33 records – page 1 of 2.

Dedication of the Joseph and Inez Zelikovitz Pavilion

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn113388
Collection
Hillel Lodge fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
graphic material
Fonds No.
O0013; OJA 4-013-112
Date
December 19, 2011
Collection
Hillel Lodge fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
graphic material
Date
December 19, 2011
Fonds No.
O0013
Item No.
OJA 4-013-112
Storage Location
vault
Acquisition Source
Hillel Lodg Long Term Care Home (Abby Gourgon)
Notes
Photo includes: Mayor Jim Watson, Mrs. Inez Zelikovitz, and Yasir Naqvi, M.P.P
Name Access
Joe Murray
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Ottawa Jewish Archives
Images
Less detail

2005 Hillel Lodge Board

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn113391
Collection
Hillel Lodge fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
graphic material
Fonds No.
O0013; OJA 4-013-115
Date
May 28, 2008
Collection
Hillel Lodge fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
graphic material
Date
May 28, 2008
Fonds No.
O0013
Item No.
OJA 4-013-115
Storage Location
vault
Acquisition Source
Hillel Lodg Long Term Care Home (Abby Gourgon)
Notes
Seated:Anna Wex, Ingrid Levitz Standing: Ozzie Silverman, Murray Citron, Morris Kimmel, Stephen Schneiderman, Jeffery Miller, Alan Freed, Estelle Gunner, Issie Scarowsky, Joel Dieer, Susan Brajtman. Not in photo: Manny Agulnik, Joanne Gorenstein, Joan Kronick, Lawrence Pleet, Stephen Polowin, Ron Stein
Name Access
Joe Murray
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Ottawa Jewish Archives
Images
Less detail

2006-2007 Hillel Lodge Board

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn113389
Collection
Hillel Lodge fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
graphic material
Fonds No.
O0013; OJA 4-013-113
Date
May 30, 2007
Collection
Hillel Lodge fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
graphic material
Date
May 30, 2007
Fonds No.
O0013
Item No.
OJA 4-013-113
Storage Location
vault
Acquisition Source
Hillel Lodg Long Term Care Home (Abby Gourgon)
Notes
Seated: Joan Kroick, Anna Telner-Wex, Susan Brajtman, Ingrid Levitz, Estelle Gunner, Estelle Melzer. Standing: Murray Citron, Eric Weiner, Ron Stein, Joel Diener, Lawrence Pleet, Stephen Schneiderma, Jeffery Miller, Stephen Polowin, Joel Edelson, Morris Kimmel, Alan Freed, Issie Scarowsky. Not in photo: Manny Agulnik, Joanne Gorenstein
Name Access
Joe Murray
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Ottawa Jewish Archives
Images
Less detail

2005 Hillel Lodge Board

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn113390
Collection
Hillel Lodge fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
graphic material
Fonds No.
O0013; OJA 4-013-114
Date
May 18, 2005
Collection
Hillel Lodge fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
graphic material
Date
May 18, 2005
Fonds No.
O0013
Item No.
OJA 4-013-114
Storage Location
vault
Acquisition Source
Hillel Lodg Long Term Care Home (Abby Gourgon)
Notes
First row seated: Ingrid Levitz, Anna Wex, President, Stephen Schneiderman, Executive Director, Morris Kimmel. Standing: Issie Scarowsky, Dr. Dan Levine, Medical Director, Lawrence Pleet, Joan Kronick, Ron Stein, Estelle Melzer, Paula Agulnik, Joel Edelson, Eric Weiner, Manny Agulnik Not in photo: Jeffery Miller, Murry Citron
Name Access
Joe Murray
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Ottawa Jewish Archives
Images
Less detail

Interview with David Griller.

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn106640
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Physical Description
2 tapes
Fonds No.
O0045
Date
January 3, 2005
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Physical Description
2 tapes
Responsibility
Interviewed by Joe Murray
Date
January 3, 2005
Fonds No.
O0045
Storage Location
vault
Notes
Subject: David Griller Interviewer: Joe Murray Date: January 3, 2005 Interview Location: Ottawa, ON Length of Time: Tape 1 (60:23) Tape 2 (14:09) -David was born in England and spent the first 23 years of his life there. He lived in Northwest London in a very crowded home in Stamford Hill. David was born in 1958 and speaks on his memories of school and life in Stamford Hill. His family attended St. Johns Wood Synagogue. -David’s grandparents came to London from Poland. -David describes St Johns Wood; he felt it was not very welcoming and was not well run. He recalls Cheder being on Abbey Road in a small building. He did not learn much and found the school run down. -David attended Kingsgate Primary School and was the only jewish boy in his class. He recalls playing street games with other children. He also recalls his neighbours growing up; Vidal Sassoon and his family. -David talks about growing up in Britain post war; most of the city was still rubble. Him and the other boys used to sneak in and play in demolished and abandoned houses. -Joe then asks David how the area of Stamford Hill has changed. David talks about the increase of orthodox community. He also mentions the growth of the muslim community in the area. -David speaks about his highschool; he attended high school from the age of 11 to 18. He went to a very nice school with lots of jewish peers. He fondly recalls a jewish teacher he had for physics. David also touches on the culture of the school; the teachers were very violent with students and most had served in World War II. -David discusses the various shuls in London; he says many are very orthodox and he recalls a really great church choir he remembers from his youth. -Joe and David discuss Israel and the impression David grew up with in London. He was born just around the foundation of the state and he speaks of how the community has grown its awareness and donations towards the state. David’s father was also a committed zionist. -David attended University College of London for his studies; he studied chemistry and completed his PhD at the same university. -David began work in England and met a research colleague who was on the National Research Council of Canada. They worked together and published many papers together before his colleague brought him on as a fellow of the Research Council in organic chemistry. David worked for 2 years in Canada as a fellow before returning to England. -In England David worked at a plastics company and then at a consulting firm. After 2 years he returned to canada to work again as a fellow at the National Research Council. -David speaks about his wife; they met while he was in his first year at university. They were introduced to each other by a mutual friend from a social group they were both in. When they met she was 16 and he was 18. -WHen David and his wife arrived in Canada they wanted to start a business together. They founded a school with courses in writing and design. This school grew and is now an online learning school with various courses. -When they first arrived in Canada they moved to Honey Gables just south of the airport. They then moved to Alta Vista to be closer to Machzikei Hadas. He talks of how much he enjoys Machzikei Hadas and how inclusive it is. -David then speaks about his family; he has 3 children. One daughter is married with a child in Toronto, One daughter is at Queens University, and his son is in ENgland working. END OF TAPE 1 -David then talks about his career. David now works at a consulting firm. He moved over to consulting after many years at the NAtional Research Council. David discusses his work, what he does, and who some of his clients are. -David is also the CEO of an Oncology company. He has been focusing more of his attention to that start up. -David is also the chair of fundraising for the Royal Society of Canada. -David concludes by talking about his future plans and retirement goals. He does not see himself retiring anytime soon, he is in no rush. He wants to focus on his oncology company and put more attention into that. David also touches on his mothers colon cancer. END OF TAPE 2
Name Access
Joe Murray
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Ottawa Jewish Archives
Less detail

Interview with Isadore Hoffman.

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn106638
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Fonds No.
O0045
Date
November 23, 2004
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Responsibility
Interviewed by Joe Murray
Date
November 23, 2004
Fonds No.
O0045
Storage Location
vault
Notes
Subject: Isadore Hoffman Interviewer: Joe Murray Date: November 23, 2004 Interview Location: Ottawa, ON Length of Time: 28:14 -Isadore’s parents came from Ukraine. They came to Canada and settled in Montreal 80 years ago. His parents left Ukraine to escape from the Tsar. THey came to Canada with Isadore’s older brother and then had Isadore, and his younger siblings in Montreal. -Isadore’s dad was a peddler who worked as a milkman and then a wholesaler who sold non perishables. -Isadore attended Fairmont Elementary and never graduated from High School. He began work very early. Isadore discusses his odd jobs he had in Montreal. -In 1958 he came to Ottawa and married his wife Evelyn. In Ottawa he began working in insurance sales and has been doing that since 1961. -Isadore and Evelyn first moved into a house at 904 Kirkland, then moved to a bungalow before moving to Nepean to raise their children. Isadore talks about the various jewish organizations he is a part of; B’nai Brith and the Rideauview Golf Club. -Isadore has worked very hard to raise money for charities he is passionate about all his life. He has hosted numerous charity golf tournaments. He has focused on Cancer research and Chrohn’s disease as they have both affected his family. -Isadore reminisces about Montreal; talks about bars, restaurants, bands. He tells a story about a date night in Montreal and the kindness Frank Rice (?) showed him. -During the war years Isadore recalls hearing women screaming everyday when they learnt of their loved ones death. -He talks of his first few years in Ottawa and the challenges he faced. -Isadore then talks about his children, grandchildren, and great granddaughter. He expresses how proud he is and how great a family he has. -Isadores hobbies now included spending the winters in Florida, golfing, crosswords, watching sports games on TV, and sending jokes he finds on the internet to his friends. -Isadore was a member of the Chevra Kadisha and discusses his time doing that as wella s his long time membership to the JCC. -One person in Ottawa who is always in Isadore’s mind and heart is Rabbi Bulka; expresses his love for Rabbi Bulka. END OF TAPE
Name Access
Joe Murray
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Ottawa Jewish Archives
Less detail

Interview with Edith Landau

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn106393
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Fonds No.
O0045
Date
July 5, 2004
Scope and Content
Subject: Edith Landau Interviewer: Joe Murray Date: July 5, 2004 Interview Location: Ottawa, ON Length of Time: 52:00 -Edith’s father was from the Goldberg family and grew up in Poland. He was in the Polish Army and was a trained barber. -Edith’s mother was from the Steinberg family and was from …
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Scope and Content
Subject: Edith Landau Interviewer: Joe Murray Date: July 5, 2004 Interview Location: Ottawa, ON Length of Time: 52:00 -Edith’s father was from the Goldberg family and grew up in Poland. He was in the Polish Army and was a trained barber. -Edith’s mother was from the Steinberg family and was from Russia. They both came to Canada to escape the conditions in Eastern Europe. -Edith’s parents met in Winnipeg where Edith’s father had a small general store. -In 1933 Edith was born in Winnipeg and the family moved to the city where Edith’s father opened more stores. Edith had 2 brothers; Ben and Arnold Goldberg. They were brought up in an orthodox home and Edith talks about the other synagogues in Winnipeg. -Edith was always very active in the choir at her school and at synagogue. -Edith discusses her families many trips to Chicago to visit family. -In school Edith played volleyball, softball, and took ballet. She studied at Talmud Torah for 9 years. -Edith talks of dating in Winnipeg with her two brothers looking out for her and how she met her husband Izzy. After Edith and Izzy began dating, Edith took her first visit to Ottawa. She loved the city and seeing all of the sights. -Edith and Izzy got married in 1952 in November. Edith describes it as the worst day to get married as the rain and hail were so bad most of the family couldn't make it to Winnipeg for the wedding. She talks about her honeymoon and traveling after the wedding to see family members who had missed it. -Edith and Izzy moved to Sandy Hill and Edith recalls their first apartment together. She talked about the local laundromat where everyone had to do their laundry. She loved living in Sandy Hill since it meant she could walk to the market. -Edith worked at the National Research Council. -Edith talks about her memories of singing in the choir at Beth Shalom, her good friends Harvey & Louise Glatt, and the parties she hosted at their house. Edith was always entertaining friends and Joe and Edith recall memories of the parties together. -Edith talks about entertainment during those days. They had to make their own entertainment with games, cards, etc. she recalls a funny memory where they played with a Ouija Board. -Izzy was an accountant and when they got married he started his own company. Edith recalls him telling her she needs to make a life for herself since he will not be home often. She says this is the best advice she had ever gotten. She was always busy, joined lots of things, and has loved her life. -Edith joined Hadassah, B’nai Brith, Beth Shalom, choir groups, and took care of her kids. Her kids all went to Hillel academy and once they were 5 she returned to work. Edith got a job at Carleton University in the economics department where she worked for 25 years. -Izzy and Edith always enjoyed the arts and are members at the National Arts Centre and the Ottawa Little Theatre. -Edith still keeps herself busy with her hobbies; she walks everyday, is a part of multiple choirs, and travels a lot. She travels to Detroit to see her husband's family, she has been to Boston, Nashville, London, Israel, and has plans to keep travelling. -She discusses her sons careers and families. She also finishes by talking about her continued education; she is taking a class at the JCC and loves to read.
Responsibility
Interviewed by Joe Murray
Date
July 5, 2004
Fonds No.
O0045
Storage Location
vault
Name Access
Joe Murray
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Ottawa Jewish Archives
Less detail

Interview with Label Silver

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn106394
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Fonds No.
O0045
Date
May 18, 2004
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Responsibility
Interviewed by Joe Murray
Date
May 18, 2004
Fonds No.
O0045
Storage Location
vault
History / Biographical
Interview with Label Silver Date Digitized: June 7th, 2022 Digitized By: Kate Reeve Number of Cassettes: 1 Subject: Family history and involvement in Ottawa community Interviewer: Joe Murray Date: May 19th, 2004 Interview Location: Ottawa, ON Length: 47:36 - Grandfather Benjamin Silver arrived in 1877 from Bialystock, died in 1939 in Ottawa, Grandmother arrived in 1879, Rochel Shershevsky, also from Bialystock, died in 1940, both became citizens in 1897, they arrived with a daughter Leibe and son, Elieazor, who died in Israel, another son Isaac born in Ottawa, January 10th in 1894, last son was his father Harry, born September 1895 in Ottawa, one of first Jewish families in Ottawa, had one of first minyans in their house in early 1900s. - Father was born at 263 Clarence street, house still in existence, Label grew up right next door at 261 Clarence, and family operated kosher grocery store down the street, grew up speaking only Yiddish. - Label was born in 1928, his father was a peddler who had self-taught the whole Talmud, was treasurer of local synagogue and was one of founders of Ottawa Free Loan Society - Hosted traveling Rabbis, were members of Murray Street Shul, very pious family, had 8 children total; Mendel, Label, Aaron, Esther, Dora, Rubin, Joe, Rubin. Mendel and Rubin both became Rabbis, the boys were homeschooled by private Rebbe with their cousins, learnt only Hebrew from 9-4, then 10-15 mins of English lessons, while girls were sent to public school. After a few years, when Label in Gr. 3, gov. forced them to go to public school, Label went to Rideau Street School, then to York Street Public school. - Sent to yeshiva in Baltimore, learnt from 7am-4pm, then went downtown to night school at Baltimore City College, did a year at Johns Hopkins but then returned to Ottawa to work for his father peddling and worked as a driver - Met his future wife Leona, who lived at 288 Clarence street, on a sleigh ride, married on March 30th, 1952, moved into an apartment on Chapel Street, went into scrap metal business with his brother until 1957, then joined federal gov. in dept. of transport as auditor for 32 years, retired August 1989 - Had 3 sons, Stephen born 1952, Jeffery 1959, David in 1963, all attended Hillel Academy, then oldest son went to yeshiva in Toronto, then York University in Commerce and works in accounting, Jeffrey also to yeshiva and university in Toronto now works as a lawyer, David did not attend yeshiva but had private lessons with Rebbe, went to Hillcrest High School, then Carleton and now is a travel agency manager - Has 6 grandchildren, Stephen has 4 children; Denile, Dovit (lives in Israel), Benjamin (Toronto), Rina (studies at yeshiva in Jerusalem), Jeffrey has Simcha (yeshiva in Jerusalem), Avi graduating from Yeshiva high school, David not married yet - Extended family all remained religious, many Rabbis in the families - Became involved in Beth Shalom Shul on Rideau St. after marriage, then moved to Machizeki Hadas Shul on Murray Street where he was recruited as a Parnas (trustee), has worked for 50 years there, pivotal in keeping it afloat - His role as Parnas involved administration, helping with finances, organization, maintaining Shul, etc. and originally also ran a junior congregation with 20-40 kids - Parnas a difficult job, but Silver continues to do it out of love for Shul, it has “become his second home,” he also helps new congregants who are not familiar with liturgy - Also worked as a mashgiach to ensure all food at shul events was kosher after he retired from gov. job in 1989, was then asked immediately to work as mashgiach at Hillel Lodge - Was not trained because he knew most of laws from childhood, but to become a mashgiach one must train and keep up to date
Name Access
Joe Murray
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Ottawa Jewish Archives
Less detail

Interview with George Marcus

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn106395
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Physical Description
2 tapes
Fonds No.
O0045
Date
May 4, 2004
Scope and Content
Subject: George Marcus Interviewer: Joe Murray Date: May 4, 2004 Location: Ottawa Number of Tapes: 2 Duration: tape 1- 1:00:47 tape 2- 20:42 George came to Ottawa for work. He was in Boston, working at Harvard University, looking at reproductive biology. He applied for and received several honorar…
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Physical Description
2 tapes
Scope and Content
Subject: George Marcus Interviewer: Joe Murray Date: May 4, 2004 Location: Ottawa Number of Tapes: 2 Duration: tape 1- 1:00:47 tape 2- 20:42 George came to Ottawa for work. He was in Boston, working at Harvard University, looking at reproductive biology. He applied for and received several honorary grants. He applied to Ottawa because it was fully funded, and got a job in the department of Agriculture, at the animal research center The ARC, at that time was called the Animal Research Institute, was part of the research team in the Department of Agriculture, stationed out of the experimental farm. He worked there from 1975-1994 He was also an adjunct professor at McGill. He has graduate students who did research under his supervision from Carleton and McGill. George was born in Toronto in 1933 His parents are both from Poland. His mother came from a town with a large Jewish population. His father came from Warsaw. His mother left home at 12 years old to go to Warsaw to look for work, selling cloth and dried goods, at a store owned by his paternal grandfather. She had at least 9 siblings, only 2 of them made it to Canada and survived the war. She came to Canada in 1929, with the help of an aunt. His father would write her letters, and in 1930 came to Toronto and they married. In Toronto his mother worked for Mrs. Worth, who had a dress store on Bloor st. His mother left the dress store, and started working at Staford and Squires as a saleswoman. Mrs. Staford was from Ireland. In the late 30s, Mrs. Squires left suddenly, so George’s mother offered to buy into the business as a partner with Mrs. Staford. Together they bought the building on Bloor St in 1940. Mrs. Staford retired and gave her half of the business to George’s mother. In 1941, his parents built an addition to the rear of the store, which they moved into. His sister was born in 1941 In 1953, they moved into a larger house after his brother was born. His father was trained as a cutter in Poland, and he came to Canada and got a job working for a relative at the Royal Knitting Company on Spadina Ave. When his mother took over the business, his father quit his position with the RKC and went to work in the store doing alterations. His father was later part of a group of investors that bought a shopping center in Northern Ontario. George went to Huron St. public school, and went to Talmud Torah. He wanted to go to Harvard collegiate, which was the Jewish highschool in the city, but he ended up at Jarvis because of where he lived. Graduated from Jarvis in 1952. Got a scholarship in a number of subjects, and enrolled at University of Toronto in Honours Sciences, but after the first year he decided to go to Israel, and spent a year there. Then decided to come back and finish his education. He arrived in Israel right after a large political split. He recalls how the political left and right shaped his experience in Israel. George was in Israel as part of a program for young people to visit and work. Recalls the others in his group and the places they went on the trip Recalls interactions with people from across the border. He wanted to enter medicine or science, and that was why he returned to Canada. He got a doctorate in biochemistry at UofT, and then got a postdoctoral fellowship and held that fellowship in Israel for 2 years. The administration at his institute did not approve of the work they were doing, and tried to disrupt their funding. He was unable to obtain promotions, so he left after getting a fellowship from the Rockefeller foundation, and moved to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore After the Rockerfeller fellowship was up, he joined the faculty and obtained a research grant from the National Institution of Health (NIH). After spending 4 years in Baltimore, the entire group was invited to Harvard to set up a new unit in reproduction science. They couldn’t take their research funds with them, and they had to apply for new research funds at Harvard, which was impossible to obtain. *Audio skips* Graduated from university in 1956. It was also the year he got married to his wife, Tibey (?) Zeldon. Her dad owned a butcher shop in Toronto on College St. she had 3 sisters and a brother. She taught Yiddish while George was in graduate school until their son Ellie (?) was born the year after they got married. Their daughter Leora was born in 1960 And in 1961 they moved to Israel where both kids learned Hebrew The kids started school in Israel, and continued going to public schools in the states. Ellie (?) finished school in Boston, and then he went to UofT, while the rest of the family went to Ottawa Leora went to Sir Robert Borden school, while they were living on Higgins St, in the west end Recalls buying a house in Ottawa, and the few friends they knew in the Ottawa and Toronto area. George joined Maziki Hadas after moving to Ottawa. Their house wasn’t near the shul, so they looked and eventually moved. Remembers Harry Rosenburg was president of the shul when he first joined Recalls working at the shul bingo Recalls how he used to smoke and why he stopped in 1985 Recalls a car accident he was in, and how it influenced his popularity in shul Involved in a program in 1980 that was driven by Rabbi Bolka about Jewish education, which eventually became Ottawa Torah Institute (OTI), which started in 1981 George was on the board. When students from outside of town started getting accepted into the Yeshiva, it ruined the reputation. That was eventually reversed and no out of town students were accepted, which helped reverse the reputation. Described a project he knew of, that was designed to rescue Jewish literature. George was also involved in a collection at the library. The council promotes awareness of the collection and finds means of publicizing it through special events. Gives an example of an event for the Dead Sea scrolls displayed at the Canadian Museum of History George has 6 grandchildren. After graduating from UofT, Ellie (?) returned to Israel and joined the army. Left the Kibbutz and moved to Tel Aviv. Ellie (?) became a creative writer and got married in December 1991, after meeting his wife during the first Gulf War. Ellie (?) and his wife Michelle has 2 daughters, Amber and Jade Leora moved to New York after graduating from York University with a degree in Math in 1989. Leora and Daniel Farb got engaged and got married in 1990 at the family shul in Toronto. Leora and Daniel have 4 kids and live in California. Recalls his grandson's bar mitzvah in California. *tape 1 ends* Tape 2 George took an early retirement in 1991, before coming back to work as a consultant until funds ran out. Before he retired, he was working on cloning cows. Discusses his publications and the works he has reviewed. Discusses the difficulty of driving around in Ottawa because of confusing street signs. George enjoys gardening, and built a greenhouse at his house. George also enjoys listening to Opera. He enjoys going to the Opera, and collecting opera CDs. He’s been to the Sydney opera, and the Israel Opera. His brother and law was working temporarily in Australia, in Melbourne. George and his sister went to Melbourne and New Zealand. They were staying in Melbourne before realizing Bondi has a large Jewish population, so they visited to get food. They went to a butcher shop in Australia called Soloman’s, to get food for their trip to New Zealand because they were worried about not being able to find Kosher food. George enjoys traveling and collecting old antique maps of the Holy Land, the oldest being from 1495, and the newest from 1700. George enjoys playing sports, but not watching them. He played baseball, football, taught swimming, water polo, and fencing. He is on the board of the Torah Academy of Ottawa, holding the secretary position Recalls the differences he encountered when he moved from Boston to Ottawa Recalls the 1975 election where the Parti Quebecois got in. A lot of people came to Ottawa from Montreal, and as a result of that Ottawa changed and grew, and it became more metropolitan because of this. George served as a volunteer teacher for 2 years at Torah Academy, teaching Hebrew. *audio ends*
Responsibility
Interviewed by Joe Murray
Date
May 4, 2004
Fonds No.
O0045
Storage Location
vault
Name Access
Joe Murray
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Ottawa Jewish Archives
Less detail

Rhoda Prager discusses the Cooper / Slone families

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn106357
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Fonds No.
O0045
Date
September 10, 2001
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Responsibility
Joe Murray
Date
September 10, 2001
Fonds No.
O0045
Storage Location
vault
Notes
-The Sloan side of Rhodas family came to Canada in the early 1900’s. -The Cooper side had some relatives come to Pembrooke prior to World War I and the rest came to Pembrooke after the war. -When Rhoda was born her family lived at Augusta. At the age of 4 they moved to Electric Street in New Edinburgh. She remembers her neighbour Ben Goldfield, The Betchermans, Estelle Levitan, and Robin’s family grocery store. -The family then moved to 292 Clarence street so Rhoda and her brother could go to York Street Public School. -Rhoda then discusses her neighbours and a former employer who lived in Sandy Hill. Mentions Eating Disorder. -Rhoda remembers shopping at Friemans with her mother and spending Saturdays at the movies with her brother and Julie Cransberg, she says they would go to either Center Theatre, The Regent, or the Capitol. -Rhoda discusses her time at York Street School; she tells a story about Laurie Greenberg (?) standing up to the boys at the catholic school nearby as they were throwing snowballs at her. -Rhoda went to Lisgar High School and during this time moved to her grandparents house on McGee Street. And she remembers this house because she remembers their first refrigerator being delivered in 1938. -During the war years she remembers her mother forming a knitting club to knit for the Red Cross. She talks about learning to knit and sending scarves overseas to help soldiers. She discusses how this is something she kept up with and later in life sent scarves to Israeli soldiers, knitting baby blankets for the civic hospital, and sweaters and afghans for her grandkids. -Rhoda spent lots of her social time growing up playing tennis at Tel Aviv Tennis Club, she talks about the social aspect. -Rhoda tells a story about the delivery boy from Rideau Bakery, and her memories of roller blading to the Rideau Bakery to pick up bread for her family. -She has very fond memories of her mother cooking in the kitchen and selling the food they grew in the garden. She talks about her mother having beautiful gardens at their house on Electric Street. -She remembers the garden at the house on McGee Street because they grew strawberries and she had some every morning. -Rhoda discusses how growing up she never realized how poor her family was, her parents always made sure to have food in the house and her mother was an avid canner so they ate canned food all through the winter. -Rhoda talks about Zeydeh Sloan who she spent lots of time with growing up. She never went to cheder because her Zeydeh taught her at home. She admired him growing up and talks about him always making money on the side through his calligraphy or by teaching diplomats children yiddish. -Rhoda went to Camp B’nai Brith in the summers. -During the war years she was in high school. She talks about rationing and seeing her mother help people label packages being sent overseas. She also recalls the boys breakfast club on sundays. -Rhoda then discusses her life in Pembroke. Rhoda married Newt Prager in 1950 and they had 3 children together, all born in Ottawa. Betsy in 1953 and Jonie and Margo in 1957. Shortly after the twins were born they moved to Pembroke. Rhoda talks about the jewish community in Pembroke and the opening of the synagogue there. -She recalls her and her husband being very active in the community and her spending a lot of time with her friends and her bridge group. -Rhoda used to throw many house parties and talks about throwing big parties for her daughters weddings. She talks about cooking for the parties and her favorite recipes. -Rhoda also volunteered with the auxiliary club at the hospital. SHe says she loved her work in palliative care. -Rhoda’s first daughter Betsy got married in 1980 and was the first jewish girl married in the Pembroke synagogue. -in 1993 Newt passed away and Rhoda moved back to Ottawa. -RHoda talks about her daughters marriages, divorces, children, and their new marriages. Betsy now lives in Nova Scotia with her second husband and Jonie lives in Maryland. -Rhoda talks about joining Agudath Israel when she returned to Ottawa. She now works with an organization bringing gifts and celebrating jewish holidays in long term care homes. -Rhoda now spends most of her time either in Florida, or visiting her daughters in Nova Scotia and Maryland. END OF TAPE ***tape abruptly cuts out at end of interview***
Name Access
Joe Murray
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Ottawa Jewish Archives
Less detail

Interview with Gerry Dover.

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn106629
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Fonds No.
O0045
Date
June 4, 2001
Scope and Content
Subject: Gerry Dover Interviewer: Joe Murray Date: 2001 Interview Location: Ottawa, ON Length of Time: 1:01:57 -Gerry’s grandfather, John, came to the United states circa 1850-1860. He arrived on Ellis Island from Russia with his brother when they were 17 years old. -John sold pocket watches and w…
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Scope and Content
Subject: Gerry Dover Interviewer: Joe Murray Date: 2001 Interview Location: Ottawa, ON Length of Time: 1:01:57 -Gerry’s grandfather, John, came to the United states circa 1850-1860. He arrived on Ellis Island from Russia with his brother when they were 17 years old. -John sold pocket watches and would often travel for work, this is how Gerry believes he came to settle in Ottawa. John was one of the first Jewish man to settle in Ottawa. -His grandfather had 5 children, 3 boys and 2 girls. One of the boys went on to become a doctor and the 2 girls got married and moved back to the United States. -Gerry mothers maiden name was Ross, although it was a more russian name until it was changed upon her arrival in the west. -Gerry talks about his uncles and how one uncle was the first jewish man in the RCMP. -Gerry then discusses his cousins and the many that are still in Ottawa as well as the few that have moved to the States. He also mentions his one cousin who was killed in WWII. -Gerry then discusses how his father came to have a hardware store. In 1941 his father was walking down Sparks street when he saw a for rent sign in a hardware store at 187 Sparks Street. Opened in June 1941, fortunate because as rations hit Canada his prices went up. They closed that location April 1, 1979. -In 1955 Gerry and his father had opened a second location in Westboro, and when the Sparks street location closed in 1979 they renovated the Westboro location. -Harold Lee was an employee of their store, both the Sparks Street and Westboro locations for 28 years. -Gerry then discusses where he grew up. When he was born on October 31, 1929 he lived with his grandparents at the corner of McClaren and Kent. two years later his parents purchased a house at 348 Second Avenue, Gerry has lived there since and is still the owner of that house. -Gerry went to Mutchmor Public School and then Glashan Public School. He went to high school at Glebe Collegiate and then attended the University of Ottawa for 3 years. -he has fond memories of playing hockey in high school and playing on a junior team before college. -Gerry recalls being good friends with the Dunlap brothers growing up and to this day he plays golf at the Rideauview Golf Club with them. -Gerry recalls paying 25¢ to go see the Ottawa Commandos, now the Ottawa Senators, play. -Gerry and Joe then swap stories about their time at the university; Gerry tells a story about playing basketball with one of his professors and Joe and Gerry discuss how most of the professors at the time were priests. -Joe and Gerry then reminisce about restaurants in centertown that are no longer around. They mention Cavandish, the Ottawa Bridge Club, The Venician Suites, Tea Garden, The Plaza, and Lindsay's store (?). -They then have a discussion about how the shopping center of Ottawa has changed. They talk about how parking makes it difficult and how big box stores have changed the market. -They further discuss how independent businesses are struggling now and they swap stories about running small independent stores in Ottawa. -Gerry discusses how in his retirement he has started a Gin Rummy club for 15 people where they have a space to play and talk to each other whenever they want. He also plays golf 4 times a week at Rideauview golf club. -Joe and Gerry share stories they both have about Mike Warner, and discuss all of the people in Ottawa Gerry had played Gin Rummy with. -They finish with a story about an italian restaurant they both used to eat at and how opinionated the chef was. END OF TAPE
Responsibility
Interviewed by Joe Murray
Date
June 4, 2001
Fonds No.
O0045
Storage Location
vault
Name Access
Joe Murray
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Ottawa Jewish Archives
Less detail

Interview with Morley Goldfield

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn106437
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Physical Description
2 tapes
Fonds No.
O0045
Date
April 4, 2001
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Physical Description
2 tapes
Responsibility
Interviewed by Joe Murray
Date
April 4, 2001
Fonds No.
O0045
Storage Location
vault
Notes
Subject: Morley Goldfield Interviewer: Joe Murray Date: April 4, 2001 Interview Location: Ottawa, ON Length of Time: 52:18 -Morley’s grandparents on his paternal side arrived in Canada in 1894 from Leningrad, now known as Saint Petersburg. They had 5 children; Ben, Charlie, Archie, Pearl, and Mitchel. -Morleys grandfather worked with Cattle in Ottawa and the family followed suit and worked in the meat industry. -Charlie was Morley’s father. Charlie married Eva Cohen and they had 5 children; Lionel, Morley, Jack, Anita, and Barbara. -Morley talks of his neighbourhood growing up and the shops nearby. Morley attended York Street Public School. He recalls the school having many Jewish students as well as German students. He never had troubles with the German students but says the French boys would often beat him up. -Morley eventually became a butcher. His brother Lionel and Uncle Archie got him into the business. They opened a butcher shop on Murray Street and then expanded to include a delicatessen in the store. In the delicatessen they served smoked meat and salami sandwiches. Morley recalls making smoked turkey sandwiches for Pierre Trudeau. The brothers ran an exhibition stand at the Ottawa Exhibition. -Morley then discusses some fun trips and stories of him and his best friends Gerry Dover and Ben Shapiro. Morley travelled a lot when he was young; he went to Newyork and did a big European trip where he visited Italy, France, England, and Scotland. -Morley got married in 1957 to his wife Diane in California. They had 3 children; Eva Lynn, Kim, and Gary. Gary married Allison Saks and Morley then discusses the Saks family and the Gatineau Country Club. -When Morley and DIane got married they moved in with his mother, then a small apartment. They then purchased a small house in the West End before purchasing the house he currently lives in on Killarney drive in 1965. -Morley talks about the business expansion and creation of the line “Bevi’s Delicatessen products” named after Lionel’s daughter Beverley. -Morley discusses his brother Jack and his children Eva and Eric. Jack passed away in 1991 on a trip in Sweden of a heart attack. -Morley’s daughter Eva Lynn went to York University for marketing and his other daughter Kim went to Toronto to be a nurse. Gary went to Carleton University and got a PhD. -Morely reflects on his business; it was a very hard industry and he worked very hard to be successful. In his reflection on it he is not sure he would do it again if he got to do it over. -Morely and his family attended Synagogue at the King Edward Shul and he recalls the Sunday dances and events. -Morely reflects on growing up poor and making the best of it. -In his retirement Morley spends a lot of time at the JCC working out and does some work with mortgage brokers. He also travels to FLorida each winter, visits his daughter in California, and visits Europe. -Morley concludes by discussing the Ottawa Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and the Jack Goldfield award. He created this award in memory of his brother and it is given to the best male and female athletes each year. END OF TAPE
Name Access
Joe Murray
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Ottawa Jewish Archives
Less detail

Interview with Sam Shapiro.

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn106631
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Fonds No.
O0045
Date
March 15, 2001
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Responsibility
Interviewed by Joe Murray
Date
March 15, 2001
Fonds No.
O0045
Storage Location
vault
Name Access
Joe Murray
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Ottawa Jewish Archives
Less detail

Interview with Sheila Baslaw

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn106436
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Fonds No.
O0045
Date
February 20, 2001
Scope and Content
Subject: Sheila Baslaw Interviewer: Joe Murray Date: February 20th Interview Location: Ottawa, ON Length of Time: 55:38 -Sheila’s mom was a Rebnovsky and her family was from Ukraine. She was 1 of 7 children and the family lost their parents early. One daughter, Sophie, came to Canada and met her …
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Scope and Content
Subject: Sheila Baslaw Interviewer: Joe Murray Date: February 20th Interview Location: Ottawa, ON Length of Time: 55:38 -Sheila’s mom was a Rebnovsky and her family was from Ukraine. She was 1 of 7 children and the family lost their parents early. One daughter, Sophie, came to Canada and met her husband. Her husband grew close to Sophie’s family and brought them all over to Canada. -Sheila’s fathers family was from the small town of Purila Estonia. He had 7 siblings and came to Canada during the depression. -Sheila’s father's Hebrew name was Shika and he was an upholsterer in Ottawa. He owned a shop on Wellington Street where the family lived for many years. Sheila talks about how few jewish families lived in the west end. -Sheila’s father then bought a new house and a Roman Catholic Church in Sandy Hill. He used the church as his workshop and the family moved to Sandy Hill. His new shop was on Clarence and Church. -The family also bought a 4 unit house and rented out the remaining 3 units. Sheila lived here from the ages of 9-15. The family then moved to 265 Wilborn ave. -Sheila had 2 siblings; her brother Norman was born in 1931, she was born in 1932, and her sister Rhoda was born in 1938. -Sheila took music and tap dancing classes when she was a child. -Sheila had always dreamed of becoming a social worker, she went to Carleton University and then the St.Patrick School for Social Work. -Sheila talks about her mother teaching herself to read, walking to Mikkenberg’s(?) for smoked meat on Sundays, and how her brother inspired her with how studious he was. -Sheila has been employed since she was 15 years old. She worked at a daycare for multiple summers and then as a camp counselor in the laurentians. She talks about odd jobs she had as a cashier in various clothing stores. -The family had a summer cottage near woodroffe. They would spend the summer there and only come downtown for special occasions. -Sheila married Morton Taller in 1955 and they had 3 children. David was born in 1960, Lawrence was born in 1961, and Coleman was born in 1963. -Sheila talks about the war years in Ottawa. She was young but she recalls rationing and making a blanket with her friend to donate. Morton was 17 when he joined the air force and was sent to Europe. -Sheila returned to work when her son David was 7. She applied for a job at Northern Affairs setting up counseling services for the indigenous communities in the north. She found this job very rewarding and interesting. She then went to work for the Children’s Aid Society where she set up group counseling for unmarried mothers. She then went to McGill to take a course s=of interest for her work where she then joined a research project. In 1976 she became the head of a project to set up research and resources for child abuse, -Sheila talks of her children and their careers, Morton’s career in art, his teaching at the Ottawa Art School and the families painting trips they would take. -Sheila never got to go to Hebrew school growing up and wanted to, so later in her life she attended Hebrew school and had her Bat Mitzvah. Her and Morton continued to educate themselves and are currently taking skating, skiing, and tai chi classes. END OF TAPE
Responsibility
Interviewed by Joe Murray
Date
February 20, 2001
Fonds No.
O0045
Storage Location
vault
Name Access
Joe Murray
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Ottawa Jewish Archives
Less detail

Interview with John and Reba Diener

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn106340
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Physical Description
2 tapes
Fonds No.
O0045
Date
February 13, 2001
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Physical Description
2 tapes
Responsibility
Interviewed by Joe Murray
Date
February 13, 2001
Fonds No.
O0045
Storage Location
vault
Notes
Subject: The Diener Family Interviewer: Joe Murray Date: 2001 Interview Location: Ottawa, ON Length of Time: 1:46:40 -Joe is interviewing both Reba and John together. -Reba begins by talking about growing up in Montreal. She grew up on the corner of Colonial Street and Mille Neuf. She remembers the community being a mix of Jewish and French Canadian. -Her grandfather came to Canada in 1900 from Ukraine. He fled the country to avoid the tsar’s draft and brought over Reba’s grandmother and their children a year after he arrived in Montreal. -Her father worked in a clothing factory and was very involved in the local shul and cemetery. Reba says she recalls walking through some neighbourhoods in Montreal and feeling the anti-semitism. -Reba attended Bancroft Public School. She says it was close to 100% jewish and she has only fond memories of the school. She then went to Baron Byng High School. She tells a story about spring choir and about how the boys side of the school used to misbehave. -Reba then talks about seeing her mother go grocery shopping everyday since they had no refrigerator. She also talks about being a teenager during the war and remembering rationing in the stores. -Reba tells a funny story about trying to sneak into movie theaters when she was young, since at the time you had to be over 16 to go to the movies. -Reba also remembers yeshiva when she was young and while she says she has fond memories she grew to resent it in high school as she felt it limited her ability to do school activities. -Joe asks her about restaurants she recalls and Reba remembers Lindy’s on Park ave. She has fond memories of not only the restaurant but the street as she remembers meeting there after church services. -Reba talks about her uncle, who she does not name, but owned a men's clothing store on St Lawrence Street. She recalls him being successful but also being a gambler, he had season tickets to the Montreal Royals and Reba recalls seeing Jackie Robinson play. -Some more of her fond memories in Montreal were shopping at Eatons and the Eaton's christmas parade. -Joe asks her about her neighbours and Reba tells a funny story about a neighbour who was having an affair, the stable in her neighbourhood, and the local barber and his antics. -Joe now interviews John about his father, Nathan. John’s father was born in a province previously in Poland but now located in the Ukraine. -Nathan was the only family member to survive the holocaust. Himself and his father escaped from a camp, unfortunately his father passed away from typhus on the journey from the camp. John’s father then joined the Polish Russian Air Force and post war he worked to help jewish families get to Israel. -At the time of the interview John is doing genealogy research to try to learn more about his family's history as they unfortunately do not know much about his father’s life in Europe. -After the war Nathan was heading to Russia when he ran into a women he knew from childhood at the train station who told him to go west instead of east. From there Nathan went to Italy for a few years before coming to Canada in September of 1948. -Nathan came to Canada on the ship the Sturgeous (?) and arrived in Halifax. He then went to Montreal followed by Ottawa. -John recalls his father being very worldly and speaking approximately 5 languages; he says this is how he gained such a loyal customer base in a bilingual city. -In Ottawa Nathan lived with his sponsor family Sam and Goldie Silver (?). -Nathan went to night school to learn book keeping and subsequently learnt english. Following school Nathan went into business with Mr. Gandall and opened a butchershop at 10 Byward Market. This business relationship did not last long and the two ended their partnership. -Nathan then joined Sam Saslov’s business as Sam was wanting to retire. The Saslov’s had a milk store and when Nathan joined they also became a butcher. -Reba and John were married in January of 1953. They moved into a small apartment on Rideau street for a year before purchasing their first house at 119 Russell Street. They had 4 children John in 1954, Seymour in 1956, Joel in 1959, and Sharon. -They lived at 199 Russell for 5 years before moving to their house on Woodcrest where they stayed until 1998. -John then speaks about his childhood. He attended Hillel academy for 8 years and has fond memories of his teachers; Warner Bower, Nathan Levine, Mr. Frankel, and Mrs. Gory (?). John tells a funny story of getting in trouble as a child at school and hiding at a Pollywog pond to avoid his parents, -John went to Ridgemont High School and says he struggled at first because he was only 12 when he started there. He quickly got people to stop bothering him however when he punched a classmate in the face after being teased. John graduated from Ridgemont in 1971. -John then went to Carleton university for a Bachelors of Commerce, after 3 years he lost interest in the program and transferred to Algonquin college to study data processing. -During his years at school he also worked at his fathers store and worked with the 39th scouts group. -He then began work at Fiends Flowers (?) in 1975. He worked with them to computerize their payment system for flower deliveries. -In 1977 John started working for Trebleclef. He worked there for 4 years and met his wife there. -in 1981 Nathan was looking to retire and John took over the store from his father. John talks about how they always had nice and fresh window displays and began selling pollock. John tells a funny story about selling the pollock outside of the store and chasing thieves down the street. -When John took over the store in the 80’s grocery shopping and family trends were rapidly changing. During this time John expanded the business into wholesale sales and expanded the seafood products they sold. -John got into the seafood market through a man in Toronto named Henry Ender who was a fish dealer with great connections and introduced John and his brother Joel to the Boston Seafood Convention. It was at the Boston Convention that John found Nathan’s Herring and began selling it in Ottawa. -During this time John also expanded the business when he met a man from Iqaluit who talked about the lack of good meat up north. John let the man order in bulk and shipped it up to him frozen, from there more people in Iqaluit wanted to order from him and he started shipping alot of meat and groceries to customers in the north. This became a major part of the business. -reba then speaks about her involvement in the community. She was an active member of Mechzikei Hadas and the PTA at Hillel Academy. -She then talks about her trips to Israel, Vegas, and New York City. -John then tells a story about how his father always picked his animals for slaughter himself and has fond memories of driving to Greely on thursdays to pick out cows. -John finishes by talking about how his father instilled the value of knowing your business in him, it is because of this that John is a very hands on owner and has the loyalty of his staff. END OF TAPE
Name Access
Joe Murray
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Ottawa Jewish Archives
Less detail

Interview with Norman Polowin

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn106355
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Physical Description
3 tapes
Fonds No.
O0045
Date
January 2, 2001
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Physical Description
3 tapes
Responsibility
Interviewed by Joe Murray
Date
January 2, 2001
Fonds No.
O0045
Storage Location
vault
Name Access
Joe Murray
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Ottawa Jewish Archives
Less detail

Interview with Morris Cantor

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn106338
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Fonds No.
O0045
Date
December 13, 2000
Scope and Content
Subject: Morris Cantor Interviewer: Joe Murray Date: December 13, 2000 Interview Location: Ottawa, ON Length of Time: 63:15 LANGUAGE WARNING -Morris was born in Lithuania, his family is from a small town near Kovna. -in 1930 the family started to see more anti semitism and decided to immigrate to…
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Scope and Content
Subject: Morris Cantor Interviewer: Joe Murray Date: December 13, 2000 Interview Location: Ottawa, ON Length of Time: 63:15 LANGUAGE WARNING -Morris was born in Lithuania, his family is from a small town near Kovna. -in 1930 the family started to see more anti semitism and decided to immigrate to the US. He had 3 brothers living in South Africa and a brother and a sister living in the US. Morris and his brother and sister still living in Lithuania were sponsored by his family in Boston and immigrated. They could not get into the US so they came to Canada instead. -In June 1930 they arrived in Quebec City then came to Ottawa when Morris was 12 and a half years old. -In Ottawa Morris’s sister worked stringing pearls and his father worked at a wholesale market in the Byward Market. -Morris attended York Street Public School for 2 years and he discusses skipping grades and his favorite teacher Mr. Cook. -Morris left school to work with his father. He worked as a door to door fruit peddler after his father bought a horse and wagon. He discusses the prices he was selling at and how drastically prices have changed. -Morris’s brother went to Montreal for a short time to learn the butcher business and when he returned they opened a butcher store in the Byward Market. -he discusses meat prices and customer interactions, he particularly remembers the generosity of a customer who gave him new clothes in exchange for meat. -In 1936 the brothers bought a new building and moved the butcher into a bigger space. -Morris was a member of the Machzikei Hadas when it was at its Murray Street location. He speaks on his memories of the older members of the congregation and Kaddish. -In 1942 he enlisted in the Royal Candian Airforce. He worked very hard to be the best he could; he recalls shining his shoes until they looked like mirrors and sleeping on top of his made bed so it always looked neat. -Morris was promoted to Corporal where he began teaching students and eventually got made a Sergeant. He has fond memories of playing cards in the Sergeants mess hall and his colleagues drinking. -He recalls working on a base near the Alaskan Highway and selling his liquor to men working on the highway instead of drinking it himself. -He was discharged in 1945/1946 and he returned to Ottawa. -Morris went back to working at the butcher shop and met his wife Goldie Cantor. Morris and Goldie were married in June of 1946. -Morris speaks about how hard the work was in the butcher shop, he says he barely saw his children since he was always working. -He then speaks about a man in real estate coming into the shop and that is where he learnt of an auditorium that was for sale. He bought the auditorium and remodeled it. The auditorium was host to hockey games, skating clubs, wrestling matches, concerts, and midget (derogatory term) wrestling. -He discusses making deals with CBC to have tv broadcasts of events and business deals gone bad involving the auditorium. -Eventually the building was bought by the YMCA for $300,000 -Morris then touches on his family life. He had 3 daughters and one son; Elsa, Evelyn, Leslie, and Ian. Morris details each of their education and marriages. He is very proud of his children, their partners, and his grandchildren. -Joe Murray brings up rumours that Morris has a brother in South Africa who is involved in the diamond trade, Morris says these are false rumors and his brothers left South Africa some time ago. -Morris then discusses his Slaughterhouse; in 1959 he purchased a meat plant. His plant produced both beef and pork and twice a week had kosher slaughtering. He sold this plant in 1975. -Morris finishes by telling the story of when Elvis Presley performed at his auditorium and he got to meet him. He also talks about the times he had circuses with elephants in his auditorium. END OF TAPE
Responsibility
Interviewed by Joe Murray
Date
December 13, 2000
Fonds No.
O0045
Storage Location
vault
Name Access
Joe Murray
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Ottawa Jewish Archives
Less detail

Interview with Ruth Polowin

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn106356
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Fonds No.
O0045
Date
December 7, 2000
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Responsibility
Interviewed by Joe Murray
Date
December 7, 2000
Fonds No.
O0045
Storage Location
vault
Name Access
Joe Murray
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Ottawa Jewish Archives
Less detail

Interview with Lil Cohen

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn106339
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Physical Description
2 tapes
Fonds No.
O0045
Date
December 4, 2000
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Physical Description
2 tapes
Responsibility
Interviewed by Joe Murray
Date
December 4, 2000
Fonds No.
O0045
Storage Location
vault
Notes
Subject: Lil Cohen Interviewer: Joe Murray Date: Interview Location: Ottawa, ON Length of Time: Tape 1 62:58 Tape 2 25:29 -Lil’s family came to Canada circa 1920, their ship docked in Halifax and they then travelled to Ottawa. -They were immigrating from Bessarabia; they decided to leave once the Soviet Union began the pogroms and anti semitism became prevalent. -The family lived at 156 George Street when they first got to Ottawa and Lil’s father worked at the Loeb (?) families candy factory on sussex. -In 1938 her father opened his own confectionary store and factory at 305 Dalhousie. Lil discusses how the war quickly broke out and sugar was rationed, because of this she remembers the giant lines at Christmas and Easter. The factory sold both hard candy and chocolates. -Lil recalls a woman with the last name Finkelstein who hand made all of the chocolates and would let Lil eat the discarded chocolate. -Lil began working in the store at the age of 13 or 14 and she has fond memories of the very loyal staff. -Lil then talks about her route to and from her house and the murray street shul. She mentions the names of family homes she remembers walking past and who she remembers socializing with. Some of the people she spent the most time with include the Saslov twins, the Slones, the Steinberg's, and the Edelsons. -She touches on her memories of York Street Public School and recalls some of her teachers; Ms. Eardly, Mr. Westwater, Ms. Eckart, Ms. Watts, Mr. Seymour, Mr. Sutherland, Mr. Marks, and Ms. Mitchel. -She has fond memories as a child of spending her saturdays doing foot races with the Saslov twins at the baseball field. -She then attended the School of Commerce. She recalls socializing at Sherman’s and Snyder’s both of which were across the street from the school. SHe excelled at sports and gymnastics at school and did not enjoy home economics. -Lil recalls attending Fader on George street for a year before quitting because she did not enjoy the classes. -She was a member of B’nai Brith in Ottawa as well as the girl guides. She also founded a club with her girlfriends called Select Teens. She recalls spending her teen years socializing and dancing at the Wise families store. -Lil touches on her memories of her sister marrying young and her brother being a fantastic dancer and wearing zoot suits. -Her father purchased a cottage in Britannia opposite the train tracks. Lil spent most of her summers there with the Saslov’s, Bookerman’s, and Blostein’s. She has fond memories of swimming and diving at the beach. -Lil spent most of her social time at Britannia either at Lakeside Gardens listening to the music or Clancy’s. -She recalls the tea dances that were held in the basement of the King Edward synagogue. -Her family then moved to 92 Charlotte street where she would sit on the stairs and watch her brother and his friends play poker. This is how she learnt to play cards. -In her teen years she wrote a gossip column for B’nai Brith, this evolved into her becoming a secretary at the Hadassah because she was very fast and good at taking notes. -Lil then speaks about the Cohen side of her family. -She met George Cohen on a blind tennis date at Tel Aviv Tennis Club and they were married for 27 years before separating. They had 2 children and 4 grandchildren. -it was George who encouraged her to return to work in the mid 60’s. She began as a casual employee for the government. She speaks about taking the entrance exams for the government and of experiencing anti-semitism in the office. -Lil is a very confident woman and speaks of her time in the office; she tells funny stories about paying her boss back from card games and practicing her golf in the office hallways. -In April of 1968 Lil received a request to interview at the Israeli embassy as Arie Eshel’s secretary. Lil interviewed and wagered her job offer against her job to get better benefits. END OF TAPE 1 -Lil ended up starting work at the Israeli Embassy for ambassador Arie Eshel in May of 1968. -Lil worked with 8 ambassadors from 1968-1996. Lil loved the job and talks about her role in the embassy, her responsibilities, and the difficulties she would have with guest lists to events. -Lil discusses her trips to Israel. She discusses the people she stayed with, the perks of travelling with the embassy, and her experiences in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. -She discusses Israeli food and all the politicians she got to meet. -At the time of the interview Lil has been retired for 4 years. She is now a secretary for the Canada Israel Cultural Foundation as well as the secretary for her apartment building. She also has plans to volunteer with teenagers. END OF TAPE 2
Name Access
Joe Murray
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Ottawa Jewish Archives
Less detail

Interview with Anita Roodman

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn106359
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Fonds No.
O0045
Date
November 7, 2000
Scope and Content
Subject: Anita Roodman Interviewer: Joe Murray Date: November 7, 2000 Length of Time: 47:02 - Her mother Lillian Nadler was born in Montreal. Her parents came from Romania, and arrived in Canada in 1912. Her mother was born in 1913, and had 2 sisters and a brother; Sarah Snider, Frances Dryan, Sam…
Collection
Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
sound recording
Scope and Content
Subject: Anita Roodman Interviewer: Joe Murray Date: November 7, 2000 Length of Time: 47:02 - Her mother Lillian Nadler was born in Montreal. Her parents came from Romania, and arrived in Canada in 1912. Her mother was born in 1913, and had 2 sisters and a brother; Sarah Snider, Frances Dryan, Sam Nadler - Her father came from Russia, his parents came to Canada in 1905. He was born in Russia and was just under a year old when they came here - Her maternal parents came from Bucharest, Romania. Her maternal grandfather was a tailor. - Her paternal grandfather was a farmer in Russia, when he came here they lived on a farm in Buckingham, Quebec, and then started Buckingham Dairy on McGee and St. Patrick - She remembers going to the dairy and visiting her grandparents. - Her parents Lilian and Hyram Kathnelson were married in 1935. - Anita was born in 1936, in Sandy Hill - Anita is the oldest of 8 children- 5 brothers and 2 sisters: Jerry, Morris, Alan, Richard, Marsha, Andrea, Steven - Went to Osgoode St School and then York St. School and then Lisgar Collegiate - A lot of Jewish families in Sandy Hill - Jewish Community Centre was on King Edward Ave. in the old King Edward St. Shul - Belonged to the first Jewish Girl Guides troop with about 15-20 other girls. Used to meet in York st. school once a week. - Used to work at Kiddy Town run by Hy Heins when she went to Lisgar. - Anita has 2 kids; Joel, born in 1959 and Gail born in 1962. Her siblings all have kids. - Recalls growing up and going to the movies, and events held by the JCC. The regent and capital theater and rideau theater. - Her father-in-law had his dental office on Rideau St. - Recalls different restaurants Anita and her friends used to visit - Recalls her father used to take her to Rideau Bakery every sunday morning to get bread. - Anita used to skate, ski and sled with her family. She spent most of her time outdoors - Shopping included Friemans, Birks and Caplans and a few other stores, mostly on Sparks St. now known as the Sparks St Mall - Eaton’s was on the Bank St. corner of Lauier, which was across the street from Cohen furniture, and national bakery. The Odian theater was also on that block, sometime in the 50s. The theater was later destroyed because of a gas leak and subsequent explosion. - When the second world war ended, Anita was 9 years old. Her father took them down to Rideau St. and there were thousands of people dancing in the streets and celebrating - “Football fridays” were high school football games - Recalls when the Ottawa baseball team started, Anita and her friends skipped school to go see them - She went to Hader after school on George St. Mr. Lipshitz was a teacher there. - Jewish Stores; Danes on Rideau St. - Anita took a business course at a college on Spark St. and she got a job in the Public Service commission, then called the Civil Service commission in the government. Worked in the Jackson Building - Anita got married in December 1956 to Mike Roodman - Left the government shortly after, had her kids, and returned to work 10 years later - Left briefly to work with a non-profit. Returned to the government in 1973 and worked in Supply services and public works for 19 years and retired in December 1991 - In 1976 Anita went to Israel. - Recalls when she went to visit Mike who was working in Hong Kong. Mike and Anita enjoy travel. She recalls the time her and Mike spend in warm places during the winter - Anita recalls when her and Mike visited Whitehorse and Alaska Audio Cuts - Anita recalls going to dances every Sunday night at the JCC. It was here that Mike and Anita met and started dating at age 17 and 22 - 9 months later, Mike was in the army, and the Korean war had just ended, but Mike was sent to Korea in November, and he was there for 10 months - They got engaged when she was 18, and married when she was 20 and Mike was 25. Married at Maziki Hadas. Rabbi Epstien officiated. - Recalls going to Florida for their honeymoon - First apartment was on Carmen Ave. in Vanier. There were several other newly married Jewish couples living there - From there they moved to a house in the west end, where they had their son Joel. Moved to Ryan Dr. in the west end. Then moved to Lawrence St. and the kids went to school at Queen Elizabeth School and Rideau High school. Then they moved to Glade Cres Court? Off of baseline rd. near the Carleton Hospital - Mike is in sales in the insurance business. - They are members of Maziki Hadas with Rabbi Bulka - Recalls the wedding of a fellow congregation member. - Mike and Anita took up golfing, and golf with friends at different clubs around the city. - Anita describes how she spends her free time, now that she is retired. - Anita describes how her and her sisters divide their time with their mother, and how their family splits up holidays - Celebrates Hillary Clinton winning a seat in the senate. Audio ends
Responsibility
Interviewed by Joe Murray
Date
November 7, 2000
Fonds No.
O0045
Storage Location
vault
Name Access
Joe Murray
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Ottawa Jewish Archives
Less detail

33 records – page 1 of 2.