Name

Rivka Hurwich and Sam Hurwich

Number

OH 22

Subject

Antisemitism

Hospitals

Rabbis

Schools

Teachers

Interview Date

2 Jul. 1974

Quantity

1

Interviewer

Stephen Speisman

Total Running Time

Side One - 43 minutes

Side Two - 3 minutes

Conservation

Copied August 2003.

Digitized in 2014.

Use Restrictions

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Biography

Dr. Sam Hurwich was involved in a number of organizations, including the Canadian Jewish Congress, Jewish Immigrant Aid Services, and several Labour Zionist groups.

Material Format

sound recording

Name Access

Hospital for Sick Children

Hurwich, Rivka

Hurwich, Sam

Geographic Access

Toronto (Ont.)

Original Format

Audio cassette

Copy Format

Audio cassette

Digital file

Transcript

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 22 - Hurwich\OH22_001_Log.docx

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 22 - Hurwich\OH22_002_Log.docx

Source

Oral Histories

Name

Isaac Segal

Number

OH 25

Subject

Antisemitism

Charities

Communities

Interview Date

1972

Quantity

1

Interviewer

Morris Silbert

AccessionNumber

1978-2-2

Total Running Time

Side 1: 46 minutes 15 seconds

Side 2: 45 minutes 50 seconds

Conservation

Copied August 2003

Use Restrictions

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Biography

Isaac "Ike" Segel, the son of Russian immigrants, was born and lived in Toronto’s Ward district until 1900 when the family moved to Orillia, Ontario. Isaac recalls his experiences as one of three Jewish boys attending the local Orillia high school and working in his father’s general store. In order to provide a proper Jewish life for Isaac, the family returned to Toronto. In 1917 Isaac enlisted in the army and after his father’s death in 1918, Isaac made his home in Hamilton, Ontario. He was a business executive, active on several executive committees of Jewish and Zionist organizations in Hamilton.

Issac maried Esther Segal (née Kenen) who was influential in the National Council of Jewish Women, Hamilton Branch, and their successful attempt to repeal the law that refused the right of women to serve on jury duty.

Material Format

sound recording

Name Access

Beube, Lillian

Segal, Esther

Segal, Isaac

Silbert, Morris

Geographic Access

Hamilton (Ont.)

Orillia (Ont.)

St. John's Ward (Toronto, Ont.)

Original Format

Audio cassette

Copy Format

Audio cassette

Digital file

Transcript

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 25 - Segal\OH25_001_Log.docx

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 25 - Segal\OH25_002_Log.docx

Source

Oral Histories

Name

Lillian Beube

Number

OH 27

Subject

Nonprofit organizations

Interview Date

1972

Quantity

1

Interviewer

Morris Silbert

AccessionNumber

1978-2-2

Conservation

Copied August 2003

Notes

Second side inaudible

Use Restrictions

Conditional access. Researchers must receive permission from the interviewee or their heir prior to accessing the interview. Please contact the OJA for more information.

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Material Format

sound recording

Name Access

Beube, LIllian

Silbert, Morris

Geographic Access

Hamilton (Ont.)

Toronto (Ont.)

Original Format

Audio cassette

Copy Format

Audio cassette

Source

Oral Histories

Name

Harry Finkelman

Number

OH 28

Subject

Antisemitism

Education

Occupations

Pharmacists

Interview Date

1972

Quantity

1

Interviewer

Morris Silbert

AccessionNumber

1978-2-2

Total Running Time

028A: 46 minutes 028B: 7 minutes

Conservation

Copied August 2003

Notes

Parts inaudible

Use Restrictions

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Biography

Harry Finkelman was born in 1909 in Hamilton and was one of the first Jewish pharmacists in Hamilton. His father was a tailor and an active member of several Jewish organizations including the Hess Street Synagogue and the Talmud Torah. Harry attended the Talmud Torah and was involved with Young Judaea and groups from the Talmud Torah. In this interview, he discusses the early history of Hamilton and discrimination against Jews entering the professions.

Material Format

sound recording

Name Access

Finkelman, Harry

Silbert, Morris

Geographic Access

Hamilton (Ont.)

Original Format

Audio cassette

Copy Format

Audio cassette

Digital file

Transcript

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 28 - Finkelman\OH28_001_Log.docx

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 28 - Finkelman\OH28_002_Log.docx

Source

Oral Histories

In this clip, Harry Finkelman shares some of his early memories of the Hamilton Jewish community in the 1910s. He notes name of shops, shop owners, streets and describes some of the synagogues

In this clip, Harry Finkelman describes the difficulty for a Jew in the 1920s to find a placement to complete a mandatory three-year apprenticeship before he could enter pharmacy at aniversity.

