Level

Item

Item

6619

Material Format

graphic material

Date

12 May 1935

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm

Scope and Content

Item is a photograph of a workmen's choir during the ten year jubilee celebration for the AACT organizations.

There are several Yiddish inscriptions on the photograph that are only partially translated. Translation includes, "Proletarian culture front, worthy member in Yiddishe Arbeiter Culture Centre, ten-year jubilee celebration with Ch' Shaffer, 12 May 1935, the two brothers".

Subjects

Anniversaries

Choirs (Music)

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.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Board of Jewish Education fonds

Executive director series

Teacher files sub-series

Level

Sub-series

Fonds

48

Series

2-4

Material Format

textual record

Date

1936-1983

Physical Description

1.2 m of textual records

Admin History/Bio

The BJE was responsible for recruiting, hiring and dismissing teachers and principals at the request of the various schools, for setting codes of practice, and for establishing salary scales in accordance with provincial standards. As such, it was the responsibility of the executive director to perform these tasks and maintain the appropriate files. The executive director worked closely with the Jewish Teacher’s Alliance, which represented the teachers, specifically when dealing with salary, pension and discipline issues. The Personnel Committee was often consulted on matters of importance and for making procedural and other decisions on topics such as personnel budgeting, grievances or other problem cases, and when dealing with the Jewish Teacher’s Alliance. Any teacher appointed to a school had to be made in consultation with and approved by the BJE. This procedure had been in place since the BJE’s founding in 1950 until the late 1970s or early 1980s.

Scope and Content

The series contains teacher personnel records, organized alphabetically by the teacher's name. The files include resumes and teacher applications; employment records indicating affiliated school, salary, days absent and other administrative information; BJE questionnaires; information on work visas and related government requirements; correspondence to and from the BJE Executive Director regarding performance, special citations or awards, and school placements; letters of reference from past employers; and on occasion, grievance letters to the UJWF, BJE Executive Director and BJE Personnel Committee.

There are also several files documenting the recruitment of Israeli teachers for schools in Toronto, which include applications and resumes, correspondence between the BJE Executive Director and the Jewish schools in Toronto, as well as representatives of the Jewish Agency and other organizations in Israel.

Access Restriction

Closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing the records.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Board of Jewish Education fonds

Executive director series

Teacher files sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

48

Series

2-4

File

3

Material Format

textual record

Date

1936-1967

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Access Restriction

Closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director prior to accessing the records

Source

Archival Descriptions

Accession Number

2021-10-1

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

object

Physical Description

30 cm of textual records

5 photographs : b&w & col. ; 30 x 20 cm or smaller

2 metal award certificates : 28 x 21 cm

1 key : framed in a wooden box

Date

1913-2013

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records related to the Kiever Synagogue or had been stored at the synagogue. Included are certificates (1930-[1961?]); a print of the 1913 Officers and Members of the Grand Order of Israel of Canada; a poster of Yitzhak Ben-Zvi (president of Israel) presented by National Committee for Labour Israel for Israel Histadrut campaign; National Synagogue Directory issued by Canadian Jewish Congress Charities Committee (2011-2012); The Jewish Magazine (2006); Baycrest Men's Service Group Honour Roll books (1993-1997, 1999); shabbat, wedding, and bar mitzvah/bat mitzvah benchers (1965-2013); newspaper clippings; blessing guides; and administrative material such as receipt books (1933-1934), Synagogue Laws and Customs (1976), and a memorandum of agreement (1920). Also included are photographs featuring David Pinkus, Nate Leipciger, students of Talmud Torah Eitz Chaim (1936), and the top view of bimah and chuppah of the Kiever Synagogue, which was taken at Samara Kaplan’s wedding (2004); and miscellaneous material such as raffle tickets (1928), invitation tickets from Chevra Kadisha (1928), and record books of Toronto Free Loan Association. This accession also includes the following artifacts: two metal certificates of Recognition of Service Award granted by State of Israel Bond and Canada-Israel Securities Limited (1964 and 1965) and a skeleton key framed in a wooden shadow box, which is possibly the original key to the building. People identified in the photograph of students of Talmud Torah Eitz Chaim (1936) are: Solly Speisman (second row, fourth from left), Myer Orzench (second row, far right), Hymie Reingewietz (second row, sixth from left), Mr. Hoffman (teacher, left-hand side), and Mr. Nobleman (teacher, right-hand side). Myer Orzench was the second vice-president of the Kiever Synagogue; Mr. Nobleman was father of Ben Nobleman, the municipal politician of York Region.

Custodial History

Records deposited by David Moyal of the Kiever Synagogue.

Administrative History

The Kiever synagogue, also known as the Kiever Shul, is a Modern Orthodox Jewish synagogue in Toronto. It was founded in 1912 by a small congregation of Jewish immigrants from the Kiev Gubernia of the Russian Empire (now Ukraine) and formally incorporated in 1914 by the granting of the Letters Patent by the Provincial Secretary. The congregation’s formal name is "The First Russian Congregation of Rodfei Sholem Anshei Kiev." According to the earliest congregational records, Max Bossin was president in 1912. At first, services were held in members’ homes and later in a rented house on Centre Avenue in the Ward. Not being able to afford a rabbi, services were led by members, including Cantor Herschel Litvak. In 1917, sufficient funds were raised to mortgage a house at 25 Bellevue Avenue on the outskirts of Kensington Market. The congregation relocated there and the facilities were enlarged in 1921 with the acquisition of a second house. In 1927, a new synagogue, which was built on the site of the two houses and designed by a Jewish architect named Benjamin Swartz in the Byzantine Revival style, was completed to accommodate increasing number of congregants. During the construction from 1924 to 1927, religious services were conducted at the home of Mr. Silverman at 29 Wales Avenue. Equipped with a rabbi and a proper synagogue, the Kiever was able to play a larger role in the Toronto Jewish community. The shul offered Yiddish and bar-mitzvah lessons, a youth minyan led by Fischel Cooper, a credit society, as well as a women’s auxiliary. Several decades later, the Kiever’s membership declined in the 1950s and 1960s due to demographic changes—Jews began leaving the downtown core for the north end of town. The synagogue building deteriorated. In 1973, the Archives Committee of the Canadian Jewish Congress Central Region decided to help preserve it, and by 1982, sufficient funds had been raised to restore the building. In 1979, the Kiever Synagogue became the first building of Jewish significance to be designated a historical site by the province of Ontario and has been protected under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act since then. Some of the founders included: B. B. Smith, Yehudah Leib "Louis" Bossin, Isaac Mosten, Jake Dubin, Harry Cohen, and Wolf Ganz. The congregation's first and longest-tenured rabbi was Solomon Langner, who served from around 1929 until his death in 1973. Sheldon Steinberg served as rabbi from the time of Langner's death until the mid-1990s. David Pinkus served as president of the Kiever Shul from the late 1970s to 2011. His parents, Molly and Isadore Pinkus, were co-founders of the shul. As of 2022, the synagogue president is Adam S. Cohen.

Descriptive Notes

LANGUAGE NOTE: material is in Yiddish, Hebrew, and English.

Availability of other formats: digital preservation copies for some documents have been created and are available in PDF, JPG, and TIF formats.

Subjects

Synagogues

Name Access

Kiever Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2021-10-11

Material Format

graphic material

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records and graphic material

1 oversized photograph

Date

1908-1985

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material documenting the family of Helen Marks. Included are two wedding three school photographs, school photographs, personal identity documents, a certificate of naturalization, a letter, a program for a gala evening, and a un untranslated document.

The first wedding photograph was taken at the wedding of Rose Miltz and Nathan Weisblatt on 29 December 1935. Rose and Nathan were part of Helen's father's family.

The second wedding photograph was taken at the wedding of Rose Nimon and Isadore Weisblatt. Rose and Nimon were Helen's parents.

Two school photographs were taken at John Fisher School in the 1930s. Helen attended the school from kindergarten until grade eight.

A third school photograph was taken at North Toronto Collegiate sometime around Christmas 1939. Helen attended the school for one year from 1939 to 1940.

There are several identity documents for Helen's father-in-law, Morris Marks. The first such document is a Romanian passport dated 24 May 1908. The second such document is a deed poll testifying to Morris' change of name dated 23 January 1933. The third document is a document certifying that the latter is a true copy.

The certificate of naturalization is for Harry Schnall. Helen believes Harry was her mother-in-law's father but is not positive.

The letter is from Max Niman and Moishe Fishbaum and is dated 15 August 1985. The letter regards the amalgamation of the Ostrovtzer Congregation and the Shaarei Tefillah Congregation. Helen's mother's family were founders of the congregation.

The program is for a gala evening presented by the Chinese community for the Mount Sinai Hospital Research Centre expansion, which was held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on 22 June 1985.

Finally, there is a document in what appears to be Romanian but which has not been translated.

Descriptive Notes

Language: English, Romanian, French

Subjects

Immigrants--Canada

Ketubah

Public schools

Places

Romania

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2021-11-5

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

19 photographs : b&w and col. ; 44 cm x 32 cm or smaller

Date

1917-1977, 1992, 2013

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records documenting members of the Shekter and Taylor families of Hamilton, Ontario. Included are three Negev Dinner books honouring Jack Taylor, Samuel Taylor, and Franklin Shapiro; news clippings documenting the viewing of the Hamilton Jewish Community Centre featuring Ben Shekter as well as Ben Shekter's obituary; and photographs depicting Ben Shekter, Harry Taylor, Dorothy (Taylor) Shekter, Jeanette Miller, Rebecca Taylor, Sam Taylor, James L. Shekter, and members of the Temple Players at Anshe Sholom Temple in Hamilton. Other locales featured in the photographs are Palm Springs, Hollywood Beach, and Hamilton. Also included are two oversized childhood portraits of Dorothy Taylor (aged approx. 6 years) and Ben Shekter (aged approx. 1 year).

Administrative History

Dorothy Shekter (née Taylor) (1915-2010) was born in 1915 in Hamilton, Ontario, to Max and Rebecca Taylor. Max and Rebecca moved from Russia to Canada in around 1906 and established a grocery business in Hamilton. Rebecca was a community worker; Max served as president of the Hess Street Shule for many years and was president and also one of the founders of the Ohav Zedek Congregation. Dorothy had four brothers: Jack, Lloyd, Harry and Sam, and a cousin Jeanette Miller, who has raised as a sister after being orphaned at age two. Dorothy married her husband Ben Shekter on 30 Aug. 1942. Dorothy was a social worker, having graduated from McMaster University in 1939 and then with her MSW from the University of Toronto in 1941. Dorothy passed away on 9 Feb. 2010.

Ben Shekter (1915-2013) was born on 6 Aug. 1915 in Hamilton, Ontario, to James and Lillian Shekter. He was an activist, a lawyer, a musician, and an advocate. His father owned the Shekter hotel on James St. North in Hamilton. As president of Hamilton Jewish Federation, Ben was committed to the Hamilton Jewish community and contributed to building and developing the Jewish Community Centre in Hamilton. Ben was one of the founding members of the Beverly Golf and Country Club (est. 1957) and was president of the club several times. Later, Ben initiated the plan for establishing Shalom Village, a Jewish seniors' residence and nursing home in Hamilton, and was its first president. In addition, Ben was also a board member of Hamilton Place, chairman of the Council of Jewish Organizations, and was active in the downtown Businessmen's Association. Ben passed away on 4 July 2013.

Jack Taylor, Dorothy's brother, was born on 5 Sept. 1905 in Russia and immigrated to Canada at the age of six months with his parents. He attended Hamilton public schools and Central Collegiate in his early years. From 1926 to 1928, he moved to New York and attended Columbia University studying playwriting and dramatics. Jack married Florence Cohan in 1929 and had a daughter, Shirley. Jack joined the Grand Order of Israel in 1934 and became the Grand Noble Master of the Grand Lodge in 1949 and 1961. He also served as chairman of the Territorial Division of the United Jewish Appeal, Men's Division in the 1950s. In 1956 and 1957, Jack served as president of the Council of Jewish Organizations. In 1963, Jack was president of Viceroy Reading Lodge of B'nai B'rith and also president of the United Hebrew Memorial Chapel. In the same year, after working at Hamilton Auto Parts for nineteen years, Jack established his own business, Taylor Automotive Supplies. In the 1970s, Jack served as vice-president of the Jewish National Fund (JNF) of Hamilton and was the honouree of the 1971 Hamilton Negev Dinner.

