- Accession Number
- 1982-7-6
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1982-7-6
- Material Format
- object
- textual record
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 poster
- 3 cm of textual records
- Artifacts
- Date
- 1928-[ca. 1944]
- Scope and Content
- This accession includes a Standard Theatre poster for the play Sheindele from Slabodke, staring Mischa and Lucy German (1928). This production was also known as Papirosn-makherin (Cigarette Maker) and Reizele from Slabodke and was staged in 1927 in the Hopkinson Theatre then in Philadelphia with Clara Young, Lucy German, and Vera Rosanka.
- Also included are pages from a scrapbook with Jewish Standard editorial writings from the 1930s by Hye Bossin. Topics include life on Spadina Avenue and in Kensinton Market, Yiddish entertainers, Emma Goldman's visit to Toronto, Caplan's Cafe, athletes, and the Toronto Islands. As well, there is a metal plate for F. B. Harris, circa 1944, with an inscription on it in memory of Sgt. F. B. Harris who "died in his country's service 6 June, 1944."
- Descriptive Notes
- Availability of other formats: The Standard Theatre poster and Emma Goldman interview are available as digital files.
- Subjects
- Newspapers
- Theatrical posters, Yiddish
- Name Access
- Bossin, Hye
- Goldman, Emma, 1869-1940
- Harris, Fred. B.
- Standard Theatre (Toronto, Ont.)
- Places
- Kensington Market (Toronto, Ont.)
- Spadina Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-3-6
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-3-6
- Material Format
- textual record
- architectural drawing
- Physical Description
- 12 drawings: blueline and pencil: 111 x 77cm or smaller
- 1 folder of textual material
- Date
- 1924-1981
- Scope and Content
- This accession consists of the original architectural plans of the Kiever Synagogue in Kensington Market as well as plans drawn by Martin Mendelow for the Synagogue's restoration in the early 1980s. Also included is a Mendelow drawing of the Minsk Synagogue and textual materials relating to the Kiever
- Custodial History
- Materials were kept by Martin Mendelow
- Administrative History
- Martin Mendelow is a well known architect working in the Toronto area. His professional association with the Kiever Synagogue began when he was hired as architect of the Synagogue's restoration, which was completed in the early 1980s
- Subjects
- Architecture
- Synagogues
- Name Access
- Anshei Minsk Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
- Kiever Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Menedelow, Martin
- Places
- Kensington Market (Toronto, Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2008-6-9
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2008-6-9
- Material Format
- textual record
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- 1 poster : col. ; 44 x 28 cm
- 6 photographs : col. ; 10 x 15 cm
- Date
- 2008
- Scope and Content
- This accession consists of records related to the national historical designation of Kensington Market in Toronto, including materials from the unveiling ceremony, held on May 25, 2008. This includes the event package, media releases, formal invitations to politicians and guest speakers, the official invitation and programme, an historical backgrounder on the Market, Chair of UJA Federation David Koschitzky's speech, a poster, as well as six photographs taken at the event.
- Custodial History
- The records were in the possession of Cyrel Troster, who was a member of the Kensington Market National Historic Site Designation Working Group.
- Subjects
- Markets
- Name Access
- Koschitzky, David
- Places
- Kensington Market (Toronto, Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- 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
- Address
- 216 Beverley Street
- Source
- Landmarks
The Apter Synagogue was formed by a group of people who came to Toronto from the area of Opatow (Apt) in Poland around the turn of the century. They first established a small synagogue on Centre Avenue near Dundas Street in the Ward. In 1918, in anticipation of more Apter immigrants coming to Toronto after the First World War, the synagogue was sold and a larger one purchased on Beverley Street. Both the synagogue members and the Apter Friendly Society met there.
- Address
- 216 Beverley Street
- Time Period
- 1918-unknown
- Scope Note
- The Apter Synagogue was formed by a group of people who came to Toronto from the area of Opatow (Apt) in Poland around the turn of the century. They first established a small synagogue on Centre Avenue near Dundas Street in the Ward. In 1918, in anticipation of more Apter immigrants coming to Toronto after the First World War, the synagogue was sold and a larger one purchased on Beverley Street. Both the synagogue members and the Apter Friendly Society met there.
