Level
Item
ID
Item 568
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
568
Material Format
graphic material
Responsibility
Graphic Artists Photographers, Toronto
Date
1975
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of officials examining model at dedication of Pardes Shalom Cemetery, Toronto, Oct. 12, 1975. From left to right: Owen Scott (Landscape Architect), Ben Kayfetz, Robert Eisen, [unknown], [unknown], Sidney Freedman, [unknown], [unknown], and Harry Elkind.
Notes
Acquired in Oct. 24, 1975.
Name Access
Eisen, Robert
Elkind, Harry
Freedman, Sidney
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Pardes Shalom Cemetery
Scott, Owen
Subjects
Consecration of cemeteries
Cemeteries
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Community Relations Committee series
Publications, speeches, press releases, and reports sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
5-2
File
66
Material Format
textual record
Date
1969-1970
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of articles written by Ben Kayfetz. Included are book reviews, notes on current events of interest to the Jewish community and obituaries.
Notes
Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Community Relations Committee series
Publications, speeches, press releases, and reports sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
5-2
File
68
Material Format
textual record
Date
[ca. 1970]
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of draft press releases by Ben Kayfetz regarding Canadian Jewry. Topics covered include, Jewish literature, Jewish involvement in politics, and Canada's first Jewish settlers.
Notes
Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Community Relations Committee series
Publications, speeches, press releases, and reports sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
5-2
File
69
Material Format
textual record
Date
Oct. 1970
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of one article by Ben Kayfetz entitled "Looking Back at 5730: The Anti-Hate Bill", which appeared in the newsletter "Fraternally Yours".
Notes
Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Community Relations Committee series
Publications, speeches, press releases, and reports sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
5-2
File
70
Material Format
textual record
Date
1970
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of articles by Ben Kayfetz.
Notes
Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Community Relations Committee series
Publications, speeches, press releases, and reports sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
5-2
File
73
Material Format
textual record
Date
1971
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of articles written by Ben Kayfetz.
Notes
Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Community Relations Committee series
Publications, speeches, press releases, and reports sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
5-2
File
74
Material Format
textual record
Date
1971
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of Ben Kayfetz's correspondence.
Notes
Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Community Relations Committee series
Publications, speeches, press releases, and reports sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
5-2
File
75
Material Format
textual record
Date
23 Apr. 1971 - 31 Dec. 1971
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of speeches, most of which were delivered on CHIN radio, Toronto, by Ben Kayfetz.
Notes
Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Community Relations Committee series
Publications, speeches, press releases, and reports sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
5-2
File
76
Material Format
textual record
Date
1971
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of articles by Ben Kayfetz.
Notes
Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Community Relations Committee series
Publications, speeches, press releases, and reports sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
5-2
File
78
Material Format
textual record
Date
1972
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of articles and speeches by Ben Kayfetz.
Notes
Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Community Relations Committee series
Publications, speeches, press releases, and reports sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
5-2
File
79
Material Format
textual record
Date
1972
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of articles which are primarily by Ben Kayfetz. Also included are a few articles by Jacob Beller documenting his trip to Israel.
Notes
Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Community Relations Committee series
Publications, speeches, press releases, and reports sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
5-2
File
80
Material Format
textual record
Date
1972
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of articles by Ben Kayfetz.
Notes
Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Community Relations Committee series
Publications, speeches, press releases, and reports sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
5-2
File
86
Material Format
textual record
Date
1974
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of an address to the Workmen's Circle by Ben Kayfetz
Notes
Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Community Relations Committee series
Publications, speeches, press releases, and reports sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
5-2
File
93
Material Format
textual record
Date
1974
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of various articles by Ben Kayfetz regarding the Jewish community.
Notes
Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Community Relations Committee series
Publications, speeches, press releases, and reports sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
5-2
File
94
Material Format
textual record
Date
Dec.1973-Dec.1974
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of talks by Ben Kayfetz broadcast on radio station CHIN
Notes
Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Community Relations Committee series
Publications, speeches, press releases, and reports sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
5-2
File
95
Material Format
textual record
Date
1974
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of various articles by Ben Kayfetz regarding the Jewish community
Notes
Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Community Relations Committee series
Publications, speeches, press releases, and reports sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
5-2
File
99
Material Format
textual record
Date
1976
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists transcripts of broadcasts on radio station CHIN by Ben Kayfetz
Notes
Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Community Relations Committee series
Publications, speeches, press releases, and reports sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
5-2
File
100
Material Format
textual record
Date
1978
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists transcripts of broadcasts on radio station CHIN by Ben Kayfetz
Notes
Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Photographic and audiovisual collection series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 67; Series 27; File 137
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Photographic and audiovisual collection series
Level
File
Fonds
67
Series
27
File
137
Material Format
graphic material
Date
17 Mar. 1975
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (2 negatives) ; 28 x 28 mm
Scope and Content
File consists of two negatives of an unidentified meeting; Ben Kayfetz may be the speaker.
Notes
Photos by Graphic Artists Photographers, Toronto.
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Second World War series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 2; Series 4; File 11
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
Second World War series
Level
File
Fonds
2
Series
4
File
11
Material Format
textual record
Date
1978-1979
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of correspondence and a newsletter related to the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC). The correspondence is a letter to Ben Dunkelman from Ben Kayfetz at the Canadian Jewish Congress, congratulating him on assuming full-time responsibility of the Joint Community Relations Committee at the CJC. The newsletter consists of announcements, along with a report providing information about an Anti-Nazi Committee.
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Physical Condition
Some records are fragile.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 17; Series 2; File 712
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
2
File
712
Material Format
textual record
Date
1974
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Access Restriction
Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.
Accession Number
2005-2-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 17; Series 2; File 713
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
2
File
713
Material Format
textual record
Date
1974
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Access Restriction
Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.
Accession Number
2005-2-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 17; Series 2; File 714
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
2
File
714
Material Format
textual record
Date
1974
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Access Restriction
Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.
Accession Number
2005-2-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 17; Series 2; File 764
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
2
File
764
Material Format
textual record
Date
1973
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Access Restriction
Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.
Accession Number
2005-2-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 17; Series 2; File 765
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
2
File
765
Material Format
textual record
Date
1973
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Access Restriction
Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.
Accession Number
2005-2-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 17; Series 2; File 832
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
2
File
832
Material Format
textual record
Date
1973 - 1974
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Access Restriction
Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.
Accession Number
2005-2-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 17; Series 2; File 833
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
2
File
833
Material Format
textual record
Date
1973 - 1974
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Access Restriction
Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.
Accession Number
2005-2-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 17; Series 2; File 25
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
2
File
25
Material Format
textual record
Date
1975
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Access Restriction
Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.
Accession Number
2005-2-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 17; Series 2; File 26
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
2
File
26
Material Format
textual record
Date
1975
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Access Restriction
Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.
Accession Number
2005-2-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 17; Series 2; File 1020
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
2
File
1020
Material Format
textual record
Date
20 Nov. 1978
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Access Restriction
Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.
Accession Number
2005-2-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
William Stern fonds
Toronto Jewish community photographs series
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 33; Series 4; Item 20
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
William Stern fonds
Toronto Jewish community photographs series
Level
Item
Fonds
33
Series
4
Item
20
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1970]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 18 x 13 cm and 10 x 12 cm
Admin History/Bio
Benjamin Gershon Kayfetz was born on December 24, 1916 in Toronto, graduating from the University of Toronto in 1939, with a B.A. in modern languages. Between the years 1941 and 1943, he worked as a high school teacher in Huntsville and Niagara Falls. In 1943, he joined the war effort, working for the Department of National Defense in Postal Censorship and was responsible for reviewing prisoner of war mail. After the war, Kayfetz traveled to British Occupied Germany where he worked as a censor of telecommunications with the Control Commission until 1947.
