- 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
- 1994-10-1
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1994-10-1
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 6 photographs : b&w (3 negatives) ; 13 x 18 cm and 13 x 10 cm
- Date
- 1943-1945
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of copy photographs documenting Lt. Jack Troster's Second World War military service as a machine gunner with the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa. Included is an image of a group of servicemen in Nymegen, Holland, in January 1945, an image of Jack in his uniform (July 1943), and an image of Jack and another servicemen holding up a picture of Hitler possibly in Germany (1945?).
- Identified in the photographs are: Jack Troster, Capt. Butler, Lt. W. Sharp, Major MacPherson, Lt. R. Ashman, Lt. Col. R. Ross, Capt. J. Woodward, and Pipe Major Scott.
- 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
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1989-2-5
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1989-2-5
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 1895-1966
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of personal documents of Kate Risidore Devor including registration of her birth in 1895 in London, England; immigration inspection card issued at the Port of Quebec (1912); New York State marriage certificate for Harry Devor and Kate Risidore of St. Catharines, Ontario, married in 1914 in Niagara Falls, and their ketubah (Hebrew marriage certificate). As well, there is a newspaper clipping from the St. Catherines Standard of a speech by her son John, correspondence from two of her sons, Sydney and John serving in the military, and clippings and messages of condolence on the death of her son David while fighting in Italy (1944). These include cards and letters from King George of England, George Drew of Ontario, the Toronto War Memorial Committee, and Sam Bronfman, president of Canadian Jewish Congress. Finally there is Jewish National Fund correspondence documenting the planting of a tree by St. Catherines Hadassah in honour of Kate (1933), and a number of trees by Kate in memory of her brother and son (1966).
- Administrative History
- Four sons of Kate and William Harry Devor served in the Canadian forces during the Second World War - David, Berko, John, and Sydney.
- Descriptive Notes
- Availability of other formats: Digitzed material.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Devor, Kate
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1993-3-1
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1993-3-1
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 1917-1919
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of original and copies of documents and newspaper clippings pertaining to Lawrence Kert's service as a pilot during the First World War. Included are his graduation certificate from the Royal Flying Corps, his flight log, documents, and press clippings concerning his capture by the Germans.
- Administrative History
- Lawrence Kert left the University of Toronto to enlist in the 228th Battalion in 1915, and was transferred to the Royal Air Force in 1917. He was listed as missing, but was actually a prisoner of war. He survived and returned to Canada.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1914-1918
- Name Access
- Kert, Lawrence
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1987-5-4
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1987-5-4
- Material Format
- graphic material
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 25 cm
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 1944-1946
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of records documenting Saul Sheffer's service in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War as a Sick Berth Attendant and a group photo of the personnel of "I Division" H.M.C. York.
- Administrative History
- Saul Sheffer held a degree in Pharmacy from the University of Toronto (1938).
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Sheffer, Saul
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-9-1
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2004-9-1
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Date
- [ca. 1939]
- Scope and Content
- This accession consists of one black-and-white original photograph depicting Chaim Weizmann speaking at a rally in Toronto at Varsity Stadium on Bloor Street. Pictured from left to right are: Rabbi Samuel Sachs, J. J. Glass, Chaim Weizman, David Dunkelman. The photo was taken by Mel Hundert (the donor), who was present at the rally
- Custodial History
- Photo was kept by donor
- Subjects
- Demonstrations
- Name Access
- Weizmann, Chaim.
- Glass, J.J.
- Dunkelman, David.
- Sachs, Samuel, Rabbi
- Places
- Bloor Street (Toronto, Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2005-9-6
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2005-9-6
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs : b&w ; 25 x 19 cm or smaller
- Date
- 1942-1945
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of 2 copy photographs of brothers Sam Rogow and Ralph Rogow in their RCAF and Army uniforms (respectively). There is also a copy of letter sent to Mrs. Mary Rogow, parents of Ralph and Sam, from Rabbi Samuel Cass.
- Administrative History
- Sam Rogow was in the Royal Canadian Air Force and Ralph Rogow was a private in the Canadian Army during the Second World War.
- 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.
- Descriptive Notes
- Availability of other formats: Digitized material.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Rogow, Ralph
- Rogow, Sam
- Cass, Samuel
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2006-4-4
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2006-4-4
- Material Format
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 3 photographs : b&w (tif)
- 5 documents (tif)
- 1 folder of textual records
- 1 DVD
- 1 videocassette
- Date
- 1941-2004
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of copies of electronic copies of photographs, postcards and telegrams as well as newsclippings, a video and a DVD documenting the career of Sam Shapiro in the RCAF and his time as a Prisoner of War at Stalag Luft 3 in Poland.
