Part Of
Jewish Family Welfare Bureau fonds
Level
Fonds
ID
Fonds 87
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Jewish Family Welfare Bureau fonds
Level
Fonds
Fonds
87
Material Format
textual record
architectural drawing
Date
1928-1943
Physical Description
67 cm of textual records
1 architectural drawing
Admin History/Bio
Sometime around 1919, the Family Welfare Committee was set up within the newly created Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of Toronto (FJPT) to perform social welfare work with Jewish families. Around 1931, the Committee was reorganized as an independent member agency of the FJPT and renamed the Jewish Family Welfare Bureau (JFWB). At the same time, Dora Wilensky (1902-1959), a professionally-trained social worker, was hired as the agency’s executive director. Throughout its existence, most of its funding came from the FJPT (later the United Jewish Welfare Fund).
Located at 179 Beverley Street, the JFWB’s core activities included: relief provision; helping families meet basic needs, such as medical care, heating and clothing; housekeeping assistance; counseling; and case work. The JFWB’s major concerns shifted over time from a rise of immigration and desertion cases in the 1920s to the dramatic increase of wife abuse, suicide, and unemployment cases during the Great Depression of the 1930s. After the outbreak of the Second World War, the JFWB sought ways of assisting soldiers and their families, such as, investigating special government grants to soldiers.
In an attempt to meet community needs, the JFWB initiated various programs, such as a Homemaking Club to teach women house management skills, and a Clothing Centre to provide families with inexpensive household goods. It also partnered with other local Jewish organizations in the early 1940s in the Liaison Project for troubled Jewish youth. In the 1930s, the Jewish Employment Service and Hebrew Free Burial Society became departments of the JFWB and, in 1941, the JFWB began guaranteeing loans for clients through the Hebrew Free Loan Association. In the same year, the Jewish Big Sister Committee became affiliated with the agency and the Jewish Big Brother Movement followed soon after.
In 1936, the JFWB became one of the first unionized social agencies in Canada when it formed the Staff Association with the Jewish Child Welfare Association (JCWA), another member of the FJPT. Although the JFWB’s focus was work with families and the JCWA’s focus was work with children, both agencies found it necessary at times to work with both children and families. In order to prevent service duplication and reduce confusion over casework responsibility, the Joint Application Bureau was set up within the FJPT to review all case work applications and determine the appropriate agency to provide assistance. However, a merger between the agencies was still believed necessary to improve service to the community and ease confusion. Discussions regarding the co-ordination of services between the JCWA and the JFWB began as early as 1935 and in February 1943, the JCWA and JFWB merged to form the Jewish Family and Child Services (JF & CS).
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of textual records and one architectural drawing documenting the programs, operation, finances, and special studies of the Jewish Family Welfare Bureau as well as its relationships with other organizations. Included are reports, meeting notices, agendas and minutes, correspondence, memos, budgets, statistics, theatrical scripts, newsclippings, and one architectural blueprint. A number of the records relate to special short-lived committees and projects that the JFWB participated in with other agencies, such as the Jewish Big Sister Committee, Jewish Big Brother Committee, Jewish Child Welfare Association, the Jewish Community Centre Association, the Young Men's and Women's Hebrew Association, and the Jewish Old Folks' Home.
Records have been arranged into the following 19 series: 1. Board of Directors; 2. Executive Director; 3. Jewish Federation Communal Council; 4. United Jewish Welfare Fund Men's and Women's Service Council; 5. Case Committe; 6. Joint Meetings and Committees; 7. Joint Application Bureau; 8. Homemaking Club; 9. Clothing Centre; 10. Liaison Project; 11. Operational statistics; 12. Finance and accounting; 13. Human Resources; 14. Special projects and studies; 15. Publicity; 16. Liaison with other social welfare organizations; 17. Canadian Association of Social Workers; 18. Welfare Council of Toronto; and, 19. Conferences.
Notes
Associated material note: for related records held at the City of Toronto Archives, see also: Welfare Council of Toronto records in the University Settlement House fonds (fonds 1024, series 658); and, Department of Public Welfare records in the Former City of Toronto fonds (fonds 200).
Name Access
Jewish Family Welfare Bureau
Jewish Community Centre Association
Young Men's-Young Women's Hebrew Athletic Association (Toronto, Ont.) (subject)
Jewish Old Folks Home (Toronto, Ont.)
United Jewish Welfare Fund (Toronto, Ont.) (subject)
Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of Toronto (subject)
Wilensky, Dora, 1902-1959
Subjects
Charities
Children
Families
Nonprofit organizations
Access Restriction
Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director and the head of Jewish Family and Child prior to accessing some of the records.
Related Material
See also: Jewish Child Welfare Association fonds (fonds 86); Jewish Family and Child Services fonds (fonds 79); Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of Toronto fonds (fonds 66); and, United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds (fonds 67).
Arrangement
Records relating to programs, committees and liaison with other organizations that continued after the formation of JF & CS are arranged with that fonds.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Jewish Family Welfare Bureau fonds
Clothing Centre series
Level
Series
ID
Fonds 87; Series 9
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Jewish Family Welfare Bureau fonds
Clothing Centre series
Level
Series
Fonds
87
Series
9
Material Format
textual record
architectural drawing
Date
1934-1943
Physical Description
6 folders of textual records
1 architectural drawing : blueprint, ms. annotations ; 39 x 48 cm
Admin History/Bio
In the 1930s, the United Welfare Clothing Centre was established to provide clients of the Jewish Family Welfare Bureau, Jewish Big Sisters Committee, Jewish Big Brother Movement, and the JIAS Refugee Establishment Committee with clothing. The Centre’s finances and daily operations were managed by the JFWB’s Clothing Committee; however, other organizations also participated in its operation. For instance, the Rest Home Club collected, sorted and cleaned used clothing, and members of the Community Sewing Centre regularly made clothes for the Centre. The Centre was located at 55 Baldwin Street and likely stopped operating in the early 1940s due to a lack of funds and donations.
Scope and Content
Series consists of textual records and one architectual drawing documenting the renovation and operation of the JFWB's Clothing Centre. Included is correspondence, one blueprint, a building alteration proposal, reports, price lists, inventories, publicity articles and meeting notices, agendas and minutes.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Jewish Family Welfare Bureau fonds
Clothing Centre series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 87; Series 9; File 1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Jewish Family Welfare Bureau fonds
Clothing Centre series
Level
File
Fonds
87
Series
9
File
1
Material Format
textual record
architectural drawing
Date
1934-1936
Physical Description
2 folders of textual records
1 architectural drawing : blueprint, ms. annotations ; 39 x 48 cm
Admin History/Bio
The architectural firm Kaplan & Sprachman was established by Harold S. Kaplan and Abraham Sprachman in 1922. Kaplan & Sprachman were best known for their more than 300 movie theatre projects completed from the 1920s to the 1960s, designing and renovating theatres across Canada in progressive "modern" styles and using innovative building materials. In 1937, they were awarded the bronze medal in the Sixth Biennial Toronto Exhibition for their interiors to the Eglinton Theatre (400 Eglinton Ave. W.) in Toronto, considered to be the finest example of their Art deco design work.
Over the course of their careers, they designed many synagogues for the Jewish community, such as the Anshei Minsk and Shaarei Shomayim synagogues in Toronto, Beth Israel Synagogue, Edmonton, and Beth Israel Synagogue in Vancouver. They also designed the new Mount Sinai Hospital, the Oakdale Golf & Country Club, the Jewish Home for the Aged (Baycrest), and the Jewish Community Centres of Toronto and Hamilton. Their design for the Oakdale Golf & Country Club was chosen as a Canadian entrant in the Arts Competition of the 14th Olympic Games in London, 1948.
In addition to the projects already mentioned, Kaplan & Sprachman worked on retail stores, warehouses and factories, apartment buildings, and single family residences. Their partnership continued until 1965, when the firm of Kaplan & Sprachman was dissolved as of 30 October 1965. Kaplan continued to work as an architectural consultant for several years after this date.
Scope and Content
File consists of textual records and one architectual drawing documenting the renovations to the Clothing Centre, which was located at 55 Baldwin Street. Included is one blueprint and a building alteration proposal by Kaplan & Sprachman Registered Architects, correspondence and job quotes.
Name Access
Clothing Centre
Kaplan & Sprachman Registered Architects
Related Material
See also Harold S. Kaplan fonds 27.
Places
Baldwin Street (Toronto, Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Congregation Beth David fonds
Level
File
ID
Fonds 88; File 3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Congregation Beth David fonds
Level
File
Fonds
88
File
3
Material Format
architectural drawing
Date
1946-1947
Physical Description
4 architectural drawings : blueprint ; 45 x 74 cm
Scope and Content
File consists of blueprints for the construction of the Congregation's new synagogue on Waterloo Street.
Accession Number
2001-10-3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Koffler Centre of the Arts fonds
Jewish Book Fair series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 100; Series 7; File 30
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Koffler Centre of the Arts fonds
Jewish Book Fair series
Level
File
Fonds
100
Series
7
File
30
Material Format
architectural drawing
textual record
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
1 drawing : b&w ; 53 x 43 cm
Scope and Content
File consists of records documenting the Jewish Book Fair. Included are annual event guides from 1996-2009, correspondence, press clippings, a breakdown of speaker fees, event timelines, financials and a copy of an architectural drawing of the Lipa Green Building.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Koffler Centre of the Arts fonds
Jewish Book Fair series
Level
Series
ID
Fonds 100; Series 7
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Koffler Centre of the Arts fonds
Jewish Book Fair series
Level
Series
Fonds
100
Series
7
Material Format
textual record
architectural drawing
Date
1976-2013
Physical Description
20 cm of textual records
1 drawing
Admin History/Bio
An annual Jewish Book Week had been considered for several years before the completion of the new Jewish Community Centre (formerly the YM-YWHA) in 1977 made it feasible. After considerable research, and communication with other communities which had sponsored similar programs (such as Detroit), it was agreed that the success of of the projected Fair would be dependent upon the ability to achieve total community sponsorship. An approach to the Federation of Jewish Women's Organization led to their agreement to serve as co-sponsors; they in turn were followed by the Jewish Cultural Council of the Toronto Jewish Congress and the Jewish Public Library. These four organizations were the initial sponsors, and provided the first representatives to the newly formed Board of Directors.
The first Jewish Book Fair was held in 1977 and featured a large book mart with books of Jewish relevance as well as programming for children and adults.
The Canadian Jewish Book Awards was founded in 1988 by Adam Fuerstenberg whose ambition was to celebrate excellence in Canadian Jewish writing. The Koffler Centre of the Arts was approached to manage the Awards in 1994 and has been administering the Awards program ever since. The name was eventually changed to the Canadian Jewish Book Awards and then again in 2004 to the Helen and Stan Vine Canadian Jewish Book Awards following a 10-year donation from Lillian and Norman Glowinsky. In 2015, the Koffler Centre of the Arts put the Awards on hiatus for one year in order to reframe the program. It was relaunched in 2016 as The Vine Awards for Canadian Jewish Literature.
In 2012, the annual event evolved into Toronto Jewish Book Festival, combining the Book Fair and the Helen and Stan Vine Canadian Jewish Book Awards into one week-long event. In 2013 its name was changed to the Toronto Jewish Literary Festival.
Scope and Content
Series consists of records documenting the Jewish Book Fair. Included in the files are meeting minutes, correspondence, press releases, award ceremony program guides, book award submissions and award winner lists, jury citations, financial statements, committee member lists, sales reports, book evaluation and submission criteria, mission statement, the 25th anniversary tribute book, an architectural drawing of the Lipa Green building, a letter from the Canadian Holocaust Remembrance Association addressing the participation of Edward Greenspan, lawyer for Ernst Zundel, at the Jewish Book Fair and a contract letter outlining the details of the donation made by Mr. and Mrs. Norman Glowinsky to the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto and the subsequent renaming of the Canadian Jewish Book Awards to the Helen and Stan Vine Canadian Jewish Book awards for a period of ten years commencing May 2005-June 2014.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
National Council of Jewish Women of Canada fonds
Toronto Section series
House Committee sub-series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 38; Series 7-10; File 3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
National Council of Jewish Women of Canada fonds
Toronto Section series
House Committee sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
38
Series
7-10
File
3
Material Format
architectural drawing
graphic material
textual record
Date
1961-1981
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
2 artistic drawings : 52 x 53 cm or smaller
13 architectural drawings : 92 x 60 cm or smaller
Scope and Content
File consists of several architectural drawings of the new Council House, the parking lot and walkways; two artistic drawings, an application for registry under the Land Titles Act and a survey plan of the lots. The architect was Harry B. Kohl and the consulting engineers, Ryka, Smith and Ginsler Limited.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
National Council of Jewish Women of Canada fonds
Toronto Section series
House Committee sub-series
Level
Sub-series
ID
Fonds 38; Series 7-10
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
National Council of Jewish Women of Canada fonds
Toronto Section series
House Committee sub-series
Level
Sub-series
Fonds
38
Series
7-10
Material Format
textual record
graphic material
architectural drawing
Date
1961-[198-?]
Physical Description
3 cm of textual records
37 photographs
2 artistic drawings : 52 x 53 cm or smaller
13 architectural drawings : 92 x 60 cm or smaller
Admin History/Bio
Toronto Section's executive historically incorporated five or six vice-presidents, each in charge of a portfolio made up of a group of related committees. In 1963, Toronto Section moved to a new Council House at 4700 Bathurst Street.
Scope and Content
Sub-series includes drawings, photographs, minutes, contracts and correspondence relating to the builiding's construction and later renovations.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Folks Farein fonds
Level
Fonds
ID
Fonds 105
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Folks Farein fonds
Level
Fonds
Fonds
105
Material Format
textual record
graphic material
architectural drawing
Date
1914-1977
Physical Description
3.07 m of textual records
110 photographs : b&w and col. (hand-tinted) ; 51 x 41 cm or smaller
6 architectural drawings : 70 x 36 or smaller
Admin History/Bio
The Folks Farein, also known as the Hebrew National Association, was established in 1914 by a group of Toronto Jewish immigrants as a society dedicated to anti-missionary and educational outreach. They were first located at 23 Cecil Street and moved to 37 Cecil Street around 1940.
In the early years of the Folks Farein's existence, Christian missions and a number of Jewish converts to Christianity sought to exploit the situation of poor Jews in the community through the distribution of direct relief, services of doctors and midwives and by street-corner preaching and proselytizing. To counteract the work of the Toronto missionaries the Folks Farein offered a number of services including welfare for working mothers, a reading room, English language classes and translation services for Yiddish immigrants.
When the threat from missionary activity was no longer an issue, the Folks Farein transformed itself into a philanthropic society. Under its revised mandate the society looked after the sick and needy in hospitals, sanatoriums, mental health institutions and in their homes, and arranged for free doctor services, translation services, medicine, dentures, eyeglasses, orthopedic shoes and medical appliances. The Folks Farein guaranteed the full or partial payment of medical bills by maintaining a fund in several hospitals for the benefit of Jewish patients in need of assistance. They provided assistance to seniors applying for old age pensions, to widows and mothers applying for benefits, assisted needy families and patients with kosher meals, provided cash relief during Passover, and fed and billeted the unemployed and homeless at their premises at 37 Cecil Street.
In the course of their work, the Folks Farein collaborated with many Jewish organizations and societies such as the Jewish Immigrant Aid Society, Jewish Family Welfare Bureau, Relief Unemployment Fund, Jewish Joint Application Bureau, Jewish Children's Bureau, the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of Toronto, Canadian Jewish Congress and the Toronto Hebrew Free Loan Association.
Its basis of revenue came from its large membership, house-to-house contributions from the public and from special events such as its annual ball, Moes Chittin campaign, Purim ball, and beauty contests.
In addition to its regular activities the Folks Farein assumed responsibility for providing aid to refugees of the Second World War: the first group arriving from Europe in 1945 and in 1948 to a group of Jewish tailors liberated from the DP camps of Germany. In 1947, the Folks Farein established Hachnoses Orchim, a temporary shelter to accommodate refugees and displaced persons. The shelter was located at 37 Cecil Street.
The Folks Farein's first officers were Mr. J. Graner (president), Mr. J. Meisniker (vice-president), Mr. Meyer Littner (superintendent), Chuna Mosoff and Mr. W. Welman (trustees), Miss Weiner and Mr. Cohen (board of education), Mr. A. Kaminsky (recording secretary) and Mr. Cohen (treasurer). Mr. Epstein referred to as "Grandfather" was one of the founders of the Folks Farein.
Other pioneers included Moshe Oelbaum, and M. Spiegel (1st vice-president), J. Hurwitz (1st vice-president and president), Abraham Sher, S.M. Shapiro Shlesinger, Joseph Grenner, Mrs. Minna Winter (president of the Women's Auxiliary) and Kalman Wagner. In 1930, David Green assumed the position of president of the Folks Farein and served as its exclusive president from 1934 until his passing on 13 May 1977. Sam Cohen was then elected the new president of the Folks Farein.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of records documenting the Folks Farein's philanthropic activities in the Toronto Jewish community from 1914 to 1977. Records include meeting minutes and agendas of the executive board and committees, resolutions of board of directors, newspaper clippings in both Yiddish and English, publicity material, photographs, general correspondence, architectural drawings, cemetery deeds, legal documents, records relating to David Green's personal interests, financial and fundraising records, wills and bequests, and client case files. The records have been arranged into nine series: Meeting minutes; Scrapbooks; Executive services; Celebrations and events; Building and operations; David Green; Finance and fundraising; and Case files.
Notes
Formerly cited as MG2 O1N.
Name Access
Folks Farein
Hebrew National Association (Toronto, Ont.)
Subjects
Charities
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Folks Farein fonds
Services series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 105; Series 4; File 8
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Folks Farein fonds
Services series
Level
File
Fonds
105
Series
4
File
8
Material Format
architectural drawing
Date
[197-]
Physical Description
6 architectural drawings
Scope and Content
File consists drawings of the Bathurst Lawn Cemetery.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Folks Farein fonds
Services series
Level
Series
ID
Fonds 105; Series 4
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Folks Farein fonds
Services series
Level
Series
Fonds
105
Series
4
Material Format
architectural drawing
graphic material
textual record
Date
1940-1974
Physical Description
12 cm of textual records
76 photographs
6 architectural drawings
Scope and Content
Series consists of records of Folks Farein services offered to the community. Of note are Bathurst Lawn architectural drawings, cemetery deeds and delegates, resolution of the board of directors, the notification of registration as a charitable organization, the United Jewish Refugee and War Relief Agencies report of meeting held on January 5, 1945. There are also several photographs depicting Passover dinners and volunteer service performed by various Folks Farein volunteers at Ontario hospitals.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Jewish Community Centre of Toronto fonds
Jewish Community Centre Archives Committee series
Photograph collection sub-series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 61; Series 2-2; File 93
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Jewish Community Centre of Toronto fonds
Jewish Community Centre Archives Committee series
Photograph collection sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
61
Series
2-2
File
93
Material Format
graphic material
architectural drawing
Date
1956-1968
Physical Description
65 photographs : b&w (17 negatives ) ; 21 x 26 cm or smaller
1 architectural drawing : proposal ; 21 x 36 cm
Scope and Content
This file consists of photographs taken during the construction of the northern YM-YWHA branch. Included are images of the surrounding land and river and some images of the completed building and parking lot. There are also some photographic copies of artistic renderings of the interior of the building, photographs of individuals looking at architectural plans and drawings of the new building -- including the visiting Israeli tennis team -- and a copy drawing of the original architectural proposal. There are also some images of the Building Committee and a fundraising meeting at the home of Sam Granatstein.
Identified individuals include Ben Shore, Dorothy Shore, Stephen Shore, John Shore, Percy Hermant, Gordon A. Adamson (architect), Lou Posluns, Sam Granatstein, Paul Granatstein, Alex Fisher, E. I. Shapiro, Ralph Fisher, H. Max Swartz, Bert Fine, Florence Hutner, Harvey Blackstein, Louis Posluns, John Fienberg and Stephen Berger.
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
Jewish Community Centre of Toronto fonds
Executive director series
Architectural plans sub-series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 61; Series 1-3; File 4
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Jewish Community Centre of Toronto fonds
Executive director series
Architectural plans sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
61
Series
1-3
File
4
Material Format
textual record
architectural drawing
Date
1981
Physical Description
1 cm of textual records (1 v.)
8 architectural drawings : proposal ; 28 x 43 cm folded to 28 x 22 cm
Scope and Content
This file consists of a study conducted by A.J. Diamond & Partners, Architects & Planners and A.J. Vermeulen, Quantity Surveyor on the feasibility of modifying the Bloor building to accommodate the new demands made on the athletic, school and community space. The study includes information on demographics of the surrounding area, program analysis and renovation/addition options. There are eight accompanying drawings of the proposed modifications, prepared by the architects.
Accession Number
2004-5-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Amalgamated Dawes Road Trustees fonds
Level
Fonds
ID
Fonds 63
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Amalgamated Dawes Road Trustees fonds
Level
Fonds
Fonds
63
Material Format
textual record
architectural drawing
Date
1950-1978
Physical Description
1.2 m of textual records and architectural drawings
Admin History/Bio
The Amalgamated Dawes Road Trustees (ADRT) is a non-profit body that was established in 1950. Its primary mandate has been to oversee and maintain the Jewish cemetery located at Dawes Road, which was established around 1903. This has involved maintaining the grounds, fixing and straightening monuments, and beautifying the surroundings. All funds that they receive are spent on the maintenance of the cemetery. In 1953, the ADRT took over responsibility for the Jones Avenue cemetery as well, at the request of Beth Tzedec Congregation after the merger of its two predecessor congregations who owned the two cemeteries.
Previously, ADRT reported to the Canadian Jewish Congress, however, was an autonomous entity with independent decision-making powers. The Trustees that run it are drawn from the congregations and societies who own plots at these two cemeteries. During the early years, there were also representatives from the CJC and the United Jewish Welfare Fund of Toronto.
In 1950, there were 34 groups that possessed cemetery plots, and today, there are 51. Some of the larger and more prominent ones include Beth Tzedec, Temple Sinai, Beth Emeth, Beth David, the Toronto Hebrew Benevolent Society, the United Jewish People's Order and the Keltzer Sick Benefit Society. The ADRT office was originally located at 150 Beverley Street. It later relocated to 3169 St. Clair Avenue East, closer to the cemetery.
Custodial History
The records appear to have been donated by Kurt Kramer, Administrative Secretary for the Amalgamated Dawes Road Trustees.
Scope and Content
The records in this fonds were produced by the ADRT and support their activities. They include legal documents, correspondence, meeting agendas and minutes, perpetual care trusts, auditor reports, interment information, burial certificates, foundation documents, burial charts and a small number of blueprints.
Notes
Associated material note: the Canadian Jewish Genealogical Society of Toronto has produced a database for the burial records and has placed 13,000 entries from the Dawes Road cemetery on the Jewish Gen JOBR Web site.
Name Access
Amalgamated Dawes Road Trustees (Toronto, Ont.)
Access Restriction
Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing some of the records.
Physical Condition
Much of the correspondence is brittle and flaking.
Creator
Amalgamatied Dawes Road Trustees (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
2005-2-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Hillel Foundation, University of Toronto fonds
Level
Fonds
ID
Fonds 65
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Hillel Foundation, University of Toronto fonds
Level
Fonds
Fonds
65
Material Format
textual record
graphic material
architectural drawing
Date
1945-1988
Physical Description
3.72 m of textual records, graphic material and architectural drawings
Admin History/Bio
The B’nai Brith Hillel Foundation was founded at the University of Illinois in 1923 by Rabbi Benjamin Frankel. The University of Toronto chapter was established in 1946, by which point there were over one thousand Jewish undergraduates at the university. Hillel’s mandate was to foster students’ Jewish identity, creating a religious, cultural, and communal environment and coordinating the activities of many affiliated sub-groups. Hillel was supported by the B’nai Brith Foundation and the United Jewish Welfare Fund (later the Toronto Jewish Congress), with increasing operational funding from the latter as the decades passed.
Hillel’s predecessor at the University of Toronto was the Menorah Society, founded in 1917 and disbanded in 1931 due to waning interest. In 1944 the Jewish Student Fellowship was formed, and on January 23, 1946 it was transformed into the University of Toronto B’nai B’rith Hillel Foundation.
Hillel chapters were run with the guidance of a professional appointed by the B’nai Brith Hillel Foundations at American and Canadian Universities. During the period covered by this fonds, U of T Hillel had four directors: Rabbi Aaron Kamerling (director 1946-1970), Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezri (1970-1971), Ben Mayer (1971-1978), and Gerry Fisher (1978-1981). The director answered to a board of advisors, drawn from the university and Jewish communities, that was responsible for maintaining Hillel House, overseeing staffing, and representing the foundation to the public. Early chairmen of this board included Edward E. Gelber, Jack D. Pearlstein, Cyril Houser, Dr. Alexander Lipson, Sidney Midanik, and E. M. Sprackman.
At the day-to-day operations level, Hillel was run by an elected council of thirteen students under the director’s guidance. At U of T, the Hillel student council created and implemented a yearly program, edited the literary magazine and Hillelite bulletin, and over the years maintained the following standing committees: religious; cultural; house; social; publicity; art, music and drama; United Jewish Appeal; debates; membership; and seminar. The council met monthly and was required to call general meetings bi-monthly.
Hillel’s first administrative offices were at 492 Spadina Avenue, with programs held in various locations, including the B’nai Brith Youth Organization space at 750 Spadina Avenue, and local synagogues. From the beginning, Hillel joined forces with the B’nai Brith Youth Organization to raise funds for a permanent home on campus for Hillel. Programs in the early years included Shabbat services and lectures, arts performances, dances, personal counseling, and courses such as Jewish literature and Hebrew. Three times a year Hillel published the Scribe, a literary magazine addressing topics of Jewish heritage, life, and prominent figures. This was replaced in the 1950s by an annual magazine named Reflections. The Hillelite bulletin informed members of activities and events. Hillel continued to build the Judaica collection of its Norman Raitblat Memorial Library. It also sent delegates each year to the Hillel Summer Institute in New York State; the Brandeis Camp Institute, a leadership training program sponsored by the American Zionist Youth Commission; and, beginning in 1948, the Inter-Hillel Conference, which was hosted alternately by Queen’s University, McGill University, and U of T.
In 1950, Hillel acquired a house at 186 St. George Street. Hillel House was formally dedicated at Convocation Hall on January 21, 1951. In December 1977 Hillel House was destroyed by fire, after which its offices were moved to space in the YMHA building at Bloor and Spadina. Programs were hosted for several years at ‘The Lower East Side’ in the Newman Centre at 89 St. George Street. In June 1979 Hillel acquired office space in a house at 604 Spadina Avenue.
In the 1970s Hillel’s numbers across North America were in decline. In 1974 the Jewish student population at U of T was approximately 3000, but only 400 were registered members. This slump was apparently reversed by the end of the decade, however, when student interest grew enough that a general council of forty students was established to supplement the elected student council (steering committee). 1970s programs included conventions and retreats, United Jewish Appeal fundraising campaigns, a Shabbat co-op, a choir, the Coffeehouse lounge, a film series, a music club, a library society, an annual Purim Bash, an art festival, and counseling groups.
Hillel also served as the voice of Jewish students at the university. The U of T chapter participated in the fight against quotas for Jewish students and faculty, advocated for kosher food availability on campus, and was successful in persuading the university to avoid having examinations on Jewish holidays. In addition, Hillel often represented the views of the Jewish community to the general student population. It has been involved in the dissemination of Holocaust awareness material and in counteracting propaganda against Israel.
In 1970, partnering with the Jewish Student Federation of York University, Hillel established the Free Jewish University. Its courses were held on the U of T and York campuses and featured free courses covering a range of intellectual, personal and practical topics. Also in conjunction with York, Hillel published Or monthly newspaper and the Masada quarterly magazine. The latter evolved into a non-partisan newspaper, Migdal, which in turn became Images in the early 1980s. In addition, the Jewish Students’ Enquirer was published monthly, a joint publication of Jewish students at U of T, York University, Ryerson Polytechnical Institute, and Seneca College.
In 1978, with a view to modernize and reinvigorate its image, Hillel changed its name to the Jewish Students’ Union–B’nai Brith Hillel. The decision involved some contention with the Hillel advisory board, and reflected a closer association with the Toronto Jewish Congress. A third unofficial organization name, J.U.S.T. (Jewish University Students of Toronto), was used for the monthly newsletter, J.U.S.T. News. This newsletter was briefly renamed The Rolling Scribe before being discontinued in 1980.
The 1980s saw Hillel coordinating the efforts and activities of a large number of interest groups: Student United Jewish Appeal, Toronto Student Zionists, Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry, Jewish Residence Council, Jewish Studies Course Union, Student Mobilization for Jews in Arab Lands, Moadon Aliyah, Canadian Branch: North American Jewish Students Network, and Israeli Students Organization. Hillel is now represented on three Toronto universities and three college campuses.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists mainly of textual records created, received and maintained by Hillel directors from 1945 through 1988. The records document the directors’ administration and programming activities, Hillel events, and relations with outside organizations. The most concentrated set of records are those of Rabbi Kamerling from the 1940s and 1950s. The fonds is comprised of correspondence, memoranda, reports, newspapers and newsletters, publicity material, calendars of events, financial records, event programmes, and catalogues. There are blueprints of the proposed extension to Hillel House in the 1960s, the mid-1970s renovations, and the new Hillel House on Huron Street considered in 1978. The fonds also includes annual reports for 1953-1955 and 1960-1970, and a number of publications (incomplete sets): the Hillelite and the Hillel Scribe from the 1940s, the J.U.S.T. (Jewish University Students of Toronto) News, its successor The Rolling Scroll, and newspapers Masada, Migdal, Reflections, Or, and the Jewish Students’ Enquirer.
The fonds contains 130 photographs, predominantly black and white, in the form of prints, contact sheets and 35mm negatives. Aside from 32 head shots of speakers and performers from 1950s events, the photographs date from the 1970s. There are images of plays, meetings, special events, and executive members.
Fonds is arranged with each director’s files separate and in approximate alphabetical order by file name. The files are loosely based on subject/function, likely as they were originally created. Rabbi Kamerling’s records are in two groups since they were acquired in two accessions (see note below).
Notes
Availability of other formats: A small amount of material has been digitized.
Name Access
B'nai Brith Hillel Foundation at the University of Toronto
Related Material
See MG 9 for a more complete run of publications with which Hillel was involved (eg. Midgal, Images).
Arrangement
Processing of the collection maintained each director’s files separate and in their original order. Following the Hillel House fire in 1978, Rabbi Kamerling’s records (1945-1955) were acquired by the Archives. In 1986, additional Kamerling files were acquired (1946-1970). These overlapping sets of records were described and processed separately.
Creator
B'nai Brith Hillel Foundation at the University of Toronto (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
1978-3-7
1981-5-2
1988-11-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Quebec synagogues series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 64; Series 1; File 45
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Quebec synagogues series
Level
File
Fonds
64
Series
1
File
45
Material Format
graphic material
textual record
architectural drawing
Date
1978
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
30 photographs : col. slides and (2) b&w photographs ; 35 mm and 12 x 9 cm
1 architectural drawing
Subjects
Synagogues
Repro Restriction
Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Places
Montréal (Québec)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
Series
ID
Fonds 64; Series 5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
Series
Fonds
64
Series
5
Material Format
textual record
graphic material
architectural drawing
Date
1859-1980
Physical Description
35 cm of textual records
10 photographs
41 architectural drawings
Scope and Content
Series contains reference materials created by and written about the synagogues. Primary records include commemorative booklets, a small number of newsletters, brochures, and programs from special events. There are also newspaper clippings and copied articles providing histories of synagogues. There is a small number of photograph prints and negatives, but many of the files also include photographs from books, magazines or photocopies. The series is arranged in alphabetical order by city, then by synagogue. Not every synagogue the project team researched has a reference file, and there may be reference files for shuls for which no photographs survive.
Subjects
Synagogues
Repro Restriction
Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 64; Series 5; File 10
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
Fonds
64
Series
5
File
10
Material Format
textual record
architectural drawing
Date
1961-1962
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
2 architectural drawings
Scope and Content
File contains two architectural drawings and a Service of Dedication programme for the synagogue from 1962.
Subjects
Synagogues
Repro Restriction
Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Places
Fredericton (N.B.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 64; Series 5; File 26
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
Fonds
64
Series
5
File
26
Material Format
textual record
architectural drawing
Date
1952-1977
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
5 architectural drawings
Scope and Content
File contains an information brochure, 25th anniversary commemoration book and five 1952 blueprints for the building.
Subjects
Synagogues
Repro Restriction
Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Places
Montréal (Québec)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 64; Series 5; File 27
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
Fonds
64
Series
5
File
27
Material Format
textual record
architectural drawing
Date
1951, 1969
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
2 architectural drawings
Scope and Content
File contains programme and newspaper advertisement for the sod turning ceremony of the synagogue (1969), as well as 2 1951 blueprints for the building.
Subjects
Synagogues
Repro Restriction
Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Places
Montréal (Québec)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 64; Series 5; File 28
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
Fonds
64
Series
5
File
28
Material Format
textual record
architectural drawing
Date
1978
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
3 architectural drawings
Scope and Content
File contains bar mitzvah year program for synagogue (1978) and photocopied architectural drawings.
Subjects
Bar mitzvah
Synagogues
Repro Restriction
Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Places
Montréal (Québec)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 64; Series 5; File 33
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
Fonds
64
Series
5
File
33
Material Format
architectural drawing
Date
1947
Physical Description
7 architectural drawings
Scope and Content
File contains 7 blueprints for the 1947 extension and alterations to the shul.
Name Access
Congregation Ahavath Shalom
Subjects
Synagogues
Repro Restriction
Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Places
Montréal (Québec)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 64; Series 5; File 40
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
Fonds
64
Series
5
File
40
Material Format
textual record
architectural drawing
Date
1973, 1975
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
3 architectural drawings
Scope and Content
File contains booklet for bar mitzvah commemoration, 1975, and blueprints for the 1973 extension.
Subjects
Bar mitzvah
Reconstructionist Judaism
Synagogues
Repro Restriction
Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Places
Montréal (Québec)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 64; Series 5; File 41
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
Fonds
64
Series
5
File
41
Material Format
textual record
architectural drawing
Date
1859-1978
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
4 architectural drawings
Scope and Content
File contains photocopied articles, a newspaper clipping, photocopied photographs, a greeting card with photograph on cover, copies of the 1859 contract commissioning the erection of the synagogue as well as a list of specifications for the masons, and blueprints for the 1967 extension.
Subjects
Synagogues
Repro Restriction
Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Places
Montréal (Québec)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 64; Series 5; File 43
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
Fonds
64
Series
5
File
43
Material Format
textual record
architectural drawing
Date
[ca. 1960]-1975
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
2 architectural drawings
Scope and Content
File contains 50th anniversary booklet (1975), and two blueprints of the building.
Name Access
Shaare Zion Congregation (Montréal, Québec)
Subjects
Synagogues
Repro Restriction
Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Places
Montréal (Québec)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 64; Series 5; File 48
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
Fonds
64
Series
5
File
48
Material Format
textual record
architectural drawing
Date
1949, 1978
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
1 architectural drawing
Scope and Content
File contains a form letter from the congregation regarding High Holiday services (17 July 1978), and a blueprint for the auditorium building (1949).
Name Access
Young Israel of Montreal
Subjects
Synagogues
Repro Restriction
Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Places
Montréal (Québec)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 64; Series 5; File 66
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
Fonds
64
Series
5
File
66
Material Format
textual record
architectural drawing
Date
1920-1977
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
1 architectural drawing
Scope and Content
File contains a copied photograph from The Jewish Post, the congregation's constitution adopted in 1920, and a blueprint from 1955.
Name Access
Agudas Israel
Subjects
Synagogues
Repro Restriction
Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Places
Saskatoon (Sask.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 64; Series 5; File 89
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
Fonds
64
Series
5
File
89
Material Format
textual record
architectural drawing
Date
1958, 1971
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
4 architectural drawings
Scope and Content
File contains copied newspaper article, "Congregation Beth Israel - Centre of Conservative Judaism," from the Jewish Western Bulletin, and blueprints from 1971 renovations.
