Abraham Horwitz came with his family to the U.S.A. from Riga, Latvia, in 1887. In 1918 he came to Calgary with his wife Bertha and children Annette and Cecil. Abraham started his business career as a scrap metal dealer and was active in many areas of the Calgary Jewish community. Bertha Horwitz organized the first Jewish Ladies' Aid Society.

Cecil Horwitz came to Calgary from Bellingham, Washington, with his parents in 1918. From his youth he was a leader in Jewish community affairs. He founded the first AZA Chapter in Canada in 1926, and later served as President of INternational B'nai B'rith District Six. Cecil is particularily remembered for his role in the establishment of the "new" Beth Israel Synagogue on Glenmore Trail.

Taken just prior to his departure for Canada, this photo shows the 17-year-old at the unveiling of his grandmother's headstone in Silale, Tauraga, Lithuania. After the untimely death of his father, Rabbi Chaim Nausam Moises, Samuel was raised by his mother and maternal grandparents.

Left to right: Sara Leye Fiselaize Moises (Samuel's mother), Samuel and grandfather Fiselaize.