Accession Number
2006-2-10
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2006-2-10
Material Format
graphic material
Physical Description
32 photographs : b&w ; 16 x 10 cm
Date
[ca. 1940]-[ca. 1949]
Scope and Content
Accession consists of thirty-two copy photographs of the Smith family, including images of the donor's father David during the Second World War while stationed in Quebec City, Halifax, England and eventually imprisoned in prisoner of war (POW) camp Stalag Luft III in Germany. In addition there are photographs of the donor's grandparents Max and Rose's singles resort at Port Carling in the Muskokas called Smith's Bay House and holiday photos from Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and a Passover seder. Additional locations of photos include Young Judaea's Camp Hagshama in Perth, Ontario and Toronto city street views of Bloor Street and Palmerston Boulevard.
Administrative History
Max and Rose Smith opened a resort for Jewish singles in Port Carling, Muskoka in 1938. The resort was kosher and offered Jewish content to visitors. Boys and girls bunked seperately.
Rose Smith sold the resort in 1955 shortly after Max passed away.
According to David Smith's daughter Miriam "What my dad and my aunt told me is that Smith's Bay House is where the young people went, not the older folks, as is stated in Andrew's article. I think the discrepancy is that after the war, when the soldiers came home, there were more young people around working and going on vacation. They told me that my grandfather would go around at 11pm, making sure all the visitors were sleeping where they should be and that there were no shenanigans going on! Also of note, the first summer they opened, 1938, in the first group of visitors included a young man who would become my aunt's husband. They met there. My aunt loved to tell that story."
Suzanne Smith (née Beskin) and David Samuel Smith met at Cornell University in the spring of 1946, after David returned from service in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. Suzanne was living in the United States and attending Columbia University. She worked as a libraian at Cornell. David studied hotel administration. They married in 1947 and moved back to Toronto in 1948.
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
Fasts and feasts--Judaism
Summer resorts
World War, 1939-1945
Places
Germany
Halifax (N.S.)
Muskoka (Ont. : District municipality)
Perth (Ont.)
Québec (Province)
Québec (Québec)
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions
Name
Blanche Haber
Material Format
sound recording
Interview Date
18 Dec. 1987
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Blanche Haber
Number
OH 189
Subject
Boardinghouses
Families
Immigrants--Canada
Occupations
Interview Date
18 Dec. 1987
Quantity
1
Interviewer
Kaylee Gollom Miller
Total Running Time
Side 1 - 31 minutes Side 2 - 31 minutes
Conservation
Copied August 2003
Use Restrictions
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Biography
Blanche Haber (née Heller) was born in a small town in Russia in 1893. She came to Toronto at age eight. Her father worked as a peddler. She married Isadore Haber in 1915. Three of her five children died from illness in their childhood. Before her marriage, Blanche worked as a seamstress. Isadore worked as a tailor, primarily for Eaton's. Like her mother, Blanche took boarders into her home at 112 Parliament Street once married.
Material Format
sound recording
Name Access
Haber, Blanche, 1893-1994
Haber, Isadore, 1887-1982
Manischewitz (family)
Geographic Access
Halifax (N.S.)
Parliament Street (Toronto, Ont.)
Original Format
Audio cassette
Copy Format
Audio cassette
Digital file
Transcript
G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 189 Haber\OH 189 notes.pdf
Source
Oral Histories

In this clip, Blanche Haber describes taking boarders into her mother’s and her own home at 112 Parliament Street.

In this clip, Blanche Haber fondly remembers the warm relationship that developed between her family and the Manischewitz family. She explains that Joe Manischewitz boarded at her family’s home while his family built a matzah factory in Toronto.

Name
David Hart
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
9 Jun. 2010
Source
Oral Histories
Name
David Hart
Number
OH 375
Subject
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1939-1945
Interview Date
9 Jun. 2010
Quantity
1 reference DVD (2 WAV files); 1 archival DVD (2 WAV files)
Interviewer
Shayla Howell
Total Running Time
File 1: 26:00
File 2: 1:20
Notes
David was interviewed as part of the Memory Project event held at Lipa Green on 13 May 2010 in partnership with the Historica Dominion Institute.
Biography
David served in the Royal Canadian Navy from September 1942 to May 1944 on the homefront in Halifax and Calgary.
Material Format
moving images
Geographic Access
Calgary (Alta.)
Halifax (N.S.)
