Heritage – Yerusha Fall 2010 Tishrei 5771 Volume 13, No. 1 HERITAGEHERITAGE www.jahsena.ca The Journal of THE JEWISH ARCHIVES & HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF & NORTHERN

Inside: Talmud Torah’s 100th Anniversary: May, 2012

Dr. Joel Wilbush page 4

Shelley Switzer page 7

Jewish War Orphans page 9

AGM Graduating Class of Edmonton Talmud Torah, ca. 1954 Front Row: Mrs. Goelman, Florie Rubin Axler, Doreen Pakes, Shanee Birenbaum, Sora Sunday, Satanove, Esther Estrin Starkman, Mrs. Tova Yedlin. November 14th Back Row: Mr. Moshe Goelman, Eli Shtabsky, Hershel Sorokin, Elliot Phillipson, Jack Chetner, David Lyons, Cyril Sapiro, Arnold Bernstein. Donated by Cyril Sapiro. 7:30 pm If you have any class or other Talmud Torah pictures, please bring them in to the JAHSENA office so that they can be included in the 100th Anniversary website. If you have any photos to donate, JCC please phone or email the office at: 780-489-2809 or [email protected]. 2 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.jahsena.ca HERITAGE • fall 2010 hwry From the President, by Jini Vogel HERITAGEHERITAGE

Fall, 2010 The Journal of the Jewish Archives & Historical Society of Edmonton and Northern Alberta t has been a very busy and seemingly a few months she will be very busy with Ishort summer. The kids went back a new baby. President to school and the High Holidays were Please mark your calendar as Sunday Jini Vogel upon us. November 14th is our AGM. We will Archivist & Editor This year we kicked off our member- have a very short business meeting Debby Shoctor ship drive a bit early. It was a resounding and then a very special program. Ram Treasurer success. Thank you to all of you who Romanovsky will introduce and show Howard Davidow responded so generously and for those the film “Ochberg’s Orphans”. His Secretary who increased your membership level. father was one of the orphans and his Gloria Aaron The additional funds will help to story is very compelling. Vice Presidents develop new programs/services. If you Over the past year, I have told you Judy Goldsand did not receive the notice please give our about how, via the internet, I found Mel Wyne office a call. Remember we issue a Tax a huge family I never knew existed. Members-at-Large Receipt but the dues must be in to us by We met again in LA this fall and we st Cory Felber December 31 . We take charge cards, talked, cried and debated like any large Dr. Manuel Friedman cheques and cash. family, truly a new experience for me. Barry Zalmanowitz Our third Family Writing Workshop However, on the other side of the family Dr. Eric Schloss will be held Sunday, October 31st at 1 I attended a family reunion that was Hal Simons pm, led by Lil Blume. We had an excel- highly computerized. A few cousins Miriam Rabinovitch lent turnout for the last session and the established a web site and through the Past-President discussions and sharing of experiences site collected all kinds of materials and Dan Kauffman was very special. Don’t worry if you pictures, informed us regarding details Founding President missed the first two parts you won’t of the reunion, made available a family Uri Rosenzweig want to miss the third one. Call the chart and in conclusion posted pictures Graphic Design office if you plan to attend. of the whole four days that each of PageMaster Our office receives phone calls and us could download and print. Not a inquiries from people who are doing postage stamp was purchased! Quite Mailing Address family genealogical projects who often amazing. JAHSENA, 7200-156 St., find themselves at a dead-end looking If you enjoyed reading this issue of Edmonton, Alberta, T5R 1X3, for information. We are delighted to “Heritage/Yerusha” please pass it on to tell you that Caroline Ullman, who has somebody who perhaps is not a mem- Telephone: (403) 489-2809 just returned from the International ber. The more members we have the Fax: (780) 481-1854 Jewish Genealogy Conference this stronger our society family is. I’ll talk Email: [email protected] summer in Los Angeles, and has been to you later in the year when that white Website: www.jahsena.ca. conducting a major project for her fam- stuff is here. ily, has agreed to chair a new Genealogy Subcommittee of the Board. Watch for Shalom, more information later in the year as for Jini Vogel HERITAGE • fall 2010 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.jahsena.ca 3

