- Name
- Jack Gang
- Material Format
- moving images
- Interview Date
- 9 Jun. 2010
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Jack Gang
- Number
- OH 378
- Subject
- World War, 1939-1945
- Interview Date
- 9 Jun. 2010
- Quantity
- 1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
- Interviewer
- Stephanie Markowitz
- Total Running Time
- 34:19
- Notes
- Jack was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
- Biography
- Jack was a private in the Polish Army from 1944 to 1946. He was stationed in Europe and involved in liberation campaigns in Poland and Germany.
- Material Format
- moving images
- Geographic Access
- Germany
- Poland
- Original Format
- DVD
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Accession Number
- 1989-2-5
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1989-2-5
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 1895-1966
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of personal documents of Kate Risidore Devor including registration of her birth in 1895 in London, England; immigration inspection card issued at the Port of Quebec (1912); New York State marriage certificate for Harry Devor and Kate Risidore of St. Catharines, Ontario, married in 1914 in Niagara Falls, and their ketubah (Hebrew marriage certificate). As well, there is a newspaper clipping from the St. Catherines Standard of a speech by her son John, correspondence from two of her sons, Sydney and John serving in the military, and clippings and messages of condolence on the death of her son David while fighting in Italy (1944). These include cards and letters from King George of England, George Drew of Ontario, the Toronto War Memorial Committee, and Sam Bronfman, president of Canadian Jewish Congress. Finally there is Jewish National Fund correspondence documenting the planting of a tree by St. Catherines Hadassah in honour of Kate (1933), and a number of trees by Kate in memory of her brother and son (1966).
- Administrative History
- Four sons of Kate and William Harry Devor served in the Canadian forces during the Second World War - David, Berko, John, and Sydney.
- Descriptive Notes
- Availability of other formats: Digitzed material.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Devor, Kate
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1987-5-4
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1987-5-4
- Material Format
- graphic material
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 25 cm
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 1944-1946
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of records documenting Saul Sheffer's service in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War as a Sick Berth Attendant and a group photo of the personnel of "I Division" H.M.C. York.
- Administrative History
- Saul Sheffer held a degree in Pharmacy from the University of Toronto (1938).
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Sheffer, Saul
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2005-9-6
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2005-9-6
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs : b&w ; 25 x 19 cm or smaller
- Date
- 1942-1945
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of 2 copy photographs of brothers Sam Rogow and Ralph Rogow in their RCAF and Army uniforms (respectively). There is also a copy of letter sent to Mrs. Mary Rogow, parents of Ralph and Sam, from Rabbi Samuel Cass.
- Administrative History
- Sam Rogow was in the Royal Canadian Air Force and Ralph Rogow was a private in the Canadian Army during the Second World War.
- Use Conditions
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Descriptive Notes
- Availability of other formats: Digitized material.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Rogow, Ralph
- Rogow, Sam
- Cass, Samuel
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2006-4-4
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2006-4-4
- Material Format
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 3 photographs : b&w (tif)
- 5 documents (tif)
- 1 folder of textual records
- 1 DVD
- 1 videocassette
- Date
- 1941-2004
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of copies of electronic copies of photographs, postcards and telegrams as well as newsclippings, a video and a DVD documenting the career of Sam Shapiro in the RCAF and his time as a Prisoner of War at Stalag Luft 3 in Poland.
- Administrative History
- Sam Shapiro enlisted as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force in September 1940. He received his wings in Brantford and was sent overseas in April 1941 as a sergeant pilot. He was in Squadron ten and flew eight successful missions before his plane was shot down over Holland in August 1941, killing two of the crew.
- Shapiro was captured by German forces on 17 August 1941 and was taken to Stalag Luft 3 camp in Poland, where the "Great Escape" took place. Shapiro was not part of the breakout, but did help dig the tunnel that allowed seventy-six of his fellow prisoners to escape.
- While a Prisoner of War, Shapiro was promoted to warrant officer. He was liberated on 16 April 1945 and arrived in England five days later. Shortly after arriving home in 1945, Shapiro received the YMCA sports badge for his conduct in the POW camp and the Canadian Volunteer Service medal. He married his fiance Geraldine Perlman in 1945.
- Use Conditions
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Shapiro, Sam.
- Stalag Luft 3
- Perlman, Geraldine
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2007-6-27
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2007-6-27
- Material Format
- graphic material
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 12 photographs : b&w and sepia ; 14 x 9 cm and smaller
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 1944-1945
- Scope and Content
- This accession consists of photographs taken during the Second World War. Most of the photographs were taken at the Bergen-Belson Concentration Camp. There is also an original letter written by Alex Pancer to his mother in 1945, describing life as a serviceman during the Second World War and a transcription of that letter by the donor.
- Administrative History
- Alex Pancer (1923-2001) was born in Toronto in 1923. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Airforce in 1942 at the age of 19 and joined the photo reconnaissance unit. He saw combat in France, Germany and Holland. He married Bella Pancer in 1959, and had two sons, Jeff (b. 1960) and Daryl (b. 1963).
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Pancer, Alex, 1923-2001
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2007-7-1
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2007-7-1
- Material Format
- graphic material
- textual record
- object
- Physical Description
- 20 photographs : b&w
- 2 folders of textual records
- 2 badges
- Date
- 1943-1945
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of textual and graphic materials documenting Alex Pancer's military career during the Second World War, both in Canada and overseas. The images depict Pancer in military dress, portraits of his Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Mobile Field Photographic Section and fellow servicemen, German soldiers, photo images created by Pancer as keepsakes or postcards, and a few reconnaissance photographs. The textual documents include postcards, an RCAF newspaper, Pancer's autograph book and loose sheets containing the names and contact information of fellow servicemen, RCAF correspondence including Pancer's record of birth, last will and testament, life insurance documentation and certificate of education, train berthing and identity cards, a meal ticket, and Pancer's discharge papers. The accession also includes two sew-on jacket badges.
- Custodial History
- The records were in the custody of Alex Pancer's son, Jeff, until they were donated to the Archives on 2007-07-09.
- Administrative History
- Alex Pancer (1923-2001) was born in Toronto in 1923. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Airforce in 1942 at the age of 19 and joined the photo reconnaissance unit. He saw combat in France, Germany and Holland. He married Bella Pancer in 1959, and had two sons, Jeff (b. 1960) and Daryl (b. 1963).
- Descriptive Notes
- Availability of other materials: Digitized material.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Pancer, Alex, 1923-2001
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Name
- Roy Waisberg
- Material Format
- moving images
- Interview Date
- 9 Jun. 2010
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Roy Waisberg
- Number
- OH 369
- Subject
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Interview Date
- 9 Jun. 2010
- Quantity
- 1 reference DVD (WAV file)
- 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
- Interviewer
- Marie Eve Deleris
- Total Running Time
- 23:57 seconds
- Notes
- This interview is part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
- http://www.thememoryproject.com/search?query=waisberg
- Biography
- Roy Waisberg born in Toronto in 1920. He served in the Royal Canadian Air Force with 409 squadron as an airplane electrician from 1941 to 1945. Stationed overseas in various cities in Britain, France, Belgium, and Germany, Roy married his wife Hila while serving in Europe. Hilda came to Canada as a war bride.
- Material Format
- moving images
- Geographic Access
- Belgium
- France
- Germany
- United Kingdom
- Original Format
- DVD
- Transcript
- 00:00: Roy served in the RCAF with the rank of aircraftsman, second class. 00:21: Roy was born in Toronto and lived in the Queen and Broadview area. His parents immigrated to Canada from Russia circa 1904. 00:59: Roy briefly addresses his Jewish upbringing. 1:46: Roy explains why he enlisted. 2:56: Roy discusses other Jews who served with him. In particular, he mentions (?)Wunch and Norman Layton (formerly Leibowitz). Norman later became president of General Wingate Branch and is buried in that section of the cemetery. 5:08: Roy comments that Jews in his squadron were treated well. He did not follow kashrut. 620: Roy shares some memories. 7:30: Roy lists the countries in Europe in which he was stationed. He points out that Normandy was a war zone. He describes his duties as an electrician in the ground crew. 9:02: Roy mentions his contact with civilians while overseas and continues to list locations where he served. 11:40: Roy recalls when the war was over. 14:21: Roy discusses how he met and married his wife while he was serving in Europe. His wife, Hilda, came to Canada after the war with other war brides. 18:04: Roy explains that his wife adjusted well to Canada. He discusses how they brought his mother-in-law to Toronto and how they cared for her. 19:43: After the war, Roy worked in his father’s business selling lighting fixtures and electrical parts. 22:25: Roy discusses his involvement in Jewish life (e.g., attending synagogue daily).
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- David Rose
- Material Format
- moving images
- Interview Date
- 9 Jun. 2010
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- David Rose
- Number
- OH 372
- Subject
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Interview Date
- 9 Jun. 2010
- Quantity
- 1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
- Interviewer
- Sam Gogonovich
- Total Running Time
- 27:27
- Notes
- David was interviewed as part oftThe Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Dominion Institute.
- Biography
- David served with the Royal Canadian Army from 1942 to 1946 as a wireless operator / signal man attached to army headquarters. He was stationed in the United Kingdom and France and was involved in the Normandy campaign.
- Material Format
- moving images
- Geographic Access
- France
- United Kingdom
- Original Format
- DVD
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Larry Helfand
- Material Format
- moving images
- Interview Date
- 9 Jun. 2010
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Larry Helfand
- Number
- OH 373
- Subject
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Interview Date
- 9 Jun. 2010
- Quantity
- 1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
- Interviewer
- Marie Eve Deleris
- Total Running Time
- 18:21
- Notes
- Larry was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica-Dominion Institute.
- Biography
- Larry served in the RCA from 1940 to 1946 in anti-aircraft work. He was stationed in Aldershot, England and witnessed V-E (Victory in Europe) Day.
- Material Format
- moving images
- Original Format
- DVD
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Louis Gelman
- Material Format
- moving images
- Interview Date
- 9 Jun. 2010
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Louis Gelman
- Number
- OH 374
- Subject
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Interview Date
- 9 Jun. 2010
- Quantity
- 1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
- Interviewer
- Stephanie Markowitz
- Total Running Time
- 25:10
- Notes
- Louis was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
- Biography
- Louis served in the Royal Canadian Army from 1943–1945 as a soldier. He was stationed in Europe and was part of a Black Watch platoon during the Dieppe Raid.
- Material Format
- moving images
- Original Format
- DVD
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- David Hart
- Material Format
- moving images
- Interview Date
- 9 Jun. 2010
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- David Hart
- Number
- OH 375
- Subject
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Interview Date
- 9 Jun. 2010
- Quantity
- 1 reference DVD (2 WAV files); 1 archival DVD (2 WAV files)
- Interviewer
- Shayla Howell
- Total Running Time
- File 1: 26:00
- File 2: 1:20
- Notes
- David was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
- Biography
- David served in the Royal Canadian Navy from September 1942 to May 1944 on the homefront in Halifax and Calgary.
- Material Format
- moving images
- Geographic Access
- Calgary (Alta.)
- Halifax (N.S.)
- Original Format
- DVD
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Hy Chud
- Material Format
- moving images
- Interview Date
- 9 Jun. 2010
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Hy Chud
- Number
- OH 376
- Subject
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Interview Date
- 9 Jun. 2010
- Quantity
- 1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
- Interviewer
- Marie Eve Deleris
- Total Running Time
- 35:08
- Notes
- Hy was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
- Biography
- Hy served in the Royal Canadian Army from 1942 to 1945 as a printer. He was stationed in Europe and was involved in the Normandy campaign.
- Material Format
- moving images
- Geographic Access
- Normandy (France)
- Original Format
- DVD
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Kelman Cohen
- Material Format
- moving images
- Interview Date
- 9 Jun. 2010
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Kelman Cohen
- Number
- OH 380
- Subject
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Interview Date
- 9 Jun. 2010
- Quantity
- 1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
- Interviewer
- Stephanie Markowitz
- Total Running Time
- 39:25
- Notes
- Kelman was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
- Biography
- Kelman joined the Royal Canadian Army as a reserve in 1942 and was active from 1944 to 1946. He was stationed in Europe and was involved in the entire Dutch Campaign (Netherlands).
- Material Format
- moving images
- Geographic Access
- Netherlands
- Original Format
- DVD
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- David Green
- Material Format
- moving images
- Interview Date
- 10 Jun. 2010
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- David Green
- Number
- OH 383
- Subject
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Interview Date
- 10 Jun. 2010
- Quantity
- 1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
- Interviewer
- Marie Eve Deleris
- Total Running Time
- 26:10
- Notes
- David was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
- Biography
- David served in the Royal Canadian Army from 1940 to 1945 and was stationed in Jamaica, England, and France. He was in charge of the rations.
- Material Format
- moving images
- Geographic Access
- England
- France
- Jamaica
- Original Format
- DVD
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Wilfred Abraham Yaphe
- Material Format
- moving images
- Interview Date
- 10 Jun. 2010
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Wilfred Abraham Yaphe
- Number
- OH 381
- Subject
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Interview Date
- 10 Jun. 2010
- Quantity
- 1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
- Interviewer
- Sam Gojonovich
- Total Running Time
- 16:18
- Notes
- Wilfred was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
- Biography
- Wilfred served in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a wireless operator and navigator. He was stationed in England.
