Memorable Manitobans: Abraham Montague “Monty” Israels (1904-1973)

Lawyer, historian.

Born at Winnipeg on 8 October 1904, son of Simon Israels and Sarah Girtle, he attended the Manitoba Law School and was called to the Manitoba Bar in 1927. He practiced law in Winnipeg until his death and was a Bencher for the Law Society of Manitoba. He was made a Queen’s Counsel in 1956.

He and wife Sally (c1907-1980) had two daughters: Hester Lee Israels (wife of Guy Joseph Kroft) and Renee Israels (wife of Milton Bogoch). He was a candidate for Winnipeg South in the 1953 provincial general election. He served as the first President of the Jewish Historical Society, and was a member of the boards for the Manitoba Theatre Centre, Canadian Council of Christians and Jews, and the Robert Burns Society. In recognition of his work as a lawyer and historian, he was awarded an MHS Centennial Medal (1970) and a City of Winnipeg Community Service Award (1973).

He died at Winnipeg on 20 November 1973 and was buried in the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery.

Sources:

Birth registration, Manitoba Vital Statistics.

“Pioneer woman lawyer heads list of nine Manitoba QCs,” Winnipeg Free Press, 31 December 1955, page 15.

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 21 November 1973, page 47.

Obituary [Sally Israels], Winnipeg Free Press, 24 July 1980, page 53.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 15 August 2024

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

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