Name

Fanny Gertzbein

Number

OH 33

Subject

Charities

Immigrants--Canada

Interview Date

2 Oct. 1984

Quantity

1

Interviewer

Morris Silbert

Total Running Time

OH 033: 27:34 minutes

Conservation

Copied August 2003.

Notes

Language: Fanny often speaks Yiddish with Morris Silbert providing a translation.

Related group of records external to the unit being described: accession 2019-7/2 includes comments by Gella Rothstein on this oral history.

Use Restrictions

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

Biography

Fanny Gurtzbein (née Goldhar) immigrated from Poland to Toronto in 1903. Fanny lived with her parents and siblings in Toronto's Ward district. Although raised in poverty, Barney, Fanny's brother, went on to become a successful furrier; Fanny's mother, Tzyerl Goldhar, became the organizer of the Mothers and Babes Summer Rest Home.

Material Format

sound recording

Language

Yiddish

English

Name Access

Goldhar, Myer

Goldhar, Tzeryl

Goldhar, Barney

Gurtzbein, Fanny

Geographic Access

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

Original Format

Audio cassette

Copy Format

Audio cassette

Digital file

Transcript

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 33 - Gertzbein\OH33_001_Log.docx

Source

Oral Histories

Name

Paul Abeles

Number

OH 87

Subject

Farmers

Immigrants--Canada

Interview Date

14 Jun. 1976

Quantity

1

Interviewer

Larry Troster

Total Running Time

45.05 minutes

Use Restrictions

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

Biography

Paul Abeles was born on 15 November 1906 in Czechoslovakia. He was a successful businessman and part of a group of four local businesspeople, with Leon Rotberg, Jack Rotberg, and Jack Brown, who bought and rented business properties in the city. The group were also referred to as the “Brantford Companies,” set up to own and manage warehouse properties in the City of Brantford.

Paul was active in the Brantford Jewish community and represented Brantford at the Second Regional Leadership Conference in London, Ontario on 27 March 1960, where over seventy-five representatives of regional Jewish communities gathered. At this conference, Paul was presented with an award of recognition for his volunteer endeavours.

Paul was one of thirty-nine families who immigrated to Canada in 1939 from Czechoslovakia and placed on farms. He was married to Rita Abeles (née (Glaser). He passed away in March 1989.

Material Format

sound recording

Language

English

Geographic Access

Brantford (Ont.)

Original Format

Audio cassette

Copy Format

Digital file

Transcript

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 87 - Abeles\OH87_Transcript.pdf

Source

Oral Histories

Name

Denise Rootenberg

Number

OH 418

Subject

Canada--Emigration and immigration

Jews--Zimbabwe

South Africa--Emigration and immigration

Interview Date

25 Jun. 2015

Quantity

1

Interviewer

Lisa Newman

Total Running Time

OH 418 part 1: 16 min.

OH 418 part 2: 16 min.

OH 418 part 3: 16 min.

OH 418 part 4: 4 min.

Biography

Denise Rootenberg (née Abrahamson) was born in Harare, Zimbabwe (then Salisbury, Rhodesia). One of four sisters, she grew up in a warm Jewish community that was able to sustain an Ashkenazi synagogue, a Sephardic synagogue, and a small Reform synagogue. One of her aunts ran the local chapter of the Women’s International Zionist Organization with her sister. The aunt’s sister, meanwhile, made costumes for the repertory theatre company. Denise’s aunts also did kosher catering for simchas.

Because the Jewish community in Zimbabwe was so small, Jewish parents encouraged their children to attend university in South Africa, where they were less likely to marry outside the faith. Consequently, Denise attended university in Cape Town, living in residence for three years with one of her sisters. Ultimately, the sisters decided Cape Town was not for them and moved to Johannesburg. It was in Johannesburg that Denise met her husband, with whom she had a son. In 1989, they left South Africa to come to Canada.

The couple’s first few years in Canada were difficult ones as Denise and her husband struggled to find work and adjust to Canadian society. Eventually, however, things began to fall into place. Denise found work as an editorial assistant and then became a research analyst. Her husband, meanwhile, secured a job that enabled the couple to send their son to Associated Hebrew Schools of Toronto and the Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto (CHAT).

Denise belonged to Aish Toronto with her husband. Their son married his wife at the synagogue. Denise passed away on Monday, February 21, 2022.

Material Format

moving images

Language

English

Name Access

Rootenberg, Denise

Geographic Access

Cape Town (South Africa)

Harare (Zimbabwe)

Toronto (Ont.)

Original Format

Digital file

Copy Format

Digital file

Transcript

Part 1:

00:00 Denise was born in Zimbabwe. At age eighteen, she moved to Cape Town to attend University. At the age of thirty-one, she immigrated to Toronto.

00:23 Denise’s maiden name was Abramson. She tells the history of the family name.

00:55 Denise's grandparents came to Zimbabwe from Poland via Sweden before the First World War.

01:16 Denise describes the jobs of her maternal and paternal grandfathers.

02:09 Describes immediate family.

02:46 Denise discusses the Jewish community of her youth in Salisbury, Rhodesia (today Harare, Zimbabwe) comprised of three synagogues. Denise's father was president of the Ashkenazi synagogue several times.

04:24 Denise shares memories about celebrating the Jewish holidays and the involvement of her aunts in the Jewish community.

06:06 Denise attended a small Jewish day school until grade seven. She attended a public high school. She recalls the bar mitzvah party from her youth.

07:26 Denise explains why she left Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia). She attended university in Cape Town, South Africa following her older sister. Other Jewish students attended university in Johannesburg.

08:40 After university, Denise and her sister moved to Johannesburg. Her sister later moved to Israel, where she married, and they later moved to the United States.

09:00 Denise discusses her husband's family. Her father-in-law grew up in Lithuania and came to South Africa, where he lived with his aunt and later married his younger cousin. Denise recounts a colourful story about her father-in-law's journey to South Africa. Denise describes her faith-in-law's various business ventures and his dealing with white and Black businesses that were segregated at the time.

12:15 There were three sons in her husband's family: David, Allan, and Lennie (Denise's husband). David, the eldest, was adopted. Denise relates stories involving David and his involvement with a racist, right-wing Afrikaans movement.

15:11 Denise and her family immigrated to Toronto in 1989.

