Canada
In Vancouver, early twentieth century Jewish immigrants, who arrived from Russia, Romania, Poland, and Germany may not have been able to speak English, but they shared the Yiddish language. Developed in the late Middle Ages as a mix of Hebrew, German and Slavic languages, Yiddish was the common language of Eastern European Jews. In Strathcona, it was the language spoken in Jewish homes and in the sermons at the Synagogue.
Besides being the first recorded Jewish person to arrive in British Columbia, Alexander Aaron Phillips was Victoria's first baker of "Passover Bread" (matzoh), which he sold all over Vancouver Island and the state of Washington. In the fall of 1858 he opened the Pioneer Syrup, Soda and Cider Works. ALexander Phillips was the second president of Temple Emanu-El, a founding member of a local Masonic Lodge and Odd Fellows Lodge, as well as a member of the ST. George's Society and the British Columbia Benevolent Association.
John Mahrer, an immigrant from Prague, opened a brewery in Nanaimo, a coal mining centre and port that is located north of Victoria on Vancouver Island. When the brewery amalgamated with the Union Brewery in 1891, Mahrer became its manager and master brewer. Mahrer was on the Nanaimo City Council for eight years and belonged to several charitable organizations as well as the city's band. John and Louise Mahrer's home and the Nanaimo Opera House, which John built, were the centres of Nanaimo's cultural life at the time.
These Hebrew letterpress blocks were used at Charles and Sarah Gorvich's Broadcast Printers, 3621 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC.
A decorative shield is placed over the mantle, symbolizing the breastplate of the High Priest of the Temple in Jerusalem. Evelyn Toban donated this ornament to Congregation Schara Tzedeck in honour of the ninetieth birthday of Harry Toban. As Schara Tzedeck's president in the 1940's, Harry Toban led the synagogue's move from Heatley Street in Vancouver's East End neighbourhood of Strathcona to Oak street in Fairview neighbourhood, South Vancouver.
These decorative ornaments sit atop the two wooden dowels that hold and roll the Torah.
Awarded to Cyril Leonoff by the National Council of Jewish Women
Hebrew inscription reads "present given for the blessing of Meir Son of Leiser Wolf from Society Cheschvank, Wednesday, March 8, 1650." The plate was brought to Vancouver from Vienna, Austria, in 1938, by Mrs. F. Bloch-Bauer.
Dr. Irving Ziskrout received this gift from the Whitehorse-Atlin community in appreciation for the medical services he provided. Made from fossil mastodon ivory and Yukon gold nugget.
Bowling Cup, Vancouver Hebrew Athletic Club. Won by A.M. Silverson.
