Social Activities
During the last century, the members of the St. Catharines Jewish community took part in a wide array of informal as well as formal activities. Some of the informal activities included parties at the Friedman family home. Eleanor Friedman Lambert recalls many families dropping by her house after Rosh Hashanah services. The family also had an open door policy following Friday night services as well. Her mother would serve guests tea with her famous apple squares. Everyone there would socialize, she stated, and discuss current events. The Slepkov family was also known for their parties. During the summer, they would host barbecues and during the winter, between Christmas and New Years when the retail season would subside, they would host a winter party. As many as 25 couples would attend.
During the summer months, many of the families would head to nearby Crystal Beach. Some families had cottages there, others stayed at hotels or with friends for the weekend or an extended visit. Harold Nash recalls spending summers there with Arlie Katzman, where they worked at one of the many Jewish businesses along Main Street. This area boasted a dance hall, midway and other attractions that kept visitors entertained. Port Dalhousie and Bay Beach were also popular summer spots for Jews from St. Catharines and Buffalo. Queenston Heights, a historical park made famous by the War of 1812, was also used by residents for picnics and social gatherings.
There were also a number of important weddings that took place in St. Catharines. For instance, during the early 1940s, Harry Tomarin married Adele Slepkov. This wedding brought together two prominent local families. The ceremony was held in the shul and the bride and groom had several attendants. During that period, Harry’s sister, Rhona Tomarin, wed Max Alexandroff, who hailed from Toronto, but was also from a family that ran a junk business. Another important nuptial was that of Lorene Herzog and Archie Katzman, one of the most prominent members of the Jewish community.