Part 2:

01:00 Denise discusses her relationships with Black people while growing up. She attributes her more liberal views to her mother's kindness. She recalls (with shame) the poor living conditions of Black people.

02:30 Denise discusses mandatory military service in South Africa and Zimbabwe.

03:29 Denise's husband joined the police force as a way of avoiding military service. She relates a frightening incident during the Soweto riots in 1976 involving her husband while he served in the police force.

05:52 Denise recounts her husband's constant fear that he would be required to arrest someone he knew.

06:05 Denise explains why she did not get directly involved with anti-apartheid groups and politics. Her first strong awareness of apartheid rose when she entered university.

06:57 Denise moved to Johannesburg after earning degrees in English and French at university. She describes her jobs in psychometric testing and as a proofreader for manuals for military equipment.

07:41 Denise recounts a story about the father of a boyfriend who was arrested for entering the townships without a permit and was represented by Nelson Mandela.

08:33 Denise describes how she met and eventually married her husband. Their son Mark was born in South Africa.

08:56 Denise's brother Allan and his family had already moved to Toronto.

09:37 Denise reports taht her husband's family in South Africa had the tradition similar to her own of having large holiday meals and seders.

10:00 A large contigent of her husband's family immigrated to Australia and a small segment immigrated to Canada.

10:07 Denise explains her reasons for coming to Canada. She considered Australia. She discusses early regrets for having chosen Canada rather than Australia. She discusses how in hindsight, and for a variety of reasons, she made the best choice.

13:19 Denise discusses her worries stemming from being a much pampered child growing up.

14:30 Denise describes how unsettled they felt when they first moved to Canada. She recounts a story about returning to South Africa to visit family after they had been in Canada for eighteen months. Her relatives' home was vandalized.

Part 3:

00:00 As a result of this traumatic incident, Denise and her sisters made a decision not to return to South Africa.

01:28 Denise describes some of the struggles she encountered when she initially moved to Toronto and she discusses some of the factors that contributed to feeling more settled and welcomed. Specifically, she shares a story about the efforts made by a Canadian family whose son was in her child's daycare.

04:40 Denise identifies some of the differences in religious observance between South Africa and Toronto.

06:50 Denise explains her choice of education for her son.

07:35 Denise discusses her husband's educational training and lists his work history in Toronto.

08:49 Denise explains that other than education subsidies she was unaware of other services offered by Jewish agencies to assist new immigrants and those struggling financially.

09:28 Denise outlines her work experience in Toronto and some of her work experience in South Africa.

11:19 Denise expresses appreciation for the benefits and treatment she received at her workplace. Specifically, she notes how she was accomodated after returning to work following cancer treatments.

12:18 Denise discusses the evolution of her religious observance.

15:00 Denise discusses her husband's mental health. She addresses associated issues and impact of his mental health on work and family. She identifies his experience with the police in Soweto as a factory contributing to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Part 4:

02:25 Denise identifies some of the factors that have enabled her to deal with the many life challenges she has encountered.

Source

Oral Histories

We Thought we were Orthodox

Name

Nathan Rivelis

Number

OH 405

Subject

Immigrants--Canada

Small business

Communities

Interview Date

3 Aug. 2010

Quantity

1 reference CD

1 archival DVD

Interviewer

Rheta (nee Rivelis) Rosen

AccessionNumber

OH 405

Total Running Time

1:11 minutes

Biography

Nathan Rivelis, father of Rheta Rosen (née Rivelis), was born in the early 1900s in the Ukraine. Nathan immigrated to Canada in 1919, making his home in Lachine and Saint-Jérôme, Quebec. In 1926, Nathan moved to North Bay, Ontario. There, he opened a small, family-run clothing store and grew it into Rivelis' Department Store, remaining in business until 1983.

Material Format

sound recording

Name Access

Rivelis' Department Store (North Bay, Ont.)

Geographic Access

North Bay (Ont.)

Québec (Province)

Ukraine

Original Format

DVD

Transcript

0.0-.39: Interviewer checking the tape recorder Family History .40-35.54: Nathan Rivelis was born in the early 1900s in Miskiva, (spelling) a town located between Odessa and Kiev in the Ukraine. Approximately 2,000 Jews lived in Miskiva alongside a small non-Jewish population. The market place was the primary source of income for the Jewish population. Nathan had five siblings: Tzipa, Moshe, Hannah, Eva, and Esther. When Nathan was ten years old, his father passed away, leaving his mother, Bluma Rivelis (née Dubin) to provide for the family on her own. With Nathan’s help, Bluma supported the family by running a grocery store and selling liquor. Nathan describes the difficult life and persecution of Miskiva’s Jewish peasantry from the early 1900s through the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. Many Russian Jews fled Russia for America, and it was Abram, Nathan’s brother-in-law, who was the first family member to immigrate to Canada. With money received from Abram, Nathan secured passage to Canada for the rest of the family. Immigration to Canada 35.55-42.47: Nathan arrived in Canada in 1919, making his home in Lachine, Quebec. After six years working as a presser and in dry goods, Nathan opened a business in St. Jerome, Quebec. North Bay 42.48-48.50: In 1926, after vacationing with the Herman family and encouraged by a positive impression of North Bay, Nathan closed his dry goods business in St. Jerome and moved to North Bay. After a brief stint as a peddler, Rivelis purchased the dry goods business of E. I. Green. To help with the business, Rivelis moved his mother and sister Esther to North Bay. After his marriage in 1929, they returned to Montreal. Rivelis grew his small, family-run clothing store to a large department store and remained in business until 1983. Family history continued 48.51-57.21: In this portion of the interview, Nathan discusses his feelings of fear while living in Russia, always worrying what the next day would bring. When Nathan arrived in Canada, he felt free and happy. Nathan discusses his father’s family. Some family members immigrated to Milwaukee while some remained in Russia. 57.28-1.02.29: This is a personal conversation between Nathan and his daughter. They discuss Nathan’s mother, her difficult life in Russia, her life in Canada, and her death at the age of ninety-four.

Source

Oral Histories

Name

Isidore Kaplan

Number

OH 9

OH 10

Subject

Business

Communities

Interview Date

3 Jun. 1975

Quantity

2

Interviewer

Sophie Milgram

Total Running Time

009A: 29 minutes 009B: 41 minutes 010A: 30 minutes

Conservation

Copied August 2003

Notes

Reduced sound quality at times.

