Accession Number
1992-8-3
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1992-8-3
Material Format
graphic material
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 10 cm
Date
1941-1943
Scope and Content
This accession consists of a photograph of Anne Tulchinsky in her uniform for the Brantford Red Cross Nursing Auxiliary.
Subjects
World War, 1939-1945
Name Access
Tulchinsky, Anne
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1998-12-4
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1998-12-4
Material Format
graphic material
Physical Description
56 photographs : b&w and col. (27 negatives) ; 20 x 25 cm or smaller
1 postcard
Date
1909-[ca. 1980]
Scope and Content
Accession consists of a collection of copy and original photographs documenting the life of the Dime family and their relatives in locations including Belleville, Oshawa, Toronto, the Muskoka Sanitorium, and Goose Bay, Labrador.
Photo Captions:
001: Sam and Dorothy Dime, Dime’s Drug Store, 568 Jarvis Street, Toronto, [1957?].
002: Street view of Dime’s Pharmacy, 568 Jarvis Street, Toronto, 1960.
003: Sgt. Sam Dime, Pharmacy, Goose Bay Labrador, 1944.
004: Ada Dime, with Ben [Safe] and Sam Dime, secondhand furniture, 56 King St. West, Oshawa, ON, 1921.
005: Sam Dime with dog [4F], Goose Bay, Labrador, 1944.
006: Sam Dime, 56 King St. W., Oshawa, ON, ca. 1920-21.
007: Rabbi Isaac Stein with grandchildren Izzie (left) and Donna, Toronto, 1930.
008: Portrait of Ada Dime (née Aronson) with her brother Sammy Aronson, 273 Yonge Street, Toronto, ca. 1915.
009: Portrait of David and Sammy Tobe, Belleville, ON, [1909]. Photograph by R. McCormick Belleville.
010: Morris Bernard of Belleville, Overseas, First World War, ca. 1918.
011: David Dime, (age 25), 1914. The Dutch Studio Vander Feen, 318 Yonge St. Toronto, ON, [192-?].
012: Unidentified group of children, [19--?].
013: Portrait of Mr. and Mrs. Tobe with their children David and Sammy, Belleville, ON, [1920]. Photograph by R. McCormick Belleville.
014: Portrait of David and Ada Dime with daughter Anne, Belleville, ON, ca. 1915.
015: Mickey and Riva Marcus, Belleville, ON, ca. 1917-18.
016: Ada Dime, 30 Simcoe Street, Oshawa, ON, 1930.
017: Tobie Green (m. Dime), her brother Hershel Goldman and Goldie Fryman, St. Patrick Street Between Elm & Dundas, [Toronto], ON, 1924.
018: Cheder class, Oshawa Hebrew Congregation, Beth Zion,45 Albert Street in Oshawa, Ontario, 1922. Back row (L to R): Simma Engel, Rabbi Primack's son, Rabbi Primack's daughter, Annie Dime, Annie Hennick, Sara Rainish. Front row (L to R): Clara Engel (m. Rubin), Maxie Rainish, Irving Oilgissor, Becky Rainish, Sam Dime, [Primack child?], Rabbi Primack.
019: David Dime (back row, right), Muskoka Sands, July ca. 1922
020: Oshawa Belleville group, Belleville, Ontario, ca. 1930. Back row: Mr. Diamond, Goldie Engel, Abe Swartz, [unidentified], Faige Swartz, Sarah Golub, Sue [Sape], Hymie Golub. Front row: Mrs. Lepofsky, Mildred Golub.
021: National Council of Jewish Women, 44 St. George Street, ca. 1943. Also pictured is Betty Stone and Dora Stein (4th left).
022: Sam Dime, Dime’s Pharmacy, 568 Jarvis Street, Toronto, ca. 1951.
023: Dorothy Stein (m. Dime) at closing of canteen, 44 St. George Street, Toronto, 1945. Photographer Globe & Mail.
024: Ada and David Dime, Muskoka Sands, Gravenhurst, ca. 1922.
025: Canadian Jewish Congress Service Mens Club postcard, ca. 1940s.
026: Mrs. Ada Dime, Dime’s Dry Goods, 30 Simcoe St. S., Oshawa, ON, 1926.
027: David Dime (left), with orphans in Baron de Hirsch Farm in Saskatchewan, ca. 1906.
Administrative History
The donor Sam Dime served in the Second World War. In 1947 Sam and his wife Dorothy Dime (née Stein) opened Dime's Drug Store at 568 Jarvis Street in Toronto. The pair operated the Jarvis Street institution for thirty-nine years and officially closed their store in 1986.
Use Conditions
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the Archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Subjects
World War, 1939-1945
Places
Oshawa (Ont.)
Belleville (Ont.)
Muskoka (Ont. : District municipality)
Saskatchewan
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1984-5-7
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1984-5-7
Material Format
object
graphic material
Physical Description
1 coin
16 photographs : b&w ; 7 x 10 cm
Date
1939-1945
Scope and Content
This accession consists of one Mount Sinai Lodge A.F. & A.M. No. 522 G.R.C. 25th anniversary coin. The coin has the lodge's coat of arms on the recto and a set of tablets with the words "keep these and good fortune will be yours" on the verso.
Also included are 16 photographs of the Allied Forces (including the Canadian Army) at Bergen-Belsen in April 1945 following the liberation of the camp. Pictured are the general grounds, mass graves with sign markers, a group of (local German?) women crowded around the back of an army truck, army personnel observing and taking photographs of a deceased victim, a crematoria, and Sam Pizel (standing right) and other servicemen with a box of human ashes.
Administrative History
Sam Pizel (?-29 Sept. 2004) was married to Lily and was the brother of Irving Pizel.
Use Conditions
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Descriptive Notes
Availability of other formats: Digitized material.
Subjects
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)
World War, 1939-1945
Name Access
Pizel, Sam
Bergen-Belsen
Places
Germany
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1994-10-1
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1994-10-1
Material Format
graphic material
Physical Description
6 photographs : b&w (3 negatives) ; 13 x 18 cm and 13 x 10 cm
Date
1943-1945
Scope and Content
Accession consists of copy photographs documenting Lt. Jack Troster's Second World War military service as a machine gunner with the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa. Included is an image of a group of servicemen in Nymegen, Holland, in January 1945, an image of Jack in his uniform (July 1943), and an image of Jack and another servicemen holding up a picture of Hitler possibly in Germany (1945?).
Identified in the photographs are: Jack Troster, Capt. Butler, Lt. W. Sharp, Major MacPherson, Lt. R. Ashman, Lt. Col. R. Ross, Capt. J. Woodward, and Pipe Major Scott.
Use Conditions
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Subjects
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1989-2-5
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1989-2-5
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Date
1895-1966
Scope and Content
Accession consists of personal documents of Kate Risidore Devor including registration of her birth in 1895 in London, England; immigration inspection card issued at the Port of Quebec (1912); New York State marriage certificate for Harry Devor and Kate Risidore of St. Catharines, Ontario, married in 1914 in Niagara Falls, and their ketubah (Hebrew marriage certificate). As well, there is a newspaper clipping from the St. Catherines Standard of a speech by her son John, correspondence from two of her sons, Sydney and John serving in the military, and clippings and messages of condolence on the death of her son David while fighting in Italy (1944). These include cards and letters from King George of England, George Drew of Ontario, the Toronto War Memorial Committee, and Sam Bronfman, president of Canadian Jewish Congress. Finally there is Jewish National Fund correspondence documenting the planting of a tree by St. Catherines Hadassah in honour of Kate (1933), and a number of trees by Kate in memory of her brother and son (1966).
Administrative History
Four sons of Kate and William Harry Devor served in the Canadian forces during the Second World War - David, Berko, John, and Sydney.
Descriptive Notes
Availability of other formats: Digitzed material.
