Part Of

United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds

Annual Campaign series

Walk with Israel sub-series

1998 Israel 50 Fun Walk sub-sub-series

Level

Sub-sub-series

Fonds

67

Series

17-1-24

Material Format

multiple media

Date

1998

Physical Description

10 cm of textual records and other material

Admin History/Bio

For Israel's fiftieth birthday, the Walk for Israel underwent many dramatic changes. Renamed the "Israel at 50 Fun Walk," the "march-as-one" style became a more staggered walk again, with a brand new seven-and-a-half-kilometre route in downtown Toronto. The new walk was more high profile and elaborate, starting with opening ceremonies and entertainment at Nathan Phillips Square, then winding through Old Jewish Toronto, through two checkpoints, and on to Ontario Place, where the Israel at 50 Festival was held. The date of the walk was Sunday, 24 May, and its slogan was "Let's Step Together." The chairs were Jeff Cohen, Fran Grundman, and Corey Mandell, with the assistance of committee members and walk staff Silvia Astrug and Naomi Cohen. More than fifteen thousand people turned out for the day, and more than $250,000 were raised.

Scope and Content

Sub-sub-series contains textual records, photographs, posters, artifacts (giveaways) and a promotional video from the 1998 Funwalk, the festival, and the learnathon. The files are arranged by function in this order: walk oversight (the Cabinet Committee and chairs), recruitment of participants and staff volunteers, logistics, publicity and design, corporate sponsorship, finances, the walk event itself, the festival, related fundraisers, and post-event evaluation and follow-up.

Notes

Physical description note: Includes 380 photographs (175 negatives), 4 posters, 2 hats, a T-shirt and 1 videocassette.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds

Annual Campaign series

Walk with Israel sub-series

Israel Funwalk 1999 sub-sub-series

Level

Sub-sub-series

Fonds

67

Series

17-1-25

Material Format

multiple media

Date

1999

Physical Description

13 cm of textual records and other material

Admin History/Bio

The Israel Funwalk '99, "Let's Step Together," was held on Sunday, 30 May 1999. It was chaired by Harvey Cooperberg, Fran Grundman, and Corey Mandell. The UJA staff person was Naomi Cohen. Similar to 1998, the walk started from Nathan Phillips Square, this year with a big kickoff carnival there. The route led through Old Jewish Toronto, through three checkpoints, to the entrance of Ontario Place, where participants could continue on to the festival. For the first time, there was also a shorter Bub 'n' Zaid-a-thon to encourage multi-generation families to walk together. More than five hundred volunteers and approximately fifteen thousand people participated in the "Funwalk '99," making it the largest turnout the Walk for Israel had ever had.

Scope and Content

Sub-sub-series contains textual records, photographs, artifacts (giveaways), and a promotional video from the Israel Funwalk '99, the festival, and the learnathon. The files are arranged by function in this order: walk oversight (the Cabinet Committee and chairs), recruitment of participants and staff volunteers, logistics, entertainment, publicity and design, corporate sponsorship, finances, the walk event itself, the festival, and related fundraisers.

Notes

Physical description note: Includes 467 photographs (394 negatives), 2 hats, 1 T-shirt and 1 videocassette.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds

Annual Campaign series

Walk with Israel sub-series

Israel Funwalk 2000 sub-sub-series

Level

Sub-sub-series

Fonds

67

Series

17-1-26

Material Format

multiple media

Date

2000

Physical Description

10 cm of textual records and other material

Admin History/Bio

The Israel Funwalk 2000 took place on Sunday, 28 May 2000. As in recent years, it began with a "MEGA [Mandell Entertainment Group Amusements] Carnival" at Nathan Phillips Square. That was followed by a route including Old Jewish Toronto, leading to Trinity Bellwoods Park, and then south to Ontario Place, where the Funwalk Festival was held. The co-chairs of the walk were Fran Grundman and Harvey Cooperberg. For the first time, an entertainment coordinator was specially named: Corey Mandell, a longtime participant in the planning and entertainment for the walk. The UJA coordinator was Naomi Cohen. A new feature of the event this year was a five-kilometre Fun Run for adults with its own attractions and incentives.

Scope and Content

Sub-sub-series contains photographs, a small amount of textual records and two videos from the Israel Funwalk 2000 and the festival. The files are arranged by function in this order: recruitment of participants, logistics, publicity and design, the walk event itself, and the festival. One video is a promotional one used for recruitment in schools; the other is a "TV spot" featuring Michael Landsberg on the TSN Sportsdesk, also promoting the funwalk. The videos feature still photographs from past falks and information about the route, entertainment, festival, and incentives.

Notes

Physical description note: Includes approximately 390 photographs, 1 t-shirt and 2 videocassettes.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds

Annual Campaign series

Walk with Israel sub-series

Israel Funwalk 2001 sub-sub-series

Level

Sub-sub-series

Fonds

67

Series

17-1-27

Material Format

multiple media

Date

2001

Physical Description

10 cm of textual records and other material

Admin History/Bio

In 2001, the Israel Funwalk was held on Victoria Day, Monday, 21 May. The chairs this year were Abe Glowinsky and Elyza Litwin Polsky, and Naomi Cohen was once again the staff coordinator. An adult, seven-kilometre fun run commenced fifteen minutes before the walk and followed the same route. While the walk had had a web presence as early as 1999, 2001 was the first time online registration was offered. The route also changed this year, going south from Nathan Phillips Square to Wellington Street, then west to Blue Jays Way and north to the second checkpoint at Alexandra Park (at Bathurst and Dundas). From there, participants proceeded to the third checkpoint at Trinity Bellwoods Park, and then south to Ontario Place and the Israel Funwalk Festival.

Scope and Content

Sub-sub-series contains photographs, a small amount of textual records, a promotional video and a purple and white hat from the Israel Funwalk of 2001. The records include a promotional brochure and the organizational material distributed to participants (sponsor sheet, collection envelope and information pamphlet).

Notes

Physical description note: Includes 331 photographs (216 negatives), 1 videocassette (8 mins.), and 1 hat.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds

Annual Campaign series

Walk with Israel sub-series

Walk with Israel 2002 sub-sub-series

Level

Sub-sub-series

Fonds

67

Series

17-1-28

Material Format

multiple media

Date

2002

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records and other material

Admin History/Bio

In 2002, reacting to the recent wave of violence in Israel, the walk was renamed the Walk with Israel to underline that it was an act of community solidarity. With a new slogan, "Now. More Than Ever," the Walk was scheduled for 20 May 2002. The money raised went towards helping children affected by the crisis in Israel. The chairs were Abe Glowinsky and Elyza Polsky, with coordinator Naomi Cohen and administrator Cindy Bogach. Special guests were Mel Lastman, the then mayor of Toronto; Meir Romen, the then Israeli consul general; and Ra'anin Gissin, key advisor and principal spokesperson for the then Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon. Gissin gave the keynote speech at the festival.

In addition to the usual sub-committees, there was a new one: School Projects. These were artistic menorahs created by each school that were displayed at the festival. Once again, the five-kilometre adult fun run took place. A new route this year took participants in a loop from the Sky Dome, north and across Nassau/Cecil/Elm streets, then south again on Bay Street to the Sky Dome, where the festival was held. The festival featured attractions from MEGA (Mandell Entertainment Group Amusements) such as "inflatables," as well as an Israeli-style shuk (open air market). A record crowd of almost twenty-five thousand people turned out.

Scope and Content

Sub-sub-series contains photographs, a small amount of textual records, a promotional video and a t-shirt from the Israel Funwalk of 2001. The records include a promotional brochure and the organizational material distributed to participants (sponsor sheet, collection envelope and information pamphlet).

Notes

Physical description note: Includes 890 photographs (747 negatives), 1 videocassette, and 1 T-shirt.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds

Annual Campaign series

Walk with Israel sub-series

Walk with Israel 2003 sub-sub-series

Level

Sub-sub-series

Fonds

67

Series

17-1-29

Material Format

multiple media

Date

2003

Physical Description

10 posters (pdf) and other material

Admin History/Bio

In 2003, the Walk with Israel took place on Sunday, 25 May, featuring a brand-new, five-kilometre route from Coronation Park at the lakeshore, around downtown Toronto and back to the National Trade Centre at the CNE grounds. The slogan this year was "Together We're Stronger," and more than twenty thousand people came out to show their support for Israel. Approximately $500,000 was raised. The walk culminated in a festival at the National Trade Centre that had a drumming workshop and a seven-foot Magen David made out of balloons.

Scope and Content

Sub-sub-series contains photographs, a promotional video, two T-shirts, a windbreaker and a hat from the Israel Funwalk of 2001. One T-shirt has the sponsors listed on the back. There is also a royal-blue child's hat.

Notes

Physical description note: Includes 74 photographs (jpg), 1 videocassette, 2 T-shirts, 1 windbreaker jacket, 1 hat.

Physical Condition

The digital photographs in this sub-sub-series are currently housed on original CDs from 2003. They will need to be moved to another medium to extend their lifespan (i.e., server or archival-quality disc).

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds

Annual Campaign series

Walk with Israel sub-series

Walk with Israel 2004 sub-sub-series

Level

Sub-sub-series

Fonds

67

Series

17-1-30

Material Format

multiple media

Date

2004

Physical Description

830 MB textual and other material

Admin History/Bio

The 2004 Walk with Israel took place on Sunday, 30 May. The co-chairs were Peter Eckstein and David Peltz, and the walk was led by Police Chief Julian Fantino. The kick-off party at Coronation Park featured an attempt to create the world's largest hora. There was also a bone-marrow-donor registry and an opportunity for Jewish singles to be matched up through J-Date. The RioCan Festival at Ontario Place following the walk featured an Israel mini-mall. The event drew nearly twenty thousand people.

Scope and Content

Sub-sub-series contains photographs, a T-shirt, digital documents, and digital graphic images relating to the 2004 Walk with Israel.

Notes

Physcial description note: Includes 344 photographs (electronic), 1 moving image (electronic) and 1 T-shirt.

Physical Condition

The digital records in this sub-sub-series are currently housed on original CDs from 2004. They will need to be moved to another medium to extend their lifespan (i.e., server or archival-quality disc).

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds

Annual Campaign series

Walk with Israel sub-series

Walk with Israel 2005 sub-sub-series

Level

Sub-sub-series

Fonds

67

Series

17-1-31

Material Format

multiple media

Date

2005

Physical Description

1.17 MB textual records (electronic) and other material

Admin History/Bio

In 2005, the Walk with Israel introduced its first-ever mascot. A city-wide competition to name the lion brought in 250 suggestions from children; the winning name was Arr-yeah, a combination of a cheer and the Hebrew word for lion, "aryeh." Close to fifteen thousand people, including eight-hundred volunteers, turned out for the event on Sunday, 29 May. There were four co-chairs this year: Beth Singer, Nelly Zagdanski, Sara Zagdanksi, and Felicia Posluns. Mike "Pinball" Clemens of the Toronto Argonauts appeared at the kick-off party, and the crowd was led by Police Chief Bill Blair. The six-kilometre downtown route began at Coronation Park near the gates to the CNE and ended up at Ontario Place for the RioCan Festival.

Scope and Content

Sub-sub-series contains photographs of Arr-yeah the lion mascot and electronic versions of the banners made for the event. It also includes a DVD and video version of the promotional video shown in schools.

Notes

Physical description note: Includes 23 photographs (jpg), 1 videocassette and 1 optical disc (3 mins., 28 secs.).

Physical Condition

The digital records in this sub-sub-series are currently housed on original CDs from 2005. They will need to be moved to another medium to extend their lifespan (i.e., server or archival-quality disc).

Accession Number

2009-9-9

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds

Annual Campaign series

Walk with Israel sub-series

Level

Sub-series

Fonds

67

Series

17-1

Material Format

multiple media

Date

[197-?]-2008

Physical Description

1.8 m of textual records and other material

Admin History/Bio

UJA Federation’s Walk with Israel was first held in May 1970, when it was called the UJA Walkathon. The first walk was organized quickly with no advance publicity, yet it still raised $55,000. In the early years, funds raised in the walk went into UJA’s Israel Special Fund. Since then, the money has supported particular projects in Israel that often involve children, since children are the main fundraisers in the event. The Walk with Israel has grown into the largest event in the Toronto Jewish community, with over twenty thousand people participating as volunteers or walkers and funds raised reaching as high as $400,000. The event has had several name changes since 1970: Walk for Israel (1978–1993); Community March for Israel (1994–1996); Israel Funwalk (1998–2002); and the current name, Walk with Israel.

The Walk with Israel is one of the programs mounted by the Annual Campaign department of UJA Federation. It is planned by a Cabinet Committee, with one or two laypeople as chairs, and numerous sub-committees. The main UJA staff undertaking the planning and execution is the walk coordinator. Each year, sub-committees are formed for recruitment, logistics, marketing, and public relations, the festival, food, entertainment, etc. The walk also involves many outside entities: companies approached for prizes, donations or sponsorship; entertainment groups; the Toronto police force, which provides traffic control, marshalling and a parade permit; city government, for park use permits and outdoor signage; community groups mounting displays; costumed character rental companies; and manufacturers of the T-shirts, hats and buttons produced each year for walk participants.

In addition to being a major fundraiser, the walk fashioned itself initially as a fitness challenge to children and athletes, with a route as long as thirty-one kilometres in 1976. Over the years, this length has been reduced significantly, with the event evolving into a more manageable and family-oriented event. In the last decade, with periods of tension overseas, it has been framed as a demonstration of solidarity with Israel. Alongside the main event, alternative fundraisers such as a large raffle, dance-a-thon, aerob-a-thon and learn-a-thon for Eitz Chaim day schools, have been held in some years to encourage more people to contribute. Incentives for those who collect sponsors have grown over the years, from free T-shirts to a succession of prizes depending on the amount of funds raised. The grand prize draw for many years was two El Al airline tickets to Israel.

The location of the walk has moved from the Bathurst Street "corridor" of the Jewish community to a downtown route that for some years went through the historic Jewish neighbourhood of Kensington Market and, more recently, begins and ends at Coronation Park by the lakeshore and winds around the downtown streets. There is now also a kick-off party at the walk’s starting point. Since 1984, the walk has culminated in a big festival, featuring rides, petting zoos, a barbecue, musical entertainment, clowns, and other attractions. This was usually held in a park or the BJCC parking lot. When the walk route moved downtown, the festival shifted to Ontario Place, and, more recently, it has taken place on the CNE grounds by the lakeshore. Since 2007, the festival has been sponsored by RioCan, and "yogen fruz" became a major sponsor of the walk in 2008. Other walk sponsors have included Roots Canada (supplier of T-shirts), Shopper’s Drug Mart, Henry’s Camera Centre, Canada Trust, National Bank Financial Group, and the Canadian Zionist Federation.

Scope and Content

Sub-series contains records that document the planning and coordination of the Walk for Israel each year, as well as photographs and other records from the day itself and post-walk evaluation and wrap-up activities. The records include meeting notices, agendas and minutes, information sheets, lists, schedules, sitemaps, correspondence, school presentations, permits, press releases, design work, invoices, flyers, and photographs. Materials distibuted to participants include walker passports that had to be verified at each checkpoint, sponsor books, collection envelopes, tickets, and other ephemera.

Most of the records have been arranged by year, broken down by function, in the following order: walk oversight (the Walk Committee and chairs); recruitment of participants; volunteers; logistics such as route and police/security coverage; publicity and public relations, design of memorabilia (e.g., hats); sponsorship and prizes; financial management; the walk event itself; the festival; related fundraisers, particularly the Eitz Chaim Day Schools Learnathon; and post-event evaluation. The festival records document the planning of food, entertainment, displays, amusements, and volunteers, and include photographs taken on the day of the event.

Sub-series 17-1 also includes individual files containing photographs from ranges of years. These were added to this series after the major portion of the "Walk" records had already been processed.

Notes

Physical description note: Includes ca. 4513 photographs (1948 negatives, 431 jpgs), 8 videocassettes, 4 optical discs (videos), 12 posters, 13 T-shirts, 4 buttons, 2 shoelaces, 1 jacket and several hats.

Reproduction restriction note: Though there is no textual evidence indicating ownership of copyright, it is believed that all rights to the Graphic Artists negatives in this sub-series were transferred to UJA Federation (Communications department), since they were the ultimate possessors of the negatives. Copyright for photographs by Stephen Epstein remains in his possession. Other UJA staff photographs by Eve Marks are the physical and intellectual property of UJA Federation.

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions