Homemaking Clubs

Admin History/Bio: Around 1934, the Jewish Family Welfare Bureau (JFWB) began a Homemaking Club, which offered mothers a series of lectures in cooking, nutrition, and household budgeting. The club was one of many being formed throughout Toronto through the St. George's School for Child Study at the University of Toronto.; In 1936, the program of the Homemaking Club expanded to offer lectures on chid-care, instruction in sewing and knitting and to provide mothers with a recreational outlet. By 1941 three different types of groups were meeting bi-monthly: parent education groups on the pre-school child, parent education groups on the adolescent child, and recreation groups. The purpose of these groups was to "promote and develop harmonious and good relations in family life."; The first Director of the Homemaking Centre was Dr. Cecil Markowitz and the courses were instructed by leaders trained at the St. George's School for Child Study. The meetings originally took place at the Council House at 44 St. George Street, but a Homemaking Centre was later established for the club at 53 Baldwin Street. Around 1942, JFWB cancelled the Parent Education groups due to difficulty securing trained leaders and a lack of interest among its clientele.

Scope and Content: Series consists of textual records documenting the JFWB's Homemaking Clubs. Included are meeting notices, agendas, and minutes, reports, correspondence, seasonal schedules, attendance sheets, publicity articles and other materials used during group meetings, such as songs and theatrical scripts. Committees and Clubs documented include: the Homemaking Centre Committee, the Parent Education Committee, the Parent Education Group, the Recreation Club, and the Child Study Group.

Access Restriction: Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director and the head of Jewish Family and Child prior to accessing some of the records.