Accession Number

1997-11-3

Material Format

graphic material

textual record

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm

1 folder of textual records

Date

[ca. 1925]-1986

Scope and Content

Accession consists of one black-and-white photograph taken of a group of campers at Camp Kindervelt in Rouge Hill. Identified in the photograph is Rae Watson (standing at the far left).

Also included were several newspaper clippings from 1976–1986, which have been integrated into the clipping files.

Administrative History

Camp Kindervelt was a Labour Zionist League camp in Rough Hill, in the east end of Toronto in the Rouge Valley.

Subjects

Camps

Labor Zionism

Name Access

Camp Kindervelt

Shiner, Sol

Places

Toronto, Ont.

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2000-4-8

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

3 cm of textual records

Date

1959-1975

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records created and accumulated by the Moses family. The types of records include cemetery papers, such as correspondence, account receipts and the original constitution for Hasiatyner Klaus Beth Israel.

Also included are the original cemetery plans with the official stamp and seal and a copy of the blueprints for the Eitz Chiam School

Administrative History

Isadore Moses moved his family to Canada in 1928. He became president of Toronto’s Husiatiner Klaus Shul, volunteered to co-design Bathurst Lawn Cemetery’s floor plan, and was committed to Jewish education.

His son Lewis Moses, the youngest of seven children, was also deeply committed to the Jewish community. Despite running a busy chartered accountancy practice, the former air force officer devoted much of his energy to Jewish causes. He worked diligently for the Zionist Revisionist Organization, United Jewish Appeal, United Israel Appeal, State of Israel Bonds, Jewish National Fund, Canadian Zionist Federation, the Board of Jewish Education, Eitz Chaim Schools, and many other organizations. He was co-founder of Torath Emeth Congregation and a Board Member of Shaarei Shomayim Congregation. Lewis Moses was honoured at the Negev dinner in 1992

Subjects

Cemeteries

Name Access

Husiatiner Klaus Beth Israel.

Bathurst Lawn Cemetery.

Zionist Revisionist Organization.

United Jewish Appeal.

United Israel Appeal.

State of Israel Bonds.

Jewish National Fund.

Canadian Zionist Federation.

Board of Jewish Education.

Eitz Chaim.

Torath Emeth Congregation.

Shaarei Shomayim Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

1996-3-3

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

2.4 m of textual records and graphic materials

Date

[ca. 1940]-[ca.1995]

Scope and Content

Accession consists of the records created and/or accumulated by Nechemiah Knobel. They relate to the work of the Labour Zionist Alliance and the Borochov movement. Of note are a series of photographs documenting the unveiling of the Holocaust monument at Mount Sinai Cemetery in 1968. Identified individuals include Mayor Phil Givens, Allan Grossman, Ben Himel and Max Federman.

Use Conditions

Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.

Subjects

Holocaust memorials

Cemeteries

Labor unions

Labor Zionism

Name Access

Knobel, Nechemiah

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

1997-4-2

Material Format

graphic material

Physical Description

50 photographs : b&w and col. (24 negatives)

Date

1916-1988

Scope and Content

Accession consists of photographs and newspaper clippings documenting the life of the Levine Family. Photographs include class pictures from Port Whitby's Brock School, Purim celebrations at Oshawa's Beth Zion Synagogue, Camp Ogama staff and camper photos, Camp Winnibagoe cabin photos and Royal Winter Fair prize winning photos.

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

Camp counselors

Camps

Farms

Farm tractors

Purim

Name Access

Camp Winnebagoe

Places

Oshawa (Ont.)

Whitby (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

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Accession Number

1980-2-2

Material Format

text

graphic material

Physical Description

15 cm of textual records and other material

Date

1935-1962

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material documenting the Workmen's Circle (Arbeiter Ring). Included are: three architectural drawings of the summer cottage for Camp Yunvelt (Pickering, Ont.); two group portraits (one with identification and one without); a bound periodical/journal from 1935; a hardcopy of Fertsik yor arbeter-ring: a geshikhte in bilder (English: Forty Years Workmen's Circle: A History in Pictures) put out by the National Executive Committee of the Workmen's Circle in 1940; a bound periodical/journal of Kultur un dertsiung (English: Culture and Education) for the year 1942; a bound periodical/journal of Der freynd (English: The Friend) for the year 1942; a booklet by Rev. Nathan Stolnitz's titled Some of the Numerous Comments and Reviews on Music in Jewish Life (1957?); a newspaper clipping titled "A bukh vom oyngt" (English: A Book That Opens) that was published in 1957; a hardcopy of Workmen's Circle, Pioneers and Builders put out by the Workmen's Circle Pioneers and Builders Committee in 1962; and two other Yiddish-language publications that have not been identified.

Administrative History

The Workmen's Circle (Yiddish: Arbeiter Ring) was founded in the United States by Jewish immigrants in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Circle branches were established in Canada in Montreal and Toronto in 1907 and 1908. In 1917, the Toronto branches incorporated as nonprofit organization called the Arbeiter Ring. The organization celebrated its centenery in 2017.

Descriptive Notes

Language: Most of the material in the accession is in Yiddish. The drawings are in English and a few of the publications are in English and Yiddish.

Subjects

Camps

Cottages

Nonprofit organizations

Name Access

Workmen's Circle (Toronto, Ont.)

Places

Pickering (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

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Accession Number

2004-5-75

Material Format

graphic material

Physical Description

4 photographs ; b&w and col. ; 21 x 25 cm or smaller

Date

[ca. 1930]-1998

Scope and Content

This accession consists of photographs relating to Kirkland Lake, Ontario - Dubinsky family; synagogue; and Krugerdorf Cemetery.

