Showing 43 results

Oral history interview with Abe Jampolsky who was born in Lipton like his two brothers. Abe's grandparents were Ukrainians who emigrated to Canada in 1906. Met his wife Ldyia, in Montreal and after having children moved to Vancouver in 1955. Besides running a successful clothing business, Abe participated throughout the Jewish community in Vancouver. He was involved in the B. I. men’s club, the Jewish Community Centre, the Israel Bonds Committee, the Jewish National Fund, Vancouver's Talmud Torah and the Sharey Tefillah congregation. Abe speaks of the changing nature of the business dealing with Chinese clientele in the 80's and 90's when he'd started serving Caucasians as the Asian community had not expanded until the last quarter of the century.

Oral history interview with Al Kolberg who was born in Saskatoon, 1919. His father came from Russia in 1905 where he worked as a shochet. Al recalls the reasons for Jewish assimilation in Vancouver in the early to mid twentieth century.

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 Anne & Jack Black who were born in Toronto and Winnipeg respectively. Jack was an electrician and later worked in a number of local Vancouver businesses. Anne was involved in numerous organizations, she was the chairman of the Kinsmen Club; Heart Foundation; Diabetic Association and Young Judea.

Oral history interview with Ben Garber who was born in 1906 in Miasdkovka, Ukraine. Ben's account discusses his experience with antisemitism and the pogroms (1915-1922) in Eastern Europe.

Oral history interview with Ben Wosk who was born in 1913 in a town near Odessa. He recalls how his Great-Grandfather Moshe served in the Czarist army for 25 years. Ben and the family emigrated to Canada after Ben, his father and many other Jews had been arrested on multiple occasions with no evidence.

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 Betty Nitkin, who was born in Montreal, 1941. He parents studied and met at the University of Lwow. Working in between Montreal and England during the 1960's but due to a combination of Montreal's winters and the political situation in Quebec convinced the family to move to Vancouver in 1968. Mrs. Nitkin was involved in the National Council of Jewish Woman for many years chairing the Committee for Soviet Jewry during the 1970's. Mrs. Nitkin volunteered the Vancouver Jewish Centre helping settle Bosnian refugee families during the 1990's.

Oral history interview with Blossom Wine who was born in Saskatchewan. Involved in Hadassah and active in active in B’nai Brith. After her husband passed away she became a travel agent and saw the development of Israel over many continuous years.

Oral history interview with Cissie Eppel who was involved in the Pioneer Women, the National Council of Jewish Women, the Jewish Community Centre and is the founder of the Jewish Genealogical Society.