Name

Jack Abel

Number

OH 34

OH 35

Subject

Antisemitism

Cemeteries

Labor unions

Occupations

Recreation

Societies

Interview Date

1986

Quantity

2

Interviewer

Morris Silbert

Total Running Time

034A: 31:10 minutes 034B: 31:10 minutes 035A: 31:10 minuets 035B: 13:52 minuets

Conservation

Copied August 2003

Notes

The end of the reference copy of AC 35 is not very audible. The original cassette may be clearer.

Use Restrictions

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Biography

Jack Abel's career in the garment industry began in the 1920s taking him through the dressmaker's strike of 1932. Abel's experiences with antisemitism were numerous. He participated in the Christie Pits riot, he was active in politics, and he became an early member of the Mozirer Society. Abel became financial secretary of the Mozirer Society and was involved in the purchase and administration of the Roselawn and Bathurst Lawn cemeteries.

Material Format

sound recording

Name Access

Abel, Jack

Mozirer Sick Benefit Society

Original Format

Audio cassette

Copy Format

Audio cassette

Digital file

Transcript

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 34, OH 35 - Abel\OH34_001_Log.docx

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 34, OH 35 - Abel\OH34_002_Log.docx

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 34, OH 35 - Abel\OH35_001_Log.docx

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 34, OH 35 - Abel\OH35_002_Log.docx

Source

Oral Histories

Name

Morris Fishman

Number

OH 36

Subject

Antisemitism

Communities

Synagogues

Interview Date

12 Jul. 1977

Quantity

1

Interviewer

Richard Menkis

Total Running Time

Side 1 46 minutes Side 2 17 minutes

Conservation

Copied August 2003

Use Restrictions

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Biography

Morris Fishman was born on 29 September 1916 in New Jersey. His family moved to Welland, Ontario when he was an infant. He attended elementary and high school in Welland and completed two years at the University of Toronto. He worked in a family menswear business in Welland. Morris was actively involved in the Jewish community including participation in the Anshe Yosher Congregation, the Jewish Cultural Society, and the Jacob Goldblatt B'nai Brith Lodge. He was married and had two daughters.

Material Format

sound recording

Language

English

Name Access

Fishman, Morris

Geographic Access

Welland (Ont.)

Original Format

Audio cassette

Copy Format

Audio cassette

Digital file

Transcript

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 36 - Fishman\OH36_001_Log.pdf

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 36 - Fishman\OH36_002_Log.pdf

Source

Oral Histories

In this clip, Morris Fishman praises the efforts of the non-Jewish community in Welland, Ontario to support the building of a new synagogue following a fire that destroyed the old synagogue in 1954.

In this clip, Morris Fishman discusses the Jacob Goldblatt B’nai Brith Lodge in Welland, Ontario.

Name

Dr. Mattie Rotenberg

Number

OH 63

Subject

Antisemitism

Rabbis

Charities

Influenza

Balfour Declaration

Immigrants--Canada

Women's clothing

Women

Department stores

Interview Date

26 Feb. 1976

Quantity

2 cassettes (1 copy)

2 WAV files

Total Running Time

62:52 sec.

Conservation

Copied to cassette in August 2003.

Copied to digital file in June 2014.

Side 2 of the original cassette is damaged. The tape continually speeds up and slows down.

Use Restrictions

Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.

Biography

Mattie Rotenberg was the daughter of Russian immigrants. She grew up in Toronto's Ward district and received her degree in mathematics and physics at the University of Toronto. In 1920, she became the first secretary of the Jewish Immigrant Aid Society in Toronto.

Material Format

sound recording

Name Access

Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Toronto

Hillcrest Progressive School

Goel Tzedec Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)

University of Toronto

T. Eaton Co

Geographic Access

Toronto (Ont.)