Descriptive Notes

Identification keys and biographical information is provided for the group photos.

Subjects

Cemeteries

Synagogues

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2004-5-91

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Date

1939-1957

Scope and Content

This accession consists of records of B'nai Israel Synagogue, St. Catharines; Goel Tzedec Memorial Park, Toronto plan and deed; B'nai Israel Synagogue, St. Catharines, board of governors meetings 1975-1980 and 1981-1984; Congregation Beth Jacob, Hamilton, Ontario; and Temple Anshe Sholom, Hamilton, Ontario.

Subjects

Cemeteries

Synagogue records and registers

Name Access

Beth Jacob Synagogue (Hamilton, Ont.)

Temple Anshe Sholom (Hamilton, Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

1979-4-4

Material Format

graphic material

moving images

Physical Description

18 photographs : b&w (9 negatives)

1 film reel

Date

1959-1965

Scope and Content

Accession consists of photographs documenting the Workmen's Circle (Arbeiter Ring) Peretz School and Camp Yungvelt. Also included is a film reel of activities at Camp Yungvelt from 1959.

Subjects

Camps

Schools

Name Access

Camp Yungvelt

Matenko, Isaac, 1874-1960

Workmen's Circle (Toronto, Ont.)

Places

Ontario

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

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Accession Number

2007-12-2

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

90 cm of textual records

1000 photographs [approx.]

Date

1919-2007

Scope and Content

This accession consists of textual and graphic records documenting the programs and activities of Canadian Young Judaea. The records include newsletters and publications, photographs, anniversary books, and program books. There are also two compact discs containing scanned copies of the photographs from this accession.

Custodial History

These records were gathered together for an anniversary celebration held in November 2007. Most of the records were found in the basement of the office building on Marlee Avenue, before being donated to the archives.

Administrative History

Canadian Young Judaea was founded in 1909 as a Zionist movement for Canadian youth by members of the Herzl Zion Club. As a Zionist organization, Young Judaea continues to be committed to fostering a sense of Jewish identity and values in today's Jewish youth and to encouraging a lifelong commitment to Israel.

In order to foster a closer connection to Israel, Canadian Young Judaea employs educational Shlichim from Israel who are posted at various Jewish communities throughout Canada and offices at the national level. In Toronto, Young Judaea also operates several Zionist summer camps located in each region of Canada, and a summer leadership institute called Camp Biluim in Quebec. In addition to the social programme of the organization, Young Judaea also offers educational seminars and conferences.

Young Judaea's national structure includes a National Executive Board and an Administrative Council. Conventions are held regularly, as are regional conferences. In the past, Young Judaea operated as an associated, but distinct, organization from the Zionist Organization of Canada. However, Young Judaea operations were overseen by the ZOC executive, and Young Judaea received their budget from the ZOC Treasury. In addition, ZOC and Young Judaea worked in conjunction with one another on many projects and programmes, such as with the operation of the Zionist camps. They were therefore dependent on ZOC.

Subjects

Camps

Youth

Zionism

Name Access

Canadian Young Judaea

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2008-6-7

Material Format

multiple media

Physical Description

6.82 m of textual records and other material

Date

1935-2008

Scope and Content

Accession contains records documenting the administration, programs and events of Beth Jacob Synagogue in Kitchener, from 1935 to 2008. Non-textual records include photographs, architectural drawings, artifacts, and a couple of books. The textual records include newsletters, correspondence, financial ledgers, community directories, event programmes, membership lists and dues ledgers. There is considerable material on the Talmud Torah, including teaching materials, curricula, student guides, notes on parent meetings, and correspondence. There are approximately 40 photographs in the accession, of which 25 are from one 1985 shul event. Other records relate to the cemetery, memorial plaques, adult education, nursery school, Sisterhood, youth programs, bar and bat mitzvots, clubs and chevra kadisha. There are several artifacts: Rabbi Rosensweig's quill pen, athletic trophies and medallions, I.D. bracelets, Tree of Life plaques, a Hadassah Convention name tag with ribbon from 1951, and an (empty) copper mezuzzah. Records of the Kitchener-Waterloo Hebrew Day School will form a second fonds when the accession is described (see accession file folder for proposed arrangement scheme). The Hebrew Day School records include parents and staff handbooks, procedure manual, teaching materials, certificates, correspondence, governance documents, student records and attendance books with class lists.

Use Conditions

Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director prior to accessing some of the records.

Subjects

Cemeteries

Synagogues

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2008-11-8

Material Format

graphic material

graphic material (electronic)

Physical Description

5 photographs : b&w ; 34 x 15 cm or smaller + identification key

55 photographs : b&w (jpgs) ; 300 dpi

Date

1934-1975

Scope and Content

This accession consists of photographs documenting the Moscoe family, Camp B'nai Brith near Ottawa, and the Kirkland Lake Jewish community. Also included are a few photographs taken at the amalgamation of Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue in 1975. The amalgamation photographs include: Syd Moscoe, Stuart Moscoe, Harry R. Moscoe, Irving Horowitz, Cantor David Bercovici, Cantor Louis Danto, and Rabbi Joseph Kelman.

Custodial History

The photographs were loaned to the Archives for copying. The donor has the original records.

