File consists of the nineth part of a scrapbook of David Pinkus. It documents miscellaneous topics relating to Toronto and the local Jewish community and is comprised of newspaper clippings, postage stamps, historic TTC tickets, a wartime ration book, and postcards. Also include are a postcard and a tourist brochure featuring the Niagara Parks.
Arrangement
The scrapbook has been dismantled for preservation purposes. According to the original order of the pages, the content of this scrapbook has been categorized based on subjects.
Item is a photograph of Isaac Vilensky standing on his front porch prior to his first day of grade 1 at Associated Hebrew Schools, Posluns Education Centre. The photograph was taken during the COVID-19 pandemic and Isaac is wearing a mask.
Use Conditions
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the Archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Item consists of a recording of Aliyah Corner. David Bale interviews Linda Ross-Olmert, who immigrated to Israel in 1976. She talks about her experience of assimilating into Israeli society, her life in Israel, and her relationship with her Israeli husband, Yossi Olmert, and what they have learned from each other.
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Physical Condition
Tape is in good condition. Audio quality is good. No signs of mold or SBS.
Item consists of a Table Talk recording. Sue Devor talks about how to teach children how to cook at home. She suggests encouraging grandparents, particularly grandmothers, to cook with their grandchildren, bridging the generational gap. She also suggests two cook books for children called "Kids in the Kitchen" and "More Kids in the Kitchen," both written by Shannon Ferrier and Tamara Shuttleworth. Finally, Zelda suggests that Sue bring her daughter to teach a recipe on the program.
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Physical Condition
Tape is in good condition. Audio quality is good. No signs of mold or SBS.
Item consists of a Spotlight On Science recording, presented by Zelda Young and David Andrews. Andrews talks about a conference on new aspects of computers held in Jerusalem and conducted by the Weizmann Institute of Science. He then discusses the research being conducted at Weizmann on the use of light to improve the performance of new computers and the possible applications of such computers.
Access Restriction
Closed. Records are closed for conservation reasons.
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Physical Condition
Tape is in poor condition. Audio quality is good, but there is considerable stickiness and squealing, indicative of SBS. No signs of mold.
Item is a school photograph from Prince School in Boston, Massachusetts. The photograph is of the third grade class taken in May 1941. Richard Levine is in the last row, fourth from the left.
Name Access
Levine, Richard
Subjects
Students
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.
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).
Carl Dubin born in 1922. He enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1941. Posted to the 404 Coastal Command Squadron in Wick, Scotland, Carl’s squadron was assigned to protect the North Atlantic. As navigator of various aircrafts, Carl participated in the D-Day invasion and was discharged in February 1945.
Material Format
moving images
Geographic Access
Scotland
North Bay (Ont.)
Kirkland Lake (Ont.)
Original Format
DVD
Transcript
00:25: Carl Dubin was born in 1922 in Stolin, Belarus. He came to Canada at age two.
00:47: Carl offers his reasons for enlisting in the air force.
1:38: Carl explains that his father, who was fluent in German, would listen on short wave radio to Hitler giving speeches. This served as a strong motivator for Carl to enlist.
2:16: Carl lived in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. He describes the process of enlisting. He travelled to a recruitment depot in North Bay in 1940 but was sent home because there were too many recruits. He was called back in 1941 and was sent to the Manning Depot in Brandon, Manitoba.
3:50: Carl explains that the Canadian government was not ready for an influx of recruits (e.g., Carl did not have a complete uniform).
4:28: Carl was sent to a navigation school in Rivers, Manitoba.
4:40: Carl explains that he could not be a pilot due to poor eyesight. At the beginning of the war, entrance to pilots was very strict but grew more lax as the war progressed.
5:21:Carl was sent to Burford, Ontario to # 5 Service Flying Training School. Carl was posted overseas. He sailed out of Halifax on the ship, Louis Pasteur to Bournemouth, England. He was posted to #404 Coastal Command Squadron in Wick, Scotland. He was then posted in the Shetland Islands.
