2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 13 x 9 cm and 13 x 9 cm
Admin History/Bio
Hon. Barnett Jerome Danson, PC, CC, (8 February 1921-17 October 2011) is a former Canadian politician and cabinet minister. His parents were Joseph (b. October 5, 1885) and Sadie (née Wolfe) Danson (1891-1981). They had 3 children: Bertram, Marilyn (Farber) and Barney. Joseph and Sadie founded Camp Winnebagoe in Muskoka, Ontario. The camp catered to the Jewish community and offered athletic and social programs.
In 1939, at the age of 18, Barney joined the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada. He became a lieutenant and served in the Second World War until he was severely wounded at the Battle of Normandy in August, 1944. As a result of his wounds, Barney lost sight in one eye. This injury led Barney to a lifelong involvement with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) with a focus on education and educational materials for the visually impaired.
After the war, Barney returned to Toronto to work briefly in his family's insurance business before entering the plastics industry, first as a sales manager for Maple Leaf Plastics (1950) and then as founder of his own company, the Danson Corporation (1958). During this time Barney served as the president of the Society of Plastics Industry of Canada.
In 1968, Barney was elected to the House of Commons as a Liberal MP for the Toronto-area riding of York-North. He served in this position until he was defeated in 1978. From 1970-1972 he acted as Parliamentary Secretary to Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. From 1974-1976, Barney held a position in the Cabinet as Minister of State for Urban Affairs. He later served as the Minister of National Defense from 1976-1979. During this time, Barney and Trudeau founded Katimavik, a national volunteer program for Canadian youth. Barney continued his political career by serving as Canada's Consul General in Boston from 1984-1986.
Outside of politics, Barney has held positions on the Board of Trustees of the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa and spearheaded the advisory committee on the Canadian War Museum which opened in Ottawa on May 8, 2005. The main theatre at the Canadian War Museum is named in his honour. During this time he was also the producer of a 6 part mini-series for the CBC entitled "No Price Too High." The series documented Canada's role in the Second World War. Barney has also acted as the Director of the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews, is a founding member of Temple Emmanu-El in Toronto and was an officer of Sir Arthur Pearson Association of War Blinded.
Over the last several decades Barney has been the recipient of a number of prestigious awards, including Honourary Life Member of Ontario Merit and Non-Status Indian Association (1975), Family of Man Award from B'nai Brith of Canada (1975), Officer of France - National Order of Merit (1994), Churchill Society's award for "excellence in the course of parliamentary democracy", the Vimy Award (2000) and an honourary Doctor of Law (York University, 2006). He was also made a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honour in 2007. In addition, Barney was given the Order of Canada in 1996 and then further promoted to a Companion of Canada in 2007. Barney was also the chancellor of the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario for many years and received an honourary degree from them in 1993.
Barney married Isobel (née Bull) (b. 3 June 1922) in London, England on February 6, 1943. The couple had four sons: Kenneth B., John A. H., Timothy S. B. and Peter T.J. Barney died on 17 October 2011.
Barney's autobiography, "Not Bad for a Sergeant : The Memoir of Barney Danson" was published in 2002.
Scope and Content
The item is a portrait of Barney Danson.
Name Access
Canada. Canadian Armed Forces. Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
Danson, Barney, 1921-2011 (subject)
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Related Material
See also accession # 2006-8-15.
See also Danson Family Papers, accession # 1990-11-11, 1990-12-9 and 1990-12-11.
See also item #3173 for a portrait of Barney in the 1970s.
File consists of one letter and one telegram, both from Dunkelman to Barney Danson. The letter congratulates Danson on becoming the first Jewish Canadian cabinet minister and Defence Minister. The telegram invites Danson, on behalf of the Jewish War Veterans of Canada, to speak at a synagogue in Toronto just before a convention of the Jewish War Veterans of Canada.
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 11 x 9 cm and 13 x 9 cm
Admin History/Bio
Joseph "Joe" Danson was the founder of camp Winnebagoe in 1933, the first co-educational camp in Canada, and the father of Barney Danson, MP, and Marilyn Farber, the wife of Earl Farber.
Scope and Content
The item is a portrait of Joe Danson.
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
48 photographs : b&w (24 negatives) ; 20 x 25 cm and 13 x 18 cm and 10 x 13 cm
Date
[ca.1903]-1918
Scope and Content
Accession consists of 24 copy photographs and 24 negatives. There are group photos of the Danson family, extended family and friends in Toronto locations such as High Park, the Canadian National Exhibition, the Humber Valley near the Old Mill, Northview Terrace (Bay and Davenport), and the Red Feather Camp in Monroe Park, Scarborough.
4 photographs : b&w (2 negatives) ; 20 x 25 cm and 16 x 12 cm
Date
[ca.1895]-[ca.1910]
Scope and Content
Accession consists of two photographs and negatives of the Danson family. One is a group photograph of the children of Barnett and Bertha Danson with an unidentified governess, and the second is of the children as young adults with their parents.
8 photographs : b&w (4 negatives) ; 20 x 25 cm and 16 x13 cm and 12 x 10 cm
1 scrapbook
Date
1958
Scope and Content
Accession consists of a photocopy of a scrapbook prepared for J. Barney Goldhar's 50th birthday in 1958 by his family, and several photocopies of pictures in the album. It documents his personal life and his career in business and involvement with his synagogue and many Jewish community organizations in Toronto.
Accession consists of five photographs documenting the Danson family. One family photograph is of the children of Bertha and Barnett Danson: Rose (Mann), Joseph, Leo and Florence (Simmons). The second family phorograph is ca. 1904 and includes parents and children, as above. There is a photo ca. 1915 of Leo and his daughter Arna. Finally, there are two additional photos of members of the Danson family without any name identifiers or dates, although likely taken in the 1910s.
Custodial History
It is likely that these records were provided by W. Bertram Danson.
Accession consists of records created and collected by the Danson family. The records include a family history written by Bertram Danson, newspaper clippings, family portraits, a marriage certificate, an obiturary, correspondence and a brochure for Camp Winnebagoe, which was run by the Danson family.
The photographs are housed in scrapbook sheets with some notations. They depict members of the Danson family
Administrative History
Barnett Danson emigrated to Canada from Russia in 1874. He returned to Russia in 1878 or 1879, divorced his wife and remarried to a Bertha Brase. Together they returned to Canada and had their first child, Rose, in 1885. The Dansons also had two sons, Joseph and Leo, who helped with their clothing and men's wear store in the west end of Toronto. There was another daughter named Flo.
The Danson family belonged to the Toronto Hebrew Congregation--later to be know as Holy Blosson Synagogue. Barnett Danson was a charter member of the Bond Street Congregation.
Bertha Danson died in 1914 and Barnett Danson died in 1919.
Joseph B. Danson, along with his wife Sadie, was the founding director of Camp Winnebagoe in Muskoska, Ontario. The camp catered to the Jewish community and provided a variety of different athletic and social programmes.
Joseph and Sadie had a son named Bertram Wolfe Danson in 1916 and two younger children named Marilyn and Barney.
Accession consists of twenty-four black-and-white photographs with negatives. The photographs are of three generations of the Danson family. Some of the photographs depict family members at home, on holiday, and in group shots with friends.
Included in the accession are photocopies of the original prints with notes indicating the names of the people, location and dates
Accession consists of two black-and-white photographs depicting Joseph Danson. One photograph depicts a group of young men with Joseph Danson in the front row. It was taken in approximately 1903 at Red Feather Camp in Munro Park, Scarborough. The second photograph is of Joseph Danson canoeing at Camp Winnebagoe and is dated 1946.
Included are negatives for both photographs
Administrative History
Barnett Danson emigrated to Canada from Russia in 1874. He returned to Russia in 1878 or 1879, divorced his wife and remarried to a Bertha Brase. Together they returned to Canada and had their first child, Rose, in 1885. The Dansons also had two sons, Joseph and Leo, who helped with their clothing and men's wear store in the west end of Toronto. There was another daughter named Flo.
The Danson family belonged to the Toronto Hebrew Congregation--later to be know as Holy Blosson Synagogue. Barnett Danson was a charter member of the Bond Street Congregation.
Bertha Danson died in 1914 and Barnett Danson died in 1919.
Joseph B. Danson, along with his wife Sadie, was the founding director of Camp Winnebagoe in Muskoska, Ontario. The camp catered to the Jewish community and provided a variety of different athletic and social programmes.
Joseph and Sadie had a son named Bertram Wolfe Danson in 1916 and two younger children named Marilyn and Barney
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 18 x 13 cm and 12 x 10 cm
Scope and Content
This item is a copy print and corresponding negative of Barney Sky of New Liskeard, Ontario. The photograph was taken in a studio and Barney is wearing an overcoat, hat and gloves.
Name Access
Sky, Barney
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Most of the interview is conducted with Barney Nosov. Wilfred Kideckel is also featured on the tape, and Tillie Nosov is interviewed briefly.
Use Restrictions
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Conditional access. Researchers must receive permission from the interviewee or their heir prior to accessing the interview. Please contact the OJA for more information.
Biography
Barney Nosov arrived in Canada in 1916. Nosov lived in Ansonville, Ontario. He was a merchant, owned a store, and was also in politics for many years.
Wilfred Kideckel was born in Kreugerdorf on a farm in 1917. His father was one of the first immigrants to the area. Kideckel had ten people in his family. He moved to Ansonville and got married. Kideckel moved to Toronto in 1942.
Monty Grunebaum and Barnie Sher are two of the founding members of Kehillat Shaarei Torah, a Modern Orthodox shul located on Bayview Avenue in North York. Monty, who immigrated to Canada in 1977, says that the impetus for starting the shul derived partly from South Africans wanting to recreate their memories of Jewish life in South Africa in their new country. A group began to look at different venues in the city and applied for a rabbi. Because many of the South Africans who immigrated to Canada were of modest means, it was a challenge raising funds. With the support of the established Toronto community, eventually, the group was able to purchase a property and hire a rabbi. In November 1980, the shul was incorporated as Kehillat Shaarei Torah of Toronto.
Kehillat Shaarei Torah has had four rabbis since its incorporation in 1980. Rabbi Eliot Feldman served the community from 1981 to 1988 and was instrumental in getting the shul established. Rabbi Steven Cohen succeeded Feldman, serving the congregation from 1988 to 1992. Rabbi Reuven Tradburks came next, caring for the community from 1992 to 2009. The current rabbi, Rabbi Joe Kanofsky, has led the community since 2009.
Material Format
moving images
Language
English
Name Access
Grunebaum, Monty
Kehillat Shaarei Torah (Toronto, Ont.)
Sher, Barney
Geographic Access
South Africa
Toronto (Ont.)
Original Format
Digital file
Copy Format
Digital file
Transcript
Part 1:
00:29 Monty explains the impetus for starting a synagogue for South African Jews in Toronto.
01:37 Monty discusses where he lived in Toronto when he arrived in 1977. He discusses the main locations where South African Jews settled.
02:50 Barnie describes a large presence of South African Jews in the Bayview/York Mills area.
03:11 Barnie discusses the origins of the synagogues in South Africa.
04:14 Barnie discusses the importance of cantorial singing in South African synagogues.
05:20 Barnie describes some of the synagogues and their primary influences from Lithuania and Germany.
06:24 Barnie recounts his first experience at a Toronto synagogue for the High Holidays.
08:13 Monty recounts his first experience at a Toronto synagogue for Rosh Hashanah and how it served as a catalyst to establish a synagogue that would feel more comfortable.
09:47 Barnie describes funeral traditions in South Africa. He contrasts these practices with his personal experience in Toronto.
14:19 Barnie and Monty discuss the early attempts to establish services to meet the needs of their South African Jewish community.
18:21 Barnie highlights the importance of having a separate section in the cemetery in order to maintain South African burial practices.
19:23 Barnie and Monty discuss the role played by Bernard Isaacs in the formation of the synagogue.
Part 2:
00:00 Barnie discusses some of the earliest founders and promoters of the synagogue: Rabbi Whitty, Kurt Rothschild, Harvey Hecker, ?Bernie Gert. He describes fundraising efforts.
01:19 Monty explains how the property for the synagogue was purchased.
03:23 Barnie describes the acquisition of the aron kodesh, pews, and prayer books from an Ontario synagogue donation and from membership donations.
04:25 Monty discusses the limited financial resources of new South African immigrants. Financial support for the synagogues came from membership donations.
05:20 Monty notes that the synagogue attracted a number of Jews who moved from Montreal.
06:26 Barnie discusses the synagogue's first rabbi, Rabbi Feldman.
07:50 Barnie discusses resistance to the synagogue from Jewish neighbours.
09:36 The synagogue's name, Kehillah Shaarei Torah, was the name of Rabbi Feldman's congregation in Syracuse. Barnie and Monty reminisce about Rabbi Feldman.
12:55 The synagogue was incorporated in November 1980.
14:45 Barnie describes the operation of the synagogue before a building was constructed.
19:13 Monty recalls that Beth Tikvah Synagogue lent them Torahs.
19:51 Barnie reminisces about the first Rosh Hashanah in their new building.
20:48 Barnie recounts how the synagogue received a generous donation from the Reichman family.
Part 4:
00:00 Monty lists the rabbis who served the synagogue.
00:26 Barnie recounts a humorous incident about meeting a new rabbi.
02:50 Barnie and Monty discuss Rabbi Tradburks and his contribution to the synagogue and the greater Jewish community in Toronto.
09:29 Barnie discusses an attempt to change the synagogue's direction from Orthodox to Conservative.
10:28 Barnie and Monty continue to reminisce about Rabbi Tradburks.
Part 5:
00:00 Monty discusses Rabbi Joel Kanofsky.
02:40 Barnie identified demographics as a concern for the continuity of the synagogue.
04:50 Barnie continues to discuss membership. Membership has remained relatively steady at a 220-230 family core.
06:00 Barnie and Monty discuss outreach methods and various synagogue services, education, and events.
11:00 Barnie discusses some humorous incidents involving their group of four friends, including a Purim skit and a birthday gag.
18:17 Barnie discusses Rabbi Tradburk's involvement in the formation of the Coby Mandel Foundation, a support group for youth in Israel who have lost family members as a result of terrorism.
Part 6:
00:00 Barnie discusses changes that are occurring in the synagogue with a change of demographics and new membership.
02:24 Monty raises concerns about loss of membership.
04:18 Monty lists some programs and services offered in the synagogue, including a youth program.
04:43 Barnie discusses the current status of the synagogue. He cites some of the problems with the existing synagogue (e.g. no elevator, lack of parking, no banquet hall).
07:34 Barnie mentions the synagogue on Green Lane, another synagogue with a large South African membership.
08:44 Barnie describes the process of hiring a new rabbi for their synagogue.
John G. Diefenbaker was born in Neustadt, Ontario on Sept. 18, 1895 to William and Mary. He joined the Canadian Officers' Training Corps and served as lieutenant with the 105th Saskatoon Fusiliers' Regiment between the years 1916-1917. Afterwards, he returned to school in Saskatchewan and became a lawyer starting up a practice in Wakaw.
He married Edna Brauer, then after her death, he remarried in 1953 to Olive E. Freeman Palmer. He had no children.
John G. Diefenbaker was elected to the house of Parliament in 1940 and won the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party in 1956. The Party won the 1957 election and John G. Diefenbaker became Canada's 13th Prime Minister. He was defeated in 1963 by the Liberals, and in 1967 Diefenbaker was replaced as the P.C. leader by Robert Stansfield.
During his reign as Prime Minister, he initiated the Canadian Bill of Rights, which was later adopted in 1960. John G. Diefenbaker died on Aug. 16, 1979.
The 1973 Negev dinner, along with the erection of the John G. Diefenbaker Parkway in Israel, was the Toronto Jewish Community's recognition of his humanitarian efforts and his commitment to Israel.
Scope and Content
File consists of photographs documenting the Negev dinner held in honour of John G. Diefenbaker at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto.
The programme for the evening included speeches and presentations from the following guests: Robert R. Hall, Rabbi David Monson, Leona Finkler, Cantor Joseph Cooper, Hon. Allan Grossman, Ambassador Theodor Meron, James F. Kay, Bernard M. Bloomfield, Philip G. Givens, Murray B. Koffler, and David L. Dennis.