Subjects
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Name Access
Devor, Kate
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1987-5-4
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1987-5-4
Material Format
graphic material
textual record
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 25 cm
1 folder of textual records
Date
1944-1946
Scope and Content
Accession consists of records documenting Saul Sheffer's service in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War as a Sick Berth Attendant and a group photo of the personnel of "I Division" H.M.C. York.
Administrative History
Saul Sheffer held a degree in Pharmacy from the University of Toronto (1938).
Subjects
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Name Access
Sheffer, Saul
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2004-5-54
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2004-5-54
Material Format
graphic material
Physical Description
23 photographs : b&w (11 negatives) 13 x 18 cm or smaller
Date
1915-[ca. 1966]
Scope and Content
Accession consists of copy photographs documenting the military career of Jack Aarons in England, Egypt, and Palestine during the First World War and at military parades in Toronto after the Second World War. There is also a photograph of the inerior of the Murray House catering kitchen on Steeles Avenue about 1966.
Subjects
World War, 1914-1918
World War, 1939-1945
Places
Egypt
England
Palestine
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2004-5-120
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2004-5-120
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Date
1942-1977
Scope and Content
Accession consists of two letters written to his family while he was overseas serving in the Royal Air force during the Second World War. One describes celebrating Rosh Hashanah in South Africa, and the other exploring Palestine (including several kibbutz settlements) while on active service in Egypt. As well there is a biography of William printed on a card and sent to contributors who planted trees in Canada Park in Israel in his memory.
Administrative History
William Greenberg was born in 1905 and passed away in 1977.
Subjects
Kibbutzim
Rosh ha-Shanah
World War, 1939-1945
Name Access
Greenberg, William, 1905-1977
Places
Egypt
Palestine
South Africa
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2005-9-6
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2005-9-6
Material Format
graphic material
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w ; 25 x 19 cm or smaller
Date
1942-1945
Scope and Content
Accession consists of 2 copy photographs of brothers Sam Rogow and Ralph Rogow in their RCAF and Army uniforms (respectively). There is also a copy of letter sent to Mrs. Mary Rogow, parents of Ralph and Sam, from Rabbi Samuel Cass.
Administrative History
Sam Rogow was in the Royal Canadian Air Force and Ralph Rogow was a private in the Canadian Army during the Second World War.
Use Conditions
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Descriptive Notes
Availability of other formats: Digitized material.
Subjects
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Name Access
Rogow, Ralph
Rogow, Sam
Cass, Samuel
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2006-2-10
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2006-2-10
Material Format
graphic material
Physical Description
32 photographs : b&w ; 16 x 10 cm
Date
[ca. 1940]-[ca. 1949]
Scope and Content
Accession consists of thirty-two copy photographs of the Smith family, including images of the donor's father David during the Second World War while stationed in Quebec City, Halifax, England and eventually imprisoned in prisoner of war (POW) camp Stalag Luft III in Germany. In addition there are photographs of the donor's grandparents Max and Rose's singles resort at Port Carling in the Muskokas called Smith's Bay House and holiday photos from Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and a Passover seder. Additional locations of photos include Young Judaea's Camp Hagshama in Perth, Ontario and Toronto city street views of Bloor Street and Palmerston Boulevard.
Administrative History
Max and Rose Smith opened a resort for Jewish singles in Port Carling, Muskoka in 1938. The resort was kosher and offered Jewish content to visitors. Boys and girls bunked seperately.
Rose Smith sold the resort in 1955 shortly after Max passed away.
According to David Smith's daughter Miriam "What my dad and my aunt told me is that Smith's Bay House is where the young people went, not the older folks, as is stated in Andrew's article. I think the discrepancy is that after the war, when the soldiers came home, there were more young people around working and going on vacation. They told me that my grandfather would go around at 11pm, making sure all the visitors were sleeping where they should be and that there were no shenanigans going on! Also of note, the first summer they opened, 1938, in the first group of visitors included a young man who would become my aunt's husband. They met there. My aunt loved to tell that story."
Suzanne Smith (née Beskin) and David Samuel Smith met at Cornell University in the spring of 1946, after David returned from service in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. Suzanne was living in the United States and attending Columbia University. She worked as a libraian at Cornell. David studied hotel administration. They married in 1947 and moved back to Toronto in 1948.
Use Conditions
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Subjects
Fasts and feasts--Judaism
Summer resorts
World War, 1939-1945
Places
Germany
Halifax (N.S.)
Muskoka (Ont. : District municipality)
Perth (Ont.)
Québec (Province)
Québec (Québec)
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2006-4-4
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2006-4-4
Material Format
multiple media
Physical Description
3 photographs : b&w (tif)
5 documents (tif)
1 folder of textual records
1 DVD
1 videocassette
Date
1941-2004
Scope and Content
Accession consists of copies of electronic copies of photographs, postcards and telegrams as well as newsclippings, a video and a DVD documenting the career of Sam Shapiro in the RCAF and his time as a Prisoner of War at Stalag Luft 3 in Poland.
Administrative History
Sam Shapiro enlisted as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force in September 1940. He received his wings in Brantford and was sent overseas in April 1941 as a sergeant pilot. He was in Squadron ten and flew eight successful missions before his plane was shot down over Holland in August 1941, killing two of the crew.
Shapiro was captured by German forces on 17 August 1941 and was taken to Stalag Luft 3 camp in Poland, where the "Great Escape" took place. Shapiro was not part of the breakout, but did help dig the tunnel that allowed seventy-six of his fellow prisoners to escape.
While a Prisoner of War, Shapiro was promoted to warrant officer. He was liberated on 16 April 1945 and arrived in England five days later. Shortly after arriving home in 1945, Shapiro received the YMCA sports badge for his conduct in the POW camp and the Canadian Volunteer Service medal. He married his fiance Geraldine Perlman in 1945.
Use Conditions
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Subjects
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Name Access
Shapiro, Sam.
Stalag Luft 3
Perlman, Geraldine
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2007-6-27
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2007-6-27
Material Format
graphic material
textual record
Physical Description
12 photographs : b&w and sepia ; 14 x 9 cm and smaller
1 folder of textual records
Date
1944-1945
Scope and Content
This accession consists of photographs taken during the Second World War. Most of the photographs were taken at the Bergen-Belson Concentration Camp. There is also an original letter written by Alex Pancer to his mother in 1945, describing life as a serviceman during the Second World War and a transcription of that letter by the donor.
Administrative History
Alex Pancer (1923-2001) was born in Toronto in 1923. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Airforce in 1942 at the age of 19 and joined the photo reconnaissance unit. He saw combat in France, Germany and Holland. He married Bella Pancer in 1959, and had two sons, Jeff (b. 1960) and Daryl (b. 1963).
Subjects
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Name Access
Pancer, Alex, 1923-2001
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2007-6-36
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2007-6-36
Material Format
textual record
graphic material (electronic)
Physical Description
3 photographs : b&w (jpg)
1 textual record
Date
1923-2004
Scope and Content
Accession consists of one issue of the Jewish Standard, from June 2004, two scanned copy photographs of Sid Slepkov during the Second World War, and one scanned copy photograph of Sid's father Morris in front of his clothing store, the Fashion Cloak and Fur Co. in St. Catharines, Ontario.
The photographs are as follows:
1. Sydney Slepkov in decompression chamber, Second World War.
2. Morris Slepkov outside his store, 1923.
3. Sydney Slepkov, 1944.
Custodial History
The original photographs are in the possession of the donor. The OJA was granted permission to scan the photos in June 2007, as part of the Ontario Small Jewish Communities initiative. These copies were then donated to the Archives on 2007-06-04.
Use Conditions
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Subjects
World War, 1939-1945
Business
Communities
Name Access
Slepkov, Sid
Slepkov, Morris
Places
St. Catharines, Ont.