- Material Format
- moving images
- Geographic Access
- England
- Original Format
- DVD
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Harry Waisglass
- Material Format
- moving images
- Interview Date
- 10 Jun. 2010
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Harry Waisglass
- Number
- OH 382
- Subject
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Interview Date
- 10 Jun. 2010
- Quantity
- 1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
- Interviewer
- Shayla Howell
- Total Running Time
- 29:26
- Notes
- Harry was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
- Biography
- Harry served in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1942 to 1945 as an air frame mechanic. He was stationed in Canada.
- Material Format
- moving images
- Geographic Access
- Canada
- Original Format
- DVD
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Gerald Soloman Rosenberg
- Material Format
- moving images
- Interview Date
- 10 Jun. 2010
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Gerald Soloman Rosenberg
- Number
- OH 384
- Subject
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Interview Date
- 10 Jun. 2010
- Quantity
- 1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
- Interviewer
- Sam Gojonovich
- Total Running Time
- 18:17
- Notes
- Gerald was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
- Biography
- Gerald served in the Royal Canadian Navy as a communications officer from 1940 to 1945. He was stationed in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean. He was involved in the Battle of the Atlantic and the Murmansk convoys.
- Material Format
- moving images
- Original Format
- DVD
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Esther Mager
- Material Format
- moving images
- Interview Date
- 10 Jun. 2010
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Esther Mager
- Number
- OH 388
- Subject
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Interview Date
- 10 Jun. 2010
- Quantity
- 1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
- Interviewer
- Stephanie Markowitz
- Total Running Time
- 27:17
- Notes
- Esther was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
- Biography
- Esther served in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1942 to 1945 in motor transport. She was stationed in Canada.
- Material Format
- moving images
- Geographic Access
- Canada
- Original Format
- DVD
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- David Abells
- Material Format
- moving images
- Interview Date
- 14 Jun. 2010
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- David Abells
- Number
- OH 389
- Subject
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Interview Date
- 14 Jun. 2010
- Quantity
- 1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
- Interviewer
- Shayla Howell
- Total Running Time
- 39:26
- Notes
- David was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
- Biography
- David served in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1942 to 1945 as a wireless operator. He was stationed in Europe in Normandy, Holland, Denmark, Belgium, and Germany.
- Material Format
- moving images
- Geographic Access
- Belgium
- Denmark
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Normandy (France)
- Original Format
- DVD
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Isaac Benjamin Kanter
- Material Format
- moving images
- Interview Date
- 14 Jun. 2010
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Isaac Benjamin Kanter
- Number
- OH 390
- Subject
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Interview Date
- 14 Jun. 2010
- Quantity
- 1 reference DVD (WAV file)
- 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
- Interviewer
- Sam Gojonovich
- Total Running Time
- 14:53 seconds
- Notes
- This interview was part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
- http://www.thememoryproject.com/search?query=kanter
- Biography
- Isaac Kanter was born in 1917 and served with the Royal Canadian Army as a gunnery sergeant from 1939 to 1946. Isaac was stationed in Europe and involved in the Normandy and Oldenburg campaigns.
- Material Format
- moving images
- Geographic Access
- Normandy (France)
- Original Format
- DVD
- Transcript
- 00:45: Isaac served as a gunner in the Normandy Campaign during the Second World War. 00:58: Isaac explains how he joined the army. 1:48: Isaac briefly describes the job of a gunner. 2:21: Isaac recalls a disaster that took place on an airfield in Normandy. 5:40: Isaac describes the type of gun – 25 lb. gun-how (Howitzer) with different charges. 6:40: Isaac emphasizes the need to be on the job twenty-four hours a day. 8:38: Isaac mentions that he was aware of one other Jewish officer who was captured and executed because he was Jewish. 9:28: Isaac did not recall any incidents of antisemitism. 9:35: Isaac describes some of his responsibilities as a gun position officer. 11:47: Isaac reports that the war had no impact on his connection to Judaism.
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Hyman Arlin
- Material Format
- moving images
- Interview Date
- 14 Jun. 2010
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Hyman Arlin
- Number
- OH 393
- Subject
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Interview Date
- 14 Jun. 2010
- Quantity
- 1 reference DVD (WAV file) 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
- Interviewer
- Stephanie Markowitz
- Total Running Time
- 27:33
- Notes
- This interview was part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
- http://www.thememoryproject.com/stories/1113:hyman-arlin/
- Biography
- Hyman Arlin was born in 1924. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and served as a tank gunner with the Canadian Artillery from 1942 to 1946. Hyman was stationed in Europe and was involved in the liberation of the Netherlands and the occupation of Germany.
- Material Format
- moving images
- Geographic Access
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Original Format
- DVD
- Transcript
- 00:15: Hyman was born in Bailystok, Poland in 1923. He came to Montreal with his family at age two. 00:59: Hyman explains why and when he moved to Toronto. 2:04: Hyman explains that while his father, a teacher of “cantors and rabonim,” was Orthodox, the family home was quite liberal. 2:58: Hyman explains his reasons for enlisting in the army at age nineteen in 1942. He completed basic training in Camp Shiloh, Manitoba, where he learned to drive a tank and took a course in signaling. 4:39: Hyman went overseas and was stationed in England at Camp Borden. He explains he met his future wife there. They were married two years later. 5:41: Hyman served in Belgium, Holland, and Germany. He was part of the occupation of Germany. 6:04: Hyman recalls the voyage overseas and to Camp Borden. He learned to drive a tank. 7:01: Hyman recalls his first time he saw action in Holland near the end of the war. 7:34: Hyman remained for six months after the war to serve in occupied Germany. 7:50: Hyman returned to Canada in May 1946. Betty, his wife, arrived in September 1946. 8:18: Hyman shares an anecdote from the war. He describes his regiment being saved by other Canadian troops when they were surrounded by three companies of Nazi paratroopers. 9:36: Hyman recalls an incident when he briefly served as an interpreter in charge of repatriation of Austrian prisoners of war in Wilhelmshaven, Germany. 11:45: Hyman’s three brothers and brother-in-law served in the Canadian army. 12:09: Hyman relates an anecdote involving meeting up with one of his brothers in Brussels. 15:14: Hyman reports that he did not encounter any direct antisemitism while serving in the army. 17:37: Betty speaks of the her family’s evacuation from London. 19:04: Hyman relates how he and Betty met and courted. He describes how he snuck out of camp to visit her. 21:40: Following the war, Hyman returned to Montreal. He worked as a grocery clerk in 1946. In 1947, he opened his first grocery store. 22:35: His first child was born five years later. 24:49: Hyman relates that he was the youngest of eleven children. He describes the demands of running a small grocery business. He notes that, because of time constraints, he was not involved in the Jewish branch of the Canadian Legion until he moved to Toronto.