- Administrative History
- Sam Shapiro enlisted as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force in September 1940. He received his wings in Brantford and was sent overseas in April 1941 as a sergeant pilot. He was in Squadron ten and flew eight successful missions before his plane was shot down over Holland in August 1941, killing two of the crew.
- Shapiro was captured by German forces on 17 August 1941 and was taken to Stalag Luft 3 camp in Poland, where the "Great Escape" took place. Shapiro was not part of the breakout, but did help dig the tunnel that allowed seventy-six of his fellow prisoners to escape.
- While a Prisoner of War, Shapiro was promoted to warrant officer. He was liberated on 16 April 1945 and arrived in England five days later. Shortly after arriving home in 1945, Shapiro received the YMCA sports badge for his conduct in the POW camp and the Canadian Volunteer Service medal. He married his fiance Geraldine Perlman in 1945.
- 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
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Shapiro, Sam.
- Stalag Luft 3
- Perlman, Geraldine
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2007-6-27
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2007-6-27
- Material Format
- graphic material
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 12 photographs : b&w and sepia ; 14 x 9 cm and smaller
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 1944-1945
- Scope and Content
- This accession consists of photographs taken during the Second World War. Most of the photographs were taken at the Bergen-Belson Concentration Camp. There is also an original letter written by Alex Pancer to his mother in 1945, describing life as a serviceman during the Second World War and a transcription of that letter by the donor.
- Administrative History
- Alex Pancer (1923-2001) was born in Toronto in 1923. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Airforce in 1942 at the age of 19 and joined the photo reconnaissance unit. He saw combat in France, Germany and Holland. He married Bella Pancer in 1959, and had two sons, Jeff (b. 1960) and Daryl (b. 1963).
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Pancer, Alex, 1923-2001
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2007-7-1
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2007-7-1
- Material Format
- graphic material
- textual record
- object
- Physical Description
- 20 photographs : b&w
- 2 folders of textual records
- 2 badges
- Date
- 1943-1945
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of textual and graphic materials documenting Alex Pancer's military career during the Second World War, both in Canada and overseas. The images depict Pancer in military dress, portraits of his Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Mobile Field Photographic Section and fellow servicemen, German soldiers, photo images created by Pancer as keepsakes or postcards, and a few reconnaissance photographs. The textual documents include postcards, an RCAF newspaper, Pancer's autograph book and loose sheets containing the names and contact information of fellow servicemen, RCAF correspondence including Pancer's record of birth, last will and testament, life insurance documentation and certificate of education, train berthing and identity cards, a meal ticket, and Pancer's discharge papers. The accession also includes two sew-on jacket badges.
- Custodial History
- The records were in the custody of Alex Pancer's son, Jeff, until they were donated to the Archives on 2007-07-09.
- Administrative History
- Alex Pancer (1923-2001) was born in Toronto in 1923. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Airforce in 1942 at the age of 19 and joined the photo reconnaissance unit. He saw combat in France, Germany and Holland. He married Bella Pancer in 1959, and had two sons, Jeff (b. 1960) and Daryl (b. 1963).
- Descriptive Notes
- Availability of other materials: Digitized material.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Pancer, Alex, 1923-2001
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2008-1-7
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2008-1-7
- Material Format
- graphic material (electronic)
- Physical Description
- 5 photographs : b&w and sepia (tiff)
- Date
- [ca. 1914]-1942
- Scope and Content
- This accession consists of five scanned photographs of David Hart and his father Alfred E. Hart in military dress. Three of the photographs feature Alfred during the First World War in an army uniform and one photograph features Alfred in his uniform standing with David in a naval dress on the street in Toronto. The final photograph is of a victory parade on Yonge Street after the First World War (original source: the City of Toronto Archives, fonds 1568, Item 314). The photograph features Brodey Draimin Fur Co. in the background and was originally published in the Toronto Star.
- Administrative History
- Alfred E. Hart was in the Canadian infantry during the First World War and fought in four major battles. He was the owner of the Brodey Draimin Fur Company, located on Yonge Street in Toronto. His son, David, was in the Naval Home Guard, Royal Regiment, during the Second World War.
- 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.
- Descriptive Notes
- Related material note: see oral history 375 for David Hart's account of his wartime experiences.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1914-1918
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Hart, David
- Hart, Alfred E.
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2008-2-4
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2008-2-4
- Material Format
- graphic material
- graphic material (electronic)
- textual record (electronic)
- Physical Description
- 5 photographs : b&w and col. (jpg)
- 1 photograph : col.
- 2 documents : col. (jpg)
- Date
- [1910?]-2008
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of six photographs of the Greenspoon family of Sudbury, Ontario. There are also two scanned documents: Moe Greenspoon's 1918 birth certificate and his statement of service in the Canadian Armed Forces, issued in 1990.
- Photographs include the following:
- 01. Benjamin and Fanny Greenspoon ca. 1910. (photograph was a reprint of a scanned original)
- 02. Paul Allan Greenspoon with grandfather Benjamin and his second wife at bar mitzvah, ca. 1966.
- 03. Greenspoon family gathering ca. 1942. L to R (back): Nathan, Doris, Moses (Moe), Max, Sydney, Irving, Bill, Ruth, Louis. L to R (front): Dave, wife Ann, Ben, Fanny, Harry, wife Millie.
- 04. Greenspoons at the Nahala dedication plaque in Israel, Oct. 1972. L to R: Rose (married to Max), daughter Elaine, Max, son Ira, Ira's wife Merle, and Ben in front.
- 05. Zady's Boyz - basketball team of all the grandsons with Moe, 2008.
- Use Conditions
- Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- Communities
- Families
- Name Access
- Greenspoon, Moe
- Places
- Sudbury, Ont.
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2010-5-6
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2010-5-6
- Material Format
- graphic material
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia toned ; 16 x 24 cm (sight) on board 21 x 31 cm
- 1 letter
- Date
- 12 Oct. 1940
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of a photograph documenting the first Yom Kippur celebration for servicemen stationed in Iceland. Identified is Meyer Bubis (middle row, second from right) and Lionel Cohen (middle row, far left). Also identified in the photo is Maxwell London (back row, seond from left) and Alfred Conway (formerly Abraham Cohen) of the British military (to the left of the table in the white kippah and tallit).
- Accession also includes is a letter written by Meyer Bubis to his father, Solomon Bubis, on an envelope regarding the accompanying photograph.
- Administrative History
- Lance Corporal Meyer Bubis was born on 12 September 1914 in Philadelphia to Solomon Bubis and Ida Bubis. His mother died soon after he was born, and his father remarried Sarah Bubis (née Sane). Meyer immigrated with his family to Ontario during the First World War. At the outbreak of the Second World War, he enlisted with the Royal Canadian Army. His unit was the Royal Regiment of Canada, RCIC. He died in the Dieppe raid on 19 August 1942.
- 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.
- Descriptive Notes
- Availability of other formats: Digitized material.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- Religion
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Bubis, Meyer, 1914-1942
- Places
- Iceland
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2014-1-16
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2014-1-16
- Material Format
- moving images
- textual record
- textual record (electronic)
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- 1 document (electronic)
- 4 DVDs
- 1 scrapbook
- Date
- 1988-2001
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of material relating to the Maccabees Royal Canadian Legion branch 343, including a 1998 membership register, poppy sale information, correspondence and notes regarding Ben Sussman's application for a lifetime membership, information about the ticket sales and a copy of the certificate from 1997 JNF tribute dinner that honoured Albert and Pearl Cohen, and planning notes for the 50th anniversary banquet of the Maccabees in 1995. The accession also contains the draft of Albert Cohen's speech that he presented at the 50th anniversary dinner, as well as newspaper clippings from the Hamilton Jewish News and the Canadian Jewish News relating to the Maccabees, two certificates from the Grand Order of Israel Benefit Society recognizing Albert Cohen's 40 years of membership and an award of merit, and a eulogy in Yiddish, with some translation, written by a father about the son he lost, Balinson, in the line of duty. The DVDs contain footage from the 1997 JNF dinner honouring the Cohens, including Pearl Cohen speaking about early Hamilton, one clip from 1994 of Albert Cohen telling the history of the Maccabees, and video from the 50th anniversary dinner of the Maccabees where there were various speakers including an address by the guest speaker, Commander Sam Pasternack, who spoke about the contribution of Jewish soldiers in WWII (DVD, Maccabees dinner part 3).
- Custodial History
- Michael Cohen is the son of Albert and Pearl Cohen, and was in possession of the records prior to donating them.
- Administrative History
- Albert Cohen (1918-2006) who also went by the nickname "Boomie," was born on November 12, 1918 in Hamilton, Ontario. Pearl Cohen (nee Chaunce) (1919-2008) was born in Hamilton on September 2, 1919. Albert and Pearl married in 1941. In the same year, Albert volunteered to serve in the army as a staff sargeant stationed in Hamilton. He was later discharged in May 1946 after the war. Albert then joined Hamilton's Maccabees, Branch 343 of the Royal Canadian Legion. The branch was founded in 1947 and had a membership of 150 people. The Maccabees' membership was made up of Jewish veterans of WWII, and some veterans of WWI. The branch held meetings in Hamilton's Jewish centre. Albert served as president of the branch for almost 20 years, from 1975 to around 2000. The Maccabees were quite active, and helped raise money by selling poppies for Remembrance Day. The money raised would be sent to general hospitals, veterans hospitals, and families of needy veterans. Albert passed away on August 7, 2006, and Pearl passed away April 18, 2008.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Cohen, Albert, 1918-2006
- Cohen, Pearl, 1919-2008
- Places
- Hamilton, Ont.
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2014-8-9
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2014-8-9
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 1945
- Scope and Content
- This accession consists of a telegram addressed to Abraham Brown of North Bay that his son, Zave Brown, had been killed in action during the Second World War as a member of the Canadian Forces.
- Custodial History
- The records were in possession of Howard Fluxgold, nephew of Sydney and Zave Brown, until they were donated to the OJA on 13 December 2014.
- Descriptive Notes
- Availability of other formats: Digitized material.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Brown, Zave
- Brown, Abraham
- Fluxgold, Howard
- Places
- North Bay, Ont.
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2014-8-14
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2014-8-14
- Material Format
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 1 scrapbook
- 1 folder of textual records
- 2 photographs : b&w ; 13 x 18 cm and 21 x 25 cm
- Date
- 1941-1951, 1959-1961
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of a scrapbook documenting the military career of Seymour Bernard. Included in the scrapbook are photographs, newspaper clippings, correspondence, the transcript for a CFRB radio segment featuring Bernard, invitations for dinners honouring Bernard, a booklet (possibly by the Canadian Jewish Congress) entitled "Jews Have Always Fought for Freedom", and a torn black ribbon that was likely worn by Bernard's parents during shiva after he died in 1951 (kriah). The scrapbook was likely assembled by Bernard's parents.
- Accession also includes material documenting Joel Snitman's confirmation at Holy Blossom Temple and involvement in the BBYO. Included are photographs and programs documenting Holy Blossom Temple's confirmation class of 1959, the program book of the B'nai Brith Youth Organization (BBYO) Southern Ontario Region Fall Conclave (1960), a BBYO AZA Sweetheart Ball booklet (1961), and the Lorac Letter newsletter (1959) which was a chapter of the AZA BBYO. Identified in the photographs are: Joel Snitman, Susie Romm, Karen Smith (?), Don Smith, Rabbi Eisen, and Rabbi Feinberg.
- Administrative History
- Beatrice Bernard (1913-1998) was born to Louie Bernard (1895?-1956) and Esther Berger (1892-1983) in Toronto in 1913. She had two younger siblings: Seymour (was a tailgunner in the RAF during the Second World War) and Gertrude. The family lived at 410 Crawford Street and Louie owned his own dress store at St. Clair and Yonge Street. Beatrice helped her father in the dress store in the 1930s. Louie eventually owned a coat manufacturing business which was located in the Balfour Building. Beatrice married Michael Snitman in 1935. Michael Snitman (1910-1978) was born to Harry and Lottie in Russia in 1910. He immigrated to Canada with his parents in 1912 and had two younger siblings who were born in Toronto: Bill (1912-2013) and Judy (Judith). Michael attended Harbord Collegiate and ran his own business called Plastwood Products in the early 1940s. Around 1947 he entered the photographic business as a distributor. He ran the Toronto branch of Montreal-based Anglophoto, which was owned by his brother-in-law, Abe Feigelson. Michael and Beatrice had two children together: Joel (b. 1943) and Bernard (Bernie) (b. 1948). Joel received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto and taught Biology for five years before entering the real estate and property management business. He met his wife Blossom (nee Houpt) in the B'nai Brith Youth Organization and they had their first date on April 9, 1960. They later married in Aug. 1964 and had three children together: Aryeh, Sheri, and Aviella.
- Descriptive Notes
- Availability of other formats: Digitized material.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- Scrapbooks
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Bernard, Seymour
- Snitman, Beatrice, 1913-1998
- Snitman, Michael, 1910-1978
- Snitman, Joel, 1943-
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2014-10-2
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2014-10-2
- Material Format
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 40 cm of textual records and other material
- Date
- [192-]-[200-]
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of records related to the life and career of David Green and the Jaffey family. Records include sound and video recordings of events, Goodwill Sales accounting ledgers, meeting minutes from the Jewish Canadian Military Archives and Museum, David Green's military ephemera, manuals and reports of the Jewish Federation Board of Trustees and Bequest and Endowment Fund, and Jaffey family correspondence and photographs. Records also include certificates of appreciation awarded to David Green, mainly from UJA Federation.
- Administrative History
- David Green (1919-2014) was born in the Junction in west Toronto. He served as a private in the Canadian army as part of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He was captured and designated MIA when he was held as a POW in Belgium. He became a member of General Wingate Branch 256 Jewish Canadian Legion. In the mid-1940s he married his wife, Sylvia (nee Jaffey) (d. 2010) and they had a daughter, Miriam. He was a longtime volunteer for the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto. In 1990, he was one of the first individuals to establish an Endowment Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto.
- The Jaffey family consisted of Kaby Jaffey, his wife, Nellie, and their children Sylvia, Jess and Albert.
- Descriptive Notes
- Physical description note: Accession also consists of photographs and textiles.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- Charities
- Families
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Green, David, 1919-2014
- Places
- Toronto, Ont.
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2015-1-1
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2015-1-1
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 1917-1964
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of records documenting Samuel Berger and his family. Included is Sam's marriage certificate, wedding invitation, naturalization certificates, and pay book and discharge papers from the First World War. Also included is a copy of the birth certificate for Sam's wife, Rebecca (nee Rotenberg) and a newsclipping of the obituary for Rebecca's father, Lazar Rotenberg.
- Custodial History
- The records were in the possession of Goldie Berger, the daughter-in-law of Samuel Berger and wife of Leonard Berger.
- Administrative History
- Samuel Berger enlisted in the Canadian army in Oct. 1918. He was discharged in Dec. 1918. He married Rebecca Rotenberg in 1917.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1914-1918
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2015-3-6
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2015-3-6
- Material Format
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 5 cm textual records and other material
- Date
- [ca.1890]-[ca. 1940]
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of personal records of Hyman (Ben) Benjamin, and records documenting Arthur Benjamin's military service. Records include ca. 30 photographs of three generations of the Benjamin family, Rosh Hashanah greeting cards, Hyman Benjamin's birth certificate and first aid certificate. Records also include correspondence between several branches of the Canadian government and Arthur's mother, Annie, regarding the circumstances of Arthur's death; his grave site and his army pension.
- Custodial History
- The records were donated to the Archives by Nancy Rose, daughter of the great-nephew of Hyman (Ben) Benjamin.
- Administrative History
- Hyman "Ben" Benjamin (ca. 1884-1969) was born in Leeds, England to Lazuras and Annie Benjamin. He married Hilda (Holds) Benjamin, and they immigrated to Canada in 1911. He worked as a car mechanic. They had two daughters, Laura (b. 1911) and Florence (b. 1912).
- Arthur "Abraham" Benjamin (ca. 1882-1917) was Hyman Benjamin's brother. He immigrated to Toronto from Leeds some time after 1911 and worked with Hyman as a car cleaner. He joined the 198th Battalion of the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force in 1916, and was killed in the First World War.
- 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
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1914-1918
- Name Access
- Benjamin, Arthur, 1882-1917
- Benjamin, Hyman, 1884-1969
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2015-9-9
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2015-9-9
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 1941-1942
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of minutes of meetings of the War Efforts Committee, various newspapers from the USA (The Sentinel) and Canada (Army Week) and a Jewish Calendar for Men in the Canadian Armed Forces (1941-1942).
- Custodial History
- There is no information on the acquisition of this material.
- Administrative History
- One of the main roles of the committee was to raise funds from Jewish communities across Canada for the purchase and donation of furniture. According to a document 'Special bulletin on Furnishing project', Congress is the only organization supplying furniture under an agreement with the Department of National Defence. The Chairman of the committee was Gurston Allen of Toronto.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- Meetings
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Canadian Jewish Congress, War Efforts Committee
- Allen, Gurston
- Places
- Toronto, Ont.
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2015-9-12
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2015-9-12
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual material
- Date
- 1973-1974
- Scope and Content
- Accession file consists of letters, posters, press releases, minutes of meeting and policy statements regarding Israeli prisoners of war in Syria. The documents are from many organizations such as the Labor Zionist Alliance, National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council, Toronto Jewish Youth Council, and the Canada-Israel Committee.
- Custodial History
- There is no information on the acquisition of this material.
- Subjects
- Demonstrations
- Israel--Armed Forces
- Name Access
- Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region (Toronto, Ont.)
- Places
- Toronto, Ont.
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2015-11-7
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2015-11-7
- Material Format
- textual record
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- 6 photographs : b&w and col. ; 13 x 18 cm or smaller
- Date
- [ca.1930]-[ca.1945], [197-]-[2015]
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of records pertaining to the military service of twin brothers Julius (Jack) Spiegel and Louis (Lou/Syd) S. J. Spiegel. Included are photographs of the young Spiegel brothers with their cousins in front of Central High School of Commerce, Dewson St., ca. 1930, original snapshots and portraits of Lou Spiegel in uniform during the 1940s, a hand drawn Easter greeting card signed by Lou Spiegel, and newspaper clippings concerning Lou's role as an aerial photographer for the U.S. Marine Corps unit and his return home to Toronto. There are wartime photocopies of photos including a portrait of Jack Spiegel in uniform, an image of Jack with his crew in front of military aircraft, and a modern day photo of Lou visiting Jack's grave in Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery in Holland. Textual copies include, an annotated photocopy of Veteran Affairs Canada website listing of Jack Spiegel, including information on his burial location and his listing in the Second World War Book of Remembrance. There is a photocopy of Jack's obituary from the Canadian Jewish Congress Book Canadian Jews in World War II, Part II: Casualties, p. 75, and a copy of a letter from the Royal Canadian Air Force addressed to Jack's mother Mrs. Israel Spiegel, notifying her of her son's death. In addition, there is one colour photograph (197?) of promotional municipal campaign street signs for North York City Councillor and Controller, Irving Paisley.
- Administrative History
- Julius (Jack) Spiegel (1921-1944, Toronto), and Louis (Lou) Spiegel (1921-1999), are twin brothers born in Toronto on March 26, 1921. Their parents Israel Spiegel (b. 1878) and Eva (née Gelbwachs) Spiegel (b. 1880) of 430 Euclid St. Toronto, immigrated from Austria to Canada in 1894 and 1906 respectively.
- According to the 1921 Canada census, Israel and Eva had 8 children; Nat Spiegel (b. 1903, U.S.A.), Morse Spiegel (b. 1906), Gertrude Spiegel (b. 1909), Beatrice Spiegel (b. 1911), Sydney Spiegel (b. 1915), Mildred Spiegel (b. 1917), and twin brothers Julius and Louis S. Spiegel (b. 1921).
- Both Jack and his twin brother Lou, attended Central Technical High School of Commerce. Jack enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1941 and trained as a wireless air gunner. He went overseas in May 1944 and successfully completed 10 military missions with his unit. Eyewitnesses reported to Lou that Jack parachuted out of his Lancaster Bomber that was shot down over the Rhineland battlefields in Germany . Originally buried by the Dutch Resistance, Jack was later moved to Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, Holland. His date of death was confirmed as October 28, 1944. According to his death certificate, the location of his death was Belgium, that he was married at the time of death and resided at 238 Beatrice St. Jack's brothers Sydney and Murray Spiegel, also served in the military during the Second World War. Sydney with the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps (administrative corps) and Murray with the U.S. Army Medical Department in Kansas.
- Louis (Lou) Spiegel (1921-1999, Toronto) served during the Second World War for the Royal Canadian Air Force and the U.S. Marine Corps as an aerial photographer. He later studied at U of T earning a bachelor's degree and transferred to USC (California) earning a master's degree in English and communications. He served as campaign director for the United Welfare Fund in 1954 and worked various jobs throughout his career as an educator in American Community Colleges. He was director of Unarius after Ruth Norman died and was awarded by the same institution with a doctor of psychic therapeutic science degree.
- Irving Paisley (1919-2006) married to Adele Paisley, had a 30 year long career in municipal politics in the city of North York holding positions as Councillor, Controller, and Deputy Mayor. He spearheaded the building of York Finch Hospital and served as its founding Chairman. He was also a founding member of Temple Sinai, and founded Paisley Manor Insurance. Paisley’s accomplishments were recognized by the Federal Government and he earned the Centennial Medal for Service to the Nation in 1967.
- Use Conditions
- Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the Archives to obtain permission prior to use.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Spiegel, Jack, 1921-1944
- Spiegel, Lou, 1921-1999
- Paisley, Adele
- Paisley, Irving 1919-2006
- Places
- Toronto
- Holland
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2016-1-6
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2016-1-6
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 30 cm of textual records
- 285 photographs : b&w and col. ; 10 x 12 cm of smaller
- Date
- 1975-1985
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of records documenting the activities of the Royal Canadian Legion, General Wingate Branch 256. Included are meeting minutes from 1975-1977; an album containing photographs, event materials, and newsclippings celebrating the 50th anniversary of the legion in 1984, remembrance day memorial and an event in tribute to Phil Givens; and one scrapbook containing newsclippings, photographs and other textual records related to various activities of the Branch and its membership, including a tribute to Ben Dunkelman and a 99th birthday celebration for Norman Creed.
- Custodial History
- The records were originally loaned by the donor to an OJA researcher who arranged to have the materials donated to the OJA.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- Name Access
- Royal Canadian Legion, General Wingate Branch 256 (Toronto, Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2016-6-12
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2016-6-12
- Material Format
- graphic material
- textual record
- Physical Description
- ca. 60 cm of textual records
- 11 photographs (3 negatives) : b&w ; 20 x 25 cm or smaller
- Date
- 1976-[ca. 1990]
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of textual and graphic records that trace Natan Sharansky's history as a prisoner of political conscience; the broader Refusenik issue; and the community advocacy efforts of Debby and Stan Solomon from 1976 and into the late 1980s at the local, national and international scales. Included are memos and newsletters from the Committee for Soviet Jewry (Ontario Region and national-level); background information as well as petition templates, speeches and planning documentation produced by the Committee to Release Anatoly Sharansky and the Beth Tikvah Synagogue in conjunction with community organizations, including the CJC and its Soviet Jewry social action committees, to support on-going advocacy efforts; correspondence with Canadian and American political representatives at the provincial/state and national levels; white papers/grey literature from non-governmental organizations about the persecution of the Soviet Jewry; planning documentation from the First Annual Sharansky Lectureship on Human Rights in 1980; correspondence, articles and ephemera associated with the granting of Sharansky's honourary law doctorate from York University in 1982; 1985 Freedom Rally/Weekend in Ottawa planning documentation and correspondence; 1987 National Conference on the Soviet Jewry and Mobilization for Freedom planning documentation; 1987 Community Rally at Massey Hall promotional materials; and promotional materials from Sharansky's autobiographical "Fear No Evil" 1988 book launch. Graphic material includes photographs of Sharansky's release during the February 11, 1986 American-Soviet prisoner exchange on the Glienicke Bridge in Berlin.
- Identified in the photographs are: Debby Solomon; Stan Solomon; Natan Sharansky; Avital Sharansky; U.S. Ambassador Richard Burt;
- Custodial History
- Material was collected and/or created by Debby Solomon, Natan Sharansky's cousin. Debby donated it to the OJA.
- Administrative History
- Debby Solomon is the cousin of Anatoly (Natan) Sharansky, the Soviet born Israeli politician, human activist and author who spent nine years in Soviet prisons. Debby's father Boris Landis (born 1900) and Sharansky's father were first cousins.Their grandfathers were brothers. Debby's father immigrated 1929 to Toronto from Russia as his older brothers were already in Toronto. Debby and her husband Stan Solomon got involved in the community's activism efforts to free Sharansky and other Refuseniks.They were worked for many years on these efforts by planning programs through their synagogue Beth Tikvah and with Sam Filer, a lawyer and volunteer at the CJC who was also a member of Beth Tikvah.
- Subjects
- Antisemitism
- Politics and government
- Human rights
- Demonstrations
- Synagogues
- Committees
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2016-3-63
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2016-3-63
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- [192-?]-1953
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of material primarily documenting kosher meat scandals and strikes in Toronto in the 1920s and 1930s as well as the Kehilla (Toronto Rabbinical Board). There are complete pages of some documents and portions of others. The documents are flyers (public notices) in Yiddish (with some Hebrew in religious context and quotations) to do with a scandal or several scandals in which it became clear a number of butchers were operating outside Rabbinical Board supervision and therefore selling (assumed to be) treif meat to Toronto Jews. Secondary scandal with Rabbi Yehuda Leib Graubart, who allegedly split off from the Rabbinical Board with six butchers to do business outside the union, with wholesalers, and gaining more money than union butchers and the rabbis working with them. Another thread relates to a strike for cheaper meat, including meetings of women picketers, and then for better conditions for local butchers. The flyers mostly fall between 1920-1940. All are from Toronto. Lists of local butchers’ shops with addresses and names are included.
- Additional flyers cover Communist protests and protest meetings against German fascism and pogroms, specifically Hitler's government's prosecution of the Communist Party of Germany related to the Reichstag fire. Also included are a 1953 flyer for the tenth anniversary commemoration of the Latvian-Lithuanian Jews’ annihilation, and an open letter to Rabbi Abraham Aaron Price regarding his title.
- Custodial History
- There is no information on the acquisition of this material. However, retrieved from the original package in which the material was lodged was a note "Kashruth fliers from E. Miller" or Mitler.
- Descriptive Notes
- Language: Yiddish with some Hebrew (phrases and quotations).
- Subjects
- Demonstrations
- Kosher food
- Rabbis
- Places
- Augusta Avenue (Toronto. Ont.)
- College Street (Toronto, Ont.)
- Dundas Street West (Toronto, Ont.)
- Kensington Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Queen Street West (Toronto, Ont.)
- Spadina Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2016-5-11
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2016-5-11
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs : b&w and sepia ; 114 x 25 cm and 54 x 21 cm
- Date
- 1918, 1934
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of two photographs: a panoramic of veterans and synagogue members standing in front of Goel Tzedec Synagogue, University Avenue, Toronto to mark the consecration and dedication of branch banners and flags; and a panoramic portrait featuring soldiers making up the 4th Draft of the Jewish Unit at the Imperial Recruits Depot in Halifax Nova Scotia.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- Synagogues
- Veterans--Canada
- Name Access
- Hoffman, Sam
- Places
- Halifax, N.S.
- Toronto, Ont.
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2017-4-3
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2017-4-3
- Material Format
- graphic material (electronic)
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. (tiff)
- Date
- 2000
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of one digital scan of Marsha Slavens standing next to the grave of her relative, fallen soldier Private Archie Walter in Pas de Calais, France.
- Photo Caption: Marsha Slavens at the graveside of her great uncle Private Archie Walters of Hamilton, Ontario, Bois-Carre British Cemetery, (Pas de Calais, France), 2000.
- Administrative History
- Archie Walters (1892-1917) was a Private in the Canadian Infantry, Royal Canadian Regiment and volunteered to serve in the First World War. He died on the first day of the battle of Vimy Ridge, April 9, 1917 and is buried at the Bois-Care British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, Plot V1.B.3. Born in Volkovitisc, Russia, at the time of his death he was 24 years of age. His father, Max Walter, is noted as his next of kin and lived at 68 Wellington St. Hamilton, Ontario.
- Use Conditions
- Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the Archives to obtain permission prior to use.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1914-1918
- Name Access
- Walters, Archie, 1892-1917
- Places
- Pas de Calais, France
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2017-8-6
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2017-8-6
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 15 cm
- Date
- [between 1939 and 1945]
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of one black and white photograph taken during the Second World War depicting a group of Jewish men and women who met for services and socializing once a week in the basement of the Sons of Jacob Congregation in Belleville, Ontario. Pictured in the photograph are Ruth Wise (back row, far right) and Rabbi Gedaliah Felder (centre).
- Custodial History
- Michelle Speyer donated the photograph to the Archives at the request of her grandmother Ruth Speyer (née Wise), who is pictured in the photograph.
- Administrative History
- Ruth Molly Wise was born in 1926 to Eva and William Wise. She grew up in Belleville, Ontario, where she was part of a group of women at Beth Jacob Congregation that prepared meals for Jewish service men stationed at an air force base in Trenton. When she was 16, Ruth moved to Toronto, where she stayed with relatives for two years. She changed her name to Ruth Speyer when she married Mark Speyer. The two were married for 59 years during which time they had three children: Bruce, Michael, and Lloyd. Mark and Ruth were involved with Beth Tzedec for many years and had been part of Goel Tzedec before it merged with the McCaul Street Synagogue. Mark and Ruth were also founding members of the Island Yacht Club, to which they were very devoted.
- 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.
- Descriptive Notes
- Ruth Speyer has written some additional names on the back of the photograph.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- World War, 1939-1945
- Name Access
- Felder, Gedaliah
- Speyer, Ruth
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2018-5-1
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2018-5-1
- Material Format
- textual record
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- 5 photographs : b & w ; 23 x 18 cm or smaller
- Date
- [191-]-1949
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of material documenting members of Glen Eker's family. Included are: copies of Benjamin Eker's military records, black and white photographs of Dorothy Horwitz and Paul Eker from their wedding album, and a Bayview Pharmacy Christmas card.
- Administrative History
- Glen Eker was born in Toronto, Ontario to Paul Eker and Dorothy Horwitz. He grew up in the Forest Hill neighbourhood of Toronto before moving with his family to Hamilton. He received two master’s degrees (one in sociology, the other in political science) from McMaster University and a third master’s degree (in library science) from the University of Toronto.
- Glen's wife, Deborah Pekilis, was born in Montreal and lived there until her parents moved to Toronto. She was the librarian for the Jewish Genealogical Society and sat on the Hamilton Historical Board. She is currently a writer.
- Glen has worked as a research assistant and a teaching assistant at McMaster and has taught at Ryerson University and Mohawk College. At present, he works as an estate and genealogy researcher.
- Glen has published a book on Karl Marx, five indexes of Jews in Canada, and one index of Amish and Mennonites in Canada. His genealogy articles have appeared in various magazines and his short stories and poems have appeared in print as well.
- Glen has worked on his family genealogy for a number of years. His paternal family line derives from Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, and Poland while his maternal line derives from Byelorussia and Romania. He is descended from the Horwitz and Strachman families on the latter.
- Descriptive Notes
- Associated materials: Other accessions donated by Glen Eker include 2018-3,1, 2018-4-1, 2018-4-2, and 2018-4-16.
- Subjects
- Canada--Armed Forces
- Families
- Married people
- Name Access
- Eker (family)
- Eker, Glen
- Places
- Ontario
- Source
- Archival Accessions
