Accession Number
1993-1-9
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1993-1-9
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Date
1938-[ca.1980]
Scope and Content
Accession consists of material documenting Goel Tzedec Synagogue in Toronto. Included are a script of a sisterhood play; copies of the religious-school newsletter Keren Ami; a program for Beth Tzedec's First Congregational (1955); a certificate for charter members of the North Toronto YMHA awarded to the law firm of Singer and Kert; a Young Judaea publication The Leader (1938), which includes a prize-winning address by Shelton Kert; and a menu from Old Ed's, one of Ed Mirvish's restaurants.
Administrative History
The Singer and Kert law partnership lasted from 1920-1965. Joseph Singer was a gold metalist at Osgoode Hall in 1911. He was the first Jewish Controller in Toronto, and legal adviser to the Primrose Club. At the time of his death in 1967 he had practiced law for 56 years.
Lawrence Kert helped organize the Associated Hebrew Schools and the Oakdale Golf and Country Club. He was on the board of Goel Tzedec Synagogue. When he passed away in 1976 he had been a lawyer for 56 years.
Name Access
Kert, Sheldon
Kert, Lawrence
Singer, Joseph
Goel Tzedec Synagogue
Source
Archival Accessions
Level
Item
ID
Item 2967-2968
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
2967-2968
Material Format
graphic material
Date
9 Sep. 1971
Physical Description
2 photographs
Scope and Content
For identification, see accession record.
Notes
See accession record for terms of use.
Name Access
Givens, Phil
Hadassah-Wizo
Subjects
Politicians
Women
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Accession Number
1978-1-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Level
Series
ID
Fonds 37; Series 1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Level
Series
Fonds
37
Series
1
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1956-1978
Physical Description
447 photographs : b&w and col. (392 negatives) ; 26 x 21 cm or smaller
Admin History/Bio
The Negev dinners were established in 1948, coinciding with the creation of the State of Israel, as an annual fundraising dinner. The Jewish National Fund hosted these annual dinners in honour of a leading Canadian citizen, and the proceeds from the dinners were used to establish JNF projects in Israel in the name of the honouree. The JNF projects have, and continue to do so today, raised money to purchase land in Israel's Negev desert and for re-forestation efforts.
The annual dinner was dedicated to a member of the Toronto Jewish community, who had demonstrated outstanding support and commitment to the Community and to the State of Israel. In honour of this individual's contributions, the secured land in Negev was named after them. The honourary guests were presented with awards of appreciation from members of the Canadian and International Jewish community, often including delegates from Israel. The dinners were attended by prominent members of Toronto's Jewish community, including politicians, business men, and philanthropists.
Each subsequent dinner became larger and more successful in its aim to raise funds for Israel, as a result this event soon became the most significant Jewish event in Toronto. As well, it was also the largest annual kosher meal served in Toronto.
The JNF produced an annual Negev Dinner yearbook, commemorating the event, and documenting both the lives of the honouree's family and the current activities of the JNF. As well, the names of individuals who donated money for the JNF projects were recorded in the Souvenir books under patrons and sponsors of the dinners.
Scope and Content
Series consists of negatives taken by Al Gilbert documenting eight Negev Dinners hosted by the Jewish National Fund. The images depict the various activities undertaken at these dinners including: the procession and introduction of the head table guests, the presentation of awards, speeches, toasts, presentation of flowers to the honouree or the wife of the honouree, and the entertainment. The majority of the negatives are portraits taken of the guests posing with the honouree and his or her family. One dinner in this series was dedicated to the Toronto Jewish Community (1956) on the year of its centenary, while the others are in honour of one significant member of the community.
There were Negev dinners held across Canada; however, the dinners in this series were all held in Toronto and were primarily attended by members of the Toronto Jewish community. The honourees documented in this series include: 1956, Toronto Jewish Community; 1966, Bert Godfrey; 1967, Nathan Silver; 1968, Phil Givens; 1970, Leon E. Weinstein; 1973, Rt. Hon. John G. Diefenbaker; 1974, Phil Granovsky; 1978, Eric and Esther Exton.
Notes
Selection for this series reflects the various activities of the Negev dinners, including: speeches, toasts, award presentations, dinner tables, introductions, honourees, entertainment and presentation of flowers. In addition, we selected a sample of images documenting the dinner tables and guests who were not part of the evening's programme, and therefore, would not be captured in the aforementioned criteria.
Name Access
Negev
Jewish National Fund
Godfrey, Bert
Silver, Nathan
Givens, Phil
Weinstein, Leon E.
Diefenbaker, Rt. Hon. John G.
Granovsky, Phil
Exton, Eric
Exton, Esther
Subjects
Awards
Dinners and dining
Fund raising
Arrangement
Series has been arranged into files representing each annual dinner.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Bert Godfrey file
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 37; Series 1; File 2; Item 38
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Bert Godfrey file
Level
Item
Fonds
37
Series
1
File
2
Item
38
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1966
Physical Description
1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Ruth and Bert Godfrey being introduced at the Negev dinner held in his honour. Standing behind the couple from left to right are: Phil & Min Givens, Rabbi David Monson, Manny Rotman, 2 unidentified guests and Mr. & Mrs. Sam Shainhouse.
Notes
Photograph by Al Gilbert.
Name Access
Godfrey, Ruth
Godfrey, Bert, 1908-2006
Givens, Min
Givens, Phil
Monson, David, 1917-2008
Rotman, Manny
Shainhouse, Sam
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Bert Godfrey file
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 37; Series 1; File 2; Item 47
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Bert Godfrey file
Level
Item
Fonds
37
Series
1
File
2
Item
47
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1966
Physical Description
1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm
Notes
Photograph by Al Gilbert.
Name Access
Givens, Phil
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Bert Godfrey file
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 37; Series 1; File 2; Item 48
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Bert Godfrey file
Level
Item
Fonds
37
Series
1
File
2
Item
48
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1966
Physical Description
1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm
Notes
Photograph by Al Gilbert.
Name Access
Godfrey, Bert, 1908-2006
Givens, Phil
Rosenberg, Stuart E., 1922-1990
Hayman, Mrs.
Rosenberg, Hadassah
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Phil Givens file
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 37; Series 1; File 4; Item 1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Phil Givens file
Level
Item
Fonds
37
Series
1
File
4
Item
1
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1968
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 9 x 9 cm and 6 x 6 cm
Notes
Photograph by Al Gilbert.
Name Access
Givens, Phil
Grossman, Allan, 1910-1991
Allen, Wm. R.
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Phil Givens file
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 37; Series 1; File 4; Item 2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Phil Givens file
Level
Item
Fonds
37
Series
1
File
4
Item
2
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1968
Physical Description
1 negative : b&w
Scope and Content
Photograph of Leon Weinstein speaking at the Negev dinner held in honour of Phil Givens. Seated at the head table from left to right are: Min Givens, Phil Givens, Leon Weinstein (at podium), Anne Weinstein, Rabbi Stuart Rosenberg, and Hadassah Rosenberg.
Notes
Photograph by Al Gilbert.
Name Access
Rosenberg, Rabbi Stuart
Rosenberg, Hadassah
Givens, Phil
Givens, Min
Weinstein, Leon
Weinstein, Anne
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Phil Givens file
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 37; Series 1; File 4; Item 18
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Phil Givens file
Level
Item
Fonds
37
Series
1
File
4
Item
18
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1968
Physical Description
1 negative : b&w
Scope and Content
Photograph of Phil Givens giving a speech at the 1968 Negev dinner held in his honour. Min Givens is sitting beside him.
Notes
Photograph by Al Gilbert.
Name Access
Givens, Min
Givens, Phil
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Phil Givens file
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 37; Series 1; File 4; Item 19
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Phil Givens file
Level
Item
Fonds
37
Series
1
File
4
Item
19
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1968
Physical Description
1 negative : b&w
Scope and Content
Photograph of Philip G. Givens giving a speech at the 1968 Negev dinner held in his honour. Min Givens is seated beside him.
Notes
Photograph by Al Gilbert.
Name Access
Givens, Min
Givens, Phil
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Phil Givens file
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 37; Series 1; File 4; Item 32
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Phil Givens file
Level
Item
Fonds
37
Series
1
File
4
Item
32
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1968
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 9 x 9 cm and 6 x 6 cm
Notes
Photograph by Al Gilbert.
Name Access
Givens, Phil
Grossman, Allen
Jewish National Fund
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Phil Givens file
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 37; Series 1; File 4; Item 34
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Phil Givens file
Level
Item
Fonds
37
Series
1
File
4
Item
34
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1968
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 9 x 9 cm and 6 x 6 cm
Notes
Photograph by Al Gilbert.
Name Access
Givens, Phil
Grossman, Allan, 1910-1991
Weinstein, Leon
Exton, Eric
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Phil Givens file
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 37; Series 1; File 4; Item 42
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Phil Givens file
Level
Item
Fonds
37
Series
1
File
4
Item
42
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1968
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 9 x 9 cm and 6 x 6 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Min Givens receiving flowers from Charles Kent at the Negev dinner held in her husband's, Philip Givens, honour. Philip Givens is seating in front.
Notes
Photograph by Al Gilbert.
Name Access
Givens, Min
Givens, Phil
Kent, Charles
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Phil Givens file
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 37; Series 1; File 4; Item 43
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Phil Givens file
Level
Item
Fonds
37
Series
1
File
4
Item
43
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1968
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 9 x 9 cm and 6 x 6 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Phil Givens waving to guests at the Negev dinner held in his honour. Standing beside him to the left is Min Givens, and behind the podium is Charles Kent.
Notes
Photograph by Al Gilbert.
Name Access
Kent, Charles
Givens, Phil
Givens, Min
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Phil Givens file
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 37; Series 1; File 4; Item 44
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Phil Givens file
Level
Item
Fonds
37
Series
1
File
4
Item
44
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1968
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 9 x 9 cm and 6 x 6 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Nat Silver giving a speech at the 1968 Negev dinner held in honour of Philip G. Givens. Nat Silver was a part of the evening's programme providing a presentation of the Jewish National Fund Foundation Projects.
Notes
Photograph by Al Gilbert.
Name Access
Silver, Nat
Givens, Phil
Jewish National Fund
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Phil Givens file
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 37; Series 1; File 4; Item 45
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Phil Givens file
Level
Item
Fonds
37
Series
1
File
4
Item
45
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1968
Physical Description
1 negative : b&w
Name Access
Givens, Min
Givens, Phil
Kent, Charles
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Phil Givens file
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 37; Series 1; File 4; Item 47
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Phil Givens file
Level
Item
Fonds
37
Series
1
File
4
Item
47
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1968
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 9 x 9 cm and 6 x 6 cm
Name Access
Givens, Phil
Givens, Min
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Phil Givens file
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 37; Series 1; File 4; Item 49
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Phil Givens file
Level
Item
Fonds
37
Series
1
File
4
Item
49
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1968
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 9 x 9 cm and 6 x 6 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Rabbi Rosenberg speaking at the Negev dinner held in honour of Phil Givens. Rabbi Rosenberg was on the programme as a guest speaker.
Name Access
Rosenberg, Rabbi Stuart
Givens, Phil
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Dinner honouring Leon E. Weinstein file
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 37; Series 1; File 5; Item 12
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Dinner honouring Leon E. Weinstein file
Level
Item
Fonds
37
Series
1
File
5
Item
12
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1970
Physical Description
1 negative : b&w ; 6 x 6 cm
Name Access
Gefen, Aba
Weinstein, Anne
Givens, Phil
Weinstein, Leon
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Al Gilbert portraits series
Level
Series
ID
Fonds 37; Series 4
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Al Gilbert portraits series
Level
Series
Fonds
37
Series
4
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1941-1978]
Physical Description
56 negatives : b&w, 1 col. ; 18 x 13 cm or smaller
Admin History/Bio
Al Gilbert was born on November 18, 1922 in Toronto. His father Nathan Gittelmacher [Gilbert] owned a photography studio, called Elite Studios, where Al began to learn the photography trade. Al went to Central Technical High School for commercial art and started working at his father's store after he graduated at the age of 19. Al returned to school as an adult and earned his Master of Photography and Photographic Craftsmen degree from the Professional Photographers of America.
Al took over Gilbert Studios and moved to a larger location on Eglinton Street and then later to Davenport Road. Al married, and he and his wife Gail had two children named Nina and Michael.
Al began his career following in the tradition of his father photographing weddings and other significant events in the community. However, he also expanded his repertoire to include series of portraits documenting different cultural and religious groups. While still making a name for himself, Al arranged a deal with a local radio station -- CKEY -- that had a promotional programme called Club 580. The programme was designed to draw music celebrities down to an auditorium where school kids would get the chance to see them. He approached the station, asking if he could photograph these musicians, and in exchange, provide the station with picture postcards depicting the musicians. Some of the entertainers he photographed during this period included: Oscar Peterson, Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, and Dizzy Gillespie. One of his most personally significant series documents all of Israel's Prime Ministers starting in 1959 with David Ben Gurion up until the late 1990s. Most recently, Al finished a series of portraits depicting prominent Italian Canadian men and women.
One of Al Gilbert's photographic influences was George Hurrell, whose portraits of Hollywood movie starts were backlit with spotlights creating a glamorous effect. In 1943, Gilbert started to introduce some of Hurrell's lighting techniques into his portraits. He was constantly changing the window displays at his store to draw attention to his latest techniques and attract a new clientele. Twenty years later, still fascinated with lighting, Al started using more window lighting and doing outdoor photography; he also perfected the technique of simulating natural light using artificial sources of light.
Al Gilbert built his reputation as a portrait photographer. Due to his innovative style and the prominence of his subjects, Al's work has received much recognition -- he has been given the Canadian Photographer of the Year in 1968, 1969, and 1973 from the Professional Photographers of Canada. He was awarded the Order of Canada and held the Confederate Medal of Canada. In addition, he was also the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Photographic Industry of America and the International Award from the American Society of Photographers.
Scope and Content
Series consists of portraits taken by Al Gilbert. The portraits depict prominent individuals from the Toronto Jewish community, Jewish clubs, politicians, and several well-known personalities including the comedians Wayne and Shuster.
Notes
All portraits were selected with the exception of duplicates and portraits where the issue of ownership remains unresolved because the photographer is unknown.
Name Access
Wayne & Shuster
Hurvitz, Rabbi
Hennick, Nat
Posluns
Kayfetz, Carl
Sterling, Bob
Van Der Hout, Victor
Goodman, Eddy
Greenberg, David
Kay, Jimmy
Hall, Robert
Shopsowitz, Sam
Lockshin, Lou
Topper, Harry
Drevnick,Bill
Givens, Phil
Silver, Nathan
Tanenbaum, Wayne
Orliffe, Herbert
Leslie, Dr. Harold
Herman, Woody
Waxman, Al
Wayne, Johnny
Shuster, Frank
Source
Archival Descriptions