- Ottawa Jewish Archives
- Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
- Interview with Howard Goldberg
Interview with Howard Goldberg
Description only — contact the archiveO0045
- Held by
- Ottawa Jewish Archives via Canadian Jewish Heritage Network (incl. Alex Dworkin Canadian Jewish Archives)
- Dates
- July 11, 2000 (indexed as 2000)
- Level
- item
- Scope & content
- Date Digitized: October 18th, 2021 Digitized by: Grace Turner Number of Cassettes: 1 Subject: Howard Goldberg Interview Location: Ottawa, ON Length of Time: 50:26 -Howard’s paternal grandfather came to Canada around 1905 from Russia. He came with his wife, his grandfather, and their 2 children. They originally settled in Montreal before relocating to Smiths Falls for the job opportunities. -Howards grandfather worked as a mechanic for the railway in Smith Falls. He and his wife had 7 children in Smiths Falls; one of which was Ben, Howard's father. The family had 9 children total and Howard’s grandmother passed away suddenly after the birth of her 9th child. After this Howard’s great grandmother moved in with the family and raised the 9 children. -Ben went to work with his father and they opened a scrap yard. 2 of Ben’s sisters opened a dress shop in Smith Falls as well. -Howard recalls the house in Smiths Falls and has many happy memories there. He recalls the jewish community being so small in the town that the basement of the house was used as a shul. -Ben would take frequent trips to Ottawa and fell in love with Eileen Rivers at first sight. The two began dating and were married on June 21st 1942. The couple moved to Smith Falls and Howard was born in August of 1943. -When Howard was 2 or 3 the family moved to Ottawa as his parents wanted a bigger jewish community for their children. Howard talks of the house they moved to and the neighbours in the area. -Ben purchased a cl;othing store on Williams street, he also worked with the Day Rivers Fruit, and worked selling Hides as well. -Ben and Eileen purchased a triplex house at 411 Daly Ave and lived there for many years. Howard’s parents were passionate about him receiving a jewish education and they fundraised for a jewish day school. Howard’s parents were able to raise funds to rent a room and Howard and 11 other classmates were the first students of the Ottawa Hebrew Day School in 1948. The school would soon become the Hillel Academy. -Howard recalls him and other boys walking to Freeman’s everyday after school for a malted milk. He then recalls all of the stores on Rideau and the Market that were jewish owned and operated. He talks of when every store used to close for the high holidays. -Howard talks about Sandy Hill and Lowertown; he recalls them as a tight knit community. He has fond memories of the community center at 151 Chapel Street and remembers Sunday Fun Day and the Hot Dog Stand. -Howard talks about the various jewish clubs in Ottawa. He talks about how many families used to not be able to pay fees for clubs or organizations and the community would help out. -Howard went to High School at Lisgar Collegiate and then went to Sir George William School for retailing. He then took over his parents' store and worked long hours there. When the opportunity to work for the UJA came about he accepted. -Howard got married to his wife Ibolya in August of 1970 and they had 2 children. Howard met Iboyla on a trip to Israel where he roomed with her Brother in Law. -Howard talks of his 2 children and their marriages and accomplishments. -Howard then discusses problems he saw in the community and the work he did to fix it. -In his semi retirement Howard wishes to volunteer more with the community, his shul, and Hillel Lodge END OF TAPE
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- sound recording
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- Audio
- Harvested
- 2026-10-17T20:12:50Z · source datestamp n/a · cjhn