Original Format
DVD
Source
Oral Histories
Address
1 Camp Gesher’s Rd
Source
Landmarks

Camp Gesher originated in 1963 from a merger between Camp Revivim (serving campers from Ottawa and Toronto) and Camp Kissufim (serving campers from Montreal). It is part of Habonim Dror, the Labour-Zionist youth movement and is located near Cloyne, Ontario.
Address
1 Camp Gesher’s Rd
Time Period
1963-present
Scope Note
Camp Gesher originated in 1963 from a merger between Camp Revivim (serving campers from Ottawa and Toronto) and Camp Kissufim (serving campers from Montreal). It is part of Habonim Dror, the Labour-Zionist youth movement and is located near Cloyne, Ontario.
History
Camp Gesher’s small size is central to the spirit of the camp where a culture of acceptance, individuality and mutual respect is fostered. The camp philosophy revolves around socialist ideals and its structure is similar to that of a kibbutz. Hebrew is used in day-to-day conversation and there are many opportunities to learn about Jewish and Israeli history and culture. There is a kosher kitchen and Shabbat and Havdalah are celebrated.
Category
Camps and Resorts
Source
Landmarks
Level
Item
ID
Item 694
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
694
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1 Jan. 1924
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 28 x 49 cm on mat 40 x 59 cm
Scope and Content
Item is a photograph of refugees seated in a large room at Halifax, Nova Scotia after arriving to Canada by ship.
Subjects
Refugees
Repro Restriction
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.
Places
Halifax (N.S.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 1541
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
1541
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1927
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)
Subjects
Immigrants--Canada
Repro Restriction
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.
Places
Halifax (N.S.)
Accession Number
1978-4-9
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 628
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
628
Material Format
graphic material
Date
6 Feb. 1948
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 21 x 26 cm and 10 x 12 cm
Admin History/Bio
The General Sturgis was originally a military ship (called a Liberty ship) that was being used to transport people from post-Second World War Europe to Canada. The ship accommodated the men on board in stacked cots in the hold, while the women and children slept separately in cabins. The boat had sailed from Braemanhaven, Germany, landing in Halifax on 6 February 1948. On board were Jewish immigrants from displaced persons (DP) camps, most of whom were brought over as tailors with the aid of the Canadian Jewish Congress and Jewish Immigrant Aid Services (JIAS). Many of the individuals pictured eventually settled in Montreal.
Scope and Content
Item is a copy photograph and corresponding negative of the boat General Sturgis landing at Pier 21 in Halifax. Pictured far left in the front is David Mangarten and [his sister Eva], fourth from the right is Eli Goldberg (b. 1897, Rafalovka, Poland-d. 1983, Montreal). Pictured seventh from the right is Mr. Hister.
Subjects
Immigrants--Canada
Ships
Repro Restriction
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.
Places
Halifax (N.S.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Eastern Canada synagogues series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 64; Series 4; File 4
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Eastern Canada synagogues series
Level
File
Fonds
64
Series
4
File
4
Material Format
graphic material
textual record
Date
1978
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
21 photographs : col. slides, (1) b&w print ; 35 mm and 12 x 9 cm
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.
Places
Halifax (N.S.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Eastern Canada synagogues series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 64; Series 4; File 3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Eastern Canada synagogues series
Level
File
Fonds
64
Series
4
File
3
Material Format
graphic material
textual record
Date
1978
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
36 photographs : col. slides, b&w prints ; 35 mm and 12 x 9 cm
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.
Places
Halifax (N.S.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 64; Series 5; File 13
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
Fonds
64
Series
5
File
13
Material Format
textual record
Date
1978
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains a photocopied image, notes, bibliography, and report by The Atlantic Jewish Council from 1978.
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.
Places
Halifax (N.S.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 64; Series 5; File 14
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
Fonds
64
Series
5
File
14
Material Format
textual record
Date
1957-[ca. 1960]
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains Souvenir Dedication Programme from 1957 and an information brochure.
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.
Places
Halifax (N.S.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 64; Series 5; File 15
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
Fonds
64
Series
5
File
15
Material Format
textual record
Date
[ca. 1970]
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains one copied newspaper article, "Churches by the Sea."
Name Access
Shaar Shalom Congregation (Halifax, N.S.)
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.
Places
Halifax (N.S.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harry Moscoe fonds
Level
File
ID
Fonds 69; File 10
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harry Moscoe fonds
Level
File
Fonds
69
File
10
Material Format
textual record
graphic material
Date
1943-1944
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 25 cm
Scope and Content
File consists of reports on various activities sponsored by the War Efforts Committee. Included is a July, 1943 photograph of a concert party for servicemen in Halifax.
Places
Halifax (N.S.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harry Moscoe fonds
Level
File
ID
Fonds 69; File 12
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harry Moscoe fonds
Level
File
Fonds
69
File
12
Material Format
textual record
graphic material
Date
1943-1944
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
4 photographs : b&w ; 8 x 11 cm
Scope and Content
File consists of records documenting activities at the servicemen's centres in Halifax, Moncton, St. John and Montreal sponsored by the CJC, Easten Division War Efforts Committee. Aslo include are 4 photos of a B'Nai B'Rith sponsored "Free Swimming Bus" in Kirkland Lake.
Places
Halifax (N.S.)
Montréal (Québec)
St. John's (N.L.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
John J. Glass fonds
Documents series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 109; Series 2; File 32
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
John J. Glass fonds
Documents series
Level
File
Fonds
109
Series
2
File
32
Material Format
textual record
Date
1953-1973
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of correspondence concerning the discharge of the Toronto Zionist Council Canada Life Assurance Company Mortgage, contact with other insurance companies, as well as documentation of tax filings for the council. and accounts of a successful mission to the Halifax Jewish community by way of a retreat at Camp Kadimah.
There is a report of the call-up of army reservists during the Six-Day War in Israel, a proposal and report concerning a move of the Zionist Organization of Canada headquarters from Montreal to Toronto, and a reprint of an article from the Jewish Standard titled "Zionism in Canada" by Julius Hayman, and conversations concerning revisions to the Zionist Organization of Canada's constitution.
Name Access
Toronto Zionist Council
Zionist Organization of Canada
Subjects
Israel-Arab War, 1967
Physical Condition
Some of the documentts are in fragile condition and are enclosed in plastic.
Places
Halifax (N.S.)
Montréal (Québec)
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Accession Number
2022-5-15
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2022-5-15
Material Format
textual record
object
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
1 armband : white fabric ; 18 x 5 cm
Date
1947-1948
Scope and Content
Accession consists of Leslie Mezei's certificate of identity in lieu of passport, issued on 2 Dec. 1947 by the Office of the Military Governor, US Zone of Germany. It contains Leslie's picture and signature, as well as the 13 Jan. 1948 Canadian stamp of arrival in Halifax. Also included is the armband worn by Leslie on his way to Canada, which says, "Sponsored by the Canadian Jewish Congress. Chief Welfare Officer Ethel Ostry-Genkind."
Custodial History
Records were donated by Leslie Mezei himself.
Administrative History
Leslie (Laszlo) Mezei was born in Budapest, Hungary, on 9 July 1931. After the war, he and his siblings stayed at the Leipheim DP camp, in Germany, and at a children's camp in Prien am Chiemsee, in Southern Germany. After going on the Exodus 1947 illegal immigration to then Mandatory Palestine, they were sent back to Prien, where a Canadian social worker signed them up for immigration. They arrived in January 1948 on board the USS General SD Sturgis, an American troop carrier that had been used for carrying refugees. They landed at Pier 21, in Halifax. Then, they took a train to Montreal, and, after spending some time at the YMHA, Leslie was taken in by the Winkler family, with whom he stayed with for five years. After completing his basic education, he enrolled at McGill University for a BSc in mathematic and physics followed by an MA in meteorology in Toronto, where he got married in August 1953 to his fiancée, Annie Wasserman, a Holocaust survivor from Poland. Leslie became a computer programmer in 1954 and a systems analyst in 1958. His wife, Annie, with whom he had two children, Frances and Michael, developed a brain tumor and died in January 1977. After Annie's death, Leslie started to work with the interfaith movement. He later married Kathy, a seventh-generation Canadian of English, Irish, and Scottish background. Between them, they have five children, ten grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. In 2021, Leslie was awarded a certificate of recognition signed by the mayor of Toronto, the president of the Interfaith Council, and the head of the Toronto Sufi Order International. In 2019, the Azrieli Foundation published the Holocaust story of his family in a book titled "A Tapestry of Survival."
Descriptive Notes
Physical Description note: Armband has been measured in flattened position.
Subjects
Holocaust survivors
Refugee children
Immigrants--Canada
Name Access
Mezei, Leslie (Laszlo), 1931-
Places
Germany
Halifax (N.S.)
Montréal (Québec)
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions