Irving Matlow, 97-98, is a Canadian born and raised in Toronto. The Canadian Jewish News (CJN) published an article about his early life, writing, “Matlow has long felt a deep spiritual and personal connection to the State of Israel. The Canadian son of Jewish immigrants from Belarus, he left his studies at the University of Toronto in 1948 to join the fledgling Israel Defence Forces. He spent a year helping defend the new Jewish state from surrounding Arab armies. He’d served as a signaller with B Company of the 72th Battalion in the 7th Brigade. His outfit was where Israel’s military commanders sent most of the English-speaking volunteers from Canada, the U.S., Great Britain and elsewhere. Under the leadership of Ben Dunkelman [who is included in this database], a former Toronto menswear magnate who had served with distinction in the Second World War, the brigade captured much of central Israel and the Galilee.”
The Jerusalem Post wrote, “In 1948, when the State of Israel was established, young Irving met representatives of the Hagana in Toronto, who suggested that he come to Israel to volunteer in the war efforts. Without much hesitation, he decided to join a program called Mahal, meaning volunteers from abroad. Since Irving had no prior military experience, he traveled to France to undergo basic training.”
CJN described Matlow’s life following the war: “After the war ended in 1949, Matlow had dreamed of eventually living full time in Israel, but he returned to Toronto. Life intervened: marriage, four kids, making a living, community work in Toronto. Matlow’s parents immigrated to Israel in 1955. He brought his own family to live there for one year in the 1970s. ‘My grandfather and grandmother are buried there, my parents are buried there,’ he explained. ‘Our home was basically concerned with Israel and Jewish nationhood and Jewish independence and Hebrew, but, you know, your life takes you in a different direction for a while.’”
In January 2024, Matlow immigrated to Israel with the aid of Nefesh B’Nefesh, among other organizations.
