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JHSBC Oral History Collection Vancouver Island
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Aaron Devor

Interview with Aaron Devor as part of the BC Jewish Queer & Trans Oral History Project, in collaboration with JQT Vancouver. Aaron shares his experience being both transgender and Jewish in BC. He also discusses his earlier experiences as a lesbian in the Jewish community, prior to transitioning. He experienced both friction and support. Aaron discusses leaving the Jewish community early in life because he felt there was no place for him as a woman. He returned later in life. He talks about same-sex marriage in the Jewish community, and shares stories about his transitioning ceremony. Aaron discusses anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic sentiments in the LGBTQ+ community. He talks about his career in academic, including his current position as chair of transgender studies at UVic.

Adele Vernon

Oral History interview with Adele Vernon. Born in London, England. During the war her mother told her and her siblings “don’t let anyone know we’re Jewish” and leaving the Jewish faith for years. Talks about being sponsored to come to Canada by his father's aunt, arriving at Pier 41, arriving during the Calgary stampede. Went back to school as a mature student in 1973 for performing arts. Started the Shalom Dancers in 1978/79. Took Wednesday night classes with Rabbi Victor Reinstein and returned to the Jewish faith later in life.

Ben Grossman

Oral history interview with Ben Grossman who was born in 1885 in Russia. He emigrated to Winnipeg with his family, moving later to Victoria and finding working as a car salesman. He served in the British Army during the First World War, notably in Libya as a mechanic.

Bertha Baron

Oral history with Bertha Baron who arrived in Canada 1907 from Minsk, Russia; settled in Rumsey, Alberta. In this interview she discusses her involvement in the Victoria Jewish community and reflects on Zionism.

Boris Chenkis

Oral history interview with Boris Chenkis in preparation for the 2015 Scribe on Jewish clothiers. Boris’ parents were born in Chernovke, Ukraine. Boris was born in Belarus in 1952. His family moved to Canada in 1959, when he was 7 years old. His Father was an x-ray technician and got a job in Nanaimo. His mother was a cook. They loved in Nanaimo until 1967 when they moved to Vancouver so his mother could open a clothing store. He talks about going to camp Miriam and Habonim. He went to Israel during his gap year on a Habonim program then went to UBC. In 1984, he opened After Five, a clothing store, with his wife. He talks about running the store and fashion.

Brett Silberg

Oral interview with Brett Silberg. Interviewed by Debby Freiman. Brett talks about his family's history in South Africa, education, and the Apartheid. He arrived in Canada as a student before eventually immigrating and finding a renewed interest in Judaism.

Brigitte McKenzie

Oral interview with Brigitte McKenzie.Interviewed by Kaitlin Findlay for University of Victoria Public History class project.

Interview is about the desecration of the Emanu-El cemetary in Victoria in 2011; explores how the community reacted to this event and the role of historians in preserving historic sites such as this.

In the interview, Brigitte describes her memories of the desecration; her thoughts about the vigil and the community response; her personal valuation of the Emanu-El cemetery as a neighbor who appreciates the cemetery’s beautiful appearance as well as its sacred and historical resonance; her opinion on what historians can do in the wake of such an event; and her own experiences with the sacredness of cemeteries.

Carla Stein

Oral Interview with Carla Stein for the JMABC Artists Scribe. Interviewed by Daniella Givon via remote Zoom call. Carla discusses how her uncle’s career as a professional painter and illustrator helped to mentor her in arts at a young age, alongside classes at the Art Institute of Chicago. She discussed attending post-secondary for a diploma in Fine Art and a Masters degree in education, but working in journalism and counseling before becoming a professional artist. Carla explains how she retired from these professions to pursue art full time, which includes currently illustrating her own and others’ poetry. Carla speaks about the flexibility of her work, and allowing words on a page, or pieces to speak to and guide her through the process of their creation intuitively. She discusses how she is motivated to make art by issues that are important to her and the world around her, and highlights memories of her first art show and a prominent commission that she is proud of. Carla speaks about the importance of colour and composition in her work, and how never giving up is one of the most important pieces of wisdom she could offer.

Charlayne Thornton-Joe

Oral interview with Charlayne Thornton-Joe. Interviewed by Alissa Cartwright for University of Victoria Public History class project.

Interview is about the desecration of the Emanu-El cemetary in Victoria in 2011; explores how the community reacted to this event and the role of historians in preserving historic sites such as this.

In the interview, Charlayne Thornton-Joe describes her initial reaction to hearing about the desecration; her memories of the vigil; her caretaking role at the Chinese cemetery on Harling Point in Victoria; her work with the Intercultural Association, which included leading cemetery walks in Victoria; her own personal experiences with racism and with anti-racism work; her thoughts on the importance of cemeteries; and her opinions on what historians can do to respond to instances of historical desecration.

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