Accession Number

2022-8-4

Material Format

architectural drawing

graphic material

object

textual record

sound recording

Physical Description

ca. 11 m of textual records and other material

Date

1930-2017

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records documenting the life and career of Rabbi Benjamin Friedberg. Included are subject files, eulogies, sermons, marriage records, funeral record cards, conversion certificates, gittin (Jewish divorce documents), addresses for High Holiday services, and photographs. Also include are a few artifacts, such as felt patches and medallions, as well as sound recordings. A large number of documents are relating to Rabbi Friedberg's rabbinical career at Beth Tzedec Congregation.

Administrative History

Rabbi Joseph Benjamin Friedberg (1927-2022) was born on June 26, 1927, in Toronto to Chaim (Chamel) and Rochel Rose Friedberg. Rochel Friedberg was born in Polaniec, Poland (Russian part of Poland), the daughter of Moshe and Sura Poss. Rochel had little formal education but learned Talmud from her father. In her youth, Moshe came to Toronto to make a living and had to leave the family behind; shortly thereafter, World War I broke out, and Rochel was sent to the town of Stopnitz. She was then sent to Crackow to work. Rochel married Chaim (Chamel) Friedberg from Patchenev, who was enlisted in Pilsudski’s army. Before the Great Depression, Rochel and Chaim immigrated to Canada. Later on, Chaim took ill and had to go to the Western Sanitarium; soon after that, he passed away in 1957. Rochel passed away in 1992.

Rabbi Benjamin Friedberg was a native of Toronto and received his basic religious and secular education there. He attended Harbord Collegiate in his youth. After spending a number of years at the Yeshiva University in New York, he returned home to attended the University of Toronto, from which he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1949. In 1950, Rabbi Friedberg entered the Rabbinical School of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. He received his Master of Hebrew Letters degree and rabbinical ordination in 1954.

Rabbi Friedberg’s first pulpit was in Rochester, New York. He served as assistant rabbi at Beth Tzedec Congregation in 1955; and then as rabbi of B’nai Israel Congregation in London, Ontario. In 1959, he received his Master of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario in Bible and Archaeology. As part of his doctorial program, he studied in the Department of Archaeology and Bible at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem; he also spent several years studying in the Department of Religion at the University of Ottawa with special emphasis on the Samaritans.

In 1961, Rabbi Friedberg was called to the pulpit of Agudath Israel Congregation in Ottawa, Ontario, where he served for thirteen years until 1974.

In 1974, he was appointed senior rabbi at Beth Tzedec Congregation, Toronto. His major emphases in the congregation were the development of both child and adult education and emphasizing Israel as the dominant fact in Jewish life today. Much of the programming at Beth Tzedec that he instituted dealt with Israel.

Rabbi Friedberg’s interest in Jewish education was responsible for the founding of a Hebrew High School in Ottawa. His concern with Jewish youth prompted him to devote his time as counsellor to the Hillel Organization on the campuses of the University of Western Ontario, Carleton University, and the University of Ottawa. He taught Bible, Biblical Hebrew, and courses in Judaism at the University of Ottawa; and was an occasional lecturer at the University of Western Ontario in the Orientals Department. While living in Ottawa, he was active in a number of Jewish communal organizations. He was the founder and the organizer of the Ottawa Soviet Jewry Committee and was head of the Jews in Foreign Lands Committee and Canada-Israel Committee. Also, he was on the Social Welfare Council and was chairman of the Aliyah Committee in Ottawa.

Rabbi Friedberg was active with the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC) and the Canadian Zionist Federation (CZF). He worked actively on behalf of the CJC’s Educational Department. He was on the executive of the CJC Central and Eastern Regions and served as national chairman of the CJC’s International Affairs Committee. As an active Zionist, he served as national chairman of the Hasbara Committee of the CZF and was president of Mercaz Canada, the Zionist organization of the Masorti (Conservative) Movement. He also organized Israel tours and led Israel tour groups for a number of times. Rabbi Friedberg was the recipient of citations of the UJA, State of Israel Bonds, and various other awards in recognition of his communal work. In addition, he had also been invited to serve as a member of Teddy Kollek’s Jerusalem Committee.

Rabbi Friedberg was a contributor to Anglo-Jewish press, television work, and radio. He was chairman of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s Religious Advisory Committee and hosted his own television program called “Focus.” He had written for the London Free Press, and the Ottawa Citizen, and a number of Jewish periodicals.

Rabbi Friedberg was married to the former Lola Constant of Montreal (1930-2022). They had three children together—Mark, Gilah, and Esther. Lola Friedberg had a degree from McGill University in Arts and Music. She had given two-piano recitals in conjunction with her twin sister, Miriam “Mitzi” Leboff, on a number of occasions. Lola had taught piano and conducted choirs in Montreal and Ottawa.

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

Rabbis

Sermons

Eulogies

Name Access

Friedberg, Benjamin, 1927-2022

Beth Tzedec Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Ottawa (Ont.)

London (Ont.)

Jerusalem

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2004-3-6

Material Format

textual record

architectural drawing

Physical Description

12 drawings: blueline and pencil: 111 x 77cm or smaller

1 folder of textual material

Date

1924-1981

Scope and Content

This accession consists of the original architectural plans of the Kiever Synagogue in Kensington Market as well as plans drawn by Martin Mendelow for the Synagogue's restoration in the early 1980s. Also included is a Mendelow drawing of the Minsk Synagogue and textual materials relating to the Kiever

Custodial History

Materials were kept by Martin Mendelow

Administrative History

Martin Mendelow is a well known architect working in the Toronto area. His professional association with the Kiever Synagogue began when he was hired as architect of the Synagogue's restoration, which was completed in the early 1980s

Subjects

Architecture

Synagogues

Name Access

Anshei Minsk Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)

Kiever Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)

Menedelow, Martin

Places

Kensington Market (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Part Of

Jewish Community Centre of Toronto fonds

Executive Director series

Level

Series

Fonds

61

Series

1

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

object

architectural drawing

Date

1936-1993

Physical Description

2.66 m of textual records (12 v.) and other material

Admin History/Bio

The role of the executive director was to oversee the administrative operations of the YM-YWHA, including staffing and personnel, budgetary activities, maintenance, programming, special events and festival celebrations, membership, community outreach and fundraising activities.

Although a staff position, the executive director was also a member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, as acting secretary. As such, the executive director was responsible for attending and taking the minutes at all committee meetings, and for the collection and maintenance of all official files documenting the activities of the YM-YWHA, and later, the Jewish Community Centres. The executive director also acted as executive director of the Jewish Camp Council, which operated out of the Bloor and Spadina YM-.YWHA building.

In the late 1940s, George Horrowitz was the YM-YWHA's executive director, and in 1952, David Andrews succeeded him. Andrews served as executive director until 1976, at which point he became executive vice-president and Martin Park, his former assistant, succeeded him as executive director. Sid Brail became the executive director in 1979.

Scope and Content

This series consists of the records created and collected by the office of the executive director of the YM-YWHA and the Jewish Community Centre of Toronto. The records include operating files, correspondence, financial records, program material, reports, photographs, course registration ledgers and architectural drawings.

The records are organized alphabetically as subject files, which reflects the original arrangement of the records. The exceptions are the financial reports, the course registration ledgers and the architectural plans, which were maintained separately.

The records have been arranged into the following sub-series: subject files, financial reports, architectural drawings and Y-Arts Council registration ledgers.

Notes

Includes 142 photographs, 41 architectural drawings, 2 artifacts and 2 posters.

Arrangement

As the executive director oversaw operations at both the Bloor and Spadina branch and the northern branch of the YM-YWHA, the records relating to both branches were filed together. There has been no attempt made to separate the records of the individual branches.

Creator

Jewish Community Centre of Toronto

Accession Number

2004-5-2

1988-11-7

1983-12-1

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Jewish Community Centre of Toronto fonds

Executive director series

Subject files sub-series

Level

Sub-series

Fonds

61

Series

1-1

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

object

architectural drawing

Date

1936-1993

Physical Description

2.1 m of textual records and other material

Scope and Content

This sub-series contains the operating files created and accumulated by the office of the executive director of the YM-YWHA during the years 1937-1978. The files contain correspondence, meeting minutes and agendas, program material, photographs, reports, financial records and other related records. They are arranged by subject in alphabetical and chronological order. The photographs and architectural drawings are located in the subject files with the related textual material.

Notes

Includes 142 photographs, 11 architectural drawings, 2 artifacts, and 2 posters.

Accession Number

2004-5-2

1988-11-7

1983-12-1

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Jewish Community Centre of Toronto fonds

Jewish Community Centre Archives Committee series

Level

Series

Fonds

61

Series

2

Material Format

graphic material

sound recording

textual record

architectural drawing

Date

[ca. 1920]-1990

Physical Description

1866 photographs and other material

Admin History/Bio

The Jewish Community Centre Archives Committee was established in 1982, in order to document the history of the YM-YWHA of Toronto. The committee was chaired by Bert Fine and was mandated by the JCC of Toronto's Executive Committee to collect historical and archival material from the community, which was to be donated to the Ontario Jewish Archives.

Scope and Content

This series consists of the records collected by the Jewish Community Centre Archives Committee. The records are predominantly photographs, but also includes some textual records. This series also contains oral histories, created by the committee in order to document the experiences of some of the YM-YWHA's original members.

The series contains a sub-series for the photograph collection, which is organized alphabetically by theme, event or person and is described at the file and item levels. There is also a sub-series for the oral history program, which is described at the sub-series level.

Notes

Includes 13 sound recordings, 3 cm of textual records, and 1 architectural drawing.

Accession Number

1984-7-2

1982-12-2

2004-5-13

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Jewish Community Centre of Toronto fonds

Executive director series

Architectural plans sub-series

Level

Sub-series

Fonds

61

Series

1-3

Material Format

architectural drawing

textual record

Date

1950-1981

Physical Description

10 cm of textual records (4 v.)

30 architectural drawings

Admin History/Bio

Page & Steele Architects were responsible for the design and construction of the Spadina and Bloor and Spadina YM-YWHA along with associate architects, Kaplan & Sprachman. The Bloor "Y" was completed in 1952.

The northern building was designed and constructed by W. Sefton & Associates Ltd. Consulting Engineers and Gordon S. Adamson & Associates Architects. The northern building was completed in 1961.

Scope and Content

This sub-series contains records relating to the design and construction of the YM-YWHA at Bloor and Spadina and the YM-YWHA on Bathurst Street in North York. The records include bound specifications detailing the labour, material and building methods for each of the buildings, as well as some architectural drawings of the northern building.

The records are arranged by project.

Accession Number

2004-5-2

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Jewish Community Centre of Toronto fonds

Jewish Community Centre Archives Committee series

Photograph collection sub-series

Level

Sub-series

Fonds

61

Series

2-2

Material Format

graphic material

textual record

architectural drawing

Date

[ca. 1920]-1993

Physical Description

1866 photographs : b&w, sepia and col. (199 negatives) ; 35 x 28 or smaller

3 cm of textual records

1 architectural drawing

Custodial History

Most of the photographs were in the custody of Ted Winick, who sat on the Jewish Community Centre Archives Committee. They were donated to the OJA in 1982 and 1984.

Scope and Content

This sub-series contains photographs collected by the Jewish Community Centre Archives Committee. The photographs document the executive and general membership, special events, sporting groups and teams, and YM-YWHA owned camps and properties, including the construction and completion program of the northern branch. There are also a small amount of textual records and an architectural drawing, which has been kept in the file with the accompanying graphic images.

Arrangement of the photographs has been imposed by the archivist, as no original order existed when the records were acquired. The photos have been arranged into alphabetical files by function, where one exists, otherwise they have been grouped together by subject, event or individual. This approach was taken so that images pertaining to certain subjects or events could be easily accessed by the researcher. The images have been described at the file and item levels.

Accession Number

1984-7-2

1982-12-2

2004-5-13

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Solomon Edell fonds

Elmdale Investments series

Level

Series

Fonds

4

Series

3

Material Format

textual record

architectural drawing

Date

1955-[ca. 1983]

Physical Description

3 cm of textual records

24 architectural drawings

Admin History/Bio

Elmdale Investments Ltd. was a corporation founded by Sol Edell in 1958. Sol Edell was the majority owner, although its shareholders also included Sol's first wife, Dolly; his second wife, Celia; and his father-in-law, Moishe Weinstock. It was through this company that Sol Edell developed the Elmhurst Plaza property and managed the plaza. The corporation was still in existence at the time of Sol Edell’s death.

Scope and Content

Series consists of correspondence and blueprints relating to the purchase of the property in 1956 and the construction of the Elmhurst Plaza in 1957. There are contracts and financial records dealing with the maintenance and rental of the plaza. Among the tenants listed were Oshawa Food Wholesalers and Power Supermarkets. The series also contains information about the shareholders of Elmdale Investments, Sol Edell's business cards, and company stationery.

Name Access

Elmdale Investments

Elmhurst Plaza

Oshawa Food Wholesalers

Power Supermarkets

Weinstock, Moishe

Subjects

Architecture

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Solomon Edell fonds

Deltex Draperies Ltd. and Dodd's Draperies Ltd. series

Level

Series

Fonds

4

Series

4

Material Format

textual record

architectural drawing

Date

1964-1993

Physical Description

8 cm of textual records

7 architectural drawings

Admin History/Bio

In 1964, Sol Edell invested in a retail textile store, Deltex Draperies Ltd., which had been founded by a group of businessmen including his cousin, Israel Edell. In 1971, they opened a second store, Dodd's Draperies Ltd., and, in 1979, the two companies merged under the name Dodd’s Draperies Ltd. In 1987, the store closed and the building was sold. During their lengthy business association, Israel Edell supervised the day-to-day operation of the stores while Sol Edell was responsible for the overall financial management and the construction of the new premises at 1445 Bathurst Street.

Scope and Content

Series consists of correspondence, minute books, documents of incorporation, and stock certificates relating to the establishment of both Deltex Draperies and Dodd’s Draperies and the eventual merger of the two stores. In addition, series includes minutes and financial reports dealing with the operation of both companies. Also included are correspondence and blueprints relating to the construction of the building at 1445 Bathurst Street as well as the sale of that building.

Name Access

Deltex Draperies Ltd.

Dodd's Draperies Ltd.

