Accession Number

1977-11-1

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records (1 vol.)

Date

1953-1956

Scope and Content

Accession consists of one bound register documenting the students of the Toronto Hebrew Free School (Brunswick Talmud Torah) in Toronto from 1953 to 1956.

MG_RG

MG2G1E

Subjects

Schools

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Brunswick Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2007-10-5

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Date

1977-2003

Scope and Content

Accession consists of materials documenting Congregation Iyr Hamelich, the Reform synagogue in Kingston. The records include the constitution, Sunday school minutes and policy documents, synagogue bulletins, correspondence and "Welcome to our Congregation" booklets.

Subjects

Religion

Name Access

Congregation Iyr Hamelich

Places

Kingston, Ont.

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2009-3-5

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Date

1980

Scope and Content

Accession consists of a report prepared by JIAS Canada detailing the situation of recent immigrant arrivals to various small communities in Ontario. The communities discussed are Cambridge, Hamilton, Kitchener, London, Ottawa, St. Catharines and Windsor.

Custodial History

The custodial history for this item is unknown. The accession number has been assigned by the assistant archivist.

Subjects

Immigrants--Canada

Communities

Name Access

Jewish Immigrant Aid Services (Toronto, Ont.)

Places

Cambridge (Ont.)

Hamilton (Ont.)

Kitchener (Ont.)

London (Ont.)

Ottawa (Ont.)

St. Catharines (Ont.)

Windsor (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Part Of

Morris Norman collection

Level

Item

Fonds

22

Item

10

Material Format

textual record

Date

1947

Physical Description

1 item

Name Access

Temple Anshe Sholom (Hamilton, Ont.)

Places

Hamilton (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Hoffman family fonds

Level

Fonds

Fonds

6

Material Format

textual record

architectural drawing

moving images

Date

1946-1981

Physical Description

17 cm of textual records

10 architectural drawings

ca. 9 film reels : 16 mm

Admin History/Bio

Max and Celia Hoffman were married in 1958 in Hamilton and had two sons. Max was the owner of Hamilton Plumbing and Heating Supplies. Both were active in a number of Jewish community organizations in Hamilton such as the Council of Jewish Organizations, Adas Israel synagogue and the Union of Jewish Congregations of America, Ontario Region. They were also involved in fundraising on behalf of Yeshiva University, which is located in New York City. Max Hoffman died in 1964 and Celia moved to Toronto in 1966 when she married Sol Edell.

Scope and Content

Fonds consists of correspondence, ledgers, publications, home movies and architectural drawings relating to the family life, business and community activities of Max and Celia Hoffman. There are three series: Business Series, Community Activities Series and Personal Series.

Name Access

Adas Israel Congregation (Hamilton, Ont.)

Council of Jewish Organizations

Federation

Hoffman (family)

Subjects

Families

Creator

Hoffman family

Places

Hamilton (Ont.)

Accession Number

2002-12-2

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Hoffman family fonds

Personal series

Level

File

Fonds

6

Series

3

File

1

Material Format

textual record

Date

1956-1959

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Admin History/Bio

The Beverly Golf and Country Club was a club founded by members of the Jewish community living in the vicinity of the city of Hamilton. Mr. and Mrs. Max Hoffman, Mr. and Mrs. Sol Hoffman and Mr. and Mrs. Morris Kam were members.

Scope and Content

File consists of correspondence from the Beverly Golf and Country Club regarding general rules, membership fees and club programmes. As well, there is a copy of the constitution, an annual report for the year 1959 and a membership list.

Name Access

Hoffman, Max

Hoffman, Sol

Kam, Morris

Subjects

Golf

Places

Hamilton (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Rabbi Nachman Shemen fonds

Canadian Federation to Aid Polish Jews in Israel series

Level

File

Fonds

103

Series

1

File

1

Material Format

textual record

Date

1936

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of handwritten lecture notes and a newspaper clipping documenting Shemen's lecture on Polish Jewry and the struggle between existence and ruin. Shemen presented this lecture to the "Not to Worry!" Club (or "Be of Good Cheer!" Club) in Radomer Hall, 210 Beverley Street.

Subjects

Jews--Poland

Lectures and lecturing

Physical Condition

The lecture notes are rolled and difficult to unfurl.

Places

Beverley Street (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Accession Number

2012-6-7

Material Format

graphic material

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

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

Date

[190-]-2003

Scope and Content

Accession consists of original and photocopies of photographs related to the Lyons, Agranove, Rotenberg, Pollock families from Toronto and Hamilton. Included are family portraits, wedding portraits, the family likely at community events, and a photo of the family at Crystal Beach. There is also a photocopy of a story in the Canadian Jewish News about a Rotenberg family reunion in 2003.

Administrative History

William Agranove was active in Keiltzer Society and was in the furniture manufacturing business. He was also a major fundraiser for the UJA, a close friend of Sam Kronick. He is mentioned in Hesh Troper's book "None is Too Many" as helping Jews come to Toronto from Europe.

Rotenberg Family were a large family with 10 children. Saul Rotenberg raised horses and was partners with Lyons in the furniture business that had many locations, one on Yonge Street.

Descriptive Notes

Donor's cousin Judy will be in touch with OJA to provide more information.

Subjects

Families

Places

Hamilton (Ont.)

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2015-9-6

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Date

1950-1972

Scope and Content

Accession consists of letters to and from Dr. Joseph Klinghofer, the Educational Director of Canadian Jewish Congress. The correspondence relates to the search for ritual and educational leaders for placement in Jewish communities outside of Toronto such as St. Catharines, Timmins, Belleville, Peterborough, Kirkland Lake, Guelph, Hamilton, Bramalea, North Bay, Windsor, Maritimes, Manitoba and the USA.

Custodial History

There is no information on the acquisition of this material.

Subjects

Education

Religion

Communities

Name Access

Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region (Toronto, Ont.)

Klinghofer, Joseph

Places

St. Catharines (Ont.)

Timmins (Ont.)

Belleville (Ont.)

Peterborough (Ont.)

Kirkland Lake (Ont.)

Guelph (Ont.)

Hamilton (Ont.)

Bramalea (Brampton, Ont.)

North Bay (Ont.)

Windsor (Ont.)

Manitoba

United States

Maritime Provinces

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2016-6-2

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

architectural drawing

Physical Description

30 cm of textual records

2 photographs : b&w ; 35 x 28 cm and 35 x 21 cm

5 architectural drawings : blueprint, blackline and pencil

Date

1921-1988, predominant 1944-1954

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records documenting the community involvement of Aaron Shiffman and his father Hymie Shiffman. The bulk of the records relate to Hamilton's Grand Order of Israel, the first GOI lodge organized in Canada. These records include meeting minutes and agendas, bulletins, card notices sent out to the membership, membership applications, correspondence sent and received, financial reports, resolutions, membership and attendance lists, doctor's certificates for membership, installation ritual procedural manuals, the constitution and by-laws, a financial ledger book for the GOI cemetery board, and cemetery plans for the GOI cemeteries in Burlington.

Also included are various records related to the Jewish community of Hamilton and its institutions, as well as items collected by Aaron Shiffman. This includes dedication books for the Jacob N. Goldblatt Memorial Building Hamilton Jewish Community Centre, and for the Temple Anshe Sholom Synagogue; Hamilton Hadassah yearbooks for 1947 and 1948; reports and meeting minutes of the Council of Jewish Organizations (Hamilton); meeting minutes of the Agudas Achim Anshe Sfard Congregation (Hamilton); a Prayer and Thanksgiving pamphlet on the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II; an H. Shiffman business card; a McCaul Street Synagogue (Toronto) book of remembrance; Second World War food and gasoline ration books; a Beth Jacob Synagogue tour pamphlet (Hamilton); records related to the marriage of Bessie Kramer to Jack Gold and the naturalization of her father, Koppel Kreimer; poetry in Yiddish written by an unknown author; a printed card of the Israeli National Anthem; a Beth David cemetery map; a Jewish National Worker's Alliance payment reminder notice; and a 1940 letter written in French by a man named Elio to a woman named Chaindel asking her to intervene on his behalf. The author of the letter may be in a prison camp.

Finally, there are two photographs: a group photo of an Adas Israel Loan Society banquet and an unidentified photograph of a celebratory parade, (perhaps for the Balfour declaration) taken at an unknown location.

Administrative History

Aaron Shiffman (1930-) was born in Hamilton on 6 June 1930 to Hymie and Jenny Shiffman. Hymie immigrated from Poland in 1925, followed by Jenny around 1926. He first worked as a junk peddler. Aaron married Sheila Herzig (16 June 1940, Montreal-14 July 1999, Hamilton) on 2 Sept. 1968. They had three children; Nechemiah, Zev, and Yaffa. Aaron was a bookkeeper by profession and teacher at the Talmud Torah. He held executive positions with a number of organizations including the Grand Order of Israel, Adas Israel Synagogue, the Ohav Zedeck (Hess Street) Synagogue, the Ferguson Avenue Shul, the Chevra Kadisha of Hamilton and region, and the Hamilton Talmud Torah. Sheila was a teacher at the Hamilton Hebrew Academy elementary day school and was on the executive of Emunah Women.

Name Access

Shiffman, Aaron, 1930-2019

Grand Order of Israel (Hamilton, Ont.)

Places

Hamilton (Ont.)

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2017-9-4

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

38 cm of textual records

6 photographs : b&w and col. ; 10 x 15 cm or smaller

Date

1914-2017

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records relating to labour and the garment industry in Toronto, Montreal, and Hamilton. Newspaper clippings, book chapters, scholarly articles, lecture notes, book reviews, short stories, statistical and demographic records, records relating to Queen's University, and records relating to Beth Israel Congregation in Kingston, Ontario are included. Organizations mentioned are the International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU) and the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America (ACWA). Some personal family records are also included. Records printed on pink paper are photocopies from the ILGWU and ACWA archives at Cornell University.

Administrative History

Dr. Gerald Tulchinsky was Professor Emeritus at Queen's University, Department of History, and author of several books on the history of Canadian Jewry and labour issues in Canada. His books include: Shtetl on the Grand (2015); Joe Salsberg: A Life of Commitment (2013); Canada's Jews: A People's Journey (2008); Branching Out: The Transformation of the Canadian Jewish Community (1998); Taking Root: The Origins of the Canadian Jewish Community (1992); and The River Barons: Montreal Businessmen and the Growth of Industry and Transportation, 1837-53 (1977). Tulchinsky was born in Brantford, Ontario in 1933 to Harry and Anne Tulchinsky. He resided in Kingston, Ontario until his death on 13 Dec. 2017.

Use Conditions

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

Descriptive Notes

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE: This accession also includes numerous books, some of which don't relate to our mandate. The books that we have retained have been integrated into the OJA's library holdings. USE CONDITION NOTE: Access restricted until ten years after the donor's death, at the donor's request. Records will reopen on Dec. 14, 2027. LANGUAGE NOTE: Some of the material is in French.

Subjects

Labour and unions

Fashion and clothing

Name Access

Tulchinsky, Gerald, 1933-2017

Places

Hamilton (Ont.)

Montréal (Québec)

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2018-1-10

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Date

1953

Scope and Content

Accession consists of correspondence from the acting director of the Children's Aid and Infants' Homes of Toronto located at 32 Isabella Street to the executive director of the Jewish Immigrant Aid Society located at 145 Beverly Street. The subject of the correspondence concerns a reference for an applicant for the position of investigator in the Protection Department of the Children's Aid and Infants' Homes.

Custodial History

Item was discovered while processing CJC Fonds 17 holdings.

Use Conditions

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

Subjects

Orphanages

Name Access

Children's Aid and Infants' Homes of Toronto

Places

Beverley Street (Toronto, Ont.)

Isabella Street(Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2018-11-6

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

4 folders

Date

1949-2015, predominant 1949-1976

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material documenting Glen Eker and his family. Included are: birth certificates and an expired passport for Dorothy Horwitz, certificates of marriage (including a ketubah) for Dorothy Eker and Paul Eker, a true copy of a change of name order for Isadore Maxwell Eker/Paul Maxwell Eker, and a Valentine's Day-themed photograph of Glen and Deborah "Debbie" Eker taken on 9 February 2015.

Administrative History

Glen Eker was born in Toronto, Ontario to Paul Eker and Dorothy Horwitz. He grew up in the Forest Hill neighbourhood of Toronto before moving with his family to Hamilton. He received two master’s degrees (one in sociology, the other in political science) from McMaster University and a third master’s degree (in library science) from the University of Toronto.

Glen's wife, Deborah Pekilis, was born in Montreal and lived there until her parents moved to Toronto. She was the librarian for the Jewish Genealogical Society and sat on the Hamilton Historical Board. She is currently a writer.

Glen has worked as a research assistant and a teaching assistant at McMaster and has taught at Ryerson University and Mohawk College. At present, he works as an estate and genealogy researcher.

Glen has published a book on Karl Marx, five indexes of Jews in Canada, and one index of Amish and Mennonites in Canada. His genealogy articles have appeared in various magazines and his short stories and poems have appeared in print as well.

Glen has worked on his family genealogy for a number of years. His paternal family line derives from Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, and Poland while his maternal line derives from Byelorussia and Romania. He is descended from the Horwitz and Strachman families on the latter.

Subjects

Birth certificates

Families

Marriage records

Name Access

Eker (family)

Eker, Glen

Places

Hamilton (Ont.)

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2019-4-2

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

ca. 3 cm. of textual records 1 photograph

Date

1976-1990

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material documenting Glen Barry Eker. Included are university diplomas including graduation certificates from McMaster University, the University of Waterloo, and the University of Western Ontario. There is also an undated graduation photograph of Mr. Eker and a card given to Dorothy Eker, Glen Eker's mother, by her husband, Paul Eker.

Administrative History

Glen Eker was born in Toronto, Ontario to Paul Eker and Dorothy Horwitz. He grew up in the Forest Hill neighbourhood of Toronto before moving with his family to Hamilton. He received two master’s degrees (one in sociology, the other in political science) from McMaster University and a third master’s degree (in library science) from the University of Toronto.

Glen's wife, Deborah Pekilis, was born in Montreal and lived there until her parents moved to Toronto. She was the librarian for the Jewish Genealogical Society and sat on the Hamilton Historical Board. She is currently a writer.

Glen has worked as a research assistant and a teaching assistant at McMaster and has taught at Ryerson University and Mohawk College. At present, he works as an estate and genealogy researcher.

Glen has published a book on Karl Marx, five indexes of Jews in Canada, and one index of Amish and Mennonites in Canada. His genealogy articles have appeared in various magazines and his short stories and poems have appeared in print as well.

Glen has worked on his family genealogy for a number of years. His paternal family line derives from Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, and Poland while his maternal line derives from Byelorussia and Romania. He is descended from the Horwitz and Strachman families on the latter.

Subjects

Married people

Portraits

Postsecondary education

Name Access

Eker (family)

Eker, Glen

Places

Hamilton (Ont.)

London (Ont.)

Waterloo (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Community Relations Committee series

Anti-Semitism cases sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

5-3

File

102

Material Format

textual record

Date

1937

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of correspondence regarding the Hamilton Tennis Club's membership restrictions against Jewish people.

Notes

Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.

Subjects

Clubs

Places

Hamilton (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Community Relations Committee series

Anti-Semitism cases sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

5-3

File

159

Material Format

textual record

Date

1943

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of correspondence documenting a complaint that a housing development financially supported by the government has a clause restricting Jews from buying houses.

Notes

Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.

Subjects

Discrimination in housing

Places

Hamilton (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

The Shuls Project fonds

Ontario synagogues series

Level

File

Fonds

64

Series

2

File

8

Material Format

graphic material

textual record

Date

1979

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

94 photographs : col. slides, (12) b&w prints (4 negatives), b&w negatives ; 35 mm and 12 x 9 cm

Subjects

Synagogues

Repro Restriction

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

Places

Hamilton (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

The Shuls Project fonds

Ontario synagogues series

Level

File

Fonds

64

Series

2

File

10

Material Format

graphic material

textual record

Date

1979

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

61 photographs : col. slides, (8) b&w prints ; 35 mm and 12 x 9 cm

Subjects

Synagogues

Repro Restriction

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

Places

Hamilton (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

The Shuls Project fonds

Reference series

Level

File

Fonds

64

Series

5

File

16

Material Format

textual record

Date

1969

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File contains a copy of the synagogue's history.

Subjects

Synagogues

Repro Restriction

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

Places

Hamilton (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Accession Number

2021-4-2

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

3.6 m of textual records and graphic material

Date

[195-]-2020

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records documenting Temple Anshe Sholom of Hamilton, Ontario.

Administrative History

In the early 1850s, a small group of German Jewish families settled in the city of Hamilton. In 1853, they banded together to form the Hebrew Benevolent Society Anshe-Sholom of Hamilton. Religious services began in 1856 and in the next year, a half-acre plot was purchased as a cemetery site. On May 5, 1863, a “Body Corporate and Politic under the name of the Jewish Congregation Anshe-Sholom of Hamilton” was formed listing 19 founding members. Early meetings were held in members’ homes, with religious services, at first, largely restricted to the High Holy days. In 1866, a room was rented above a leather goods shop in downtown Hamilton; this was the first formal synagogue location for Temple Anshe Sholom.

Less than 20 years later, a site was chosen and the necessary funds were raised to construct a synagogue. Often referred to as the Hughson Street Temple, this building was dedicated in 1882. It served as the congregation’s home for almost 70 years. Edmund Scheuer, who arrived in Hamilton in 1871, served as president of Anshe Sholom for thirteen years from 1873 to 1886. Scheuer was the founder and first teacher of the religious school. He was an early proponent of interfaith understanding, a value and tradition that Anshe Sholom carries forward to the present day. The congregation pioneered in introducing English into the service, both in prayer and in the sermons, which had previously been given in German. Women no longer sat in a separate gallery; families sat together in pews. Music was introduced, both instrumental and vocal.

In 1870, the Deborah Ladies’ Aid Society (later Deborah Sisterhood) was founded, being the first group of Jewish women organized for charitable purposes in all of Canada. Sisterhood has always been a vital part of Temple Anshe Sholom, involved in numerous humanitarian, educational, charitable and social projects.

The great wave of immigration that swept into Canada in the late 19th and early 20th centuries brought many families, mainly Orthodox, to the community. During this period, men and women from Anshe Sholom were instrumental in founding such vital Jewish organizations as the B’nai Brith, Council of Jewish Organizations, Jewish Social Services and the Council of Jewish Women.

After the Second World War, Temple Anshe Sholom became the first synagogue in Hamilton to make the post-war move westward. On April 15, 1951, the sod was turned for the new building and in June of 1952, a dedication weekend saw the scrolls ceremoniously installed in the Ark. Rabbi Maurice N. Eisendrath was on hand to preach the Dedication Sermon. Thirteen years later, the addition that houses the present Reiss-Frank Auditorium, Religious School classrooms, library, youth lounge and offices was erected, more than doubling the size of the building on its present site.

Throughout the years, the following served as spiritual leaders: Wolf Landau, Herman Birkenthal, Joseph Friedlander, Jacob Minkin, Julius Berger, Iser Freund, Arthur A. Feldman, Arthur Lebowitz, Emil Fackenheim, Luitpold Wallach, Bernard Baskin, Irwin Zeplowitz, Phil Cohen and our current rabbi, Jordan D. Cohen (Anshe Sholom’s first Canadian born Rabbi), who began his service to this congregation on January 1, 2007.

At this time, Temple Anshe Sholom is traditional yet innovative in its worship and ritual observance. The congregation is inclusive and embraces diversity. Its core values include education, social justice, egalitarianism, creative expression, congregational participation in prayer and leadership, strong identification with Israel and dynamic, relevant spirituality. The Temple building also serves as home to the Temple Playhouse Multicultural Enrichment School and the Kehila Jewish Community Day School and Les Petites Pommes French School, and hosts many community organizations such as a Storytellers Group, The Shalom Community Teaching Garden, The Asper Foundation Human Rights and Holocaust Studies Program, The Mahjong Club, The Hamilton & Area Jewish Genealogical Society, various community meetings and gatherings and several youth arts and activities programs and summer camps.

Temple Anshe Sholom celebrated its 170th anniversary in 2020 as Canada’s first Reform Jewish congregation.

(text taken from https://anshesholom.ca/about-us/our-history, 2023-02-24)

Subjects

Synagogues

Name Access

Temple Anshe Sholom (Hamilton, Ont.)

Places

Hamilton (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2021-11-5

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

19 photographs : b&w and col. ; 44 cm x 32 cm or smaller

Date

1917-1977, 1992, 2013

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records documenting members of the Shekter and Taylor families of Hamilton, Ontario. Included are three Negev Dinner books honouring Jack Taylor, Samuel Taylor, and Franklin Shapiro; news clippings documenting the viewing of the Hamilton Jewish Community Centre featuring Ben Shekter as well as Ben Shekter's obituary; and photographs depicting Ben Shekter, Harry Taylor, Dorothy (Taylor) Shekter, Jeanette Miller, Rebecca Taylor, Sam Taylor, James L. Shekter, and members of the Temple Players at Anshe Sholom Temple in Hamilton. Other locales featured in the photographs are Palm Springs, Hollywood Beach, and Hamilton. Also included are two oversized childhood portraits of Dorothy Taylor (aged approx. 6 years) and Ben Shekter (aged approx. 1 year).

Administrative History

Dorothy Shekter (née Taylor) (1915-2010) was born in 1915 in Hamilton, Ontario, to Max and Rebecca Taylor. Max and Rebecca moved from Russia to Canada in around 1906 and established a grocery business in Hamilton. Rebecca was a community worker; Max served as president of the Hess Street Shule for many years and was president and also one of the founders of the Ohav Zedek Congregation. Dorothy had four brothers: Jack, Lloyd, Harry and Sam, and a cousin Jeanette Miller, who has raised as a sister after being orphaned at age two. Dorothy married her husband Ben Shekter on 30 Aug. 1942. Dorothy was a social worker, having graduated from McMaster University in 1939 and then with her MSW from the University of Toronto in 1941. Dorothy passed away on 9 Feb. 2010.

Ben Shekter (1915-2013) was born on 6 Aug. 1915 in Hamilton, Ontario, to James and Lillian Shekter. He was an activist, a lawyer, a musician, and an advocate. His father owned the Shekter hotel on James St. North in Hamilton. As president of Hamilton Jewish Federation, Ben was committed to the Hamilton Jewish community and contributed to building and developing the Jewish Community Centre in Hamilton. Ben was one of the founding members of the Beverly Golf and Country Club (est. 1957) and was president of the club several times. Later, Ben initiated the plan for establishing Shalom Village, a Jewish seniors' residence and nursing home in Hamilton, and was its first president. In addition, Ben was also a board member of Hamilton Place, chairman of the Council of Jewish Organizations, and was active in the downtown Businessmen's Association. Ben passed away on 4 July 2013.

Jack Taylor, Dorothy's brother, was born on 5 Sept. 1905 in Russia and immigrated to Canada at the age of six months with his parents. He attended Hamilton public schools and Central Collegiate in his early years. From 1926 to 1928, he moved to New York and attended Columbia University studying playwriting and dramatics. Jack married Florence Cohan in 1929 and had a daughter, Shirley. Jack joined the Grand Order of Israel in 1934 and became the Grand Noble Master of the Grand Lodge in 1949 and 1961. He also served as chairman of the Territorial Division of the United Jewish Appeal, Men's Division in the 1950s. In 1956 and 1957, Jack served as president of the Council of Jewish Organizations. In 1963, Jack was president of Viceroy Reading Lodge of B'nai B'rith and also president of the United Hebrew Memorial Chapel. In the same year, after working at Hamilton Auto Parts for nineteen years, Jack established his own business, Taylor Automotive Supplies. In the 1970s, Jack served as vice-president of the Jewish National Fund (JNF) of Hamilton and was the honouree of the 1971 Hamilton Negev Dinner.

Samuel Taylor, Dorothy's brother, was born in 1916. He became a professional musician at age fifteen and continued in music from age eighteen to twenty-six. During the Second World War, Sam served in the Air Force Central Band and began his studies in the accounting field at the same time. In 1948, he graduated as a chartered accountant and opened the firm of Taylor, Leibow Chartered Accountants in 1950. In the same year, Sam married Anne Klein and had two children, Michael and Robin. From 1974 to 1976, Sam served as president of Hamilton JNF. In 1974 and 1975, he served as president of United Jewish Welfare Fund. Besides, Sam was a member of the Board of the Ontario Association of Licensed Trustees in Bankruptcy and a member of Executive Board of United Israel Appeal of Canada. In 1977 he became president of Hamilton Jewish Federation and was the honouree of the 1977 Hamilton Negev Dinner.

Use Conditions

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

Places

Hamilton (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2022-12-9

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

object

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records and other material

Date

1958-1967

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material documenting Nancy Levy, primarily education records, such as citizenship awards and scholarship awards issued by the Board of Education for the City of Hamilton, Ontario. It also consists of certificates and patches issued by the Canadian Red Cross Society and the Royal Life Saving Society of Canada while at Camp Kadimah and Hamilton's Recreation Centre as well a photograph of a Temple Anshe Sholom confirmation class taken in 1967. Identified in the photograph are: (back row) Michael Epstein, Paul Simon, Leslie Mitchinick, Rabbi Baskin, Michael Isaac, Robert Mitchnick, Harold Barnett, Brian Singer, (front row) Cheryl Hebscher, Sharon Leutcher, Robin Raphael, Gerrie Perrell, Nancy Levy, Jacqueline Houston, Elaine Hotz, Ethel Landrecht, and Debbie Minden.

Administrative History

Nancy Levy was born in 1951 to Corinne (née Cohn) and Edgar Levy. (Corinne and Edgar's name was originally Moshe Noss. He was born in the Ukraine and orphaned at an early age. Around 1921 he immigrated to Canada through the help of a Mr. Grafstein. Once in Canada, Edgar and his brothers were adopted into different families. The Levy family adopted Edgar and he took their name.

Edgar married Corrine Cohn in 1946. Edgar had a business in Hamilton called Piston Service, which was a wholesaler for car parts. Corrine drove a truck for this business and eventually became the bookkeeper for another firm. After marriage, they lived in Hamilton at 18 West Third.

Nancy had two younger siblings: Ann (1956–) and Lois (1958–2018). She married Wayne Greenberg in 1979 and they divorced around 1985. She studied medical lab technology at a community college and worked at various hospitals and businesses, including Henderson Hospital in Hamilton and Baycrest.

Use Conditions

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

Descriptive Notes

Availability of other formats: Digitized material.

Subjects

Confirmation (Jewish rite)

Education

Name Access

Temple Anshe Sholom (Hamilton, Ont.)

Places

Hamilton (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions