Meet the Taubs

Meet the Taubs. Chana and Simon Taub are divorced, and share a large house in Brooklyn. They spent USD350,000 on it and more than USD1 million on renovating the house. And yet, the both have spent more than the total value of the house, on divorce litigation.

A wall of Shetrock and plywood divides the house, and both of them. NY Times ran an interesting article about the two individuals, who despite a divorce, have opted not to sell the house that they both adored. The marriage lasted from 1985 to 2006, in total a staggering 21 years. Both of them are Jews. 

Their story began when Chana, then in her 30's, purchased a second-hand Oldsmobile sedan. The seller asked her if she was looking for a husband. She said yes. She was then introduced to Simon. Both were in their 30's and both had two children each. A few months later, they were married. 

The marriage started out in the best conditions that one could hope for. Simon was a millionaire, owner of a knitwear factory. Their house was open to poor men on weekends, for free food and drink. In 1997, competition from China began cutting his profits, and by 2003 his company filed for bankruptcy. He closed his door to the poor and needy. Over the years he survived on income from other sources. He also grew irritable and began to mistreat his wife, a consequence of the pent-up stress. All of these came out in the cause papers of the divorce proceedings.

Read more about the Taubs. I wouldn't want to spoil the ending for you. Here is the link: Chana And Simon Love Their House, But ... They Loathe Each Other. 5th October 2008, NY Times, by R. Padawer.