- Accession Number
- 2006-4-4
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2006-4-4
- Material Format
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 3 photographs : b&w (tif)
- 5 documents (tif)
- 1 folder of textual records
- 1 DVD
- 1 videocassette
- Date
- 1941-2004
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of copies of electronic copies of photographs, postcards and telegrams as well as newsclippings, a video and a DVD documenting the career of Sam Shapiro in the RCAF and his time as a Prisoner of War at Stalag Luft 3 in Poland.
- Administrative History
- Sam Shapiro enlisted as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force in September 1940. He received his wings in Brantford and was sent overseas in April 1941 as a sergeant pilot. He was in Squadron ten and flew eight successful missions before his plane was shot down over Holland in August 1941, killing two of the crew.
- Shapiro was captured by German forces on 17 August 1941 and was taken to Stalag Luft 3 camp in Poland, where the "Great Escape" took place. Shapiro was not part of the breakout, but did help dig the tunnel that allowed seventy-six of his fellow prisoners to escape.
- While a Prisoner of War, Shapiro was promoted to warrant officer. He was liberated on 16 April 1945 and arrived in England five days later. Shortly after arriving home in 1945, Shapiro received the YMCA sports badge for his conduct in the POW camp and the Canadian Volunteer Service medal. He married his fiance Geraldine Perlman in 1945.
- Use Conditions
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Shapiro, Sam.
- Stalag Luft 3
- Perlman, Geraldine
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2007-7-10
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2007-7-10
- Material Format
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 19 photographs : b&w
- 1 folder of textual records
- 2 books
- 1 CD
- 1 vest
- 1 hat
- Date
- 1938-1986
- Scope and Content
- This accession consists of material documenting the donor's family, particularly her father, Nathan Rivelis. The items include a vest and hat worn by her father during the late 1950s as part of the Lion's Club. It also consists of an oral history of her father conducted in 1983; his school primer and English reader; photographs of the business and Hebrew classes; certificates; and, finally, newspaper clippings.
- Administrative History
- The Rivelis family owned a large clothing store in North Bay from 1926 until 1986 called Rivelis. They sold men's and women's mid-range clothing and became famous in town for their annual sale held on 16 November. The business grew from a small family-run store to a large department store with twelve employees.
- In addition to running the business, Nate Rivelis was also involved in the local Lion's Club and was the president of this organization from 1957-1958. He was the only Jewish member at that time. In addition, he also served as the president of the Hebrew school during the 1940s.
- Subjects
- Business
- Communities
- Name Access
- Rosen, Rheta
- Rivelis, Nathan
- Places
- North Bay (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2007-9-2
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2007-9-2
- Material Format
- graphic material (electronic)
- textual record (electronic)
- architectural drawing (electronic)
- Physical Description
- 37 photographs : b&w and col. (jpg) + 2 identification keys
- 16 documents (28 jpgs)
- 2 architectural drawings (jpg)
- Date
- [189-]-2004
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of scanned copies of original records documenting the Jewish community in Cornwall. The records relate to various individuals in the community, including the donor, as well as organizations such as B'nai Brith, Hebrew Ladies' Aid Society, and the Beth-El Congregation. The items include scans of cemetery plans, burial certificates, photographs, meeting minutes, memorial books and various legal documents.
- Photographs are as follows:
- 01. Sixtieth anniversary of D-Day program.
- 02. Abe and Rose Goldhamer, Long Sault Rapids before the seaway, ca. 1941.
- 03. Al Burnes in uniform. Al lived in Cornwall and moved to Toronto, [between 1939 and 1945].
- 04. Archie Dover, first person buried in the new cemetery, pg. 1, 1962.
- 05. Archie Dover, first person buried in the new cemetery, pg. 2, 1962.
- 06. Beth El Synagogue, exterior, nd.
- 07. Beth El Synagogue, interior, nd.
- 08. Birdie Phillips Miller.
- 09. B’nai Brith, ca. 1961. [obverse]
- 10. B’nai Brith, ca. 1961. [reverse]
- 11. B’nai Brith entertaining seniors from Glen Stor Dun Lodge, 1964.
- 12. B’nai Brith girls temporary charter, 1967.
- 13. B’nai Brith Youth Organization temporary charter, 1967.
- 14. Boys playing hockey behind the shul, 1930s. Back row, left to right: unidentified, Jack Abrugov, Murray Berns, Julius Kolomier. Front row, left to right: unidentified, Jack Goldhamer, unidentified, unidentified, unidentified.
- 15. Braham Goldhamer on piano.
- 16. Cemetery plan from office of LP Stidwill, civil engineer and Ontario land surveyor, April 18 1958.
- 17. Cemetery plan, nd.
- 18. Construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway, Robert Saunders Dam, 1957.
- 19. B’nai Brith emergency meeting minutes, 1967.
- 20. Entertainer, Helen Goldhamer and her father, Julius Miller.
- 21. General meeting regarding building of the synagogue, pg. 1, Oct. 5, 1924.
- 22. General meeting regarding building of the synagogue, pg. 2, Oct. 5, 1924.
- 23. B’nai Brith Cornwall Lodge, 1961. [obverse] Pictured are, Standing left to right: Moe Helperin, Peter Solway, Oscar Niduvitch, Louis Dubinsky, Alex Abugor, Sam Nyman, Moe Schulman, Bernard Miller, I. Martin, Saul Schulman. Seated left to right: Mark Goldhamer, Sam Smolkin, Saul Kaye, Mrs. Eddie Cantor (guest speaker), Rabbi Matts, Julius Miller.
- 24. B’nai Brith Cornwall Lodge, 1961. [reverse]
- 25. Hebrew School, ca. 1958.
- 26. Helen, Mark and Brham Goldhamer, ca. 1958.
- 27. Helen Goldhamer on the St. Lawrence just west of Cornwall.
- 28. Helen Goldhamer speaking.
- 29. Helen Goldhamer thanking guest speaker.
- 30. Joel Horovitz, bar mitzvah programme, 1954.
- 31. Julius Miller and daughter Helen Goldhamer with father Moses Miller (seated) and grandson Braham Goldhamer at age 2.
- 32. Julius Miller and wife Birdie in front of their furniture company’s first truck, ca. 1946.
- 33. Julius Miller Grove invitation to ceremony, 1969.
- 34. Julius Miller Grove letter, 1969.
- 35. Julius Miller Grove plaque, ca. 1969.
- 36. [Phillips family?], ca. 1900.
- 37. Annette Phillips and Mary Phillips, ca. 1948.
- 38. Julius Miller presented with a pin by Mrs. Eddie Cantor at an Israel Bonds drive, 1961.
- 39. Nathan Phillips with unidentified boy.
- 40. Left to right: Annette Phillips, Mary Phillips, Birdie Phillips Miller and Riva Phillips, 1940s.
- 41. Left to right: Archie Dover, Julius Miller and Rabbi Lewin at the Memory Board dedication.
- 42. Left to right: Helen Goldhamer, Sarah Vineberg, Mrs. M. Phillips, Birdie Phillips Miller, Annette Phillips, ca. 1938.
- 43. Succot. Left to right: Margot Miller, Jack Miller and Braham Goldhamer, ca. 1956.
- 44. Left to right: Mark Goldhamer, Iruim Thaw, Saul Schulman and guest speaker, ca. 1961.
- 45. Nathan and Sam Phillips, ca. 1920.
- 46. Legal letter regarding the deed to the cemetery, pg. 1, 1929.
- 47. Legal letter regarding the deed to the cemetery, pg. 2, 1929.
- 48. Markus Goldhamer RCAF discharge papers, pg. 1, 1945.
- 49. Markus Goldhamer RCAF discharge papers, pg. 2, 1945.
- 50. Markus Goldhamer RCAF photo, Second World War.
- 51. Mary Phillips, life member of Hadassah-WIZO card, April 5, 1954.
- 52. Memorial book, pg. 1, 1926.
- 53. Memorial book, pg. 2, 1926.
- 54. Memorial book, pg. 3, 1926.
- 55. Memorial book, pg. 4, 1926.
- 56. Memory board.
- 57. Moses Miller.
- 58. Original minutes forming the B’nai Brith chapter in Cornwall, pg. 1, 1934.
- 59. Original minutes forming the B’nai Brith chapter in Cornwall, pg. 2, 1934.
- 60. Original minutes forming the B’nai Brith chapter in Cornwall, pg. 3, 1934.
- 61. Original minutes forming the B’nai Brith chapter in Cornwall, pg. 4, 1934.
- 62. Part of crowd at the annual dinner in Beth El Synagogue hall.
- 63. Photocopy of Hebrew Ladies’ Aid meeting minutes, pg. 1, Nov. 29, 1922.
- 64. Photocopy of Hebrew Ladies’ Aid meeting minutes, pg. 2, Nov. 29, 1922.
- 65. President of B’nai Brith Mark Goldhamer speaking. Helen Goldhamer seated to his left.
- 66. Riva Phillips beside Julius Miller Furniture shop, 1950s.
- 67. Thank you card to Mark Goldhamer, pg. 1.
- 68. Thank you card to Mark Goldhamer, pg. 2.
