2 records – page 1 of 1.

Interview with Audrey Freiman

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn106342
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Fonds No.
O0045
Date
November 13, 2000
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Responsibility
Interviewed by Anna Bilsky
Date
November 13, 2000
Fonds No.
O0045
Storage Location
vault
Notes
Subject: Audrey Freiman Interviewer: Anna Bilsky Date: November 13, 2000 Interview Location: Ottawa, ON Length of Time: 34:50 Trigger Warning: domestic abuse and child abuse -Audrey came to Ottawa in 1933 as the bride of Lawrence Freidman. Audrey speaks of her wedding in New York to Lawrence and how both families were very emotional. -upon her first arrival in Ottawa she recalls everyone in Ottawa being very elegant. Upon her arrival Mrs. Freiman, her mother-in-law, immediately got Audrey very involved in charity work. She tells a story of helping a man who was in an abusive relationship. *mention of domestic abuse* -Audrey and Lawrence moved to a house on Somerset street and then shortly after moved to a different house in Lowertown. -She discusses how she loved when Mrs. Freiman would send her to the Byward Market to collect from people. She mentioned some of the stores and people in the Byward Market. -Audrey then discusses what social life was like in the 1930’s, she says while she had many friends most of the social life took place in the home. She does not recall going out much with friends, instead they would have people over or go to someone else's house. -Audrey and Anna then discuss the pressure of filling her mother-in-law’s shoes, Audrey tells a nice story about a local fortune teller that herself, her friend, and her mother-in-law frequented. -During the war in Ottawa Mrs. Freiman set up a sewing room on rideau street where volunteers would sew donated fabric for the war effort. -Audrey also recalls the two boys, Andy and Barry Richards, from a family in England during the war. A boys school in England had brought over some of the young boys to keep them safe during the war, the two young boys were jewish and their parents had requested they be able to maintain their faith. Therefore the Freimans took them in so they could attend services on the weekend. Audrey tells a story of the young boys misbehaving. *mention of child abuse* -Audrey talks about how during the wartime everyone helped each other out and the jewish community banded together. -Audrey talks of her memories of Beth Shalom in the 50’s and expresses her opinions on the congregations move to Alta Vista. -Anna and Audrey talk about the pressures of having a family store and growing up around one. Audrey talks about the Freiman’s tailoring store. *Recording flips to Side B and the conversation is abruptly cut out and back in* -The recording ends with the two discussing the Hadasa in Ottawa and Audrey’s trip to Israel. END OF RECORDING
Name Access
Anna Bilsky
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Ottawa Jewish Archives
Less detail

Interview with Beatrice Hock

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn106349
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Fonds No.
O0045
Date
November 17, 2000
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Responsibility
Interviewed by Anna Bilsky
Date
November 17, 2000
Fonds No.
O0045
Storage Location
vault
Notes
Subject: Beatrice Hock and the Newcomers Tea Interviewer: Anna Bilsky Date: November 17th, 2000 Interview Location: Ottawa, ON Length of Time: 19:20 -Beatrice is originally from Montreal and came to Ottawa in 1951 as a bride. When she arrived she did not have any friends, did not know anyone, and was very isolated. It took her a long time to make friends and the only way she did was by joining organizations. Beatrice recalls joining the National Council of Jewish Women and Agudath Israel. The community was very friendly and warm; she considers herself lucky to have made great friends in this way. -Beatrice founded the Newcomers Tea in 1956 and talks about the founding of the club as well as some of her favorite memories. Beatrice began the committee because she knew of a bride from Israel who had not been able to make friends; Beatrice invited her and 3 other women her age out to lunch and saw the difference it could make. She then decided to found the committee and listed the original 7 women on the council with her. -The Newcomers Tea began in 1957 when the Hungarian Revolution meant refugees came to Ottawa. Beatrice threw a small party for the Hungarians, the committee members and their husbands. Beatrice talks about how much being a part of this meant to her. -following this first party the committee expanded to 18 members and threw their first official Newcomers Tea. -Beatrice then discusses what the Newcomers Tea stands for and why it is so important to her. -On November 12th 2000 the committee hosted their 88th tea and hope to continue this tradition. -Beatrice shares one of her favorite stories from the tea’s. There was a young single girl who came to one of the tea’s and was so excited to meet other single girls. She was so sweet and thankful towards Beatrice that Beatrice set her up with a friend's son. 6 months later the two were married and now have 2 children. END OF TAPE AT 19:20
Name Access
Anna Bilsky
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Ottawa Jewish Archives
Less detail