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

Camps

Communities

Families

Places

Kirkland Lake (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

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Accession Number

2009-11-4

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

object

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

2 photographs : b&w ; 9 x 14 cm and 9 X7 cm

1 matchbook

Date

1928-2009

Scope and Content

Accession consists of mementos, family documents and clippings from Nancy Draper (née Frankel). The records include a birth announcement card for Nancy in 1928 and a matchbook party favour from her wedding to Darrell Draper in 1949. There is also a scholarship application letter from the donor's granddaughter, Haley Draper, to UJA. Other records include a staff list from Camp Wabi-Kon in 1946; a Globe and Mail obituary of Dr. Martin Wolfish, a past volunteer of OJA; a photograph of David Steinhauer; a clipping about an Inuit sculpture inspired by the experience of Holocaust survivor Leon Kahn; and three eulogies for Patricia Drevnig Goldstein (1940-2005) (née Jacobs). Patricia was the granddaughter of Rabbi Solomon Jacobs of Holy Blossom, and her mother, Edna, was a Frankel. Finally, the accession includes a photocopy of a photograph of members of the Siglen family of Meaford with Maurice Frankel, the great-uncle of the donor, and Irwin Rosen, ca. 1928.

Administrative History

Nancy Frankel (b. 1928) is the daughter of Carl and Dorothy Jacobs Frankel, past prominent members of the Toronto Jewish community and members of Holy Blossom Temple. Nancy attended Camp Wabi-Kon, a Jewish camp in northern Ontario near Temagami, and then worked there as a teenager. She married Darrell Draper on December 10th, 1949. Nancy is a longtime volunteer at the OJA.

Subjects

Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)

Camps

Families

Letters

Obituaries

Name Access

Draper, Nancy

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2012-7-9

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

1.2 m of textual records

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records related to the Amalgamated Dawes Rd. Trustees as well as the Lamptom Mills Cemetery Association.

Custodial History

There is no acquisition information for this material. The accession number was assigned by the archivist.

Use Conditions

Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.

Subjects

Cemeteries

Name Access

Amalgamated Dawes Road Trustees

Lambton Mills Cemetery Association

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2013-9-3

Material Format

graphic material

Physical Description

3 photographs : b&w ; 10 x 10 cm or smaller

Date

[ca. 1952]

Scope and Content

Accession consists of photographs documenting the Rosenthal family's activities in the Sudbury Jewish community and at Camp Biluim. Included is a copy photo of a Hanukkah celebration and an original photo of an unidentified celebration at the Cedar Street shul in Sudbury. Also included is a photograph of Rosenthal family members relaxing on a beach at the original Camp Biluim at Clear Lake.

Custodial History

Photographs were donated by Lilian Rosenthal.

Subjects

Hanukkah

Camps

Families

Outdoor recreation

Synagogues

Name Access

Camp Biluim

Rosenthal family

Places

Sudbury, Ont.

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2013-12-9

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

1 cm of textual records

Date

2009-2012

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records documenting UJA Federation's Maot Chittin program in Cuba and a campaign event featuring Shimon Peres.

Use Conditions

UJA Federation meeting minutes and general correspondence are closed for 10 years from date of creation. Contracts and donor agreements are permanently closed.

Subjects

Presidents--Israel

Prime ministers--Israel

Name Access

Peres, Shimon, 1923-2016

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2014-8-15

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

ca. 20 cm textual records

3 photographs

Date

1948-2007

Scope and Content

Accession consists of documents and photographs related to Young Judaea programs. Photographs are group pictures from Camp Shalom and Camp Biluim. Among the documents are meeting minutes, newsletters, correspondence, songbooks, scripts, flyers, and guides for counsellors and group leaders. Also included are issues of Hebrew newsletters Daf Hat'Nua and Bat'Nua.

Subjects

Camps

Youth

Zionism

Name Access

Canadian Young Judaea

Camp Shalom

Camp Biluim

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2014-10-3

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

40 cm textual records

ca. 50 photographs

Date

1940-2012

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records of Canadian Young Judaea. Records include correspondence, camp committee meeting minutes, camp committee and staff lists, the CYJ constitution, organizational newsletters, donation lists, flyers and camp reunion ephemera. Records also include clippings and reproductions from the Zionist Archives, and Camp Solelim photographs, as well as publications from other Jewish organizations.

Administrative History

Canadian Young Judaea was founded in 1909 as a Zionist movement for Canadian youth by members of the Herzl Zion Club. As a Zionist organization, Young Judaea continues to be committed to fostering a sense of Jewish identity and values in today's Jewish youth and to encouraging a lifelong commitment to Israel. In order to foster a closer connection to Israel, Canadian Young Judaea employs educational Shlichim from Israel who are posted to various Jewish communities throughout Canada and to offices at the national level in Toronto Young Judaea also operates several Zionist summer camps located in each region of Canada, and a summer leadership institute called Camp Biluim in Quebec. In addition to the social programme of the organization, Young Judaea also offers educational seminars and conferences.

Use Conditions

Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director prior to accessing some of the records.

Descriptive Notes

Access restriction note: Files contain personal information of donors, campers, committee members and applicants for subsidies.

Subjects

Camps

Youth

Zionism

Name Access

Canadian Young Judaea

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2015-6-6

Material Format

graphic material (electronic)

Physical Description

17 photographs : b&w (tiffs)

Date

1958-1970

Scope and Content

Accession consists of 17 scanned photographs from Joe Solomon's time as a camper and tripper at Camp Timberlane, an overnight camp founded in 1957 by Barry and Philomena Lowes on Lake of Two Islands in the Haliburton Highlands. Since it's founding, Camp Timberlane has catered to Jewish campers from Toronto. There is a finding aid in the folder with the scanned photos.

