Imprimir vista previa Cerrar

Mostrando 43 resultados

Descripción archivística
JHSBC Oral History Collection Vancouver Antisemitism
Imprimir vista previa Ver :

Naomi Frankenburg

Oral history interview with Naomi Frankenburg (1926-2015) detailing her life in Canada and her involvement with various organizations within the Vancouver Jewish community. Naomi was born in London, England and immigrated to Vancouver, BC in July 1959 with her husband, Dennis Frankenburg and their first four children, Robert Frankenburg (b. 1948), Ruth Frankenburg (b. 1950), Francis Frankenburg (b. 1952), and Lucy Frankenburg (b. 1955). Her fifth and youngest child, Charles Frankenburg, was born in Vancouver in 1960. Naomi describes herself as a passionate Zionist and recounts the anti-Semitism that was occurring in Europe. Naomi describes Dennis Frankenburg as a businessman and accountant who managed an import and export business in Vancouver.

Amongst the numerous leadership roles she undertook, she was the founding president of King David High school, formerly known as Maimonides Secondary School. Naomi recounts her leadership positions in various organizations, in particular her time as a member and as national president of Hadassah-WIZO. Naomi became known for her public speaking skills and fundraising skills, which she exercised in various fundraising roles, such as chairing the Hadassah Bazaar, a campaign that supports women and children in Israel. Other notable organizations Naomi discusses her involvement in include the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, the Jewish National Fund, the Beth Israel Sisterhood, the National Council of Jewish Women, and the BC Forest.

Naomi summarizes her children’s accomplishments and lives chronologically, starting with Robert Frankenburg, the eldest, who served in the Israeli Defense Forces, has a Doctorate in Public Administration, and is the father of six children. Ruth, the second eldest, studied draftsmanship, has two children and is a business owner. Francis, her third child, Naomi describes as a leading expert in schizophrenia in the United States and lectures throughout the world. Lucy, her fourth child completed her education in computer studies, has three children and teaches physical education. Charles, Naomi’s youngest child, served in the Israeli Defense Forces, studied photography, and moved on to a career as a tour guide in Israel.

Marsha Ablowitz on Uncle Max Dexall

Interview with Marsha Ablowitz regarding her uncle Max Dexall 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. Marsha recalls what she knows of Max (he/him) and his family who originated as farmers in and around Antopol, Belarus. He immigrated from Belarus to Vancouver with siblings in attempt to avoid Russian pogroms. Marsha describes how Max was well connected in the gay and Jewish communities, including stories of meeting gay men at gender-segregated synagogue meetings and how the community had hoped to make a Jewish gay synagogue in Vancouver similar to San Francisco. Marsha also discusses how Max continued in the family shoe store business where he was very successful and offered a safe space for the queer community including gay men and drag queens. Marsha shares the story of how Max would meet his life-long partner George at the store and discusses their relationship dynamic, including caring for the queer community in Vancouver. Marsha goes on to relish stories Max had shared about his time as a drag queen, different men he encountered and how he would get recognized wherever they went based on his reputation from his shoe store.

Jack Huberman

Interview with Jack Huberman 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. Jack (he/him) is a gay Jewish man born in Calgary, Alberta. Jack talks about his family’s origins in Poland and his parents’ livelihoods as grocers and property owners upon immigrating to Canada. Jack shares he realized he was gay very late in life, and how little dialogue about being queer and Jewish at the time made him reluctant to ‘come out’ within his Jewish community in Vancouver. He discusses the writing and mentorship of Rabbi Gil Steinlauf as a catalyst for understanding his sexuality within a Jewish context, though shares how ‘coming out’ did not make him feel welcomed across all parts of his Jewish community, including his own congregation. Jack talks about his desire to foster a greater awareness and acceptance for queer Jews. He discusses his experiences through school, including how he eventually became lawyer, and volunteering throughout the Jewish community in Vancouver. Jack closes by talking about his immediate family, including his husband, children, and grandchildren, and the importance of treating others equally and maintaining good relationships with those around you.

Anne & Jack Black

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.

Hinda Avery

Oral Interview with Hinda Avery for the JMABC Artists Scribe. Interviewed by Bill Gruenthal. Hinda speaks about her family history in Poland, Russia, and immigration to Vancouver before World War II and the beginning of the Holocaust. She discusses her maternal family’s experience in the Holocaust and her immediate family’s livelihoods in Canada. Hinda talks about her childhood in Vancouver where there was little Jewish community and its impact on her and her relationship with her parents. Hinda discusses how her trip to concentration camps and Holocaust memorials in Europe influenced her decision to pursue visual arts as a form of therapy after she retired from teaching. She speaks about her style of mural illustrations of herself and women in her family resisting against perpetrators of violence during the Holocaust. Hinda talks about how she keeps her artwork, and her difficulty showing her work in Jewish institutions. Hinda speaks about artists who inspire her, how her work was translated into a film, and her previous awards and grants. She also discusses her passion for animal rights, her interest in biology, and her outlook on her wisdom in life.

Mark Weintraub

Interview with Mark Weintraub as part of the Canadian Jewish Congress oral history project, interviewed by David Schwartz. Mark, born in St. Catharines, Ontario, talks about his family’s history in Poland and Canada. He speaks about his parent’s participation in St. Catharines and Vancouver’s Jewish community, notably his father’s involvement in Canadian Jewish Congress, prompting Mark’s early interest in the organization. Mark discusses the prevalence of anti-Semitism in St. Catharines and later Vancouver, British Columbia as another inspiration for his involvement. He speaks about his work for Canadian Jewish Congress’ Media Committee which advocated for objectivity and accuracy in public media. He explains how Canadian Jewish Congress advocated for human rights including combatting anti-Semitism, abetting Indigenous rights, and protesting the Darfur genocide. Mark also speaks about how Canadian Jewish Congress was exemplary to other organizations for how to advocate on behalf of a community, as he was a key note speaker at a conference in Japan. Mark discusses the demise of Canadian Jewish Congress due to a mass reorganization and the creation of the Centre for Israeli and Jewish Affairs. Mark also talks about his relationship with Canadian Jewish organizations today, his career as a lawyer, and how he continues to reflect of Canadian Jewish Congress’ success.

Alan Tapper

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.

Zena Simces

Number: CA JMABC A.1971.001-20.20-07
Name: Zena Simces
Interviewer: David Schwartz
Date: Unspecified, 2020
Place: Zoom
Project: The Jewish Historical Society of British Columbia Oral History Project

Summary:
00:00: David Schwartz introduces himself and then asks Zena Simces, who is being interviewed to introduce herself as well. Both of Simces’ parents were born in Poland. Simces discusses her time growing up in Winnipeg and her parents’ involvement in the Jewish community.
3:05: Simces discusses her establishment of a lecture series with the Atlantic Centre for Human Rights in Fredericton, New Brunswick. She became involved with Canadian Jewish Congress when she moved to Vancouver. She was Chair of the Community Relations Committee as well as Vice-Chair of the board.
5:18: Simces discusses what she believes is the main mission of the CJC. She mentions the large role the CJC played in advocating for Jewish concerns and educating the rest of the community about those concerns and addressing anti-Semitism.
6:48: Simces mentions some of the other groups and organizations that the CJC had strong relationships with including S.U.C.C.E.S.S, other ethnic groups and religious leaders. The CJC was always well-prepared and well-respected.
8:58: Simces recounts the role the CJC played in the Hate Crimes Legislation and Holocaust Remembrance Day. Simces herself was appointed to the Human Rights Advisory Council.
10:35: Schwartz asks Simces what she is most proud of accomplishing during her time at the CJC. She is very proud of the establishment of Holocaust Remembrance Day. But she wishes more members of the Jewish community were involved politically.
11:52: The speakers discuss the benefits and drawbacks of the reorganization of the CJC structure in 2003 and then again in 2011.
17:21: Schwartz asks Simces about her current involvement in Jewish advocacy. Simces speaks of the founding of the Simces and Rabkin Family Dialogue on Human Rights.
21:15: End of interview.

Estika Hunnings

Number: CA JMABC A.1971.001-20.16-38
Name: Estika Hunnings
Interviewer: Alysa Routtenberg
Date: December 6th, 2016
Place: Vancouver, BC (Peretz Centre)
Project: The Jewish Historical Society of BC Oral History Project

Summary:
00:00: Alysa Routtenberg introduces herself and Estika Hunnings who is being interviewed at the Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture.
00:15: Hunnings states that a friend suggested she bring in a piece of paper to show the Archivist as it is representative of a large problem for those who lived in the apartment that Hunnings herself used to reside in. It concerns a Mr. Elias.
1:37: Hunnings describes the problem: A new couple the Robertsons moved in to the same apartment as Hunnings and were expressed racist sentiments against the Jewish residents of the buildings. This couple used to steal and were complained about by many residents but Mr. Elias, the [building manager], was dismissive did nothing to solve the problem.
3:54: Elias blatantly refused to help, describes Hunnings. He also refused to see Hunnings French-Canadian neighbour who supported Hunnings’ fight. Elias also illegally raised Hunnings’ rent while that same neighbour paid less.
5:33: Hunnings had since moved out of that apartment building at the time of the interview but the building now has a new manager so the problem had ended. Hunnings says she gave some of the documents that supported her complaints to a Lilianne Nemetz. The result was that several months later the Robertsons were gone, supposedly retired.
6:26: Hunnings recalls that most of her calls and letters went unanswered. Hunnings then suggests Routtenberg read some of the letters and documents she brought with her.
7:48: Routtenberg and Hunnings both express difficulty in comprehending how recently such instances of anti-Semitism were occurring. Hunnings had also involved lawyers at the time. Hunnings also expresses contempt for Elias being a director at the Holocaust Society [Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre].
10:31: Routtenberg asks Hunnings how long the Robertsons were living in the apartment to which Hunnings replies that it was a long time. Nemetz may have helped by giving the documents from Hunnings to the Holocaust Society.
11:30: Hunnings’ friend, [Debby], asked if she would give the documents to the Archivist, (Routtenberg). Routtenberg gives Hunnings a brief overview of the Jewish Museum and Archives of British Columbia.
12:03: Routtenberg invites Hunnings to do another interview at another time, to discuss Hunnings life in Vancouver. Hunnings was the first in Vancouver to open an international art gallery. Hunnings also expresses her intention to warn others that people like Elias, who do harm, and still hold such racist ideologies exist. She also states how hurtful actions like his are to people who lived and survived the Second World War. Routtenberg thanks Hunnings for her time and for sharing her story.
15:13: End of interview.

Nancy Halpern

Oral interview with Nancy Halpern. Interviewed by Samantha Stokell for SLAIS Oral History class.

Nancy's father's family moved to Vancouver in 1906, when her father Norman Brown was less than six months old. She has stories of her own life in the Vancouver Jewish community and those of her grandparents and parents. She was involved in drama and theatre in the Vancouver and Spokane, WA areas, and worked as a librarian in Vancouver. She was also involved in creating the West Vancouver Jewish Community Association.

Nancy mentions her cousin's daughter, Barbara Liskov (née Huberman) from the States, a professor at MIT who was the first woman to graduate in Computer Science in the U.S., and who is a winner of the Turing Award.

Resultados 1 a 10 de 43