Montreal of Yesterday: Jewish Life in Montreal 1900-1920

For the first time, this captivating classic on Jewish immigrant life in Montreal (1900-1920) is available in English. Immigrant life, class divisions, the first socialists, the first Jewish bookstore, Canadian life, the press, art and business, Yiddish vaudeville, politics and citizenship, Jewish soldiers, writers, the poor, and religious observance are described with warmth and good humor. Israel Medres was a staff writer for the Keneder Adlerfor 25 years. Thousands of Yiddish-speaking Eastern European immigrants read the newspaper not only for information about everything from world news to local events, but also for literary works of poetry, prose and humor. His articles appeared in Yiddish papers the world over. When Medres wrote Montreal of Yesterdayin the aftermath of World War II, the period from 1900 to 1920 already seemed remote. By 1947, the immigration period had long since come to an end, and the future of world Jewry was uncertain. Medres was writing a true social history that was considered a subject worthy of serious study in university history departments. Vivian Felsen's introduction provides background to the events in Europe that led to almost 30,000 Eastern European Jews settling in Montreal. Historical photographs, a glossary, and J.I. Segal's original foreword complete this important document of Canadian social history.