By Nancy Miller Chenier
the Actzia, Bodovsky family
The Jewish community in Lowertown expanded after the First World War, with many of the newcomers arriving with multiple family members, minimal or no English or French language ability and little wealth. The tradition of extending financial and other assistance to fellow Jews took on new importance in a city where opportunities for work and financial support were limited. At a time when established financial institutions would not extend credit to anyone without collateral, both newly arrived and others in need turned to more economically secure community members for help.
The Actzia, a financial self-help group, was one of several organizations developed by the Jewish community to assist its members. Sylvia Bodovsky Kershman, who grew up at 321 St Andrew Street, remembered the Actzia, then located in the Talmud Torah at 171 George Street. In her book Life Lines and Other Lines, she reminisced about going to George Street with her father, Wolfe Bodovsky when he went to make payments against a loan. This money would have helped the family develop their successful wholesale and retail butcher business in the ByWard Market.
Times were particularly tough in the 1930s and this may have been the motivation for the Karachunsky and Weiner families, who are credited with initiating this effort to meet the needs of the community. Moses Karachunsky, who had a fruit business on Clarence Street, and Isaac Weiner, who had a shop with second-hand goods at the corner of William and York, were probably able to obtain bank loans and then could provide some funds to support the organization.ike other credit co-operatives, the shares purchased by members demonstrated commitment to a common good and also supplied some of the money needed for loans. Sylvia Bodovsky Kershman recalled that the small pre-determined payments were made every Sunday, and that the occasion provided a time to socialize while enjoying refreshments that always included herring and schnapps.
The Actzia closed in the mid-1950s at a time when credit was more available. But its story carries on as another example of a Lowertown community group coming together for mutual support and committing to help each other overcome shared financial barriers.