Original Format

Audio cassette

Copy Format

Audio cassette

Digital file

Transcript

Introduction of Dr. Mattie Rotenberg to the audience 0:00-:49 Family History 0:50-4:00: Rotenberg, daughter of Russian immigrants, recounts the story of her parents’ immigration and arrival in Toronto during the early 1890s. 4:01-7:35: Rotenberg recalls her childhood memories of life growing up in Toronto’s Ward district during the era of “great” Jewish immigration. 7:40-11:10: Rotenberg recalls happy childhood memories living on Regent Street, then a primarily non-Jewish neighbourhood. 11:11-13:40: Rotenberg recalls the Great Fire of Toronto of 1904 that destroyed a large section of downtown Toronto. 13:45-15:19: Rotenberg recalls the open-air streetcar that ran along Toronto’s beltline, the City Dairy, and Riverdale Park. 15.20-18.02: Rotenberg recalls Rabbi Jacob Gordon of Goel Tzedec Synagogue and Rabbi Julius Price, the synagogue’s first English-speaking rabbi. 18:03-21:00: Rotenberg discusses her education at the Dufferin Elementary School and Jarvis Collegiate, her family’s first telephone, riding in a motor car, Massey Hall and Jarvis and Sherbourne Streets considered to be the choice residential district of the time. 21:01-22.00: Rotenberg recalls Dr. Sandler, Toronto’s first Jewish doctor to practice in Toronto’s non-Jewish community. 22:01-22:59: Rotenberg recalls the Queen Street shopping district, the Willinsky’s department store, and Hadassah’s first bazaar held at Toronto Armory. 23:00-23:47: Rotenberg recalls antisemitic incidents that occurred in Toronto during the late 1920s. 23:48-24.33: Rotenberg discusses the Orange Lodges’ influence on civic politics, prejudice towards the Jewish and Catholic communities, and the anti-French-language campaign Rotenberg discusses life in Toronto then and now 24.34-25.30: Rotenberg recalls the changes to Gerrard Sreet East, from a tree-lined street to concrete sidewalks. 25.31-26.48: Rotenberg recalls being the only Jewish student at Jarvis Collegiate. 26.49-27.20: Rotenberg discusses her Jewish education. 27.22-28.06: Rotenberg provides an anecdote about local Jewish news and gossip. 28.07-29.18: Rotenberg discusses the hardships of housekeeping. 29.20-30.25: Rotenberg discusses women’s fashion during the early 1900s. 30.26-31.05: Rotenberg discusses Eatons and Simpsons before the introduction of the cash register. 31:26-33.23: Rotenberg discusses life in Toronto during the early years of the First World War. Rotenberg recalls recruitment meetings held at the Armoury and the crowds that gathered to view war bulletins posted in the window the Telegram’s office on Bay Street. 33.24-36.28: In this portion of the interview, Rotenberg describes the University of Toronto as being an extremely “WASPish” place run by professors with chauvinistic attitudes 36.29-37.23: Rotenberg discusses the problem faced by Jewish women looking for a teaching position. 37:24-39:12: Rotenberg recalls Dr. (Canon) Cody, president of U of T, and his witch hunts for students believed to have Communist leanings. 39:13-40:05: Rotenberg recalls Toronto’s flu epidemic following the First World War. 40:06-41:07: Rotenberg recalls the announcement of the Balfour Declaration in 1918 and the city’s commemoration parade to honour the declaration. Side 2 0:00-:46 : Commemoration of the Balfour Declaration continued. 0:47-4.09: Rotenberg discusses her job as secretary to JIAS during the 1920s. She describes JIAS as an “embryo” started by a few dozen men working to provide aid for Jewish immigrants. *Speech garbled in some sections* 4:10-6:24: Rotenberg discusses the founding in 1929 of the Hillcrest Progressive Day School, whose main motive was to provide a comprehensive Jewish education. 6.25-6.36: Rotenberg discusses the making of liquid hydrogen at the University of Toronto’s physics building during the early 1920s. 6.36-10.00: Here the sound quality becomes poor and Rotenberg’s voice is garbled. 10:00- 21.45: Question period. Sound quality poor and garbled. END

Source

Oral Histories

Name

Montague Raisman

Number

OH 64

Subject

Nonprofit organizations

Human rights

Antisemitism

World War, 1939-1945

Zionism

Interview Date

11 Jul. 1982

Quantity

1

Interviewer

Jack Lipinsky

Total Running Time

39:42 minutes

Conservation

Copied August 2003

Notes

Low sound volume

Use Restrictions

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Biography

Montague Raisman came to Canada from England in 1926. He was actively involved in B'nai Brith Toronto Lodge and held positions of office. He served as the commanding officer for the B'nai Brith Air Cadet Squadron in Toronto during the Second World War. He was instrumental in the formation of the Joint Public Relations Committee, a united Jewish voice in response to pro-Nazi activity.

Material Format

sound recording

Language

English

Name Access

Raisman, Montague

B'nai Brith

Lipinsky, Jack

Canadian Jewish Congress

Geographic Access

Toronto

Calgary (Alta.)

Montréal (Québec)

Original Format

Audio cassette

Copy Format

Audio cassette

Digital file

Transcript

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 64 - Raisman\OH64_Log.pdf

Source

Oral Histories

In this clip, Montague describes the formation of the B'nai Brith Air Cadet Squadron during the Second World War. He discusses the recruitment and training of the officers and cadets. He explains how this squadron was instrumental in changing recruitment qualifications to allow entry of new immigrants and Black cadets.

In this clip, Montague Raisman discusses the events leading up to an association between B

Name

Dr. Hana Gelber

Number

OH 13

OH 14

Subject

Antisemitism

Families

Occupations

Interview Date

29 Jul. 1973

Quantity

2

Interviewer

Stephen Speisman

Total Running Time

013 Side One 30 minutes

014 Side One 30 minutes

014 Side Two 30 minutes

Conservation

Copied August 2003

Use Restrictions

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Biography

Hana Gelber (née David) was born in Safed (Tzfat), Palestine in 1907. She studied sciences at the University of Paris-Sorbonne and prepared her thesis at Hebrew University. She graduated from University of Paris-Sorbonne in 1929. Hana moved to Toronto in December 1929 and married Eddie Gelber in March 1930. Hana and Eddie moved to New York where Eddie was completing his final year at the Jewish Theological Seminary and Hana conducted research at the Rockefeller Institute. They returned to Toronto in July 1930. Hana graduated from Medical School at the University of Toronto in 1934. She completed her medical internship in Palestine. Hana and Eddie lived in Palestine from 1934 to 1939. They returned to Toronto in 1939 where they remained until 1954 at which time they made aliyah. Hana worked at Women's College Hospital until 1954. Hana had three children: Edna, Lynn, and David.

