Banov family papers

Dr. Leon Banov Jr. (1914-2007) was born December 19, 1914, in Charleston, South Carolina to Minnie Monash Banov (1889-1985) and Dr. Leon Banov (1888-1971), Charleston County's Public Health Director. Dr. Banov Jr. graduated from the College of Charleston in 1937 with a B.S. degree in history, and from the Medical University of South Carolina with a M.D. in 1941. After internships, assistantships, and residencies in Baltimore, Washington, and Cleveland, Banov returned to Charleston where he practiced proctology for the next 55 years. He also served as Clinical Professor Emeritus of Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina, was on the surgical staff of the Saint Francis Xavier Hospital, the Charleston Memorial Hospital, Roper Hospital, and Baker Hospital. In addition he was president of the Waring Library Society, the Piedmont Proctological Society, the Charleston County Medical Society, and the Coastal Medical Society. He was also a member of the Rotary Club of Charleston and was a founding director of the Bank of South Carolina, serving on its board for many years. He wrote more than 60 articles on the history of proctology and surgery. In 1973 he was selected to be on the first Food and Drug Administrative Panel regarding hemorrhoidal drugs, and in 1978 testified to the National Commission of Digestive Diseases. He was a member Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim and from 1965 to 1967 served as its president.

Rita Landesman Banov (1920-2002) was born December 7, 1920, in Newark, New Jersey, to Blanche Maybaum Landesman (1896-1991) and Henry Landesman (1890-1955). She was a graduate of Goucher College, Baltimore, Maryland, with a pre-med major. She participated on the boards of Family Services, the USO travelers' aid group, the Community Chest, the Charleston Chapter of the American Cancer Society, the Charleston Museum, and Porter-Gaud Academy. As a member of the Ladies Benevolent Society, she served as secretary, junior superintendent and superintendent; for her contributions she was made an honorary life member. She served as president of the National Council of Jewish Women and the Southeast Federation of Temple Sisterhoods. She was the first woman elected to membership in the historic Hebrew Orphan Society as well as the first woman elected president of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim. In addition she taught in the congregation's religious school, was an advisor to the Temple Youth Group, and served as board member, secretary, vice president, and president of the Temple Sisterhood. She also served on the evaluation committees for both the Jewish Community Center and the Charleston Jewish Federation and headed the latter's Jewish Community Relations Committee. The couple had two children: Alan Banov and Jane Banov Bergen.

In 1974 the couple organized a weekend celebration of the 150th anniversary of Reform Judaism in America and of the efforts of Isaac Harby in his role in the founding of The Reformed Society of Israelites. Held at Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim, the program featured religious services, receptions, and lectures by Rabbi Malcolm H. Stern and Rabbi Sanford Shapiro. Many of Isaac Harby's descendants took part in the events. The couple also worked, as secretary and treasurer, for the Clarotype Company Inc. Founded in 1920 by Leon Banov Sr. and George Mood, the company sold Clar-o-type, a cleansing compound for typewriters, and Flip-it finger moistener.