Samuel Taylor, Dorothy's brother, was born in 1916. He became a professional musician at age fifteen and continued in music from age eighteen to twenty-six. During the Second World War, Sam served in the Air Force Central Band and began his studies in the accounting field at the same time. In 1948, he graduated as a chartered accountant and opened the firm of Taylor, Leibow Chartered Accountants in 1950. In the same year, Sam married Anne Klein and had two children, Michael and Robin. From 1974 to 1976, Sam served as president of Hamilton JNF. In 1974 and 1975, he served as president of United Jewish Welfare Fund. Besides, Sam was a member of the Board of the Ontario Association of Licensed Trustees in Bankruptcy and a member of Executive Board of United Israel Appeal of Canada. In 1977 he became president of Hamilton Jewish Federation and was the honouree of the 1977 Hamilton Negev Dinner.

Use Conditions

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the Archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Places

Hamilton (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2021-11-7

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

7 cm of textual records

1 poster

Date

1922-2015

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material collected by Beverley Schaeffer. The bulk of the material consists of newspaper clippings documenting Jewish communities in northern Ontario, primarily Kirkland Lake. In addition to the clippings, there are several other items: the first draft of Eddie Duke's "The History of the Jewish Community of Kirkland Lake," a copy of a typed article titled "The Way We Were" by Bettyann Elliott (née Archer), two issues of Beth Tikvah Sisterhood Magazine (spring 1988 and spring 1990), and a typed document titled "Judaica - Canadian" that was prepared by Fred Schaeffer. Of note is an article written by Shelley Duke entitled "Somebody's Somebody: Jews from Small Communities" dated 16 December 1985.

Use Conditions

Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.

Descriptive Notes

Availability of other formats: Textual records available as PDF files.

Subjects

Communities

Name Access

Duke, Eddie

Elliott, Bettyann, 1928-2015

Places

Kirkland Lake (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2021-11-13

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w

1 book

Date

[19--]

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material documenting Ira Noble. Included are one oversized photograph of Ira Noble as a baby and a prayer book for Jewish members of His Majesty's Forces.

Custodial History

The items were discovered by a colleague of Ira's, Merven Patey. Merven passed the items on to Marcia Yudin, who in turn donated them to the OJA.

Administrative History

Ira Noble fought in the Second World War as part of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Use Conditions

Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.

Descriptive Notes

Language: English, Hebrew

Subjects

Great Britain--Armed Forces

Name Access

Canada. Royal Canadian Air Force

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2021-11-20

Material Format

graphic material

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

3 photographs : b&w ; 20 x 25 cm or smaller

Date

1915-1969

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records documenting the activities of members of the Forman, Findlay, and Olin families. Documents include a 1922 Goel Tzedec Synagogue religious school diploma (Minnie Forman); a McCaul Street School class photo, Senior IV (Henry Findlay, back row, second left); Palestine Lodge Masons sheet music and lyrics for the composition "We Have Travelled Fiftee," music by Isha Goodman, lyrics by Jack S. Olin; and “Dimensions of 69 Senior Wardens District No. 7,” music and lyrics by Jim Johnson. In addition, there are two group photographs of Palestine Lodge Masons officers (ca. 1969).

Use Conditions

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the Archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Subjects

Music by Jewish composers

Source

Archival Accessions

• 
• 
• 
• 

Accession Number

2021-10-12

Material Format

graphic material

textual record

Physical Description

ca. 10 cm of textual records

12 photographs : b&w and col, 25 x 20 cm or smaller

1 painting : oil on board

Date

1910-2020

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material from the Agudas Hamishpocha (AH) Rubinoff/Naftolin cousins club, books and an oil painting. Included are photos of the Rubinoff/Naftolin family taken in Russia; copies of postcards from family in Russia written in Yiddish and Russian; notes compiled by Bill Gladstone translating cards sent by Dan & Rose Newman; copies of email correspondence with Dan Newman; copies of photos of Rubinoff/Naftolin family taken in Russia and Toronto; two souvenir booklets marking the 80th and 85th anniversary of AH; Shana Tova postcard from AH; newspaper clippings of obituaries of family members; AH membership fee statements, a copy of the speech written by Bill Gladstone for a book launch, copy of an invitation to 85th anniversary of AH; a copy of AH family tree; AH meeting minutes; lists of AH Philanthropic Fund donations; AH schedule of breakfasts and AH membership lists. Also included is a book commemorating the 75th anniversary of Congregation B'nai Israel in London, ON; a signed copy of "From Rags to Riches" by Dr. Max M Glassman; a signed copy of "My Ninety Years: Confessions of a 14-Year-Old High School Dropout" a biography by Max Beder; a copy of "Borrowed Time : The Life of Russell Norman Gladstone 1918-1988" by Bill Gladstone; a photo of the Gladstone family; an original oil painting of the Kiever synagogue by an unknown artist.

Descriptive Notes

2 books have been moved to the OJA library: "From Rags to Riches", the autobiography of Dr. Max M. Glassman and "Borrowed Time" by Gill Gladstone.

Related Material Note: See also 1988-2-9; 2011-6-3; 2016-2-1; 2016-2-15; 2018-7-3; 2019-4-5; 2020-1-6; 2020-2-5.

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2021-11-21

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

13 cm of textual records

Date

1927-1984, predominant 1927-1947

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material documenting the Posluns family. Included are letters to Sam Posluns written in 1927, when Sam was in New York; letters to Sam Poslun written in 1947, when he was in Europe with the Tailor Project; miscellaneous newspaper articles; and a 1984 Negev Dinner book. Of note is a letter addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Posluns from Abby Fuhrman, whose son, David Fuhrman, went to live with the Posluns during the Second World War.

Use Conditions

Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.

Subjects

Families

World War, 1939-1945

Name Access

Posluns (family)

Posluns, Samuel, 1910-1994

Places

Europe

New York (N.Y.).

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2021-11-26

Material Format

graphic material

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

36 photographs : col. and b&w ; 21 x 25 cm or smaller

Date

[ca. 1934]-2015

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records related to John Arthur (Jack) Geller's life and career. Of note are 36 colour and b&w photographs dated from ca. 1934 to 1984 documenting Geller's life and career; Spring Issue 1955 of Obiter Dicta magazine; a small poster with photos of the 1955 graduating class of Osgoode Hall Law School, when Geller was awarded the Gold Key Award; a Certificate of Honor awarded to Geller by the B'nai B'rith Hillel Foundation for the year of 1949-1950; the May 1999 issue of Fasken Link containing an interview with Geller; a draft of a speech delivered by Geller during a debate at Hart House with the presence of Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent as well as an invitation to and newspaper clippings about the debate; newspaper clippings about Geller's participation in several debates; correspondence relating to Geller's licensing examination and call to the Bar; the March 2015 issue of Holy Blossom Temple Bulletin containing a tribute to Geller; the section of the 18 May 1963 issue of Maclean's dealing with the Hal Banks case and the Norris commission, of which Geller was part representing Upper Lakes Shipping; awards given to Geller; and correspondence addressed to him.

Custodial History

Records were donated by Jack's daughter, Dana.

Administrative History

John Arthur Geller was born in 1930 in Toronto, Ontario, to Polish immigrants Kalman and Katy Geller (née Ladowsky). He attended Forest Hill Collegiate and University College at the University of Toronto, where he graduated with a BA degree in 1951. He met his wife, Sybil Gangbar (daughter of Phil and Sarah Gangbar), in 1948, during his second week at U of T, where she was also studying, and they were married two weeks after graduating. They had four children: Lawrence (b. 1955), Dana (b. 1957), Jan (b. 1960), and Harold (b. 1964). After enrolling at Osgoode Hall Law School later that year, and articling at the firm Campbell, Godfrey & Lewtas, he was called to the Bar in 1955. Geller began his legal practice with Campbell, Godfrey & Lewtas, where he remained for the entirety of his career. He was appointed a Queen's Counsel in 1966. In 1993, Geller retired from legal practice and was appointed Vice-Chair of the Ontario Securities Commission. He served in different capacities with the Commission until his 2001 retirement. In addition to his work as a lawyer and for the Ontario Securities Commission, Geller served as a director on the board of Leitch Transport Limited and Ford Glass Limited. He was also a member of the Canadian Jewish Congress, served as president of B'nai Brith, Central Region, and was the National President of the Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Canada (JIAS), and a member and Honorary President for Life of Holy Blossom Temple. After suffering a stroke in 2002, Geller developed aphasia and spent five years working tirelessly to regain his reading abilities. He passed away on 7 January 2015. His funeral was held at Holy Blossom Temple, which he never stopped attending.

Subjects

Lawyers

Name Access

Geller, John Arthur (Jack), 1930-2015

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2021-12-1

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

ca. 25 cm of textual records

15 photographs : b&w and col. ; 20 x 26 cm and smaller

Date

1832-2017

Scope and Content

Accession consists of the research files of Bill Gladstone. The materials document Bill’s research on various aspects of the Jewish history of Toronto and Canada and are sourced from a variety of newspapers, books, and archival repositories. Most of the newspaper clippings and copies of clippings are from the Canadian Jewish News, Toronto Star, the National Post, and the Globe and Mail; and the copies of archival documents are mainly from the Archives of Ontario, the City of Toronto Archives, and the Ontario Jewish Archives.

Included are Bill’s newspaper articles; documents relating to Bill’s books and a publishing house that Bill established in 2008 named Now and Then Books; genealogy research materials and notes; copies of early Toronto maps; copies of articles written by Ben Kayfetz; research materials documenting Toronto local synagogues such as the Holy Blossom Temple, Goel Tzedec Synagogue, First Narayever Congregation, and McCaul St. Synagogue (Beth Hamidrash Hagadol); copies of Canadian Moving Picture Digest and Canadian Film Weekly that document the accomplishments of Jews in the Canadian film industry; and research materials pertaining to Russian Jews, Yiddish theatres and opera houses, religious education in public schools, and the history of the Jews in Toronto and Canada in general. Also included are research documents relating to Toronto Jewish neighbourhoods such as Kensington Market, The Junction, The Ward, and Bathurst Manor; and materials documenting Toronto local Jewish businesses, organizations, families, and individuals.

Accession also contains a small number of photographs that Bill took or collected during his research, most of which feature the Holy Blossom Temple, Temple Beth Israel (Macon, Georgia), and Congregation Mickve Israel (Savannah, Georgia).

Administrative History

Bill Gladstone is a researcher, journalist, author, publisher, and genealogist living in Toronto. He has written and edited numerous books on Canadian Jewish history and is a frequent contributor to the Canadian Jewish News, the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, and other publications. He is often asked to give community presentations on a variety of topics related to the history of Jewish Toronto. In 2008, Bill established a publishing company named Now and Then Books. Bill is the former president of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Toronto and book review editor for Avotaynu, the international journal of Jewish genealogy.

Use Conditions

Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.

Descriptive Notes

Titles of files were transcribed from their original formal titles; for files that do not bear formal titles, supplied titles were given based on file contents.

Subjects

Genealogists

Authors

Journalists

Name Access

Gladstone, Bill

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2021-12-5

Material Format

graphic material

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 25 x 70 cm

1 photograph : b&w ; 37 x 58 cm

Date

1927,1937

Scope and Content

Accession consists of two photographs documenting the 1927 B'nai Brith Grand Lodge No. 1 convention and the 1927 sixth national convention of the Federation of Young Judaea of Canada, which was held in Toronto.

The B'nai Brith Grand Lodge No 1 Convention took place on 23 May 1937 at the Hotel Statler. Identified in the photograph is Dr. Nicholas Sole and Bertha Minden Sole, the parents of Louise Sole Rotman. The photograph is by Famous Studio, photographer Bob Hauser.

Sole Family history book entitled "Sole Family Legacy Book." The book was created by the donor's daughter, Tami Martino (née Rotman), and is compiled from the collections of all the families across Canada and the United States. We all share a common ancestry, descended from Joseph Nuszen and Regina (Berman Sole), who came to Canada from Hungary. It covers 150 years of our collective history down Joseph Nuszen Sole's line, 6 generations, and every family member is represented to the publishing date (2009). Additional information is provided for 55 family members down the maternal (Regina Berman's) line. Her father was a Rabbi, and most of that side did not get out of Hungary and they perished in the Holocaust, their names are all provided. For those of us whose descendants came to Canada, we have families involved in numerous professions and contributing to the vibrant Jewish life in Canada in many ways.