Edell, Israel

Subjects

Business

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Solomon Edell fonds

Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue series

Level

Series

Fonds

4

Series

7

Material Format

textual record

architectural drawing

graphic material

Date

1913-1999

Physical Description

22 cm of textual records

4 architectural drawings

2 photographs

Admin History/Bio

Shomrai Shabbos is an orthodox congregation which was founded in 1896. Sol Edell’s grandfather, Rabbi Yosef Weinreb, served as rabbi of the congregation from 1900 until 1942. The synagogue was in several downtown locations until it moved to its present location on Glengrove Avenue in North York in 1966. The congregation has grown steadily over the years and now has a membership of over 350 families. Sol Edell’s family were members of the congregation when he was a child. Although he retained his membership in the congregation after his marriage, he rarely attended the services at the synagogue. However, he did continue to participate in fundraising on behalf of the synagogue.

Custodial History

The earlier records were collected by Sol's grandfather, Rabbi Yosef Weinreb, or his father, Paul Edell. After their deaths, Sol maintained his membership in the congregation and continued to receive material from the synagogue.

Scope and Content

Series consists of records documenting the establishment, construction, membership and activities of the Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue. Included is correspondence, speeches, technical drawings, financial records, ledgers, a tribute book, legal records, flyers, bulletins, marriage certificate receipts, certificates, invitations, a photograph, and stationary.

Name Access

Felder, Gedalia, Rabbi

Yosef, Weinreb, Rabbi

Subjects

Architecture

Synagogues

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Solomon Edell fonds

Aliyah series

Level

Series

Fonds

4

Series

8

Material Format

textual record

architectural drawing

Date

1978-2008

Physical Description

17 cm of textual records

102 architectural drawings

Admin History/Bio

Sol Edell had always been an active Zionist and in 1979 his son, Simcha, immigrated to Isreal. Following his son's aliyah, he became the founding chairman of the Aliyah Support Committee of the Jewish Federation of Greater Toronto and an active member of the local chapter of the Parents of North American Israelis. These two organizations respectively provide support for Torontonians and North Americans who have immigrated to Israel. This support includes facilitating the immigration process, providing financial assistance and maintaining contacts between the immigrants and the Toronto Jewish community. He was also involved with a group of Mizrachi members who wanted to build a housing project in Israel. Simcha Edell was an active member of the Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel which is an Israeli based organization that assists immigrants from North America. Sol Edell served as a liaison between this organization and the Toronto Jewish community. In addition, Simcha Edell, with his father’s assistance, published a directory of former Torontonians living in Israel, the Directory of Toronto Olim.

Scope and Content

The series consists of material relating to the assistance provided by the Toronto Jewish community to Torontonians who had immigrated to Israel. Included are records documenting the Aliyah Support Committee of the Toronto Jewish Congress, the Parents of North American Israelis, and the Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel. Records include correspondence, meeting notices, agendas and minutes, reports, publications, newspaper clippings, and Olim directories. Also included are architectural drawings of a housing project in Israel.

Name Access

Aliyah Support Committee, Jewish Federation of Greater Toronto

Parents of North American Israelis

Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel

Simcha Edell

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Hoffman family fonds

Level

Fonds

Fonds

6

Material Format

textual record

architectural drawing

moving images

Date

1946-1981

Physical Description

17 cm of textual records

10 architectural drawings

ca. 9 film reels : 16 mm

Admin History/Bio

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

Scope and Content

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

Name Access

Adas Israel Congregation (Hamilton, Ont.)

Council of Jewish Organizations

Federation

Hoffman (family)

Subjects

Families

Creator

Hoffman family

Places

Hamilton (Ont.)

Accession Number

2002-12-2

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Solomon Edell fonds

Personal series

Residences sub-series

Level

Sub-series

Fonds

4

Series

1-7

Material Format

architectural drawing

textual record

Date

1955-1981

Physical Description

47 architectural drawings

1 folder of textual records

Admin History/Bio

Sol Edell became interested in construction in 1948 after he purchased a building and opened his drug store. He later built several commercial buildings. He also supervised the construction and renovation of his own home and the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. Weinstock (likely his in-laws). In addition, he took an active role in the construction and renovation of several synagogues in Toronto and Hamilton.

Scope and Content

Sub-series consists of invoices and technical drawings relating to the construction and renovation of the Edell and Weinstock homes in North York and Malton.

Subjects

Architecture

Physical Condition

Architectural drawings are in poor condition. They should be flattened and stored flat. The majority should also be encapsulated in melinex to prevent re-curling and to protect them from further damage (with the exception of the pencil drawings).

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds

Toronto Holocaust Museum series

Museum sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

67

Series

28-13

File

6

Material Format

textual record

architectural drawing

Date

[after 1983]

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

1 architectural drawing : b & w ; 35 cm x 22 cm

Scope and Content

File consists of drawings of the museum floor plan,meeting minutes, and correspondence regarding the physical condition of the museum.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds

Toronto Holocaust Museum series

Special events and projects sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

67

Series

28-18

File

48

Material Format

textual record

architectural drawing

Date

1995

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

4 architectural drawings, 90 x 30 cm

Scope and Content

File consists of a copy of the text and the drawings for a Holocaust memorial at Adath Israel Congregation.

Name Access

Adath Israel Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Koffler Centre of the Arts fonds

Committees series

Level

File

Fonds

100

Series

2

File

12

Material Format

architectural drawing

textual record

Date

1979-1980

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

2 drawings : blackline, pencil and crayon ; 89 cm x 58 cm

Scope and Content

File consists of records related to the Visual Arts Advisory Board of the Koffler Centre of the Arts. Records include meeting minutes and agendas, a Koffler Gallery 'Update', the Koffler Gallery list of goals and recommendations, registration form for the Koffler Gallery Hopping 1 exhibit in Detroit-57 Masterpieces from the collection of Baron Thyssen-Bornemisza. Aslo included are architectural drawings for the Koffler Centre of the Arts Main Lobby Study #1 by Jane's Studio and the Jewish Community Centre Koffler Centre of the Arts, Art Wing Floor Plan, by Jerome Markson Architects.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Koffler Centre of the Arts fonds

Committees series

Level

Series

Fonds

100

Series

2

Material Format

textual record

architectural drawing

Date

1970-2006

Physical Description

11 cm of textual records

2 drawings

Scope and Content

Series consists of records documenting the activities and functions of the various cultural committees of the Koffler Centre, the YM-YWHA, and the BJCC. Included are meeting minutes, correspondence and reports, correspondence with the Canada Israel Cultural Foundation, and two architecutural drawings of the Koffler Centre of the Arts.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

David Pinkus fonds

Level

Fonds

Fonds

138

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

graphic material (electronic)

architectural drawing

philatelic record

sound recording

cartographic material

object

Date

1854-2021

Physical Description

ca. 2.4 m of textual records

ca. 600 photographs : b&w and col. (ca. 90 negatives); 30 x 35 cm or smaller

other material

Admin History/Bio

David Pinkus (1924-2021) was born on May 11, 1924, at the Toronto General Hospital to Isadore Pinkus (1887-1947) and Molly (Mollie) Pinkus (née Parelstein) (1892-1990). Isadore was born in Kiev Gubernia of the Russian Empire; Molly was born in Podolia Gubernia of the Russian Empire and later moved to Ukraine with her family. Isadore and Molly met and married in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1910 and moved to Toronto in 1911. The Pinkus family settled in Kensington Market in around 1914 and was one of the first Jewish settlers to the Kensington neighbourhood. David spent his entire life living in the Kensington Market area. He lived on 83 Huron Street until 1927 when the Pinkus family moved to 34 Nassau Street, which has been the house of the Pinkus family ever since. David had two siblings: brother Max and sister Goldie.

In his childhood, David attended the Brunswick Talmud Torah daily and learned Hebrew. He had his bar mitzvah at the Kiever Shul. David attended William Houston School until 1930 and Ryerson Public School until grade eight. Later, he attended Harbord School for high school and was also involved with sports at Harbord Collegiate and YMHA. In 1947, David obtained his Bachelor of Applied Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Toronto. After graduation, he worked at Goodyear for one year and returned to the University of Toronto as an instructor of engineering drawing and machine design. Later, he worked at various places such as Canadian Industries Limited in Maitland, Toronto Iron Works, and Avro Aircraft Limited.

David’s father, Isadore, was one of the founders of the Kiever Synagogue. David’s involvement with the Kiever Synagogue started in 1947, following Isadore’s death. David served as president and held positions on the executive of the Kiever Shul and played a principal role in the restoration of the shul. He also served on Toronto’s Board of Health as well as the boards of the Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, and St. Christopher House. In addition, David was an active community leader and local historian. He did genealogical research for many Toronto Jewish families. David had been recognized by the National Jewish Federation of North America as a Jewish community hero in 2011. He passed away on May 6, 2021.

Custodial History

Records received after the death of David Pinkus through Joseph Solomon, the executor of David Pinkus’ estate. Records have been selected by archivists following a site visit at David’s home at 34 Nassau Street, Toronto.

Scope and Content

Fonds consists of textual records, graphic material, sound recordings, architectural drawings, artifacts, and a small number of philatelic records, most of which document David Pinkus’ career and personal life, the Pinkus family, the Kiever Shul, the Kiever Cemetery, as well as Mount Sinai Cemetery Association (Mount Sinai Memorial Park) and the Dawes Road Cemeteries (Amalgamated Dawes Road Trustees), of which the Kiever Congregation is a member organization. Also included are documents and photographs of other individuals and families, which David collected for his genealogical research, and those that are pertaining to Kensington Market and other congregations and cemeteries.

Textual records include correspondence; scrapbooks; education records; identification documents; research notes and clippings relating to David’s genealogical research; documents pertaining to his Kensington Market activism and community work; files on David’s engineering career and his role as president of the Kiever Shul; and files documenting the Pinkus family members, such as funeral documents, notebooks, family correspondence, voters’ lists, and records relating to Pinkus Fruit Co. and 34 Nassau Street. Also included are records documenting the Kiever Shul, which include meeting minutes, ledger books, financial documents, legal documents, membership lists and application forms, address books, high holiday service cards, and historic papers dating from the 1920s and 1930s. Textual records documenting the Kiever Cemetery, Mount Sinai Memorial Park, and the Dawes Road Cemeteries are mainly comprised of cemetery maps, burial plot cards, burial record books, by-laws and regulations, and meeting minutes. Also present are records pertaining to other congregations and cemeteries, such as constitution books, brochures, booklets, and copies of legal documents.

Photographs mainly feature David Pinkus and the Kiever Cemetery, with a small number featuring the Pinkus family members, the Junction Synagogue (Congregation Knesseth Israel), the Great Choral Synagogue of Kyiv, and those that David collected for his genealogical research.

Architectural drawings of this fonds include the restoration and renovation plan for the Kiever Shul and the alteration plan for Mount Sinai Cemetery Administration Building.

Also present are sound recordings, including cassettes and microcassettes of David Pinkus; and artifacts, including felt patches, pin back buttons, medals, Toronto foot-pedlar registration badges, and a wooden gavel of the Kiever Shul.

Fonds has been arranged into the following series: David Pinkus’ personal records; Kensington Market; David Pinkus’ genealogical research; the Pinkus family; the Kiever Shul; the Kiever Cemetery; Mount Sinai Memorial Park; the Dawes Road Cemeteries; and other associations, congregations, and cemeteries.

Notes

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION NOTE: Also included are 22 architectural drawings, 7 maps, 4 audio cassettes, 2 microcassettes, 1 optical disc, 8 drawings, 2 prints, 1 photo collage, 34 pinback buttons, 15 Toronto padler-on-foot registration badges, 8 felt patches, 3 medals, 3 brooches, 1 wooden gavel, 2 tax tokens, 2 postage stamps, 1 sales tax stamp, and 9 revenue stamps.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE: Books that were initially included in this fonds have been removed and incorporated into the OJA’s library collection. These books are: Spadina Avenue by Rosemary Donegan with an introduction by Rick Salutin, Toronto No Mean City by Eric Arthur revised by Stephen A. Otto, Canadian Jewish Directory edited by Edmond Y. Lipsitz, The Toronto Jewish Directory, and The Canada Year Book 1905 (second series).

HISTORY/BIO NOTE: Information is sourced from OH 413 and the content of the fonds.

Name Access

Pinkus, David, 1924-2021

Kiever Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)

Mount Sinai Cemetery Association (Toronto, Ont.)

Mount Sinai Memorial Park (Toronto, Ont.)

Dawes Road Cemetery (Toronto, Ont.)

Amalgamated Dawes Road Trustees (Toronto, Ont.)

Subjects

Families

Synagogues

Genealogy

Cemeteries

Access Restriction

Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing some of the records.

Repro Restriction

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

Related Material

See accessions 2004-1-5, 2004-1-6, 2004-2-1, 2008-11-9, 2016-3-48, and 2021-10-1 for additional information on the Kiever Shul; and OH 413 for more information on David Pinkus and the Pinkus family.

Arrangement

Records came into the OJA with no discernible order. Arrangement has been imposed by the archivist.

Creator

Pinkus, David, 1924-2021

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Kensington Market (Toronto, Ont.)

Accession Number

2021-7-3

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

David Pinkus fonds

The Kiever Shul series

Level

Series

Fonds

138

Series

5

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

graphic material (electronic)

architectural drawing

object

Date

1912-2016

Physical Description

ca. 76 cm of textual records

ca. 150 photographs : b&w and col. (29 negatives) ; 22 x 28 cm or smaller

other material

Admin History/Bio

The Kiever synagogue, also known as the Kiever Shul, is a Modern Orthodox Jewish synagogue in Toronto. It was founded in 1912 by a small congregation of Jewish immigrants from the Kiev Gubernia of the Russian Empire (now Ukraine) and formally incorporated in 1914 by the granting of the Letters Patent by the Provincial Secretary. The congregation’s formal name is "The First Russian Congregation of Rodfei Sholem Anshei Kiev." According to the earliest congregational records, Max Bossin was president in 1912. At first, services were held in members’ homes and later in a rented house on Centre Avenue in The Ward. Not being able to afford a rabbi, services were led by members, including Cantor Herschel Litvak.

In 1917, sufficient funds were raised to mortgage a house at 25 Bellevue Avenue on the outskirts of Kensington Market. The congregation relocated there, and the facilities were enlarged in 1921 with the acquisition of a second house. In 1927, a new synagogue, which was built on the site of the two houses and designed by a Jewish architect named Benjamin Swartz in the Byzantine Revival style, was completed to accommodate increasing number of congregants. During the construction from 1924 to 1927, religious services were conducted at the home of Mr. Silverman at 29 Wales Avenue. Equipped with a rabbi and a proper synagogue, the Kiever was able to play a larger role in the Toronto Jewish community. The shul offered Yiddish and bar-mitzvah lessons, a youth minyan led by Fischel Cooper, a credit society, as well as a women’s auxiliary.

Several decades later, the Kiever’s membership declined in the 1950s and 1960s due to demographic changes—Jews began leaving the downtown core for the north end of town. The synagogue building deteriorated. In 1973, the Archives Committee of the Canadian Jewish Congress Central Region decided to help preserve it, and by 1982, sufficient funds had been raised to restore the building. In 1979, the Kiever Synagogue became the first building of Jewish significance to be designated a historical site by the province of Ontario and has been protected under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act since then.

Some of the founders included: Molly and Isadore Pinkus, B. B. Smith, Yehudah Leib "Louis" Bossin, Isaac Mosten, Jake Dubin, Harry Cohen, and Wolf Ganz. The congregation's first and longest-tenured rabbi was Solomon Langner, who served from around 1929 until his death in 1973. Sheldon Steinberg served as rabbi from the time of Langner's death until the mid-1990s. David Pinkus served as president of the Kiever Shul from the late 1970s to 2011. As of 2022, the synagogue president is Adam S. Cohen.

Scope and Content

Series consists of records documenting the administration and activities of the Kiever Synagogue. Included are financial documents, tax forms, insurance documents, receipts and invoices, the 50th jubilee book, accounting ledger books, address books, membership lists and application forms, printed copies of emails, correspondence, meeting minutes, by-laws and regulations, legal documents, certificates, cemetery deeds, funeral record books, files on construction and restoration, seats arrangement charts, raffle tickets, High Holiday service cards, artworks, and historic papers dating from the 1920s and 1930s. Also included are photographs featuring the Kiever Shul, two architectural drawings, and a wooden gavel.

Notes

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION NOTE: Also included are 9 architectural drawings, 1 photo collage, 4 sketches, 2 drawings, 1 wooden gavel, and 1 optical disc that contains 225 MB photographs.

Access Restriction

Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing some of the records.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

David Pinkus fonds

The Kiever Cemetery series

Level

Series

Fonds

138

Series

6

Material Format

textual record

architectural drawing

graphic material

Date

1919-2016

Physical Description

ca. 27 cm of textual records

76 photographs : col. (27 negatives) ; 22 x 28 cm or smaller

1 architectural drawing

Scope and Content

Series consists of records documenting the cemeteries of the Kiever Synagogue located at Mount Sinai Memorial Park and the Dawes Road Cemeteries. Included are cemetery plot maps, cemetery record books, burial plot cards, occupant location lists, statements, financial documents, meeting minutes, correspondence, legal documents, photographs, and architectural drawings.

Access Restriction

Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing some of the records.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

David Pinkus fonds

Mount Sinai Cemetery Association and Mount Sinai Memorial Park series

Level

Series

Fonds

138

Series

7

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

cartographic material

architectural drawing

Date

1935-2013

Physical Description

6 cm of textural records

58 photographs : col. (14 negatives) ; 10 x 15 cm and 35 mm

other material

Admin History/Bio

Mount Sinai Cemetery Association (MSCA) is responsible for providing services to the cemetery owners at Mount Sinai Memorial Park. Some of these services include grass cutting, grounds maintenance, and interment services. The beginning of Mount Sinai Memorial Park in 1934 is attributable to a non-Jew, Reuben Phillips. In 1934, he applied to the Ontario Department of Health to establish a cemetery for “members of the Hebrew faith.” After the registration of the cemetery was completed in 1935, Reuben became the first manager of the cemetery and started to subdivide the cemetery lands and sell sections to Jewish organizations. A management committee (MSCA), composed of delegates from the organizations owning cemeteries in Mount Sinai Memorial Park, was formed in 1943 to co-ordinate the management of the cemetery. The first president of MSCA was Louis Palter. In 1989, a new administration building was built.

As of today (2022), Mount Sinai Memorial Park serves seventeen synagogues and organizations, including Beth Lida Synagogue, Beth Radom Congregation, Beth Sholom Synagogue, Canadian Hebrew Benevolent Society, Chevra Mishnais, Congregation Rodfei Sholom Anshei Kiev (Kiever Synagogue), Farband (JCMI), Independent Friendly Workers (JCMI), Jewish Canadian Veteran's Memorial Park Association (JCMI), Ozrower Mutual Benefit Society, Pride of Israel Sick Benefit Society, Shaarei Shomayim Congregation, Shaarei Tefillah Congregation, Sunnyside Cemetery Association, Toronto Independent Benevolent Association, Workmen's Circle (Arbeiter Ring), and Young Men's Hebrew Association (YMHA).

Scope and Content

Series consists of records documenting the administration and operational activities of Mount Sinai Cemetery Association. Included are meeting minutes, by-laws and regulations, financial statements, burial records, lists of delegates and executives, and documents and architectural drawings relating to the additions and alterations to the administrative building at Mount Sinai Memorial Park. Also present are a map of the memorial park and photographs featuring different cemetery sections and the opening ceremony of the new administration building in 1989.

Notes

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION NOTE: Also included are 1 map and 12 architectural drawings.

Access Restriction

Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing some of the records.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

David Pinkus fonds

Mount Sinai Memorial Park and Mount Sinai Cemetery Association series

Additions and alterations to administration building file

Level

File

Fonds

138

Series

7

File

5

Material Format

textual record

architectural drawing

Date

1987-1988

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

12 architectural drawings

Scope and Content

File consists of records documenting the renovation of the administration building of the Mount Sinai Cemetery Association at 986 Wilson Avenue, Toronto. Included are an official document issued by the City of North York, a transmittal document issued by Nightingale Quigley Makrimichalos Architects-Planners, and twelve architectural drawings.

Notes

STORAGE LOCATION NOTE: The architectural drawings are stored in box 8 on shelf 124-5.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

David Pinkus fonds

The Kiever Shul series

Construction and restoration file

Level

File

Fonds

138

Series

5

File

20

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

graphic material (electronic)

architectural drawing

Date

1927-[ca. 2009]

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

29 photographs : col. (27 negatives); 10 x 15 cm and 35 mm

Other material

Scope and Content

File consists of records documenting the construction and restoration of the Kiever Shul. Included are architectural drawings; textual records such as correspondence, notes, price lists, fundraising speech, and Toronto building permit; and graphic material such as photographs, sketches, and a printed copy of a photo collage.

Notes

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION NOTE: Also included are 1 optical disc; 1 collage : col. photographs; 4 sketches; and 9 architectural drawings. The optical disc contains 225 MB of photographs and comes with 27 negatives.

STORAGE LOCATION NOTE: Eight of the nine architectural drawings are stored in box 8 on shelf 124-5; the optical disc is stored in drawer 4 on shelf 147.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Accession Number

2014-1-8

Material Format

textual record

architectural drawing

Physical Description

12 cm of textual records

11 architectural drawings : col.

Date

1997-2008

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material from the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto executive committee regarding meetings and retreats, an annual report from 2006/2007, and a budget report from 2007/2008. Accession also consists of other brochures and folders containing information related to the Jewish Toronto Tomorrow campaign, including information about the Downtown Jewish Day School, a "live generously" brochure, a brochure from the 2008 Words & Deeds leadership award dinner, and "York Region campus conceptual master plan" from 2008. Also included is an organization plan for 750 Spadina Avenue from 1997, proposed architectural drawings for Sherman campus from December 2011, as well as a report presented to the Canadian Council for Israel and Jewish advocacy in 2006.

Custodial History

Records were transferred to the archives by Ted Sokolsky, president and CEO of UJA Federation of Greater Toronto.

Use Conditions

UJA Federation meeting minutes and general correspondence are closed for 10 years from date of creation. Contracts and donor agreements are permanently closed.

Name Access

UJA Federation of Greater Toronto

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2016-6-2

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

architectural drawing

Physical Description

30 cm of textual records

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

5 architectural drawings : blueprint, blackline and pencil

Date

1921-1988, predominant 1944-1954

Scope and Content

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

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

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

Administrative History

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

Name Access

Shiffman, Aaron, 1930-2019

Grand Order of Israel (Hamilton, Ont.)

Places

Hamilton (Ont.)

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2016-8-9

Material Format

textual record

architectural drawing

Physical Description

1.3 m of textual records

ca. 50 architectural drawings

Date

1974-2016

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records documenting the activities, programs and governance of Shaar Shalom Synagogue. Included are financial statements, meeting minutes, by-laws, brochures, architectural drawings, reports, membership lists, forms filled in by participants in life cycle events (such as weddings and conversions), holiday bulletins, invitations, speeches, Yizkor booklets, office manuals and correspondence. Of note is a land title document from 1981.

Administrative History

Shaar Shalom Synagogue was a conservative synagogue in Markham founded in 1972. The synagogue closed in 2016.

Use Conditions

Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director prior to accessing some of the records.

Subjects

Synagogues

Name Access

Shaar Shalom Synagogue (Markham, Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2016-7-11

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

architectural drawing

Physical Description

ca. 6 m textual records and graphic material

ca. 20 architectural drawings

Date

1972-2016

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records documenting the activities, programs and governance of Shaar Shalom Synagogue. Included are financial records, meeting minutes and agendas, architectural drawings, general administrative files, and photographs.

Administrative History

Shaar Shalom Synagogue was a conservative synagogue in Markham founded in 1972. The synagogue closed in 2016.`

Use Conditions

Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director prior to accessing some of the records.

Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.

Subjects

Synagogues

Name Access

Shaar Shalom Synagogue (Markham, Ont.)

Places

Markham, Ont.

Source

Archival Accessions

Part Of

Koffler Centre of the Arts fonds

Jewish Book Fair series

Level

Series

Fonds

100

Series

7

Material Format

textual record

architectural drawing

Date

1976-2013

Physical Description

20 cm of textual records

1 drawing

Admin History/Bio

An annual Jewish Book Week had been considered for several years before the completion of the new Jewish Community Centre (formerly the YM-YWHA) in 1977 made it feasible. After considerable research, and communication with other communities which had sponsored similar programs (such as Detroit), it was agreed that the success of of the projected Fair would be dependent upon the ability to achieve total community sponsorship. An approach to the Federation of Jewish Women's Organization led to their agreement to serve as co-sponsors; they in turn were followed by the Jewish Cultural Council of the Toronto Jewish Congress and the Jewish Public Library. These four organizations were the initial sponsors, and provided the first representatives to the newly formed Board of Directors.

The first Jewish Book Fair was held in 1977 and featured a large book mart with books of Jewish relevance as well as programming for children and adults.

The Canadian Jewish Book Awards was founded in 1988 by Adam Fuerstenberg whose ambition was to celebrate excellence in Canadian Jewish writing. The Koffler Centre of the Arts was approached to manage the Awards in 1994 and has been administering the Awards program ever since. The name was eventually changed to the Canadian Jewish Book Awards and then again in 2004 to the Helen and Stan Vine Canadian Jewish Book Awards following a 10-year donation from Lillian and Norman Glowinsky. In 2015, the Koffler Centre of the Arts put the Awards on hiatus for one year in order to reframe the program. It was relaunched in 2016 as The Vine Awards for Canadian Jewish Literature.

In 2012, the annual event evolved into Toronto Jewish Book Festival, combining the Book Fair and the Helen and Stan Vine Canadian Jewish Book Awards into one week-long event. In 2013 its name was changed to the Toronto Jewish Literary Festival.

Scope and Content

Series consists of records documenting the Jewish Book Fair. Included in the files are meeting minutes, correspondence, press releases, award ceremony program guides, book award submissions and award winner lists, jury citations, financial statements, committee member lists, sales reports, book evaluation and submission criteria, mission statement, the 25th anniversary tribute book, an architectural drawing of the Lipa Green building, a letter from the Canadian Holocaust Remembrance Association addressing the participation of Edward Greenspan, lawyer for Ernst Zundel, at the Jewish Book Fair and a contract letter outlining the details of the donation made by Mr. and Mrs. Norman Glowinsky to the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto and the subsequent renaming of the Canadian Jewish Book Awards to the Helen and Stan Vine Canadian Jewish Book awards for a period of ten years commencing May 2005-June 2014.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

National Council of Jewish Women of Canada fonds

Toronto Section series

House Committee sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

38

Series

7-10

File

3

Material Format

architectural drawing

graphic material

textual record

Date

1961-1981

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

2 artistic drawings : 52 x 53 cm or smaller

13 architectural drawings : 92 x 60 cm or smaller

Scope and Content

File consists of several architectural drawings of the new Council House, the parking lot and walkways; two artistic drawings, an application for registry under the Land Titles Act and a survey plan of the lots. The architect was Harry B. Kohl and the consulting engineers, Ryka, Smith and Ginsler Limited.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

National Council of Jewish Women of Canada fonds

Toronto Section series

House Committee sub-series

Level

Sub-series

Fonds

38

Series

7-10

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

architectural drawing

Date

1961-[198-?]

Physical Description

3 cm of textual records

37 photographs

2 artistic drawings : 52 x 53 cm or smaller

13 architectural drawings : 92 x 60 cm or smaller

Admin History/Bio

Toronto Section's executive historically incorporated five or six vice-presidents, each in charge of a portfolio made up of a group of related committees. In 1963, Toronto Section moved to a new Council House at 4700 Bathurst Street.

Scope and Content

Sub-series includes drawings, photographs, minutes, contracts and correspondence relating to the builiding's construction and later renovations.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Jewish Community Centre of Toronto fonds

Executive director series

Architectural plans sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

61

Series

1-3

File

4

Material Format

textual record

architectural drawing

Date

1981

Physical Description

1 cm of textual records (1 v.)

8 architectural drawings : proposal ; 28 x 43 cm folded to 28 x 22 cm

Scope and Content

This file consists of a study conducted by A.J. Diamond & Partners, Architects & Planners and A.J. Vermeulen, Quantity Surveyor on the feasibility of modifying the Bloor building to accommodate the new demands made on the athletic, school and community space. The study includes information on demographics of the surrounding area, program analysis and renovation/addition options. There are eight accompanying drawings of the proposed modifications, prepared by the architects.

Accession Number

2004-5-2

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Hillel Foundation, University of Toronto fonds

Level

Fonds

Fonds

65

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

architectural drawing

Date

1945-1988

Physical Description

3.72 m of textual records, graphic material and architectural drawings

Admin History/Bio

The B’nai Brith Hillel Foundation was founded at the University of Illinois in 1923 by Rabbi Benjamin Frankel. The University of Toronto chapter was established in 1946, by which point there were over one thousand Jewish undergraduates at the university. Hillel’s mandate was to foster students’ Jewish identity, creating a religious, cultural, and communal environment and coordinating the activities of many affiliated sub-groups. Hillel was supported by the B’nai Brith Foundation and the United Jewish Welfare Fund (later the Toronto Jewish Congress), with increasing operational funding from the latter as the decades passed.

Hillel’s predecessor at the University of Toronto was the Menorah Society, founded in 1917 and disbanded in 1931 due to waning interest. In 1944 the Jewish Student Fellowship was formed, and on January 23, 1946 it was transformed into the University of Toronto B’nai B’rith Hillel Foundation.

Hillel chapters were run with the guidance of a professional appointed by the B’nai Brith Hillel Foundations at American and Canadian Universities. During the period covered by this fonds, U of T Hillel had four directors: Rabbi Aaron Kamerling (director 1946-1970), Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezri (1970-1971), Ben Mayer (1971-1978), and Gerry Fisher (1978-1981). The director answered to a board of advisors, drawn from the university and Jewish communities, that was responsible for maintaining Hillel House, overseeing staffing, and representing the foundation to the public. Early chairmen of this board included Edward E. Gelber, Jack D. Pearlstein, Cyril Houser, Dr. Alexander Lipson, Sidney Midanik, and E. M. Sprackman.

At the day-to-day operations level, Hillel was run by an elected council of thirteen students under the director’s guidance. At U of T, the Hillel student council created and implemented a yearly program, edited the literary magazine and Hillelite bulletin, and over the years maintained the following standing committees: religious; cultural; house; social; publicity; art, music and drama; United Jewish Appeal; debates; membership; and seminar. The council met monthly and was required to call general meetings bi-monthly.

Hillel’s first administrative offices were at 492 Spadina Avenue, with programs held in various locations, including the B’nai Brith Youth Organization space at 750 Spadina Avenue, and local synagogues. From the beginning, Hillel joined forces with the B’nai Brith Youth Organization to raise funds for a permanent home on campus for Hillel. Programs in the early years included Shabbat services and lectures, arts performances, dances, personal counseling, and courses such as Jewish literature and Hebrew. Three times a year Hillel published the Scribe, a literary magazine addressing topics of Jewish heritage, life, and prominent figures. This was replaced in the 1950s by an annual magazine named Reflections. The Hillelite bulletin informed members of activities and events. Hillel continued to build the Judaica collection of its Norman Raitblat Memorial Library. It also sent delegates each year to the Hillel Summer Institute in New York State; the Brandeis Camp Institute, a leadership training program sponsored by the American Zionist Youth Commission; and, beginning in 1948, the Inter-Hillel Conference, which was hosted alternately by Queen’s University, McGill University, and U of T.

In 1950, Hillel acquired a house at 186 St. George Street. Hillel House was formally dedicated at Convocation Hall on January 21, 1951. In December 1977 Hillel House was destroyed by fire, after which its offices were moved to space in the YMHA building at Bloor and Spadina. Programs were hosted for several years at ‘The Lower East Side’ in the Newman Centre at 89 St. George Street. In June 1979 Hillel acquired office space in a house at 604 Spadina Avenue.

In the 1970s Hillel’s numbers across North America were in decline. In 1974 the Jewish student population at U of T was approximately 3000, but only 400 were registered members. This slump was apparently reversed by the end of the decade, however, when student interest grew enough that a general council of forty students was established to supplement the elected student council (steering committee). 1970s programs included conventions and retreats, United Jewish Appeal fundraising campaigns, a Shabbat co-op, a choir, the Coffeehouse lounge, a film series, a music club, a library society, an annual Purim Bash, an art festival, and counseling groups.

Hillel also served as the voice of Jewish students at the university. The U of T chapter participated in the fight against quotas for Jewish students and faculty, advocated for kosher food availability on campus, and was successful in persuading the university to avoid having examinations on Jewish holidays. In addition, Hillel often represented the views of the Jewish community to the general student population. It has been involved in the dissemination of Holocaust awareness material and in counteracting propaganda against Israel.

In 1970, partnering with the Jewish Student Federation of York University, Hillel established the Free Jewish University. Its courses were held on the U of T and York campuses and featured free courses covering a range of intellectual, personal and practical topics. Also in conjunction with York, Hillel published Or monthly newspaper and the Masada quarterly magazine. The latter evolved into a non-partisan newspaper, Migdal, which in turn became Images in the early 1980s. In addition, the Jewish Students’ Enquirer was published monthly, a joint publication of Jewish students at U of T, York University, Ryerson Polytechnical Institute, and Seneca College.

In 1978, with a view to modernize and reinvigorate its image, Hillel changed its name to the Jewish Students’ Union–B’nai Brith Hillel. The decision involved some contention with the Hillel advisory board, and reflected a closer association with the Toronto Jewish Congress. A third unofficial organization name, J.U.S.T. (Jewish University Students of Toronto), was used for the monthly newsletter, J.U.S.T. News. This newsletter was briefly renamed The Rolling Scribe before being discontinued in 1980.

The 1980s saw Hillel coordinating the efforts and activities of a large number of interest groups: Student United Jewish Appeal, Toronto Student Zionists, Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry, Jewish Residence Council, Jewish Studies Course Union, Student Mobilization for Jews in Arab Lands, Moadon Aliyah, Canadian Branch: North American Jewish Students Network, and Israeli Students Organization. Hillel is now represented on three Toronto universities and three college campuses.

Scope and Content

Fonds consists mainly of textual records created, received and maintained by Hillel directors from 1945 through 1988. The records document the directors’ administration and programming activities, Hillel events, and relations with outside organizations. The most concentrated set of records are those of Rabbi Kamerling from the 1940s and 1950s. The fonds is comprised of correspondence, memoranda, reports, newspapers and newsletters, publicity material, calendars of events, financial records, event programmes, and catalogues. There are blueprints of the proposed extension to Hillel House in the 1960s, the mid-1970s renovations, and the new Hillel House on Huron Street considered in 1978. The fonds also includes annual reports for 1953-1955 and 1960-1970, and a number of publications (incomplete sets): the Hillelite and the Hillel Scribe from the 1940s, the J.U.S.T. (Jewish University Students of Toronto) News, its successor The Rolling Scroll, and newspapers Masada, Migdal, Reflections, Or, and the Jewish Students’ Enquirer.

The fonds contains 130 photographs, predominantly black and white, in the form of prints, contact sheets and 35mm negatives. Aside from 32 head shots of speakers and performers from 1950s events, the photographs date from the 1970s. There are images of plays, meetings, special events, and executive members.

Fonds is arranged with each director’s files separate and in approximate alphabetical order by file name. The files are loosely based on subject/function, likely as they were originally created. Rabbi Kamerling’s records are in two groups since they were acquired in two accessions (see note below).

Notes

Availability of other formats: A small amount of material has been digitized.

Name Access

B'nai Brith Hillel Foundation at the University of Toronto

Related Material

See MG 9 for a more complete run of publications with which Hillel was involved (eg. Midgal, Images).

Arrangement

Processing of the collection maintained each director’s files separate and in their original order. Following the Hillel House fire in 1978, Rabbi Kamerling’s records (1945-1955) were acquired by the Archives. In 1986, additional Kamerling files were acquired (1946-1970). These overlapping sets of records were described and processed separately.

Creator

B'nai Brith Hillel Foundation at the University of Toronto (Toronto, Ont.)

Accession Number

1978-3-7

1981-5-2

1988-11-2

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

The Shuls Project fonds

Reference series

Level

Series

Fonds

64

Series

5

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

architectural drawing

Date

1859-1980

Physical Description

35 cm of textual records

10 photographs

41 architectural drawings

Scope and Content

Series contains reference materials created by and written about the synagogues. Primary records include commemorative booklets, a small number of newsletters, brochures, and programs from special events. There are also newspaper clippings and copied articles providing histories of synagogues. There is a small number of photograph prints and negatives, but many of the files also include photographs from books, magazines or photocopies. The series is arranged in alphabetical order by city, then by synagogue. Not every synagogue the project team researched has a reference file, and there may be reference files for shuls for which no photographs survive.

Subjects

Synagogues

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Dunkelman fonds

Business series

Level

Series

Fonds

2

Series

3

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

architectural drawing

Date

1898, 1941-1988

Physical Description

56 photographs and other material

Admin History/Bio

Ben Dunkelman’s involvement in business was wide-ranging. He served as president of Tip Top Tailors after his father and as president of Cloverdale Shopping Centre. Along with his wife, Yael, he also opened the Dunkelman Gallery for modern art and Dunkelman's restaurant.

Scope and Content

Series consists of photographs, correspondence, pamphlets and papers documenting Benjamin Dunkelman’s business activities. The files are organized into three sub-series: Tip-Top Tailors, Constellation Hotel, and Dunkelman Gallery.

Notes

Physical description: Includes 6 cm of textual records, 5 architectural drawings, and 1 postcard.

Subjects

Business

Physical Condition

Most photographs are warped.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Dunkelman fonds

Business series

Constellation Hotel sub-series sub-series

Level

Sub-series

Fonds

2

Series

3-2

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

architectural drawing

Date

[196-?]-1988

Physical Description

39 photographs and other material

Admin History/Bio

Ben Dunkelman and Alex Hacker started the Constellation Hotel near Toronto's international airport in 1962. The hotel, at 900 Dixon Road, is now called the Regal Constellation Hotel.

Scope and Content

Sub-Series consists of photographs, architectural drawings and papers relating to the Constellation Hotel. These documents were originally organized in a scrapbook. The sub-series also includes a 1988 Toronto Star article referring to Dunkelman, co-owner Alex Hacker and the Constellation Hotel.

Notes

Physical description: Includes 2 folders of textual records, 5 architectural drawings, and 1 postcard.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Solomon Edell fonds

Clanton Park Synagogue series

Level

File

Fonds

4

Series

6

File

3

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

architectural drawing

Date

1956-[ca. 1985]

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

1 photograph : col. ; 10 x 15 cm

2 technical drawings : brownline prints ; 35 x 83 cm

Admin History/Bio

Clanton Park purchased cemetery land from several synagogues and societies that had cemetery property that they did not need.

Scope and Content

File consists of a legal agreement relating to the purchase of Chevra Mishnias synagogue's cemetery lands by Clanton Park and correspondence from the Bathurst Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery Association. Also included is a photograph of Sol Edell standing near the gate to the Clanton Park Cemetery as well as technical drawings of the Clanton Park Cemetery Gate.

Name Access

Chevra Mishnias

Bathurst Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery Association

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Solomon Edell fonds

Cemeteries and funeral homes series

Level

File

Fonds

4

Series

9

File

8

Material Format

textual record

architectural drawing

moving images

Date

1962, 1982-2000

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

1 architectural drawing : 62 x 62 cm

3 videocassettes (ca. 6 hr.) : col., sd. ; VHS

Scope and Content

File consists of a plot plan of Jones Avenue Cemetery which was prepared by Paul Edell (1962), and membership correspondence relating to the payment of dues and regulations regarding the arrangements for burial and the erection and dedication of monuments. Also included are financial reports and meeting agendas and minutes for annual general meetings. Finally, file contains moving images of the gravestones, outer wall, and chapel of the Cemetery with commentary likely by Sol Edell.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Solomon Edell fonds

Personal series

Residences sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

4

Series

1-7

File

6

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

Apr. 1981-May 1981

Physical Description

4 technical drawings : brownline prints ; 47 x 78 cm

Scope and Content

File consists of floor plans, elevation drawings, cross section drawings, detail sketches, and plot plan drawings for the alterations and additions to the Weinstock residence at the corner of Collinson Blvd. and Clanton Park Road. Mr. and Mrs. A. Weinstock were likely in-laws of Sol Edell.

Physical Condition

Records should be stored flat.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Solomon Edell fonds

Aliyah series

Level

File

Fonds

4

Series

8

File

1

Material Format

textual record

architectural drawing

Date

1965-1968, 1992

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

2 architectural drawings : brownline prints, hand col. ; 69 x 95 cm and 36 x 47 cm

Scope and Content

File consists of correspondence, notes, and site plans documenting various projects to build housing for new immigrants making Aliyah.

Physical Condition

Architectural drawings should be stored flat. One drawing has tears in it and looks like it has a section missing.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Solomon Edell fonds

Aliyah series

Level

File

Fonds

4

Series

8

File

8

Material Format

textual record

architectural drawing

Date

[1989?]

Physical Description

100 architectural drawings

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of photocopies of a newspaper clipping and architectural drawings for a housing project in Israel. The architectural drawings were photocopied in sections and some of the photocopies have been taped together to re-create the form of the original.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Solomon Edell fonds

Heritage series

Level

File

Fonds

4

Series

10

File

25

Material Format

textual record

architectural drawing

Date

1980-1982

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

1 technical drawing : blackline print ; 76 x 111 cm

Scope and Content

File consists of correspondence and invoices from the architectural firm Martin Mendelow and Partners. Also included is one floor plan of the Kiever Synagogue.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Solomon Edell fonds

General community activities series

Level

File

Fonds

4

Series

11

File

42

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

architectural drawing

Date

1977-1984

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

24 photographs : col. (14 negatives) ; 9 x 13 cm

1 technical drawing : blueline print ; 30 x 90 cm

Scope and Content

File consists of event invitations and correspondence as well as floor plans and photographs likely documenting the construction of the Ulpanot Orot Girls' High School.

Name Access

Ulpanot Orot Girls' School

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds

Toronto Holocaust Museum series

Museum sub-series

Level

Sub-series

Fonds

67

Series

28-13

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

architectural drawing

Date

1983-2003

Physical Description

ca. 40 cm textual records

34 photographs

Scope and Content

Sub-series consists of records documenting the establishment and administration of the Holocaust Education Centre and the museum's memorial tiles. Records include: correspondence, blueprints, photographs, meeting minutes, and promotional materials.

Notes

Physical description note: includes 2 blueprints.

Access Restriction

Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from OJA Director prior to accessing some of the records.

Source

Archival Descriptions