6:52:Carl’s squadron served to protect the north Atlantic. He describes the squadron’s responsibilities and the area they covered. He explains the significance of the area.
9:55: Carl was a navigator. He lists the types of aircraft: Bristol Blenheims, Bristol Beaufighters, and Mosquitoes. Carl describes the positioning of the pilot and navigator.
12:06: Carl reflects of some of his good memories from his time overseas.
13:05: Carl describes ally losses from friendly fire due to lack of identification on Allied planes. In preparation for D-Day on June 6, “invasion stripes” were painted on the aircraft as identification.
14:42: Carl explains that the task of his squadron was to protect the invasion fleet that was sailing from England to Normandy.
15:05: Carl recalls an incident involving three Allied squadrons successfully attaching German destroyers.
17:07: Carl continues to describe the invasion and recalls with awe the enormity of the invasion fleet.
19:10: Carl recounts an incident where one of the engines from his aircraft was hit by a German anti-aircraft flyer.
19:42: Carl highlights the D-Day invasion as one his most memorable operations. He notes that the Luftwaffe had lost their strength by this time.
21:36: Carl recalls antisemitism in the Canadian Air Force. He cites the example of Syd Shulemson to illustrate antisemitism. Syd, despite being one of the most highly decorated air force men, was never promoted beyond flight lieutenant because he was Jewish.
23:06: Rabbi Eisendrath from Holy Blossom served as a padre of the RCAF. There were few Jews where Carl was based. There was no celebration of Jewish holidays or practices.
24:48: Carl was discharged and sent home in February 1945. No longer had need to patrol the shipping in the Atlantic.
25:23: Carl recalls V-E Day in Kirkland Lake and the impact of the war on Kirkland Lake.
27:05: Carl’s father was a veteran of the Russian-Japanese War in 1905 and the First World War. He was captured and served as an interpreter in the prisoner camp. Carl recalls that one of the prisoners was Ernest McMillan, who later became the conductor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
29:38: Carl speaks of the impact of the war on his life.
30:24: Carl offers his impressions about the Allied response to the Holocaust.
32:42: Carl describes the accuracy of the canons on the fighter air craft.
33:47: Carl calls attention to Syd Shulemson as being the most highly-decorated Jewish pilot and an inventor.
34:39: Carl’s wife refers to “the boys from Major Street”: several Jewish men who lived on Major Street who died in the Second World War.
35:50: Carl reminisces about meeting and dating an admiral’s daughter.
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.
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.
1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
Interviewer
Shayla Howell
Total Running Time
30:36
Notes
Harold 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
Harold served in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1941 to 1945 as an air frame mechanic. He was stationed in England, France, Holland, Belgium, and Germany.
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).
Born in Bloemfontein, South Africa’s judicial capital, in 1937, Ivor had a pleasant childhood alongside his two brothers. Because his family lived on the “wrong side” of Naval Hill (the other side was considerably more Jewish), he counted both Jews and non-Jews among his friends. This did not mean he lacked for Jewish culture: Ivor participated in a Jewish youth movement and was sent to a nearby cheder ahead of his bar mitzvah, which he celebrated in the communal hall. Unfortunately, the cheder teacher, a European immigrant who spoke halting English, was not the best teacher and Ivor finished his education with only a partial ability to read Hebrew.
As a young man, Ivor studied chemical engineering at the University of Cape Town. He worked in South Africa for a time before leaving to go to London. At the time he left, he did not have plans to live outside South Africa, but he ended up meeting several Canadians in England who encouraged him to give Canada a try. Obtaining work without any great difficulty and finding the locals friendlier than those in England, he decided to make Canada home.
Ivor worked in marketing for a time before coming to the conclusion that he wanted to be his own boss. With a loan from his father-in-law, he purchased a small company, which he ran for twenty-seven years. He looks back on those years fondly on account of having overcome a number of obstacles along the way and treated his employees fairly. In 1997, he sold his business and decided to devote his time to travel and volunteering.