- History
- In later years, a bitter controversy between the synagogue and society erupted and the building was sold.
- Category
- Political
- Religious
- Private Clubs
- Source
- Landmarks
- Accession Number
- 2013-7-8
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2013-7-8
- Material Format
- textual record
- moving images
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- 1 optical disc (48:20 min.) : col. ; DVD
- 35 photographs : col. ; 16 x 11 cm
- Date
- 2006-2012
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of records related to the military career of Corporal Tamar Freeman, particularly her 6-month deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan. Included is postcard and email correspondence sent to her parents detailing issues of camp life, her religious observance, as well as her role as a medic; a DVD of the film "Sisters in Arms" written and directed by Tamar's sister, Beth Freeman; newspaper clippings and articles on Tamar and the film "Sisters in Arms"; photographs of Tamar receiving an award from the Canadian Jewish Congress, of her family greeting her at the airport upon return to Canada, a portrait of Tamar with another soldier and General Hillier, as well as images taken of fellow soldiers and the surroundings while in Afghanistan.
- Administrative History
- Corporal Tamar Freeman (1967-) is the daughter of Harvey and Gilda Freeman. She began her military career as an army reservist in 1990. As a reservist, she committed one day per week and one weekend per month to working in hospitals on board ships and in defence research facilities. In 2006, she joined the regular infantry as a medic in the Second Field Ambulance unit. She served in Kandahar for 6 months between 2006 and 2007 as a medic treating wounded soldiers, Afghan allies and civilians. She also served as part of the Provincial Reconstruction Team at a village medical clinic. She received the Alan Rose Award for International Human Dignity from the Canadian Jewish Congress in 2007. Corporal Freeman is currently stationed at Base Borden in Ontario.
- Use Conditions
- Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director prior to accessing some of the records.
- Descriptive Notes
- Use restrictions note: Personal emails are confidential and require the permission of Tamar Freeman before accessing.
- Subjects
- Afghan War, 2001-
- Soldiers--Canada
- Name Access
- Freeman, Tamar
- Places
- Afghanistan
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2013-11-2
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2013-11-2
- Material Format
- graphic material
- textual record
- graphic material (electronic)
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- 6 photographs : b&w and col. ; 15 x 20 cm and 9 x 15 cm and 11 x 8 cm
- 1 photograph (electronic) : jpg
- Date
- 1930-2007
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of three colour photographs from the reunion of the Baldwin Club, a young men's club from the 1940s based in Kensington Market. The reunion took place in 2006 at the Steeles Deli (the time stamps on these photographs indicate 2007). The photographs feature: Pearl Godfrey with Rose Simon Zand and her husband David Zand (Rose Simon Zand grew up in the market and her family owned a grocery store); Jack Gelman (founder of the Baldwin Club. His parents owned P. Gelman Fruit and Groceries at 174 Baldwin Street). To his right is his wife. Seated are Rose Simon and Pearl Godfrey; Left to right: Solly Raykeff, Jackie Gelman, Mel Lastman.
- Also included are three black and white photographs depicting 1) Three women in front of 172 Baldwin, left to right: Sandy Shabinsky, Katie Lottman Grossman, Ruth Berman; 2) Two girls in front of 172 Baldwin: left to right: Bella Tichberg (Judy Lottman Tichberg's daughter) and her cousin Henry; 3) Jake Lottman and his father Sam Lottman at 181 Baldwin shown cracking eggs for a photo taken for Queen Elizabeth's visit to Toronto.
- Also included is one electronic photo of three women working at Lottman's bakery (Helen Wiseman who worked at the bakery for 50 years, Katie Lottman Grossman's mother in law Brancha Loffman, and Gertie who also worked at the bakery for many years)
- There is also a small amount of textual records including two newspaper articles entitled "From Humble Beginnings in Kensington" (National Post, 2006) and "Demise of Lottman's Bakery mounred by all" (CJN, Thursday, November 29, 1984); a cookbook of recipes by Rose Simon entitled Recipes by Rose (2001); as well as five photocopies of photos of the Baldwin Street Boys (1940s).
