Accession Number

2011-6-4

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

ca. 25 cm of textual records

1 photograph

Date

1980-2000, predominant 1980-1990

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records documenting Rolf Lederer's involvement with JIAS, the Canadian Jewish Congress's Chaplaincy Services Committee, the Toronto Jewish Congress Ontario Region Archives Committee, SAJAC, and the Jewish Genealogical Society. JIAS records make up the bulk of the accession and include; statistical reports; meeting notices; agendas and minutes for various committees, such as the Executive Committee, Immigrant Case Committee, Integration Committee and the Board of Directors; newsclippings, correspondence, programmes, reports, JIAS Information bulletins, and JIAS News newsletters.

Chaplaincy records include meeting notices, agendas and minutes, bulletins, invitations, brochures, and general correspondence. JGS records include one photograph of a plaque awarded to the agency and correspondence regarding its cemetery project. Archives Committee records include event invitations, correspondence, and documents related to the Sense of Spadina tour. Finally, accession also consists of SAJAC News publications (1989), correspondence with the Association of Orthodox Jewish Scientists and a Congregation B'nai Torah dedication banquet programme (1984).

Custodial History

The records were in the possession of Rolf Lederer until he donated them to the OJA on June 22, 2011.

Administrative History

Dr. Rolf Lederer was born in Hamburg, Germany in 1934. His family immigrated to South Africa in 1936 and Rolf remained there until 1961, earning his medical degree from Cape Town University. After completing his psychiatric training in Edinburgh and Boston, Rolf settled in Toronto in 1968. There he set up private practice as a General Psychiatrist.

After moving to Toronto, Rolf became actively involved in the Jewish community and served on a number of committees. He was on both the local and national board of directors of the Jewish Immigrant Aid Society (JIAS) as well as a number of JIAS sub-committees, including the South African Jewish Association of Canada (SAJAC), the Local Case File Committee and the Management Committee.

From 1985 to 1988 Rolf was chairman of the Canadian Jewish Congress’s (CJC) Chaplaincy Services Committee. He was also a member of other CJC committees; including, the Jewish Cultural Council and the Joint Adult Education Committee. In addition, Rolf co-founded the Jewish Genealogical Society (JGS) in 1985 and served as the society’s president from 1987 to 1991. Finally, he was an active member of B’nai Torah Congregation, serving as secretary and first vice-president in the early 1980s

Subjects

Immigrants--Canada

South Africa--Emigration and immigration

Name Access

Lederer, Rolf, 1934-

Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Toronto

Southern African Jewish Association of Canada

Canadian Jewish Congress. Ontario Region

Ontario Jewish Archives

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2016-11-17

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Date

1969-1999

Scope and Content

Accession consists of correspondence to and from Stephen Speisman, former Director of the Ontario Jewish Archives. Also included is a report on the collection, conservation and utilization of the historical records of the Canadian Jewish community prepared by John Andreassen of the Records Management Company of Canada (1969), a condition report for the Knesseth Israel Synagogue (1986), an invitation to the opening of the archives in the new Lipa Green building (1984), and an invitation to the gala opening and an exhibit booklet from the Coat of Many Colours (1990).

Name Access

Speisman, Stephen A., 1943-2008

Ontario Jewish Archives

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2018-6-7

Material Format

textual record

sound recording

Physical Description

30 cm of textual records

6 cassette tapes

Date

1973-2005

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material documenting Cyrel Troster's involvement with various Jewish committees and organizations. Included are: transcripts of oral histories with prominent Jewish Torontonians that were conducted as part of an oral history project in 1973; correspondence between Cyrel Troster and interviewees; index cards listing the dates of the oral history interviews; promotional materials for Jewish arts festivals; public proposal document for the new Shaarei Shomayim Synagogue; and documents and records from Cyrel's involvement in various Jewish organizations. Also included are Local Initiatives Program application forms (1973), lists of presidents of various Jewish organizations, a map of the Jewish York Region (1999), issues of Exodus Magazine in both English and Russian from May 2018, and two issues of the Wilson Heights High School yearbook The Torch (1962-63).

The six tape cassettes are as follows: Cantor Paul Kowarsky Live in Concert (no date); Highlights from the 1994 Toronto Jewish Storytelling Festival; interview with Esther Volpe (two cassette tapes); interview with Samuel Harris; and one cassette marked "Dov Noy copy of Library tape" (Dov Noy was a Jewish folklorist).

The accession contains transcripts for the following interviewees: Mrs. Arbus, David Biderman, Benjamin Brown, Benjamin Sherman, Arthur Cohen, Mrs. Draimin, Max Federman, Morris Flicht, Joshua Gershman, Samuel Harris, Ben Heisel, Rose Heisel, Mr. Lean, Mary Levy, Harry Pullan, J. B. Salsberg, Yekil Silverman, A. S. Socol, Nathan Strauss, Esther Volpe, and Annie Zeidman.

