In This Issue: Projects in Progress East End Stories Scribe Launch Archives Report Annual General Meeting / BC Jewish History Research Prize

FALL 2018 Founded in 1971 as the Jewish Historical Society of Founding President: Cyril Leonoff, z”l

The Chronicle BOARD STAFF Volume 24, Issue 2 © JMABC, 2018 President Administrator Perry Seidelman Marcy Babins Cover Image: Vice President Archivist Dave Shafran, Carol Herbert Alysa Routtenberg owner of Max’s Treasurer Delicatessen, Alisa Franken Director of Community tending the till, Engagement circa 1960. Secretary Michael Schwartz Gordon Brandt L.09267 Members-At-Large Editing and Design Alan Farber Michael Schwartz Phil Sanderson Immediate Past President Gary Averbach We gratefully acknowledge the generous support of our Directors sponsors: Oren Bick David Bogoch Betty Averbach Foundation Alex Farber City of Daniella Givon Diamond Foundation Bill Gruenthal Adam Korbin Government of Evan Orloff Jewish Community Foundation Ronnie Tessler Michael Tripp Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver Council of Governors Isabelle Diamond Phyliss and Irving Snider Marie Doduck Foundation Michael Geller Province of British Columbia Bill Gruenthal Richard Henriquez Waldman Foundation Cyril Leonoff z”l Risa Levine Josephine Margolis Nadel Richard Menkis Ronnie Tessler

The Jewish Museum and Archives of BC is a registered non- profit with CRA # 10808 5259 RR0001. All contributions are tax-deductable. 1 President’s Message

How many of us wish we knew more about our to see, hear, and touch the history. They grandparents’ history? How many of us wonder where should collect, maintain and exhibit, and then old photos or historical documents ended up after a bequeath, the entire family tradition. grandparent passed away? How many of us regret not To be effective curators, grandparents must asking grandparents questions when we had the chance be collectors. Grishaver says they should or even making the time to listen to them when they safeguard the items and memories that were wished to tell us about their past? I would guess this important to them and their parents and applies to many, if not most, of us. grandparents, so they do not get lost and/ Joel Lurie Grishaver, a Jewish writer, teacher, or forgotten. Grandparents should collect cartoonist, and storyteller, wrote in 1995, 10 Attitudes and preserve these items, so they will be of Highly Effective Jewish Grandparents. In this recognizable and interesting to others. booklet, he suggests how we can do better for our While acknowledging the importance of children and grandchildren by being like a museum preserving collected items, Grishaver curator. emphasizes that preservation means not Grishaver says that, as curators, grandparents should only protecting, but also providing access to pass on to the generations following them the items, the items. He recommends putting photos in memories, and stories they have collected over their albums, polishing the silver, labelling all items lives. He recommends that grandparents should and recording the stories that go with each. Above: three children swimming appreciate their mortality and prepare the family Once the items are collected and preserved, at the pier at Dundarave, collection so children and grandchildren will be able c. 1910. (L.00033).

2 A dinner party, c. 1918. (L.13363).

there is more to exhibiting than just having items in As part of this process, recent issues of our annual special cases with labels. Grishaver writes that although journal, The Scribe, have told of Jewish contributions to it is important to exhibit and then bequeath these the furniture, scrap metal, and retail clothing businesses. items, it is equally important to do this in an interesting Our most recent issue focuses on the fascinating stories manner. of those interred in Mountain View Jewish Cemetery and other Jewish cemeteries in BC. The next issue, to Grishaver then talks about the importance of be launched in November, will report on members of the grandparents recording their stories, which is something community involved in the restaurant industry, both that the JMABC is exceptional at doing. historically and currently. In fact, the JMABC is outstanding at doing all the So, how important is all of this? How can we decide above. We collect, preserve and display, both physically what to do next – how to live – if we can’t remember the and online. We record stories, transcribe them, and accomplishments of others and of ourselves; who we are make them available for listening. Excerpts from these and where we have come from? interviews are frequently published in our annual journal, The Scribe. By renewing your membership, increasing your contribution, volunteering your help and your memories, Nearly 1,000 stories have been recorded, documenting and by joining us at our public programs, you show the interesting lives of people throughout our your support and encourage our staff to continue their community. Many of these interviews have been diligent work. I look forward to seeing you at our exciting transcribed and made available online, increasing their events coming up this year and know we can rely on you accessibility for family members and other community to help us reach our fundraising goals, allowing us to members. reach new heights in programming and guaranteeing the The JMABC is known within the museum and archives preservation of our community’s prized collection. world as being an organization of stature and excellence. Credit for this reputation is due to our extremely knowledgeable and hard-working staff, our numerous interns and volunteers, and our volunteer board of directors. At the JMABC, we endeavour to collect and document Perry Seidelman the complete history of Jewish people throughout BC. President

3 East End Stories

On a lazy Sunday afternoon in June, guests of all ages the videos. The project is enriched by arrived at The Heatley to celebrate the launch of a free downloadable study guide, made East End Stories, the newest exhibition by the Jewish available to support teachers in educating Museum and Archives of BC. Showcasing a profile of their students on local Jewish heritage, six early Jewish immigrants—rabbis, businessmen, and sparking conversations to nurture advocates—who made their mark in the first century empathy and connection to the histories of building Vancouver’s Jewish community, East End and communities of migrants and indigenous Stories is a collection of 6 short videos, a self-guided peoples. tour, and a study guide for high school teachers and Guests enjoyed the debut screening of the students. six East End Stories videos, each between Exchanging smiles, handshakes, hugs, and chatter, 3 and 5 minutes long. Applause followed guests settled in and were welcomed by Michael each film, with one women yelling after Schwartz, the JMABC’s Director of Community the final clip, “I think what you’ve done is Engagement, who introduced the project. tremendous!” Canada’s 150th Anniversary that provided the After the screening, some lingered to opportunity to realize East End Stories. With newly chat, while others set out to explore the available funding, eager efforts by contributors, and neighbourhood, following the map for the archival material from 19 different archives, this integral self-guided tours. project to present Jewish heritage in Vancouver was All six short films are now available on the produced in just under a year. JMABC website. We invite you to view An eclectic setting, cultural objects from various eras them at: mildly decorate the restaurant, giving a vibe that The jewishmuseum.ca/exhibit/east-end-stories Heatley in its first days may have been a parlour or general store. This affect of heritage and location helped to connect guests to the Strathcona neighbourhood. We are grateful for the support of the The Heatley is only a hop, skip and a jump away from following organizations for making East End Vancouver’s first synagogue, B’nei Yehuda (built in 1911) Stories possible: which later became Schara Tzedeck (built in 1921) at the BC | Canada 150: Celebrating BC nearby corner of Heatley and East Pender streets. Communities and their Contributions to The cornerstone of East End Stories is its accessibility Canada; The Betty Averbach Foundation; through online and offline avenues to engage various The Government of Canada; The Jewish demographics with an interest in Jewish heritage in Community Foundation of Greater B.C. Along the route of the Strathcona self-guided Vancouver; Jewish Federation of Greater tour are information panels with QR codes linking to Vancouver; and the Isaac and Sophie Waldman Endowment Fund.

