Oral Interview with Cynthia Minden for the JMABC Artists Scribe. Interviewed by Bill Gruenthal via remote Zoom call. Cynthia was born in Toronto in 1953 and describes growing up into a family full of musicians, including her parents, who also admired visual arts. She talks about her professional background in classical music as a flautist where she was a member of ensembles, a music teacher, and an arts administrator. Cynthia speaks about her brothers moving to Vancouver and her love of rural living as inspiration for her to move from Toronto to Denman Island. Cynthia discusses her beginnings as an artist through making baskets and subsequently sculpture, collage, surface design, and other art forms. She talks about translating her art practice into therapeutic work through equine facilitated wellness, where people can connect with nature and do be guided through art projects. She speaks about her work in exhibits including the political inspiration behind her pieces: from themes of refugees and migration to environmentalism and making art from reclaimed objects.

Oral history interview with David Skulski, interviewed by Alysa Routtenberg. David, born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, speaks about his family’s history in Ukraine [Beresteczko] and Russia and immigration to Canada. David discusses his early life and adolescence in Moose Jaw and North Battleford and relocation to New Westminster, British Columbia. David talks about both his secular and religious education and relationship to the Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, both in his youth and later in his leadership. David also speaks of his experience as a professional oboist, which influenced his founding and direction of Early Music Vancouver, residency at SFU, and role in Vancouver’s symphony.

Number: CA JMABC A.1971.001-20.18-46
Name: Donna Becker
Interviewer: Penny Goldsmith
Date: November 20th, 2018
Place:
Project: The Jewish Historical Society of British Columbia Oral History Project

Summary:
00:00: Penny Goldsmith is interviewing Donna Becker on behalf of the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir and the Jewish Museum and Archives of BC. Becker describes some of her family history, including her grandparents.
3:44: Becker recounts how she ended up arriving and settling in Vancouver. She then describes more of her parents’ and grandparents’ histories.
8:56: Goldsmith asks Becker to describe her secular and religious education.
15:18: Becker recounts her career history. She worked in a variety of jobs before becoming part of the staff of the Vancouver Peretz Center.
18:44: She used to be part of the Ukrainian choir but eventually moved to the Jewish choir.
22:08: Becker recalls a fond memory of another choir member.
23:41: Becker eventually became increasingly involved in the Peretz choir and the Center itself. She took on a management role within the choir while being a member. She took care of much of the administration.
27:04: Becker states that she believes it’s important to have a Jewish/Yiddish choir that is also secular. She wants it known that the choir is neutral and like the Peretz Center, does not take a particular stance on Israel.
31:42: Becker describes some ways she thinks that the choir could evolve in the upcoming years. She thinks they need to expand their repertoire and find younger people to join the choir.
34:06: End of interview.