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Louis Swimmer
- Material Format
- moving images
- Interview Date
- 14 Jun. 2010
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Louis Swimmer
- Number
- OH 394
- Subject
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Interview Date
- 14 Jun. 2010
- Quantity
- 1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
- Interviewer
- Shayla Howell
- Total Running Time
- 30:51
- Notes
- Louis was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
- Biography
- Louis served in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1941 to 1945 as a mechanic. He was stationed in Canada.
- Material Format
- moving images
- Original Format
- DVD
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Simon Goldenthal
- Material Format
- moving images
- Interview Date
- 16 Jun. 2010
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Simon Goldenthal
- Number
- OH 395
- Subject
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Interview Date
- 16 Jun. 2010
- Quantity
- 1 reference DVD (WAV file)
- 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
- Interviewer
- Sam Gojonovich
- Total Running Time
- 26:14 seconds
- Notes
- This interview was part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
- http://www.thememoryproject.com/stories/2521:simon-goldenthal/
- Biography
- Goldenthal served in the Canadian Armed Forces and was sent overseas with the Queen's Own Rifles regiment. Landing in France on D-Day and assigned the position of pay clerk, it was his job to record the number of daily dead casualties. Goldentahl participated in the Battle of the Scheldt, the attempt to take the entranceway to Antwerp. A Toronto Telegram article commemerated the men of the Queen's Own Rifles who had returned home 17 December 1945.
- Material Format
- moving images
- Original Format
- DVD
- Transcript
- 0.0-:24: In a telephone interview, Sam Gojonovich asks World War Two Veteran Simon Goldenthal to tell his story of going AWOL .25-11:08: Goldenthal recounts his story of going AWOL during World War Two 11:09-11:31: Goldenthal talks about being sent overseas with the Queen’s Own Rifles regiment and landing in France on D-Day 11:32-12:28: Goldenthal talks about the Toronto Telegram’s article commemorating the men of the Queen’s Own Rifles returning home December 17th, 1945 12:29-15:02: Goldenthal, whose job as pay clerk was to record the number of daily dead casualties, describes his experience as he landed on the beach in France on D-Day 15:02-15:14: Gojonovich apologizes for any questions that might have upset Goldenthal 15:15-16:34: Goldenthal tells the story of how he came to be assigned the job of pay clerk 16:35-17:14: Goldenthal recalls the “Shelt” and the attempt to take the entranceway to Antwerp 17:53-18:45: Goldenthal discusses his transfer to Brigade Headquarters at the end of the war 18:46-19:12: Goldenthal discusses the special day of his homecoming 19:17-20.25: Goldenthal recalls the biggest change he noticed after returning home from the War 20:26-20:47: Gojonovich asks Goldenthal if he would like to talk about something not yet been discussed 20:48-21.13: Goldenthal discusses serving for two weeks with the 2nd Norththumberland Fusiliers of the British Army in Aldershot, UK 21:15-21:59: Goldenthal discusses the quality of English food as compared to the hot meals served to the men of the Queen’s Own Rifles 22:00-23:00: Goldenthal describes the dangers he encountered while traveling over the Shelt roadways leading to the front 23:01-24:03: Goldenthal, as a veteran, gives his opinion about war 24:04-24:25: Goldenthal mentions his interview by the CBC 24:26-24:48: Gojonovich thanks Goldenthal for the interview 24:49-26.14: Goldenthal mentions the Queen’s Sesquintennial Anniversary in honour of the Riflemen
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Abe Levine
- Material Format
- sound recording
- Interview Date
- 16 Jun. 2010
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Abe Levine
- Number
- OH 396
- Subject
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Interview Date
- 16 Jun. 2010
- Quantity
- 1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
- Interviewer
- Historica-Dominion Institute
- Total Running Time
- 30:28
- Use Restrictions
- OJA does not hold rights to this interview. For permission to use contact the Historica-Dominion Institute.
- Biography
- Abe Levine was a member of the Austin crew 214 Squadron (Bomber group Squadron), in Outlon, England, in 1945. He was a special-duty operator, even though he trained as a bomb aimer. He worked in countermeasures with the the BBC in England who listened to the different frequencies the Germans were using to direct their night fighters, and once they got hold of one of these frequencies, they wired Abe's aircraft to tell them which frequency to jam. Once the German night fighter took off, he was highly dependent on the night fighter controller on the ground to lead him onto the bomber stream (towards the target) and the noise from the jamming by Abe's crew meant that he could not hear anything and had to return to base.
- Material Format
- sound recording
- Original Format
- DVD
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Max Moskoske
- Material Format
- moving images
- Interview Date
- 29 Jul. 2010
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Max Moskoske
- Number
- OH 401
- Subject
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Interview Date
- 29 Jul. 2010
- Quantity
- 1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
- Interviewer
- Sam Gojonovich
- Total Running Time
- 14:33
- Notes
- Max was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
- Biography
- Max served in the Royal Canadian Army from 1941 to 1945 as an engineer. He was involved in building roads and bridges in England, Holland, and the border of Germany.
- Material Format
- moving images
- Geographic Access
- England
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Original Format
- DVD
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Dr. Joe Greenberg
- Material Format
- moving images
- Interview Date
- 18 Oct. 2013
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Dr. Joe Greenberg
- Number
- OH 412
- Subject
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Interview Date
- 18 Oct. 2013
- Quantity
- 2 DVDs
- Interviewer
- Dara Solomon
- Total Running Time
- 1 hr. 51 min.
- Biography
- Dr. Joe Greenberg (1922–2017) was born on 30 August 1922 in Toronto. He attended Lansdowne Public School, was briefly enrolled at Central Tech, and completed grade nine at Central Commerce. In his youth, he was actively involved in the Jewish Boys' Club and attended B'nai Brith Camp. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War, where he earned the ranking of sergeant major and was posted to an anti-aircraft squadron. Following the war, Joe had the opportunity to complete his high school matriculation and was accepted into medical school at the University of Toronto. Upon graduation, he served his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Hamilton. He set up a general medical practice first on Grey Street and later on Bathurst Street. He married Pepi Rosenstein (m. Greenberg) in 1958, and they had four children. Joe was a very active member of the Russisher Shul (Shaare Tzedek) on Markham and Ulster Streets. Joe spent his formative years growing up on Major Street. With the help of a local historian, Gus Sinclair, Joe was instrumental in the naming of a small lane branching off Major Street "The Boys of Major Street" in memory of the residents who served during the Second World War but did not return. Another lane was named "Greenberg Lane" in Joe's honour. Dr. Joe Greenberg died on 10 April 2017.
- Material Format
- moving images
- Name Access
- Greenberg, Joseph, 1922-2017
- Original Format
- Digital file
- Copy Format
- DVD
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Item 3932
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Item
- 3932
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [ca. 1942]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 18 x 13 cm
- Custodial History
- Donated by Beth Israel Synagogue in Kingston, Ontario.
- Scope and Content
- This item is a copy print of Bud Dubenofsky standing at the corner of Brock Street and King Street in Kingston, Ontario, shortly after enlisting in the Canadian Armed Forces. He is wearing his uniform.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- Kingston (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 1986-3-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Accession Number
- 2014-1-16
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2014-1-16
- Material Format
- moving images
- textual record
- textual record (electronic)
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- 1 document (electronic)
- 4 DVDs
- 1 scrapbook
- Date
- 1988-2001
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of material relating to the Maccabees Royal Canadian Legion branch 343, including a 1998 membership register, poppy sale information, correspondence and notes regarding Ben Sussman's application for a lifetime membership, information about the ticket sales and a copy of the certificate from 1997 JNF tribute dinner that honoured Albert and Pearl Cohen, and planning notes for the 50th anniversary banquet of the Maccabees in 1995. The accession also contains the draft of Albert Cohen's speech that he presented at the 50th anniversary dinner, as well as newspaper clippings from the Hamilton Jewish News and the Canadian Jewish News relating to the Maccabees, two certificates from the Grand Order of Israel Benefit Society recognizing Albert Cohen's 40 years of membership and an award of merit, and a eulogy in Yiddish, with some translation, written by a father about the son he lost, Balinson, in the line of duty. The DVDs contain footage from the 1997 JNF dinner honouring the Cohens, including Pearl Cohen speaking about early Hamilton, one clip from 1994 of Albert Cohen telling the history of the Maccabees, and video from the 50th anniversary dinner of the Maccabees where there were various speakers including an address by the guest speaker, Commander Sam Pasternack, who spoke about the contribution of Jewish soldiers in WWII (DVD, Maccabees dinner part 3).
- Custodial History
- Michael Cohen is the son of Albert and Pearl Cohen, and was in possession of the records prior to donating them.
- Administrative History
- Albert Cohen (1918-2006) who also went by the nickname "Boomie," was born on November 12, 1918 in Hamilton, Ontario. Pearl Cohen (nee Chaunce) (1919-2008) was born in Hamilton on September 2, 1919. Albert and Pearl married in 1941. In the same year, Albert volunteered to serve in the army as a staff sargeant stationed in Hamilton. He was later discharged in May 1946 after the war. Albert then joined Hamilton's Maccabees, Branch 343 of the Royal Canadian Legion. The branch was founded in 1947 and had a membership of 150 people. The Maccabees' membership was made up of Jewish veterans of WWII, and some veterans of WWI. The branch held meetings in Hamilton's Jewish centre. Albert served as president of the branch for almost 20 years, from 1975 to around 2000. The Maccabees were quite active, and helped raise money by selling poppies for Remembrance Day. The money raised would be sent to general hospitals, veterans hospitals, and families of needy veterans. Albert passed away on August 7, 2006, and Pearl passed away April 18, 2008.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Cohen, Albert, 1918-2006
- Cohen, Pearl, 1919-2008
- Places
- Hamilton, Ont.
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2014-8-9
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2014-8-9
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 1945
- Scope and Content
- This accession consists of a telegram addressed to Abraham Brown of North Bay that his son, Zave Brown, had been killed in action during the Second World War as a member of the Canadian Forces.
- Custodial History
- The records were in possession of Howard Fluxgold, nephew of Sydney and Zave Brown, until they were donated to the OJA on 13 December 2014.
- Descriptive Notes
- Availability of other formats: Digitized material.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Brown, Zave
- Brown, Abraham
- Fluxgold, Howard
- Places
- North Bay, Ont.
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2015-11-7
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2015-11-7
- Material Format
- textual record
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- 6 photographs : b&w and col. ; 13 x 18 cm or smaller
- Date
- [ca.1930]-[ca.1945], [197-]-[2015]
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of records pertaining to the military service of twin brothers Julius (Jack) Spiegel and Louis (Lou/Syd) S. J. Spiegel. Included are photographs of the young Spiegel brothers with their cousins in front of Central High School of Commerce, Dewson St., ca. 1930, original snapshots and portraits of Lou Spiegel in uniform during the 1940s, a hand drawn Easter greeting card signed by Lou Spiegel, and newspaper clippings concerning Lou's role as an aerial photographer for the U.S. Marine Corps unit and his return home to Toronto. There are wartime photocopies of photos including a portrait of Jack Spiegel in uniform, an image of Jack with his crew in front of military aircraft, and a modern day photo of Lou visiting Jack's grave in Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery in Holland. Textual copies include, an annotated photocopy of Veteran Affairs Canada website listing of Jack Spiegel, including information on his burial location and his listing in the Second World War Book of Remembrance. There is a photocopy of Jack's obituary from the Canadian Jewish Congress Book Canadian Jews in World War II, Part II: Casualties, p. 75, and a copy of a letter from the Royal Canadian Air Force addressed to Jack's mother Mrs. Israel Spiegel, notifying her of her son's death. In addition, there is one colour photograph (197?) of promotional municipal campaign street signs for North York City Councillor and Controller, Irving Paisley.
- Administrative History
- Julius (Jack) Spiegel (1921-1944, Toronto), and Louis (Lou) Spiegel (1921-1999), are twin brothers born in Toronto on March 26, 1921. Their parents Israel Spiegel (b. 1878) and Eva (née Gelbwachs) Spiegel (b. 1880) of 430 Euclid St. Toronto, immigrated from Austria to Canada in 1894 and 1906 respectively.
- According to the 1921 Canada census, Israel and Eva had 8 children; Nat Spiegel (b. 1903, U.S.A.), Morse Spiegel (b. 1906), Gertrude Spiegel (b. 1909), Beatrice Spiegel (b. 1911), Sydney Spiegel (b. 1915), Mildred Spiegel (b. 1917), and twin brothers Julius and Louis S. Spiegel (b. 1921).
- Both Jack and his twin brother Lou, attended Central Technical High School of Commerce. Jack enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1941 and trained as a wireless air gunner. He went overseas in May 1944 and successfully completed 10 military missions with his unit. Eyewitnesses reported to Lou that Jack parachuted out of his Lancaster Bomber that was shot down over the Rhineland battlefields in Germany . Originally buried by the Dutch Resistance, Jack was later moved to Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, Holland. His date of death was confirmed as October 28, 1944. According to his death certificate, the location of his death was Belgium, that he was married at the time of death and resided at 238 Beatrice St. Jack's brothers Sydney and Murray Spiegel, also served in the military during the Second World War. Sydney with the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps (administrative corps) and Murray with the U.S. Army Medical Department in Kansas.
- Louis (Lou) Spiegel (1921-1999, Toronto) served during the Second World War for the Royal Canadian Air Force and the U.S. Marine Corps as an aerial photographer. He later studied at U of T earning a bachelor's degree and transferred to USC (California) earning a master's degree in English and communications. He served as campaign director for the United Welfare Fund in 1954 and worked various jobs throughout his career as an educator in American Community Colleges. He was director of Unarius after Ruth Norman died and was awarded by the same institution with a doctor of psychic therapeutic science degree.
- Irving Paisley (1919-2006) married to Adele Paisley, had a 30 year long career in municipal politics in the city of North York holding positions as Councillor, Controller, and Deputy Mayor. He spearheaded the building of York Finch Hospital and served as its founding Chairman. He was also a founding member of Temple Sinai, and founded Paisley Manor Insurance. Paisley’s accomplishments were recognized by the Federal Government and he earned the Centennial Medal for Service to the Nation in 1967.
- Use Conditions
- Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the Archives to obtain permission prior to use.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Spiegel, Jack, 1921-1944
- Spiegel, Lou, 1921-1999
- Paisley, Adele
- Paisley, Irving 1919-2006
- Places
- Toronto
- Holland
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2017-8-6
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2017-8-6
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 15 cm
- Date
- [between 1939 and 1945]
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of one black and white photograph taken during the Second World War depicting a group of Jewish men and women who met for services and socializing once a week in the basement of the Sons of Jacob Congregation in Belleville, Ontario. Pictured in the photograph are Ruth Wise (back row, far right) and Rabbi Gedaliah Felder (centre).
- Custodial History
- Michelle Speyer donated the photograph to the Archives at the request of her grandmother Ruth Speyer (née Wise), who is pictured in the photograph.
- Administrative History
- Ruth Molly Wise was born in 1926 to Eva and William Wise. She grew up in Belleville, Ontario, where she was part of a group of women at Beth Jacob Congregation that prepared meals for Jewish service men stationed at an air force base in Trenton. When she was 16, Ruth moved to Toronto, where she stayed with relatives for two years. She changed her name to Ruth Speyer when she married Mark Speyer. The two were married for 59 years during which time they had three children: Bruce, Michael, and Lloyd. Mark and Ruth were involved with Beth Tzedec for many years and had been part of Goel Tzedec before it merged with the McCaul Street Synagogue. Mark and Ruth were also founding members of the Island Yacht Club, to which they were very devoted.
- Use Conditions
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Descriptive Notes
- Ruth Speyer has written some additional names on the back of the photograph.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Felder, Gedaliah
- Speyer, Ruth
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Item 4152
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Item
- 4152
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 21 Oct. 1943
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)
- Notes
- No location is specified.
- Name Access
- Grosbein, Ben
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 1986-10-10
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Item 684
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Item
- 684
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 1942
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)
- Scope and Content
- Item is a photograph of Irving Ungerman in uniform during the Second World War.
- Name Access
- Ungerman, Irv
- Ungerman, Irving
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 1976-12-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Item 4993
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Item
- 4993
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [between 1939 and 1945]
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)
- Scope and Content
- Left to right: David Hart; Alfred Hart.
- Name Access
- Hart, David
- Hart, Alfred
- Bathurst St.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Accession Number
- 1989-12-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Series
- ID
- Fonds 2; Series 4
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Series
- Fonds
- 2
- Series
- 4
- Material Format
- textual record
- graphic material
- cartographic material
- Date
- 1942-1995
- Physical Description
- 6 cm of textual records and other material
- Admin History/Bio
- During the Second World War, Dunkelman served as a major in the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada. After enlisting in 1940, he became a platoon commander. Dunkelman took part in the second wave of D-Day landings in 1944 and later assisted in the final Allied assault on Germany, earning the Distinguished Service Order. He left the army in 1945 after the war had ended. The Queen's Own Rifles Association and the Canadian Society for the Weizmann Institute of Science organized a reception in 1976 to honour the publication of Dunkelman's autobiography, Dual Allegiance.
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of records documenting Ben Dunkelman's involvement in the Second World War. Included are newspaper clippings, maps, photographs, and correspondence. Some files deal with Dunkelman's experiences during the war; others relate to Dunkelman's relationship with veterans after the war and, in one case, with his memories of the war. The files cover such subjects as The Queen's Own Rifles, Veterans, the liberation of The Netherlands, Aubrey Cosens (a soldier under Dunkelman’s command who was killed in battle but later honoured with the Victoria Cross), and the prosecution of Nazi war criminals.
- Notes
- Physical description: Includes 85 photographs, 1 album, and 10 maps.
- Name Access
- Cosens, Aubrey, 1921-1945 (subject)
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Related Material
- See fonds 2, series 6 for more information on Dunkelman's involvement in the Second World War.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Fonds 74; Item 2
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 74
- Item
- 2
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [between 1914 and 1919]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 9 cm
- Name Access
- Arons, Jack
- Egypt
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1914-1918
- Accession Number
- 1987-12-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Accession Number
- 2010-5-6
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2010-5-6
- Material Format
- graphic material
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia toned ; 16 x 24 cm (sight) on board 21 x 31 cm
- 1 letter
- Date
- 12 Oct. 1940
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of a photograph documenting the first Yom Kippur celebration for servicemen stationed in Iceland. Identified is Meyer Bubis (middle row, second from right) and Lionel Cohen (middle row, far left). Also identified in the photo is Maxwell London (back row, seond from left) and Alfred Conway (formerly Abraham Cohen) of the British military (to the left of the table in the white kippah and tallit).
- Accession also includes is a letter written by Meyer Bubis to his father, Solomon Bubis, on an envelope regarding the accompanying photograph.
- Administrative History
- Lance Corporal Meyer Bubis was born on 12 September 1914 in Philadelphia to Solomon Bubis and Ida Bubis. His mother died soon after he was born, and his father remarried Sarah Bubis (née Sane). Meyer immigrated with his family to Ontario during the First World War. At the outbreak of the Second World War, he enlisted with the Royal Canadian Army. His unit was the Royal Regiment of Canada, RCIC. He died in the Dieppe raid on 19 August 1942.
- Use Conditions
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Descriptive Notes
- Availability of other formats: Digitized material.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- Religion
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Bubis, Meyer, 1914-1942
- Places
- Iceland
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2014-8-14
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2014-8-14
- Material Format
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 1 scrapbook
- 1 folder of textual records
- 2 photographs : b&w ; 13 x 18 cm and 21 x 25 cm
- Date
- 1941-1951, 1959-1961
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of a scrapbook documenting the military career of Seymour Bernard. Included in the scrapbook are photographs, newspaper clippings, correspondence, the transcript for a CFRB radio segment featuring Bernard, invitations for dinners honouring Bernard, a booklet (possibly by the Canadian Jewish Congress) entitled "Jews Have Always Fought for Freedom", and a torn black ribbon that was likely worn by Bernard's parents during shiva after he died in 1951 (kriah). The scrapbook was likely assembled by Bernard's parents.
