By: Myriam Brenner, Education Program Coordinator

Born in 1891, Emerson Swift Mahon grew up as a black Anglican in Grenada. His father, a teacher, impressed upon him the importance of higher education which included learning about Judaism. It is believed that the Sephardi Jewish community in the West Indies, exiled there due to the Spanish inquisition, left an indelible mark on Mahon and his love of Judaism.

Educational opportunities in Grenada were limited, so Mahon emigrated to Saskatchewan, Canada where he became a farmer. With the outbreak of World War I, he joined the Canadian army – a decision which led him to meet Rabbi Herman Abramowitz, chaplain to the Jewish soldiers.

Mahon’s dream of becoming a Jew was now within his reach. After much persuasion, he convinced Rabbi Herman Abramowitz to allow him to convert. Mahon’s determination and love for Judaism supported him during the lengthy and intricate process of conversion. He learned Hebrew and Yiddish, no easy task.

After the war, Mahon moved to Winnipeg. Knowing the importance of education, he obtained a science degree from the University of Manitoba and later became a teacher. Unfortunately, the Great Depression made it difficult to find work, so he settled for a job as a sleeping car porter with the Canadian Pacific Railway.

He married a young woman of Russian Jewish descent and had two children. Mahon worked his way up the ranks of Young Judaea, a Zionist youth organization. Working for the railway eventually gave him advantages such as organizing Young Judean chapters throughout Western Canada and creating a collection of photographs of every synagogue between Winnipeg and Vancouver.

He died in 1963, having accumulated one of the most prestigious libraries on Judaism. He was well known and respected by the Winnipeg Jewish community, in part for his strong determination and perseverance.

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