Administrative History

Louise Rotman (née Sole) was born in 1942 in Hamilton, Ontario. She is the daughter of Dr. Nicholas Sole (1901–1971), who emigrated from Kisvárda, Hungary in 1927, and Bertha Minden (née Sole, 1909–1994), who emigrated from Zhytomyr, Russia with her family in 1911. Her brother was Dr. Mickey Sole (1938–2018). From the age of a teenager, she was involved as a volunteer for Jewish organizations and assisting as a fundraiser for the United Jewish Appeal. She was a treasurer of the Temple Youth Group and a secretary of the Senior Youth Council. Later, as an adult, she was treasurer of the Hamilton Jewish Community Centre, chair of the Camp Committee, treasurer of the UJA Federation, president of B'nai B'rith Women Hamilton chapter, president of the Deborah Sisterhood of Temple Anshe Sholom, and the first female president of the oldest Reform synagogue in Canada: Temple Anshe Sholom. She continued to watch over the temple's finances for twenty-one years. Louise graduated from the University of Toronto with a bachelor of science degree and married Laurence Rotman (1937–2021). She had a short teaching career at Westdale Secondary School before the birth of her children: Tami Martino (née Rotman), Mark Rotman, and Rachelle McGurrin (née Rotman). She has six grandchildren. She was a stay-at-home mom for thirteen years, and later returned to McMaster University, where she received a master of business administration degree and designation as a chartered accountant from the Ontario Institute of Chartered Accountants. She specialized in taxation (mainly in corporate tax planning) and US and Canadian personal tax for a forty-year career, twenty-four of which were spent at MacGillivray Partners in Hamilton. During this period, she assisted the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, marking their uniform final exam, and the Ontario Institute of Chartered Accountants, marking the provincial tax exams. She retired from public practice in 2007. After retirement, Louise maininted her involvement in the Hamilton Jewish community as captain for the United Jewish Appeal and a permanent board member of Temple Anshe Sholom.

Laurence Rotman was born in 1937 in Toronto, Ontario. He was the son of Hyman Rotman and Adele Rotman (née Kaplan). His sister was Marcia Levy (née Rotman). As a youth, he was president of AZA, a youth-led fraternity for Jewish teenagers and the male wing of the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization. He was also involved in Young Judaea. In addition, Laurence was involved in the Gamma lota Beta Fraternity in high school and was frosh president at Waterloo Lutheran. In later years, he played major roles in the Jewish community. Some of the highlights were that he was president of B'nai B'rith Hamilton and a past recipient honoree of the State of Israel Bonds. When he and Louise co-chaired the State of Israel bond dinner in 1971, they raised $167,000, which (adjusted for inflation) is equivalent to $1.2 million in 2021. He also led a very eclectic business career. A mainstay business was always Reco Distributors and Mfg. Ltd. He also worked on the board of directors for Creative Arts, as Heart Fund publicity chair, and he was director of sales and marketing for the public company Lawn-A-Mat Chemical and Equipment. He was also a co-owner of Feathers Restaurant, a dinner-and-dancing club in Hamilton, which he described as one of his favourite businesses to run. He was a life master in bridge.

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

Congresses and conventions

Name Access

B'nai B'rith. New York Lodge No. 1 (New York, N.Y.)

Federation of Young Judaea of Canada

Places

New York (N.Y.).

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

• 

Accession Number

2022-2-3

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

3 cm of textual records

Date

[1939?]-2020, predominant 1939-1946

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records documenting the immigration of Daniel Zultek from Poland to Canada under a Sugihara Visa in 1941 and documents pertaining to Sugihara visas and Chiune Sugihara (also known as Sempo Sugihara), a Japanese diplomat who served as vice-consul for the Japanese Empire in Kovno (Kaunas), Lithuania. Included are Daniel’s travelling documents dating from 1939 to 1941—an identification document, an immigration identification card, a quarantine/medical examination card issued by Nippon Yusen (also known as NYK Line), and a ship manifest; correspondence between Daniel and Polish consulates in Toronto and Montreal (1941-1943)—one of the letters (28 May 1942) was obtained by Daniel for the purpose of bringing his brother, who was still in Warsaw at that time, over to Canada; a memorandum from the Jewish Community of Kobe to Daniel (1941); records documenting Daniel's experience in serving in the Polish Armed Units in Canada (1941); work documents pertaining to Daniel’s career at Canada Motor Products (1941-1942); and a brief memoir written by Daniel with notations by his daughter Irene. Also included are newspaper clippings and book chapters documenting Daniel’s immigration to Canada via Japan under a Sugihara visa (1993-2020), a programme book of the Sempo Sugihara Tribute Dinner (1993), and a pamphlet of the Chiune Sugihara Memorial Hall in Japan.

Custodial History

The records were in the possession of Daniel’s daughter, Irene Henry, before being gifted to the Ontario Jewish Archives on Feb. 9, 2022.

Administrative History

Daniel Zultek (1910-1995) was born in Warsaw, Poland, on 1 September 1910, to Leon and Helena Zultek. Leon owned a large freight shipping company on the Vistula River, between Danzig and Gdynia harbours. Leon was a successful businessman, a community leader, a philanthropist, and a life member of the Jewish Kehilla Congress in Warsaw, which was allegedly the largest Jewish institution in Europe voted by the Jewish public. Daniel had been running the family business since 1932 until 1939 when the Second World War broke out. He was nominated to the board of directors of the company in 1938. In January 1939, Leon died of a heart attack. Daniel's mother Helena, sister Natalia, and most family members were murdered by Nazi Germany in concentration camps. The only survivors were Daniel, his elder brother Rafael, Irene (Rafael's first wife, who lived in Argentina), and four cousins name Daniel (surname unspecified), Rita (surname unspecified), Adam Zultek, and Dorka Zultek. On 6 September 1939, Daniel fled Warsaw, where was heavily bombarded by German troops, and headed for Pinsk, a city near the Soviet border. Half a month later, because Soviet troops invaded Pinsk, Daniel escaped to Vilnius in the neighbouring country Lithuania. In June 1940, the Soviet Union entered Lithuania. During that time, Daniel heard that the Japanese consulate in Kaunas was issuing transit visas. Fortunately, on 1 August 1940, Daniel received his visa from Vice-consul Chiune Sugihara. In the same month, he managed to escape Kaunas and headed for Moscow. With a Russian transit visa, he took the Trans-Siberian Railway from Moscow to Vladivostok; from there, he took a ship for Tsuruga Port, Japan. During his stay in Japan, he learned that the British Embassy in Tokyo was recruiting volunteers to join the Polish Armed Forces in Australia, the United States, and Canada. Daniel volunteered and chose Canada as his destination. On 5 June 1941, he embarked on the ship, Hikawa Maru, in Yokohama and arrived in Vancouver on the 17th of the same month. From there, he headed for the Polish military base in Owen Sound, Ontario. Daniel received eight months of military training in Owen Sound but was honourably discharged owing to a cataract in his right eye. Fortunately, he was allowed to remain in Canada. After being discharged, Daniel worked various jobs to make a living. In 1941, he had jobs with Canada Motor Products and Frankel Engineering; from 1942 to 1945, he served de Havilland Aircraft as an inspector; from 1945 to 1948, he worked as a sales representative of an American milkshake and ice cream company named Mr. Gordon. While working at Frankel Engineering in 1941, Daniel met Mr. Epstein who introduced him to farming. In 1948, Daniel bought a one-hundred-acre farm in Brampton, Ontario. In the same year, he attended an agriculture college in Guelph, Ontario. While running the farm, he also opened Caledon Sand and Gravel, a company located in Caledon, Ontario, supplying sand and gravel for construction. His career also involved business in real estate. Daniel married Molly Mandel in 1943 and had three daughters Helen, Leona, and Irene. Molly (nee Mandel) Zultek (1915-1989) was a Torontonian of Russian descent. Her father, Albert Mandel, was one of the founders of the Congregation Knesseth Israel (also known as the Junction Shul) located on Maria Street in the Junction. Molly grew up in the Junction neighbourhood. In 1957, Daniel sold the farm and moved to Forest Hill Village a neighbourhood and former village in Midtown Toronto with his family. Daniel retired in 1988. In addition to business, Daniel also devoted his time to charity and social work. Daniel was an ardent Zionist and visited Israel twenty-seven times. He was director and a member of the board of governors of the Jewish National Fund. He was also a generous contributor to Jewish organizations and sponsored the Hebrew University and its students.

Descriptive Notes

LANGUAGE NOTE: some of the material is in Japanese and has been translated into English. Translated documents are available at S:\Collections\2022-2-3.

Availability of other formats: digital preservation copies for most documents have been created and are available in PDF, JPG, and TIF formats.

Subjects

Immigrants

World War, 1939-1945

Places

Warsaw (Poland)

Lithuania

Japan

Toronto (Ont.)

Owen Sound (Ont.)

Brampton (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2022-3-4

Material Format

graphic material

Physical Description

4 photographs : b&w and col. ; 34 x 34 cm or smaller

Date

[19--]

Scope and Content

Accession consists of four photographs of Morris "Murray" Rose. Three of the four photographs show Murray atop horse. In addition to M. Rose, Mrs. J Chesney (owner) and J. Chesny (trainer) are also identified in the 1929 photograph.

Custodial History

The photographs were donated by Roz Tobias, the daughter-in-law of Morris Rose (the subject of the photographs).

Administrative History

Morris "Murray" Rose was born in Poland and came to Toronto as a child. His love of riding dates back to this time: at the age of ten, he would ride his grandfather's horse up and down the lanes of Kensington. Rose never completed secondary school; instead, he ran away from home at the age of fourteen and became a stable boy at the Woodbine Racetrack. Subsequently, he became a jockey. The high point of his career came on 23 May 1931, when, at the Churchill Downs Racetrack in Kentucky, he ran five winners in a six-card race. Rose retired from riding horses after sustaining a serious head injury during a race.

After retiring from racing, Rose worked at a textile store on College Street. Later, he opened his own store on the south side of College Street at Spadina Avenue. He and his wife ran the store for many years with one or two employees. Rose eventually purchased the building in which his store was located and rented out space to a variety of businesses, including a smoke and confectionary store, a ticket agency, and an eyeglass store.

Rose's entrepreneurial activity extended to purchasing bankrupt businesses and building apartment buildings with a group of friends. In the 1960s, he was a co-partner in Triangle Billiards at Bathurst Sreet and Sheppard Avenue. He also purchased a fifty-acre farm in Buttonville on Woodbine Avenue, which he rented out until his death.

Rose died in July 1989 at the age of seventy-eight. He left behind a wife, Mary; two sons, Bobby and Ken; two daughters, Marjorie Swartz and Elaine Rubinoff; two sisters, Lil and Rae; a brother, Sam; fourteen grand children; and one great-grandchild.

Use Conditions

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the Archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Descriptive Notes

Availability of other formats: Also available as digital images.

General note: The information for the biographical sketch was taken from an obituary written by Ben Rose titled "Leading Jockey Rose Dies at 78."

Subjects

Horses

Jockeys

Source

Archival Accessions

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Accession Number

2022-3-11

Material Format

graphic material

textual record

object

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

ca. 200 photographs (15 negatives): b&w ; 25 x 20 cm or smaller

1 small metal pendant

Date

[ca. 1900]-[ca. 1943]

Scope and Content

Accession consists of photographs, textual records, and an artifact relating to or collected by Mooney Stitt. Textual records include receipts, correspondence, immigration documents, a trademark certificate issued by the United States Patent Office, material related to Mooney’s municipal election in Sioux Lookout, and Mooney’s British Columbia free miner’s certificate. Photographs make up the majority of this accession, featuring Mooney’s family and personal life. Also included is a small metal pendant with Russian inscriptions.

Custodial History

Records were in the possession of Peter Marcovitz’s mother, Lillian Averson, until her death in 1965. Since then, the records have been stored possibly in the family house until being found and gifted to the Ontario Jewish Archives in 2021 by Peter and his wife, Joyce Borenstein.

Administrative History

Mooney Stitt (1904-1943), also known as Munya Studnitz, was born in 1904 in Poland to Simcha Studnitz and Miriam Woyler. He might also be referred to as Chaim Studnic or Hiame Studnitz. Mooney had four siblings: David, Dina (Dinah/Diana), Dora, and Miron. In 1923, Mooney and Dina Studnitz immigrated to Canada from Poland under the sponsorship of their uncle, Nathan Stitt, who resided in the City of Fort William (now Thunder Bay) and had a clothing store named Stitt & Sons. Mooney and Dina lived in the City of Lemberg (now Lviv) before moving to Canada. By taking the ship Laconia, Mooney landed in Halifax in 1923; then he made his way to Thunder Bay and started working on a farm of David J. Piper in the Township of Paipoonge. Later, he moved to Sioux Lookout, where he presented himself in a municipal election. Mooney relocated to Montreal in the mid-1930s and founded a company called Canadian Art Studios, which manufactured silk scarves. In 1939, he married Lillian Averson (1916-1965). It is possible that Lillian also helped him operate the business. On March 13, 1943, Mooney passed away of heart ailments in Montreal. Upon his death, one of Lillian’s brothers-in-law joined the company, and a children’s wear division was launched shortly afterwards. The company ceased manufacturing scarves in the early 1950s and grew into a successful children’s wear manufacturer under the name Tam O’Shanter (spelling uncertain). Lillian was bought out by her brother-in-law in the late 1950s. The company finally ceased operating in the late 1980s. Mooney and Lillian did not have children together. In 1945, Lillian married her second husband, Joel Marcovitz. Peter Marcovitz was born in 1947 to Lillian and Joel.

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.

Descriptive Notes

Availability of other formats: photographs and documents have been scanned and are available in PDF, TIF, and JPG formats.

LANGUAGE NOTE: A small number of records are in Russian and Polish.

RELATED MATERIAL NOTE: See accession 2008-7-13 and OH 308 for additional information on the Stitt family and the Stitt & Sons clothing store.

Subjects

Families

Name Access

Stitt, Mooney, 1904-1943

Places

Fort William (Ont.)

Sioux Lookout (Ont.)

Thunder Bay (Ont.)

Montréal (Québec)

Poland

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2021-11-22

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

5 cm of textual records

Date

1934-1958

Scope and Content

Accession consists of materials documenting the administration and activities of the Toronto Independent Benevolent Association. Included are: a scanned copy of the constitution and by-laws of the association (1934); a members registration ledger book from 1940 to 1944, which documents Jerry's father, Frank Paskowitz, and other members' membership with the Toronto Independent Benevolent Association; and a flyer in Yiddish documenting an event in 1958, which encourages people to express their solidarity with the State of Israel.

Administrative History

The Toronto Independent Benevolent Association is a benefit society founded on 20 Sept. 1909. Its head office is located in the City of Toronto. The purpose of the association is to assist the members in case of sickness by providing sick and relief benefits, burial ground services, medical treatments, and other services that concern members' well-being.

Use Conditions

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the Archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Descriptive Notes

Language: English, Yiddish, and Hebrew

Subjects

Associations, institutions, etc

Name Access

Toronto Independent Benevolent Association

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2022-5-22

Material Format

graphic material

textual record

Physical Description

10 cm of textual records

38 photographs : b&w and col. ; 20 x 30 cm or smaller

Date

[1939?]-2021

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records documenting Abraham Feinstein's law career and early life. Included are biographical documents such as Abe's CV, personal history, eulogy and obituary; letters of condolence; speech notes written by Abe while serving as Hillel Ottawa oresident; telegrams sent on the occasion of Abe's bar mitzvah; a copy of a speech presented by Abe honouring his parents' diamond anniversary; information concerning CCOC (Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation); correspondence pertaining to his appointment as Queen's Counsel; information concerning the official opening of the Ottawa Courthouse and Registry Offices; a copy of a speech presented by Abe to YMCA-YWCA; article in "Ontario Lawyer's Gazette" featuring Abe; an article in "National" journal featuring Abe; a candidate letter written by Abe in "Law Society of Upper Canada Guide for Voters"; newsclippings announcing Abe as president of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada; a copy of a speech presented by Abe to LibraryCo; a copy of "Focus", the LibraryCo newsletter; a copy of "County of Carleton Law Association Bulletin" and a newsclipping from the "Ottawa Jewish Bulletin" honouring Abe as the recipient of the Carleton Medal; letters of nomination of Abe for County of Carleton Law Association's Legal Innovator Award; copies of three speeches presented to the County of Carleton Law Association by Abe as recipient of the Carleton Medal in 1999, recipient of The Solicitor Award in 2011 and recipient of The Legal Innovator Award in 2020; copy of a letter to the editor of "Law Times" written by Abe; two letters of congratulations on election as a Bencher of the Law Society; a copy of "Communiqu-ate"; copies of three speeches presented by Abe to the County and District Law President's Association in 1993, to Prescott and Russell Law Association in 1994 and to County and District Law Presidents Association in 1995; content pertaining to the receipt of the Order of Ottawa including a copy of the program, an invitation to the ceremonies, letters of congratulations, three nomination letters and an announcement by Soloway Wright; a certificate of recognition for distinguished achievements; a copy of a speech presented by Abe at the Shirley Berman Memorial Lecture Series, 2019 and a copy of the program; content pertaining to The Law Society Medal including a brochure , newsclipping announcing Abe as the recipient of the Law Society Medal in 2008, letters of congratulations, a hand-out describing the walk-through for the ceremony, a copy of Abe's speech, a copy of the program, letters of nomination, an announcement in the CJN and a mention in the "Law Society Gazette". Also included are photographs documenting early family life and honours.

Administrative History

Abraham "Abe" Feinstein was born 19 December 1936 in Ottawa, Ontario to Benjamin and Freda (née Dickstein) Feinstein. Benjamin (1898-2001) was born in Teplik, Russia. Following pogroms and a term of imprisonment, Benjamin fled to Romania for four years and then made his way to Canada in 1924. While living in Winkler, Manitoba he married Freda (1900?-1986), and they had two daughters Miriam (m. Levitin) and Ruth (m. Aaron). Around 1930, the family moved to Ottawa, Ontario where two more children were born, Pearl (m. Moskovic) and Abraham.

Abe attended Kent Street public school and graduated from Lisgar Collegiate. He attended and worked at Camp B'nai Brith and worked at Camp Wooden Acres and Camp White Pine. While completing his Bachelor of Arts degree at Carleton University, he was president of the Ottawa Hillel. Abe received his LLB from the University of Ottawa in 1963 and was called to the Bar in 1965 at Osgoode Hall in Toronto. Abe practiced law with Soloway Wright LLP in Ottawa for 55 years.

Abe married Beverley Kavanat on 23 August 1964 and had three daughters Susan, Harriet and Shawna.

Abe was recognized for his community and professional service to a number of organizations over his lifetime. He was a founding director of Centretown Citizens of Ottawa Corporation in 1975 and was named an honorary life member. In 1982, he was the founding director of the County and District Law Presidents Association of Ontario and the chair of the Committee of Adjustment of the City of Ottawa. Abe was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1983. He served as chair of the Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee East Region. He served as president of the County of Carleton Law Association (CCLA). The CCLA awarded Abe with the Carleton medal in 1998, the Solicitors' Award in 2011 and the Legal Innovator Award in 2020. Abe became a bencher at the Law Society of Upper Canada (now called the Law Society of Ontario) in 1991, and was awarded the Law Society Medal in 1998. He also served as director and president of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. He also acted as a consultant during the building of Ottawa's new courthouse, ensuring that the needs of attorneys were included in the design. Abe was a director on the board of the Ottawa Food Bank and was made honorary president of the Ottawa YMCA-YWCA. He served as chair of the Investment Committee of the Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation. From 2018-2020, Abe was the chair of the Governance Committee of Kehillat Beth Israel Congregation in Ottawa. The Order of Ottawa was bestowed upon Abe in 2016.

Use Conditions

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the Archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Descriptive Notes

Associated Material Note: Abraham Feinstein's Order of Ottawa and Law Society medals are held at his former law firm, Soloway Wright LLP. A video of Abe as part of the Shirley Berman Lecture Series is held at the Ottawa Jewish Archives.

Subjects

Law

Lawyers

Name Access

Feinstein, Abraham, 1936-2021

Places

Ottawa (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2022-5-21

Material Format

graphic material

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

ca. 50 photographs : b&w and col. ; 26 x 20 cm or smaller

Date

1895-[ca. 1979]

Scope and Content

Accession consists of textual records and photographs relating to Dorothy Lieff (née Brovender) and the Pierce and Brovender families. Textual records include Charles Pierce’s naturalization documents; a short message from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pierce; a ketubah of Rebecca (Becky) Pierce and Maurice Brovender; newspaper clippings documenting the fire in Charles’ store building; Dorothy’s birth certificate and high school entrance certificate; correspondence and messages to Dorothy and Max Lieff; and material relating to Dorothy and Max Lieff’s marriage, including two marriage certificates, a wedding book, wedding greeting cards, and a Canada forest certificate issued by Jewish National Fund of Canada as a wedding gift. Photographs feature Dorothy and Max Lieff and the Pierce and Brovender families.

Custodial History

Records were in the possession of Dorothy Lieff's nephew, Norman Lieff, until being gifted to the Ontario Jewish Archives on May 26, 2022.

Administrative History

Dorothy Lieff (née Brovender) (1922-2019) was born in 1922 to Rebecca (Becky) Pierce and Morris (Maurice) Brovender. Rebecca and Morris got married in 1917 in Timmins, Ontario. Dorothy had two siblings: Jack and Shirley. Rebecca was born to Charles and Jennie Pierce and had a brother named David Pierce. Charles owned a general store in South Porcupine.

Dorothy married Max Lieff (1911-2002) in 1957.

Use Conditions

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the Archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Subjects

Families

Places

Timmins (Ont.)

Ottawa (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2022-7-6

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

object

Physical Description

ca. 8 cm of textual records

25 photographs : b&w and col. ; 21 x 26 cm or smaller

1 medal : bronze

Date

1922-1997

Scope and Content

Accession consists of textual records, photographs, and a bronze Shekel Medal for Israel’s twenty-fifth anniversary, most of which document Pearl Freedhoff and her Jewish communal and public service activities.

Textual records include public speeches, handwritten notes and short writing pieces, invitation and greeting cards, correspondence, materials relating to the sisterhoods of Beth Tzedec and Goel Tzedec synagogues, Pearl’s 1940 National Registration certificate, materials documenting the Ontario Bicentennial Award and dinner, and the 1981 royal tour of Canada, newspaper clippings relating to Pearl’s Jewish communal and public service activities, and an advertisement that Pearl made for Lido Spa. Also included are newsletters, magazines, and bulletins, which document Pearl’s experience in wedding consultation and her active involvement in Toronto Hadassah-WIZO and the Women’s Auxiliary of the Jewish Home for the Aged; and travel itineraries and promotional materials for Israel and the Orient trips, which were issued by Toronto Hadassah-WIZO, B’nai Brith, and travel agencies they were in co-operation with. Textual records also include a small number of bulletins and magazines as well as a twenty-fifth anniversary book of Baycrest men’s service group, which document the accomplishments of Pearl’s husband, Dr. Samuel Freedhoff.

Photographs feature the Goel Tzedec Sisterhood, trips to Israel organized by Toronto Hadassah-WIZO, the wedding of Linda Greene (Lorne Greene’s daughter), and various social and political events that Pearl attended.

Accession also includes a bronze Shekel Medal for Israel’s twenty-fifth anniversary. It was presented to Pearl to commemorate her inscription as a governor of the Haifa Community College.

Custodial History

Records were in the possession of Judith Golden, Pearl's daughter, until being gifted to the Ontario Jewish Archives on 14 July 2022.

Administrative History

Pearl Freedhoff (née Narrol) (1906-1997) was born on 17 September 1906 in Toronto to Harry Narrol and Esther Narrol (née Newman). She had four siblings: Albert, Gertie, Hilda (m. Spivak), and Mendell (died as infant). Pearl married Dr. Samuel Osias Freedhoff (1903–1973) in 1927 and had two children: Stephen and Judith. Samuel was the son of Harry Freedhoff and Molli Freedhoff (née Bohnen). Pearl graduated from the University of Toronto, School of Social Work, and Samuel graduated from the School of Dentistry. Both were members of Goel Tzedec Synagogue, with Pearl serving as sisterhood president from 1949 to 1950 and Samuel as president of the men's club in 1952.

Pearl was an active member of the Jewish community and served on executives and boards in many Jewish communal organizations, including the Canadian Hadassah-WIZO Toronto Centre, the sisterhoods of Goel Tzedec and Beth Tzedec Synagogues, and the Women’s Auxiliary of the Jewish Home for the Aged. She had a political interest in the Progressive Conservative Party and was active in federal and provincial politics; she served on the boards of the Victorian Order of Nurses and Ontario Housing Commission and was included in special dinners such as dinners for the royal family. In addition, she had an outstanding reputation as a bridal and bar-mitzvah counsellor for over thirty years. In 1984, she was awarded the Ontario Bicentennial Medal in honour of her contributions to the community at large.

Pearl passed away on 18 December 1997.

Use Conditions

Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.

Subjects

Politicians

Name Access

Freedhoff, Pearl, 1906-1997

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2022-7-10

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

sound recording

object

Physical Description

ca. 9 cm of textual records

186 photographs : b&w and col. ; 22 x 28 cm or smaller

1 album (197 photographs) ; 34 x 25 cm

1 audio cassette : 1/8 in.

1 identification tag : metal ; 5 x 5 cm

Date

1920-2013

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records documenting the Forberg and Michaels (Michalowitz) families. They include family histories, Holocaust documentation, and records pertaining to Bathurst Manor. Accession also includes 186 photographs documenting ancestors, family life, and family celebrations from the early 20th century to the early 2000s, including life in the DP camps and Bathurst Manor, and an album containing 197 photographs documenting Honey and Esther Forberg's 1967 trip to Israel. Additional records include Syma Forberg's metal Jewish identification tag, tributes to the Forberg family, Esther Forberg's school history project, Henry and Pola Michaels' funeral records, among others.

Custodial History

Records were donated by Esther Michaels, David and Syma's daughter, Harry and Pola's daughter-in-law.

Administrative History

David Berel Forberg was born in Czestochowa, Poland, on 1 February 1922. From 1939 to 1942, he lived in the Czestochowa Ghetto, where he worked as a manual labourer and painter. Syma Jurkowska was born in Opatow, Poland, on 5 August 1924. From 1939 to 1942, she lived in the Opatow Ghetto, where she made brushes in a factory and cleaned Gestapo homes and the post office. David and Syma met at the Polish labour camp Hasag-Palcery, where they worked at an ammunitions factory. After the war, they were placed in a DP camp in Lampertheim, Germany, where they got married on 11 September 1947. In July 1948, they left the German DP camp after three years and immigrated to Canada, via Quebec. They had two children, Joseph (born 19 June 1946 in Mannheim, Germany) and Honey Sarah (born 16 January 1948 in Lampertheim, Germany). They had been sponsored by Syma's uncle Cheil Slavny, who lived in Toronto. David and Syma rented rooms in their home, while David worked as an upholsterer and Syma babysat. In the early 1950s, they started making chairs and tables, which they delivered on the streetcar. David and Syma's younger children, Esther and Billy Avraham, were born in Toronto on 23 May 1949 and 26 Sep. 1952, respectively. David died on 9 October 2011. Syma died on 9 April 2021.

Harry Michaels (Hersz Michalowicz) was born in Kalisz, Poland, on 26 May 1918. Pola Lewkowicz was born in Zagorow, Poland, on 28 August 1916. By the end of the Second World War, they were living in the Soviet Union, where their first son, Julius (Jozef) was born, in the city of Gelendzhik, on 8 May 1945. After the war, they lived in Jawor, Poland, before resettling at the Steyr DP camp, in Austria, where their second son, Albert (Abram) was born, on 22 April 1947. In 1948, the family immigrated to Canada, arriving via Halifax on 1 October of that year. In Toronto, Harry worked as a furniture merchant. He died on 27 Sep. 1997. Pola died on 23 Apr. 2003.

David and Syma's daughter Esther married Harry and Pola's son Albert.

Use Conditions

Closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director prior to accessing the records.

Subjects

Holocaust survivors

Families

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2022-8-3

Material Format

multiple media

Physical Description

6 cm of textual records and other material

Date

1890-2002, predomintant 1956-1977

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records documenting the Bendahan and Corcos families, specifically Sydney and Miriam Bendahan (née Corcos), including immigration documents, Corcos family history, Corcos family tree, Sydney's CV and letters of recommendation written on his behalf, among others. Includes records documenting the Magen David Sephardic Congregation, speeches and reference material documenting Sephardic history and the Sephardic community in Canada, oral history tapes recorded by Sydney and Raphael Bendahan for the Multicultural History Society of Ontario (including reports of the interviews), records related to Miriam's career as a fashion designer, and a CBC interview from "Identities".

Interviewees include: A. Bechetrit; Corcos; Bitton; Arnold Oro; Sol Hamouth; Mr. and Mrs. J. Benaim; Benzacar; De Pinto; J. Cohen; Perez; Nahman; Kuessous; and Moryoussef.

Administrative History

Sydney David Bendahan was born on 1 Nov. 1919 in Gibraltar, the son of Raphael and Esther (née Benabu). He was a descendant of a distinguished Sephardic family who immigrated to Gibraltar from Spain over 300 years ago. His father was a civil servant with the British government for many years. Sydney was fluent in English, French, and Spanish, having received formal education in the three languages. He served with the security services of the British armed forces during the Second World War. After the war, he served with the International Police in Tangier and later was a Special Investigator for the United States Air Force in North Africa. He married Miriam in Tangier, and the couple relocated to Casablanca. They had two sons: Raphael and Mark. The family immigrated to Toronto in Mar. 1957, and for a number of years Sydney headed Dominion Furniture Ltd. He was a member of the board of the Canadian Jewish Congress - Central Region, president of the Association sépharade in Toronto, president of Magen David Sephardic Congregation, and one of the founders of the Canadian Sephardic Federation. He died on 18 Dec. 1979 and was buried at Mount Sinai Memorial Park, in North York.

Miriam (Mimi) Bendahan (née Corcos) was born on 25 Oct. 1923 in Mogador, French Morocco (present-day Essaouira, Morocco), the daughter of Albert and Oro (née Hamouth).

Use Conditions

Conditional Use. Researchers must receive permission from the donor prior to publication. Please contact the OJA for more information.

Descriptive Notes

Physical Description note: Contains 6 cm of textual records, 27 audio cassettes (ca. 24 hr., 34 min.), 1 photograph (b&w ; 8 x 12 cm), 1 family tree (60 x 90 cm), and 4.28 GB of electronic records.

Subjects

Sephardim

Jews, Moroccan

Name Access

Bendahan, Sydney, 1919-1979

Bendahan, Miriam, 1923-

Magen David Sephardic Congregation

Places

Morocco

Tangier (Morocco)

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2022-6-17

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

4 cm of textual records

10 photographs : b&w and col. ; 25 x 31 cm or smaller

Date

1939-2012

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records documenting the life and career of Justice Sydney Robins. The records include photographs, diplomas, correspondence, and material written by or about Justice Sydney Robins.

Custodial History

Records were donated by Robins' son-i-law, Steven Sharpe.

Administrative History

Sydney Lewis Robins (1923-2014) was born in 1923 in Toronto, Ontario, to Samuel Robins and Bessie Kamarner. He graduated from the University of Toronto in 1944 and was admitted to Osgoode Hall Law School that same year. He was called to the Bar of Ontario in September 1947. Robins received an LL.M. degree from Harvard University in 1948. Robins served as a special lecturer on torts at Osgoode Hall Law School from 1948 to 1960, and participated in many continuing legal education sessions for the Law Society of Upper Canada. He was appointed a Queen's Counsel in 1962. Robins was first elected a bencher of the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1961, and served as its Treasurer from 1971 to 1974. Robins was appointed to the Supreme Court of Ontario in 1976, and to the Court of Appeal for Ontario in 1981. Robins served on several Ontario provincial commissions, and arbitrated a TTC labour dispute. Following his retirement from the bench in 1998, Robins joined the law firm of Goodmans LLP. He served as Chair of the Law Foundation of Ontario, and was active in the Canadian Bar Association. Robins died in Toronto on 10 January 2014.

Subjects

Lawyers

Justice

Name Access

Robins, Sydney Lewis, 1923-2014

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2022-8-7

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

graphic material (electronic)

Physical Description

30 cm of textual records and graphic material

Date

[1923]-2021

Scope and Content

Accession consists of photo albums: two family albums, one album titled "Auschwitz: Back to life", one album titled "Journey to Warsaw" in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, and one album titled "Poland" documenting Nate's trip to Poland with his son Cary in 1990. The trip was an invitation to the Second Conference of the International Advisory Committee on the Future of Auschwitz. Nate attended as one of 28 representatives from around the world as a delegate of the Canadian Jewish Congress. Also included are textual records that document Nate Leipciger's family and life in displaced persons camps and immigration to Canada and life in Canada post-Holocaust. Also included are records related to Nate's involvement with the March of the Living and the Holocaust Centre in Toronto, as well as clippings, correspondence, speeches and writings, etc.

Administrative History

Nate Leipciger was born in Chorzów, Poland, in 1928. He survived the Sosnowiec Ghetto and the camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau, Funfteichen, GrossRosen, Flossenberg, Leonberg, and Dachau. Nate and his father were liberated in May 1945, and immigrated to Canada in 1948. In Toronto Nate attended Harbord Collegiate and eventually obtained a university degree in engineering. He later established an engineering firm with several partners. In 1982, Nate chaired the Toronto Holocaust Remembrance Committee, later becoming an executive member of the Canadian Jewish Congress National Holocaust Remembrance Committee. Nate was a member of the International Council to the Museum of Auschwitz-Birkenau for fifteen years and has been an educator on March of the Living trips to Poland and Israel for fifteen years. In 2015, The Azrieli Foundation published Nate's 280-page memoir "The Weight of Freedom" as part of their series of Holocaust memoirs by survivors in Canada. In 2016, Mr. Leipciger guided Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on a tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Descriptive Notes

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE: Album of Nate's trip to Poland is in digital format only. The original album was returned to the donor at his request.

Subjects

Holocaust survivors

Name Access

Leipciger, Nate, 1928-

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2023-1-1

Material Format

graphic material

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder textual records

7 photographs : b&w and col. ; 22 x 28 cm or smaller

Date

1914-1996

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material documenting Harvey Freeman. Included are seven photographs (both black and white and colour) and a small number of textual records.

The first photograph, possibly taken in the 1940s, shows the workers of the Model Fur Co., which was located on Adelaide Street West; Morris Freeman is shown in the front centre. The second photograph, possibly taken in the 1960s, shows Max Schecter, Lord Samuel, Harvey Freeman, and Phil Givens at the mayor's office. The third photograph is a group portrait, taken in 1914, of Morris Freeman and other members of the military arsenal in Austria. The fourth photograph, date unknown, shows Harvey Freeman with a bag pipe. The fifth photograph is a family portrait in which the following individuals are identified: Abe Brown, Leah Brown, Rose Brown, Sidney Brown, Morris Freeman, Abe Golden, Fradel Goldman, and Sam Golden. The sixth photograph, taken in 1948, shows F/Sgt. Harvey Freeman at Camp Borden. The seventh photograph, taken in 1996, shows Harvey Freeman with bagpipes at the opening of Darchei Noam's new chapel.

Also included are newspaper clippings; meeting minutes of the 63rd Semi-Annual Conference of the Eastern Canadian Council, B'nai Brith, which was held in Ottawa, Ontario, in November 1955; volume 1, number 4 of the Sheaf. Annotated on the October 1943 issue of the Sheaf, published by the employees of Canadian Breweries Limited, is the following: “uncle Lou’s picture here on page 9.” Annotation refers to a photograph of Lou Krugel selling victory bonds in 1916 from the steps of Toronto’s city hall.

Use Conditions

Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.

Name Access

Freeman, Harvey

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2023-1-2

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records and other material

Date

1939-1976

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material documenting Charles Goldberg. Included are three photographs of Charles, a certificate of merit from the Royal Canadian Legion, a certificate entitling Charles to wear a war service badge, a life membership card from the Royal Canadian Legion, and a tribute written in memoriam of Charles.

Custodial History

Material was donated by Charles Goldberg's niece, Sandi Giddens.

Administrative History

Charles "Charlie" Goldberg was born in Montreal on 25 December 1898. He married Lily Steinberg (m. Goldberg) on 29 April 1922 in the Côte-Des-Neiges neighbourhood of Montreal. Charles and Lily did not have any children. According to Charles's niece, they worked at carnivals throughout their lives selling gold.

Charles was a life member of the Royal Canadian Legion. In his capacity as Branch 97's sick visiting chairman, he visited different veterans' hospitals, branch members hospitalized in other hospitals, and branch members in their respective homes. Charles's awards included the Legion Certificate of Merit, the Alex C. Solomon Memorial Award, the Samuel Herman Memorial Award, and the Samuel Bendon Memorial Award.

Charles Goldberg passed away 30 January 1979; he is buried in Montreal. Lily Goldberg passed away 18 February 1998; she is buried in Toronto.

Use Conditions

Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.

Subjects

Veterans

Name Access

Goldberg, Charles

Places

Montréal (Québec)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2023-2-1

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

1 photograph : b&w ; 34 x 29 cm

Date

[19--]

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material that belonged to the late Gilbert Seltzer. Included are handwritten copies of a Camp Yungvelt paper, the Whoosis, and a photograph of a Yiddish youth group, the Yiddisher Kunst-Tsenter (Yiddish/Jewish Art Centre). The Whoosis issues are undated, while the photograph is from 1929/30.

Custodial History

Richard Seltzer discovered the material after his father's death and donated it to the Ontario Jewish Archives.

Administrative History

Gilbert Seltzer was born on 11 October 1914 in Toronto, Ontario, to Julius Seltzer and Marion Seltzer (née Liss). Gilbert's parents were both Russian immigrants. Julius owned a knitting mill, and Marion was a homemaker. Julius was also an anarchist, and he and Marion had a cottage in the Workmen's Circle Colony in Pickering, Ontario. As a child, Gilbert attended Camp Yungvelt, a Yiddish summer camp for Jewish children. His son, Richard, would later recall that Gilbert "sang songs from there and vaguely spoke of the Whosis," the camp's publication.

Gilbert studied architecture at the University of Toronto, receiving a bachelor's degree in 1937. After graduating, he worked for an architectural firm in Manhattan. During the Second World War, he served with the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, a secret army unit that would become known as the Ghost Army. According to Gilbert's obituary in the New York Times, "The unit fooled German forces with inflatable tanks, dummy airplanes, fake radio transmissions and sound effects." In later years, Gilbert would serve as an ambassador for the unit's veterans.

After the war, Gilbert resumed work as an architect. His projects included the Utica Memorial Auditorium in Utica, New York; buildings at West Point and the US Merchant Marine Academy; and the East Coast Memorial in Battery Park, Lower Manhattan. He worked as an architect until January 2020.

Gilbert met his future spouse, Molly Gold (m. Seltzer), in New Jersey. The couple had two children together: Joan Seltzer and Richard Seltzer. Molly died in 1994, and Gilbert died on 14 August 2021. He was 106.

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

Architects

Camps

Portraits, Group

Name Access

Camp Yungvelt

Seltzer, Gilbert, 1914-2021

Places

Ontario

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2022-5-12

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

30 cm of textual records

10 photographs : b&w and col. ; 21 x 26 cm or smaller

Date

1939-1987

Scope and Content

Accession consists of materials documenting the Hebrew Weston Sanitarium and Service Club. Included are meeting lists, minutes, financial statements, photographs, and invitations for charitable luncheon and tea events. Other organizations documented in the records include: Federation of Jewish Women's Organizations; Israel Lung and Tuberulosis League; Mount Sinai Women's Auxilliary; Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation; and Shaarei Shomayim.

Administrative History

Bessie Frisch was the president of the Hebrew Weston Sanitarium Club between 1967-1971; 1974-1976; and co-president with Ivy Freiman in 1980-1982. She was married to Harry Frish and had one daughter. Rhoda.

HWSC was founded in 1928 and became Hebrew Weston Charitable Services in 1967. It was a volunteer group that was formed to provide aid to the Jewish patients at the Toronto Hospital for Consulptives (more commonly known as the Weston Sanitorium), now West Park Healthcare Centre. Meals on Wheels was funded in part by HWCS in 1965 and was in full operation by 1966.

Subjects

Women

Medical care

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2023-2-7

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

7 cm of textual records

Date

1933-1982

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material, mostly correspondence, documenting Willi Holtz. Included are: a letter to Willi from the German Metal Worker's Union (20 November 1933); Willi's German Reich passport (1936); a postcard from Palestine (1938); a confirmation regarding application for certificate of entry into Palestine (2 January 1938); a letter to the Reich Interior Ministry from Willi (15 April 1939); a certification of good character for Willi (6 June 1939); a letter to the American consul in Canada from Leon L. Berkowitz regarding Willi Holz's internment in Camp "N" (17 February 1941); and a letter to F. C. Blair, director of the Immigration Branch of the Department of Mines and Resources, from Willi (8 January 1943).

Custodial History

Records were in the possession of Camille Norton, Willi Holz's stepdaughter, prior to Camile donating them to the Ontario Jewish Archives.

Administrative History

Willi Israel Holz was born on 6 April 1912 in Breslau, Germany (today Wroclaw, Poland). From 1919–27, he attended elementary school in the same city. Starting in 1927, he attended technical high school. In 1929, he joined the Kommunistischer Jugendverband Deutschlands (Young Communist League of Germany). In 1931, he received his electrician's license. Apart from a period of unemployment in 1932, he worked from 1931–38 with several firms, acquiring experience in electrical installations. In 1933, he lost his membership in the German Metal Workers' Union (Deutscher Metallarbeiter-Verband) on racial grounds.

In 1938, Willi was put in a Nazi concentration camp. In January 1939, he was released from the concentration camp. He nevertheless had to report to the Gestapo headquarters on a monthly basis until he was able to leave Germany. This proved difficult, as Willi tried and failed to immigrate to a number of countries, including Palestine, Bolivia, and China. (In the latter case, the Republic of China granted Willi and his mother visas, but there were no ship tickets available.) In February, Willi applied to be accepted for a transit camp for Jewish emigrants that was located in Richborough, England; in July, he was accepted. He arrived in Richborough on 8 August 1939. Willi's mother was unable to come with him.

From Richborough, Willi was moved between several locations before departing from Liverpool, England, on the SS Ettrick. He arrived in Quebec, Canada, on 13 July 1940 at Internment Camp "L." From there, he was transferred to Internment Camp "N" in Sherbrook. In January 1941, he was provided with an affidavit for immigration to the United States, but he was unable to enter owing to an unspecified condition. In 1942, Willi's mother was deported to eastern Europe (she died in Auschwitz). In November of that same year, Willi was transferred to yet another camp.

In February 1943, Willi was released from internment for work at Stark Electrical Instrument Co. in Toronto, Ontario. In 1944, Willi started working as foreman of the machine shop for the same company. In 1946, the plant at which Willi was working ended up moving to a different location, and Willi started work on the production line. That same year, Willi appeared before a county court judge to take the oath of allegiance. He became a Canadian citizen on 4 May 1946.

Willi died on 10 October 1979. His funeral took place at Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel.

Use Conditions

Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.

Descriptive Notes

Language: A significant portion of the material is in German.

Subjects

Electricians

Holocaust survivors

Immigrants--Canada

Name Access

Holz, Willi, 1912-1979

Places

Breslau (Germany)

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2023-2-8

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

ca. 18 cm of textual records

207 photographs : b&w and col. ; 28 x 32 cm or semaller

Date

[ca. 1890]-2016

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records related to Clara and Sándor Rosenbaum, and their extended families. Included are documents and photographs documenting their lives in Hungary prior to the Holocaust, as well as their lives after immigrating to Tangier and, subsequently, Canada. Also includes Holocaust accounts and restitution papers, immigration documents, vital documents, correspondence, paper money, a late 19th- or early 20th-century prayer book, and a book of Shabbat songs.

Administrative History

Clara (Klára) Szabó was born in Bölcske on 28 Nov. 1920, the daughter of local lawyer Imre Szabó (born on 2 Jun. 1893 in Bölcske) and Vilma Szabó (née Stern, born in Bölcske in 1892). She had three siblings: Elizabeth (Erzsébet), born on 30 Dec. 1913; Anna, born on 10 Jan. 1915; and András, born on 5 Dec. 1916. The family lived in Paks, where she spent most of her youth. She went to elementary school in Paks, but moved to Budapest in 1935 to attend boarding school, returning to Paks in 1939. Her father committed suicide on 3 Mar. 1940. She married Sándor Rosenbaum in Paks on 14 Jan. 1941. While visiting her sister in Békéscsaba, the whole family were deported to Auschwitz: Clara, her mother, her brother, her two sisters, and her two-year-old niece. From Auschwitz, Clara and her sister Elizabeth were sent to Ravensbrück, and from there to Neustadt bei Coburg, where they worked as forced labourers at a Siemens factory. The rest of her family were killed in the gas chambers at Auschwitz. On 15 Apr. 1945, Clara and Elizabeth escaped from a forced march and headed towards the American advance. After the war, Clara and her husband reunited, and in 1946 relocated to Tangier, where Sándor's brother, Nikolas, had been living since 1940. There, they had two children: André (born on 27 Aug. 1949) and Anique (born on 1 Oct. 1950). They lived there until 1956, when the family relocated to Montreal. There, she was the president of the Dayan Chapter of Hadassah-WIZO from 1980 to 1982. She moved to Toronto in 1997 to be closer to her children. Clara died on 6 Feb. 2016 in Toronto.

Sándor (Alexander) Rosenbaum was born in Paks on 28 Jul. 1906, the son of Mihály (Michael) Rosenbaum (merchant, born on 1875 or 1876) and Regina Freund (1882-1932). He had three siblings: Hedvig (married to Oskar Barotti), Sari (married to Zoltan Barotti), and Nikolas. During the war, from May 1943 to Sep. 1943, he served at the Jewish labour service squadron No. 104/3, in Budapest, at the post office No. 70 labour service. The squadron was then moved to the Carpathians, and Sándor worked as a farm labourer in the region. He served as a yellow armband labour serviceman in the Carpathians until the end of Oct. 1944. He escaped from the labour camp with a friend, hiding in the Carpathian forests for a few weeks. After the war, Sándor changed his last name to Rostás to sound more Hungarian, later changing it back to Rosenbaum. He immigrated with his wife Clara to Tangier, and later to Montreal with their two kids, having worked most of his life as a businessman. He died in Montreal on 6 Jul. 1987 and was buried at Shaar Hashomayim Cemetery in Outremont.

Subjects

Holocaust survivors

Families

Name Access

Rosenbaum, Clara (Klára), 1920-2016

Rosenbaum, Alexander (Sándor), 1906-1987

Places

Hungary

Tangier (Morocco)

Montréal (Québec)

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2023-2-2

Material Format

textual record

object

text

philatelic record

Physical Description

10 cm of textual records

1 sheet of postage stamps

8 artifacts

1 prayer book

1 plaque

8 photographs : b&w and col ; 10 x 18 cm or smaller

Date

[ca. 1910]-2013

Scope and Content

Accession consists of two scrapbooks containing emails, letters of thanks, articles and program materials related to Judith's various speaking engagements and presentations as a survivor speaker. Also included are eight photos of family members, a prayer book, plaque, a spice box and eight kiddush cups, two certificates affirming completion of English language courses at McGill University, two certificates of recognition of commitment to Holocaust Education from the Ontario Government and the Government of Canada, one sheet of stamps remembering the Holocaust issued by Canada Post, and a labour discharge certificate from the Tailor's Immigration project.

Administrative History

Judith Cohen was born in 1928, in Debrecen, Hungary. Cohen was deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration and Death Camp, and to other labour camps. Cohen lived in a displaced persons camp in Germany following liberation where she reunited with her remaining siblings. In 1948, Cohen arrived in Canada as part of the Tailor Project, originally settling in Montreal and later moving to Toronto. She chaired the Holocaust Education Centre and is a committed Holocaust educator and speaker as well as a human rights activist.

Use Conditions

Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2023-5-8

Material Format

graphic material

object

Physical Description

1 trophy : metal, cup shape

1 photograph : sepia ; 20 x 25 cm on matte 31 x 35 cm

Date

1923-1931

Scope and Content

Accession consists of a 1931 JCSSL Championship trophy. The inscription on the trophy reads "J.C.S.S.L 1931 Champs. Yolles-Herzls. Pres. by Harry Tait to J. Goldman." Also included is a group photograph of the YMHA 1923–24 Midget basketball team. Individuals identified include J. Benjamin, E. Sniderman, Captain B. Goldman, Coach, Manager I. Gold, S. Ramm (top row from left); M. English, H. Lister, W. Garbe (bottom row from left). Photograph by Alexandra Studios, Toronto.

Custodial History

Material received through Steve's wife, Merle Goldman.

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

Sports

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2022-8-4

Material Format

architectural drawing

graphic material

object

textual record

sound recording

Physical Description

ca. 11 m of textual records and other material

Date

1930-2017

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records documenting the life and career of Rabbi Benjamin Friedberg. Included are subject files, eulogies, sermons, marriage records, funeral record cards, conversion certificates, gittin (Jewish divorce documents), addresses for High Holiday services, and photographs. Also include are a few artifacts, such as felt patches and medallions, as well as sound recordings. A large number of documents are relating to Rabbi Friedberg's rabbinical career at Beth Tzedec Congregation.

Administrative History

Rabbi Joseph Benjamin Friedberg (1927-2022) was born on June 26, 1927, in Toronto to Chaim (Chamel) and Rochel Rose Friedberg. Rochel Friedberg was born in Polaniec, Poland (Russian part of Poland), the daughter of Moshe and Sura Poss. Rochel had little formal education but learned Talmud from her father. In her youth, Moshe came to Toronto to make a living and had to leave the family behind; shortly thereafter, World War I broke out, and Rochel was sent to the town of Stopnitz. She was then sent to Crackow to work. Rochel married Chaim (Chamel) Friedberg from Patchenev, who was enlisted in Pilsudski’s army. Before the Great Depression, Rochel and Chaim immigrated to Canada. Later on, Chaim took ill and had to go to the Western Sanitarium; soon after that, he passed away in 1957. Rochel passed away in 1992.

Rabbi Benjamin Friedberg was a native of Toronto and received his basic religious and secular education there. He attended Harbord Collegiate in his youth. After spending a number of years at the Yeshiva University in New York, he returned home to attended the University of Toronto, from which he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1949. In 1950, Rabbi Friedberg entered the Rabbinical School of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. He received his Master of Hebrew Letters degree and rabbinical ordination in 1954.

Rabbi Friedberg’s first pulpit was in Rochester, New York. He served as assistant rabbi at Beth Tzedec Congregation in 1955; and then as rabbi of B’nai Israel Congregation in London, Ontario. In 1959, he received his Master of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario in Bible and Archaeology. As part of his doctorial program, he studied in the Department of Archaeology and Bible at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem; he also spent several years studying in the Department of Religion at the University of Ottawa with special emphasis on the Samaritans.

In 1961, Rabbi Friedberg was called to the pulpit of Agudath Israel Congregation in Ottawa, Ontario, where he served for thirteen years until 1974.

In 1974, he was appointed senior rabbi at Beth Tzedec Congregation, Toronto. His major emphases in the congregation were the development of both child and adult education and emphasizing Israel as the dominant fact in Jewish life today. Much of the programming at Beth Tzedec that he instituted dealt with Israel.

Rabbi Friedberg’s interest in Jewish education was responsible for the founding of a Hebrew High School in Ottawa. His concern with Jewish youth prompted him to devote his time as counsellor to the Hillel Organization on the campuses of the University of Western Ontario, Carleton University, and the University of Ottawa. He taught Bible, Biblical Hebrew, and courses in Judaism at the University of Ottawa; and was an occasional lecturer at the University of Western Ontario in the Orientals Department. While living in Ottawa, he was active in a number of Jewish communal organizations. He was the founder and the organizer of the Ottawa Soviet Jewry Committee and was head of the Jews in Foreign Lands Committee and Canada-Israel Committee. Also, he was on the Social Welfare Council and was chairman of the Aliyah Committee in Ottawa.

Rabbi Friedberg was active with the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC) and the Canadian Zionist Federation (CZF). He worked actively on behalf of the CJC’s Educational Department. He was on the executive of the CJC Central and Eastern Regions and served as national chairman of the CJC’s International Affairs Committee. As an active Zionist, he served as national chairman of the Hasbara Committee of the CZF and was president of Mercaz Canada, the Zionist organization of the Masorti (Conservative) Movement. He also organized Israel tours and led Israel tour groups for a number of times. Rabbi Friedberg was the recipient of citations of the UJA, State of Israel Bonds, and various other awards in recognition of his communal work. In addition, he had also been invited to serve as a member of Teddy Kollek’s Jerusalem Committee.

Rabbi Friedberg was a contributor to Anglo-Jewish press, television work, and radio. He was chairman of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s Religious Advisory Committee and hosted his own television program called “Focus.” He had written for the London Free Press, and the Ottawa Citizen, and a number of Jewish periodicals.

Rabbi Friedberg was married to the former Lola Constant of Montreal (1930-2022). They had three children together—Mark, Gilah, and Esther. Lola Friedberg had a degree from McGill University in Arts and Music. She had given two-piano recitals in conjunction with her twin sister, Miriam “Mitzi” Leboff, on a number of occasions. Lola had taught piano and conducted choirs in Montreal and Ottawa.

Use Conditions

Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.

Subjects

Rabbis

Sermons

Eulogies

Name Access

Friedberg, Benjamin, 1927-2022

Beth Tzedec Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Ottawa (Ont.)

London (Ont.)

Jerusalem

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2023-6-3

Material Format

graphic material

Physical Description

4 photo albums

Date

1928-1943

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material documenting Willi Holz. Included are four photo albums that belonged to the same. The first three albums consist of photographs taken in Germany between the years 1928 and 1936. The fourth album consists of photographs taken in Germany between the years 1936 and 1939 and Canada circa 1943. The photographs primarily depict individuals (family members, friends), but street scenes, airplanes, and landscapes are also depicted.

Custodial History

Records were in the possession of Camille Norton, Willi Holz's stepdaughter, prior to Camile donating them to the Ontario Jewish Archives.

Administrative History

Willi Israel Holz was born on 6 April 1912 in Breslau, Germany (today Wroclaw, Poland). From 1919–27, he attended elementary school in the same city. Starting in 1927, he attended technical high school. In 1929, he joined the Kommunistischer Jugendverband Deutschlands (Young Communist League of Germany). In 1931, he received his electrician's license. Apart from a period of unemployment in 1932, he worked from 1931–38 with several firms, acquiring experience in electrical installations. In 1933, he lost his membership in the German Metal Workers' Union (Deutscher Metallarbeiter-Verband) on racial grounds.

In 1938, Willi was put in a Nazi concentration camp. In January 1939, he was released from the concentration camp. He nevertheless had to report to the Gestapo headquarters on a monthly basis until he was able to leave Germany. This proved difficult, as Willi tried and failed to immigrate to a number of countries, including Palestine, Bolivia, and China. (In the latter case, the Republic of China granted Willi and his mother visas, but there were no ship tickets available.) In February, Willi applied to be accepted for a transit camp for Jewish emigrants that was located in Richborough, England; in July, he was accepted. He arrived in Richborough on 8 August 1939. Willi's mother was unable to come with him.

From Richborough, Willi was moved between several locations before departing from Liverpool, England, on the SS Ettrick. He arrived in Quebec, Canada, on 13 July 1940 at Internment Camp "L." (He was interned as an enemy alien.) From there, he was transferred to Internment Camp "N" in Sherbrook. In January 1941, he was provided with an affidavit for immigration to the United States, but he was unable to enter owing to an unspecified condition. In 1942, Willi's mother was deported to eastern Europe (she died in Auschwitz). In November of that same year, Willi was transferred to yet another camp.

In February 1943, Willi was released from internment for work at Stark Electrical Instrument Co. in Toronto, Ontario. In 1944, Willi started working as foreman of the machine shop for the same company. In 1946, the plant at which Willi was working ended up moving to a different location, and Willi started work on the production line. That same year, Willi appeared before a county court judge to take the oath of allegiance. He became a Canadian citizen on 4 May 1946.

Willi died on 10 October 1979. His funeral took place at Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel.

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.

Descriptive Notes

Language: Captions are in German.

Availability of other formats: Digitized material.

Subjects

Electricians

Holocaust survivors

Immigrants--Canada

Name Access

Holz, Willi, 1912-1979

Places

Canada

Germany

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2023-11-1

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

object

Physical Description

18 cm of textual records

11 photographs : col ; 10 x 15 cm or smaller

91 slides : col ; 35 mm

54 negatives : col. ; 35 mm

Date

1922-1994

Scope and Content

Accession contains material related to the Beta Sigma Rho Fraternity, Eta Chapter at the University of Toronto. Included in the material is a 1922 constitution and ritual book, pledge and introduction manuals, rushing guidelines, records of initiation and interviews with pledges, programmes and invitations to annual balls, dinner dances, conventions and reunions, revenue reports, invoices and receipts, legal documents relating to the house sale and dissolution of the chapter, meeting minutes, membership lists, ETA and Grand Chapter newsletters, newspaper clippings, personal correspondence and memorabilia, photographs and slides, songbooks and correspondence. Also included is material relating to the Beta Sigma Rho Grand Chapter, New York, New York. The included object is a wooden case with a glass door, presumably used to hold information or announcements.

Custodial History

Records were in the possession of several individuals in the following order: Barney Dales, Marvin Pearl, Ed Bogolmy, Richard Stein.

Administrative History

The Beta Sigma Rho fraternity was founded in 1910 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York by four Jewish veterinary students who were unable to obtain membership in existing fraternities because of their religion. Originally named Beta Samach, the purpose of the fraternity was to promote fraternal spirit and good fellowship among its members, to diffuse a liberal culture, to advance scholarship, and to further equity in college affairs. Although not formally stated in its constitution, the fraternity also served a social function allowing its members to develop friendships and to take part in social events, such as dances.

The fraternity began to expand nationally in 1914, and in 1920 the fraternity’s name was changed to Beta Sigma Rho. The fraternity expanded into Ontario in 1930 with the Eta Chapter at the University of Toronto. In 1944 a second Canadian chapter was opened at the University of Western Ontario, known as the Iota Chapter.

Membership in Beta Sigma Rho began to decline in the late 1960s, and in 1972 its national office merged with the Pi Lambda Phi fraternity for financial assistance. The chapter at Pennsylvania State University chose not to take part in the merger and became an independent fraternity under the new name Beta Sigma Beta.

Subjects

Greek letter societies

Name Access

Beta Sigma Rho Fraternity (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2023-11-3

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

4.9 m of textual records

Date

1930-1980

Scope and Content

Accession consists of record books and file cards documenting deceased persons handled by Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel.

The seven record books were kept by Joseph Benjamin from 1930 to 1980 and contain the following information: date of death, yarzheit, name of deceased, cemetery section, name of cemetery. The outside dates for each book are:

Book 1: Jan. 1930 to 31 Dec. 1945

Book 2: 1 Jan. 1946 to 19 Dec. 1953

Book 3: 1 Jan. 1954 to 29 Dec. 1959

Book 4: 29 Dec. 1959 to 29 Dec. 1963

Book 5: 1 Jan. 1964 to 30 Dec. 1968

Book 6: 29 Dec. 1968 to 28 June 1972

Book 7: 29 June 1972 to 30 June 1980

The complete set of file are arranged alphabetically in chronological order, 1936–1945, 1954–1976, vols. 1 to 21. Records arranged chronologically 1916 to 1957, vols. 21 to 24. The cards contain information about the deceased which supplements that found in the record books:

Volume 1: Aaron to Benaim

Volume 2: Benatar to Breslin

Volume 3: Breslin to Cohen

Volume 4: Cohen to Dzialoszynsk

Volume 5: Eaton to Fox

Volume 6: Fox to. Golant

Volume 7: Gold to Green

Volume 8: Green to Herman

Volume 9: Herman to Katz

Volume 10: Katz to Kyriazoglou

Volume 11: Labelle to Lipschitz

Volume 12: Lipset to Miller

Volume 13: Miller to Pearson

Volume 14; Pearson to Roher

Volume 15: Roher to Saltman

Volume 16: Saltman to Shindler

Volume 17: Shindman to Sobel

Volume 18: Soberman to Swerling

Volume 19: Swersky to Wein

Volume 20: Weinbaum to Yellin

Volume 21: Yeretsky to Zyro; 1 Jan. 1946 to 21 June 1947

Volume 22; 21 June 1947 to 28 Oct. 1949

Volume 23: 30 Oct, 1949 to 31 Dec. 1951

Volume 24: 1 Jan. 1952 to 31 Dec. 1953

Custodial History

Transferred from Library and Archives Canada in 2023 at the request of the OJA and with permission from Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel.

Administrative History

Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel was founded in 1922 by Henry Benjamin, who was a member of one of the early chevrah kadishas of Toronto. Henry Benjamin came to Canada at the turn of the nineteenth century from Russia. He owned a grocery store on College Street in Toronto and had a wagon that he used to deliver groceries. Wagons were rare in the Jewish community at that time, so Henry was asked by Toronto’s first chevrah kadisha to use his wagon to help deliver bodies for burial. At first, he did this because he felt a responsibility to his community. Over time, he became more deeply committed to the work of the chevrah kadisha. When his son, Joe, was a young man, Joe helped his father prepare bodies for burial, and his father impressed upon him that taking care of the dead was a sacred trust.

In 1922, the Ontario government passed a law to regulate funerary services. From then on, the cultural traditions of all ethnic and religious communities had to be practiced under the auspices of a licensed funeral home. That year, H. Benjamin and Sons was established on Spadina Avenue to provide the proper legal framework for continued service by the members of this chevrah kadisha.

Joe Benjamin took over the company in 1939 following Henry Benjamin's death. The chapel (then known as the Park Memorial Chapel) served the Jewish community for forty years from its premises on Spadina Crescent. In Joe’s forty years, the chapel was known as H. Benjamin and Sons, Park Memorial Chapel, and, finally, Benjamin’s Park Memorial Chapel.

While Henry’s worldview had been local—focused within a few square blocks in Toronto—Joe’s was much wider. He was an active participant in the Jewish Funeral Directors of America, expanding his expertise and helping to develop many of the standards of communication, practice, process, philosophy, and values that are characteristic of the North American Jewish funeral home.

After university, Michael Benjamin, Joe’s son, studied to become a licensed funeral director in Ontario. He enhanced his training at Yeshiva University in New York and the Institute of Funeral Services in Evanston, Illinois. He studied Jewish ethical issues around burial with the late Rabbi Felder. He pursued an ambitious dream for a new funeral facility, custom-designed to meet the highest standard of care for the Jewish community. He assumed full responsibility for the business in 1979.

Toronto’s Jewish community had spread up the “Bathurst spine” to the suburbs and across the city. The culturally and religiously homogeneous Judaism then practised started to splinter through immigration and new religious movements. Benjamin’s followed the community north and built a new chapel at 1404 Steeles Ave W., which opened in 1977, the first designed specifically for Jewish funeral rituals.

As of 2024, Michael Benjamin and now his children, Marc, Jordan, and Barbi, continue to guide the business. After university, Marc and Jordan qualified for their funeral director licenses, while Barbi gained her certificate in human resources. They now form the core executive team under Michael, helping to guide Benjamin’s into the future.

Use Conditions

Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director prior to accessing some of the records.

Descriptive Notes

USE CONDITION NOTE: Records less than forty years old will be made available only to:

researchers who have obtained written permission from Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel;

staff of the archives for purposes of answering specific requests for information and providing reproductions of records in response to such requests, with the cause of death and the cost of the funeral redacted;

researchers who seek information of a statistical nature and who agree in writing that they will not disclose directly or indirectly information about any individual person.

Subjects

Burial records

Name Access

Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2024-2-2

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

1 scrapbook

1 commemorative book

1 bulletin

Date

1938-1939, 1964

Scope and Content

Accession consists of three items. The first item is a Beth El Synagogue Sisterhood scrapbook for the years 1962–64. The second item is a commemorative book released on the occasion of the 1938 dedication of Holy Blossom Temple. The third item is a Holy Blossom Temple bulletin dated 26 November 1939.

Use Conditions

Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.

Subjects

Synagogues

Women

Name Access

Holy Blossom Temple (Toronto, Ont.)

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2024-3-11

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

1 book

2 booklets

Date

1915-1952

Scope and Content

Accession consists of propaganda from Nazi Germany. Included are one propaganda book book from 1935 titled "Adolf Hitler" and two booklets, one for workers and one for army members.

Custodial History

Records originally possessed by Ulrike Groppler's father. Ulrike inherited them from her parents.

Use Conditions

Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.

Descriptive Notes

Language: German.

Subjects

Antisemitism

Nazis

Propaganda

Places

Germany

Source

Archival Accessions

Part Of

Zionist Organization of Canada fonds

Central Region sous-fonds

Subject files series

Level

Series

Fonds

28-1

Series

7

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Date

1934-1978

Physical Description

2.5 m of textual records

208 photographs : b&w and col. ; 21 x 26 cm or smaller

Admin History/Bio

The bulk of the Central Region subject files series was created after 1950. The Central Region office relied on this series in order to organize their records that dealt with disperate themes. The files in this series documented internal issues as well as external groups and individuals. There are therefore files on internal budgetary matters as well as files documenting external groups that Central Region liaised with, such as FZOC and the Canadian Jewish Congress. In turn, this series also documented particular themes and events that were of interest to Central Region.

Scope and Content

The subject files include such materials as newsletters, correspondence and publications, publicity materials, information on club events, budgets and financial information.

Arrangement

The files in this series were arranged alphabetically in chronological order. While some organizations and themes were assigned a file, others were grouped together under a "miscellaneous" heading for each letter

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Zionist Organization of Canada fonds

Central Region sous-fonds

Subject files series

Level

File

Fonds

28-1

Series

7

File

120

Material Format

textual record

Date

1934-1975

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

The file consists of correspondence concerning insurance policies.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Zionist Organization of Canada fonds

Level

Fonds

Fonds

28

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

moving images

Date

1908-1979, predominant 1955-1976

Physical Description

7.4 m of textual records and other material

Admin History/Bio

The Zionist Organization of Canada (ZOC) (1921-1978) acted as the official voice of Zionism in Canada, promoting the aims of Zionism in communities across the country. The ZOC adhered to the principles of the Jerusalem Program of the Zionist movement founded by Theodor Herzl in 1898 during the First Zionist Congress held in Basle Switzerland. These principles included: 1) the promotion of immigration to Israel; 2) raising funds to carry out the aims of Zionism; 3) encouraging investment in Israel; 4) fostering Jewish consciousness; and 5) mobilizing public opinion about Israel and the Jewish communities of the Diaspora.

The Federation of Zionist Societies of Canada (FZSOC) was founded in 1898 as the national collective of groups representing Zionist interests in Canada. In 1921 the organization changed its name and was incorporated as the Zionist Organization of Canada, becoming the primary umbrella organization for Zionist groups in Canada.

The ZOC was a broad-based organization that embraced an ideology of nationhood which attracted influential national leaders within the Jewish community as well as thousands of members across the country. ZOC's main office was located in Montreal until 1970, when it moved to the Toronto Zionist Centre on Marlee Ave, Toronto. ZOC provided smaller communities, which had few institutional supports, with vital linkages to the metropolitan centres through their programs that were run out of the regional offices and local Zionist councils. The Zionist Organization of Canada operated as an umbrella group that oversaw Zionist funds and administered the budgets of such organizations as Canadian Hadassah-WIZO, the Men's Zionist Organization of Canada and Young Judaea. ZOC programs promoted a stronger Jewish identity amongst Canadian Jews and familiarity with Hebrew through the periodical, Canadian Zionist. These programs included book clubs, lunch clubs, film exhibits, youth camps, travel offices, and two television programs during the 1970s on cable television in Montreal and Toronto.

In 1967, ZOC became a constituent member of the new Federated Zionist Organization of Canada (FZOC), along with Canadian Hadassah-WIZO, the Labour Zionist Movement of Canada, Mizrachi Hapoel Hamizrachi Organization of Canada, Zionist Revisionist Organization of Canada, Achdut Avoda, and Friends of Pioneering Israel (Mapam). In 1972, FZOC became the Canadian Zionist Federation (CZF). During the 1970s, ZOC's functions were gradually absorbed by the Canadian Zionist Federation, the CZF Central Region based in Toronto, and by the Toronto Zionist Council. By 1978, the Zionist Organization of Canada had ceased to function as an organization.

Scope and Content

The Zionist Organization of Canada (ZOC) records span a 70 year period between 1908, with the formation of the Toronto Zionist Council (and its affiliated corporation, the United Zionists of Toronto) and the creation of the Zionist Organization of Canada in 1921, until 1978. The bulk of the records in the fonds were created after 1950.

The fonds is organized into two sous-fonds and eight record series. The sous-fonds contain records of the ZOC Central Region and the Toronto Zionist Council, which exercised considerable autonomy in their work under the ZOC umbrella. The record series include records relating to: ZOC's executive bodies, the National Administrative Council and Executive Board, and their predecessor, the Executive Committee of the Federation of Zionist Societies of Canada (1919-1976); the National Camps Association, responsible for overseeing the administration of summer camps owned by ZOC (1961-1968); Canadian Young Judaea, the youth wing of ZOC which was also responsible for the operation of ZOC summer camps (1957-1978); the ZOC Department of Education and Culture's cable television programme, Shalom (1971-1977); ZOC national conventions (1946-1975); the Federated Zionist Organization of Canada, of which ZOC became a member organization on its formation in 1967 (1972-1978); and the 28th World Zionist Congress held in 1972. The fonds also includes a series of subject files, the primary recordkeeping system for ZOC's administration, and a series of photographs of prominant persons and events maintained by ZOC for its public relations work.

Notes

Physical description note: Includes: ca. 1100 photographs (b&w and col.; some negatives), 24 embossed prints, 3 film reels (col., Super 8 mm), and 1 videocassette (col., VHS).

Associated material note: Additional records of the Zionist Organization of Canada can be found at the Canadian Jewish Congress National Archives (Montreal), Library & Archives Canada (Ottawa), and the World Zionist Organization's Central Zionist Archives (Jerusalem)

Name Access

Zionist Organization of Canada

Subjects

Zionism

Access Restriction

Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing some of the records.

Creator

Zionist Organization of Canada (1921-1978)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Zionist Organization of Canada fonds

National Administrative Council and Executive Board series

Minutes of meetings sub-series

Level

Sub-series

Fonds

28

Series

1-1

Material Format

textual record

Date

1919-1970

Physical Description

32 cm of textual records

Scope and Content

The sub-series consists of the minutes of meetings of the Executive Committee of the Federation of Zionist Societies of Canada (1919-1921) and of the National Administrative Council and Executive Board (1919-1970).

Prior to 1947, minutes of the National Administrative Council and the Executive Board were interfiled by date. Beginning in 1947 Council and Board minutes were kept in separate binders, and only the minutes of the Executive Board have survived.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Zionist Organization of Canada fonds

National Administrative Council and Executive Board series

National Treasurer sub-series

Auditor's reports sub-sub-series

Level

Sub-sub-series

Fonds

28

Series

1-3-1

Material Format

textual record

Date

1929-1968

Physical Description

10 cm of textual records

Scope and Content

The sub-sub-series consists of auditor's reports and associated correspondence from the chartered accounting firms of Rathie, Woodall and Wilton, and Richter, Usher and Vinberg, created between 1929 and 1968.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Zionist Organization of Canada fonds

Publicity photographs of people and events series

Level

File

Fonds

28

Series

6

File

250

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[193-?]

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 12 cm

Scope and Content

The file consists of one portrait photograph of Ellis Shapiro.

Subjects

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.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Zionist Organization of Canada fonds

Publicity photographs of people and events series

Level

File

Fonds

28

Series

6

File

251

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[193-?]

Physical Description

10 photographs : b&w ; 9 x 12 cm

Scope and Content

The file consists of 10 portrait photographs of Moshe Sharett.

Name Access

Sharett, Moshe, 1894-1965

Subjects

Prime ministers--Israel

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Zionist Organization of Canada fonds

Publicity photographs of people and events series

Level

Series

Fonds

28

Series

6

Material Format

graphic material

textual record

Date

[193-]-[197-]

Physical Description

60 cm of graphic material (ca. 700 photographs and 24 embossed prints)

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

The series consists of photographs taken at public events and portraits of Zionist Organization of Canada officers, prominent members of the Jewish community, and dignitaries from Canada, Israel, and the U.S. These photographs were used for publicity purposes by ZOC and were made available to the press through ZOC press releases.

Some of the files in the series include press releases, biographical information on the subjects of the photographs, or caption information for the photographs.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Zionist Organization of Canada fonds

Publicity photographs of people and events series

Level

File

Fonds

28

Series

6

File

19

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[193-]

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 12 cm

Scope and Content

The file consists of a portrait photograph of Fred Catzman, QC.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Zionist Organization of Canada fonds

Publicity photographs of people and events series

Level

File

Fonds

28

Series

6

File

36

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1939

Physical Description

4 photographs : b&w ; 9 x 14 cm and 21 x 26 cm

Scope and Content

The file consists of portrait photographs of Arthur Gelber, President of the United Jewish Welfare Fund.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Zionist Organization of Canada fonds

Publicity photographs of people and events series

Level

File

Fonds

28

Series

6

File

114

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[193-?]

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 12 cm

Scope and Content

The file consists of a portrait photograph of Dr. Horace Kallen.

Source

Archival Descriptions