BOROD (BORODITSKY), Sam and Layah = Canadian Jewish Servicemen Memoir and Pioneer Women Na'amat
Extent and Medium
1 compact disc (CD-ROM). - 0.3 metres of textual records. - 2 photographs. - 4 sound elements.
Biographical History
Born in 1914, Sam Boroditsky of Montreal (the name was later changed to Borod) was a veteran of the European front in WWII. He was a paratrooper in Italy and the Aleutian Islands during WWII, earning many Canadian service decorations. He later worked in UNRAA, helping refugees overseas. His wife Laya (Surchin) Borod, born in 1922, was the daughter of Chaya Surchin, an early Zionist activist in Montreal. Layah was the first national executive director of Naamat Pioneer Women Canada and was the editor of their magazine. She was also the only Canadian president of the Pioneer Women Na'amat of America. Laya Borod worked in the office of CJC during the war, rising to office manager at age 19. She was active in Na'amat until her death in 2006. Sam Borod died in Montreal on May 8, 2012.
Acquisition
The collection was donated by Sam Borod on May 26, 2005. The Borod collection came to CJCNA after Sam Borod approached Tatiana Jour at the Jewish Veteran's talk given by Jour. Addition 2007 was donated by Sam Borod on April 12, 2007.
Scope and Content
Diary written while a World War II soldier, in a small notebook, also available in digital format; comprising 33 out of the approximately 127 pages of scanned materials, which also include newsclippings and photographs. CD of the digital copies of the diary and other documents, as initially received and scanned by Tatiana Jour in the context of her Russian Jewish Archives Project. It was noted at the time of the donation to the Archives that further materials on UNRAA (postwar aid to refugees) and Na'amat could be donated by the Borods at a later date. Added in 2007: Materials in prose, poetry and song pertaining to the history of Pioneer Woman Na'amat and Revivim, composed by Layah Surchin Borod. Binder of publicity clippings and ephemera of Na'amat. Binder of songs. Binder of Layah's memoirs, in verse, 1923-1960. Shaare Tzedek synagogue bulletins with material written by Layah or about Sam. Biography of Sam Borod written by Layah, including pre-war and wartime experiences. 4 cassette tapes of Revivim events. 2 original 1940s portrait photos, one each of Layah and Sam, Sam's portrait autographed to Layah. Small WWII Jewish serviceman's calendar and notebook, both with addresses as well as Japanese phrases.
Note(s)
Alpha-numeric designations: P05/08, P07/11.General note: Historical materials pertaining to women's involvement in Zionist organization, women's personal history, literary creations, also wartime experiences of a Canadian paratrooper.