Accession Number
1978-5-2
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1978-5-2
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
15 cm of textual records
Date
[ca. 1971]-[ca. 1976]
Scope and Content
This accession consists of newspaper clippings and correspondence relating to the dismissal of Rabbi Stuart Rosenberg by the Beth Tzedec Board and relating to the Rabbi Hollander case; copies of "The Committee of 10 Report" and "Setting the Records Straight: Analysis and refutation of The Committee of 10 report"; Beth Tzedec Board letters and Bulletins; Beth Tzedec Congregational School Education and Youth Committee minutes and newsletters; Beth Tzedec Congregation Constitution and By-Laws; a report on membership dues policy; and records relating to the Board elections.
Subjects
Synagogues
Name Access
Beth Tzedec Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
Rosenberg, Stuart E., 1922-1990
Source
Archival Accessions
Name
Rabbi Reuben Slonim
Material Format
sound recording
Interview Date
23 Jul. 1982
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Rabbi Reuben Slonim
Number
OH 65
OH 66
Subject
Development of Toronto Jewish community from 1930s
Rabbis
Interview Date
23 Jul. 1982
Quantity
2
Interviewer
Jack Lipinsky
Total Running Time
OH65_001: 26.25 minutes
OH65_002: 15.07 minutes
OH66: 32.48 minutes
Conservation
Copied August 2003
Notes
Poor sound quality
Use Restrictions
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Conditional access. Researchers must receive permission from the interviewee or their heir prior to accessing the interview. Please contact the OJA for more information.
Biography
Reuben Slonim was born on in Winnipeg in 1914 and ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York in 1937. That year, he became Canada’s first Canadian-born rabbi when he was hired by the McCaul Street Synagogue in downtown Toronto. After it merged with Goel Tzedec to become the Beth Tzedec Congregation, Rabbi Slonim served at the new Beth Tzedec for one year. He then served for twenty-three years as rabbi of Beth Habonim on Glen Park Avenue.
Slonim also worked as a jounalist and associate editor of the Toronto Telegram and was known for his outspoken views on the Arab-Israeli conflict and Zionism.
He married Rita Short, and they had a daughter named Rena. Rabbi Reuben Slonim died on 20 January 2000 at the age of eight-five.
Material Format
sound recording
Language
English
Name Access
McCaul Street Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)
Beth Tzedec Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
Geographic Access
Winnipeg (Man.)
New York (N.Y.).
Toronto (Ont.)
Original Format
Audio cassette
Copy Format
Audio cassette
Source
Oral Histories
Part Of
Gordon Mendly fonds
Events and organizations series
B'nai Brith lodges sub-series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 18; Series 3-1; File 14
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gordon Mendly fonds
Events and organizations series
B'nai Brith lodges sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
18
Series
3-1
File
14
Material Format
graphic material
Date
17 Apr.1966
Physical Description
9 negatives : b&w ; 10 x 13 cm
Scope and Content
File consists of images taken at the B'nai Brith Toronto Lodge installation of officers banquet, held at Beth Tzedec Synagogue. The images depict a number of members accepting awards and plaques, speakers at the podium, as well as several images of lodge members and invited guests.
Name Access
Beth Tzedec Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
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
Gordon Mendly fonds
Events and organizations series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 18; Series 3; File 49
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gordon Mendly fonds
Events and organizations series
Level
File
Fonds
18
Series
3
File
49
Material Format
graphic material
Date
9 Sep. 1963
Physical Description
5 negatives : b&w ; 10 x 13 cm
Scope and Content
File consists of five images taken at the opening banquet for the thirteenth annual State of Israel Bonds drive. The banquet was held at Beth Tzedec Synagogue. The images include individuals seated around banquet tables and at the head table, and speakers at the podium. The banner behind the head table reads: build a better Israel with Israel Bonds in the bar mitzvah year.
Item 1: The woman seated on the far right facing the camera at the centre banquet table is Bertha Kaplan, who for many years was the treasurer at Adath Israel Synagogue.
Name Access
Beth Tzedec Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
Subjects
Dinners and dining
Repro Restriction
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Accession Number
2018-1-9
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2018-1-9
Material Format
textual record
sound recording
Physical Description
10 cm of textual records
1 audio cassette
Date
1960-1997
Scope and Content
Accession consists of records related to Gordon Kushner's activities as music director of Beth Tzedec Congregation. The accession includes Kushner's compositions for V'al Kulam (1982), Mi Sheberach (1983), and Tikanta (1987) along with a collection of compositions by Srul Irving Glick, Paul Kowarsky, and Sid Robinovitch. Of particular note is a composition commissioned by the Canadian Jewish Congress for the Jewish Music Festival 1960. Recordings of selections from Robonvitch's compositions are included in an audio cassette. Also included are correspondence, meeting minutes, repertoire and music lists, and choir membership lists, and program books related to the activities of the Beth Tzedec choir and its performances, such as its participation in various Jewish music festivals. In addition, there are records related to Mel Sach's resignation from the Toronto Jewish Cultural Council as program coordinator; bulletins of Beth Tzedec Congregation, and Jewish Music Committee meeting minutes.
Administrative History
Gordon Kushner (1916-2007) was the music director of the Beth Tzedec Congregation (previously Goel Tzedec) in Toronto from 1948 to 1999. Born in Winnipeg, Kushner trained as a pianist under Gwendda Owen Davies and appeared with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra in 1940. After serving as a bandsman in the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War, he resumed his studies at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto under John Weinzweig in theory and conducting in 1946. As music director for Beth Tzedec Congregation, he composed several choral compositions for the synagogue and coordinated the Beth Tzedec Choir's participation in various concerts and events across Toronto, including the Jewish Music Festival sponsored by the Music Committee of the Toronto Jewish Cultural Council of Toronto Jewish Congress. Kushner was active in the cultural activities of the Toronto Jewish community. He was a member of the education and cultural committee of the Canadian Jewish Congress in 1950 and became co-chair of the central region music committee in 1967. Kushner was also a music educator and during the 1960s taught at the University of Toronto and the Royal Conservatory of Music Summer School, which he became director of in 1969. He served as the Principal and Vice-Principal of the Royal Conservatory of Music from 1978 to 1991.
Subjects
Music festivals
Synagogue music
Name Access
Beth Tzedec Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
Kushner, Gordon, 1916-2007
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2018-11-5
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2018-11-5
Material Format
textual record
graphic material (electronic)
textual record (electronic)
Physical Description
7 cm of textual records
285 MB of photographs and textual records
Date
[188-]-2018
Scope and Content
Accession consists of material documenting the From Latkes to Laffa exhibition that was held at Beth Tzedec Congregation in 2017. Included are textual records organized into the following files: Planning, Introduction, The Ward, Kensington, Eglinton, Dairy/bagels, Delis, Kosher, and New trends. There are two additional files without names that contain additional material related to the exhibition. Also included are electronic records, primarily graphic, that relate to the exhibition. The latter have been organized into two folders: Photographs and USB.
Administrative History
From Latkes to Laffas was an exhibition at Beth Tzedec Congregation's Reuben & Helene Dennis Museum that explored the history of Toronto's Jewish restaurants. The exhibition opened on Wednesday the 6 September 2017.
Descriptive Notes
Source of supplied title proper: Title based on a label on the side of the binder.
Subjects
Ethnic restaurants
Name Access
Beth Tzedec Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
Rothstein, Gella
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2019-2-8
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2019-2-8
Material Format
graphic material
Physical Description
2 folders
Date
1970-1973
Scope and Content
Accession consists of material documenting the Airst family. Included are photographs of Malcolm Airst at his bar mitzvah in 1970 and Randall Airst at his bar mitzvah in 1973. The b'nai mitzvah took place at Beth Tzedec in Toronto where the family were members and Malcolm completed ninth grade at the United Synagogue Day School.
Subjects
Bar mitzvah
Name Access
Beth Tzedec Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2019-3-1
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2019-3-1
Material Format
graphic material
Physical Description
6 photographs : col. ; 21 x 15 cm or smaller
Date
[197-?]
Scope and Content
Accession consists of material documenting the Airst family. Included are five photographs taken at Malcolm Airst's bar mitzvah, which was held at Beth Tzedec in Toronto, and one photograph of Malcolm's sister, Lisa. Also depicted in the bar mitzvah photographs are: maternal grandfather Alexander Stolberg; parents Herman Airst and Faye Airst; and younger brother Randall Airst.
Descriptive Notes
Physical description: The five bar mitzvah photographs are glued to a matte board.
Subjects
Bar mitzvah
Families
Name Access
Beth Tzedec Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Photographic and audiovisual collection series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 67; Series 27; File 189
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Photographic and audiovisual collection series
Level
File
Fonds
67
Series
27
File
189
Material Format
graphic material
Date
January 1975
Physical Description
12 slides : col. ; 35 mm
Scope and Content
File consists of twelve 35mm slides depicting a UJA-Israel Special Fund campaign event with Golda Meir at Beth Tzedec. Murray Koffler, Eddie Creed, and Joan Lipson are shown in some of the slides.
Notes
Slides processed by Benjamin Film Labs.
Name Access
Beth Tzedec Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
Meir, Golda, 1898-1978
Subjects
Prime ministers--Israel
Synagogues
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Photographic and audiovisual collection series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 67; Series 27; File 206
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Photographic and audiovisual collection series
Level
File
Fonds
67
Series
27
File
206
Material Format
graphic material
Date
3 Feb. 1976
Physical Description
41 photographs : b&w (37 negatives) ; 28 x 28 mm and 35 mm
Scope and Content
File consists of four photographs and thirty-seven negatives of a UJA event with Menachem Begin at Beth Tzedec. Lionel Schipper, Issy Sharp, and Wilf Posluns are identified.
Notes
Photos by Graphic Artists Photographers, Toronto.
Availability of other formats: Also available as digital images.
Name Access
Begin, Menachem, 1913-1992
Beth Tzedec Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
Subjects
Prime ministers--Israel
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Photographic and audiovisual collection series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 67; Series 27; File 424
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Photographic and audiovisual collection series
Level
File
Fonds
67
Series
27
File
424
Material Format
graphic material
Date
15 May 1979
Physical Description
3 photographs (2 negatives) : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm and 28 x 28 mm
Scope and Content
File consists of one photograph and two negatives of USDS students (and teacher?) holding a $600 cheque for UJA, raised by a Bowlathon. Rachel Forman, Jessica Rudolph, Lisi Tesher, Moshe Bell, Jessica Benattar, Greg Sigel, and Danny Morgenstein are identified.
Notes
Photos by Graphic Artists Photographers, Toronto.
Availability of other formats: Also available as digital images.
Name Access
Beth Tzedec Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
George Morrison fonds
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 99; Item 49
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
George Morrison fonds
Level
Item
Fonds
99
Item
49
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1978]
Physical Description
1 slide : col. ; 35 mm
Name Access
Beth Midrash Hagadol Synagogue
Beth Tzedec Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
Goel Tzedec 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
Bathurst Street (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
1980-6-3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
George Morrison fonds
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 99; Item 50
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
George Morrison fonds
Level
Item
Fonds
99
Item
50
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1978]
Physical Description
1 slide : col. ; 35 mm
Name Access
Beth Midrash Hagadol Synagogue
Beth Tzedec Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
Goel Tzedec 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
Bathurst Street (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
1980-6-3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 4215
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
4215
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1968
Physical Description
1 photograph
Notes
Photo by Graphic Artists.
Name Access
Ben-Gurion, David, 1886-1973
Beth Tzedec Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
United Jewish Appeal
Subjects
Dinners and dining
Prime ministers--Israel
Synagogues
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.)
Accession Number
1986-1-6
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 4216
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
4216
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1968
Physical Description
1 photograph
Notes
Photo by Graphic Artists.
Name Access
Ben-Gurion, David, 1886-1973
Beth Tzedec Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
United Jewish Appeal
Subjects
Dinners and dining
Prime ministers--Israel
Synagogues
Accession Number
1986-1-6
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 4217
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
4217
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1968
Physical Description
1 photograph
Notes
Photo by Graphic Artists.
Name Access
Ben-Gurion, David, 1886-1973
Beth Tzedec Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
United Jewish Appeal
Subjects
Dinners and dining
Prime ministers--Israel
Synagogues
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Accession Number
1986-1-6
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 2355
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
2355
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1 Jun. 1965
Physical Description
1 photograph
Scope and Content
Possibly taken at Beth Tzedec.
Notes
Photo by Graphic Artists.
Name Access
Beth Tzedec Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
Smith, Mr.
United Jewish Appeal
Sugar, Mrs. David
Subjects
Awards
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 4430
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
4430
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1986
Physical Description
1 photograph
Scope and Content
Identified in the photograph (left to right) are: Ydave Yacoby; Shmuel Mizrahi; Michael Pluznik; Harvey Joseph, president, Aid to Disabled War Veterans of Israel (Canada).
Name Access
Beth Tzedec Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
Yacoby, Ydave
Mizrahi, Shmuel
Pluznik, Michael
Joseph, Harvey
Disabled War Veterans of Israel (Canada)
Subjects
Disabled veterans--Israel
Synagogues
Accession Number
1986-12-3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Dinner honouring the Toronto Jewish community file
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 37; Series 1; File 1; Item 10
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
10
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
Rabbi Stuart Rosenberg gave the invocation at the Negev dinner. He was the rabbi at Toronto's Beth Tzedec Synagogue.
Notes
Photograph by Al Gilbert.
Name Access
Beth Tzedec Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
Rosenberg, Rabbi Stuart
Subjects
Dinners and dining
Rabbis
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.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Dinner honouring the Toronto Jewish community file
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 37; Series 1; File 1; Item 28
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
28
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
Rabbi Slonim was born on 27 February 1914. He was married to Rita Short and they had one daughter named Rena. He was a rabbi and a journalist working for the McCaul St. Synagogue, Beth Tzedec and the Telegram in Toronto. Rabbi Slonim held positions at several other institutions outside of Canada. He also belonged to many Jewish organizations and was active within the community.
Scope and Content
Photograph is of Rabbi Reuben Slonim giving a speech at the 1956 Negev dinner.
Notes
Photograph by Al Gilbert.
Name Access
Beth Tzedec Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
Slonim, Rabbi Reuben
Short, Rita
Jewish National Fund
McCaul Street Synagogue
The Telegram
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
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds:
Photographic and audiovisual collection series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 67; Series 27; File 41
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds:
Photographic and audiovisual collection series
Level
File
Fonds
67
Series
27
File
41
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[197-]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
File consists of one photograph of a large crowd waiting outside Beth Tzedec Congregation.
Name Access
Beth Tzedec Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
Subjects
Synagogues
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Philip Givens fonds
Jewish communal series
Other Jewish organizations sub-series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 51; Series 9-8; File 17
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Philip Givens fonds
Jewish communal series
Other Jewish organizations sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
51
Series
9-8
File
17
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1984
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 10 x 15 cm
Scope and Content
File consists of one photograph of Phil Givens conversing with President Navon at an event held at the Beth Tzedec Synagogue.
Name Access
Beth Tzedec Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
Israel. President (1978-1983 : Navon)
Subjects
Presidents--Israel
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
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 64; Series 5; File 76
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
The Shuls Project fonds
Reference series
Level
File
Fonds
64
Series
5
File
76
Material Format
graphic material
textual record
Date
1955-[ca. 1965]
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
1 photograph : col. ; 17 x 12 cm
Scope and Content
File contains an information brochure, a colour photograph in a cardboard folio, and copied pages from the 1955 dedication programme.
Name Access
Beth Tzedec Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
Subjects
Synagogues
Repro Restriction
Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Solomon Edell fonds
Clanton Park Synagogue series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 4; Series 6; File 13
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Solomon Edell fonds
Clanton Park Synagogue series
Level
File
Fonds
4
Series
6
File
13
Material Format
textual record
Date
1955-1956
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of correspondence with the Hebrew Men of England congregation regarding the loan of a sefer Torah, and correspondence with the Community Service Division of Yeshiva University regarding the loan of prayer books. Also included is a letter thanking Beth Tzedec synagogue for donating a lectern, reading table, and other items to the newly established congregation.
Name Access
Beth Tzedec Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
Hebrew Men of England Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)
Yeshiva University
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
George Morrison fonds
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 99; Item 51
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
George Morrison fonds
Level
Item
Fonds
99
Item
51
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1978]
Physical Description
1 slide : col. ; 35 mm
Name Access
Beth Midrash Hagadol Synagogue
Beth Tzedec Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
Goel Tzedec 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
Bathurst Street (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
1980-6-3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Ellis I. and Fanny Shapiro fonds
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 94; Item 5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Ellis I. and Fanny Shapiro fonds
Level
Item
Fonds
94
Item
5
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1961
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 23 x 16 cm
Scope and Content
Item is a portrait photograph of Ellis I. Shapiro. The photograph is attached to the inside cover of a United Jewish Welfare Fund of Toronto annual president's report (1961). The UJWF annual meeting honoured Ellis I. Shapiro.
Name Access
B'nai B'rith
Shapiro, Ellis I.
Northwood Golf and Country Club
Primrose Club
Independent Order of Odd Fellows
Goel Tzedec Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)
Canadian Jewish Congress
Jewish Camp Council of Toronto
YM-YWHA
United Jewish Welfare Fund of Toronto
UJWF
United Jewish Appeal
Beth Tzedec Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
Subjects
Portraits
Repro Restriction
Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Accession Number
2005-8-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Accession Number
2022-8-4
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2022-8-4
Material Format
architectural drawing
graphic material
object
textual record
sound recording
Physical Description
ca. 11 m of textual records and other material
Date
1930-2012
Scope and Content
Accession consists of records documenting the life and career of Rabbi Benjamin Friedberg. Included are subject files, eulogies, sermons, marriage records, funeral record cards, conversion certificates, gittin (Jewish divorce documents), addresses for High Holiday services, and photographs. Also include are a few artifacts, such as felt patches and medallions, as well as sound recordings. A large number of documents are relating to Rabbi Friedberg's rabbinical career at Beth Tzedec Congregation.
Administrative History
Rabbi Joseph Benjamin Friedberg (1927-2022) was born on June 26, 1927, in Toronto to Chaim (Chamel) and Rochel Rose Friedberg. Rochel Friedberg was born in Polaniec, Poland (Russian part of Poland), the daughter of Moshe and Sura Poss. Rochel had little formal education but learned Talmud from her father. In her youth, Moshe came to Toronto to make a living and had to leave the family behind; shortly thereafter, World War I broke out, and Rochel was sent to the town of Stopnitz. She was then sent to Crackow to work. Rochel married Chaim (Chamel) Friedberg from Patchenev, who was enlisted in Pilsudski’s army. Before the Great Depression, Rochel and Chaim immigrated to Canada. Later on, Chaim took ill and had to go to the Western Sanitarium; soon after that, he passed away in 1957. Rochel passed away in 1992.
Rabbi Benjamin Friedberg was a native of Toronto and received his basic religious and secular education there. He attended Harbord Collegiate in his youth. After spending a number of years at the Yeshiva University in New York, he returned home to attended the University of Toronto, from which he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1949. In 1950, Rabbi Friedberg entered the Rabbinical School of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. He received his Master of Hebrew Letters degree and rabbinical ordination in 1954.
Rabbi Friedberg’s first pulpit was in Rochester, New York. He served as assistant rabbi at Beth Tzedec Congregation in 1955; and then as rabbi of B’nai Israel Congregation in London, Ontario. In 1959, he received his Master of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario in Bible and Archaeology. As part of his doctorial program, he studied in the Department of Archaeology and Bible at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem; he also spent several years studying in the Department of Religion at the University of Ottawa with special emphasis on the Samaritans.
In 1961, Rabbi Friedberg was called to the pulpit of Agudath Israel Congregation in Ottawa, Ontario, where he served for thirteen years until 1974.
In 1974, he was appointed senior rabbi at Beth Tzedec Congregation, Toronto. His major emphases in the congregation were the development of both child and adult education and emphasizing Israel as the dominant fact in Jewish life today. Much of the programming at Beth Tzedec that he instituted dealt with Israel.
Rabbi Friedberg’s interest in Jewish education was responsible for the founding of a Hebrew High School in Ottawa. His concern with Jewish youth prompted him to devote his time as counsellor to the Hillel Organization on the campuses of the University of Western Ontario, Carleton University, and the University of Ottawa. He taught Bible, Biblical Hebrew, and courses in Judaism at the University of Ottawa; and was an occasional lecturer at the University of Western Ontario in the Orientals Department. While living in Ottawa, he was active in a number of Jewish communal organizations. He was the founder and the organizer of the Ottawa Soviet Jewry Committee and was head of the Jews in Foreign Lands Committee and Canada-Israel Committee. Also, he was on the Social Welfare Council and was chairman of the Aliyah Committee in Ottawa.
Rabbi Friedberg was active with the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC) and the Canadian Zionist Federation (CZF). He worked actively on behalf of the CJC’s Educational Department. He was on the executive of the CJC Central and Eastern Regions and served as national chairman of the CJC’s International Affairs Committee. As an active Zionist, he served as national chairman of the Hasbara Committee of the CZF and was president of Mercaz Canada, the Zionist organization of the Masorti (Conservative) Movement. He also organized Israel tours and led Israel tour groups for a number of times. Rabbi Friedberg was the recipient of citations of the UJA, State of Israel Bonds, and various other awards in recognition of his communal work. In addition, he had also been invited to serve as a member of Teddy Kollek’s Jerusalem Committee.
Rabbi Friedberg was a contributor to Anglo-Jewish press, television work, and radio. He was chairman of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s Religious Advisory Committee and hosted his own television program called “Focus.” He had written for the London Free Press, and the Ottawa Citizen, and a number of Jewish periodicals.
Rabbi Friedberg was married to the former Lola Constant of Montreal (1930-2022). They had three children together—Mark, Gilah, and Esther. Lola Friedberg had a degree from McGill University in Arts and Music. She had given two-piano recitals in conjunction with her twin sister, Miriam “Mitzi” Leboff, on a number of occasions. Lola had taught piano and conducted choirs in Montreal and Ottawa.
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Subjects
Rabbis
Sermons
Eulogies
Name Access
Friedberg, Benjamin, 1927-2022
Beth Tzedec Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Ottawa (Ont.)
London (Ont.)
Jerusalem
Source
Archival Accessions