4 Archives Report

...but for those who have been reading the archives updates over the years, the archives being busy busy busy is no news. We’re always acquiring, processing, and arranging materials, describing, digitizing them, and working to make our collections more accessible. As you can see in the following pages, our office has been a hive of busy bees all summer long! From donations of just a couple of photographs to entire administrative records, we’re interested in it all. They all have a place in preserving our community history. If you haven’t taken a tour of our archives facility in Richmond, schedule a tour with me. You’ll see what it’s all about, from your garage to our shelves. This spring and summer we’ve been working on not only this year’s Scribe, which will hit your mailboxes soon, but next year’s issue as well, thanks to one of our Young Canada Works interns, Kate Quinn-Feehan. The archives has as always continued to process archival fonds as well, with YCW intern Eva Lau working on the National Council of Jewish Women collection. We can’t believe it’s already time for them to head back to school, but the office won’t be quiet for long! In a few short weeks we’ll be welcoming a new Archives Processing Assistant and two Archives interns who will be working with us into the Some people new year. Thanks to our Oral History Program volunteers we’ve continued to conduct new interviews and transcribe think the past ones. New Interviews include: Ilana Strummer, Vanessa Marks, Claire Ann Kramer, Gilda Rayburn and David Batiste, Earl Morris, Bill Levine, Mark James, Carole Malkin, Janna Ginsberg, Marcena Croy, Renee archives Kursan, Jane Cherry, Mark Winrob, Leah Markovitch, Susan Mendelson, Adam Granot, Eppi Rappaport, Serge Haber, Ivan and Lynette Buchman, Rabbi Avraham are quiet, Feigelstock, Aaron Kafka, Marcus Stiller, Ricky Vernon, Wayne Katz, Stephen Greenham, Cecil Sigal, Carol Herbert, Peter Cooperberg, Zachary Myers, Gloria dusty, and Gutman, Shelia Romalis, David Bogoch, Robin Gelfer and Kay Levey, Joanne Emerman, Bernie Bressler, and Irv Rootman. even boring Do you think we should interview you? Get in touch and we’ll match you up with an interviewer this fall! Want to volunteer with the archives? Get in touch and places... we’ll find the perfect job for you to help us with! Have stuff to donate to the archives? You guessed it, get in touch! Alysa Routtenberg Archivist [email protected] 604-257-5199 Above: The staff of Colonel Morley’s Lousiana Cafe, Vancouver, circa 1955. (L.13238). If you have further information about this photo, please let us know!

5 People & Projects

Each summer, the JMABC hires students to help us Matthew Graves develop upcoming programs and to process archival Curatorial Assistant collections. This summer, we had the good fortune of welcoming four highly skilled temporary team members, each of whom worked hard on a very interesting project. Next year, the JMABC will debut a new exhibit entitled We Were There, showcasing These contracts are made possible through funding the contributions made by members of our from the Government of Canada’s Young Canada Works community to the Canadian Armed Forces. program, a valuable program that provides much needed assistance to cultural institutions like the JMABC, and Matthew, one of our Curatorial Assistants gives essential hands-on experience to future members this summer, led the research on this of this industry. project. He came to the JMABC with a BA in Archaeology from the University of Calgary Read on to learn what our four Young Canada Works and an Advanced Diploma in Museum Studies hires spent their days working on. from Algonquin College in Ottawa. This exhibit, developed in collaboration with the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs - Pacific Region, will document community military contributions made not only to the major wars of the past century, but also smaller confrontations, peacekeeping missions, and recent missions like Canada’s presence in Afghanistan. “When I first started working here, I was not aware of how crucial and diverse the Jewish experience in our military was,” Matthew shares. “I wholly enjoyed some of the veteran’s stories. One I found particularly

Above: Recipients of the 1953 B’nai Brith Distinguished Service Award: Harold Krivel, Buddy Smith, Myer Goldberg, Julius Balshine. (L.12147)

