Part Of

Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care fonds

Level

Fonds

Fonds

14

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

object

Date

1917-2011

Physical Description

2.82 m of textual records and other material

Admin History/Bio

As early as 1916 the Ezras Noshem Society (a mutual benefit society for Jewish women) started to raise funds to purchase and renovate what would become The Toronto Jewish Old Folks' Home (Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care’s forerunner) after its members recognized the need for a home in Toronto where the Jewish elderly could receive kosher meals and communicate with staff in their own language. Property at 31 Cecil Street was purchased in 1917 and sometime between September 1918 and January 1920 the Home officially opened there. The Home was run by a small staff and the women of Ezras Noshem who volunteered their time to make beds, cook kosher meals, do laundry and sponsor fundraising events. By 1938 the Home had expanded into its neighboring houses at 29, 33, and 35 Cecil Street and was caring for 115 residents. It provided residents with synagogue services, a hospital ward and social activities. At this time the Home also became a member of the United Jewish Welfare Fund.

In 1946, the need for a larger and more modern building prompted a fundraising campaign, which was headed by Abe Posluns, to purchase and build a new facility. In December 1954, the new building opened at 3650 Bathurst Street and consisted of two new institutions: The Jewish Home for the Aged and Baycrest Hospital. This location continued to expand over the years, including a new building for residents in 1968, an apartment building for seniors called the Baycrest Terrace in 1976, and a community centre known as The Joseph E. and Minnie Wagman Centre in 1977. These additions enabled Baycrest to expand its programs to include a day care program, recreational programs, and a Sheltered Workshop which was run in cooperation with the Jewish Vocational Service and provided residents with employment. In 1986 a new Baycrest Hospital was erected, and in 1989, the Rotman Research Institute, which is also affiliated with the University of Toronto, opened to create a research facility where top researchers could study and find new treatment methods for the elderly.

In recent years, Baycrest’s services and programs have continued to expand. In 2000, the Apotex Centre, the Jewish Home for the Aged and the Louis and Leah Posluns Centre for Stroke and Cognition opened to help residents with progressive dementia caused by vascular disorders. In 2001 a condominium building opened at 2 Neptune Drive for seniors, and in 2003 the Sam and Ida Ross Memory Clinic was established to provide out-patient services for seniors with memory disorders. Baycrest Centre also provides numerous cultural and religious programs for the inhabitants and the greater community, including a heritage museum, art exhibits and a Holocaust program.

Custodial History

Records were donated to the OJA in a series of accessions from a variety of sources, including the Baycrest Women's Auxiliary and the Multicultural Historical Society of Ontario.

Scope and Content

Fonds consists of records documenting the history, governance, and activities of the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care. Included are meeting notices, agendas and minutes, correspondence, reports, speeches, photographs, artifacts, constitutions, publications, press releases, financial records, event invitations, programs, a scrapbook, a poster, lists, theatrical scripts, newspaper clippings, brochures and booklets, flyers, a land deed, certificates, schedules, annual calendars, cards, questionnaires, and lists.

Fonds is arranged into eleven series: 1. Board of Directors and Executive Committee; 2. Annual General Meetings and Annual Reports; 3. Committees and meetings; 4. Women's Auxiliary; 5. Men's Service Group; 6. Toronto Jewish Old Folks Home; 7. Programs and services; 8. Religious services; 9. Fundraising; 10. Publications and publicity; and, 11. Events. Records are described to the file level with some item level descriptions.

Notes

Physical description note: Includes 1102 photographs, 4 coins, 2 posters, 1 badge, 1 pin, 1 key chain, 1 postcard, and 1 pen.

Associated material note: related material at Library and Archives Canada includes a small Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care fonds, and the Eric Exton fonds. For architectural records see the Irving D. Boigon fonds 243 at the City of Toronto Archives (Boigon was an architect who designed many of Baycrest's buildings between the 1970s and 1990s). Contact Baycrest Centre's Heritage Museum for committee records from the 1930s, and consult Baycrest's website to access electronic copies of current issues of Baycrest's publications.

Name Access

Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care

Baycrest Hospital

Ezras Noshem Society (Toronto, Ont.)

Jewish Home for the Aged (Toronto, Ont.)

Jewish Old Folks Home (Toronto, Ont.)

Subjects

Hospitals

Old age homes

Related Material

See Gordon Mendly Fonds 18, series 3-4; Jewish Vocational Services of Toronto fonds 75; United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds 67; accession # 2009-6-2; Dora Till Fonds 52; J. Irving Oelbaum Fonds 24; Jewish Community Centre of Toronto fonds 61, series 1-1; Gilbert Studios fonds 37; Ben Kayfetz fonds 62, series 3, file 3; JFWB fonds 87, series 6, files 5 and 6; JIAS fonds 9, series 7, file 1; Harold S. Kaplan fonds 27, series 1-4, and Morris Norman fonds 22.

Creator

Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, 1917-

Accession Number

1982-11-1

1983-11-2

1988-2-7

1979-9-17

1979-9-23

1987-9-7

2004-5-50

MG 2 O 1A

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

1553

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1948

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm

Scope and Content

This item is a copy print of a B'nai Brith banquet in Fort William (Thunder Bay), Ontario. The photograph depicts a group of men and women seated at several banquet tables.

Name Access

B'nai B'rith

Subjects

Dinners and dining

Repro Restriction

Original owned by the Manitoba Archives, Jewish Historical Society of Western Canada collection. Please credit accordingly.

Places

Thunder Bay (Ont.)

Accession Number

1978-4-8

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gordon Mendly fonds

Events and organizations series

Jewish Home for the Aged sub-series

Level

Sub-series

Fonds

18

Series

3-4

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1959-[ca. 1972]

Physical Description

216 negatives : b&w ; 10 x 13 cm or smaller

Admin History/Bio

In 1913, a mutual benefit society for women called the Ezras Noshim Society was formed in Toronto. Ezras Noshim started collecting funds around 1916 to purchase a home that would be converted into Toronto's first Jewish Old Folks Home. The forerunner to Baycrest Centre opened in 1919 as the Toronto Jewish Old Folks Home. It was located on Cecil Street in downtown Toronto and the women of Ezras Noshim made beds, cooked kosher meals, washed sheets and sponsored fund-raising events.

In 1954, the Jewish Home for the Aged opened on Bathurst Street to accommodate their expanding needs with the addition of a new feature -- Baycrest Hospital. This location, known as the Baycrest Centre, expanded to include several new buildings that were better able to meet the needs of the Jewish community in Toronto.

Scope and Content

Sub-series consists of negatives documenting the events and activities of several Jewish Home for the Aged groups, including the men's service group, the women's auxiliary, and the staff and residents. The images depict meetings and banquets, fundraising campaigns, images of the interior of the building, the residents partaking in daily activities and classes, and special visits by dignitaries. The negatives have been arranged chronologically by event and are described at the file or item level.

Name Access

Jewish Home for the Aged (Toronto, Ont.)