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2007-7-1
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2007-7-1
Material Format
graphic material
textual record
object
Physical Description
20 photographs : b&w
2 folders of textual records
2 badges
Date
1943-1945
Scope and Content
Accession consists of textual and graphic materials documenting Alex Pancer's military career during the Second World War, both in Canada and overseas. The images depict Pancer in military dress, portraits of his Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Mobile Field Photographic Section and fellow servicemen, German soldiers, photo images created by Pancer as keepsakes or postcards, and a few reconnaissance photographs. The textual documents include postcards, an RCAF newspaper, Pancer's autograph book and loose sheets containing the names and contact information of fellow servicemen, RCAF correspondence including Pancer's record of birth, last will and testament, life insurance documentation and certificate of education, train berthing and identity cards, a meal ticket, and Pancer's discharge papers. The accession also includes two sew-on jacket badges.
Custodial History
The records were in the custody of Alex Pancer's son, Jeff, until they were donated to the Archives on 2007-07-09.
Administrative History
Alex Pancer (1923-2001) was born in Toronto in 1923. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Airforce in 1942 at the age of 19 and joined the photo reconnaissance unit. He saw combat in France, Germany and Holland. He married Bella Pancer in 1959, and had two sons, Jeff (b. 1960) and Daryl (b. 1963).
Descriptive Notes
Availability of other materials: Digitized material.
Subjects
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Name Access
Pancer, Alex, 1923-2001
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2008-1-7
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2008-1-7
Material Format
graphic material (electronic)
Physical Description
5 photographs : b&w and sepia (tiff)
Date
[ca. 1914]-1942
Scope and Content
This accession consists of five scanned photographs of David Hart and his father Alfred E. Hart in military dress. Three of the photographs feature Alfred during the First World War in an army uniform and one photograph features Alfred in his uniform standing with David in a naval dress on the street in Toronto. The final photograph is of a victory parade on Yonge Street after the First World War (original source: the City of Toronto Archives, fonds 1568, Item 314). The photograph features Brodey Draimin Fur Co. in the background and was originally published in the Toronto Star.
Administrative History
Alfred E. Hart was in the Canadian infantry during the First World War and fought in four major battles. He was the owner of the Brodey Draimin Fur Company, located on Yonge Street in Toronto. His son, David, was in the Naval Home Guard, Royal Regiment, during the Second World War.
Use Conditions
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Descriptive Notes
Related material note: see oral history 375 for David Hart's account of his wartime experiences.
Subjects
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1914-1918
World War, 1939-1945
Name Access
Hart, David
Hart, Alfred E.
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2009-2-1
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2009-2-1
Material Format
graphic material
Physical Description
42 photographs : b&w ; 10 x 13 cm
Date
[ca. 1945]
Scope and Content
This accession consists of photographs taken by an unknown individual—likely someone in the government or military—during the Second World War. The photographs feature broken-down army equipment, soldiers, prison scenes, the German and Austrian countryside, destroyed buildings, and deceased and emaciated prisoners of concentration camps.
Custodial History
These photographs were given to Maxwell London following the end of the Second World War by a British officer. They were kept in his house until his death in 2003, at which point they came into the possession of his daughter Sandra London-Rakita. They were given to Susan Jackson of UJA Federation in November 2008, who passed them on to the Archives.
Administrative History
Pte. Maxwell London (1917-2003) was born in Toronto on 15 April 1917 to Morris and Jennie London from Russia. He married Marielle (nee McCall) London in 1957 in Montreal and had 2 daughters: Lynda and Sandra and 4 grandchildren Zachary Elkaim, Justin Elkaim, Ryan Rakita and Brianna Rakita. London was in the Royal Regiment of Canada during the Second World War. He was captured in 1942 at Dieppe and held as a POW in Stalags 8B and 2D. He was liberated at the end of the war and went to England before returning to Canada. He died on 13 December 2003.
Use Conditions
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Subjects
World War, 1939-1945
Name Access
London, Maxwell, 1917-2003
Source
Archival Accessions
Part Of
Sadie Stren fonds
Photographs file
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 78; File 3; Item 27
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Sadie Stren fonds
Photographs file
Level
Item
Fonds
78
File
3
Item
27
Material Format
graphic material
Date
Oct. 1945
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 18 x 13 cm and 12 x 10 cm
Scope and Content
This item is a copy photograph and corresponding negative of Sergeant Sam Rapoport of Brantford, Ontario, taken in Copenhagen during the Second World War.
Subjects
Portraits
Soldiers--Canada
World War, 1939-1945
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Places
Denmark
Accession Number
1978-11-3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Sadie Stren fonds
Photographs file
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 78; File 3; Item 32
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Sadie Stren fonds
Photographs file
Level
Item
Fonds
78
File
3
Item
32
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[between 1939 and 1945]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 18 x 13 cm and 12 x 10 cm
Admin History/Bio
Sgt. Kanter was with the Royal Canadian Artillery.
Scope and Content
This item is a copy print and corresponding negative of Sergeant Ben Kanter of Brantford, Ontario, in his military uniform, taken during the Second World War.
Name Access
Canada. Canadian Army
Subjects
Portraits
World War, 1939-1945
Accession Number
1978-11-3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Sadie Stren fonds
Photographs file
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 78; File 3; Item 31
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Sadie Stren fonds
Photographs file
Level
Item
Fonds
78
File
3
Item
31
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[between 1939 and 1945]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 18 x 13 cm and 12 x 10 cm
Scope and Content
This item is a copy print and corresponding negative of Max Rapoport of Brantford, Ontario in his military uniform, taken during the Second World War.
Subjects
Portraits
World War, 1939-1945
Accession Number
1978-11-3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Name
Ethel Abramsky
Material Format
sound recording
Interview Date
8 Nov. 1981
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Ethel Abramsky
Number
OH 42
Subject
World War, 1939-1945
Women
International Order Daughters of the Empire (IODE)
Interview Date
8 Nov. 1981
Quantity
2 cassettes (1 copy)
1 CD
4 WAV files
Interviewer
M. Feldman
Total Running Time
001: 30.53 minutes 002: 30.50 minutes 003: 31.25 minutes 004: 30.42 minutes
Conservation
Copied to cassette in August 2003.
Digitized in January 2015.
Notes
Sound quality poor in many sections.
Use Restrictions
Conditional access. Researchers must receive permission from the interviewee or their heir prior to accessing the interview. Please contact the OJA for more information.
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Biography
Ethel Abramsky (née Levin) came to live in Kingston after her marriage to Harry Abramsky in 1927. Ethel remained an active member of the Queen Esther Chapter of Hadassah throughout her life. Harry, an industrialist and business man, was a generous benefactor of Queens University and was instrumental in establishing Hillel House at Queens. Ethel and Harry had three children and eight grandchildren.
Material Format
sound recording
Language
English
Name Access
Abramsky, Ethel
Abramsky, Harry
Canadian Hadassah-WIZO
International Order Daughters of the Empire (IODE)
Geographic Access
Kingston (Ont.)
Florida
Poland
Original Format
Audio cassette
Copy Format
Digital file
Audio cassette
Transcript
G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 42 - Abramsky\OH42_001_Log.pdf
G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 42 - Abramsky\OH42_002_Log.pdf
G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 42 - Abramsky\OH42_003_Log.pdf
G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 42 - Abramsky\OH42_004_Log.pdf
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Montague Raisman
Material Format
sound recording
Interview Date
11 Jul. 1982
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Montague Raisman
Number
OH 64
Subject
Nonprofit organizations
Human rights
Antisemitism
World War, 1939-1945
Zionism
Interview Date
11 Jul. 1982
Quantity
1
Interviewer
Jack Lipinsky
Total Running Time
39:42 minutes
Conservation
Copied August 2003
Notes
Low sound volume
Use Restrictions
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Biography
Montague Raisman came to Canada from England in 1926. He was actively involved in B'nai Brith Toronto Lodge and held positions of office. He served as the commanding officer for the B'nai Brith Air Cadet Squadron in Toronto during the Second World War. He was instrumental in the formation of the Joint Public Relations Committee, a united Jewish voice in response to pro-Nazi activity.
Material Format
sound recording
Language
English
Name Access
Raisman, Montague
B'nai Brith
Lipinsky, Jack
Canadian Jewish Congress
Geographic Access
Toronto
Calgary (Alta.)
Montréal (Québec)
Original Format
Audio cassette
Copy Format
Audio cassette
Digital file
Transcript
G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 64 - Raisman\OH64_Log.pdf
Source
Oral Histories

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

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

Name
Rabbi Dr. David Monson
Material Format
sound recording
Interview Date
1 Dec. 1982
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Rabbi Dr. David Monson
Number
OH 70
Subject
World War, 1939-1945
Religion
Interview Date
1 Dec. 1982
Quantity
1
Interviewer
(not stated, likely Jack Lipinsky)
Total Running Time
OH70_001: 27 minutes OH70_002: 11 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
Rabbi David Monson came to Toronto from Ottawa in June 1939 to serve as the rabbi of the Shaarei Shomayim Synagogue. He served on the board of the Brusnswick Talmud Torah. He was a member of B'nai Zion and B'nai Brith and was the long-serving rabbi of Beth Shalom.
Material Format
sound recording
Language
English
Name Access
Monson, David
Canadian Jewish Congress. Ontario Region
Shaarei Shomayim Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
Lipinsky, Jack
Geographic Access
Toronto
Original Format
Audio cassette
Copy Format
Audio cassette
Digital file
Transcript
G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 70 - Monson\OH70_001_Log.pdf
G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 70 - Monson\OH70_002_Log.pdf
Source
Oral Histories

In this clip, Rabbi Monson discusses his early positive working relationships with rabbis within the Toronto Jewish community and explains how sectionalization became a post-war phenomenon.

In this clip, Rabbi Monson discusses the role and responsibilities of the Canadian Jewish Congress in Toronto from 1939 to 1948.

Name
Frank Schleifer
Material Format
sound recording
Interview Date
29 Jun. 1976
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Frank Schleifer
Number
OH 84
Subject
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Recreation
Families
Interview Date
29 Jun. 1976
Quantity
1
Interviewer
Larry Troster
Total Running Time
OH84_001: 45.20 minutes OH84_002: 11.00 minutes
Use Restrictions
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Biography
Frank was born on 4 January 1916 in Toronto. His parents were Charles Schleifer and Mary Schleifer (née Noble). At the age of three, his family moved to Sturgeon Falls, Ontario. In 1922, the family moved to Brantford, Ontario, where his mother's family lived. Frank left school at age sixteen to work at the family Cigar and Soda Fountain store when his father became ill. He opened Frank’s Billiard Parlour from 1941 to 1946. He was drafted into the army in 1943, where he served in the artillery and infantry. He started to work in Unemployment Insurance with the federal government. Frank married Bertha (née Moldaver) in 1937. They had one son, Charles, born in 1947. As a youth, Frank was involved with AZA (B'nai Brith youth organization). He was a member of B'nai Brith and served on the executive of the synagogue in Brantford.
Material Format
sound recording
Language
English
Name Access
Schleifer, Frank
Troster, Larry
Geographic Access
Brantford
Sturgeon Falls
Original Format
Audio cassette
Copy Format
Digital file
Transcript
G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 84 - Schleifer\OH84_001_Log.pdf
G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 84 - Schleifer\OH84_002_Log.pdf
Source
Oral Histories

In this clip, Frank Schleifer shares some early memories of growing up in Brantford, Ontario. He mentions some of the original Jewish families who settled in Brantford.

In this clip, Frank Schleifer describes his involvement in a variety of Jewish activities and groups during his youth, including AZA, summer camp and baseball.

Name
Dr. H. Fenigstein
Material Format
sound recording
Interview Date
24 Feb. 1976
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Dr. H. Fenigstein
Number
OH 244
Subject
Warsaw (Poland)--History--Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, 1943
Jewish ghettos
World War, 1939-1945
United States--Armed Forces
Concentration camps
Interview Date
24 Feb. 1976
Quantity
2 cassettes (1 copy)
2 WAV files
Total Running Time
58 minutes
Conservation
Copied August 2003
Digitized in 2014
Biography
Dr. H. Fenigstein was born in Warsaw, Poland in 1913. He was raised in an affluent, assimilated neighbourhood. He entered the study of medicine at the University of Warsaw in 1931. He served three years with the Military Academy for Sanitary Officers (i.e., for medical and paramedical graduates) in the Polish army. At the outbreak of the Second World War on 1 September 1939, Dr. Fenigstein worked at a military hospital. In April 1940, he was sent to the Warsaw Ghetto and started to work as the head of the pathology department at the Jewish Hospital. In 1948, Dr. Feningstein published "The History of the Jewish Hospital in Ghetto Warsaw." Some of his research was published in "The Hunger Disease," a collection of research papers that were hidden during the war. With the final liquidation of the Warsaw Ghetto, Dr. Fenigstein was transported to several labour camps and was liberated by the Americans on 30 April 1945. After the war, he moved to Munich, where he worked for UNRA and the University of Munich. Dr. Feningstein immigrated to Canada in September 1948. Dr. Feningstein died in 1993.
Material Format
sound recording
Geographic Access
Canada
Munich (Germany)
Warsaw (Poland)
Original Format
Audio cassette
Copy Format
Audio cassette
Digital file
Transcript
Side 1 00:00: Dr. Fenigstein graduated from high school in 1931 in Warsaw, Poland and studied medicine at the University of Warsaw. 00:26: Dr. Fenigstein recounts some of his earliest childhood memories relating to Russian occupation of Warsaw. For example, he recalls seeing horse-drawn streetcars carrying wounded Russian soldiers, German soldiers coming to Warsaw in 1916, German soldiers confiscating valuables from his home, bad food, etc. 2:18: Dr. Fenigstein’s family lived in an assimilated part of Warsaw, not with the majority of Jews. 3:00: Dr. Fenigstein’s father was a professional electrical engineer, who graduated from university in France in 1909. 3:30: Dr. Fenigstein lists his education history. 4:48: Dr. Fenigstein recalls a military coup in Warsaw in 1926 by Józef Pilsudski. 6:07: Dr. Fenigstein notes that his personal life was not affected until 1939. In 1939, he had been practicing medicine for three years and had served three years with the Military Academy for Sanitary Officers (i.e., for medical and paramedical graduates) in the Polish army. 6:55: Dr. Fenigstein was mobilized to serve in a military hospital when Germans attacked Poland on 1 September 1939. 7:12: Dr. Fenigstein describes his experiences at the outbreak of the war. 8:00: Dr. Fenigstein was wounded on 25 September 1939. He remained hospitalized as a wounded prisoner of war until April 1940. 8:41: Following his discharge, Dr. Fenigstein started to work in the Department of Pathology at the Jewish Hospital in Warsaw. Dr. Fenigstein explains how the hospital functioned. Over time (i.e., by 1941/42 until liquidation in April 1943), the hospital was fully staffed by Jews, and all the patients were Jews under supervision of German military officers. 10:52: Dr. Fenigstein published a book in Yiddish in 1948, “The History of the Jewish Hospital in Ghetto Warsaw.” Copies are available in Yad Vashem. 11:44: Dr. Fenigstein describes the restrictions placed on activities of Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto. 12:43: Dr. Fenigstein explains his role in the hospital. He was the head of the Department of Pathology until the first liquidation in the summer of 1942. The chief of the hospital was Dr. Josef Stein. Dr. Fenigstein did teaching and research. Some of his work was published in a book, “The Hunger Disease,” a collection of research papers that were hidden during the war. 14:30: Dr. Fenigstein recounts the events that led up to the first liquidation in the summer of 1942. He mentions that, although they were told that the transports were evacuation from the ghetto, there evidence that came to light to support that the transports led to liquidation. 17:03: Dr. Fenigstein explains that, despite hearing stories about liquidation at the time, he did not want to believe the reports could be true. 18:53: Dr. Fenigstein describes the evolvement of the underground clandestine Jewish resistance. The group was able to resist attempts by the Germans to liquidate the ghetto in January 1943 and on 19 April 1943. 21:05: Dr. Fenigstein gives an account of the Jewish population in Warsaw at the outbreak of the war, at the peak of the Warsaw Ghetto, and after the first two liquidations. He suggests that, of those remaining in the ghetto, several hundred put up a brave, strong resistance against the Germans in April 1943. 24:40: Dr. Fenigstein describes his work in the hospital after the second liquidation. Additionally, he worked in conjunction with the underground military force by stockpiling medical supplies in order to look after the wounded. 26:20: Dr. Fenigstein relates what happened to him after the April 1943 liquidation. He was transported first from Warsaw to Budzyn, a camp near Lublin, and later to another camp, where he worked from 30 April 1943 to 23 May 1944. Side 2 00:43: Dr. Fenigstein continues to recount his personal history. He was transported to a camp in Radom on 25 May 1944, where he worked in a factory building small weapons. Moved by foot 29 July 1944 to a moved-in freight cars arrived 5 August 1944 in Auschwitz. The women and weak were removed from the group. The remainder got back on freight cars. Arrived in a camp in Vaihiengen 9 August 1944. 4:43: Dr. Fenigstein describes the harsh conditions of the camp in Vaihiengen. 6:28: Dr. Fenigstein was selected to be a physician on a transport on 14 October 1944. He became the chief physician at Hessental near Schwabish Hall. 8:30: Dr. Fenigstein describes an outbreak of a typhus epidemic. 10:20: Left Camp Hessental on 5 April 1945 by foot and horse-drawn wagon. Arrived on 11 Aplril 1945 in Allach, near Dachau. 25 April 1945 shipped in open freight cars. Liberated by the Americans on 30 April 1945. 13:23: Dr. Fenigstein recounts that one of the Americans approached them speaking Yiddish. 13:52: Dr. Fenigstein explains that he was able to maintain good relationships with some SS officers due to the fact that he was a physician with some military training who spoke German. As a result, he was allowed to keep a few personal belongings (e.g., a photo, pencil, paper) and have some special privileges. 16:00: Dr. Fenigstein’s first wife was killed by Nazis in Majdanek in November 1943. 16:35: Dr. Josef Stein was killed during the final liquidation of the Warsaw Ghetto. 18:05: Adam Czerniakow, head of the Jewish council in the Warsaw Ghetto, committed suicide when he found out that the German were going to liquidate the Jewish population. 18:53: Dr. Fenigstein was thirty years old in 1943. 19:15: Dr. Fenigstein attributes his survival to good luck. He provides some examples. 21:50: Dr. Fenigstein recounts a few examples of how he was able to send messages to his sister amd wife with the help of a few sympathetic Poles. 25:05: Dr. Fenigstein discusses the time of liberation and immediately following liberation. The liberated inmates were transported to SS barracks initially and later sent to stay in SS garrisons in Munich. Then were placed in DP camps. Dr. Fenigstein worked as a physician for UNRA. Worked at the University of Munich. Married his second wife in Munich. Came to Canada in September 1948.
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Mike Rabovsky
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
13 Jun. 2007
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Mike Rabovsky
Number
OH 296
Subject
Owen Sound
Family history
Cadesky family
Beth Ezekiel
furniture business
World War, 1939-1945
Rabbi Kirschenbaum
Bar mitzvah
Mr. Amsterdam
Antisemitism
Sauble Beach
Cemeteries
Interview Date
13 Jun. 2007
Quantity
2 mini DV's, 1 archival DVD and 1 reference DVD
Interviewer
Sharon Gubbay Helfer
Notes
Ontario Small Jewish Communities Project
Availability of other formats: Also available as an M4V Video File
Use Restrictions
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Biography
Mike Rabovsky married Miriam Levinson, and their story is best told through this historical narrative:
Owen Sound's Beth Ezekiel Synagogue, a designated building under Ontario’s Heritage Act, remains the last example of the early small town synagogue that was once so common across Canada. The most compelling window in the synagogue is dedicated to the Rabovsky and Levison's families and tells the story of two immigrant families and the establishment of a Jewish community in Owen Sound.
The jagged shards of glass depict the Levison family's harrowing experience of Kristallnacht (night of broken glass), prelude to the Holocaust. Desperate to escape Germany, the family was just one boat ticket away from freedom. Moments before they were to leave, an elderly couple offered their tickets to the Levisons, effectively sealing their own fate as victims of the Final Solution, while giving the young family a chance to escape the coming storm. Waiting out the war in China, the family eventually made it to Canada where Manfred Levison immediately began to look for work as a Rabbi. At the same time, Isaac Ezekiel Cadesky, a refugee of the Russian pogroms and the man for whom our Synagogue is named, was looking for a Rabbi to serve Owen Sound's bourgeoning Jewish community. Manfred Levison took the job, and in time his daughter Miriam married Isaac's grandson Mike.
Miriam met Myer (Mike) Rabovsky. He was 29 and she was 19. Theirs was a happy marriage, lasting more than fifty years. Miriam and Mike had one daughter, Goldie (m. Bruce Ronald) and two grandchildren.
Material Format
moving images
Original Format
Mini DV
Copy Format
DVD
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Morris Lazarus
Material Format
sound recording
Interview Date
8 Jun. 2010
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Morris Lazarus
Number
OH 367
Subject
Canada--Armed Forces
Canada--Prisoners of war
World War, 1939-1945
First Special Service Forces
Airbourne commandos
Interview Date
8 Jun. 2010
Quantity
1 reference DVD (WAV file)
1 archival DVD (Wav file)
Interviewer
Stephanie Markowitz
Total Running Time
37 minutes
Notes
This interview is part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
http://www.thememoryproject.com/search/?query=morris+lazarus
Biography
Morris Lazarus was born in Wood Mountain, Saskatchewan and moved to Toronto in 1938. After enlisting in 1942 in the Canadian Forces, he served with the Airbourne Commandos and participated in Operation Mount La Difensa, part of the Italian Campaign. He was also stationed in Anzio, Italy. Lazarus was captured and taken prisoner by the Germans. Lazarus was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.
Material Format
sound recording
Geographic Access
Saskatchewan
Kingston (Ont.)
Italy
Original Format
DVD
Copy Format
DVD
Transcript
0.8-2.38 Morris Lazarus was born 1918 on a homestead in Wood Mountain, Saskatchewan. After living briefly in Regina, the family moved to Toronto in 1938. 2.40-3.00: Lazarus talks about his enlistment in the army. 3.00-3.28: Background noise interrupts conversation. 3.30-4.45: Lazarus talks about his enlistment in the army. 4.46-6.52: Lazarus talks about volunteering for the Canadian Para Battalion. 6.53-7.59: Lazarus talks about being sent to a military camp in Montreal. 8.00-9.30: Lazarus talks about his parachute training while stationed in Ethan Allen, Vermont. 9.31-13.49: Lazarus tells the story of his first parachute jump from a plane. 13.50-14.45: Lazarus talks about being sent overseas first to Algiers and then Naples. 14.46-15.06: Interviewer tells Morris she can hear him playing with a kleenex in his hand and to it. Morris apologizes. 15.20-16.25: Lazarus talks about his participation in Operation “Mount La Difensa.” 16.25-19.00: Lazarus describes the climb to reach the summit of Mount La Difensa. 19.01-19.24: Lazarus talks about his commanding officer. 19.25-21.00: Lazarus continues to talk about climbing the summit of Mount La Difensa. 21.01-21.47: Lazarus provides a humorous antecdote about what to do when you are in a foxhole and need to use the washroom. 21.48-22.47: Lazarus talks about the attack procedure to take Mount La Difensa. 22.48-23.16: Lazarus talks about an incident involving himself and his commanding officer during the attack to take Mount La Diefensa. 23.17-25.17: Lazarus talks about his relationship with his commanding officer. 25.18-26.00: Lazarus talks about volunteering in the field. 26.01-28.16: Lazarus talks about the most unusual thing that happened to him in his lifetime while on patrol at Anzio. 28.17-31.14: Morris tells the story of his capture by a German patrol. 31.15-32.33: Morris talks about his feelings as a Jew being taken prisoner by Germans. 32.34-34.20: Morris describes the ensuing fight between his platoon and the German patrol. 34.21-35.22: Morris talks about his survival during his capture and ensuing fight. 35.23-36.29: Morris talks about overcoming his fear of going on patrol. 36.30-36.58: Morris talks about the sixtieth reunion of the men with whom he served in Italy. 36.59-37.30: Morris talks about his present day involvement in Kingston’s Jewish community.
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Rita Tate
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
8 Jun. 2010
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Rita Tate
Number
OH 368
Subject
World War, 1939-1945
Poland
Polish underground
People's Army
Concentration camps
Antisemitism
Jewish ghettos
Interview Date
8 Jun. 2010
Quantity
1 referece DVD (WAV file)
1 archival DVD (WAV file)
Interviewer
Shayla Howell
Total Running Time
45:40 seconds
Notes
This interview is part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
http://www.thememoryproject.com/search?query=rita+tate
Biography
Rita was born in Vienna, Austria on 10 January 1932. Rita served in the Polish underground with the People's Army as a courier in the Armia Ludowa. Rita and her mother became involved in the Polish resistance and following the capture of her mother by the German Gestapo, Rita was placed in a Catholic orphanage located near the Warsaw Ghetto. Rita maintained a non-Jewish identity throughout the war. Rita’s mother who was murdered as a Polish political prisoner in Aushwitz, received a posthumous medal for being a war hero.
Material Format
moving images
Geographic Access
Poland
Original Format
DVD
Transcript
2:05: Rita was born in Vienna, Austria on 10 January 1932. Her father was Austrian, and her mother was Polish, 3:10: Rita served with Army Ludova, the People’s Army of Poland, underground resistance. Rita explains there were 2 factions: the Land Army (which was antisemitic) and the much smaller Army Ludova (a left-wing faction supported by Communists in Russia and not antisemitic). 4:37: Rita explains how her mother and she became involved in the resistance movement. Rita explains that they had excellent counterfeit documents, her mother had a job, and they had a place to live. 6:55: Rita describes how she and her mother escaped from Lvov, where they had been living in squalor with her mother’s extended family. 8:32: Rita recounts an incident involving hiding in the home of a Polish woman. She and her mother miraculously escaped capture by German soldiers and trained police dogs. 13:50: Rita and her mother escape to Tarnow, Poland, where they have a friend. Rita explains how the friend, a young man, was able to acquire Polish documents for them, rent an apartment for them, and find a job for her mother at the German Club. 15:44: Rita recounts an incident involving police coming to their building. She explains how her mother had prepared her for this event and how she was familiar with Catholic prayer and practice. 19:50: Rita explains how her mother introduced the idea of getting involved in the underground resistance. She and her mother went to Warsaw to join the Army Ludova. 22:21: Rita describes her job as a courier with the resistance at the age of ten years from October 1942 to March 1943. Rita would deliver messages that were written on small pieces of paper that were braided into her hair. 24:09: Rita explains how her mother was taken by the Germans in March 1943 and how she evaded capture. She was taken into the home of a woman who was involved in the other branch of the Polish resistance. Rita’s mother had been arrested and sent to a German Gestapo prison in Warsaw, Pawiak. 31:46: Rita was placed in an antisemitic Catholic orphanage, located next to the ghetto. 32:41: Rita ran away from the orphanage. 33:41: Rita’s mother was murdered in Auschwitz as a Polish political prisoner. Her mother did not give any information. 35:52: Rita recalls how the resistance fighters celebrated the victory of the Red Army defending Stalingrad. 39:39: Rita maintained a non-Jewish identity throughout the war. After the war, she found a maternal aunt. Together, they moved to Silesia. When they attempted to secure official documents, they were advised by the secret police to never disclose that they were Jewish. 43:00: Rita explains that after the war, there were several pogroms carried out by Poles against surviving Jews (e.g., Kielce). 44:50: Rita’s mother received a posthumous medal for being a war hero.
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Roy Waisberg
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
9 Jun. 2010
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Roy Waisberg
Number
OH 369
Subject
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Interview Date
9 Jun. 2010
Quantity
1 reference DVD (WAV file)
1 archival DVD (WAV file)
Interviewer
Marie Eve Deleris
Total Running Time
23:57 seconds
Notes
This interview is part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
http://www.thememoryproject.com/search?query=waisberg
Biography
Roy Waisberg born in Toronto in 1920. He served in the Royal Canadian Air Force with 409 squadron as an airplane electrician from 1941 to 1945. Stationed overseas in various cities in Britain, France, Belgium, and Germany, Roy married his wife Hila while serving in Europe. Hilda came to Canada as a war bride.
Material Format
moving images
Geographic Access
Belgium
France
Germany
United Kingdom
Original Format
DVD
Transcript
00:00: Roy served in the RCAF with the rank of aircraftsman, second class. 00:21: Roy was born in Toronto and lived in the Queen and Broadview area. His parents immigrated to Canada from Russia circa 1904. 00:59: Roy briefly addresses his Jewish upbringing. 1:46: Roy explains why he enlisted. 2:56: Roy discusses other Jews who served with him. In particular, he mentions (?)Wunch and Norman Layton (formerly Leibowitz). Norman later became president of General Wingate Branch and is buried in that section of the cemetery. 5:08: Roy comments that Jews in his squadron were treated well. He did not follow kashrut. 620: Roy shares some memories. 7:30: Roy lists the countries in Europe in which he was stationed. He points out that Normandy was a war zone. He describes his duties as an electrician in the ground crew. 9:02: Roy mentions his contact with civilians while overseas and continues to list locations where he served. 11:40: Roy recalls when the war was over. 14:21: Roy discusses how he met and married his wife while he was serving in Europe. His wife, Hilda, came to Canada after the war with other war brides. 18:04: Roy explains that his wife adjusted well to Canada. He discusses how they brought his mother-in-law to Toronto and how they cared for her. 19:43: After the war, Roy worked in his father’s business selling lighting fixtures and electrical parts. 22:25: Roy discusses his involvement in Jewish life (e.g., attending synagogue daily).
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Carl Dubin
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
9 Jun. 2010
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Carl Dubin
Number
OH 370
Subject
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)
Interview Date
9 Jun. 2010
Quantity
1 reference DVD (WAV file)
1 archival DVD (WAV file)
Interviewer
Shayla Howell
Total Running Time
37:08 seconds
Notes
This interview is part of The Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on May 13, 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
http://www.thememoryproject.com/stories/1052:carl-dubin/
Biography
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.
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Nathan Isaacs
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
9 Jun. 2010
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Nathan Isaacs
Number
OH 371
Subject
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)
Interview Date
9 Jun. 2010
Quantity
1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
Interviewer
Shayla Howell
Total Running Time
26:47
Notes
Nathan 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
Nathan served with 427 Lion Squadron in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1942 to 1945 as a navigator. He was stationed in Europe.
Material Format
moving images
Geographic Access
Europe
Original Format
DVD
Source
Oral Histories
Name
David Rose
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
9 Jun. 2010
Source
Oral Histories
Name
David Rose
Number
OH 372
Subject
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Interview Date
9 Jun. 2010
Quantity
1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
Interviewer
Sam Gogonovich
Total Running Time
27:27
Notes
David was interviewed as part oftThe Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Dominion Institute.
Biography
David served with the Royal Canadian Army from 1942 to 1946 as a wireless operator / signal man attached to army headquarters. He was stationed in the United Kingdom and France and was involved in the Normandy campaign.
Material Format
moving images
Geographic Access
France
United Kingdom
Original Format
DVD
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Larry Helfand
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
9 Jun. 2010
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Larry Helfand
Number
OH 373
Subject
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Interview Date
9 Jun. 2010
Quantity
1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
Interviewer
Marie Eve Deleris
Total Running Time
18:21
Notes
Larry was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica-Dominion Institute.
Biography
Larry served in the RCA from 1940 to 1946 in anti-aircraft work. He was stationed in Aldershot, England and witnessed V-E (Victory in Europe) Day.
Material Format
moving images
Original Format
DVD
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Louis Gelman
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
9 Jun. 2010
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Louis Gelman
Number
OH 374
Subject
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Interview Date
9 Jun. 2010
Quantity
1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
Interviewer
Stephanie Markowitz
Total Running Time
25:10
Notes
Louis was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
Biography
Louis served in the Royal Canadian Army from 1943–1945 as a soldier. He was stationed in Europe and was part of a Black Watch platoon during the Dieppe Raid.
Material Format
moving images
Original Format
DVD
Source
Oral Histories
Name
David Hart
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
9 Jun. 2010
Source
Oral Histories
Name
David Hart
Number
OH 375
Subject
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Interview Date
9 Jun. 2010
Quantity
1 reference DVD (2 WAV files); 1 archival DVD (2 WAV files)
Interviewer
Shayla Howell
Total Running Time
File 1: 26:00
File 2: 1:20
Notes
David was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
Biography
David served in the Royal Canadian Navy from September 1942 to May 1944 on the homefront in Halifax and Calgary.
Material Format
moving images
Geographic Access
Calgary (Alta.)
Halifax (N.S.)
Original Format
DVD
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Hy Chud
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
9 Jun. 2010
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Hy Chud
Number
OH 376
Subject
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Interview Date
9 Jun. 2010
Quantity
1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
Interviewer
Marie Eve Deleris
Total Running Time
35:08
Notes
Hy was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
Biography
Hy served in the Royal Canadian Army from 1942 to 1945 as a printer. He was stationed in Europe and was involved in the Normandy campaign.
Material Format
moving images
Geographic Access
Normandy (France)
Original Format
DVD
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Harold Wolfman
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
9 Jun. 2010
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Harold Wolfman
Number
OH 377
Subject
Canada--Armed Forces
Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)
World War, 1939-1945
Interview Date
9 Jun. 2010
Quantity
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.
Material Format
moving images
Geographic Access
Belgium
England
France
Germany
Netherlands
Original Format
DVD
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Jack Gang
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
9 Jun. 2010
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Jack Gang
Number
OH 378
Subject
World War, 1939-1945
Interview Date
9 Jun. 2010
Quantity
1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
Interviewer
Stephanie Markowitz
Total Running Time
34:19
Notes
Jack was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
Biography
Jack was a private in the Polish Army from 1944 to 1946. He was stationed in Europe and involved in liberation campaigns in Poland and Germany.
Material Format
moving images
Geographic Access
Germany
Poland
Original Format
DVD
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Jeffery Wolf Ostroff
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
9 Jun. 2010
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Jeffery Wolf Ostroff
Number
OH 379
Subject
World War, 1939-1945
Interview Date
9 Jun. 2010
Quantity
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.
Material Format
moving images
Original Format
DVD
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Kelman Cohen
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
9 Jun. 2010
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Kelman Cohen
Number
OH 380
Subject
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Interview Date
9 Jun. 2010
Quantity
1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
Interviewer
Stephanie Markowitz
Total Running Time
39:25
Notes
Kelman was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
Biography
Kelman joined the Royal Canadian Army as a reserve in 1942 and was active from 1944 to 1946. He was stationed in Europe and was involved in the entire Dutch Campaign (Netherlands).
Material Format
moving images
Geographic Access
Netherlands
Original Format
DVD
Source
Oral Histories
Name
David Green
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
10 Jun. 2010
Source
Oral Histories
Name
David Green
Number
OH 383
Subject
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Interview Date
10 Jun. 2010
Quantity
1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
Interviewer
Marie Eve Deleris
Total Running Time
26:10
Notes
David was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
Biography
David served in the Royal Canadian Army from 1940 to 1945 and was stationed in Jamaica, England, and France. He was in charge of the rations.
Material Format
moving images
Geographic Access
England
France
Jamaica
Original Format
DVD
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Wilfred Abraham Yaphe
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
10 Jun. 2010
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Wilfred Abraham Yaphe
Number
OH 381
Subject
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Interview Date
10 Jun. 2010
Quantity
1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
Interviewer
Sam Gojonovich
Total Running Time
16:18
Notes
Wilfred was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
Biography
Wilfred served in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a wireless operator and navigator. He was stationed in England.
Material Format
moving images
Geographic Access
England
Original Format
DVD
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Harry Waisglass
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
10 Jun. 2010
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Harry Waisglass
Number
OH 382
Subject
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Interview Date
10 Jun. 2010
Quantity
1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
Interviewer
Shayla Howell
Total Running Time
29:26
Notes
Harry was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
Biography
Harry served in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1942 to 1945 as an air frame mechanic. He was stationed in Canada.
Material Format
moving images
Geographic Access
Canada
Original Format
DVD
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Gerald Soloman Rosenberg
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
10 Jun. 2010
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Gerald Soloman Rosenberg
Number
OH 384
Subject
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Interview Date
10 Jun. 2010
Quantity
1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
Interviewer
Sam Gojonovich
Total Running Time
18:17
Notes
Gerald was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
Biography
Gerald served in the Royal Canadian Navy as a communications officer from 1940 to 1945. He was stationed in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean. He was involved in the Battle of the Atlantic and the Murmansk convoys.
Material Format
moving images
Original Format
DVD
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Martin Maxwell
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
10 Jun. 2010
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Martin Maxwell
Number
OH 385
Subject
World War, 1939-1945
Interview Date
10 Jun. 2010
Quantity
1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
Interviewer
Sam Gojonovich
Total Running Time
26:55
Notes
This interview is part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
http://www.thememoryproject.com/search?query=maxwell
Biography
Martin Maxwell born in Vienna in 1924 was transported to England as part of the Kindertransport project. Martin enlisted in the British Air Corps in 1942 and served as a glider pilot in the British Army. Stationed in Europe, Martin was involved in the D-Day and Arnhem campaigns. He was imprisoned as a Jewish prisoner of war in Hanover, Germany and in 1948 participated in the war crimes commission in Washington D.C.
Material Format
moving images
Original Format
DVD
Transcript
.25-1.06: Maxwell, born in Vienna, was one of 10,000 children to be transported to Great Britain as part of the Kindertransport project. 1.07-2.03: Maxwell discusses his service as a glider pilot in the Air Corps of the British Army. 2.04-4.00: Maxwell discusses his participation as a glider pilot in the D-Day operation. 4.01-5.08: Maxwell provides a brief description of his training as a fighter pilot. 5:09-5.30: Maxwell discusses an incident involving his evacuation via submarine from Europe back to England. 5.35-7.12: Maxwell discusses his involvement in General Montgomery’s Operation Market Garden and the Battle of Arnhem in Holland. 7.13-7.52: Maxwell discusses an injury he suffered during his participation in Operation Market Garden. 7.53-8.35: Maxwell discusses the armistice which allowed the dead and wounded, including Maxwell, to be moved from the field to a hospital. 8.36-9.00: Maxwell describes an incident that occurred while he was held at SS barracks in Appledorn. 9.01-10.11: Maxwell describes his imprisonment as a Jewish prisoner of war (POW) in Fallingbostel, a camp near Hanover, Germany. 10.12-11.15: Maxwell relates a humorous incident that occurred during his imprisonment in POW camp 11.16-13.10: Maxwell describes the sixty-fifth anniversary of the liberation of Holland. 13.11-13.33: Maxwell discusses photographs taken during the sixty-fifth anniversary. 13.34-14.09: Maxwell talks about his motivation for joining the army. 14.10-14.22:Gojonovich is formulating his next question. 14.23-15.22: Maxwell recalls an antisemitic incident he experienced during his service. 15.23-15.55: Maxwell discusses the eighty Jewish paratroopers buried in the cemetery at Arnhem. 15.56-17.20: Maxwell discusses the events that led to his participation in the War Crimes Commission held in Washington, D.C. in 1948 17.21-18.09: Maxwell discusses his present day work with war veterans and Holocaust education. 18.10-20.42: Maxwell relates the story of a chance encounter with a young girl at Bergen Belsen. 20.43-22.00: Maxwell talks about the honour he received in Holland when he was presented with the torch of freedom.
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Robert Shapiro
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
10 Jun. 2010
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Robert Shapiro
Number
OH 386
Subject
World War, 1939-1945
Interview Date
10 Jun. 2010
Quantity
1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
Interviewer
Stephanie Markowitz
Total Running Time
29:26
Notes
Robert 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
Robert served in the Royal Air Force from 1940 to 1945 as a physical training instructor, flight MAC (Military Aircraft Carrier), and air-sea rescuer. He was stationed in England.
Material Format
moving images
Original Format
DVD
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Emery Michael Kestenbaum
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
10 Jun. 2010
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Emery Michael Kestenbaum
Number
OH 387
Subject
Great Britain--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Interview Date
10 Jun. 2010
Quantity
1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
Interviewer
Stephanie Markowitz
Total Running Time
32:03
Notes
Michael was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
Biography
Michael served in the British Army from 1941 to 1946 performing general and front line transport. He was stationed in Palestine, Egypt, and Italy (Europe).
Material Format
moving images
Geographic Access
Egypt
Italy
Palestine
Original Format
DVD
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Esther Mager
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
10 Jun. 2010
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Esther Mager
Number
OH 388
Subject
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Interview Date
10 Jun. 2010
Quantity
1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
Interviewer
Stephanie Markowitz
Total Running Time
27:17
Notes
Esther was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
Biography
Esther served in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1942 to 1945 in motor transport. She was stationed in Canada.
Material Format
moving images
Geographic Access
Canada
Original Format
DVD
Source
Oral Histories
Name
David Abells
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
14 Jun. 2010
Source
Oral Histories
Name
David Abells
Number
OH 389
Subject
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Interview Date
14 Jun. 2010
Quantity
1 reference DVD (WAV file); 1 archival DVD (WAV file)
Interviewer
Shayla Howell
Total Running Time
39:26
Notes
David was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
Biography
David served in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1942 to 1945 as a wireless operator. He was stationed in Europe in Normandy, Holland, Denmark, Belgium, and Germany.
Material Format
moving images
Geographic Access
Belgium
Denmark
Germany
Netherlands
Normandy (France)
Original Format
DVD
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Isaac Benjamin Kanter
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
14 Jun. 2010
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Isaac Benjamin Kanter
Number
OH 390
Subject
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Interview Date
14 Jun. 2010
Quantity
1 reference DVD (WAV file)
1 archival DVD (WAV file)
Interviewer
Sam Gojonovich
Total Running Time
14:53 seconds
Notes
This interview was part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
http://www.thememoryproject.com/search?query=kanter
Biography
Isaac Kanter was born in 1917 and served with the Royal Canadian Army as a gunnery sergeant from 1939 to 1946. Isaac was stationed in Europe and involved in the Normandy and Oldenburg campaigns.
Material Format
moving images
Geographic Access
Normandy (France)
Original Format
DVD
Transcript
00:45: Isaac served as a gunner in the Normandy Campaign during the Second World War. 00:58: Isaac explains how he joined the army. 1:48: Isaac briefly describes the job of a gunner. 2:21: Isaac recalls a disaster that took place on an airfield in Normandy. 5:40: Isaac describes the type of gun – 25 lb. gun-how (Howitzer) with different charges. 6:40: Isaac emphasizes the need to be on the job twenty-four hours a day. 8:38: Isaac mentions that he was aware of one other Jewish officer who was captured and executed because he was Jewish. 9:28: Isaac did not recall any incidents of antisemitism. 9:35: Isaac describes some of his responsibilities as a gun position officer. 11:47: Isaac reports that the war had no impact on his connection to Judaism.
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Harold Kates
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
14 Jun. 2010
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Harold Kates
Number
OH 391
Subject
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)
Interview Date
14 Jun. 2010
Quantity
1 reference DVD (WAV file)
1 archival DVD (WAV file
Interviewer
Marie Eve Deleris
Total Running Time
24:30 seconds
Notes
This interview was part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
http://www.thememoryproject.com/stories/1647:herald-katz/
Biography
Herald was born in Toronto in 1921. He served as a test flight mechanic with the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1939 to 1945. Herald was stationed in North Africa, Scotland, Ireland, and England and was involved in various bombing campaigns throughout Europe, including the bombing of Berlin. In 1948, Herald volunteered and fought in Israel’s War of Independence with the 101 Fighter Squadron assembling aircraft in Herzlia. Today, he goes by the name Harold Kates.
Material Format
moving images
Name Access
Jewish Defense League
Geographic Access
Africa, North
England
Ireland
Scotland
Original Format
DVD
Transcript
00:00: Herald was born in Toronto. His parents emigrated in 1904 from Poland. He grew up in the Spadina/College area. 1:32: Herald was not affiliated with a synagogue. 1:50: Herald explains that he initially enlisted with the Queen’s Rangers in 1939 but that he learned they were not going overseas, so he enlisted with the RCAF, because he had taken a course in aeronautics at technical school. 3:30: Herald reports that there were few Jews in his regiment. There was no observance of kashrut and minimal opportunity to observe kashrut. 4:49: Herald discusses chaplains. He recalls that Rabbi Monson was active in the army but not in the air force. 6:15: Herald did not receive assistance, packages, etc. from any Jewish organizations. 7:03: Herald explains that he went overseas in 1942, landing in Liverpool, but that he was stationed in Hastings. He shares an anecdote about the hotel where he lodged. 8:53: Herald describes his role as a test flight mechanic. He lists the aircrafts that he flew in and checked out. 10:43: Herald explains that his squadron, sent to North Africa in 1943, was involved in the bombing of Italy before the invasion of Italy. 11:18: Herald contracted malaria while in North Africa. He recalls that the doctor he saw also had malaria and did not record the illness. 12:28: Herald shares an anecdote about meeting a Jewish girl while on leave in a small town in North Africa. 14:16: Herald’s squadron returned to England in 1944, where he remained until the war ended. 14:48: Herald recalls the disbelief at his station at the end of the war. 15:57: Herald returned to Canada on the Samaria steamship. 16:10: Herald recalls the danger from U-boats while crossing the English Channel en route to England. 17:37: Herald shares memories from his time serving in North Africa. 19:43: Following the war, Herald studied and was licensed in auto-mechanics. 21:04: Herald joined the Jewish Legion after the war to stay in touch with other Jews. 21:23: Herald reports that he did not encounter any antisemitism during his service. 21:55: Herald explains that he was proud to be Jewish. He discusses that he volunteered in 1948 to fight in Israel’s War of Independence. Initially, he volunteered with the army, but he was shifted to 101 Fighter Squadron assembling aircraft in Herzlia. 23:30: Herald discusses his post-war affiliation with Jewish War Veterans, the Jewish Legion, and the Jewish Defense League.
Source
Oral Histories