- Accession also includes material documenting Joel Snitman's confirmation at Holy Blossom Temple and involvement in the BBYO. Included are photographs and programs documenting Holy Blossom Temple's confirmation class of 1959, the program book of the B'nai Brith Youth Organization (BBYO) Southern Ontario Region Fall Conclave (1960), a BBYO AZA Sweetheart Ball booklet (1961), and the Lorac Letter newsletter (1959) which was a chapter of the AZA BBYO. Identified in the photographs are: Joel Snitman, Susie Romm, Karen Smith (?), Don Smith, Rabbi Eisen, and Rabbi Feinberg.
- Administrative History
- Beatrice Bernard (1913-1998) was born to Louie Bernard (1895?-1956) and Esther Berger (1892-1983) in Toronto in 1913. She had two younger siblings: Seymour (was a tailgunner in the RAF during the Second World War) and Gertrude. The family lived at 410 Crawford Street and Louie owned his own dress store at St. Clair and Yonge Street. Beatrice helped her father in the dress store in the 1930s. Louie eventually owned a coat manufacturing business which was located in the Balfour Building. Beatrice married Michael Snitman in 1935. Michael Snitman (1910-1978) was born to Harry and Lottie in Russia in 1910. He immigrated to Canada with his parents in 1912 and had two younger siblings who were born in Toronto: Bill (1912-2013) and Judy (Judith). Michael attended Harbord Collegiate and ran his own business called Plastwood Products in the early 1940s. Around 1947 he entered the photographic business as a distributor. He ran the Toronto branch of Montreal-based Anglophoto, which was owned by his brother-in-law, Abe Feigelson. Michael and Beatrice had two children together: Joel (b. 1943) and Bernard (Bernie) (b. 1948). Joel received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto and taught Biology for five years before entering the real estate and property management business. He met his wife Blossom (nee Houpt) in the B'nai Brith Youth Organization and they had their first date on April 9, 1960. They later married in Aug. 1964 and had three children together: Aryeh, Sheri, and Aviella.
- Descriptive Notes
- Availability of other formats: Digitized material.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- Scrapbooks
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Bernard, Seymour
- Snitman, Beatrice, 1913-1998
- Snitman, Michael, 1910-1978
- Snitman, Joel, 1943-
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2015-9-9
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2015-9-9
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 1941-1942
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of minutes of meetings of the War Efforts Committee, various newspapers from the USA (The Sentinel) and Canada (Army Week) and a Jewish Calendar for Men in the Canadian Armed Forces (1941-1942).
- Custodial History
- There is no information on the acquisition of this material.
- Administrative History
- One of the main roles of the committee was to raise funds from Jewish communities across Canada for the purchase and donation of furniture. According to a document 'Special bulletin on Furnishing project', Congress is the only organization supplying furniture under an agreement with the Department of National Defence. The Chairman of the committee was Gurston Allen of Toronto.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- Meetings
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Canadian Jewish Congress, War Efforts Committee
- Allen, Gurston
- Places
- Toronto, Ont.
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2008-1-7
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2008-1-7
- Material Format
- graphic material (electronic)
- Physical Description
- 5 photographs : b&w and sepia (tiff)
- Date
- [ca. 1914]-1942
- Scope and Content
- This accession consists of five scanned photographs of David Hart and his father Alfred E. Hart in military dress. Three of the photographs feature Alfred during the First World War in an army uniform and one photograph features Alfred in his uniform standing with David in a naval dress on the street in Toronto. The final photograph is of a victory parade on Yonge Street after the First World War (original source: the City of Toronto Archives, fonds 1568, Item 314). The photograph features Brodey Draimin Fur Co. in the background and was originally published in the Toronto Star.
- Administrative History
- Alfred E. Hart was in the Canadian infantry during the First World War and fought in four major battles. He was the owner of the Brodey Draimin Fur Company, located on Yonge Street in Toronto. His son, David, was in the Naval Home Guard, Royal Regiment, during the Second World War.
- Use Conditions
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Descriptive Notes
- Related material note: see oral history 375 for David Hart's account of his wartime experiences.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1914-1918
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Hart, David
- Hart, Alfred E.
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Name
- Sidney Glass
- Material Format
- moving images
- Interview Date
- 14 Jun. 2010
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Sidney Glass
- Number
- OH 392
- Subject
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World Warr, 1939-1945
- Interview Date
- 14 Jun. 2010
- Quantity
- 1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
- Interviewer
- Sam Gojonovich
- Total Running Time
- 24:04
- Notes
- Sidney was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
- Biography
- Sidney served in the Royal Canadian Army from 1942 to 1946 as a 3" motar man and Bren Gun carrier. He was stationed in Europe and involved in the liberation of the Netherlands and Battle of Normandy.
- Material Format
- moving images
- Original Format
- DVD
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Frank Schleifer
- Material Format
- sound recording
- Interview Date
- 29 Jun. 1976
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Frank Schleifer
- Number
- OH 84
- Subject
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Recreation
- Families
- Interview Date
- 29 Jun. 1976
- Quantity
- 1
- Interviewer
- Larry Troster
- Total Running Time
- OH84_001: 45.20 minutes OH84_002: 11.00 minutes
- Use Restrictions
- Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
- Biography
- Frank was born on 4 January 1916 in Toronto. His parents were Charles Schleifer and Mary Schleifer (née Noble). At the age of three, his family moved to Sturgeon Falls, Ontario. In 1922, the family moved to Brantford, Ontario, where his mother's family lived. Frank left school at age sixteen to work at the family Cigar and Soda Fountain store when his father became ill. He opened Frank’s Billiard Parlour from 1941 to 1946. He was drafted into the army in 1943, where he served in the artillery and infantry. He started to work in Unemployment Insurance with the federal government. Frank married Bertha (née Moldaver) in 1937. They had one son, Charles, born in 1947. As a youth, Frank was involved with AZA (B'nai Brith youth organization). He was a member of B'nai Brith and served on the executive of the synagogue in Brantford.
- Material Format
- sound recording
- Language
- English
- Name Access
- Schleifer, Frank
- Troster, Larry
- Geographic Access
- Brantford
- Sturgeon Falls
- Original Format
- Audio cassette
- Copy Format
- Digital file
- Transcript
- G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 84 - Schleifer\OH84_001_Log.pdf
- G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 84 - Schleifer\OH84_002_Log.pdf
- Source
- Oral Histories
In this clip, Frank Schleifer shares some early memories of growing up in Brantford, Ontario. He mentions some of the original Jewish families who settled in Brantford.
