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

Accession Number

2021-7-1

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

sound recording

Physical Description

ca. 8 cm textual records

6 posters : col. ; 66 x 51 cm or smaller

2 photographs : b&w and col. ; 12 x 17 cm and 10 x 15 cm

3 audio discs : vinyl

Date

[1960?]-2021

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records created and collected by Cyrel Troster, which document Cyrel and her parents Jack Troster and Lillian Troster's involvement in the Jewish community. Records include three vinyl records documenting the music of William Lion Mackenzie High School orchestra and Camp Manitou-Wabing (1961-1965); six oversized posters (1960-2008); programmes, flyers, brochures, cards, and other small, printed items relating to Jewish cultural events that Cyrel attended ([197-]-2019); booklets and magazines (1977-2016); newspaper clippings documenting cultural events and activities of the Ontario Jewish community (1973-2021); and two photographs depicting a B’nai B’rith event and the 2nd women’s conference panel in Toronto. Also included are other assorted documents such as Cyrel Troster’s essay on the Workmen’s Circle (1974); certificates; listing of Board of Jewish Education (BJE) members (2000-2001 and 2004); a proposal for Yiddish Education and Cultural Centre [1998?]; an application for a film grant (1992); correspondence (1978 and 2012); and documents pertaining to Jewish Arts Directory (1992-1994), Second Encounter (bibliography for annual programs, registration cards, meeting minutes; 1977-1979), Cultural Services Planning and Allocations Committee (CSPAC) (member list, proposal, meeting minutes, strategic plan; 1994-2004), and Tzedakah Box Project (2005). Topics and events documented other than those mentioned above are Bathurst Manor, downtown synagogues, Kensington Market, the Sense of Spadina tour, Holy Blossom Synagogue, the Journey into Our Heritage exhibit, and the first Toronto Jewish Film Festival.

Administrative History

Cyrel Troster was an active member on the Cultural Services Planning and Allocation Committee and the Archives Committee and a former board member of the Ontario Jewish Archives Foundation. She is a recently retired schoolteacher and an active member of the Jewish community.

Descriptive Notes

Availability of other formats: digital preservation copies for some documents have been created and are available in PDF, JPG, and TIF formats.

Name Access

Troster, Cyrel

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2011-8-10

Material Format

textual record

sound recording

moving images

Physical Description

ca. 10 cm of textual records

1 audio disc : vinyl

1 DVD

Date

1977-2006

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records documenting Cyrel's involvement in various Jewish organization's, including; Community Planning and Allocations (CP&A), Cultural Services Planning and Allocations Committee (CSPAC), the CJC Archives Committee (Ontario Jewish Archives), the UJA Federation (Toronto Jewish Congress) Board of Directors, the Latner Library (Jewish Public Library), and the Canadian Jewish Congress. Included are meeting minutes, reports, correspondence, a vinyl record issued by CJC and the Jewish Student Federation of York University entitled "Let my People Go", event invitations, and brochures.

Also included are Jewish Women's Forum newsletters, Ashkenaz festival brochures, a Pardes Shalom Memorial Garden video, a Leah Posluns Theatre production booklet, and event invitations for the Narayever Congregation.

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

Troster, Cyrel

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2014-8-10

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

5 cm of textual records

Date

1988-2014

Scope and Content

Accession consists of textual records documenting Cyrel Troster's Jewish communal involvement, particularly with cultural planning for UJA Federation. Included are event inviations, program books, brochures, a postcard, meeting minutes, reports, and flyers. Records relate to the following agencies and projects: UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, the Tomorrow Campaign, Anshei Minsk Synagogue, Holy Blossom Temple, Shareeh Haim Synagogue, the Jewish Museum in Toronto, reports on Jewish education in Toronto, the Toronto Jewish Film Festival, the Holocaust Centre of Toronto, and the Koffler Centre. Of note is a copy of a study commissioned by UJA Federation for Frank Gehry, who was originally approached to design the Koffler Gallery.

Subjects

Nonprofit organizations

Name Access

Troster, Cyrel

UJA Federation of Greater Toronto

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2015-8-4

Material Format

textual record

object

Physical Description

ca. 15 cm of textual records

1 leather hide

Date

1974-2009

Scope and Content

Accession consists of documents related to UJA Federation committees and the Ontario Jewish Archives. Documents include correspondence, reports, meeting minutes and agendas, promotional material, budgets, and newspaper clippings. Accession also includes a shoe leather hide from Edna Shoe Manufacturing Company Limited that was used at a shoe conference.

Administrative History

Cyrel's grandfather, Charles Troster, owned the Edna Shoe Manufacturing Company Limited, a shoe factory, in Toronto. Cyrel's father and all of her uncles worked there. Names on the shoes were as follows: Celina, Lady Edna, Avanti, Charles (Studio of Canada), and Edna.

Use Conditions

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

Subjects

Business

Fashion and clothing

Meetings

Name Access

Troster, Charles

Troster, Cyrel

Edna Shoe Manufacturing Company Limited (Toronto, Ont.)

Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre

UJA Federation of Greater Toronto

Places

Toronto, Ont.

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2015-8-8

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

object

Physical Description

2 folders of textual records

1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 25 cm

1 pair of shoes

Date

1958-1994

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material documenting the activities of Cyrel Troster and the Edna Shoe Manufacturing Company Limited. Included are lists of elected officers and members for B'nai Brith Women (1970-1971), an invitation to a B'nai Brith Women Covenant Breakfast (1958), an issue of the Zionist student publication "masada" (1977), a schedule for High Holiday services at Darchei Noam (1994), an issue of the bulletin "The Window" of B'nai Israel Beth David Congregation (1977), and an issue of the newsletter "Shirayim" of the Canadian Union of Jewish Studies (1972). Also included are a pair of Edna shoes, a sketch of a shoe, a photograph of shoes, and two templates of shoes documenting the work of the Edna Shoe Manufacturing Company Limited.

Custodial History

Cyrel found the shoes at a secondhand store and purchased them.

Administrative History

Cyrel's grandfather, Charles Troster, owned the Edna Shoe Manufacturing Company Limited, a shoe factory, in Toronto. Cyrel's father and all of her uncles worked there.

Subjects

Business

Fashion and clothing

Occupations

Name Access

Troster, Cyrel

Troster, Charles

Edna Shoe Manufacturing Company Limited (Toronto, Ont.)

Places

Toronto, Ont.

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

Accession Number

2018-7-10

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

7 folders

Date

1977-2006

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material documenting Cyrel Troster's involvement in the Jewish community.

Included are: a copy of Jewish Life in Greater Toronto: leadership development materials (197-?), materials pertaining to the Second Encounter Holocaust-themed event series (ca. 1977-ca. 1979), a folder of source material for Jewish exhibitions (1979-1987), a copy of the 1992 Jewish Directory of Greater Toronto, a copy of The Jewish Community of Toronto: Part I Basic Demographics (2001), a copy of The Jewish Community of Toronto: Part III the Jewish Elderly (2001), and a copy of A Survey of the Attitudes and Behaviours of Greater Toronto's Jewish Community (2006).

Use Conditions

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

Subjects

Exhibitions

Population

Name Access

Troster, Cyrel

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2018-8-1

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

7 cm of textual records

Date

[197-]-2003

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material documenting Cyrel Troster's involvement in the Jewish community, especially her involvement in the Canadian Jewish Congress Central Committee/Toronto Jewish Congress Archives.

Included are: A copy of a Brief Guide to Pesach by Rabbi A. Y. Bartfield (197-?); archives-related press releases (197-?); materials pertaining to the Toronto Jewish Historical Society's Kensington Market walking tour (1974?); a copy of Fraternally Yours: Official Publication of the New Fraternal Jewish Association Vol. 19 No. 4(161) (Nov. 1978); a study of Toronto's Jewish population (Jan. 1979); a list of the officers and board of directors of the Israel Frankel Jewish Public Library of Toronto (Jan. 1979); archives-related ephemera (1979-1984); a report regarding program, budget, and priority process for the archives (Aug. 1981); member lists for the archives committee (1983), archives-related correspondence (1983-1986, 2002), archives budgets (1983-1985, 2003); meeting minutes for the archives committee (1984); a directory of local synagogue artists (1999); and a programme for a Frances Mandell tribute dinner (1999).

Subjects

Archives

Name Access

Troster, Cyrel

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2018-10-14

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

7 cm of textual records

Date

1964-2018

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material documenting different public and Jewish organizations in Toronto. Included are: 1964 and 1965 issues of the William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute's Advocate yearbook; a record of the Eglinton chapter of B'nai Brith Women of Canada's opening meeting on 16 September 1992; a booklet with short profiles of the 1998-99 UJA Federation Board of Directors; a 2013 commemorative booklet celebrating Darchei Noam's fortieth anniversary and Rabbi Tina Grimberg's ten-year anniversary at the synagogue; a program for the 8th Annual Symposium in Germanic Studies University of Toronto, which was titled Global Yiddish Culture, 1938-1948; various materials from the 2018 Ashkenaz Festival; newspaper clippings; and informational material for the Canadian Jewish Congress/Toronto Jewish Congress' Heritage-in-a-Box project

Subjects

Festivals

Public schools

Synagogues

Name Access

Ashkenaz Festival

B'nai Brith Women of Canada

Canadian Jewish Congress. Central Region

Congregation Darchei Noam (Toronto, Ont.)

Grimberg, Tina

Toronto Jewish Congress

Troster, Cyrel

University of Toronto

William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2020-3-2

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

3 photographs : b&w and col ; 12 x 17 cm or smaller

Date

[195-]-1997

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material documenting Cyrel Troster and her family's involvement in the Jewish community. Included are: a copy of a camp newsletter Manitou Wabing (195-?); a copy of the B'nai B'rith Eglinton Chapter newsletter The Tattler (Nov. 1968); certificates for Lillian Troster from B'nai B'rith (1960-1973); booklets for the 24th Regional Conference of the Canadian Jewish Congress Ontario Region (1981) and an exhibit Journey into Our Heritage (1978); a wedding invitation (1997); photographs of B'nai B'rith functions (195-?); a flyer for a Frances Mandell tribute dinner (1990); press clippings of various community events (196-?); and a photograph of a Clanton Park area house (197-).

Name Access

Troster, Cyrel

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions