Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Personal series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 1; File 28
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Personal series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
1
File
28
Material Format
textual record
Date
1990
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains correspondence between Dunkelman and Yohanan Peltz, chairman of the 7th Brigade Benevolent Fund. Peltz invites Dunkelman to a 7th Brigade reunion as a guest of honour.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Arab-Israeli War series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 5; File 27
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Arab-Israeli War series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
5
File
27
Material Format
textual record
Date
1954-1990
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists chiefly of correspondence and notes relating to a 1973 Seventh Brigade reunion in Israel which Ben Dunkelman attended. The correspondence includes letters from Golda Meir, the Israeli Prime Minister, as well as from Yossie Mann, who invited Dunkelman to the reunion. Also included in the file are single copies of the magazines Haolan Haza (This World), Bamachane G'danya, and Bamachane. The first of these contains an article about Yitzhak Sade, a Palmach commander during the Arab-Israeli War; the second, published by the youth wing of the IDF, contains general army information; and the third, published by the IDF in an independence day edition, includes an article about Shlomo Shamir and the Battle of Latrun during the Arab-Israeli War.
Name Access
Meir, Golda, 1898-1978
Subjects
Prime ministers--Israel
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Arab-Israeli War series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 5; File 30
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Arab-Israeli War series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
5
File
30
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1973
Physical Description
7 photographs : b&w ; 9 x 14 cm
Scope and Content
File consists of photographs taken at the 7th Brigade Reunion in 1973 marking the brigade's 25th anniversary. Dunkelman attended the reunion and appears in 6 of the photographs.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Arab-Israeli War series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 5; File 26
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Arab-Israeli War series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
5
File
26
Material Format
textual record
Date
1978
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of a letter relating to a decision by the 7th Brigade Veterans Fund to give 6,000 in Israeli currency to Yaacov Haber.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Speeches series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 7; File 1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Speeches series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
7
File
1
Material Format
textual record
Date
8 Feb. 1960
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Admin History/Bio
Kiwanis International is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting children and youth. Founded in 1915, the organization now has members in more than 80 countries. Dunkelman's speech took place at a club branch in Galt, California.
Scope and Content
File consists of a speech Ben Dunkelman gave to the Galt Kiwanis Club on 8 February 1960 in connection with his experiences during the Arab-Israeli War. The speech relates to Israel and politics in the Middle East.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Administration Committee series
Correspondence sub-series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 67; Series 8-3; File 1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Administration Committee series
Correspondence sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
67
Series
8-3
File
1
Material Format
textual record
Date
1952
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of correspondence to and from the Administration Committee.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Administration Committee series
Correspondence sub-series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 67; Series 8-3; File 2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Administration Committee series
Correspondence sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
67
Series
8-3
File
2
Material Format
textual record
Date
1953
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of correspondence to and from the Administration Committee.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Administration Committee series
Correspondence sub-series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 67; Series 8-3; File 3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Administration Committee series
Correspondence sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
67
Series
8-3
File
3
Material Format
textual record
Date
1965-1969
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of correspondence to and from the Administration Committee.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Speeches series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 7; File 4
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Speeches series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
7
File
4
Material Format
textual record
Date
1976-1977
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of notes and drafts as well as speeches Ben Dunkelman gave in connection with politics in the Middle East and the Allon Plan.
Physical Condition
Some records are fragile.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Arab-Israeli War series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 5; File 32
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Arab-Israeli War series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
5
File
32
Material Format
textual record
Date
1979
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains correspondence referring to the Annual Israel Independence Day Dinner on 20 May 1979, held in New York by the American Veterans of Israel. Dunkelman was a guest of honour at the dinner.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Dual Allegiance series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 6; File 22
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Dual Allegiance series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
6
File
22
Material Format
textual record
Date
[197-?]
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of three pages of notes related to the opening of the Burma Road, Operation Dekel and the conquest of Nazareth and Operation Hiram in northern Galilee.
Physical Condition
Record is in good condition but hard to read in places.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Arab-Israeli War series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 5; File 8
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Arab-Israeli War series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
5
File
8
Material Format
textual record
Date
1977
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Admin History/Bio
Amnon Rafael was a Tel-Aviv lawyer Dunkelman wrote to concerning his worry that an upcoming book about the 7th Brigade would be inaccurate.
Scope and Content
File consists of two letters, one from Rafael to Dunkelman about the history of the 7th Brigade, and one from Dunkelman later the same year in reply.
Related Material
See fonds 2, series 6 for more information about Dunkelman's concerns regarding inaccurate historical accounts of the 7th Brigade.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Dual Allegiance series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 6; File 19
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Dual Allegiance series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
6
File
19
Material Format
textual record
Date
[195-?]-1973
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains correspondence and notes related to Dunkelman's involvement in the Arab-Israeli War.
Physical Condition
Some records are very fragile.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Dual Allegiance series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 6; File 46
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Dual Allegiance series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
6
File
46
Material Format
textual record
Date
1976
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains two copies of Appendix II: Inaccurate Historical Accounts, from Dual Allegiance. Both copies include corrections.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Arab-Israeli War series
Level
Series
ID
Fonds 2; Series 5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Arab-Israeli War series
Level
Series
Fonds
2
Series
5
Material Format
textual record
graphic material
cartographic material
Date
1943-1991
Physical Description
15 cm of textual records
28 photographs
20 maps
Admin History/Bio
Dunkelman joined the Machal (foreign fighters for Israel) in 1948 at the onset of the First Arab-Israeli War and was active in helping the fledgling Israeli Army break out of Jerusalem and find a road to Tel Aviv. The Burma Road—named after a Second World War Burma supply route—was a makeshift route from Jerusalem to Tel-Aviv. Israeli soldiers, including Dunkelman, drove a convoy at night along a little-used route to reconnect the two cities. Later in the war, commanding the 7th Brigade, he captured Nazareth and northern Galilee. After Dunkelman had left the Israel Defense Forces in 1949 to seek work as a businessman, he kept in contact with the armed forces of Israel through such organizations as the Jewish War Veterans of Canada, the 7th Brigade Veterans Fund, American Veterans of Israel, the Association of Jewish War Veterans, and the Mahal Association.
Scope and Content
Series consists of reports, clippings, correspondence, photographs, and maps and documents recording Ben Dunkelman's involvement in the First Arab-Israeli War. The series branches into the following topics in this order: Machal; the 7th Brigade; Operation Hiram; Operation Dekel; the Burma Road; the Israel Defence Forces; a Profile of Ben Dunkelman; and Arab-Israeli War veterans.
Subjects
Israel-Arab War, 1948-1949
Physical Condition
Some records are fragile.
Related Material
See fonds 2, series 6 for more information on the war. Dunkelman wrote an autobiography, Dual Allegiance, based on his experiences in the First Arab-Israeli War and the Second World War.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Dual Allegiance series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 6; File 27
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Dual Allegiance series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
6
File
27
Material Format
textual record
Date
1954-1977
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains correspondence and notes related to Dunkelman's research into the activities of the 7th Brigade during the Arab-Israeli War. The file also includes correspondence in connection with the translation of Dunkelman's autobiography from English into Hebrew.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Dual Allegiance series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 6; File 6
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Dual Allegiance series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
6
File
6
Material Format
textual record
Date
1952-1955
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains one business card along with correspondence chiefly between Dunkelman and lawyer Aron Hoter-Ishay. The correspondence deals with Dunkelman's research into the 7th Brigade for his memoirs.
Physical Condition
Records are fragile.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Arab-Israeli War series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 5; File 1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Arab-Israeli War series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
5
File
1
Material Format
textual record
Date
1949
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of an article published on 11 February 1949 in The Evening Telegram (Toronto). The author, Margaret Aitken, writes about Dunkelman and another Jew, Maurice Pearlman, who both decided to fight for Israel in the Arab-Israeli War.
Name Access
Aitken, Margaret
Pearlman, Maurice
Physical Condition
Record is fragile.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Zionist series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 2; File 20
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Zionist series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
2
File
20
Material Format
textual record
Date
30 Sept. 1996
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of a final copy of an article Dunkelman wrote about growing up Jewish in Toronto and fighting in the Second World War and the Arab-Israeli War.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Zionist series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 2; File 15
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Zionist series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
2
File
15
Material Format
textual record
Date
1960
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of an article clipping from the Canadian Jewish News Passover Magazine Supplement. The article, written by Ben Dunkelman, is entitled "How the Jewish State was Born".
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Zionist series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 2; File 17
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Zionist series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
2
File
17
Material Format
textual record
Date
[ca. 1973]-1976
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains notes, a draft of an article and a clipping of a newspaper column by Rochelle Carr in connection with the Sinai Campaign and Israeli politics.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Zionist series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 2; File 16
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Zionist series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
2
File
16
Material Format
textual record
Date
[ca. 1969]
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains two articles by Ben Dunkelman. The first is about growing up in Toronto's Zionist community, and the second deals with the Canadian Machal.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Zionist series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 2; File 18
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Zionist series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
2
File
18
Material Format
textual record
Date
1976-1977
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains a rough draft of an article Ben Dunkelman wrote about Israeli security, along with a newspaper clipping in connection with Cuban troops in Africa.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Arab-Israeli War series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 5; File 31
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Arab-Israeli War series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
5
File
31
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1977
Physical Description
13 photographs : b&w ; 12 x 17 cm
Scope and Content
File consists of 13 photographs depicting Dunkelman at a convention of the Association of Jewish War Veterans at which he was a speaker. The photographs also show Yael Dunkelman, Barney Danson, Phil Givens, and Min Givens.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Toronto fonds
Administration series
Correspondence sub-series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 9; Series 5-2; File 1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Toronto fonds
Administration series
Correspondence sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
9
Series
5-2
File
1
Material Format
textual record
Date
1942-1947
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
J. L. Atkins was president of JIAS in 1942-1943.
Access Restriction
Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Second World War series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 4; File 10
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Second World War series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
4
File
10
Material Format
textual record
graphic material
Date
1986
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
1 album ; 30 x 26 cm
Admin History/Bio
Aubrey Cosens served as a sergeant in the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada during the Second World War and was under Dunkelman's command when the Queen's Own were fighting in Germany in 1945. He won the Victoria Cross for his bravery.
Scope and Content
File consists of correspondence, papers and a newspaper article from the Toronto Sun relating to the 1986 opening of a Latchford, Ontario, bridge in honour of Cosens. Also included is an album containing 31 photographs and textual records relating to the Latchford bridge opening. Dunkelman attended the ceremony and unveiled a commemorative cairn in memory of Cosens.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Personal series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 1; File 2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Personal series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
1
File
2
Material Format
textual record
Date
1952
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains a United States patent for an infant's walking aid. The patent includes a certificate, along with diagrams and a description of the invention.
Related Material
See fonds 2, series 3 for information on Dunkelman's other enterprises.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Arab-Israeli War series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 5; File 25
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Arab-Israeli War series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
5
File
25
Material Format
textual record
Date
1976-1977
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of one letter and one telegram, both from Dunkelman to Barney Danson. The letter congratulates Danson on becoming the first Jewish Canadian cabinet minister and Defence Minister. The telegram invites Danson, on behalf of the Jewish War Veterans of Canada, to speak at a synagogue in Toronto just before a convention of the Jewish War Veterans of Canada.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Dual Allegiance series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 6; File 23
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Dual Allegiance series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
6
File
23
Material Format
textual record
Date
1976
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of one memorandum Dunkelman wrote about a meeting in Israel attended by himself, Yael Dunkelman and Baruch Erez. The memorandum is related to Dunkelman's research into his role in the Arab-Israeli War.
Notes
Baruch Erez (Freidman) was second in command of the 79th Battalion during the Arab-Israeli War.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Personal series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 1; File 30
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Personal series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
1
File
30
Material Format
textual record
Date
1976-1990
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains correspondence between Dunkelman and National Archives archivist Lawrence Tapper relating to Dunkelman's papers at the Archives. The file also contains a list of files from the National Archives Dunkelman collection.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Dual Allegiance series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 6; File 67
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Dual Allegiance series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
6
File
67
Material Format
textual record
Date
1976-1984
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains reviews and correspondence related to Dual Allegiance.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Personal series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 1; File 23
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Personal series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
1
File
23
Material Format
textual record
Date
1931-1940
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Admin History/Bio
Dunkelman received this passport in 1931 and over the next nine years used it to travel to such places as Palestine--when he went to work for a year on a kibbutz--Italy and the United States.
Scope and Content
File consists of one Canadian passport.
Physical Condition
Passport is in good condition.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Personal series
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 2; Series 1; Item 1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Personal series
Level
Item
Fonds
2
Series
1
Item
1
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[198-?]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 12 cm
Scope and Content
Item is a formal portrait of Ben Dunkelman.
Notes
Photograph is by Leo Hausman.
Name Access
Hausman, Leo, 1912-1982
Subjects
Portraits
Repro Restriction
Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Physical Condition
Item is in good condition.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Business series
Tip Top Tailors sub-series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 3-1; File 3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Business series
Tip Top Tailors sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
3-1
File
3
Material Format
textual record
Date
[195-]
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains one newspaper clipping announcing Ben Dunkelman's appointment as General Manager of Tip Top Tailors.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Arab-Israeli War series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 5; File 2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Arab-Israeli War series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
5
File
2
Material Format
textual record
Date
1948-1966
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of news clippings related to Dunkelman's role in the Arab-Israeli War, and to his brother-in-law, Morton Wilner, who was married to Dunkelman's sister Zelda. The clippings come from such newspapers as The Globe and Mail, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and The Day-Jewish Journal.
Name Access
Wilner, Morton
Physical Condition
Records are fragile.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Zionist series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 2; File 23
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Zionist series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
2
File
23
Material Format
textual record
Date
1960
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains correspondence and clippings related to an article Dunkelman wrote criticizing the Leon Uris novel, Exodus. Some correspondence relates to Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion; other correspondence relates to Theodore Kollek.
Name Access
Ben-Gurion, David, 1886-1973
Subjects
Prime ministers--Israel
Physical Condition
Some records are fragile.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Dual Allegiance series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 6; File 8
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Dual Allegiance series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
6
File
8
Material Format
textual record
Date
1954-1984
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of correspondence between former Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion and Ben Dunkelman. In addition, the file contains a newspaper clipping reporting a trip by Ben-Gurion to Canada. Further correspondence in the file reveals that the Israeli government has decided to grant Dunkelman the rank of Colonel.
Name Access
Ben-Gurion, David, 1886-1973
Subjects
Prime ministers--Israel
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Level
Fonds
ID
Fonds 2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Level
Fonds
Fonds
2
Material Format
multiple media
Date
1898, [192-?]-1997
Physical Description
80 cm of textual records and other material
Admin History/Bio
Benjamin Dunkelman (1913–1997) was a successful businessman and president of Tip Top Tailors. He had a distinguished military career in both the Canadian Army during the Second World War and in the Haganah during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.
Benjamin was born in Toronto to David Dunkelman (1883–1978) and Rose (née Miller, 1889–1949). He had three sisters and two brothers: Joseph, a movie executive; Ernest, a manufacturer; Zelda; Veronica; and Theodora. His father, David, was a successful entrepreneur who established Tip Top Tailors in 1910. Both David and his wife Rose were fervent Zionists.
Benjamin attended Upper Canada College and, at the age of eighteen, visited Palestine for the first time. While in Palestine, he worked for a year on a kibbutz, mostly as a guard. During the Second World War, he served as a major in the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada; as major, he gained respect for his knowledge of mortars. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in 1945 for his role in the final Allied assault on Germany. Two years later, Benjamin returned to Palestine to join the Haganah in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. As a commander, he captured Nazareth and brought northern Galilee under Jewish control. Near the end of the war, he met and married Yael Lifshitz (m. Dunkelman), a corporal in the Israeli army. Benjamin was elected national commander of the Jewish War Veterans of Canada in 1977.
In addition to his work as a soldier, Benjamin was a successful businessman. He served as president of Tip Top Tailors after his father stepped down; he was also director of Colonial Finance Corporation, president of Cloverdale Shopping Centre, and president of Renforth Developments. Besides operating the Dunkelman Gallery, Benjamin and his wife, Yael, ran the Constellation Hotel and Dunkelman’s Restaurant.
Dunkelman later wrote of his experiences in both wars in his autobiography "Dual Allegiance" (published by MacMIllan). As well as the DSO, Dunkelman was awarded the Fighter’s Decoration of the State of Israel (1970), and an Israel Bonds Award Dinner in Tribute to Ben Dunkelman (1977). He was a guest of honour both at a reception hosted by the Canadian Society for the Weizmann Institute of Science and the veterans of the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada (1976) and at a 7th Brigade Reunion in Israel (1991).
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of records documenting Benjamin Dunkelman's personal, business, and military activities. Included is personal and business correspondence and other records, maps, photographs, news clippings, and scrapbooks assembled by Dunkelman. The bulk of the records relate both to Dunkelman’s autobiography Dual allegiance and to his military career in the Second World War and in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Other records relate to his business work with Tip Top Tailors, the Constellation Hotel, Dunkelman’s Restaurant, and the Dunkelman Gallery, as well as to his Zionist actvities, his writing and public speeches, and his personal life.
The fonds is organized into the following series: Personal records and correspondence, Zionist materials, Businesses, Second World War, Arab-Israeli War, Dual Allegiance, and Speeches.
Notes
Physical description note: Includes 218 photographs, 60 maps, 7 postcards, 5 architectural drawings, and 3 albums.
Associated material note: see the Ben Dunkelman fonds at Library and Archives Canada.
Name Access
Dunkelman, Benjamin, 1913-1997
Subjects
Authors
Israel-Arab War, 1948-1949
World War, 1939-1945
Related Material
See fonds #39 (Rose Dunkelman fonds).
Creator
Dunkelman, Benjamin, 1913-1997
Accession Number
2000-3-4
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Speeches series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 7; File 5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Speeches series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
7
File
5
Material Format
textual record
Date
1976-1977
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains two speeches, one a lecture given to the Adath Israel Synagogue in Toronto and the other entitled "On the Brink". Both relate to Israeli politics.
Name Access
Adath Israel Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
Adath Israel Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Second World War series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 4; File 11
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Second World War series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
4
File
11
Material Format
textual record
Date
1978-1979
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of correspondence and a newsletter related to the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC). The correspondence is a letter to Ben Dunkelman from Ben Kayfetz at the Canadian Jewish Congress, congratulating him on assuming full-time responsibility of the Joint Community Relations Committee at the CJC. The newsletter consists of announcements, along with a report providing information about an Anti-Nazi Committee.
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Physical Condition
Some records are fragile.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Arab-Israeli War series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 5; File 40
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Arab-Israeli War series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
5
File
40
Material Format
textual record
Date
1955-1978
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Admin History/Bio
George "Buzz" Beurling was a Canadian fighter pilot in the Second World War. He intended to fight for the Jews at the onset of the Arab-Israeli War, but died in a plane crash in 1948.
Scope and Content
File consists of correspondence in connection with fighter pilot Buzz Beurling.
Physical Condition
Some records are fragile.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Dual Allegiance series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 6; File 18
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Dual Allegiance series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
6
File
18
Material Format
textual record
Date
1967
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains two photocopies of excerpts from B.H. Liddell Hart's book Strategy: An Indirect Approach. The copies include a map of Operation Hiram, along with an essay about the Arab-Israeli War by Yigael Yadin.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Dual Allegiance series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 6; File 37
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Dual Allegiance series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
6
File
37
Material Format
textual record
Date
1976-1977
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains a bibliography for Dual Allegiance, along with notes, an envelope and a list of books up for bidding at an auction.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Dual Allegiance series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 6; File 36
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Dual Allegiance series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
6
File
36
Material Format
textual record
Date
1976
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of a 2-page bibliography of sources in connection with research for Israel Assignment and Dual Allegiance.
Notes
Israel Assignment was an early version of Dual Allegiance focusing on the Arab-Israeli War.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Personal series
David and Rose Dunkelman sub-series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 1-1; File 9
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Personal series
David and Rose Dunkelman sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
1-1
File
9
Material Format
textual record
Date
[195-?]-1996
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Admin History/Bio
The file emphasizes the importance of the Dunkelman family to Ontario's Jewish community. Ben was a distinguished soldier, a successful businessman and a Zionist; David was founder of Tip Top Tailors and a Zionist leader; and Rose was a Zionist leader, publisher of the Jewish Standard and heavily involved in Hadassah and Youth Aliyah.
Scope and Content
File contains biographical information about Benjamin Dunkelman, including entries for himself and his parents Rose and David Dunkelman in the New Encyclopedia of Zionism and Israel, edited by Geoffrey Wigoder.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Speeches series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 7; File 6
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Speeches series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
7
File
6
Material Format
textual record
Date
[ca. 1977]
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains two drafts of a speech Ben Dunkelman gave to B'Nai B'rith in Toronto. In addition, the file includes two copies of the B'Nai B'rith Digest announcing that Dunkelman will be speaking. The speeches relate to Dunkelman's experiences in the Arab-Israeli War.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Zionist series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 2; File 14
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Zionist series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
2
File
14
Material Format
textual record
Date
1955
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of a clipping from the B'nai Brith Digest containing an article by Ben Dunkelman called "A Report from our Israel Committee Chairman". The article relates to Dunkelman's work as a soldier in the Arab-Israeli War and to his opinions about Israeli security.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Personal series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 1; File 33
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Personal series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
1
File
33
Material Format
textual record
Date
1978
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of a letter from Ben Dunkelman to Frederick A. Praeger in connection with the book "Strategy" by B.H. Liddell Hart. Enclosed with the letter is a courier form and an envelope. Dunkelman used Liddell Hart's book Strategy when researching Dual Allegiance.
Related Material
See fonds 2, series 6 for material related to Dunkelman's book, Dual Allegiance.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Dual Allegiance series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 6; File 61
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Dual Allegiance series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
6
File
61
Material Format
textual record
Date
1976-1977
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains correspondence and notes in connection with the promotion of Dual Allegiance in Israel.
Physical Condition
Records are fragile.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Personal series
David and Rose Dunkelman sub-series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 1-1; File 4
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Personal series
David and Rose Dunkelman sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
1-1
File
4
Material Format
textual record
Date
1950
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains two photocopied newspaper articles about Rose Dunkelman's burial in Israel following her death in 1949.
Related Material
See fonds 39 for Rose Dunkelman's fonds.
Source
Archival Descriptions