Baltzan (family)

Baltzan (family)

Jacob A. Baltzen was born in Leova, Bessarabia in 1873. After serving in the Russian Army, he immigrated to New York in 1904. After a year, he and his wife, Hinda Baltzan (neé Gerschobitz) and their daughters, Katie and Tosha, moved to New York. From New York, the family moved to a pioneer colony near Lipton, Saskatchewan. The family homesteaded until 1908. After Lipton, the family moved to Govan, Saskatchewan before settling in Edmonton, Alberta in 1911. In Edmonton Jacob partnered with Mr. M. Lurie to own and operate a furniture store located at 101 St and Jasper Ave. Jacob and Hinda participated in many Jewish community and organizations in Edmonton. In 1920, Hinda helped found the Ladies Chevra Kadisha, and in 1923, Hinda helped found the Mother's Auxiliary of the Talmud Torah. She also served as the first President of the Auxiliary, and held membership with the Ladies Aid Society of the Council of Jewish Women. In 1923, Jacob became Chair of the Talmud Torah Committee. In 1927, Jacob established the Hebrew Loan Association. In 1928, Jacob was made an Honorary Executive Member of the Beth Israel congregation. Jacob Baltzan died in 1939. Hinda passed away at the age of 98. In 1913, Hy Baltzan was born in Edmonton, Alberta to Jacob and Hinda. Hy also participated in numerous Jewish community organizations in Edmonton. He served as President of the B'nai Brith Lodge 732 and the Jewish Community Council. He also served as national and regional vice-president of the Canadian Jewish Congress, and held membership with the United Jewish Appeal Board of Directors, the Beth Shalom Building Committee, the Jewish Senior Citizen's Drop-in Centre, the Community Council of Archives and Historical Committee, and the Hillcrest Planning Committee. Negrev Dinner Honouree in 1976, Hy died on June 2, 2006, survived by his wife of 68 years, Celia.

Provincial Archives of Alberta