Material Type

Recording

Date Range

1978

Fonds

Pioneer Researchers Association Oral History Project

Creator

Pioneer Researchers Association

Physical Description

2 cassette tapes; digital copy

Physical Condition

Excellent

Acquisition Source

Pioneer Researchers

Scope and Content

Tape 1 Side A - Biographical information: He was born in Romania and immigrated to Rumsey, Alberta with his mother. His father was killed in WW1 . After his mother remarried they moved to Calgary, where he attended school and later Garber College. - In 1930 he opened a retail clothing store in Lethbridge in the Higinbotham Block, commuting back and forth until finally moving here in 1932. One of the reasons he decided to move, was to play for the Lethbridge Jewish Association baseball team. -Business information: Purchased the merchandise in Montreal. - Met his wife, Phyllis, in Montreal which is where she was born and raised. Married in 1942. - Leo is active in the community and was involved in the planning and development of U Of L. - Clubs, associations, etc.: Jewish Association, president for 17 years and also served in other capacities on executive; Kiwanis Club (the first club in town to allow him to join), reserve army, Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Legion, Labor Club, Army and Navy, et al. - His daughter attended U of BC for 2 years before going to Montreal to finish her degree. She is about to be married. - Family: His sister Pearl married Jack Klinger, retail clothing dealer on 5th Street S. Jack immigrated from Romania in 1 920. Both have since passed away and their business and property passed to Jack's brother-in-law and nephew (now Progress Clothing). Jack was active in community affairs and the Jewish Assoc. - - Moscovitch Family: Immigrated from Romania to England to Lethbridge. Morris, the father, worked hard to put his children through school: Max graduated from McGill with a law degree, and returned to Lethbridge to practice; Soul graduated from U of A with law degree and practiced with Max in Lethbridge; Joe and Sam were dentists; Jack and Barney were physicians. - Fefferman family immigrated from Russia originally. They were cattle hide buyers. - Goodman Family, Harris and Morris, were early Lethbridge pioneers. Morris owned Christie Grant Men's Wear. It is still in the family operating as Herb's Western Wear. - The Jewish Community in Lethbridge is shrinking because the younger generations are moving to the larger centres. - Information about Jewish Cemetary (adjacent to Mountain View) - Clubs and Organizations: because the Lethbridge community has treated him well, he shows his gratitude by volunteering at various service organizations and clubs. Tape 1 Side B - First few minutes are blank. History of the Jewish community in Lethbridge: post 1930 meetings were held in building on SW corner of 6th Ave and 5th Str S. Following 1 930 there was a resident Rabbi in Lethbridge and services were held in his house on 5th Str S next to the Police Station. Names members of the congregation. At the Rabbi's suggestion the congregation rented the upper floor of the Higinbotham Block for the High Holidays. Circa 1 933-34 the congregation rented the Music Conservatory building on the SE corner of 1 1th Str and 5th Ave S. Rabbi Lavean left Lethbridge, and for the next 4 years Rabbi Slavinski, Calgary, came to Lethbridge to conduct High Holidays. When the Baptist Church on 9th Str and 3rd Ave S. became vacant the congregation purchased it and converted it into a synagogue. Rabbi Susman immigrated to Lethbridge from England and remained with the congregation for the next 10 years. In 1954 lots on 15th St S near 9th Ave were purchased and a synagogue/temple/ school was built. The members of the congregation were assessed on an individual basis to determine their contribution. - 1 954-1 968 were the most active years for the Hebrew congregation in both community and church activities. Decline since then, primarily because the younger generations have moved. There are few young families: only 5 students attend the school, and only once a week, compared to before when school was held daily between 4-6p.m. There is no longer a resident Rabbi and services are only held on High Holidays. - The Singer's are members of a Montreal, Que congregation and go there to attend High Holiday services. - Contributions and activities of the current Jewish Community. - Early Jewish pioneers. Most immigrated from European countries to the area NE of Calgary near Rumsey. There were approximately 20 families living there circa 1912-1914. Now there are only about 2 families living there. - The earliest Jewish pioneers were traders. Those that followed were mostly merchants. Tape 2 Side A only - Decribes 5th Street South and area to the west: Businesses and restaurants, and businessmen in the 1940s and 50s. Schwartz & Sons were involved in the Hungarian migration movement in the 1950s. Information about the HungarianHall and Association. - Chinatown. - Red Light District: recalls there being about a dozen houses in the vacinity of 2nd and 3rd Aves near Scenic Drive. Mentions Emma, a black woman, who was also an excellent cook. Her establishment operated under the name "Emma's" and was located on 3rd Str S & 4th Ave. approx 18minslong.

Access Restrictions

Public Access

Accession No.

19921008022

Collection

Archive

Less detail