6 Eva Lau Kate Quinn-Feehan Archives Assistant Archives Assistant

interesting was of Lt-Col. (Retired) Michael Eva joined us this summer halfway through Next spring, Kate will be completing her two- George Levy (z’l) who was born in Mumbai her two-year Masters of Information Studies year program at the UBC iSchool, earning a (Bombay), and moved to where degree at McGill University. Masters degree in Library and Information he was interned and escaped at 18 to make Studies. Here at the JMABC, she gained hands- a perilous 1,000 km journey to Kunming in on experience processing (arranging and This past summer, she completed research China. describing) the National Council of Jewish for the 2019 edition of The Scribe, looking at “During World War Two, he parachuted into Women fonds. medical innovations developed by members enemy territory in Malaysia and later was of the BC Jewish community. “Throughout the years, the NCJW has had involved in the War Tribunals. Lt-Col. Levy a great many number of projects. It was “I love seeing what people invent and how received the Order of Canada and his own interesting to see how they were planned creative they can be,” Kate remarks. “Some heraldic shield for protecting a crucial hill and organized from an administrative of the inventions seem obvious now, but during the Battle of Kapyong in the Korean perspective, as many activities are well someone had to do it first. War. documented. Personally, I found their “For instance, one interesting person I came “Another fascinating story I heard was that projects relating to women’s health the most across in my research was Dr. Josephine of Maj-Gen (Retired) Edward Fitch, who fascinating to go through. Mallek. She was the first female doctor at served with the UN during the breakup of “I really enjoyed my time at JMABC so St. Paul’s Hospital. She was an early pioneer the former Yugoslavia. During this mission, far! The people and environment are all of the Endocrinology field doing some of the he was placed in very harrowing positions. wonderful, and I learned so much in archival first research with cortisol and working with One incredible moment was when he had processing. I’ve learned plenty in theory, diabetes patients. She used to hold salons to supply water, a hospital, and shelter to but in practice, the issues I came across in her living room for women doctors from Bosniaks held captive by the Croat Army. were not and cannot be addressed in the around the Lower Mainland and supported The camp was strewn with landmines and classroom. I think the experience I gained women entering the medical field. Dr. Mallek the Croats had positioned guns on the at the JMABC will be essential as I pursue a was a trailblazer for many of the other hilltops surrounding the area. career as an archivist. female doctors that I am researching.” “I really enjoyed my time immensely here. I “In 10 years I see myself working in a cultural Kate describes her experience at the JMABC learned a whole new side of museum work or corporate archives.” as highly rewarding: - archival work - and a lot about Jewish history just not in B.C. but the wider world. “I loved being able to put my schooling I am sure that these experiences will serve into practice and hone my research skills. me well in my museum career.” I learned a lot more about the archival side of things while working at the JMABC, including the use of AtoM, the archival program used at the JMABC and many other archives. I loved being at an institution that is interested in sharing human stories and preserving oral histories.”

7 Chelsea Yuill Curatorial Assistant

Chelsea joined us this summer as one of “She introduced the first ethnomusicology our two Curatorial Assistants, a position classes at UBC, was a music critic for made possible through the support of the the Vancouver Province, helped establish Government of Canada’s Young Canada the Friends of Chamber music, was the Works program. president for the Woman’s Musical Club, was the Regional Director of the Metropolitan Chelsea has since begun her final Opera National Council for Western undergraduate semester in the Art History Canadian auditions, and received the Order and Curatorial Studies at Emily Carr of Canada and two Honorary Doctorate University of Art and Design. degrees, from SFU and UVIC.” This summer, Chelsea contributed to Earlier this year, the collection of songs that JMABC public programs in numerous ways, Halpern gathered, now housed at the Royal including leading walking tours, transcribing BC Museum, were awarded UNESCO World oral histories for the forthcoming edition of Heritage status. In recent years, these The Scribe, and assisting with the launch of recordings have been integral to efforts East End Stories. to revitalize local Indigenous language and However, Chelsea’s primary responsibility culture. was researching the life and career of Chelsea describes her experience at the ethnomusicologist Ida Halpern for an JMABC as extremely rewarding. “Museums upcoming exhibit. and archives are the record keepers of “In 1938, Ida Halpern became the first society. As a curator, I believe that through Austrian woman to receive a Ph.D in art and cultural objects, histories are able Ethnomusicology. to be shared, to educate and inspire the “Fleeing the Holocaust, she and her husband general public, creating community. In 10 George immigrated to Vancouver in 1939. On years, I would love to be working at an her visa application she wrote that she would established museum such as MoMA, Palais study the of Canada. de Tokyo, or the National Gallery of Canada.” “From 1947-1986 she did just that, recording over 300 sacred songs by elders and chiefs of the Kwakwaka’wakw,_ _ Nuu-chah-nulth, Tlinglit, and Haida peoples. Each singer sang and described the meaning and purpose of each song. Halpern was culturally aware enough to let them speak for themselves, in order not to misconstrue. Through her Above: Ida Halpern with the portable analysis she proved the sophistication and recorder she brought with her on many of general appreciation of their songs. her expeditions, 1951. Photo courtesy of the Royal BC Museum.

8 Public Programs Tributes Calendar

MAZEL TOV Irene Dodek, in honour of her birthday. TOURS SPECIAL EVENTS Gail and Richard Wenner Karen and Stephen Glanzberg, in honour of their son Kenzo Franklin. Join the Jewish Museum and Archives Book Launch: Guide to Linda and Gary Cohen of BC for an informative and highly entertaining walk through the early history Victoria’s Historic Jewish Andrew Thom, in honour of his birthday. of our community. Walking tours are led by Cemetery Carol Herbert and Fred Swartz trained volunteers; archives tour are led With a presentation by author by JMABC archivist Alysa Routtenberg. Amber Woods SYMPATHY Space is limited; reserve a spot or book a Oren Bick and Family, in memory of his private tour at: jewishmuseum.ca October 11, 2018 6pm - 8pm grandmother, Betty Mintzberg. 6184 Ash Street JMABC Board and Staff Strathcona $10 The Diamond Family in memory of their brother, father, uncle, grandfather and Sunday, October 14, 11 am - $10 Refreshments provided. great-grandfather, Charles Diamond. JMABC Board and Staff Kara Mintzberg and Family, in memory of Annual General Meeting her grandmother, Betty. of the Jewish Historical Marcy and Steve Babins, JMABC Board Mountain View Cemetery Society of BC and Staff Sunday, October 21, 11 am - $10 Irv and Betty Nitkin, in memory of his Join us for the AGM of the Jewish sister, Ruth Levine. Historical Society of BC. Shelley and Perry Seidelman November 21, 2018 Darlene Spevakow, in memory of Robert. 6pm - 9pm Gloria Gutman 6184 Ash Street BC Jewish Community Simone Wilson, in memory of her father. Archives Refreshments to follow. Kerry Richardson and Lewis Silberberg Contact us to reserve a spot on an Stay after the meeting for the upcoming tour. announcement of the winner of the first annual BC Jewish History Research Prize, WITH APPRECIATION [email protected] and a presentation by the winning essayist. Michelle, Daniel, Naomi and Max Dodek. Josefa Michaelson Pam Woolfman and Bradley Freedman and The Scribe: The Food Family. Issue Launch Event Josefa Michaelson Featuring a keynote by Susan Mendelson Kara Mintzberg and Josh Gibbons. Josefa Michaelson November 28, 2018 To stay in the loop on all our public 7pm - 9pm Jill Goldberg. programs, sign up for our email newsletter, The Western Front Josefa Michaelson delivered roughly once-a-month. You can 303 East 8th Avenue sign up by clicking the “connect” tab on Gail Gumprich. our website, jewishmuseum.ca $36 per person Josefa Michaelson Tickets at: jewishmuseum.ca Lois and Walter Gumprich. Josefa Michaelson

9 Yael and Yoel Levin. Ben and Esther Dayson Charitable Betty and Irv Nitkin Josefa Michaelson Foundation Carol and Peter Oreck Diamond Foundation Cyndi and Max Mintzberg. Joan Pinkus Josefa Michaelson Leor Froelich and Yael Dirnfeld Lyle Pullan Irene and Mort Dodek Yvonne and George Rosenberg Jodi Seidelman. Judy and Art Dodek Ruth and William Ross Josefa Michaelson Avi Dolgin Phil Sanderson Shelley and Perry Seidelman and Family. Myer Dumansky Robyn Schafer Josefa Michaelson Joanne Emerman Debby Freiman and David Schwartz Felicia Folk and Alan Farber Rosalie and Joe Segal Janet York and Sam Feldman DONATIONS Shelley and Perry Seidelman Sheila and Andre Anzarut, Alan Arnowitz, Sharon and Ed Fitch Cecil Sigal Gary Averbach, Gary Averbach Family Kathi and Harold Folk Herb Silber Foundation, Barish Family Endowment Alisa and Sheldon Franken Arnold and Anita Silber Fund, Sally Berry, Jill and Larry Bloom, Marlene and Leo Franken Lotti and Shael Smith Jack Chivo, Isabelle and Charles Diamond, Marlene and Norman Franks Phyliss and Irving Snider Foundation Marie Doduck, Bluma Field, David Chris Friedrichs Robert and Darlene Spevakow Goldman, Noemi and Bill Gruenthal, William Liat and Dan Gadassi Ralph Swartz Howden, Gerry Jabs and Shane Jabs, Bill Shari and Stephen Gaerber Carol Herbert and Fred Swartz Jeffries, Tracy Kalvin, Cyril Leonoff Fund, Miri and Larry Garaway Ronnie and Barry Tessler Donna Love and Earl Lesk, Leah and Ken Corinne and Mark Gelfer Susan and Stephen Tick Levitt, Claire Osipov, Ruth and William Marilyn and Derek Glazer Ross, Shelley and Perry Seidelman, Phyllis Jackie and Milton Toft Simon, Cynthia Singer, Cherie Smith Karyn and Joe Gold Dororthy Ullman Endowment Fund. Bernice Goldberg Judy Oberlander and Mark Wexler Stephanie Goldberg Sharon Harowitz and Robert Willmot Dora Golden Jennifer Yuhasz SUSTAINERS OF THE ARCHIVES David Goldman/Penny Sprackman - Zacks Family Charitable Foundation and Shelley and David Ail Goldman Investments Greenbrier Holdings Ralph Aknin Marla and Peter Gropper Evelyn Amar Noemi and Bill Gruenthal NEW MEMBERS Sheila and Andre Anzarut Harold Gutovich Sandra and Bernie Bressler, Marla Helen Aqua Glenda and Arthur Guttman Gilsig, Marelynn and Morris Harowitz, Linda Arato Kyla Schwartz and Jesse Halperin Lee Henderson, Barbara Morris, Sharon Gary Averbach Janet and Shawn Halperin Harowitz and Robert Willmot. Neil Baker Lee Henderson Dvori and Michael Balshine Arlene Howard/Serra Investments Rachel and Morris Barer Mandy and Jeffrey Huberman Roberta Beiser Michael James Syd Belzberg Saul Kahn, Kahn Foundation DON’T MISS IT! David Berger Rosalind and Howard Karby Heather and Jonathan Berkowitz Carol and Terry Kline Sylvia and Jerry Berkson Simone Kopman Mark your calendar Lori Braha and Michael Berkson Robert and Marilyn Krell for the launch of the Ellen and Avi Bick (Jack Meier) KRG Insurance - Intercity Cynthia and George Bluman Investment Group 2018 Scribe, celebrating David Bogoch Vanessa and Manny Kursan the history of our Samara Bordan Jerry Lampert Gordon Brandt Gerald Lecovin community in the food Janet and Martin Braverman Lani Levine industry. See our public Sandra and Bernie Bressler Risa and Bill Levine Dalia and Brian Bressler Jory Levitt programs calendar for Barbara Brezer Michael Levy full details. Marty Charach Jenn and Marc Lieberman Boris Chenkis (Jack Kowarsky) Lohn Foundation Yale Chernoff Tony Mammon November 28, 2018 Debbie and Mark Choit Leon Menkis Tamar Huberman and Mike Clarfeld Tyla and Larry Meyer The Western Front Rena Cohen Jack and Karen Micner 303 E 8th Avenue Thyrza Cohen Cyndi and Max Mintzberg Linda and Gary Cohen Phyllis and Michael Moscovich Tickets at: Jody and Harvey Dales Rabbi Dan Moscovitz jewishmuseum.ca Tal Danzig Rochelle Moss Irving Dardick Neal Nep

10 Mystery Photo

Our mystery photo this issue is from January 1974. The Jewish Western Bulletin from January 18 of that year reports on the latest offerings from the JCC Junior Program, including “creative drama with well-known theatre personality Marjorie Morris, and nature-study with David Green.” Trudy Uretsky led classes in classical and contemporary Israeli dance while Bonnie Nider led the arts and crafts program. The photo above is from the cooking class offered by Rita Rosenbaum. Recognize any of the young faces in this photo? Please let us know! [email protected] 604-257-5199

The Jewish Museum & Archives of BC • 6184 Ash Street • Vancouver, BC • V5Z 3G9 jewishmuseum.ca • 604.257.5199 • [email protected]