Oral History interview with Leon Broitman. Leon was born in 1922 in the USSR. He talks about the Ukrainian Holocaust and living in the USSR under Stalin. He started studying to become a teacher but was drafted and subsequently wounded during WW2 and never completed his education. After the war he came to Canada and became a cutter (Tailor) in Montreal. He then moved to Ottawa and opened a store. He also started an investment company that was still in business at the time of the interview (2013). He closed is store in Ottawa and moved to BC. He had 4 children with his wife and talks about them and their careers. Much of the interview is about Soviet Union history and talking about WW2 and the Germans.
Interview with Serge Haber. Interviewed by Gary Averbach for The Scribe, 2018. Serge talks extensively about his acquisition and operation of Kaplan's Deli between 1981 to 2000, before he sold the business.
Oral history interview with Miriam Matoff who was born in England, 1906. Mother’s father was Rabbi Barnett Mordechai Sheinman, born in Jerusalem. Miriam‘s husband Conrad, grew up in Montreal but was born in England. Miriam works for the Louis Briar Home and was involved in National Council of Jewish Women.
An Oral history interview with Charna Plottel who was born in Saskatoon, 1920. Charna was Secretary to the Chairman of Continuing Medical Education at UBC, Secretary to the Associate Dean of Medicine at UBC, Secretary to the Medical Director (Vice-President) at Shaughnessy Hospital.
B&W print depicts Dr. Irving Snider posing for the camera in his army uniform. On the back of the image is written: "Three River, This is how we dressed for 1 month. The bag contains dishes + utensils which we had to wash ourselves."
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 history interview with Murray & David Goldman, Murray's family came from Poland and Murray was born in 1920 in Montreal. He owned and worked a number of clothing stores in Vancouver and New Westminster. Known for his innovation in advertising.
David was born in 1950 in Vancouver. He became a partner in his father's Goldman & Bus Stop Jeans businesses and David's son is also a partner. The business is now called Goldman & Son.
Oral history interview with Manfred Carsh who was born in 1922 in Europe. Interview covers the business and family lives prior to and during the outbreak of WW2; details of Kristallnacht; effects on the family, forced out of their home, forced to sell the business for pennies on the dollar to Germans, as did other Jewish businesses.
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.
B&W print depicts Dr. Irving Snider posing for the camera in his army uniform including a pack on his back. On the back of the image is written: "Just before we left on the Victory Loan Parade in 3 Rivers, marched like this for 3 1/2 hours but I didn't mind it although I was tired and hot. I should have turned around so you could see the packs on the shoulder."
