Cape Breton's Magazine

1902. And we built a shul in the Pier in 1911. And then, in 1914 or '15 we bought an old church, where the present shul is there now (Whitney Avenue). It belonged to the Baptists. So the Jews bought it. And then the people from the Pier used to move to Charlotte Street. (The stores moved?) Yeah. And their homes. Then we had what you call our YMHA (Young Men's Hebrew Association), There were 10 of us boys, single fellows, we gathered up and made like a library for us, you know, gathered up a few books and this, made some gatherings. And we started building a club. We built one room, then a second room. With our own help. Everybody contrib? uted the work. We built a beautiful audi? torium- -the YMHA of Sydney. That was the only one east of Montreal. It was beauti? ful. And then, all affairs used to take place in that, bar mitzvahs and weddings and everything. Two storey. A big basement underneath, finished, and a floor. There was everything going on. We used to have all kinds of gatherings. That's the only one in the Maritimes, boy. It burned down about 25 years ago. So, the money we got for the insurance, we sent it to Israel. And we have in Israel the Sydney YMHA. In that money, there's a YMHA there in our name. (What interests me is that this was important to you, but you did not feel yourself terribly religious.) No, I was never religious. I am a Jew at heart, but I am not a fanatic. Not shukeling and dov- ening (prayer with rhythmic motions)--not for me. I'm a freethinker. But I'm a good Yid at heart. In shul, I contribute. My hand is always open. And I contribute to everything else. When I got into Charlotte Street, I joined up in an athletic club. And I started pro? moting. I promoted a 3-mile race--walking race, running race--5-mile, 10-mile, and 15-mile, All those years. And then later on, I promoted a swimming race from North BRIAND'S CAB Cape Breton c'r;;;?'waj. Miners Museum J|_ 'f 'J g' J' see the beautiful CABOT TRAIL 564-6161 564-6162 Matties Meats and Groceries Meat Fish Freezer Beef Fresh Local Vegetables Grocery Items * OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK * Reeves St., Port Hawkesbury 625-1124 Cape Breton Mental Health Centre Main Location: 1st Floor, Cape Breton Hospital, Sydney River Satellite Clinics Serve These Areas: North Sydney, Glace Bay, New Waterford, Harbour, Ingonish, Cheticamp, Baddeck, Neil's St. Peter's Services: Psychotherapy, Individual Counselling, Marriage & Family Counselling, Group Therapy, Consultation to Agencies, Schools, etc.. Drug Therapy, Forensic Assessment, Psychological Testing, Parenting, Children's Services Referrals accepted from all sources. You can even refer yourself. (44) Please Call 562-3202 or 562-3110 or 562-3333