Rabinovitz (Rabinovici) Family
The Rabinovitz (Rabinovici) family of Vas Louie, Romania, was com- prised of father and mother Abraham and Toba Bella, six sons and one daughter. At the turn of the century the five older sons emigrated to Canada and set up a dry goods store in Calgary. In 1906 they sponsored their parents, who arrived with daughter Rose (Jaffe) and their preschool boy Gdalyah (George Robbins).
Abraham, an extremely devout man, was taken into the business but his main concern was religious observance which he undertook with zeal. At Succot he constructed and lived in his booth for the entire period and every feast and fast day was celebrated. In fact, one of the earliest comm- unity religious services took place in the Rabinovitz home.
The older sons scattered to Edmonton (Velvel), Detroit and other points. (One son was gassed in a mustard attack during WW I, and subsequently died and is buried in the Calgary Jewish Cemetery.) George and sister Rose stayed in Calgary, where he attended school, and went on to complete his medical studies.
When starting his practice, George Rabinovitz changed his name to Robbins. Dr. Robbins, a prominent Eye, ear, Nose and Throat Specialist, had offices located in the old Greyhound Building for over thirty years.
