Accession Number

1991-5-9

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Date

1910-1950

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material documenting the business career and community involvement of Joseph Graner. Included are receipts, insurance release foms, bills, and an auditor's financial report. His company is decribed on letterheads as dealing with steamship tickets, real estate, foreign exchange, insurance, loans, mortgages, valuations, and rent collection. There are three items of historic paper foreign currency from Germany and Russia. As well there are order forms for Universal Garment Company Sportswear Specialists, and a seal for Joseph Graner, Justice of the Peace for Toronto and the County of York. Finally there are press clippings and correspondence pertaining to his community activities with organizations such as Associated Hebrew Schools, Goel Tzedec Synagogue, Ontario Zionist Association, the Conservative Association, and committees protesting the persecution of Jews in Poland and Gemany before the Second World War.

Administrative History

Joseph Graner was one of the founders of the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies and the Jewish Dispensary (the forerunner of Mount Sinai Hospital). A biography is included with the Instrument of Donation.

Name Access

Graner, Joseph

Source

Archival Accessions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

General office subject and correspondence files series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

2

File

25

Material Format

textual record

Date

1975

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Name Access

Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002

Access Restriction

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

Accession Number

2005-2-2

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

General office subject and correspondence files series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

2

File

26

Material Format

textual record

Date

1975

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Name Access

Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002

Access Restriction

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

Accession Number

2005-2-2

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gordon Mendly fonds

Portraits series

Level

Item

Fonds

18

Series

1

Item

20

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1960]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 18 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

Benjamin Gershon Kayfetz was born in Toronto on 24 December 1916, the son of Max and Leah Kayfetz. He graduated with a B.A. in modern languages from the University of Toronto in 1939, and a B.E.D. from the Ontario College of Education in 1940. In 1955, he married Eva (née Silver) and had three daughters: Zena (Tanenbaum), Tamara (Kingston) and Rebecca (Hamill).

Between the years 1941 and 1943, he worked as a high school teacher in Huntsville and Niagara Falls. In 1943, he joined the war effort, working for the Department of National Defense in Postal Censorship and was responsible for reviewing prisoner of war mail. After the war, Kayfetz traveled to British-occupied Germany, where he worked as a censor of telecommunications with the Control Commission until 1947.

Upon returning to Toronto, he was hired as the national director of Community Relations by the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC), and the national executive director of the Joint Community Relations Committee (JCRC), a CJC - B'nai B'rith cooperative organization. He also served as the central region executive director of the CJC between 1973 and 1978. During his tenure, he worked with various churches, unions and minority groups to develop anti-discrimination laws and for the protection of minority and religious rights.

Kayfetz was also actively involved in promoting the welfare of Jewish communities worldwide, and made visits to Cuba in 1962 and 1965, and Russia in 1985. After his retirement in 1985, he was awarded the Samuel Bronfman Medal by the Canadian Jewish Congress. In recognition of his efforts to promote human rights, he was also awarded the Order of Canada in 1986.

In addition to his professional activities, Kayfetz was a prolific writer, and wrote articles for various Jewish publications under both his own name and the pseudonym, Gershon B. Newman, and gave a weekly radio address on various contemporary Jewish issues on CHIN radio. He was also actively involved in the Toronto Jewish Historical Society, serving as its president, the Canadian Jewish Historical Society and the Yiddish Luncheon Circle. Ben Kayfetz died on 15 February 2002, at the age of 85.

Scope and Content

Item is a portrait of Ben Kayfetz.

Name Access

Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

General office subject and correspondence files series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

2

File

1020

Material Format

textual record

Date

20 Nov. 1978

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Name Access

Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002

Access Restriction

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

Accession Number

2005-2-2

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

907

Material Format

graphic material

Date

25 Jan. 1962

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm

Scope and Content

This item is an original print of a Canadian Jewish Congress meeting in Brantford, Ontario. The photograph depicts a group of men and women standing behind a banquet table, which is situated at the front of the room. Pictured from left to right are:

Mrs. J. Hyman, Rabbi A. Hartman, Louis Henkle, S. B. Spiegel, Ben Kayfetz, L. Kwitko, D. Noble, M.G., Minna Levitas, D. Henkle, Mrs. L. Rotberg.

Name Access

Canadian Jewish Congress

Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002

Subjects

Congresses and conventions

Portraits, Group

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.

Places

Brantford (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

795

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[194-]

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 18 cm

Scope and Content

This item is a photograph of a tribute dinner held in honour of Sam Davis of Kirkland Lake, Ontario. The dinner took place in the Adath Israel Synagogue hall. The photograph depicts several individuals seated at a banquet table.

Pictured from left to right are: [unidentified woman], Rabbi and Rebbetzen Rabinovitch, Esther Davis, Sam Davis, Harry Atkins, and Fagie Atkins.

Notes

Photo by Duke Studio

Acquired in 1975

Name Access

Adath Israel Synagogue (Kirkland Lake, Ont.)

Atkins, Fagie

Atkins, Harry

Davis, Esther

Davis, Sam

Rabinovitch, Rabbi

Rabinovitch, Rebbetzen

Subjects

Dinners and dining

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

Kirkland Lake (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

796

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[194-]

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 18 cm

Scope and Content

This item is a photograph of a tribute dinner in honour of Sam Davis. The dinner took place at the Adath Israel Synagogue hall. The photograph features several people seated at a banquet table.

Pictured left to right are: Fay Atkins, Sam Finkleman, Annie Finkleman, Mr. Gashon (Gabbai), Mrs. Gashon, Simcha Kaplan, Hyman Kaplan.

Notes

Photo by Duke Studio.

Acquired in 1975

Finkelman may be an alternate spelling for Sam and Annie Finkleman.

Name Access

Adath Israel Synagogue (Kirkland Lake, Ont.)

Atkins, Fay

Davis, Sam

Finkelman, Annie

Finkleman, Annie

Gashon, Mr., Gabbai

Gashon, Mrs.

Hyman, Kaplan

Kaplan, Simcha

Subjects

Dinners and dining

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

Kirkland Lake (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

837

Material Format

graphic material

Responsibility

Duke Studio

Date

[195-]

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 14 x 12 cm

Scope and Content

This item is an original print of Sam Davis standing with three Jewish boy scouts in the Adath Israel Synagogue in Kirkland Lake, Ontario.

Name Access

Adath Israel Synagogue (Kirkland Lake, Ont.)

Davis, Sam

Subjects

Boy Scouts

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.

Places

Kirkland Lake (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

828

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1948]

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 18 cm

Scope and Content

This item is a copy print of Mr. and Mrs. Kussner of Kirkland Lake, Ontario. The photograph may have been taken at a tribute dinner at the Adath Israel Synagogue, in honour of Sam Davis.

Notes

Photo by Duke Studio.

Acquired in 1976.

Name Access

Adath Israel Synagogue (Kirkland Lake, Ont.)

Davis, Sam

Kussner, Mr.

Kussner, Mrs.

Subjects

Married people

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

Kirkland Lake (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

827

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1948]

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 18 cm

Scope and Content

This item is a copy print of Sam Wertman with an unidentified man of Kirkland Lake, Ontario. The photograph may have been taken at a tribute dinner at the Adath Israel Synagogue, in honour of Sam Davis.

Notes

Photo by Duke Studio.

Acquired in 1976.

Name Access

Adath Israel Synagogue (Kirkland Lake, Ont.)

Davis, Sam

Wertman, Sam

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

Kirkland Lake (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

829

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1948]

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 18 cm

Scope and Content

This item is a copy print of Mr. and Mrs. Blackstein of Kirkland Lake, Ontario. The photograph may have been taken at a tribute dinner at the Adath Israel Synagogue, in honour of Sam Davis.

Notes

Photo by Duke Studio.

Acquired in 1976.

Name Access

Adath Israel Synagogue (Kirkland Lake, Ont.)

Blackstein, Mr.

Blackstein, Mrs.

Davis, Sam

Subjects

Married people

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

Kirkland Lake (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

830

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1948]

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 18 cm

Scope and Content

This item is a copy print of Bill Jacks, Sam Garshon and W. Skelly (town councillor) of Kirkland Lake, Ontario. The photograph may have been taken at a tribute dinner at the Adath Israel Synagogue, in honour of Sam Davis.

Notes

Photo by Duke Studio.

Acquired in 1976.

Name Access

Adath Israel Synagogue (Kirkland Lake, Ont.)

Davis, Sam

Garshon, Sam

Jacks, Bill

Skelly, W.

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

Kirkland Lake (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

831

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1948]

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 18 cm

Scope and Content

This item is a copy print of Mr. and Mrs. Zacks with their son, Ronald of Kirkland Lake, Ontario. The photograph may have been taken at a tribute dinner at the Adath Israel Synagogue, in honour of Sam Davis.

Notes

Photo by Duke Studio.

Acquired in 1976.

Name Access

Adath Israel Synagogue (Kirkland Lake, Ont.)

Davis, Sam

Zacks, Mr.

Zacks, Mrs.

Zacks, Ronald

Subjects

Families

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

Kirkland Lake (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

797

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1948]

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 18 cm

Scope and Content

This item is a photograph of Mr. and Mrs. Korman at a tribute dinner held in honour of Sam Davis at the Adath Israel Synagogue, in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. The photograph depicts a group of men and women seated at banquet tables and Mr. Korman standing to say some remarks.

Notes

Photo by Duke Studios.

Acquired in 1976.

Name Access

Adath Israel Synagogue (Kirkland Lake, Ont.)

Davis, Sam

Korman, Mr.

Korman, Mrs.

Subjects

Dinners and dining

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

Kirkland Lake (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

798

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1948]

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 18 cm

Scope and Content

This item is a photograph of assembled guests at a tribute dinner held in honour of Sam Davis, in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. The photograph depicts the men and women seated at banquet tables in the social hall of the Adath Israel Synagogue.

Notes

Photo by Duke Studios.

Acquired in 1976.

Name Access

Adath Israel Synagogue (Kirkland Lake, Ont.)

Davis, Sam

Subjects

Dinners and dining

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

Kirkland Lake (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

William Stern fonds

Toronto Jewish community photographs series

Level

Item

Fonds

33

Series

4

Item

20

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1970]

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 18 x 13 cm and 10 x 12 cm

Admin History/Bio

Benjamin Gershon Kayfetz was born on December 24, 1916 in Toronto, graduating from the University of Toronto in 1939, with a B.A. in modern languages. Between the years 1941 and 1943, he worked as a high school teacher in Huntsville and Niagara Falls. In 1943, he joined the war effort, working for the Department of National Defense in Postal Censorship and was responsible for reviewing prisoner of war mail. After the war, Kayfetz traveled to British Occupied Germany where he worked as a censor of telecommunications with the Control Commission until 1947.

Upon returning to Toronto, he was hired as the National Director of Community Relations by the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC), and as the Executive (National) Director of the Joint Community Relations Committee (JCRC), a CJC - B'nai B'rith cooperative organization. He also served as the Central Region Executive Director of the CJC between 1973 and 1978. During his tenure, he worked with various churches, unions and minority groups to develop anti-discrimination laws and for the protection of minority and religious rights. Kayfetz was also actively involved in promoting the welfare of Jewish Communities worldwide, and made visits to Cuba in 1962 and 1965, and Russia in 1985, to study and report on the state of these Jewish Communities. After his retirement in 1985, he was awarded the Samuel Bronfman Medal by the Canadian Jewish Congress. In recognition of his efforts to promote Human Rights, he was also awarded the Order of Canada in 1986.

In addition to his professional activities, Kayfetz wrote articles for various Jewish publications under both his own name and the pseudonym, Gershon B. Newman, and gave a weekly radio address on CHIN radio addressing various contemporary Jewish issues. He was also actively involved in the Toronto Jewish Historical Society (serving as its president), Canadian Jewish Historical Society and Yiddish Luncheon Circle. Ben Kayfetz died in 2002 and is survived by his wife Eva.

Scope and Content

This item is a portrait of Ben Kayfetz.

Name Access

Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002

Subjects

Portraits

Repro Restriction

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

Accession Number

2004-5-96

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Community Relations Committee series

Research Records sub-series

Advocacy, General sub-sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

5-4-9

File

53

Material Format

textual record

Date

1965

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of miscellaneous correspondence and other material from and to Ben Kayfetz.

Notes

Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.

Name Access

Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Community Relations Committee series

Research Records sub-series

Advocacy, General sub-sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

5-4-9

File

78

Material Format

textual record

Date

1967

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of a copy of a magazine article by Ben Kayfetz describing the previous century of Jewish life in Canada.

Notes

Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.

Name Access

Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Community Relations Committee series

Research Records sub-series

Advocacy, General sub-sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

5-4-9

File

127

Material Format

textual record

Date

1973

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of correspondence from and to Ben Kayfetz related to various issues.

Notes

Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.

Name Access

Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Community Relations Committee series

General office records sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

5-5

File

20

Material Format

textual record

Date

1960-1964

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of correspondence to and from Ben Kayfetz related to various topics.

Notes

Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.

Name Access

Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Community Relations Committee series

General office records sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

5-5

File

21

Material Format

textual record

Date

1962

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of correspondence with Ben Kayfetz related to various topics.

Notes

Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.

Name Access

Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Community Relations Committee series

General office records sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

5-5

File

22

Material Format

textual record

Date

May-Dec.1962

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of correspondence with Ben Kayfetz related to various topics.

Notes

Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.

Name Access

Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Community Relations Committee series

General office records sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

5-5

File

23

Material Format

textual record

Date

June-Sept. 1963

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of reports by and to, and correspondence with, Ben Kayfetz related to various topics.

Notes

Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.

Name Access

Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Community Relations Committee series

General office records sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

5-5

File

27

Material Format

textual record

Date

1964-1965

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of correspondence from or to Ben Kayfetz on various issues

Notes

Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.

Name Access

Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Community Relations Committee series

General office records sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

5-5

File

39

Material Format

textual record

Date

1967

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of personal correspondence from and to Ben Kayfetz related to varous subjects.

Notes

Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.

Name Access

Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Community Relations Committee series

General office records sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

5-5

File

64

Material Format

textual record

Date

1971

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of general correspondence from and to Ben Kayfetz

Notes

Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.

Name Access

Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Community Relations Committee series

General office records sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

5-5

File

67

Material Format

textual record

Date

1972

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of general correspondence from and to Ben Kayfetz

Notes

Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.

Name Access

Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Community Relations Committee series

General office records sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

5-5

File

73

Material Format

textual record

Date

1975

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of correspondence from and to Ben Kayfetz

Notes

Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.

Name Access

Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Community Relations Committee series

General office records sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

5-5

File

80

Material Format

textual record

Date

1981

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of a letter from Ben Kayfetz describing a negative experience with a phone-in program

Notes

Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.

Name Access

Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Ida Lewis Siegel fonds

Level

File

Fonds

15

File

1

Material Format

textual record

Date

[196-], 1975

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of two biographies, one written by Ben Kayfetz on the occasion of Ida Siegel's 90th birthday.

Name Access

Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002

Source

Archival Descriptions

Accession Number

2010-11-6

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

sound recording

Physical Description

ca. 60 cm of textual records and other material

Date

[ca. 1930] - 2002

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records documenting the personal and professional activities of Ben Kayfetz. Personal records include correspondence with family and friends, including letters home while serving overseas, Kayfetz's marriage and high school certificates, Kayfetz's memoirs, tributes and obituaries written about Kayfetz, as well as a portrait of him. Personal records also include audio cassettes of Yiddish music by Toronto musicians Honey Novick and Faye Kellerstein.

Professional records include articles, book reviews and newspaper clippings written by Kayfetz, event invitations, correspondence, lecture notes, and speeches. Professional records also include an Order of Canada membership book and event programme, meeting minutes for various organizations Kayfetz was involved in, such as, the Association for Canadian Jewish Studies, photographs of Kayfetz receiving various awards, and photographs of various Canadian Jewish Congress and B'Nai Zion Club events. Finally, professional records include sound recordings of interviews, lectures given at various events, and the meeting minutes of various organizations, such as, CJC, JCRC and the Yiddish Dialects in Toronto.

Administrative History

Benjamin Gershon Kayfetz was born on December 24, 1916 in Toronto, graduating from the University of Toronto in 1939, with a B.A. in modern languages. Between the years 1941 and 1943, he worked as a high school teacher in Huntsville and Niagara Falls. In 1943, he joined the war effort, working for the Department of National Defense in Postal Censorship and was responsible for reviewing prisoner of war mail. After the war, Kayfetz traveled to British Occupied Germany where he worked as a censor of telecommunications with the Control Commission until 1947. Upon returning to Toronto, he was hired as the National Director of Community Relations by the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC), and as the Executive (National) Director of the Joint Community Relations Committee (JCRC), a CJC - B'nai B'rith cooperative organization. He also served as the Central Region Executive Director of the CJC between 1973 and 1978. During his tenure, he worked with various churches, unions and minority groups to develop anti-discrimination laws and for the protection of minority and religious rights. Kayfetz was also actively involved in promoting the welfare of Jewish Communities worldwide, and made visits to Cuba in 1962 and 1965, and Russia in 1985, to study and report on the state of these Jewish Communities. After his retirement in 1985, he was awarded the Samuel Bronfman Medal by the Canadian Jewish Congress. In recognition of his efforts to promote Human Rights, he was also awarded the Order of Canada in 1986.

In addition to his professional activities, Kayfetz wrote articles for various Jewish publications under both his own name and the pseudonym, Gershon B. Newman, and gave a weekly radio address on CHIN radio addressing various contemporary Jewish issues. He was also actively involved in the Toronto Jewish Historical Society (serving as its president), Canadian Jewish Historical Society and Yiddish Luncheon Circle. Ben Kayfetz died in 2002 and is survived by his wife Eva.

Use Conditions

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

Descriptive Notes

Physical description note: includes ca. 20 audio cassettes, 1 audio reel, and ca. 25 photographs (4 negatives)

Name Access

Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2010-12-11

Material Format

textual record

textual record (electronic)

sound recording

Physical Description

1 box of textual records

1 audio cassette

1 CD

Date

1932-2001

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records documenting the personal and professional activities of Ben Kayfetz. Personal records include correspondence with family and friends, Kayfetz's high school examination reports, and speeches, invitations and other material relating to a tribute dinner for Kayfetz. Personal records also include correspondence about the Ben Kayfetz Scholarship Fund at the University of Toronto.

Professional records include articles, book reviews and newspaper clippings written by Kayfetz, correspondence, lecture notes, speeches and transcripts for Kayfetz's CHIN Radio broadcasts. Professional records also include notes from Kayfetz's interview of Arthur Gelber, obituaries written by Kayfetz for Frank Shuster and Ben Lappin, and early teaching contracts with the Huntsville Board of Education. Finally, professional records include a CD that contains records transferred over from Kayfetz's old computer floppy disks and one audio recording of a CBC Radio broadcast featuring the Yiddish Luncheon Club.

Administrative History

Benjamin Gershon Kayfetz was born on December 24, 1916 in Toronto, graduating from the University of Toronto in 1939, with a B.A. in modern languages. Between the years 1941 and 1943, he worked as a high school teacher in Huntsville and Niagara Falls. In 1943, he joined the war effort, working for the Department of National Defense in Postal Censorship and was responsible for reviewing prisoner of war mail. After the war, Kayfetz traveled to British Occupied Germany where he worked as a censor of telecommunications with the Control Commission until 1947. Upon returning to Toronto, he was hired as the National Director of Community Relations by the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC), and as the Executive (National) Director of the Joint Community Relations Committee (JCRC), a CJC - B'nai B'rith cooperative organization. He also served as the Central Region Executive Director of the CJC between 1973 and 1978. During his tenure, he worked with various churches, unions and minority groups to develop anti-discrimination laws and for the protection of minority and religious rights. Kayfetz was also actively involved in promoting the welfare of Jewish Communities worldwide, and made visits to Cuba in 1962 and 1965, and Russia in 1985, to study and report on the state of these Jewish Communities. After his retirement in 1985, he was awarded the Samuel Bronfman Medal by the Canadian Jewish Congress. In recognition of his efforts to promote Human Rights, he was also awarded the Order of Canada in 1986.

In addition to his professional activities, Kayfetz wrote articles for various Jewish publications under both his own name and the pseudonym, Gershon B. Newman, and gave a weekly radio address on CHIN radio addressing various contemporary Jewish issues. He was also actively involved in the Toronto Jewish Historical Society (serving as its president), Canadian Jewish Historical Society and Yiddish Luncheon Circle. Ben Kayfetz died in 2002 and is survived by his wife Eva.

Use Conditions

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

Descriptive Notes

Language note: some records are in Yiddish.

Name Access

Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2016-3-69

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Date

1950-1991

Scope and Content

Accession consists of interviews with various persons concerning their link with Goel Tzedec and its successor synagogue, Beth Tzedec. The interviews were primarily conducted by Ben Keyfetz and Jack Orenstien, the latter serving as the executive director of Beth Tzedec at that time. Persons interviewed included Carl Keyfetz, N. N. Levine, Meyer Axler, and Bert Godfrey. There is also other information in the file concerning cantors and rabbis who served at Goel Tzedec, including Julius Price, Bernard Wladowsky, Jacob Gordon, and Samuel Sachs. There is a document from Bert Godfrey—undated but with a reference to 1950—titled "Report of Construction Sub-Committee." This presumably preceded the construction of the building housing the Beth Tzedec Synagogue on Bathurst Street. Also included is a 1955 publication of the Ne'ilah Service of Beth Tzedec to take place on 6 February 1955, concluding a half century of worship at the synagogue on University Avenue. Lastly, there are several pages of notes concerning the synagogue and its history.

Custodial History

There is no information on the acquisition of this material.

Subjects

Committees

Synagogues

Rabbis

Name Access

Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002

Places

Toronto, Ontario

Source

Archival Accessions

Level

Item

Item

787

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1960]

Physical Description

1 photograph

Scope and Content

Item is a photograph of Dr. Julius Ennis, B. G. Kayfetz, and Meyer W. Gasner.

Notes

Acquired June 1976.

Name Access

Ennis, Dr. Julius

Gasner, Meyer W.

Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002

Subjects

Portraits, Group

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.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Level

File

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

3

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1967

Physical Description

50 negatives : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

Nathan Silver was born in Warsaw, Poland to Blima and Shul Silver. He married Lily Anne Cooper and they had four children: Shul David, Deborah Ruth, Joseph Baruch, and Bonnie Suzanne. Nathan served in the Second World War as an artillery gunner in the Canadian Army. His occupation was that of a builder and developer and he played an active role within the Toronto Jewish community, operating as National Chairman of the Zionist Revisionist Organization of Canada, executive member of the United Zionist Congress, and, as well, he was a member of the World Executive Zionist Revisionist Movement. Nathan Silver was also an advocate of Jewish education and was Chairman for the Executive of the Associated Hebrew Schools.

Scope and Content

File consists of images documenting the Negev dinner held in honour of Nathan Silver at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto.

Included on the evening's programme were: Lewis J.E. Moses; Rabbi Emanuel Forman; Rabbi Joseph Kelman; Hon. Dr. Aba Gefen; Louis L. Lockshin; Eric Exton; Rabbi Dr. David Monson; Cantor Zvee Aroni accompanied by Leo Spellman; Philip G. Givens; William Stevenson; Samuel Shainhouse; and Stephen Berger. This file features several images of the aforementioned individuals participating in their assigned roles for the event.

Name Access

Moses, Lewis J.E.

Forman, Rabbi Emanuel

Kelman, Rabbi Joseph

Gefen, Hon. Dr. Aba

Lockshin, Louis L.

Exton, Eric, 1907-1997

Monson, Rabbi Dr. David

Aroni, Cantor Zvee

Spellman, Leo

Givens, Philip G.

Stevenson, William

Shainhouse, Samuel

Berger, Stephen

Negev dinners

Jewish National Fund

Subjects

Dinners and dining

Revisionist Zionists

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Dinner honouring the Toronto Jewish community file

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

1

Item

5

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1956

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 21 x 26 cm and 11 x 13 cm

Notes

Photograph by Al Gilbert.

Name Access

Berger, Stephen

Rotman, Manny

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.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Dinner honouring the Toronto Jewish community file

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

1

Item

6

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1956

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 26 x 21 cm and 13 x 11 cm

Admin History/Bio

Stephen Berger was married to Dr. Edith Steinbach and they had two sons named John and Michael. He worked as a civil engineer and was actively involved in the Jewish community holding positions with the Jewish National Fund, the Jewish Welfare Fund, Zionist Organization of Canada and others.

Berger was nominated Man of the Year at a Negev Dinner in 1959 and a Nachla was founded in his name in Israel.

Scope and Content

Photograph of Stephen Berger, chairman of the Jewish National Fund of Toronto, giving a speech at the 1956 Negev dinner.

Notes

Photograph by Al Gilbert.

Name Access

Berger, Stephen

Jewish National Fund of Toronto

Steinbach, Dr. Edith

Subjects

Dinners and dining

Speeches, addresses, etc

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.

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Dinner honouring the Toronto Jewish community file

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

1

Item

7

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1956

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 21 x 26 cm and 11 x 13 cm

Scope and Content

Photograph of a group of standing behind the podium presenting certificates at the 1956 Negev Dinner.

Standing from left to right are: unidentified, Mark Levy, Stephen Berger, unidentified woman, D. Lou Harris, unidentified woman.

Notes

Photograph by Al Gilbert.

Name Access

Levy, Mark

Harris, D. Lou

Berger, Stephen

Jewish National Fund

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.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Dinner honouring the Toronto Jewish community file

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

1

Item

8

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1956

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 21 x 26 cm and 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

Stephen Berger was married to Dr. Edith Steinbach and they had two sons named John and Michael. He worked as a civil engineer and was actively involved in the Jewish community holding positions with the Jewish National Fund, the Jewish Welfare Fund, Zionist Organization of Canada and others.

Berger was nominated Man of the Year at a Negev Dinner in 1959 and a Nachla was founded in his name in Israel.

Scope and Content

Photograph of Stephen Berger, chairman of the Jewish National Fund of Toronto.

Notes

Photograph by Al Gilbert.

Name Access

Berger, Stephen

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.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Dinner honouring the Toronto Jewish community file

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

1

Item

11

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1956

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 21 x 26 cm and 11 x 13 cm

Scope and Content

Photograph of the presentation of certificates at the Negev Dinner. Standing from left to right are: Mark Levy, Stephen Berger and D. Lou Harris.

Notes

Photograph by Al Gilbert.

Name Access

Levy, Mark

Berger, Stephen

Harris, D. Lou

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.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Dinner honouring the Toronto Jewish community file

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

1

Item

23

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1956

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 21 x 26 cm and 11 x 13 cm

Notes

Photograph by Al Gilbert.

Name Access

Rotman, Manny

Gulko, Harris

Berger, Stephen

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.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Dinner honouring the Toronto Jewish community file

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

1

Item

29

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1956

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 21 x 26 cm and 11 x 13 cm

Notes

Photograph by Al Gilbert.

Name Access

Berger, Stephen

Rotman, Manny

Jewish National Fund

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.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Dinner honouring the Toronto Jewish community file

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

1

Item

30

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1956

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 21 x 26 cm and 11 x 13 cm

Scope and Content

Photograph of a group portrait at the 1956 Negev dinner.

Standing from left to right are: Eddie Gelber, unknown, unknown, Sam Kronick [seated], Stephen Berger, Manny Rotman, and Harris Gulko.

Notes

Photograph by Al Gilbert.

Name Access

Kronick, Sam

Gelber, Eddie

Berger, Stephen

Rotman, Manny

Gulko, Harris

Jewish National Fund

Subjects

Portraits, Group

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.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Dinner honouring the Toronto Jewish community file

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

1

Item

37

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1956

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Name Access

Berger, Stephen

Jewish National Fund

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.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Dinner honouring the Toronto Jewish community file

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

1

Item

34

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1956

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Notes

Photograph by Al Gilbert.

Name Access

Berger, Stephen

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.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Dinner honouring Leon E. Weinstein file

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

5

Item

2

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1970

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 6 x 6 cm

Scope and Content

Photograph of the head table at the 1970 Negev dinner held in honour of Leon E. Weinstein.

Seated fourth from the left is Stephen Berger.

Name Access

Berger, Stephen

Weinstein, Leon E.

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.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[193-]

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm

Scope and Content

This item is an original and copy photograph of a basketball team sponsored by Sam Davis of Kirkland Lake. The team members are wearing their athletic clothing and one member is holding a basketball.

Notes

Caption on back of one reads: "Sam Davis sponsored Basket Ball team - notable forinclusion of D. Harry Magder, born in Sudbury, first practiced in Kirkland Lake, 33-34. a fine athlete and musician.".

Acquired in 1976.

Photo by Duke Studio.

Name Access

Davis, Sam

Subjects

Sports teams

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

Kirkland Lake (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[194-]

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 26 x 21 cm

Scope and Content

This item is a portrait photograph of Sam Davis.

Notes

Acquired in 1976.

Photo by Duke Studio.

Name Access

Davis, Sam

Subjects

Portraits

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

Kirkland Lake (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

568

Material Format

graphic material

Responsibility

Graphic Artists Photographers, Toronto

Date

1975

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm

Scope and Content

Photograph of officials examining model at dedication of Pardes Shalom Cemetery, Toronto, Oct. 12, 1975. From left to right: Owen Scott (Landscape Architect), Ben Kayfetz, Robert Eisen, [unknown], [unknown], Sidney Freedman, [unknown], [unknown], and Harry Elkind.

Notes

Acquired in Oct. 24, 1975.

Name Access

Eisen, Robert

Elkind, Harry

Freedman, Sidney

Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002

Pardes Shalom Cemetery

Scott, Owen

Subjects

Consecration of cemeteries

Cemeteries

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions