Oral interview with Nancy Halpern. Interviewed by Samantha Stokell for SLAIS Oral History class.

Nancy's father's family moved to Vancouver in 1906, when her father Norman Brown was less than six months old. She has stories of her own life in the Vancouver Jewish community and those of her grandparents and parents. She was involved in drama and theatre in the Vancouver and Spokane, WA areas, and worked as a librarian in Vancouver. She was also involved in creating the West Vancouver Jewish Community Association.

Nancy mentions her cousin's daughter, Barbara Liskov (née Huberman) from the States, a professor at MIT who was the first woman to graduate in Computer Science in the U.S., and who is a winner of the Turing Award.

Oral history interview with David Skulski, interviewed by Alysa Routtenberg. David, born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, speaks about his family’s history in Ukraine [Beresteczko] and Russia and immigration to Canada. David discusses his early life and adolescence in Moose Jaw and North Battleford and relocation to New Westminster, British Columbia. David talks about both his secular and religious education and relationship to the Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, both in his youth and later in his leadership. David also speaks of his experience as a professional oboist, which influenced his founding and direction of Early Music Vancouver, residency at SFU, and role in Vancouver’s symphony.

Oral history interview with Alan Tapper, interviewed by Matthew Graves and assisted by Alan’s wife, Daphne. Alan speaks on his family’s history as well as adolescence in the Jewish community of East London, England, including the artistic and political environment. Alan talks about his family’s experience during the Second World War in London where his neighborhood was heavily bombed and impoverished by rationing, leading to his family’s evacuation to Devon and Newcastle. Alan discusses his involvement in various youth groups and theatre during the war, such as the Brady’s Boy Club. He talks about his military training at Padgate and subsequent conscription into the Royal Air Force intelligence unit where he was stationed in Egypt to monitor conflict over the Suez Canal. Alan speaks about how his military experience impacted his life and also the anti-Semitism he observed. He discusses his immigration to Vancouver, Canada and his role in numerous Jewish and Zionist organizations and boards, including B’nai Brith and the Canadian Jewish Congress. He talks about his job in fundraising, teaching public speaking, and radio program hosting, as well as his children and marriage.

Oral Interview with Marcia Pitch for the JMABC Artists Scribe. Interviewed by Carol Herbert. Marcia discusses her upbringing in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and her parents and grandparents’ origins in Eastern Europe and immigration to Canada. Marcia mentions influences that led her to the arts, including education at the University of Manitoba and doing graduate work in California. In 1969, Marcia experienced the police suppression in response to the People’s Park Revolution in Berkeley. Soon after she returned to Vancouver where she studied education at UBC and volunteered with Amnesty International. She pursued an art style that reflected her strong feelings about politics, war, and the influences of her grandparents’ stories of Eastern European pogroms. Marcia's art includes mixed media collages and sculptures, and producing large scale installations for her gallery exhibitions. Marcia speaks about her upcoming project focusing on sexuality, women’s repression and feminism. She further explains her perspective as an older woman in the art world and the differing responses she has received regarding her art online vs. in person. Marcia relates experiences such as having children, volunteering, and being a part of the recycling community to how they’ve inspired her pieces or participation in the arts community.

Oral history interview with Sylvia "Pixie" (nee Minster) Steiner who was born in Vancouver, 1942. Her father owned United Upholstery Co. Pixie volunteers at the Bagel Club, as an ESL teacher and book club.

Oral history interview with Miriam Matoff who was born in England, 1906. Mother’s father was Rabbi Barnett Mordechai Sheinman, born in Jerusalem. Miriam‘s husband Conrad, grew up in Montreal but was born in England. Miriam works for the Louis Briar Home and was involved in National Council of Jewish Women.

Oral history interview with Zora ("Zoe") Gropper, who was a part of the National Council of Jewish Women in Saskatoon and discusses the political climate of the twenty-first century.

Oral history interview with Bernie Simpson who was born in Vancouver in 1942. He started work as a Social Worker influenced by his time at Camp Habonim, than becoming a lawyer and latter a MLA for Fraser View and he worked with Camp Miriam. Bernie was involved in a number of organizations: The Canadian Council of Christians & Jews; UNICEF; BC Paraplegics Association; Trial Lawyers Association; Brain Injury Association of America; The Canadian Bar Association and The Canadian Cancer Society.

Oral history interview with Sarah Ann Ciacci who is known for her volunteer efforts such as in the; Jewish Women International, B’nai Brith Women, Soviet Jewry Action Committee, Jewish Women Against Domestic Violenc, been on Board of Governors of Jewish National Fund for more than 11 years, chaired the Tu-B’shvat campaign for 14 years; has been on Cdn. Jewish Congress board - 1996-2003, representing J.N.F, since 1986 has been involved in Shalom B.C., has been involved at Temple Sholom since 1978.

An interview with Sonia Rose, who was born in England and arrived in Victoria in 1918. She describes her involvement in Jewish community life in Victoria. Sonia was active in Eastern Star and B'nai B'rith, a charter member of Hadassah, member of Red Cross, Canadian Club, Musical Arts Society, Hospital Auxiliary, and Council of Canadian Citizenship. She also wrote a Victoria column for the Jewish Western Bulletin. Sonia begins the interview discussing her family hosting Rabbi J.H. Hertz, Chief Rabbi of the British Empire, during his visit to Victoria in 1921.