Use Restrictions

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

Biography

Isidore Kaplan was born in Vilna in 1910. His father was the first Jew to settle in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. Isidore's father, a successful businessman, opened a general store in 1915 and a movie theatre in 1923. The Jewish community of Kirkland Lake grew to 135 families and was able to support a synagogue, kosher butcher, and after-school cheder at its peak.

Material Format

sound recording

Name Access

Kaplan, Isidore

Milgram, Sophie

Geographic Access

Cobalt (Ont.)

Englehart (Ont.)

Kirkland Lake (Ont.)

Krugerdorf (Ont.)

Swastika (Ont.)

Vilnius (Lithuania)

Original Format

Audio cassette

Copy Format

Audio cassette

Digital file

Transcript

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 9, OH 10 - Kaplan\OH9_001_Log.doc

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 9, OH 10 - Kaplan\OH9_002_Log.doc

G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 9, OH 10 - Kaplan\OH10_001_Log.doc

Source

Oral Histories

Isidore Kaplan's father was the first Jewish resident of Kirkland Lake, Ontario. In this clip, Isidore relates his father's journey in 1912 from Toronto to Kirkland Lake in northern Ontario via Engelhart and Swastika.

In this clip, Isidore Kaplan describes the decline of Kirkland Lake, Ontario

Name

Sydney Bendahan

Number

OH 177

Subject

Sephardim

Muslims

Interview Date

3 Jun. 1973

Quantity

2 cassettes (1 copy)

2 WAV file

Interviewer

Speech given by Sydney Bendahan to an assembly of the CJC

Total Running Time

42:50 minutes

Conservation

Not copied. Need 120 minute tape.

Use Restrictions

Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the Archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Biography

Sydney Bendahan an immigrant from Morocco and a member of Toronto's Sephardic community. He returned to Morocco in order to study its history and culture, as well as the problems of Moroccan Jewery. Bendahan has become an advocate for the successful integration of the Shepardic community in Toronto.

Material Format

sound recording

Geographic Access

Morocco

Spain

Israel

Toronto (Ont.)

Original Format

Audio cassette

Copy Format

Digital file

Transcript

0-8:15: Segment begins with a speech given in honour of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the State of Israel (name of speaker is not known). Hamotzi and lehayim given by Stephen Berger, president of UJA. Introduction of Sidney Bendaham, guest speaker 8:20-20:10: Bendahan describes the history, culture, and problems experienced by the Jews of North Africa, specifically Moroccan Jews, during their twelve centuries of subjugation under Muslim rule. He also describes the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492 and their subsequent settlement and integration along the coast of North Africa. 20.15:-29:15: Bendahan discusses interventions on behalf of Jews living in Muslim countries. Bendahan provides examples, such as the 1767 decree for the Protection of Non Arab Residents of Morocco, the founding in 1860 of the Alliance Israelite Universal, Moses Montefiore's influence on behalf of Moroccan Jewry, and the decree of 1870 addressing the abusive treatment of Jews. 29:16:-30:22: Bendahan discusses the occupation of Morocco by the French and Spanish protectorates and their impact on Moroccan Jews in areas such as ecomonics, education, and religion. 30.23:-31.35: Bendahan discusses the immigration of Moroccan Jews to Israel in 1948 and 1956, Morocco's decision to end relations with Israel, and the Jewish Agency’s involvement with North African aliyah. 31.39:-42:50: Bendahan discusses the immigration of the Sephardic Jews to Canada, JIAS in Casablana, the Farbund Labor Zionist Organization, and the Jewish Agency of Toronto. Bendahan discusses the obstacles and difficulties encountered by the Sephardic community in their efforts to be recognized and accepted as a distinct culture within Toronto’s Jewish community.

Source

Oral Histories

Name

Darrel Hotz

Number

OH 417

Subject

Canada--Emigration and immigration

Jews--South Africa

South Africa--Emigration and immigration

Interview Date

25 Jun. 2015

Quantity

6 files

Interviewer

Naomi Raichyk

Total Running Time

1 hr. 36 min.

Biography

Born in 1959, Darrel grew up in Victory Park, a predominantly Jewish suburb of Johannesburg. The family—made up of Darrel, his parents, and his young brother—occupied a four-bedroom house on a half-acre of land just a short walk from the local Jewish day school. For Darrel, “Everything was pretty easy . . . growing up.” Although the family was not particularly religious, Darrel’s mother lit candles on Friday night and he attended a Zionist camp every summer. In his final year of high school, he won a Bible quiz sponsored by the South African Zionist Federation, for which he was awarded a trip to Israel to compete against other Jewish students from all over the world. Unfortunately, he did not perform as well in this second competition: Israeli yeshiva students took first, second, and third place.

Darrel’s family moved to Canada when Darrel was in his second year of university. Because there were no direct flights to Toronto from South Africa, the family flew first to Zurich and then to New York. From New York, they made their way to Buffalo, where they stocked up on goods prior to arriving in Canada. Unhappily for the Hotzes, North America was experiencing a terrible year in terms of weather and the winter jackets they had purchased in South Africa (said to be sufficient for surviving Arctic temperatures) proved inadequate. They immediately purchased a new batch of winter coats appropriate for Canada.

The Hotz family’s first few years in Canada were not easy ones. The dental credentials of Darrel’s father, an orthodontist, were not recognized and he was unable to practice for several years as a result. Darrel’s mother, who had not been in the labour force for twenty-odd years, had to return to work in order to help make ends meet. Eventually though, the family got itself settled and Darrel was able to complete his university education, going on to attend Osgoode Hall Law School and pass the bar. He worked for two law firms, one Jewish and one not, before starting his own practice.

Material Format

moving images

Language

English

Name Access

Hotz, Darrel, 1959-

Geographic Access

Johannesburg (South Africa)

Original Format

Digital file

Copy Format

Digital file

Transcript

00:30 Darrel was born in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1959.

00:47 Darrel provides a brief family history. His paternal grandfather came to South Africa from Shavl, Lithuania in 1917. His paternal grandmother came from Riga, Latvia with her family in about 1910. His father was born in a suburb of Johannesburg. His maternal grandparents were born in South Africa. His grandfather's family came from Lithuania at the turn of the century. His grandmother's family moved to England in the 1870s. His maternal great-grandfather fought in the Boer War and remained in South Africa.

03:08 Darrel discusses his grandparents' education. His maternal grandmother was educated in a convent.