Name Access
Beth Israel Synagogue
Subjects
Synagogues
Repro Restriction
Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Places
Vancouver (B.C.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 64; Series 5; File 99
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
Fonds
64
Series
5
File
99
Material Format
textual record
architectural drawing
Date
1974-1978
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
5 architectural drawings
Scope and Content
File contains a clipping of an architectural drawing (elevation).
Name Access
Beth Israel Congregation
Subjects
Synagogues
Repro Restriction
Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Places
Winnipeg (Man.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 64; Series 5; File 90
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
Fonds
64
Series
5
File
90
Material Format
architectural drawing
Date
1976
Physical Description
1 architectural drawing
Scope and Content
File contains a blueprint for the shul/community centre (1976).
Name Access
Beth Tikvah Congregation
Subjects
Synagogues
Repro Restriction
Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Places
Richmond (B.C.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 64; Series 5; File 62
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
Fonds
64
Series
5
File
62
Material Format
architectural drawing
Date
1952
Physical Description
5 architectural drawings
Scope and Content
File contains five 1952 blueprints.
Name Access
House of Israel
Subjects
Synagogues
Repro Restriction
Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Places
Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts (Québec)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Business series
Level
Series
ID
Fonds 2; Series 3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Business series
Level
Series
Fonds
2
Series
3
Material Format
textual record
graphic material
architectural drawing
Date
1898, 1941-1988
Physical Description
56 photographs and other material
Admin History/Bio
Ben Dunkelman’s involvement in business was wide-ranging. He served as president of Tip Top Tailors after his father and as president of Cloverdale Shopping Centre. Along with his wife, Yael, he also opened the Dunkelman Gallery for modern art and Dunkelman's restaurant.
Scope and Content
Series consists of photographs, correspondence, pamphlets and papers documenting Benjamin Dunkelman’s business activities. The files are organized into three sub-series: Tip-Top Tailors, Constellation Hotel, and Dunkelman Gallery.
Notes
Physical description: Includes 6 cm of textual records, 5 architectural drawings, and 1 postcard.
Subjects
Business
Physical Condition
Most photographs are warped.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Business series
Constellation Hotel sub-series sub-series
Level
Sub-series
ID
Fonds 2; Series 3-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Business series
Constellation Hotel sub-series sub-series
Level
Sub-series
Fonds
2
Series
3-2
Material Format
textual record
graphic material
architectural drawing
Date
[196-?]-1988
Physical Description
39 photographs and other material
Admin History/Bio
Ben Dunkelman and Alex Hacker started the Constellation Hotel near Toronto's international airport in 1962. The hotel, at 900 Dixon Road, is now called the Regal Constellation Hotel.
Scope and Content
Sub-Series consists of photographs, architectural drawings and papers relating to the Constellation Hotel. These documents were originally organized in a scrapbook. The sub-series also includes a 1988 Toronto Star article referring to Dunkelman, co-owner Alex Hacker and the Constellation Hotel.
Notes
Physical description: Includes 2 folders of textual records, 5 architectural drawings, and 1 postcard.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Business series
Constellation Hotel sub-series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 3-2; File 1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Business series
Constellation Hotel sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
3-2
File
1
Material Format
textual record
graphic material
architectural drawing
Date
[1962?]-[196-]
Physical Description
39 photographs : b&w & col and other material
Scope and Content
File contains photographs, a postcard, floor plans and a list of head table guests documenting the construction and opening of the Constellation Hotel. Identified in the photographs are: Ben Dunkelman, Reeve Waffle, Alex Hacker, Richard Nash, J.F. Spragge, William Allen, Monsieur Guy Scalabre, Brian L. Cathcart, Allan Grossman, H. Leslie Rowntree, E.P. Taylor, Bev Lewis, and Reeve R.W. Speck.
Notes
Physical description: Includes 1 folder of textual records, 5 architectural drawings and 1 postcard.
Name Access
Grossman, Allan, 1910-1991
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Solomon Edell fonds
Adas Israel Synagogue series
Building sub-series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 4; Series 5-1; File 1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Solomon Edell fonds
Adas Israel Synagogue series
Building sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
4
Series
5-1
File
1
Material Format
textual record
graphic material
architectural drawing
Date
1958-1960
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
2 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
14 architectural drawings : 68 x 102 cm or smaller
Admin History/Bio
Max Hoffman and Sam Katz were the co-chairmen of the Adas Israel Building Fund Committee.
Scope and Content
File consists of records documenting the construction and fundraising activities for the erection of a new building for Adas Isreal Synagogue. Included are brochures, bulletins, correspondence, a meeting invitation, floor plans, detail sketches, a site plan, photographs of the proposed model of the synagogue, and an architectural sketch of proposed menorahs for the synagogue. Also included are floor plans for the cantor's home at 126 Cline Ave. and the Ritualarium (Mikvah) at 11 Cline Ave.
Name Access
Hoffman, Max
Katz, Sam
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
ID
Fonds 4; Series 6; File 3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Solomon Edell fonds
Clanton Park Synagogue series
Level
File
Fonds
4
Series
6
File
3
Material Format
textual record
graphic material
architectural drawing
Date
1956-[ca. 1985]
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
1 photograph : col. ; 10 x 15 cm
2 technical drawings : brownline prints ; 35 x 83 cm
Admin History/Bio
Clanton Park purchased cemetery land from several synagogues and societies that had cemetery property that they did not need.
Scope and Content
File consists of a legal agreement relating to the purchase of Chevra Mishnias synagogue's cemetery lands by Clanton Park and correspondence from the Bathurst Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery Association. Also included is a photograph of Sol Edell standing near the gate to the Clanton Park Cemetery as well as technical drawings of the Clanton Park Cemetery Gate.
Name Access
Chevra Mishnias
Bathurst Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery Association
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Solomon Edell fonds
Clanton Park Synagogue series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 4; Series 6; File 15
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Solomon Edell fonds
Clanton Park Synagogue series
Level
File
Fonds
4
Series
6
File
15
Material Format
textual record
architectural drawing
Date
1969-1976
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
1 architectural drawing : 35 x 59 cm
Scope and Content
File consists of correspondence with contractors and architects dealing with renovations and repairs to Clanton Park synagogue. Also included is an architectural drawing of suggested renovations for the Synagogue's kitchen.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Solomon Edell fonds
Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 4; Series 7; File 3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Solomon Edell fonds
Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue series
Level
File
Fonds
4
Series
7
File
3
Material Format
textual record
architectural drawing
Date
1960-1964
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
4 technical drawings : blueline ; 59 x 109 cm
Scope and Content
File consists of correspondece from the architects, Kaplan and Sprachman, relating to the design of the new Shomrai Shabbos synagogue on Glengrove Avenue. Also included are floor plans, elevation drawings, and detail drawings by Kaplan and Sprachman.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Solomon Edell fonds
Cemeteries and funeral homes series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 4; Series 9; File 8
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Solomon Edell fonds
Cemeteries and funeral homes series
Level
File
Fonds
4
Series
9
File
8
Material Format
textual record
architectural drawing
moving images
Date
1962, 1982-2000
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
1 architectural drawing : 62 x 62 cm
3 videocassettes (ca. 6 hr.) : col., sd. ; VHS
Scope and Content
File consists of a plot plan of Jones Avenue Cemetery which was prepared by Paul Edell (1962), and membership correspondence relating to the payment of dues and regulations regarding the arrangements for burial and the erection and dedication of monuments. Also included are financial reports and meeting agendas and minutes for annual general meetings. Finally, file contains moving images of the gravestones, outer wall, and chapel of the Cemetery with commentary likely by Sol Edell.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
Series
ID
Fonds 27; Series 1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Level
Series
Fonds
27
Series
1
Material Format
architectural drawing
graphic material
textual record
Date
1913-1968
Physical Description
348 architectural drawings
123 photographs
2 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
The series consists primarily of architectural drawings and photographs of buildings designed or renovated by Kaplan & Sprachman, or by Harold Kaplan following the dissolution of Kaplan & Sprachman in 1965. Many projects are documented through only a few interior and exterior photographs of the building or photographs of architectural models and drawings. The architectural drawings include floor plans, elevations, sections, mechanical and electrical plans and lot plans. Approximately a third of the drawings are originals done in pencil, while the remainder are blueprints, blueline prints and other reproductions.
The series is organized chronologically into sub-series by the buildings worked on: Loew's Theatre, 189 Yonge Street, Toronto (now the Elgin Theatre); Loew's Uptown Theatre, 764 Yonge Street; Loew's Winter Garden Theatre (189 Yonge St., Toronto); the Jewish Home for the Aged; the Kaplans' homes in North York and in an apartment or condominium bulding, Park Towers; Atlas Radio Corporation; R.J. Sapera's store at Sheppard Ave. E. and Willowdale Ave.; Mr. & Mrs. P. Cooper's residence (Pembroke); the Primrose Club, Russell Hill Rd. & St. Clair Ave., Toronto; Precast Building Products (Vaughn Township); Thorncliffe Theatre (East York); and, Mr. & Mrs. S. Greenberg's residence, 19 Dellbank Drive.
Sub-sub-series are defined for the series of projects undertaken at Loew's Theatre, and at the Uptown Theatre. These sub-sub-series are organized by the original project reference code or by date when a reference code is not available.
In some cases, the project materials include plans prepared by other architects who carried out earlier work on the building in question, or by contractors for Kaplan & Sprachman projects. The sub-sub-series for Uptown Theatre projects includes, for example, photostatic reproductions of the 1919 theatre plans by Thomas W. Lamb.
Notes
The Thorncliffe Theatre plans were created by Mandel Sprachman, architect, son of Abraham Sprachman. Harold Kaplan's role in this project is not known.
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Loew's Theatre (189 Yonge St., Toronto) sub-series
Level
Sub-series
ID
Fonds 27; Series 1-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Loew's Theatre (189 Yonge St., Toronto) sub-series
Level
Sub-series
Fonds
27
Series
1-1
Material Format
architectural drawing
textual record
Date
1913-1959
Physical Description
57 drawings : pencil on tracing paper, blueprints and other reproductions ; 72 x 114 cm or smaller
1 cm of textual records
Admin History/Bio
Built in 1913, Loew's Yonge Street Theatre and Winter Garden Theatre complex was the flagship of Marcus Loew's Canadian theatre chain. The theatres were designed by Thomas Lamb as a "double-decker" theatre, with the Winter Garden located seven-stories above the street-level Yonge Street Theatre. This was the only double-decker theatre built in Canada and one of less than a dozen built internationally. The design was considered economical in that it provided a greater amount of seating on a given piece of real estate while allowing the theatre operator to present the same daily show in two theatres. The shows included both vaudeville acts and silent movies.
In 1928, there was a major fire on the site and the Winter Garden Theatre was closed due to the decline in popularity of vaudeville. By 1930, the Yonge Street Theatre was solely a movie theatre, equipped for sound movies. Over the years it gradually fell into disrepair, but continued as a movie theatre until 1981. It was renamed the Elgin Theatre in 1978.
In 1981, the Elgin and Winter Garden were purchased by the Ontario Heritage Foundation, and in 1987 the foundation began a two and half year, $30 million restoration of the theatres. The theatres re-opened in Dec. 1989 exclusively for theatrical productions.
Scope and Content
Sub-series consists of seating plans, blueprints of structural details, and floor plans, sections and elevations for successive alterations (to the entrance, lobby, basement, etc.) of the theatre. The sub-series includes a copy of a city building permit dating from 1934 for renovations carried out by Loew's Theatres Engineering Division. Some of the blueprints date from the original construction of the theatre in 1913.
The sub-series is organized into 9 sub-sub-series, corresponding to project dates of 1913, 1919, 1934, 1939, 1949 (two projects), 1952, 1957 and 1959. The earliest materials, such as those from 1913 and 1919, were not created by Kaplan & Sprachman, but were no doubt used as reference materials for their work at the theatre.
Please note that the blueprints of structural details such as columns and roof reinforcing beams may apply to the theatre complex as a whole, including the Winter Garden Theatre.
Notes
Title is derived from the formal titles of the drawings.
Name Access
Lamb, Thomas
Elgin Theatre (Toronto)
Winter Garden Theatre (Toronto)
Subjects
Theaters
Physical Condition
Some drawings are torn & damaged.
Some are discoloured or damaged by deteriorating pressure-sensitive tape.
Places
Yonge Street (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Loew's Uptown Theatre (Toronto) sub-series
Level
Sub-series
ID
Fonds 27; Series 1-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Loew's Uptown Theatre (Toronto) sub-series
Level
Sub-series
Fonds
27
Series
1-2
Material Format
architectural drawing
graphic material
Date
1919-1968
Physical Description
132 architectural drawings : pencil (some on tracing paper, some hand col. using pencil crayon), blueprints and other reproductions ; 76 x 106 cm or smaller
5 photographs : b&w ; 44 x 55 cm or smaller
Admin History/Bio
One of sixteen theatres in Canada designed by the well-known architect Thomas W. Lamb, the Uptown Theatre opened in 1920 as a movie and vaudeville theatre of almost 3000 seats, and was later the first theatre in Toronto equipped for sound movies. In 1960 the Uptown's main auditorium was destroyed by a major fire. Kaplan & Sprachman participated in the theatre's subsequent renovation.
In 1969 the Uptown was split into a five screen theatre through conversion of the theatre's balcony, backstage and basement areas. The Uptown was closed and demolished in late 2003 following the 28th Annual Toronto International Film Festival after the cinema operator, Famous Players, decided to close it and other theatres rather than comply with an Ontario Human Rights Commission order to make the theatres fully wheelchair-accessible.
Scope and Content
Sub-series consists of seating plans, blueprints of structural details, floor plans, sections and elevations for successive alterations (to the entrance, lobby, escalator, etc.) of the theatre, as well as several photographs of the Uptown's entrance and auditorium. The sub-series includes a number of hand-coloured drawings of the main auditorium dating from 1962, with paint and fabric samples attached, apparently associated with the re-building of the auditorium following the fire of 1960. The sub-series also includes a set of photo-reproductions of Thomas Lamb's original 1919 plans for the theatre, acquired by Kaplan & Sprachman in 1960.
The sub-series is arranged in 9 sub-sub-series corresponding to project dates of 1919, 1936, 1945, 1949, 1960, 1962, and 1968. The final sub-sub-series relates to work done by Kaplan after the dissolution of Kaplan & Sprachman.
In several cases, a sub-sub-series includes drawings and plans from earlier projects, used as reference materials for the current project.
Name Access
Lamb, Thos. W. (Thomas White), 1871-1942
Uptown Theatre (Toronto, Ont.)
Subjects
Theaters
Physical Condition
Some drawings torn or water-damaged. Some are discoloured or damaged by deteriorating pressure-sensitive tape.
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Proposed alterations to Loew's Winter Garden Theatre (Toronto) sub-series
Level
Sub-series
Fonds
27
Series
1-3
Material Format
architectural drawing
Date
1946, 1968
Physical Description
5 drawings : blueline and blackline prints ; 60 x 101 cm
Admin History/Bio
The Winter Garden Theatre was built in 1913-1914 and opened on 16 Feb. 1914, the upper half of a double-decker theatre complex which included Loew's Yonge Street Theatre at street-level. The theatres were designed by Thomas Lamb and were the flagship of Loew's theatre chain in Canada.
The Winter Garden was an "atmospheric theatre", with a simulated sky and stars, columns painted to resemble tree trunks, garden scenes painted on the walls, and lanterns, blossoms and beech leaves hung from the ceiling. Performers would appear at both theatres, but the Winter Garden was considered more exclusive than Loew's Yonge Street Theatre, with fewer seats (approx. 1400), higher ticket prices and reserved seating.
With the decline in popularity of vaudeville during the 1920s, the Winter Garden was closed in 1928. It remained closed and unused until 1981, when it and the Elgin (as the Yonge Street Theatre had been renamed) were purchased and subsequently restored by the Ontario Heritage Foundation. The theatres re-opened in Dec. 1989.
While histories of the Winter Garden typically describe it as a "time capsule" which remained sealed and undisturbed from the time of its closing in 1928 until it was restored, the architectural drawings in this sub-series document two proposed renovations of the Winter Garden during those decades.
Scope and Content
Sub-series consists of drawings for 2 proposed renovations of the theatre, by Kaplan & Sprachman in 1944, and by Harold Kaplan in 1968.
Notes
Project reference codes 44-K-160 (Kaplan & Sprachman), and 68-6 (Harold S. Kaplan).
Name Access
Lamb, Thomas
Winter Garden Theatre (Toronto)
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Residences for Mr & Mrs. H.S. Kaplan : 226 Strathallan Wood, North York, and Park Towers suite 611 sub-series
Level
Sub-series
Fonds
27
Series
1-5
Material Format
architectural drawing
Date
1951-1953
Physical Description
17 drawings : pencil, and pencil on tracing paper ; 62 x 67 cm or smaller
Scope and Content
Sub-series consists of floor plans, elevations, and drawings of details for the Kaplans' home, 226 Strathallan Wood, North York, plans for subsequent additions to the residence, and a floor plan for an apartment, Park Towers suite 611. The Park Towers floor plan is undated, and the location of the building is unknown.
Notes
Project reference code 50-K-75, for plans for 226 Strathallan Wood.
Title is based on the title for project 50-K-75.
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Proposed new building for Atlas Radio Corporation sub-series
Level
Sub-series
ID
Fonds 27; Series 1-6
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Proposed new building for Atlas Radio Corporation sub-series
Level
Sub-series
Fonds
27
Series
1-6
Material Format
architectural drawing
Responsibility
Wingold Construction
Date
1954
Physical Description
7 drawings : blueline prints ; 84 x 108 cm or smaller
Scope and Content
Sub-series consists of plans and specifications detailing factory partitions, office layout, roof framing, room finish schedule, building elevations and sections.
Notes
Title taken from one of the drawings.
Wingold Construction project #542.
Physical Condition
Several drawings are torn and water-damaged.
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Proposed additions to stores at Sheppard Ave. E. & Willowdale Ave., North York for Mr. R.J. Sapera sub-series
Level
Sub-series
Fonds
27
Series
1-7
Material Format
architectural drawing
Date
1950-1958
Physical Description
15 drawings : 1 pencil drawing and 14 blueline prints ; 63 x 89 cm or smaller
Scope and Content
Sub-series consists of a pencil drawing of Kaplan & Sprachman's proposed additions to Mr. Sapera's store in a small shopping plaza, and 14 stapled prints of the original plans for the shopping plaza dating from 1950.
The architect responsible for the original plans was J.E. Hoare, working for Salter Construction.
Notes
Subseries title is taken from the formal title proper of the Kaplan & Sprachman drawing.
Kaplan & Sprachman project reference code 58-K-8.
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Proposed residence for Mr. & Mrs. P. Cooper, Pembroke, Ont. sub-series
Level
Sub-series
ID
Fonds 27; Series 1-8
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Proposed residence for Mr. & Mrs. P. Cooper, Pembroke, Ont. sub-series
Level
Sub-series
Fonds
27
Series
1-8
Material Format
architectural drawing
Responsibility
Kaplan & Sprachman
Date
1958
Physical Description
3 drawings : pencil on tracing paper ; 55 x 45 cm
Scope and Content
Floor plans for the proposed residence.
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Primrose Club, Russell Hill Rd. at St. Clair, Toronto, Canada sub-series
Level
Sub-series
ID
Fonds 27; Series 1-9
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Primrose Club, Russell Hill Rd. at St. Clair, Toronto, Canada sub-series
Level
Sub-series
Fonds
27
Series
1-9
Material Format
architectural drawing
Responsibility
Kaplan & Sprachman, architects
John B. Parkin & Assoc., architects & engineers
Date
1959-1960
Physical Description
84 drawings : blueprints and blackline prints ; 54 x 105 cm or smaller
Admin History/Bio
The Primrose Club was founded in Toronto in 1907 as the Cosmopolitan Club, an elite Jewish men's social club. In 1959, the club's building at 41 Willcocks Street was expropriated by the University of Toronto (and currently houses the university's Faculty Club), and the club subsequently moved to a new building at Russell Road & St. Clair, designed by Kaplan & Sprachman. It has since been demolished and a condominium has been put up in its place by Toronto developer, Ken Rotenberg.
Scope and Content
The sub-series consists of two sets of lot plans, floor plans, elevations, mechanical and electrical plans and various building specifications, and a set of 5 plumbing and drainage plans. The set identified by inscriptions as the "original plan" is dated 14 May 1959; the second set of "revised plans" dates from 16 Sept. 1959.
Notes
Kaplan & Sprachman project reference code 58-K-31.
Name Access
Primrose Club
Physical Condition
Most of the plans are water-damaged along the lower edge.
Places
Russell Hill Road (Toronto, Ont.)
Saint Clair Avenue West (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Factory for Precast Building Products, Oster Lane, Vaughan Township, Ont. sub-series
Level
Sub-series
Fonds
27
Series
1-10
Material Format
architectural drawing
Responsibility
Harold S. Kaplan
Date
1967
Physical Description
6 drawings : 3 pencil and 3 photocopies ; 72 x 91 cm or smaller
Scope and Content
Sub-series consists of floor plans, elevations and lot plan, and perspective drawing of the proposed factory.
Notes
Project reference code 67-6 (Harold S. Kaplan).
Name Access
Precast Building Products
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harold S. Kaplan fonds
Architectural projects series
Thorncliffe Theatre for Famous Players Canadian at Thorncliffe Market Place, Borough of East York sub-series
Level
Sub-series
Fonds
27
Series
1-11
Material Format
architectural drawing
textual record
Responsibility
Mandel C. Sprachman
Date
1968
Physical Description
14 drawings : blackline prints ; 59 x 92 cm
0.5 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
Drawings include site and roof plans, floor plans, elevations and detail drawings, details of candy bar, electrical and mechanical plans and schedules. Sub-series includes one document, entitled "Division 9 : finishes", listing details of the finishing of the theatre.
Notes
Harold Kaplan's role in this project is unclear from the available records.
Mandel Sprachman project reference code 65-10-19.
Accession Number
2003-6-1
Source
Archival Descriptions