Kasriel (Kastrel) Cohen fonds

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of interview with Rabbi Lifschutz, March, 1950.

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of interview with Rabbi Lifschutz, March, 1950.

History Biographical: Kasriel Cohen (or Kastrel Cohen) arrived in Ottawa from Vitebek, Russia in 1902 at the age of 35, along with his wife, mother and sister (Mrs. Segalovitch), to join his older brother Samuel Cohen. He taught himself English and it was easy for him to learn the new language. He was able to express himself very clearly. At the same time he was well versed in Jewish culture. According to the Honourable Abraham H. Lieff, he had “the finest handwriting of any man I had ever known”. He first turned to ink manufacturing but there were too many manufacturing problems. He peddled for a while, and then turned to real estate. He did very well until he went into bankruptcy and even lost his own home. In 1917, he opened a second-hand clothing store on Wellington Street. He and his wife did not have children. They adopted Saul Ozarof who adopted the Cohen name. Kasriel Cohen was secretary of Agudath Achim Congregation.

Related Material: Related material in Gathering rosebuds by Abraham (Abe) Lieff, p.37