04:44 Darrel explains how his mother adopted more Jewish practice following her marriage to his father.

05:15 Darrel's father was born in Johannesburg and his mother was born in Benoni.

05:32 Darrel describes how his parents met.

06:00 Darrel's father studied dentistry and specialized in orthodontics.

07:18 Darrel discusses the role of Judaism in his home. Darrel attended King David. Darrel describes his bar mitzvah.

09:03 Darrel describes his family's neighbourhood, Victoria Park.

10:12 Darrel describes his home and home life.

11:48 Darrel discusses the security situation and political leanings of the Jewish community in South Africa during his youth.

14:45 Darrel describes his minor personal involvement in politics.

15:44 Darrel discusses the good relationship between Israel and South Africa.

17:18 Darrel discusses his involvement at Habonim summer camp and the Habonim youth movement.

20:53 Darrel discusses his experience of competing in a Bible quiz in Israel after having won the contest in South Africa.

25:48 Darrel describes three subsequent trips to Israel: in 1984, in 2006, and in 2008.

28:08 Darrel explains his parents' decision to leave South Africa.

29:09 Darrel discusses conscription to the South African army.

30:40 Darrel's maternal uncle immigrated to Canada before his parents.

32:19 Darrel addresses some of the challenges faced by him and other members of his family with starting again in a new country.

36:50 Darrel discusses some of the factors and considerations that contributed to the decision to select Canada as their immigration destination.

38:49 Darrel describes his parents' look-see visit to Toronto before the family moved.

40:37 Darrel describes the application process for immigration to Canada and monetary restrictions imposed by South African government.

42:53 Darrel describes his family's journey to Canada via Buffalo, New York.

44:40 Darrel describes his family's arrival in Canada on 9 March 1979.

46:20 Darrel lists the various places his parents have lived since their arrival.

47:05 Darrel discusses some of the challenges faced by his mother when she arrived.

50:11 Darrel describes his education in Canada.

52:06 Darrel shares his views concerning the differences between Canadian and South African Jews.

55:26 Darrel discusses his son's social circle and religious and secular education history.

1:00:43 Darrel discusses how his family connected with the established South African community in Toronto.

1:03:41 Darrel describes his parents' involvement in the Jewish community.

1:09:14 Darrel discusses his career in law.

1:15:02 Darrel discusses meeting and marrying his wife, Barbara, in 2000 and their early years together. They have one son, Joey.

1:19:14 Darrel discusses Barbara and his involvement in Jewish communal work.

1:23:07 Darrel reminisces about Jewish foods eaten in South Africa.

1:24:24 Darrel explains how they chose Camp Gesher, affiliated with Habonim Dror, for Joey.

1:27:24 Darrel contemplates a return visit to South Africa.

1:31:20 Darrel mentions a few South African expressions and words.

1:32:34 Darrel offers his impressions of the differences between South Africans and Canadians.

1:33:44 Darrel reflects on his family's decision to come to Canada.

Source

Oral Histories

Being raised in South Africa

Name

Hilton and Shirley Silberg

Number

OH 419

Subject

Business

Immigrants--Canada

Families

Occupations

Interview Date

3 Sep. 2015

Interviewer

Naomi Raichyk

Total Running Time

1 hr. 34 min.

Biography

Hilton and Shirley were born in Durban, South Africa in 1951. Although both were involved in the Habonim youth movement, the two did not meet until their first year in pharmacy school. After getting married and serving a brief stint in the military, Hilton left with Shirley on a trip overseas that included Europe and the United Sates, but whose ultimate purpose was the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.

Upon arriving in Montreal, the couple decided Canada would be a good place to live. By that point, they had resolved that they did not want their children to internalize the racial norms of apartheid South Africa. Cementing their decision was the fact Shirley’s sister was accepted into Canada shortly after the two returned to South Africa.

Hilton and Shirley’s immigration to Canada was complicated by the fact they were regarded by the government as students, not full-fledged pharmacists. When they came to Canada in August 1977, they therefore had to qualify as pharmacists, which they did by attending university while holding down full-time jobs as pharmacy technicians. Once certified, they moved to Dundas, where they opened a series of pharmacies and raised their children.

In 2007, the couple sold their Day Night Pharmacy chain to Rexall Pharma Plus. In 2014 Hilton and Shirley relocated to Toronto and now spend their time between Toronto and Vancouver to be close to their children and grandchildren.

Material Format

moving images

Language

English

Name Access

Silberg, Hilton, 1951-

Silberg, Shirley, 1951-

Geographic Access

Dundas (Ont.)

Durban (South Africa)

Johannesburg (South Africa)

Original Format

Digital file

Transcript

00:38 Shirley was born in Durban, South Africa in 1951.

00:44 Shirley discusses her family history. Her maternal grandparents came to Durban in early 1800s from England. They married in South Africa. Her paternal grandparents came to Durban from Lithuania in the late 1800s. They married in South Africa. Her father was a physician specializing in physical medicine; her mother worked as his secretary.

03:31 Shirley describes her privileged early home life.

04:26 Shirley attended Hebrew day school.

05:06 Shirley describes her education and involvement in sports.

07:28 Shirley attended the Habonim youth movement.

08:13 Shirley discusses her early memories of politics and apartheid.

09:57 Shirley describes the impact an overseas trip to Europe and Israel had on her.

12:34 Shirley explains that she and Hilton considered immigrating to Canada and Israel. Her sister had immigrated to Canada and her brother had immigrated to England.

13:31 Hilton and Shirley attended the pharmacy school in Durban.

14:48 Hilton and Shirley married and moved to Johannesburg. Hilton completed mandatory service in the army.

15:37 Hilton was born in Durban on 26 October 1951. He discusses his family history. His maternal grandparents came from Lithuania. His mother was born in South Africa. His father's family came from Lithuania. His father was born in Lithuania. Hilton shares a story about his paternal grandmother's voyage from Lithuania to Pretoria with five children. When his parents were married they moved to Durban in the mid-1950s.

17:46 Hilton discusses his parents. His mother was an occasional secretary. His father was initially a tool and diemaker. Later, he worked in business. Hilton notes that his father was a semi-professional football player.

20:30 Hilton explains that his mother had a strong Jewish identity, but was not religious.

21:06 Hilton discusses his education in public school and Hebrew school.

21:58 Hilton reminisces about his childhood.

