Accession Number
1988-4-8
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1988-4-8
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
1 scrapbook
Date
1930-1955
Scope and Content
Accession consists of a scrapbook created by Morris Lofsky. The scrapbook contains newspaper clippings of Zionist and labour materials. Of particular note is a stop-work broadside featuring information about the march and demonstration at Queen's Park from 1933 in protest of the pogroms of German Jews leading up to the Second World War. There are also several strike notices from the furrier, dressmakers, and other unions.
Administrative History
Morris Lofsky lived with his family in the downtown Kengsington market area of Toronto. He worked as a fur worker and was an active member of the Jewish community.
Use Conditions
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.
Subjects
Demonstrations
Labor
Zionism
Places
Queen's Park (Toronto, Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1980-9-1
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1980-9-1
Material Format
graphic material
textual record
Physical Description
Textual material
26 photographs : b&w (13 negatives)
Date
[193-?] - 1979
Scope and Content
This accession consists of textual and graphic material donated by Ben Himel. The textual material documents family events as well as information pertaining to the Borochov School, Poalei Zion, B'nai Brith Toronto Lodge, the Independent Workers' Circle and B'nai Zion Association of Toronto. Identified in one copy photograph of the officers of the Canadian Headgear Workers Central are J. B. Salsberg, Motel Bergstein, Henry Sigel, and Sam Chaikofsky.
Descriptive Notes
Borochov School.
Poal Zion.
B'nai Brith Toronto Lodge.
Independent Workers' Circle.
B'nai Zion Association.
Mrs. Menachovsky.
Zerabouaun.
Kreitzer.
Arbeiter Ring.
King Edward School.
Picnic.
Subjects
Clubs
Labor unions
Zionism
Name Access
Himel, Ben
Chaikofsky, Sam
Bergstein, Motel
Sigel, Henry
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1984-12-2
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1984-12-2
Material Format
textual record
graphic material
Physical Description
2.1 m of textual records
1 photograph
Artifacts
Date
1918, 1940-1971
Scope and Content
Accession consists of the records of the B'nai Zion Association. Included are the pinkus, financial records, photographs, correspondence, meeting minutes, newsletters, membership records, inviations and programs. Also included is a 1918 photograph of a manual training class at either the King Edward School or the Manning Ave. School.
Administrative History
In the years following the 1st Zionist Congress held in Basle, Switzerland in 1897, Zionist organizations were established around the world.
In Toronto one of the first Zionist societies to be founded was the B'nai Zion Association. This organization was established as a mutual benefit society in 1903. It provided sick, funeral and unemployment benefits to its members.
However, its main purpose was the promotion of Zionism. It was involved in the dissemination of Zionist material, and sponsored lectures and meetings, in addition to raising funds to suppo~t the establishment of Jewish settlements in Palestine. It continued to perform these same activities following the establishment of the state of Israel.
B'nai Zion has also been involved in local activities. It was active in anti-missionary efforts and also provided educational and cultural programming for children.
MG_RG
MG20 J1F
Subjects
Zionism
Name Access
B'nai Zion Association (Toronto, Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2004-7-2
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2004-7-2
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
2 m of textual records
1 microfilm reel
Date
1889-2004, predominant 1950-1980
Scope and Content
Accession consists of textual records documenting the Toronto Zionist Council. Included is a microfilm reel of correspondence between the Zionist Organization of Canada and various European offices (1889-1915), reports of the Federation of Zionist Societies of Canada (1907), correspondence, meeting minutes, Director's reports, daily appointment books, Let the Truth Be Told newsletters, a programe for the 28th regional convention, and a Golden Jubilee dinner program (1957). Also incuded are United Jewish Welfare Fund Board of Directors meeting minutes, and Israel and the Jewish World newsletters (2000-2004).
Also included are four scrapbooks documenting related groups such as the Balfour Club of Young Judaea (1934-1941); Hadassah-WIZO (1941); United Palestine Appeal (1942, 1945) and the Zionist Organization of Canada (1953-1954, 1958).
Custodial History
These records appear to have originated from the Toronto Zionist Council offices on Marlee Ave., but could in fact, be the provenance of the Zionist Organization of Canada, Central Region.
Subjects
Zionism
Name Access
Toronto Zionist Council
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1975-001
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1975-001
Material Format
graphic material
Physical Description
5 cm of textual records
Date
1919-1923
Scope and Content
Accession consists of issues of the Memophian newsletter created by the Young Judaea club (1920–1922), meeting minutes (1919–1923), and correspondence.
MG_RG
MG2B1O
Subjects
Newsletters
Zionism
Name Access
Young Judaea (Toronto, Ont.)
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2007-6-14
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2007-6-14
Material Format
graphic material
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Date
[ca. 1900]
Scope and Content
Accession consists of one group photo of the first Zionist meeting in Toronto.
Subjects
Zionism
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2007-12-2
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2007-12-2
Material Format
textual record
graphic material
Physical Description
90 cm of textual records
1000 photographs [approx.]
Date
1919-2007
Scope and Content
This accession consists of textual and graphic records documenting the programs and activities of Canadian Young Judaea. The records include newsletters and publications, photographs, anniversary books, and program books. There are also two compact discs containing scanned copies of the photographs from this accession.
Custodial History
These records were gathered together for an anniversary celebration held in November 2007. Most of the records were found in the basement of the office building on Marlee Avenue, before being donated to the archives.
Administrative History
Canadian Young Judaea was founded in 1909 as a Zionist movement for Canadian youth by members of the Herzl Zion Club. As a Zionist organization, Young Judaea continues to be committed to fostering a sense of Jewish identity and values in today's Jewish youth and to encouraging a lifelong commitment to Israel.
In order to foster a closer connection to Israel, Canadian Young Judaea employs educational Shlichim from Israel who are posted at various Jewish communities throughout Canada and offices at the national level. In Toronto, Young Judaea also operates several Zionist summer camps located in each region of Canada, and a summer leadership institute called Camp Biluim in Quebec. In addition to the social programme of the organization, Young Judaea also offers educational seminars and conferences.
Young Judaea's national structure includes a National Executive Board and an Administrative Council. Conventions are held regularly, as are regional conferences. In the past, Young Judaea operated as an associated, but distinct, organization from the Zionist Organization of Canada. However, Young Judaea operations were overseen by the ZOC executive, and Young Judaea received their budget from the ZOC Treasury. In addition, ZOC and Young Judaea worked in conjunction with one another on many projects and programmes, such as with the operation of the Zionist camps. They were therefore dependent on ZOC.
Subjects
Camps
Youth
Zionism
Name Access
Canadian Young Judaea
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2009-6-5
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2009-6-5
Material Format
graphic material
sound recording
moving images
textual record
object
Physical Description
187 photographs : b&w and col. ; 24 x 20 cm or smaller
20 audiocassettes
10 videocassettes
1 folder of textual records
1 object
Date
[193-]-2006
Scope and Content
Accession consists predominantly of records collected by Bess Shockett in her work with UJA Federation's Committee for Yiddish and Friends of Yiddish. The accession also contains some personal family records. The photographs document programmes of the Committee for Yiddish in the late 1980s and 1990s, including an outdoor Yiddish concert, several International Conferences of Yiddish Clubs (1995, 1998, 1999), Sunday morning Yiddish classes, and a 1993 Hanukah concert. There are also three photographs of the New Fraternal Jewish Association and its celebration of J. B. Salsberg's eightieth birthday in 1980. The videocassettes contain recordings of other events including a storytelling workshop, Purim Mystery Night, a farewell for Miriam Waddington and several Sof Vokh (weekend retreat) programmes of 1993.
