Showing 40 results

Interview with Shira Macklin for On The Record: The BC Jewish Queer & Trans Oral History Project in collaboration with JQT Vancouver. Interviewed by Carmel Tanaka via remote Zoom video call. Shira (she/her) is a Jewish lesbian woman, who was born in Estevan, SK and currently residing in Vancouver. Shira shares about her family origins in England and Russia, and growing up on the Canadian prairies. Shira tells the story behind how she realized she was a lesbian, coming out to her university aged children, and discovering lesbian community in Winnipeg. Shira talks about finding spirituality after experiencing a plane-jacking in India, which led her to the Diamond Approach spirituality school in Colorado and eventually Vancouver. Shira talks about her youth including education, awareness of the Holocaust and early investment in zionism. She talks about her relationship and career histories, and her involvement in Or Shalom. She reflects on women’s/lesbian Seders in Vancouver, and the relationship between the Jewish and queer communities.

Interview with Pat Johnson for On The Record: The BC Jewish Queer & Trans Oral History Project in collaboration with JQT Vancouver. Interviewed by Carmel Tanaka via remote Zoom video call. Pat (he/him) is a non-Jewish gay man who is a prominent figure in Jewish journalism in Vancouver. Pat talks about how he was introduced to Jewish culture and community throughout his education, including taking Jewish Studies at McGill, and political organizing on campus. Pat talks about returning to Vancouver, pursuing journalism school and writing for Xtra which eventually introduced him to the Jewish Western Bulletin. He talks about his 25 year history of working for the JWB, now Jewish Independent, including the story of how he came to co-own the paper. Pat talks about the changing attitudes to LGBTQ and interfaith issues within Vancouver’s Jewish institutions, and Jewish institutions participating in Vancouver Pride. Pat and Carmel discuss a vigil Pat organized for Carmel’s cousin who was murdered in Israel for being gay. Pat talks about experiencing anti-Zionism within the Queer Film Festival community. He also talks about Jewish Family Services and their attempts to offer queer programming. Pat closes by reflecting on the most significant works of his career and academics he admires.

Oral interview with Bea Goldberg. Interviewed by Irene Dodeck. Bea has been involved with numerous Zionist organizations throughout her life such as Young Judaea and Canadian Hadassah-WIZO.

Oral interview with Sylvia Friedman. Interviewed by Junie Chow and Josh Friedman for the Oakridge exhibit.

Oral history interview with Irving Goldenberg, born in 1930, in preparation for the 2015 Scribe on Jewish clothiers. Irving speaks primarily on Zionism in Canada and Vancouver.

Oral history interview with Michael Livni (formerly Max Langer). Conducted as a phone interview, with Michael in Israel, at the time preparing for the 2010 Camps exhibit. Much of the interview Michael speaks of his experiences at Camp Miriam and helped to raise funds for the existing property to be out rightly purchased, where previously it was sustainable to rent.

Oral history interview with Betty Averbach who was born in Romania in 1921. Her family moved to Canada when she was 3 years old, the Council of Jewish Women met them and helped them get settled. Talks about growing up in Vancouver and the Jewish community here. Her father was a junk peddler when they first arrived. Talks about raising her family in Vancouver and her family's active relationship with the Schara Tzedeck synagogue. Speaks of the importance of the Jewish Community Centre in the life of the community when she was young, the support and confidence it generated amongst Betty and her friends.

Oral history interview with Naomi Katz who was born in Durban, 1924. Her mother, Rachel Newman, was born in 1900 and her father, Emphram Levey, was born in 1895. Naomi's first job was as a stenographer in Vancouver, later she took courses in teaching English as a Second Language, where Naomi found work at the Vancouver School Board. Was head of Directions ESL conference and helped produce 'Blue Brief', presented to the government in 1981, it focused on settlement services in multicultural societies. Naomi participated in the Parent-Teacher conferences ,Canadian Jewish Congress forum, the Jewish Historical Society and started the West Coast Reader for non-native English speakers.

Oral history interview with Mary Tobin who was born in British Columbia, 1936. Her mother, Rose Karkofsky, was born in Poland and her father Marcou Yanovich was born in Romania. Mary attended and than was a registrar of Camp Miriam for 5-6 years. She worked for the Jewish Federation in Montreal and lived there for ten years until her father passed away, moving back to Vancouver. Mary has worked with Canadian Friends of Hebrew University for 15 years.

Oral history interview with Booba Harowitz who was born in Odessa, Russia in 1917. Her family fled the Russian revolution to Canada in 1923. Talks about Haddassa meeting them when they arrived in Canada. Her father started as a peddler in Fraser Valley and Chilliwack area. She talks about her family’s relationship with the Judaism. Her daughter and two others were first in Vancouver to have Bat Mitzvah at Schara Tzedeck. Reflects on her memories of events in the early years of the Jewish community and people who were active and significant contributors to its development. Booba is a member of United Jewish Appeal.