- Ottawa Jewish Archives
- Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
- Interview with Malca Goldstein
Interview with Malca Goldstein
Description only — contact the archiveO0045
- Held by
- Ottawa Jewish Archives via Canadian Jewish Heritage Network (incl. Alex Dworkin Canadian Jewish Archives)
- Dates
- August 2, 2001. (indexed as 2001)
- Level
- item
- Scope & content
- Subject: Malca Goldstein Interviewer: Adele Sidney Date: August 2, 2001 Interview Location: Ottawa, ON Length of Time: 52:18 -Malca is the daughter of Nathan Sloan and Bessie. Nathan was from Lithuania and had come to Canada when he was 2 years old. Bessie was from Russia and came to Canada when she was 9 years old. Both families came to Canada for a better life and more opportunities and they met each other in Ottawa. -Bessie had attended Waller Street School and went to business school to learn stenography. Nathan was a grocer and owned a store in the market. -Malca discusses her mothers side; Her grandmother's name was Sarah Hofman, her mothers sister was Fanny, and her mother had 2 brothers in the states. Bessie was the youngest child and she talks about her older sister Martha Cohen. Martha came to Ottawa after Bessie to marry Irving Cohen. -Malca’s childhood was never lonely, she recalls having many jewish families around her . SHe was a girl guide and loved to read. She recalls going to school through the depression however she says it did not affect her. She also recalls her cousins going off to the war. -Malca recalls her mother being very involved in Hadasa. They went to the King Edward Shul although there wasn’t a seat for Malca so she only attended on the high holidays. -Malca went to York Street public school, then Lisgar high, followed by business college. She enjoyed her business school and went on to work as a stenographer for the government. -Malca then discusses her married life with her husband Harry Goldstein. They met through her cousin and married shortly after. Malca reflects on gaining a new family when she got married; she grew very close with her sister in law. Malca taught herself to sew and sewed all of her maternity clothes and baby clothes. Harry and Malca were homebodies, they did not go out much. Once their children went to school Malca began focusing on charity work. -Malca and Harry had a cottage at Lac Bernard. HSe loved the cottage;’ it had no electricity or hot water. Unfortunately when Malca and Harry’s middle child passed away Malca couldn't bear to be at the cottage anymore and they sold it. -Malca discusses her memories of the formation of the state of Israel. She recalls attending the party at the Chateau Laurier -Malca recalls Lowertown growing up; she talks of a neighbour always picking up the horse droppings after a cart passed for her garden. She recalls no one having much money but supporting each other. Malca recalls a night where the coal furnace in her house opened and the whole family had coal gas poisoning in their sleep; thankfully someone woke them all up before they got too sick. -Malca learnt to drive after she got married, Harry and Irving taught her. -Malca talk of being involved in the zionist movement and her daughters decision to move to Israel. -Malca discusses the jewish community growing up. Everyone supported those who had less and she talks about the Ottawa Hebrew Free Loan Society. -Malca talks about shopping in the market and her fathers grocery store. END OF TAPE AT 52:18
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- 2026-10-17T20:12:50Z · source datestamp n/a · cjhn