- 69. [Phillips family?], ca. 1900.
- Custodial History
- The original records are in the possession of the donor. The OJA was granted permission to scan the records in September 2007, as part of the Ontario Small Jewish Communities initiative. These copies were then donated to the Archives on 2007-09-04.
- Subjects
- Communities
- Cemeteries
- Name Access
- Goldhamer, Mark
- Places
- Cornwall (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2008-10-4
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2008-10-4
- Material Format
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 6 m of textual records and other material
- Date
- 1939-2000
- Scope and Content
- The accession consists of records and artifacts created or collected by Rabbi David Monson during his career. This includes his annual journals, marriage registers (1939-2000), newspaper clippings, photographs, awards, certificates, letters, a vinyl record, and several artifacts. The artifacts include objects of recognition from Shaare Zedek Medical Centre in Jerusalem and from a Negev Tribute in 1977, and items of regalia clothing from the Order of the Masons. There are also two scrapbooks of clippings: one documents Beth Sholom Synagogue in the 1940s, and the other is about the University of Waterloo in the 1960s.
- Among the photos in this collection is the confirmation of Iona Feldt (m. Silverberg) daughter of Samuel (Shmeal) Feldt.
- Administrative History
- Rabbi David Monson was born in Ottawa in 1917. He was educated at Yeshiva University and later was ordained by the Rabbinical College of Canada of Montreal in 1939.
- He served as a rabbi for Shaarei Shomayim Synagogue in Toronto from 1939 until 1943. During the war, he served as a Chaplain with the Canadian military until 1945. After his return to Toronto, he founded Beth Sholom Synaogogue and served as rabbi there until his retirement in 1985. During his tenure, he officiated his first bat mitzvah in 1953, introduced a mixed choir to the service, and allowed men and women to sit together in the sanctuary.
- Rabbi Monson was a founding member of the Canadian Council for Christians and Jews. Over the years, he served on the Ontario Police Services Commission and many other government committees. He also helped establish Or Yehuda, a community centre for underprivileged Iraqi and Romanian children in Israel. As well, he was also instrumental in the establishment of the University of Waterloo. He organized the Hebrew Association of the Blind, and was named by the Prime Minister John Diefenbaker to the Board of the Canada Council. He was also active in the Order of the Masons. Finally, Rabbi Monson was a great supporter of Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Centre. Through his persistent efforts, the small hospital he first visited during the Six Day War was transformed into a modern, state-of-the-art facility.
- During his career he became widely known as the "people's rabbi", due to his ability to connect with community members from all branches of Judaism as well as non-Jews. He died on July 28, 2008, at 91 years of age. His wife Susan predeceased him and he left behind one child, Judith Waldman.
- Descriptive Notes
- Associated material note: Library and Archives Canada possesses 30 cm of records created by Rabbi Monson as well.
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2010-3-2
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2010-3-2
- Material Format
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 88 photographs (44 jpgs): b&w ; 12 x 20 cm or smaller and other material
- Date
- [1922?]-1950
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of textual records, photographs and films that document the Laufer family and Gordon Laufer's military service during the Second World War. Records include an ISCOR program from the Minsker Synagogue, newspaper clippings relating to Gordon's military service, photographs of Gordon's grade school classes at Lansdowne Public School, early life growing up in the countryside, wedding, and military service overseas, including one of a passover dinner for military personnel. The verso of the scanned photographs were also scanned to show the annotations and dates on the originals. The scanned photographs and documents were originally maintained together in an album. The two parchments likely document Isaac Goldman's membership in the Beizetchiner mutual benefit society. Finally, the films document the wedding of Gordon Laufer's step sister Sylvia Snider to Abe Sapoznik (1950), a passover family dinner (1947) and a family trip to Crystal Beach (1949).
- Administrative History
- Fanny Laufer (1921-2022), daughter of Isaac and Esther Goldman, was born in Toronto in 1921. Her parents immigrated to Toronto in 1903 from Poland after coming here on their honeymoon. Upon arriving in Toronto, Isaac worked for Eaton’s, but soon opened a dry cleaning and pressing store on Terauley Street, which moved to 469 Dundas Street West in 1922. Fanny married Gordon Laufer (1915-1981) on June 25,1946 at Beth Jacob Synagogue (Henry Street shul).
- Gordon served in the Irish Regiment of Canada during the Second World War. He originally found work as a furrier, but later worked for the liquor board. Together, he and Fanny had two daughters; Gloria (b. 1947) and Sandy (b.1950). Gordon passed away in 1981 and Gloria passed away in recent years. Fanny passed away on 10 September 2022.
- Use Conditions
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Descriptive Notes
- Physical Description Note: Includes 5 scanned documents (jpg), 2 parchments, 3 film reels (ca. 20 min.), and 1 folder of textual records.
- Language note:Parchments are in Yiddish
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2012-8-1
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2012-8-1
- Material Format
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- ca. 18 cm of textual records and other material
- Date
- 1884-1985
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of records documenting the Coppel and Cooper families of Galt (now Cambridge) and Toronto respectively. Coppel family records include family correspondence, photocopies of Moses Kappel's discharge papers from the Austro-Hungarian military (1884), B'nai Israel Synagogue sisterhood meeting minutes, financial records, photographs, Hadassah booklets and programmes, and a photo album documenting the closing of B'nai Israel Synagogue in 1985. Also included are records relating to Elizabeth Cooper (née Coppel)'s involvement in Canadian Young Judaea and her work as a camp counselor at a Jewish day camp near Kitchener-Waterloo (Judaean Day Camp/Camp Ruach). These records include correspondence, publications, activity schedules, lists of camp counselors, and a Young Judaean scarf. Coppel family records also include marriage and burial records of Aaron Coppel, audio cassettes of an oral history interview conducted with Cy Coppel in 1976, and military records documenting Max David Simonoff's service in the Canadian Navy during the Second World War. Finally, included is a Farband Shule (Folks School) program book (1927) and class photo (ca. 1931). Identified in the photograph is Ethel Raicus (first row, third from the right).
- Cooper family records include digital photographs of Sam Cooper and the weightlifting club at the YMHA in Toronto (1930s), portraits of Jacob Cooper (Cooperberg), a school photo of Sam and Max Cooper, and a photo of Hilda Cooper.
- Finally accession consists of program books for various events, including a Canadian Jewish Congress song book, an Israel Dance Theatre at the Royal Alexandra, and a Queen Esther Purim play.
- Administrative History
- Aaron Selig (Archie Aaron) Coppel (Kappel / Koppel / Cappell / Kappele) was born to Moses Kappel and Perl (nee Pistenfeld) in Galicia in 1882. He came to Canada in 1903 and lived with a landsmen family, the Siegels. Mr. Siegel was a horse dealer who took Aaron under his wing and taught him the horse trade. Aaron married Mr. Siegel's daughter, Chaya Geitel (Gertrude) Seigel, in 1905. Aaron and Geitel had seven children: Helen, Rose, Newt, Cyrus ("Cy," born in 1911), Les, George, and Harry. After marrying, Aaron and Geitel remained in Galt, and Aaron continued dealing in livestock. Although he was eager to assimilate into Canadian society (he gave his children British names and spoke with no accent), the family kept kosher and Aaron hired itinerant Hebrew teachers for the children.
- Cyrus Coppel married Channa "Anna" Simonoff on 25 August1946. Anna was born in Russia to Avraham Dov and Chashe Bryna Tzaitzeck. Anna had three siblings: Sarah Merle, Faigle (died en route to Canada), and Mordecai Doved. She immigrated to Ottawa in 1914 with her family. An uncle already living in Ottawa had changed his last name to Simonoff and the family decided to change their name to Simonoff as well. Avraham worked as a tailor in Russia and likely continued in this profession in Canada. The family moved to Toronto sometime after 1919 and was actively involved in the Labour Zionist movement. Anna was in the milliner's union and two of her aunts, Slaava Raicus and Esther Cohen, were members of Club One (Pioneer Women). Anna and Cyrus had two children together: Bryna (24 February 1949-12 January 2006) and Elizabeth (b. 16 Dec. 1950). Cyrus initially worked as a mechanic, but later worked in the office of an auto shop and traded in auto parts. He also traded in livestock as a hobby. Cyrus was one of the founders of the B'nai Israel Synagogue in Galt. Initially, synagogue services were held in the homes of local residents, such as the Spring family; however, a building was finally purchased in 1946. After the synagogue closed, the Torahs and plaques went to the synagogue in Kitchener. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Jacob Cooperberg (Kupferberg, Cooper) came to Canada around 1910 from Kielce, Poland. His wife and children (Max, Sam, and Aidel or Ida) remained in Poland, waiting for Jacob to earn enough money for them to come to Canada as well. His family was unable to join him until after the First World War had ended, arriving in 1920. Jacob and Sarah had three more children in Canada: Irving, Joey, and Hilda. Jacob worked as a peddler in Toronto and later opened a scrap yard, Cooper Iron and Medal. The family lived on Oxford Street in the Kensington Market area.
- Sam Cooper married Kay Gernstein in 1948. They had two children together: Neil and Donna (married name is Speigel). Sam initially worked as a tailor, but later worked as a scrap dealer. Neil married Donna Coppel and also works in the scrap trade. Donna is a librarian.
- Use Conditions
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Descriptive Notes
- Includes 1 photo album, 7 photographs (tiff), 3 photographs, 2 audio cassettes, and 1 scarf.
- Subjects
- Families
- Places
- Galt (Cambridge, Ont.)
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2012-10-9
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2012-10-9
- Material Format
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- ca. 12 cm of textual records and other material
- Date
- 1917-[ca. 2000]
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of material documenting the Edell family, Rabbi Weinreb, Paul Edell's printing company, the She'arim Hebrew Day School, and the Edell family's involvement with the Mackziki Hadas Congregation. Accession also includes records documenting Rabbi Kelman's involvement with the Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda synagogue. Records include photographs of family gatherings and family members participating in a Balfour Declaration march in 1917, correspondence, flyers, invitations, and genealogical information and family reminiscences collected by Sara Kelman. Also included are two printing blocks from Paul Edell's printing company and one stamp used by Rabbi Weinreb. Of note, is a flyer and correspondence documenting the Husiatyner Klaus Beth Israel synagogue and its closure. The bulk of the material is in English, but a small amount is in Yiddish or Hebrew.
- Use Conditions
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Descriptive Notes
- Includes 9 photographs (tiff), 2 photographs, 1 stamp, and 2 printing blocks.
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2014-9-3
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2014-9-3
- Material Format
- graphic material (electronic)
- architectural drawing (electronic)
- textual record (electronic)
- Physical Description
- ca. 30 photographs (tiff)
- ca. 15 architectural drawings (tiff)
- 3 textual records (pdf)
- Date
- [1945?]-[ca. 1990]
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of photographs and architectural drawings documenting Jaime Levy-Bencheton's architectural career in Ontario and Morocco. The bulk of the material relates to projects Levy-Bencheton designed while working for the Government of Ontario including: a greenhouse for the Ontario Science Centre, OPP Headquarters building in London, ON, Rideau Correctional Centre, and Chestnut Hill (Southwestern Ontario regional archaeological office). Also included are architectutal drawings and photographs related to Levy-Bencheton's private practices in Morocco and Toronto and work for architect Martin Mendelow.
- Administrative History
- Jaime Levy-Bencheton was born on July 6, 1918 in Casablanca, Morocco. Jaime started a private architectural practice in Morocco in 1945. He immigrated to Canada in 1963 and initially found work with the architect Martin Mendelow. In 1965, he started working for the Government of Ontario's Department of Public Works as a draftsman. Starting in 1969, he worked for the Ministry of Government Services as an architectural job captain until his retirement in 1985. During his career Levy-Bencheton specialized in designing facilities for persons with disabilities and worked on a variety of buildings across Ontario including, industrial, institutional, and office use buildings. In his retirement, Levy-Bencheton became devoted to the study of the Bible and creating Jewish religious art.
- Subjects
- Architects
- Occupations
- Name Access
- Levy-Bencheton, Jaime, 1918-
- Places
- Casablanca, Morocco
- Toronto, Ont.
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2015-3-6
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2015-3-6
- Material Format
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 5 cm textual records and other material
- Date
- [ca.1890]-[ca. 1940]
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of personal records of Hyman (Ben) Benjamin, and records documenting Arthur Benjamin's military service. Records include ca. 30 photographs of three generations of the Benjamin family, Rosh Hashanah greeting cards, Hyman Benjamin's birth certificate and first aid certificate. Records also include correspondence between several branches of the Canadian government and Arthur's mother, Annie, regarding the circumstances of Arthur's death; his grave site and his army pension.
- Custodial History
- The records were donated to the Archives by Nancy Rose, daughter of the great-nephew of Hyman (Ben) Benjamin.
- Administrative History
- Hyman "Ben" Benjamin (ca. 1884-1969) was born in Leeds, England to Lazuras and Annie Benjamin. He married Hilda (Holds) Benjamin, and they immigrated to Canada in 1911. He worked as a car mechanic. They had two daughters, Laura (b. 1911) and Florence (b. 1912).
- Arthur "Abraham" Benjamin (ca. 1882-1917) was Hyman Benjamin's brother. He immigrated to Toronto from Leeds some time after 1911 and worked with Hyman as a car cleaner. He joined the 198th Battalion of the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force in 1916, and was killed in the First World War.
- Use Conditions
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1914-1918
- Name Access
- Benjamin, Arthur, 1882-1917
- Benjamin, Hyman, 1884-1969
- Source
- Archival Accessions
