Interview with Mark Weintraub as part of the Canadian Jewish Congress oral history project, interviewed by David Schwartz. Mark, born in St. Catharines, Ontario, talks about his family’s history in Poland and Canada. He speaks about his parent’s participation in St. Catharines and Vancouver’s Jewish community, notably his father’s involvement in Canadian Jewish Congress, prompting Mark’s early interest in the organization. Mark discusses the prevalence of anti-Semitism in St. Catharines and later Vancouver, British Columbia as another inspiration for his involvement. He speaks about his work for Canadian Jewish Congress’ Media Committee which advocated for objectivity and accuracy in public media. He explains how Canadian Jewish Congress advocated for human rights including combatting anti-Semitism, abetting Indigenous rights, and protesting the Darfur genocide. Mark also speaks about how Canadian Jewish Congress was exemplary to other organizations for how to advocate on behalf of a community, as he was a key note speaker at a conference in Japan. Mark discusses the demise of Canadian Jewish Congress due to a mass reorganization and the creation of the Centre for Israeli and Jewish Affairs. Mark also talks about his relationship with Canadian Jewish organizations today, his career as a lawyer, and how he continues to reflect of Canadian Jewish Congress’ success.
Interview with Yosef Wosk, interviewed by Carol Herbert. Yosef speaks about his family’s history in Ukraine and Russia and how pogroms and anti-Semitism led to their immigration to Vancouver, Canada. Yosef discusses his father’s beginnings in Vancouver and the growth of the Wosk business as peddlers in the furniture business, primarily in South Granville. He talks about his upbringing and relationship to his family and their immense presence in both the Jewish and business community. He speaks about his lengthy education at numerous secular institutions and rabbinic schooling at two Yeshivas and with scholars in North America and Israel. Yosef discusses his career as a rabbi in North America and his directing of interdisciplinary programs at Simon Fraser University.
.Interview with Renee Kursan. Interviewed by Sara Bernstein. Renee talks about her family's history, her education, and her childhood growing up in Cape Town and Mossel Bay, South Africa. She discusses her career as a nurse and life raising her young children outside of Queenstown and in Cape Town. Renee speaks about her and her family’s immigration to Vancouver, Canada. She compares Jewish life in South Africa to Canada and the countries’ culture, race and the Apartheid in South Africa.
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 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.
Interview with Shira Blustein about her relationship with food and the food industry. Shira discusses her experiences running vegetarian restaurants, The Acorn and The Arbor, in Vancouver. She talks about the role of food in her family. Shira also discusses her participation in the punk rock music scene in Calgary and her involvement in an alternative country band, Blood Meridian. There is also conversation about raising children in a multi-faith household and Birthright.
Interview with Barbara Lucas. Interviewed by Debby Freiman on her father, Michael Wolochow, for the Scribe 2019. Barbara talks about her father's early life in Mayerthorpe, Alberta, meeting her mother at Talmud Torah in Edmonton, and family memories. The interview focuses on Dr. Wolochow's professional career as a family doctor and general practitioner. He worked for a long period with Stanley Sunshine. Dr. Wolochow cared deeply about making a difference, serving immigrant communities from the East Side of Vancouver. Barbara also discusses her father's personality and contributions to the Jewish community of Vancouver.
Number: CA JMABC A.1971.001-20.18-45 Name: Tammy Neuman Interviewer: Victor Neuman Date: October 26th, 2018 Place: Project: The Jewish Historical Society of British Columbia Oral History Project Summary: 00:00: Victor Neuman, the interviewer, introduces himself and Tammy Neuman who is being interviewed. Tammy recalls her childhood and family history. 5:28: Tammy was born in Vancouver and went to the Peretz centre in Vancouver for her Jewish and Yiddish education. She went to university and became a teacher. 7:08: Victor asks Tammy how she got involved in music. She describes her love of choral music and then recounts how the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir was founded. 11:16: Tammy recalls that there were few members in the Choir to begin with but some of those original members remain. 13:18: Victor asks Tammy why she thinks the Choir is important to the community? Tammy responds that the Choir perpetuates the Yiddish language and does a significant amount of outreach in the community. 15:41: End of interview.
Number: CA JMABC A.1971.001-20.18-46 Name: Donna Becker Interviewer: Penny Goldsmith Date: November 20th, 2018 Place: Project: The Jewish Historical Society of British Columbia Oral History Project
Summary: 00:00: Penny Goldsmith is interviewing Donna Becker on behalf of the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir and the Jewish Museum and Archives of BC. Becker describes some of her family history, including her grandparents. 3:44: Becker recounts how she ended up arriving and settling in Vancouver. She then describes more of her parents’ and grandparents’ histories. 8:56: Goldsmith asks Becker to describe her secular and religious education. 15:18: Becker recounts her career history. She worked in a variety of jobs before becoming part of the staff of the Vancouver Peretz Center. 18:44: She used to be part of the Ukrainian choir but eventually moved to the Jewish choir. 22:08: Becker recalls a fond memory of another choir member. 23:41: Becker eventually became increasingly involved in the Peretz choir and the Center itself. She took on a management role within the choir while being a member. She took care of much of the administration. 27:04: Becker states that she believes it’s important to have a Jewish/Yiddish choir that is also secular. She wants it known that the choir is neutral and like the Peretz Center, does not take a particular stance on Israel. 31:42: Becker describes some ways she thinks that the choir could evolve in the upcoming years. She thinks they need to expand their repertoire and find younger people to join the choir. 34:06: End of interview.