In this clip, Frank Schleifer describes his involvement in a variety of Jewish activities and groups during his youth, including AZA, summer camp and baseball.
- Accession Number
- 2014-10-2
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2014-10-2
- Material Format
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 40 cm of textual records and other material
- Date
- [192-]-[200-]
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of records related to the life and career of David Green and the Jaffey family. Records include sound and video recordings of events, Goodwill Sales accounting ledgers, meeting minutes from the Jewish Canadian Military Archives and Museum, David Green's military ephemera, manuals and reports of the Jewish Federation Board of Trustees and Bequest and Endowment Fund, and Jaffey family correspondence and photographs. Records also include certificates of appreciation awarded to David Green, mainly from UJA Federation.
- Administrative History
- David Green (1919-2014) was born in the Junction in west Toronto. He served as a private in the Canadian army as part of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He was captured and designated MIA when he was held as a POW in Belgium. He became a member of General Wingate Branch 256 Jewish Canadian Legion. In the mid-1940s he married his wife, Sylvia (nee Jaffey) (d. 2010) and they had a daughter, Miriam. He was a longtime volunteer for the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto. In 1990, he was one of the first individuals to establish an Endowment Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto.
- The Jaffey family consisted of Kaby Jaffey, his wife, Nellie, and their children Sylvia, Jess and Albert.
- Descriptive Notes
- Physical description note: Accession also consists of photographs and textiles.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- Charities
- Families
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Green, David, 1919-2014
- Places
- Toronto, Ont.
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-5-54
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-5-54
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 23 photographs : b&w (11 negatives) 13 x 18 cm or smaller
- Date
- 1915-[ca. 1966]
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of copy photographs documenting the military career of Jack Aarons in England, Egypt, and Palestine during the First World War and at military parades in Toronto after the Second World War. There is also a photograph of the inerior of the Murray House catering kitchen on Steeles Avenue about 1966.
- Subjects
- World War, 1914-1918
- World War, 1939-1945
- Places
- Egypt
- England
- Palestine
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Name
- Emery Michael Kestenbaum
- Material Format
- moving images
- Interview Date
- 10 Jun. 2010
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Emery Michael Kestenbaum
- Number
- OH 387
- Subject
- Great Britain--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Interview Date
- 10 Jun. 2010
- Quantity
- 1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
- Interviewer
- Stephanie Markowitz
- Total Running Time
- 32:03
- Notes
- Michael was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
- Biography
- Michael served in the British Army from 1941 to 1946 performing general and front line transport. He was stationed in Palestine, Egypt, and Italy (Europe).
- Material Format
- moving images
- Geographic Access
- Egypt
- Italy
- Palestine
- Original Format
- DVD
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Isaak Kogan
- Material Format
- moving images
- Interview Date
- 17 Jun. 2010
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Isaak Kogan
- Number
- OH 397
- Subject
- Soviet Union--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Interview Date
- 17 Jun. 2010
- Quantity
- 1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
- Interviewer
- Sam Gojonovich
- Total Running Time
- 28:55
- Notes
- Isaak was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
- Biography
- Issak served in the Soviet army from 1943 to 1944 with the infantry. He was stationed on the Belarus front.
- Material Format
- moving images
- Geographic Access
- Belarus
- Original Format
- DVD
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Mordechai Soer
- Material Format
- moving images
- Interview Date
- 30 Jul. 2010
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Mordechai Soer
- Number
- OH 402
- Subject
- Great Britain--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Interview Date
- 30 Jul. 2010
- Quantity
- 1 reference DVD (WAV file) ; 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
- Interviewer
- Sam Gojonovich
- Total Running Time
- 17:02
- Notes
- Mordechai was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
- Biography
- Mordechai enlisted in the British Army in Palestine and served from 1939 to 1945. He was stationed in Italy, Egypt, and Syria performing general transport.
- Material Format
- moving images
- Geographic Access
- Egypt
- Italy
- Palestine
- Syria
- Original Format
- DVD
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Accession Number
- 2010-11-12
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2010-11-12
- Material Format
- textual record
- textual record (electronic)
- graphic material (electronic)
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- 5 photographs (tiff and jpg) : b&w and col.
- 4 textual records (jpg)
- Date
- 1965-2009
- Scope and Content
- This accession consists of records relating to the military career of Mikhail Lakrets. Included are five photograhs of Mikhail in uniform, two of which are attached to military documents detailing Mikhail's injury in the line of duty and his military file. Also included is a certificate of disability and a certificate confirming an official statement that he made about 3811 Jews being murdered in the town where his parents grew up. There are also photocopies of several newsclippings and a letter from the Canadian government relating to Russian veterans and social benefits.
- Custodial History
- The original records are in the possession of the donor. They were loaned to the Archives for copying as part of the Russian Jewish war veteran oral history program. The orignals were returned to the the donor on 22 November 2010.
- Administrative History
- Mikhail Lakrets was born in Proskurov, Ukraine. He was nineteen years of age when the war began. Lakrets was a private in aviation and reconnaissance and he later graduated from Tank College as a lieutenant. Lakrets was involved in the liberation of Leningrad, Austria, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary. He received many decorations for his involvement in the liberation of these territories, as well as the Order of Patriotic War First Class, the Order of Red Star, two medals for courage and one medal for combat service.
- Use Conditions
- Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
- Descriptive Notes
- Language note: Records are in Russian.
- Subjects
- World War, 1939-1945
- Soviet Union--Armed Forces
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2010-11-11
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2010-11-11
- Material Format
- graphic material (electronic)
- graphic material
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 5 photographs : b&w and sepia (4 tiffs)
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 1941-2007
- Scope and Content
- This accession consists of records relating to the military career of Grigory Genin. Included are three photographs of Grigory in uniform as well as two photographs of him with his Soviet troop. Also included are copies of newclippings as well as a poem about his experience written by a friend.
- Custodial History
- The original records are in the possession of the donor. They were loaned to the Archives for copying as part of the Russian Jewish war veteran oral history program.
- The original records were returned to the donor by taxi cab on 22 November 2010.
- Administrative History
- Grigory Genin was born in Astrakhan, in southwestern Russian and later moved to Moscow. After finishing military high school he enrolled in the Riazan Artillery College on 1 June 1941. Genin was first sent to the front at the age of 18 and participated in the Stalingrad siege. For his military service, Genin received the Order of Patriotic War, the Order of Red Star, as well as several medals for the liberation of various territories and for the storming of Vienna and Budapest.
- Use Conditions
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Subjects
- World War, 1939-1945
- Soviet Union--Armed Forces
- Source
- Archival Accessions
