Accession Number

2012-2-1

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

object

Physical Description

45 cm of textual records and other material

Date

1949-2009

Scope and Content

Accession consists of the records created and accumulated by Rabbi Joseph Kelman. The records detail Kelman's involvement with a number of organizations, particluarly Reena, She'arim Hebrew Day School, and Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue. They also document the numerous awards and tributes he received in his life and detail his personal life. The records primarily consist of personal and professional correspondence, event invitations, photographs, news clippings, and biographical material. There is also one file folder related to Sol Edell, the brother of the donor, and an oversized photograph of the Harbord Collegiate choral society and orchestra.

Photo Captions:

001: Portrait of Rabbi Joseph Kelman, (Toronto, ON), ca. 1950s.

002: Simcaht Torah celebrations, Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue, 100 Elder St. (Toronto, ON), [197-].

003: Rabbi Kelman meets the chief of staff of the Israeli police, Mordecai Gur, [Israel], [197-].

004: Rabbi Joseph Kelman awarded with honorary doctorate, [198-?].

005: James Harris, Rabbi Joseph Kelman, Liberal leader John Turner and [identified], Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue, 100 Elder St. (Toronto, ON), 1984.

Custodial History

The records were in the possession of Rabbi Joseph Kelman until his death in 2009. They were donated to the Archives by his wife, Sara Edell Shafler Kelman, on 1 February 2012.

Administrative History

Rabbi Kelman was born in Vienna, Austria in 1927, the son of Rabbi Zvi Yehuda and Mirl Kelman and the descendent of a long line of distinguished rabbis. He immigrated to Toronto with his family at the age of three in 1930. He attended Harbord Collegiate and was ordained at Yeshiva University in New York. Beginning in 1953, Kelman became seved as a rabbi in Sherbrooke, QC; Beverley, MA; and Suffern, NY; before accepting the pulpit at Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagoge in Toronto in 1959. At the time, Beth Emeth was a small congregation in the fledgling Bathurst Manor neighbourhood. He facilitated its merging with Bais Yehuda to form BEBY, and under his guidance it grew to become the third-largest Conservative synagogue in the GTA with a membership of approximately 1,500 families.

Kelman's life work was dedicated to providing opportunities for the developmentally disabled and learning challenged in the Jewish community. He was the founder of the Ezra and Kadima Schools, the Kadima Centre, the Camp Tikvah program, the Reena Foundation, Chai Tikvah, and She'arim Hebrew Day School. He also served as a chaplain in Toronto hospitals and jails.

Rabbi Kelman was the recipeint of numerous awards for his contributions to Jewish education and community service, including a honorary doctorate from Ryerson University and Tel Aviv University. The Kelman School for Jewish Education at Tel Aviv University is named in his honour. Rabbi Kelman died on 27 June 2009 at the age of eighty-two.

Use Conditions

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

Descriptive Notes

Includes approx. 50 photographs, 1 CD and 1 artifact.

Subjects

Rabbis

Name Access

Kelman, Joseph, 1927-2009

Source

Archival Accessions

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Accession Number

2014-1-16

Material Format

moving images

textual record

textual record (electronic)

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

1 document (electronic)

4 DVDs

1 scrapbook

Date

1988-2001

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material relating to the Maccabees Royal Canadian Legion branch 343, including a 1998 membership register, poppy sale information, correspondence and notes regarding Ben Sussman's application for a lifetime membership, information about the ticket sales and a copy of the certificate from 1997 JNF tribute dinner that honoured Albert and Pearl Cohen, and planning notes for the 50th anniversary banquet of the Maccabees in 1995. The accession also contains the draft of Albert Cohen's speech that he presented at the 50th anniversary dinner, as well as newspaper clippings from the Hamilton Jewish News and the Canadian Jewish News relating to the Maccabees, two certificates from the Grand Order of Israel Benefit Society recognizing Albert Cohen's 40 years of membership and an award of merit, and a eulogy in Yiddish, with some translation, written by a father about the son he lost, Balinson, in the line of duty. The DVDs contain footage from the 1997 JNF dinner honouring the Cohens, including Pearl Cohen speaking about early Hamilton, one clip from 1994 of Albert Cohen telling the history of the Maccabees, and video from the 50th anniversary dinner of the Maccabees where there were various speakers including an address by the guest speaker, Commander Sam Pasternack, who spoke about the contribution of Jewish soldiers in WWII (DVD, Maccabees dinner part 3).

Custodial History

Michael Cohen is the son of Albert and Pearl Cohen, and was in possession of the records prior to donating them.

Administrative History

Albert Cohen (1918-2006) who also went by the nickname "Boomie," was born on November 12, 1918 in Hamilton, Ontario. Pearl Cohen (nee Chaunce) (1919-2008) was born in Hamilton on September 2, 1919. Albert and Pearl married in 1941. In the same year, Albert volunteered to serve in the army as a staff sargeant stationed in Hamilton. He was later discharged in May 1946 after the war. Albert then joined Hamilton's Maccabees, Branch 343 of the Royal Canadian Legion. The branch was founded in 1947 and had a membership of 150 people. The Maccabees' membership was made up of Jewish veterans of WWII, and some veterans of WWI. The branch held meetings in Hamilton's Jewish centre. Albert served as president of the branch for almost 20 years, from 1975 to around 2000. The Maccabees were quite active, and helped raise money by selling poppies for Remembrance Day. The money raised would be sent to general hospitals, veterans hospitals, and families of needy veterans. Albert passed away on August 7, 2006, and Pearl passed away April 18, 2008.

Subjects

Canada--Armed Forces

World War, 1939-1945

Name Access

Cohen, Albert, 1918-2006

Cohen, Pearl, 1919-2008

Places

Hamilton, Ont.

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2015-3-8

Material Format

graphic material (electronic)

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

18 photographs : tiff

Date

1969, 1974-2014

Scope and Content

Accession consists of textual and graphic material documenting the Cohen family, their immigration to Canada from South Africa, and life in Toronto. Textual records include photocopies of correspondence and paperwork relating to the Cohen's immigration, certificates, and a typed document containing humorous stories their South African friends shared at a "10 Years Out Of Africa" party relating to their adjustment to Canadian life. Also included are family portraits and photographs documenting family celebrations such as weddings and bar mitzvahs. Of note is an image of Vivien and John at the "10 Years Out of Africa" party.

Administrative History

John Cohen was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1944 to Phil and Flora Cohen. Vivien Cohen (née Lehwess) was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1947 to Henry Lehwess and Isle Lehwess (née Wronsky). John's cousin was in physiotherapy school with Vivien, and they were introduced to each other. They married on 3 December 1969 and had three children together: Nicole (b. 1972), Steven (b. 1974), and Jeremy David (1979). Vivien was a physiotherapist, and John was a textile sales agent. Due to the unstable political situation in South Africa, they immigrated to North York in March 1977. For the first few weeks, they lived in a rental apartment in North York. They soon moved into a townhouse nearby. In 1980, they bought their first house in Thornhill. They were both able to continue in their professions after immigrating to Canada. Both of their mothers and many of their friends also moved to Toronto. John and Vivien were members of Shaarei Shalom synagogue for twenty-five years and are now members of Darchei Noam.

Subjects

Families

Immigrants--Canada

South Africa--Emigration and immigration

Name Access

Cohen, John

Places

Johannesburg, South Africa

Source

Archival Accessions

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Accession Number

2015-11-11

Material Format

graphic material (electronic)

Physical Description

14 photographs : col. (jpg)

Date

[1981?]-2009

Scope and Content

Accession consists of photographs documenting various trips Nicole Cohen took to South Africa as a child and adult. Photographs predominatly document Nicole visiting sites around Johannesburg, particularly her family's old apartment building. Also included are photographs of Nicky visiting her grandparents as a child, reconnecting with her family's maid, and visiting the Nelson Mandela Square with her children. Also included is one photograph of Nicole's brother, Jeremy David Cohen, in front of the Cohen family home in Thornhill (1984?).

Administrative History

Nicole (Nicky) Cohen was born in Johannesburg, South Africa to John Cohen and Viviane (nee Lehwess) Cohen in 1972. She has two siblings: Steven (b. 1974), and Jeremy David (1979). Viviane worked as a physiotherapist and John as a textile sales agent. Due to the unstable political situation in South Africa, the family immigrated to North York in March 1977. For the first few weeks, they lived in a rental apartment in North York. They soon moved into a townhouse nearby. In 1980, they bought their first house in Thornhill. Both John and Viviane were able to continue in their professions after immigrating to Canada. The family regularly visited South Africa.

Nicole is a clinical psychologist in Toronto. She married Jordan Kerpinsky on May 16, 1999. They have three children together: Hayley, Justin, and Ryan.

Descriptive Notes

Related Material Note: for an oral history interview with Nicole Cohen see AC 422, for other Cohen family material see accession #2015-3/8.

Subjects

Families

South Africa--Emigration and immigration

Vacations

Name Access

Cohen, Nicole

Places

South Africa

Thornhill (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

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Accession Number

2023-2-2

Material Format

textual record

object

text

philatelic record

Physical Description

10 cm of textual records

1 sheet of postage stamps

8 artifacts

1 prayer book

1 plaque

8 photographs : b&w and col ; 10 x 18 cm or smaller

Date

[ca. 1910]-2013

Scope and Content

Accession consists of two scrapbooks containing emails, letters of thanks, articles and program materials related to Judith's various speaking engagements and presentations as a survivor speaker. Also included are eight photos of family members, a prayer book, plaque, a spice box and eight kiddush cups, two certificates affirming completion of English language courses at McGill University, two certificates of recognition of commitment to Holocaust Education from the Ontario Government and the Government of Canada, one sheet of stamps remembering the Holocaust issued by Canada Post, and a labour discharge certificate from the Tailor's Immigration project.

Administrative History

Judith Cohen was born in 1928, in Debrecen, Hungary. Cohen was deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration and Death Camp, and to other labour camps. Cohen lived in a displaced persons camp in Germany following liberation where she reunited with her remaining siblings. In 1948, Cohen arrived in Canada as part of the Tailor Project, originally settling in Montreal and later moving to Toronto. She chaired the Holocaust Education Centre and is a committed Holocaust educator and speaker as well as a human rights activist.

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.

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2016-12-67

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

4 cm of textual records

Date

1959-1981

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material related to the history of the Jewish Community in London, ON. It includes: a copy of "The Jewish Community of London, Ontario, A Self Survey" issued by the Research Committee Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region, April, 1959, outlining the history from 1861; three copies of "The Organization of the Jewish Community of London" by Alan M. Cohen, 1973, part of a project to advance the systematic study of the structure, functions and behavior of Jewish communities of the contemporary world and was commissioned by The Study of Jewish Community Organiation in 1972; a letter addressed to Alan Maurice Cohen from Lerner & Associates, Barristers & Solicitors, enclosing a copy of the Letters Patent of the London Jewish Community Foundation and a draft By-law No. 1 for its operation and governance.

Name Access

Cohen, Alan Maurice

Places

London, Ont.

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2019-1-2

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

ca. 9 cm of textual records

Date

1939-1995

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material documenting members of Ellen Kurtz-Cohen's family. Included are business records from her grandfather Anshel Tepperman's fur store, Tepperman Fur Co.; records documenting the involvement of Sam Kurtz, her other grandfather, with Jones Avenue Cemetery and Steeles Memorial Chapel; a memoriam written by Rabbi Erwin Schild in honour of Sam Kurtz; and a retirement speech given by Ellen's mother, Ruth Kurtz. The last document contains Ruth's handwritten corrections.

Administrative History

The Tepperman family came to Canada from Poland: Anshel Tepperman was born in Ozarov in 1903; Fanny Tepperman was born in Ivaniska. Anshel was the first to arrive in Canada, arriving in Halifax, Nova Scotia on April 10, 1921. The two occupied at least two addresses once in Toronto: 62 Lipincott Street and 96 Roberta Drive. Fanny arrived almost three years later, arriving in Halifax on March 16, 1924. The couple had three children: Ruth (1928-2016), Maurice (1929-1984), and Cecile (b. 1936). Anshel died on July 17, 1974; Fanny died on September 27, 1994.

Subjects

Families

Fur trade

Name Access

Kurtz, Ruth

Kurtz, Sam

Schild, Erwin

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2019-2-1

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

1 folder

1 envelope

Date

[193-?]-1998

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material documenting the donor's family. Included are two photographs of Talmud Torah office staff; one photograph of Anshel and Fannie Tepperman; one photograph of Fanny Tepperman with an unknown youth group in Ivansk, Poland; a Jewish National Fund certificate acknowledging a donation made on the occassion of Newman Kurtz's birthday; a letter regarding Sam Kurtz's retirement programe; Ruth Kurtz's nurgery school registration card; Newman Kurtz's University of Toronto diploma; two landing immigration letters, one for Anshel Tepperman and one for Fanny Tepperman; an architectural drawing of the family home at 104 Whitburn Crescent; and one photograph of Samuel Kurtz's father, Rabbi Binyamin Kurtz, and uncle, Rabbi Faivel Kurtz, with Rabbi Joseph Weinreb.

Administrative History

Sam Kurtz was born on January 18, 1900 in Toronto; Sarah Kurtz was born in 1898 in Hodow, Galicia. Sarah arrived in Canada in 1913. In Toronto, the two occupied several addresses including: 31 McCaul Street, 51 Huron Street, 275 Crawford Street, 133 Ulster, and 569 Sheppard Avenue West. They had two children: Cirell (1924-2010) and Newman (b. 1927). Sam died on May 19, 1986; Sarah died in July 1994.

The Tepperman family came to Canada from Poland: Anshel Tepperman was born in Ozarov in 1903; Fanny Tepperman was born in Ivaniska. Anshel was the first to arrive in Canada, arriving in Halifax, Nova Scotia on April 10, 1921. The two occupied at least two addresses once in Toronto: 62 Lipincott Street and 96 Roberta Drive. Fanny arrived almost three years later, arriving in Halifax on March 16, 1924. The couple had three children: Ruth (1928-2016), Maurice (1929-1984), and Cecile (b. 1936). Anshel died on July 17, 1974; Fanny died on September 27, 1994.

Subjects

Families

Name Access

Kurtz, Newman

Kurtz, Ruth

Tepperman, Fanny

Weinreb, Joseph, 1869-1943

Places

Iwaniska (Poland)

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Level

Item

Item

5083

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1988

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 18 x 13 cm

Scope and Content

This item is a photograph of Professor Mark R. Cohen, a professor of Near Eastern studies at Princeton University. Cohen's photograph was kept by Beth Sholom's adult education department. It is unclear whether or not he spoke in Toronto.

Name Access

Cohen, Mark R., 1943-

Subjects

College teachers

Portraits

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.

Accession Number

1989-6-3

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Board of Jewish Education fonds

Subject files series

Level

File

Fonds

48

Series

4

File

97

Material Format

textual record

Date

1989-1991

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Cowan family fonds

Level

File

Fonds

102

File

33

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1983-[ca.1990]

Physical Description

3 photographs : col. ; 18 x 10 cm and 9 x 12 cm and 12 x 9 cm

Scope and Content

File consists of photographs of Trudy Cowan and her uncle Jack Cowan in front of the former family home on Henry Street, Toronto and a streetscape of Henry Street showing a row of homes and the adjacent former Beth Jacob Synagogue.

Source

Archival Descriptions