This Nov. 11 marks the 76th annual Remembrance Day ceremony at the University of British Columbia (UBC).
The ceremony takes place at War Memorial Gymnasium, built to honour UBC students who enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces and lost their lives in battle. A plaque in the gymnasium foyer bears their names, including Edward Joseph “Joe” Seidelman, a UBC sophomore who enlisted during the First World War and was killed on the first day of the Battle of Passchendaele. After being hospitalized when he was wounded at Vimy Ridge, Seidelman returned to the Passchendaele front, where he was killed while helping a wounded officer. Seidelman was 20 years old and was scheduled, had he not enlisted, to graduate from UBC in 1918.
Seidelman came from a pioneering Vancouver Jewish family; his father arrived in the city around 1885. When Joe died, he was survived by his widowed mother and four siblings: Rachel (Dr. William Morris), Harry (Esther), Benjamin (Sarah) and William (Hazel).
During his time in the army, Seidelman wrote letters that he sent home to his family, 87 of which are in the collection of the Jewish Museum and Archives of British Columbia. The subjects of his letters range from descriptions of a soldier’s life to advice on household matters, with plenty of playful sibling teasing in between. You can view an exhibit of the letters at jewishmuseum.ca/exhibits/letters-home.
Joe’s nephew, Perry Seidelman, the son of Harry, recalls attending every UBC Remembrance Day Service, beginning when he was about 7 years old, initially going with his father and brother. In recent years, he has attended with his own family, including his grandson Joe (Joseph), who was named after his great-great-uncle.
While acknowledging Joe Seidelman and his significant sacrifice, Seidelman’s story also represents that of the many Jewish Canadians who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces and died in the line of duty.
This year, for the first time, following the traditional Remembrance Day ceremonies that honour all Canadians who died while serving in the Canadian Armed Forces, UBC Hillel will host a bagel lunch to honour those armed forces members (and/or their families) who were Jewish and also died while serving Canada. Attendees will hear from Capt. Adam D. Braverman, among others, and participate in a memorial service led by Rabbi Kylynn Cohen.
Hillel House is located near War Memorial Gymnasium, making it convenient for those attending the UBC ceremony to take part, although all members of the Jewish community (and others) attending any other Remembrance Day service are also welcome. Register in advance at tinyurl.com/582dk59z.
– Courtesy Jewish Museum and Archives of British Columbia