23:25 Hilton discusses how he and his sister became competitive ballroom dancers.

25:50 Hilton discusses his bar mitzvah training.

27:02 Hilton was active in the Habonim youth movement.

27:31 Hilton shares his impressions growing up under apartheid. He discusses discrimination, restrictions, and censorship.

30:33 Hilton discusses his mandatory military service.

36:22 Hilton and Shirley discuss how they met and dated.

37:45 Hilton discusses some of the factors that triggered the couple's decision to leave South Africa.

43:07 Hilton and Shirley describe how they struggled to accumulate money before leaving South Africa.

44:12 Hilton describes the efforts made to secure work and a visa for entry into Canada.

48:31 Hilton and Shirley describe the sentiments that surrounded their departure from South Africa.

49:40 Hilton and Shirley arrived in Canada on 25 August 1977.

50:30 Shirley shares anecdotes about her first experiences with household chores.

54:20 Hilton and Shirley discuss their few acquaintances/contacts when they first arrived in Canada.

55:40 Hilton explains how his outlook has changed since he moved to Canada.

57:41 Shirley describes the challenges of juggling work and pharmacy classes at the University of Toronto. Hilton and Shirley share some examples of cultural differences between Canada and South Africa.

1:01:05 Hilton and Shirley worked as pharmaceutical technicians.

1:03:53 Hilton explains how they became partners in a pharmacy in Dundas, Ontario. Hilton and Shirley discuss how they settled in and were welcomed into the Jewish community.

1:10:05 Hilton and Shirley brought Hilton's two sisters, brother, parents, and Shirley's mother to Canada.

1:11:02 Hilton explains the circumstances that led to a split with his partners. He changed the name of the pharmacy from Amherst Pharmacy to Hilton Pharmacy. He describes the growth of the business.

1:18:00 Hilton describes the expansion and success of the business to five pharmacies.

1:20:12 Hilton discusses his involvement in the Jewish and secular communities in Dundas.

1:20:57 In 2007, the business was purchased by Rexall.

1:21:33 Shirley explains the circumstances that prompted their move to Toronto via Vancouver.

1:23:55 Shirley describes a return visit to South Africa with her two youngest children.

1:25:22 Hilton reminisces about a family trip to London and South Africa in 1980.

1:27:08 Hilton describes his discomfort during a visit to Durban, South Africa in 1986.

1:28:40 Shirley relates an anecdote that occurred during their family trip to South Africa.

1:30:46 Hilton reflects on how much he appreciates being in Canada.

1:32:50 Shirley identifies becoming Canadian citizens as a turning point in their new life in Canada.

Source

Oral Histories

https://vimeo.com/230208590

Immigration Tribulations

Who Has Left Over Matzah Balls?

The First Midnight Store

Name

Morris Silbert

Number

OH 123

OH 124

Subject

Agriculture

Immigrants--Canada

Nonprofit organizations

Communities

Interview Date

1986

Quantity

2

Interviewer

Brooky Robins

Total Running Time

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

Conservation

Copied August 2003

Use Restrictions

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

Biography

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

Material Format

sound recording

Language

English

Name Access

Silbert, Morris

Robins, Brooky

Geographic Access

Hamilton

Wentworth

Original Format

Audio cassette

Copy Format

Audio cassette

Digital file

Transcript

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

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

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

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

Source

Oral Histories

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

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

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

Name

Aubrey and Lucille Groll

Number

OH 432

Subject

Canada--Emigration and immigration

Jews--South Africa

South Africa--Emigration and immigration

Interview Date

28 Jun. 2011

Interviewer

Jessica Parker

Total Running Time

South African Oral History 1, Part I - 30 min.

South African Oral History 1, Part II - 21 min.

South African Oral History 1, Part III - 1 min.

Biography

Aubrey and Lucille both grew up Jewish in South Africa, but in many respects their experiences of Yiddishkeit were quite different. The son of Orthodox Eastern European parents, Aubrey grew up in a kosher household that took religion very seriously, even if his parents, who owned a small business, had to work Friday evenings in order to make ends meet. Lucille, on the other hand, was the daughter of German immigrants to South Africa who belonged to a Reform synagogue; as a result, she was less familiar with the nuances of kashrut. After meeting Lucille, Aubrey’s mother made several phone calls to verify that her future daughter-in-law was, in fact, Jewish.

Lucille tells a story related to her lack of familiarity with kashrut that illustrates several aspects of Jewish life under apartheid South Africa. When Aubrey was fourteen years old, his family employed a servant of the same age who went on to work for the family for decades. Years later, when Lucille was staying with Aubrey’s family, the servant, despite being non-Jewish, would inquire whether Lucille would be giving her child meat or milk that night and would then proceed to put out the food along with the appropriate plates. Immediately after doing so, he would tell Lucille not to touch anything until he returned in the morning lest she inadvertently violate kashrut!

Aubrey and Lucille left South Africa in 1965, ending up in Kingston after a two-year stay in Birmingham, Alabama. Aubrey became one of the first Jewish academics to teach at Queen’s University while Lucille found interesting jobs in social work, ending her career at Kingston General Hospital. Initially, they had some difficulty integrating into the local Jewish community, but the situation improved as they slowly became more integrated into the Jewish community and more Jewish academics settled in Kingston. Aubrey and Lucille have four children and are the proud grandparents of ten grandchildren. Aubrey passed away in February, 2018.

Material Format

sound recording

Language

English

Name Access

Groll, Aubrey

Groll, Lucille

Geographic Access

Kingston (Ont.)

South Africa

Original Format

Digital file

Copy Format

Digital file

Transcript

Part 1:

01:07 Lucille Groll (née Godfrey) shares some of her family history. Her parents were born in Germany. Her father (né Gothelf) came to South Africa in the late 1920s as an adult. Her mother came to Johannesburg as an infant and was educated in a convent.

02:36 Lucille describes her Jewish upbringing as Reform and liberal with minimal Zionism.

03:10 Lucille's brother attended a Reform summer camp with Zionist leanings.

03:34 Lucille discusses her Jewish education, practice of Jewish holidays, and her Jewish social life.

06:50 Lucille's parents and other elders spoke German at home.

07:14 Lucille recalls the German-style food eaten at her home.

09:34 Lucille's maternal grandfather came to South Africa in 1910, returned to Germany, and then returned to South Africa after the First World War.

10:41 Aubrey shares some of his family history. His parents were married in Lithuania and migrated to Furrow, a farming community. His parents ran a general store. He had two brothers.

13:38 Aubrey discusses his upbringing in Somerset West such as going to school and Jewish practices (Shabbat, kashrut, holidays, Zionism).

15:44 Aubrey discusses her father's affiliation with the Revisionist Zionism. He relates an anecdote involving a visit by Menachem Begin to their town.

16:35 Aubrey discusses her parents' involvement with the synagogue.

17:28 Aubrey reminisces about his education, bar mitzvah, foods, the Jewish community, synagogue life, Hebrew school, and keeping kashrut.

22:00 Aubrey notes that his parents did not discuss the Holocaust or their family's history, despite losing all of the family that remained behind in Lithuania.

23:20 Aubrey's parents spoke Yiddish with one another and friends but not with their children.

25:35 Lucille recalls first meeting Aubrey and his family.

26:45 Aubrey discusses antisemitism during his school years.

27:48 Lucille relates a humorous about Aubrey's mother confirming Lucille's Jewish background.

28:38 Lucille and Aubrey discuss how they met.

Aubrey explains how they ultimately moved to Kingston, Ontario in 1967 via Birmingham, Alabama.

Part 2:

01:36 Lucille discusses her work as a social worker in psychiatry.

02:10 Aubrey and Lucille discuss their relationships with Lynne and David Ginsburg and their role in helping David find work in Kingston.

03:24 Lucille explains how she assumed there would be a Jewish community in Kingston. She shares her impressions of the Jewish community when they arrived. Aubrey shares his impressions as well.

06:20 Aubrey and Lucille were the first Jewish South Africans in Kingston. Other South Africans came to Kingston in 1969 and the 1970s. Aubrey discusses the involvement of South African Jews in the Kingston Jewish community.

08:23 Lucille discusses her family's involvement in the Jewish community in Kingston.

09:22 Lucille discusses her children and grandchildren and their practice.

14:10 ?Joyce (Aubrey's relative?) relates an anecdote about finding and repairing some old candlesticks.

15:45 Lucille discusses changes in Jewish practice over time in Canada versus South Africa.

16:50 Aubrey shares comments about the strong sense of Zionism and Jewish identity in South Africa during his youth.

19:35 Lucille notes that most South African Jews in Toronto have been affiliated with an Orthodox synagogue on Bayview Avenue and the Reform Temple Emanu-El.

Part 3:

00:00 Aubrey briefly discusses the prominence of Zionist movements and camps in South Africa.

00:48 Mention some prayer books.

Source

Oral Histories

Holiday Celebrations

Not Marrying Jewish

Name

Shane Teper

Number

OH 421

Subject

Canada--Emigration and immigration

Jews--South Africa

South Africa--Emigration and immigration

Interview Date

3 Nov. 2015

Interviewer

Gail Freeman

Total Running Time

46 min.

Use Restrictions

Written consent is required prior to the publication of all or any portion of this video/oral history on the internet.

Material Format

moving images

Language

English

Name Access

Teper, Shane, 1965-

Geographic Access

Canada

South Africa

Original Format

Digital file

Source

Oral Histories

Name

Ivan Zarenda

Number

OH 434

Subject

Canada--Emigration and immigration

Jews--South Africa

South Africa--Emigration and immigration

Interview Date

21 Jul. 2011

15 Jun. 2012

Interviewer

Jessica Parker

Total Running Time

Part I: 46 min.

Part II: 1 hr. 4 min.

Biography

Ivan’s parents arrived in South Africa from Lithuania around 1930. Prior to immigrating, they knew each other from Klykoliai, a shtetl in northwestern Lithuania. Ivan’s father was the first to arrive, taking up work at a concession store in the mining town of Brakpan. As for Ivan’s mother, she came over with her mother after her siblings had prepared a home for them in Brakpan. After being sent to a convent in Rhodesia in order to learn English, she returned to Brakpan where she married Ivan’s father. Together, the couple raised two children, who grew up with their maternal grandmother, who only spoke Yiddish. Consequently, Ivan grew up speaking Yiddish as well as English. He even gave his bar mitzvah speech in Yiddish, causing his Lithuanian grandmother to beam with pride.

Although they were not well off, Ivan’s parents managed to send their two sons to university. As an undergraduate, Ivan studied pharmacy at Rhodes University in Grahamstown. He met his wife while visiting his parents in Kimberley, where they had moved and were managing a hotel. The two were introduced on a blind date and corresponded for well over a year when Ivan went to do a post-graduate degree in industrial pharmacy at the University of Michigan. When Ivan returned to South Africa to take up a job in Cape Town, the two dated, became engaged, and married. In 1990, they immigrated to Canada with their two children as part of a job transfer. After a short stay in Brockville, the family relocated to Kingston, where they were active in Jewish life. Ivan’s wife, Daphne, passed away in 2006. He moved from Kingston to Toronto in 2018, joining his children Marc and Shelley and families who live there.

Material Format

sound recording

Language

English

Name Access

Zarenda, Ivan

Geographic Access

Kingston (Ont.)

South Africa

Original Format

Digital file

Copy Format

Digital file

Source

Oral Histories

Friendship with Afrikaners

Name

Stephen Pincus

Number

OH 415

Subject

Immigrants--Canada

Interview Date

26 Apr. 2015

Interviewer

Jessica Parker

Total Running Time

1 hr. 23 min.

Use Restrictions

Restriction noted by interviewee on video/oral history release form: The foregoing is subject to OJA obtaining my prior written consent prior to placing any of the interview on the internet (other than password protected communications)

Researches should be directed to the access copy created by Stephen Pincus.

Biography

Although he grew up in South Africa, Stephen was born in England where his father was studying. When they returned to South Africa in 1963, they visited Israel on the way, and five-year-old Stephen fell in love with the exotic, young Jewish state.

As a teenager, Stephen was active in Habonim, South Africa’s largest Zionist youth movement and became head of that movement in the late 1970s, running the largest Jewish youth camp in the world. Stephen was also elected chair of South Africa’s Zionist Youth Council, the umbrella body for all-Jewish youth organizations in the country. He and his wife Michelle then moved to Israel with a Habonim group that established Kibbutz Tuval in the western Galilee.

