An address on the Max family,
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn106430
- Collection
- Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- sound recording
- Fonds No.
- O0045
- Date
- October 24, 2001
- Scope and Content
- Subject: Max Family Interviewer: N/A Date: October 24, 2001 Interview Location: Ottawa, ON Length of Time: 52:30 -Leonard begins his talk with a story about his father Sol Max as an MC for an event. After some further stories Leonard begins detailing his family history. -The Max family began with…
- Collection
- Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- sound recording
- Scope and Content
- Subject: Max Family Interviewer: N/A Date: October 24, 2001 Interview Location: Ottawa, ON Length of Time: 52:30 -Leonard begins his talk with a story about his father Sol Max as an MC for an event. After some further stories Leonard begins detailing his family history. -The Max family began with his paternal grandparents Max and Annie. Max was Max Kovolski and was originally from Russia. Annie was originally from Poland. The two were married and arrived in Canada around 1906.. -Max worked as a tailor and shortly after arriving in Canada Annie and Max had Leonard's father, Sol, in 1908. They then had Sarah in 1911 and Arthur in 1917. DUring the wartime Max worked tailoring military uniforms and furs. Sometime in the late 1920’s/early 1930’s Max was trying to save money on a new sign for the tailor shop and found it was cheaper if the name was shorter. So he legally changed his last name to Max so it could be shortened on the sign. -The Max family is made up of many families; the Goldberg family from New York, the Dover family from Eganville, the Polowin family, and The Abrams family in Montreal. Leonard goes into detail about how each family is related to one another. -Leonard details his mother and fathers early life together. His mother Lillian Abrams was a pianist and Sol took to her very fast. Leonard talks about the beginning of his parents' relationship and the love letters they wrote back and forth during their engagement.The two were married in Montreal at the Windsor Hotel. -Leonard speaks of his grandparents Max and Rose. Max passed in the 70’s and Rose passed when she was 99. -A common theme of the Max family is their love for music. Grandpa Max was well known for his singing voice and was active in the King Edward Street Shul Choir. Leonard's dad studied violin and was a part of a local symphony. Leonard’s mother was a pianist and their home was always full of music. Leonards brother Mark formed a band named The Courier’s and Ann had some musical talents. In addition Leonard brought Leonard Cohen, a university friend at the time, to B’nai Brith for a couple weeks. -Leonard talks of his father Sol and his uncle Arthur’s working relationship. They ran the shop together and Arthur worked on designs for the military. Leonard recalls a story of Arthur designing a uniform for soldiers in the north. His designs were so well received that he got a personal letter from the head of the British Navy. -Leonard concludes by discussing his family in the present time. He speaks of his aunt and uncle's lives and marriages as well as his children's marriages and careers. -There is a question period where someone reminds Leonard of his fathers work with the Kiwanis Club in Ottawa. Sol and Leonard were lucky enough to get to put on a play at Madison Square Gardens during a Kiwanis Club trip. Leonard talks about his memories of the trip. END OF TAPE AT 52:30
- Date
- October 24, 2001
- Publication
- Leonard Max
- Fonds No.
- O0045
- Storage Location
- vault
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Ottawa Jewish Archives
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