Accession Number

2006-4-4

Material Format

multiple media

Physical Description

3 photographs : b&w (tif)

5 documents (tif)

1 folder of textual records

1 DVD

1 videocassette

Date

1941-2004

Scope and Content

Accession consists of copies of electronic copies of photographs, postcards and telegrams as well as newsclippings, a video and a DVD documenting the career of Sam Shapiro in the RCAF and his time as a Prisoner of War at Stalag Luft 3 in Poland.

Administrative History

Sam Shapiro enlisted as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force in September 1940. He received his wings in Brantford and was sent overseas in April 1941 as a sergeant pilot. He was in Squadron ten and flew eight successful missions before his plane was shot down over Holland in August 1941, killing two of the crew.

Shapiro was captured by German forces on 17 August 1941 and was taken to Stalag Luft 3 camp in Poland, where the "Great Escape" took place. Shapiro was not part of the breakout, but did help dig the tunnel that allowed seventy-six of his fellow prisoners to escape.

While a Prisoner of War, Shapiro was promoted to warrant officer. He was liberated on 16 April 1945 and arrived in England five days later. Shortly after arriving home in 1945, Shapiro received the YMCA sports badge for his conduct in the POW camp and the Canadian Volunteer Service medal. He married his fiance Geraldine Perlman in 1945.

Use Conditions

Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.

Subjects

Canada--Armed Forces

World War, 1939-1945

Name Access

Shapiro, Sam.

Stalag Luft 3

Perlman, Geraldine

Source

Archival Accessions

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Accession Number

2008-2-4

Material Format

graphic material

graphic material (electronic)

textual record (electronic)

Physical Description

5 photographs : b&w and col. (jpg)

1 photograph : col.

2 documents : col. (jpg)

Date

[1910?]-2008

Scope and Content

Accession consists of six photographs of the Greenspoon family of Sudbury, Ontario. There are also two scanned documents: Moe Greenspoon's 1918 birth certificate and his statement of service in the Canadian Armed Forces, issued in 1990.

Photographs include the following:

01. Benjamin and Fanny Greenspoon ca. 1910. (photograph was a reprint of a scanned original)

02. Paul Allan Greenspoon with grandfather Benjamin and his second wife at bar mitzvah, ca. 1966.

03. Greenspoon family gathering ca. 1942. L to R (back): Nathan, Doris, Moses (Moe), Max, Sydney, Irving, Bill, Ruth, Louis. L to R (front): Dave, wife Ann, Ben, Fanny, Harry, wife Millie.

04. Greenspoons at the Nahala dedication plaque in Israel, Oct. 1972. L to R: Rose (married to Max), daughter Elaine, Max, son Ira, Ira's wife Merle, and Ben in front.

05. Zady's Boyz - basketball team of all the grandsons with Moe, 2008.

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

Canada--Armed Forces

Communities

Families

Name Access

Greenspoon, Moe

Places

Sudbury, Ont.

Source

Archival Accessions

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

2014-10-2

Material Format

multiple media

Physical Description

40 cm of textual records and other material

Date

[192-]-[200-]

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records related to the life and career of David Green and the Jaffey family. Records include sound and video recordings of events, Goodwill Sales accounting ledgers, meeting minutes from the Jewish Canadian Military Archives and Museum, David Green's military ephemera, manuals and reports of the Jewish Federation Board of Trustees and Bequest and Endowment Fund, and Jaffey family correspondence and photographs. Records also include certificates of appreciation awarded to David Green, mainly from UJA Federation.

Administrative History

David Green (1919-2014) was born in the Junction in west Toronto. He served as a private in the Canadian army as part of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He was captured and designated MIA when he was held as a POW in Belgium. He became a member of General Wingate Branch 256 Jewish Canadian Legion. In the mid-1940s he married his wife, Sylvia (nee Jaffey) (d. 2010) and they had a daughter, Miriam. He was a longtime volunteer for the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto. In 1990, he was one of the first individuals to establish an Endowment Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto.

The Jaffey family consisted of Kaby Jaffey, his wife, Nellie, and their children Sylvia, Jess and Albert.

Descriptive Notes

Physical description note: Accession also consists of photographs and textiles.

Subjects

Canada--Armed Forces

Charities

Families

World War, 1939-1945

Name Access

Green, David, 1919-2014

Places

Toronto, Ont.

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2015-11-7

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

6 photographs : b&w and col. ; 13 x 18 cm or smaller

Date

[ca.1930]-[ca.1945], [197-]-[2015]

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records pertaining to the military service of twin brothers Julius (Jack) Spiegel and Louis (Lou/Syd) S. J. Spiegel. Included are photographs of the young Spiegel brothers with their cousins in front of Central High School of Commerce, Dewson St., ca. 1930, original snapshots and portraits of Lou Spiegel in uniform during the 1940s, a hand drawn Easter greeting card signed by Lou Spiegel, and newspaper clippings concerning Lou's role as an aerial photographer for the U.S. Marine Corps unit and his return home to Toronto. There are wartime photocopies of photos including a portrait of Jack Spiegel in uniform, an image of Jack with his crew in front of military aircraft, and a modern day photo of Lou visiting Jack's grave in Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery in Holland. Textual copies include, an annotated photocopy of Veteran Affairs Canada website listing of Jack Spiegel, including information on his burial location and his listing in the Second World War Book of Remembrance. There is a photocopy of Jack's obituary from the Canadian Jewish Congress Book Canadian Jews in World War II, Part II: Casualties, p. 75, and a copy of a letter from the Royal Canadian Air Force addressed to Jack's mother Mrs. Israel Spiegel, notifying her of her son's death. In addition, there is one colour photograph (197?) of promotional municipal campaign street signs for North York City Councillor and Controller, Irving Paisley.

Administrative History

Julius (Jack) Spiegel (1921-1944, Toronto), and Louis (Lou) Spiegel (1921-1999), are twin brothers born in Toronto on March 26, 1921. Their parents Israel Spiegel (b. 1878) and Eva (née Gelbwachs) Spiegel (b. 1880) of 430 Euclid St. Toronto, immigrated from Austria to Canada in 1894 and 1906 respectively.

According to the 1921 Canada census, Israel and Eva had 8 children; Nat Spiegel (b. 1903, U.S.A.), Morse Spiegel (b. 1906), Gertrude Spiegel (b. 1909), Beatrice Spiegel (b. 1911), Sydney Spiegel (b. 1915), Mildred Spiegel (b. 1917), and twin brothers Julius and Louis S. Spiegel (b. 1921).

Both Jack and his twin brother Lou, attended Central Technical High School of Commerce. Jack enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1941 and trained as a wireless air gunner. He went overseas in May 1944 and successfully completed 10 military missions with his unit. Eyewitnesses reported to Lou that Jack parachuted out of his Lancaster Bomber that was shot down over the Rhineland battlefields in Germany . Originally buried by the Dutch Resistance, Jack was later moved to Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, Holland. His date of death was confirmed as October 28, 1944. According to his death certificate, the location of his death was Belgium, that he was married at the time of death and resided at 238 Beatrice St. Jack's brothers Sydney and Murray Spiegel, also served in the military during the Second World War. Sydney with the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps (administrative corps) and Murray with the U.S. Army Medical Department in Kansas.

Louis (Lou) Spiegel (1921-1999, Toronto) served during the Second World War for the Royal Canadian Air Force and the U.S. Marine Corps as an aerial photographer. He later studied at U of T earning a bachelor's degree and transferred to USC (California) earning a master's degree in English and communications. He served as campaign director for the United Welfare Fund in 1954 and worked various jobs throughout his career as an educator in American Community Colleges. He was director of Unarius after Ruth Norman died and was awarded by the same institution with a doctor of psychic therapeutic science degree.

Irving Paisley (1919-2006) married to Adele Paisley, had a 30 year long career in municipal politics in the city of North York holding positions as Councillor, Controller, and Deputy Mayor. He spearheaded the building of York Finch Hospital and served as its founding Chairman. He was also a founding member of Temple Sinai, and founded Paisley Manor Insurance. Paisley’s accomplishments were recognized by the Federal Government and he earned the Centennial Medal for Service to the Nation in 1967.

Use Conditions

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

Subjects

Canada--Armed Forces

World War, 1939-1945

Name Access

Spiegel, Jack, 1921-1944

Spiegel, Lou, 1921-1999

Paisley, Adele

Paisley, Irving 1919-2006

Places

Toronto

Holland

Source

Archival Accessions

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Accession Number

2016-1-6

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

30 cm of textual records

285 photographs : b&w and col. ; 10 x 12 cm of smaller

Date

1975-1985

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records documenting the activities of the Royal Canadian Legion, General Wingate Branch 256. Included are meeting minutes from 1975-1977; an album containing photographs, event materials, and newsclippings celebrating the 50th anniversary of the legion in 1984, remembrance day memorial and an event in tribute to Phil Givens; and one scrapbook containing newsclippings, photographs and other textual records related to various activities of the Branch and its membership, including a tribute to Ben Dunkelman and a 99th birthday celebration for Norman Creed.

Custodial History

The records were originally loaned by the donor to an OJA researcher who arranged to have the materials donated to the OJA.

Subjects

Canada--Armed Forces

Name Access

Royal Canadian Legion, General Wingate Branch 256 (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Part Of

General Wingate Branch 256, Royal Canadian Legion fonds

Level

Item

Fonds

74

Item

29

Material Format

graphic material

Date

27 Sept. 1981

Physical Description

1 photograph : col. ; 13 x13 cm

Notes

Credit: Royal Canadian Legion.

Name Access

Monson, Rabbi David

Royal Canadian Legion

Mount sinai Cemetery

Subjects

Canada--Armed Forces

Cemeteries

Rabbis

Accession Number

1987-12-1

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

General Wingate Branch 256, Royal Canadian Legion fonds

Level

Item

Fonds

74

Item

28

Material Format

graphic material

Date

7 Sept. 1980

Physical Description

1 photograph : col. ; 13 x 9 cm

Notes

Credit: Royal Canadian Legion / Sacks.

Name Access

Royal Canadian Legion

Mount sinai Cemetery

Subjects

Canada--Armed Forces

Cemeteries

Accession Number

1987-12-1

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

General Wingate Branch 256, Royal Canadian Legion fonds

Level

Item

Fonds

74

Item

30

Material Format

graphic material

Date

22 Sept. 1985

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 25 cm

Scope and Content

Item is a photograph of the General Wingate Branch, Royal Canadian Legion and Jewish war veterans memorial service held at Mount Sinai Cemetery. Identified in the photograph are Barry Goldman (5 yrs.) and Randy Goldman (6yrs.). Their father Israel Goldman is buried in the cemetery. On the far left is Ernie Stein, a Jewish war veteran and member of the colour party.

Notes

Photograph is by Graphic Artists, Toronto

Name Access

Goldman, Barry

Goldman, Randy

Stein, Ernie

Royal Canadian Legion

Mount sinai Cemetery

Goldman, Israel

Subjects

Canada--Armed Forces

Cemeteries

Physical Condition

Good

Accession Number

1986-12-3

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

General Wingate Branch 256, Royal Canadian Legion fonds

Level

Item

Fonds

74

Item

31

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1986

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 25 cm

Scope and Content

Item is a photograph of the annual remembrance parade of Wingate Branch Royal Canadian Legion, held at Mount Sinai cemetery. Identified in the photograph are Jack Arons (left, with glasses) and Lee Pritzker (centre right).

Notes

Photograph is by Graphic Artists, Toronto

Name Access

Pritzker, Lee

Arons, Jack

Royal Canadian Legion

Mount sinai Cemetery

Subjects

Canada--Armed Forces

Cemeteries

Accession Number

1986-12-3

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Dunkelman fonds

Second World War series

Level

Series

Fonds

2

Series

4

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

cartographic material

Date

1942-1995

Physical Description

6 cm of textual records and other material

Admin History/Bio

During the Second World War, Dunkelman served as a major in the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada. After enlisting in 1940, he became a platoon commander. Dunkelman took part in the second wave of D-Day landings in 1944 and later assisted in the final Allied assault on Germany, earning the Distinguished Service Order. He left the army in 1945 after the war had ended. The Queen's Own Rifles Association and the Canadian Society for the Weizmann Institute of Science organized a reception in 1976 to honour the publication of Dunkelman's autobiography, Dual Allegiance.

Scope and Content

Series consists of records documenting Ben Dunkelman's involvement in the Second World War. Included are newspaper clippings, maps, photographs, and correspondence. Some files deal with Dunkelman's experiences during the war; others relate to Dunkelman's relationship with veterans after the war and, in one case, with his memories of the war. The files cover such subjects as The Queen's Own Rifles, Veterans, the liberation of The Netherlands, Aubrey Cosens (a soldier under Dunkelman’s command who was killed in battle but later honoured with the Victoria Cross), and the prosecution of Nazi war criminals.

Notes

Physical description: Includes 85 photographs, 1 album, and 10 maps.

Name Access

Cosens, Aubrey, 1921-1945 (subject)

Subjects

Canada--Armed Forces

World War, 1939-1945

Related Material

See fonds 2, series 6 for more information on Dunkelman's involvement in the Second World War.

Source

Archival Descriptions