The twenty cassette tapes feature panel discussions, lectures and interviews, including "Yiddish education," "Yiddish and the Media," "Yiddish and the Younger Generation," "Yiddish and the Performing Arts," and "Yiddish Language and Translation." There are several interviews with Yiddish poet Avrom Sutzkever, as well as two Toronto Yiddish concerts. Other tapes contain radio interviews with [Aaron?] Lansky; "Chava Rosenfarb--Book Fair", 1988; "Plenary reports and presentations"; and an episode of the program The Forward Hour on Peretz Miransky, an influential Polish writer in the inter-war years.
Personal records in the accession consist of family snapshots dating from the 1930s and 1940s. These were taken in Israel and include images of farming, landscapes, travel, a canal, groups of people, city buildings, and processions. These photos all have Yiddish writing on the back. There is one formal portrait, ca. 1890s, of an elderly Jewish man. As well, there is a folder of original and photocopied poetry (in Yiddish) written by a Jack Shockett.
Accession also includes a Yiddish typewriter, in case, that Bess used in the late 1960s/early 1970s when the Committee for Yiddish was under Congress.
Custodial History
Records were entrusted to the estate of Bess Shockett after her death, and given to her Committee for Yiddish colleague Ethel Cooper, who brought them to the archives.
Administrative History
Bess Shockett was born in the Ukraine in 1919. Her father, Solomon Maltin, was the mayor of the town and helped establish a number of Jewish community institutions. He and his wife had two sons along with Bess: Sam and Ben. In 1925, the family moved to Montreal. As an adolescent, Bess became very active in the Jewish community and joined the United Jewish People's Order. She helped organize a union for workers in the knitting industry and later did the same for fur workers. She also travelled to Winnipeg to organize a laundry workers union. She met her husband, Barry Shockett, in Toronto and they married in 1952 and had three children: Michael, Elka and Eric. Bess eventually became very active in the Toronto Jewish community, particularly in regards to supporting and launching several innovative Yiddish programs. She staffed the office of CJC's Committee for Yiddish in its early years, and was Director from 1974 to 1989. She helped found the Friends of Yiddish in 1985 and served as executive vice-president until her death on August 27, 2007.
Descriptive Notes
There is little written material; what there is (captions and poetry) is mostly in Yiddish; some captions are in English.
Subjects
Committees
Yiddish language
Name Access
Committee for Yiddish (Toronto, Ont.)
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions
Level
Item
ID
Item 1597
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
1597
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1916
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 charter for the Shalom Aleichem Zion Society of Brantford, Ontario, stating their affiliation with the Federation of Zionist Societies of Canada.
Name Access
Federation of Zionist Societies of Canada
Shalom Aleichem Zion Society
Subjects
Charters
Societies
Zionism
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
Brantford (Ont.)
Accession Number
1978-11-4
Source
Archival Descriptions
Name
Montague Raisman
Material Format
sound recording
Interview Date
11 Jul. 1982
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Montague Raisman
Number
OH 64
Subject
Nonprofit organizations
Human rights
Antisemitism
World War, 1939-1945
Zionism
Interview Date
11 Jul. 1982
Quantity
1
Interviewer
Jack Lipinsky
Total Running Time
39:42 minutes
Conservation
Copied August 2003
Notes
Low sound volume
Use Restrictions
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Biography
Montague Raisman came to Canada from England in 1926. He was actively involved in B'nai Brith Toronto Lodge and held positions of office. He served as the commanding officer for the B'nai Brith Air Cadet Squadron in Toronto during the Second World War. He was instrumental in the formation of the Joint Public Relations Committee, a united Jewish voice in response to pro-Nazi activity.
Material Format
sound recording
Language
English
Name Access
Raisman, Montague
B'nai Brith
Lipinsky, Jack
Canadian Jewish Congress
Geographic Access
Toronto
Calgary (Alta.)
Montréal (Québec)
Original Format
Audio cassette
Copy Format
Audio cassette
Digital file
Transcript
G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 64 - Raisman\OH64_Log.pdf
Source
Oral Histories

In this clip, Montague describes the formation of the B'nai Brith Air Cadet Squadron during the Second World War. He discusses the recruitment and training of the officers and cadets. He explains how this squadron was instrumental in changing recruitment qualifications to allow entry of new immigrants and Black cadets.

In this clip, Montague Raisman discusses the events leading up to an association between B

Name
Ben Himel
Material Format
sound recording
Interview Date
24 Jan. 1983
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Ben Himel
Number
OH 135
Subject
Communism
Education
Fraternal organizations
Labor unions
Zionism
Interview Date
24 Jan. 1983
Quantity
1
Interviewer
Stephen Speisman
Total Running Time
OH135_001: 26.40 minutes OH135_002: 29.20 minutes
Conservation
Copied August 2003
Use Restrictions
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Biography
Ben Himel was vice president and founder of the Borochov School and Kindergarten. Himel was affliated with the Poale Zion Jewish National Workers Alliance (Farband), the Independent Workers Circle, and the Board of Jewish Education.
Material Format
sound recording
Language
English
Name Access
Himel, Ben
Speisman, Stephen
Geographic Access
Toronto
Original Format
Audio cassette
Copy Format
Audio cassette
Digital file
Transcript
G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 135 - Himel\OH135_001_Log.pdf
G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 135 - Himel\OH135_002_Log.pdf
Source
Oral Histories

In this clip, Benjamin Himel discusses the ideologies of Canada's labour Movements during the 1930s and 1940s.

In this clip, Benjamin Himel discusses the Zionist movement within the Toronto Jewish community during the 1930s and 1940s.

Name
Esther Segal
Material Format
sound recording
Interview Date
30 Jul. 1985
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Esther Segal
Number
OH 188
Subject
Synagogues
Zionism
Talmud Torah (Judaism)
Peddlers
Interview Date
30 Jul. 1985
Quantity
2 cassettes (1 copy)
2 WAV file
Interviewer
Nancy Draper
Total Running Time
43:08 minutes
Conservation
Copied August 2003
Digitized October 2014
Use Restrictions
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Biography
Esther Segal was born in New York City. She moved to Saint Stephen, New Brunswick, and then to Toronto in 1911. Segal was influential in the National Council of Women’s attempt to repeal the law prohibiting women from jury duty. She served as secretary of the Anshe Shalom Synagogue in Hamilton, Ontario, and was on the Council of Jewish Women and Hadassah.
Material Format
sound recording
Name Access
Dunkelman, Rose, 1889-1949
Geographic Access
Toronto (Ont.)
Hamilton (Ont.)
New Brunswick
Original Format
Audio cassette
Copy Format
Audio cassette
Digital file
Transcript
Side 1: 1:35-2:50: Segal discusses her involvement with the National Council of Women in their attempt to change the law prohibiting women from serving on jury duty. 2:51-4:29: Segal discusses being summoned to serve on jury duty. 4:30-6.25: Segal discusses the United Hebrew Charity of Hamilton and the administration of its public funding. 6:26-7:45: Segals discusses donations made to Hadassah of Hamilton. 7:45-8:24: Segal discusses the reasons for her resignation as secretary of the Anshe Shalom Synagogue of Hamilton. 8:25-9:10: Segal discusses moving to Toronto after resigning from the Anshe Shalom Synagogue and joining the University Avenue Synagogue. 9:15-9:52: Nancy Draper speaking: “The previous portion of Esther Segal’s interview about her early life was unfortunately unrecorded and may be tried to be recorded at a future date.” 9:53-11:05: No audio Personal History 11:06-12.45: Esther Segal was born in New York City to Mendel Kovelesky and Rebecca Freidberg. After Mendel’s passing in 1898, Rebecca married Emmanuel Isaac Canon in 1903. They moved to St. Stephen in New Brunswick and then to Toronto in 1911. 12:46-17.50: Segal recalls her early school days in Toronto and discusses her various jobs working as a bookkeeper. 17:51-18:20: Conversation back and forth between Segal and Draper. 18:21-18:32: Segal discusses her memories of Toronto during the First World War. 18:33-20.25: Segal recalls her sister Anna Selig (née Segal), founder of Canadian Hadassah, who, together with and Rose Dunkleman, organized Hadassah chapters across Canada 20:26-22.40: Segal recalls her father as an ardent follower of the Zionist principle and the main influence on the family’s community mindedness. 22:41-23:03:Segal recalls the family home at 50 Bernard Avenue. 23:04-23.55: Segal recalls her brother who passed away of leukemia at the age of eighteen. 23.56-25:12: Segal recalls her brother Isiah Leo "Cy" Canon, a journalist and also author of “All My Causes.” 25:13-26:18: Segal recalls the Canon family's involvement in the Toronto community. 26:19-28:19:Segal discusses how she met her husband, her marriage in 1924, and the son born to them in 1925. 28:20-29:44:Segal discusses her organizational work in Hamilton with the Talmud Torah, the Council of Jewish Women, and Hadassah, as well as secretary of her temple. 29:45-30.32: Segal recalls an unpleasant situation between herself and Rabbi Baskin of Hamilton’s Anshe Shalom Synagogue. 30.33-31.07:Segal is asked if she remembers Louis Rosenberg of Hamilton. Segal says she does not remember him. Side 2: 0:00-2.30:Side 2 begin mid conversation, Segal recalls a childhood experience while growing up in St. Stephen, New Brunswick. 2.31-5.40: Segal tells the story of how her parents got their start in the peddling business in St. Stephen, New Brunswick. 5.41-5.59: Segal discusses one of her first jobs in Toronto prior to her marriage in 1924. 6.00-11.59: Segal tells the story of her ship voyage to Europe 1918 and meeting with her father in England.
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Rose Kaplan
Material Format
sound recording
Interview Date
4 Aug. 1986
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Rose Kaplan
Number
OH 211
Subject
Zionism
Communism
Reform Judaism
Interview Date
4 Aug. 1986
Quantity
2 (1copy)
2 WAV files
Total Running Time
53 min.
Conservation
Copied to cassette August 2003
Digitized January 2015
Notes
Participants in the discussion are not clearly identified.
Use Restrictions
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Biography
Rose and Julius Kaplan were married in a Reform synagogue in 1924. They lived in Dundas, Ontario, where Julius ran a ladies' wear business. They were both members of a large extended family living in Dundas, Ontario; Hamilton, Ontario; and Guelph, Ontario. Rose passed away of a tumor.
Material Format
sound recording
Geographic Access
Hamilton (Ont.)
Guelph (Ont.)
Original Format
Audio cassette
Copy Format
Audio cassette
Digital file
Transcript
Side One: A – female main interviewee (Ida’s niece), B- female, secondary participant (Rose?, Ida’s granddaughter, Millie’s daughter), C – male, secondary participant 00:25: Discusses B?’s mother, Millie’s childhood. Born in 1912. Had two brothers, Julius and Oscar. The family lived above a furniture store on a main street in Dundas, Ontario. Store sold general merchandise and furniture. 1:05: Discussion about photos and their location. Mentions that Julius has photos. 3:29: A’s father moved to St. Catharines and later to London. 3:40: Lou and Jenny Levine lived in St. Catharines and later Niagara Falls. Families would get together for family occasions, not Jewish holidays. 4:32: A’s parents were Max and Sophie. Adele was born in 1934, after Harry’s death. 4:55: A reminisces about family get-togethers. 5:55: Harry had a successful ladies wear store. Julius joined the business. 6:14: Harry bought a large home in Dundas, Ontario. A describes the grandeur and mentions servants. A mentions that Rose has a picture of the mansion. 8:00: Rose and Julius were married in 1924. 8:33: B is Millie’s daughter. Millie liked “the good life.” A discusses Millie’s relationship with her brothers. 9:58: Both Oscar and Julius were musical. Oscar played piano and Julius played violin. 10:43: A reports that the family (Harry and Ida) was not involved with the synagogue and felt isolated from Jewish society. 12:06: Harry and Ida joined a Reform temple in Hamilton (with services held on Sunday). 13:20: Rose and Julius were married in the Reform synagogue. 13:56: Rose’s family (Stoller) was more traditional and later became involved in a Conservative synagogue in London. 14:33: Oscar was never involved in religion but was involved with Jewish Congress. 15:00: Reminisce about Millie. Millie married Dave at age twenty-four. She ran the household and raised two children. Millie’s daughter was born in 1943. 18:00: Millie was devoted to her mother. Her mother died from cancer. 18:34: A discusses Ida and Harry’s marriage. 19:18:Oscar was married to Eva. 20:33: Ida, Millie and Nathan – all family members with hearing loss. 24:00: Henry, Harry’s brother, lived in Guelph. Harry also had a sister who lived in the United States. 25:17: Henry had two daughters, Celia and ? 26:32: Max went to Guelph when he came from Europe. He worked with Henry. A’s brother was born in Guelph. 28:17: A lists members of the family: Ida, Max, Nathan, Molly and Gertrude. Gertrude, who had Communist leanings, moved to a commune in Petaluna, California. Later, Gertrude moved to Israel, where she died of a heart ailment. Side Two: Side 2 focuses on a discussion of the family tree involving three-to-four individuals. 00:06: The family was anti-Zionist, but after the Holocaust views changed. Gertrude moved to Israel in the late 1950s. 1:38: Ida’s (B’s grandmother) siblings were Nathan, Molly (Carson), Gertrude, Max, Rose (died from a tumor), Chana, another sister(?Motla remained in Poland whose last name was Frank List and discusses the offspring of the siblings: Nathan’s children, Molly’s children, Chana’s daughters (Jenny Levine and Genia and Genia’s children) and grandchildren who lived in Israel, Frank family children 9:50: The Frank brothers went to Palestine in the 1930s. The family that remained in Poland were exterminated during the war. 10:29: Genia’s son, Elisha, survived the war in Russia and Genia’s daughter, Raya escaped to Sweden. Elisha and Raya independently went to Israel after the war. 13:24: The participants discuss the family members in California. Nathan’s family. Eugene married with daughter, Leah, married with two children, Jackie and ?, Lou married to Edith with 2 children, Trudy (joined a cult), Greg married twice, David married with 2 daughters, Ellen Berg and Jamie 19:35: Chana’s daughter, Jenny, was the only family member who came to Canada. The rest of the family died during the war. Jenny had two children, Harold Levine and Adele (Berg). 20:21: Max had two children, Leo and A. Discuss Leo’s family. Leo was married to Molly with daughter, Susie (married with two children) and Dick (married with two children). 21:35: A is married with three sons, ?, Bob, and Dave.
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Bess Maltinsky Shockett
Material Format
sound recording
Interview Date
8 Nov. 2004, 7 Dec. 2004
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Bess Maltinsky Shockett
Number
OH 288
Subject
Committees
Labor
Labor unions
Interview Date
8 Nov. 2004, 7 Dec. 2004
Quantity
4
Interviewer
Jillian Gould
Total Running Time
OH 288A: 31 minutes
OH 288B: 31 minutes
Conservation
Copies made for Bess' son Michael on four ninety-minute tapes
Use Restrictions
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Biography
Bess was born in the Ukraine in 1920. She immigrated to Montreal in 1925 with her parents and two brothers. She married Barry Shockett in 1952 and had three children. As an adolescent, Bess became very active in the Jewish community and joined the United Jewish People's Order. She helped organize a union for workers in the knitting industry and later did the same for fur workers. She also travelled to Winnipeg to organize a laundry workers union. She helped found the New Fraternal Jewish Association in 1960 and was actively involved in the organization. She became very active in the Toronto Jewish community, particularly in regards to supporting and launching several innovative Yiddish programs. She staffed the office of the Canadian Jewish Congress' Committee for Yiddish in its early years and was director from 1974 to 1989.
Material Format
sound recording
Name Access
United Jewish People's Order
New Fraternal Jewish Association
Committee for Yiddish
Geographic Access
Montreal
Toronto
Original Format
Audio cassette
Copy Format
Digital file
Source
Oral Histories

Bess became president of the Youth Division of the United Jewish People’s Order in Montreal in 1946. In this clip, Bess shares some of her memories and experiences as a representative to the First International Conference of Youth held in Prague in 1947.

In this clip, Bess discusses the events that led up to the formation of a new left-leaning organization, the New Fraternal Jewish Association, which broke away from the United Jewish People’s Order in 1960.

Name
Cyrel Troster
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
28 Nov. 2016
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Cyrel Troster
Number
OH 441
Subject
Arts
Charities
Committees
Interview Date
28 Nov. 2016
Interviewer
Melissa Caza
Use Restrictions
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Material Format
moving images
Name Access
Ontario Jewish Archives
Original Format
Digital file
Transcript
OH 441 Part 1 0:22 Cyrel outlines her academic background and discusses her volunteer & professional positions, including Chair of the OJA, Chair of Cultural Planning & Allocation, served on the Board of the Canadian Jewish Congress & Ontario Jewish Congress and currently serves on the Board of OJA. 0:53 Cyrel discusses the history of the Ontario Jewish Archives. Cyrel. & Susan Cohen obtained federal grants to create a local initiative project with the initial focus to collect information on prominent members of the Toronto Jewish community. Cyrel identifies the organizations & individuals who assisted them initially (e.g. Toronto Jewish Historical Society,Victor Sefton) . She discusses the staff, including Steven Speisman, Bess Shockett & Ruth Ladovsky and the location in Shaarei Shomayim Synagogue. 4:53 Cyrel describes the creation of the Sense of Spadina Walking tours which were an offshoot of a living exhibit designed for the Triennial for the Canadian Jewish Congress in 1974. She discusses the contributors to the project, including Steven Speisman, Bess Shockett, Marty Mendelow, Charlie & Peggy Goldsbie and Mrs. Langner, the wife of the Rabbi from the Kiever Synagogue. 6:05 Cyrel describes the successful Sense of Spadina Walking Tours held in June 1974. 7:47 Cyrel discusses the formation of day & evening volunteer committees to help catalogue material in OJA’s new location in the basement of 150 Beverly St. She discusses some of the archival donations e.g. Sidney Harris, Ben Kayfetz. 9:12 Cyrel recalls the move to Lipa Green building in early 1980’s. 9:48 Cyrel describes the OJA office at 150 Beverly. St. She describes some of the historical documents that were discovered in the basement. She discusses the volunteers’ responsibilities. 11:27 Cyrel discusses the function of the OJA committee. She discusses Photo Committee. 13:00 Cyrel discusses early efforts to acquire material for the OJA. 15:56 Cyrel explains why an archive specific to the Ontario Jewish community was established. The effort to establish the OJA arose from a small group of researchers, including Steven Speisman, who recognized the importance of preserving ethnic Jewish history. 17:18 Cyrel explains how the material collected by OJA is unique to & valued by the Ontario Jewish community. 18:48 Cyrel discusses some of the challenges faced by OJA in the early years. 19:58 Cyrel discusses the end result of the Toronto Jewish Historical Society. 20:45 Cyrel discusses the evolvement of the Sense of Spadina Walking Tours. She explains how Ellen Scheinberg, archivist, was pivotal in the advancement of the walking tours. Spadina Walking Tours became a part of “Jane’s Walk”. 24:02 Cyrel shares an amusing story about Henry Papernick, retired lawyer & OJA volunteer. 25:35 Cyrel discusses the contributions made by Brooky Robins, assistant to Steven Speisman. She spearheaded the collection of material from northern Ontario. Also involved was Fred Schaeffer. 26:46 Cyrel discusses OJA hosting various community events to donate materials to the archives. 27:41 Cyrel explains that due to the volume of donated material, off-site storage facilities were used at Yonge & Eglinton. 28:04 Cyrel describes the changes and improvements that occurred after moving to the facilities at Lipa Green. 28:55 Cyrel discusses her responsibilities as Chair of OJA between 1983 and 1998. She mentions that she also served on the Ontario Jewish Congress, Ontario Region Executive & the Toronto Jewish Congress. 30:11 Cyrel explains that Jewish Communist papers were passed on to the collection of Multicultural History at St. Michael’s. 30:36 Cyrel discusses some of the projects and exhibits that OJA pursued. 32:05 Cyrel discusses the efforts made by Sol Edell & Marty Mendelow to fix up the Kiever synagogue in the early 1980’s. 34:25 Cyrel explains why the Kiever synagogue was chosen as a focus for an OJA project. 35:25 Cyrel discusses the special projects & direction of the OJA during the period she was Chair. 36:19 Cyrel discusses the biggest challenges faced by the OJA during her sevice as Chair. OH 441 Part 2 00:00 Cyrel discusses the changes in leadership and operation at the OJA ca 2000. Staff included Brooky Robins, Susan Jackson and Ellen Scheinberg. 1:54 Cyrel discusses the major projects that occurred while Ellen Scheinberg was Director. 3:09 Cyrel discusses her role with the OJA while Ellen served as Director. 4:07 Cyrel discusses the challenges faced by OJA while Ellen served as Director. 5:23 Cyrel discusses the relationship between OJA and other archives and agencies. 8:00 Cyrel addresses the factors that contributed to the success of the Sense of Spadina Walking Tours. 11:13 Cyrel points that out the general groups participating in the Sense of Spadina Walking Tours tend to be Jewish but Jane’ Walk groups are varied & drawn to the neighbourhood. 11:53 Cyrel discusses why the OJA has played a major role in her life. 12:25 Cyrel shares a story from her personal life in order to illustrate the importance of preserving oral histories. 13:51 Cyrel relates a story told to her by Ben Kayfetz about the Strettiner Rebbe on Cecil Street. OH 441 Part 3 00:00 Cyrel describes the efforts of Sol Edell, Susan Brown and Cyrel to put together an audio-visual presentation to mark the opening of the archives. 2:17 Cyrel describes a conceived project that was not realized.
Source
Oral Histories
Part Of
Gordon Mendly fonds
Events and organizations series
Zionist Organization of Canada sub-series
Level
Sub-series
ID
Fonds 18; Series 3-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gordon Mendly fonds
Events and organizations series
Zionist Organization of Canada sub-series
Level
Sub-series
Fonds
18
Series
3-5
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1957-1971
Physical Description
261 negatives : b&w ; 10 x 13 cm or smaller
Admin History/Bio
The Zionist Organization of Canada (ZOC) (1921-1978) acted as the official voice of Zionism in Canada, promoting the aims of Zionism in communities across the country. The ZOC mandate was: 1) the promotion of immigration to Israel; 2) raising funds to carry out the aims of Zionism; 3) encouraging investment in Israel; 4) fostering Jewish consciousness; and 5) mobilizing public opinion about Israel and the Jewish communities of the Diaspora.
The Federation of Zionist Societies of Canada (FZSOC) was founded in 1898 as the national collective of groups representing Zionist interests in Canada. In 1921 the organization changed its name and was incorporated as the Zionist Organization of Canada, becoming the primary umbrella organization for Zionist groups in Canada.
The ZOC was a broad-based organization that embraced an ideology of nationhood which attracted influential national leaders within the Jewish community as well as thousands of members across the country. ZOC's main office was located in Montreal until 1970, when it moved to the Toronto Zionist Centre on Marlee Ave, Toronto. ZOC provided smaller communities, which had few institutional supports, with vital linkages to the metropolitan centres through their programs that were run out of the regional offices and local Zionist councils. The Zionist Organization of Canada administered the budgets of such organizations as Canadian Hadassah-Wizo, the Men's Zionist Organization of Canada and Young Judaea. ZOC programs promoted a stronger Jewish identity amongst Canadian Jews and familiarity with Hebrew through the periodical, Canadian Zionist. These programs included book clubs, lunch clubs, film exhibits, youth camps, travel offices, and two television programs during the 1970s on cable television in Montreal and Toronto.
In 1967, ZOC became a constituent member of the new Federated Zionist Organization of Canada (FZOC), along with Canadian Hadassah-Wizo, the Labour Zionist Movement of Canada, Mizrachi Hapoel Hamizrachi Organization of Canada, Zionist Revisionist Organization of Canada, Achdut Avoda, and Friends of Pioneering Israel (Mapam). In 1972, FZOC became the Canadian Zionist Federation (CZF). During the 1970s, ZOC's functions were gradually absorbed by the Canadian Zionist Federation, the CZF Central Region based in Toronto, and by the Toronto Zionist Council. By 1978, the Zionist Organization of Canada had ceased to function as an organization.
Scope and Content
Sub-series consists of negatives documenting the activities of the Zionist Organization of Canada. The images depict members at meetings, conventions and banquets, reception dinners, as well as sponsored events involving dignitaries and foreign diplomats. The images have been arranged chronologically by event and are described at the file and item level.
Subjects
Zionism
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Morris Norman collection
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 22; Item 92
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Morris Norman collection
Level
Item
Fonds
22
Item
92
Material Format
textual record
Date
[1944?]
Physical Description
1 item
Admin History/Bio
The White Paper of 1939, also known as the MacDonald White Paper, was issued by the British government in May 1939. According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, the paper "essentially yielded to Arab demands. It stated that the Jewish national home should be established within an independent Palestinian state. During the next five years 75,000 Jews would be allowed into the country; thereafter Jewish immigration would be subject to Arab 'acquiescence.' Land transfer to Jews would be allowed only in certain areas in Palestine, and an independent Palestinian state would be considered within 10 years." The article goes on to note, "The Zionists were shocked and enraged by the paper, which they considered a death blow to their program and to Jews who desperately sought refuge in Palestine from the growing persecution they were enduring in Europe."
Scope and Content
Item is a pamphlet issued by Combined Palestine Appeal, which was located at 651 Spadina Avenue in Toronto. It outlines the organization's reasons for rejecting the White Paper of 1939 and includes quotes from Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Jan Smuts. On the back of the pamphlet is information about the organization's official campaign, which was set to open on 22 May (1944?).
Name Access
Combined Palestine Appeal
Subjects
Fund raising
Great Britain--Foreign relations--1936-1945
Zionism
Places
Palestine
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harry Simon fonds
Level
File
ID
Fonds 23; File 3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harry Simon fonds
Level
File
Fonds
23
File
3
Material Format
textual record
Date
1960-1966
Physical Description
3 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
This file consists of textual records relating to Harry Simon's work as Chairman of the Jewish Labour Committee. The records include correspondence, event invitations and flyers and activity summaries.
Subjects
Committees
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harry Simon fonds
Level
File
ID
Fonds 23; File 4
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harry Simon fonds
Level
File
Fonds
23
File
4
Material Format
textual record
graphic material
Date
1967-1972
Physical Description
3 cm of textual records
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 26 x 21 cm and 12 x 10 cm
Scope and Content
This file consists of records relating to Harry Simon's work as Chairman of the Jewish Labour Committee. The records include correspondence, event invitations and flyers, activity summaries, press releases, speeches and one photograph.
Subjects
Committees
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harry Simon fonds
Level
File
ID
Fonds 23; File 5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harry Simon fonds
Level
File
Fonds
23
File
5
Material Format
textual record
Date
1973-1975
Physical Description
3 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
This file consists of textual records relating to Harry Simon's work as Chairman of the Jewish Labour Committee. The records include correspondence, event invitations and flyers, press releases and meeting minutes.
Subjects
Committees
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harry Simon fonds
Jewish Labour Committee file
Level
File
ID
Fonds 23; File 6
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harry Simon fonds
Jewish Labour Committee file
Level
File
Fonds
23
File
6
Material Format
textual record
Date
1976-1984
Physical Description
3 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
This file consists of textual records relating to Harry Simon's work as chairman of the Jewish Labour Committee. The records include correspondence, event invitations and flyers, and press releases.
Subjects
Committees
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harry Simon fonds
Level
File
ID
Fonds 23; File 8
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harry Simon fonds
Level
File
Fonds
23
File
8
Material Format
textual record
Date
1978
Physical Description
3 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
This file consists of textual records relating to Harry Simon's work as Chairman of the Anti-Nazi Committee of the Canadian Jewish Congress/B'nai Brith Joint Community Relations Committee. The records include correspondence, newsclippings, meeting notices and minutes, bulletins and flyers.
Subjects
Anti-Nazi movement
Committees
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harry Simon fonds
Level
File
ID
Fonds 23; File 9
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harry Simon fonds
Level
File
Fonds
23
File
9
Material Format
textual record
Date
1979-1982
Physical Description
3 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
This file consists of textual records relating to Harry Simon's work as Chairman of the Anti-Nazi Committee of the Canadian Jewish Congress/B'nai Brith Joint Community Relations Committee. The records include correspondence, newsclippings, and meeting notices and minutes.
Subjects
Anti-Nazi movement
Committees
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Committee meeting agendas, minutes, reports and correspondence series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 17; Series 1; File 604
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Committee meeting agendas, minutes, reports and correspondence series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
1
File
604
Material Format
textual record
Date
1980
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Subjects
Committees
Jews--Arab countries
Access Restriction
Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.
Accession Number
2005-2-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1946
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 19 x 24 cm and 10 x 12 cm
Notes
Photograph is a copy.
Subjects
Congresses and conventions
Women
Zionism
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
1982-7-10
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[193-]
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 a Zionist meeting in the basement of Beth Israel Synagogue, located on Queen Street in Kingston. The individuals are seated at several banquet tables and there are streamers hanging from the ceiling. Some of the people in the photo are from Belleville.
Notes
Credit: Abramsky family.
Name Access
Beth Israel Congregation (Kingston, Ont.)
Subjects
Dinners and dining
Meetings
Zionism
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
1981-1-8
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[1955 or 1956]
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 youths at a Young Judaea convention for Northern Ontario, held in Sudbury.
Notes
Original photograph by Des Rositas Studio, Sudbury.
This item is a duplicate of 1982-6-10, #3386
Name Access
Young Judaea
Subjects
Congresses and conventions
Youth
Zionism
Places
Sudbury (Ont.)
Accession Number
1981-3-13
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 841
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
841
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1935
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
This item is an original print of a parade float created by the Kirkland Lake Jewish community in honour of King George V and Queen Mary's silver jubilee. The float has a Zionist theme.
Notes
Photo by Duke Studio.
Acquired in 1976.
Name Access
George V, King of Great Britain, 1865-1936
Mary, Queen, consort of George V, King of Great Britain, 1867-1953
Subjects
Parade floats
Wedding anniversaries
Zionism
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Places
Kirkland Lake (Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 1604
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
1604
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1935
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 Jewish community's parade float in honour of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of King George V and Queen Mary. The float has a Zionist theme, celebrating Palestine being under British rule. The front of the float has a sign which reads: The Jewish united community of Kirkland Lake expresses its profound joy and happiness on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary. On this day of rejoicing, it pledges to continue its unstinted support and efforts on behalf of Israel.
Photo by Duke Studio
Name Access
George V, King of Great Britain, 1865-1936
Mary, Queen, consort of George V, King of Great Britain, 1867-1953
Subjects
Parade floats
Zionism
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
1978-12-6
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care fonds
Women's Auxiliary series
Fundraising sub-series
Auxilorama '69 file
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 14; Series 4-8; File 11; Item 1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care fonds
Women's Auxiliary series
Fundraising sub-series
Auxilorama '69 file
Level
Item
Fonds
14
Series
4-8
File
11
Item
1
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1969
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
Identified in the photograph is (left to right): Mrs. Posluns, Abe Posluns, Ruth Smith, Mr. Smith, Dora Till, Morris Till, [?], and [?].
Notes
Photographer unknown.
Name Access
Till, Dora, 1896-1987
Subjects
Committees
Portraits, Group
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
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
150
Material Format
textual record
Date
1975
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of correspondence with the National JCRC in Montreal. Some reports on anti-Zionism and antisemitism are also included.
Notes
Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
Subjects
Antisemitism
Zionism
Places
Montréal (Québec)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Solomon Edell fonds
General community activities series
Level
Series
ID
Fonds 4; Series 11
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Solomon Edell fonds
General community activities series
Level
Series
Fonds
4
Series
11
Material Format
multiple media
Date
1950-2010
Physical Description
77 cm of textual records and other material
Admin History/Bio
In addition to his ongoing involvement with Clanton Park, the Canadian Jewish Congress Archives, the Aliyah Support Group, Jones Avenue Cemetery, Shomrai Shabbos and Adas Israel, Sol Edell undertook special projects on behalf of a wide array of Jewish organizations. These include cultural (Toronto Cantorial Scholarship Fund), educational (Netivot Hatorah and Yeshivat Or Chaim Ulpanat Orot), religious (Union of Jewish Orthodox Congregations), social welfare (Association of Jewish Seniors and Co-Ordinated Services to the Jewish Elderly) and Zionist (Canadian Friends of Yeshivat Hakotel and State of Israel Bonds) organizations.
Scope and Content
Series consists of records documenting Sol Edell's involvement with a wide variety of Jewish educational, social and religious organizations and institutions in Canada, the United States, and Israel. Included are meeting minutes, publications, reports, photographs, correspondence, invitations, programmes, financial records, an architectural drawing, and a sound recording. While many of these organizations such as Eitz Chaim, Or Chaim Ulpanat Orot (educational), Mizrachi Organization of Canada, Emunah Women (Zionist) and Beth Jacob V’Anshe Drildz (synagogue) are orthodox, others such as Associated Hebrew Day Schools (educational), State of Israel Bonds (Zionist) and Co-ordinated Services to the Jewish Elderly (social welfare) have no religious affiliation.
Notes
Physical description note: includes 26 photographs, 1 audio cassette, and 1 architectural drawing.
Name Access
Eitz Chaim
Or Chaim Ulpanat Orot
Mizrachi Men’s Organization
Emunah Women
Beth Jacob V'Anshei Drildz (Toronto, Ont.)
Associated Hebrew Day Schools
State of Israel Bonds
Co-ordinated Services to the Jewish Elderly
Camp Moshava
Harbord Collegiate
Netivot Hatorah
Union of Jewish Orthodox Congregations
B'Nei Akiva
Toronto Committee for Bikur Cholim Hospital
Subjects
Charities
Children
Education
Fund raising
Older people
Religion
Zionism
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Toronto Holocaust Museum series
Documentation sub-series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 67; Series 28-17; File 1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Toronto Holocaust Museum series
Documentation sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
67
Series
28-17
File
1
Material Format
textual record
Date
1986-1987
Physical Description
1 folder textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of meeting minutes and correspondence related to the plans for taping and preservation of Holocaust survivor testimony.
Subjects
Archives
Committees
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Ida Lewis Siegel fonds
Level
File
ID
Fonds 15; File 33; Item 1-7
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Ida Lewis Siegel fonds
Level
File
Fonds
15
File
33
Item
1-7
Material Format
sound recording
Date
1965-1966
Physical Description
7 audio reels : ca. 300 min.
Scope and Content
File includes 7 audio reels documenting: the reception for Ida's 80th birthday; memoirs on Zionism; synagogue affairs; board of education; and family history.
Subjects
Zionism
Zionists
Jews--Canada
Access Restriction
Closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing the records.
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
Solomon Edell fonds
Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 4; Series 7; File 20; Item 3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Solomon Edell fonds
Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue series
Level
File
Fonds
4
Series
7
File
20
Item
3
Material Format
textual record
Date
1 Feb. 1960
Physical Description
1 letter
Scope and Content
Item is a letter addressed to Paul R. Edell, Esq., the then president of Shomrai Shabbos, dated 1 February 1960. Attached to this letter is "a copy of a self-explanatory letter addressed to Mr. Louis Rotenberg, of Toronto, to-day [1 February 1960]." The latter addresses "possible changes in the Shomrai Shabos Congregation," specifically a possible "move to a new site in the north end of the city." Said letter also outlines its author's attachment to the synagogue and his anti-Zionism.
Subjects
Zionism
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Solomon Edell fonds
Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 4; Series 7; File 20; Item 4
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Solomon Edell fonds
Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue series
Level
File
Fonds
4
Series
7
File
20
Item
4
Material Format
textual record
Date
22 Mar. 1960
Physical Description
1 letter
Scope and Content
Item is a letter addressed to Paul R. Edell, Esq., the then president of Shomrai Shabbos, dated 22 March 1960. Attached to this letter is a copy of a letter addressed to Rabbi G. Felder. In the latter, the author expresses his relief that Shomrai Shabbos does not intend to sell its synagogue on Brunswick Avenue. The author then goes on to express his hatred of "Political Zionism, the Godless State of Israel, and the modern Orthodox Synagogue with its compromises." Finally, the author expresses his desire that the synagogue remain independent "of any other organization, such as the Canadian Jewish Congress, etc."
Name Access
Canadian Jewish Congress
Subjects
Zionism
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Solomon Edell fonds
Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 4; Series 7; File 20; Item 7
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Solomon Edell fonds
Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue series
Level
File
Fonds
4
Series
7
File
20
Item
7
Material Format
textual record
Date
29 Dec. 1961
Physical Description
1 letter
Scope and Content
Item is a letter addressed to Paul R. Edell, Esq., the then president of Shomrai Shabbos, dated 29 December 1961. In the letter, the author touches upon a conversation he had with the recipient of the letter about the late Louis Rotenberg, his own last will and testament, and his intense dislike of political Zionism.
Subjects
Zionism
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Solomon Edell fonds
Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 4; Series 7; File 20; Item 8
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Solomon Edell fonds
Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue series
Level
File
Fonds
4
Series
7
File
20
Item
8
Material Format
textual record
Date
12 Apr. 1963
Physical Description
1 letter
Scope and Content
Item is a letter addressed to Paul R. Edell, Esq., the then president of Shomrai Shabbos, dated 12 April 1963. The letter includes the author's good wishes on the occassion of Passover and his reasons for not contributing to the "Moos Chittim Fund," specifically, "that the distribution from this Fund includes the State of Israel." The atuhor goes on to express his opposition to political Zionism and the State of Israel.
Subjects
Zionism
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Solomon Edell fonds
Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 4; Series 7; File 20; Item 9
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Solomon Edell fonds
Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue series
Level
File
Fonds
4
Series
7
File
20
Item
9
Material Format
textual record
Date
20 Nov. 1964
Physical Description
1 booklet
Scope and Content
Item is a letter addressed to Paul R. Edell, Esq., the then president of Shomrai Shabbos, dated 20 November 1964. In the letter, the author outlines his reasons for declining the invitation of the Shomrai Shabos Congregation to a Hanukkah banquet to be held on 6 December, which would mark the commencement of the construction of the new synagogue. The author goes on to explain that his decision is influenced by a recent development, namely, Shomrai Shabbos' mobilization for Israel Bonds. In the author's view, this constituted official support for political Zionism. Rabbi G. Felder is mentioned in the letter.
Subjects
Zionism
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Na'amat Canada Toronto fonds
Publications series
The Story of the Jewish Agency for Israel file
Level
File
ID
Fonds 130; Series 1; File 2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Na'amat Canada Toronto fonds
Publications series
The Story of the Jewish Agency for Israel file
Level
File
Fonds
130
Series
1
File
2
Material Format
textual record
graphic material
Responsibility
The Jewish Agency-American Section, Inc.
Date
1964
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of a publication about the history of Palestine, Israel, and the Jewish Agency for Israel from the 1910s to 1964 and includes many illustrative photographs.
Notes
Rights: Material may be reprinted without prior permission provided due acknowledgement is given to the source.
Name Access
Jewish Agency for Israel
Subjects
Israel--Emigration and immigration
Zionism
Places
Israel
Palestine
Accession Number
2019-3-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zelda Young fonds
Miscellaneous series
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 135; Series 27; Item 9
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zelda Young fonds
Miscellaneous series
Level
Item
Fonds
135
Series
27
Item
9
Material Format
sound recording
Date
[between 1982 and 1986]
Physical Description
1 audio reel (6 min., 9 sec.) : polyester, 7 1/2 ips, 1 track, mono ; 1/4 in.
Scope and Content
Item consists of a short interview with Alan Rose in which he discusses the left-wing criticism of Zionism as a reactionary, retrogressive, and racist movement, arguing that it is in fact a national liberation movement. He also argues that the freedom of speech to criticize Israel when needed must be a right of all Jews. Finally, he briefly discusses the difference between private and public dissent and the dangers of the former if not done properly.
Subjects
Interviews
Zionism
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. Audio quality is good. No signs of mold or SBS.
Accession Number
1986-12-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 1621
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
1621
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1920
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w (1 negative)
Scope and Content
Item is a copy print of the front of a postcard dated 25 Jun. 1920. Photocopy of reverse includes Yiddish language handwritten text. Identified in photograph, Menachem Mendel Speisemacher (Max Speisman) standing back row first right.
Notes
Credit: Estate of Max Speisman.
Name Access
Poalei Zion
Subjects
Zionism
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
1978-4-3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harry Simon fonds
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 23; File 8; Item 1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Harry Simon fonds
Level
Item
Fonds
23
File
8
Item
1
Material Format
textual record
Date
1978
Physical Description
1 article
Subjects
Anti-Nazi movement
Committees
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Samuel Crystal fonds
Level
Fonds
ID
Fonds 145
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Samuel Crystal fonds
Level
Fonds
Fonds
145
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1967
Physical Description
149 photographs : b&w and col. ; 18 x 13 cm or smaller
Admin History/Bio
The youngest child of Abraham Crystal and Sarah Crystal, Samuel "Sam" Crystal was born in Pontypool, Ontario, on 16 September 1927, where he grew up with his eight siblings. At the age of seventeen, Sam went to work for the Toronto Telegram, which brought him to Toronto. After his time at the Telegram, Sam worked for the Public Relations Board of Canada and, later, the Oshawa Group.
In 1948, Sam married his wife, Shirley, with whom he had three children: Ken, Ellen, and Michael. In 1967, he travelled to Israel for the first time as part of a UJA fact-finding mission. According to his son Ken, the trip "profoundly moved him" and "brought home his sense of Judaism." It was on that trip that Sam came to know Samuel Posluns; fifteen years later, Sam's son Ken married Samuel's daughter Lynn. Sam went on to travel to Israel several times subsequently.
Sam passed away on 12 January 2021.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of 149 photographs that were taken on a trip to Israel Sam took in December 1967.
Notes
Availability of other formats: Digitized material.
Name Access
Crystal, Samuel, 1927-2021
Subjects
Zionism
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.
Creator
Crystal, Samuel, 1927-2021
Places
Israel
Accession Number
2023-11-9
Source
Archival Descriptions
Accession Number
2014-2-10
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2014-2-10
Material Format
text
textual record
graphic material
Physical Description
30 cm of textual records and graphic material
Date
[194-]-[199-]
Scope and Content
Accession consists of records related to the activities of Canadian Young Judaea, as well as a small amount of Ajalon Lodge records that belonged to former member Maurice Berg. Berg was also involved in Young Judaea through the Zionist Organization of Canada. Included are CYJ photo albums documenting various social events as well as several Kinus (1950s-1990s); correspondence, newsletters and reports (1960s-1990s); a CYJ alumni reunion book; Hanoar Hatzioni newsletters (1976-1992); meeting minutes, reports and the constitution (1940s-1960s); two books about A.M. Klein; Ajalon Lodge photo albums and tour of Israel photographs (1960s-1980s, 1979); as well as one pencil drawing of Maurice Berg (1977).
Subjects
Recreation
Zionism
Name Access
Berg, Maurice, 1913-1993
Canadian Young Judaea
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2014-8-15
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2014-8-15
Material Format
textual record
graphic material
Physical Description
ca. 20 cm textual records
3 photographs
Date
1948-2007
Scope and Content
Accession consists of documents and photographs related to Young Judaea programs. Photographs are group pictures from Camp Shalom and Camp Biluim. Among the documents are meeting minutes, newsletters, correspondence, songbooks, scripts, flyers, and guides for counsellors and group leaders. Also included are issues of Hebrew newsletters Daf Hat'Nua and Bat'Nua.
Subjects
Camps
Youth
Zionism
Name Access
Canadian Young Judaea
Camp Shalom
Camp Biluim
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2014-10-3
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2014-10-3
Material Format
textual record
graphic material
Physical Description
40 cm textual records
ca. 50 photographs
Date
1940-2012
Scope and Content
Accession consists of records of Canadian Young Judaea. Records include correspondence, camp committee meeting minutes, camp committee and staff lists, the CYJ constitution, organizational newsletters, donation lists, flyers and camp reunion ephemera. Records also include clippings and reproductions from the Zionist Archives, and Camp Solelim photographs, as well as publications from other Jewish organizations.
Administrative History
Canadian Young Judaea was founded in 1909 as a Zionist movement for Canadian youth by members of the Herzl Zion Club. As a Zionist organization, Young Judaea continues to be committed to fostering a sense of Jewish identity and values in today's Jewish youth and to encouraging a lifelong commitment to Israel. In order to foster a closer connection to Israel, Canadian Young Judaea employs educational Shlichim from Israel who are posted to various Jewish communities throughout Canada and to offices at the national level in Toronto Young Judaea also operates several Zionist summer camps located in each region of Canada, and a summer leadership institute called Camp Biluim in Quebec. In addition to the social programme of the organization, Young Judaea also offers educational seminars and conferences.
Use Conditions
Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director prior to accessing some of the records.
Descriptive Notes
Access restriction note: Files contain personal information of donors, campers, committee members and applicants for subsidies.
Subjects
Camps
Youth
Zionism
Name Access
Canadian Young Judaea
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2015-1-7
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2015-1-7
Material Format
textual record
graphic material
Physical Description
30 cm of textual records
ca. 20 photographs
Date
1929-1982
Scope and Content
Accession consists of records documenting the Heaps family. Included are general letters and postcards, wartime correspondence, political materials, photographs, and newsclippings. Of note is a 1948 letter written (but perhaps not sent) to David Ben-Gurion describing various issues he was finding with the Israeli army. There is also a great deal of correspondence between Leo, David and A. A. during the war, including some letters describing his escape from Arnhem and a letter describing the Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp in 1945.
Administrative History
Leo Heaps (1923-1995) was born in Winnipeg in 1923, the son of A. A. Heaps and Bessie Morris. His father A. A. was a founder of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, the forerunner of the New Democratic Party. Leo Heaps was raised in Winnipeg and received an education at Queen's University, the University of California, and McGill University. During the Second World War, at the age of 21, Heaps was seconded to the British Army and found himself commanding the 1st Battalion's Transport. He participated in the Battle of Arnhem as a paratrooper.
Leo Heaps was awarded the Royal Military Cross for his work with the Dutch Resistance. His brother, David, had also achieved the same distinction, thereby making them the only Jewish brothers during the Second World War to win the decoration. After the war, Heaps went to Israel and aided their army in the establishment of mobile striking units. Whilst there, he met his wife-to-be, Tamar (1927-). Together they had one son, Adrian, and three daughters, Karen, Gillian, and Wendy.
During the Hungarian Revolution he led a special rescue team to bring refugees out and across the border. In the mid-1960s he returned to Britain where he dabbled in various entrepreneurial projects as well as writing several books, notably "The Grey Goose of Arnhem", telling his own story of Arnhem, the aftermath of the battle, and also the stories of other Arnhem evaders and their dealings with the Resistance.
Leo Heaps spent most of his life in Toronto, Canada, and was amongst the forty Canadian veterans who returned to Arnhem in 1994 to mark the 50th anniversary. He died in 1995.
Descriptive Notes
Availability of other formats: Digitized material.
Subjects
Concentration camps
World War, 1939-1945
Zionism
Name Access
Heaps, Leo, 1923-1995
Heaps, David
Heaps, A. A.
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2015-8-7
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2015-8-7
Material Format
multiple media
Physical Description
ca. 70 cm of textual records and other material
Date
1928-2013
Scope and Content
Accession consists of material documenting the activities of Ben Zion Shapiro and his family. The bulk of the records document the Shapiro family's involvement in Young Judaea. The Young Judaea material includes: yearbooks, photographs, correspondence, meeting minutes, event programmes, song books, newsletters, and two Camp Biluim flags made by Bunny Shapiro. One flag contains Camp Biluim's crest (1951) and the other one was created for Camp Biluim's colour war and contains the text "We will try and we will succeed Camp Biluim" (1954?). Also included is a VHS tape containing a copy of the Toronto Zionist Council's video about Camp Shalom (1991?). Of note are minute books maintained by Roy Shapiro for the Toronto Young Judaea Administrative Board (1928-1934) and for the Leadership Club (1940-1948).
Accession also contains material relating to Roy and Ben Zion's involvement with the following organizations: the Coordinated Services to the Jewish Elderly (Circle of Care), B'nai Israel Beth David Congregation, Beth Tzedec's Mispacha Program, Beth Tzedec's Israel Action Program, Congregation Beth Haminyan, and Holy Blossom Temple's Department for Jewish Living. These records include, minutes, correspondence, newsletters and publications, evaluation reports and other reports. Also included is a demographic report entitied "Rapid Growth and Transformation: Demographic Challenges Facing the Jewish Community of Greater Toronto" (1995), material from a conference at the University of Toronto on the university's partnership with Israel, CHAT alumni directories, and a CHAT book entitled, "Voices: Jewish Teens of the 90's". Of note are buttons, photographs, reports and correspondence documenting Bunny and Ben Zion's trip to the Soviet Union on behalf of the CJC's Committee for Soviet Jewry.
Finally accession includes material documenting family activities of the Shapiro and Sherman family. Included is a transcript of Bessie Sherman telling her life story (1978), haggadot, PowerPoint presentations created by Ben Zion for his grandchildren and for a family reunion outlining the family history of his family and Bunny's family. There is also a video of Ben Zion presenting his PowerPoint at the Michalski / Cohen family reunion. Also included are family films and videos containing footage of Bunny and Ben Zion's wedding and honeymoon, Camp Biluim, Young Judaea events, Bunny on Machon, family wedding anniversaries and birthday parties, trips to Israel, the United States, and Europe as well as footage of the Cousin's Club. Also included is a VHS tape containing a recorded segment from CityPulse News featuring the family's Pesach festivities in 1995.
Photo identification: Back row, left to right: Ray Markus, Michelle Landsberg, Menachem ?, Frank Narrol. Front row, left to right: Gilda Mitchell, Bunny Shapiro, BenZion Shapiro, Malka Rabinowitz.
Administrative History
Ben Zion Shapiro was born in Toronto in 1931 to Roy Shapiro and Beck Shapiro (née Cohen). He has a younger brother, Morden "Mort" Shapiro (b. 1940). His father worked as an office manager at Rotstein Furniture and Maple Leaf Cleaners, and his mother worked as a legal secretary until marriage. Roy was active in a number of organizations including: Young Judaea, Sons of Jacob Society, Toronto Camera Club, a founding member of Beth David Synagogue, Coordinated Services to the Jewish Elderly (Circle of Care) and president of the Association of Jewish Seniors. Beck was active in Young Judaea and Pioneer Women (president of the Golda Meir Club).
Ben Zion received a master of social work degree from the University of Toronto and attended the Jewish Agency Institute for Youth Leaders from Abroad in Jerusalem (1951-1952). He has worked for a number of organizations throughout his career, including: Young Judaea (he was director of both Camp Shalom [1962-1969] and Camp Biluim [1954-1956]), B'nai Brith Youth Organization, University Settlement, St. Christopher's House and director of the Novomeysky Centre in Jerusalem (1957-1961). He was also professor and associate dean of social work at the University of Toronto and three times visiting professor at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
Ben married Bunny "Bernice" Shaprio in 1955. Bunny was born in 1934 in Noranda, Quebec to Irving Sherman and Bessie (née Consky). Bunny attended public school in Noranda, Noranda High School and Forest Hill Collegiate in Toronto, University of Toronto (BA), the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (M.Ed. in special education), and the Jewish Agency Institute for Jewish Leaders from Abroad (1952-1953).
Bunny graduated from the first Camp Biluim Institute for leadership training in 1951 and worked with Ben Zion at Camp Shalom as Camp Mother in 1962 and from 1964-1969. She also worked at Camp Biluim from 1955-1956. In 1983, Bunny and Ben Zion went to the Soviet Union to visit refuseniks on behalf of the Soviet Jewry Committee of the Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region.
Bunny and Ben have two children: Ayala and Ilan. Since Ben Zion's retirement in 1996, he and Bunny have been living in Jerusalem for half of each year. In 2015, they moved full-time to Jerusalem.
Use Conditions
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the Archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Descriptive Notes
Physical description note: includes ca. 300 photographs (256 tiff), 2 PowerPoint presentations, 1 textual record (doc), 4 buttons, 2 flags, 5 VHS tapes, and 18 film reels (8 mm).
Subjects
Camps
Youth
Zionism
Name Access
Shapiro, Ben Zion, 1931-
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2015-9-8
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2015-9-8
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Date
1950-1953
Scope and Content
Accession consists of a letter from Rabbi Slonim convening a meeting and minutes of meetings of the Rabbinical Welfare Committee over the period.
Custodial History
There is no information on the aquisition of the documents. However, the first letter in the textual records is from Rabbi Reuben Slonim and his name is included on all of the documents in the textual record.
Administrative History
The purpose of the Rabbinical Welfate Committee was (quoting from a document dated March 22, 1950) 'to consider matters that are strictly religious in nature. In matters of a community or public relations nature, the Committee will work closely with Congress.'
Subjects
Committees
Meetings
Religion
Name Access
Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region (Toronto, Ont.)
Places
Toronto, Ont.
Source
Archival Accessions