Joffe Family
It was circa 1903 when the Joffe brothers, Sam and Joe, went to New York from Seraj, Russia and opened a confectionery store.
After about a year they were persuaded by the CPR ads to “go west” to Calgary. They were provided with free transportation and the promise of food for the trip, which turned out to be bread and sardines. The winter of 1906 was bitterly cold. They wanted to go back to New York but had no funds to do so.
Joe went to work laying the cobblestones for the 2nd Street E. railway underpass. He then worked as a painter in Banff where he painted the Mount royal Hotel.
The brothers then opened two “Joffe Brothers” clothing stores in Calgary. In 1931 Joe opened Garden Clothing.
Sam Joffe travelled back to Russia and brought back his bride, Ellen (Elka) Chaikin. Another Seraj family, the Malkins, came to Calgary about 1910 and Joe married Ruth Malkin.
Joe, an ardent Zionist, was immediately active in the small Jewish community. With others, he planted hedges down the hillside at the Jewish Cemetery to keep the land from sliding. For his contributions to the Beth Jacob Synagogue, Joe was given a lifetime seat of honour. Ruth Joffe died in 1944, Joe in 1963.
Two Joffe brothers came later to Canada — Noah (1893-1961) and Leo (1895-1959). They all had stores, at one time or another, in the Drumheller area and later in Calgary.
Noah married Hattie Diamond (1902-1982) and Leo’s wife was Bella Levitt (1904-1973).
