Hy Bloom was born in Ottawa on July 15, 1921, son of Celia Bloom and David Lewis Bloom, a tailor. At the age of eight, he first encountered the fascinating world of sound under the guidance of his father and before Hy had finished elementary school, he was building basic microphones. Frequent visits to the library and regular attendance at various radio shops augmented his Lisgar Collegiate education. He worked part-time and was paid in components rather than cash, which he used to build his first amplifiers and Lisgar’s first P.A. system. Upon graduation from high school in the 1930’s, Hy headed for New York City, where he hung around recording studios and radio stations. He learned the trade well and was soon experimenting with yet-to-be-perfected 45 rpm singles and 12-inch LP’s. These were exciting times for Hy as audio recording technology was about to change dramatically. He returned to Ottawa, initially to work at Orme’s Music Store, then with the Military section of the National Research Council, followed by a stint in the army. By 1939 Hy’s experimentation gave way to production and he opened his own company H. H. Bloom Enterprises, using space in his parent's home and tailor shop at 256 Kent Street. Through Bloom Enterprises Hy manufactured amplifiers under the brand name"Soundmaster”. Recognizing the demand for reliable amplifiers, Hy’s Soundmaster products were individually made and guaranteed. Over the years he sold in excess of 30,000 amplifiers. At the same time Hy opened a small recording studio which soon attracted a young Orval Prophet, one of the first Canadian country music to achieve a career of international scope. Prophet was the first of many entertainers to come under Hy’s influence. Hy’s studio quickly became a gathering place for musicians and singers whom he also helped in promoting. In the 1950’s the business had expanded to the point that Hy required more spacious quarters and so he moved to 283 Bank Street where he recalled the bells on the streetcars passing in front of the shop often interrupted sessions. The business of sound was making large and rapid leaps forward, and Hy traveled extensively in Europe to learn the latest advancements. An expert sound technician who was often called upon to provide public address systems for various events including meetings, protests, conventions, concerts, and a variety of functions within the Jewish Community. Whenever possible, Bloom recorded those events. In 2012 Hy Bloom donated the majority of his personal archive and recording equipment to the City of Ottawa Archives. Approximately 100 audio recordings relevant to the Jewish Community are held within the collections of the Ottawa Jewish Archives.
Biographical Files, City of Ottawa Archives
1. Hy Bloom was interviewed by Archives staff at 386 MacLaren Street, July 19, 1999.
80 audio cassettes, 28 audio reels, 6 b&w photographs and 10 folders of textual material vault
Fonds consists of audio cassettes, audio reels, photographs and folders of programs and pamphlets relating to taped events. Inventory of Audio Cassettes: Holocaust- Dedication Holocaust Memorial, Jewish Community Centre, Ottawa, May 7, 1978 - 2 copies (audio reel) Yom Ha Shoah, Holocaust Observance Memorial Service, May 6, 1979 at the Metcalfe Rd. Cemetery. - 2 copies Holocaust Memorial observance for the six million martyrs, May 3, 1981 at the site of the Holocaust Memorial, Jewish Community Cemetery, Ottawa. Holocaust Memorial observance for the six million martyrs, May 2, 1982 at the site of the Holocaust Memorial, Jewish Community Cemetery, Ottawa. Holocaust Memorial observance for the six million martyrs, May 8, 1983 at the site of the Holocaust Memorial, Jewish Community Cemetery, Ottawa. Holocaust Memorial observance for the six million martyrs, May 13, 1984 at the site of the Holocaust Memorial, Jewish Community Cemetery, Ottawa. Holocaust Memorial observance for the six million martyrs, May 4, 1986 at the site of the Holocaust Memorial, Jewish Community Cemetery, Ottawa. Holocaust Memorial observance for the six million martyrs, April 26, 1987 at the site of the Holocaust Memorial, Jewish Community Cemetery, Ottawa. Holocaust Memorial observance for the six million martyrs, May 1 1988 at the site of the Holocaust Memorial, Jewish Community Cemetery, Ottawa. Holocaust Memorial for the six million martyrs, Sunday, April 30, 1989 at the site of the Holocaust Memorial, Jewish Community Cemetery, Ottawa. Holocaust Memorial for the six million martyrs, Sunday, April 22, 1990 at the site of the Holocaust Memorial, Jewish Community Cemetery, Ottawa. Holocaust Remembrance Day = Yom Ha Shoah, Sunday, April 28, [1991] at the site of the Holocaust Memorial, Jewish Community Cemetery, Ottawa. - 2 copies. Holocaust Remembrance Day = Yom Ha Shoah, April 29, 1992 at the site of the Holocaust Memorial, Jewish Community Cemetery, Ottawa. with Hungarian choir. Yom Ha Shoah, April 10, 1994 at the Jewish Community Centre, 151 Chapel Street, Ottawa Yom Ha Shoah, April 27, 1995 at the Jewish Community Centre, 151 Chapel Street, Ottawa Yom Ha Shoah, April 16, 1996 at the Jewish Community Centre, 151 Chapel Street, Ottawa - 2 copies Yom Ha Shoah, May 4, 1997 at the Jewish Community Centre, 151 Chapel Street, Ottawa Yom Ha Shoah, April 23, 1998 at the Jewish Community Centre, 151 Chapel Street, Ottawa The Raoul Wallenberg plaque unveiling, June 24, 1990, at Wallenberg Memorial, Nepean, Ontario Raoul Wallenberg 81st Birthday Ceremony, August 4, 1993 at Wallenberg Memorial, Nepean, Ontario The 10th Anniversary Commemoration of Raoul Wallenberg Park, October 3, 1993, at Wallenberg Memorial, Nepean, Ontario Kristallnacht - 60 years, A commemoration of The Night of Broken Glass in Germany and Austria, November 9, 1988, at Parliament Hill, Ottawa. - 2 audio cassette. Kristallnacht - 60 years, A commemoration of The Night of Broken Glass in Germany and Austria, November 10, 1988, at Parliament Hill, Ottawa. - 2 audio cassette. Kristallnacht - 60 years, A commemoration of The Night of Broken Glass in Germany and Austria, November 9, 1998, at Agudath Israel Synagogue, 1400 Coldrey Ave, Ottawa Jewish Community Cemetery of Ottawa Annual Memorial Service Jewish Community Cemetery of Ottawa Annual Memorial Service, September 4, 1988 at the Jewish Community Cemetery, Bank St. South - Highway 31, Ottawa Jewish Community Cemetery of Ottawa Annual Memorial Service, September 24, 1989 at the Jewish Community Cemetery, Bank St. South - Highway 31, Ottawa Jewish Community Cemetery of Ottawa Annual Memorial Service, September 16, 1990 at the Jewish Community Cemetery, Bank St. South - Highway 31, Ottawa Jewish Community Cemetery of Ottawa Annual Memorial Service, September 1, 1991 at the Jewish Community Cemetery, Bank St. South - Highway 31, Ottawa Jewish Community Cemetery of Ottawa Annual Memorial Service, September 20, 1992 at the Jewish Community Cemetery, Bank St. South - Highway 31, Ottawa Jewish Community Cemetery of Ottawa Annual Memorial Service, September 12, 1993 at the Jewish Community Cemetery, Bank St. South - Highway 31, Ottawa Jewish Community Cemetery of Ottawa Annual Memorial Service, August 28, 1994 at the Jewish Community Cemetery, Bank St. South - Highway 31, Ottawa Jewish Community Cemetery of Ottawa Annual Memorial Service, September 8, 1996 at the Jewish Community Cemetery, Bank St. South - Highway 31, Ottawa Jewish Community Cemetery of Ottawa Annual Memorial Service, September 28, 1997 at the Jewish Community Cemetery, Bank St. South - Highway 31, Ottawa Jewish Community Cemetery of Ottawa Annual Memorial Service, September 13, 1998 at the Jewish Community Cemetery, Bank St. South - Highway 31, Ottawa - 2 copies Ceremonies and Celebrations Hadassah Carnival, December 1951, at the Jewish Community Centre, Ottawa Sod turning ceremony, November 23, 1958 at Agudath Israel, Ottawa (audio reel) Testimonial dinner for Abe Lieff, May 21, 1963 at Agudath Israel, Ottawa - 2 cassettes (audio reel) Hillel Lodge Opening Ceremony, October 4, 1964 in Ottawa (audio reel) Service of Dedication, June 5, 1966 at Agudath Israel, Ottawa (audio reel) Sod turning ceremony, June 23, 1968 at Young Israel Synagogue, Ottawa. Sod turning ceremony, May 27, 1973 at Alta Vista Synagogue, Virginia Dr, Ottawa. (audio reel) Alta Vista Synagogue building dedication, June 16, 1974 (audio reel) First Celebrity Roast for Mayor Lorry Greenberg, September 28, 1976 in Ottawa - 2 audio cassettes Consecration of new Jewish Community Cemetery, October 31, 1976 Mezuzah affixing ceremony, August 3, 1983 at Jewish Community Campus, Ottawa - 2 audio cassettes Jewish Community Campus Campaign, April 10. 1983 at 881 Broadview, Ottawa Dedication Services, December 4, 1983 at the Jewish Community Campus of Ottawa, 881 Broadview, Ottawa - 2 copies Dedication of Maimonides School First Seder Torah, June 10, 1986 at Young Israel, Ottawa - 2 copies Desecration service, May 21, 1990 at Jewish Community Cemetery, Ottawa “100 year Jacob Freedman plaque ceremony”, May 27, 1991 in the Byward Market, Ottawa Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israel - 44 years of Independence), May 6, 1992 in the parking lot of Machzikei Hadas Synagogue, 2310 Virginia Drive Larry Hartman tribute Maimonides Scholarship Banquet, May 24, 1995 at the Jewish Community Centre - 2 audio cassettes Rallies Russian Protest, January 3, 1971 on Parliament Hill (audio reel) Gulf War Rally, January 21, 1991 at Beth Shalom, Ottawa Simchat Torah Rally for Human Rights, October 18, 1992 at the Human Rights Monument, Ottawa Anti-Racism Rally, February 28, 1993 at Parliament Hill, Ottawa United Jewish Appeal Events Dr Ruth Westheimer, August 8, 1988 speaking at the Jewish Community Centre, Ottawa - 2 copies Mr. Robt. Clary, October 30, 1984 at the residence of Dr. S. Labow, Ottawa - 4 cassettes - 2 audio cassettes Jewish War Veterans Commemorative Service - 75th Anniversary of Jewish War Veterans of Canada and the 50th Anniversary of D-Day, May 30, 1994 at the National War Memorial, Ottawa - 2 audio cassettes Jewish War Veterans of Canada Commemoration, August 2, 1993 at Phalanx Memorial, Ottawa Music Cantor Rabin’s choir with Rabbi Fasman, circa 1941 Hasidic Panther Group, December 14, 1968, in concert at Agudath Israel, Ottawa Israella Singers, March 12, 1988 at Agudath Israel, Ottawa - 2 audio cassettes Israella Singers, March 17, 1990 at Agudath Israel, Ottawa Diamond, January 12, 1969 at the Jewish Community Centre, Ottawa Rabbi Hartman, February 9, 1969 at the Jewish Community Centre, Ottawa Dr. Marshall Skare, March 16, 1969 at the Jewish Community Centre, Ottawa Rabbi Heschel, April 20, 1969 at the Jewish Community Centre, Ottawa Diamond, January 12, 1969 at the Jewish Community Centre, Ottawa Jewish National Fund Events Negev Testimonial Dinner in honour of Bertram Loeb, October 28, 1980 at the Jewish Community Centre, Ottawa - 2 audio cassettes Jewish National Fund Negev Dinner in tribute to Jack Smith, November 9, 1988 at the Jewish Community Centre - 2 audio cassettes Individual Interviews and Lectures P.M. Menachem Begin, December 18, 1977 at the Israeli Embassy residence 412 Lansdowne Rd., Rockcliffe, Ontario (audio reel) David Irving lecture, November 5, 1990 at the Ottawa Congress Centre - 2 audio cassettes Ben-Gurion University meeting with Mr. Sharansky etc, November 20, 1990 at the Tavel Residence, Rockcliffe, Ont. State of Israeli Bonds Israeli Champagne Brunch - re the Taylors, May 7, 1995 at the Jewish Community Centre, Ottawa Funerals Funeral Service of David Lewis, May 26, 1981 in Ottawa (audio reel) Hy Hochberg Funeral, February 22, 1985 in Ottawa Jewish Community Centre Endowment and Bequest Foundation, November 18, 1976 at the Jewish Community Centre, Ottawa (audio reel) Inventory of audio reels Holocaust Dedication Holocaust Memorial, May 7, 1978 at the Jewish Community Cemetery, Ottawa (audio cassette) Ceremonies and Celebrations Hillel Lodge opening ceremony, October 4, 1964 at 125 Wurtemburg St., Ottawa (Audio cassette) Sod turning ceremony, June 23, 1968 at Young Israel Synagogue 627 Kirkwood Ave., Ottawa First Celebrity Roast for Mayor Lorry Greenberg, September 28, 1976 in Ottawa - 3 audio reels Beth Shalom Synagogue Independence Day, May 5, 1976 at Beth Shalom Congregation, Ottawa Agudath Israel Congregation: Sod turning Ceremony, November 23, 1958 at Agudath Israel Congregation, Ottawa (audio cassette) Testimonial Dinner for Abe Lieff, May 21, 1963 at Agudath Israel Congregation, Ottawa - 2 reels (audio cassette) Dedication of New Sanctuary, June 5, 1966 at Agudath Israel Congregation, Ottawa (audio cassette) Machzikei Hadas: Sod turning ceremony, May 27, 1973 at Machzikei Hadas, Ottawa (audio cassette) Building dedication, June 16, 1974 at Machzikei Hadas, Ottawa (audio cassette) Rallies Bond Rally with Geo Jessel, November 1, 1959 at Jewish Community Centre, Ottawa Russian protest featuring Mitchell Shark, January 3, 1977 at Parliament Hill, Ottawa (audio cassette) Music Brundibar concert, November 14 and 15, 1977 at Glebe Collegiate Auditorium, Ottawa - 2 audio reels Individual Interviews and Lectures Hassidic Panther Group with Dr. Jack Berman and Dr Malek, etc., December 14, 1968 at Agudath Israel P.M. Menachem Begin, December 18, 1977 at the Israeli Embassy residence 412 Lansdowne Rd., Rockcliffe, Ontario (" audio reel) (audio cassette) Funeral Funeral service of David Lewis, May 26, 1981, Ottawa (audio cassette) Memorials Shloshim Memorial Tribute in memory of Hyman Bessin, March 28, 1978 at Congregation Beth Shalom, 151 Chapel St., Ottawa Jewish Community Centre Endowment and Bequest Foundation, November 18, 1976 at the Jewish Community Centre, Ottawa (audio cassette) Adult Institute for Jewish Studies Reverend Gertler, December 20, 1959 at the Jewish Community Centre Diamond, January 12, 1969 at the Jewish Community Centre, Ottawa Rabbi Hartman, February 9, 1969 at the Jewish Community Centre, Ottawa Dr. Marshall Skare, March 16, 1969 at the Jewish Community Centre, Ottawa Rabbi Heschel, April 20, 1969 at the Jewish Community Centre, Ottawa United Jewish Appeal Events 1976 UJA of Ottawa, Public service division, May 11, 1976 Further accrual: Biographical: “50thAnniversanry H.H. Bloom Sound Enterprises on CBC Morning Show with John Lacharity, January 5, 1998, Ottawa. Side 1 Alanis Morrissette (15 years old) singing the Anthem on Parliament Hill, February 15, 1990, CBO Morning show with John Lacharity, BDCST February 13, 1998. Side 2 Hy Bloom interview by Dick Gordon on CBC radio and on National Public Radio in the U.S.A., April 14, 2000 Hy Bloom receiving the Shem Tov Award at the Annual General Meeting of the Jewish Community Council of Ottawa, June 8, 2005 Jewish Community Cemetery of Ottawa Annual Memorial Service, at the Jewish Community Cemetery, Bank St. South - Highway 31, Ottawa, September 21, 2003 Jewish Community Cemetery of Ottawa Annual Memorial Service, at the Jewish Community Cemetery, Bank St. South - Highway 31, Ottawa, September 1, 2002
Hy Bloom fonds.