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 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 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 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.
Oral history interview with Dr. Jack Moscovich, who was born in England but grew up in Alberta. Jack's parents came from Romania where his father served as captain in the Romanian cavalry ca. 1892. Began practice in new clinic setup by Dr. Maurice Fox and Dr. Morris in 1934-35. Jack founded the VGH Outpatients' Department. Stationed in Farnham, England during the Second World War until 1943; than Vancouver unit #11 of Canadian General Hospital. Was director of VGH Outpatients Department and late in 1974 was asked by British Columbia's government to investigate welfare and medical situations. Jack's work directly led to the Medical Services Plan.
Oral history interview with Dr. Jacob Narod. He was born in Vilna and talks about the antisemitism there while growing up. At 22, he escaped and went to London. Then he went to New York, but he didn’t like it so he with to St. Louis, he worked in Scaffolding there. Next, he went to Portland and then up to Vancouver in 1910. He heard that Vancouver was a beautiful city. He talks about people (names and occupations) who moved to Vancouver during that time. He took a course in Chiropody and opened and office in 1929. The depression hit and he moved to Victoria in 1936. He talks in depth about the Victoria Community with a focus on the Synagogue during the war, entertaining the Jewish soldiers and helping refugees. He moved back to Vancouver in 1949. He was an active member of B’nai Brith.
