Accession Number
1985-11-2
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1985-11-2
Material Format
graphic material
Physical Description
1 slide : col.
Date
1983
Scope and Content
Accession consists of a coloured slide of the former UJA Federation Building at 152 Beverley Street.
Subjects
Architecture
Name Access
UJA Federation of Greater Toronto
Places
Beverley Street (Toronto, Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2005-7-3
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2005-7-3
Material Format
graphic material
Physical Description
ca. 300 slides : col. ; 35 mm
Date
1977-1978
Scope and Content
Accession consists of photographs taken during visits by CJC Central Region officers to Ontario Jewish communities, and at Canadian Jewish Congress events and meetings in various communities. Accession also includes photos of Jewish interest in Italy.
Subjects
Communities
Name Access
Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region (Toronto, Ont.)
Friedman, Morris
Markish, Esther
Eisenberg, Joe
Wexler, Boris
Acker, Abe
Brownstone, Sam
Klafter, Gershon
Rosen, Marty
Fackenheim, Emil
Rosensweig, Philip
Saiger, Norman
Sadowski, David
Gryfe, Mark
Hillel (Kingston, Ont.)
Frey, Marcus
Horowitz, Shlomo
Katz, Stan
Pliscow, Morris
Places
Cambridge (Ont.)
Chatham (Ont.)
Sudbury (Ont.)
Kirkland Lake (Ont.)
Thunder Bay (Ont.)
Sault Ste. Marie (Ont.)
North Bay (Ont.)
Oshawa (Ont.)
Belleville (Ont.)
Windsor (Ont.)
Pembroke (Ont.)
Peterborough (Ont.)
Guelph (Ont.)
Hamilton (Ont.)
London (Ont.)
Kitchener (Ont.)
Owen Sound (Ont.)
Toronto (Ont.)
Barrie (Ont.)
Orillia (Ont.)
Kingston (Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2007-10-5
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
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
28 Jul. 1929
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 24 x 74 cm
Scope and Content
Item is a copy panoramic photograph of the Weber family on a picnic in Scarborough. The individuals have been identified on the photograph.
Subjects
Families
Picnics
Portraits, Group
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
Scarborough (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
1986-10-10
Source
Archival Descriptions
Name
Ethel Abramsky
Material Format
sound recording
Interview Date
8 Nov. 1981
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Ethel Abramsky
Number
OH 42
Subject
World War, 1939-1945
Women
International Order Daughters of the Empire (IODE)
Interview Date
8 Nov. 1981
Quantity
2 cassettes (1 copy)
1 CD
4 WAV files
Interviewer
M. Feldman
Total Running Time
001: 30.53 minutes 002: 30.50 minutes 003: 31.25 minutes 004: 30.42 minutes
Conservation
Copied to cassette in August 2003.
Digitized in January 2015.
Notes
Sound quality poor in many sections.
Use Restrictions
Conditional access. Researchers must receive permission from the interviewee or their heir prior to accessing the interview. Please contact the OJA for more information.
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Biography
Ethel Abramsky (née Levin) came to live in Kingston after her marriage to Harry Abramsky in 1927. Ethel remained an active member of the Queen Esther Chapter of Hadassah throughout her life. Harry, an industrialist and business man, was a generous benefactor of Queens University and was instrumental in establishing Hillel House at Queens. Ethel and Harry had three children and eight grandchildren.
Material Format
sound recording
Language
English
Name Access
Abramsky, Ethel
Abramsky, Harry
Canadian Hadassah-WIZO
International Order Daughters of the Empire (IODE)
Geographic Access
Kingston (Ont.)
Florida
Poland
Original Format
Audio cassette
Copy Format
Digital file
Audio cassette
Transcript
G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 42 - Abramsky\OH42_001_Log.pdf
G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 42 - Abramsky\OH42_002_Log.pdf
G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 42 - Abramsky\OH42_003_Log.pdf
G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 42 - Abramsky\OH42_004_Log.pdf
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Harry Abramsky
Material Format
sound recording
Interview Date
6 Jul. 1982
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Harry Abramsky
Number
OH 49
OH 50
Subject
Kingston
Interview Date
6 Jul. 1982
Quantity
2
Interviewer
Stephen Speisman and Marjorie Feldman
Total Running Time
OH49_001: 31.04 minutes
OH49_002: 31.00 minutes
OH50_001: 30.59 minutes
OH50_002: 1:09 minutes
Conservation
Copied August 2003
Notes
Poor audio quality in many sections. OH50_002 started in the middle of the story; cut at 1:09.
Use Restrictions
Conditional access. Researchers must receive permission from the interviewee or their heir prior to accessing the interview. Please contact the OJA for more information.
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Biography
Harry Abramsky was born in Kingston on 29 September 1897. He and his wife, Ethel, were highly respected by citizens and business owners in Kingston. They were also loyal friends of Queen's University. Over the years, they have made many gifts to the university, including funds for the construction of a building that was completed in 1957. In 1974, the building was renamed as Abramsky Hall in their honour. (There is also Abramsky Laboratory in Botterell Hall.) An area within the Agnes Etherington Art Centre is dedicated to the memory of the Abramsky family. The Harry Abramsky Scholarship in the School of Business at Queen's University was also given by Harry Abramsky. Harry Abramsky was a life member of the Royal Kingston Curling Club. He died in February 1988, aged ninety.
Material Format
sound recording
Language
English
Geographic Access
Kingston (Ont.)
Original Format
Audio cassette
Copy Format
CD
Transcript
G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 49, OH 50 - Abramsky\OH49_001_Log.pdf
G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 49, OH 50 - Abramsky\OH49_002_Log.pdf
G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 49, OH 50 - Abramsky\OH50_001_Log.pdf
G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 49, OH 50 - Abramsky\OH50_002_Log.pdf
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Sarah Green
Material Format
sound recording
Interview Date
7 Jan. 1975
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Sarah Green
Number
OH 4
Subject
Families
Immigrants--Canada
Neighborhoods
Interview Date
7 Jan. 1975
Quantity
1
Interviewer
Sophie Milgram
Total Running Time
38 minutes 44 seconds
Conservation
Copied August 2003
Use Restrictions
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Biography
Sarah Green (née Patlik) grew up living in Toronto's Junction neighbourhood. The family home and scrap yard business were both located on Maria Street, which served as the centre for Jewish life in the Junction during the early 1900s. Sarah Patlik was involved with numerous charitable organizations including the Ontario Hospital School of Orilla and the Rubinoff and Naftolin Mishpocha.
