The editors reserve the right to excerpt all letters exceeding 250 words in length. All letters must bear the name and address of the writer, although not necessarily for publication.
To the Editor, Jewish Daily Bulletin:
I read with unusual interest the special communication of the ex-king of the hoboes, J. Leon Lazarowitz, concerning the colony of Edenbridge in the prairie province of Saskatchewan. The article recalled to me many pleasant memories of incidents and personalities, some of whom Lazarowitz mentions: the Fensters, Rinders, Brodys and Raisins.
I would like to state that my father, Rabbi J. M. Slavin, had a considerable part in colonizing Edenbridge, and in shaping the Jewish character of the young and the old of this little colony. When our family moved there seventeen years ago, as part of my father’s work under Baron de Hirsch, we found that the small number of Jewish families there had a minimum amount of Jewish consciousness, being callous and impervious to anything Hebrew. Imbuing them with a love for things Jewish was quite a difficult matter. Another difficulty was trying to keep them on the soil. The role as farmer was much less popular then than it is now. As soon as an individual would acquire enough money to leave, nothing could hold him back; naturally, because of a lack of facilities, social and cultural.
A HEBREW PROGRAM
Among the experiences which made a lasting impression upon me was attending the Herzl Memorial meeting in the little town synagogue. In order to arrive in time for the Minha services, we rode for nearly a whole day in the hay wagon—a veritable outing, taking lunches and singing songs.
Aside from such pleasant times as memorial meetings, times were very hard for them. It is very gratifying for me to know that some of the old pioneers are still living there, remaining loyal, both as Jews and farmers; that at last a time has arrived when the Edenbridge people have no objections to a Hebrew program. I would like to add my personal wishes for the continued good work of the community, and for success in their agricultural work as Jews.
(Mrs.) DIANA S. FORMAN.
Dec. 14, 1934,
Petersburg, Va.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
