Alysa-Beth Engel, "Jacobs, Spiegel and Bennett Also Served." 2021. Digital Collage.
Jacobs, Spiegel and Bennett Also Served, highlights the untold stories of airwomen Norda Bennett and Lillian Jacobs both serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force Women's Division and Miss Spiegel who volunteered with the Canadian Women's Army Corps. For Lillian Jacobs and Miss Spiegel, a military portrait taken by Toronto photographer Sylvia Schwarz provides the sole clue as to their military roles. In Engel’s words, these fragments of information "are part of a more inclusive story of gender, Judaism, and Canadian identity.” This is a complex story in which women were encouraged to serve to allow men to take up active combat roles. As Jews, during a time when the government’s policy regarding Jewish immigration was “none is too many,” there is a heroism in these women’s service that is moving.
Sources for digital images: Lillian Jacobs, 1943 courtesy of Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, Jewish Military Portrait Series, Sylvia Schwartz fonds 80, series 2, item 16; Miss Spiegel, Mar. 1944 courtesy of Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, Jewish Military Portrait Series, Sylvia Schwartz fonds 80, series 2, item 29; Norda Bennett, Nov. 1943 courtesy of Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, Jewish Military Portrait Series, Sylvia Schwartz fonds 80, series 2, item 2; “Canadians in the War,” Canadian Jewish Review, June 25, 1943, p3. Reproduced courtesy of the Multicultural History Society of Ontario; “Jews in Uniform,” Jewish Western Bulletin, July 23, 1943, p2, courtesy of Jewish Museum and Archives of BC
Toronto artist Alysa-Beth Engel graduated with a BFA from Queen's University. In addition to her work as an artist, Alysa has curated exhibitions and worked as an art consultant, yoga instructor and writer. She has exhibited her work across Canada and the United States and in England.
For more information on the featured servicewomen see:
Norda Bennett (Berlin), She Also Serves Website
Lillian Jacobs, She Also Serves Website
Miss Spiegel, She Also Serves Website