- Accession Number
- 2003-5-5
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2003-5-5
- Material Format
- multiple media
- Date
- [192-?]-1975
- Scope and Content
- The records in this accession document the Raxlen family and the Raxlen Clinic and Doctor's Hospital that was set up by the Raxlen brothers. The records also include personal correspondence between Katie Cherney and her mother, family photographs, greeting cards, press clippings and a booklet of articles written by Rabbi Fine of Peterborough. This booklet includes translated documents that he produced as rabbi from 1926 to 1934. Finally, there are three historic postcards documenting Holy Blossom's building on Bond Street, Jarvis Collegiate, and the Doctor's Hospital
- Custodial History
- Records were collected by Karen Fejer, the daughter of Alexander Raxlen.
- Administrative History
- The Raxlen brothers were born in Toronto in Cabbagetown, where their father operated a grocery store. The four brothers were Saul, Benjamin, Alexander, and Sam. All of the brothers graduated in medicine during the 1930s, except for Sam, who became a dentist. Together, they opened up the Raxlen Clinic in 1937, which was located on Carleton Street.
- In 1953, the brothers opened their own private hospital, the Doctor's Hospital, which was located on Brunswick Avenue. The hospital started in a ninety-year-old building that was owned by a religious order. The brothers modernized and expanded it from a facility accomodating 59 patients to one that could hold up to 168 beds by 1955. It soon became the largest privately-held, non-profit hospital in North America. By the time the brothers sold it during the late 1970s, it had 554 full-time staff and five hundred hospital beds.
- The other family documented in this accession is the Cherney family from Peterborough. The patriarch and matriarch were Abraham and B. Cherney. They had two children, Katie ("Kaye") and Meyer. Abraham and B. divorced, and Abraham remarried and had three more kids: Harry, Helen, and Louis. The family remained in Peterbough, but the ex-wife moved to Toronto. Kaye married Dr. Alexander Raxlen, and they had three children. Karen Fejer, their daughter, is the donor.
- Use Conditions
- Correspondence is restricted. Researchers must contact donor for permission to access them. The rest of the collection is open.
- Descriptive Notes
- Restrictions on access, use, reproduction, and publication: Some of the photographs are the property of the City of Toronto Archives.
- Subjects
- Families
- Hospitals
- Rabbis
- Name Access
- Doctor's Hospital (Toronto, Ont.)
- Fine, Abraham
- Places
- Peterborough (Ont.)
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1977-5-8
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1977-5-8
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 36 photographs (1 vol., 10 negatives) : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm or smaller
- Date
- [192-?]
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of one photo album that belonged to Yankel Jessel. This album was presented to him in 1927 by his friends as a going away gift before he left for Palestine. The album consists of sixteen photographs depicting synagogues from Toronto including: Shomrei Shabbos, Goel Tzedec, the Shaw Street Synagogue, Holy Blossom, the McCaul Street Synagogue, Beth Jacob, the Ostrovtzer Synagogue, the Russian Synagogue on Centre Avenue, and the Hebrew Men of England Congregation. Also included in the album are photographs of the auditorium of the Hebrew Free School Temple Emanuel and Shearith Israel Synagogues in New York City, a synagogue in Brooklyn, New York; and the Englewood Synagogue in New Jersey. There are copy prints and negatives of the photos depicting Toronto institutions as well as an additional print and copy negative of staff standing in front of United Bakers on Spadina Avenue.
- Use Conditions
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Subjects
- Synagogues
- Places
- New Jersey
- New York (N.Y.).
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1988-4-7
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1988-4-7
- Material Format
- object
- textual record
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 3 m of textual records
- ca. 60 photographs
- 1 pin
- Date
- 1921-1981
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of records related to the personal and professional life of Dr. John Sherman and his wife Etta (née Taube), as well as Sherman's involvement with the Alpha Omega Fraternity, a dental fraternity at the University of Toronto.
- In addition to textual records there are their are 44 photographs and 2 certificates from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem acknowledging Mrs. Etta T. Sherman and Dr. John A. Sherman as a founding members of the School of Dental Medicine. Among the photographs are family photos of the Taube family, general Alpha Omega event photos and several oversized photographs documenting: the interior ballroom of an Alpha Omega Installation Dinner, Feb 16, 1958, Jaeger House; the interior ballroom of an Alpha Omega Fraternity Award Night, 49th Annual Convention, Dec. 30, 1956, The Statler Hotel, Boston, Mass.; the interior ballroom of an Alpha Omega National Convention, Dec. 30, 1954, Detroit, Michigan; an Alpha Omega annual convention banquet, Dec. 27, 1938, the Statler Hotel, Cleveland, Ohio; a family photo taken at the Alpha Omega's 44th Annual Convention, Dec. 27-31, 1951, Ambassador Hotel, Atlantic City, N.J.; and an Argonaut vs Balmy Beach Dinner, Nov. 24, 1945, Adelaide Hotel, J.E. Wagman Annual Football Party, Toronto.
- Administrative History
- Dr. John A. Sherman (1 May 1901-30 Sept. 1982) graduated from the University of Toronto Dental School in 1924. John and Etta (née Taube) (6 Mar. 1908-22 July 1998) Sherman were among the group of dentists and their wives who started Alpha Omega Fraternity in Canada in 1921. Dr. Sherman was an international president of AO, and the founder of the Alpha Omega Foundation of Canada; he also served as its secretary-treasurer for many years. He was an exemplary leader in dentistry across the world and also served the profession as an inventor of dental equipment.
- John Sherman died Sept. 30, 1982 and Etta Sherman died July 22, 1998.
- MG_RG
- MG2 B1Q
- Subjects
- Greek letter societies
- Name Access
- Alpha Omega Dental Fraternity, Toronto Chapter
- Sherman, Etta, 1908-1998
- Sherman, John, 1901-1982
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1983-7-1
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1983-7-1
- Material Format
- textual record
- architectural drawing
- Physical Description
- 30 cm of textual records and other material
- Date
- 1948-1977
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of material documenting Beth Israel Synagogue in Toronto. Included are a Hebrew prayer book, a plan showing the Beth Israel Synagogue cemetery, correspondence, an inventory, a general by-law (constitution) of the Shaarei Shomayim Congregation, a journal listing members and disbursements, a folder of indentures, minutes, and other materials.
- Subjects
- Synagogues
- Name Access
- Beth Israel Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Shaarei Shomayim (Toronto, Ont.)
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1976-12-1
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1976-12-1
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 13 cm of textual records
- Date
- 1930--1969
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of material documenting Cantor Nathan Stolnitz, his interests, and the organizations he was involved in. Included are clippings, bulletins, letters, minutes, and promotional materials for a variety of events and organizations.
- Administrative History
- Cantor Nathan Stolnitz was born in Vilna. He settled in Toronto in 1926. He founded the Ontario Cantors Association and was involved with Yivo, the Canada Jewish Congress, and Toronto's Jewish Public Library. He was also an author. Cantor Stolnitz died on 11 March 1969 while vacationing in Miami Beach. He was seventy-seven.
- MG_RG
- MG6C
- Subjects
- Cantors (Judaism)
- Name Access
- Stolnitz, Nathan
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1988-10-3
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1988-10-3
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 3 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 20 x 25 cm and 10 x 12 cm
- Date
- [1940 or 1941]
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of two copy photographs and one negative of William "Bill" Laber standing in front of S. Laber's Meat Market and Poultry (Kosher) on Harbord Street, Toronto. A small Yiddish sign in the bottom-left of the shop window certifies it as kashruth.
- Use Conditions
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Subjects
- Storefronts
- Poultry
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1989-11-2
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1989-11-2
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 6 photographs : b&w (3 negatives) ; 20 x 25 cm
- Date
- [ca.1925]-1949
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of copy photographs and negatives of Mrs. Papernick's class at Clinton Public School, a performance of Pirates of Penzance at Harbord Collegiate, and a group from Club Masada on a sleigh ride at Fantasy Farms in Toronto.
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1989-8-2
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1989-8-2
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12 x 23 cm
- Date
- 1924
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of a photograph of the Young Judaea Baseball Team (Senior League Champions) in a Toronto park.
- Subjects
- Sports teams
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1991-10-8
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1991-10-8
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 3 cm of textual records
- Date
- 1974-1991
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of material pertaining to the Sephardic community in Toronto including a "Final Report - Integration - North African Jewish Community in Metro Toronto" (1974), two reports by Joseph Kage, a presentation by Leon Oziel (1984), listings of Sephardic congregations and Chevra Kadisha and their officers, and letterheads for organizations and schools. In addition there is a paper titled "A History of the Sephardim in Toronto" written by a student William Myers for a university course in history. The course director was Professor Irving Abella.
- Subjects
- Communities
- Sephardim
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1994-11-2
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1994-11-2
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 23 photographs : b&w (10 negatives) ; 21 x 25 cm or smaller
- Date
- 1938-1976
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of original and copy photographs of members and activities of the Toronto Lagover Mutual Benefit Society. Included are group and composite photographs, including a group photograph of the Lagover Society with J. B. Salsberg pictured, ca. 1940.
- 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.
- Subjects
- Societies
- Name Access
- Lagover Mutual Benefit Society
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1996-2-2
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1996-2-2
- Material Format
- graphic material
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 4 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 1956-1976
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of copy photographs of Sydney Bendahan addressing a Sephardic congregation at a Purim dance and Sydney Bendahan delivering a speech at a regional CJC conference ca. 1973. Ben Kayfetz and J. B. Salsberg are in the audience. In addition there are two photographs taken by Raphael Bendahan. First is an unidentified man (with son) holding a Torah (possibly the donor). Second is Rabbi Elias Toby, a Magen David Congregation leader holding the Torah outside the Viewmount Building.
- Also included is photocopied correspondence between Bendahan and a number of individuals regarding the Magen David Congregation, copies of meeting minutes and a constitution and by-laws from the congregation, speeches written by Bendahan on the history of Moroccan Jewry in Toronto as well as copies of newsclippings regarding Sephardic Jewry and the Mogen David Congregation.
- Administrative History
- Sydney Bendahan was born and raised in English speaking Gibraltar before coming to Casablanca, Morocco at the age 13. He spoke English, French and Spanish. He was the first representative of the Moroccan Jewish community in Toronto to JIAS and president of the Magen David congregation. Magen David Sephardic Congregation's first location was a home converted into a synagogue across the street from the Labour Farband Zionist Building (which had housed their initial meetings until they had their own building). As of 2016 the Congregation is located at 10 McAllister Road.
- Use Conditions
- Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
- Subjects
- Sephardim
- Name Access
- Magen David Sephardic Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1986-3-6
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1986-3-6
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- [ca. 1950]–1958
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of Chana Wilder's school documents including graduation certificates (in Yiddish) from Borochov Schools Kindergarten and High Schools and an invitation to the Borochov Schools and Kindergarten graduation. In addition, there is correspondence in Hebrew from the Israel Boy Scouts listing several names and a Jewish National Fund of Canada certificate.
- Subjects
- Schools
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1978-4-6
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1978-4-6
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 4 photographs : b&w (2 negatives) ; 13 x 18 cm on cardboard 28 x 22 cm and 11 x 13 cm
- Date
- [192-]
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of two photographs and copy negatives of small Toronto garment workshops with workers operating sewing machines.
- Use Conditions
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Subjects
- Clothing workers
- Name Access
- International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1976-9-5
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1976-9-5
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs
- Date
- [nd], 1966
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of two photographs of sketches detailing former Holy Blossom Temple locations. The first is a sketch by an unknown artist of Coombe's Drugstore and the second is a sketch by artist Aba Bayefsky of the Richmond St. building.
- Subjects
- Synagogues
- Name Access
- Holy Blossom Temple (Toronto, Ont.)
- Bayefsky, Aba, 1923-2001
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1976-9-4
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1976-9-4
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- [ca. 1920]-[ca. 1945]
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of originals and photocopies of posters in Yiddish (some with English translations) advertising events such as lectures, memorial meetings for Vladimir Jabotinsky, and concerts. Sponsors are Zionist organizations, including Betar, for events held in Montreal, Quebec; Toronto, Ontario; and St. Catharines, Ontario.
- Places
- Montreal (Que.)
- Toronto (Ont.)
- St. Catharines (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-1-5
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-1-5
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 86 photographs : col. (26 negatives) ; 10 x 15 cm or smaller
- Date
- 1975-1982
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of photographs of the synagogue interior during the restoration and one exterior view dated 1975.
- Descriptive Notes
- Photographs taken by Michael Shockett, for the Archives Committee.
- Subjects
- Architecture
- Synagogues
- Name Access
- Kiever Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1988-5-5
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1988-5-5
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 1912
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of the Constitution of the Beth Israel Men of Minsk (Congregation Anshei Minsk) in the form of a small booklet. Material is in Yiddish and English.
- Administrative History
- The booklet belonged to Joshua Meslin, the grandfather of the donor. Joshua was a member of the congregation from its inception and its Shames for forty-two years. It was printed by the Royal Printing Company owned by Benjamin Meslin, Joshua's son.
- Subjects
- Synagogues
- Name Access
- Anshei Minsk Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-2-6
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-2-6
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records (1 v.)
- Date
- 1958-1984
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of the minute book of Congregation Anshe Minsk with entries written in Yiddish.
- Descriptive Notes
- Language note: Yiddish
- Subjects
- Synagogues
- Name Access
- Anshei Minsk Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-3-2
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-3-2
- Material Format
- textual record
- graphic material
- object
- Physical Description
- ca. 3 cm of textual records and other material
- 7 photographs b&w and col ; 20 x 25 cm or smaller
- Date
- 1900-1979
- Scope and Content
- This accession consists of material documenting the donor's grandparents Dora and Bernard Coffler. It includes portraits of her grandparents and an exterior photograph of the Coffler Bedding Co., activities and fiftieth wedding celebration. This accession also includes: documents such as their passports, wedding certificate and identification cards; correspondence from David Croll; press clippings relating to their wedding and anniversary; an Ezras Noshem Society pin (1927); an Adath Israel Congregation Golden Jubilee Book and key chain (1952); and a Mount Sinai Hospital Auxiliary 25th Anniversary Year Book.
- Administrative History
- Bernard and Dora Coffler arrived in Canada from Roumania in 1900 and 1901 respectively. They met in 1902 and married on 21 May 1904 in Toronto. They reportedly were the first couple to be married on a Sunday in Toronto. They had three children: Myer (1905), Goldie (1910), and Sam (1914).
- The Coffler's opened up a business called Coffler Bedding Co., which was located at 391 Parliament Street.
- Dora Coffler was very active in two organizations, the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire (IODE) as well as the Mount Sinai Hospital Auxiliary called the Ezras Noshem Society.
- Bernard and Dora Coffler passed away in 1960 and 1971 respectively.
- Descriptive Notes
- Physical description note: includes 7 photographs, 1 key chain, 1 pin and 1 coin.
- Subjects
- Weddings
- Storefronts
- Name Access
- Coffler Bedding Co.
- Adath Israel Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
- Mount Sinai Hospital (Toronto, Ont.)
- Croll, David, 1900-1991
- Ezras Noshem Society (Toronto, Ont.)
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1977-12-4
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1977-12-4
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- ca. 120 cm of textual records
- Date
- 1904–1969
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of material documenting the First Narayever Congregation of Toronto. Included are membership books, minute books, insert cards used to record aliyah pledges, correspondence, ledger sheets, contracts, and other material.
- Administrative History
- In 1914, Jews from eastern Galicia (now in modern Ukraine) established the First Narayever Congregation in Toronto as a landsmanshaf, i.e. a society of Jewish immigrants from the same town or region. The synagogue takes its name from the small market town of Narayev, which is located in eastern Galicia. The synagogue's founders belonged to the working class and many worked in Toronto's garment industry.
- Initially, congregation members met in different locations, but by 1923 their numbers and financial means had grown such that they were able to rent a small house at 70 Huron Street at the corner of Huron and Dundas. This house served as the congregation's home for twenty years.
- The congregation's first president was Israel Chaim Katz and its first meeting was held at the Katz home at 156 William Street. The congregation's first rabbi was Solomon Langner, who was hired by the congregation in 1923. He retained this affiliation despite serving the Kiever Synagogue as a full-time rabbi from 1929 until he died in 1973.
- In 1943, the congregation purchased property at 187-189 Brunswick Avenue from Bethel Church. This is where the the synagogue is located today.
- In 1950, Henry Young became president of the congregation. He occupied that position until his death in 1976. Shalom Langner, the son of Rabbi Solomon Langner, succeeded Young as president.
- As Toronto's Jewish population began to move north, the First Narayever continued to serve Orthodox Jews living downtown. In the 1980s, the congregation struggled to balance the needs of this older generation with the young generation's desire to make the synagogue more egalitarian with respect to gender. In 1983, the congregation's new leadership team successfully advanced a proposal to allow the full participation of women in traditional services. This innovation led to several long-standing members taking legal action, but their case was dismissed on the grounds that it was not a matter for civil law.
- The First Narayever's identity continued to evolve. In 2009, its membership voted to allow its rabbi, Edward Elkin, who began serving the congregation in 2000, to officiate at same-sex marriages.
- MG_RG
- MG3 A55
- Subjects
- Synagogues
- Name Access
- First Narayever Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1977-11-2
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1977-11-2
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 3 cm of textual records
- Date
- 1911–1934
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of photocopied material documenting Rabbi Jacob Gordon.
- Descriptive Notes
- Language: The bulk of the documents are in Hebrew or Yiddish.
- MG_RG
- MG 6 C
- Subjects
- Rabbis
- Name Access
- Gordon, Jacob, 1877-1934
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1975-12-1
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1975-12-1
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 13 photographs : b&w
- Date
- [ca. 1916]-[ca. 1960]
- Scope and Content
- This accession consists of twelve copy photographs and one original photograph of the Lofsky and Penzner families in Toronto.
- Subjects
- Families
- Name Access
- Lofsky (family)
- Penzner (family)
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-5-45
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-5-45
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph
- Date
- 1924-1925
- Scope and Content
- Item is a group portrait photograph of the University of Toronto Menorah Society executive members from 1924-25. Pictured (left to right) is: top row; B. Weinberg, arts rep. E. E. Gelber, ex. president. M. Pusitz, medical rep. middle row; E. Lazaresco, BA gen. secretary. I. Greenberg, dental rep. R. Rotenberg, women's arts rep. I. L. Kenen, publicity. S. Soskin, treasurer. bottom row; B. Bain, Cor. secretary D. Garfinkel, president L. Sher, Vice president
- Administrative History
- The University of Toronto Menorah Society (1917) was founded on 11 October 1917, as a constituent of the Intercollegial Menorah Society formed at Harvard in 1906. Its purpose, as stated in the Torontonenensis Yearbook of 1918, was “to study Jewish history and culture and modern Jewish life and thought.” The Menorah Society was non-sectarian and open to members of the university of any faith. During its tenure the Menorah Society published the Menorah Journal and the Menorah Mentor magazine. Bi-weekly meetings held at the University YMCA featured lectures by prominent speakers, or student forums, and had an average attendance of two hundred people. The Menorah Society organized study circles, debates, annual plays, a “smoker” (party for men only), teas, and dances. It also maintained a Jewish Collection at the University Library. As Greek-letter fraternities proliferated at the University in the 1920s, the popularity of the Menorah Society waned, and it dissolved in 1931. The University of Toronto Menorah Society grew out of a series of organizations for Jewish students at U of T in the early twentieth century, a Toronto Hebrew Students’ association and a Yiddish club. Both these organizations and the Menorah Society were Predecessors of Hillel.
- Use Conditions
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Descriptive Notes
- Availability of other formats: Also available as TIF file.
- Subjects
- Societies
- Name Access
- University of Toronto Menorah Society
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-5-111
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-5-111
- Material Format
- textual record
- object
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- 1 pin
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 14 x 9 cm
- Date
- 1915-1944
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of records pertaining to the Contorowitz family including the marriage certificate of Nathan Contorowitz and Gertie Sand in Toronto, Grace Street School transfer records for their three children, and a 1940 voter registration form for Gertie Contorowitz. In addition there is a photograph of Phil Granovsky taken at Smith Bay House, Port Carling, Ontario in 1944 and an unidentified pin with Hebrew lettering inscribed "founded 1912".
- Use Conditions
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Name Access
- Granovsky, Phil, 1921-1995
- Places
- Port Carling (Ont.)
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-5-120
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-5-120
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 1942-1977
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of two letters written to his family while he was overseas serving in the Royal Air force during the Second World War. One describes celebrating Rosh Hashanah in South Africa, and the other exploring Palestine (including several kibbutz settlements) while on active service in Egypt. As well there is a biography of William printed on a card and sent to contributors who planted trees in Canada Park in Israel in his memory.
- Administrative History
- William Greenberg was born in 1905 and passed away in 1977.
- Subjects
- Kibbutzim
- Rosh ha-Shanah
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Greenberg, William, 1905-1977
- Places
- Egypt
- Palestine
- South Africa
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-5-161
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-5-161
- Material Format
- graphic material
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs : col.
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 1970-1971
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of 2 photographs of the exterior of the Kiever Synagogue (taken by Rolf Lederer in 1991) and correspondence from the Orthodox Community Council of Toronto.
- Name Access
- Kiever Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-5-164
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-5-164
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 17 cm + identification key
- Date
- 1921
- Scope and Content
- This accession consists of a photograph of the official opening of the Hebrew Men of England Synagogue. The photograph was taken while the group was preparing for the official portrait and thus there is movement and a relaxed air about the subjects of the photo. A document identifying some of the individuals is included.
- Subjects
- Synagogues
- Name Access
- Hebrew Men of England Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-5-165
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-5-165
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 22 April 1932
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of an ad for a Yiddish concert by the Grafstein sisters at the Standard Theatre in Toronto.
- Use Conditions
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Subjects
- Concerts
- Theatrical posters, Yiddish
- Name Access
- Standard Theatre (Toronto, Ont.)
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-5-127
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-5-127
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 1960-1968
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of material pertaining to Petah Tikva Anshe Castilla Congregation, Toronto. Records include copies of the Sefarad bulletin, correspondence, announcements, invoices, and mimiographed blank cheques. According to the documents, the synagogue was located on D'Arcy Street and then Brunswick Avenue. The majority of the records are in Spanish. In addition, there is some miscellaneous material including that pertaining to Michael Nesri, Yeshiva Yesodei Hatorah, and Tiferet Israel Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue.
- 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: Textual records available as PDF/A files.
- Subjects
- Sephardim
- Synagogues
- Name Access
- Petah Tikva Anshe Castilla Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1987-7-3
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1987-7-3
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 30 cm of textual records
- Date
- 1929-1985
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of material documenting Hillcrest Progressive School. Included are minutes, financial statements, letters, and other documents.
- Descriptive Notes
- Central Jewish Institute.
- MG_RG
- MG2 G1w
- Subjects
- Schools
- Name Access
- Hillcrest Progressive School (Toronto, Ont.)
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1974-002
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1974-002
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 1928
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of a certified copy issued in 1928 of the letters patent incorporating Machziki Hadas Congregation in 1909.
- MG_RG
- MG3A6
- Subjects
- Synagogues
- Name Access
- Machziki Hadas Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1974-003
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1974-003
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 1970-1973
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of records of the Orthodox Jewish Community Council, Toronto. Included are a description of the organization's mandate, correspondence, materials from a conference, and a memo.
- MG_RG
- MG3A7
- Subjects
- Orthodox Judaism
- Name Access
- Orthodox Jewish Community Council (Toronto, Ont.)
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1975-001
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1975-001
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 5 cm of textual records
- Date
- 1919-1923
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of issues of the Memophian newsletter created by the Young Judaea club (1920–1922), meeting minutes (1919–1923), and correspondence.
- MG_RG
- MG2B1O
- Subjects
- Newsletters
- Zionism
- Name Access
- Young Judaea (Toronto, Ont.)
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1975-011
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1975-011
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 1936-1949
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of records of the Junior Social Service League, Toronto, including a dues book, meeting minutes, and a membership list.
- MG_RG
- MG2O1J
- Name Access
- Junior Social Service League (Toronto, Ont.)
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1975-015
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1975-015
- Material Format
- object
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 name plaque
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 1906-[193-?]
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of an M. Gebirtig name plaque from the Beaches Hebrew Institute of Toronto. The plaque is gold-and-black metal. Also included is a seat deed for the McCaul Street Synagogue and a deed to plots at the McCaul Street Synagogue cemetery.
- MG_RG
- MG3A3
- MG3A21
- Subjects
- Synagogues
- Name Access
- Beach Hebrew Institute (Toronto, Ont.)
- McCaul Street Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1976-9-3
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1976-9-3
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- 1 text
- Date
- 1910, 1928
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of two copies of the constitution of Congregation Shaarei Tzedec, printed in 1910 and 1928, and a copy of the book "Fun folks moil = 1000 Yiddish Proverbs."
- MG_RG
- MG3A36
- Subjects
- Religion
- Name Access
- Congregation Shaarei Tzedec (Toronto, Ont.)
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1977-11-1
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- 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
- 1979-1-4
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1979-1-4
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 1912-1914
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of a minute book outlining activities of the Associated Hebrew Charities. Included is a letter written to the charities by a woman named Mrs. Green of Coldwater, Ontario, requesting Passover relief support to purchase a set of hens. Also included is a summary of a visit to the 17th American Zionist Convention in Rochester, New York, 1914. The author of the summary is unknown, but is most likely Ida Lewis Siegel.
- Administrative History
- The Associated Hebrew Charities (AHC) was formed around January 1912, although it is possible that they were working informally before that time. The AHC consisted of eight socieites operating in Toronto, including the Jewish Free Loan and the Hebrew Ladies' Aid Socity. Each society maintained their separate identity and sent three representatives to sit on the Cooperative Relief Board of the AHC. Each society's president presided over the AHC meetings in turn. The AHC was tasked with dispensing charity and providing direct support to families in need as well as Jewish hospital patients, namely in the form of Passover relief. They operated out of 218 Simcoe Street.
- Descriptive Notes
- Associated Material Note: See accession 2008-3-5 for the finanical ledger book of the Cooperative Board of Jewish Charities.
- MG_RG
- MG 2 O 1M
- Subjects
- Charities
- Name Access
- Associated Hebrew Charities
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1979-10-1
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1979-10-1
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- ca. 7 cm of textual records
- Date
- 1937–1955
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of material documenting the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. Included are undated strike cards, a card announcing the twenty-fifth annual celebration of the Cloakmakers' Union dated 14 February 1936–16 February 1936, letters, general manager of the joint board announcing summons before grievance committee, official membership dues cards issued to S. Clodman, a souvenir journa, and other documents.
- MG_RG
- MG2 E1a
- Subjects
- Labor unions
- Name Access
- International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1979-11-12
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1979-11-12
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 volume
- Date
- 1979
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of a Shaarei Shomayim jubilee book, the First Fifty Years.
- MG_RG
- MG3 A31
- Subjects
- Synagogues
- Name Access
- Shaarei Shomayim Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1979-12-13
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1979-12-13
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 5 newsletters
- Date
- 1978–1979
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of material documenting Mount Sinai Hospital. Included are issues of Highlights for February 1978, June 1978, October 1978, April 1979, and November 1979.
- MG_RG
- MG2 01c
- Subjects
- Hospitals
- Name Access
- Mount Sinai Hospital (Toronto, Ont.)
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1980-6-1
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1980-6-1
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 1910
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of a memorandum of agreement beween the trustees of Machziki Hadas and A. Eisen concerning the sale of two seats in the synagogue and a Hebrew prayer book belonging to the congregation.
- MG_RG
- MG 3 A 6
- Subjects
- Prayer books
- Synagogue seating
- Name Access
- Machziki Hadas Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1980-8-3
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1980-8-3
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 1947–1949
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of the May 1949 edition of the Herzl Zion Digest and the September 1947 and October 1947 editions of Toronto Lodge B'nai Brith's the Digest.
- MG_RG
- MG2 B1c
- MG2 J1m
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1981-5-6
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1981-5-6
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 13 cm of textual records
- Date
- [197-]
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of material documenting Shaarei Shomayim's youth program. Included are bulletins, correspondence, ephemera, and other records.
- MG_RG
- MG3 A31
- Subjects
- Synagogues
- Youth
- Name Access
- Shaarei Shomayim (Toronto, Ont.)
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1982-1-5
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1982-1-5
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 1905-1959
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of material documenting the Toronto Jewish Mission. Included are a record of the location from 1896, legal correspondence, declarations, deeds of land, and indentures.
- MG_RG
- MG2 L1b
- Subjects
- Missions
- Name Access
- Toronto Jewish Mission
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1982-9-2
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1982-9-2
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 7 microfilm reels
- Date
- 1856-1969
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of seven microfilm reals documenting the early years of Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto. Reels are as follows:
- Reel 1: Minutes, 1856-1901; Building Committee, 1894-1897.
- Reel 2: Minutes, 1894-1900; Collection Books, 1902-1919; By-laws and Minutes, 1939-1956; By-laws for Holy Blossom Cemeteries; Minutes, 1930-1947; Building Committee, 1937; New Synagogue, 1938.
- Reel 3: By-laws and Minutes, 1939-1956.
- Reel 4: Register of Toronto Hebrew Congregation; Births, 1857-1868; Marriages, 1851-1894; Burials, 1848 -1900; Large Marriage Register 1858 -1878; By-laws 1876-? (Handwritten), 1894, 1904, 1929, 1949,1955 (printed); By-laws Cemeteries ?-1921; Cash Books, 1900; Monthly Cash Books, 1919; Letterpress copy book and instructions for use; Records and letters from 1891; Letterbooks, 1891-1894; Aliyah Book (which is a small hard cover indexed book containing names of members in English and Hebrew, used for calling members to bless and read the Torah) ca. 1890; January 1921- Ecumenical Service; February 1928- first Canadian exchange of pulpits with Rev. E. Crossley Hunter of Carlton Street United Church and Rabbi Abraham Feinberg participating; Toronto Hebrew Ladies Sick and Benevolent Society Minutes instituted in January 1868, original charter 9 July 1877, later became Toronto Hebrew Benevolent Society; Centennial preparation, committee, service, memorials and interview reports with older members of the congregation.
- Reel 5: Collection Books, 1884 -1919.
- Reel 6: Officers' Minutes, 1952-1964; Board and Annual Meeting Minutes, 1964-1965; Board Minutes, 1966-1967; Board of Trustees Minutes, 1968-1969; Officers, Trustees & Committee Chairmen; Minutes, 1965-1969.
- Reel 7: 11 May 1967 onward
- MG_RG
- MG 3 A1
- Subjects
- Synagogues
- Name Access
- Holy Blossom Temple (Toronto, Ont.)
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1982-10-3
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1982-10-3
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- Bulletins
- Date
- 1981-1982
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of bulletins from Kehillat Shaarei Torah of Toronto for the years 1981-1982.
- MG_RG
- MG3 A51
- Subjects
- Synagogues
- Name Access
- Kehillat Shaarei Torah of Toronto
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1982-12-3
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1982-12-3
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 1928-1931
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of a Warsawer- Lodzer Mutual Benefit Association dues book and constitution printed in Yiddish.
- MG_RG
- MG 2 B 1UU
- Subjects
- Fraternal organizations
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1983-12-9
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1983-12-9
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 7 cm of textual records
- Date
- 1979-1983
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of copies of the Harbordite newsletter. Included are the following issues number 1 (April 1979), 2 (October 1979), 3 (February 1980), 4 (May 1980), 5 (September 1980), 6 (16 March 1981), 7 (6 June 1981), 8 (22 September 1981), 9 (26 January 1982), 10 (15 October 1982), 11 (15 April 1983), and 12 (15 October 1983).
- Administrative History
- The Harbodite is the official newsletter of the Harbord Club alumni group.
- Subjects
- High schools--Alumni and alumnae--Ontario
- Newsletters
- Name Access
- Harbord Club
- Harbord Collegiate Institute
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- 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