Susan Chernin discusses growing up in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia at the exhibit Jewish Life on Cape Breton Island at the Centre for Imaginative Ethnography, York University. Recorded in Toronto, ON by Ely Rosenblum
Leon Dubinsky was born in 1941, in Sydney, NS. Growing up in Sydney and Whitney Pier, his mother and father ran a grocery store, and later a ship chandlery selling supplies to convoys. They were active members of the Jewish community their entire lives, encouraging extended family to attend synagogue and get involved musically. Rabbi Kenner, himself interested in opera, assembled a choir at the synagogue. Half of the the choir was composed of Dubinsky family members, including Leon's uncles, aunts and cousins. Leon joined when he was 9, along with his siblings. He grew up playing with musicians, and collaborated with prominent Cape Breton musicians such as Rita MacNeil and the Rankin family. Leon was also involved in theatre, studying for an MA in Illinois, and returning to the island to perform in musicals and Shakespeare, which he toured nationally. His music group recorded ten albums of original material, one a year, through the 70s and 80s. His song and arrangement for We Rise Again is certainly his most popular, and is sung internationally. Leon lives in Englishtown, performing regularly during Celtic Colours. In this interview, Leon discusses his family, his father's career, living in Sydney and Englishtown, his music, and the Jewish community through the years. This Interview was conducted over the phone in the fall of 2013 at Cape Breton University by Ely Rosenblum.
In May of 2014, I connected with several families based in the Toronto area and put together an exhibit of photos and sound recordings I found in private collections, many of which came from Shirley Chernin. The Centre for Imaginative Ethnography, York University graciously hosted the event, which coincided with the Canadian Anthropological Society Conference. The event brought together a diverse group of people: anthropologists, folklorists, ethnomusicologists, scholars of Jewish studies, members and former members of the Jewish community from Cape Breton. This exhibit is the site of my inquiry and curiosity. The space was not meant to be entirely self explanatory, nor complete, an invitation to discuss the growing historical account of Jewish life on the island. Dr. Marcia Ostashewski gave attendees a glimpse into the experiences of East and Central European communities on the island, with more similarities than differences amongst them. -Ely Rosenblum
In May of 2014, I connected with several families based in the Toronto area and put together an exhibit of photos and sound recordings I found in private collections, many of which came from Shirley Chernin. The Centre for Imaginative Ethnography, York University graciously hosted the event, which coincided with the Canadian Anthropological Society Conference. The event brought together a diverse group of people: anthropologists, folklorists, ethnomusicologists, scholars of Jewish studies, members and former members of the Jewish community from Cape Breton. This exhibit is the site of my inquiry and curiosity. The space was not meant to be entirely self explanatory, nor complete, an invitation to discuss the growing historical account of Jewish life on the island. Dr Randall Schnoor provided insight into the experiences of other Jewish communities, beginning in small towns and moving into larger city centres. -Ely Rosenblum
In May of 2014, I connected with several families based in the Toronto area and put together an exhibit of photos and sound recordings I found in private collections, many of which came from Shirley Chernin. The Centre for Imaginative Ethnography, York University graciously hosted the event, which coincided with the Canadian Anthropological Society Conference. The event brought together a diverse group of people: anthropologists, folklorists, ethnomusicologists, scholars of Jewish studies, members and former members of the Jewish community from Cape Breton. This exhibit is the site of my inquiry and curiosity. The space was not meant to be entirely self explanatory, nor complete, an invitation to discuss the growing historical account of Jewish life on the island. Dr Randall Schnoor provided insight into the experiences of other Jewish communities, beginning in small towns and moving into larger city centres. -Ely Rosenblum
In May of 2014, I connected with several families based in the Toronto area and put together an exhibit of photos and sound recordings I found in private collections, many of which came from Shirley Chernin. The Centre for Imaginative Ethnography, York University graciously hosted the event, which coincided with the Canadian Anthropological Society Conference. The event brought together a diverse group of people: anthropologists, folklorists, ethnomusicologists, scholars of Jewish studies, members and former members of the Jewish community from Cape Breton. This exhibit is the site of my inquiry and curiosity. The space was not meant to be entirely self explanatory, nor complete, an invitation to discuss the growing historical account of Jewish life on the island. Dr Randall Schnoor provided insight into the experiences of other Jewish communities, beginning in small towns and moving into larger city centres. -Ely Rosenblum
Excerpt from IN-07004 (0:00-3:09) with Kaz Sawitzki (August 17, 2010): building the ikonostas at Holy Ghost Church, the icons in the church. Length: 3:09
