Sheftel Family
Ben Sheftel was only 17 when he left the Ukraine in 1923 on a journey halfway across the world, to the home of an aunt in Calgary.
Hard work put young Ben in the scrap metal business, where he did well enough to send to Europe for the rest of his family. In 1926, his parents, Moishe (Morris) and Chasia Sheftel, along with four brothers and sisters — Molly, Sheva, Harry and Leo — joined him in Calgary.
Morris and Chasia Sheftel operated a grocery stall in the City Hall Market, on the site where the Olympic Plaza now stands. The younger children helped the parents after school. The family home was only a block away.
In 1929 Morris Sheftel opened the Empress grocery store, on the site of the present Garry Theatre on 9th Avenue E. A second store opened in 1931 and a third in 1939. Each Empress Store sold hardware and farm supplies in addition to grocery lines.
The Sheftel family accumulated a host of friends and faithful customers through the Depression years. The Empress Stores extended credit to both rural and urban customers to help them span the gap between relief cheques, and even from harvest to harvest.
Between the early thirties and the late 1970’s Harry Sheftel became a highly-regarded cattle dealer, much of his business being done between Calgary and the United States markets. He married Fanny Zeidman in 1930.
Harry and Fanny Sheftel had three children: Rose (married to Dr. David Zivot), Annette (Sid Shafron), and Harvey (Marilyn Yuffe), who died in 1991. There are seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Harry was an active member of Shaarey Tzedec Synagogue, B’nai B’rith, and the Chevra Kadisha. He passed away at the age of 71, in 1975.
Chasia Sheftel died in 1936. Her husband Morris and sons Ben and Leo continued to run the Empress Stores. Morris passed away in 1953, and as the retail stores were phased out, all three brothers became active in real estate and hotel ventures.
Ben Sheftel married Bella Goodman; they had three children: Allan Sheftel (Eve) and Evelyn (married to Mike Brager), both of Ontario, and Frances Kolinsky of Calgary. There are six grandchildren and five great- grandchildren. Ben Sheftel was a founder and President of Shaarey Tzedec Synagogue and an active B’nai B’rith member. Ben died in 1984 at 80 years of age.
Sheva Sheftel, born in 1898, married Moishe Baren in Calgary. They operated a stall in the City Hall Market for many years. Sheva died in 1991. The Baren’s daughters are Betty Crystal (Jack) of London, England, and Sylvia Milrod (Ralph) of Toronto. The Barens had four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Molly Sheftel married David Baber in 1929. The Babers operated a grocery store in the Hillhurst area for many years. Molly passed away in 1966. She and Dave Baber left three children: Albert (Inga) of Montreal, Cecil (Stella) of New York and Diane (Charles Verrill) of Washington, D.C.
The youngest brother, Leo Sheftel, married Goldie Gopman. Leo and Goldie Sheftel have two daughters: Harriet, married to Philip Libin, and Shelia, wife of Dr. Ralph Gurevitch. Leo and Goldie have five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Leo Sheftel was the first Chairman of the Calgary Convention Centre. He served as President of Shaarey Tzedec Congregation for eleven years, and has been a B’nai B’rith member for 52 years.
Leo continues his many community involvements. He remains active in the hotel business and is often referred to as “Mister Hospitality” by his customers and associates.
The generosity, kindness and hard work of all the Sheftel family have left an indelible mark on the Calgary Jewish community.