- Part Of
- Solomon Edell fonds
- Level
- Fonds
- Fonds
- 4
- Material Format
- multiple media
- Date
- [ca. 1900]-2010
- Physical Description
- 3.1 metres of textual records and other material
- Admin History/Bio
- Sol Edell (1919-2000) was a prominant member of the Toronto Jewish community who initially pursued a career as a pharmacist and was later founder and president of the property development company, Elmdale Investments. He held positions as board member or chair in a wide variety of religious, educational and social service organizations and institutions both in Canada and Israel. In Toronto, these included: Clanton Park Synagogue, Adas Israel Synagogue, Jones Avenue Cemetery, Canadian Jewish Congress and the Jewish Federation of Greater Toronto (formerly Toronto Jewish Congress, and now the United Jewish Appeal Federation of Greater Toronto).
- Edell was born in Toronto on 5 March 1919, the son of Pesach and Molly Edell. He attended Harbord Collegiate and graduated from the Toronto College of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, in 1943 while on leave of absence from the army. He was enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces during the Second World War and served in the signal corps.
- After he completed his army service, he opened Edell’s Drug Store at 1978 Queen Street in Etobicoke in 1948, the first shomer Shabbat drug store in the city. He operated a second store at 494 Spadina Avenue in the late 1940s. In 1955 the Queen Street location was expropriated by the City of Toronto. Subsequently, Edell founded Elmdale Investments, the company which built and managed the Elmhurst Plaza in Etobicoke. He reopened the drug store, which was renamed Elmhurst Drugs in the plaza. He also invested in two retail textile stores, Deltex Drapery and Dodd’s Drapery which had been founded by group of businessmen including his cousin Israel Edell.
- In 1952 he married Dolly Weinstock, the daughter of Moishe and Sylvia Weinstock. They lived in the newly developed suburb of North York with their four children: Ethel, Simcha, Malka and Joseph. After 10 years of marriage, Dolly died and in 1966, he married Celia Rogen Hoffman.
- Sol Edell was a founding member and first president of the Clanton Park Congregation. He was actively involved in the construction of the synagogue and its development. He continued to be affiliated with Shomrai Shabbos where his grandfather Rabbi Yosef Weinreb had been the rabbi. He was also involved with Adas Israel, the synagogue in Hamilton where his wife Celia had been an active member.
- He was chair of the Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region -- Toronto Jewish Congress Archives Committee, which subsequently became the Ontario Jewish Archives. During his tenure, the archives was responsible for the reconstruction of the Kiever Synagogue which had been built in the early 1900s but had fallen into a state of disrepair by the 1960s.
- Sol Edell was also involved in a number of Zionist organizations. He was the founding chair of the Aliyah Support Committee of the Jewish Federation of Greater Toronto, whose mandate was to assist Torontonians who had moved to Israel and ease their transition into Israeli society. He was also an active member of the Mizrachi organization and its affiliated institutions. Another one of Sol Edell’s interests was ensuring the preservation of local cemeteries. He was president of the Jones Avenue Cemetery and on the board of Pardes Shalom and the Bathurst Lawn Cemetery, Clanton Park section.
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of records documenting Sol Edell's business activities, community involvement and personal life. Included is correspondence, meeting minutes, photographs, financial records, legal records, publications, audio-visual material, invitations, newspaper clippings, artifacts, lists, reports, speeches, and architectural drawings.
- The fonds is organized into the following eleven series: Personal; Edell's Drug Store and Elmhurst Pharmacy; Elmdale Investments; Deltex Drapery and Dodd's Drapery; Adas Israel Synagogue; Clanton Park Synagogue; Shomrai Shabbos; Aliyah; Cemetery and funeral home; Historical materials; and, Activities and organizations.
- Notes
- Physical description note: includes 739 photographs, 232 architectural drawings, 11 audio cassettes, 9 audio reels, 13 film reels, 7 videocassettes, 4 slides, 1 plaque, 4 badges, and 1 key.
- Name Access
- Edell Solomon, 1919-2000
- Clanton Park Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Edell, Dolly
- Edell, Celia
- Edell's Drug Store
- Elmhurst Pharmacy
- Jones Avenue Cemetery
- Canadian Jewish Congress/ Toronto Jewish Congress Archives
- Aliyah Support Committee
- Subjects
- Business
- Pharmacists
- Access Restriction
- Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing some of the records.
- Physical Condition
- The bulk of the architectural drawings are currently being stored rolled up. They should be flattened and encapsulated in melinex.
- Film and sound reels should be digitized.
- Related Material
- See fonds #5 for material related to Paul Edell.
- See accession #2012-10/9 for material related to the Edell family.
- Creator
- Edell, Solomon, 1919-2000
- Accession Number
- 2002-12-2
- 2008-8-29
- 2011-5-4
- 2012-10-9
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Solomon Edell fonds
- Personal series
- Level
- Series
- Fonds
- 4
- Series
- 1
- Material Format
- multiple media
- Date
- [ca. 1900]-2000
- Physical Description
- 49 cm of textual records and other material
- Admin History/Bio
- Sol Edell, the son of Paul and Mollie Edell, was one of five siblings. He and Dolly Weinstock, the daughter of Moishe and Sylvia Weinstock, had two daughters and two sons and lived in Toronto. After Dolly died in 1961, he married Celia (née Rogen) Hoffman, a widow, in 1966. He became the stepfather to the two sons of Max and Celia Hoffman who had been residents of Hamilton. Some members of the family remained in Toronto while others moved to other parts of Canada, the United States and Israel. Sol Edell was actively involved in or provided financial support to many educational, professional and religious organizations.
- Scope and Content
- Series includes correspondence, invitations, publications, photographs, family films and a sound recording. The series is made up of seven sub-series: Associations, Charities, Community Activities, Education and Extra-Curricular Activities, Life Cycle and Family Events, Religious, and Residence.
- Notes
- Physical description note: includes 12 photographs, 7 film reels, 1 audio reel, 1 plaque, 4 badges, and 47 architectural drawings.
- Name Access
- Hoffman, Max
- Hoffman, Celia
- Rho Pi Phi
- Harbord Collegiate
- Subjects
- Education
- Greek letter societies
- Physical Condition
- Film and sound reels should be digitized.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Solomon Edell fonds
- Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue series
- Level
- Series
- Fonds
- 4
- Series
- 7
- Material Format
- textual record
- architectural drawing
- graphic material
- Date
- 1913-1999
- Physical Description
- 22 cm of textual records
- 4 architectural drawings
- 2 photographs
- Admin History/Bio
- Shomrai Shabbos is an orthodox congregation which was founded in 1896. Sol Edell’s grandfather, Rabbi Yosef Weinreb, served as rabbi of the congregation from 1900 until 1942. The synagogue was in several downtown locations until it moved to its present location on Glengrove Avenue in North York in 1966. The congregation has grown steadily over the years and now has a membership of over 350 families. Sol Edell’s family were members of the congregation when he was a child. Although he retained his membership in the congregation after his marriage, he rarely attended the services at the synagogue. However, he did continue to participate in fundraising on behalf of the synagogue.
- Custodial History
- The earlier records were collected by Sol's grandfather, Rabbi Yosef Weinreb, or his father, Paul Edell. After their deaths, Sol maintained his membership in the congregation and continued to receive material from the synagogue.
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of records documenting the establishment, construction, membership and activities of the Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue. Included is correspondence, speeches, technical drawings, financial records, ledgers, a tribute book, legal records, flyers, bulletins, marriage certificate receipts, certificates, invitations, a photograph, and stationary.
- Name Access
- Felder, Gedalia, Rabbi
- Yosef, Weinreb, Rabbi
- Subjects
- Architecture
- Synagogues
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Solomon Edell fonds
- General community activities series
- Level
- Series
- Fonds
- 4
- Series
- 11
- Material Format
- multiple media
- Date
- 1950-2010
- Physical Description
- 77 cm of textual records and other material
- Admin History/Bio
- In addition to his ongoing involvement with Clanton Park, the Canadian Jewish Congress Archives, the Aliyah Support Group, Jones Avenue Cemetery, Shomrai Shabbos and Adas Israel, Sol Edell undertook special projects on behalf of a wide array of Jewish organizations. These include cultural (Toronto Cantorial Scholarship Fund), educational (Netivot Hatorah and Yeshivat Or Chaim Ulpanat Orot), religious (Union of Jewish Orthodox Congregations), social welfare (Association of Jewish Seniors and Co-Ordinated Services to the Jewish Elderly) and Zionist (Canadian Friends of Yeshivat Hakotel and State of Israel Bonds) organizations.
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of records documenting Sol Edell's involvement with a wide variety of Jewish educational, social and religious organizations and institutions in Canada, the United States, and Israel. Included are meeting minutes, publications, reports, photographs, correspondence, invitations, programmes, financial records, an architectural drawing, and a sound recording. While many of these organizations such as Eitz Chaim, Or Chaim Ulpanat Orot (educational), Mizrachi Organization of Canada, Emunah Women (Zionist) and Beth Jacob V’Anshe Drildz (synagogue) are orthodox, others such as Associated Hebrew Day Schools (educational), State of Israel Bonds (Zionist) and Co-ordinated Services to the Jewish Elderly (social welfare) have no religious affiliation.
- Notes
- Physical description note: includes 26 photographs, 1 audio cassette, and 1 architectural drawing.
- Name Access
- Eitz Chaim
- Or Chaim Ulpanat Orot
- Mizrachi Men’s Organization
- Emunah Women
- Beth Jacob V'Anshei Drildz (Toronto, Ont.)
- Associated Hebrew Day Schools
- State of Israel Bonds
- Co-ordinated Services to the Jewish Elderly
- Camp Moshava
- Harbord Collegiate
- Netivot Hatorah
- Union of Jewish Orthodox Congregations
- B'Nei Akiva
- Toronto Committee for Bikur Cholim Hospital
- Subjects
- Charities
- Children
- Education
- Fund raising
- Older people
- Religion
- Zionism
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Solomon Edell fonds
- Personal series
- Life cycle and family events sub-series
- Level
- Sub-series
- Fonds
- 4
- Series
- 1-5
- Material Format
- multiple media
- Date
- [ca. 1900]-2000
- Physical Description
- 37 cm of textual records and other material
- Admin History/Bio
- Sol Edell had a large family and a large circle of friends and aquaintenances. Consequently, he was invited to many circumcisions, weddings and bar and bat mitzvahs. He also set up several memorial funds in memory of his sister and wives.There are also documents in this sub-series that relate to family members.
- Scope and Content
- Sub-series consists of correspondence, receipts, diplomas, photographs and films documenting various family celebrations, vacations and home life. There is a selection of invitations, cards and benchers sent by the Edell, Weinstock and Hoffman families as well as ones that they received from family and friends. In addition, there are newspaper clippings and notices of the deaths of Edell family members and friends as well as correspondence and receipts relating to memorial funds set up in their memory. The sub-series also contains films of family and friends taken at home, on vacation and at family celebrations.
- Notes
- Physical description note: includes 10 photographs, 7 film reels, and 1 audio reel.
- Name Access
- Hoffman family
- Weinstock family
- Edell, Dolly
- Edell, Celia
- Subjects
- Families
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Solomon Edell fonds
- Personal series
- Religious sub-series
- Level
- Sub-series
- Fonds
- 4
- Series
- 1-6
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1962-1997
- Physical Description
- 3 folders of textual records
- Admin History/Bio
- During his lifetime Sol Edell regularly attended or maintained membership in a number of different synagogues. As a child Sol Edell’s family were members of Shomrai Shabbos. After he married he became a founding member of Clanton Park. His second wife Celia was a member of Adas Israel prior to their marriage. The Edell’s also had a cottage in Belle Ewart and they attended the synagogue which the Jewish cottagers had established for the summer.
- Scope and Content
- Sub-series consists of correspondence, receipts and newspaper clippings relating to the religious activities of the Edell family. This includes dues and donations to Adas Israel, Clanton Park and Shomrai Shabbos synagogues. As well there are newspaper clippings about the synagogue in Belle Ewart. Also included are contracts for the sale of chametz for Passover.
- Name Access
- Shomrai Shabbos
- Adas Israel Congregation (Hamilton, Ont.)
- Clanton Park Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Ewart, Belle
- Subjects
- Religion
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Solomon Edell fonds
- Edell's Drug Store and Elmhurst Pharmacy series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 4
- Series
- 2
- File
- 1
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1948
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of an invoice from the Yiddisher Zhurnal relating to a New Years greeting that had been printed in the paper for Sol Edell's Drug Store.
- Subjects
- Yiddish newspapers
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Solomon Edell fonds
- Clanton Park Synagogue series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 4
- Series
- 6
- File
- 18
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1956-1972
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of resumes of rabbis who had applied for the position of spiritual leader of Clanton Park as well as notices to members inviting them to meet the candidates.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Solomon Edell fonds
- Clanton Park Synagogue series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 4
- Series
- 6
- File
- 23
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1964
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Admin History/Bio
- Rabbi Nachum Rabinovitch was spiritual leader of Clanton Park from 1964 until 1971.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of invitations, programmes and the souvenir book for the installation dinner in honour of Rabbi Rabinovitch. Also included is a list of sponsors for the event and the amount they donated.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Solomon Edell fonds
- Clanton Park Synagogue series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 4
- Series
- 6
- File
- 28
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1957-1990
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of correspondence relating to the sale of seats, as well as a sample of High Holy Days tickets and a schedule of the services.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Solomon Edell fonds
- Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 4
- Series
- 7
- File
- 7
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1939, 1960
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of the deed and correspondence relating to the maintenance of the Shomrai Shabbos cemetery on Roselawn Avenue.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Solomon Edell fonds
- Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 4
- Series
- 7
- File
- 15
- Material Format
- textual record
- graphic material
- Date
- 1913-1928
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- 2 photographs (1 negative) : b&w ; 20 x 26 cm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of marriage certificate receipts for marriages performed by Rabbi Weinreb at 26 Henry Street as well as a photograph of Rabbi Weinreb leading a march in commemoration of the proclamation of the Balfour Declaration. Also included is a certificate that Rabbi Weinreb received for collecting money to help people make aliyah in their old age (4 Oct. 1923).
- Subjects
- Marriage records
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Physical Condition
- The certificate is in fragile condition and is starting to tear across the centre. Tape is adhered to sections on the back of the document.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Solomon Edell fonds
- Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 4
- Series
- 7
- File
- 18
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1958
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of correspondence relating to the purchase of trees by the Shamrai Shabbos synagogue as well as a certificate from the Jewish National Fund.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Solomon Edell fonds
- Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 4
- Series
- 7
- File
- 21
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1959-1999, predominant 1982-1999
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of notices to Shomrai Shabbos members relating to the Annual General meeting and giving details of the agenda as well as the list of candidates running for election.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Solomon Edell fonds
- Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 4
- Series
- 7
- File
- 24
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1949-1960, 1984
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of appeals for donations to Shomrai Shabbos synagogue funds including the Book Fund, the Yizkor Fund, the Building Fund and the Charity Fund as well as receipts for donations given to these funds.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Solomon Edell fonds
- Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 4
- Series
- 7
- File
- 30
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1956-1959
- Physical Description
- 1 folder textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of Shomrai Shabbos synagogue bulletins.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Solomon Edell fonds
- Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 4
- Series
- 7
- File
- 31
- Date
- 1960-1967
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of Shomrai Shabbos synagogue bulletins.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Solomon Edell fonds
- Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 4
- Series
- 7
- File
- 32
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1971-1973
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of Shomrai Shabbos synagogue bulletins.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Solomon Edell fonds
- Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 4
- Series
- 7
- File
- 33
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1975-1979
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of Shomrai Shabbos synagogue bulletins.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Solomon Edell fonds
- Personal series
- Life cycle and family events sub-series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 4
- Series
- 1-5
- File
- 5
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- [ca. 1950]-[ca. 1961]
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of newspaper clippings documenting the activities of the Edell family. Included are articles regarding Clanton Park Synagogue, Belle Ewart, and Oshawa's B'nai Brith Lodge. Also included is a death notice for Malka Edell.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
