Cerline Nodek

Cerline Brosh Braverman Nodek

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Birth: August 9, 1863 in Inowrocław, Schwersenz, Poland
When Cerline was born, her birth city was then known as Hohensalza and was in the County of Posen, Germany. Subsequently it became part of Poland, and was renamed.

Death: October 16, 1935 in Victoria, B.C.

Plot: Row C – Plot 10

Inscription:

פ׳׳נ
האשה צירל בת ר׳ יהושע
ת׳נ׳צ׳ב׳ה
IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY DEAR WIFE
CERLINE NODEK
DIED OCTOBER 16.1935,AGE 72
MAY HER SOUL REST IN PEACE
I.M. NODEK
BELOVED UNCLE OF
HELEN,MARTIN AND
CYRIL BOAS
BORN MAY 2 1869
DIED MARCH 24 1945.

Translation of inscription:

פ׳׳נ (Abbreviation of Hebrew: “Buried here”)
האשה צירל בת ר׳ יהושע (Hebrew: The woman Tzirel bat R. Yehoshua)
ת׳נ׳צ׳ב׳ה (Abbreviation of Hebrew: “May their souls be bound with the bond of life.”)
In Loving Memory of my Dear Wife
Cerline Nodek
Died October 16.1935, Age 72
May Her Soul Rest in Peace.
I.M. Nodek
Beloved Uncle of
Helen,Martin and
Cyril Boas
Born May 2 1869
Died March 24 1945.

Biography:
Real Estate Owner, Wife and Socialite

Cerline married her first husband, the tobacconist, pawn broker, and ultimately money broker Isador Braverman in Posen, Germany and brought her to Victoria in 1887. Cerline stood about 5 feet, 7 inches tall and according to the August 21, 1912 Arriving New York Passenger and Crew lists, Cerline had grey eyes, and brown hair. The 1921 Census of Canada reported that Cerline was literate, and spoke English and Polish but not French.

Cerline was listed in Victoria’s City Directories in 1905 as “Braverman, Cerline, widow Isidor h.172 Yates”. Caroline “Cerline” Brosh Braverman’s engagement to the real estate investor and broker Isador Max “I.M.” Nodek was announced in the September 4, 1907 edition of The Victoria Daily Times. Paperwork for the marriage indicated that Cerline’s maiden name was Brosh.

On September 25, 1907, the thirty-five-year-old Cerline married the thirty-eight-year-old Isador Max “I.M.” Nodek in Seattle. Dr Sigfried Moritz “Max” Hartman was one of the two Victorians to act as witnesses at the wedding. Dr. Hartman also signed the State of Washington Marriage certificate.

The Victoria Daily Times on November 29, 1907 stated that Cerline would hold her post nuptial reception on December 4, 1907 at 856 Yates Street and every third Wednesday of the month there after.

In April 1908, Isador received a building permit to construct their home at 1015 Cook Street. The April 29, 1908 edition of The Victoria Daily Times reported that the cost of the house was expected to be $4,800 (roughly $161,000 in 2023).

According to the Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists, Cerline and Isador travelled from Liverpool and entered New York on August 7, 1908. The Victoria Daily Times reported on April 25, 1908 that Dr. Hartman had been appointed to look after Isador’s “interests” while the couple was away.

On November 18, 1908, The Victoria Daily Times reported that Mrs. I.M. Nodek would be receiving that afternoon at her new home, 1015 Cook Street. The paper also confirmed that Mrs. Nodek would continue to receive in her new home every third Wednesday of the month. However, according to The Victoria Daily Times on February 15, 1911, Mrs. Nodek gave notice that she would not be receiving that day or again until further notice. She began receiving again in 1913. According to the April 14, 1913 edition of The Victoria Daily Times, Mrs. Nodek would not be receiving the following Wednesday, but would resume again the third Wednesday in May.

Isador and Cerline seemed to live the lifestyle befitting people of wealth. In addition to Cerline’s “receiving”, she and her husband owned a summer home on Cedar Road. The couple also travelled. Isador’s brother-in-law, Julius Peiser, lived in Germany. Isador and Cerline visited 1912, 1922 and 1925. The Nodeks travelled first class when they visited Germany in 1925.

On May 26, 1931, The Victoria Daily Times reported that Mr. and Mrs. I.M. Nodek and Eli Bean and Annabelle Bean were setting sail for a holiday in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Over the years Cerline’s personal and business life was covered in the local papers. The Victoria Daily Times on August 1, 1912 indicated that there were two properties in Cerline’s name which had been assessed for tax purposes. Those properties were reasserted according The Victoria Daily Colonist on October 31, 1912 and again on November 5, 1912. On September 14, 1915, The Victoria Daily Times reported that Cerline owed $111.92 and $112.40 (each roughly $2,880 in 2023) in taxes. On December 22, 1925 the Times Colonist reported that Victoria’s City Council authorized Cerline to purchase two properties on Russell Street for cash.

Cerline’s dealings with real estate landed her in court. She was involved in a legal suit from September 16, 1916 to February 1917. The case involved Joseph Levy (brother of Phoebe, Sam, and H.E.) and a real estate property. Cerline testified that she and Isador had been in business with Joseph for six or seven years. Cerline claimed to have been acting as Joseph’s agent when she invested $10,000 (close to $75,000 in 2023) in a mortgage on a property in Duncan. The judge ruled that the property belonged to Joseph and not to Cerline. See the article above for more details.

The Victoria Daily Times on October 28, 1921 reported that Cerline had been charged with speeding and fined $15 (close to $240 in 2023).

Cerline’s involvement in community events, both Jewish and civil. On November 13, 1917, The Victoria Daily Times reported that Canada’s Victory Loan campaign took a special interest in a patriotic window display at Fletcher Brother’s Music Store at 1231 Government Street. They organized the “greatest parade the capital has ever seen.” Cerline ‘kindly loaned her pet for the occasion and the unanimous verdict of all spectators was that he was an animal quite capable of upholding the well-established traditions of his ancestors: ‘What We Have, We Hold.'”

Cerline made donations to a variety of charities including:

• December 19, 1918: $2.50 (about $45.00 in 2023) to the Rotary Christmas Tree Fund.
• October 6, 1925: 20 lbs of sugar to a fundraising drive for the Protestant Orphans’ Home Committee.
  Cerline also participated in a number of community events including:
• August 18, 1927: Cerline gave out prizes to the winners of a regatta at Cordova Bay.
• Jan 11, 1930: Cerline reserved a table at a fundraising bridge and mah-jong party for the Women’s Canadian Club’s Scholarship Fund. Play was to start at 3 and tea would be served at 4:30. The paper stated that players were expected to bring their own cloths, mah-jong sets and cards.
  
  Both Cerline and Isador had some involvement in the Jewish community. On May 12, 1917, the Victoria Lodge of I.O.B.B. (Independent Order B’nai B’rith) held a benefit informal dance in aid of the Red Cross Society and Returned Soldiers’ Fund. Cerline helped to sell tickets to the event which was to include dancing from 9-12 to “the latest music” provided by Eaton’s Orchestra and “a choice buffet supper…served during the evening.”
  
  Cerline was active with the Hebrew Ladies first ice cream fundraiser held in the summer of 1891. She was also elected Treasurer of the Hebrew Ladies Society in 1891, just after their new Hebrew Ladies Hall was opened.
  
  The Victoria Daily Times reported on October 18, 1930 that dry rot had set into the timbers of the sixty-eight-year-old synagogue building on Blanshard Street. The women of the congregation held a fundraising bridge and whist drive at the Shrine Auditorium. The article reminded players to bring their own cards and score pads. Cerline assisted in the fundraiser.
  
  Cerline died on October 16, 1935. There was a large attendance and an “abundance of flowers” at Cerline’s funeral on October 19. Rabbi Berner officiated.

Parent:
H. Brash

Spouse:
Isidor Braverman (1829–1905)
Isidor Max Nodek (1869–1945)

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