An interview with Sonia Rose, who was born in England and arrived in Victoria in 1918. She describes her involvement in Jewish community life in Victoria. Sonia was active in Eastern Star and B'nai B'rith, a charter member of Hadassah, member of Red Cross, Canadian Club, Musical Arts Society, Hospital Auxiliary, and Council of Canadian Citizenship. She also wrote a Victoria column for the Jewish Western Bulletin. Sonia begins the interview discussing her family hosting Rabbi J.H. Hertz, Chief Rabbi of the British Empire, during his visit to Victoria in 1921.
Oral history interview with Jeanette Nuttall who arrived in Victoria in June 1890 from Nottingham, England with her husband, Harry, who served in the Canadian army during the First World War. She was a member of Hadassah and B'nai B'rith in Victoria.
Oral history interview with Norman Brown who arrived in Vancouver in 1907 and Bernice immigrated to Vancouver after marrying Norman in San Fransico in 1930. Norman attended Talmud Torah school when he was a child. Both were involved in a variety of Jewish community organizations. Bernice was president of both Federated Jewish Women and National Council of Jewish Women. Norman was president of the Canadian Jewish Council. He discusses memories of early life in Strathcona and Mount Pleasant. Interview ends with a discussion of photographs.
Oral History of Howard and Josephine Mallek. Howard grew up in Victoria. His parents owned a ladieswear shop and were a big part of the community. Howard and Josephine met during medical school at McGill. Josephine was the first Female staff doctor at St. Paul’s. Howard was the first Jewish department head at St. Paul’s. They both helped form the Jewish Medical Journal Club in Vancouver. Howard talks about his brother, Lawrence, a conductor, pianist, and organ player.
Oral history interview with Rabbi Victor Reinstein who discusses rabbinical studies and the importance of adjusting to contemporary shifts in attitudes, views and societal understanding. Rabbi Reinstein is supportive of and has tried a number of times to increase interfaith connections, not just at the public level, but administrative or religious officials.
Oral history interview with Phyllis Serota. Interviewed by Jean Gerber. Phyllis is a painter living and working in Victoria, BC. She graduated with a BFA from the University of Victoria and has shown extensively throughout Western Canada and the United States since 1977.