- Administrative History
- Pearl Godfrey's father was Sam Lottman, owner of Lottman's Bakery which opened in the 1920s and was originally located at 172 Baldwin Street. It had a brick oven and on Friday nights women would bring their pots to keep the chollent warm for the Sabath. Sam Lottman was born in Poland and arrived in Toronto when he was 12 years old. He arrived with nothing but soon got a job as a baker. Sam's first wife Bella died in the 1920s. They had two children Judy Tichberg and Joe Lottman. There was also another daughter that died. Sam was a founder of the Hebrew Loan Society (Axia), where members donated 25 cents per week.
- Pearl's mother was Emma (Birkin) Lottman. She arrived from Poland with her sister and mother in 1919 and was a wig maker. Emma Lottman mother would go with neighbours to collect household items for new immigrants. She also worked alongside Sam in the bakery. They lived on top of the bakery until Pearl was 12 years old. Emma and Sam had three children: Jake Lottman, Katie Grossman and Pearl Godfrey. Pearl went to Ryerson Public School and then to Harbord Collegiate for a year before transferring to Forest Hill.
- The family lived on top of the store until 1947 when they moved to 50 Ava Road in Forest Hill. They built a new store at 191 Baldwin. It had a traveling oven which was very rare at the time, which allowed for the baked goods to move along a conveyer belt through the heat.
- Jake who had built the business alongside his father moved to California. Joe Lottman took over the business when Sam retired. Joe died at the age of 60 in 1981 and his daughter Bonnie Lottman and son Terry Lottman ran the business.
- The bakery closed in 1984.
- Use Conditions
- Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the Archives to obtain permission prior to use.
- Subjects
- Business
- Name Access
- Lottman, Sam
- Lottman, Emma
- Places
- Kensington Market (Toronto, Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2018-4-4
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2018-4-4
- Material Format
- graphic material
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- ca. 35 photographs : b&w and col. ; 33 x 27 cm or smaller
- Date
- 1891-2013
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of material documenting members of Harvey Freeman's family, several of whom served in the armed forces. Included are: family photographs, a Krugel family tree, a copy of Itzik Kriegel (Harvey's grandfather)'s army discharge, an attestation paper for Louis Krugel (Harvey's uncle), a signed program for a "stag whoopee dinner and night of blissful freedom" in honour of Lou Krugel's approaching marriage, and printed images of Harvey's daughter Tamar Freeman in Afghanistan. One of the photographs depicts Louis Krugel with professional wrestler and actor Tor Johnson, aka the Swedish Angel.
- Photo Caption (001): Wellesley Public School, [ca. 1915]. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, accession 2018-4-4.
- Photo Caption (002): Louis Krugel. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, accession 2018-4-4.
- Photo Caption (003): Buba Sluva with Sara, Moe, Lou, and Harry, 1909. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, accession 2018-4-4.
- Photo Caption (004): Berel Krugel in front of 22 Gerard Street West, Toronto, [ca. 1919]. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, accession 2018-4-4.
- Photo Caption (005): Wedding, 28 September 1926. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, accession 2018-4-4.
- Photo Caption (006): Louis Krugel. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, accession 2018-4-4.
- Photo Caption (007): Baba Tzluva with Harry, [189-?]. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, accession 2018-4-4.
- Photo Caption (008): Louis Krugel. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, accession 2018-4-4.
- Photo Caption (009): Shabbat dinner, [ca. 1940]. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, accession 2018-4-4.
- Photo Caption (010): Norman, Buba Sluva, and Bert, [ca. 1922]. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, accession 2018-4-4.
- Photo Caption (011): Family portrait, 1909. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, accession 2018-4-4.
- Photo Caption (012): Harry and Sara, 1916. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, accession 2018-4-4.
- Photo Caption (013): Louis Krugel, [192-?]. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, accession 2018-4-4.
- Photo Caption (014): Louis Krugel and unknown man posing with boxing gloves, [1918?]. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, accession 2018-4-4.
- Photo Caption (015): Louis Krugel, 1918. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, accession 2018-4-4.
