2 records – page 1 of 1.

Interview with Helen Beiles

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn106389
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Fonds No.
O0045
Date
March 1992
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Responsibility
Interviewed by Roslyn Postner
Date
March 1992
Fonds No.
O0045
Storage Location
vault
History / Biographical
Digitized by: Kate Reeve Number of Cassettes: 2 Subject: Life in Lithuania Interviewer: Roslyn Posner Date: March 2, 1992 Interview Location: Ottawa, ON Length of Time: 43:26; 46:25 - Grew up in Yurburg, Lithuania, youngest in family of 14 children, siblings immigrated one at a time to Canada, France, and Israel throughout early 1900s - Father was a grain merchant, sold grain in spring, family finances supplemented by remittances from older siblings living abroad (Canada, France), but tree-cutting, flax mills, linens, and eggs were major export businesses in Jewish community - Went to high school in Kovne, after graduating moved to Canada with her parents in Nov. 1927, to follow siblings - Left behind friends in Kovne, including someone she was in love with, who followed her to Canada in 1929, immigrated as a farmer to get through immigration laws - her brothers were in fur business, fudged the papers, they eventually married - Had a daughter and two sons, now have 13 grandchildren - Childhood home was considered an “open home,” hosted community members and was very generous, parents shared every bite - Emphasis on education; Mother educated children in kheder and sent youngest to Kovne for high school, helped financially by remittances - Was in Maccabees, heavily involved in Jewish youth community in Yurburg and Kovne, raised money for the city fire department, very close-knit - missed sense of community and closeness after moving to Canada - Attended the Yurburg Shul, was built in 1832, a wooden structure with a hand carved wooden Aran Hakodesh, but when Germans invaded, they knocked it down - In early life, felt welcomed by non-Jewish community, invited to walk through beautiful public parks on Shabbos and go to mixed sanitorium - But by mid-1920s, started to feel resentment from non-Jewish Lithuanian neighbours, started to take over Jewish neighbourhoods and encroach on Jewish spaces - In 1928-29, beginning of Nazi sentiments, two sisters stayed behind in Kovne and were murdered by Nazis - In Canada, went to elementary Osgoode Street Public School at the age of twenty to learn English and also had a private tutor paid for by brothers - Family lived on Nelson street, and went to Adath Jeshurun Synagogue in Lowertown, became involved in Jewish youth theater, - Brothers lost money in Great Depression, was difficult period for the family but husband had learnt the garment trade in Warsaw and started own garment business in Canada, ran it for 56 years, refused to work on Shabbos despite pressure - Was involved in everything concerning the Shul, assisting with administration and house committee, helped care for Rabbi - large synagogue with 400-500 members - Became involved in Hillel Lodge at the request of friend, wanted to provide palliative care for Jewish seniors after seeing the emotional difficulty of Jewish elderly people at Christain long-term care home St. Vincent, went through Jewish directory to gain support and formed an auxiliary committee of 30+ women, who raised money via raffles, hosting teas, membership dues, selling cards, bake sales, etc. - Volunteered with Hillel Lodge fundraising from 1956 until its construction in 1965, after it was built continued to volunteer with the residents, helped take them to Shul - Was President of Hillel Lodge Auxiliary from 1963-1968 - January 31st, 1964 organized a city-wide “fundraising Blitz” which raised over $20,000 - Auxiliary Committee was place of love and devotion, very close-knit group of volunteers, led and encouraged by Helen, became an opportunity to do something with her time after children grew up END OF TAPE
Name Access
Roslyn Postner
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Ottawa Jewish Archives
Less detail

Interview with Herman Roodman

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn106402
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Physical Description
2 tapes
Fonds No.
O0045
Date
March 12 and April 10, 1992
Scope and Content
Herman Roodman Subject: Herman Roodman Interviewer; Roslyn Postner Date; c. 1992 Location; Duration; Tape 1 - 50:21; tape 2 - 41:31 Tape 1 Youngest son of 9, born to Louis and Freida Roodman Had 4 brothers and 4 sisters. His father was a country dealer with farmers in the Ottawa valley, buying a…
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Physical Description
2 tapes
Scope and Content
Herman Roodman Subject: Herman Roodman Interviewer; Roslyn Postner Date; c. 1992 Location; Duration; Tape 1 - 50:21; tape 2 - 41:31 Tape 1 Youngest son of 9, born to Louis and Freida Roodman Had 4 brothers and 4 sisters. His father was a country dealer with farmers in the Ottawa valley, buying and selling produce and livestock. His mother stayed home and raised the family, and was a devoted mother Louis and Freida valued education, both public and Hebrew at the Talmud Torah Regularly attended synagogue. Herman enjoyed literature and history in highschool, and those communication skills developed later on. Herman was involved in public speaking in highschool, and wrote an article that was published in the high school newspaper. At the highschool of commerce, he was a member of the newspaper team. After graduating highschool in 1932, Herman managed to work part time in secretary and accounting positions during the depression He didn't go to university until later He was interested in AZA, and BBYO (B’nai Brith Youth Organization) and he was elected president of the Moses Bilsky chapter of AZA in 1934/45 Discusses why he enjoyed being in AZA and BBYO, because of the virtues expresses in the groups In 1935, at an AZA convention in Hamilton, Herman won the Moses Bilsky trophy in a public speaking contest. Herman was invited to speak about the AZA convention and program with Mr. and Mrs A.J. Freiman at their home He was appointed the general secretary of the B’nai Brith Lodge from 1938-1941. It was wartime so there were numerous community and military duties demands *Audio skips* In 1937, Herman began his career in the public service of Canada, with the board of transport commissioners. Herman was with the Government from 1937-1973. Herman and his wife Zelda (Dworkin) married in November 1941, when he was 26. They met at a garden party in 1937, but started courting in 1939. Herman enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces near the beginning of their marriage. Herman was active in the Ottawa Jewish community. Discusses an article printed in the Ottawa Jewish bulletin from December 9, 1941 titled “Herman Roodman Honoured”. Discusses an article written shortly after his marriage to Zelda, that highlights his community work and service he had done up until that point in his life. Also highlights the organizations that honoured him. Herman was the director of the Jewish National Fund Council. Herman was president of the Pole Mizrahi. Herman was the director of the Hanoar breakfast and study club. Herman discusses how Alex Bechelman was anxious wanting to make sure the young people were still meeting during the merger of Beth Shalom, so he invited Herman to be the director of the breakfast club They would meet every Sunday morning at the synagogue. It was mostly young men ages 12-16. They would conduct religious services and then have breakfast, followed by a cultural program. A.J. Freiman, Jess Abelson, Tom Sacks, Alex Bechelman, Laz Greenerrg all helped and supported the Hanoar study and breakfast club Rabbi Rose, Rabbi David Monson, Hy Bessand (?), Yale Greenberg were future leaders who came from the breakfast and study group Recalls that there were less distractions at the time of the Hanoar club, so it was easier to get youth engaged. Before enlisting in the RCAF, Herman served in the reserve army of the Canadian Officers Training Corps which was attached to the University of Ottawa. In the RCAF he instructed officers and others in military training in courses like; map reading, tactical schemes, drills, and small arms He was selected to instruct soldiers passing through in small arms including the rifle, hand gun, and grenades, using live ammunition He was stationed in Barriefield military camp, and wasn’t posted overseas until 1944. He spent 1 year in England, Germany, France and Holland Herman was on a short furlough leave in 1944-45, and he developed an idea of compiling a record of the men and women in the Queen’s Own Highland Cameroners who gave their lives while on active service. This was a large task. Another sergeant and Herman searched the records at the Canadian military headquarters in London, to locate the names of those killed in action. The object was to mail a copy of the booklet to the parents in Canada of the deceased soldiers. By 1946, Herman returned to civilian life. He continued working with the Government, and was appointed supervisor in the department of Veterans Affairs. In the 1960s, he gained a senior position on the National Energy board, and later he was chief of training and development in the Department of the Secretary of State. By 1973, Herman had spent 36 years with the Government, including his time in the military Herman left public service, and formed his own consulting company called the Herman Roodman development company. Herman and his wife were both lecturing and teaching at Carleton University and Algonquin college, about communication skills. They would do this at night, and worked in the government during the day When Herman formed his own company, the purpose was to conduct workshops in communication skills for business men and women. He did this while also teaching at Carleton In the 1950s, he was taking night classes at Carleton. In 1964, he was appointed part time lecturer at Carleton’s continuing education division. He was there until the early 1980s. Taught management studies, communication skills, and career development, including the whole area of Human Resources. Herman and Zelda co-authored 2 books; 1964; “Effective Business Communication” published by McGraw Hill. 1973 “Management by Communication” by Matthewion (?) Publications. Both books were used in schools as course textbooks, and for reference purposes in offices Recalls the amount of work it took to research, write, and publish these books. Their inspiration came from their students at Carleton, who were tired of using American textbooks and material, and wanted to use Canadian books instead. Credits AZA and B’nai Brith with preparing him for his volunteer roles in the Jewish community. Member of the board of governors for Beth Shalom, and was elected treasure and later vice president 1948-56 he was secretary of the Adath Jeshurun congregation. On the 60th anniversary of he wrote a history called “the march of time” and a banquet took place, where his material was read for the congregation. In 1956, Herman wrote and assembled the Book of Dedication, which comprised a history of the merger of the 2 original congregations; Adath Jeshurun and Agudath Achim Enjoyed being involved in charitable endeavors In 1965 they established the Herman and Zelda Roodman award in Journalism at Carleton university. In 1973, they donated a set a library bookshelves to the Hebrew University in Jerusalem In 1981, they opened the Herman and Zelda Roodman endowment fund with the Ottawa Jewish community foundation. In 1990 they created a similar endowment fund with the B’nai Brith Canada foundation to combat antisemitism They make book donations to the Ottawa Talmud Torah Support the Ben Gurion University, where they have been appointed directors of the Ottawa chapter of that university. Established a grove of trees with the Jewish National Fund. March 4, 1988; Cynthia Engle wrote in the bulletin about Herman’s involvement in the Ottawa jewish community history Herman has been acting as the Cantor at Hilal Lodge. Elected to a position in the Jewish War Veterans of Canada. *audio skips* Has a daughter Joy, married to Richard Carp, son of Ben and Etta Carp. Joy and Richard have 2 children; Sean and Ursa(?) who are both doing well and studying in University Joy and Richard live in Whitehorse, running a successful business. Tape 2 Herman discusses how the “Money for Wheat” fund was set up in every community in preparation for the passover festival. It was set up for the poor and the needy. Herman states it was a universal and ancient tradition, that has been continued into modern times The leaders of the Vaad Ha’ir were responsible for starting the fund in Ottawa, because they wanted to ensure they could provide for those in need. In 1952, Herman was secretary of the Adath Jeshurun, and he recalls the ceremony that was held in regards to the Queen’s Coronation. The exterior of the synagogue was decorated. 1952 saw the arrival of Rabbi Simon Epstien and the departure of Emmanuel Lipchitz Epstien arrived in February 1952, so he would have been the officiating Rabbi Hyman Gould became president of the congregation in 1952. Hyman Gould was at the head of the cemetery committee, as chairman of both the Vaad and the Adath Jeshurun cemetery committee. Hyman Gould was involved in the development of the Bank St Cemetery. The annex at Adath Jeshurun was known as the Hebrew Institute, which was used as a youth center, with a gym and community hall. When the annex was taken down, there were other centers to take it place. Herman wrote an article about the 60th anniversary of Adath Jeshurun. In it he mentioned that Coleman Finn was a very kind gentleman and a pillar of the synagogue. He was chairman of the congregation’s board of education in the early days. Gabriel and Max Cohen were in the furniture business in Ottawa. Herman discusses other prominent Jewish men who were pillars in the Jewish community through their jobs and philanthropy. Most of the men he refers to were trustee board members of the Adath Jeshurun congregation. Discusses who his Hebrew teachers were including; Eli Selemski(?), Bernard Lief, Joshua Zelakovitz, Moses Cransburg, Morris Greenberg, Mordechai Goldsmith. *some audio distortion at the 28-29 minute mark* Herman recalls continuing his classes even after his Bar Mitzvah. Recalls that his job as the secretary of the synagogue was time consuming, as he was doing it voluntarily while also working public service. Recalls his daughter Joy used to join him when he was going to Synagogue. Tape ends
Responsibility
Interviewed by Roslyn Postner
Date
March 12 and April 10, 1992
Fonds No.
O0045
Storage Location
vault
Name Access
Roslyn Postner
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Ottawa Jewish Archives
Less detail