Ivor and his wife have three children, all of whom live in Canada. They also have several grandchildren.
Material Format
moving images
Language
English
Name Access
Simmons, Ivor, 1937-
Geographic Access
Bloemfontein (South Africa)
Cape Town (South Africa)
England
Sasolburg (South Africa)
Toronto (Ont.)
Original Format
Digital file
Copy Format
Digital file
Transcript
Part 1:
00:25 Ivor was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa in 1937. His maternal grandparents' birthplace was Russia. His paternal grandfather was born near the Lithuanian/Latvian border. His paternal grandfather travelled to England and in 1886 moved to South Africa. His paternal grandmother came to South Africa from Cardiff.
02:24 Ivor's maternal grandfather was a jeweller in Cape Town. He remarried after Ivor's maternal grandmother died. The grandfather and second wife died in a vehicular accident in the 1920s.
03:45 Ivor discusses his parents: how they met and married. Ivor's father ran a printing company and his mother was a music teacher with an interest in the arts. Ivor's mother was involved in Jewish communal affairs.
05:55 Ivor discusses his two younger brother, both of whom moved to Sydney, Australia.
09:20 Ivor describes his youth in Bloemfontein.
10:34 Ivor participated in a B'nai Brith youth movement and attended cheder until age thirteen.
12:05 Ivor had a bar mitzvah in the communal hall.
13:24 Ivor discusses his education and extracurricular activities while he attended Grey College, a boys' school in Bloemfontein. Although Afrikaans was taught in school, Ivor did not gain fluency in Afrikaans until he worked in an oil refinery in Sasolburg.
15:40 Ivor describes his Jewish education.
16:20 Ivor discusses his family's religious and cultural observance.
17:47 Ivor shares his perspective on the impact of politics in South Africa on the Jewish community and on him personally.
19:40 Ivor discusses his reasons for leaving South Africa and how he decided to move to Canada. He found a job with Union Carbide in Toronto and decided to stay.
Part 2:
00:20 Ivor shares his first impressions of living in Toronto and addresses the ease of transition for him.
02:57 Ivor arrived in Toronto on 2 June 1963 after having spent one month in Montreal.
03:40 Ivor discusses the small South African community in Toronto at that time.
05:40 Ivor discusses his family's reaction to his decision to move to Toronto. His parents remained in South Africa. Ivor describes his parents' lifestyle.
08:45 Ivor describes his professional education and career. He studied chemical engineering at the University of Cape Town. He discusses his work history in South Africa, England, and Canada.
13:20 Ivor discusses how he met his wife. He discusses his family: his two sons and one daughter. Ivor discusses his daughter's career.
Part 3:
01:15 Ivor discusses the adoption of his two sons. Ivor discusses the children's education.
06:15 Ivor's mother came to visit regularly. His father came for several visits. Ivor and his family visited South Africa.
07:35 Ivor discusses how his family celebrated Jewish holidays.
08:24 Ivor discusses his wife, Renee.
09:08 Ivor discusses the similarities between Renee's family and his family with regards to Jewish practice and values and their Jewish practice in their home.
11:10 Ivor discusses his limited participation with any organizations within the South African Jewish community in Canada.
12:10 Ivor offers reasons why it would have been difficult to raise his children had they been living in South Africa.
13:40 Ivor discusses some of his family visits to South Africa and the impressions of the children.
15:36 Ivor offers his impressions of current day South Africa.
18:16 Ivor comments on the ease with which he integrated into Canada.
19:06 Ivor discusses his volunteer involvement following his retirement and his personal interests.
Part 4:
00:00 Ivor continues to discuss his personal interests.
Part 5:
00:00 Ivor fondly reminisces about his extended family in Cape Town: his mother's sister and her husband, his mother's brothers, their wives and children, and his father's twin cousins.
Part 6:
00:00 Ivor continues to reminisce about extended family.
02:42 Ivor discusses his pleasure in travel since his retirement.
Item consists of a recording of Ben Kayfetz's segment. He comments on the death of Rabbi Abraham Feinberg, who had passed away a few weeks prior in Reno, Nevada, at the age of 87. He also talks about his three-week trip to Belgium, Holland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia. He notes his visit to a Belzer synagogue in Antwerp and his visits to the main synagogues of Brussels and Budapest.
Name Access
Feinberg, Abraham L., 1899-
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Physical Condition
Tape is in good condition. Audio quality is good. No signs of mold or SBS.
File consists of the first part of a scrapbook of David Pinkus. This part of the scrapbook features nature attractions and parks of the City of Toronto and is compiled of postcards, newspaper clippings, and brochures. The attractions and parks being documented include Allan Gardens, Balmy Beach, Credit River Valley, Don River Valley Park (including Riverdale Park), Edward Gardens, High Park, Hoggs Hollow, Humber River (including the Old Mill), and Island Park (including Centre Island and Hanlan’s Point).
Arrangement
The scrapbook has been dismantled for preservation purposes. According to the original order of the pages, the content of this scrapbook has been categorized based on subjects. Topics being featured under each subject have been arranged alphabetically.
File consists of the second part of a scrapbook of David Pinkus. This part of the scrapbook features nature attractions and parks of the City of Toronto and is compiled of postcards, newspaper clippings, and brochures. The attractions and parks being documented include Kew Beach and Kew Gardens, Rosedale, Rosehill Reservoir Park (part of David A. Balfour Park), Scarborough Beach and Scarborough Bluffs, Sunnyside, Toronto Bay and Toronto Harbour, and Woodbine.
Arrangement
The scrapbook has been dismantled for preservation purposes. According to the original order of the pages, the content of this scrapbook has been categorized based on subjects. Topics being featured under each subject have been arranged alphabetically.
File consists of the third part of a scrapbook of David Pinkus. This part of the scrapbook features the city scenery and street view of the City of Toronto and is compiled of postcards and newspaper clippings. Sites and streets being documented include air view of Toronto Downtown, Avenue Road, Adelaide Street, Bay Street, Bloor Street, Crescent Park Road, Downtown Business District, Dundas Street, Jarvis Street, King Street, Moss Park Rink, Queen Street, residences and homes, and Roncesvalles Avenue.
Arrangement
The scrapbook has been dismantled for preservation purposes. According to the original order of the pages, the content of this scrapbook has been categorized based on subjects. Topics being featured under each subject have been arranged alphabetically.
File consists of the fourth part of a scrapbook of David Pinkus. This part of the scrapbook features the city scenery and street view of the City of Toronto and is compiled of postcards and newspaper clippings. Sites and streets being documented include Sherbourne Street, Spadina Avenue, St. George Street, Toronto Armories, Toronto City Regiments, Toronto Wholesale Fruit Market, Toronto subway, University Avenue, and Yonge Street.
Arrangement
The scrapbook has been dismantled for preservation purposes. According to the original order of the pages, the content of this scrapbook has been categorized based on subjects. Topics being featured under each subject have been arranged alphabetically.
File consists of the fifth part of a scrapbook of David Pinkus. This part of the scrapbook features churches and synagogues of the City of Toronto and is compiled of postcards and newspaper clippings. Churches and synagogues being documented include Berkeley St. Wesleyan Methodist Church (1871 Berkeley Church), Beth Tzedec Congregation, Bishop's Palace on Church Street, Bloor Street Presbyterian Church, Bond Street Congregational Church, Central Methodist Church, Church of the Holy Trinity, Evangel Temple, High Park Avenue Methodist Church, Holy Blossom Temple, Jarvis Street Baptist Church, Little Trinity, Metropolitan Church and St. Michael's Cathedral, Our Lady of Lourdes Church, St. Andrew’s Church, St. Anne's Church, St. Augustine's Seminary, St. James Cathedral, St. John's York Mills Anglican Church, St. Patrick's Church, St. Paul's Anglican Church, St. Paul's Basilica, the Cathedral of St. Alban-the-Martyr, the Church of St. George Martyr, the Kiever Shul, and Timothy Eaton Memorial Church.
Arrangement
The scrapbook has been dismantled for preservation purposes. According to the original order of the pages, the content of this scrapbook has been categorized based on subjects. Topics being featured under each subject have been arranged alphabetically.
File consists of the sixth part of a scrapbook of David Pinkus. This part of the scrapbook features city landmarks and historic buildings of the City of Toronto and is compiled of postcards and newspaper clippings. Sites being documented include 10 Asquith Avenue, Adam Beck Statue, Alexander Dunn Plaque, Bank of Montreal Historic Building (Hockey Hall of Fame), Bank of Upper Canada Building (Adelaide Street East), Canadian Bank of Commerce (Imperial Bank of Commerce Building), Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) North Toronto Station and the CPR Building, Castle Frank, College Street Firehall, Denison Square, Edward Blake's house (Red Lion Inn on Jarvis Street), Enoch Turner Schoolhouse, Eric Palin Hall Historic Building, Forester Temple Building, George Brown's Residence on Beverley Street, George L. Beardmore House "Chudleigh", Gibson House, Gooderham Flatiron Building, Grand Union Hotel, Gzowski Monument, Hydro Place, John A. MacDonald’s house (St. George Street), John MacDonald's house (Avenue Road), Kensington Market, Labour Temple, Lombard Street Firehall, Loretto Abbey, Mackenzie House, Maple Leaf Gardens, Massey Hall, Montgomery's Inn, Necropolis Cemetery (including Lount and Mathews Monument), O’Keefe Centre (including St. Lawrence Market and St. Lawrence Centre), Old Dufferin Street Wharf, and Old Toronto Post Office (Old Bank of Canada National Historic Site).
Arrangement
The scrapbook has been dismantled for preservation purposes. According to the original order of the pages, the content of this scrapbook has been categorized based on subjects. Topics being featured under each subject have been arranged alphabetically.
File consists of the seventh part of a scrapbook of David Pinkus. This part of the scrapbook features city landmarks and historic buildings of the City of Toronto and is compiled of postcards, newspaper clippings, and a 1974 calendar book featuring the heritage history of Ontario. Sites being documented include Palace Pier, Paul Kane's House, Postal Delivery Building, Public Library and Masonic Temple, QEW monument, Queen Street Gates, RBC Building, Royal Canadian Yacht Club, Scarborough Bridlewood Mall, Scarborough Park, South African War Memorial (University Avenue), Stong Farmhouse, The Toronto Star Building, Toronto General Post Office (Adelaide Street East), Toronto International Airport, Toronto Rowing Club House, Toronto-Dominion Centre, Traders Bank Building, Union Station, and YMCA Broadview branch.
Arrangement
The scrapbook has been dismantled for preservation purposes. According to the original order of the pages, the content of this scrapbook has been categorized based on subjects. Topics being featured under each subject have been arranged alphabetically.
File consists of the eighth part of a scrapbook of David Pinkus. This part of the scrapbook comprises newspaper clippings and features Toronto theatres and advertisements of merchandise and shops.
Arrangement
The scrapbook has been dismantled for preservation purposes. According to the original order of the pages, the content of this scrapbook has been categorized based on subjects.
Item consists of Rabbi Witty's segment. He discusses the 1987 end-of-year editorial published on the Chicago Jewish Sentinel, written by the newspaper's editor, J. I. Fishbein. The editorial claims that the Jewish community does not do enough to survive, focusing instead on fund raising, assimilation, and material possessions. Witty goes on to provide his criticism to the piece and his own view on the matters addressed in it.
Notes
Physical Description: Only track 1 recorded.
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Physical Condition
Tape is in fair condition – some lubricant/binder dust (cleaned), indicative of early SBS. Sound quality is fair – intermitent static noise throughout. No signs of mold.
Item consists of Rabbi Schild's segment. In this edition, he discusses Zionism and the reactions of both reformist and orthodox Judaism to the Zionist idea of founding a Jewish State in Palestine. According to him, however, Zionists followed the tradition of Isaac, and Zionism became a political and colonization project. Finally, he reaffirms that Israel must be a Jewish State.
Access Restriction
Closed. Records are closed for conservation reasons.
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Physical Condition
Tape is in poor condition. Sound quality is good. There is stickiness and squealing, indicative of SBS. No signs of mold.
Item consists of Rabbi Monson's segment. He thanks three men from the Jewish Community Centre Health Club for the funds raised tor the Israel Soldiers Welfare Fund; congratulates Henry and Rose Wonder for the bar mitzvah of their grandson, Richard Hunderd, and thanks for their donation to the Shaare Zedek Medical Center on the occasion; thanks Sam and Annie Rappaport for their donation to the Shaare Zedek Medical Center on the occasion of Mannie and Rose Horowitz's 50th wedding anniversary; and thanks for donations on behalf of Ofir Savir, an Israeli boy moved from Shaare Zedek to the Sick Children's Hospital, in Toronto, for a heart operation. He also announces an event to be held at Shaarei Shomayim Synagogue with Amira Dotan, the first woman appointed a Brigadier General for the Israel Army, with the theme "The Evolving Status of Women in the Israel Defense Forces." Finally, he discusses the death of Elyahu Amedi, who had been stabbed while on his way to the yeshiva, in Jerusalem.
Access Restriction
Closed. Records are closed for conservation reasons.
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Physical Condition
Tape is in poor condition. Audio quality is good. There is some stickiness and squealing, indicative of SBS. No signs of mold.
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Biography
Claire and Al Roebuck were involved in the Tailor Project to bring skilled trade workers from the displaced persons camps of Europe to Canada after the Second World War. Claire worked for the Canadian Overseas Garment Worker's Commission with Thomas Aplin.
1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
Interviewer
Sam Gojonovich
Total Running Time
17:21
Notes
Jeff 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
Jeff served in the British Merchant Navy from 1944 to 1948 as a deckhand / helmsman. He was involved in the Battle of the Atlantic and was stationed in the Arctic Circle.
This file consists of an invitation to the opening meeting of the 1942 United Palestine Appeal with guest speaker Dr. Israel Goldstein, a personal invitation to Katz to attend a luncheon in honour of Dr. Israel Goldstein and a letter inviting Katz to attend a U.P.A. Workers' Rally and Smoker.
Item is a photograph of children from Miss Macrath's grade five class posing on the front steps of the Grace Street elementary school in Toronto. Identified in the first row, second from the left is David Platnick.
Notes
Acquired June 18, 1976.
Name Access
Grace St. School
Macrath, Miss
Platnick, David
Subjects
Students
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.
Alec and Elfreda met when they were young teenagers. Elfreda was friends with Alec’s sister, and the two would play tennis together. Despite meeting at a young age, Alec and Elfreda did not begin dating until they were in their early twenties. They married in 1958 and subsequently had three children. It was largely on account of their two eldest children that they emigrated. Their eldest son had emigrated first, initially settling in Saskatchewan, while their daughter emigrated shortly thereafter, making a home in the United Kingdom. Their youngest son chose to remain in South Africa.
Following the birth of their granddaughter in Saskatoon, Alec and Elfreda began making regular trips to Canada. As time went on and crime continued to rise in South Africa, Alec and Elfreda’s children started to encourage their parents to move to Canada. This they did in 1999, arriving in Toronto in the cold month of October. While the ice and snow initially made for a new and exciting experience, they quickly got over it.
Arriving in their sixties, Alec and Elfreda initially struggled in their new country, but they soon found work and made friends. Making this process somewhat easier was the fact that the two enjoyed exploring the different areas of the city via subway, an activity they keep up to this day. Alec and Elfreda also continue to follow developments in South Africa—in part because one of their sons lives there—but now think of themselves as Canadians.
Material Format
moving images
Language
English
Name Access
Levine, Alec
Levine, Elfreda
Geographic Access
Cape Town (South Africa)
Johannesburg (South Africa)
Saskatchewan
Toronto (Ont.)
Original Format
Digital file
Copy Format
Digital file
Transcript
00:40 Elfreda discusses her family's immigration to South Africa. Her maternal grandparents came to Cape Town from Riga, Latvia via London. Her paternal grandfather came to South Africa in his teens and settled in ?Aliwal North.
02:14 Alec discusses his family's immigration to South Africa. His parents were married in Riga, Latvia. His maternal grandfather came to South Africa. During the period of 1930-1936, he brought his five daughters and their husbands to South Africa.
03:30 Elfreda describes Jewish life in Aliwal North. She explains why the Jewish population declined over time.
05:08 Elfreda recalls travelling by train to cities for holidays and how she and Alec met during holiday.
06:41 Alec describes his Jewish life growing up in Johannesburg.
07:48 Elfreda continues to discuss Jewish life while growing up in a small community.
09:13 Alec and Elfreda discuss Jewish youth groups and camps.
10:35 Elfreda discusses her academic path: two years of nursing in Cape Town and commercial bookkeeping in Johannesburg.
12:13 Alec discusses his career path: architecture for two years then joining the family plumbing business.
13:00 Alec and Elfreda married in 1958.
13:24 Alec describes his limited involvement in politics in South Africa. Their daughter became involved with the African National Congress (ANC) while she attended university.
14:55 Elfreda shares her memories from her childhood. She recalls the impact of apartheid following the rise of the nationalists in 1948.
16:13 Alec and Elfreda discuss having household staff in their homes while growing up and after they were married.
19:50 Elfreda describes a party she held for her family's maid when she retired.
21:17 Alec and Elfreda explain when and why their two older children emigrated from South Africa. Their youngest son remained in South Africa.
22:49 Alec and Elfreda discuss the factors that contributed to their decision to immigrate to Canada.
25:13 Alec describes some incidents of violence he personally experienced in Johannesburg.
25:58 Alec and Elfreda describe their feeling about leaving South Africa and the challenges of immigrating at a later stage of life (e.g. upgrading their work skills, finding work, making new friends).
28:33 Alec and Elfreda share some of their earliest memories of moving to Canada.
30:35 Alec discusses his early efforts to find work in Canada.
33:52 Elfreda discusses her involvement with the Jewish community, notably the South African Jewish community since their arrival in Canada.
35:49 Elfreda discusses how their willingness to explore Toronto has helped with their integration.
Part 2:
00:34 Alec and Elfreda describe the response from family and friends in South Africa to their decision to leave.
02:25 Alec and Elfreda came to Canada in October 1999. Their son, Mark, came in 1986.
02:50 Alec and Elfreda discuss the easier experience of integration by their son's family compared to their own.
03:49 Elfreda relates a family story. Mark settled in a small town in Saskatchewan when he arrived in Canada. He discovered that relatives of Elfreda had settled in a small neighbouring community in 1906.
5:00 Elfreda discusses their identity as Canadians.
Elfreda discusses their ongoing connections with South Africa.
07:30 Elfreda notes that they did not experience culture shock as they settled in Canada.
This file contains the original deeds of land, mortgage papers and statutory declarations for the property bought by the Franklin family in 1916. The property was situated on the southeast corner of Gerrard and Terauley (Bay) Streets and was comprised of lots nine and ten of concession one. It included the address 175-177 Terauley Street. The property was later sold by the family to the City of Toronto in 1929. This file has two parts.