Alfred Ascher was born in Smyrna, now Izmir, Turkey in 1892 to Yakov and Rachel (Rosa) Arditti Ascher. He attended the Alliance Israélite Universelle school in Smyrna, and, like his older brother, Albert, was a French citizen—dangerous in Turkey during World War I. They escaped from Turkey in 1915 to wait out the war in Greece, but eventually left for New York. There Alfred met and married Claire Eliscu. They were blessed with two children, Lorraine and Robert, and the family settled in Far Rockaway, NY. After serving as head supervisor for steamship companies in New York, Alfred retired to St. Petersburg, Florida. Claire died in 1949. Alfred’s second wife, Beatrice Brean, died in or before 1978. In that year he moved to Worcester, Massachusetts, near his daughter. Alfred Ascher died on January, 26th, 1986, leaving a legacy of devotion, generosity, courage, and fun.

Gloria J. Ascher was born in the Bronx, New York to Emanuel and Esther (Ganon) Ascher, Ladino-speaking Sephardic Jews from Smyrna, now Izmir, Turkey. She attended the Bronx H.S. of Science, Hunter College, the University of Bonn (Fulbright Grant), and Yale University. As Associate Professor (now Emerita) of German, Scandinavian and Judaic Studies and founding Co-director of Judaic Studies at Tufts University, she taught Ladino Language and Culture on all levels, beginning with an introductory course in January, 2000, through May, 2017— the first regularly offered, substantially enrolled Ladino courses at a U.S. college or university. She prepared English editions of Matilda Koén-Sarano’s Ladino textbooks for beginners and advanced students, and has written and presented on Ladino and Sephardic subjects, and on Old Norse and German literature. She sings and composes songs and writes poems in Ladino, and teaches the language independently.