Oral history interview with Leila Getz. Leila Getz was born in Cape Town, South Africa in 1940. Leila is a musician who helped develop the Vancouver Recital Society and had previously established the Vancouver Chamber Music Festival - defunct as of 2006.
Oral history interview with Louis Eisman in preparation for the 2015 Scribe on Jewish clothiers. Louis speaks on his family history, his grandparents having moved to South Africa from both Russia and Lithuania, as well as his upbringing in Cape Town. In South Africa, Louis began working as a traveling salesman after six months of university, before going on to have an agency and manufacturing plant. In 1977 he moved to Toronto, Canada, where he was successful in his work for a few years. In 1979, he was offered a position in Vancouver, and after spending a weekend there, he and his wife prepared to move there in the following year. He also speaks about his involvement with the Jewish community, and his life and success in Vancouver since moving.
Oral interview with Lauren Kramer. Interviewed by Bill Gruenthal. Lauren talks about her family's history in the medical and health profession, their immigration from South Africa to Canada, and her various experiences across North American cities.
Oral interview with David Kaplan. Interviewed by Bill Gruenthal. David talks about his family's involvement with the steel industry and the Jewish Botanical Gardens. Eventually settling in Vancouver, David opened a very successful R&D tax consultation firm and later on became heavily involved with the Jewish Family Services Agency. He also discusses Jewish education in South Africa.
Oral interview with Alexander "Lexie" Bernstein. Interviewed by Laura Zitron. Lexie talks about his family's contribution to Jewish life and education in Cape Town, and his own life and spirituality in Vancouver.
Interview with Linda Stein. Interviewed by Michelle Mina. Linda discusses her family history and their contribution to the Cape Town Jewish community, including the establishment of synagogues. Upon immigrating to Vancouver as a dental hygienist, she became involved in the local Jewish community.
Interview with Jack Aaron. Interviewed by Irene Dodeck. Jack talks about his family's history, his career, and immigration to Vancouver from Cape Town. He opened a law firm in Vancouver and was ordained Queen's Counsel in British Columbia. Jack discusses his view of Judaism and Jewish life.
Interview with Ruth Wingerin. Interviewed by Nassa Selwyn. Ruth talks about her family and her mother's contributions to the Bnoth Zion in South Africa. Ruth continued to practice as a doctor after settling in Vancouver, BC, and discusses Jewish life in the city.
Interview with Michael Braude. Interviewed by Sara Bernstein. Michael talks about his family's history and speaks fondly about his childhood in Cape Town, and in particular about his grandfather. Once he finished school, he wanted to leave South Africa because of the Apartheid. In the meantime he found a position in the jewelry trade, which he enjoyed, before going on to work for his fathers clothing business. He and his family lived in Israel for six years, but the climate didn't suit them and so they moved back to Cape Town where he had his career in clothing manufacturing. He also speaks about his wife, children, and grandchildren, as well as his interests such as music and archaeology. He has lived in Vancouver throughout the second half of his life.
Interview with Freda Sher. Interviewed by Laura Zitron. Freda talks about her family history, and her mother's experiences as an Ochberg Orphan. Freda is involved in Jewish organizations such as Jewish Women International, Hebrew Youth, Jewish Family & Child, and Beth Israel. She compares life and Judaism between South Africa and Canada, and talks about her career, family, and philanthropy.