- Ottawa Jewish Archives
- Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
- An address about Nathan Edelstein’s father Hyman Edelstein
An address about Nathan Edelstein’s father Hyman Edelstein
Description only — contact the archiveO0045
- Held by
- Ottawa Jewish Archives via Canadian Jewish Heritage Network (incl. Alex Dworkin Canadian Jewish Archives)
- Dates
- May 5, 1987 (indexed as 1987)
- Level
- item
- Scope & content
- Subject: Nat Edelstein on his father Hyman Edelstein Interviewer: N/A Date: May 5, 1987 Interview Location: Ottawa, ON Length of Time: 52:15 -Hyman Edelstein was born in Dublin Ireland in 1889. His parents were Abraham and Shayna Edelstein. The family had 5 sons and 3 daughters. They lived in a small house in Dublin and had a picture framing shop in the front. -Nat then reads a poem Hyman wrote about his parents house and workshop. -in 1903 Hyman entered High School in Dublin and received numerous academic awards. Hyman had poems published in Dublin as early as the age of 15. -Nat then reads a poem his father wrote about leaving High School. -Hyman attended Trinity College in Dublin until 1912 when he moved to Canada. During his time in school he excelled in both classics and mathematics. -when he first got to Ottawa he moved into an apartment at 351 Bay Street. Here he taught piano and worked in a store. -Nat talks about his fathers “divided loyalty” upon arriving in Canada; his father had a deep connection and attachment to Ireland. -In 1912 Hyman wrote for the Canadian Jewish Times in Montreal and in 1913 he moved to Montreal. -Nat also discusses the other organizations he was a part of in Ottawa and Montreal such as a Literary and Dramatics Society in Ottawa and the Canadian Authors Association. -In Montreal Hyman met Elsie Hornstein who he would later marry. Hyman wrote many poems about Elsie and Nat reads one. -Hyman spent 1913 to 1917 in Montreal editing before returning to Ottawa in 1921 with Elsie and their two sons. -Nat recalls the 1920’s and 30’s in Ottawa, poetry was not in demand and he says his father fit the starving artist role. Nat tells a story of going around to businesses after school trying to sell his fathers books for grocery money. -Nat then discusses Samuel W. Jacobs political win and and reads an article his father wrote about how the election united jewish communities. -Hyman was a passionate Zionist and was very active in zionist organizations. Nat reads one of his fathers poems about zionism. -In the late 1920’s Hyman founded the peoples forum in Ottawa for people to openly discuss their opinions. He also became active in the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), the early NDP political party. In 1933 Hyman wrote an article in which he says he sees the ideals of the testament in the CCF. -In 1930 Hyman became the first editor of the Jewish Standard in Toronto. -Nat talks of his fathers writing style and how he often infused latin in his writings. -Nat talks about his fathers hobbies; he was an active cricket player, loved music and played the violin. Nat then reads one of his fathers poems that highlights his love of music. -In 1950 Hyman organized a literary night where irish writer Padraic Colum and Hyman did a joint reading. -Hyman passed away in 1957 and in his last year he compiled a collection of writings on the jewish community that he had planned to publish. -Nat concludes by discussing his fathers sense of humor and reflecting on the relationship he had with him. -There is then a question period. END OF TAPE
- Location
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More details
- Extent
- 2 copies
- Genre / form
- sound recording
- Format
- Audio
- Harvested
- 2026-10-17T20:12:50Z · source datestamp n/a · cjhn