UPCOMING PROGRAM Writing Jewish Family Stories and Memoirs: Themes of Chanukah DONATION Family Writing Workshop – Lil Blume is back! Please join her for another instalment of our Faimily Writing Workshop on October 31st at 1 PM. Register with the office. CARDS Fee is $10 per person, including coffee break. JAHSENA now has donation The story of Chanukah invites thoughts about darkness and light, rebellion and cards with historic pictures on miracles. We light up them available for purchase. our houses and sing Mark your special simchas by songs of triumph over oppression. sending a donation to JAHSENA. Our family stories Contact the office for more and personal memoirs details at: 780‑489‑2809. We also involve moving have received the following from darkness to light donations: and triumphing over Sympathy oppression through To Bernie, Gail and Ashley Estrin, rebellion, faith, in memory of Goldy Estrin, z’l, and miracles. This from Lewis and Freya Wasel. workshop hopes to uncover these stories. AGM CORRECTIONS Our Annual General Meeting will take place Sunday, November 14th at 7:30 pm in the Coloniale Room of the JCC. Kosher refreshments will be served. Three Jewish dentists of note left Our feature presentation will be “Ochberg’s Orphans,” a documentary film out from the last issue of Heritage/ produced by Ram Romanovsky. It details the life of Samuel Ochberg, a South African Yerusha include Dr. Marty Zell, Dr. Jewish businessman and philanthropist, who saved the lives of over 200 Jewish war Barney Mass and Dr. David Mintz. orphans in post-World War I Europe by bringing them to South Africa and finding Dr. Barney Mass practiced in the homes for them. Among those orphans was Ram’s father, who appears in the film. Tegler Building and served as the Ram will also offer a personal commentary on the story and making of the film. Cantor at Beth Shalom Synagogue. On Display At the JCC… On the Web… Torah School, is featured in a new 2011 calendar. These calendars Currently on display at the JCC Check out the Archives Society are available for purchase from you will find an exhibit of items of Alberta Exhibit prepared our office for $10. Also check out formerly belonging to Cecil “Tiger” for Archives Week 2010, titled the Peter Owen exhibit online at Goldstick. If you would like to “Growing Up Albertan”, at the same website under “Letters donate a book, document or a www.archivesalberta.org. You from the Trunk.” Old issues of our piece of memorabilia to add to will find five photos from our newsletter, Heritage/Yerusha are our collection, call 780-489-2809. collection, one of which, a photo available on our website, www. Please stop by the JCC and view of Mel Hurtig leading Junior jahsena.ca. these items on display opposite the Congregation at the old Talmud office in the glass display case. 4 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.jahsena.ca HERITAGE • fall 2010 Dr. Joel Wilbush: the Wandering Jewish Physician

By Debby Shoctor tech­nion in Germany and qualified as a mechanical engineer, before making ost Jewish Edmontonians have aliyah to Palestine in 1903. There, he Mnever heard of Dr. Joel Wilbush, started in the engineering and natural but that is not the case in Israel. The resources business. He and Mendele Wilbush name is synonymous with the Hanke were the first engineers to survey founding of the State and the family is the future State of Israel in order to one of the earliest pioneer families. He map the watersheds, agricultural land is also related on his mother’s side to and mineral deposits on behalf of a the Belkind and Feinberg families, other group of Russian investors from Minsk. early pioneers in the land of Israel. As a result of this report, he was asked Nahum Wilbush, Joel’s father, came to join the commission of the Zionist to Israel from Grodno, Lithuania, where Organization that was sending people Dr. Joel Wilbush, ca. 1945, supplied photo. he was born in 1879. The youngest of to examine territory being offered by the nine children, his father Ze’ev Volf ’s British Government for Jewish settle- with Bezalel Shatz when it was about estate included a flour mill on the river ment in Uganda, (former British East to collapse and was the founder of the Niemen. This mill was important, as it Africa). first art school in Jerusalem and the first inspired all of his children to be inter- The only Jewish member of this Hebrew language school in Jaffa. ested in technology. committee, Nahum wrote a report on In 1906, Nahum married Shoshana Gedaliah (Grisha) Wilbushewitz, the suitability of the Ugandan land as Feinberg. Her uncle was Israel Belkind, Joel’s uncle, became a mechanical engi- a temporary Jewish settlement. His leader of the Biluim, and founder of the neer, and went to Eretz Israel in 1892 conclusions were that the land was first Hebrew school in Jaffa in 1889. to found a machine and metal-casting totally unsuitable for Jews, and his On his way to Jaffa in 1903, Nahum factory in Jaffa, the first Jewish enter- report was instrumental in the Zionists’ had attended the 6th Zionist Congress prise of its kind in the country. During ultimate decision to settle in Eretz Israel in Basel, which had turned him into an World War I Grisha served as chief as opposed to Uganda, Madagascar or ardent Zionist. engineer of Jamal Pasha’s headquarters Grand Island in New York, which were Joel’s mother Shoshana was a in Damascus. some of the other temporary locations granddaughter of Meir Belkind, who Uncle Moshe Wilbushewitz, a chemi- being touted by various Zionist factions. was one of the first teachers of the cal engineer and inventor, improved Nachum returned to Israel to found modern Hebrew school system in Israel. the margarine production process and factories and various business ventures. Shoshana had been educated at the invented a type of whole-meal bread. He founded Atid, the first edible-oil fac- Alliance Israelit, a French school, and Moshe went to Palestine in 1919 and tory in the country, in Ben Shemen and later at her Uncle Israel’s Hebrew school was one of a group of people who at one time was the highest paid man in Jaffa. Her Aunt Alexandra (Sonia) founded the Shemen edible-oil products in Israel. During WWI, he served as an Belkind was one of the first female doc- factory in Haifa. He established a spe- engineer in the Turkish army and was tors in Palestine, and played a large part cial laboratory bearing his name at the responsible for supplying water to the in influencing her great-nephew Joel Hebrew University. forces stationed in the Damascus region. to go into medicine. Her parents Israel Nahum Wilbush attended Poly­ Nachum mended the Dome of the Rock Feinberg and Fanny Belkind were some HERITAGE • fall 2010 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.jahsena.ca 5

of the first European Jews to settle with have it, he was eventually offered a IMRIC and Medical School. The goal their families in Rishon LeTzion. temporary position in Edmonton in of the forum, says acting director Dr. Joel Wilbush was born to Nachum 1963, and took over the practice of a Dorith Shaham, is to “train more empa- & Shoshana in 1918 in Hadera, where Dr. Hutton, establishing a somewhat thetic, respectful physicians – doctors the family ultimately settled. At the permanent home in the city. who are better prepared to create a sense age of 17, he left to study medicine in After the year was up, Dr. Wilbush of trust and intimacy with their patients, Sheffield, England, and later at Oxford, had a radical idea: why not retire early, while utilizing the most advanced where he trained as an Obstetrician and invest his money and travel for a decade science and technology and the best Gynecologist. He never returned to live or two while they were still young? medical decision-making tools available.” permanently in Israel. On his departure, And that is exactly what he did. He These are the values that Dr. Wilbush his mother gave him a Turkish carpet, and Peggy traveled the world, including learned in his travels as a wandering which he still has, and a Tanach, which a long stint in the Canadian North, Jewish physician over nine decades on was lost. This was the beginning of a serving as doctor and midwife for the this earth. life of wandering and a fascination with peoples living there. All that traveling Even though he never really made other cultures that has marked his entire instilled in Dr. Wilbush an interest in it back to his home in Hadera, Dr. life. medical anthropology, a subject he had Wilbush still feels strong ties to the Shortly after Dr. Wilbush gradu- dabbled in during his undergraduate land of his birth, as evidenced by his ated, World War II broke out, and he years in Sheffield. When he eventu- contributions to Hebrew University. joined the 15th Scottish division of ally returned “home” to Edmonton, he The only two places Dr. Wilbush says the British Army, and became MD to established the Dr. Joel Wilbush Ethnic he never made it to are Tibet and Saudi the Cameronians, then the Royal Scots Medicine Library at the University of Arabia. He lives by the motto Rarum Fusiliers. He went to Dieppe for D-Day Alberta, gave many lectures in various Cognosce Causus, or “Know the causes and spent that winter in a Dutch hospi- subjects at the university, and continued of things;” and by the Jewish principal, tal. After the war, he was sent to Africa. to fill in for vacationing OBGYN doc- “Do justly, love charity, be humble when It was during his military service that he tors here in the city and abroad. you worship your God.” met his wife, Margaret (Peggy) Cox, a In his later years, he has become a Dr. Wilbush speaks English, Hebrew, nurse and midwife. major donor to the Hebrew University Arabic, Spanish, French, Yiddish, Their skills seemed to compliment of Jerusalem. In 2009, he established German, Russian and Swahili. Now each other, and they left for Australia the Wilbush Patient-Centered Medical 92, he still lives in his adopted home of immediately after the war ended, and Forum at the Hebrew University’s Edmonton, Alberta. their daughter Heather (or Hadera), was born, stopping in Israel on the way to visit Wilbush’s family in Israel. In Australia during the 1950s, the Wilbushes lived in Moe, in Eastern Victoria, where there are huge surface deposits of coal. Dr. Wilbush served as the OBGYN for the District. In the early 1960s, the Wilbushes returned to Israel, where Dr. Wilbush opened the Gynecology Outpatient Department in Beersheva. He was then offered a job in Lagos, Nigeria, where he stayed for two years, putting Heather in a boarding school in Cardiff, Wales. While he was there, he and Peggy became enamoured of a calendar with pictures of the Canadian Rockies, and decided to come to North America for an extended vacation. As luck would Nachum Wilbush, ca. 1930, supplied photo. 6 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.jahsena.ca HERITAGE • fall 2010

Cantor at Beth Shalom Synagogue. who died in 2001. More Edmonton Organizations that figured prominently David Mintz was a dentist in among Barney’s activities included the Edmonton, Alberta. He served as presi- Dental Society, the Jewish Cubscouts dent of the Edmonton B’nai B’rith Lodge Jewish (chairman of the fathers’ group), the and on its executive for many years. Menorah Curling Club (founding mem- Jack M. Mintz was born on March 6, ber), and the Kiwanis Club. 1951. He married Eleanor Schwartz and Dentists The trophy cabinet at the Edmonton together they had two children, Avi and Talmud Torah has a plaque honouring Gaela. Mintz received a Bachelor of Arts Dr. Barney Mass him. The President’s plaque at the Beth degree in economics from the University of Bernard (Barney) Shalom Synagogue also honours him by Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta in 1973, a Mass began practic- name. Master of Arts in economics from Queen’s ing dentistry in Barney practiced dentistry until the day University in Kingston, in 1974, Edmonton in 1950 of his untimely death in 1964. and a Doctorate of Philosophy from the in what was then University of Essex, in Colchester, England the Tegler Building. Dr. David Mintz in 1980. Jack Mintz served as the Grand He was raised in Clara and David Mintz lived in Aleph Gadol of Aleph Zadik Aleph Winnipeg and Edmonton, Alberta and had two sons, Jack (BBYO), the only boy from Edmonton to studied pre-dent and Bruce. ever hold that position. Barney Mass, supplied at the University Clara Mintz was born on April 16, 1917 Bruce Mintz is a lawyer in Edmonton, photo of Toronto, where to Abraham Abramovitch and Betty Alberta. He and his wife Susan, a teacher, he ultimately earned his dentistry degree Ghitterman in Bethune, Saskatchewan. have three daughters: Alicia, who married in 1950 after a stint in the Canadian Air Abraham operated a general store and Matthew Singer in 2005, Rachel and Force. While at U of T, Barney was a owned a farm outside of Bethune. She Lezlie. member of Alpha Omega fraternity and, graduated from the Universities of for one year, he had his own radio show Saskatchewan and Toronto with degrees under the pseudonym Barry Marr. in social work, and was a director of While in Toronto, Barney met Florence Edmonton Jewish Family Services in Brody of Edmonton. He married her in Edmonton, Alberta from 1957-1982. She 1948, and the couple subsequently moved was a founding member of the Alberta to Florence’s home city. They had two Association of Social Workers and the children, Philip in 1952 and Sherrill in Edmonton Jewish Drop-In Centre, and a 1955. member of the Canadian Welfare Council, Barney was blessed with a magnificent John Howard Society of Alberta, Camp baritone singing voice. He performed B’nai B’rith (Pine Lake) and the Edmonton in many amateur and charity events in Talmud Torah School. She died on July 2, Dr. David and Clara Mintz, JAHSENA Archives photo, donated by Bruce Mintz. Edmonton and was for a time the acting 2004, predeceased by her husband David,

Ochberg’s Orphans man who rescued hundreds of Jewish and genocidal attacks on Jews, known orphans across Eastern Europe in as Pogroms, overtook the land – while A Film By Jon Blair the brutal aftermath of the Russian revealing an unknown, yet extraordi- Before Hitler. Before Stalin. Revolution. nary story of heroism. 1921 In Russia. A million children Filmed in the original locations, Join JAHSENA at our AGM as left for dead. In Africa, one man is deter- and combined with unique archival Ram Romanovsky, whose father was mined to make a difference. footage, as well as moving testimony one of Ochberg’s Orphans, presents From the Academy Award winning from the children he rescued, this this extraordinary film. Sunday, director of Anne Frank Remembered, vital documentary brings to light an November 14th at the JCC, 7: 30 pm. comes the amazing story of Isaac often forgotten time in history – when Admission is free and Kosher refresh- Ochberg, a South African business- anti-Semitism was rampant in Russia ments will be served. HERITAGE • fall 2010 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.jahsena.ca 7

with a Bachelor of Education from the Shelley Switzer: University of Calgary. She taught for seven years but also worked in the local musical theatre scene. Then, it was off to Toronto “Juggling” for most of the ‘90s after she left teaching to pursue a career in professional theatre. She arrived in Edmonton permanently in Her Duties 1999 to take over the reigns of the Festival as Artistic Producer. Artistic Producer “I started volunteering with the festival in 1989,” she explains. She was the Stage of the Edmonton Manager for the Late Night Madness, International Street Vaudeville and Fire shows along with the Women in Comedy shows along with a Performers Festival number of other performances during the Festival. She negotiated her vacation time By Paula E. Kirman Shelley Switzer, supplied photo. from the theatre company she was with in Toronto in order to head to the city for ore than 230,000 Edmontonians immigrated to Calgary. Wolf Baer died in those two weeks when the Festival was Mand visitors took in the Edmonton 1924, shortly before he was scheduled to held. International Street Performers Festival travel to to join the children and Switzer took over the reigns from Dick that took place in our city in July. One of grandchildren already here. Finkel for the 2000 Festival. Finkel had the most popular festivals of the summer, Bella Singer was the first Switzer been the Producer since the Festival’s it includes a wide range of world class progeny to come to Calgary. Her husband beginning, 1985. She is the Festival’s only clowns, jugglers, contortionists, comedians, Abraham Singer came to Toronto in 1905, year-round employee. As Artistic Producer, and other athletic and energetic performers to Calgary in 1907, and was followed by Shelley does everything from managing the who make a living by passing the hat. Bella and son Hymie Singer 1910. Bella budget and fundraising to booking acts to Shelley Switzer is the Festival’s Artistic Singer brought two nephews to Calgary, countless hours of traveling and network- Producer. She was born in Calgary, where Charlie Switzer and Saul Bleviss, in 1912. ing. Then come the ten days of the festival the majority of the Switzer family resides. Bella was instrumental in bringing so where the fruit of her labours pays off. In fact, the Switzer family is one of the many Switzers to the country. Each family “There is not a bad thing about the job largest extended Jewish family units in member sponsored by her was expected I have. It’s the best job on the planet. I Alberta, if not in Canada. Every five years, in turn to bring over other relatives. And have to say that quite accurately,” she says the family has a reunion in Calgary over relatives were plentiful: 72 of Wolf Baer’s with enthusiasm. “Almost 250,000 people the July long weekend. Shelley estimates grandchildren survived infancy. Seven sons came to the Festival this year. People come that the current direct descendants and daughters and 53 grandchildren came to have a great time with their family and number 1480 and encompass not only the to Calgary from Poland between 1910 and friends.” Switzers themselves, but also the Singer, 1948 along with spouses and a host of in- Shelley has family connections with Aizenman, and Belzberg families. laws, neighbours, and family friends. Edmonton’s Smordins. However, she is Wolf Baer Switzer was the patriarch of Jacob Switzer was one of Wolf Baer’s more connected to Calgary’s Jewish com- the family, which originated in Radom, children. He and his wife Chaya Switzer munity since most of her family is there. Poland. He had eleven children: nine with had eight children, one of whom was “For the most part, because Calgary is so his first wife, Leeba, who died in 1884, Avrum (Abraham). Avrum married Sadie close and I am so close with my family I and two with his second spouse, Miriam Morris in Calgary in 1932 and had one will more often than not go to Calgary for Aizenman, who died in 1930. son named Bernard. Bernie married Hessie Yom Tovs and things like that. But I must Seven of his sons and daughters moved Brovender in Calgary, where he is still an say I do love Edmonton,” she says, with to Calgary, as well as the children of two insurance underwriter. Shelley is their affection. others. Only two families remained in second eldest daughter. She has one sister Europe. Fifty-three of his grandchildren, Thanks to the Jewish Historical Society of Southern and two brothers. Alberta for providing the family background on the many already married with families, Shelley is originally a Grade One teacher Switzer family. 8 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.jahsena.ca HERITAGE • fall 2010

and found this to be particularly meaning- ful. One woman was moved to tears after I Finding your translated her grandfather’s birth certificate, giving her the name of the town in which he was born and the names of his parents. Roots Armed with that new information, she was Jewish looking forward to learning more about By Caroline Ullman him and about that branch of her family tree. became interested in Jewish genealogy Indeed, conferences are just as much I while researching the Jewish farm colony (if not more) about the people you meet near Sibbald, Alberta, that was settled by than simply about what you learn. I met a my husband’s ancestors in 1910. The syna- lovely South African woman who is using gogue from that site was moved to Calgary’s genealogy and her contacts with genealo- Heritage Park last summer and in anticipa- gists around the world to research a rare tion of that event, I was inspired to find Jewish genetic disorder that affects one of out as much as I could about the Ullmans Caroline Ullman, supplied photo. her grandchildren. I also met the dedicated who left Moldova in 1906 and came to pair of researchers who head the Jewish settle on the barren prairie of Alberta. In Property of Holocaust Victims to Families Genealogy and Family Heritage Center at my efforts to trace the descendants of these in Israel and Genealogical Research” to the Emanuel Ringelblum Jewish Historical settlers, I was able to discover and recon- “Family History in the Kitchen: Recipes as Institute in Warsaw, which connects the nect with long-lost relatives in Los Angeles, a Conduit to the Generations” to “Klezmers, Jewish world to its vast repository of Philadelphia, Boston, and Israel. Some of Khazna, and Lautare: Ethnographic Music records on Jewish life in Poland and assists this newly re-discovered mishpocha came Research in Romania.” Something for people researching their Jewish roots. to Calgary for the Little Synagogue on the everyone! The Film Festival screened films Another couple in their seventies travelled Prairie dedication, including an 88 year-old throughout the week, and many filmmak- from Florida; she is the genealogy buff great-aunt who was born on the colony! ers were present to introduce and discuss and ran from session to session, while her This little family project turned into a their work. Computer labs were set up husband interspersed a session or film here wonderful hobby; the late-night internet with both Macs and PCs, and classes from and there with a nap or a walk through searches for records, the thrill of finding beginner to advanced were available to par- downtown LA. Some came for the whole another tidbit of information, the e-mails ticipants wanting to learn how to organize conference and others came just for the day. from family around the world became quite their family trees and photographs using Everyone was very friendly and by the end addictive. I began to do small genealogy a variety of software programs. Tutorials of the week many of us knew each other projects for friends: one wanted to obtain were given on a wide variety of databases without having to read each others’ name his father’s birth certificate from post-war and special genealogical websites. tags! Hungary, another wanted to know the The Resource Room provided partici- I have returned informed and inspired, names of his father’s sisters who perished pants with a bank of computers with free and am excited to announce the forma- in the Shoah, and another wanted to know access to the most popular genealogical tion of the new genealogy branch of what boat their relatives came to Canada databases. A select amount of microfilms JAHSENA. In the coming year, we hope on eighty years ago. Although my husband from the Mormon Family History Library to develop instructional materials to guide Mike would do little more than grunt and were made available for viewing and the those who want to learn how to research roll over when I would wake him up at shelves were stuffed with rare reference their family’s roots, as well as offer seminars three in the morning to tell him that I had books. The room was staffed by represen- and invite guest speakers. Next year’s found the record for his great-grandparents’ tatives from the USC Shoah Foundation IAJGS International Conference on Jewish marriage in Kishinev in 1909, he was Institute, the US Holocaust Memorial Genealogy will be held August 14 to 19 in more than happy to have me travel to Los Museum, Yad Vashem, the Museum of Washington, DC and it is my hope that, by Angeles for a week this July for the 30th the Diaspora and archivists from Prague, then, Edmonton will have a contingent of annual International Conference on Jewish Vilnius, and Vienna. Volunteers were on budding Jewish genealogists attending! Genealogy. I joined over 1,050 attendees hand to help with translating documents If you are interested in being kept from 15 countries to share this common from many languages including Russian, informed about this new initiative, please interest, to network, and to learn. Hebrew, Yiddish, Polish, Romanian and send an email to [email protected] Seminars ran from 8 am to midnight and German. As I speak and read Polish, I or call the JAHSENA office at 780-489- featured topics as varied as “Restitution of volunteered to translate Polish documents 2809. HERITAGE • fall 2010 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.jahsena.ca 9 Edmonton’s War Orphans By Marni Dlin

