Oral Interview with Joyce Ozier for the JMABC Artists Scribe. Interviewed by Carol Herbert. She speaks about her upbringing in the Jewish community of Boston, MA and provides a brief summary of her immediate family. She talks about her education, including her early artistic influences, and anecdotes relating to producing art and experiences as a child and teen. Joyce talks about how her arts career truly started in the experimental theatre/performance art scene in 1970 Vancouver. She talks about how this led her into arts administration in dance companies, and later teaching English as a second language into her fifties. Joyce explains how ESL teaching didn’t bring her the same happiness as the arts, and how her son convinced her to try store window dressing, which she eventually turned into a business for 10 years. She tells of how she transitioned to a full time visual artist, and how her art style is based in abstraction, movement and thematic use of colour. She also describes a prominent collection of work about the Holocaust that she is most proud of. She talks about how she continues to paint, and is also a part of a collective that she created for artists aged 65 and above called the B-Older Gallery.
Interview with Elan Mastai about his mother Judith Mastai, interviewed by Michael Schwartz. Elan speaks about his maternal family’s origins in Chicago and Vienna, Austria and how the family immigrated to Vancouver, Canada because of Judith’s father’s pharmaceutical career. Elan discusses Judith’s upbringing and education in Oakridge and her enthusiasm for theatre, inspiring her education and early career as a theatre actress and director. Elan talks about Judith’s time as a theatre actress in London, England and English teacher in Jerusalem, where she met her husband, Moshe Mastai. Judith then immigrated back to Vancouver to obtain her PhD in education and raise her children. Elan talks about how his mother raised him in an untraditionally intelligent and artistic environment, prompting his career as a writer. He talks about Judith’s career in education at Simon Fraser University and her entrance into visual arts as the director of public programming at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Elan speaks about her time as a travelling art curator and critic, head of education at the Art Gallery of Ontario, and executive director of the Canadian Museum of Craft and Design.
Oral History Interview with Mordechai (Robert) Edel for the JMABC Artists Scribe. Interviewed by Daniella Givon. Edel was born in England in 1949, but describes the life stories of him and his family spanning across Europe, North America and within Israel. These stories include his family's experience with the Holocaust and his growing up Jewish; they also detail his many professions before becoming an artist including musician or hazzan, hairdresser, and photographer. Edel's primary medium of art is oil painting which is in the impressionist style, and constantly informed by his Jewish faith and heritage. Edel tells anecdotes of some of the people he's met through his art within Canada and abroad, and his most memorable commissions along the way.
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.
Number: CA JMABC A.1971.001-20.18-49 Name: Felicity Dunfield Interviewer: Stevie Steiner Date: November 24th, 2018 Place: Vancouver, Steiner’s Home Project: The Jewish Historical Society of British Columbia Oral History Project
Summary: 00:00: Steiner introduces herself and Dunfield whom she is interviewing on behalf of the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir and the Jewish Museum and Archives of BC. Dunfield describes some of her family and personal history. 4:22: Dunfield notes how she became involved in the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir and how long she’s been involved. The speakers also discuss the conductor and other members of the Choir. The conductor’s name was Cyril Freedman. 6:44: Dunfield recalls some of the social activities the Choir did together. 8:15: Steiner asks Dunfield what she thinks is the importance of the Choir to its members and the community. Dunfield mentions that the Choir was linked also to Peretz because of its members who were active in both institutions. The speakers also discuss a new conductor. 11:07: End of interview.
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.1971.001-20.18-47 Name: Norman Epstein Interviewer: Penny Goldsmith Date: November 21st, 2018 Place: Vancouver, BC Project: The Jewish Historical Society of British Columbia Oral History Project
Summary: 00:00: The interviewer, Penny Goldsmith, introduces herself and Norman Epstein, who is being interviewed on behalf of the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir and the Jewish Museum and Archives of BC. Epstein describes his parents’ immigration to Canada, his childhood and his parents’ business. 6:14: Epstein describes his education and adult life. He eventually moved to Vancouver and received a position at the University of British Columbia. 8:09: Epstein recounts the religious education he had as a child in Montreal. 10:02: Epstein’s love of singing led him to eventually join the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir. He mentions the conductor when he was first there was Cyril Freedman. 13:15: Goldsmith asks Epstein what he thinks is important about the choir. He responds that the choir is probably more important to the members than to the larger community. 13:56: Epstein recalls some ways he thinks the choir could evolve. 15:02: Epstein notes some of his favourite songs that he liked to sing when he was in the choir. He still has much of the music that they used in the choir. 17:41: 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.
Number: CA JMABC A.1971.001-20.18-44 Name: Elliot Dainow Interviewer: Victor Neuman Date: October 25th, 2018 Place: Peretz Centre Project: The Jewish Historical Society of British Columbia Oral History Project Summar: 00:00: The interviewer, Victor Neuman, introduces himself and Elliot Dainow who is being interviewed. Dainow was born in Montreal to parents who had immigrated from what is now Belarus. Dainow also describes his education. 4:07: Dainow describes his career path up until the time of the interview and includes a description of how he came to be part of the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir. Neuman also asks Dainow about his history with music and being a pianist. 9:34: Dainow recalls some of his most prominent memories of being in the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir. 12:55: Neuman asks Dainow what he believes is the importance of the Choir to its members and the community in general. Dainow replies that is has an important role in keeping Secular Jewish and Yiddish culture alive. Dainow occasionally still plays or sings for the Choir. 14:55: End of interview.
Oral interview with Muriel Morris.Interviewed by Katie Sloan for SLAIS Oral History class.
Morris was born in Winnipeg, spent her childhood in Churchbridge, Saskatchewan. After her mother passed away when Morris was 12, she moved with her family to Vancouver. This interview covers people significant to Morris, including her parents, grandparents, and husband. Morris also discusses significant events that occurred during her lifetime, such as her experiences growing up in both Churchbridge and Vancouver, and her passion for music.