Subjects

Old age homes

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Morris Norman collection

Level

File

Fonds

22

File

1

Material Format

textual record

Date

1995

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Name Access

Beth Tikvah Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)

Subjects

High Holidays

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Morris Norman collection

Level

File

Fonds

22

File

2

Material Format

textual record

Date

1991-1992

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Name Access

Beth Tikvah Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)

Subjects

Anniversaries

Synagogues

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1942

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative); 17 x 10 cm

Name Access

B'nai B'rith

Subjects

Parades

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

Kingston (Ont.)

Accession Number

1981-6-2

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1953

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 18 cm

Scope and Content

This item is a copy print of a group of men and women of the Kingston Lodge B'nai B'rith standing in front of a banquet table.

Notes

The accession form for this item is missing.

Name Access

B'nai B'rith

Subjects

Dinners and dining

Places

Kingston (Ont.)

Accession Number

1986-3-5

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

2378

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1950

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 21 x 26 cm and 10 x 12 cm

Scope and Content

This item is a copy print and corresponding negative depicting a group of members from the Kitchener Lodge B'nai B'rith.

Name Access

B'nai B'rith

Places

Kitchener (Ont.)

Accession Number

1977-8-16

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1963]

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 21 x 26 cm and 10 x 12 cm

Scope and Content

This item is a copy print and corresponding negative depicting members of the B'nai B'rith Kitchener Lodge, seated with the lodge's standard and a menorah.

Name Access

B'nai B'rith

Places

Kitchener (Ont.)

Accession Number

1977-8-16

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1957

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 21 x 26 cm and 10 x 12 cm

Scope and Content

This item is a copy print and corresponding negative of the officers of the B'nai B'rith lodge in North Bay, Ontario. Pictured are:

Back row, 3rd from left: Abraham (Abe) Brown.

Front row (far right): Henry Wiseman

Other individuals who might be in the photograph are: Gordon Rosenberg, Joe Hoffman, Harry Himmel, Dr. Max Back, and Nathan Revels.

Name Access

B'nai B'rith

Back, Dr. Max

Brown, Abe

Brown, Abraham

Himmel, Harry

Hoffman, Joe

Rosenberg, Gordon

Repro Restriction

Copyright owned by The Daily Nugget, North Bay.

Places

North Bay (Ont.)

Accession Number

1979-2-1

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

2871

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1921]

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

Jack Leve was born in Russia. In 1904, after his brother was murdered in a pogrom, his parents put Jack—who was only nine at the time—on a ship to Montreal, where he lived with relatives. He did very well at Hebrew school, but one day he dipped a snowball in water to freeze it and hit the rabbi with it on his walk home, knocking him out. When he was caught, he decided to move to New York City and found a factory job, skinning skunks for fur coats.

After serving with the Canadian forces in the First World War, Jack decided to trade furs, working in James Bay. He spent most of his time with First Nations individuals, making many connections and even befriending Grey Owl. In 1938, Jack married Sarah Rives. When Judy was born in Montreal, the family had to send out a dog sled to notify Jack, who was in an igloo on Baffin Island.

Jack eventually settled in Sudbury around 1944. He had a base office just above Wolfe's book store where he kept two baby bears which he fed with baby bottles. He spent a great deal of time in the bush where he met with First Nations, trapped, hunted, fished and purchased furs. Despite his rugged lifestyle, he was a staunch Zionist. In 1948, he relied on his contacts and skills as a fur trader to ship bullets hidden in mink, muskrat and otter furs to Israel to help the cause during the War of Independence. He was also an active member of the Jewish community in Sudbury. His wife kept a kosher home and Jack served on the executive of the synagogue and B'nai Brith.

Scope and Content

This item is a copy print and corresponding negative of Jack Leve (seated) of Sudbury, Ontario, with a friend in the northern wilderness. The pair are monitoring a fur trapline. The friend is pictured preparing some hot food.

Name Access

Leve, Jack

Subjects

Trapping

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.

Accession Number

1981-3-13

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

2872

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1925]

Physical Description

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

Custodial History

Jack Leve was born in Russia. In 1904, after his brother was murdered in a pogrom, his parents put Jack—who was only nine at the time—on a ship to Montreal, where he lived with relatives. He did very well at Hebrew school, but one day he dipped a snowball in water to freeze it and hit the rabbi with it on his walk home, knocking him out. When he was caught, he decided to move to New York City and found a factory job, skinning skunks for fur coats.

After serving with the Canadian forces in the First World War, Jack decided to trade furs, working in James Bay. He spent most of his time with First Nations individuals, making many connections and even befriending Grey Owl. In 1938, Jack married Sarah Rives. When Judy was born in Montreal, the family had to send out a dog sled to notify Jack, who was in an igloo on Baffin Island.

Jack eventually settled in Sudbury around 1944. He had a base office just above Wolfe's book store where he kept two baby bears which he fed with baby bottles. He spent a great deal of time in the bush where he met with First Nations individuals, trapped, hunted, fished and purchased furs. Despite his rugged lifestyle, he was a staunch Zionist. In 1948, he relied on his contacts and skills as a fur trader to ship bullets hidden in mink, muskrat and otter furs to Israel to help the cause during the War of Independence. He was also an active member of the Jewish community in Sudbury. His wife kept a kosher home and Jack served on the executive of the synagogue and B'nai Brith.

Scope and Content

This item is a copy print and corresponding negative of Jack Leve in Biscotasing, Ontario, which is near Sudbury. Leve is holding a long stick with several dozen fish hanging from it.

Name Access

Leve, Jack

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

Biscotasing (Ont.)

Accession Number

1981-3-13

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

2873

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1920]

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

Jack Leve was born in Russia. In 1904, after his brother was murdered in a pogrom, his parents put Jack—who was only nine at the time—on a ship to Montreal, where he lived with relatives. He did very well at Hebrew school, but one day he dipped a snowball in water to freeze it and hit the rabbi with it on his walk home, knocking him out. When he was caught, he decided to move to New York City and found a factory job, skinning skunks for fur coats.

After serving with the Canadian forces in the First World War, Jack decided to trade furs, working in James Bay. He spent most of his time with First Nations individuals, making many connections and even befriending Grey Owl. In 1938, Jack married Sarah Rives. When Judy was born in Montreal, the family had to send out a dog sled to notify Jack, who was in an igloo on Baffin Island.

Jack eventually settled in Sudbury around 1944. He had a base office just above Wolfe's book store where he kept two baby bears which he fed with baby bottles. He spent a great deal of time in the bush where he met with First Nations individuals, trapped, hunted, fished and purchased furs. Despite his rugged lifestyle, he was a staunch Zionist. In 1948, he relied on his contacts and skills as a fur trader to ship bullets hidden in mink, muskrat and otter furs to Israel to help the cause during the War of Independence. He was also an active member of the Jewish community in Sudbury. His wife kept a kosher home and Jack served on the executive of the synagogue and B'nai Brith.

Scope and Content

This item is a copy print and corresponding negative of Jack Leve (centre) standing with two Laplanders in Biscotasing, Ontario, which is near Sudbury. Leve and another man is holding snowshoes and one man is on cross-country skis.

