Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Level

Series

Fonds

37

Series

1

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1956-1978

Physical Description

447 photographs : b&w and col. (392 negatives) ; 26 x 21 cm or smaller

Admin History/Bio

The Negev dinners were established in 1948, coinciding with the creation of the State of Israel, as an annual fundraising dinner. The Jewish National Fund hosted these annual dinners in honour of a leading Canadian citizen, and the proceeds from the dinners were used to establish JNF projects in Israel in the name of the honouree. The JNF projects have, and continue to do so today, raised money to purchase land in Israel's Negev desert and for re-forestation efforts.

The annual dinner was dedicated to a member of the Toronto Jewish community, who had demonstrated outstanding support and commitment to the Community and to the State of Israel. In honour of this individual's contributions, the secured land in Negev was named after them. The honourary guests were presented with awards of appreciation from members of the Canadian and International Jewish community, often including delegates from Israel. The dinners were attended by prominent members of Toronto's Jewish community, including politicians, business men, and philanthropists.

Each subsequent dinner became larger and more successful in its aim to raise funds for Israel, as a result this event soon became the most significant Jewish event in Toronto. As well, it was also the largest annual kosher meal served in Toronto.

The JNF produced an annual Negev Dinner yearbook, commemorating the event, and documenting both the lives of the honouree's family and the current activities of the JNF. As well, the names of individuals who donated money for the JNF projects were recorded in the Souvenir books under patrons and sponsors of the dinners.

Scope and Content

Series consists of negatives taken by Al Gilbert documenting eight Negev Dinners hosted by the Jewish National Fund. The images depict the various activities undertaken at these dinners including: the procession and introduction of the head table guests, the presentation of awards, speeches, toasts, presentation of flowers to the honouree or the wife of the honouree, and the entertainment. The majority of the negatives are portraits taken of the guests posing with the honouree and his or her family. One dinner in this series was dedicated to the Toronto Jewish Community (1956) on the year of its centenary, while the others are in honour of one significant member of the community.

There were Negev dinners held across Canada; however, the dinners in this series were all held in Toronto and were primarily attended by members of the Toronto Jewish community. The honourees documented in this series include: 1956, Toronto Jewish Community; 1966, Bert Godfrey; 1967, Nathan Silver; 1968, Phil Givens; 1970, Leon E. Weinstein; 1973, Rt. Hon. John G. Diefenbaker; 1974, Phil Granovsky; 1978, Eric and Esther Exton.

Notes

Selection for this series reflects the various activities of the Negev dinners, including: speeches, toasts, award presentations, dinner tables, introductions, honourees, entertainment and presentation of flowers. In addition, we selected a sample of images documenting the dinner tables and guests who were not part of the evening's programme, and therefore, would not be captured in the aforementioned criteria.

Name Access

Negev

Jewish National Fund

Godfrey, Bert

Silver, Nathan

Givens, Phil

Weinstein, Leon E.

Diefenbaker, Rt. Hon. John G.

Granovsky, Phil

Exton, Eric

Exton, Esther

Subjects

Awards

Dinners and dining

Fund raising

Arrangement

Series has been arranged into files representing each annual dinner.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Level

File

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

2

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1966

Physical Description

51 negatives : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

Bert Godfrey was born on June 1, 1908 to Minnie Reisman and Solomon Godfrey. He married Ruth Grossman and they had two children named Corrine Leigh and Sheldon. Bert Godfrey was president of S. Godfrey Co. Ltd, a wool import and export company founded by Samuel Godfrey.

Godfrey contributed much time and energy to the cause of Israel and other philanthropic pursuits. Mr. Godfrey was founding president of Beth Tzedec and former president of Goel Tzedec. He served as president of the Bureau of Jewish Education and was founding president of of the United Synagogue Day School. He also sat on several different boards including: Mount Sinai, Jewish home for the Aged, United Jewish Welfare Fund and the Canadian Jewish Council.

Other awards presented to Bert Godfrey include, the Jewish Theological Seminary of America's Louis Marshall Award in 1961 and the National Human Relations Award from the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews in 1964.

Scope and Content

File consists of negatives documenting the 1966 Negev Dinner held in honour of Bert Godfrey. The dinner was hosted by the Jewish National Fund at the Royal York Hotel and was attended by members of the Toronto Jewish community.

Images are of the main activities and participants of the event including speeches and presentations from the following guests: Alfred Green, Rabbi Gedalia Felder, Rabbi Erwin Schild, Nat Hurwich, Manny Rotman, Honourable Gabriel Lourie, Honourable Allan A. Grossman, Mayor Philip G. Givens, Samuel Shainhouse, Morris B. Kaufman, Rabbi David Monson, Max Schecter, Honourable Mr. Justice Abraham H Lieff, Rabbi Stuart E. Rosenberg, Louis L. Lockshin, Rabbi Louis J Cashdan, and Julius Hayman.

Name Access

Negev Dinner

Jewish National Fund

Godfrey, Bert

Green, Alfred

Felder, Rabbi Gedalia

Schild, Rabbi Erwin

Hurwich, Nat

Rotman, Manny

Lourie, Honourable Gabriel

Grossman, Allan A.

Givens, Philip G.

Shainhouse, Samuel

Kaufman, Morris B.

Monson, Rabbi David

Schecter, Max

Lieff, Mr. Justice Abraham H.

Rosenberg, Rabbi Stuart E.

Lockshin, Louis L.

Cashdan, Rabbi Louis J.

Hayman, Julius

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Level

File

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

4

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1968

Physical Description

77 photographs : b&w (53 negatives) ; 9 x 9 cm and 6 x 6 cm

Admin History/Bio

Philip Gerald Givens (1922-1995) was born to Hyman and Mary Givens. He was married to Minnie Rubin and they had two children named Eleanor and Michael. He worked as a lawyer for the firm Pivnick, Givens, & Chusid, was Senior Alderman for the City of Toronto for ten years, a member of the Metropolitan Council for seven years, and in 1961, he was elected Controller of City of Toronto. After his term as mayor expired, Givens was elected into the House of Commons for York West in 1968.

Philip Givens was founder and first president of the Upper Canada Lodge of B'nai Brith and past president of the Metropolitan Coordinating Council of B'nai B'rith. He was an active member of the Jewish community.

Scope and Content

File consists of photographs documenting the 1968 Negev dinner held in honour of Philip G. Givens.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: Morley J. Pape, Rabbi Erwin Schild, Rabbi David Monson, Honourable Dr. Aba Gefen, Wm. R. Allen, Louis L. Lockshin, Charles Kent, Nathan Silver, Samuel Shainhouse, Nathan O. Hurwich, Stuart E. Rosenberg, Honourable Allan Grossman, and Leon E. Weintstein.

Name Access

Givens, Philip G.

Grossman, Allan, 1910-1991

Pape, Morley J.

Schild, Rabbi Erwin

Monson, Rabbi David

Gefen, Hon. Dr. Abba

Allen, Wm. R.

Lockshin, Louis L.

Kent, Charles

Silver, Nathan

Shainhouse, Samuel

Hurwich, Nathan O.

Rosenberg, Stuart E.

Weinstein, Leon E.

Negev dinners

Related Material

See also Accession # 1990-9-7 for materials related to Phil Givens

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Level

File

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

3

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1967

Physical Description

50 negatives : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

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

Scope and Content

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

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

Name Access

Moses, Lewis J.E.

Forman, Rabbi Emanuel

Kelman, Rabbi Joseph

Gefen, Hon. Dr. Aba

Lockshin, Louis L.

Exton, Eric, 1907-1997

Monson, Rabbi Dr. David

Aroni, Cantor Zvee

Spellman, Leo

Givens, Philip G.

Stevenson, William

Shainhouse, Samuel

Berger, Stephen

Negev dinners

Jewish National Fund

Subjects

Dinners and dining

Revisionist Zionists

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Negev dinner honouring Bert Godfrey file

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

2

Item

11

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1966

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Scope and Content

Photograph of Mrs. and Mr. Bert Godfrey at the Negev dinner held in the latter's honour. Mrs. Godfrey is holding a bouquet of flowers that were presented to her during the dinner by Samuel Shainhouse.

Notes

Photograph by Al Gilbert.

Name Access

Godfrey, Bert, 1908-2006

Shainhouse, Samuel

Subjects

Married people

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

Negev dinner honouring Bert Godfrey file

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

2

Item

40

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1966

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Scope and Content

Photograph of Samuel Shainhouse presenting flowers to Ruth Godfrey at the Negev Dinner held in her husband's honour. Bert Godfrey is seated behind his wife.

Notes

Photograph by Al Gilbert.

Name Access

Godfrey, Ruth

Godfrey, Bert, 1908-2006

Shainhouse, Samuel

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

Negev dinner honouring Phil Givens file

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

4

Item

14

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1968

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w

Notes

Photograph by Al Gilbert.

Name Access

Kent, Charles

Weinstein, Leon

Exton, Eric

Lockshin, Louis

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

Negev dinner honouring Phil Givens file

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

4

Item

24

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1968

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w

Scope and Content

Photograph of Samuel Shainhouse giving a speech at the 1968 Negev dinner held in honour of Philip G. Givens. Sitting beside Mr. Shainhouse is Leon Weinstein.

Notes

Photograph by Al Gilbert.

Name Access

Shainhouse, Samuel

Givens, Philip G.

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

Negev dinner honouring Phil Givens file

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

4

Item

34

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1968

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 9 x 9 cm and 6 x 6 cm

Notes

Photograph by Al Gilbert.

Name Access

Givens, Phil

Grossman, Allan, 1910-1991

Weinstein, Leon

Exton, Eric

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

Negev dinner honouring Phil Givens file

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

4

Item

36

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1968

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 9 x 9 cm and 6 x 6 cm

Notes

Photograph by Al Gilbert.

Name Access

Exton, Eric

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

Negev dinner honouring Phil Givens file

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

4

Item

40

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1968

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 9 x 9 cm and 6 x 6 cm

Scope and Content

Photograph of a group of guests posing together with a JNF certificate at the 1968 Negev dinner held in honour of Phil Givens.

Notes

Photograph by Al Gilbert.

Name Access

Givens, Philip

Grossman, Allan, 1910-1991

Exton, Eric

Kent, Charles

Lockshin, Louis

Shainhouse, Samuel

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

Negev dinner honouring Phil Givens file

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

4

Item

48

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1968

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 9 x 9 cm and 6 x 6 cm

Name Access

Shainhouse, Samuel

Givens, Min

Givens, Philip G.

Jewish National Fund

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Dinner honouring Leon E. Weinstein file

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

5

Item

1

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1970

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 6 x 6 cm

Scope and Content

Photograph of Rabbi W. Gunther Plaut, A. E. Diamond, and Eric Exton at the 1970 Negev dinner held in honour of Leon E. Weinstein.

Rabbi W. Gunther Plaut gave the closing address; A. E. Diamond was the dinner chairman; and Eric Exton provided the greetings from the Jewish National Fund.

Name Access

Plaut, Rabbi W. Gunther

Diamond, A.E.

Exton, Eric

Weinstein, Leon E.

Jewish National Fund

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Dinner honouring Leon E. Weinstein file

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

5

Item

3

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1970

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 6 x 6 cm

Name Access

Diamond, A. E.

Finkler, Leona

Finkler, Arnold

Weinstein, Anne

Weinstein, Leon

Exton, Eric

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Dinner honouring Leon E. Weinstein file

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

5

Item

9

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1970

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 6 x 6 cm

Name Access

Dennis, David

Granovsky, Phil

Finkler, Leona

Weinstein, Leon

Kent, Charles

Exton, Eric

Diamond, A. E.

Moses, L. J. E.

Jewish National Fund

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Dinner honouring Leon E. Weinstein file

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

5

Item

21

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1970

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 6 x 6 cm

Scope and Content

Photograph of Eric Exton speaking at the Negev dinner. Eric Exton was on the dinner program providing greetings from the Jewish National Fund. Also present in the photograph are Leon E. Weinstein [sitting to the left of the podium] and Ruth Diamond [sitting on the right].

Name Access

Exton, Eric

Jewish National Fund

Diamond, Ruth

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Dinner honouring Leon E. Weinstein file

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

5

Item

25

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1970

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 6 x 6 cm

Scope and Content

Photograph of the Exton's and Granovsky's sitting at the head table at the Negev dinner. Eric Exton provided the greetings from the Jewish National Fund for the dinner.

Name Access

Granovsky, Shirley

Granovsky, Phil

Exton, Esther

Exton, Eric

Jewish National Fund

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Dinner honouring Leon E. Weinstein file

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

5

Item

26

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1970

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 6 x 6 cm

Scope and Content

Photograph of A. E. Diamond, Leon and Anne Weinstein, and Eric Exton at the Negev dinner. Allen Ephraim Diamond was the dinner chair, Eric Exton gave the greetings from the Jewish National Fund, and Leon E. Weinstein was the guest of honour.

Name Access

Diamond, A. E.

Weinstein, Leon

Weinstein, Anne

Exton, Eric

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

6075-6079

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1983

Physical Description

5 photographs : b&w ; 26 x 21 cm

Scope and Content

Photographs of Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto honouring past presidents, 1983. From left to right: Donald Carr (dinner chairman), honoree, and Mel Finkelstein (president of CHAT). Honorees: 6075 - Samuel J. Sable; 6076 - Wilferd Gordon; 6077 - Harold Dessen; 6078 - Samuel Shainhouse; 6079 - David Rotenberg.

Notes

Graphic Artists Photographers, Toronto.

Name Access

Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto

CHAT

CHAT presidents

Carr, Donald

Finkelstein, Mel

Sable, Samuel J

Gordon, Wilferd

Dessen, Harold

Shainhouse, Samuel

Rotenberg, David

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Dinner honouring Leon E. Weinstein file

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

5

Item

29

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1970

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 6 x 6 cm

Name Access

Diamond, A. E.

Exton, Eric

Gefen, Aba

Givens, Philip

Grossman, Allan, 1910-1991

Weinstein, Leon

Weinstein, Anne

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