Material Format

sound recording

Name Access

Gelber, Hana

Jewish Theological Seminary of America

Women's College Hospital (Toronto, Ont.)

Geographic Access

New York (N.Y.).

Palestine

Toronto (Ont.)

Tsefat (Israel)

Original Format

Audio cassette

Copy Format

Audio cassette

Transcript

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 13, OH 14 - Gelber\OH13_001_Log.docx

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 13, OH 14 - Gelber\OH14_001_Log.docx

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 13, OH 14 - Gelber\OH14_002_Log.docx

Source

Oral Histories

Name

Ben Collis

Number

OH 93

Subject

Musicians

Cemeteries

Synagogues

Antisemitism

Farmers

Yiddish language

Interview Date

1 Jun. 1976

Quantity

2 audio cassettes (1 copy)

2 WAV files

Interviewer

Larry Troster and Elaine Kahn

Total Running Time

OH93_001:43.50 minutes OH93_002:18.45 minutes

Conservation

Copied August 2003

Digitized 2014

Notes

poor sound quality in some sections

Use Restrictions

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Biography

Ben Collis, the son of Russian immigrants, was born in 1911. He grew up in Oshawa, Ontario. In 1944, he moved to Peterborough, Ontario. Ben's interest in music led him to form his own dance band and play gigs throughout Ontario.

Material Format

sound recording

Language

English

Geographic Access

Oshawa (Ont.)

Peterborough (Ont.)

Original Format

Audio cassette

Copy Format

Audio cassette

Digital file

Transcript

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 93 - Collis\OH93_001_Log.pdf

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 93 - Collis\OH93_002_Log.pdf

Source

Oral Histories

Name

Elinor Einhorn Grill

Number

OH 99

OH 100

Subject

family history

Jewish education

Refugees

Antisemitism

Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)

Farmers

Young Judaea

Camp Elohim

Queen's University Hillel

Rabbi Rosen

St. Catharines

Einhorn, Sol

Israel

Soviet Jewry

Interview Date

13 Jul. 1976

Quantity

2

Interviewer

Larry Troster

Total Running Time

2 hrs 25 minutes

Conservation

February 2009

Notes

Detailed transcription: file://s-oja01\data\Grants\Trillium2005\Oral%20Histories\interview%20summaries\St.%20Catharines%20OH%20099-100.doc Original tapes are damaged. Copies have been made, but the white noise interference is considerable.

Use Restrictions

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Biography

Raised and educated in Oshawa, Elinor Grill was an active member of the Jewish community and a keen bridge player. She was married to Earl Grill, with whom she had three daughters.

Material Format

sound recording

Geographic Access

Oshawa (Ont.)

Original Format

Audio cassette

Copy Format

Audio cassette

Digital file

Source

Oral Histories

Name

Tobie Taback

Number

OH 136

Subject

Immigrants--Canada

Nonprofit organizations

Interview Date

23 Feb. 1983

Quantity

1

Interviewer

Jack Lipinsky

Total Running Time

34 minutes 58 secons

Conservation

Copied November 2006

Use Restrictions

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Biography

Tobie Taback was the long-time secretary for the Jewish Immigrant Aid Society in Toronto. She retired in 1982.

Material Format

sound recording

Name Access

Jewish Immigrant Aid Society (Toronto, Ont.)

Taback, Tobie

Lipinsky, Jack

Geographic Access

Toronto

Original Format

Audio cassette

Copy Format

Audio cassette

Source

Oral Histories

In this clip, Tobie Taback discusses the helplessness faced by the Jewish Immigrant Aid Society in bringing immigrants out of Europe during the period of Canada's strict no immigration policy.

In this clip, Tobie Taback discusses the activities of Jewish Immigrant Aid Society (JIAS) employees during the years 1937–1939, the obstacles they faced vis-à-vis immigrant applications and the "parcels to Russia and Poland" aid program run by JIAS.

Name

Jack Shindman

Number

OH 138

OH 139

Subject

Immigrants--Canada

Nonprofit organizations

High Holidays

Immigrants--Canada

Quantity

4 audio cassettes (2 copies)

4 WAV files

Interviewer

Danny Drutz

AccessionNumber

1983-1-10

Total Running Time

1:30 minutes

Conservation

OH 139 Copied August 2003

OH 138 digitized in 2016

Notes

Related material note: Accession 1983-1-10 includes typed, unpublished manuscript of Jack Shindman's memoir.

Use Restrictions

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Biography

Jack Shindman was born in Rovno, Ukraine and immigrated to Toronto in 1923. Shindman worked in a junkyard and advanced to millinery work, becoming executive of his union. After purchasing property at 150 Avenue Road, he opened a laundry business on the ground floor and lived with his family on the top floor. Shindman formed the Obecz-Valin Farein of Toronto, an association for landsleit of his hometown and worked for HIAS/JIAS helping immigrants procure immigration documents.

Material Format

sound recording

Name Access

Greene, Lorne, 1915-1987

Geographic Access

Rovno, Ukraine

Toronto, Ont.

Original Format

Audio cassette

Copy Format

Audio cassette

Digital file

Transcript

OH138 Side One 00:00: Jack explains the complicated, drawn-out process of arranging immigration to Canada. 00:14: Jack explains that his future father-in-law had a brother, Abe, and his wife, Molly, who could help with immigration. 1:33: Jack explains how steamship tickets were procured from his future mother-in-law and her three daughters but not for him and his three sisters due to insufficient funds. 3:15: Jack explains that he continued to work with HIAS/JIAS to help immigrants procure documents before departure in Rovno. His older sister worked as a dressmaker. 4:38: Jack discusses the proposal and wedding to his wife Raizel. Jack describes how he took his mother-in-law and sisters-in-law to Warsaw before their departure to Canada. Jack returns to Rovno. 7:42: Jack discusses the agreement he made with his mother-in-law about joining them in Canada. The family in Canada sent a letter promising to send four tickets. 9:42: Jack discusses the circumstances surrounding the birth of their son. 10:11: Jack discusses various legal obstacles that prevented them from immigrating to Canada. 13:53: Jack explains how he and his family were able to secure a special permit procured by Mrs. Dworkin, a steamship agent. Jack, his wife, his son, and his three sisters arrived in Toronto in April 1923. OH138 Side Two 00:00: Jack explains that the Polish regulations limited the amount of time Russians were permitted to remain in Poland if they were waiting to travel abroad. He explains how he deceptively was able to obtain Polish passports for himself, his wife, and his sisters to enable them to remain in Poland for a longer time. 3:58: Jack discusses his efforts at finding work. 5:56: Jack relates an incident involving his youngest sister getting burned from boiling water while taking a bath. He discusses the exemplary care provided by a doctor, Dave (?)Perlman. 8:32: Jack discusses how he was able to find work at his uncle’s junk yard in the Junction. He worked with Joe Tenenbaum. 9:51: Jack describes a flat the family lived in on Stephanie Street. 11:01: Jack discusses his struggle trying to find a job. He explains how he was quickly able to advance while working in a millinery job. 14:58: Jack explains how he became an executive of his union. He was advised by Joe Salsberg to request higher wages. OH139 Side One 00:00: Jack explains that his sisters and sister-in-law got married. 1:37: Jack discusses Benny’s bar mitzvah. 2:28: Jack discusses forming the Obecz- Valin Farein, an association for lantsleit (people from his home town) to send parcels to help people back in Russia from 1934–1939. The organization existed until 1968. 4:54: Jack bought a building at 150 Avenue Road. The family lived upstairs with a laundry on the main floor. 5:53: Jack discusses the dissolution of the organization. 7:00: Jack explains how he purchased a building at 150 Avenue Road and the neighbouring building at 152 Avenue Road. 9:42: Jack discusses his son’s service in the Royal Canadian Air Force in the Second World War. 13:19: Jack discusses his attempt to purchase a property on Davenport Road that could be used as a laundry business for his son. OH139 Side Two 00:48: Jack explains that Benny opted to go to university after the war rather than go into his father’s business. 1:57: Jack discusses building a house. 3:02: Jack discusses Jack’s girlfriend who later became his wife. He discusses the wedding at Shaarei Shomayim. 7:16: Jack explains how his son, Benny, and his daughter Adele’s husband, Don, started to work in Jack’s businesses in1952/53. Danny Drutz explains the careers of Don and Benny. 10:34:Danny Drutz discusses Edith’s education and completing a degree at Queen’s University and a course in Lorne Green’s school for acting. 11:10: Danny Drutz discusses Edith’s life course: her work, her engagement and marriage to (?) Lennie Hauser, and her move to London. 13:02: Danny Drutz discusses Lennie’s work with the Department of External Affairs of Canada in diplomatic service. 14:20: Danny Drutz discusses Edith’s work with Information Canada.

Source

Oral Histories

Name

Kalmen Kaplansky

Number

OH 109

Subject

Antisemitism

Human rights

Immigrants--Canada

Labor

Labor unions

Refugees--Canada

Interview Date

20 Sep. 1985

Quantity

1

Interviewer

Phyllis Platnick

Total Running Time

109A: 60 minutes 109B: 6 minutes

Use Restrictions

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Biography

Kalmen was born on 5 January 1912 in Poland. He worked in Montreal as a typesetter and linotype operator. He was active in the labour and human rights movements in Canada. Kalmen served as the director of the Jewish Labour Committee in 1945. In collaboration with the Canadian Jewish Congress, the Canadian government, and trade unions, the Jewish Labour Committee helped Jewish displaced persons immigrate to Canada by securing them employment. Kalman sat on the Refugee Status Advisory Committee for the federal government.

Material Format

sound recording

Language

English

Name Access

Kaplansky, Kalmen

Platnick, Phyllis

Jewish Labour Committee

Geographic Access

Toronto

Original Format

Audio cassette

Copy Format

Digital file

Transcript

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 109 - Kaplansky\OH109_001_Log.pdf

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 109 - Kaplansky\OH109_002_Log.pdf

Source

Oral Histories

In this clip, Kalmen Kaplansky discusses some of the obstacles to the relocation of displaced Jews to Canada after the Second World War. He describes a tripartite proposal involving consultation and cooperation among trade unions, management, and government, which enabled the immigration project.

In this clip, Kalmen Kaplansky explains that bribery, corruption, and perjury were a way of life after the Second World War. He relates anecdotes as an example.

Name

Max Enkin

Number

OH 113

OH 114

Subject

Antisemitism

Immigrants--Canada

Labor unions

Nonprofit organizations

Occupations

Refugees--Canada

Interview Date

13 Apr. 1986

Quantity

2

Interviewer

Phyllis Platnick

Total Running Time

OH113: 19:40 minuets

OH114:

Conservation

Copied August 2003

Digitized 11/28/2011

Use Restrictions

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Biography

Max Enkin was founder and a leading member of the Jewish Vocational Service of Toronto. The original purpose of the organization was to help survivors of the Second World War find employment. In 1947, as associate administrator and representative for the men's clothing sector in Ontario, Max Enkin became involved in the Tailor Project. The project was designed to identify and select skilled tailors from the displaced persons camps of Europe and help to settle them in Canada.

Max Enkin was awarded the Order of the British Empire in recognition of services to the Wartime Prices and Trade Board.

Material Format

sound recording

Name Access

Enkin, Max

Platnick, Phyllis

Geographic Access

Toronto

Original Format

Audio cassette

Copy Format

Audio cassette

Digital file

Transcript

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 113, OH 114 - Enkin\OH113_001_Log.docx

Source

Oral Histories

In this clip, Max Enkin discusses the organizations, government departments, and union representatives involved in the development and implementation of the Tailor Project.

In this clip, Max Enkin discusses the Liberal government

Name

Lillian Gollom

Number

OH 122

Subject

Families

Women

Occupations

Antisemitism

Hospitals

Interview Date

8 Dec. 1986

Quantity

1

Interviewer

Morris Silbert and Nancy Draper

Total Running Time

OH122_001: 31.05 minutes

OH122_002: 17.07 minutes

Conservation

Copied August 2003

Use Restrictions

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Biography

Lillian Gollom (née Slovens) was born in Russia in 1903. She came to Toronto around 1907. She attended Ogness Public School and Canada Business College. She married Nat Gollom in 1924. They had a son and a daughter. Lillian was actively involved with the "Sinai's" and served as president of the organization in 1939. The fund-raising efforts of the the "Sinai's", Ezrat Nashim and "Twigs" assisted with the establishment of the first Mount Sinai Hospital on Yorkville Avenue. Lillian was a volunteer at the hospital. She remained active with the Sinais and involved with the establishment of the second Mount Sinai Hospital on University Avenue. Afterwards, the organization's focus shifted to fundraising for the Canadian Cancer Society.

Material Format

sound recording

Language

English

Name Access

Mount Sinai Hospital

Dworkin, Dorothy

Canadian Cancer Society

Singer, E.F.

Gollom, Lillian

Geographic Access

Toronto

Original Format

Audio cassette

Copy Format

Audio cassette

Digital file

Transcript

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 122 - Gollom\OH122_001_Log.pdf

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 122 - Gollom\OH122_002_Log.pdf

Source

Oral Histories

In this clip, Lillian Gollom discusses the establishment and early days of the first Mount Sinai Hospital. She describes the fundraising efforts of Ezrat Nashim, the Sinais, and the Twigs.

In this clip, Lillian Gollom relates anecdotes pertaining to the impact of the Great Depression on Jewish families in the early 1930s.

Name

Morris Silbert

Number

OH 123

OH 124

Subject

Agriculture

Immigrants--Canada

Nonprofit organizations

Communities

Interview Date

1986

Quantity

2

Interviewer

Brooky Robins

Total Running Time

OH123_001: 30 minutes OH123_002: 31 minutes OH124_001: 46 minutes OH124_002: 44 minutes

Conservation

Copied August 2003

Use Restrictions

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Biography

Morris Silbert was born in 1912 on a farm outside of Hamilton. His parents came from Lithuania. His father arrived in Canada in 1905, and his mother and three older siblings joined him in 1906. Morris spent his youth growing up on farms. At the age of sixteen in 1928, he and his family moved to Hamilton. In his youth, Morris was involved in several Jewish organizations, including Young Judaea, AZA, and Hashomer Hatzair. He was married in 1938. He served in the army in 1943 during the Second World War. Morris was the second vice president of the Council of Jewish Organizations. He also served on the executive board as chair of the nursery school board and participated in several committees.

Material Format

sound recording

Language

English

Name Access

Silbert, Morris

Robins, Brooky

Geographic Access

Hamilton

Wentworth

Original Format

Audio cassette

Copy Format

Audio cassette

Digital file

Transcript

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 123, OH 124 - Silbert\OH123_001_Log.pdf

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 123, OH 124 - Silbert\OH123_002_Log.pdf

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 123, OH 124 - Silbert\OH124_001_Log.pdf

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 123, OH 124 - Silbert\OH124_002_Log.pdf

Source

Oral Histories

In this clip, Morris Silbert shares memories about Jewish peddlers who were welcomed on his family's farm in southern Ontario. He includes names of peddlers with descriptions of their wares and their carts.

In this clip, Morris Silbert shares memories about Jewish peddlers who were welcomed on his family

In this clip, Morris Silbert describes the restructuring of the Hamilton Jewish community as a result of the Depression in the 1930s. He explains how the Council of Jewish Organizations was formed to replace United Hebrew Association.

Name

Edna Jacobs

Number

OH 125

Subject

Families

Travel

Education

Occupations

Antisemitism

Girl Guides

Religion

Volunteers

Interview Date

Dec. 1985, Mar. 1986

Quantity

1

Interviewer

Nancy Draper

Total Running Time

Side 1: 36 minutes Side 2: 46 minutes

Conservation

Copied August 2003

Use Restrictions

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Biography

Edna Jacobs (née Frankel) was born on 20 March 1904 in Toronto. Her parents, Sigmund and Paula Frankel, were early immigrants from Germany. Edna attended Havergal from kindergarten through high school. She studied general arts for two years at the University of Toronto. She married Arthur Jacobs, the son of Rabbi Solomon Jacobs, in 1936. Together, they had one daughter, Patsy, and a baby who died during infancy. Edna was involved with the Girls Club and the Junior Council of Jewish Women.

Material Format

sound recording

Language

English

Name Access

Toronto Girl's Club

Toronto Council of Jewish Women

Geographic Access

Toronto

Germany

Original Format

Audio cassette

Copy Format

Audio cassette

Digital file

Transcript

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 125 - Jacobs\OH125_001_Log.pdf

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 125 - Jacobs\OH125_002_Log.pdf

Source

Oral Histories

In this clip, Edna Jacobs shares memories from a trip she and her family took to Biblis, Germany to celebrate her grandparents’ golden anniversary.

In this clip, Edna Jacobs reminisces about several prominent Toronto Jewish families.

Name

Dr. Esther Volpe and Ida Siegel

Number

OH 161

OH 162

Subject

Immigrants--Canada

Families

Nonprofit organizations

Interview Date

4 Jan. 1971

Quantity

2

Interviewer

Eva Kayfetz and Stephen Spiesman

Total Running Time

OH161 Side 1: 47 minutes OH161 Side 2: 47 minutes

Conservation

Copied August 2003

Notes

Toronto Historical Society lecture

Use Restrictions

Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.

Biography

Esther Volpe (née Shulman) was born on 24 February circa 1898. As a child, she and her family briefly lived in Romington, Ontario and Havlock, Ontario. Her family later settled in Toronto. In her youth, she participated in the Herzl Girls' Club. She attended University of Toroonto in the Faculty of Arts. She married Dr. Aaron Volpe in 1921. Esther was involved in several Jewish organizations, including the old Mount Sinai Medical Auxillary, Council of Jewish Women, Hadassah, UJA Appeal, JIAS and BBYO and non-Jewish organizations, including Toronto Local Council of Women. She represented the Jewish community of Toronto on the Wartime Price and Trade Board and helped organize the Ontario Food Council.

Ida Siegel (née Lewis) (1885–1982) was born on 14 February 1885 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1894, Ida and her family moved to Toronto. On 14 February 1905, Ida married Isidore Hirsch Siegel. They had six children. An extremely active communal leader, Ida helped found Daughters of Zion in 1899, the Herzl Girls Club in 1904 and Hadassah in 1916. In the mid-1920s, Ida established the Mothers' and Babes' Rest Home,a camp for poor women with young children. She helped organize the first free Jewish dispensary in Toronto, which eventually developed into Mount Sinai Hospital. Ida was also very active in womens peace movements, the Toronto Board of Education and the Toronto Bureau (elected to board, 1930-36) of Jewish Education. In 1917, Ida helped to organize Federation of Jewish Philanthropies, which later became the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto.

Material Format

sound recording

Name Access

Volpe, Esther

Siegel, Ida

Kayfetz, Eva

Speisman, Stephen

Hadassah-WIZO

National Council of Jewish Women

Geographic Access

Toronto

Original Format

Audio cassette

Copy Format

Audio cassette

Digital file

Source

Oral Histories

In 1947, Esther Volpe was elected president of the National Council of Jewish Women. In this clip, Esther discusses how, with the support of the United Welfare Fund, the Canadian Jewish Congress, and JIAS, she helped make arrangements for groups of Jewish refugees who settled in Toronto.

In this clip, Esther Volpe explains her involvement in the creation of the Good Age Club, the first recreational program for Jewish seniors.

In this clip, Ida Siegel relates anecdotes from her childhood growing up in downtown Toronto.

Name

Anne Edell and I. S. Edell

Number

OH 208

Subject

Recreation

Education

Occupations

Antisemitism

Interview Date

7 Feb. 1984

Quantity

1

Interviewer

Phyllis Platnick

Total Running Time

AC 208A: 40 minutes AC 208B: 18 minutes

Conservation

Copied August 2003

Use Restrictions

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Biography

Anne Edell grew up in Toronto. She worked as a bookkeeper in several local Jewish businesses. During summer vacation, Anne would travel to Port Dalhousie, Crystal Beach, and Jackson's Point. I. S. Edell grew up in Toronto. He graduated in education from OCE but was unable to find a teaching position. He worked at the post office for a short time and later in his father-in-law's business.

Material Format

sound recording

Name Access

Edell, Anne

Edell, I.S.

Platnick, Phyllis

Geographic Access

Port Dalhousie

Crystal Beach

Original Format

Audio cassette

Copy Format

Audio cassette

Digital file

Source

Oral Histories

In this clip, Anne Edell shares memories of summer vacations.

In this clip, I. S. Edell discusses the antisemitism encountered by Jewish graduates in the field of education in Ontario in the 1930s.

Name

Lillian Gordon

Number

OH 209

Subject

Lawyers

Antisemitism

Discrimination

Interview Date

1 Jan. 1985

Quantity

2 cassettes (1 copy)

2 WAV files

Interviewer

Phyllis Platnick

Total Running Time

60 min.

Conservation

Copied August 2003

Digitzed September 2014

Use Restrictions

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Biography

Lillian Gordon was born in Toronto in 1908. She was one of three women to graduate from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1928. Gordon opened her own real estate law practice in Toronto and continued her practice until she retired in 1981.

Material Format

sound recording

Name Access

University of Toronto

Geographic Access

Toronto (Ont.)

Original Format

Audio cassette

Copy Format

Audio cassette

Digital file

Transcript

0:00-6.56: Lillian Gordon was born in Toronto in 1908 to Annie and Aaron Sandler. In this portion of the interview, Gordon discusses her parents, the family catering business, and her father’s work as a union organizer in the needle trade. 7:15-8:59: Gordon discusses the requirements for entry into the Osgoode Law School in 1926. 9:00-10:19: Gordon discusses her fellow students at Osgoode Hall from 1926–1929. 10:20-11:48: Gordon discusses looking for a job within the legal profession after graduating from Osgoode Hall in 1929. 11:49-13:10: Gordon discusses looking for a location to open her own law office. 13:11-14:20: Gordon discusses being hired as an investigator for Eaton’s and being dismissed when it was learned she was Jewish. 14:21-15:34: Gordon discusses looking for a real estate office in which to open her own practice. 15:35-16:56: Gordon discusses antisemitism within the legal profession. 16:57-19:24: Gordon discusses her move to California in 1936. 19:25-20:34: Gordon discusses how the scarcity of male lawyers during the Second World War resulted in increased business within her own legal practice. 20:35-22:05: Gordon discusses the problems of being a woman within the legal profession (discussion strays). 22:06-24:45: Gordon discusses the challenges she faced as a female lawyer during the 1930s. 24:46-28:40: Gordon discusses her professional and personal dealings with financial institutions. 28:41-28:54: Gordon discusses how she came to be accepted as a woman and a Jew by her colleagues and clients. 28:55-29:42: Gordon discusses the reaction by colleagues to the hiring of the first Black person to work in the office. 29:43-31:13: Gordon discusses her choice of wardrobe for the office and the courtroom. Side 2: 0-9:20: Gordon discusses early childhood memories. 9:21-11:32: Gordon discusses the diversity of her fellow students at Jarvis Collegiate. 11:33-13:32: Gordon discusses learning to skate and to ride a bicycle. 13:33-16:10: Gordon discusses learning to drive a car. 16:12-22:30: Gordon talks about the early years of her marriage to Sandy Gordon. 22:31-24:30: Gordon reminisces about her law career from her student days until her retirement from law. 24:31-29:00: Gordon discusses working for J. L. Cohen at the beginning of her law career. Photo: Item 1216 Osgoode Hall graduation 1928

Source

Oral Histories