Name Access

Leve, Jack

Subjects

Sami (European 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

Biscotasing (Ont.)

Accession Number

1981-3-13

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

2874

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1921]

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

Jack Leve was born in Russia. In 1904, after his brother was murdered in a pogrom, his parents put Jack—who was only nine at the time—on a ship to Montreal, where he lived with relatives. He did very well at Hebrew school, but one day he dipped a snowball in water to freeze it and hit the rabbi with it on his walk home, knocking him out. When he was caught, he decided to move to New York City and found a factory job, skinning skunks for fur coats.

After serving with the Canadian forces in the First World War, Jack decided to trade furs, working in James Bay. He spent most of his time with First Nations individuals, making many connections and even befriending Grey Owl. In 1938, Jack married Sarah Rives. When Judy was born in Montreal, the family had to send out a dog sled to notify Jack, who was in an igloo on Baffin Island.

Jack eventually settled in Sudbury around 1944. He had a base office just above Wolfe's book store where he kept two baby bears which he fed with baby bottles. He spent a great deal of time in the bush where he met with First Nations individuals, trapped, hunted, fished and purchased furs. Despite his rugged lifestyle, he was a staunch Zionist. In 1948, he relied on his contacts and skills as a fur trader to ship bullets hidden in mink, muskrat and otter furs to Israel to help the cause during the War of Independence. He was also an active member of the Jewish community in Sudbury. His wife kept a kosher home and Jack served on the executive of the synagogue and B'nai Brith.

Scope and Content

This item is a copy print and corresponding negative of Jack Leve (centre) standing with two Algonquin women, nicknamed "the Buckshots", in Biscotasing, Ontario, which is near Sudbury. They are standing outside in the snow.

Name Access

Buckshots

Leve, Jack

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

Biscotasing (Ont.)

Accession Number

1981-3-13

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

2875

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1921

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

Jack Leve was born in Russia. In 1904, after his brother was murdered in a pogrom, his parents put Jack—who was only nine at the time—on a ship to Montreal, where he lived with relatives. He did very well at Hebrew school, but one day he dipped a snowball in water to freeze it and hit the rabbi with it on his walk home, knocking him out. When he was caught, he decided to move to New York City and found a factory job, skinning skunks for fur coats.

After serving with the Canadian forces in the First World War, Jack decided to trade furs, working in James Bay. He spent most of his time with First Nations individuals, making many connections and even befriending Grey Owl. In 1938, Jack married Sarah Rives. When Judy was born in Montreal, the family had to send out a dog sled to notify Jack, who was in an igloo on Baffin Island.

Jack eventually settled in Sudbury around 1944. He had a base office just above Wolfe's book store where he kept two baby bears which he fed with baby bottles. He spent a great deal of time in the bush where he met with First Nations individuals, trapped, hunted, fished and purchased furs. Despite his rugged lifestyle, he was a staunch Zionist. In 1948, he relied on his contacts and skills as a fur trader to ship bullets hidden in mink, muskrat and otter furs to Israel to help the cause during the War of Independence. He was also an active member of the Jewish community in Sudbury. His wife kept a kosher home and Jack served on the executive of the synagogue and B'nai Brith.

Scope and Content

This item is a copy photograph and corresponding negative of Jack Leve (right) of Sudbury, Ontario standing with an Indigenous man from Shawinigan, Ontario. They are both holding a baby beaver in their hands.

Name Access

Leve, Jack

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.

Accession Number

1981-3-13

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

2876

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1920]

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

Jack Leve was born in Russia. In 1904, after his brother was murdered in a pogrom, his parents put Jack—who was only nine at the time—on a ship to Montreal, where he lived with relatives. He did very well at Hebrew school, but one day he dipped a snowball in water to freeze it and hit the rabbi with it on his walk home, knocking him out. When he was caught, he decided to move to New York City and found a factory job, skinning skunks for fur coats.

After serving with the Canadian forces in the First World War, Jack decided to trade furs, working in James Bay. He spent most of his time with First Nations individuals, making many connections and even befriending Grey Owl. In 1938, Jack married Sarah Rives. When Judy was born in Montreal, the family had to send out a dog sled to notify Jack, who was in an igloo on Baffin Island.

Jack eventually settled in Sudbury around 1944. He had a base office just above Wolfe's book store where he kept two baby bears which he fed with baby bottles. He spent a great deal of time in the bush where he met with First Nations individuals, trapped, hunted, fished and purchased furs. Despite his rugged lifestyle, he was a staunch Zionist. In 1948, he relied on his contacts and skills as a fur trader to ship bullets hidden in mink, muskrat and otter furs to Israel to help the cause during the War of Independence. He was also an active member of the Jewish community in Sudbury. His wife kept a kosher home and Jack served on the executive of the synagogue and B'nai Brith.

Scope and Content

This item is a copy print and corresponding negative of Jack Leve, of Sudbury, Ontario, seated on a stoop in front of his fur post in Biscotasing. There are several children standing nearby and his sign is partially visible.

Name Access

Leve, Jack

Subjects

Fur trade

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

Biscotasing (Ont.)

Accession Number

1981-3-13

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

2877

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1945]

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

Jack Leve was born in Russia. In 1904, after his brother was murdered in a pogrom, his parents put Jack—who was only nine at the time—on a ship to Montreal, where he lived with relatives. He did very well at Hebrew school, but one day he dipped a snowball in water to freeze it and hit the rabbi with it on his walk home, knocking him out. When he was caught, he decided to move to New York City and found a factory job, skinning skunks for fur coats.

After serving with the Canadian forces in the First World War, Jack decided to trade furs, working in James Bay. He spent most of his time with First Nations individuals, making many connections and even befriending Grey Owl. In 1938, Jack married Sarah Rives. When Judy was born in Montreal, the family had to send out a dog sled to notify Jack, who was in an igloo on Baffin Island.

Jack eventually settled in Sudbury around 1944. He had a base office just above Wolfe's book store where he kept two baby bears which he fed with baby bottles. He spent a great deal of time in the bush where he met with First Nations individuals, trapped, hunted, fished and purchased furs. Despite his rugged lifestyle, he was a staunch Zionist. In 1948, he relied on his contacts and skills as a fur trader to ship bullets hidden in mink, muskrat and otter furs to Israel to help the cause during the War of Independence. He was also an active member of the Jewish community in Sudbury. His wife kept a Kosher home and Jack served on the executive of the synagogue and B'nai Brith.

Scope and Content

This item is a copy print and corresponding negative of Jack Leve's fur store in the Flatiron building in Sudbury, Ontario.

Name Access

Leve, Jack

Subjects

Architecture

Fur trade

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

Sudbury (Ont.)

Accession Number

1981-3-13

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

2878

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1925]

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

Jack Leve was born in Russia. In 1904, after his brother was murdered in a pogrom, his parents put Jack—who was only nine at the time—on a ship to Montreal, where he lived with relatives. He did very well at Hebrew school, but one day he dipped a snowball in water to freeze it and hit the rabbi with it on his walk home, knocking him out. When he was caught, he decided to move to New York City and found a factory job, skinning skunks for fur coats.

After serving with the Canadian forces in the First World War, Jack decided to trade furs, working in James Bay. He spent most of his time with First Nations individuals, making many connections and even befriending Grey Owl. In 1938, Jack married Sarah Rives. When Judy was born in Montreal, the family had to send out a dog sled to notify Jack, who was in an igloo on Baffin Island.

Jack eventually settled in Sudbury around 1944. He had a base office just above Wolfe's book store where he kept two baby bears which he fed with baby bottles. He spent a great deal of time in the bush where he met with First Nations individuals, trapped, hunted, fished and purchased furs. Despite his rugged lifestyle, he was a staunch Zionist. In 1948, he relied on his contacts and skills as a fur trader to ship bullets hidden in mink, muskrat and otter furs to Israel to help the cause during the War of Independence. He was also an active member of the Jewish community in Sudbury. His wife kept a Kosher home and Jack served on the executive of the synagogue and B'nai Brith.

Scope and Content

This item is a copy print and corresponding negative of Jack Leve (centre) standing with two unidentified men in front of a wooden house, in Biscotasing, Ontario, which is near Sudbury.

Name Access

Leve, Jack

Subjects

Single story houses

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

Biscotasing (Ont.)

Accession Number

1981-3-13

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

2880

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1921]

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

Jack Leve was born in Russia. In 1904, after his brother was murdered in a pogrom, his parents put Jack—who was only nine at the time—on a ship to Montreal, where he lived with relatives. He did very well at Hebrew school, but one day he dipped a snowball in water to freeze it and hit the rabbi with it on his walk home, knocking him out. When he was caught, he decided to move to New York City and found a factory job, skinning skunks for fur coats.

After serving with the Canadian forces in the First World War, Jack decided to trade furs, working in James Bay. He spent most of his time with First Nations individuals, making many connections and even befriending Grey Owl. In 1938, Jack married Sarah Rives. When Judy was born in Montreal, the family had to send out a dog sled to notify Jack, who was in an igloo on Baffin Island.

Jack eventually settled in Sudbury around 1944. He had a base office just above Wolfe's book store where he kept two baby bears which he fed with baby bottles. He spent a great deal of time in the bush where he met with First Nations individuals, trapped, hunted, fished and purchased furs. Despite his rugged lifestyle, he was a staunch Zionist. In 1948, he relied on his contacts and skills as a fur trader to ship bullets hidden in mink, muskrat and otter furs to Israel to help the cause during the War of Independence. He was also an active member of the Jewish community in Sudbury. His wife kept a Kosher home and Jack served on the executive of the synagogue and B'nai Brith.

Scope and Content

This item is a copy photograph and corresponding negative of Jack Leve (left) standing next to an unidentified man, probably in Biscotasing, which is near Sudbury. The men are standing amongst some rocks and the man on the left is holding a small hand pick. Leve is looking at a piece of stone with a magnifying glass.

Name Access

Leve, Jack

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

Biscotasing (Ont.)

Accession Number

1981-3-13

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

2881

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1919

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

Jack Leve was born in Russia. In 1904, after his brother was murdered in a pogrom, his parents put Jack—who was only nine at the time—on a ship to Montreal, where he lived with relatives. He did very well at Hebrew school, but one day he dipped a snowball in water to freeze it and hit the rabbi with it on his walk home, knocking him out. When he was caught, he decided to move to New York City and found a factory job, skinning skunks for fur coats.

After serving with the Canadian forces in the First World War, Jack decided to trade furs, working in James Bay. He spent most of his time with First Nations individuals, making many connections and even befriending Grey Owl. In 1938, Jack married Sarah Rives. When Judy was born in Montreal, the family had to send out a dog sled to notify Jack, who was in an igloo on Baffin Island.

Jack eventually settled in Sudbury around 1944. He had a base office just above Wolfe's book store where he kept two baby bears which he fed with baby bottles. He spent a great deal of time in the bush where he met with First Nations individuals, trapped, hunted, fished and purchased furs. Despite his rugged lifestyle, he was a staunch Zionist. In 1948, he relied on his contacts and skills as a fur trader to ship bullets hidden in mink, muskrat and otter furs to Israel to help the cause during the War of Independence. He was also an active member of the Jewish community in Sudbury. His wife kept a Kosher home and Jack served on the executive of the synagogue and B'nai Brith.

Scope and Content

This item is a copy print and corresponding negative of Jack Leve with three Indigenous men and a dog team in Biscotasing, Ontario, which is near Sudbury. Leve is pictured second from the left.

Name Access

Leve, Jack

Subjects

Dogs

Portraits, Group

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

Biscotasing (Ont.)

Accession Number

1981-3-13

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

2882

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1920]

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

Jack Leve was born in Russia. In 1904, after his brother was murdered in a pogrom, his parents put Jack—who was only nine at the time—on a ship to Montreal, where he lived with relatives. He did very well at Hebrew school, but one day he dipped a snowball in water to freeze it and hit the rabbi with it on his walk home, knocking him out. When he was caught, he decided to move to New York City and found a factory job, skinning skunks for fur coats.

After serving with the Canadian forces in the First World War, Jack decided to trade furs, working in James Bay. He spent most of his time with First Nations individuals, making many connections and even befriending Grey Owl. In 1938, Jack married Sarah Rives. When Judy was born in Montreal, the family had to send out a dog sled to notify Jack, who was in an igloo on Baffin Island.

Jack eventually settled in Sudbury around 1944. He had a base office just above Wolfe's book store where he kept two baby bears which he fed with baby bottles. He spent a great deal of time in the bush where he met with First Nations individuals, trapped, hunted, fished and purchased furs. Despite his rugged lifestyle, he was a staunch Zionist. In 1948, he relied on his contacts and skills as a fur trader to ship bullets hidden in mink, muskrat and otter furs to Israel to help the cause during the War of Independence. He was also an active member of the Jewish community in Sudbury. His wife kept a Kosher home and Jack served on the executive of the synagogue and B'nai Brith.

Scope and Content

This item is a copy print and corresponding negative of Jack Leve (left) of Sudbury, Ontario, with an Indigenous man near Pogamasing Lake, Ontario. Pictured with the men is a dog harnessed to a sled.

Name Access

Leve, Jack

Subjects

Dogs

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

Pogamasing Lake (Ont.)

Accession Number

1981-3-13

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

2884

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1921]

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

Jack Leve was born in Russia. In 1904, after his brother was murdered in a pogrom, his parents put Jack—who was only nine at the time—on a ship to Montreal, where he lived with relatives. He did very well at Hebrew school, but one day he dipped a snowball in water to freeze it and hit the rabbi with it on his walk home, knocking him out. When he was caught, he decided to move to New York City and found a factory job, skinning skunks for fur coats.

After serving with the Canadian forces in the First World War, Jack decided to trade furs, working in James Bay. He spent most of his time with First Nations individuals, making many connections and even befriending Grey Owl. In 1938, Jack married Sarah Rives. When Judy was born in Montreal, the family had to send out a dog sled to notify Jack, who was in an igloo on Baffin Island.

Jack eventually settled in Sudbury around 1944. He had a base office just above Wolfe's book store where he kept two baby bears which he fed with baby bottles. He spent a great deal of time in the bush where he met with First Nations individuals, trapped, hunted, fished and purchased furs. Despite his rugged lifestyle, he was a staunch Zionist. In 1948, he relied on his contacts and skills as a fur trader to ship bullets hidden in mink, muskrat and otter furs to Israel to help the cause during the War of Independence. He was also an active member of the Jewish community in Sudbury. His wife kept a Kosher home and Jack served on the executive of the synagogue and B'nai Brith.

Scope and Content

This item is a copy print and corresponding negative of Jack Leve, of Sudbury, Ontario with three friends. They are standing next to a float plane that is docked by the shore of Lake Biscotasi, in Biscotasing, Ontario.

Name Access

Leve, Jack

Subjects

Floatplanes

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

Biscotasing (Ont.)

Accession Number

1981-3-13

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

2885

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1920

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

Jack Leve was born in Russia. In 1904, after his brother was murdered in a pogrom, his parents put Jack—who was only nine at the time—on a ship to Montreal, where he lived with relatives. He did very well at Hebrew school, but one day he dipped a snowball in water to freeze it and hit the rabbi with it on his walk home, knocking him out. When he was caught, he decided to move to New York City and found a factory job, skinning skunks for fur coats.

After serving with the Canadian forces in the First World War, Jack decided to trade furs, working in James Bay. He spent most of his time with First Nations individuals, making many connections and even befriending Grey Owl. In 1938, Jack married Sarah Rives. When Judy was born in Montreal, the family had to send out a dog sled to notify Jack, who was in an igloo on Baffin Island.

Jack eventually settled in Sudbury around 1944. He had a base office just above Wolfe's book store where he kept two baby bears which he fed with baby bottles. He spent a great deal of time in the bush where he met with First Nations individuals, trapped, hunted, fished and purchased furs. Despite his rugged lifestyle, he was a staunch Zionist. In 1948, he relied on his contacts and skills as a fur trader to ship bullets hidden in mink, muskrat and otter furs to Israel to help the cause during the War of Independence. He was also an active member of the Jewish community in Sudbury. His wife kept a Kosher home and Jack served on the executive of the synagogue and B'nai Brith.

Scope and Content

This item is a copy print and corresponding negative of Jack Leve, of Sudbury, Ontario seated on a cart with three bags of fur, at Bisco station in Biscotasing, Ontario.

Name Access

Leve, Jack

Subjects

Fur trade

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

Biscotasing (Ont.)

Accession Number

1981-3-13

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

2886

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1945]

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

Jack Leve was born in Russia. In 1904, after his brother was murdered in a pogrom, his parents put Jack—who was only nine at the time—on a ship to Montreal, where he lived with relatives. He did very well at Hebrew school, but one day he dipped a snowball in water to freeze it and hit the rabbi with it on his walk home, knocking him out. When he was caught, he decided to move to New York City and found a factory job, skinning skunks for fur coats.

After serving with the Canadian forces in the First World War, Jack decided to trade furs, working in James Bay. He spent most of his time with First Nations individuals, making many connections and even befriending Grey Owl. In 1938, Jack married Sarah Rives. When Judy was born in Montreal, the family had to send out a dog sled to notify Jack, who was in an igloo on Baffin Island.

Jack eventually settled in Sudbury around 1944. He had a base office just above Wolfe's book store where he kept two baby bears which he fed with baby bottles. He spent a great deal of time in the bush where he met with First Nations individuals, trapped, hunted, fished and purchased furs. Despite his rugged lifestyle, he was a staunch Zionist. In 1948, he relied on his contacts and skills as a fur trader to ship bullets hidden in mink, muskrat and otter furs to Israel to help the cause during the War of Independence. He was also an active member of the Jewish community in Sudbury. His wife kept a Kosher home and Jack served on the executive of the synagogue and B'nai Brith.

Scope and Content

This item is a copy print and corresponding negative of Jack Leve's fur store in Sudbury, Ontario. The image depicts a group of men standing on the sidewalk looking at two bear cubs on rope leashes in front of the store.

Name Access

Leve, Jack

Subjects

Bear cubs

Fur trade

Storefronts

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

Sudbury (Ont.)

Accession Number

1981-3-13

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

2887

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1920]

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

Jack Leve was born in Russia. In 1904, after his brother was murdered in a pogrom, his parents put Jack—who was only nine at the time—on a ship to Montreal, where he lived with relatives. He did very well at Hebrew school, but one day he dipped a snowball in water to freeze it and hit the rabbi with it on his walk home, knocking him out. When he was caught, he decided to move to New York City and found a factory job, skinning skunks for fur coats.

After serving with the Canadian forces in the First World War, Jack decided to trade furs, working in James Bay. He spent most of his time with First Nations individuals, making many connections and even befriending Grey Owl. In 1938, Jack married Sarah Rives. When Judy was born in Montreal, the family had to send out a dog sled to notify Jack, who was in an igloo on Baffin Island.

Jack eventually settled in Sudbury around 1944. He had a base office just above Wolfe's book store where he kept two baby bears which he fed with baby bottles. He spent a great deal of time in the bush where he met with First Nations individuals, trapped, hunted, fished and purchased furs. Despite his rugged lifestyle, he was a staunch Zionist. In 1948, he relied on his contacts and skills as a fur trader to ship bullets hidden in mink, muskrat and otter furs to Israel to help the cause during the War of Independence. He was also an active member of the Jewish community in Sudbury. His wife kept a Kosher home and Jack served on the executive of the synagogue and B'nai Brith.

Scope and Content

This item is a copy photograph and corresponding negative of Jack Leve (right), of Sudbury, Ontario, seated in the wilderness under a canvas lean-to, with an Indigenous family.

Name Access

Leve, Jack

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.

Accession Number

1981-3-13

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

2888

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1920]

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

Jack Leve was born in Russia. In 1904, after his brother was murdered in a pogrom, his parents put Jack—who was only nine at the time—on a ship to Montreal, where he lived with relatives. He did very well at Hebrew school, but one day he dipped a snowball in water to freeze it and hit the rabbi with it on his walk home, knocking him out. When he was caught, he decided to move to New York City and found a factory job, skinning skunks for fur coats.

After serving with the Canadian forces in the First World War, Jack decided to trade furs, working in James Bay. He spent most of his time with First Nations individuals, making many connections and even befriending Grey Owl. In 1938, Jack married Sarah Rives. When Judy was born in Montreal, the family had to send out a dog sled to notify Jack, who was in an igloo on Baffin Island.

Jack eventually settled in Sudbury around 1944. He had a base office just above Wolfe's book store where he kept two baby bears which he fed with baby bottles. He spent a great deal of time in the bush where he met with First Nations individuals, trapped, hunted, fished and purchased furs. Despite his rugged lifestyle, he was a staunch Zionist. In 1948, he relied on his contacts and skills as a fur trader to ship bullets hidden in mink, muskrat and otter furs to Israel to help the cause during the War of Independence. He was also an active member of the Jewish community in Sudbury. His wife kept a Kosher home and Jack served on the executive of the synagogue and B'nai Brith.

Scope and Content

This item is a copy photograph and corresponding negative of Jack Leve (left), of Sudbury, Ontario and an Indigenous man in a canoe. They are likely on Lake Biscotasi, near Biscotasing, Ontario.

Name Access

Leve, Jack

Subjects

Canoes and canoeing

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

Biscotasing (Ont.)

Accession Number

1981-3-13

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

2889

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1921

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

Jack Leve was born in Russia. In 1904, after his brother was murdered in a pogrom, his parents put Jack—who was only nine at the time—on a ship to Montreal, where he lived with relatives. He did very well at Hebrew school, but one day he dipped a snowball in water to freeze it and hit the rabbi with it on his walk home, knocking him out. When he was caught, he decided to move to New York City and found a factory job, skinning skunks for fur coats.

After serving with the Canadian forces in the First World War, Jack decided to trade furs, working in James Bay. He spent most of his time with First Nations individuals, making many connections and even befriending Grey Owl. In 1938, Jack married Sarah Rives. When Judy was born in Montreal, the family had to send out a dog sled to notify Jack, who was in an igloo on Baffin Island.

Jack eventually settled in Sudbury around 1944. He had a base office just above Wolfe's book store where he kept two baby bears which he fed with baby bottles. He spent a great deal of time in the bush where he met with First Nations individuals, trapped, hunted, fished and purchased furs. Despite his rugged lifestyle, he was a staunch Zionist. In 1948, he relied on his contacts and skills as a fur trader to ship bullets hidden in mink, muskrat and otter furs to Israel to help the cause during the War of Independence. He was also an active member of the Jewish community in Sudbury. His wife kept a kosher home and Jack served on the executive of the synagogue and B'nai Brith.

Scope and Content

This item is a copy photograph and corresponding negative of Jack Leve of Sudbury, Ontario, holding two baby beavers.

Name Access

Leve, Jack

Subjects

Beavers

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.

Accession Number

1981-3-13

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

1549

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1915]

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm

Scope and Content

This item is a copy print depicting the exterior of the B'nai Brith house in Fort William (Thunder Bay), Ontario.

Name Access

B'nai B'rith

Subjects

Architecture

Repro Restriction

Original owned by Manitoba Archives, Jewish Historical Society of Western Canada collection. Please credit accordingly.

Places

Thunder Bay (Ont.)

Accession Number

1978-4-8

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

1196

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[194-]

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 21 x 26 cm and 12 x 10 cm

Scope and Content

This item is a copy print and corresponding negative of a group of representatives from various northern B'nai Brith lodges, at a northern region meeting in Kirkland Lake. Pictured are:

Back row, left to right: Abe Ginsberg (Kirkland Lake), William Berk (Kirkland Lake), Al Brown (Kirkland Lake).

Third row, left to right: Phil Mervin (Kirkland Lake), [unidentified], Jack Kussner (Kirkland Lake), Sam Davis (Kirkland Lake), Harry Moscoe (Kirkland Lake), Don Wertman (Kirkland Lake), Max Levine (Kirkland Lake), Joe Scott (Kirkland Lake), Irving Kokotow (Kirkland Lake).

Second row, left to right: Sam Langer (Kirkland Lake), Isaac Korman (Rouyn-Noranda), H. Levson (Rouyn-Noranda), Norman Koza (Timmins), Jack Halpert (Timmins), Manny Abrams (Timmins), M. Kaplan (Kirkland Lake), Sam Finkleman (Kirkland Lake).

Front row, left to right: Sol Shankman (Timmins), Harry Miller (Rouyn-Noranda), Montague Raisman (Toronto), Saul Ross (Kirkland Lake), M. Brown (North Bay), Rev. Rabinovitch (Kirkland Lake).

Notes

Finkelman may be an alternate spelling for Sam Finkleman.

Name Access

B'nai B'rith

Moscoe, Harry, 1905-

Subjects

Congresses and conventions

Portraits, Group

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.)

Accession Number

1977-1-4

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Jewish Community Centre of Toronto fonds

Executive director series

Subject files sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

61

Series

1-1

File

9

Material Format

textual record

Date

1955

Physical Description

1 cm of textual records

Scope and Content

This file contains correspondence between David Andrews and various representatives of B'nai Brith Youth Organization regarding the relationship between the YM-YWHA and the B'nai Brith.

Name Access

B'nai B'rith

Accession Number

2004-5-2

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Hoffman family fonds

Community Activities series

Level

Series

Fonds

6

Series

2

Material Format

textual record

Date

1957-1969

Physical Description

10 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

Max and Celia Hoffman were involved in many community activities including the synagogue and Jewish education. They raised funds on behalf of the community and also made financial contributions to a variety of Jewish organizations.

Scope and Content

Series consists of correspondence, financial reports and programme books relating to educational, religious and fraternal organizations and institutions in Hamilton. Series also contains material from local events such as the dedication of Adas Israel synagogue and regional events such as the convention of the Canadian Jewish Congress and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, Ontario Region. In addition, there are correspondence and a certificate from Yeshiva University in regards to a scholarship established by Max and Celia Hoffman. Other material includes a calendar published by the Hamilton chapter of B’Nai Brith and the Hamilton District Jewish Community Telephone Directory.

Name Access

B'nai B'rith

Canadian Jewish Congress

Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, Ontario Region

Central Fund for Traditional Institutions

Hamilton Talmud Torah

National Society for Hebrew Day Schools

Hamilton District Jewish Community Telephone Directory

Subjects

Education

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Zelda Young fonds

Ben Kayfetz segment series

Level

Item

Fonds

135

Series

17

Item

25

Material Format

sound recording

Date

6 Dec. 1987

Physical Description

1 audio reel (4 min., 8 sec.) : polyester, 7 1/2 ips, 1 track, mono ; 1/4 in.

Scope and Content

Item consists of a recording of Ben Kayfetz's segment. He talks about an upcoming event being held on 14 December 1987, at 8 pm, at the Lipa Green Centre. The event was promoted by the Community Relations Committee of the Canadian Jewish Congress and consisted of a discussion on how to handle the reading and study of controversial texts in Jewish schools, works that are considered literary classics but reflect prejudices and misconceptions that prevailed in the time of their writing, such as "The Merchant of Venice," "Oliver Twist," and "Huckleberry Finn." Panelists were Enid Lee (Supervisor of Race and Ethnic Relations at the North York Board of Education), Barbara Aggerholm (a journalist of the Kitchener-Waterloo Record), and a parent from Waterloo [name unintelligible], where this had been a recurrent and divisive issue. He also briefly talks about the return of Max Rosenfeld to Toronto, after having made Aliyah thirty years prior in order to join the Foreign Service. Rosenfeld was to serve as the new director of the Toronto office of Boys Town Jerusalem. Finally, he discusses the libel award against B'nai B'rith in Winnipeg, which he considers disturbing.

Name Access

B'nai B'rith

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.

Physical Condition

Tape is in good condition. Sound quality is good. No signs of mold or SBS.

Accession Number

1988-3-4

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Community Relations Committee series

General office records sub-series

CJC and the United Jewish Peoples Order (UJPO) file

Level

Item

Fonds

17

Series

5-5

File

49

Item

1

Material Format

textual record

Date

21 May 1969

Physical Description

1 letter

Admin History/Bio

Monroe Abbey (1904–1993) was a Canadian lawyer and president of the Canadian Jewish Congress from 1968 to 1971.

Scope and Content

Item is a copy of a letter sent to Mr. Monroe Abbey, QC, from B. G. Kayfetz. In the letter, Kayfetz clarifies "the relationship and status of the [United Jewish People's Order] to the Jewish community and to the Canadian Jewish Congress in particular." The letter also addresses an allegation that "Ben Kayfetz has instructed all B'nai B'rith lodges not to rent space in the Morris Winchevsky Centre." Kayfetz denies this claim. The final subject to be addressed in the letter is UJPO's "relationship to [the] USSR and Communism."

Notes

General: Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.

Name Access

Abbey, Monroe, 1904–1993

B'nai B'rith

Canadian Jewish Congress

Kayfetz, Ben, 1916-2002

United Jewish People's Order

Subjects

Communism

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

Community Relations Committee series

General office records sub-series

CJC and the United Jewish Peoples Order (UJPO) file

Level

Item

Fonds

17

Series

5-5

File

49

Item

2

Material Format

textual record

Date

13 May 1969

Physical Description

1 letter

Admin History/Bio

Monroe Abbey (1904–1993) was a Canadian lawyer and president of the Canadian Jewish Congress from 1968 to 1971.

Jack Cowan was a founder of the Canadian Jewish Outlook and former president of the United Jewish People's Order.

Scope and Content

Item is a copy of a letter sent to Monroe Abbey, QC, from Jack Cowan, the national president of the United Jewish People's Order (UJPO). In the letter, Cowan takes issue with an article that appeared in the Toronto Telegram on 6 May 1969, in which it was claimed UJPO "was expelled from the Canadian Jewish Congress in 1951 because it felt it was communist-oriented." The same article then went on to cite Benjamin Kayfetz to the effect that UJPO was "a communist front organization." Cowan offers his own description of UJPO, highlights its contributions to Israel, and makes the allegation that Kayfetz had "instructed" B'nai B'rith chapters and lodges to "refrain from meeting in our Toronto Centre."

Notes

General: Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.

Name Access

Abbey, Monroe, 1904–1993

B'nai B'rith

Canadian Jewish Congress

Cowan, Jack

Kayfetz, Ben, 1916-2002

United Jewish People's Order

Subjects

Communism

Repro Restriction

Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Accession Number

2017-1-7

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Date

2011-2012

Scope and Content

Accession consists of two editions of Hakol bulletin published by Beth Tikvah and dated September/October 2011 and November/December 2011. Contents of the bulletins are messages from the rabbi and president, Sisterhood and Men's Club, activities, programs, donations, bereavements, as well as paid advertisements. Inserted in the November/December edition is a letter from Maurice Kulik, president, addressed to the members, informing them of proposed amendments to their constitution for consideration at the AGM. Also included is a flyer promoting their Pre-Hanukkah Choral concert on December 11, 2011.

Subjects

Synagogue bulletins

Name Access

Beth Tikvah Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2018-9-2

Material Format

graphic material

textual record

Physical Description

16 cm of textual records

1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 10 cm

Date

1945-1992

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records related to the Shaar Hashomayim Congregation and B'nai Brith of Sudbury, Ontario. Included are Shaar Hashomayim cash receipt books for donations and membership dues, income and expense ledgers, bank reconciliation statements, a change of address notice, list of members of the Jewish Community of Sudbury, B'nai Brith Sudbury Lodge No. 1592 membership record book, and a letter from the Canadian Jewish Congress with a population list of Jewish communities in Ontario based on the 1971 census. Also included is a photograph taken at a B'nai Brith banquet in the mid-1950s. Pictured in the photograph are David Schwartz, David Greenspan, David Valensky, Sam Speigel and D. Field.

Subjects

Synagogues

Fraternal organizations

Name Access

B'nai B'rith

Shaar Hashomayim Synagogue (Sudbury, Ont.)

Places

Sudbury (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Level

Item

Item

6037

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1950]

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm

Scope and Content

Item is an exterior photograph of the Jewish Old Folks' Home on Cecil St.

Notes

Same image as photo #4365 and photo #45

Name Access

Jewish Home for the Aged (Toronto, Ont.)

Jewish Old Folks Home (Toronto, Ont.)

Subjects

Architecture

Old age homes

Places

Cecil Street (Toronto, Ont.)

Accession Number

1986-11-6

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

1712

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1946

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)

Name Access

Jewish Home for the Aged (Toronto, Ont.)

Jewish Old Folks Home (Toronto, Ont.)

Subjects

Old age homes

Older 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

Cecil Street (Toronto, Ont.)

Accession Number

1979-3-8

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

George Morrison fonds

Level

Item

Fonds

99

Item

69

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1978]

Physical Description

1 slide : col. ; 35 mm

Name Access

Beth Tikvah Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)

Subjects

Architecture

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

Toronto (Ont.)

Accession Number

1980-6-3

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

George Morrison fonds

Level

Item

Fonds

99

Item

72

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1978]

Physical Description

1 slide : col. ; 35 mm

Name Access

Beth Tikvah Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)

Subjects

Architecture

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

Toronto (Ont.)

Accession Number

1980-6-3

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

B'nai B'rith Sportsmen Lodge dinners series

Level

Series

Fonds

37

Series

2

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[196-]-1970

Physical Description

125 negatives : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm and 6 x 6 cm

Admin History/Bio

B’nai B’rith is the oldest Jewish service organization in North America. It was founded on October 13, 1843 by a group of eleven men in New York City.

Originally called Bundes-Brueder [League of Brothers], with the alternate title of “The Independent Order of B’nai B’rith”, they later shortened their name to simply “B’nai B’rith”, meaning sons of the covenant.

In an attempt to unite Jewish communities, they developed an inclusive membership mandate that does not discriminate against ethnic or religious sects. The initial vision of the organization was to develop a national Jewish organization, which would provide aide to all Jewish citizens. These goals have long since been realized. The organization currently has lodges internationally and B’nai B’rith membership is in the millions.

B’nai B’rith cites its main goals to be: reaching out to those in need, fighting antisemitism and prejudice of any kind, and promoting human rights and world peace. One of their most recognized accomplishments is the formation of the Anti-Defamation League, which combats anitsemitism and promotes human rights.

In Canada, the first B'nai B'rith lodge was founded in Toronto, the Canada Lodge, in 1875, but it folded in 1894. Other lodges were formed in Montreal, in 1881, and Victoria, in 1886. These lodges were disbanded around the turn of the century and the organization did not have much of a presence in Canada until the outbreak of the first World War. Shortly afterwards, in Toronto, B’nai B’rith had fifteen lodges and eleven chapters. The lodges were the men’s groups and the chapters were for the women; in addition, there was also the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, called the Hillel Foundation, which was located at the University of Toronto.

In Toronto, the Sportsmen Lodge began as a modest sized group of 100 members in 1954, and doubled in membership over the next 10 years. They sponsored an annual baseball night and a sportswriters dinner that honoured an outstanding sports journalist. The dinner was well known amongst journalists and was well attended. The Sportsmen Lodge also hosted an annual Celebrity dinner, at which a outstanding Canadian personality was chosen and honoured for his or her achievements.

The lodge was also active in working with handicapped children and in fundraising campaigns.

Scope and Content

Series consists of images taken by Al Gilbert of the B’nai B’rith Sportsmen Lodge Dinners at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto. The files in this series document three different dinners for the years 1969, 1970 and an unidentified dinner from the 1960s.

Notes

Selection for this series was based on the various activities and functions of the event. The dinner was held as an annual award ceremony and installation for the newly appointed officers of the Sportsmen Lodge. The criteria used for selection included: awards, speeches, installation oaths, entertainment, and dinner tables.

Name Access

B'nai B'rith

Sportsmen Lodge

Hillel

Subjects

Dinners and dining

Sports

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Level

File

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

5

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1970

Physical Description

53 negatives : b&w and col. ; 6 x 6 cm

Admin History/Bio

Leon E. Weinstein was born in the back room of his family's grocery store in Toronto on August 19, 1909. His parents names were Sam and Sarah Weinstein. Leon married Anna Sackin and together they had three children named: Carol Joy, Frances Lee, and Henry Jacob. Continuing in his family's line of work, Leon was President and General Manager for a large grocery corporation called Power Super Markets Limited.

He was also actively involved in the Toronto Jewish community and held several appointments with B'nai B'rith, United Jewish Appeal Toronto, Israel Bond Drive, United Appeal of Greater Toronto, United Jewish Welfare Fund, Toronto Jewish Home for the Aged and many more. He was a member of the Holy Blossom Temple.

Scope and Content

File consists of negatives documenting the Negev dinner held in tribute to Leon E. Weinstein. The dinner was hosted by the Jewish National Fund at the Royal York Hotel and was attended by members of the Toronto Jewish community.

The programme for the evening included speeches and presentations made by the following guests: Robert R. Hall, Rabbi Dr. Moses J. Burak, James F. Kay, Rabbi Harold Lerner, Eric Exton, Charles A. Kent, Lewish J. E. Moses, Philip Granovsky, David L. Dennis, Mrs. Arnold Finkler, Hon. Dr. Aba Gefen, Hon. Allan Grossman, Philip Givens, Rabbi W. Gunther Plaut, and Allen Ephraim Diamond.

Name Access

Weinstein, Leon E.

Hall, Robert R.

Burak, Rabbi Dr. Moses J.

Kay, James F.

Lerner, Rabbi Harold

Exton, Eric, 1907-1997

Kent, Charles A.

Moses, Lewis J.E.

Dennis, David L.

Finkler, Mrs. Leona

Gefen, Hon. Dr. Aba

Grossman, Allan, 1910-1991

Givens, Phillip

Plaut, Rabbi W. Gunther

Diamond, Allen Ephraim

Granovsky, Philip

Jewish National Fund

Negev dinners

B'nai B'rith

United Jewish Appeal

United Jewish Welfare Fund

Israel Bonds Drive

Toronto Jewish Home for the Aged

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

B'nai B'rith Sportsmen Lodge dinners series

1970 dinner file

Level

File

Fonds

37

Series

2

File

2

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1970

Physical Description

54 negatives : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm and 6 x 6 cm

Scope and Content

File consists of images taken at the 1970 B'nai B'rith Sportsmen Lodge dinner held at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto.

Name Access

Sportsmen Lodge

B'nai B'rith

Rosen, Betty

Rosen, Leo

Lyons, Percy

Lyons, Firmette

Goldenberg, Morris

Trager, Phil

Trager, Sylvia

Rosen, Jack

Ladovsky, Sam

Mandel, Joe

Zweig, Bobby

Isenbaum, Hy

Ehrlick, Murray

Hershon, Art

Cooper, Jimmy

Lebow, Syd

Harris, Morrie

Spencer, Lou

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

B'nai B'rith Sportsmen Lodge dinners series

Level

File

Fonds

37

Series

2

File

3

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[196-]

Physical Description

35 negatives : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Scope and Content

File consists of negatives taken by Al Gilbert at the B'nai B'rith Sportsmen Lodge dinner during the 1970s at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto.

Name Access

B'nai B'rith

Sportsmen Lodge

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

5022

Material Format

graphic material

Date

27 Oct. 1961

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm

Scope and Content

Item is a photograph of Sam Ruth showing a model of the new Jewish Home for the Aged and Baycrest Hospital to two women.

Notes

Graphic Artists.

Name Access

Baycrest Hospital

Jewish Home for the Aged (Toronto, Ont.)

Ruth, Sam

Subjects

Architecture

Places

Bathurst Street (Toronto, Ont.)

Accession Number

1990-1-5

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

6038

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[between 1975 and 1980]

Physical Description

1 photograph

Name Access

Jewish Home for the Aged (Toronto, Ont.)

Subjects

Architecture

Old age homes

Places

Bathurst Street (Toronto, Ont.)

Accession Number

1986-11-6

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

743

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[between 1955 and 1960]

Physical Description

1 photograph

Scope and Content

Item is a portrait of Sam Ruth, an administrator for the Jewish Home for the Aged in Toronto.

Name Access

Jewish Home for the Aged (Toronto, Ont.)

Ruth, Sam

Subjects

Portraits

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

Level

Item

Item

2497

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1959

Physical Description

1 photograph

Scope and Content

Left to right: Sam ruth, executive director of Baycrest Centre, Morry Wingold, president of Empire Lodge, Joe Litwin.

Notes

Photo taken by Harold Hundert.

Name Access

B'nai B'rith

Jewish Home for the Aged (Toronto, Ont.)

Subjects

Awards

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Accession Number

1979-11-22

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

2495

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[1944 or 1945]

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)

Notes

Photo by George Rutherford.

Name Access

B'nai B'rith

Subjects

Women

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

Toronto (Ont.)

Accession Number

1979-11-20

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

2496

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[1946 or 1947]

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)

Notes

Photo by George Rutherford.

Name Access

B'nai B'rith

Subjects

Luncheons

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.

Accession Number

1979-11-20

Source

Archival Descriptions