VOLUME 14, NO. 2 JUNE 2004 1911 – First Synagogue Cornerstone Ceremony Attracts Donors, Dignitaries Tuesday, August 8, 1911 was a big day Jacob, however, would be the first syn- inscribed on the cornerstone. for ’s 600 Jews. On that day con- agogue structure in that vast area. An important invited speaker was to struction of the Jewish community’s The invitation stated that “ be Reverend Dr. George Kerby, Calgary’s House of Jacob synagogue began. It was as well as Jews are cordially invited to most prominent churchman, principal a day of dignified pageantry, with a cor- be present with their ladies to take part of Mount Royal College and former min- nerstone dedication and speeches by Jew- in this important occasion.” ister of Central Methodist Church (now ish leaders and community dignitaries. “Corner Stone was Well Laid,” was Central United), the city’s largest. Invitations went out to the public, the Morning Albertan’s headline in Best known speaker, however, was through the local newspapers, with the their report of the event. Part of the Richard B. Bennett, who would become signatures of congregation leaders news item is worth repeating verbatim: Prime Minister of in 1930. In Jacob Diamond and Harry Cooper. A “That the Hebrews were as loyal to 1911 he was a provincial MLA, and a visiting , “the Reverend Marcus the flag of their adoption in Canada as few weeks after the House of Jacob cer- Berner, of Hirsch, Saskatchewan” was Canadians themselves was the keynote emony, on September 21st, he would brought in for the occasion. (Hirsch of an eloquent address by Rabbi Marcus be elected Member of Parliament for was the center of a large Jewish farm- Berner, of Hirsch, Saskatchewan, at the Calgary, defeating Liberal candidate G. ing colony near Estevan.) corner stone-laying ceremony of the Van Wart, Calgary’s sheriff, who also Rabbi Berner provided some Judaic new Hebrew synagogue, the first Jewish spoke at the cornerstone ceremony. religious presence. The House of Jacob headquarters in , on Other speakers at the synagogue had no rabbi at the time, although a Third Street East yesterday afternoon. rite were Colonel James Walker, former schochet (ritual kosher slaughterer) was “Rabbi Berner is a striking figure, a Mountie, civic pioneer, and then a employed. Geographically, Berner was farmer of a whole section of land in wealthy businessman; MLA Thomas likely the closest rabbi to Calgary. His Saskatchewan, and a devout Hebrew Tweedie; city commissioners Arthur was the only congregation between teacher. Graves and Simon Clarke; and acting and . The House of “... Abundant speeches were deliv- police chief Thomas Mackie. ered, politicians ad The House of Jacob held its first ser- infinitum. vice in the new synagogue building on “...The tenor of Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year), Fri- the addresses was day, September 22nd, the day after the the leveling of the federal election day. Services were led barriers between Continued on Page 2 Jews and .” The actual stone was put into place by In this Issue: congregant Charles Synagogue Cornerstone Ceremony...... 1 Bell, who secured 1891 – Six Jews in Calgary ...... 2 the honor as the Jewish Airwoman Dies in 1943 highest bidder (at Alberta Air Crash ...... 3 $400) in a fund-rais- 1927 Jewish Centre Campaign Makes Headlines in Calgary Papers...... 4 ing auction held by Exhibit Sponsorship Opportunities...... 5 the synagogue. (Bell Calgary Jews Fete R.B. Bennett owned a large at 1939 Farewell...... 6 hotel.) His brother, Jewish RAF Pilot Dies at Medicine Alexander Bell and Hat, 1941 ...... 6 congregant J. Polsky List of Oral Histories...... 7 also made substan- New Photo from our Archives...... 7 2004 AGM Program ...... 8 The 1911 House of Jacob cornerstone, now part of the House of tial donations and JHSSA News...... 8 Jacob—Mikveh Synagogue building. Photo: Jack Switzer. had their names Your membership and continuing support help us to publish Discovery. Thank you. 2THE JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN ALBERTA JUNE 2004

The table below notes Calgary’s Jewish population and the overall civic numbers 1891 – Six Jews for each major census between 1891 and 2001. in Calgary CALGARY JEWISH POPULATION DATA % Change % Change Calgary Jewish % of City Year from Prev. from Prev. Winnipeg had over six hundred Jews Population Population Population in 1891. Calgary had six. Census Census These numbers are from a study 1891 3,876 6 — — done by genealogist Glen Eker, who 1901 4,398 12% 8 — — reviewed original census returns and corrected erroneous Jewish population 1911 43,704 107% 641 — 0.80% data originally published by the feder- 1921 63,305 45% 1,263 97% 2.00% al government. Eker found six Jews in Calgary in 1931 83,761 32% 1,604 27% 2.00% 1891, and six in Lethbridge. , 1941 88,904 6% 1,760 10% 1.90% not yet served by a railway, had only 1951 129,060 45% 2,094 19% 1.60% one Jewish resident. (The 1891 num- bers for other western cities: Regina, 9; 1961 249,641 93% 2,866 37% 1.10% , none; Vancouver, 85; Victo- 1971 403,319 62% 3,275 14% 0.80% ria, 148; and Winnipeg, 645. About 135 1981 580,585 44% 6,065 85% 1.00% Jews lived on “Saskatchewan” farms.) There was little growth shown in the 1991 748,210 29% 7,155 18% 0.96% 1901 census. Calgary had just eight 2001 943,310 26% 7,945 10% 0.80% Jews in 1901; Lethbridge and Medicine Hat had none. Eighteen Jews lived in Substantial growth in the local Jew- Sources: Glenbow Library – Glen Eker: Edmonton in 1901, and one Jew lived ish population took place after 1905 as Jewish Residents of Western Canada in in Blairmore. (Well over 200 Jews then settlers took up available farm lands, the 1870 - 1901 Censuses of Canada: lived in the Yukon, mainly in and and towns and cities grew to service the JHSSA director David Bickman brought around Dawson, the gold-rush capital.) rapidly growing agricultural economy. the Eker study to our attention.

Synagogue Cornerstone Ceremony Continued from Page 1

by Henry Sosinsky, a Hyman Goldstick in 1906-1907. As local grocer, who noted above, rabbinical presence was acted as the congrega- haphazard, but many congregants tion’s cantor between were well versed in orthodox ritual and visits from short-term were very able to conduct services. . In 1909 the House of Jacob congre- Congregation pio- gation was incorporated, with Dia- neer Jacob Diamond mond as president. A lot was pur- had organized the first chased late that year, for $2,300 in the minyan (quorum of ten heart of the Jewish residential area, at Jewish men) in 1894, 325 Fifth Avenue East. The congrega- assembling a group of tion immediately erected a one-room residents, area farmers, building at the back of the property. It and a traveling sales- was put to use as a cheder (Hebrew man for prayers in his school) and worship space while funds home. As the Calgary were raised for a permanent sanctuary. Jewish community The cornerstone was laid, as noted, grew, more regular in early August of 1911, and the House services were held, of Jacob was completed just six weeks with lay leaders. later. The 400-seat synagogue was in After 1905, with use for over half a century, until 1968. Calgary booming and The original cornerstone was re-dedi- scores of Jewish immi- cated in 1983, when it was put into grants arriving every place in the foundation of the new week, a more orga- House of Jacob Mikveh Israel Synagogue. nized religious system Sources: JHSSA Archives. Front of the House of Jacob Synagogue, 1967. The Hebrew date was needed. Calgary See page 6 for more about R.B. Ben- at the pinnacle, 5671, is the equivalent of 1911 in the civil cal- and Edmonton shared endar. The ‘cornerstone’ is visible near the doorway on the far nett and the Jewish community. right. Photo: Glenbow Archives, NA-5460-2. the services of Rabbi JUNE 2004 THE JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN ALBERTA 3 Jewish Airwoman Dies in 1943 Alberta Air Crash Rose Goodman died near Calgary on The Calgary Chevra Kadisha (Jewish February 26, 1943. burial society) took charge of the The 23-year old Jewish woman died remains. A contingent of local Jewish in the crash of an RCAF training aircraft leaders was on hand when Chevra near Claresholm, where she was sta- Kadisha members placed the casket on a tioned as a Section Officer in the -bound baggage car. Women’s Division of the Royal Canadian Rose Goodman was buried with full Air Force. She was one 17,000 women to military honors and full Jewish ritual on serve in the RCAF in World War II, and February 2, 1943 at the Cemetery of the was the first to die in active service. Spanish and Portugese Congregation in Rose Jette Goodman was born in Montreal. Her casket was carried on a 1919 and was raised in New Glasgow, flower-bedecked gun carriage, accom- Nova Scotia, where her parents, Sol and panied by RCAF colleagues of both Jeanette Goodman were prominent in sexes. Her parents, sisters, and many the small Jewish community. The family friends from New Glasgow and Halifax was well off; Sol ran the Goodman were present. Department Store (originally Vineberg, The New Glasgow News eulogized Goodman & Co.) in the city of 10,000. Rose at length. In part the editor stated: She had three sisters—Edith (b.1913), “With her university training, Miss Good- Ruth (1915), and Anetta (1924.) man—it is hard to think of her in military Rose was active in the city’s girl guide Rose Goodman, RCAF (WD), c. 1942. Source: terms—could have chosen a less risky, movement and played violin in the local Sid Horovitz, Calgary (Goodman family but still useful vocation; or she could have symphony orchestra. Her many friends member). chosen the so-called ‘social’ world and knew her as “Sweepy” Goodman. She done not much of anything other than attended Dalhousie University in Halifax, Rose Goodman. An airwoman recalls: seeking her own pleasure. She could was active in extra-curricular activities, “Despite higher pay, better uniforms have disdained serving in the ranks. and graduated with a B.A. in 1941, the and a number of other perks, I think “She made her choice; she has given year she joined the RCAF. women officers on flying stations had a her life for her country. Early in World War II some Canadian pretty thin time of it. For one thing there “She served—and died—that men women were working as volunteers with were so few of them, and life could be may fly. armed forces units, and many joined the lonely, since they weren’t supposed to “That we may win this war.” labor force to free up men for wartime fraternize with the other ranks. On an Sol Goodman bought the land near service, but none were allowed to enlist SFTS there might be two women officers New Glasgow on which Rose and her until 1941, when all three branches of in charge of the WD, plus one dietician friends used to camp and donated it to the Canadian forces opened their ranks and a couple of nursing sisters. That the Girl Guide movement, which devel- to females. didn’t give them much leeway to choose oped the site as the Rose Goodman Girl The role of the RCAF Women’s Divi- friends. They were stuck with each other. Guide Camp. In , the Rose Good- sion was summed up by its motto: “I remember an officer on our station man chapter of B’nai Brith Girls was “They Serve that Men may Fly.” Thirty asking a small group of us airwomen formed in her honor. airwomen were killed in active service; who shared a love for opera and sym- some, like Rose Goodman, in aircraft phonic music to come to her quarters accidents, and others during air raids one evening and play records. She in Britain. served us coffee and cookies and we had Yes, I would like to join the Rose Goodman joined the Air Force in a lovely time—particularly since it was Jewish Historical Society October, 1941, and was among the first somewhat illicit. But I’m convinced that □ Benefactor ...... $100 150 women to graduate from an admin- what was done under excuse of ‘music □ Patron...... $50 istrative training course in Toronto. She appreciation’ was more a case of her □ Family...... $25 need for the company of kindred souls.” served as a Sergeant Instructor (of physi- □ Single ...... $18 cal training) at a WD base in Moncton, On the evening of January 26, 1943, □ Institution/Corporation ..... $30 New Brunswick. She was promoted early Rose Goodman was a passenger in an □ Other in 1942 to the rank of Adjutant (the Avro-Anson Crane, a twin-engine aircraft Please include your name, address, equivalent to lieutenant) and was posted used to train bomber pilots. The pilot postal code and home and business to RCAF Service Flying Training School was Flight Lieutenant Stephen Strauss, phone numbers, along with a cheque 28, of Winnipeg. They were on a short #15 at Claresholm, Alberta, about 60 payable to: miles south of Calgary. She later went up flight from Lethbridge to Claresholm, a rank, to Section Officer. when severe wing icing forced the air- Jewish Historical Society of Southern Alberta The life of a Women’s Division officer craft to make a crash landing. 1607 - 90 Avenue SW could be lonely and stressful. A service Strauss, although injured, was able to Calgary, Alberta T2V 4V7 history relates an incident concerning walk away from the downed airplane, one officer, unnamed, but very likely but Goodman was dead. Do not send cash through the mail 4THE JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN ALBERTA JUNE 2004 1927 Jewish Centre Campaign Makes Headlines in Calgary Papers by Jack Switzer Zionist causes; $1,000 annually On January 10, 1927, Calgary’s Jews was sent to the launched the fund-raising campaign for Winnipeg Jewish their new community centre with full- Orphanage, and page articles in both of the city’s daily $600 to the Jew- newspapers. ish old folks home The Calgary Daily Herald: “Jewish Citi- there. zens Unite in Community Hall Effort.” The No Calgary Albertan headlines read: “Calgary to Have Jew had ever New Community Centre—Drive to Raise applied for public Architect Ernest Brown’s 1929 drawing of the east side of the House of $50,000 Commences Monday” and “Com- assistance, it was Israel community centre building. Former Talmud (Hebrew School) munity Centre to be Attractive City Asset.” stated, as the students will recognize this as the front of their school. Source: Glenbow Advertising by supportive Jewish busi- community looks Alberta Archives, Ernest Brown fonds. nesses flanked the articles, and undoubted- after its own. A ly helped motivate the newspapers to print free-loan society and a welfare fund aided building-fund drive were followed by a the publicity. Jews in need. mass meeting on January 12th at the House The articles were intended for two “Nor have the activities of the Jewish of Jacob. Morris Groberman continued as audiences. Jews were reminded about the people of Calgary stopped at the border of chairman, and Henry Goldberg took a need for a community centre and the their own circle of persuasion. It has extend- more active role. Despite their optimism, plans to provide one; non-Jews were ed to the realms of nearly every charitable the campaign was long and arduous. made aware of the Jewish community’s or welfare activity in the city. They have con- Continuing communal divisions plagued growing confidence and its contributions tributed very largely to the YMCA, the Red their efforts, as did competing claims on the to the city’s welfare. Cross, the Salvation Army, the Board of Pub- community’s financial resources. Secular The building drive had actually been lic Welfare and to the Sunshine Fund… .” underway for nearly a year, but had been One of the articles provides some previ- Yiddishists formed the Peretz Institute in delayed by organizational problems and ously-unknown historical information. We 1927, began their own afternoon school, community conflicts. (See Calgary Jews know that Calgary’s first Jewish religious ser- and in 1929 were able to open the Peretz Raise Funds for Community Centre, 1926 - vices were conducted in private homes. School building, with a Jewish day school 28, in the Autumn, 1994 issue of Discovery New to us are the locations rented for more and social-cultural facilities and programs ; it was written before the newspaper arti- organized observances—a hall in the Bank that competed with those promised by the cles came to light.) of Commerce building (still standing at community centre promoters. The Jewish community was assured that 12th Avenue and First Street S.W.) and the Construction of the Jewish community the new Centre would have no effect on Eagles lodge (very near the Bank facility.) centre—the House of Israel building— the city’s only synagogue, the House of It is stated that an early House of Jacob would not begin until 1929; its first user, the Jacob. This was to dispel rumors that the cleric was a Rabbi Caplan; this is a new item. Hebrew School, moved into the ground Centre would accommodate a new con- The article also gives some useful details floor in 1931. about the Hebrew School. The site then in gregation. It would principally house, A new synagogue, the Beth Israel con- use (on 6th Avenue East) was purchased for according to the articles, new facilities for gregation, began to use the still-incomplete $10,000 and underwent $3,500 in renova- the Hebrew School, located since 1920 in a building in 1935. The depression and World tions to create three classrooms and a lec- converted home. War II delayed the completion until 1949. At The Centre would also have “an exten- ture hall. Enrollment was about 100; stu- least $200,000 was spent on construction sive Hebrew library,” the largest west of dents, aged between seven and fifteen, during the 20-year ordeal. (See The House of Winnipeg, as well as an assembly hall, a attended after public school hours, from Israel, Calgary’s First Jewish Centre, in the gymnasium, and meeting rooms. It would 4:30 to 8:30 pm. The school had two be the headquarters for all of Calgary’s Jew- instructors, “graduates of a new seminary Spring 1993 issue of Discovery.) ish organizations. system of teaching.” The school’s annual Despite the later setbacks of actual fund- Non-Jews were given a glimpse of the budget was between $6,000 and $7,000. raising and construction, the bravado of the Jewish community’s self-confidence and No community centre site had yet been 1927 newspaper publicity blitz is instruc- philanthropic power. The $50,000 build- selected, nor were there floor plans. But the tive. Jews were in the headlines, in a positive organizers envisioned a multi-story struc- ing fund could be raised, the promoters light and were seen to be active in building ture, and expected the building funds assured the public, with no decrease in the community—in their own small world, and would soon be raised. Jewish group’s current welfare obligations. in that of their adopted homeland. The newspaper articles re-launching the Up to $5,000 a year was being raised for Sources: JHSSA Archives JUNE 2004 THE JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN ALBERTA 5

This headline is just one of many featuring the 1927 campaign for a Jewish Community Centre to appear in Calgary newspapers. These articles were surrounded by ads from Jewish businesses. Also featured on this page from the Calgary Albertan were ads for Hub Clothing, Reliable Cloth- ing, Kosher Meat Market, Standard Kosher Meat Shop, Alberta News and National News.

Assure Yourself a Place in History A Joyful Harvest Exhibit Sponsorship Opportunities We are glad to report continued Joyful Harvest. We have a team of writers feature panels and our timelines. Examples progress on our 2005 centennial exhibit, A and editors preparing the text for our 100 of these panels were featured in our Febru- ary 2004 issue of Discovery. Sponsorship categories for A Joyful Harvest 2005 exhibit We are also pleased to report that we have already solicited substantial financial Friend of the Exhibit $100 ______support from individuals and Foundations Person, Place or Organization $250 ______that wish to become sponsors of the exhib- (100 feature sponsors available) it. We have also applied to government agencies for funding. Historic Milestone Sponsor $500 ______The Jewish Historical Society of South- Decade Sponsor $1,000 ______ern Alberta wants to give the general com- Other ______munity the opportunity to become part of Please contact our office at 253-8600 ext. 209 for further details. this historic and exciting project. Below are Please make cheques payable to: Jewish Historical Society of Southern Alberta some of the sponsorship categories avail- Send payment to: JHSSA, 1607 - 90th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2V 4V7 able. All donations will be acknowledged in the exhibit and in any accompanying pub- Name: ______lication. Donations can be made in your Address: ______own name or in honor of someone else. A tax receipt will be issued for all donations. ______Send in your sponsorship donation Additional Notes: ______today and assure yourself a place in the annals of history! 6THE JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN ALBERTA JUNE 2004 Calgary Jews Fete R.B. Bennett at 1939 Farewell

By Jack Switzer Disappointed after his party’s Former Prime Minister Richard Bedford defeat by McKenzie King’s Liber- Bennett, a political outcast embittered by als in 1935, Bennett gradually his failure to pull the nation out of the Great withdrew from politics. He Depression, left Calgary to live in England resigned as Leader of the Opposi- early in 1939. To most Calgary Jews, how- tion in 1938 and returned to Cal- ever, he was an old friend, and they gave gary. The 1939 farewell party and him a warm send-off when he left the city. the gift from his Calgary Jewish Representatives of seventeen Calgary friends was one of the highlights Jewish groups held a farewell reception at of an otherwise difficult period. the Palliser Hotel (Bennett’s residence), and Max Aitkin—Lord Beaver- presented him with their gift—an eight-vol- brook—an old friend and busi- ume English-language Talmud (a com- ness associate, helped Bennett pendium of Jewish law). secure a peerage. He became They did not actually present the heavy Viscount Bennett in 1941. He volumes. They told Bennett that since the died in 1947, and is the only books were published in England, it would Canadian prime minister not make most sense to have them delivered to buried in Canada. Prime Minister R.B. Bennett (in dark coat) shakes hand of his new home there. Sources: Glenbow Archives, friend Ben Ginsberg at the C.P.R. station, Calgary, early Dr. Joseph Hertz, of the JHSSA Archives. 1930s. Photo: Glenbow Alberta Archives, NB 16-180. , was asked to present the books to Bennett. Hertz offered to take them to Bennett’s country estate, but the former prime-minister suggested that since he was now retired he could instead visit Jewish RAF Pilot the rabbi in London. Rabbi Hertz reported on their meeting Dies at Medicine Hat, 1941 in a letter to Calgary gift organizers Louis Fradkin and Ben Ginsberg. “Mr. Bennett Rose Goodman was not the only was very much touched by your thought- Jew to die in a wartime training acci- fulness and the token of friendship the Cal- dent in southern Alberta. gary community have extended to him. I Barrington V. Castle, a Royal Air found him a charming man, and we spent Force pilot, is buried in Medicine Hat. an hour together discussing the Jewish and He died in the crash of an Oxford As-10 general world situation.” training plane on September 17, 1941. Bennett came to Calgary after his grad- The accident took place at #34 RAF Ser- uation from Dalhousie University in 1893 vice Flying Training School, now the and became the law partner of Senator Medicine Hat airport. James A. Lougheed. His many friends and Castle was alone in the twin-engine clients included members of the city’s trainer, in which he had recently quali- growing Jewish community. He spoke at fied as a pilot, and was attempting a the cornerstone-laying ceremony for the barrel roll shortly after take-off. The air- House of Jacob synagogue in 1911, and at craft stalled, and he crashed right in other Jewish events. front of the hangars. He was rushed to Ben Ginsberg, Calgary’s first Jewish the base hospital, but died very soon. lawyer, recalls getting an unexpected The pilot was 31, and was survived start-up loan in 1913 after Bennett spoke by his wife, Betty, and a son, David. to a friend at Ginsberg’s bank. Ginsberg They lived in Cricklewood, Middlesex, remained a friend, colleague, and politi- England. cal supporter. His instructor recalled Castle’s funer- al. “I was also surprised at his funeral to Bennett was a Conservative member of Headstone of Royal Air Force pilot B.V. Cas- the Alberta legislature from 1909 to 1911, see a Star of David on the coffin. The tle, in the Medicine Hat military cemetery. when he won his first seat in parliament. He service was conducted by the Rev. Source: JHSSA Archives. became leader of the Conservative party in Squadron Leader A.R. Bradshaw, and 1927, and served as Prime Minister from attended by the Commanding Officer. Canadian air training bases. In its nearly 1930 to 1935. His attempts to stop the Since Castle was of the Jewish faith we five years of operation, between 1941 Great Depression were largely unsuccessful, must assume that the burial service was and 1944, over 2,000 airmen were and he was unable (and some say unwill- amended accordingly by the Church of trained at SFTS #34. There were 48 fly- ing) to ease severe restrictions on Jewish England Padre.” ing fatalities at the Medicine Hat facility. to Canada. Accidents were relatively common at Castle’s death was one of the first. JUNE 2004 THE JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN ALBERTA 7 Jewish Historical Society of Southern Alberta Oral History Collection

The following is a list of the people for whom we have an oral history in our collection. Most of these interviews have been con- ducted by JHSSA volunteers. Others are copies from the Provincial Archives or the Glenbow. This project was first co-ordinated by Trudy Cowan, and JHSSA Vice President Bertha Gold has been overseeing this project for many years with the help of Therese Nagler. There are now transcripts available for almost all of these interviews. If you are interested in having a volunteer conduct an interview with you to record your family history, please contact our office at 253-8600 ext. 209.

Aizenman, Berl & Gurevitch, Alan (Curly) Pearlman, Edythe Sklar, Tanya (Gelfand) WAR ORPHANS Rochel – as told by (Rosen) Smigelski, Mike re Blitz, Steve Cynthia Aizenman Hackman, Lena & Podersky, Anne Sibbald Glin, Saul Alberta Film Exchange Revela Polish Jewish Family Smithens, Robert as Kirshner, Oscar – as told by G. Hallis, Rose Loan Assoc. told by Sheldon Leiser, Issac Sharpe Hanson, Zelda (Austin) Postone, Rabbi Smithens Lowy, Leo Allman, Ethel Hardin, Dr. Samuel Abraham & Evelyn Smolkin, Bob Sander, Mickey Hector, Pat (Bercuson) Presma, Azriel Sterling, Ben/Moe Schwartz, Bill Belzberg, Hinda Helman, Sabine Promislow, Sally Swartz, Rose Yaras, Esther Belzberg, Hy (Nagler) Switzer, Charles Zuckier, Elliot Belzberg, Jenny Heltay, Edward Rabinovitch, Shirley Switzer, Jack Bercovich, Blanche Himelfarb, Vera Raskin, Elly Switzer, Sam VIDEO INTERVIEWS Bercovich, Max Hoffman, Dorothy Riback, M. Ted (Memories of our Bleviss, Julius (Ziggy) Horodezky, Fred/Fannie Rimer, Val Tucker, Joe Pioneers) Bogoch, Manuel Horodezky, Lily Robins, Pam (Hallis) Bercovich, Max Ullman, Annie/Louis Brager, Joe Horodezky, Nate Robins, Murray Cohen, Martha (Block) Ullman, Julian Roginsky, Ben Gold, Bertha Ullman, Leo Carnat, Ruth Isenstein, Harry Rubin, Al (Horodezky) Ullman, Louis/Sam Chetner, Abe Samuels, Marie Goldin, Dorothy Ullman, Sarah Chetner, Nate Jacobson, Julia (Hanson) (Diamond) (Bercovitz) Chetner, Rose Jewish War Veterans Sanofsky, Nate Horwitz, Ida (Baltzan) Ullman, Simpson (Sy) Coad, Jim/Fano, A. Joffe, Hattie (Diamond) Sattin, Robert Pearlman, Edythe (re Sibbald) Joffe, Jay Schwartz, Fay Veiner, Harry (Rosen) Cohen, Becky (Levitt) (Smolensky) Vogel, Max Polsky, Mel Cohen, Bernie Kahanoff, Minnie Segall, Bertha (Hart) Sanders, Morris Cohen, Emanuel Kerr, Allan Sengaus, Ben/Tom Weiner, Lil Sengaus, Willie Cohen, Martha (Block) Kettner, Frank Shapiro, Archie/Charna Wolochow, David Sheftel, Leo Comisarow, Bill & Kleisner, Annette (Manolson) Woolfe, Harry Waterman, David Sophie (Horwitz) Sheftel, Leo Wyne, Annie Zuidema, Lilian Kline, Cecil Singer, Bella (Rosenthal) Davids, Hymie Kline, Constance Diamond, Bessie (Marks) Lander, Dr. New Photo from our Archives Dlin, Saul David as told Duke, Eva by M. Dolgoy Dvorkin, Miriam Lavin, Abraham Lewis, Bea Edelson, Jack Lewis, Leo Eichler, Aron Libin, Jean Eisenberg, Jack Engle, Sarah Miller, Doris Estrin, Abraham (Mittleman) Faber, Jacob Moscovich, Joe Faider, Lil (Belzberg) Finkleman, Emily Nagler, Melvin

Gelfand, Barney Oretsky, Aaron Goldberg, Marcia – (Orek) as told by Muriel Oretsky, Reuben Ginsberg (Harris) Goresht family gathering, c. 1948, Calgary. Around table, l to r (back): Clara and Harry Chu- Gorasht, Alex mir, Alex and Eva Gorasht, Robbie Waisman, Ida Goresht, Sam Goresht, hosts Rachel and Harry Goresht; (front) l to r: Sheldon Chumir, Mervin (Sonny) Gorasht, Sam and Minnie Gorasht, Eva Sarah Paperny, Anne Gorasht, Blanche Gorasht. Robbie Waisman, a young Holocaust survivor, lived with Rachel Gorasht, Minnie (Shumiatcher) and Harry’s family for several years. Photo courtesy of Sam Goresht. 8THE JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN ALBERTA JUNE 2004

Artifacts, Heirlooms JHSSA News and Anecdotes JHSSA Gets New New Members 2004 AGM Program Archival and Work Space The following people have become With the support of the Beth Tzedec members since our last issue or their names Our 2004 AGM program on Septem- Synagogue, the JHSSA has acquired rental were inadvertently omitted on our previ- ber 27th will be our own community space in the lower level of the synagogue ous listing. “Antiques Roadshow”. We are calling on in which to store archival items and assem- Benefactors: members of the Jewish community to ble display materials. Martin & Gertrude Cohos submit a description of a family “trea- The new space will allow the Historical Hy & Mickey Davids, Lethbridge sure” or a beloved family anecdote to be Society to move archival materials from Patrons: featured at the annual general meeting. current inadequate facilities. It will also pro- Jack & Doreen Abugov Artifacts should have a direct connec- vide room for staff and volunteers to pre- Muriel Ginsberg, Victoria, B.C. tion to your family history and preferably pare the more than 100 panels of text and Beryl Libin, Palm Springs, CA also have a connection to Jewish or local, photographs which will comprise the Soci- Members: Alberta history. Please include a photo- ety’s major 2005 Alberta centennial pro- Allen County Public Library graph of the item, if possible, and short ject, A Joyful Harvest. William Aizenman description of its importance to your fam- Gary Dvorkin, Mississauga, ON ily. Please do not send in the artifact itself. Tribute Cards Tish Dvorkin, Mesa, AZ Sheldon Smithens, well know auctioneer, We have a new supply of a variety of Barry & Ila Hardin antiques dealer and JHSSA Board mem- JHSSA tribute cards appropriate for any Dan Kauffman, Edmonton ber has agreed to comment on the items occasion. JHSSA Director Carey Smith has Bessie Libin selected. volunteered to take orders, to send out the Jean Libin Family anecdotes should be brief tribute cards and to take of the billing. Rose Libin enough to be presented in 2-3 minutes. Individual cards are a minimum of Betty Mayer Photographs of the people involved $5.00. There is also a “Chai” card. For a Jerry & Fay Schwartz would be most helpful. $36 donation or more, the honoree’s name Pauline Weinstein, Richmond, B.C. All entries must be in our office in the will be inscribed in a book in our library. To Calgary JCC by Friday, August 13, 2004 order a card, call Carey at 253-5152. so that our programming committee can Do you have Historical Material? make a final selection of the items to be Calling all 80 year olds Don’t hide it in the basement – featured at our AGM on Sept. 27. All give it to us. entries will be filed in our archives and we At our AGM on Sept. 27, 2004 we will The Jewish Historical Society of will make every effort to feature all sub- again be honoring those members of our Southern Alberta is always interested missions in future issues of Discovery. community who have turned 80 in the past in adding material concerning local year. If you know of someone who should Jewish families and organizations to be on our list, please submit the name by its archives. Call us at 253-8600, ext. the end of August to our office at 253-8600 209 to donate material. ext. 209 or to Harriet Libin at 252-0355

DISCOVERY Jewish Historical Society The Editors welcome submissions for publi- of Southern Alberta cation relating to areas of Calgary and President: Jay Joffe Southern Alberta Jewish History. All articles Vice Presidents: David Bickman should be typed, documented and sent for Emanuel Cohen consideration. Bertha Gold Statements of fact or opinion appearing in Harriet Libin Discovery are made on the responsibility of the Treasurer: Henry Gutman authors alone, and do not imply the endorse- Secretary: Zena Drabinsky ment of the Editors or the J.H.S.S.A. Directors: Joe Brager, Hymie Davids, Les Please address all communications on edito- Diamond, Jack Edelson, Brenda Eisenberg, rial and circulation matters to: Florence Elman, Harold Elman, Sheila Discovery Gurevitch, Ida Horwitz, Barb Joffe, Sid c/o The Jewish Historical Society Macklin, Mel Nagler, Therese Nagler, Judy of Southern Alberta Parker, Mel Polsky, Tiby Presma, Harry 1607 - 90th Avenue S.W. Sanders, Carey Smith, Sheldon Smithens, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2V 4V7 Family treasures like these 100-year old Sab- Jack Switzer, David Waterman bath candlesticks, belonging to sisters Ann Phone 253-8600, ext. 209 Editors: Jack Switzer, Jay Joffe, Email: [email protected] Goresht and Sylvia Mandel, will be described Agi Romer Segal and evaluated by antiques expert Sheldon © 2004 by the Jewish Historical Society of Southern Alberta (a non-profit, registered society). Smithens at our 2004 Annual General Meet- Donations gratefully accepted. ing. Photo: Deryk Bodington. Supplement to the Jewish Free Press