Tell Me Why Nights are Lonesome

by Muriel Gold

At a recent book launch at Israel's Judaica in Toronto, Muriel Gold spoke about her parents and the biography she has recently written about them. 

Muriel invited JIAS to participate in the event because she felt that the evening would be particularly significant for us.  In 1920 Muriel's father Salek Bernard Haltrecht became the founding director of the Jewish Immigrant Aid Society in Montreal, (later to become JIAS Canada)

S. B Haltrecht

In the book Muriel describes her father's appointment to JIAS:

" ... word was out that the Canadian Jewish Congress was forming an organization called the Jewish Immigrant Aid Society (JIAS) and that they were looking for a young, dynamic and educated person to run it.  Surely this was a splendid opportunity.  Bernard needed no coaxing.  He applied for the position and secured an interview with the search committee, which consisted of prominent Jewish community leaders.

"Bernard waited on tenterhooks for some form of notification.  At last it came in the form of an informal telephone call.  "Well, Mr. Haltrecht," the chairman of the committee said, "Congratulations. The Board unanimously decided that you are our preferred candidate.  We'll expect to see you at our next meeting....

"Hallelujah!  He had landed the job.  Now Bernard not only held a permanent position, but more important, a prestigious and challenging one, one through which he could make an important contribution to the community."

He never minded or complained about the long hours, the perpetual workload, the continual anxiety that required his complete energies.  For this dedication he expected no official recognition or reward.

Remembering his own personal obstacles, his struggle in the new world, his ambition and drive, he had summoned that indefatigable energy, commitment and dedication to help others whose needs were even greater than his had been.

In a letter giving advice to his nephews in 1926, Mr. Haltrecht wrote:

"I left my home in Poland when I was only 13, and when I reached Canada, a strange country - I knew nobody and nobody knew me - I was 19 years of age.  It is true I had to struggle for some time, but this struggle made me what I am today.  It is the struggle for existence that makes life worth living.  It is the struggle for existence that is the cause of all progress and the mainstay of our civilization."

Over eighty years later, JIAS is still seen at the first contact point for many Jewish immigrants and refugees.  It is proud to be the voice of the Canadian Jewish Communities on immigration and settlement.

Mila Voihanski, JIAS Canada Executive Director (left) with Muriel Gold at the book launch

"Tell Me Why Nights are Lonesome" by Muriel Gold is published by Shoreline  www.shorelinepress.ca