Administrative History

Joseph Nathan Solomon was born on September 4, 1944 to Myer and Sarah (nee Grafstein) Solomon. He is their middle son. He has two brothers David (deceased 2013) and Robert. Solomon attended Forest Hill Collegiate Institute, University of Toronto for his Bachelors and Osgoode Law School. A highlight of Solomon's life is being a tripper at Camp Timberlane for over 15 years. Solomon practiced law with his father Myer Solomon for the firm Solomon & Solomon and independendly following Myer's retirement and death in the late 1980s. Solomon married Maureen (nee Kokotow) Solomon from Kirkland Lake, ON in 1968. They have two daughters Alida Solomon and Dara Solomon, who started serving as the director of the Ontario Jewish Archives in 2012. Alida Solomon is a chef and restaurant owner.

Subjects

Children

Camps

Name Access

Solomon, Joseph, 1944-

Camp Timberlane

Places

Haliburton, Ont.

Source

Archival Accessions

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Accession Number

2015-8-7

Material Format

multiple media

Physical Description

ca. 70 cm of textual records and other material

Date

1928-2013

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material documenting the activities of Ben Zion Shapiro and his family. The bulk of the records document the Shapiro family's involvement in Young Judaea. The Young Judaea material includes: yearbooks, photographs, correspondence, meeting minutes, event programmes, song books, newsletters, and two Camp Biluim flags made by Bunny Shapiro. One flag contains Camp Biluim's crest (1951) and the other one was created for Camp Biluim's colour war and contains the text "We will try and we will succeed Camp Biluim" (1954?). Also included is a VHS tape containing a copy of the Toronto Zionist Council's video about Camp Shalom (1991?). Of note are minute books maintained by Roy Shapiro for the Toronto Young Judaea Administrative Board (1928-1934) and for the Leadership Club (1940-1948).

Accession also contains material relating to Roy and Ben Zion's involvement with the following organizations: the Coordinated Services to the Jewish Elderly (Circle of Care), B'nai Israel Beth David Congregation, Beth Tzedec's Mispacha Program, Beth Tzedec's Israel Action Program, Congregation Beth Haminyan, and Holy Blossom Temple's Department for Jewish Living. These records include, minutes, correspondence, newsletters and publications, evaluation reports and other reports. Also included is a demographic report entitied "Rapid Growth and Transformation: Demographic Challenges Facing the Jewish Community of Greater Toronto" (1995), material from a conference at the University of Toronto on the university's partnership with Israel, CHAT alumni directories, and a CHAT book entitled, "Voices: Jewish Teens of the 90's". Of note are buttons, photographs, reports and correspondence documenting Bunny and Ben Zion's trip to the Soviet Union on behalf of the CJC's Committee for Soviet Jewry.

Finally accession includes material documenting family activities of the Shapiro and Sherman family. Included is a transcript of Bessie Sherman telling her life story (1978), haggadot, PowerPoint presentations created by Ben Zion for his grandchildren and for a family reunion outlining the family history of his family and Bunny's family. There is also a video of Ben Zion presenting his PowerPoint at the Michalski / Cohen family reunion. Also included are family films and videos containing footage of Bunny and Ben Zion's wedding and honeymoon, Camp Biluim, Young Judaea events, Bunny on Machon, family wedding anniversaries and birthday parties, trips to Israel, the United States, and Europe as well as footage of the Cousin's Club. Also included is a VHS tape containing a recorded segment from CityPulse News featuring the family's Pesach festivities in 1995.

Photo identification: Back row, left to right: Ray Markus, Michelle Landsberg, Menachem ?, Frank Narrol. Front row, left to right: Gilda Mitchell, Bunny Shapiro, BenZion Shapiro, Malka Rabinowitz.

Administrative History

Ben Zion Shapiro was born in Toronto in 1931 to Roy Shapiro and Beck Shapiro (née Cohen). He has a younger brother, Morden "Mort" Shapiro (b. 1940). His father worked as an office manager at Rotstein Furniture and Maple Leaf Cleaners, and his mother worked as a legal secretary until marriage. Roy was active in a number of organizations including: Young Judaea, Sons of Jacob Society, Toronto Camera Club, a founding member of Beth David Synagogue, Coordinated Services to the Jewish Elderly (Circle of Care) and president of the Association of Jewish Seniors. Beck was active in Young Judaea and Pioneer Women (president of the Golda Meir Club).

Ben Zion received a master of social work degree from the University of Toronto and attended the Jewish Agency Institute for Youth Leaders from Abroad in Jerusalem (1951-1952). He has worked for a number of organizations throughout his career, including: Young Judaea (he was director of both Camp Shalom [1962-1969] and Camp Biluim [1954-1956]), B'nai Brith Youth Organization, University Settlement, St. Christopher's House and director of the Novomeysky Centre in Jerusalem (1957-1961). He was also professor and associate dean of social work at the University of Toronto and three times visiting professor at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

Ben married Bunny "Bernice" Shaprio in 1955. Bunny was born in 1934 in Noranda, Quebec to Irving Sherman and Bessie (née Consky). Bunny attended public school in Noranda, Noranda High School and Forest Hill Collegiate in Toronto, University of Toronto (BA), the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (M.Ed. in special education), and the Jewish Agency Institute for Jewish Leaders from Abroad (1952-1953).

Bunny graduated from the first Camp Biluim Institute for leadership training in 1951 and worked with Ben Zion at Camp Shalom as Camp Mother in 1962 and from 1964-1969. She also worked at Camp Biluim from 1955-1956. In 1983, Bunny and Ben Zion went to the Soviet Union to visit refuseniks on behalf of the Soviet Jewry Committee of the Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region.

Bunny and Ben have two children: Ayala and Ilan. Since Ben Zion's retirement in 1996, he and Bunny have been living in Jerusalem for half of each year. In 2015, they moved full-time to Jerusalem.

Use Conditions

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the Archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Descriptive Notes

Physical description note: includes ca. 300 photographs (256 tiff), 2 PowerPoint presentations, 1 textual record (doc), 4 buttons, 2 flags, 5 VHS tapes, and 18 film reels (8 mm).

Subjects

Camps

Youth

Zionism

Name Access

Shapiro, Ben Zion, 1931-

Source

Archival Accessions

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Accession Number

2015-3-5

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Date

2013-2015

Scope and Content

Accession consists of textual records documenting the history of the Toronto Hebrew Memorial Parks (THMP) and Sidney Freedman's role as founder. Included are writings created by Sid Freedman reflecting on mixed burial issues and the history of THMP (this writing accompanies audio recordings Freedman had created on this topic in 1997). Also included is correspondence between Freedman and Bill Draimin as well as a copy of Freedman's farewell letter to THMP's Board.

Use Conditions

Closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director and donor prior to accessing the records.

Descriptive Notes

Related material note: AC 237-240

Subjects

Cemeteries

Name Access

Toronto Hebrew Memorial Parks

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2016-10-1

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

2 folders of textual records

Date

1948-1951

Scope and Content

Accession consists of counter cheques, cancelled cheques, Statements of Account, deposit slips, promissory notes (1948-1950), a 1948 realty tax bill, an invoice from E. Hoffman Machinery Supply and letter of assignment of lien. Also included is a 1951 Camp Kvutza season price fees, a letter to parents, and a promotional pamphlet.

Administrative History

Camp Kvutza was a summer camp for children and adults and was promoted as the summer home of the Labour Zionist Movement. It was situated in Lowbanks, Ontario on the shores of Lake Erie. The children's program (ages 7-16) included swimming, baseball, basketball, ping-pong, arts and crafts, sabbath programs, Hebrew and Yiddish instruction, and Israeli songs and dances. The donor's father was associated with the camp.

Subjects

Camps

Labor Zionism

Name Access

Camp Kvutza (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2016-10-6

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

6 cm of textual records

Date

1927-1977

Scope and Content

Accession consists of a leather bound cemetery ledger presented to the Board of Directors by Mr. & Mrs. S. Ulster. The ledger is referred to as the "Golden Book". The names of the Board of Directors are handwritten in Hebrew. Listed on the following pages are the names of the deceased, some including the date and cemetery name. Also included are 7 handwritten sheets of paper from 1940-1966, of individuals names, dates and cemetery name.

Administrative History

The Chenstochover Aid Society, incorporated December 1914, was established as a mutual benefit society which included sick benefits and burial. The two burial locations for the CAS were Dawes Road Cemetery and Bathurst Lawn Cemetery.

Subjects

Cemeteries

Societies

Name Access

Chenstochover Aid Society (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2017-1-24

Material Format

moving images (electronic)

Physical Description

1 MP4 video (8 min., 58 sec.) : col. , sd.

Date

27 Nov. 2016

Scope and Content

Accession consists of one MP4 video file containing a Toronto Hebrew Memorial Parks tribute video to Sidney Freedman. It was produced by the Heritage Professionals.

Subjects

Cemeteries

Name Access

Freedman, Sidney

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2019-1-4

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

ca. 2 cm of textual records

1 textual record (docx)

Date

2017-2019

Scope and Content

Accession consists of textual records documenting the history of the Toronto Hebrew Memorial Parks (THMP) and Sidney Freedman's role as founder. Included are: printouts of email correspondence that touch on issues of interfaith burial; funding, specifically the Sidney Freedman Endowment Fund; and THMP's relationship to UJA Federation of Greater Toronto. There is also a short version of the speech Sidney delivered on the occassion of a tribute dinner in 2016.

Administrative History

Sidney Freedman was born in 1928 in Ivansk (Iwanska) Poland. In 1929 the family of eight immigrated to Canada, first to Winnipeg, and then in 1933 to Toronto. He put himself through law school by working in construction jobs and opened a law firm after graduation. He later became president of Temple Sinai and became interested in the operation of cemeteries. In 1970 he purchased the land that would become Pardes Shalom Cemetery and later founded the Toronto Hebrew Memorial Parks.

Use Conditions

Closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director prior to accessing the records.

Subjects

Cemeteries

Interfaith marriage

Name Access

Beit Olam (Toronto, Ont.)

Pardes Chaim (Toronto, Ont.)

Toronto Hebrew Memorial Parks

UJA Federation of Greater Toronto

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2019-2-7

Material Format

textual record (electronic)

textual record

Physical Description

8 textual records (electronic)

1 folder

Date

2017-2018

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material collected and/or created by Sidney Freedman. The accession includes four hard copy records and eight records in electronic format. The hard copy records include a memoir of Ivansk Poland around the time of his birth, a visit to Poland and Ivansk in 2006, and an essay titled "The Book of Job and Related Matters." There is also a copy of the The Funeral Chronicle with an article by Mr. Freedman. The electronic records include Mr. Freedman's speech at the dedication of Pardes Shalom Cemetery, and essays/stories titled "Ecrite Intimes," "Holocaust Memorials," "Hungarian Rhapsody," "Israel and Palestinians," "O Canada," "Pride and Celebrity," and "The Enduring Hatred."

Custodial History

The donor emailed the eight records in electronic records to an OJA archivist in February 2019; he mailed the hard copies shortly thereafter to the same archivist shortly thereafter.

Administrative History

Sidney Freedman was born in 1928 in Ivansk (Iwanska) Poland. In 1929 the family of eight immigrated to Canada, first to Winnipeg, and then in 1933 to Toronto. He put himself through law school by working in construction jobs and opened a law firm after graduation. He later became president of Temple Sinai and became interested in the operation of cemeteries. In 1970 he purchased the land that would become Pardes Shalom Cemetery and later founded the Toronto Hebrew Memorial Parks.

Descriptive Notes

Scope: Regarding the speech he made at the Pardes Shalom dedication, the donor noted: "Some of the comments I made at that time were adopted as a legend in THMP's promotional material. In reading it however I see how I schmaltzed up the audience with gratitude to the number of institutions and people who really didn't deserve it. The story about our priorities as to number one of first paying back invested monies to buy land etc. was completely false. In fact the only contribution came later as the archives will show when in serving the land a commercial loan from the predecessor to federation came up with something like $350,000 in increments which got paid back at 10% interest cumulatively and retired on five years. On that basis the speech I gave was feel-good but not one that was at all accurate in terms of who assisted in establishing the cemetery."

Subjects

Authors

Cemeteries

Essays

Name Access

Freedman, Sidney

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2020-9-3

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

15 cm of textual records

Date

[195-]-1977

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records documenting burials at Dawes Road Cemetery.

Subjects

Cemeteries

Source

Archival Accessions

Level

Item

Item

4024

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1954

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 9 cm

Scope and Content

This item is an original print of Ann Wilder sitting on the edge of a well at Hechalutz Hatzair's Camp Revivim, near Whitby, Ontario.

Name Access

Camp Revivim

Wilder, Ann

Subjects

Camps

Girls

Places

Whitby (Ont.)

Accession Number

1986-3-6

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

4026

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1954

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 8 cm

Scope and Content

This item is an original print of a group of female campers standing in front of the arts and crafts building at Hechalutz Hatzair's Camp Revivim, near Whitby, Ontario. The girl on the far right is the daughter of Aryeh Ben Gurion, Israeli poet and founder of the the Kibbutz Institute for Holidays and Jewish Culture in Israel.

Name Access

Camp Revivim

Subjects

Campers (Persons)

Camps

Places

Whitby (Ont.)

Accession Number

1986-3-6

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

4027

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1951

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 8 cm

Scope and Content

This item is an original print of Ann and Stanley Wilder at Hechalutz Hatzair's Camp Revivim near Whitby, Ontario. Two cabins can be seen in the background.

Name Access

Camp Revivim

Wilder, Ann

Wilder, Stanley

Subjects

Camps

Children

Places

Whitby (Ont.)

Accession Number

1986-3-6

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Dunkelman fonds

Personal series

Level

File

Fonds

2

Series

1

File

10

Material Format

textual record

Date

[194-]-[196-]

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of Ben Dunkleman's personal correspondence with various people including, David Ben-Gurion, Theodore Kollek, Chaim Herzog and Chaim Laskov. The correspondence relates to such topics as Ben and Yael Dunkelman's marriage, the death of Rose Dunkelman, and New Year celebrations.

Name Access

Ben-Gurion, David, 1886-1973

Herzog, Chaim, 1918-1997

Subjects

Presidents--Israel

Prime ministers--Israel

Physical Condition

Records are fragile but in good condition.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Solomon Edell fonds

Clanton Park Synagogue series

Level

File

Fonds

4

Series

6

File

4

Material Format

textual record

Date

1959-1961

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Admin History/Bio

Clanton Park synagogue purchased cemetery land from several synagogues and societies that had cemetery property that they did need. John Glass was the lawyer representing the Shaarei Zion Society and David Newman was Clanton Park's attorney.

Scope and Content

File consists of legal agreements and lawyers' correspondence relating to the purchase of Sharrei Zion Society's cemetery lands by Clanton Park synagogue.

Name Access

Glass, John

Newman, David

Subjects

Cemeteries

Places

North York (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Solomon Edell fonds

Cemeteries and funeral homes series

Level

Series

Fonds

4

Series

9

Material Format

multiple media

Date

1953-2000

Physical Description

3 cm of textual records and other material

Admin History/Bio

One of Sol Edell’s interests was ensuring the preservation of Jewish cemeteries. He was the president of the Jones Avenue cemetery, a member of the Board of Pardes Shalom and also served as chair of the Cemetery Committee of Clanton Park. He designed the archway at the entrance to Clanton Park's section located in the Roselawn Cemetery. He was also the synagogue’s representative on the Board of Directors of Steeles College Memorial Park.

Scope and Content

Series consists of correspondence relating to the operation of various cemeteries and funeral homes including the Jones Avenue Cemetery, which was established in the late Nineteenth century. Also included is correspondence and financial reports from Steeles College Memorial Park. As well, there is a plot map of the International Workmen's Circle section in the Mount Sinai Cemetery, Bathurst Lawn Cemetery and Jones Avenue Cemetery. Finally, there are photographs of the Pardes Shalom Cemetery and three audio-visual recordings of Jones Avenue Cemetery.

Notes

Physical description note: includes 11 photographs, 4 architectural drawings, and 3 videocassettes.

Name Access

Pardes Shalom

Dawes Road

Jones Avenue

International Workmen's Circle

Roselawn

Steeles College Memorial Chapel

Mount sinai Cemetery

Subjects

Cemeteries

Funeral homes

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Cemetery Committee series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

22

Material Format

textual record

Date

1951-1959

Physical Description

18 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

The Ontario government was putting pressure on the Jewish cemeteries spread around Toronto to clear up the disorder in the burial grounds to ensure a system of perpetual care. The cemeteries were approached with this in view. In the end, through the efforts of Al Ginsburg of Beth Tzedec, the Dawes Rd. and Jones Avenue properties were reorganized, a permanent fulltime groundskeeper was engaged (A.M. Levy) and adminstration was improved. The other cemeteries remained outside of this new organization which was named the Amalgamated Dawes Road Trustees. Some of these made their own arrangements. Canadian Jewish Congress lent its administrative help to the Amalgamated Dawes Rd. Trustees, hence this committee.

Scope and Content

Series consists of general files of the Cemetery Commitee.

Notes

Series formerly described and cited as RG254.

Subjects

Committees

Cemeteries

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Zionist Organization of Canada fonds

National Camps Association series

Level

Series

Fonds

28

Series

2

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Date

1958-1978

Physical Description

31 cm of textual records

25 photographs : b&w and col. ; 21 x 26 cm or smaller

Admin History/Bio

The National Camps Association was established by the Zionist Organization of Canada as an administrative body responsible for overseeing the operation of the ZOC-owned summer camps in Canada. The Executive Vice-President was in charge of supervising the Camps Association which, after 1970, included a National Camps Committee comprised of regional camp chairmen and alternate representatives appointed by the regional presidents. The National Committee members were also de-facto members of the Regional Camp Committees.

The National Camps Association created all of the standards and guidelines for the camps, which were implemented by the Regional Camp Committees as a way of streamlining operations. The Association also handled all budgetary matters. Staffing and daily camp operation was conducted in co-operation with Canadian Young Judaea, a Zionist organization of Canadian youth and young adults.

The National Camps Association was responsible for Camp Biluim, the leadership training institutue; the Biluim Summer Programme in Israel; Camp Solelim and Camp Shalom in Ontario; Camp Hagshama and Camp Kinneret in Quebec; Camp Hatikvah in British Columbia; and Camp Kadima in Nova Scotia.

Scope and Content

The files in this series consist of textual records and photographs created between 1958 and 1978. These recordes relate to the administrative functioning of the National Camps Association and the operations of the various summer camps under its governance.

Name Access

Camp Shalom

Camp Kadima

Camp Biluim

Camp Solelim

Camp Hatikvah

Camp Hagshama

Camp Kinneret

National Camps Committee

Subjects

Camps

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Zionist Organization of Canada fonds

Publicity photographs of people and events series

Level

File

Fonds

28

Series

6

File

13

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1952

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 24 x 32 cm

Scope and Content

The file consists of a portrait photograph of Izhak ben-Zvi, the 2nd President of Israel.

Name Access

Ben-Zvi, Itzhak, 1884-1963

Subjects

Presidents--Israel

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds

Photographic and audiovisual collection series

Level

File

Fonds

67

Series

27

File

6

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[1950?]

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 25 x 21 cm

Scope and Content

File consists of one photograph of boys at summer camp learning canoeing strokes.

Notes

Availability of other formats: Also available as a digital image.

Name Access

Young Men's Hebrew Association (Toronto, Ont.)

Subjects

Boys

Camps

Canoes and canoeing

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds

Photographic and audiovisual collection series

Level

File

Fonds

67

Series

27

File

9

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1957

Physical Description

10 photographs : b&w ; 20 x 25 cm

Scope and Content

File consists of ten photographs taken in Israel during a study mission that took place in 1957. Included is an early photo of the construction of the Medical Centre of Kupat Holim in Elat. Men on the trip include Stan Sobol, Milton Shier, Alex Fisher, Morley Pape, Jack Kamin, Murray Koffler, ? Hildebrand, Leon Weinstein, Gus Weinstein, ? Eisen, Max Tanenbaum, Ben Weinberg, John Fienberg, Rabbi Reuben Slonim. Yitzhak Ben-Zvi, the then president of Israel, is shown at at the centre of a group photo. David Ben-Gurion is shown in his office at his desk, with six men leaning in around him. The 1958 mission occurred in 1957.

Notes

Names were found on the backs of the photos.

Name Access

Ben-Gurion, David, 1886-1973

Ben-Zvi, Itzhak, 1884-1963

Subjects

Presidents--Israel

Prime ministers--Israel

Places

Israel

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Henry Rosenbaum fonds

Photograph series

Level

Item

Fonds

121

Series

1

Item

102

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1953

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 7 cm x 9 cm

Scope and Content

Item is a black-and-white photograph of Leon Rosenbaum, brother of Henry Rosenbaum, which was taken at the Mount of Olives cemetery in Jerusalem in 1953.

Subjects

Cemeteries

Portraits

Repro Restriction

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Places

Mount of Olives (Jerusalem)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

David Pinkus fonds

Level

Fonds

Fonds

138

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

graphic material (electronic)

architectural drawing

philatelic record

sound recording

cartographic material

object

Date

1854-2021

Physical Description

ca. 2.4 m of textual records

ca. 600 photographs : b&w and col. (ca. 90 negatives); 30 x 35 cm or smaller

other material

Admin History/Bio

David Pinkus (1924-2021) was born on May 11, 1924, at the Toronto General Hospital to Isadore Pinkus (1887-1947) and Molly (Mollie) Pinkus (née Parelstein) (1892-1990). Isadore was born in Kiev Gubernia of the Russian Empire; Molly was born in Podolia Gubernia of the Russian Empire and later moved to Ukraine with her family. Isadore and Molly met and married in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1910 and moved to Toronto in 1911. The Pinkus family settled in Kensington Market in around 1914 and was one of the first Jewish settlers to the Kensington neighbourhood. David spent his entire life living in the Kensington Market area. He lived on 83 Huron Street until 1927 when the Pinkus family moved to 34 Nassau Street, which has been the house of the Pinkus family ever since. David had two siblings: brother Max and sister Goldie.

In his childhood, David attended the Brunswick Talmud Torah daily and learned Hebrew. He had his bar mitzvah at the Kiever Shul. David attended William Houston School until 1930 and Ryerson Public School until grade eight. Later, he attended Harbord School for high school and was also involved with sports at Harbord Collegiate and YMHA. In 1947, David obtained his Bachelor of Applied Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Toronto. After graduation, he worked at Goodyear for one year and returned to the University of Toronto as an instructor of engineering drawing and machine design. Later, he worked at various places such as Canadian Industries Limited in Maitland, Toronto Iron Works, and Avro Aircraft Limited.

David’s father, Isadore, was one of the founders of the Kiever Synagogue. David’s involvement with the Kiever Synagogue started in 1947, following Isadore’s death. David served as president and held positions on the executive of the Kiever Shul and played a principal role in the restoration of the shul. He also served on Toronto’s Board of Health as well as the boards of the Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, and St. Christopher House. In addition, David was an active community leader and local historian. He did genealogical research for many Toronto Jewish families. David had been recognized by the National Jewish Federation of North America as a Jewish community hero in 2011. He passed away on May 6, 2021.

Custodial History

Records received after the death of David Pinkus through Joseph Solomon, the executor of David Pinkus’ estate. Records have been selected by archivists following a site visit at David’s home at 34 Nassau Street, Toronto.

Scope and Content

Fonds consists of textual records, graphic material, sound recordings, architectural drawings, artifacts, and a small number of philatelic records, most of which document David Pinkus’ career and personal life, the Pinkus family, the Kiever Shul, the Kiever Cemetery, as well as Mount Sinai Cemetery Association (Mount Sinai Memorial Park) and the Dawes Road Cemeteries (Amalgamated Dawes Road Trustees), of which the Kiever Congregation is a member organization. Also included are documents and photographs of other individuals and families, which David collected for his genealogical research, and those that are pertaining to Kensington Market and other congregations and cemeteries.

Textual records include correspondence; scrapbooks; education records; identification documents; research notes and clippings relating to David’s genealogical research; documents pertaining to his Kensington Market activism and community work; files on David’s engineering career and his role as president of the Kiever Shul; and files documenting the Pinkus family members, such as funeral documents, notebooks, family correspondence, voters’ lists, and records relating to Pinkus Fruit Co. and 34 Nassau Street. Also included are records documenting the Kiever Shul, which include meeting minutes, ledger books, financial documents, legal documents, membership lists and application forms, address books, high holiday service cards, and historic papers dating from the 1920s and 1930s. Textual records documenting the Kiever Cemetery, Mount Sinai Memorial Park, and the Dawes Road Cemeteries are mainly comprised of cemetery maps, burial plot cards, burial record books, by-laws and regulations, and meeting minutes. Also present are records pertaining to other congregations and cemeteries, such as constitution books, brochures, booklets, and copies of legal documents.

Photographs mainly feature David Pinkus and the Kiever Cemetery, with a small number featuring the Pinkus family members, the Junction Synagogue (Congregation Knesseth Israel), the Great Choral Synagogue of Kyiv, and those that David collected for his genealogical research.

Architectural drawings of this fonds include the restoration and renovation plan for the Kiever Shul and the alteration plan for Mount Sinai Cemetery Administration Building.

Also present are sound recordings, including cassettes and microcassettes of David Pinkus; and artifacts, including felt patches, pin back buttons, medals, Toronto foot-pedlar registration badges, and a wooden gavel of the Kiever Shul.

Fonds has been arranged into the following series: David Pinkus’ personal records; Kensington Market; David Pinkus’ genealogical research; the Pinkus family; the Kiever Shul; the Kiever Cemetery; Mount Sinai Memorial Park; the Dawes Road Cemeteries; and other associations, congregations, and cemeteries.

Notes

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION NOTE: Also included are 22 architectural drawings, 7 maps, 4 audio cassettes, 2 microcassettes, 1 optical disc, 8 drawings, 2 prints, 1 photo collage, 34 pinback buttons, 15 Toronto padler-on-foot registration badges, 8 felt patches, 3 medals, 3 brooches, 1 wooden gavel, 2 tax tokens, 2 postage stamps, 1 sales tax stamp, and 9 revenue stamps.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE: Books that were initially included in this fonds have been removed and incorporated into the OJA’s library collection. These books are: Spadina Avenue by Rosemary Donegan with an introduction by Rick Salutin, Toronto No Mean City by Eric Arthur revised by Stephen A. Otto, Canadian Jewish Directory edited by Edmond Y. Lipsitz, The Toronto Jewish Directory, and The Canada Year Book 1905 (second series).

HISTORY/BIO NOTE: Information is sourced from OH 413 and the content of the fonds.

Name Access

Pinkus, David, 1924-2021

Kiever Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)

Mount Sinai Cemetery Association (Toronto, Ont.)

Mount Sinai Memorial Park (Toronto, Ont.)

Dawes Road Cemetery (Toronto, Ont.)

Amalgamated Dawes Road Trustees (Toronto, Ont.)

Subjects

Families

Synagogues

Genealogy

Cemeteries

Access Restriction

Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing some of the records.

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.

Related Material

See accessions 2004-1-5, 2004-1-6, 2004-2-1, 2008-11-9, 2016-3-48, and 2021-10-1 for additional information on the Kiever Shul; and OH 413 for more information on David Pinkus and the Pinkus family.

Arrangement

Records came into the OJA with no discernible order. Arrangement has been imposed by the archivist.

Creator

Pinkus, David, 1924-2021

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Kensington Market (Toronto, Ont.)

Accession Number

2021-7-3

Source

Archival Descriptions