The accession contains records related to Cyrel's involvement in the following committees and organizations: Committee for Yiddish (1997-2004); Cultural Services and Planning Committee (1990-2005), Jewish Public Library (2005); Canadian Jewish Congress, Orthodox Division (1982-1984); Holocaust Centre (1979-2004); Limmud (2000); Ontario Jewish Archives (1973-2004); Jewish Theatre (1996-2002); Jewish Arts Council (2000-2004); Jewish Toronto Tomorrow (1994-2004); Ashkenaz (1997-2004); UJA Federation (1978, 1984, 1990-2004).

Use Conditions

Credit to be given to Susan Cohen and Cyrel Troster—coordinators of the Local Initiatives Project project in 1973—and to interviewer(s) and transcribers when using tapes or transcribed interviews.

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

Descriptive Notes

RELATED MATERIAL NOTE: See accession 2017-4-6 for related sound recordings. Some may be duplicates.

Subjects

Nonprofit organizations

Name Access

Committee for Yiddish (Toronto, Ont.)

Limmud Toronto

Ontario Jewish Archives

Troster, Cyrel

UJA Federation of Greater Toronto

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2018-6-22

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Date

1947, 1972-1992

Scope and Content

Accession consists of materials assembled by Stanley Emerson and donated to the Ontario Jewish Archives. Included are: one hardbound book commemorating the Toronto Hebrew Free School's liquidation of its capital debt on May 8, 1947; one spiral-bound book assembled on the occassion of Shomrai Shaboth Congregation's twentieth anniversary testimonial dinner honouring Rabbi Gedalia Felder to be held on Sunday, June 18, 1972; one Associated Hebrew Schools of Toronto programme for its annual dinner to be held on Thursday, June 22, 1978; one programme for a Machanaim Testimonial Dinner honouring Dr. Isadore Cass on Wednesday, May 2, 1979; one Associated Hebrew Schools graduation programme for Wednesday, June 27, 1979; one newspaper clipping from the Thursday, June 6, 1985 edition of the Canadian Jewish News relating to Rabbi Gedalia Felder, former spiritual leader of Shomrai Shaboth-Chevra Mishnayoth Congregation; one newspaper clipping from the Thursday, June 13, 1985 edition of the Canadian Jewish News relating to Harold Dessen, former president of Associated Hebrew Schools; and one paperbound book assembled on the occassion of a Sol Edell tribute dinner commoemorating the fiftieth yahrzeit (death anniversary) of HaRav Yosef Weinreb and the establishment of the Saol Edell Family Endowment Fund to be held on Saturday, October 31, 1992.

Subjects

Anniversaries

Schools

Synagogues

Name Access

Associated Hebrew Schools of Toronto

Cass, Isadore M., 1916-1996

Dessen, Harold

Felder, Gedalia, 1922-

Shomrai Shabbos Chevrah Mishnayos (Toronto, Ont.)

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Part Of

Solomon Edell fonds

Heritage series

Level

File

Fonds

4

Series

10

File

4

Material Format

textual record

Date

1974, 1980-1981

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of reports submitted by the Toronto Jewish Congress Archives Committee to TJC's Executive Committee. Also included is a report likely regarding the creation of an archive for the records of the Alpha Omega Fraternity and a report by Stephen Speisman regarding his position and salary.

Name Access

Ontario Jewish Archives

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Solomon Edell fonds

Heritage series

Level

File

Fonds

4

Series

10

File

5

Material Format

textual record

Date

1974-1980

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of lists of members of the Toronto Jewish Congress Archives Committee.

Name Access

Ontario Jewish Archives

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Solomon Edell fonds

Heritage series

Level

File

Fonds

4

Series

10

File

6

Material Format

textual record

Date

1979-1987

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of meeting notices.

Name Access

Ontario Jewish Archives

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Solomon Edell fonds

Heritage series

Level

File

Fonds

4

Series

10

File

7

Material Format

textual record

Date

1974-1983

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of correspondence and annual budgets.

Name Access

Ontario Jewish Archives

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Solomon Edell fonds

Heritage series

Level

File

Fonds

4

Series

10

File

8

Material Format

textual record

Date

1975-[ca. 1980]

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of publicity and acquisitions policies, a manuscript inventory list, a list of questions to ask small communities, a list of community institutions, and notes for the Charter of the Ontario Jewish Archives Foundation.

Name Access

Ontario Jewish Archives

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Solomon Edell fonds

Heritage series

Level

File

Fonds

4

Series

10

File

34

Material Format

textual record

Date

1977-1980

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of reports regarding the travelling exhibit, Journey Into Our Heritage.

Name Access

Ontario Jewish Archives

Jewish Historical Society of Canada

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Solomon Edell fonds

Heritage series

Level

File

Fonds

4

Series

10

File

36

Material Format

textual record

Date

1977-1980

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of correspondence.

Name Access

Ontario Jewish Archives

Jewish Historical Society of Canada

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Solomon Edell fonds

Heritage series

Level

File

Fonds

4

Series

10

File

37

Material Format

textual record

Date

1978-1980

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of correspondence, financial statements, payment receipts, cost estimates, bank statements, and pages from a financial ledger.

Name Access

Ontario Jewish Archives

Jewish Historical Society of Canada

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Solomon Edell fonds

Heritage series

Level

File

Fonds

4

Series

10

File

40

Material Format

textual record

Date

1978-1980

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of invitations to various openings and receptions for the Journey Into Our Heritage exhibit in Winnipeg, Ottawa, and Toronto.

Name Access

Ontario Jewish Archives

Jewish Historical Society of Canada

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Solomon Edell fonds

Heritage series

Level

File

Fonds

4

Series

10

File

43

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Date

1974-1984

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

1photograph : col. ; 9 x 13 cm

Scope and Content

File consists of records documenting the Ontario Jewish Archives's Sense of Spadina walking tour. Included is correspondence, brochures, news releases, flyers, instructions for guides, and a grant application to take part in Ontario's bicentennial. Also included is a photograph of the exterior of the Kiever Synagogue.

Name Access

Ontario Jewish Archives

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Solomon Edell fonds

Heritage series

Level

File

Fonds

4

Series

10

File

46

Material Format

textual record

Date

[ca. 1980]

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of notes created by Sol Edell for a talk he delivered to the Sons of Jacob Benevolent Society on archives.

Name Access

Ontario Jewish Archives

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Solomon Edell fonds

Heritage series

Level

File

Fonds

4

Series

10

File

49

Material Format

textual record

Date

1977-1981

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of correspondence, a brochure, and a list of Toronto synagogues up to 1938.

Name Access

Ontario Jewish Archives

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Solomon Edell fonds

Heritage series

Level

File

Fonds

4

Series

10

File

50

Material Format

textual record

Date

1975-1982

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of correspondence and flyers documenting various outreach activities of the Ontario Jewish Archives. The bulk of the records are thank you letters for exhibit loans and special presentations.

Name Access

Ontario Jewish Archives

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Dr. Isadore M. Cass fonds

Level

Fonds

Fonds

40

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Date

1909-1995

Physical Description

45 cm of textual records

14 photographs : b&w (8 negatives) ; 18 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

Dr. Isadore M. Cass (1916-1996), a well-known pathologist and practicing mohel--Jewish ritual circumcisor--for the Toronto Jewish community, was born and educated in Toronto, attending the University of Toronto's medical school. After serving with the army during the Second World War, Dr. Cass returned to Toronto to private practice. He began studying pathology in 1953, and performed research at the Ontario Cancer Institute, Connaught Labs and the Ontario Department of Health throughout his career. He was chief of pathology at Ajax and Pickering hospitals for twenty-three years, until his retirement in 1986.

In 1945, Dr. Cass began doing ritual circumcisions and was the first medical doctor in Toronto to do so. He performed over 40,000 circumcisions throughout Canada and the eastern United States and trained many physicians to perform them as well.

Dr. Cass was a member of the following organizations: New York Academy of Sciences; the Academy of Medicine, Toronto; the Israel Medical Association; General Wingate Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion; and many other associations and societies.

Dr. Cass studied Torah under Rabbi Jacob Gordon and was a Torah reader at Goel Tzedec Synagogue and later, Beth Tzedec. He also studied and taught Torah throughout his life, chairing the Canadian Jewish Congress' Tanach study group for many years, and leading weekly Gemara classes at Beth Tzedec. He belonged to Shaarei Shomayim and Beth Lida synagogues, as well as Lubavitch. In 1987, Dr. and Mrs. Cass were honoured as "Couple of the Year" by Machanaim, The Network of Educational Institutions in Kiryat Gat, Israel, for their great contributions to this charity over the years.

Dr. Cass was married to Miriam Cass and they had four daughters: Sharon, Hylah, Judy, and Elaine. He had four brothers: the late Rabbi Samuel Cass, Harry, Al, and Elie (who was a Reform mohel), and two sisters: Miriam Cass and Zelda Fink. He also had seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Dr. Cass died on January 24, 1996 of cancer.

Scope and Content

The fonds consists of records relating to the personal and professional life of Dr. Isadore Cass. These records include appointment books documenting circumcisions he performed, correspondence, writings, Tanach study group notes, a Machanaim invitation and programme, prayer books, certificates, memorial cards, and photographs.

Name Access

Cass, Isadore M., 1916-1996

Subjects

Physicians

Access Restriction

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

Physical Condition

The prayer book is in poor condition and some of the early daytimers are in fair condition.

Related Material

See also the Ontario Jewish Archives' reference news clipping file under "Cass, Dr. Isadore".

Creator

Cass, Isadore M., 1916-1996

Accession Number

1997-5-1

1997-8-2

Source

Archival Descriptions