Material Format
sound recording
Language
English
Name Access
Green, Sarah
Geographic Access
Kingston (Ont.)
Maria Street (Toronto, Ont.)
Portland Street (Toronto, Ont.)
Stanley Street (Toronto, Ont.)
West Toronto Junction (Toronto, Ont.)
Original Format
Audio cassette
Copy Format
Audio cassette
Digital file
Transcript
G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 4 - Green\OH4_Log.docx
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Mort Abramsky
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
17 Oct. 2007
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Mort Abramsky
Number
OH 322
Subject
Families
Rotary Club
retail business
Synagogues
B'nai Brith
Interview Date
17 Oct. 2007
Quantity
2 mini-DVs, 2 archival DVDs, 2 reference DVDs
Interviewer
Sharon Gubbay Helfer
Total Running Time
1 hr 45 mins
Notes
Part of Ontario Small Jewish Communities Project.
Use Restrictions
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Biography
Mort Abramsky was born in Montreal but spent his life in Kingston. He inherited a family business empire started more than a century ago by his grandfather, Polish immigrant Joseph Abramsky, and his parents, Harry and Ethel.
Joseph Abramsky turned a door-to-door trade in clothes, sheets and towels into a business empire that at one time counted ten department stores spread across eastern Ontario. It was handed down through successive generations of family who gradually diversified into real estate and property management, as the margins in downtown general merchandise retailing shrank and then disappeared entirely. The flagship of that empire was Abramsky's general store, which closed in 1996, a victim of the poor economy of the time and increased competition from other retailers in the sector.
Abramsky also owned Mort Enterprises, which managed and developed properties and was responsible for initially bringing chains, including McDonald's Restaurant and Blockbuster Video, to downtown Kingston. He was a philanthropist and tireless booster of Kingston, active with local organizations including the Beth Israel Synagogue, the B'nai Brith and Jewish Council, the YMCA, the Rotary Club, St. John Ambulance, Kingston General Hospital, and the Masonic Order. The family's Abramsky Charitable Foundation has also helped hundreds of local organizations and families in causes large and small, ranging from Queen's campus construction to assisting local families who had been burned out of their homes.
Abramsky was married to Shirley, his wife of fifty-three years. The couple had three children, Jay, Karen and Leonard, and nine grandchildren. Abrahamsky died in November 2009, aged eighty-two.
Material Format
moving images
Geographic Access
Kingston (Ont.)
Montréal (Québec)
Original Format
Mini DV
Copy Format
DVD
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Morris Lazarus
Material Format
sound recording
Interview Date
8 Jun. 2010
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Morris Lazarus
Number
OH 367
Subject
Canada--Armed Forces
Canada--Prisoners of war
World War, 1939-1945
First Special Service Forces
Airbourne commandos
Interview Date
8 Jun. 2010
Quantity
1 reference DVD (WAV file)
1 archival DVD (Wav file)
Interviewer
Stephanie Markowitz
Total Running Time
37 minutes
Notes
This interview is part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
http://www.thememoryproject.com/search/?query=morris+lazarus
Biography
Morris Lazarus was born in Wood Mountain, Saskatchewan and moved to Toronto in 1938. After enlisting in 1942 in the Canadian Forces, he served with the Airbourne Commandos and participated in Operation Mount La Difensa, part of the Italian Campaign. He was also stationed in Anzio, Italy. Lazarus was captured and taken prisoner by the Germans. Lazarus was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.
Material Format
sound recording
Geographic Access
Saskatchewan
Kingston (Ont.)
Italy
Original Format
DVD
Copy Format
DVD
Transcript
0.8-2.38 Morris Lazarus was born 1918 on a homestead in Wood Mountain, Saskatchewan. After living briefly in Regina, the family moved to Toronto in 1938. 2.40-3.00: Lazarus talks about his enlistment in the army. 3.00-3.28: Background noise interrupts conversation. 3.30-4.45: Lazarus talks about his enlistment in the army. 4.46-6.52: Lazarus talks about volunteering for the Canadian Para Battalion. 6.53-7.59: Lazarus talks about being sent to a military camp in Montreal. 8.00-9.30: Lazarus talks about his parachute training while stationed in Ethan Allen, Vermont. 9.31-13.49: Lazarus tells the story of his first parachute jump from a plane. 13.50-14.45: Lazarus talks about being sent overseas first to Algiers and then Naples. 14.46-15.06: Interviewer tells Morris she can hear him playing with a kleenex in his hand and to it. Morris apologizes. 15.20-16.25: Lazarus talks about his participation in Operation “Mount La Difensa.” 16.25-19.00: Lazarus describes the climb to reach the summit of Mount La Difensa. 19.01-19.24: Lazarus talks about his commanding officer. 19.25-21.00: Lazarus continues to talk about climbing the summit of Mount La Difensa. 21.01-21.47: Lazarus provides a humorous antecdote about what to do when you are in a foxhole and need to use the washroom. 21.48-22.47: Lazarus talks about the attack procedure to take Mount La Difensa. 22.48-23.16: Lazarus talks about an incident involving himself and his commanding officer during the attack to take Mount La Diefensa. 23.17-25.17: Lazarus talks about his relationship with his commanding officer. 25.18-26.00: Lazarus talks about volunteering in the field. 26.01-28.16: Lazarus talks about the most unusual thing that happened to him in his lifetime while on patrol at Anzio. 28.17-31.14: Morris tells the story of his capture by a German patrol. 31.15-32.33: Morris talks about his feelings as a Jew being taken prisoner by Germans. 32.34-34.20: Morris describes the ensuing fight between his platoon and the German patrol. 34.21-35.22: Morris talks about his survival during his capture and ensuing fight. 35.23-36.29: Morris talks about overcoming his fear of going on patrol. 36.30-36.58: Morris talks about the sixtieth reunion of the men with whom he served in Italy. 36.59-37.30: Morris talks about his present day involvement in Kingston’s Jewish community.
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Lynne and David Ginsburg
Material Format
sound recording
Interview Date
19 Nov. 2010, 17 Dec. 2010
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Lynne and David Ginsburg
Number
OH 431
Subject
Canada--Emigration and immigration
Jews--South Africa
South Africa--Emigration and immigration
Interview Date
19 Nov. 2010, 17 Dec. 2010
Interviewer
Jessica Parker
Total Running Time
South African Oral History 2, Part I: 1 hr. 34 min.
South African Oral History 2, Part II: 1 hr. 8 min.
South African Oral History 2, Part III: 1 hr. 9 min.
Biography
David and Lynne both come from medical families: All four of their parents were doctors and all four attended University of Cape Town Medical School at the same time. As for David and Lynne, they began dating while Lynne was in medical school and David was completing his residency program.
South Africa’s political situation was one of the main reasons David and Lynne began thinking about leaving as neither of them wanted to raise children under the apartheid regime. Their first son was born in 1965 and by 1967 they had left. The family spent a year in Glasgow before moving to Boston, where David worked at Harvard Medical School. It was during this time that they had their second child.
Because of the fact David was eligible to be conscripted if he immigrated to the United States, the couple took out student visas, which expired after three years. If the Vietnam War had not been taking place, it is conceivable that the family would have remained in the United States, David and Lynne having already adjusted to American culture and made friends in the area.
With their visas set to expire, the couple considered immigrating to a number of countries, but settled on Canada. After their arrival, their third child was born. Once David and Lynne were settled in Canada they were joined by several other family members.
David and Lynne are now retired and enjoying the best years of their life. Their son and two daughters live in Toronto and they have ten grandchildren ranging in age from twenty-four to ten years as of November 2018.
Material Format
sound recording
Language
English
Name Access
Ginsburg, David
Ginsburg, Lynne
Geographic Access
Boston (Mass.)
Cape Town (South Africa)
Durban (South Africa)
Glasgow (Scotland)
Kingston (Ont.)
London (England)
Pretoria (South Africa)
Original Format
Digital file
Copy Format
Digital file
Transcript
Part I:
00:27 Lynne discusses how she and David met, courted, and married.
00:46 David and Lynne and their respective parents graduated from medicine at the University of Cape Town in South Africa.
01:45 Lynne and David's son Neil was born in Cape Town in 1965.
01:50 Lynne explains their reasons for leaving South Africa in February 1967.
02:25 Lynne and David spent one year in Glasgow and three years in Boston.
02:58 Lynne and David have a second child.
03:22 Lynne explains why they were forced to leave the United States.
05:07 Lynne explains how she and David moved to Canada, specifically Kingston.
08:48 Lynne and David discuss the warm community of Kingston.
09:00 David and Lynne describe the positive and negative features of living in Boston.
11:14 Lynne was born in Pretoria, moved to Durban, and then moved to Cape Town.
12:25 David and Lynne reminisce about Cape Town.
13:10 David's brother and sister and Lynne's sister emigrated. Lynne's brother left for a short time but returned to South Africa.
13:40 David and Lynne muse about some of the changes that have occurred in South Africa.
15:42 David's father's family was from Lithuania; his mother's family was from Latvia. Lynne's father's family was from Lithuania; her mother's family was from Latvia. Lynne cites a trip made by her sister to Lithuania.
16:47 Lynne and David discuss safety concerns and high level of crime in South Africa and how it affected them personally.
19:24 Lynne addresses the inefficiency of modern-day South Africa.
21:30 Lynne discusses some of her family's history, including her grandparents and parents. Her maternal grandfather came from Lithuania and married her South-African-born grandmother. They lived briefly in the United States, where her mother was born. Her maternal grandparents came from Lithuania but were married in Cape Town. Her father was born in Cape Town. She discusses the challenges faced by her father as well as his accomplishments in the field of medicine.
25:55 Lynne describes her family's experiences during the Second World War: her father's role as a surgeon enlisted with the British army and her pregnant mother evacuated out of London to South Africa.
28:24 Lynne addresses the role of living near a Jewish community impacted her family.
31:12 David discusses some of his family's history. He shares a colourful story of how his maternal grandparents fled from Russia (Lituhania). They settled in a small town, Sterksstroom, South Africa. David shares a few stories about his father and family.
34:15 David and Lynne reminisce about the apartheid situation in South Africa during their childhood. David discusses the link between the nationalists and Israel He notes that the current South African government is anti-Israel and anti-Jewish.
36:47 David and Lynne cite incidents of antisemitism during their childhood.
38:17 David discusses the risk of making political comments during his university years.
39:14 Lynne discusses some of the restrictions imposed by the apartheid regime.
42:43 Lynne comments that her family had minimal contact with Israel and Zionist movements.
46:50 Lynne's parents spoke Yiddish with one another. David's mother spoke Yiddish, not his father. Lynne and David speak Afrikaans.
52:33 Lynne discusses her family's practice of Judaism.
55:05 David discusses his family's practice of Judaism.
56:52 Lynne and David continue to discuss Jewish practices and the customs of their grandparents.
59:46 Lynne and David describe some of the struggles faced by their grandparents' generation and the sacrifices they made for their children. They relate some stories about David's grandfather.
1:04:44 Lynne and David recall some Jewish memories while living in Glasgow and Boston.
1:10:47 Lynne discusses her experience of becoming a bat mitzvah at age fifty-three.
1:15:26 Lynne describes their involvement with the Jewish community in Kingston.
1:18:52 Lynne and David describe some of the recent changes in practice in the Kingston synagogue.
1:20:59 Lynne and David describe their children's Jewish education and practice.
1:22:42 Lynne and David share some of their views about Judaism and practice.
1:28:48 Lynne and David relate a story involving a kiddush cup brought from Europe by David's grandfather.
1:30:16 Lynne's maiden name was Heselson.
1:30:32 Lynne presents and discusses her father's military service and medals.
1:32:20 David and Lynne list their and their parents' medical specialties.
Part II
00:00 David describes his family's religious practice, including his paternal grandfather and father. David describes his own observance.
07:50 Lynne discusses her family's practice of Judaism. She recalls celebrating Jewish holidays with neighbours, the Gelfands. David and Lynne reminisce about Jewish foods.
Source
Oral Histories

A Two-Cent Stamp

A Way to Meet People

Racial Segregation

Name
Aubrey and Lucille Groll
Material Format
sound recording
Interview Date
28 Jun. 2011
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Aubrey and Lucille Groll
Number
OH 432
Subject
Canada--Emigration and immigration
Jews--South Africa
South Africa--Emigration and immigration
Interview Date
28 Jun. 2011
Interviewer
Jessica Parker
Total Running Time
South African Oral History 1, Part I - 30 min.
South African Oral History 1, Part II - 21 min.
South African Oral History 1, Part III - 1 min.
Biography
Aubrey and Lucille both grew up Jewish in South Africa, but in many respects their experiences of Yiddishkeit were quite different. The son of Orthodox Eastern European parents, Aubrey grew up in a kosher household that took religion very seriously, even if his parents, who owned a small business, had to work Friday evenings in order to make ends meet. Lucille, on the other hand, was the daughter of German immigrants to South Africa who belonged to a Reform synagogue; as a result, she was less familiar with the nuances of kashrut. After meeting Lucille, Aubrey’s mother made several phone calls to verify that her future daughter-in-law was, in fact, Jewish.
Lucille tells a story related to her lack of familiarity with kashrut that illustrates several aspects of Jewish life under apartheid South Africa. When Aubrey was fourteen years old, his family employed a servant of the same age who went on to work for the family for decades. Years later, when Lucille was staying with Aubrey’s family, the servant, despite being non-Jewish, would inquire whether Lucille would be giving her child meat or milk that night and would then proceed to put out the food along with the appropriate plates. Immediately after doing so, he would tell Lucille not to touch anything until he returned in the morning lest she inadvertently violate kashrut!
Aubrey and Lucille left South Africa in 1965, ending up in Kingston after a two-year stay in Birmingham, Alabama. Aubrey became one of the first Jewish academics to teach at Queen’s University while Lucille found interesting jobs in social work, ending her career at Kingston General Hospital. Initially, they had some difficulty integrating into the local Jewish community, but the situation improved as they slowly became more integrated into the Jewish community and more Jewish academics settled in Kingston. Aubrey and Lucille have four children and are the proud grandparents of ten grandchildren. Aubrey passed away in February, 2018.
Material Format
sound recording
Language
English
Name Access
Groll, Aubrey
Groll, Lucille
Geographic Access
Kingston (Ont.)
South Africa
Original Format
Digital file
Copy Format
Digital file
Transcript
Part 1:
01:07 Lucille Groll (née Godfrey) shares some of her family history. Her parents were born in Germany. Her father (né Gothelf) came to South Africa in the late 1920s as an adult. Her mother came to Johannesburg as an infant and was educated in a convent.
02:36 Lucille describes her Jewish upbringing as Reform and liberal with minimal Zionism.
03:10 Lucille's brother attended a Reform summer camp with Zionist leanings.
03:34 Lucille discusses her Jewish education, practice of Jewish holidays, and her Jewish social life.
06:50 Lucille's parents and other elders spoke German at home.
07:14 Lucille recalls the German-style food eaten at her home.
09:34 Lucille's maternal grandfather came to South Africa in 1910, returned to Germany, and then returned to South Africa after the First World War.
10:41 Aubrey shares some of his family history. His parents were married in Lithuania and migrated to Furrow, a farming community. His parents ran a general store. He had two brothers.
13:38 Aubrey discusses his upbringing in Somerset West such as going to school and Jewish practices (Shabbat, kashrut, holidays, Zionism).
15:44 Aubrey discusses her father's affiliation with the Revisionist Zionism. He relates an anecdote involving a visit by Menachem Begin to their town.
16:35 Aubrey discusses her parents' involvement with the synagogue.
17:28 Aubrey reminisces about his education, bar mitzvah, foods, the Jewish community, synagogue life, Hebrew school, and keeping kashrut.
22:00 Aubrey notes that his parents did not discuss the Holocaust or their family's history, despite losing all of the family that remained behind in Lithuania.
23:20 Aubrey's parents spoke Yiddish with one another and friends but not with their children.
25:35 Lucille recalls first meeting Aubrey and his family.
26:45 Aubrey discusses antisemitism during his school years.
27:48 Lucille relates a humorous about Aubrey's mother confirming Lucille's Jewish background.
28:38 Lucille and Aubrey discuss how they met.
Aubrey explains how they ultimately moved to Kingston, Ontario in 1967 via Birmingham, Alabama.
Part 2:
01:36 Lucille discusses her work as a social worker in psychiatry.
02:10 Aubrey and Lucille discuss their relationships with Lynne and David Ginsburg and their role in helping David find work in Kingston.
03:24 Lucille explains how she assumed there would be a Jewish community in Kingston. She shares her impressions of the Jewish community when they arrived. Aubrey shares his impressions as well.
06:20 Aubrey and Lucille were the first Jewish South Africans in Kingston. Other South Africans came to Kingston in 1969 and the 1970s. Aubrey discusses the involvement of South African Jews in the Kingston Jewish community.
08:23 Lucille discusses her family's involvement in the Jewish community in Kingston.
09:22 Lucille discusses her children and grandchildren and their practice.
14:10 ?Joyce (Aubrey's relative?) relates an anecdote about finding and repairing some old candlesticks.
15:45 Lucille discusses changes in Jewish practice over time in Canada versus South Africa.
16:50 Aubrey shares comments about the strong sense of Zionism and Jewish identity in South Africa during his youth.
19:35 Lucille notes that most South African Jews in Toronto have been affiliated with an Orthodox synagogue on Bayview Avenue and the Reform Temple Emanu-El.
Part 3:
00:00 Aubrey briefly discusses the prominence of Zionist movements and camps in South Africa.
00:48 Mention some prayer books.
Source
Oral Histories

Holiday Celebrations

Not Marrying Jewish

Name
Ivan Zarenda
Material Format
sound recording
Interview Date
21 Jul. 2011
15 Jun. 2012
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Ivan Zarenda
Number
OH 434
Subject
Canada--Emigration and immigration
Jews--South Africa
South Africa--Emigration and immigration
Interview Date
21 Jul. 2011
15 Jun. 2012
Interviewer
Jessica Parker
Total Running Time
Part I: 46 min.
Part II: 1 hr. 4 min.
Biography
Ivan’s parents arrived in South Africa from Lithuania around 1930. Prior to immigrating, they knew each other from Klykoliai, a shtetl in northwestern Lithuania. Ivan’s father was the first to arrive, taking up work at a concession store in the mining town of Brakpan. As for Ivan’s mother, she came over with her mother after her siblings had prepared a home for them in Brakpan. After being sent to a convent in Rhodesia in order to learn English, she returned to Brakpan where she married Ivan’s father. Together, the couple raised two children, who grew up with their maternal grandmother, who only spoke Yiddish. Consequently, Ivan grew up speaking Yiddish as well as English. He even gave his bar mitzvah speech in Yiddish, causing his Lithuanian grandmother to beam with pride.
Although they were not well off, Ivan’s parents managed to send their two sons to university. As an undergraduate, Ivan studied pharmacy at Rhodes University in Grahamstown. He met his wife while visiting his parents in Kimberley, where they had moved and were managing a hotel. The two were introduced on a blind date and corresponded for well over a year when Ivan went to do a post-graduate degree in industrial pharmacy at the University of Michigan. When Ivan returned to South Africa to take up a job in Cape Town, the two dated, became engaged, and married. In 1990, they immigrated to Canada with their two children as part of a job transfer. After a short stay in Brockville, the family relocated to Kingston, where they were active in Jewish life. Ivan’s wife, Daphne, passed away in 2006. He moved from Kingston to Toronto in 2018, joining his children Marc and Shelley and families who live there.
Material Format
sound recording
Language
English
Name Access
Zarenda, Ivan
Geographic Access
Kingston (Ont.)
South Africa
Original Format
Digital file
Copy Format
Digital file
Source
Oral Histories

Friendship with Afrikaners

Name
Harvey Brownstone and Howard Levine
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
18 Oct. 2019
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Harvey Brownstone and Howard Levine
Number
OH 451
Subject
AIDS (Disease)
Homophobia
Judaism--Relations--Christianity
Same-sex marriage
Sexual minorities
Social movements
Synagogues
Interview Date
18 Oct. 2019
Interviewer
Michael Friesen
Total Running Time
1 hr. 18 min.
Notes
Associated material: Records of Chutzpah are located in the ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives.
General note: The OJA has a copy of Harvey Brownstone's article "I Now Pronounce You Wife and Wife," which was originally published in the fall 2014 edition of Reform Judaism Magazine. The article mentions Chutzpah and may be of interest to researchers.
Use Restrictions
See administrative notes.
Biography
Harvey Brownstone was born on 24 July 1956 in Paris, France and raised in Hamilton, Ontario. His father was a social worker who worked at the Hamilton Jewish Community Centre for thirty-five years and was director for twenty-one years (from 1967–1988). Brownstone obtained his LLB degree from Queen's University and was appointed a provincial judge with the Ontario Court of Justice in 1995. He was the first openly gay judge appointed in Canada. He resides in Toronto.
Howard Levine was born in Toronto on 29 June 1947. He earned his bachelor of arts (political science with urban planning) from the University of Waterloo and his master in environmental studies (urban planning and public transportation) from York University. From 1973 to 1975, he worked as a consultant with Peat, Marwick and Partners. From 1976 to 1982, he worked as an area and general planner with the City of Toronto's Planning and Development Department. From 1982 to 1988, he was sole proprietor of HJL Consulting. From 1988 to 1994, he served as councillor for Ward 14. After serving his second term as city councillor, Levine returned to HJL Consulting.
Material Format
moving images
Language
English
Name Access
Bolton, Elizabeth
Brownstone, Harvey, 1956-
Canadian Jewish Congress
Canadian Jewish News
Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives
Casey House (Toronto, Ont.)
Cecil Community Centre (Toronto, Ont.)
Church of the Holy Trinity (Toronto, Ont.)
Chutzpah (Toronto, Ont.)
Congregation B'nai Kehillah of Toronto
Eggleton, Art, 1943-
Farber, Bernie
Hamilton JCC
Hawkes, Brent, 1950-
Hudson, Rock, 1925-1985
Holy Blossom Temple (Toronto, Ont.)
Keshet Shalom (Toronto, Ont.)
Levine, Howard, 1947-
Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto
Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre
Primrose Club (Toronto, Ont.)
Queen's University (Kingston, Ont.)
Robinson, Svend, 1952-
Royal Ontario Museum
Slater, Ruth
Temple Emanu-El (Toronto, Ont.)
World Congress of Gay & Lesbian Jewish Organizations
York University (Toronto, Ont.)
Geographic Access
Amsterdam (Netherlands)
Hamilton (Ont.)
Kingston (Ont.)
Toronto (Ont.)
Waterloo (Ont.)
Original Format
Digital file
Transcript
0:00.20 Harvey Brownstone and Howard Levine introduce themselves.
0:00:27 Harvey discusses what it was like coming of age as a gay Jewish man in Ontario. Harvey grew up in Hamilton, Ontario, where his father was the director of the Hamilton JCC. His mother had a French-imported ladies' wear store. After coming out to his parents in the 1970s, he moved to Kingston, Ontario, where he attended Queen's University.
0:03:13 Howard discusses how his experience was different. He was born and raised in downtown Toronto. His father died when he was a teenager; his mother got sick soon after. As a result, Harvey was largely on his own. He went off to Waterloo for university and then York for graduate school. It's around that time he came to terms with who he was.
0:05:05 Howard discusses a gay Jewish group, B'nai Kehillah, that existed before Chutzpah. It met at the Church of the Holy Trinity, an Anglican church in Toronto.
0:06:19 Harvey and Howard discuss what Chutzpah was, when it started, and how they became involved.
0:09:40 Harvey discusses a trip Chutzpah took to the Royal Ontario Museum, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were being exhibited. It was on this trip that Harvey "really met" Howard.
0:10:10 Harvey discusses how he and Howard came to the conclusion that Chutzpah could be more than "just a place to meet."
0:11:11 Harvey discusses the impact the AIDS epidemic had on Chutzpah's focus. Harvey explains that after American Actor Rock Hudson's death, AIDS was front page news in big cities like Toronto.
0:12:03 Harvey discusses the decision to have Friday night Oneg Shabbats in the late 1980s. Initially, these were held at the Cecil Community Centre on Cecil Street in Toronto. Howard used his position as city councillor to make this happen.
0:13:14 Harvey discusses why the Cecil Community Centre was not an ideal location for the group's services. Howard, therefore, approached the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre and got the group a room for Friday nights.
0:14:52 Harvey discusses Chutzpah’s decision to join the World Congress of Gay & Lesbian Jewish Organization (today, World Congress of GLBT Jews).
0:15:40 Harvey discusses the group's decision to attend a World Congress of Gay & Lesbian Jewish Organizations conference in Amsterdam.
0:17:40 Harvey relates an event hosted by the then mayor of Amsterdam, in which the mayor laid a wreath with a pink triangle to honour gay victims of the Holocaust. Harvey and Howard discuss being moved by this.
0:18:50 Harvey mentions some of the things that came out of the Amsterdam conference.
0:20:05 Harvey and Howard discuss Chutzpah's decision to host a conference in Toronto. The conference, which took place in 1990, was held at the Primrose Hotel.
0:23:16 Harvey and Howard discuss the decision to invite Svend Robinson, Canada's first openly-gay member of parliament, to speak at the conference.
0:23:38 Howard interjects to explain that he was never "out" while on city council. Despite this, he "did a number of things," including getting benefits for same-sex couples and proclaiming Pride Day in Toronto. Howard notes that Art Eggleton, Toronto's mayor at the time, was opposed to proclaiming Pride Day.
0:24:37 Harvey and Howard discuss the Toronto conference some more. Harvey discusses a group of five women cantors who performed at the banquet. The group included Elizabeth Bolton, a cantor at Temple Emanu-El, and Ruth Slater, a cantor at Temple Anshe Sholom.
0:26:50 Harvey and Howard discuss the lack of press coverage for the conference. An exception was the Canadian Jewish News.
0:28:30 Harvey and Howard discuss some of Chutzpah's other initiatives: having a booth at Pride, selling corned beef sandwiches to raise money, and selling rainbow yarmulkes. The group also marched in Pride with a banner.
0:28:56 Harvey discusses Chutzpah's support for Pflag (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). He notes that many gay Jews found the most traumatic part of coming out to be the issue of the parents.
0:29:48 Harvey and Howard discuss the mainstream Jewish community's response to the AIDS crisis. Howard says it was in denial. He also discusses his involvement with the Canadian Jewish Congress' Community Relations Committee and Bernie Farber inviting him to join the committee.
0:31:15 Howard discusses how things have changed. He says Chutzpah dissolved because it wasn't needed anymore.
0:32:55 Harvey expands on Howard's point that there was no more need for Chutzpah.
0:33:30 Harvey and Howard clarify Chutzpah's timeline: Harvey joined the group in the mid-1980s. It lasted until the mid-1990s. At that point, it transformed into Keshet Shalom. That group became defunct in the early 2000s. That's when Howard donated his records to the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives (now the ArQuives).
0:34:14 Harvey and Howard discuss how they never agreed that Chutzpah should have become Keshet Shalom (a congregation). They discuss their reasons for not wanting to be a congregation.
0:35:43 Harvey and Howard discuss how many members Chutzpah had at its peak.
0:36:11 Harvey and Howard discuss Chutzpah's relationship with the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto and Brent Hawkes, one of the church's pastors. They also discuss an unnamed member of the church, a reverend, who identified as both Jewish and Christian and who attended several of Chutzpah's Friday night services.
0:39:28 Harvey and Howard discuss the lack of antisemitism they encountered in non-Jewish gay and lesbian communities.
0:40:28 Harvey and Howard discuss the presence (or lack thereof) of Chutzpah ads in the Jewish press. They note that the Canadian Jewish News did cover the Toronto conference.
0:41:59 Harvey and Howard discuss issues facing the Jewish LGBT community in 2019. Harvey mentions the ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) community as one area of concern. He also discusses elevated rates of suicide among gay youth.
0:45:56 Howard discusses the isolation of gay and lesbian Hasids.
0:46:22 Howard discusses the viewpoint of Toronto's established Jewish community today.
0:47:34 Harvey and Howard share their final thoughts.
Source
Oral Histories
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[189-?]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 18 x 13 cm
Scope and Content
This item is a copy portrait of Mrs. Rivha Bennett with her children.
Name Access
Bennett, Rivha
Subjects
Mothers and sons
Portraits, Group
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
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1986-3-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1909]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 17 x 12 cm
Notes
Photograph is a copy.
Name Access
Walker, Benjamin
Walker, Edith
Walker, Leah
Walker, Mrs. Benjamin
Subjects
Families
Portraits, Group
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
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1986-3-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1909]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 17 x 12 cm
Notes
Photograph is a copy.
Name Access
Beth Israel Congregation (Kingston, Ont.)
Silverman, Echo
Silverman, Syd
Subjects
Weddings
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
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1986-3-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 3952
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
3952
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[194-]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 17 x 12 cm
Notes
Photograph is a copy.
Name Access
Canada. Royal Canadian Navy
Edward, Ryan
Subjects
Canada--Armed Forces
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
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1986-3-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1923]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 17 x 12 cm
Notes
Photograph is a copy.
Name Access
Kizel, Aaron
Subjects
Children
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
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1986-3-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1950]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 17 x 12 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph is of the clothing store owned by Jack Rosen.
Notes
Photograph is a copy.
The accession form for this item is missing.
Name Access
Jack's Outfitting
Subjects
Storefronts
Places
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1986-3-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[191-?]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 17 x 12 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph is a street shot showing Abramsky's store and a street trolley.
Notes
Photograph is a copy.
Name Access
Abramsky, Joseph
Subjects
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
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1986-3-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1943
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative); 16 x 12 cm
Scope and Content
This copy photograph of a young couple after their civil marriage ceremony which took place in the synagogue basement. The couple promised their parents they would be married properly as soon as they were stationed near a Jewish community. The groom was stationed at Norman Rogers air drome. Rabbi Ben Zion Steindel, the first Hillel director in Kingston, is in the second row.
Name Access
Beth Israel Congregation (Kingston, Ont.)
Great Britain. Royal Air Force
Subjects
Newlyweds
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
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1981-6-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1942
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative); 17 x 10 cm
Name Access
B'nai B'rith
Subjects
Parades
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
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1981-6-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1922
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative); 17 x 12 cm
Scope and Content
Back row, left to right: M. Bailey, Sec.; J. Circle, Def. & trainer; I. Yampolsky, Centre; D. Rosenfeld, Pres. Middle row, left to right: "Pep" Susman, Treas.; H.R. Sugel, Forward; B. Morris, Def. (capt.); S. Abramsky, Centre; S. Robinson (Manager) Front row, left to right: M. Speizman, Forward; F.R. Morris, Forward
Notes
Photograph by Morrison Studio, Kingston
Photograph is a copy.
Subjects
Sports teams
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
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1982-7-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1931
Physical Description
3 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 9 x 24 cm and 10 x 12 cm
Scope and Content
Identified in this photograph, from left to right are: W. Todd, E. Cousins, Ralph Abramsky, C. Storr, R. Shephard, C. Cole, D. Daniels, S. Warren, B. Dodd, V. Walsh, J. Handley, W. McMahon, D. Donnelly, W. McDonald, L. Walsh, L. Goodman, F. Blake, L. McDonald, J. Donakee, Sam Abramsky, D. Riley, H. Walker, Alf Pierce, G. Ranger
Notes
Photograph by Morrison Studio, Kingston
Photograph is a copy.
Name Access
Abramsky, Ralph
Abramsky, Sam
Blake, F.
Cole, C.
Cousins, E.
Daniels D.
Dodd, B.
Donnelly, D.
Goodman, L.
Handley, J.
Limestone Lacrosse Club
McDonald, L.
McDonald, W.
McMahon, W.
Pierce, Alf
Ranger, G.
Riley, D.
Shephard, C.
Storr, C.
Todd, W.
Walker, H.
Walsh, L.
Walsh, V.
Warren, S.
Subjects
Clubs
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
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1982-7-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1910]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 17 x 24 cm and 10 x 12 cm
Scope and Content
Identified from left to right are: Geshia & Joseph Abramsky and daughter Katherine.
Notes
Original photograph by J. W. Wilson Co., 169 Queen St. W, Toronto
Photograph is a copy.
Name Access
Abramsky, Geshia
Abramsky, Joseph
Abramsky, Katherine
Subjects
Families
Portraits, Group
Stores, Retail
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
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1982-7-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[190-?]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative); 17 x 24 cm and 10 x 12 cm
Notes
Original photograph by C. H. Boyes, Kingston.
Photograph is a copy.
Name Access
Abramson, Lou
Subjects
Portraits
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
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1982-7-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1909
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 18 x 13 cm and 10 x 12 cm
Notes
Original photograph by Bowerson.
Photograph is a copy.
Name Access
Abramson, Chai
Abramson, Joseph
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
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1982-7-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1908]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 18 x 9 cm (sight, oval) and 10 x 12 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph is a copy of a matted portrait of Ida Abramsky (1882-1950), daughter of Joseph Abramsky and Chaia Novack Abramsky. She was born in Bellorussia and came to Kingston with her family in 1896. She married Moe Breslin 1905 and lived in Toronto until her death in 1950.
Name Access
Abramsky, Ida
Subjects
Immigrants--Canada
Portraits
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
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1982-7-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[190-?]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 17 x 11 cm (sight, oval) and 10 x 12 cm
Notes
Photograph is a copy.
Original photograph by C. H. Boyes, Kingston.
Subjects
Portraits
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.
Physical Condition
Original photograph appears to have been spotted with mould.
Places
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1982-7-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[190-?]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 17 x 11 cm (sight, oval) and 10 x 12 cm
Notes
Photograph is a copy.
Original photograph by C. H. Boyes, Kingston.
Subjects
Portraits
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
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1982-7-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1919]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 18 x 13 cm and 10 x 12 cm
Scope and Content
Portrait of Joseph Abramsky's second wife. Geisha (Gussie) Abramson (1872-1956) was born in Grodna, Gobernia, and came to Canada after meeting and becoming engaged to Joseph Abramsky, her cousin, in Kingston. She had two children, Samuel (1900-1951) and Annette (Anna) (1902-1970).
Notes
Photograph is a copy.
Original photograph by The Cooke Studio, 244 Princess Street, Kingston.
Subjects
Immigrants--Canada
Portraits
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
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1982-7-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1900]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 18 x 13 cm and 10 x 12 cm
Scope and Content
Joseph Abramsky was born November 23, 1857 in Belorussia, to Chaim Heshel (Zvi) Abramsky and Tovah Pessah Belastosky. He came to Kingston, Ontario in 1890 with his wife Chaia Novack and their four children Ida, Edith, Moses and Katherine. Chaia died in 1897 giving birth to their fifth child, Harry. In 1898 Joseph was married again, to his cousin Geisha (Gussie) Abramson. With her, he had two more children, Samuel and Annette (Anna). Joseph died November 23, 1927 in Kingston.
Notes
Photograph is a copy.
Original photograph by Weese of Kingston.
Subjects
Immigrants--Canada
Portraits
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
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1982-7-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1910]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 18 x 13 cm and 10 x 12 cm
Scope and Content
Item is a copy portrait of the daughter of Joseph Abramsky and Chaia Novack. She was born in Volpe, Belorussia, December 18, 1893, and moved to Kingston with her family in 1896. She married Allan Gould of Boston in 1915 and lived in Boston until her death in 1981.
Subjects
Immigrants--Canada
Portraits
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
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1982-7-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1909]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 13 x 18 cm and 10 x 12 cm
Notes
Photograph is a copy.
Original photograph by J. L. Louckhead, Kingston.
Subjects
Families
Portraits, Group
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
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1982-7-9
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1900]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 18 x 13 cm and 10 x 12 cm
Scope and Content
Item is a copy portrait of the Abramsky children, identified from left to right as: Ida, Katherine (Gould), Harry, Edith (Mrs. Hillel Weinberg, Toronto), Moe.
Notes
Original photograph by D. A. Weese, Elite Studio, Kingston.
Subjects
Brothers and sisters
Children
Portraits, Group
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
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1982-7-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1915]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 19 x 24 cm and 10 x 12 cm
Scope and Content
Identified in this photograph are:
First row (front), left to right: L. Carr-Harris, K. Douglas
Second row, left to right: H. Dick, L. Walsh, J. J. Newman, F. Gillespie, H. Somerville
Third row, left to right: W. Schulz, D. Pound, G. Sleeman, R. Davidson, G. Dick, W. Laird, H. Abramsky
Fourth row (back), left to right: G. Vanhorne, W. McFedridge, N. M. Cooke, L. Sleeth, E. Hartick
Notes
Photograph is a copy.
Original photograph by Marrison Studio, Kingston.
Subjects
Sports teams
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
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1982-7-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 574
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
574
Material Format
graphic material
Date
Jun. 1975
Physical Description
3 photographs : col. (1 negative) ; 9 x 13 cm and 35 mm
Scope and Content
This item is a photograph of a sign for Abramsky's Men's Wear in a farmer's field on Highway 2, between Kingston, Ontario, and Gananoque. Ontario. There are two prints and one negative.
Notes
Acquired in June 1975.
Name Access
Abramsky's Men's Wear
Subjects
Men's clothing
Shop signs
Places
Kingston (Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 575
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
575
Material Format
graphic material
Date
June 1975
Physical Description
2 photographs : col. (1 negative) ; 9 x 13 cm and 35 mm
Scope and Content
This item is an original print and corresponding negative of Beth Israel Synagogue in Kingston, Ontario. The synagogue is slightly obscured by several trees.
Notes
Acquired in June 1975
Name Access
Beth Israel Congregation (Kingston, Ont.)
Subjects
Architecture
Synagogues
Places
Kingston (Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 576
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
576
Material Format
graphic material
Date
Jun. 1975
Physical Description
2 photographs : col. (1 negative) ; 9 x 13 cm and 35 mm
Scope and Content
This item is an original print and corresponding negative of the exterior sign of Beth Israel Synagogue in Kingston, Ontario.
Notes
Acquired in June 1975.
Name Access
Beth Israel Congregation (Kingston, Ont.)
Subjects
Signs and signboards
Synagogues
Places
Kingston (Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 577
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
577
Material Format
graphic material
Date
Jun. 1975
Physical Description
2 photographs : col. (1 negative) ; 9 x 13 cm and 35 mm
Scope and Content
This item is an original print and corresponding negative of the exterior of Beth Israel Synagogue in Kingston, Ontario.
Notes
Acquired in June 1975.
Name Access
Beth Israel Congregation (Kingston, Ont.)
Subjects
Architecture
Synagogues
Places
Kingston (Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 749
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
749
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[196-]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 18 x 13 cm
Scope and Content
This item is a portrait of Rabbi Karpol Bender from Kingston, Ontario.
Notes
Acquired in June 1976.
Photo taken by Herbert S. Sonnenfeld, Photographer, New York.
Name Access
Bender, Rabbi Karpol
Subjects
Portraits
Rabbis
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.
Places
Kingston (Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1977
Physical Description
1 photograph : col. ; 9 x 11 cm
Scope and Content
This item is a photo of the front exterior of Hillel House in Kingston, Ontario.
Subjects
Architecture
Physical Condition
The photograph has faded considerably over time and is now a monotone pink hue.
Places
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1978-9-4
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
19 Mar. 1978
Physical Description
1 photograph : col. ; 9 x 11 cm
Scope and Content
This item is a photograph of the exterior of Beth Israel Synagogue located on Centre Street in Kingston, Ontario.
Name Access
Beth Israel Congregation (Kingston, Ont.)
Subjects
Architecture
Synagogues
Physical Condition
This photograph has faded considerably over time.
Places
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1978-9-4
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[193-]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 21 x 26 cm and 10 x 12 cm
Scope and Content
This item is a copy print and corresponding negative of a Zionist meeting in the basement of Beth Israel Synagogue, located on Queen Street in Kingston. The individuals are seated at several banquet tables and there are streamers hanging from the ceiling. Some of the people in the photo are from Belleville.
Notes
Credit: Abramsky family.
Name Access
Beth Israel Congregation (Kingston, Ont.)
Subjects
Dinners and dining
Meetings
Zionism
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
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1981-1-8
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1979]
Physical Description
2 photographs : col. (1 negative) ; 21 x 26 cm and 10 x 12 cm
Admin History/Bio
Hillel House was located at 124 Centre Street.
Scope and Content
This item is a copy print and corresponding negative of the executive of the B'nai B'rith Hillel Foundation of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. Featured in the photograph are:
Back row, left to right: Jeff Dworkin, Jeremy Alter, Tim Oberlander.
Front row, left to right: Cheryl Kline, Terry Goldenberg, Barbara Samuels.
Name Access
Alter, Jeremy
Dworkin, Jeff
Goldenberg, Terry
Kline, Cheryl
Oberlander, Tim
Queen's University (Kingston, Ont.)
Samuels, Barbara
Places
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1981-2-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
May 1941
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 13 x 18 cm and 10 x 12 cm
Scope and Content
This item is a photograph of John Devor standing on the steps of Beth Israel Synagogue with a group of Sunday school children, taken at the closing of the school for the summer. John Devor was the teacher. Pictured are:
Top row, left to right: Jerry Dardick, Bernice Abramsky, John Devor, Betty Cohen, Barry Tenhouse.
Middle row, left to right: Teddy Tevan, [?] Dardick, Jerry Springer, Sydney Lannis, Isadore Lannis.
Front row, left to right: Marilyn Abramsky, Shirley Tenhouse.
Notes
This item is almost identical to photo #3421.
Name Access
Abramsky, Bernice
Abramsky, Marilyn
Beth Israel Congregation (Kingston, Ont.)
Cohen, Betty
Dardick, Jerry
Devor, John
Lannis, Isadore
Lannis, Sydney
Springer, Jerry
Tenhouse, Barry
Tenhouse, Shirley
Tevan, Teddy
Subjects
Children
Portraits, Group
Teachers
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
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1981-6-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
Nov. 1941
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w ; 18 x 13 cm and 12 x 10 cm
Scope and Content
This item is a copy print and corresponding negative of an unidentified man (possibly someone from the Devor family) standing in the doorway of Queen's University.
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
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1982-5-6
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
June 1942
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 13 x 18 cm and 12 x 10 cm
Scope and Content
This item is a copy print and corresponding negative of John Devor with a group of unidentified men in Kingston, Ontario. John Devor is pictured in the very back on the right side.
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
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1982-5-6
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
May 1941
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 13 x 18 cm and 10 x 12 cm
Scope and Content
This item is a photograph of John Devor standing on the steps of Beth Israel Synagogue with a group of Sunday school children, taken at the closing of the school for the summer. John Devor was the teacher. Pictured are:
Top row, left to right: Jerry Dardick, Bernice Abramsky, John Devor, Betty Cohen, Barry Tenhouse.
Middle row, left to right: Teddy Tevan, [?] Dardick, Jerry Springer, Sydney Lannis, Isadore Lannis.
Front row, left to right: Marilyn Abramsky, Shirley Tenhouse.
Notes
This item is almost identical to photo #3056.
Name Access
Abramsky, Bernice
Abramsky, Marilyn
Beth Israel Congregation (Kingston, Ont.)
Cohen, Betty
Dardick, Jerry
Devor, John
Lannis, Isadore
Lannis, Sydney
Springer, Jerry
Tenhouse, Barry
Tenhouse, Shirley
Tevan, Teddy
Subjects
Portraits, Group
Students
Teachers
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
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1982-5-6
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
March 1941
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 18 x 13 cm and 12 x 10 cm
Scope and Content
This item is a copy print and corresponding negative of the children of the Beth Israel Sunday school class in Kingston, Ontario, standing on the steps of the synagogue.
Name Access
Beth Israel Congregation (Kingston, Ont.)
Subjects
Religious education
Students
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
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1982-5-6
Source
Archival Descriptions