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 history interview with Anat Grebler - and her families' history - who was born in the U.S.S.R in 1945 to parents who were active in the Polish Underground during the Second World War. Her father was born in Stanislaw (now Ivano-Frankivsk), Poland and her mother was born in Gdansk, Poland. The family emigrated to Israel in 1957 to escape the Hungarian Revolution.
Oral History interview with Ben and Rita Akselrod. Rita was born in Bacau, Romania. They met in a DP camp in Austria. After the war they went to Israel then came to Canada via Italy. They worked as a peddlers then with antiques. Then started a second-hand and antique store in New Westminster. They talk about how antisemitism didn't disappear after the war.
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.
Oral interview with Bernard Victor who was born in Gomel, Russia in 1893 and came to Vancouver, on April 15, 1923, from Winnipeg. Bernard was involved with Talmud Torah, B'nai B'rith, and the Jewish Literary Club. He describes living through two pogroms in Russia. He served in the Canadian Expeditionary Forces in Europe from 1916 until 1919. His father worked for the Russian Vital Statistics Department and noticed large numbers of Jews leaving, encouraged Bernard and Bernard's brother to leave.
Oral history interview with Bertha Hornstein who was born in Montreal and moved to Vancouver in 1926. Well involved in the Jewish community such as B'nai Brith, Hadassah and the Federated Jewish Women of Vancouver. During the Second World War Bertha worked with the Red Cross as financial secretary.
Oral history interview with Bill Morris who was born just outside of Moscow, Russia. The family emigrated to Canada in 1913. Bill's father was active with the Jewish Aid Society. Bill joined the Canadian army and was active during the Second World War, seeing action primarily in Italy.
Oral history interview with Celia Margolis, born in Ottawa,Canada. She primarily discusses the activities and roles she held during the Second World war in both England and Canada. She belonged to the Royal Canadian Ordinance Corps for about a year than travelled as a singer in the staff band of the Royal Army Medical Corp to England. Made an officer in the British army, having previously made Corporal / Sargent-major in Canadian army. Left the army in 1947 and took the the 'Empress of Canada' in October of 1948 to Montreal but soon moved to Vancouver in 1949.
Oral history interview with David Simons who was born in England in 1900 and whose parents had emigrated from Poland to England in 1895. David was able to get servicemen's passage to come to Canada, arranged through a Cdn. Soldier, and he came to Vancouver in 1921. He had a job waiting on Lulu Island helping to clear stumps. Talks about his first impressions of Vancouver and liking the night life. Talks about his years in the army. He met his wife in England and got mariied in 1924. He is a long standing member of Royal Canadian Legion.
Oral history interview with Dr. Bluma Tischler, who was born 1924 in Baranowicz, Poland - now Baranavichy in Belarus. Bluma and her husband Issac attended medical school at the University of Odessa, than studied in Munich, Germany. Bulma and Issac wanted to emigrate to the United States but due to their quota's being full they decided to come to Canada.