Upon returning to Toronto, he was hired as the National Director of Community Relations by the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC), and as the Executive (National) Director of the Joint Community Relations Committee (JCRC), a CJC - B'nai B'rith cooperative organization. He also served as the Central Region Executive Director of the CJC between 1973 and 1978. During his tenure, he worked with various churches, unions and minority groups to develop anti-discrimination laws and for the protection of minority and religious rights. Kayfetz was also actively involved in promoting the welfare of Jewish Communities worldwide, and made visits to Cuba in 1962 and 1965, and Russia in 1985, to study and report on the state of these Jewish Communities. After his retirement in 1985, he was awarded the Samuel Bronfman Medal by the Canadian Jewish Congress. In recognition of his efforts to promote Human Rights, he was also awarded the Order of Canada in 1986.
In addition to his professional activities, Kayfetz wrote articles for various Jewish publications under both his own name and the pseudonym, Gershon B. Newman, and gave a weekly radio address on CHIN radio addressing various contemporary Jewish issues. He was also actively involved in the Toronto Jewish Historical Society (serving as its president), Canadian Jewish Historical Society and Yiddish Luncheon Circle. Ben Kayfetz died in 2002 and is survived by his wife Eva.
Scope and Content
This item is a portrait of Ben Kayfetz.
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Subjects
Portraits
Repro Restriction
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Accession Number
2004-5-96
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Community Relations Committee series
Research Records sub-series
Advocacy, General sub-sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
5-4-9
File
127
Material Format
textual record
Date
1973
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of correspondence from and to Ben Kayfetz related to various issues.
Notes
Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Community Relations Committee series
General office records sub-series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 17; Series 5-5; File 64
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Community Relations Committee series
General office records sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
5-5
File
64
Material Format
textual record
Date
1971
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of general correspondence from and to Ben Kayfetz
Notes
Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Community Relations Committee series
General office records sub-series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 17; Series 5-5; File 67
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Community Relations Committee series
General office records sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
5-5
File
67
Material Format
textual record
Date
1972
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of general correspondence from and to Ben Kayfetz
Notes
Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Community Relations Committee series
General office records sub-series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 17; Series 5-5; File 73
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Community Relations Committee series
General office records sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
5-5
File
73
Material Format
textual record
Date
1975
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of correspondence from and to Ben Kayfetz
Notes
Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Ida Lewis Siegel fonds
Level
File
ID
Fonds 15; File 1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Ida Lewis Siegel fonds
Level
File
Fonds
15
File
1
Material Format
textual record
Date
[196-], 1975
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of two biographies, one written by Ben Kayfetz on the occasion of Ida Siegel's 90th birthday.
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Source
Archival Descriptions
Accession Number
2010-11-6
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2010-11-6
Material Format
textual record
graphic material
sound recording
Physical Description
ca. 60 cm of textual records and other material
Date
[ca. 1930] - 2002
Scope and Content
Accession consists of records documenting the personal and professional activities of Ben Kayfetz. Personal records include correspondence with family and friends, including letters home while serving overseas, Kayfetz's marriage and high school certificates, Kayfetz's memoirs, tributes and obituaries written about Kayfetz, as well as a portrait of him. Personal records also include audio cassettes of Yiddish music by Toronto musicians Honey Novick and Faye Kellerstein.
Professional records include articles, book reviews and newspaper clippings written by Kayfetz, event invitations, correspondence, lecture notes, and speeches. Professional records also include an Order of Canada membership book and event programme, meeting minutes for various organizations Kayfetz was involved in, such as, the Association for Canadian Jewish Studies, photographs of Kayfetz receiving various awards, and photographs of various Canadian Jewish Congress and B'Nai Zion Club events. Finally, professional records include sound recordings of interviews, lectures given at various events, and the meeting minutes of various organizations, such as, CJC, JCRC and the Yiddish Dialects in Toronto.
Administrative History
Benjamin Gershon Kayfetz was born on December 24, 1916 in Toronto, graduating from the University of Toronto in 1939, with a B.A. in modern languages. Between the years 1941 and 1943, he worked as a high school teacher in Huntsville and Niagara Falls. In 1943, he joined the war effort, working for the Department of National Defense in Postal Censorship and was responsible for reviewing prisoner of war mail. After the war, Kayfetz traveled to British Occupied Germany where he worked as a censor of telecommunications with the Control Commission until 1947. Upon returning to Toronto, he was hired as the National Director of Community Relations by the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC), and as the Executive (National) Director of the Joint Community Relations Committee (JCRC), a CJC - B'nai B'rith cooperative organization. He also served as the Central Region Executive Director of the CJC between 1973 and 1978. During his tenure, he worked with various churches, unions and minority groups to develop anti-discrimination laws and for the protection of minority and religious rights. Kayfetz was also actively involved in promoting the welfare of Jewish Communities worldwide, and made visits to Cuba in 1962 and 1965, and Russia in 1985, to study and report on the state of these Jewish Communities. After his retirement in 1985, he was awarded the Samuel Bronfman Medal by the Canadian Jewish Congress. In recognition of his efforts to promote Human Rights, he was also awarded the Order of Canada in 1986.
In addition to his professional activities, Kayfetz wrote articles for various Jewish publications under both his own name and the pseudonym, Gershon B. Newman, and gave a weekly radio address on CHIN radio addressing various contemporary Jewish issues. He was also actively involved in the Toronto Jewish Historical Society (serving as its president), Canadian Jewish Historical Society and Yiddish Luncheon Circle. Ben Kayfetz died in 2002 and is survived by his wife Eva.
Use Conditions
Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director prior to accessing some of the records.
Descriptive Notes
Physical description note: includes ca. 20 audio cassettes, 1 audio reel, and ca. 25 photographs (4 negatives)
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2010-12-11
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2010-12-11
Material Format
textual record
textual record (electronic)
sound recording
Physical Description
1 box of textual records
1 audio cassette
1 CD
Date
1932-2001
Scope and Content
Accession consists of records documenting the personal and professional activities of Ben Kayfetz. Personal records include correspondence with family and friends, Kayfetz's high school examination reports, and speeches, invitations and other material relating to a tribute dinner for Kayfetz. Personal records also include correspondence about the Ben Kayfetz Scholarship Fund at the University of Toronto.
Professional records include articles, book reviews and newspaper clippings written by Kayfetz, correspondence, lecture notes, speeches and transcripts for Kayfetz's CHIN Radio broadcasts. Professional records also include notes from Kayfetz's interview of Arthur Gelber, obituaries written by Kayfetz for Frank Shuster and Ben Lappin, and early teaching contracts with the Huntsville Board of Education. Finally, professional records include a CD that contains records transferred over from Kayfetz's old computer floppy disks and one audio recording of a CBC Radio broadcast featuring the Yiddish Luncheon Club.
Administrative History
Benjamin Gershon Kayfetz was born on December 24, 1916 in Toronto, graduating from the University of Toronto in 1939, with a B.A. in modern languages. Between the years 1941 and 1943, he worked as a high school teacher in Huntsville and Niagara Falls. In 1943, he joined the war effort, working for the Department of National Defense in Postal Censorship and was responsible for reviewing prisoner of war mail. After the war, Kayfetz traveled to British Occupied Germany where he worked as a censor of telecommunications with the Control Commission until 1947. Upon returning to Toronto, he was hired as the National Director of Community Relations by the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC), and as the Executive (National) Director of the Joint Community Relations Committee (JCRC), a CJC - B'nai B'rith cooperative organization. He also served as the Central Region Executive Director of the CJC between 1973 and 1978. During his tenure, he worked with various churches, unions and minority groups to develop anti-discrimination laws and for the protection of minority and religious rights. Kayfetz was also actively involved in promoting the welfare of Jewish Communities worldwide, and made visits to Cuba in 1962 and 1965, and Russia in 1985, to study and report on the state of these Jewish Communities. After his retirement in 1985, he was awarded the Samuel Bronfman Medal by the Canadian Jewish Congress. In recognition of his efforts to promote Human Rights, he was also awarded the Order of Canada in 1986.
In addition to his professional activities, Kayfetz wrote articles for various Jewish publications under both his own name and the pseudonym, Gershon B. Newman, and gave a weekly radio address on CHIN radio addressing various contemporary Jewish issues. He was also actively involved in the Toronto Jewish Historical Society (serving as its president), Canadian Jewish Historical Society and Yiddish Luncheon Circle. Ben Kayfetz died in 2002 and is survived by his wife Eva.
Use Conditions
Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director prior to accessing some of the records.
Descriptive Notes
Language note: some records are in Yiddish.
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2012-7-10
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2012-7-10
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
37.8 m of textual records
Date
1958-[199-]
Scope and Content
Accession consists of general office files of the CJC as well as records related to the Education and Culture Committee, the Toronto Jewish Cultural Committee, Planning and Priorities/Assimilation, the Youth Committee, CJC plenaries, small communities, Chaplaincy, Orthodox Division, Political Liaison Committee, community services, the Audit Committee, Joint Community Relations Committee, Camp Massad and Moess Chitton.
Custodial History
There is no acquisition information for this material. The accession number has been assigned by the archivist.
Use Conditions
Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.
Subjects
Nonprofit organizations
Name Access
Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region (Toronto, Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2015-6-7
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2015-6-7
Material Format
multiple media
Physical Description
30 cm of textual records and other material
Date
1964-2003
Scope and Content
Accession consists of Canadian Jewish Congress Joint Community Relations Committee files pertaining to incidents of antisemitism in Canada. Files include examples of material distributed by neo-Nazi groups, clippings documenting hate crimes trials and antisemitism in scholarship, and JCRC correspondence.
Use Conditions
Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director prior to accessing some of the records.
Subjects
Antisemitism
Name Access
Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region (Toronto, Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2015-9-4
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2015-9-4
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Date
1973-1977
Scope and Content
Accession consists of the Rules and Conditions for the Morris Black Memorial Essay Contest, essays submitted, correspondence from the Board of Jewish Education and the vote casting process for the 1976 contest.
Custodial History
There is no information on the acquisition of this material.
Administrative History
The Morris Black Memorial Essay Contest was established by the Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region's Department of Education and Culture. The rules and conditions stated in a booklet dated 1973 was that the 'prize or prizes for the best essay or essays or oral address or addresses on men famous in Jewish history...'. The Contest was open to 'All Jewish children in the Province of Ontario outside of Metropolitan Toronto and Ottawa.' The essays submitted in 1973 appeared to follow the Rules and Conditions. However, in the 1976 contest, now sponsored by The Board of Jewish Education, there were no restrictions on where the Jewish children lived or on the gender of the person in Jewish history being written about.
Subjects
Education
Children
Name Access
Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region (Toronto, Ont.)
Board of Jewish Education (Toronto, Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2015-9-6
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2015-9-6
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Date
1950-1972
Scope and Content
Accession consists of letters to and from Dr. Joseph Klinghofer, the Educational Director of Canadian Jewish Congress. The correspondence relates to the search for ritual and educational leaders for placement in Jewish communities outside of Toronto such as St. Catharines, Timmins, Belleville, Peterborough, Kirkland Lake, Guelph, Hamilton, Bramalea, North Bay, Windsor, Maritimes, Manitoba and the USA.
Custodial History
There is no information on the acquisition of this material.
Subjects
Education
Religion
Communities
Name Access
Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region (Toronto, Ont.)
Klinghofer, Joseph
Places
St. Catharines (Ont.)
Timmins (Ont.)
Belleville (Ont.)
Peterborough (Ont.)
Kirkland Lake (Ont.)
Guelph (Ont.)
Hamilton (Ont.)
Bramalea (Brampton, Ont.)
North Bay (Ont.)
Windsor (Ont.)
Manitoba
United States
Maritime Provinces
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2015-9-12
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2015-9-12
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
1 folder of textual material
Date
1973-1974
Scope and Content
Accession file consists of letters, posters, press releases, minutes of meeting and policy statements regarding Israeli prisoners of war in Syria. The documents are from many organizations such as the Labor Zionist Alliance, National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council, Toronto Jewish Youth Council, and the Canada-Israel Committee.
Custodial History
There is no information on the acquisition of this material.
Subjects
Demonstrations
Israel--Armed Forces
Name Access
Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region (Toronto, Ont.)
Places
Toronto, Ont.
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2015-9-28
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2015-9-28
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Date
1973
Scope and Content
Accession consists of a Kashruth Directory of kosher products and services issued by the Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region.
Custodial History
There is no information on the acquisition of this material.
Subjects
Religion
Name Access
Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region (Toronto, Ont.)
Places
Toronto, Ont.
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2016-3-69
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2016-3-69
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Date
1950-1991
Scope and Content
Accession consists of interviews with various persons concerning their link with Goel Tzedec and its successor synagogue, Beth Tzedec. The interviews were primarily conducted by Ben Keyfetz and Jack Orenstien, the latter serving as the executive director of Beth Tzedec at that time. Persons interviewed included Carl Keyfetz, N. N. Levine, Meyer Axler, and Bert Godfrey. There is also other information in the file concerning cantors and rabbis who served at Goel Tzedec, including Julius Price, Bernard Wladowsky, Jacob Gordon, and Samuel Sachs. There is a document from Bert Godfrey—undated but with a reference to 1950—titled "Report of Construction Sub-Committee." This presumably preceded the construction of the building housing the Beth Tzedec Synagogue on Bathurst Street. Also included is a 1955 publication of the Ne'ilah Service of Beth Tzedec to take place on 6 February 1955, concluding a half century of worship at the synagogue on University Avenue. Lastly, there are several pages of notes concerning the synagogue and its history.
Custodial History
There is no information on the acquisition of this material.
Subjects
Committees
Synagogues
Rabbis
Name Access
Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
Places
Toronto, Ontario
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2004-6-12
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2004-6-12
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
3.3 m of textual records
Date
[ca. 1970]-[ca. 1990]
Scope and Content
Accession consists of the records created or accumulated by the Committee for Yiddish, which operated under the auspices of the Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region and later, the Toronto Jewish Congress (UJA Federation of Greater Toronto).
Use Conditions
Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.
Name Access
Committee for Yiddish (Toronto, Ont.)
Toronto Jewish Congress
Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region (Toronto, Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1990-5-3
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1990-5-3
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
12 m of textual records
Date
[197-]-[199-]
Scope and Content
Accession consists of records documenting various activities of the Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region, including the small communities, regional committees, eduction and culture. The records appear to have originated with E. Y. Lipsitz.
Use Conditions
Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.
Subjects
Nonprofit organizations
Name Access
Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region (Toronto, Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2005-7-3
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2005-7-3
Material Format
graphic material
Physical Description
ca. 300 slides : col. ; 35 mm
Date
1977-1978
Scope and Content
Accession consists of photographs taken during visits by CJC Central Region officers to Ontario Jewish communities, and at Canadian Jewish Congress events and meetings in various communities. Accession also includes photos of Jewish interest in Italy.
Subjects
Communities
Name Access
Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region (Toronto, Ont.)
Friedman, Morris
Markish, Esther
Eisenberg, Joe
Wexler, Boris
Acker, Abe
Brownstone, Sam
Klafter, Gershon
Rosen, Marty
Fackenheim, Emil
Rosensweig, Philip
Saiger, Norman
Sadowski, David
Gryfe, Mark
Hillel (Kingston, Ont.)
Frey, Marcus
Horowitz, Shlomo
Katz, Stan
Pliscow, Morris
Places
Cambridge (Ont.)
Chatham (Ont.)
Sudbury (Ont.)
Kirkland Lake (Ont.)
Thunder Bay (Ont.)
Sault Ste. Marie (Ont.)
North Bay (Ont.)
Oshawa (Ont.)
Belleville (Ont.)
Windsor (Ont.)
Pembroke (Ont.)
Peterborough (Ont.)
Guelph (Ont.)
Hamilton (Ont.)
London (Ont.)
Kitchener (Ont.)
Owen Sound (Ont.)
Toronto (Ont.)
Barrie (Ont.)
Orillia (Ont.)
Kingston (Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions