Heritage – Yerusha Fall 2013 Chesvan 5774 Volume 16, No. 1 HERITAGEHERITAGE www.jahsena.ca The Journal of THE JEWISH ARCHIVES & HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF & NORTHERN ALBERTA

Inside:

Honourary Doctorate: Jacob Masliyah page 4

Jewish Optometrists page 6

My Life in Medicine: Dr Ted Aaron page 14

Hold that Date: AGM October 24th 7:30 pm Beth Shalom “Where the Red and Black Fly”, words and music by Joe Shoctor, (note spelling error), Synagogue published by the Students Union of Victoria High School for the Vic Varieties, 1945. Guest Speaker This is still the official Victoria School Song. Thanks to Ruth and Harry Nolan for Lawrence Herzog donating this very rare, original piece of sheet music! 2 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.jahsena.ca HERITAGE • Fall 2013 hwry From the President, by Jini Vogel HERITAGEHERITAGE October 2013 The Journal of the Jewish Archives & Historical Society of Edmonton and Northern n 1996, the Founding President of Anniversary, the Beth Shalom Galas and Alberta IJAHSENA, Uriel Rosensweig, and a co-sponsored with Federation a Holocaust group of writers and researchers compiled Survival speaker as well as co-sponsored President and edited a book, “The First Century of Rabbi Baskin’s talk with the University of Jini Vogel Jewish Life in Edmonton and Northern Alberta Libraries. We partnered with Chevra Alberta 1893 – 1993.” This limited edition Kadisha to establish the online Cemetery Archivist & Editor was a written tribute to the founding families Project which was featured in the last Debby Shoctor of our community. The second President, Heritage Magazine. Most recently, we joined Treasurer Dan Kauffman, used his extensive television forces with the City of Edmonton and Fort Howard Davidow and documentary film expertise to produce Edmonton to demonstrate the Jewish pres- two remarkable videos, “From Pedlars to ence in Edmonton’s history by building the Secretary Patriarchs: A Legacy Remembered” and H.B. Kline Jewelry Store in Fort Edmonton. Hal Simons “Bittersweet Memories: The War Years.” Two It is my hope that we will continue to find Vice Presidents pretty tough acts to follow. ways to help each other and to maintain a When I became President in 2007, it strong, cohesive Jewish community. Judy Goldsand seemed that there were many organizations This is the last time I will talk with you Miriam Rabinovitch in our Jewish community who shared similar as President of JAHSENA as I now move Members-at-Large goals but were working apart from each other into the cherished position of Past President. Ken Wasserman, Mel Wyne, with limited success. In 2008 we created a I strongly suspect I shall be even busier as Jane Karstaedt, Phil Lister, new “Community Outreach” portfolio to Debby Shoctor has been stock piling boxes build a historical legacy strengthened by our of “treasures” that need to be catalogued for Dr. George Goldsand, joint support of each other. We have worked our collection. Ron Bercov with a number of organizations within the With a tear in my eye I thank you for the Past-President Jewish Community providing information, honour of serving as your President. I know Dan Kauffman research, displays and artifacts for the 100th great things are ahead for our organization. Anniversary celebrations of Beth Israel, Shana Tovah. Founding President Chevra Kadisha and the Talmud Torah. We Jini Vogel Uri Rosenzweig were involved with the Talmud Torah 100th Graphic Design PageMaster fellow Canadian’s grave so far from home, Letter to the Editor and so young when lost was very touching, Mailing Address This letter was sent to Michael Paull, who it could easily have been my Dad (and of JAHSENA, course there would be no ‘me’, or my sister). recently visited his Uncle Alex Podolsky’s grave 10220-156 St. Suite 200, in Prague. He wrote about this for the last issue He was one of the lucky ones, and as I learn Edmonton, Alberta, T5P 2R1 of Heritage/Yerusha. more stories from those involved in the vari- ous Bomber Command tribute pages I fol- Hi Michael, low, and from what my father had said when Telephone: (780) 489-2809 Thanks so much for sending your beauti- alive, it was just a matter of luck to get home Fax: (780) 481-1854 fully written article, it really moved me. again especially since Bomber Command had Email: [email protected] As I think I mentioned, my dad was a such an exceptionally high loss rate. Website: www.jahsena.ca pilot with 158 squadron, originally from When I had posted the story about visit- Cemetery Website: south of Calgary, Claresholm, and seeing a ing the cemetery and getting in touch with www.edmontonjewishcemetery.ca Continued on page 13 HERITAGE • Fall 2013 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.jahsena.ca 3 Canadian Medals! By Howie Sniderman

hree young athletes from Edmonton Twere part of the Canadian team at Dear JIMENA Members and Friends: the 2013 Maccabia Games. Each of them brought home medals and each of them We’d like to take this opportunity to was involved in ‘first-ever’ achievements for address a very important issue that many Canada at the Games. of you have inquired about. On October Rachel Mintz, coached by her husband 11th, 2013 the National Archives in Cory Choma, won a Gold Medal in the Washington D.C. will open an exhibition Women’s Pole Vault competition. It was titled, “Discovery and Recovery” that the first ever gold medal in Pole Vault displays 24 restored Jewish objects for Canada at the Games. She also won a taken by American forces from Sadaam silver medal on the track in the Women’s 4 Hussein’s secret police headquarters in x 400m relay. Iraq in 2003. Some of the objects to be Laurie Zalmanowitz won a silver displayed include: A Hebrew Bible from medal in the Men’s Wheelchair Tennis 1568, a Babylonian Talmud from 1793, a Doubles tournament and a bronze medal Torah scroll fragment from Genesis (one in the Men’s Wheelchair Tennis Singles of 48 Torah scroll fragments found), a tournament. The 2013 Maccabiah Games Zohar from 1815, materials from Jewish were the first ever to include a Paralympic schools in Baghdad, and other sacred Division. Laurie’s medals were, as it ritual objects. These objects are part of a turns out, the first medals ever won by larger trove of over 2,700 Jewish books any Canadian athlete in the Paralympic and documents that have been in the Division at the Games. custody of the National Archives and Dan Steiner played on the Canadian Records Administration in Washington Men’s Soccer team. The team defeated DC. According to an agreement between Brazil 1-0 in the quarterfinals and Mexico the US and Iraqi governments, the archive 3-1 to win a bronze medal for Canada – is slated to be returned to Iraq upon the the first ever medal for Canada in Men’s completion of the exhibition. Soccer at the Maccabiah Games. Many of our members have inquired about what JIMENA is doing to ensure the archive is prevented from returning to Iraq. We want to assure you that efforts are taking place on numerous levels to ensure that the materials within the Iraqi Jewish archive are safely re-appropriated to the Iraqi Jewish community. JIMENA has, and will continue to support all efforts to return these confiscated private and com- munal properties to their rightful Jewish owners. We will certainly keep you posted on new developments.

Sincerely, Top: Rachel Mintz, Centre: Laurie Zalmanowitz, Bottom: Dan Steiner and teammates. JIMENA’s Board, Staff, and Volunteers 4 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.jahsena.ca HERITAGE • Fall 2013 Dr. Jacob Masliyah receives Honourary Doctor of Science Degree at June Convocation acob Masliyah, a legendary figure in the passed the exam, and here I am today.” Jhistory of oil sands research, received Masliyah applied the same principle an Honorary Doctor of Science degree to his engineering career. He was always this June from the University of Alberta. willing to learn more. In 1990, Masliyah Masliyah told the graduating class of engi- needed a thorough understanding of how, neers that stick-to-itiveness and continual when mixed with water, a single grain of learning are keys to a successful career. sand separates from a coating of bitumen. Masliyah, a professor emeritus in He set aside a year to pore through volumes the Department of Chemical and Materials of research to figure it out. Dr. Jacob Masliyah, supplied photo. Engineering, arrived at the U of A in 1977 “But, shovel by shovel, word by word the area of bitumen extraction from oil and made his name with breakthrough and page by page,” said Masliyah, “I came to sands – developing the scientific foundation research in oil sands extraction. Masliyah’s appreciate the surface science ramification for commercial bitumen extraction and leadership is recognized as vital to the to bitumen recovery from oil sands and positioning the University of Alberta as a university’s emergence as a world leader in tailings management.” world leader in colloid and surface science. bitumen research. That extra effort allowed Masliyah to His approach to research balances science Masliyah told his convocation audience move the science of oil sands processing and engineering, and epitomizes his passion that, as a young boy, he taught himself how forward, helping to minimize the use of for solving real-world problems from a to take daunting challenges. He equated water and energy to produce bitumen. scientific perspective. the back-breaking work of construction Masliyah urged the undergraduate, Dr. Masliyah received his chemical workers digging a deep hole, one shovelful Master’s and PhD engineers sitting before engineering education at University College, at a time, with a learning challenge he faced him to never sit back, thinking they know London, the University of New Brunswick in school. everything about their profession. and the University of British Columbia. Masliyah’s fifth-grade labour was memo- “Never stop learning. Never stop He began his work on oil sands extrac- rizing and reciting poetry, in French. The expanding your knowledge, not just in the tion when he arrived at the University of doggedness of the workmen had made an engineering field but in the fine arts, history Alberta in 1977. His research evolved from impression. Masliyah devised a study plan: and science. Be a well-rounded engineer.” fluid mechanics to fluid-particle dynamics “If I learn one poem every two days, by Dr. Jacob Masliyah’s outstanding to colloidal science, as he astutely added the end of three weeks I will have learned contributions over his 35+ year career have new dimensions to his research to address them all and I will have one week to go transformed the energy economy of Alberta key issues in bitumen extraction. over them one more time. I did just that. I and Canada. He has become a legend in The excellence of Dr. Masliyah’s research has been recognized by numerous awards including the Alberta Science and Technology Award for Excellence in Oil Sands Research, the J. Gordin Kaplan Award for Excellence in Research from the University of Alberta, and the Frank Spragins Technical Award from the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta. He also won the University Cup and the NSERC/ Conference Board of Canada Synergy Award. Dr. Masliyah is a Fellow of the Dr. Jacob Masliyah , University of Alberta professor emeritus and honorary doctor of science, Royal Society of Canada and the Canadian addresses engineering graduates during convocation ceremonies June 6. (Photo: John Ulan) HERITAGE • Fall 2013 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.jahsena.ca 5

Academy of Engineering. In 2008 he was inducted into the Order of Canada. In New Publication 2011, he was elected Foreign Associate of ust published! Jewish community the US National Academy of Engineering, Canada’s Jews in Time, J edited by Prof. Ira holds great interest among the highest professional distinction- Space and Spirit, Robinson, with contributions by noted for scholars, exer- saccorded to an engineer worldwide. Canadian Jewish History experts includ- cising a measurable Dr. Masliyah has published more ing JAHSENA’s Archivist and Executive influence on the than 350 peer-reviewed papers and Director Debby Shoctor. Available on culture and politics has written three books: Electrokinetic Amazon.ca. of World Jewry. Transport Phenomena; Electrokinetic and Summary: Canada is home to one of Consisting of a Colloid Transport Phenomena with Subir the world’s largest and most culturally series of essays written by experts in their Bhattacharjee; and Handbook on Theory creative Jewish communities, one of the respective fields, Canada’s Jews is a topical and Practice of Bitumen Recovery from few communities in the Diaspora that encyclopedia, covering a wide variety of Athabasca Oil Sands: Volume I—Theoretical continues to grow demographically. With topics, from history and religion, to the Basis with Jan Czarnecki and Zhenghe Xu. its ability to mirror trends found in Jewish intellectual and cultural contributions of Volume II of the handbook on Industrial communities elsewhere (particularly the Canada’s Jews. An indispensable reference Practice will be published in 2013. United States), while simultaneously book for both laypeople and for scholars In addition to being an internationally functioning as a distinct society, Canada’s of Jewish and Canadian studies. recognized researcher, Dr. Masliyah is also an outstanding teacher who inspires students with his enthusiasm, passion and JAHSENA AGM features knowledge. He won the Rutherford Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Keynote Speaker Historical Writer in 1997. His immense value as a mentor and educator comes from a combination of academic excellence and real-world Lawrence Herzog understanding, all of which he passes on to his year’s AGM will take place on Heritage his students. Thursday, October 24, 2013at 7:30 Council web- Another hallmark of Dr. Masliyah’s T pm in the Beth Shalom Synagogue Lower site at www. career is his leadership in developing Auditorium. Our keynote speaker will edmonton- unique and exemplary academia-industry be Lawrence Herzog, a local historical heritage.ca. partnerships. In 1996, with support from writer who has written about many of our Herzog’s national work includes Syncrude Canada Ltd., he established historic Jewish buildings in Edmonton, articles and photos for YFM Your the first NSERC industrial research including the Synagogue itself. Foodservice Manager magazine, www. chair in oil sands engineering, which Herzog has worked for more than yfmonline.ca. He contributes he held until 2008. The NSERC-IRC 30 years as a writer, photographer, articles to AMA’s Westworld Alberta, became the catalyst for a large number of and broadcaster. His specialties include CAA’s Westworld Saskatchewan, industrial research chairs in the Faculty of historical writing, profiles of people and AWARD magazine, and Enterprise Engineering. businesses, and features on traffic safety, magazine, and provide features and The impact of Dr. Masliyah’s research the environment, travel and tourism, the photos for the Visitor’s Choice guides extends beyond engineering. His work has hospitality and retail sectors. for Victoria, Nanaimo, Campbell shown the way forward in the responsible His book credits include two commu- River and the Comox Valley, and the development of Canada’s oil sands, enabling nity histories on the Beverly and Oliver International Choice tourism guides to the continued economic success of the districts of Edmonton. He just completed Vancouver Island and the Okanagan industry while addressing key environmen- a nearly 23-year run as a columnist for Valley. tal issues. His research is a model for how Edmonton’s Real Estate Weekly, contrib- The meeting begins at 7:30pm and enormous social and economic value can uting more than 2,200 columns between Lawrence will be speaking at about 8pm. be generated through meticulous science 1988 and 2011. His features on built Kosher refreshments will be served after- and engineering grounded in the search for heritage now appear on the Edmonton wards and admission is free. answers to industrial problems. 6 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.jahsena.ca HERITAGE • Fall 2013 Helping Others See Clearly Jewish Optometrists in Edmonton By Paula E. Kirman f you wear glasses, chances are that you Ihave seen an optometrist. An optom- etrist is a health care professional who is trained to prescribe correctional lenses, as well as diagnose and treat various eye diseases. In Canada (as well as a couple of other countries), optometrists are known Irving Kline sign and clock on the walk, City of Edmonton Archives photo. as Doctors of Optometry and are subject and his wife Frances decided to take in synagogue congregated in the top floor to high standards of training and regula- a Jewish boy from Germany in the late auditorium of the Talmud Torah on 103rd tion. In Edmonton, a number of people ‘30s, Erlanger helped them find a suit- Street. “The Friday evening sermon from in the Jewish community are part of this able candidate, and helped to bring his Rabbi Eisen was always a well-thought-out profession or have been in the past. nephew, 13-year old Jewish refugee Peter story and, of course, it was the highlight Julius Erlanger Offenbacher (who later changed his last of the evening,” says Gliener. “When Julius Erlanger name to Owen) to Canada – the only sermon-time came - after the vigorous was an optometrist Jewish child permitted to immigrate alone hymn-singing led by mezzo soprano Mrs. in the 1920s and to the country by cabinet order prior to Irving Kline, whose New York voice filled ‘30s. He roomed World War II. Owen later brought his dis- the hall - Dr. Erlanger (who always sat at with Harry placed family to Canada, became a lawyer, the back of the hall) turned off the hall Friedman when and retired in 2004. lights so that the only light shone on Rabbi they were bachelors. Izzy Gliener recalls Dr. Erlanger’s Eisen in his pulpit. He had a most pleasant Julius Erlanger, When Friedman involvement in Beth Shalom when the and soft voice - for he was a gentle and soft JAHSENA Archives photo. Rabbi - and, the dimmed lighting com- bined with the rhythm of Rabbi Eisen’s elocution offered some of the men in the congregation a quiet and gentle nap. When the sermon was over, Dr. Erlanger turned on the lights (the light switch was made of two stacked-button switches which made a sharp click when exercised) and that small noise, together with the sudden return of lighting, was sufficient to open eyes that might have been closed.” Milt Spector The late Milt Spector worked with Julius Erlanger and took over his shop when Erlanger Julius Erlanger (second from left) with the Friedmans, JAHSENA Archives photo. retired. He was originally from Winnipeg. HERITAGE • Fall 2013 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.jahsena.ca 7

Simon Singer. He was interested in sci- stay in his father’s Irving Kline ence and biology from a young age. After jewelry business. Irving Kline, serving in the British navy during World After spending son of jeweler H. B. War II, he decided to study optometry four years in Kline, didn’t want and graduated from the University of the army in the to be a jeweler like Liverpool as an optometrist. Singer was medical corps as his father, so spent the first member of his family to obtain a an optometrist, four years in Detroit university education. He married his first David returned to David Kline, learning to be an wife in Liverpool and had two sons. While his father’s store, Hebrew U. photo. Irving Kline, Optometrist, and he originally enrolled in medical school, he where he remained until he retired in JAHSENA Archives photo. then came back to switched to optometry after his marriage, 1981. open an optometry department in the to allow him to support his family more David is a past-president of Beth back of his father’s store on quickly. Shalom synagogue. He moved to in 1917. H.B. had dabbled in optometry In the mid-‘50s Singer immigrated to Vancouver in 1981 after his first wife previously, but had no formal training. Canada after his divorce, where he worked passed away. He has one daughter in On or around March 26, 1918, Irving for the government providing optometric Vancouver and a son in Birmingham, Kline moved from acting as a “consulting services on First Nations reservations in Alabama who is a neuro-opthamologist. optician” in his father’s shop to his own Saskatchewan. He remarried, to his second optometrist shop at 10035 Jasper Avenue. Rocky Feldman wife Florence, in 1957. In 1963, he moved In spite of great expectations, Irving did Feldman is an optician (grinds with his wife and two young children to not have many customers for eyeglasses glasses from a prescription written by an Edmonton. He worked as the in-store at first, so he had to start advertising, and optometrist or ophthalmologist – doctor optometrist at Woodward’s Department became probably Edmonton’s first adver- who specializes in diseases of the eye). He Store in the newly-built Northgate Centre tising optometrist. He invented a slogan has worked at Bonnie Doon Optical in when it opened in 1965. for his shop, “Where poor eyes and good Edmonton, and is the brother of Michelle In 1970, Dr. Singer opened his own glasses meet.” After that, he started writing Huberman. optometry practice in North Edmonton poems and other slogans, including, “I on 97th Street near Northgate Mall. His Izzy Gliener go to see the pictures since I went to see practice thrived and in the mid-1970s he Izzy Gliener Irving Kline.” He got into a bit of trouble opened a second office in the Links Clinic also had a career on April 27, 1918 when a very creative which was located on 124th Street near as an optician, advertorial appeared in the Edmonton Stony Plain Road. Dr. Singer retired from prior to starting which some thought to be racist, Bulletin optometry practice at age 60 in 1985. his current busi- touting Kline’s opticians as the place where Singer was an active member of the ness. An entrepre- the victim of a mugging had bought “The Beth Shalom Synagogue and Edmonton neur by nature, best glasses he ever had.” Three days later, B’nai Brith. He also was a board member he opened his an apology appeared in the paper. Izzy Gleiner. of the Talmud Torah during the ‘60s and eyeglass business However, even with the advertising he JAHSENA Archives photo. early ‘70s. Two of his children, Jessica in the then-new didn’t get enough business. People were Levental and Adam Singer, recall Singer as Baker Centre in 1969. Although the busi- more interested in buying watches, so he a friendly and sociable person who enjoyed ness faltered at first, he began importing decided that, like his father, the money was meeting and helping a wide variety of high-fashion optical styles which led to in jewelry, and he became a jeweler as well. people through his optometry practice. In success. Gliener sold the business after He consulted with his friends Abe and fact, he offered his services on credit and 31 years and started Acoustic Solutions, Ralph Cristall, who suggested he become often did not get paid for his work. which helps counter noise-induced hearing a credit jeweler, and so in 1922 he became loss by offering ways to reduce hazardous Alberta’s first credit jeweler. His slogan was: David Kline and Harold Kline noise levels. “My involvement in the Jewish “Your Credit is Fine with Irving Kline.” David Kline, son of Irving Kline, gradu- community is limited to ongoing gastro- ated in optometry from the University of Leon Singer nomic adventures and social connections,” Toronto in 1940. His brother Harold had Dr. Leon Singer was born on June 10, he says. He adds that he keeps a kippah gone into optometry as well. David did 1925 in Liverpool, England, the fourth handy for times when he is asked to take not like the profession, so he decided to of eight children born to Gertrude and part in men’s minyans. Continued on page 8 8 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.jahsena.ca HERITAGE • Fall 2013

He l p i n g Ot h e r s Se e Cl e a r ly Continued from page 7 Mark Garfunkel Mark Garfunkel is the son of Rachel (nee Verderber) and Sigfried (Fred) Garfunkel, both Holocaust survivors. His mother was born in 1930 in Krakow, Poland and immigrated with her family to New York, NY where she continued her education. Fred is an uncle to the well- known musician Art Garfunkel. Rachel and Fred moved to Edmonton around 2000 to join son Mark, an optometrist, and his family. The couple also have a daughter, Leslie, and recently moved to Newtown, PA. Mark was the owner of Callingwood Vision and Contact until his retirement. Above: Rachel Mandel and patient in her new Ben Doz Edge Optometry studio. Right: Rachel Mandel’s Supplied photos. Dr. Doz graduated from the Southern new Optometry practice California College of Optometry in Rachel Mandel 1990 and is the managing partner in The Rachel Mandel, daughter of Mayor Optometrists Clinic, one of Western Stephen and Lynn Mandel, has been an Canada’s largest optometric practices. He optometrist since 2007. She graduated is active with the Rotary Club of West at NOVA Southeastern University in Edmonton and in the mid-‘90s took part Davie, Florida in 2007 with her Doctorate Refractive and Cataract surgery centre, in his first eye care mission in Guatemala, of Optometry and a Bachelor of Vision Mandel opened her own practice in August helping to provide general eye care and Science. Prior to that, she attended Florida called EDGE Optometry. “I love working corrective lenses. He has been back to that Atlantic University, earning a Bachelor of with people and providing the best health country several times, providing his skills Biological Science in the Preprofessional/ care balanced with cutting edge technol- to those who need help with their sight. Premedical program. Becoming an optom- ogy,” she says. “All the art work in the new In 2005, Doz received the Rotary Service etrist had been a goal of Mandel’s since she clinic is by talented artists that have taken Centennial Service Award for Professional was 10. “I had a cool optometrist,” she says. their visual challenges (most are legally Excellence. Previously having worked at a blind) and made stunning creations.”

JAHSENA Recent Acquisitions

These items have recently found their way into the Eulogy and photo of Esme Sperber, donated by The Jewish Archives & Historical Society of archives, and are available for research purposes: Geoffrey Sperber. Edmonton and Northern Alberta is always looking Eulogy of Suni Silverman and Talmud Torah Eulogy of Hilda Rubin, donated by Jeff Rubin. for new donations. If you have any personal papers, scrapbook, donated by Ruth-Ellen Shafir. photographs, negatives, books, audio-visual recordings Seven kippot from B’nai Mitzvah celebrations or other items relating to the history of the Jewish “Where the Red & Black Fly,” Sheet music of the in Edmonton and two Talmud Torah Happy community of Edmonton and Northern Alberta that Victoria High School Song, words and music Birthday pencils, donated by Stephanie Hendin. you would like preserved for generations to come, please by Joe Shoctor, and three copies of the Alliance “My Life as a Survivor in my Third Act,” an contact our office at (780) 489-2809. newspaper, donated by Ruth Nolan. autobiography by Uri Rosenzweig, 2012, Eulogy of Seema Leon, donated by Jeff Leon. donated by Uri Rosenzweig. HERITAGE • Fall 2013 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.jahsena.ca 9

In Memoriam 2012-13 JAHSENA and the The following individuals were lost to us this year. We offer our condolences to their Edmonton Chevra Kadisha families and friends, and hope that their memories will be blessings to us all. Launch New Website Vera Allman, z’l Morley Bleviss, z’l Rhoda Cohen, z’l The Jewish Archives and Historical researchers, family members and genealo- Abraham Klimov, z’l Society of Edmonton and Northern gists, full of information on Edmonton’s Gregory Frimark, z’l Alberta, along with the Edmonton Chevra Jewish citizens, with links to other sources Riva Fuksman, z’l Kadisha are pleased to announce the cre- which can be used to learn more about this ation of a new website for the Edmonton vibrant Jewish community. Clarice Garbuz, z’l Jewish Cemetery, www.edmontonjew- The website was designed by Kyle Toby Garfin, z’l ishcemetery.ca. This project was funded Huberman of Pixel Designs Edmonton. Harry Goldberg, z’l by a grant from the Jewish Federation of Kyle is a local community member and Fanny Hersch, z’l Edmonton, through Edmonton United web designer based in the City. Debby David Koliger, z’l Jewish Appeal. Shoctor, Executive Director and Archivist Seema Leon, z’l The website will feature information of JAHSENA worked to put the website about the Jewish Archives, as well as the together along with Cory Felber and Sofia Levin, z’l Edmonton Jewish Cemetery, founded Chevra Kadisha member David Marcus. Samuel Sereth Lieberman, z’l in 1907, and the Chevra Kadisha, the Says Shoctor, “This website will be a great Raja (Rose) Markus, z’l non-profit, volunteer society which runs tool for anyone interested in community Ann Newman Minovitz, z’l the Cemetery. All of the over 1800 burials history, or in researching their roots in Naphtali Nip Olyan, z’l in the cemetery will be listed by name the Jewish Community of Edmonton. We Helen Miller Paull, z’l and plot number, and will feature links to also hope it will prompt people to send in Sofia Perkis, z’l photos of their headstones, the individuals the eulogies and obituaries of their loved buried there, and information kept in the ones to be included on the website, and to Allen M. Prepes, z’l Archives, such as their eulogy or obituary. donate material on them to our Archives.” Yuri Rozenfeld, z’l This project is the first joint venture by The website will be updated annually, Anita (Hannah) Satanove, z’l these three Edmonton Jewish organiza- as new burials occur. Presently, there Julia Satanove, z’l tions. are about 30 new burials a year out at Rose Segal, z’l This project is based on raw data the cemetery, located on Edmonton’s Etta Sheckter, z’l collected by former JAHSENA Board South side at 7622-101 Avenue. This Member Cory Felber, who spent years cat- July, JAHSENA also partnered with the Suni Silverman, z’l aloguing and photographing the cemetery Chevra Kadisha to conduct cemetery tours Millie Singer, z’l and creating a database for researchers as part of the Doors Open Edmonton Shelby Smordin, z’l and family members seeking to visit their Festival. Both organizations hope that this Edna Snell, z’l loved ones. The burial information is also becomes a regular event. Please check out Helen (Anna) Dashevsky Spevakow, z’l available on JOWBR, the Jewish Online the website at: www.edmontonjewishcem- Judge Robert Spevakow, z’l World Burial Registry, which can be found etery.ca, as well as the JAHSENA website Tobey Switzer, z’l on www.jewishgen.org. However, it was at www.jahsena.ca. If you have materials Felber’s idea to create an independent which you would like included on the web- Belinda Damelin Tankel, z’l website for this particular cemetery, which site, or to donate to the Archives, please Shirley Tarnow, z’l is believed to be the first of its kind. The contact the JAHSENA office at: (780) Arthur Ugodnikov, z’l website will serve as a one-stop-shop for 489-2809 or [email protected]. Sabina Weizman, z’l 10 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.jahsena.ca HERITAGE • Fall 2013

ity, a place where the story of our fabulous From the Archivist’s Desk, community will be told to the thousands of by Debby Shoctor visitors who go to the Park every Summer. Thanks especially to all of our donors, Fall 2013 including the EJCCF, Edmonton UJA and the Dianne and Irving Kipnes Foundation. Thanks to Ken Wasserman, Jini Vogel, Judy Goldsand and the Board of JAHSENA, to Russ Joseph of Federation who found our wonderful contractor, Mark McFarlane of s I am sure you all know, it has been an the story of the building’s Jewish history Goldwing Construction, to all the Park Aextremely busy and successful year here and interviewing Ken Wasserman, H. B. Staff, especially Historian Janne Switzer, at JAHSENA. Last Fall, we started work Kline’s great grandson, who still had many and to all the City of Edmonton Staff who on a project, which I am sure you all heard artifacts from the store in his basement. helped, especially Mayor Stephen Mandel. about, the H .B. Kline Jewelry Store at Fort Both Ken and I contacted officials at the This, however, was not the only major Edmonton Park. It all started with a phone Park and complained about the situation, project JAHSENA undertook this year. call from Edmonton Journal Columnist to no immediate avail. We worked with the Chevra Kadisha and Paula Simons a year before that, asking me To make a long story with website designer why no one from JAHSENA was in atten- short, I recruited Ken Kyle Huberman of Pixel dance at the opening of the newly-replicated to join the JAHSENA Designs to create a web- Capitol Theatre at . I Board and, together site for the Edmonton vaguely knew that the Park was doing this, with President Jini Vogel Jewish Cemetery, but nothing more. Neither I nor Jini, nor and later Vice President which we launched this anyone else from the Jewish Community Judy Goldsand, we August. It was former had received an invitation to this event. started meeting with Board Member Cory Both Paula and I thought this was strange, Park officials and City Felber’s idea to create as the theatre had been built by a pair of officials in an attempt to a website based on the American Jewish brothers, the Allens, who get this situation fixed. photographs she had built some of the earliest movie houses After many meetings, taken of the tombstones all over Canada and the US, including thanks in large part to at the Cemetery, and to the one here, originally named the Allen the interest and efforts use the Eulogies and Theatre, and built in 1918. In addition, the of our Mayor, Stephen Obituaries and photos Orchestra leader of the in-house orchestra, Mandel, we managed to in our collection to Abe Fratkin, was a member of our commu- get the City to strike a make a website which nity. Abe conducted his Capitolians during committee to deal with From “Chop Suey on the Prairies.” is a true memorial and the showing of silent movies. He also owned the problem and build testament for all the a well-known music store in town and later the H. B. Kline store. We applied for grants wonderful people in our community who went on to become the first conductor of and conducted a fundraising campaign, have passed on. The burial information the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (see hired a contractor and worked with the City has been available through JOWBR, on Heritage Vol. 10 No. 1, Fall 2007). On the Artifacts Centre, and finally by this May the jewishgen.org website for a few years left-hand side of the building, for many long weekend, the project was completed. now, but this new website, www.edmon- years, the Ostry family ran a tobacconist’s We had raised over $60,000 towards this tonjewishcemetery.ca, will have even more shop, and on the right-hand side was the H. project, and outfitted and furnished the information on it. B. Kline Jewelry store. store almost exactly according to historic We undertook another joint venture To both Paula’s and my dismay, no specifications. The grand opening was held with the Chevra Kadisha this year as well, mention was made at the opening nor on July 9, 2013 and was attended by over in offering tours of the Edmonton Jewish inside the theatre of any of this. The build- 200 community members! It was a great Cemetery to the public during the annual ing’s Jewish history had been completely day for our community. Edmonton and District Historical Society neglected. We therefore took on a mission I would like to thank all those who Doors Open Edmonton Festival, which to rectify this. Paula wrote an article, telling participated in making this store a real- takes place every July. In the past, we had HERITAGE • Fall 2013 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.jahsena.ca 11

shown our documentaries and had a tour be included on the Edmonton Heritage Sun-Yat Sen. It can be heard at http://www. of our offices, but this year we decided to Council’s Heritage Map of Edmonton, cbc.ca/ideas/episodes/2013/09/05/ try something different, and it was a rousing which can be found on their website, www. the-intermittently-true-adventures-of- success. We had two tours, attended by over edmontonheritag.ca. There is a bit on there moishetwo-gun-cohen/. 35 people, conducted by David Marcus right now, but soon there will be articles I am also happy to announce my first of the Chevra Kadisha and myself, and on many Jewish sites in Edmonton. This academic publication, a chapter in a book they were very well-received. Please see the year’s AGM Keynote speaker Lawrence edited by McGill University Professor Ira photos on pg. 16 Herzog, a former Edmontonian who writes Robinson entitled “Canada’s Jews in Time I also attended the Association of about Heritage Buildings, is also a featured and Space.” I wrote the chapter on Jews in Canadian Archivists Conference in columnist on that site. Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Yukon. A Winnipeg in June of this year, and presented In the meantime, interest in Edmonton’s copy is available in the Archives for study, a joint paper on Jewish Archives in Canada Jewish Community continues to increase. or can be purchased on www.amazon.ca. along with two of my colleagues in the One of our photos was included in the In addition, I will be joining the Premier’s Association of Canadian Jewish Archives Provincial Archives of Alberta exhibit, Council on Arts and Culture, which will and Museums (ACJAM), new Ontario “Chop Suey on the Prairies.” This photo advise the Premier on matters of Arts and Jewish Archives Director Dara Solomon, features Edmonton Eskimos founder Moe Culture in Alberta. and Canadian Jewish Congress Charities Lieberman and player, later Lieutenant This coming year proves to be as jam- Committee Archivist Janice Rosen. Our Governor Norman Kwong. Edmonton packed as last, so hold on to your hats, session was well-received by the attendees. Journal Columnist Paula Simons produced you never know what is coming round the I will be presenting the same talk to the a one-hour documentary for CBC radio on corner! Catholic Archivists Association Conference Morris “Two-Gun” Cohen, an Edmonton Debby Shoctor in St. Albert this October on my own. real estate speculator and bodyguard for Archivist I also gave a talk on JAHSENA, our col- lections and activities both to the members of Temple Beth Ora, and to the members of Na’amat this year, both of which were very successful. Our collections have been fea- tured in last year’s and this year’s Archives Society of Alberta Calendars, which are available for purchase from our office. The new Archives Week Exhibit on the ASA website, “Fashion in the Archives” will be up on the website at www.archivesalberta.org for the first week in October. It will feature five photos from our collection, and they have chosen one of our photos to feature on their new website. The next project we will undertake will be to again employ the services of Kyle Huberman of Pixel designs to re-do our website so that it is up to current standards, and we can include our movies and videos, as well as excerpts from our Oral History collections on the web. We have again received grants from the Edmonton Jewish Charitable Foundation and Edmonton UJA for this project. JAHSENA Archivist Debby Shoctor meets with Joseph Patrouch, head of the Wirth Institute Working with other organizations is at the University of Alberta, and visiting Austrian professors Dr. Helga Mitterbauer and always beneficial, and I am pleased to report Dr. Andrea Strutz. Dr. Strutz was in town to give a talk and do research on Austrian that Jewish sites and history will shortly Jewish internees in Canada during World War II. Photo by Daniel Larson. 12 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.jahsena.ca HERITAGE • Fall 2013

JAHSENA Membership 2012-2013 Patrons: Marshall Shoctor Justice Eric & Sharon Dr. Sterling & Jesse Haynes Memberships: Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary Naomi Shoctor Macklin Mike & Stephanie Hendin Sylvia Alpern Dr. Eli & Phyllis Adler Howard & Debra Sniderman Phillip Mass Lesley Jacobson Florie Axler Dr. Bernie & Miriam Adler Eira Spaner Miriam Milavsky Myra & Abie Kacew Esther Bernstein Justice Mel & Dr. Anne Howard & Esther Starkman Leslie Moss Leon & Betty Kagna Martin Blatt Fanning Binder Don Superstein Harry & Ruth Nolan Jane & Edgar Karstaedt Rabbi Ari Drelich Jack & Sylvia Chetner Leo Superstein Dr. Eliot Phillipson Cyril & Fay Kay Daniella Berechit-Drisdell Len & Catherine Miller Shawna Vogel & Dr. Chris Ron & Carol Ritch David & Gerry Kline Becky Fayerman Dolgoy Gregson Isabel Rodnunsky Martha Kushner Goldie Furman Joe & Cynthia Doz Grant Vogel & Dr. Lemore Lawrence Rodnunsky Nancy Lieberman Joyce Geffen Cory Felber Alima Uri Rosenzweig Hy & Miriam Lieberman Anna Mae Gibson Dr. Manuel & Rhoda Friedman Virginia Vogel & Alex Abner Rubin Alan & Dyanne Lyons Halley Girvitz Justice Samuel Friedman Krimberg Barry & Maureen Schloss Dr. Robert & Terrie Margolis Shirley Goldberg Rose Marie Glassman Freya & Lewis Wasel Sondra Schloss Ed & Joy-Ruth Mickelson Linda Moss Hilford Isidor Gleiner Shelley Weinstein & Bruce Dr. Rosalie Rubin Shadlyn Pierre & Arlene Morin Doreen Horwitz John & Shawna Goldberg Bradley Joe & Ruth-Ellen Shafir Beryl & Mike Nahornick Doreen Jampolsky Howard & Leah Goldford Barry Zalmanowitz & Harry & Dr. Sveta Silverman Jon & Francie Nobleman Clara Kagan Dr. George & Judy Goldsand Justice June Ross Nat & Betty Starr Norma Nozick Erica Karabus Bessie Goldstick Danny & Connie Zalmanowitz Barry Vogel & Sarah Brickett Essie Olyan Samuel Koplowicz Norman & Roberta Hanson Hal Zalmanowitz Paula & Eric Weil Irwin & Maxine Raphael Daniel Larson Dr. Tom & Nina Hardin Walder & Nancy White Ross & Gail Rudolph Cyril Leonoff Abe & Karen Hering Benefactors: Larry & Marielle Witten Reisa Segal Percy Lerner Arthur & Gwen Pechet Hiller Dr. Ted & Gloria Aaron Norm & Mona Witten Farrel & Lisa Shadlyn Reesa Lerner Clyde Hurtig & Karen Farkas Vic & Naomi Amato Ron & Naomi Wolch Steven & Talya Shafir Susan Lieberman Miriam & Jerry Katz Arda Baltzan Mel Wyne & Phyllis Nurgitz Paula Snyder Bernice Milner Irving & Dr. Dianne Kipnes Ron & Marcia Bercov Florence Weinlos Soifer Florence Morris Phil and SheilaLister Jack & Marilyn Cohen Donors: Ken & Natalie Soroka Leah Neaman Mayor Stephen & Lynn Mel & Ruth Comisarow Charles David Aaron Robyn & Geoffrey Sperber Yossi Ovics Mandel Howard Davidow & Anita Sky Sharon Abbott Ken & Annella Wasserman Ruth Pakes Sue Marxheimer Bruce & Nancy Elman Marvin & Freda Abugov Dr. Sam & Eva Weisz Hanna Pollack Arliss Miller Dr. Elliot & Dena Gelfand Jill Spaner Bellack Alvin & Sue Winestock Linda Rabinovitch Leon & Debbie Miller Ron Goldberg Elaine Bookhalter Barbara Wiseman Miriam Rabinovitch Aaron & Jean Oshry Dr. Phil & Penny Hardin Sharon Bookhalter & Jerry Joseph & Deby Blanche Gorasht Shindell Violet Owen Dr. Myer & Barbara Horowitz Glasser Wohlgelerntner Penny Sklove-Levy Michael & Colleen Paull Deborah E. Horowitz Gordon & Darlene Bushewsky Gary Woodrow Clarice Switzer Lynn Pechet-Bruser Russ & Jan Joseph Miriam & Jerry Cooper Dr. Tova Yedlin June Winfield Daniel & Trudy Pekarsky Dan & Esther Kauffman Bill & Trudianne Dolman Dr. Abraham Peliowski David & Tillie Kauffman Harvey & Minnie Emas Individual Netta & Frank Phillet Lewis & Irene Klar Barry & Fani Estrin Membership donations are used for the operating costs of the Ted Power Brenda & Bill Laing Cori Friedman Society, which is a self-sustaining organization. Membership Lorne & Beth Price Susan Schloss Lampert Sam & Margaret Frohlich fees include spouses except for individual membership. Members Saul & Toby Reichert Marilyn Weinlos Lerner Fred & Rachel Garfunkel are eligible to vote at the annual general meetings of the society. Aubrey Rogerville Valda Levin Linda Goody Membership includes a subscription to our publication, Heritaga/ Jeff Rubin & Gaylene Soifer Ethel Levene Justice Robert & Brandy Yerusha. Fees cover uniform membership year from October 1st Dr. Eric & Elexis Schloss David & Daryl Levine Graesser to August 31st. Donations are tax deductible. We thank the above

Kayla Shoctor David & Robin Marcus Lillian Green listed people for their support in the past year.   Benefactor $50 Help Us Preserve Our  Donor $36  Individual $18 Past for the Future!  I am interested in serving as a volunteer. I (we) would like to become part of the continuing  I have historical material that I would like to donate. - Please call me. quest into our historical past by joining the Jewish Archives and Historical Society of Edmonton Name: ______and Northern Alberta in the category marked. A Address:______charitable receipt will be issued. Membership for other than individuals includes spouses. Membership City: ______Postal Code:______includes an annual subscription to Heritage/Yerusha, Phone Number______Email:______the Society’s newsletter, published 3 times a year. Visa/MC Number:______Enclosed is my cheque for $______Payable Expiry Date:______to the Jewish Archives and Historical Society of Please clip out and return to: Edmonton and Northern Alberta (JAHSENA). JAHSENA 10220-156 St. Suite 200, Edmonton, Alberta, T5P 2R1

 Patron $100 HERITAGE • Fall 2013 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.jahsena.ca 13

Le t t e r t o t h e Ed i t o r DONATION CARDS Continued from page 2 you, other members JAHSENA now has donation cards provided further with historic pictures on them available details of Alex’s last for purchase. Mark your special mission. simchas by sending a donation to These people JAHSENA. Contact the office for more will always ensure details at: 780-489-2809. We have that these heroes are received the following donations: honoured and never forgotten, there are MAZEL TOV To Dr. Jacob Masliyah, on receiving some members who Alex Podolsky, an Honourary Doctorate from the have many stats and ca. 1942 JAHSENA Archives photo. University of Alberta, from the Board of records, and these JAHSENA. are added to the human story to fill it in To David and Florie Axler, on their further. 50th Anniversary, from the Board of There is a lady with the RAF who will JAHSENA. source how I can get some poppies for To Elexis Schloss on receiving the Order Grave of Alex Podolsky, Prague War November to bring to the boys in Prague. I of Canada, from Eric & Sharon Macklin Cemetery. Paull photo. have just one from my last trip back home & Family and from the Board of to Vancouver in November. A book that is with me, on my iPad JAHSENA. Since your Uncle’s cemetery is very close for my reading list is written by one of To Ron Wolch on his 80th Birthday, from to where my parents in law are buried, we those whose posts I also follow on FB , a the Board of JAHSENA. will be stopping in to visit him often. fellow Canuck Marc Stevens, it is called SYMPATHY Coincidentally, we were visiting Prague Escape, Evasion and Revenge about his To Ram Romanovsky, on the death of his ( for my first time) in July and August father, a German Jewish pilot who escaped brothers, Leon, z’l, and Phillip, z’l from 1984 also, with my father and sister, it was Germany, joined the RAF as a bomber the Board of JAHSENA. my husband’s first time back since escaping pilot, flew bombing missions to Berlin, was in 1968. At that time, neither us of ever shot down and became a prisoner in Stalag REFUAH SHALEMAH To Claudia Kertzer, from the Board of imagined we would eventually be living 3 where aircrew were held, and managed to JAHSENA. there full time years later. keep his true identity a secret all the while You and your wife were adventurous, masquerading as a British pilot who spoke camping there back then. Throughout visits fluent German, a fascinating story. JAHSENA AGM in the ‘80s we ran into very few western Now we are enjoying our annual th tourists, most being too paranoid to head sojourn to our favourite area in the October 24 7:30 pm to the intimidating communist controlled Casentino Valley, off the tourist radar, Beth Shalom Synagogue countries. but still close enough to do some great Guest Speaker We had a number of adventures with day trips such as to Firenze, Cortona, Lawrence Herzog the secret police during those days. Montalcino, Montepulciano, Arezzo, etc. Sometimes maybe we can compare the it’s a beautiful area and we have been com- “then” versus now notes on Prague. ing for years. Currently we are soaking up much I hope your summer is wonderful needed sun in Tuscany ( after more dif- wherever you spend it. NEW MEMBERS ficult floods this early summer). If you or your Dad have any other JAHSENA would like to welcome the following new members: I was following the Calgary situation stories or details about Alex you would like before leaving, especially south in High Rick & Nikki Vogel, Edmonton, Alberta to share on the sites, I would be happy to Elwood Johnson, Edmonton, Alberta River where my father last lived in Alberta. post them. Ann Davis Secter, Edmonton, Alberta The weather was crazy everywhere this year. Best regards, Sharon Christensen 14 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.jahsena.ca HERITAGE • Fall 2013

as well as to Dr. H. Abramson (Physiology, Dr. Theodore Columbia) and Dr. S. Peck (Dermatology, Columbia). Herschel Aaron: In 1947 I was a Resident in Allergy and Medicine as well as a Teaching and Research Fellow of the University of Pittsburgh under the eminent allergist Dr. Leo Criep. I worked in the University Clinic, Veteran My Life Clinics, taught medical students and dermatology residents and was in charge of the Allergy extract preparation for the in Medicine University, the American Armed Forces and By Dr T.H. Aaron, B.Sc. M.D. F.R.C.P. © the Veteran’s Administration. F.A.C.P. F.C.S.A.C.I. F.A.C.C.P. F.A.A.A.I. CM From a clinical study I did, I found that the antihistamines decreased cold symptoms Dr. Aaron is an eminent Edmonton-born such as itching, sneezing, and stuffiness. A Jewish physician, whose father, Abraham later study was done at a US prison using Aaron, was in the Fur trade here at the turn Dr. Ted Aaron, U of A photo. controls. Today antihistamines are found in th of the 20 Century. Dr. Aaron assembled most cold remedies. If I had patented the Philip Levine in the U.S. I co-authored an this autobiography based on his C.V., for idea, the monetary reward would have been article on the first case of childhood Crohn’s JAHSENA. It is our hope that other mem- huge, but instead it all went to the company disease presenting with fever and joint pain bers of our community will do the same to and not to students who did the research. which was used by Dr. Crohn in his book spread the word about what an amazing and In 1948, 1 was a resident physician in (AM.J.Dig.Dis.1944.) While working at Mt. diverse community we have. This article has the Pulmonary Division of the Montefiore Sinai Hospital, I was asked by Dr. Crohn to been edited for publication. The complete text Hospital of New York City which was then work with him on bowel immunology. is available in the Archives. part of Columbia University, now the Albert was born in Edmonton Alberta on May Following the publication of a paper Einstein. It has two Nobel Prizes to its 4, 1918 and educated in Edmonton at on allergic rhinitis, I became interested in I credit. The head of Pulmonary at that time McDougall, Oliver, Westmount and Victoria allergy and decided to go to the United was Max Pinner, the editor of the American schools. I was encouraged by our next-door States to study. There was no Canadian Review of Tuberculosis. This was arranged neighbor, Dr. J.O. Baker who founded the Society of Allergy at that time, nor trained for me by the famed Burns Amberson. Baker Clinic, to take my medical degree at allergists. Dr. Detweiler of Toronto, Dr. At the end of the year, in 1949 and 1950, the University of Alberta and received a Charles Walton of Winnipeg and others I became a Fellow in Medicine at the Lahey B.Sc. and then M.D. in 1942. formed the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinic in Boston. I was later asked to be My internship was at the Royal Clinical Immunology of which I am the last the allergy consultant at the Clinic and also Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton. I was the surviving founding member. Post Graduate the University of Pittsburgh, but instead first to administer penicillin in Alberta. It Studies were continued in the United States. returned to Edmonton. Since returning to was obtained from Ottawa for a doctor’s son My allergy training started in New York Edmonton I have had numerous requests and given by I.V. drip. In order to reuse it for City at the Roosevelt Hospital (Columbia to take appointments notably at the other patients and having chemical training, University) under Dr. Robert Cooke in Universities of Pittsburgh and Stanford. I extracted penicillin from the patients’ 1946. He was a renowned allergist, one of I returned to Edmonton as one of the urine. I used it on other patients locally with the founders of the American Academy of first trained allergists in Canada and the excellent results. Allergy and Clinical Immunology as well as first trained allergist in western Canada. My medical curiosity was initiated dur- the American College of Physicians. He also Initially I practiced at the Baker Clinic as ing a preceptorship in Internal Medicine trained John Fitzgerald of Toronto and Sam an allergy specialist. I made up many of with Dr. F.H. Sprague, a professor in medi- Friedman of Montreal, who later became the allergy extracts and trained nurses to cine who practiced at the Baker Clinic. Dean of Medicine of McGill. be allergy technicians. I was later joined by From there I went to Mount Sinai Innovation another allergist, Dr. E. L. C. Muttitt. I had Hospital in New York City (Columbia I was the first to do RH blood-typing in appointments with the Royal Alexandra, University) as an Associate in Bacteriology Canada with typing serum received from Dr. the University, Misericordia and General to the renowned Dr. Gregory Schwartzman, HERITAGE • Fall 2013 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.jahsena.ca 15

Hospitals. I received an appointment at the I supervised students with summer tion I have travelled to other areas (e.g. University of Alberta in 1950 as a Clinical research projects in allergy and obtained the University of Lethbridge) to lecture Professor of Medicine and have been associ- funding from the American Allergy to pharmacists. I have acted as a resource ated with the U of A since then. Foundation for two students. Each pre- person for graduate pharmacy students at I have been seeing patients from three sented their project results at the Annual the University of Alberta as well as being a western provinces and even an occasional Student Research Day. preceptor for training clinical pharmacists at American. We trained nurses to do skin I have participated in Continuing the Royal Alexandra Hospital. I served on tests and patch tests and give allergy injec- Medical Education for many years. This the pharmacy committee for 25 years at that tions. We had a sterile room for preparing has taken many forms: lecturing for various hospital, and also served as representative of vaccine prescriptions, making up special courses in Edmonton at the U of A, in the medical association on the Alberta Drug vaccines and taking care of emergency cases. various hospitals, lecturing for the U of Review and Utilization Group. I assisted We were also able to do passive transfer A and the Alberta Medical Association in with a PhD program in pharmacy and was studies. towns and cities in the province and recently an examiner for PhD exams. I initiated com- The polio epidemic of 1953 interrupted lecturing for lay medical groups such as pulsory reporting by hospitals of adverse drug my practice. I volunteered, as I was trained the Alberta Lung Association, Allergy reactions to Health and Welfare Canada. in pulmonary practice. I worked at the Information, Thyroid Association as well as Community Service Royal Alexandra Hospital (Isolation), along various service clubs and groups such as the I have served as Board President of with Drs. Taylor, Elliott, Nix and others. Beekeepers’ Association. I have also made Alberta Ballet, Board member of the After the epidemic was over, the respiratory numerous appearances on radio and TV for Edmonton Symphony Society, volunteer polio patients were moved to the University lectures, talk shows and for medical current as well Board member of Theatre Three Hospital. They were looked after by me events. (Phoenix Theatre), Board member of the and Drs. Elliott, Dvorkin, and Fraser. Drs. I initiated and chaired the first American Boy Scout Association, President of the Fraser, Dvorkin and I went to Minneapolis College of Physicians (ACP) course at the Council of Christians and Jews, Board mem- to get information on rehabilitation. Banff School of Fine Arts in June 1965. ber of Beth Shalom Synagogue, and member I have had a lifelong friendship with my It was a huge success and for years the of the EPCOR ad hoc committee dealing patient, Gary McPherson, who I first saw University held ACP courses in Banff. with community utilization of power plants when he was nine and who has done much Guest Lectures at other in Rossdale Flats. for the handicapped. I have been included Universities in their polio reunions and helped with the Honours I was a guest lecturer at the University polio exhibit at the . In 1988 I was appointed an Honorary of Mexico on more than one occasion An Allergy Clinic was needed for Member of the Alberta Pharmaceutical and was made an Honorary Fellow of the teaching, patient care and consultations Association, now the Alberta College Pan American Allergy Society. I was an so I established it in the Out-Patient of Pharmacists. I was appointed Senior invited guest lecturer for the University Department with funds arranged by Dr. Life Member of the Canadian Medical of Pittsburgh Medical School Centennial Don Wilson and Dr. Bernard Snell. I Association, the Alberta Medical Celebration and, while there, taught at the trained a nurse to do skin testing, make Association and the College of Physicians Children’s hospital. up allergy extracts and give allergy injec- and Surgeons of Alberta. I was one of 100 For all of my practice years I have tions. Weekly clinics were well attended by Awardees recognized as Alberta Physicians been a resource person in the province to patients, students and interns. The clinic of the Century and won the Alberta doctors, medical associations, nurses, dieti- disbanded as did others after Medicare came Pharmacy Centennial Award of Distinction cians, pharmacists, news media, lawyers, into being. (only person to receive both above awards). environmentalists, chemists, etc. for allergy I was also awarded the Alberta Centennial Teaching Allergy at the University information. Medal and the College of Physicians Until recently, I have done bedside teach- Teaching in other Faculties of Alberta Meritorious Service Award ing and held discussions on allergy especially I taught ACP courses at the University 2002, and was given the Alberta Medical at the Royal Alexandra Hospital on a weekly of Saskatchewan and the University of Association Service Award for service to the basis. For many years I gave annual lectures Pittsburgh. At the Faculty of Pharmacy, I Association and the Medical Profession in on allergy. Students and interns have had have given lectures to final year pharmacy 2004, and the Canadian Society of Allergy electives in my office, spending one to two students on allergy and especially drug and Clinical Immunology Certificate of weeks. One student from South Africa spent allergies. For continuing pharmacy educa- Meritorious Service as a Founding Member close to two months. on their 20th anniversary. 16 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.jahsena.ca HERITAGE • Fall 2013 Cemetery Tour his July, JAHSENA again partici- Tpated in the Doors Open Edmonton Festival, an annual event put on by the Edmonton and District Historical Society. Instead of a tour of our Archives. We opted to team up with the Chevra Kadisha and offer tours of the Edmonton Jewish Cemetery. These tours were very well- received, and about 35 people participated, including some members from our own community. Thanks to David Marcus of the Chevra Kadisha for conducting the tours. We hope next year to have a tour of one of our major synagogues.

Clockwise from top left: Debby Shoctor shows the participants the Cemetery Map, David Marcus shows the Olyan monument, largest in Alberta, participants on the tour, David and Debby welcome participants, David at the Cenotaph.