Fanny Miriam Romoff (maiden name was Nebach) was born in 1891 in Kazatin, Ukraine (then part of Tsarist Russia). She was one of seven children in the Nebach family.                    

Kazatin was a small city in Ukraine that had a decent-sized Jewish population (20% of the population) during the early stages of Fanny's childhood.

A synagogue in Kazatin

When Fanny was 12 years old, a wave of violent pogroms broke out in Kazatin and surrounding areas . Pogroms are violent anti Jewish riots  which cause harm to people and property.

Even when there weren't pogroms, the Nebach family still was very worried about their safety in Kazatin due to the antisemitism.

Work began to dry up as many work places refused to hire Jews or took their businesses so they struggled with economic stability/.

The Nebach Family decided on Canada since it was a country far away and was welcoming many immigrants, including Jews. There were also many  job opportunities in canada at the time

To get there, first they had to take a train to London so they could get to canada by boat. Fanny was 14 at the time.

They chose to go to Montreal because of its growing Jewish population at the time. It was also a similar climate to Kazatin.

They settled in the Papineau area of Montreal, first struggling to adapt to the culture because they had to teach themselves French.

When she was in Montreal she met Isadore Romoff and they married 1909.

Once Fanny and her husband learned French, they started a general store but she was the only one who could work since her husband was extremely sick.

On March second, 1915 Fanny gave birth to her daughter Anne.

Anne later became the first woman to be accepted into and graduate McGill law school.

Fanny died in 1966 on October 14th long after her husband perished.

Ashkenazi Jewish Culture

Jewish food

Kreplach are a type of dumpling filled with potatoes and ground meat.

Kreplach

Bagels

Bagels are the most known Jewish food in North America.

bagels originate from Jewish bakers in Poland.

More Jewish Food

Brisket

Meat cut from the chest of a cow and cooked with vegetables.

Knish

Pastry filled with potatoes