n October, 1948 the ship MB General IStewart docked at Pier 21 in Halifax, after a 2-week voyage from Hamburg, Germany. Aboard were 1100 war orphans destined for new homes in Canada and the United Jewish War Orphans, Calgary, including those who came to Edmonton, 1946. JAHSENA Archives, States. This journey was arranged through photo donated by Eric Macklin. the Hebrew Immigrant Assistance Society (HIAS). Of that group of young men & fered the inhumanity of Auschwitz and had Podolsky. Helen Simsoyics lived with Joe women, five settled in Edmonton. somehow survived along with her brother and Fanny Samuels, Fred Manus lived with They were Abe Goldstein, who was 15 Paul Simsoyics, who immigrated to the US. Luba Panar; and Abe Goldstein started years old, Saul Glin, who was 16, Helen Abe was going to go to Israel but he was his Edmonton life with Mayer and Riva Simsoyics, 16, Fred Manus, 18, and Henry sick when the first two groups left and Comisarow. Henry decided to move on to Bushinsky, 18. They had met and formed did not want to wait around for the next to work in the oil fields within the a bond in a children’s camp, at Long Bilau, departure, so through bravado, he persuaded year, and Abe took up residence in the home Germany, where they were sent after the war. the woman who arranged voyages and who of Mickey and Sybil Dlin. The camp, run by HIAS, had a primary goal was known to sell identities of the children Henry married and they moved to Salem, of sending young people to settle the new to older people, to let him go on the ship to New Jersey, where his parents and brother, Jewish State, Israel. Thus, according to Abe North America. who had miraculously survived, had been Goldstein, it was run like a kibbutz. There Abe had family who had arranged for him found. He had one son. He later moved was school and communal dining as well as to come to New York, but the line was so back to a town 50 miles outside Winnipeg, other activities. long he impulsively joined the Canadian line, where he still lives. The common language in the camp was which was shorter. One of Saul’s brothers Fred and Abe established a general store Yiddish, as the children came from differ- went to Israel and the other to New York in Thorsby as their first venture. They ent European countries. Abe came from but he, along with Abe, joined the line to later sold it and moved back to Edmonton. Zetel, which was in Belarus. Saul was from Canada. Fred went into the furniture business and Rudem, Poland, then the Luvom Ghetto, Abe had a friend in Calgary, who had Abe opened a few businesses. Saul and but had been in Auschwitz, Birkenau and been in the camp, and had written to him Abe became partners in City Coin and they Dachau death camps. Helen was originally about what a good place it was and so he continue to own the business to this day. from Bedevla, which was in the eastern part came to Edmonton, which was the closest Saul married Louise and moved to Calgary. of Slovakia, near the Ukraine. She had location that had openings. They have two children. Abe, who remained been in Auschwitz. Fred was from White When they arrived in Edmonton, each in Edmonton, married Joan and they had Russia, and Henry from Poland. They all child was placed with a welcoming family. three children. Helen married Jacob Melvin had different histories and had endured The families knew that most, if not all, (Mel) Macklin and had three children. Fred many horrifying and almost unimaginable of their family members had been merci- also remained in Edmonton. experiences. lessly slaughtered and that they had barely These young teens, who had arrived with Abe had become a member of the parti- survived the horrors of the Holocaust. They nothing, but were welcomed with open arms sans at the age of 9, after he had escaped one were here now, and had to begin life again in by some Edmonton families, continue to of the concentration camps and spent most a strange country, learn a different language contribute greatly to the Jewish and local of his years in the forests. They would send and try to adjust to a completely different communities. Helen, who passed away a him out to the towns to try to gather food lifestyle. It is a testament to the strength few years ago, motivated her children to and supplies. Saul was in the Luvom ghetto and courage of these teenagers that they work hard to make the world a better place and was one of the children who would go managed to build a future, without ever –they all became lawyers, one a judge. All of out through tunnels for food to bring back forgetting about the past. them remind us of the strength of character to the starving populace. Fred and Henry Henry Bushinsky went to live with and resilience of the human spirit and they had both hid in the forests and had been Mickey and Sybil Dlin. Saul Glin went continue to inspire all who know them to be part of partisan groups too. Helen had suf- to Sybil’s parents, Michael and Fannie better and do better. 10 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.jahsena.ca HERITAGE • fall 2010 Necrology 2010-11

The following individuals were lost to us this year. We offer our condolences to their families and friends, and hope that their memories will be blessings to us all. Rebecca Abofsky, z’l Celia Baltzan, z’l Ronald Billig, z’l Elliot Dale Dlin, z’l Rosa Dogor, z’l Rachel Dolgoy, z’l Goldy Estrin, z’l Sylvia Green, z’l Belle Greene, z’l Carol Isaacson, z’l Jewish War Orphans, Calgary, including those who came to Edmonton, 1946. JAHSENA Archives, photo donated by Eric Macklin. Joseph Katzin, z’l Ansel Mark, z’l Eduardo Kravets, z’l The latest in Jewish Archives: The Blog Solomon Markovich, z’l he Jewish Public Library dreds of additional photographs, Leonid Meynin, z’l Tand Archives is pleased to newspaper articles, selections from Leon Minsky, z’l announce that our first blog is up specific collections and much more! Rose Mons, z’l and running! The blog is based on We invite you to step back Dr. Jeffrey Moss, z’l our work digitizing material for the in time to Jewish Montreal of Jack Newhouse, z’l “Jewish Montreal of Yesterday” digi- Yesterday at www.jewishpublicli- Sally Lyman-Raels Lesk, z’l tal access project, funded in part by brary.org/blog Sara Ploit, z’l the Canadian Council of Archives, As we are testing the site and Sarah Reitzik, z’l Library and Archives Canada changing it as we go along, we and the Department of Canadian would most sincerely appreciate any Clara Riskin, z’l Heritage – Broadcasting and Digital questions or comments. You may Harold Rodnunsky, z’l Communications. e-mail me directly or post a com- Ileen Rodnunsky, z’l All summer, our students and ment directly on the website. Rose Rosenstein, z’l archive staff have been hard at work We hope that you will all take Lewis Roskin, z’l digitizing and creating blog postings some time to explore the site and Pauline Sheckter, z’l uncovering hidden gems in the please subscribe using the RSS tags! Sophie Starkman, z’l JPL-A’s containers. Guest bloggers from other Montreal Jewish heritage Yours in history, Joe Tabachnick, z’l organizations will be added over the Shannon Hodge Bernice Tobias, z’l next few months along with hun- Montreal Jewish Public Library Sarah Zalik, z’l HERITAGE • fall 2010 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.jahsena.ca 11 JAHSENA Membership 2009-2010 Patrons: Benefactors: Mel Wyne & Phyllis Nurgitz Joseph & Deby Cyril Leonoff Eli & Phyllis Adler Charles David Aaron Danny & Connie Zalmanowitz Wohlgelerntner Percy Lerner Jack & Sylvia Chetner Dr. Ted & Gloria Aaron Reesa Lerner Len & Catherine Miller Dolgoy Bernie & Miriam Adler Donors: Individual Susan Lieberman Joe & Cynthia Doz Vic & Naomi Amato Dr. Ted & Gloria Aaron Memberships Rachel Mickelson Cory Felber Arda Baltzan Marvin & Freda Abugov Sharon Abbott Evelyn Miller Dr. Manuel & Rhoda Friedman Jill Spaner Bellack Elaine Bookhalter Florie Axler Odette Masliyah Isidor Gleiner Ron & Marcia Bercov Sharon Bookhalter & Jerry Esther Bernstein Rachel Mickelson John & Shawna Goldberg Justice Mel & Dr. Anne Glasser Martin Blatt Florence Morris Dr. George & Judy Goldsand Fanning Binder Jack & Marilyn Cohen Rabbi Ari Drelich Norma Nozick Bessie Goldstick Mel & Ruth Comisarow Miriam & Jerry Cooper Becky Fayerman Miriam Rabinovitch Dan & Linda Goody Howard Davidow Bill & Trudianne Dolman Goldie Furman Hanna Pollack Norman & Roberta Hanson Bruce & Nancy Elman Harvey & Minnie Emas Joyce Geffen Blanche Gorasht Dr. Tom & Nina Hardin The Evangelical Sisters of Barry & Fani Estrin Halley Girvitz Shindell Arthur & Gwen Pechet Hiller Mary Cori Friedman Brandy Graesser Anita Sky Clyde Hurtig & Karen Farkas Justice Sam Friedman Sam & Margaret Frohlich Linda Hilford Justice Robert Dan & Esther Kauffman Dr. Elliot & Dena Gelfand Fred & Rachel Garfunkel Dr. Frank Jackson Spevakow Irving & Dr. Dianne Kipnes Abraham & Hanna Goldberg Abraham & Hanna Goldberg Doreen Jampolsky Clarice Switzer Dr. Allan & Patricia Klein Ron Goldberg Howard & Leah Goldford Clara Kagan Caroline Ullman Justice Sam & Nancy Dr. Phil & Penny Hardin Leslie & Lillian Green Zelda Kalensky Gary Woodrow Lieberman Dr. Myer & Barbara Horowitz Dr. Sterling & Jesse Haynes Erica Karabus David & Robin Marcus Lewis & Irene Klar Bill & Gillian Horwitz Samuel Koplowicz Arliss Miller David & Gerry Kline Lesley Jacobson Leon & Debbie Miller Marilyn Weinlos Lerner Leon & Betty Kagna Violet Owen Valda Levin Dr. Jerry & Miriam Katz Membership donations are used for the Lynn Pechet-Bruser David & Daryl Levine Cyril & Fay Kay operating costs of the Society, which is a Daniel & Trudy Pekarsky Justice Eric & Sharon Macklin Ethel Levine self-sustaining organization. Membership Netta & Frank Phillet Mayor Stephen & Lynn Mandel Hy & Miriam Lieberman fees include spouses except for individual Ted Power Leslie Moss Allan & Dyane Lyons membership. Members are eligible to Saul & Toby Reichert Harry & Ruth Nolan Dr. Robert & Terrie Margolis vote at the annual general meetings Dr. Eric & Elexis Schloss Abe & Nicky Peliowski Resa Margolus of the society. Membership includes Dr. Theodor K. Shnitka Dr. Elliot Phillipson Sue Marxheimer a subscription to our publication, Kayla Shoctor Ron & Carol Ritch Ed & Joy-Ruth Mickelson Heritaga/Yerusha. Fees cover uniform Marshall Shoctor Isabel Rodnunsky Miriam Milavsky membership year from September 1st Millie Singer Lawrence & Tamara Rodnunsky Pierre & Arlene Morin to August 31st. Donations are tax Howard & Debra Sniderman Aubrey Rogerville Beryl & Mike Nahornick deductible. We thank the above listed Brian Sorokin Thelma Rolingher Jon & Francie Nobleman people for their support in the past year. Eira Spaner Abner & Hilda Rubin Nip & Essie Olyan Howard & Esther Starkman Sondra Schloss Florence & Abe Ovics Cindie Thompson Gary & Risa Segal Irwin & Maxine Raphael Shawna Vogel & Dr. Chris Joe & Ruth-Ellen Shafir Uri Rosenzweig Gregson Marshall Shoctor Ross & Gail Rudolph Grant Vogel & Dr. Lemore Harry & Dr. Sveta Silverman Sari Salmon Schiff New Members: Alima Hal & June Simons Barry & Maureen Schloss JAHSENA would like to welcome Virginia Vogel & Alex Krimberg Nat & Betty Starr Farrel & Lisa Miller Shadlyn the following new members: Freya & Lewis Wasel Barry & Sarah Vogel Robyn & Geoffrey Sperber Rose Marie Sokolov Glassman, Shelley Weinstein & Bruce Freya & Lewis Wasel Tobey Switzer Vancouver, BC Bradley Larrry & Marielle Witten John & Gerda Van Weerden Susan Schloss Lampert, Hal Zalmanowitz Norm & Mona Witten Paula & Eric Weil Vancouver, BC Barry and June Ross Ron & Naomi Wolch Sue & Alvin Winestock Zalmanowitz 12 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.jahsena.ca HERITAGE • fall 2010

JAHSENA Recent Acquisitions

These items have recently found their DVD of Dasha Zottenberg, singing at the 14 bound volumes, donated by Matt way into the archives, and are available for Drop-in Centre, donated by Cory Felber. Cohen, formerly belonging to Cecil “Tiger” research purposes: Goldstick. 5 cm. misc. text, donated by Stephanie 15 books donated to the JCC library by Hendin. The Jewish Archives & Historical Society of Edmonton Sharon Marcus. Organizational charts of Dollar Cleaners and Northern Alberta is always looking for new Photograph of the Talmud Torah and Western Linen Supply, donated by Cory donations. If you have any personal papers, photographs, Graduating Class, 1954, donated by Cyril Felber. negatives, books, audio-visual recordings or other items Sapiro of Toronto. relating to the history of the Jewish community of Bricks from Auschwitz, donated by Jim Edmonton and Northern Alberta that you would like Four photos, an oral history interview and a Farrell, via the JCC. preserved for generations to come, please contact our self-written biography of Nachum Wilbush office at (780) 489-2809. 10 Plaques, 1 audiocassette (interview by Dr. Joel Wilbush. with Mohammed Ali), 1 engraved lighter,

“FROM PEDLARS TO PATRIARCHS: Order A LEGACY REMEMBERED” and yo “BITTERSWEET MEMORIES: THE WAR YEARS” ur copy The Jewish Archives and Historical Society of Edmonton and Northern toda Alberta is taking orders for copies of “From Pedlars to Patriarchs: A y! Legacy Remembered,” and its sequel: “Bittersweet Memories: The War Years” its documentary films about the history of the Edmonton Jewish TO ORDER CALL Community. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of these films, they are available on DVD for $18. Please contact the Archives office at 780‑489‑2809. 780-489-2809

Help Us Preserve Our Past for the Future! I (we) would like to become part of the Northern Alberta (JAHSENA). continuing quest into our historical  Patron $100 past by joining the Jewish Archives and  Benefactor $50 Historical Society of Edmonton and  Donor $36 Northern Alberta in the category marked.  Individual $18 A charitable receipt will be issued.  I am interested in serving as a volunteer.  I have historical material that I would like to donate. Membership for other than individuals Please call me. includes spouses. Membership includes an annual subscription to Heritage/ Name: ______Yerusha, the Society’s newsletter, Address:______published 3 times a year. City: ______Postal Code:______Phone Number______Email:______Enclosed is my cheque for $______Visa/MC Number:______Payable to the Jewish Archives and Expiry Date:______Historical Society of Edmonton and Please clip out and return to: JAHSENA 7200-156 St. Edmonton, Alberta T5R 1X3