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
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
Accession Number
2010-11-14
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2010-11-14
Material Format
graphic material (electronic)
textual record (electronic)
Physical Description
7 textual records (jpgs)
4 photographs (tiff and jpgs)
Date
1943-1999
Scope and Content
This accession consists of electronic copies of documents and photographs related to Isaak Zarembo's military career. The documents include certificates of disability, illness and participation in the war, a discharge booklet, and two booklets that accompanied his medals. The four photographs are of Isaak in his uniform, two of which are attached to documents.
Custodial History
The originals are in the possession of the donor. They were loaned to the Archives for copying and returned to the donor on 22 November 2010 as part of the Russian Jewish war veteran oral history program.
Administrative History
Isaak Zarembo was born in 1925 in Riga, Latvia. He was 16 years old when the Second World War began and joined the 43 Guards Latvian Division, 1st Attack Army in 1943 at the age of 20. He began as a private but later became a sergeant. He participated in battles of the Central Front in Latvia, on the river Ivekstve. He was wounded twice and was demobilized in 1945 due to his injuries. Zarembo received the Conspicuous Gallantry medal, the Order of Glory 3rd Class medal and the Order of Patriotic War 1st Class medal.
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
Accession Number
2010-11-9
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2010-11-9
Material Format
graphic material (electronic)
textual record (electronic)
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff)
11 photographs (jpg)
1 cm of textual records (jpg)
Date
1933-1985
Scope and Content
Accession consists of photographs and textual records that document Liya's experience in the Soviet Union's military during the Second World War. Included are photographs of Liya with her battalion, the military portraits of her husband, Vladimir Liberova, and portraits of other relatives. Also included are scans of her military identification card, her certificate of injury, credentials for medals that she earned, her discharge certificate, and a document certifying that she was a member of the defense of Leningrad.
Administrative History
Liya was born in 1923 in Novozybkov, and later moved to Leningrad. She was drafted in 1942 to serve in the Soviet Union's anti-aircraft battalion. She was in the administration platoon where she was responsible for enforcing (?) blackouts, and searching the ruins for survivors to provide medical assistance. She was demobilized in 1945 and participated in the Victory Parade in Leningrad.
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.
Subjects
Soviet Union--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Places
Soviet Union
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2010-11-17
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2010-11-17
Material Format
graphic material
textual record
object
Physical Description
2 photographs : col. ; 10 x 15 cm and 11 x 9 cm and other material
Date
[ca. 1943] - 2010
Scope and Content
Accession consists of photographs, textual records and military medals and pins that document Iakov's experience serving in the Soviet Union's military during the Second World War. Included is a photograph of Iakov receiving a medal from the Russian Minister of Infrastructure to commemorate the 50th anniversary since the end of the war (1995), a photocopy of a docment certifying that he fought in the war, several thank you cards from the Russian president and the Russian Consulate to commemorate various anniversaries since the end of the war, a certificate documenting the battles Iakov fought in, newspaper clippings of articles written by Iakov about the war, and one photograph of Iakov at the Vaughan Community Center in Toronto with his English language classmates (2000). Also included is one CCCP Red Star pin, one medal to commemorate the 65th anniversary since the end of the war, and one military rank pin.
Custodial History
Part of the Russian Jewish War Veterans oral history program.
Descriptive Notes
Physical description note: includes 1 folder of textual records, 1 medal and 2 pins.
Subjects
Soviet Union--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2010-11-20
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2010-11-20
Material Format
graphic material (electronic)
Physical Description
5 photographs (tiff) : b&w
Date
[ca. 1947]-[ca. 1970]
Scope and Content
Accession consists of photographs documenting Zinoviy's experience in the Soviet army. Included are photographs of Zinoviy with his army friends while they were stationed on the Far Eastern Front, images of Zinoviy with the army's gymnastics team in North Korea, and a portrait of Zinoviy that was taken after the Soviet army's demobilization.
Custodial History
The original records were loaned to the archives to be copied as part of the Russian Jewish War Veterans oral history program. They were returned to the donor.
Subjects
Soviet Union--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Places
Korea (North)
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2010-11-21
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2010-11-21
Material Format
graphic material (electronic)
textual record (electronic)
Physical Description
3 photographs (tiff)
5 cm of texual records (jpg)
Date
1943-2010
Scope and Content
Accession consists of photographs and textual records that document Yakov's experience in the Red Army during the Second World War. Included is a photograph of Yakov in uniform with his family, Yakov's graduation portrait from pharmacy school (1951), and a photograph of Yakov's father (Gregory) in his military uniform, which he sent home from his military base in Lithuania (1944). Also included are various credential cards for medals Yakov received and a letter that was sent to Yakov from Toronto's Russian consulate.
Administrative History
When the Seond World War began, Yakov lived in Odessa and assisted the Soviet Union's war effort by digging trenches. His army unit was mobilized in 1943, just after he graduated from military college. After serving for three months, he was wounded in an attack. He recovered from his wounds and went on to fight in northern Donetsk and Dneper. His unit also passed the Kharkov and Poltavskaya regions. After his unit forced the crossing of Dneper, the Khrushchev got involved and transported the army to Kiev, where they were supported by the 209 Armoured Brigade. Here, Yakov's unit sometimes experienced up to twenty bombing and shooting attacks per day. During these attacks, Yakov was wounded twice in his legs. First, a bullet hit his leg and then a mine exploded. He still has shrapnel in his legs from this explosion.
Descriptive Notes
Language note: Russian
Location of originals: The originals are in the possession of the donor. They were loaned to the archives for copying and returned to the donor the same day as part of the Russian Jewish war veteran oral history program.
Subjects
Soviet Union--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Places
Soviet Union
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2010-12-3
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2010-12-3
Material Format
graphic material (electronic)
Physical Description
8 photographs (jpg and tiff) : b&w
Date
1925-2005
Scope and Content
This accession consists of eight digital scans of original photographs belonging to Russian war vet Arkady Novokolsky. The photographs include a portait of Novokolsky in military dress, several photos taken during the Second World War and a family photograph from the 1920s.
Custodial History
The original records were loaned to the Archives for copying as part of the Russian Jewish War Veterans oral history program. They were returned to the donor.
Administrative History
Arkady Novokolsky was born in 1921 in Voznesensk, Ukraine. He was eighteeen years of age when the Second World War began and when he enlisted in the Military Aviation Navigation school in Krasnodar. He was later diagnosed with colour blindness, a condition which marked him as unfit for military service. However, he was later sent to a military technical school in Moscow and graduated with the rank of Lieutenant. He served in West Belarus as part of the Baranovichi Reconnaissance Party, assigned to process and decipher air photography. In 1944, he was sent to study at the Zhukovsky Military Academy and was then sent to Vilnius, Lithuania where he lived for 37 years until immigrating to Canada in 1981.
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
Accession Number
2010-12-5
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2010-12-5
Material Format
graphic material (electronic)
textual record (electronic)
Physical Description
2 photographs (jpg and tiff) : col. and sepia
2 textual records (jpg)
Date
1942, 2005-2010
Scope and Content
This accession consists of digital copies of two photographs and two documents related to the military career of Russian war vet, Shlomo Mushkat. The photographs are two portaits of Mushkat in military dress and the documents are a letter detailing his participation in the war as well as a letter from the Ukrainian Embassy on the 65th anniversary of the end of the war.
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 Vet oral history program.
Administrative History
Shlomo Zalmanovich Mushkat was born in Vilnius, Lithuania. In 1940, he was drafted into the Soviet Army and a year later he was sent to the front. He was wounded in battle in 1941, but after recuperating in hospital was again sent back to the front. He participated in the battles of Smolensk and Leningrad. He received many medals for liberating Russian territories and cities, inlcuidng the Order of Glory.
Subjects
World War, 1939-1945
Soviet Union--Armed Forces
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2010-12-7
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2010-12-7
Material Format
textual record (electronic)
Physical Description
1 textual record (jpg)
Date
26 Aug. 1943
Scope and Content
This accession consists of one injury certificate for Russian Jewish war veteran Yaacov Rats. The certificate is dated 26 August 1943, and is in reference to an arm injury caused by a piece of shrapnel.
Custodial History
Donor has original record. It was loaned to the Archives to be copied and returned as part of the Russian Jewish War Veterans oral history program.
Administrative History
Yakov Lvovich Rats was born in 1923 in Vitebsk, Belarus. At the age of one, his parents moved the family to Leningrad. Rats was drafted into the Russian army on 15 July 1941 and was transported to a military college in Ulianovsk. After college, he was sent to the front and actively served until 1943, when he was wounded by a piece of shrapnel. Rats then served on the home front at a tank college. In 1946, he enrolled in a military tank academy and upon graduation in 1952 he returend to the army until his service retirement in 1966. In 1991, he moved from Leningrad to Israel and then in 2003, he immigrated to Canada.
Subjects
Soviet Union--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2011-3-4
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2011-3-4
Material Format
graphic material (electronic)
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff) : b&w ; 187 MB
Date
May 1945
Scope and Content
Accession consists of one scanned photograph that was taken by Noah of Soviet and likely American soldiers just after the war ended. The soviet soldiers are from a special reconnaisance detachment of the Soviet Cavalry Corp. Some of the Soviet and American soldiers traded hats in a sign of friendship.
Custodial History
Record was loaned to the Archives to be copied as part of the Russian Jewish War Veterans oral history program. The original was returned to the donor.
Administrative History
Noah Sneidman was born in Vilnius and was placed in a ghetto in occupied Vilnius during the Second World War. While in the ghetto he was forced to participate in boxing matches. He managed to escape from the ghetto in 1943 and joined the partisans.
Noah served in the Soviet Army for three years and was stationed in Germany, Ukraine and Poland. He was initially a private in a reconnaissance unit, but was later transferred to the Counterintelligence Corps due to his knowledge of five languages. While stationed in Lensen, a small town in East Prussia on the river Elbe, the officers of his unit used his limited knowledge of English to establish contact with the Allies (British and American). For his service in counterintelligence he was later decorated with the Order of the Red Star (a prestigious Soviet decoration, mostly awarded to officers). Other medals awarded to Noah include: Order of Patriotic War second class, Partisan Medal first Class, Medal for Liberation of Kenigsberg and Medal for Victory over Germany, as well as many Commemorative Medals.
After the war, Noah returned to Vilnius and remained there until 1957 when he left for Poland. In 1958 he immigrated to Canada.
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
A copy jpg was created from the tiff image.
Subjects
World War, 1939-1945
Soviet Union--Armed Forces
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2011-3-7
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2011-3-7
Material Format
graphic material (electronic)
textual record
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff) : b&w ; 355 MB
1 folder of textual records
Date
1941-1945
Scope and Content
Accession consists of one photograph of Eduard Seyder in military uniform that was taken between 1944 and 1945, and one Russian-German dictionary that was printed in Moscow to help soldiers interrogate German prisoners of war.
Custodial History
Photograph was scanned and returned to donor.
Part of the Russian Jewish War Veterans oral history program.
Administrative History
Eduard Seyder was born in Odessa in 1926. He enlisted as a volunteer in the Russian military as a (sub) machine-gunner in December 1943 and participated in the 3rd Belarusian Front. His detachment pursued, disarmed and captured Germans who were retreating. His company consisted of 120 men, but only 32 survived over 2 months. He later fought near Kenigsberg, East Prussia, in Signals Regiment.
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
A copy jpg was created from the tiff image.
Subjects
World War, 1939-1945
Soviet Union--Armed Forces
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2011-3-6
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2011-3-6
Material Format
graphic material (electronic)
textual record (electronic)
Physical Description
6 photographs (electronic) : b&w and col. ; 28 MB
3 textual records (electronic) ; 13 MB
Date
1945-2010
Scope and Content
Accession consists of electronic copies of photographs and textual records related to the Vesyoly's service with the Soviet army during the Second World War. There are also photocopies of a newspaper article and other documents detailing their military service attached to the accesssion form.
Administrative History
Yeugeny was born in Gomel Region, Belarus. He moved to Canada in 1981 with his wife, Sima. At the start of the Second World War, Sima was working in a hospital in Belarus as a civilian. She was drafted in 1943 at the age of nineteen and went to the Third Belarusian Front and served in Berlin and both North and South Korea as a nurse to Japanese prisoners.
Yuegeny was eighteen years of age at the start of the war and served in the air force in the Normandy Regiment and at the Ukrainian Front. He worked as a mechanic on the planes returning from battle. After the end of the war, Stalin sold the Soviet planes to the Chinese and Yeugeny tought their pilots how to operate them. He served for twenty-five years in the Soviet military.
Subjects
Soviet Union--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2011-3-3
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2011-3-3
Material Format
graphic material (electronic)
Physical Description
8 photographs (electronic) : b&w and col. ; 90 MB
Date
1950-2010
Scope and Content
Accession consists of eight electronic copies of original photographs of Avgust Vikhnina. The photos relate to his career in the Soviet military during the Second World War. The photographs consist of one portrait of Avgust in military dress, several snapshots taken at a Moscow parade in commemoration of the sixty-fifth anniversary of the end of the war, as well as snapshots taken at the Russian Embassy in Ottawa.
Custodial History
Photographs were loaned for copying as part of the Russian Jewish War Veterans oral history project. Originals were returned to donor.
Administrative History
Avgust Vikhnina was born in Kharkov, in 1926. He was 15 when the war began and was drafted in 1943. Vikhnina served in the Artillery and fought in the Ukraine, Pribaltika and Prussia. He was decorated with the Order of Patriotic War First Class, the Medal for Valour, and the Medal for Combat Merits.
Subjects
Soviet Union--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2011-3-5
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2011-3-5
Material Format
graphic material
graphic material (electronic)
Physical Description
4 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm or smaller
2 photographs (electronic) ; b&w ; 13 MB
Date
1943-1945
Scope and Content
Accession consists of four copy photographs printed on printer paper, as well as two digital photos scanned from original images. The photos are of Alexei in military dress as well as his brother and sister-in-law, Simion and Maria Shtern.
Custodial History
Digital images scanned from originals loaned as part of the Russian Jewish War Veteran oral history project. Originals were returned to donor.
Administrative History
Alexei Shtern was born in Odessa in 1922. He was eighteen years old at the outbreak of the Second World War and served as a Sergeant Major in the Soviet Tank Troops. He was wounded in the Battle of Stalingrad and was sent to hospital in Ufa. He was later staioned in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and from there, Shtern was sent to a tank building plant in Nizhniy Tagil. He participated in the battles of Rzhev, on the Second Belarusian Front and on the Third Belarusian Front, which went on to liberate Riga, East Germany and Kaliningrad. There he was again wounded and stayed two months in hosptial before being wounded again in Danzig at the end of the War in Europe. Shtern went on to fight in Japan until the surrender in August 1945 effectively ended the Second World War. He returned to Zagorsk, near Moscow, and participated in the Victory Parade.
In January 1946, Shtern was sent home to Odessa where he found his home in ruins. He went to a family cottage closeby and was reunited with his three borthers. In total, Shtern served for 11 years in the Soviet military before being demobilized in 1953. He moved to Canada in 1987 from Brooklyn, New York.
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
Accession Number
2011-3-10
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2011-3-10
Material Format
graphic material (electronic)
Physical Description
5 photographs (jpgs) : b&w ; 1.06 MB
Date
1939-1961
Scope and Content
Accession consists of electronic copy photographs of Iosif Zibenberg. Three photographs are of Iosif with fellow Russian servicemen, one is with his brother Yaacov, and one is of Iosif and his wife and son visiting his brother's grave and monument in the Ukraine.
Photo captions:
001. Left to right: unidentified, Iosif Zibenberg, Vasia Ulianov. Taken in Germany, 1945.
002. Left to right: Iosif Zibenberg, Vasia Ulianov, unidentified man. Taken in Germany, 1945.
003. Iosif with wife Clara and son Yaacov visiting the monument and grave of his brother, Yaacov, Kielce, Ukraine, 1961.
004. Iosif with brother Yaacov (age 17 and 19 years), 1939.
005. Iosif and Vasia Ulianov in Hungary, 1945.
Custodial History
The photographs were loaned to the OJA by the donor for copying as part of the Russian Jewish War Veterans initiative. They were returned to the donor the same day.
Administrative History
Iosif Zibenberg was born in Falest, Moldova in 1922. He was 19 years old when the Second World War began and was mobilized in 1941, fighting in the battle of Stalingrad. He was in Kursk, Prohorovka and then Poland when the war ended. He participated in the release of Prague and was then demobilized in Germany in 1946. Iosif received many military awards for his participation. He has a wife Clara and a son Yaacov, named after his deceased brother.
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
USE CONDITION NOTE: Copyright for photos 001, 002, 004, 005 are in the public domain. Permission for use is not required. Please credit the OJA as the source of the photograph.
Subjects
World War, 1939-1945
Soviet Union--Armed Forces
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2011-4-9
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2011-4-9
Material Format
graphic material (electronic)
Physical Description
5 photographs (tiff) : col. and b&w
Date
1944-2008
Scope and Content
Accession consists of photographs documenting Isaak Kogan's participation in the Russian military during the Second World War. Included are two photographs of Isaak at the Moscow hospital where soldiers were being treated for wounds to their legs and heads. One photograph is a portrait taken of Isaak while he was being treated here (16 Aug. 1944) and the other shows his father, also named Isaak and a captain who served in Berlin, visiting him on 14 August 1944. There is also one photograph of Isaak standing with his father and cousin Zachar Mendelson (served as an officer in the Soviet army) in Kiev just after the war ended on December 25,1946.
Accession also consists of one portrait of Isaak that was taken in Toronto on the sixtieth anniversay of the end of the war (2005), and one group portrait of Isaak with other Russian veterans who live in his apartment building at 6101 Bathurst Street (2008). Identified in the photograph is: (back row left to right) Vladimir (?) (a partisan during the war), Lev Pikus (partisan), Isaak Kogan, and (?). Bottom row (left to right): Anna Khaliavskaya, Mrs. Lev Pikus, and Sophia (?). This photograph currently hangs in the building's recreation room.
Custodial History
Records were loaned to the Archives for copying as part of the Russian Jewish War Veterans oral history program. The originals were returned to the donor.
Administrative History
Isaak Kogan was born in 1926 in Ukraine. He was fifteen when the war began, and was evacuated to Cheliabink, Ural. In 1943, he was drafted to the Belarusian Front. He served in the infantry as a submachine gunner. During a hard fight for the village of Butino, he was wounded in both legs and the fragments still remain in his legs today. He was injured two more times during the war and was demobilized in 1944. He currently lives in Toronto with his wife.
Subjects
Soviet Union--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2010-11-15
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2010-11-15
Material Format
graphic material (electronic)
textual record (electronic)
Physical Description
2 photographs (tiff)
1 cm of textual records (jpg)
Date
1946-2009
Scope and Content
Accession consists of photographs and textual records that document Boris' service in the Soviet Union's military during the Second World War. Included are two military portraits of Boris, letters from the Russian government to commemorate various anniversaries of the military's victory, Boris' Soviet Union travel pass (1990), and Boris' membership renewal booklet for the Association of Second World War Veterans Newkomers from USSR in Israel (1992–2000).
Administrative History
Boris was born in Belarus but moved to Israel later in his life. He was fourteen when the Second World War began. He served in Frontier Troops, NKVD (predecessor of KGB). Boris was a student in a military college until 1952. He began his military service as a private soldier but later became an officer. In 1944, he participated in the battles of Eastern Prussia, Latvia, and Belarus. He earned the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal and the Order of Patriotic War, 2nd Class for his war service.
Descriptive Notes
Language: Most of the material in Russian.
Location of originals: The originals are in the possession of the donor. They were loaned to the archives for copying and returned to the donor on the same day as part of the Russian-Jewish war veteran oral history program.
Subjects
Soviet Union--Armed Forces
Veterans
World War, 1939-1945
Name Access
Kravitz, Boris
Places
Israel
Russia
Soviet Union
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2010-12-4
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2010-12-4
Material Format
graphic material (electronic)
textual record (electronic)
Physical Description
6 photographs (jpg and tiff) : b&w and col.
4 textual records (jpg)
Date
1937-2009
Scope and Content
This accession consists of digital copies of several photograhps and documents related to the military career and the famiy of Eugene Katz. Included are two photos of Katz in military dress, one family photo, two photos and an accompanying letter about a memorial to his brother Ephraim, a portrait of Katz and his wife Mara and a few scanned copies of commemorative and Russian war medal booklets, which originally accompanied the medals bestowed on Katz.
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 Vet oral history program and were returned to the donor.
Administrative History
Eugene (Zalman) Katz was born in Vilnius, Latvia in 1925. He was fifteen years old at the onset of the Second World War and witnessed the destruction of his village, Disna, and the murder of his entire family by the Nazis. Katz was one of only twelve people to escape. He later became a partisan and then enlisted in the Soviet army, participating in battles near Konigsberg and Belarus. He was a machine-gunner in the infantry and artillery and helped halt a number of German attacks, including shooting down two tanks. For his heroism, he was decorated with eighteen medals, including the prestigious Medal for Courage.
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
Related material note: See vertical file under "Katz, Eugene"
Subjects
Soviet Union--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Guerrillas
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1994-10-1
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1994-10-1
Material Format
graphic material
Physical Description
6 photographs : b&w (3 negatives) ; 13 x 18 cm and 13 x 10 cm
Date
1943-1945
Scope and Content
Accession consists of copy photographs documenting Lt. Jack Troster's Second World War military service as a machine gunner with the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa. Included is an image of a group of servicemen in Nymegen, Holland, in January 1945, an image of Jack in his uniform (July 1943), and an image of Jack and another servicemen holding up a picture of Hitler possibly in Germany (1945?).
Identified in the photographs are: Jack Troster, Capt. Butler, Lt. W. Sharp, Major MacPherson, Lt. R. Ashman, Lt. Col. R. Ross, Capt. J. Woodward, and Pipe Major Scott.
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
Source
Archival Accessions
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