- Ottawa Jewish Archives
- Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
- The Tissot affair and anti-semitism in Ottawa in the 1930s
The Tissot affair and anti-semitism in Ottawa in the 1930s
Description only — contact the archiveO0045
- Held by
- Ottawa Jewish Archives via Canadian Jewish Heritage Network (incl. Alex Dworkin Canadian Jewish Archives)
- Dates
- September 15, 2003 (indexed as 2003)
- Level
- item
- Scope & content
- Subject: AJ Freiman, The Tissot Affair and Anti-Semitism Interviewer: N/A Date: September 17, 2003 Interview Location: Ottawa, ON Length of Time: 1:15:42 -Archibald Jacob (A.J.) Freiman was born in 1880 in Lithuania and in 1893 he came to Hamilton Ontario and in 1902 he moved to Ottawa and founded Freimans at 73 Rideau Street. By 1923 it had become Freimans Ltd. -A.J. was a very active leader of zionism in Canada. On December 18th, 1901 A.J. attended the second convention of zionist societies in Montreal. By 1919 he had been elected as the president of the Zionist Organization of Canada. His grandson, A.J., then talks about his fathers work organizing and fundraising for the purchase of land in Palestine. -A.J. was married to Lillian Freiman in 1903 and her achievements and work are discussed. She helped launch Hadasa across Canada, created the Poppy Day in Ottawa and spearheaded the Ukranian Orphan project where 200 orphans were brought to Canada and given homes. In 1934 Lillian was given the Order of the British Empire for her work in Ottawa. -A.J. then discusses the Tissot affair and his grandfather's involvement in the case. He begins by discussing the anti-semetic newspaper called Le Patriote, this publication was well known for printing offensive articles and comics. An avid reader of this newspaper was Detective Jean Tissot. A.J. then reads some excerpts from the paper to further emphasize the anti-semitic rhetoric. -In 1935 Det. Tissot was actively working to destroy A.J. Freiman and his business. Tissot was known for asking Herbert Munro and partner at a publishing house to reprint and distribute Le Patriote across Ottawa. It became clear that Tissot was trying to rally people into a boycott of jewish businesses. Munro was a friend and ally of A.J. and he refused to distribute the boycott and helped A.J. become aware of Tissot’s movement. -A.J. published a rebuttal against La Patriote in La Droite, which A.J. then reads an excerpt from. He also mentions that Munro’s defense of him proved that anti-semitism was not widespread among all of Ottawa, rather it was a small group of select people pushing this rhetoric. -In May of 1935 A.J. and his business were attacked in La Patriote, which was then distributed by Tissot. A.J. decided to file charges against Tissot for libel. -Tissot had 25 years experience on the Ottawa Police Force and due to the charges and his conduct in regards to anti-semitism he was suspended from the force. -A.J. then discusses the case, specifically the defense’s arguments. Tissot’s lawyer Vincent (?) appeared to share his anti-semitic views and his line of questioning shifted the blame off of Tissot and onto Jewish business practices. This case became about the Jewish population in Ottawa. -Munro also provided testimony in defense of A.J. and parts of his testimony is read out. A.J. emphasises how much his grandfather appreciated Munro defending him publicly once again. -Tissot was convicted on 2 counts of libel and was fined $50. However, the judge went out of his way to say Tissot’s suspension from the force was too harsh and his fine was so low due to his good behaviour. Additionally, when Tissot left the Courthouse he was met with a group of supporters; further showing the climate of anti-semitism in the 1930’s. -A.J. then touches on his fathers recollection of the case and reads excerpts from the court documents, The Ottawa Citizen, and interviews. He pays specific attention to a line of questioning Vincent took against A.J. and his involvement in Zionism. -At the time of Tissot’s conviction he was running for local election and used the case to further his campaign and gain support. Unfortunately this was slightly successful and he saw moderate success. -A.J. concludes his talk by reading an excerpt from The Ottawa Citizen from 2003; it was an article about a group of Neo Nazis in Germany and their attacks on a synagogue. He uses this to show his own shock at an article from 2003 sounding as if it could have been published in the 1930’s. -A question period and further speakers then begins. -Joe (?) gives a short talk about the climate in the 1930’s. He discusses his memories of Freiman’s, anti-semitism he experienced, and the depression. He also talks of his own experience trying to attend the University of Ottawa and getting rejected due entirely to his faith. -Irving (?) then gives a short talk. He speaks of the reverence Ottawa has for Archibald and Lillian to this day. He furthers the talk on anti-semitism and tells a story of his aunt, Freida Steinman, and her work with the American Ambassador who was jewish. She had booked him a hotel for a visit to the capital where they cancelled upon learning he was jewish and forbade him from setting foot on the grounds. He then reads Mackenzie King's speech about Archibald Freiman on his death. -Godalia Rosenfeld (?) from Montreal then gives a short talk. Talks of his own experiences with Le Patriote, and talks of Tissot’s life after leaving Ottawa. -Hy Soloway gives a small speech. Talks of his early life in Russia, and the climate in the 20th century for jews, as well as his experience meeting Tissot. END OF TAPE
- Location
- rue Rideau · street · confidence 50% · street · found as “Rideau Street”
Where
More details
- Genre / form
- sound recording
- Format
- Audio
- Harvested
- 2026-10-17T20:12:50Z · source datestamp n/a · cjhn