- Name
- Kalmen Kaplansky
- Material Format
- sound recording
- Interview Date
- 20 Sep. 1985
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Kalmen Kaplansky
- Number
- OH 109
- Subject
- Antisemitism
- Human rights
- Immigrants--Canada
- Labor
- Labor unions
- Refugees--Canada
- Interview Date
- 20 Sep. 1985
- Quantity
- 1
- Interviewer
- Phyllis Platnick
- Total Running Time
- 109A: 60 minutes 109B: 6 minutes
- Use Restrictions
- Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
- Biography
- Kalmen was born on 5 January 1912 in Poland. He worked in Montreal as a typesetter and linotype operator. He was active in the labour and human rights movements in Canada. Kalmen served as the director of the Jewish Labour Committee in 1945. In collaboration with the Canadian Jewish Congress, the Canadian government, and trade unions, the Jewish Labour Committee helped Jewish displaced persons immigrate to Canada by securing them employment. Kalman sat on the Refugee Status Advisory Committee for the federal government.
- Material Format
- sound recording
- Language
- English
- Name Access
- Kaplansky, Kalmen
- Platnick, Phyllis
- Jewish Labour Committee
- Geographic Access
- Toronto
- Original Format
- Audio cassette
- Copy Format
- Digital file
- Transcript
- G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 109 - Kaplansky\OH109_001_Log.pdf
- G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 109 - Kaplansky\OH109_002_Log.pdf
- Source
- Oral Histories
In this clip, Kalmen Kaplansky discusses some of the obstacles to the relocation of displaced Jews to Canada after the Second World War. He describes a tripartite proposal involving consultation and cooperation among trade unions, management, and government, which enabled the immigration project.
In this clip, Kalmen Kaplansky explains that bribery, corruption, and perjury were a way of life after the Second World War. He relates anecdotes as an example.
- Accession Number
- 2018-11-15
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2018-11-15
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- ca. 7 cm. of textual records
- Date
- 1958-1978
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of material documenting J. B. Salsberg. Included are: articles, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, and handwritten notes collected by Salsberg that reflect his interests in politics and the Jewish community. The accession contains information from many sources including clippings from Yiddish/Jewish newspapers and publications such as the Chronicle Review, the Jewish Observer, the Middle East Review, the Daily Hebrew Journal, and the Jewish Standard. Subject matter includes: the oppression of Jews in the Soviet Union, an NDP policy booklet, the Canadian Journal of History and Social Science, Canadian Jewish population studies, articles on Meir Kahane and the Jewish Defense League, and information from the Canadian Jewish Congress.
- Administrative History
- Joseph Baruch Salsberg (1902-1998) was a labour leader, political activist, politician, insurance salesman, and journalist. He was also active in various Jewish organizations, including: the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC), the Jewish Federation of Greater Toronto, and the New Fraternal Jewish Association. He is well-remembered by contemporaries, such as Sam Lipshitz, as a “champion of the people”, committed to social justice, the plight of the working class, and the preservation of Jewish culture.
- J. B. was born in Lagov, Poland on November 5, 1902 to Abraham and Sarah-Gittel Salsberg. Abraham immigrated to Toronto in 1910 and J. B. followed with his mother and two younger sisters in 1913. They settled at 73 Cecil Street. Abraham and Sarah-Gittel had additional children in Canada: Nathan (b. 1915), Reuven (Bob or Robert, b. 1917), Betty, and Thelma. Abraham worked as a peddler in Toronto.
- J. B. briefly attended Landsdowne Public School, but dropped out around 1915, against his parents' wishes, and took a job in a leather goods factory to contribute to his family’s income. J. B.’s parents had hoped he would become a rabbi and, despite his full-time employment, J. B. continued to study the Torah with scholars at the synagogue on Centre Avenue.
- In 1917, J. B. decided to pursue the ideas of Zionism and socialism and, abandoning his plans to become a rabbi, became involved in establishing the Young Poale Zion organization, a Labour Zionist youth group dedicated to secular aims. Around 1922, J. B. was made secretary general of the Young Poale Zion of America in New York, where he worked for one year. Shortly after returning to Toronto, he became the organizer for the Hat, Cap, and Millinery Workers Union of North America in Chicago. J. B. married Dora Wilensky in 1927.
- In 1926, J. B. joined the Communist Party of Canada (CPC). He was an active member of the CPC for 30 years, serving as the head of its Trade Union Department for two decades. In 1929 he was suspended from the party for one year as a dissenter. In 1932, he became the Southern Ontario District union organizer for the Communist Workers' Unity League.
- It was as a member of the CPC that J. B. entered electoral politics. After a series of failed bids in municipal and provincial elections between 1935 and 1937, J. B. was elected alderman of Ward 4 in Toronto in 1938. He only held the position for one year. In 1943, J. B. was elected to the Ontario Legislature as the representative for the St. Andrew riding. J. B. sat as Member of Provincial Parliament for the Labor-Progressive Party (the provincial wing of the CPC) for 12 years. For several years, he was the only elected Communist in North America. As MPP, he helped create legislation banning discrimination in public places and introduced a bill that would ensure fair employment practices in the province. He lost his seat to Allan Grossman in 1955 and unsuccessfully ran in the federal election later that year. Remembered by journalist Gordon Sinclair as “one of the best debaters in the house”, J. B. was well-respected by members of all political parties. Out of admiration for J. B., Conservative Premier Leslie Frost named Salsberg Township in Northern Ontario in his honour.
- Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, J. B. had grown increasingly concerned about reports of Soviet antisemitism and privately urged party leaders to pursue the issue. In 1956, when Soviet First Secretary Nikita Khrushchev exposed the transgressions of Stalin’s regime, J. B. went to Moscow as part of a CPC delegation. After meeting with Khrushchev himself, it became clear to J. B. that antisemitism was indeed a problem in the USSR and that his efforts to probe the situation were being stonewalled.
- J. B. publicly expressed his concerns about Soviet antisemitism in a series of articles published in the Vochenblatt from October 25, 1956 to December 13, 1956. He finally left the Communist Party in 1957. However, he remained a member of the United Jewish People’s Order (UJPO), a Communist Jewish fraternal organization.
- Entering the business world, J. B. established the Model Insurance Agency Limited in 1957, where he served as president for several years. In 1959 J. B.’s wife, Dora, passed away. Around this time J. B. also resigned from the UJPO, along with other members who felt the organization needed to be more critical of the Soviet Union. They founded an alternative, non-Communist left-wing Jewish organization, the New Fraternal Jewish Association, where J. B. served as president for several terms and edited its publication “Fraternally Yours”.
- In his later life, J. B. was active as an executive member of organizations, such as the CJC and the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care. He was the first chairman for the CJC Ontario Region’s Soviet Jewry Committee and the Committee for Yiddish. He also began writing an award-winning weekly column for the Canadian Jewish News. J. B. was awarded the CJC’s Samuel Bronfman Medal for distinguished service, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Toronto’s Ben Sadowski Award of Merit. A strong supporter of Israel, he was involved in the creation of two Israeli medical centres that are named in his honour. He also helped establish the J. B. and Dora Salsberg Fund and the J. B. Salsberg Fund for Yiddish at the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto. J. B. passed away in 1998.
- Name Access
- Salsberg, J. B.,1902-1998
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-5-98
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-5-98
- Material Format
- textual record
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- 5 photographs : b&w (2 negatives) ; 18 x 13 cm or smaller
- Date
- [ca. 1955]-1992
- Scope and Content
- Acession consists of a photograph of Dora Wilensky, her mother Mrs. Wilensky, and J. B. Salsberg; two group photographs of an unidentified organization, both of which include J. B. Salsberg; and a Toronto Star Centennial Magazine entitled "The Hundred Heroes and Villains , Memories and Legends, A celebration." It includes an entry about J. B. Salsberg "Communist at Queen's Park."
- Administrative History
- Joseph Baruch Salsberg (1902-1998) was a labour leader, political activist, politician, insurance salesman, and journalist. He was also active in various Jewish organizations, including: the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC), the Jewish Federation of Greater Toronto, and the New Fraternal Jewish Association. He is well-remembered by contemporaries, such as Sam Lipshitz, as a “champion of the people”, committed to social justice, the plight of the working class, and the preservation of Jewish culture.
- J. B. was born in Lagov, Poland on November 5, 1902 to Abraham and Sarah-Gittel Salsberg. Abraham immigrated to Toronto in 1910 and J. B. followed with his mother and two younger sisters in 1913. They settled at 73 Cecil Street. Abraham and Sarah-Gittel had additional children in Canada: Nathan (b. 1915), Reuven (Bob or Robert, b. 1917), Betty, and Thelma. Abraham worked as a peddler in Toronto.
- J. B. briefly attended Landsdowne Public School, but dropped out around 1915, against his parents' wishes, and took a job in a leather goods factory to contribute to his family’s income. J. B.’s parents had hoped he would become a rabbi and, despite his full-time employment, J. B. continued to study the Torah with scholars at the synagogue on Centre Avenue.
- In 1917, J. B. decided to pursue the ideas of Zionism and socialism and, abandoning his plans to become a rabbi, became involved in establishing the Young Poale Zion organization, a Labour Zionist youth group dedicated to secular aims. Around 1922, J. B. was made secretary general of the Young Poale Zion of America in New York, where he worked for one year. Shortly after returning to Toronto, he became the organizer for the Hat, Cap, and Millinery Workers Union of North America in Chicago. J. B. married Dora Wilensky in 1927.
- In 1926, J. B. joined the Communist Party of Canada (CPC). He was an active member of the CPC for 30 years, serving as the head of its Trade Union Department for two decades. In 1929 he was suspended from the party for one year as a dissenter. In 1932, he became the Southern Ontario District union organizer for the Communist Workers' Unity League.
- It was as a member of the CPC that J. B. entered electoral politics. After a series of failed bids in municipal and provincial elections between 1935 and 1937, J. B. was elected alderman of Ward 4 in Toronto in 1938. He only held the position for one year. In 1943, J. B. was elected to the Ontario Legislature as the representative for the St. Andrew riding. J. B. sat as Member of Provincial Parliament for the Labor-Progressive Party (the provincial wing of the CPC) for 12 years. For several years, he was the only elected Communist in North America. As MPP, he helped create legislation banning discrimination in public places and introduced a bill that would ensure fair employment practices in the province. He lost his seat to Allan Grossman in 1955 and unsuccessfully ran in the federal election later that year. Remembered by journalist Gordon Sinclair as “one of the best debaters in the house”, J. B. was well-respected by members of all political parties. Out of admiration for J. B., Conservative Premier Leslie Frost named Salsberg Township in Northern Ontario in his honour.
- Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, J. B. had grown increasingly concerned about reports of Soviet antisemitism and privately urged party leaders to pursue the issue. In 1956, when Soviet First Secretary Nikita Khrushchev exposed the transgressions of Stalin’s regime, J. B. went to Moscow as part of a CPC delegation. After meeting with Khrushchev himself, it became clear to J. B. that antisemitism was indeed a problem in the USSR and that his efforts to probe the situation were being stonewalled.
- J. B. publicly expressed his concerns about Soviet antisemitism in a series of articles published in the Vochenblatt from October 25, 1956 to December 13, 1956. He finally left the Communist Party in 1957. However, he remained a member of the United Jewish People’s Order (UJPO), a Communist Jewish fraternal organization.
- Entering the business world, J. B. established the Model Insurance Agency Limited in 1957, where he served as president for several years. In 1959 J. B.’s wife, Dora, passed away. Around this time J. B. also resigned from the UJPO, along with other members who felt the organization needed to be more critical of the Soviet Union. They founded an alternative, non-Communist left-wing Jewish organization, the New Fraternal Jewish Association, where J. B. served as president for several terms and edited its publication “Fraternally Yours”.
- In his later life, J. B. was active as an executive member of organizations, such as the CJC and the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care. He was the first chairman for the CJC Ontario Region’s Soviet Jewry Committee and the Committee for Yiddish. He also began writing an award-winning weekly column for the Canadian Jewish News. J. B. was awarded the CJC’s Samuel Bronfman Medal for distinguished service, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Toronto’s Ben Sadowski Award of Merit. A strong supporter of Israel, he was involved in the creation of two Israeli medical centres that are named in his honour. He also helped establish the J. B. and Dora Salsberg Fund and the J. B. Salsberg Fund for Yiddish at the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto. J. B. passed away in 1998.
- Name Access
- Salsberg, J. B.,1902-1998
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-1-4
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-1-4
- Material Format
- sound recording
- Physical Description
- 7 audio cassettes (ca. 7 hrs.)
- Date
- 1990-1991
- Scope and Content
- Collection consists of a talk by Salsberg to the "Brotherhood" (1 Apr. 1990), 2 interviews with Salsberg by Carol Rosenthall (13 Mar. 1990 and 16 Apr. 1991), and interviews with Rabbi Shemen (July 1991) and S. Lipshitz (1991?) about Salsberg by an unknown interviewer.
- Name Access
- Salsberg, J. B.,1902-1998
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Name
- J. B. Salsberg
- Material Format
- sound recording
- Interview Date
- 1 Apr. 1990
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- J. B. Salsberg
- Number
- OH 279
- OH 280
- Subject
- Talk to Brotherhood
- Interview Date
- 1 Apr. 1990
- Quantity
- 2
- AccessionNumber
- 2004-1-4
- Total Running Time
- 120 min. or less
- Conservation
- Copied November 2006
- Notes
- Public talk
- Use Restrictions
- Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
- Biography
- Joseph Baruch Salsberg (1902–1998) was a labour leader, political activist, politician, newspaper columnist, and someone who dedicated his life to Yiddishkeit and the advancement of social justice. He was active in various Jewish organizations, including; the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC), the Jewish Federation of Greater Toronto, and the New Fraternal Jewish Association. In 1938, he was elected alderman on Toronto’s City Council; in 1943, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. He is well remembered by contemporaries, such as Sam Lipshitz, as a "champion of the people," committed to social justice, the plight of the working-class, and the preservation of Jewish culture.
- Material Format
- sound recording
- Name Access
- Salsberg, J. B.,1902-1998
- Original Format
- Audio cassette
- Copy Format
- Audio cassette
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- J. B. Salsberg
- Material Format
- sound recording
- Interview Date
- 13 Mar. 1990
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- J. B. Salsberg
- Number
- OH 281
- Interview Date
- 13 Mar. 1990
- Quantity
- 1
- Interviewer
- Carol Rosenthal
- Total Running Time
- 60 min. or less
- Conservation
- Copied November 2006
- Use Restrictions
- Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
- Biography
- Joseph Baruch Salsberg (1902–1998) was a labour leader, political activist, politician, newspaper columnist, and someone who dedicated his life to Yiddishkeit and the advancement of social justice. He was active in various Jewish organizations, including; the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC), the Jewish Federation of Greater Toronto, and the New Fraternal Jewish Association. In 1938, he was elected alderman on Toronto’s City Council; in 1943, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. He is well remembered by contemporaries, such as Sam Lipshitz, as a "champion of the people," committed to social justice, the plight of the working-class, and the preservation of Jewish culture.
- Material Format
- sound recording
- Name Access
- Salsberg, J. B.,1902-1998
- Original Format
- Audio cassette
- Copy Format
- Audio cassette
- Digital file
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Al Hershkovitz
- Material Format
- sound recording
- Interview Date
- 19 Nov. 1985
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Al Hershkovitz
- Number
- OH 111
- Subject
- Immigrants--Canada
- Labor
- Labor unions
- Refugees--Canada
- Zionists
- Interview Date
- 19 Nov. 1985
- Quantity
- 1 cassette (1 copy)
- 1 WAV file
- Interviewer
- Phyllis Platnick
- Total Running Time
- 40.30 minutes
- Conservation
- November 2006
- Digitized in 2014
- Use Restrictions
- Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
- Biography
- Al Hershkovitz was a fur union representative who helped organize the project that brought furriers from the displaced persons camps of Europe to Canada in the late 1940s. As a union representative, Al was granted temporary military rank in order to enter the displaced persons camps in Europe. He became part of the selection committee responsible for determining which displaced persons could come to Canada.
- Material Format
- sound recording
- Language
- English
- Name Access
- Hershkovitz, Al
- Federman, Max
- Kerbel, Joe
- Silver, Harris
- Jewish Labor Committee
- Canadian Jewish Congress
- Jewish Immigrant Aid Society
- International Fur and Leather Workers Union
- American Federation of Labor
- Geographic Access
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Europe
- Original Format
- Audio cassette
- Copy Format
- Audio cassette
- Digital file
- Transcript
- G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 111 - Hershkovitz\OH111_Log.wav
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Fonds 37; Series 4; Item 52
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 37
- Series
- 4
- Item
- 52
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [197-?]
- Physical Description
- 1 negative : b&w ; 18 x 13 cm
- Admin History/Bio
- Joe B. Salsberg was born in Lagov, Poland and emigrated to Canada in 1913 at the age of 11. His parents names were Sarah and Abraham. He initially studied to become a rabbi, but at the age of 13 was forced by economic circumstances to begin working the sweatshops. These experiences lead him to a life of activism, fighting to improve the wages and working conditions for labourers. Salsberg married Dora Wilensky.
- He joined the Zionist worker's group and in 1926 the Communist Party of Canada. He worked as a Labour Zionist executive, a union organizer, Communist Party union strategist, journalist, activist and was president of Model Insurance Agency Limited. He was also a Toronto Alderman in 1938 and again in 1943 and was voted into parliament as an M.P.P. representative of the Labour Progressive Party in 1943-1955. He was actively involved in introducing the Ontario Human Rights Code in reaction to a decision to disallow Jews and blacks into certain pools as well as other anti-Semitic behavior in Ontario.
- After visiting Russia on two occasions to study and discuss with Russian leaders the Jewish problems in Russia, Salsberg renounced Stalin and his own participation in Communism.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Joseph B. Salsberg taken by Al Gilbert.
- Name Access
- Salsberg, J. B.,1902-1998
- Subjects
- Politicians
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
- Related Material
- See also Joe Salsberg fonds: Accession # 1998-2-2, 1998-12-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- File
- ID
- Fonds 92; Series 1; File 15
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 92
- Series
- 1
- File
- 15
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- June 1970
- Physical Description
- 3 photographs (1 negative) : 13 x 9 cm or smaller
- Scope and Content
- File consists of a photograph of Salsberg standing with David Ben-Gurion in Sde Boker, Israel. They are in front of Ben-Gurion's retirement home.
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Accession Number
- 2008-11-2
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2008-11-2
- Material Format
- moving images
- Physical Description
- 1 DVD : 20 min.
- 8 videocassettes : 3/4"
- 1 videocassette (ca. 20 min.) : col., sd.
- Date
- 1991
- Scope and Content
- This accession consists of one DVD, copied from an original videocassette entitled "J. B.!" The DVD features an interview with J. B. Salsberg and other individuals sharing their memories of Salsberg. The DVD was produced by Gabov Apor and Company Ltd. and was executive produced by Salsberg's niece, Dr. Sharyn A. Salsberg Ezrin. It was created for a dinner honouring J. B. Salsberg, which took place on 13 November 1991.
- Also included are the eight original broadcast U-matic videocassettes containing the raw footage and interviews as well as the finished product.
- Custodial History
- The DVD was in the possession of Ethel Cooper, Chair of the Yiddish Committee and was donated to the Archives on behalf of Dr. Salsberg Ezrin. The videocassettes were given to the Archives by the donor on 28 November, 2008 and was added on to this original accession.
- The videocassette version of the DVD footage was previously donated to OJA by Dr. Salsberg Ezrin and has been added to this accession.
- Name Access
- Salsberg, J. B.,1902-1998
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Item 2473
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Item
- 2473
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 1918
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)
- Scope and Content
- Item is a copy print of the members composite of the Borochov Branc 124 of the Jewish National Workers' Alliance.
- Notes
- From the Seymour and Abi Shatz Collection.
- Name Access
- Borochov
- Farband
- Jewish National Workers' Alliance
- Subjects
- Labor movement
- 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.
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 1980-12-2
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- File
- ID
- Fonds 18; Series 3-2; File 6
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 18
- Series
- 3-2
- File
- 6
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- Feb. 1961
- Physical Description
- 3 negatives : b&w ; 10 x 13 cm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of images taken at an Israel Histadrut meeting, that featured J. B. Salsberg as guest speaker. The images depict Salsberg standing at the podium addressing the audience.
- Name Access
- Salsberg, J. B.,1902-1998
- Subjects
- Orators
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
- Physical Condition
- Segregated due to vinegar syndrome. Item 2 has very slight rippling.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Dorothy Dworkin fonds
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 10
- Item
- 26
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [193-]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12 x 17 cm
- Name Access
- Dworkin, Dorothy, 1890-1976
- Salsberg, J. B.,1902-1998
- Subjects
- Dinners and dining
- Portraits, Group
- 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.
- Accession Number
- 2005-4-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Joseph Baruch Salsberg fonds
- Level
- Fonds
- Fonds
- 92
- Material Format
- multiple media
- Date
- 1914-1993
- Physical Description
- 1.2 m of textual records (2 v.) and other material
- Admin History/Bio
- Joseph Baruch Salsberg (1902-1998) was a labour leader, political activist, politician, insurance salesman, and journalist. He was also active in various Jewish organizations, including the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC), the Jewish Federation of Greater Toronto, and the New Fraternal Jewish Association. He is well-remembered by contemporaries, such as Sam Lipshitz, as a “champion of the people," committed to social justice, the plight of the working class, and the preservation of Jewish culture.
- J. B. was born in Lagow, Poland on November 5, 1902 to Abraham and Sarah-Gittel Salsberg. Abraham immigrated to Toronto in 1910 and J. B. followed with his mother and two younger sisters in 1913. They settled at 73 Cecil Street. Abraham and Sarah-Gittel had additional children in Canada: Nathan (b. 1915), Reuven (Bob or Robert, b. 1917), Betty, and Thelma. Abraham worked as a peddler in Toronto.
- J. B. briefly attended Landsdowne Public School, but dropped out around 1916, against his parents' wishes, and took a job in a leather goods factory to contribute to his family’s income. J. B.’s parents had hoped he would become a rabbi and, despite his full-time employment, J.B. continued to study Torah with scholars at the synagogue on Centre Avenue.
- In 1917, J. B. decided to pursue the ideas of Zionism and socialism and, abandoning his plans to become a rabbi, became involved in establishing the Young Poale Zion organization, a Labour Zionist youth group dedicated to secular aims. Around 1922, J. B. was made secretary general of the Young Poale Zion of America in New York, where he worked for one year. Shortly after returning to Toronto, he became the organizer for the Hat, Cap, and Millinery Workers Union of North America in Chicago. J. B. married Dora Wilensky in 1927.
- In 1926, J. B. joined the Communist Party of Canada (CPC). He was an active member of the CPC for 30 years, serving as the head of its Trade Union Department for two decades. In 1929 he was suspended from the party for one year as a dissenter. In 1932, he became the Southern Ontario District union organizer for the Communist Workers' Unity League.
- It was as a member of the CPC that J. B. entered electoral politics. After a series of failed bids in municipal and provincial elections between 1935 and 1937, J. B. was elected alderman of Ward 4 in Toronto in 1938. He only held the position for one year. He was re-elected to this position in 1943, beating out Nathan Phillips, before being elected to the Ontario Legislature as the representative for the St. Andrew riding. J. B. sat as member of provincial parliament for the Labor-Progressive Party (the provincial wing of the CPC) for 12 years. For several years, he was the only elected Communist in North America. As MPP, he helped create legislation banning discrimination in public places and introduced a bill that would ensure fair employment practices in the province. He lost his seat to Allan Grossman in 1955 and unsuccessfully ran in the federal election later that year. Remembered by journalist Gordon Sinclair as “one of the best debaters in the house," J. B. was well-respected by members of all political parties. Out of admiration for J. B., Conservative Premier Leslie Frost named Salsberg Township in Northern Ontario in his honour.
- Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, J. B. had grown increasingly concerned about reports of Soviet antisemitism and privately urged party leaders to pursue the issue. In 1956, when Soviet First Secretary Nikita Khrushchev exposed the transgressions of Stalin’s regime, J. B. went to Moscow as part of a CPC delegation. After meeting with Khrushchev himself, it became clear to J. B. that antisemitism was indeed a problem in the USSR and that his efforts to probe the situation were being stonewalled.
- J. B. publicly expressed his concerns about Soviet antisemitism in a series of articles published in the Vochenblatt from October 25, 1956 to December 13, 1956. He finally left the Communist Party in 1957. However, he remained a member of the United Jewish People’s Order (UJPO), a Communist Jewish fraternal organization.
- Entering the business world, J. B. established the Model Insurance Agency Limited in 1957, where he served as president for several years. In 1959 J. B.’s wife, Dora, passed away. Around this time J. B. also resigned from the UJPO, along with other members who felt the organization needed to be more critical of the Soviet Union. They founded an alternative, non-Communist, left-wing Jewish organization, the New Fraternal Jewish Association, where J. B. served as president for several terms and edited its publication, Fraternally Yours.
- In his later life, J. B. was active as an executive member of organizations, such as the CJC and the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care. He was the first chairman for the CJC Ontario Region’s Soviet Jewry Committee and the Committee for Yiddish. He also began writing an award-winning weekly column for the Canadian Jewish News. J. B. was awarded the CJC’s Samuel Bronfman Medal for distinguished service, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Toronto’s Ben Sadowski Award of Merit. A strong supporter of Israel, he was involved in the creation of two Israeli medical centres that are named in his honour. He also helped establish the J. B. and Dora Salsberg Fund and the J. B. Salsberg Fund for Yiddish at the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto. J. B. passed away in 1998.
- Custodial History
- The records were donated to the OJA in a series of accessions. Material from accessions 1991-5-4 and 1992-9-4 were donated by J. B. Salsberg. The remaining material was donated by his estate after his death.
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of records documenting J. B. Salsberg's personal, professional and Jewish communal activities. The bulk of the records are textual and relate to his membership in the CPC (later LPP), election campaigns, and Jewish communal work. Included is correspondence; photographs; reports; political writings; certificates; agendas; pamphlets; brochures; booklets; flyers; campaign literature; campaign notes; posters; newspaper clippings; press releases; articles; transcripts; speeches; telegrams; political platforms, briefs and submissions; statements; constitutions; resolutions; newspapers; meeting minutes; bulletins; periodicals; notebooks; notes; course guides and outlines; medallions; pins; plaques; donation receipts; event invitations and programmes; lists; blank employment applications; a school test; a study; a coin; a drawing; a sketch; an audio cassette; and a delegate card.
- Records are arranged into the following five series: 1. Personal ; 2. Labour Zionism and union activities ; 3. Political career ; and, 4. Jewish community involvement. There are also four files and one item attached directly to the fonds.
- Notes
- Physical Description Note: Includes 53 photographs, 7 medallions, 11 pins, 4 posters, 2 plaques, 1 sketch, 1 drawing, 1 audio cassette, 1 desk name plate, and 1 coin.
- Physical Extent Note: Fonds was reduced from approximately 7 metres to 1.5 metres. The culled material consisted primarily of published books, periodicals and pamphlets that had been collected by J. B. Salsberg. For further details about what was culled please view the accession records.
- Associated Material Note: Queen's University Archive also has a J. B. Salsberg fonds, 14 hours of interview tapes with J. B. Salsberg and records of the UJPO are held by the Multicultural Historical Society of Ontario (MHSO).
- Name Access
- Salsberg, J. B.,1902-1998
- Subjects
- Labor leaders
- Politicians
- Related Material
- For additional records in OJA's holdings, see: Ben Kayfetz fonds 62, series 8, file 2 ; accession 2008-11-2 ; accession 2004-1-4 ; and oral histories AC 71 and AC 226.
- Creator
- Salsberg, Joseph Baruch, 1902-1998
- Accession Number
- 1991-5-4
- 1992-9-4
- 1998-2-2
- 1998-12-5
- 2004-5-28
- 2010-4-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Passenger Names
- Goldhar, J. & B.
- Date Range
- June 6, 1911 to January 19, 1915
- Source
- Rotenberg Ledger
- Passenger Names
- Goldhar, J. & B.
- Page Number
- 452
- Date Range
- June 6, 1911 to January 19, 1915
- Photographer
- Harvey and Adena Glasner
- Source
- Rotenberg Ledger
- Passenger Names
- Harrison, J. B.
- Date Range
- June 6, 1911 to January 19, 1915
- Source
- Rotenberg Ledger
- Passenger Names
- Harrison, J. B.
- Page Number
- 488
- Date Range
- June 6, 1911 to January 19, 1915
- Photographer
- Harvey and Adena Glasner
- Source
- Rotenberg Ledger
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Item 5015
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Item
- 5015
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 4 Oct. 1958
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Scope and Content
- Item is a photograph of a group of fourteen men and two women from the Dressmakers' Union at a table in the Tudor Room of the Royal York Hotel.
- Notes
- Photo by Graphic Artists.
- Name Access
- Royal York Hotel
- Dressmakers' Union
- Subjects
- Labor
- Labor unions
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 1990-1-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Item 5016
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Item
- 5016
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 4 Oct. 1958
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Scope and Content
- Item is a photograph of members of the Dressmakers' Union seated in the Tudor Room of the Royal York Hotel. Standing third from right: Ely Pepper (lawyer).
- Notes
- Photo by Graphic Artists.
- Name Access
- Pepper, Ely
- Royal York Hotel
- Dressmakers' Union
- Subjects
- Labor
- Labor unions
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 1990-1-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Item 2474
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Item
- 2474
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 1916
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)
- Notes
- From the Seymour and Abi Shatz Collection.
- Name Access
- Shatz, Benjamin
- Jewish National Workers Alliance
- Subjects
- Labor
- Labor unions
- 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.
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 1980-12-2
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Fonds 33; Series 4; Item 9
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 33
- Series
- 4
- Item
- 9
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [ca. 1936]
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 14 x 13 cm and 10 x 12 cm
- Admin History/Bio
- Both Joseph B. Salsberg and Bill's father, Moishe Stern, were from Lagov, Poland.
- Scope and Content
- This item is a photograph of Joseph B. Salsberg and his wife, Dora Wilenksy. They are both seated in a chair.
- Name Access
- Salsberg, J. B.,1902-1998
- Wilensky, Dora, 1902-1959
- Subjects
- Married people
- Portraits
- 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.
- Accession Number
- 1991-5-6
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Item 1440
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Item
- 1440
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 1931
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w
- Scope and Content
- Item is a photograph of a group of women dressmakers picketing on Spadina Avenue in Toronto. They are holding a sign that reads: Dressmakers General Strike, Dresmakers Union, ILGWU.
- Notes
- Acquired June 22, 1975.
- Name Access
- International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union
- Subjects
- Labor unions
- Strikes and lockouts
- Women
- 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.
- Places
- Spadina Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 1977-7-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Accession Number
- 1979-10-1
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1979-10-1
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- ca. 7 cm of textual records
- Date
- 1937–1955
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of material documenting the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. Included are undated strike cards, a card announcing the twenty-fifth annual celebration of the Cloakmakers' Union dated 14 February 1936–16 February 1936, letters, general manager of the joint board announcing summons before grievance committee, official membership dues cards issued to S. Clodman, a souvenir journa, and other documents.
- MG_RG
- MG2 E1a
- Subjects
- Labor unions
- Name Access
- International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Part Of
- Fur Workers' Union fonds
- Level
- Fonds
- Fonds
- 12
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [between 1935 and 1949]
- Physical Description
- 3 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Admin History/Bio
- The International Fur Workers' Union was founded by eight local unions in 1913 and held members in both the United States of America and Canada
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of photographs created and/or accumulated by the Fur Workers' Union.
- Name Access
- Fur Workers' Union
- Subjects
- Labor unions
- Creator
- Fur Worker's Union, 1913-
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Toronto Cloakmakers Union fonds
- Level
- Fonds
- Fonds
- 8
- Material Format
- textual record
- graphic material
- Date
- [190-?]-1961
- Physical Description
- 7 cm of textual records
- 5 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm or smaller
- Admin History/Bio
- The Toronto Cloakmakers Union was established in 1909 as an organized effort to assist and protect workers in the women's garment industry. Two years later they became affiliated with the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU) in Toronto and became Local 14. Today they are the oldest local still in existence and are now called Unite Here Canada.
- Scope and Content
- The fonds consists of textual and graphic material documenting the activities and membership of the Toronto Cloakmakers Union and International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. Included are ILGWU membership dues and strike cards issued to Sara Clodman; letters and cards announcing ILGWU meetings, celebrations, and other matters; an invitation to a dinner honouring A. Magerman's 25 years in the Cloakmaker's Union; copies of the Golden Jubilee Souvenir Journal and the 40th Jubilee Celebration book; a photocopy of the Constitution of the ILGWU; Toronto Cloakmakers Union Local 14 Minute Book in Yiddish; and five black and white photographs of union members, events, and committees.
- Name Access
- International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union
- Toronto Cloakmakers Union
- Subjects
- Labor unions
- Creator
- Toronto Cloakmakers Union, 1909-
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 1987-12-6
- 1979-10-1
- 1998-3-18
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- File
- ID
- Fonds 18; Series 3; File 54
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 18
- Series
- 3
- File
- 54
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 28 Jun. 1961
- Physical Description
- 5 negatives : b&w ; 10 x 13 cm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of images of members of the Cloakmakers' Union, taken at the Labor Lyceum on Spadina Avenue. The images depict several members signing cheques and the officers of the union addressing the crowd.
- Name Access
- Labor Lyceum (Toronto, Ont.)
- Subjects
- Labor unions
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
- Places
- Kensington Market (Toronto, Ont.)
- Spadina Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harry Simon fonds
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 23
- File
- 1
- Material Format
- textual record
- graphic material
- Date
- 1934-[198-]
- Physical Description
- 3 cm of textual records
- 3 photographs : b&w ; 20 x 48 cm and 21 x 26 cm
- Admin History/Bio
- There was a major dispute within the International Fur Workers' Union in 1938, which is documented in the records of Harry Simon. It was due to the division between the Communist and anti-Communist elements of the union and resulted in the formation of a new fur workers' union affiliated with the American Federation of Labor (AFL).
- Scope and Content
- File consists of textual and graphic records related to Harry Simon's work as an organizer and representative of the International Fur Workers' Union and an officer of the break-away Fur Workers' Union (AFL.). This includes correspondence, rally posters and flyers, anniversary books, a bulletin, and photographs. Of particular interest are the records detailing a heated dispute between the International Fur Workers' Union, its Toronto Joint Board leadership and many of its members. An oversized newsprint poster referring to Max Federman's dispute is included.
- Subjects
- Labor unions
- Physical Condition
- One photograph requires conservation work.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Item 1620
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Item
- 1620
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 1937
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)
- Scope and Content
- This is a composite photo of the members of the bakery and confectionery workers, union local 181.
- Name Access
- Bakery, Confectionery, and Tobacco Workers International Union. Local 181 (Toronto, Ont.)
- Subjects
- Labor unions
- 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.
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 1979-1-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Item 1625
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Item
- 1625
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [193-?]
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)
- Scope and Content
- Identified in this photograph in the first row, from left to right: Dave Biderman; Louis Hoffman; Abe Goldman; Max Speisman (probably Chairman); [unknown]; Mr. Jubas; Izzy Weiner.
- Second row, left to right: [unknown]; Nathan Horowitz; I. Fine.
- Notes
- Credit: Estate of Max Speisman.
- Name Access
- Labor League (Toronto, Ont.)
- Biderman, Dave
- Hoffman, Louis
- Goldman, Abe
- Speisman, Max
- Jubas, Mr.
- Weiner, Izzy
- Horowitz, Nathan
- Fine, I.
- Toronto Cloakmakers Union
- Subjects
- Labor unions
- 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.
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 1978-4-3
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Item 1626
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Item
- 1626
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [193-?]
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)
- Scope and Content
- Identification list available in accession record.
- Notes
- Credit: the Estate of Max Speisman.
- Name Access
- Labor League (Toronto, Ont.)
- Speisman, Max
- Subjects
- Labor unions
- 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.
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 1978-4-3
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
- Community Relations Committee series
- Anti-Semitism cases sub-series
- Level
- File
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-3; File 68
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
- Community Relations Committee series
- Anti-Semitism cases sub-series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 17
- Series
- 5-3
- File
- 68
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1952
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of documents related to allegations of antisemitism by union officials. These allegations were used to influence a vote by union members.
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Subjects
- Labor unions
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- File
- ID
- Fonds 92; Series 2; File 4
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 92
- Series
- 2
- File
- 4
- Material Format
- textual record
- object
- graphic material
- Date
- [ca. 1920]-1927
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records (1 v.)
- 1 pin : ribbon with hanging medallion, red and gold ; 13 cm
- 7 photographs : b&w (3 negatives) ; 13 x 18 cm or smaller
- Scope and Content
- File consists of records documenting J. B. Salsberg's involvement in the United Cloth Hat, Cap and Millinery Workers' International Union and its affiliated local unions in Toronto. Included is a twenty-fifth anniversary book of the Cloth Hat, Cap, and Millinery Workers by I. M. Budish and published in New York (1925), a delegate pin for the 16th Bi-Convention of the Cloth, Hat, Cap and Millinery Workers International Union (1927), photographs of committees of the Canadian Headgear Workers Central Bureau, a copy photograph of the Executive Board of the Millinery and Ladies Straw Hat Workers Union Local 46, and a copy photograph of the Toronto Executive Board Local 41.
- Notes
- Artifact number 152
- Some of the photographs in this file appear in the twenty-fifth anniversary book.
- Subjects
- Labor unions
- 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.
- Physical Condition
- Book is in fragile condition and binding is starting to come loose.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Dorothy Dworkin fonds
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 10
- Item
- 30
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [ca. 1957]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Admin History/Bio
- David Lewis was a lawyer and one of the leaders of the early CCF party. During the early years of the party, he was one of the most influential policy-makers in the CCF and travelled across the country and parts of the United States on speaking tours between and during election campaigns. During the 1950s, he moved to Toronto and joined a prominent law firm. He acted in an advisory capacity on the Trades and Labour Congress and the Canadian Congress of Labour when they formed the Canadian Labour Congress. He later helped form the New Democratic Party during the early 1960s. In 1962, he was elected to the House of Commons as a member for York South. He became NDP leader in 1971, after the retirement of T. C. Douglas. He lost his seat a few years later and began lecturing at Carleton University. He passed away in May 1981.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of David Lewis speaking at a meeting given by the Cloakmaker's Union, possibly in New York. From left to right are: Dora Dworkin, Abe Kirzner, David Lewis, and others.
- Notes
- Photographer unknown.
- Name Access
- Cloakmaker's Union
- Kirzner, Abe
- Lewis, David, 1908-1981
- Subjects
- Labor unions
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
- Places
- New York (N.Y.).
- Accession Number
- 2005-4-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
- Community Relations Committee series
- Anti-Semitism cases sub-series
- Level
- File
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-3; File 260
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
- Community Relations Committee series
- Anti-Semitism cases sub-series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 17
- Series
- 5-3
- File
- 260
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 1966
- Physical Description
- 15 photographs : b&w ; 9 x 13 cm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs of members of the Western Guard white supremacist group at a mass demonstration in Toronto.
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Western Guard Party
- Subjects
- Demonstrations
- White supremacy movements
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Accession Number
- 1988-4-8
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1988-4-8
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 scrapbook
- Date
- 1930-1955
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of a scrapbook created by Morris Lofsky. The scrapbook contains newspaper clippings of Zionist and labour materials. Of particular note is a stop-work broadside featuring information about the march and demonstration at Queen's Park from 1933 in protest of the pogroms of German Jews leading up to the Second World War. There are also several strike notices from the furrier, dressmakers, and other unions.
- Administrative History
- Morris Lofsky lived with his family in the downtown Kengsington market area of Toronto. He worked as a fur worker and was an active member of the Jewish community.
- Use Conditions
- 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.
- Subjects
- Demonstrations
- Labor
- Zionism
- Places
- Queen's Park (Toronto, Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Source
- OJA Website
- Source
- OJA Website
Joseph B. Salsberg | Ontario Jewish Archives
- Part Of
- Board of Jewish Education fonds
- Director of school finances series
- Chronological correspondence and memoranda sub-series
- Level
- File
- ID
- Fonds 48; Series 3-1; File 33
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Board of Jewish Education fonds
- Director of school finances series
- Chronological correspondence and memoranda sub-series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 48
- Series
- 3-1
- File
- 33
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1985
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Board of Jewish Education fonds
- Director of school finances series
- Chronological correspondence and memoranda sub-series
- Level
- File
- ID
- Fonds 48; Series 3-1; File 34
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Board of Jewish Education fonds
- Director of school finances series
- Chronological correspondence and memoranda sub-series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 48
- Series
- 3-1
- File
- 34
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1985
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Board of Jewish Education fonds
- Director of school finances series
- Chronological correspondence and memoranda sub-series
- Level
- File
- ID
- Fonds 48; Series 3-1; File 35
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Board of Jewish Education fonds
- Director of school finances series
- Chronological correspondence and memoranda sub-series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 48
- Series
- 3-1
- File
- 35
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1985
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Board of Jewish Education fonds
- Director of school finances series
- Chronological correspondence and memoranda sub-series
- Level
- File
- ID
- Fonds 48; Series 3-1; File 36
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Board of Jewish Education fonds
- Director of school finances series
- Chronological correspondence and memoranda sub-series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 48
- Series
- 3-1
- File
- 36
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1985
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- File
- ID
- Fonds 48; Series 6; File 13
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 48
- Series
- 6
- File
- 13
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1985
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- File
- ID
- Fonds 48; Series 6; File 14
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 48
- Series
- 6
- File
- 14
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1985
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- File
- ID
- Fonds 48; Series 6; File 15
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 48
- Series
- 6
- File
- 15
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1985
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Passenger Names
- Goldman, L. & J. B.
- Date Range
- June 6, 1911 to January 19, 1915
- Source
- Rotenberg Ledger
- Passenger Names
- Goldman, L. & J. B.
- Page Number
- 554
- Date Range
- June 6, 1911 to January 19, 1915
- Photographer
- Harvey and Adena Glasner
- Source
- Rotenberg Ledger
- Name
- Bess Maltinsky Shockett
- Material Format
- sound recording
- Interview Date
- 8 Nov. 2004, 7 Dec. 2004
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Bess Maltinsky Shockett
- Number
- OH 288
- Subject
- Committees
- Labor
- Labor unions
- Interview Date
- 8 Nov. 2004, 7 Dec. 2004
- Quantity
- 4
- Interviewer
- Jillian Gould
- Total Running Time
- OH 288A: 31 minutes
- OH 288B: 31 minutes
- Conservation
- Copies made for Bess' son Michael on four ninety-minute tapes
- Use Restrictions
- Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
- Biography
- Bess was born in the Ukraine in 1920. She immigrated to Montreal in 1925 with her parents and two brothers. She married Barry Shockett in 1952 and had three children. As an adolescent, Bess became very active in the Jewish community and joined the United Jewish People's Order. She helped organize a union for workers in the knitting industry and later did the same for fur workers. She also travelled to Winnipeg to organize a laundry workers union. She helped found the New Fraternal Jewish Association in 1960 and was actively involved in the organization. She became very active in the Toronto Jewish community, particularly in regards to supporting and launching several innovative Yiddish programs. She staffed the office of the Canadian Jewish Congress' Committee for Yiddish in its early years and was director from 1974 to 1989.
- Material Format
- sound recording
- Name Access
- United Jewish People's Order
- New Fraternal Jewish Association
- Committee for Yiddish
- Geographic Access
- Montreal
- Toronto
- Original Format
- Audio cassette
- Copy Format
- Digital file
- Source
- Oral Histories
Bess became president of the Youth Division of the United Jewish People’s Order in Montreal in 1946. In this clip, Bess shares some of her memories and experiences as a representative to the First International Conference of Youth held in Prague in 1947.
In this clip, Bess discusses the events that led up to the formation of a new left-leaning organization, the New Fraternal Jewish Association, which broke away from the United Jewish People’s Order in 1960.
- Name
- Dora Till
- Material Format
- sound recording
- Interview Date
- 4 May 1983
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Dora Till
- Number
- OH 151
- Subject
- Immigrants--Canada
- Families
- Labor
- Labor unions
- Women
- Occupations
- Interview Date
- 4 May 1983
- Quantity
- 1
- Interviewer
- Stephen Speisman
- Total Running Time
- 46 minutes
- Conservation
- Copied August 2003
- Use Restrictions
- Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
- Biography
- Dora Till (née Tobias) was born in New York City in 1896. She came to Toronto in 1900. She married Morris Till in 1918. They had one daughter, Cecile. As a youth, Dora was involved with Herzl Girls and the Boot and Shoe Society. Dora was active in community service and contributed greatly to social service work. She was co-founder and first president for the Mothers' and Babes' Summer Rest Home, vice president of the Hebrew Maternity Aid Society, a board member for the Jewish Family and Child Services, an executive for the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies, honorary vice president of United Jewish Welfare Fund, on the board of Canadian Jewish Congress and past president of the Naomi Chapter of Hadassah-WIZO.
- Material Format
- sound recording
- Name Access
- Herzl Girls Boot and Shoe Society, 1920
- Mothers and Babes Summer Rest Home
- Baycrest Hospital
- United Jewish Welfare Fund
- Beth Tzedec Synagogue
- Timothy Eaton Company
- Till, Dora
- Geographic Access
- Toronto
- Bronte
- Original Format
- Audio cassette
- Copy Format
- Audio cassette
- Digital file
- Source
- Oral Histories
In this clip, Dora Till discusses some of the services provided by Hebrew Maternity Aid.
Dora Till was co-founder and first president for Mothers and Babes Summer Rest Home. In this clip, Dora describes the efforts to solicit and fundraise on behalf of the Mothers and Babes Summer Rest Home.
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Item 263
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Item
- 263
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [193-?]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Scope and Content
- Item is a photograph of delegates to the ninth convention of the Jewish National Workers' Alliance, held in Philadelphia..
- Notes
- Photograph is not the original print.
- OJA has the negative for this photograph.
- Name Access
- Jewish National Workers' Alliance
- Subjects
- Congresses and conventions
- Labor movement
- 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.
- Places
- Philadelphia (Pa.)
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harry Clairmont fonds
- Level
- Fonds
- Fonds
- 32
- Material Format
- textual record
- graphic material
- Date
- [ca. 1930]-1975
- Physical Description
- 50 cm of textual records
- 48 photographs : b&w ; 25 x 103 cm or smaller
- Admin History/Bio
- Harry Wolf Clairmont (1907-1977) was a Toronto labour activist, involved for many years in the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU). Clairmont was born in Chmielnik, in the province of Kielce, Poland, and moved to Canada in December, 1923. He began working in the garment industry as an operator's helper at the J. and G. Cloak Shop in Toronto, and soon became involved in the labour movement and the ILGWU. Claimont held many positions with the ILGWU, including recording secretary of the Operators' Local 14 and business agent of Sportswear Local 199. He was also an active member of the Jewish Workers' National Alliance, the Young Communist League and the Canadian Trotskyist movement. He was married and had two children. He passed away in 1977.
- Scope and Content
- The fonds documents Harry Clairmont's involvement in the Canadian labour movement, as well as his interest in socialism and communism. Included are publications of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, the Arbeiter Club, the Communist League of America, and the Revolutionary Workers' Party, and records relating to Clairmont's involvement in these organizations and union locals. These records include correspondence, membership cards, pamphlets, clippings, newsletters, anniversary books, bulletins, journals, speeches, financial reports, minute books, and photographs. The small notebook, which only has a few filled page, consists of minutes from the meetings of the Unzer Kamf Worker's Club. The larger notebook, which is completely full, consists of minutes from the meetings of "Local 14." The first page of the latter (starting from the Yiddish side) is a list of the executive in English.
- Name Access
- Clairmont, Harry, 1907-1977
- Subjects
- Communism
- Labor movement
- Socialism
- Physical Condition
- Most records are in good condition.
- Several photographs have been rolled and cannot be flattened.
- One photograph is partially attached to glass and will need to be separated by a conservator.
- Related Material
- See also MG2 E1a
- Creator
- Clairmont, Harry, 1907-
- Accession Number
- 1979-11-18
- 1984-1-6
- 2004-6-3
- 1998-3-7 [old accession #]
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Accession Number
- 1981-9-3
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1981-9-3
- Material Format
- object
- Physical Description
- 1 pin
- Date
- [ca. 1928]
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of a member's pin with a ribbon and pendant celebrating the 25th jubilee of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU), Cloakmakers Union Toronto.
- Subjects
- Anniversaries
- Labor unions
- Name Access
- International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2007-9-4
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2007-9-4
- Material Format
- graphic material
- textual record
- object
- Physical Description
- 10 photographs : b&w
- 10 cm of textual records
- 1 doll
- 2 pins
- Date
- 1925-1985
- Scope and Content
- This accession consists of material relating to the International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU) and the Jewish community in Toronto. They include published material from the ILGWU, Yiddish songbooks and benchers, Yiddish booklets distributed by various Toronto Jewish organizations such as the Poalei Zion and the Farband, a pin from Baycrest given to Jennie Magerman on completing 14, 000 hours of volunteer service, a pin from the Kieltzer Sick Benefit Society given to Abe Magerman in 1913, and several photographs of Abe Magerman participating in union activities. There is also a Miss Union Made plastic doll dating from circa 1950, which is wearing pink dress and sash and is enclosed in a plastic cover.
- Custodial History
- This material was originally in the possession of Abe and Jennie Magerman. It was later in the possession of his son, Alfred, until being donated to the OJA by Alfred's wife Barbara in September 2007.
- Administrative History
- Abe Magerman was the assistant manager for the International Ladies Garment Workers' Union for many years. He was married to Jennie (nee Shefsky) Magerman and had two children, Esther and Alfred. Jennie (nee Shefsky) Magerman was the daughter of Myer and Toba Rayzel (nee Nusynovitch) Shefsky.
- Descriptive Notes
- Magerman, Abe
- Farband Labour Zionist Alliance
- International Ladies Garment Workers Union
- Poalei Zion
- Toronto Labour Lyceum Association Limited
- Arbeiter Ring
- Israel Histadrut
- Baycrest
- Kieltzer Sick Benefit Society
- Subjects
- Communities
- Labor unions
- Name Access
- International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Part Of
- Morris Norman collection
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 22
- Item
- 79
- Material Format
- object
- Date
- 1949
- Physical Description
- 1 item
- Name Access
- International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union
- Subjects
- Anniversaries
- Labor unions
- Source
- Archival Descriptions