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September 26, 2008
Up for the challenges
New museum chief wants to expand its reach.
OLGA LIVSHIN
The first time I met Laura Moodie, the new executive director and curator of the Jewish Museum and Archives of British Columbia, I didn't know who she was. In August 2008, I volunteered for the Isaac Waldman Jewish Public Library, selling books. She bought some from me, books on Jewish traditions and cooking, Hebrew calligraphy and world synagogues. "I need them for work," she said and smiled. When I met her a month later for this interview, I wasn't even surprised to see her familiar, smiling face. Somehow, I knew it would be her.
A few plastic boxes on Moodie's desk were filled with painted crystals and old, dented jewelry. "We're preparing for gold panning at the celebration of Israel at 60," she explained. "We bought some real gold and people donated their old jewelry." With a mischievous look, she nodded at the box of faded rhinestones. "Who knows – some of them might be real diamonds."
Only an irrepressible optimist could see diamonds in a pile of colored glass. It is the same attitude that makes Moodie uniquely suited to be the leader of the young Jewish museum.
"It's a baby of a museum," she said with a loving smile. "It's only one year old. So much work is ahead. We have to establish a good permanent collection, organize record keeping, build programs attractive to both adults and children." She looked ecstatic just listing these chores.
Moodie has master's degrees in art history and history, plus three years of training in museum management from Algonquin College in Ottawa. She has worked for many museums in Canada, big and small, including the National Postal Museum in Ottawa, a number of smaller museums in British Columbia and the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, where she worked for 11 years. As well, she has taught antiquity courses at various universities and colleges in Ontario and she has been an advisor to small museums in many Canadian cities on how they could generate their collections and catalogue their artifacts.
On the recommendation of Dr. Yosef Wosk, whom Moodie knew from their studying together at the University of Victoria, she applied for the position of executive director of the B.C. Jewish Museum and Archives, and she is excited to have been chosen.
Although she is not Jewish herself, her connection to the Jewish people runs deep. Before her divorce, she was married to a Jewish man for 20 years, and her mother-in-law made sure Moodie knew Jewish customs and traditions. And, despite Jewish matrilineal descent, her daughter considers herself a Jew. "I understand the mindset of the Jewish people," Moodie said proudly. "I'm very glad that this position will bring me back to the Jewish community."
In operation for three decades, the Jewish Historical Society of British Columbia, which administers both the museum and the archives, has amassed a huge amount of personal and business documents and photographs, but the museum itself is still in its infancy.
"For 150 years, Jewish people have lived in B.C.," Moodie said. "The first Jews came here in 1858, as suppliers for the gold rush. The museum should reflect their lives, their pasts and futures. It should be recognized by every Jew in B.C. as a place which collects and preserves their history for eternity."
Moodie's plans for the new museum are diverse, including short- and long-term initiatives. She has identified the need for more exposure, the necessity to bring the museum to light for the entire Jewish community in the province. She said she looks to the Jewish museum in Copenhagen as an example of a museum that is well integrated in the community. "They market their museum very well," she said. "They have a wonderful movie they show to all the visitors. It introduces people to the history of the museum." Moodie would like to shoot a similar movie about the Vancouver museum.
Like every museum professional in Canada, Moodie bemoans the lack of funds. "Our museum relies on donations," she said. "Jewish people have to know that this museum is their place to celebrate their ancestors and their vibrant community."
Happy to receive a recent donation of eight computers, she is hoping to attract the younger generation by some virtual tours. "We might reserve special days for teachers' training," she mused. "We also want to work on genealogical projects and perhaps take some collections on the road, to travel throughout the province."
Despite being extremely busy with her work, Moodie finds the time to study Hebrew. "I always loved calligraphy," she admitted. "Hebrew letters are so beautiful. Besides, knowing Hebrew will help at the museum."
Her other hobby is collecting historical store catalogues. She has about 200 catalogues in her collection, starting from 1860. "They help in my research," she said. "Catalogues are mirrors of social culture; each one of them a snapshot of a moment in history."
The newest exhibition of the museum – Fashioning Lives: Questions of Identity – opened on Sept. 18. Dedicated to the Vancouver fashion designer Lore Maria Wiener, it interlaces international couture with Jewish history and identity. It fits well with Moodie's vision for the museum.
Olga Livshin is a Vancouver freelance writer.
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