- Photo Caption (016): Harvey Freeman at Camp Borden, 1945. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, accession 2018-4-4.
- Photo Caption (017): Unknown. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, accession 2018-4-4.
- Photo Caption (018): Louis Krugel and unknown man, 1918. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, accession 2018-4-4.
- Photo Caption (019): Louis Krugel with Tor Johnson, aka the Swedish Angel, [194-]. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, accession 2018-4-4.
- Photo Caption (020): Signed portrait of Louis Krugel. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, accession 2018-4-4.
- Photo Caption (021): Louis Krugel, [192-]. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, accession 2018-4-4.
- Administrative History
- Harvey Freeman was born on May 22, 1928. As a youth, he attended Harbord Collegiate and went on to join the militia, where he was the lone Canadian Jewish bagpiper.
- Harvey made his living in business, working in different areas including furniture manufacturing and property management. As part of a change in lifestyle, he took up marathons in his early seventies.
- Harvey has four children.
- Use Conditions
- Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director prior to accessing some of the records.
- Descriptive Notes
- ASSOCIATED MATERIALS: Records for Harvey's daughter Tamar can be found in Accession 2013-7-8.
- Subjects
- Afghan War, 2001-
- Families
- Soldiers--Canada
- Name Access
- Freeman, Harvey
- Freeman, Tamar
- Johnson, Tor, 1903-1971
- Places
- Afghanistan
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2019-5-10
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2019-5-10
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 cm of textual records
- Date
- 1945-[1990]
- Scope and Content
- Accession record consists of business cards from several Gwartzman family owned business first established on Baldwin Street by Moshe Aaron Gwartzman and his wife Bella (née Weinstock) as M. A. Gwartzman Silks and Wollens. In addition, there is a 1945 change of address card indicating that the business moved from 421 Spadina Avenue to 448 Spadina Avenue along with business cards from the 448 Spadina location for Gwartzman's Drapery Bargain Centre, Gwartzman's Canvas, Art and Graphic Supplies, and Masters, Fine Art and Stationary Products.
- Subjects
- Stores, Retail
- Places
- Spadina Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Kensington Market (Toronto, Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2019-6-4
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2019-6-4
- Material Format
- textual record
- graphic material
- Date
- 1926-1990
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of photographs of Esther and Jack Gelman, as well as of a sports team at the YMHA and the "Afro Communitee Negro Fliers" sports team. In addition, two copies of Yiddish dictionary books written by Jack Gelman and one copy of a book about Kensington Market by Jean Cochrane. Also included are two pieces of poetry by Jack Gelman, one about Toronto (1974) and one about Terry Fox (1981).
- Accession also consists of a number of original and photocopied newspaper clippings regarding the history of Kensington Market in Toronto (ca. 1988-2010). In addition, two booklets of self-guided tours and the history of Kensington Market are included in accession.
- Custodial History
- Donated by Esther Gelman. Clippings about the history of Kensington Market are from the collection of husband Jack Gelman.
- Administrative History
- Jack Gelman was born in Toronto, ON on October 28, 1929. Jack's parents emigrated to Canada from Eastern Europe in 1926. In the 1930s, the Gelman family lived at 105 Denison Street in Toronto, south of Dundas and near Spadina. His father, Philip Gelman, owned a horse and wagon that would stable at Sarah Kegerman's house, 26 Nassau St. Philip operated a vegetable stall at 206 Baldwin St. weekly from Thursday to Saturday. Jack attended Ryerson Public School in Alexander Park, and would often fight back at his peers that would beat and bully him for being Jewish.
- Esther Gelman (nee Davidson) was born August 18, 1934. In 1950 she worked at Homebread, and had her Sweet Sixteen party at Club Elgamour on Bloor Street. In 1951, after meeting at the YM-YWHA, Jack Gelman and Esther Davidson married.
- In 1953, Jack became a truck driver for Canadian Paper and Specialties. Esther and Jack's son Alan was born in 1953. The family lived above Jack's parents' shop on Baldwin Street. The couple had three other children: Sharon, Glenn (b. 1960), and Mandy. The children attended Camp Northland and Camp B'nai Brith.