In 1982 Stephen came to study in Toronto. He served as administrator of Bialik Hebrew Day School and as camp director of Camp Shalom, while completing MBA and LLB degrees, and was awarded the Gold Medal at Osgoode Hall Law School. Stephen and Michelle started a family and both their own parents immigrated to Toronto.

Stephen is a senior partner and executive committee member at Goodmans LLP, is widely regarded as one of Canada’s leading business lawyers, and has played a pioneering role in the development of the country’s capital markets. He is is the founding chair of the Canada Africa Chamber of Business, a director of Kew Media Group, a member of the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency for Israel, chair of the board of Makom, and founder of Kaleidoscope, a unique multi-dimensional Israel engagement program.

He and his wife Michelle; their two married children, Daniel and Lisa; granddaughter Olivia; and therapy dog Mannee all live in Toronto.

Material Format

moving images

Language

English

Name Access

Pincus, Stephen, 1958-

Geographic Access

England

Original Format

Digital file

Copy Format

Digital file

Transcript

00:56 Stephen discusses his family background, including notable forebears, his grandparents' immigration in the early 1900s, and the largely Lithuanian composition of the South African Jewish community.

03:04 Stephen discusses his South-African-born parents' backgrounds and how they met.

05:14 Stephen mentions that he was born in England in 1958, while his family was abroad for his father's medical studies. He lived there until they returned to South Africa in 1964.

06:25 Stephen remembers arriving in South Africa and all the family that had come to greet them who hadn't seen his parents for eight years. He mentions that all correspondence happened via mail.

08:01 Stephen describes his family's relationship to Judaism: They were Orthodox in name, but took a pragmatic approach. Stephen went to public school and received a lot of his Jewish education from Habonim.

09:27 Stephen describes his bar mitzvah celebrations. Stephen remembers preparing his speech. He enjoys public speaking and this was a starting point.

10:49 Stephen talks about the Habonim youth movement. Stephen's involvement began in his early teens. He became the head of the movement in the late 1970s and ran the camp for a couple of years. Stephen is organizing a trip this summer to Israel for alumni of Habonim.

14:50 Stephen explains that he has a foot in South Africa, Canada, and Israel.

15:43 Stephen talks about the unique environment in South Africa that contributed to Zionism. He talks about the Soweto Uprising in 1976. Israel was a place where South African Jews could create something better. Stephen finds it ironic that some see in Israel a continuation of apartheid.

19:53 Stephen talks about his parents' view of his involvement in Habonim. He relates a story where his father became upset when Stephen participated in a march protesting a United Nations resolution instead of studying for an exam.

21:37 Stephen's father was risk-averse and practical. He wasn't keen on Stephen moving to Israel and would discourage his son indirectly. Stephen went to Israel anyway.

22:20 Stephen's parents did not give voice to strong political views. Stephen remembers being at a poetry reading at a friend's parents' house when he was eight. It was his first mixed-race experience. Stephen and his friends were politically active in high school and as undergraduate students.

24:27 Stephen explains how Zionism and Israel were his major focus while the South African situation was secondary. Stephen remembers visiting Soweto a number of times.

26:00 Stephen discusses the paradox of under apartheid while opposing it. He sees this as a central issue that white South Africans of his generation faced. He discusses the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings of the 1990s.

28:24 Stephen recounts how Israel fell into the arms of South Africa after being pushed away by various African states in the 1970s.

29:03 Stephen describes his involvement in resuscitating Machon Le'Madrichei Chutz La'Aretz, a year-long leadership course for youth leaders in Israel. South African Jews would defer their army service to participate. In 1975, the South African government determined it would not let Jewish students defer for this purpose.

31:16 Stephen discusses his decision to leave South Africa.

32:51 Stephen discusses how not going on Machon is one of his regrets.

33:28 Stephen discusses the places he considered immigrating to. He was focused on going to Israel and was part of a group that went to live on a kibbutz in the western Galilee.

37:24 Stephen discusses previous trips to Israel. The first time he went to the country was when his family went from England to South Africa. This was before the Six-Day War and he remembers barbed wire in Jerusalem. Stephen thinks he probably fell in love with Israel at this time.

38:32 Stephen explains the meaning of the words machon and garin.

39:23 Stephen describes the kupah meshutefet ("common treasury box") economic system. The system didn't last very long.

40:16 Stephen describes how his family and friends reacted to the news that he was making aliyah.

41:09 Stephen discusses a car trip he and his wife took throughout South Africa. He relates how they were caught in a flood and ended up being taken in by a Black family. Stephen reflects on the irony of their situation.

44:07 Stephen discusses he and his wife's arrival in Israel. Stephen was accepted by Hebrew University to study law. Ultimately, he and his wife chose to move to Toronto at the beginning of 1982.

45:06 Stephen shares what he brought with him to Toronto from South Africa.

47:20 Stephen discusses his initial trip to Canada in January 1982. He thinks that it was the coldest winter Toronto experienced until 2014. He discusses some of the hurdles he faced adjusting to the new climate.

51:33 Stephen discusses settling in Canada and going to school.

56:25 Stephen discusses opening an issue of the Canadian Jewish News and seeing that a summer camp was looking for a director. He was director for a couple of years and he and his wife would spend their summer at the camp.

57:05 Stephen discusses how Habonim was different from Camp Shalom, the camp he worked at in Canada.

58:24 Stephen discusses his transition from being involved in a Zionist and socialist youth movement to ending up in business and corporate law. He notes that he has shifted in a number of respects in terms of his perspective on economic values, social values, and religious values.

1:02:55 Stephen discusses his experience integrating into Canadian society.

1:05:20 Stephen contrasts his parents' experience coming later in life with his own experience. They had a wonderful time when they came because there was a large community of retired South African expatriates by then.

1:09:54 Stephen discusses the role of the local Jewish community, and local South African Jewish community, played in his acclimatization.

1:11:59 Stephen discusses how he came to work for Goodmans.

1:14:17 Stephen discusses the differences he has noticed between Canadians and South Africans. He feels that South Africans as a group tend to be more direct than Canadians. In his opinion, South Africans lie somewhere between Israelis and Canadians in terms of directness.

1:17:51 Stephen discusses his journey, coming from a secular Zionist background and starting a program of Jewish learning later in life.

1:20:40 Stephen discusses his own approach to keeping Jewish traditions and customs. He is observant, but not dogmatic.

1:26:11 Stephen discusses his two children. His son is a medical resident and his daughter is finishing up a law/business administration program.

1:27:09 Stephen discusses synagogues he is involved with.

1:29:10 Stephen discusses cultural differences he has experienced raising his children in Canada.

1:33:04 Stephen explains the decisions he and his wife made regarding their children's education.

1:35:15 Stephen describes his children's relationships with their grandparents.

1:37:31 Stephen answers the question, "Do you feel Canadian?"

1:41:55 Stephen discusses his involvement with the Canada-South Africa Chamber of Business.

1:42:42 Stephen discusses the differences in being involved with the ex-South African community more broadly and the ex-South African Jewish community.

1:44:58 Stephen discusses his children's connections to South Africa, which he says are quite limited.

1:46:37 Stephen shares food words and expressions that he shared with his children and which they now use.

1:47:55 Stephen offers a few final remarks about his decision to immigrate to Canada and the relationship between Canadian identity, Jewish/Israeli identity, and South African identity.

Source

Oral Histories

Israel, the Opportunity for New Beginnings

An Indoor Life

Name

Karrie Weinstock

Number

OH 435

Subject

Immigrants--Canada

Interview Date

11 Jul. 2016

Interviewer

Lisa Newman

Total Running Time

OH 435 part 1: 22 min.

OH 435 part 2: 11 min.

OH 435 part 3: 22 min.

OH 435 part 4: 5 min.

Biography

Karrie’s life has long been characterized by both privilege and an acute sensitivity to the challenges facing those less fortunate than herself. Although she grew up in a happy professional family, her childhood was marked by uncertainty. Her father, Jack Unterhalter, was a civil-rights lawyer in the apartheid era, active in left-wing politics, and Karrie recalls him keeping a packed briefcase by the door during the state of emergency in case the authorities should come for him.

As a young woman, Karrie studied to be an English teacher at Homerton College, Cambridge. She then returned to South Africa, where she taught for two years, before moving to Boston to pursue a master’s degree in educational administration, planning, and social policy at Harvard. Upon graduating, she took a position at Milton Academy, an independent school in Boston. She enjoyed her time there but chose to relocate to Toronto, where she had an aunt. For over three decades, she has worked at Branksome Hall, first as an English teacher, then as an administrator, and now in her current role as deputy principal.

In 1985, Karrie married Michael Weinstock, a native Torontonian, whose family embraced her as one of their own. Both Karrie and Michael had been married previously, and, through her marriage to Michael, she inherited three beautiful stepdaughters. Karrie and Michael had a child of their own, a son who shares his mother’s love of South Africa, visiting the country each year.

Recognizing her great fortune in life, Karrie gives back through her volunteer work with the Stephen Leacock Foundation, which, among other initiatives, supports low-fee independent schools in South Africa that are connected to independent and public schools in Canada so as to form a unique triangle of hope.

Material Format

moving images

Language

English

Name Access

Weinstock, Karen

Geographic Access

Boston (Mass.)

Cambridge (England)

Jamestown (South Africa)

Johannesburg (South Africa)

Toronto (Ont.)

Original Format

Digital file

Transcript

Part 1:

00:00 Karrie outlines her immediate family. She was born in Johannesburg, South Africa.

01:28 Karrie discusses her family history. Her maternal grandfather was born in 1891 in Lithuania. He came to South Africa in 1914 to escape the military. Her maternal grandmother was born in 1903 in Lithuaniaf. Her paternal grandfather was born in 1888 in Poland. Her paternal grandmother, whose parents came from Lithuania, was born in London in 1893.

03:54 Karrie discusses her father's career as a civil rights lawyer. She discusses her father's role as a founding member of the Liberal Party in South Africa.

06:35 Karrie discusses the impact her father's political activism had on her family. She offers examples to illustrate the unique situation in her home while growing up (e.g. political meetings, fear of her father's imminent arrest, visits from political prisoners).

08:26 Karrie offers her impressions of the position taken by the greater Jewish community in South Africa.

09:27 Karrie explains why she and her siblings attended independent schools.

11:00 Karrie discusses her family's involvement in the Jewish community and Jewish practice.

13:15 Karrie discusses how her parents stressed the importance of education and viewed education as a means of leaving South Africa. She discusses the education paths of her siblings as well as her own. Karrie received her teaching qualifications at Cambridge and earned a master's degree in administration planning and social policy at Harvard.

15:34 Karrie lives in Canada. Her sister lives in London. Her brother opted to return to South Africa.

16:38 Karrie relates an anecdote that compares her current situation of seeing her mother once a year with Black workers in South Africa who saw their children once a year.

17:48 Karrie explains that both her sister and brother were unable to return to South Africa for a period of time. In her sister's case it was due to her political activity; in her brother's case, it was due to his refusal to serve in the military.

18:55 Karrie discusses her "charmed" life growing up.

20:54 Karrie discusses her teaching qualifications and first teaching position at an independent school for mixed-race students.

Part 2:

00:56 Karrie discusses her experience at Harvard. Specifically, she mentions a friendship.

06:09 Karrie explains why her parents preferred that she not return to South Africa.

07:09 Karrie relates the story of finding a job at Milton Academy in Boston following graduation.

Part 3:

00:00 Karrie explains how she decided to move to Toronto.

03:45 Karrie explains how she became engaged and married to Clive Lovett in 1979. She explains the factors that contributed to the end of their four-year marriage.

05:16 Karrie discusses her teaching and administrative responsibilities at Branksome Hall.

12:59 Karrie describes meeting and marrying Michael Weinstock. Michael has three children from a previous marriage. Karrie and Michael have one son together.

15:20 Karrie explains how Peter Oliver, a prominent South African-born Toronto philanthropist and businessman, arranged to fund and build an independent school, the Get-Ahead Project School in rural South Africa. She explains her involvement with the project and the connection with Branksome Hall, Rose Avenue Public School, a high-needs school in Toronto, and the Get-Ahead Project School in South Africa.

Part 4:

00:00 Karrie continues to describe the inter-school program that has been set up for students at Branksome Hall, a school in Jamestown; Toronto, and the Get-Ahead school.

02:26 Karrie discusses her role on the board of the Leacock Foundation and her opportunity to further the inter-school program. She cites an example of how they contributed to the Get-Ahead school.

04:17 Karrie reminisces about times when she felt Canadian.

Source

Oral Histories

A Triangle of Hope

A Packed Suitcase by the Door

A Charmed Existence