternal grandparents, Herman and Stephanie, came to the United States from Hungary and settled in Sag Harbor where Herman, a skilled engraver, worked at Fahy’s watchcase factory.

In his talk, Mr. Grossman will focus on how Sag Harbor became a center for Jews on eastern Long Island and why the 1900 U.S. Census showed that 15 percent of its population was Jewish. This contrasts greatly with the neighboring communities of East Hampton and Southampton where Jews were not welcome.

Mr. Grossman, a resident of Noyac, has written a column for nearly 50 years which appears regularly in The Southampton Press, The East Hampton Press, The Sag Harbor Express and Shelter Island Reporter. He is a full professor of journalism at the State University of New York/College at Old Westbury.

Mr. Grossman is also the author of six books. For 28 years, he has hosted the nationally-aired television program “Enviro Close-Up with Karl Grossman” and, on Long Island, he is host of the TV show “Environment Long Island” produced by LTV in Wainscott.

Mr. Grossman has received many awards for journalism including the George Polk Award. He founded and was first president of the Press Club of Long Island. He and his wife, Janet, a retired teacher, are the parents of attorney Adam Grossman, chairman of the Southampton Town Zoning Board of Appeals.

“Fridays on the Porch 2019” take place at the Sag Harbor Historical Society's Annie Cooper Boyd House, 174 Main Street Sag Harbor.

Upcoming talks include: “The Great New England Hurricane” by Chris Gloninger on July 26.

“The History of Pie–Sample the Possibilities” by Rev. Karen Campbell on August 9.

“Show and Tell Appraisals" by Randy Kolhoff, owner of Black Swan Antiques on August 23.

All talks are from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Admission is $20 donation which includes wine, beer and refreshments.