- In 1959, the family moved from Baldwin Street to Bathurst Manor (235 Pannahill Road), as a group of Esther's friends had moved to the neighbourhood. Son Alan had his bar mitzvah at Beth Emeth Bais Yehudah in 1966.
- Use Conditions
- Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the Archives to obtain permission prior to use.
- Subjects
- Yiddish language
- Kensington Market (Toronto, Ont.)--Tours
- Sports
- Places
- Bathurst Manor (Toronto, Ont.)
- Kensington Market (Toronto, Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2018-7-4
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2018-7-4
- Material Format
- graphic material
- textual record
- Physical Description
- ca. 550 photographs : b&w & col.
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 1939-1971, predominant 1965-1971
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of material created and accumulated by Stephen Speisman during the course of his research into Jewish communities in Toronto. Included are photographs of Toronto synagogues and reproductions of photographs of St. John’s Ward and Kensington Market c. 1890s-1920s, as well as individual and group portraits. The photographs are accompanied by copies of excerpts of Robertson's Landmarks of Toronto and periodicals. There is also a photograph of the Trades Labour Congress in London, Ontario (1939).
- Custodial History
- Bill Gladstone acquired the materials contained in this accession from Stephen Speisman.
- Use Conditions
- Conditional Use. Researchers must receive permission from the donor prior to publication. Please contact the OJA for more information.
- Subjects
- Synagogue architecture
- Synagogues
- Name Access
- Speisman, Stephen A., 1943-2008
- Places
- Kensington Market (Toronto, Ont.)
- Toronto (Ont.)
- St. John's Ward (Toronto, Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Item 535
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Item
- 535
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [194-]
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs : b&w (1 negative); 21 x 26 cm and 4x 5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Item is a copy photograph of a procession at Kiever Synagogue, Toronto. Second from left is Isaac Belfer who was Gabbai of Kiever Shul for many years.
- Notes
- Credit Mr. Jack Belfer.
- Name Access
- Belfer, Isaac
- Kiever Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Subjects
- Processions
- Synagogues
- Repro Restriction
- 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.
- Places
- Kensington Market (Toronto, Ont.)
- Accession Number
- Acquired June 22, 1975.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Item 2551
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Item
- 2551
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [ca. 1940]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w
- Scope and Content
- Zalman Cohen is pictured in the window.
- Name Access
- Cohen, Zalman
- Subjects
- Barbershops
- Storefronts
- Repro Restriction
- 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.
- Places
- Denison Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Dundas Street West (Toronto, Ont.)
- Kensington Market (Toronto, Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 1981-2-3
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Item 4316
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Item
- 4316
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 11 May 1941
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)
- Scope and Content
- Pictured in this photograph, left to right: Mrs. Bertha Goldberg, [unknown], Mrs. Disenhouse, Mrs. Weinrib, [unknown], Mrs. Gittel Rakowsky, [unknown], Mrs. Levy, Mrs. Gertrude Seifman.
- Subjects
- Mother's Day
- Restaurants
- Repro Restriction
- 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.
- Places
- Dundas Street (Toronto, Ont.)
- Kensington Market (Toronto, Ont.)
- Spadina Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 1987-3-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Item 526
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Item
- 526
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [194-]
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 4x 5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Item is a photograph of a seder at the home of Pinchas and Tovi Rudolph in Toronto.
- Notes
- Acquired 19 June 1975.
- Name Access
- Rudolph, Pinchas
- Rudolph, Tovi
- Subjects
- Seder
- Repro Restriction
- 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.
- Places
- Kensington Market (Toronto, Ont.)
- Oxford Street (Toronto, Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Item 4033
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Item
- 4033
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [1947 or 1948]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w
- Admin History/Bio
- Benjamin Barsh was the music director for the Standard Theatre and played viola with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Joseph Barsh with his son Preston Barsh. The photograph was taken in front of Standard Barber Shop, which was owned by Joseph's father Joshua and mother Gittel. In the background is Goldenberg's Restaurant, Shopsowitz', and the Victory Theatre.
- Subjects
- Conductors (Music)
- Fathers and sons
- Streets
- Repro Restriction
- 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.
