Birth: April 15, 1868 in Lithuania
Death: June 22, 1941 in Victoria, B.C.
Plot: Row G – Plot 28
Inscription:
פ׳נ
איש תם וישר
מרדכי
בר ברוך בערנער
רב יקר וקטויא
נפ כז סיון תשא לפק
ת נ צ ב ה
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
MARCUS BERNER
RABBI OF VICTORIA
DIED 22 JUNE 1941
AGED 77 YEARS
R.I.P.
Translation of inscription:
פ׳נ
(Abbreviation of Hebrew: “Buried here”)
איש תם וישר
מרדכיi
בר ברוך בערנער
רב יקר וקטויא
נפ כז סיון תשא לפק
(Hebrew:
A simple and honest man
Mordechai bar Baruch Berner
Rabbi [unclear]
Passed away 27 Sivan 5700 [unclear] )
ת נ צ ב ה
(Abbreviation of Hebrew: “May his/her soul be bound with the bond of life.”)
In loving memory of
Marcus Berner
Rabbi of Victoria”
Died 22 June 1941
Aged 77 years
R.I.P.
Biography:
Pioneer farmer and preeminent pioneer rabbi of the prairies
As a young man, Marcus went to England from his native Lithuania and became a student of the Chief Rabbi of the British Empire, Dr. Hermann Adler. Marcus served as a Jewish “Minister” to an Orthodox congregation. He married Annie Koslofsky in Mile End, Old Town London in 1890.
Marcus’ ambition was to become a farmer and own his own land. To that end, on May 7, 1899, Marcus, Annie, and their children; eight-year-old Barnet (“Benjamin” or “Ben”), four-year-old Janie “Cissie” Sophia, two-year-old Isaac and one-month-old Israel arrived in Quebec City from Liverpool, England. The Incoming Passenger list recorded that Marcus was a farmer destined for Yorkton, Assiniboia, (now southern Saskatchewan).
Marcus and his family settled in the Baron Hirsch Colony situated in southern-eastern Saskatchewan closer to the American border near the Souris River between Alameda and Estevan. Founded in 1892, the Hirsch Colony was one of the earliest Jewish farm settlements the N.W.T. (North-Western Territory), now Saskatchewan. The Berner family built their home in 1899 on a plot of 160 acres. Marcus would eventually expand his property to 913 acres. A detailed description of the early days at the Hirsch Colony was published in the Manitoba Semi Weekly Free Press on August 20, 1900. (posted below)
Marcus’s sons Meyer and Henry Gudah were born on the homestead. In addition to farming, Marcus was a pioneer rabbi and spiritual leader of Western Canada; the first shochet (ritual slaughter), the first to officiate at Jewish weddings in Saskatchewan and the first mohel (ritual circumciser). He served for more than 30 years at the House of Israel Synagogue, one of the earliest synagogues on the prairies.
He was also a teacher and chairman of the Hirsch Public School Board, one of the first rural school boards in Saskatchewan. The board hired James G. Gardiner as a teacher. He later became Premier of Saskatchewan and Minister of Agriculture for the Dominion.
Annie died in childbirth when she was in her early thirties, probably on December 21, 1904 in Brandon, Manitoba (264 km from Hirsch Colony). It seems that she was giving birth to Henry (“Hank” or “Slim”). Hank became an actor. He met Helen Deborah Segal at the University of Manitoba. The couple spent a short time in Ottawa, where their son David Berner was born. Shortly after their move to Ottawa, Hank reported for duty as a pilot for the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) and RAF (Royal Air Force), flying missions out of England. The couple never married as was Deborah’s wont. Within a few days of David’s birth, Deborah travelled with her infant son by train to Winnipeg. They lived in her parents’ home along with her younger sister.
Both Isaac “Isie” and Benjamin left the prairies to fight overseas in the Great War. Historian Sarah Tobe published a piece about them in the War and Home Front issue of The Scribe November 1995 Volume XV No.2.
On March 17, 1914, Marcus married the widow Yetta Breger Yamrom in Winnipeg. She had three young children, Eva, William and the infant Alexander. Marcus adopted Alex, but his older siblings didn’t want to be adopted.
Granddaughter Rabbi Leila Gal Berner reported that Marcus treated her father, Alex, like his own son and that Marcus was a wonderful father. Alex often told stories from Marcus’ life on the farm with his horse “Queenie”. Marcus told bedtime stories based on Talmudic Aggadah (rabbinic literature)
Granddaughter Ann Herstein (Sissie’s daugher) told stories to historian Sarah Tobe about Marcus using his horse while visiting Manitoba and North Dakota. Sissie revealed that Marcus had a Passover cow that they would feed in accordance with the kosher traditions for Passover. That was the only cow that they milked during the holiday.
Rabbi Berner’s grandson by marriage, Eli Mandel, was a poet of some note who received the Governor General’s Award.
According to the 1916 Canada Census of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, Marcus’ mother tongue was “Jewish”. He was literate and spoke English, but not French. According to the Federal Electoral District: Moose Mountain, Saskatchewan he was naturalized in 1902.
Drought and the dust bowl on the prairies forced Marcus to seek employment elsewhere. His search brought him to Victoria. Due to the tough economic times, he agreed to accept whatever salary the congregation could afford. Letters between Marcus and the board are posted above.
On December 29, 1931, The Victoria Daily Times reported that Marcus had been appointed minister at the “Emmanu-El” (sic) synagogue. A series of letters between Rabbi Berner and the Board are available at the Jewish Museum and Archives. According to the paper, Marcus and his wife had arrived on Sunday and Marcus would begin his “ministry” on Friday evening. The paper continued: “He is well known in Victoria having conducted services here in connection with the Jewish New Year, the Day of Atonement and the Feast of the Tabernacle.”
In addition to conducting all the regular and special services at the synagogue, Marcus agreed to organize a religious school for Jewish children.
Although Marcus’ intention was to return to his farm in a year or two when the weather improved, he and Yetta stayed in Victoria for the last ten years of his life, residing at 957 Mears Street, Apartment 2.
Throughout the 1930’s the Times Colonist routinely published announcements of the Jewish holidays. The article included a short explanation of the holidays and noted that Rabbi Berner would be officiating.
Marcus was also involved in the wider community.
On April 23, 1935, The Province printed his’ endorsement of a proposal by the Tourist Trade Development Association of Victoria and Vancouver Island. Marcus wrote that he had the “greatest admiration for the energy, thought and enthusiasm put forth and aroused in others on behalf of the development of this Island’s tourist trade possibilities. I believe in the aims and purposes of your movement and think every citizen should support it.”
On January 25, 1936, the Times Colonist reported that Rabbi Berner gave a special tribute to the recently deceased King George V during the Friday night service at “Temple E-Manuel” (sic). The paper noted that the pulpit had been draped in black and purple and quoted Rabbi Berner as saying: “The Jewish people of the British Empire and indeed throughout the world, have lost not only a king, but a true friend, counselor, and a champion.”
According to the Times Colonist on September 24, 1937, Rabbi Berner was on the “local committee of the Dominion-wide campaign to raise funds and supplies for residents of the drought-stricken areas in the prairies.”
On November 12, 1937, the Times Colonist printed an announcement that a special Armistice Day Memorial Service would be held at “Temple Emanue-El” (sic), and that Rabbi Berner would officiate.
The Times Colonist published an opinion piece written by Marcus on July 26, 1940. In “Moral Guidance for Machine Age,” he asserted the values of religions and in keeping faith throughout one’s life. The article is posted above.
Marcus died at the age of 76 following a long illness. Rabbi Wolgerent of Seattle, assisted by Rabbi Cass, officiated at his funeral in Victoria.
The Leader Post of Saskatchewan noted on December 30, 1941 that “Mrs. [Yetta], widow of the late Rev. Marcus Berner, has arrived from Victoria and will reside with her son-in-law and daughter Mr. and Mrs. Charles [Eva] Mandel.”
Spouse:
Annie Koslofsky Berner (1861-1906)
Yetta Berner
Children:
Barnet “Benjamin” “Ben” Berner 1892-1970
came on ship from England with Marcus and wife
Janie “Cissie” Sophia Berner Brounstein, b. 1893 lived in Smeaton, Saskatchewan
came on ship from England with Marcus and wife
Meyer Berner (1902-1989),
Born in Saskatchewan; mother Annie
Henry Gudah Berner (1904-,
Born in Sk; mother Annie
Henry “Hank” “Slim”
son of his first wife (Annie) who died in childbirth,
applied for a homestead grant Aug 10, 1911
Eva Yamrom Mandel, born ? 1894
Step daughter and sister of Alex and William (not adopted by R. Marcus)
Married Charles Mandel, died in Regina after long illness
William Yamrom
born: ?1896/7-1970?
step-son and brother of Eva and Alex; (not adopted by R. Marcus)
Alex Berner
born: October 13, 1909 died: October 4, 1971
step son and brother of Eva and William (adopted by R. Marcus)
Major Isaac Elkin Berner (1896-1991) with Annie
came on ship from England with Marcus and wife
Israel “Isie” Berner
infant came on ship from England with Marcus and Annie
succumbed to influenza and pneumonia during the “flu epidemic”
Additional Images:
The Jewish Cemetery of Victoria, British Columbia 