- Places
- Dundas Street West (Toronto, Ont.)
- Kensington Market (Toronto, Ont.)
- Spadina Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 1986-3-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Item 3776
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Item
- 3776
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [ca. 1934]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w
- Scope and Content
- Item is a photograph of Rebecca Berger at her parents' home at 90 Denison Avenue.
- Name Access
- Berger, Rebecca
- Denison Avenue
- Subjects
- Women
- Repro Restriction
- 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.
- Places
- Denison Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Kensington Market (Toronto, Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 1985-7-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Item 4015
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Item
- 4015
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [ca. 1945]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w
- Scope and Content
- Pictured in the background of this photograph is a D. Dworkin Steamship Agency sign.
- Name Access
- Goldberg, Roslyn
- D. Dworkin Steamship Agency
- Repro Restriction
- 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.
- Places
- Dundas Street West (Toronto, Ont.)
- Kensington Market (Toronto, Ont.)
- Spadina Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 1986-3-6
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Ladovsky family fonds
- Level
- Fonds
- Fonds
- 83
- Material Format
- graphic material
- textual record
- Date
- [ca. 1890]-2012
- Physical Description
- 3.5 cm of textual records
- 185 photographs : b&w and col. and sepia toned ( 10 negatives, 4 slides, 3 contact prints) ; 26 x 20 cm or smaller
- Admin History/Bio
- Aaron Ladovsky (1888-1960) was born in 1888 in Kielce, Poland. He immigrated to Toronto in 1906 at the age of 18. Soon after arriving, Aaron Ladovsky worked to help form a Jewish bakers’ union to advocate for collective rights among Jewish Bakers. In 1911 he married Sarah Eichler who was from his home town of Kielce, Poland. In 1912 he opened the United Bakers Dairy Restaurant at Dundas and Bay Streets (known then as Agnes and Terauley Streets respectively) in the heart of the Ward. That same year, the couple had twin sons, Herman and Samuel, who were born on September 23, 1912.
- Only a short time later, in 1920, Aaron moved the location of his restaurant to 338 Spadina Avenue, just north of Dundas. He and his family lived in an apartment upstairs. Herman and Samuel attended Hester How Elementary School until 1919, Lord Lansdowne Public School once the family moved to Spadina, and later Central Commerce. The twins worked in the family business in the 1920s delivering fresh breads and buns by horse cart.
- Aaron Ladovsky was involved in a number of community organizations. He was instrumental in founding the Kieltzer Society of Toronto in 1913, a community based immigrant-aid association extending aid to Kielcers in Poland and around the world. Ladovsky remained an active member of the organization until his death on April 5, 1960. His restaurant provided a welcome gathering place for the Jewish community, serving traditional dishes and maintaining a friendly open-door policy. Aaron Ladovsky was known for his generosity and claimed that no one, whether they had money or not, left his restaurant hungry. The United Bakers' menu was mainly based on Sarah’s original recipes, and continues to be so to this day.
- During the Second World War, Herman served overseas as an electrician in the Canadian army show with comics Johnny Wayne and Frank Shuster. After returning from the war, he married Dora Macklin in 1947, a registered nurse from Regina. He also began to take over management of the family business. Later, his son Philip and daughter Ruth would follow in his footsteps, helping to run the restaurant with him and later taking over managment. United Bakers remained on Spadina Avenue for 66 years, until 1986 when it moved to its current location at 506 Lawrence Avenue West, off of Bathurst Street. Herman was an active fixture in restaurant until his death on January 6, 2002. He also supported and was involved in the work of the Ontario Jewish Archives over the years. Today, Philip and Ruth carry on the family tradition of running United Bakers Dairy Restaurant. In May 2012 the restaurant celebrated its 100th anniversary.
- Custodial History
- The records were donated in multiple small accessions by Herman Ladovsky from 1977 until 2004.
- It appears as though previous archivists integrated some materials into a manuscript group relating to Aaron Ladovsky and then later deconstructed a portion of this group into original accessions. Also, a number of periodicals and textual materials from these accessions were integrated into various other manuscript groups and remain there.
- One item, a Lord Lansdowne School anniversary booklet which contains a photocopy of Herman's student record, remained in the Aaron Ladovsky manuscript group. This item could not be identified as part of a previous accession, but has been integrated into the fonds as it appears to have been donated by Herman.
- Photo #3050 was not associated with an accession number, but documents United Bakers Dairy Restaurant and was likely donated by Herman Ladovsky.
- Recent accruals have been donated by Ruth Ladovsky.
- Scope and Content
- The fonds consists of records documenting the Ladovsky family in Kielce, Poland and Toronto. It is primarily made up of photographs of Ladovsky family members in Kielce and Toronto, and of various organizations that Aaron and Herman were involved in. There are also a few textual records that document the Ladovsky family and their involvement in the Kieltzer Society.
- Notes
- Newspaper clippings were photocopied and placed in the Aaron Ladovsky vertical file.
- Many photographs were originally cited with diifferent numbers. These numbers are mentioned below photo descriptions.
- Name Access
- Kieltzer Sick Benefit Society (Toronto, Ont.) (subject)
- Ladovsky, Aaron, 1888-1960 (creator)
- Ladovsky (family)
- Ladovsky, Herman, 1912-2002 (creator)
- United Bakers Dairy Restaurant (subject)
- Related Material
- Se MG 2B-1R
- See vertical file on Aaron Ladovsky
- Arrangement
- Records have been organized by media and chronology due to low volume and disparate subject matter. Textual records have been arranged in 17 files. Photographs have been arranged chronologically and are largely described at the item level.
- Places
- Kensington Market (Toronto, Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 1977-7-5
- 1978-12-7
- 1981-1-2
- 1983-11-6
- 1988-4-12
- 1993-10-1
- 1994-1-3
- 1999-11-4
- 2000-4-4
- 2004-5-21
- 2004-5-82
- 2008-4-9
- MG 6 E6
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Fonds 83; File 9; Item 22
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 83
- File
- 9
- Item
- 22
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [1942 or 1943]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Scope and Content
- Item is a photograph of a family party at the Londoner Shul. Aaron Ladovsky is seated on the far left, between the third and fourth tapestry.
- Notes
- Formerly identified as photo # 3831.
- Name Access
- Anshei England
- Hebrew Men of England Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Londoner Shul
- Zarnitsky, Faivel
- Zarnitsky, Rochel
- Subjects
- Parties
- Repro Restriction
- 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.
- Places
- Kensington Market (Toronto, Ont.)
- Spadina Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 1983-11-6
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Item 61
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Item
- 61
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 1945
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 18 cm
- Scope and Content
- Item is a photograph of the Minegarten house decorated for their son's homecoming from the Second World War in 1945. The house has a banner on the front porch that says "Welcome Home Hymie."
- Notes
- There is a corresponding negative for this photograph.
- Name Access
- Minegarten, Hymie
- Nisker, Mollye
- Subjects
- Brick houses
- Homecoming
- World War, 1939-1945
- Repro Restriction
- 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.
- Places
- Kensington Market (Toronto, Ont.)
- Oxford Street (Toronto, Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Item 1182
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Item
- 1182
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 1944
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)
- Scope and Content
- Item is a photograph of Faye Hyman in front of Hyman's Book Shop.
- Name Access
- Hyman's Book and Art Shop (Toronto, Ont.)
- Hyman, Faye
- Subjects
- Small business
- Repro Restriction
- 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.
- Places
- Kensington Market (Toronto, Ont.)
- Spadina Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 1977-1-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Item 4034
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Item
- 4034
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [1947 or 1948]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w
- Admin History/Bio
- Benjamin Barsh was the music director for the Standard Theatre and played viola with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Joseph Barsh with his son Preston and his wife Tania. The photograph was taken in front of Standard Barber Shop, which was owned by Joseph's father Joshua and mother Gittel. In the background is Goldenberg's Restaurant, Shopsowitz', and the Victory Theatre.
- Subjects
- Conductors (Music)
- Families
- Streets
- Repro Restriction
- 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.
- Places
- Dundas Street West (Toronto, Ont.)
- Kensington Market (Toronto, Ont.)
- Spadina Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 1986-3-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions