Accession Number
1990-4-3
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1990-4-3
Material Format
textual record
graphic material
object
Physical Description
1 m of textual records and graphic material
1 badge : felt and metal, blue, silver and white ; 10.5 x 10.5 cm
1 pin : metal, white, blue and gold ; 1 cm.
Date
[ca. 1922]-[194-]
Scope and Content
Accession consists of textual records and graphic material documenting the life and career of Allan Grossman. Also included is a Jewish Boys in Training Crest of Merit badge (ca. 1922-1924), a white felt badge with a blue Magen David in the middle and in the four corners with metal plates attached to the material, each one with a different symbol, and an Ostrovtzer Independent Mutual Benefit Society pin (ca. 1940s).
Subjects
Politicians
Name Access
Grossman, Allan, 1910-1991
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1999-6-2
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1999-6-2
Material Format
textual record
graphic material
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
21 photographs : b&w ; 22 x 30 cm or smaller
Date
1895-1962
Scope and Content
Accession consists of photographs documenting the life, career and activities of Sam Factor and his family. Textual material include correspondence, press clippings, and Factor's education and law school records.
Administrative History
Sam Factor (1892 -1962) was a Liberal member of parliament for Spadina, served in the armed forces in the Second World War, and was appointed a judge in the County of York.
Descriptive Notes
Idenification is provided for the photographs.
Subjects
Politicians
Name Access
Factor, Sam
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1980-12-9
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1980-12-9
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
2 vol. of textual records
Date
1960-1967
Scope and Content
Accession consists of two bound srapbooks documenting the political and communal life of Herbert Orliffe. Included are newsclippings and official invitations to ceremonies and events.
Administrative History
Herbert Orliffe (1905-1967) was a QC barrister and solicitor who owned his own practice, Herbert Orliffe QC. He specialized in labour law and was the first Chairman of the Ontario Jurisdictional Disputes Commission. He was born on May 5, 1905 to Anne and Charles Orliffe in Newcastle, England. Herbert married Ida Goren and they had four children: Annabel, Joan, Barbara and Robert. His affiliations included: Jewish Public Library, Canadian Jewish News, Jewish Welfare Fund, Board of Jewish Education, Beth Tzedec Congregation, Sunnyside Lodge IOOF, Palestine Lodge AF & AM, Toronto Board of Trade, and the Empire Club. Herbert was also the first Jewish Chairman of the Toronto Board of Education in 1952, an alderman for Ward Four in 1954, and a member of Municipality Toronto Council in 1956. He died suddently of a heart attack in 1967.
Subjects
Politicians
Scrapbooks
Name Access
Orliffe, Herbert, 1905-1967
Source
Archival Accessions
Level
Item
ID
Item 805
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
805
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[194-]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 18 x 13 cm
Admin History/Bio
Dave Korman was the former mayor of Englehart, Ontario and a pioneer farmer at Krugerdorf.
Scope and Content
This item is a portrait photograph of Dave Korman of Englehart, Ontario.
Notes
Photo by Duke Studios
Acquired in 1976.
Name Access
Korman, Dave
Subjects
Farmers
Politicians
Portraits
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
Englehart (Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Name
Lawrence Kert
Material Format
sound recording
Interview Date
6 Oct. 1975
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Lawrence Kert
Number
OH 5, OH 6
Subject
Gold miners
Lawyers
Politicians
Prisoners of war
World War, 1914-1918
Interview Date
6 Oct. 1975
Quantity
3 WAV files
4 cassettes (2 copies)
Interviewer
Stephen Speisman
Total Running Time
1:30 min.
Conservation
Copied to cassette in August 2003
Digitized between December 2014 and February 2015
Use Restrictions
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Biography
Lawrence Kert was born in 1896 and graduated as a lawyer in 1920 from the University of Toronto's Osgoode Hall. Kert served as a lieutenant in the Canadian Army during the First World War and became a prisoner of war when his plane was shot down in Germany. After his return to Toronto, Kert became a member of the J. Singer & Company law firm. Kert was instrumental in organizing the Associated Hebrew Schools of Toronto and the Oakdale Golf and Country Club; he also sat on the board of the Goel Tzedec Synagogue. Kert passed away in 1976.
Material Format
sound recording
Name Access
Associated Hebrew Schools of Toronto
Goel Tzedec Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)
Geographic Access
Englehart (Ont.)
Mattawa (Ont.)
Toronto (Ont.)
Original Format
Audio cassette
Copy Format
Audio cassette
Digital file
Transcript
OH 005 Side 1: 00:24: Lawrence discusses his family’s arrival to Canada. His parents were born in Vilna and came to Montreal in the early 1880s. His parents met in Canada and were married in Sherbrook. 1:45: Lawrence explains how his father settled in Mattawa, Ontario, near North Bay. 3:15: Lawrence discusses the large Kert family, which settled in Canada and the United States. All the Kerts were related. He mentions one branch in Ottawa, Abram Kert, and shares an anecdote about a cousin, Big Isaac, who lived in Montreal. 6:23: Lawrence’s parents were Henry Isaac and Rachel Isaac (née Vineberg). 6:43: Lawrence chronicles his father’s start in Canada. Initially, his father peddled around Cornwall, Ontario. Then wet to the Klondike. By 1890, he had generals stores set up in Mattawa and Peterborough. He later returned to the Klondike for a short time. He remained in Mattawa for fifteen years. The family moved to Montreal in 1903. 8:34: Lawrence recalls one other Jewish family in Mattawa, the Stern family. 10:31: Lawrence explains why his father returned to Montreal. His father was invited to supply produce to the contractors who were constructing the Timiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway in northern Ontario from 1903 to 1905. 13:10:Lawrence explains how his father was able to earn the contract with the railway. 13:49: Lawrence’s father opened a store in Leskeard. 14:29: Lawrence shares an anecdote about the initial discovery of silver in Cobalt by Fred LaRose, a blacksmith. 15:40: Lawrence explains how his father agreed to build a hotel in the new town site of Englehart in 1904. 17:07: Lawrence’s father sold the produce business to a cousin, Charlie ?Bernstein, who maintained the business in Cochrane for about fifty years. 17:54: The hotel burned down in 1918. Lawrence’s family lived in Englehart from 1905 to 1921/22. 18:22: Lawrence discusses his father’s participation in communal activities in Mattawa and Englehart. He was elected to serve on the school board. He was a supporter of the Conservative Party. Lawrence describes both his parents as socially involved and well-liked. 21:18: Lawrence’s mother was active in the Daughters of the Empire. 21:36: Lawrence discusses the Jewish communities of Englehart and neighbouring Krugersdorf. The synagogue was burned down by a bush fire in 1906. Lawrence had his bar mitzvah in Englehart. After the synagogue burned down, services were held in private homes, including the hotel. 25:38: Lawrence discusses other Jews who lived in Englehart. He lists names and describes their businesses. 27:51: Lawrence discusses Jewish life, practice and education in Englehart in the time period of 1905/06 to 1911. OH 005 Side 2: 00:33: Lawrence recounts a story involving a cousin who was staying with his family at the hotel. 3:24: Lawrence explains that his father built a hotel in Englehart in 1904 and stayed until 1920. The hotel was destroyed by a fire. Lawrence explains why his father did not rebuild the hotel. 4:18: Lawrence’s father started to work in the fur business. He sold the raw furs to St. Louis or to Montreal. 5:16: In 1922, Lawrence’s family moved to Montreal. 5:41: Lawrence was born in 1896. He moved to Englehart at age nine. 6:00: Lawrence discusses his Jewish education. His family belonged to Shaarei Shomayim in Montreal. When they moved to Englehart, they had a teacher. 7:10: Lawrence mentions a warm relationship between his father and Rabbi Jacobs, the head of Holy Blossom on Bond Street in Toronto. 9:13: Lawrence attended the Bond Street synagogue. 9:50: Lawrence became a member of Goel Tzedek. 10:00: Lawrence and his sibling attended high school in Hillbury. He reports not experiencing of antisemitism. 11:39: Lawrence explains how he moved from Englehart to study law at the University of Toronto in the summer of 1914. 12:55: At the outbreak of the war, Lawrence participated in the officers’ training corps at the University. He explains his training and describes how, in 1915, at age eighteen, he qualified as an officer with the Algonquin Rifles. While overseas, he trained as a pilot. 15:42: Before going overseas, Lawrence was the officer in charge of a scout troop in his battalion. 16:20: Lawrence describes the accommodations made for veterans who returned to University of Toronto in 1919. He explains how he was able to complete three years of law school and graduate in the summer of 1920. 18:28: Lawrence lists some of the prominent graduates from his year. 19:01: Lawrence explains that was shot down over Germany in 1917, where he spent the remainder of the war. 20:15: Lawrence explains where he resided while going to university. 21:43: Lawrence describes his involvement with the Jewish community in Toronto. He attended Goel Tzedek and had Jewish friends. 22:42: Lawrence discusses how he got involved at Goel Tzedek and lists some of the families who were members. He explains how he got know Toronto relatives of his oldest brother’s wife. 26:29: Lawrence suggests that university students were welcomed by both clergy (he cites Rabbi Price) and the lay community (he cites the Coopers). 27:22: Lawrence became a charter member of the first B’nai Brith Lodge in 1920. 28:32: Lawrence articled with a non-Jewish firm: Faskin-Robinson. After graduation, Lawrence started a small law firm with Joe Singer. They stayed together for forty-five years.
Source
Oral Histories
Part Of
Gordon Mendly fonds
Portraits series
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 18; Series 1; Item 5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gordon Mendly fonds
Portraits series
Level
Item
Fonds
18
Series
1
Item
5
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1965]
Physical Description
1 negative : b&w ; 18 x 13 cm
Admin History/Bio
Irving Chapley was a North York city councillor and member of Metropolitan Toronto Council from 1974 until his death, making him one of the city's longest running representatives. He was born in 1924 and was married to Norma (née Levinson) and had two children: David and Rosanne. He was an active member of B'nai B'rith before entering into the political sphere. The Irving Chapley Community Centre and Park is located in his former North York ward on Wilmington Avenue. Chapley died on 21 June 1992, at the age of 68.
Scope and Content
Item is a portrait of Irving Chapley.
Subjects
Politicians
Repro Restriction
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gordon Mendly fonds
Portraits series
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 18; Series 1; Item 7
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gordon Mendly fonds
Portraits series
Level
Item
Fonds
18
Series
1
Item
7
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1960]
Physical Description
1 negative : b&w ; 18 x 13 cm
Admin History/Bio
Samuel Factor was born 26 October 1892, in Russia to Morris Factor and Rivka (née Sprincen) Factor. He came to Canada in 1902 with his family and attended McCaul Street School, Jarvis Collegiate Institute and went on to study law at Osgoode Law School. In 1917, he left his law practice to enlist in the University Officers' Training Corps and served with the Canadian Army in the First World War, attaining the rank of Lieutenant in 1918.
In 1922, he married Ida (née Levine) and had two children: Martin and Shera (Abrams). After Ida's death in 1953, he married Florence Factor.
In 1923, he was elected as a trustee to the Board of Education and was subsequently elected Alderman for Toronto's Ward Four in 1926, and again in 1929. In 1930, he became Ontario's first Jewish M.P., winning the Spadina riding for the Liberal Party. He was re-elected in 1935 and 1940. In 1945, he was appointed County Court Judge for York County, after serving as squadron leader during the Second World War. He died while still a practicing judge on 21 August 1962 at the age of 69.
Scope and Content
Item is a portrait of Judge Samuel Factor, Q.C.
Subjects
Immigrants--Canada
Judges
Politicians
Repro Restriction
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gordon Mendly fonds
Portraits series
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 18; Series 1; Item 12
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gordon Mendly fonds
Portraits series
Level
Item
Fonds
18
Series
1
Item
12
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1960]
Physical Description
1 negative : b&w ; 18 x 13 cm
Admin History/Bio
John Judah Glass was born 31 October 1895, in England, the son of Morris and Pearl Glass. In 1907, Glass immigrated to Toronto, two years after his father. He graduated from the University of Toronto in 1917 and received his law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1921. He married Anne Ethel (née Horowitz) and had two children: George and Jesse.
Glass was a practicing barrister and solicitor and a member of the Canadian Bar Association. He served with the Canadian army during the First and Second World Wars. He was a member of the Toronto Board of Education (1928-1930), was Alderman with the Toronto City Council (1931-1934), and was a Liberal MPP for St. Andrew's Riding (1934-1943).
He was on the Board of Governors of Beth Tzedec Congregation; was the past president of the Toronto Zionist Council; was on the national and regional executive of the Zionist Organization of Canada; was a founder of the Canadian Jewish Congress; was the past president of Toronto B'nai B'rith; was a founder and first president of the General Wingate Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion; and was affiliated with the Toronto Council of Christians and Jews, the Palestine Lodge, the Jewish Home for the Aged and Baycrest Hospital, the Jewish Historical Society, United Jewish Appeal, Jewish National Fund, and the State of Israel Bonds.
Scope and Content
Item is a portrait of John J.Glass.
Name Access
Glass, John Judah, 1895-1973
Subjects
Immigrants--Canada
Lawyers
Politicians
Repro Restriction
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Larry Becker collection
Level
File
ID
Fonds 34; File 66
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Larry Becker collection
Level
File
Fonds
34
File
66
Material Format
textual record
Date
1957
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of an annual 296 page Municipal Handbook containing official information relative to the administration of the City of Toronto, for citizens of Toronto and others. Book is dated May 1, 1957. It is signed by Mayor Nathan Phillips for Mrs. Edna Louise Sutherland.
Name Access
Phillips, Nathan, 1892-1976
Subjects
Politicians
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Larry Becker collection
Level
File
ID
Fonds 34; File 67
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Larry Becker collection
Level
File
Fonds
34
File
67
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1961
Physical Description
1 photograph
Scope and Content
File consists of a signed self-portrait of Mayor Nathan Phillips wearing his chain of office, given to his friend, Fred Shockinger. Photograph is signed Dec.1,1961 and taken by Studio Cavouk.
Name Access
Phillips, Nathan, 1892-1976
Subjects
Lawyers
Politicians
Portraits
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Larry Becker collection
Level
File
ID
Fonds 34; File 69
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Larry Becker collection
Level
File
Fonds
34
File
69
Material Format
textual record
Date
1956
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of three items: a message from Nathan Phillips on the occasion of the centennial celebration of the founding of the Jewish community of Toronto, dated Sept 5, 1956; a list of officers belonging to the Jewish National Club; and a pamplet for the Jewish National Brotherhood with a smiliar list of names.
Name Access
Phillips, Nathan, 1892-1976
Subjects
Politicians
Source
Archival Descriptions
Accession Number
2016-11-32
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2016-11-32
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Date
1953
Scope and Content
Accession consists of an election pamphlet for Liberal Party candidate David Croll for the Spadina riding.
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
Political campaigns
Politicians
Name Access
Croll, David, 1900-1991
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2018-5-11
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2018-5-11
Material Format
textual record
graphic material
moving images
Physical Description
15 cm of textual records and graphic material
1 U-matic 3/4" videocassette
Date
1939-2006
Scope and Content
Accession consists of records documenting the life of Ellen Shirley Cole (née Robins) and her husband Albert (Tubby Cole). Included are elementary and high school records belonging to Ellen and Tubby Cole, and photographs of Ellen and Tubby and their parents and children. Also included are: newsclippings and photographs of UJA events featuring Tubby Cole as Man of the Year in 1977, as UJA Chairman in 1978, Yitzhak Rabin, Menachem Begin and Pierre Trudeau; Ellen's community activities; actress Toby Robins (Ellen's sister), and brothers Carl and Jack Cole of Cole's bookstores. Also included are programs and invitations to UJA yearly campaign events, a speech presented by Joe Clark, M.P., to Beth Emeth Bais Yehudah Synagogue, a scrapbook of Harbord Collegiate newsclippings featuring outstanding athlete Albert Cole, a possible UJA event donor list, and a 50th birthday poem written to Ellen from her sister Toby Robins.
Administrative History
Ellen Shirley Cole (née Robins) was born in 1929 in Toronto. Ellen and her husband Albert (Tubby) Cole were active and dedicated members of the Toronto Jewish community. She was a member of Hadassah and the UJA Women's Campaign where she had the opportunity to meet with dignitaries such as Yitzhak Rabin, Menachem Begin and Pierre Trudeau. Ellen was the sister of the late actress Toby Robins and sister-in-law of Carl and Jack Cole of Cole's bookstores. Ellen enjoyed her role as homemaker and was noted for being an outstanding hostess and cook. Ellen passed away March 22, 2018.
Subjects
Philanthropists
Politicians
Name Access
Cole, Ellen
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2019-1-6
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2019-1-6
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
2 folders
Date
1911-1987
Scope and Content
Accession consists of material documenting two generations of the Singer family. Included are: a College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario certificate for Bessie Thelma Pullan (1911), a Law Society of Upper Canada certificate for Burrell Milton Singer (1937), a Department of National Defense (Army) certificate for Burrell Milton Singer (1946), a Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons (RAM) of Canada constitution (1952), a Mount Sinai Chapter RAM by-law booklet (1952), a Mount Sinai Chapter RAM invitation to its sixty-first convocation (1954), and a Law Society of Upper Canada certificate for Burrell Milton Singer (1987).
Custodial History
Records were donated by Burrel and Carolyn Singer's son Tom.
Administrative History
Louis Michael Singer, K.C. was born in Austria in 1885. When he was three, Louis and his family immigrated to Canada. In Toronto, he attended Jarvis Collegiate Institute. He went on to study law at Osgoode Hall Law School, graduating in 1908. Afterwards, he set up the Singer and Singer law office. In 1914, Louis ran for Toronto City Council, representing Ward 4, and became Toronto's second Jewish alderman. He was re-elected in 1915, 1916, and 1917 only to be defeated in the 1918 election. Thereafter, he returned to his law practice full-time. Louis died on September 23, 1959.
Dr. Bessie Thelma Singer (née Pullan) was born in Russia on June 5, 1888. On July 6, 1911, she married Louis Singer. Two days later, on July 8, 1911, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario admitted her as a member, entitling her to practice physic, surgery, and midwifery in the province. Bessie never practiced medicine; instead, she became a homemaker. She died on January 4, 1947, surived by her husband, Louis, and two sons, Burrell and Ralph.
Burrell Milton Singer, Q.C. was born in Toronto on November 1, 1912. On September 7, 1937, the Law Society of Upper Canada called him to the bar. Burell and his wife Carolyn had two sons: Jeff and Tom. Burrell died on September 26, 1989.
Descriptive Notes
Conservation: Certificates deframed.
General: An annotated copy of Burrell M. Singer's Handbook of Canadian Military Law, which the former co-authored with Lieutenant-Colonel R. J. S. Langford, is available in the OJA's library.
History/Bio note: Bessie Singer's tombstone lists her birth date as July 28, 1890, however, JewishGen has her birth registration as June 5, 1888 and the 1901 Census lists it as July 14, 1888. Bessie's youngest brother Sydney, Harry Pullan was born on Aug. 11, 1890 and therefore the July 28, 1890 date is likely erroneous.
Subjects
Lawyers
Physicians
Politicians
Name Access
Singer (family)
Singer, Bessie Thelma, 1890-1947
Singer, Burrell M., 1912-1989
Singer, Louis, 1885-1959
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2019-10-1
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2019-10-1
Material Format
textual record
graphic material
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
6 photographs : col. ; 20 x 26 cm or smaller
Date
2005–2011
Scope and Content
Accession consists of material documenting Kulanu Toronto. Included are photographs taken Pride celebrations in Toronto in 2009 or 2010; a copy of Kulanu Toronto's constitution dated 12 February 2005; a list of synagogues and other Jewish organizations that marched with Kulanu at Pride in 2010; a letter addressed to Justine Apple from the Holocaust Centre of Toronto regarding the former's program for Holocaust Education Week in 2009; and a printout of a letter to the Kulanu listerve from Helen Zukerman, executive director of the Toronto Jewish Film Festival, regarding the problematic pairing of two films.
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.
Descriptive Notes
Availability of other formats: Photographs also available as TIFF files. The textual records are also available as PDF files.
Subjects
Gay pride parades
Politicians
Sexual minorities
Name Access
Apple, Justine
Chow, Olivia, 1957-
Layton, Irving, 1912-2006
Kulanu Toronto
Queers Against Israeli Apartheid
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2019-11-6
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2019-11-6
Material Format
multiple media
Physical Description
25 cm of textual records and other material
Date
[ca. 1925]-1996
Scope and Content
Accession consists of records related to the Jewish communal and public service activities of Phil Givens. Included are textual records and photographs as well as a small number of artifacts. Included are numerous speeches, municipal, provincial and federal election materials, professional records related to Givens' legal career, Jewish communal records including the Canadian Zionist Federation, the Upper Canada Lodge B'nai Brith chapter, and the Yiddish Committee, biographical materials, letters of thanks, certificates and honours, school graduation composite photographs, and photographs of various events and of the Givens and Rubins families. Artifacts include a Metropolitan Toronto Police Commissioners badge, a City of Toronto Council member pin, a Wingate Legion felt patch, and notably, a Canadian flag and an Israeli flag. The Canadian flag flew over the Canadian parliament, while the Israel flag was raised in the Knesset. Both flags were requested by Givens and were draped on his casket at his funeral. Accompanying documentation is also in the accession.
Administrative History
Philip Gerard Givens (1922-1995) was a municipal, provincial and federal politician, a judge, a police commissioner and an active Jewish communal leader. He is largely remembered as the 54th Mayor of Toronto. Phil Givens was born in Toronto on April 24th, 1922, the only son of Hyman and Mary Gevertz (Gewercz). As a youth, he attended Harbord Collegiate and graduated from the University of Toronto in political science and economics in 1945 and from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1949. In 1947, he married Minnie "Min" Rubin (born February 7th, 1924) and together they had two children, Eleanor and Michael. Givens graduated as a lawyer from Osgoode Hall; however, shortly thereafter he decided to enter politics, running as a municipal school board trustee in 1950. In 1951 he was elected as alderman for Ward 5, serving in this capacity until 1960, when he was subsequently elected as a city Controller. Givens was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1962. Following the sudden death of Mayor David Summerville in 1963, Givens was appointed by City Council as the Mayor of Toronto and was officially elected to the position in 1964, winning a close race against the former mayor, Allan Lamport. As mayor, Givens was automatically a member of the Metropolitan Toronto Executive and Council, the Metropolitan Toronto Police Commission, the Consumer’s Gas Company Executive, the Toronto Hydro Commission and the governing boards of Toronto’s major hospitals. Givens was publicly seen as an affable and populist mayor but his tenure was not without controversy. His support for the construction of the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts and his decision to acquire Henry Moore’s bronze sculpture “the Archer” for the new Nathan Phillips Square were both highly controversial during his term in office. In particular, the Moore sculpture sparked intense controversy and public debate amongst council members and citizens alike. Although ultimately purchased with private solicited donations, the controversy surrounding the statue’s purchase was still partly to blame for Givens’ 1966 election defeat to William Dennison. In 1967 Givens entered national politics for the second time, the first being a failed 1957 bid in Toronto’s Spadina riding, winning a seat as a Liberal in Toronto’s York West riding. In 1971 he stepped down before the end of his term to campaign for a seat in the Provincial Legislature. Again running under the Liberal banner, Givens won his seat in York-Forest Hill and after the elimination of this riding in 1975, was re-elected in the new riding of Armourdale. In 1977 he retired from politics. He also worked briefly as a current affairs commentator for local radio broadcaster CHUM 1050 AM. In 1977, Givens was appointed as a provincial court judge and chairman of the Metropolitan Toronto Police Commission, serving in both capacities until 1985, when he left the Commission but continued in the judiciary as a civil trial judge until officially retiring from public life in 1988. An ardent Zionist, Givens was also a prominent leader of several Jewish communal organizations. He was the founder and first president of the Upper Canada Lodge of B’nai Brith and sat on the executives of the Canadian Jewish Congress, the United Jewish Welfare Fund, the Talmud Torah Eitz Chaim, the Zionist Organization of Canada, the Toronto Zionist Council, Jewish National Fund, State of Israel Bonds and the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care. He was chairman of the United Israel Appeal-Israel Emergency Fund in 1967 and the United Jewish Appeal-Israel Special Fund in 1968. From 1973 to 1985 he was the national president of the Canadian Zionist Federation and in the 1990s was the national chairman of the Canadian Jewish Congress’ Committee for Yiddish. Givens was honoured by Jewish community organizations, including the Jewish National Fund’s Negev Award in 1968 and the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews’ Human Relations Award in 1969. As well, in 1972, he received the Award of Honour from the Toronto Regional Council of B’nai Brith. Givens was also known to be a passionate sailor and was a member of both the Royal Canadian and the Island Yacht Clubs in Toronto. He died on November 30th, 1995 at the age of 73.
Descriptive Notes
Physical Description Note: Includes ca. 300 photographs, 1 pin, 1 felt patch, 1 badge, 2 flags, 1 poster, and 2 paper bags.
Subjects
Politicians
Name Access
Givens, Philip, 1922-1995
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2020-3-4
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2020-3-4
Material Format
graphic material
moving images
object
textual record
Physical Description
ca. 300 photographs : b&w and col. (30 negatives) ; 36 x 26 cm or smaller
8 cm of textual records and other material
Date
1932-2011
Scope and Content
Accession consists of textual records, graphic materials, videocassettes, a scrapbook, and a small number of artifacts, which are related to the Givens and Rubin families and Phil Given's political, Jewish communal, and public service activities. Textual records consist of the Givens family record from Beth Tzedec Congregation; certificates (1932 and 1946); Phil’s campaign material; a birthday greeting to Phil’s mother, Mary Gevertz, from the Government of Ontario (1971); newspaper clippings documenting Phil’s music career in his early years as well as his political, Jewish communal, and public service activities (1932-2011); booklets of B’nai Brith documenting Phil Givens involvement with B’nai Brith Upper Canada Lodge (1949 and 1996); the Phil Givens Negev Dinner programme book (1968); a centennial schoolbook of Harbord Collegiate Institute which Phil Givens attended (1992); and magazines with articles related to Phil Givens’ communal and political activities (1967-1990). Textual records also include invitation and birthday cards (1968-1978), a personal letter and an appreciation message to Phil, and a bulletin of Hebrew Men of England Congregation dedicated to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Rubin (1966). Graphic materials are comprised mainly of photographs ([194-?]-[199-?]), which include Phil Givens’ professional portraits; Michael Givens’ camping photographs; passport photographs of Phil, Min, and Michael Givens; photographs depicting the Givens family, various social events that Phil and Min attended, Phil’s 1968 political campaign (from the campaign scrapbook), as well as Phil and Min’s trip to Egypt, Russia, and Israel. Graphic materials also include several negatives and over 150 stereo slides featuring the Givens family and events that Phil and Min attended ([195-]1978). Accession also includes fifteen Betamax videocassettes, six passports of the Givens and Rubin families (1965-1983), a SIN card of Mary Gevertz, a scrapbook of Phil’s 1968 campaign, and two metal award and honour panels granted to Phil by the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews and the Bnei Akiva Schools of Toronto (1969 and 1991).
Administrative History
Philip Gerard Givens (1922-1995) was a municipal, provincial and federal politician, a judge, a police commissioner and an active Jewish communal leader. He is largely remembered as the 54th Mayor of Toronto. Phil Givens was born in Toronto on April 24th, 1922, the only son of Hyman and Mary Gevertz (Gewercz). As a youth, he attended Harbord Collegiate and graduated from the University of Toronto in political science and economics in 1945 and from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1949. In 1947, he married Minnie "Min" Rubin (born February 7th, 1924) and together they had two children, Eleanor and Michael. Givens graduated as a lawyer from Osgoode Hall; however, shortly thereafter he decided to enter politics, running as a municipal school board trustee in 1950. In 1951 he was elected as alderman for Ward 5, serving in this capacity until 1960, when he was subsequently elected as a city Controller. Givens was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1962. Following the sudden death of Mayor David Summerville in 1963, Givens was appointed by City Council as the Mayor of Toronto and was officially elected to the position in 1964, winning a close race against the former mayor, Allan Lamport. As mayor, Givens was automatically a member of the Metropolitan Toronto Executive and Council, the Metropolitan Toronto Police Commission, the Consumer’s Gas Company Executive, the Toronto Hydro Commission and the governing boards of Toronto’s major hospitals. Givens was publicly seen as an affable and populist mayor but his tenure was not without controversy. His support for the construction of the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts and his decision to acquire Henry Moore’s bronze sculpture “the Archer” for the new Nathan Phillips Square were both highly controversial during his term in office. In particular, the Moore sculpture sparked intense controversy and public debate amongst council members and citizens alike. Although ultimately purchased with private solicited donations, the controversy surrounding the statue’s purchase was still partly to blame for Givens’ 1966 election defeat to William Dennison. In 1967 Givens entered national politics for the second time, the first being a failed 1957 bid in Toronto’s Spadina riding, winning a seat as a Liberal in Toronto’s York West riding. In 1971 he stepped down before the end of his term to campaign for a seat in the Provincial Legislature. Again running under the Liberal banner, Givens won his seat in York-Forest Hill and after the elimination of this riding in 1975, was re-elected in the new riding of Armourdale. In 1977 he retired from politics. He also worked briefly as a current affairs commentator for local radio broadcaster CHUM 1050 AM. In 1977, Givens was appointed as a provincial court judge and chairman of the Metropolitan Toronto Police Commission, serving in both capacities until 1985, when he left the Commission but continued in the judiciary as a civil trial judge until officially retiring from public life in 1988. An ardent Zionist, Givens was also a prominent leader of several Jewish communal organizations. He was the founder and first president of the Upper Canada Lodge of B’nai Brith and sat on the executives of the Canadian Jewish Congress, the United Jewish Welfare Fund, the Talmud Torah Eitz Chaim, the Zionist Organization of Canada, the Toronto Zionist Council, Jewish National Fund, State of Israel Bonds and the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care. He was chairman of the United Israel Appeal-Israel Emergency Fund in 1967 and the United Jewish Appeal-Israel Special Fund in 1968. From 1973 to 1985 he was the national president of the Canadian Zionist Federation and in the 1990s was the national chairman of the Canadian Jewish Congress’ Committee for Yiddish. Givens was honoured by Jewish community organizations, including the Jewish National Fund’s Negev Award in 1968 and the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews’ Human Relations Award in 1969. As well, in 1972, he received the Award of Honour from the Toronto Regional Council of B’nai Brith. Givens was also known to be a passionate sailor and was a member of both the Royal Canadian and the Island Yacht Clubs in Toronto. He died on November 30th, 1995 at the age of 73.
Descriptive Notes
Physical Description Note: Apart from photographs and textual records, this accession also includes 156 stereo slides, 15 Betamax videocassettes, 1 scrapbook, 2 metal award and honour panels, 6 passports, and 1 SIN card.
The content and duration of the Betamax videocassettes need further identification.
Subjects
Families
Politicians
Name Access
Givens, Philip, 1922-1995
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Photographic and audiovisual collection series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 67; Series 27; File 553
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Photographic and audiovisual collection series
Level
File
Fonds
67
Series
27
File
553
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[Aug.?] 1981
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
File consists of one photograph of Moshe Dayan and his wife at an unidentified event.
Notes
Photo by Graphic Artists Photographers, Toronto.
Name Access
Dayan, Moshe, 1915-1981
Subjects
Politicians
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Photographic and audiovisual collection series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 67; Series 27; File 569
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Photographic and audiovisual collection series
Level
File
Fonds
67
Series
27
File
569
Material Format
graphic material
Date
Nov. 1981
Physical Description
5 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
File consists of five photographs from a UJA event with Senator Jacob Javits of New York. Identified in the photos are James Kay, Peter Newman, Senator Jacob Javitz, Lionel Schipper, Ephraim Diamond, Hy Isenbaum, Myrna Isenbaum, Gay Berger, Dr. Chas Gold, Allan Offman, Adrienne Offman, and Issy Sharp.
Notes
Photos by Graphic Artists Photographers, Toronto.
Availability of other formats: Also available as digital images.
Name Access
Javits, Jacob K. (Jacob Koppel), 1904-1986
Subjects
Politicians
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Photographic and audiovisual collection series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 67; Series 27; File 587
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Photographic and audiovisual collection series
Level
File
Fonds
67
Series
27
File
587
Material Format
graphic material
Date
28 Mar. 1982
Physical Description
38 photographs : b&w (38 negatives) ; 28 x 28 mm
Scope and Content
File consists of thrity-eight negatives from a UJA event with Yitzhak Rabin. Identified in the negatives are Allan Offman, Adrienne Offman, Izy Stern, Gerry Halbert, Jack Gwartz, and Judy Gwartz.
Notes
Photos by Graphic Artists Photographers, Toronto.
Name Access
Gwartz, Jack
Gwartz, Judy
Halbert, Gerry
Offman, Adrienne
Offman, Allan, 1938-2017
Rabin, Yitzhak, 1922-1995
Stern, Izy
Subjects
Politicians
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
John J. Glass fonds
Level
Fonds
ID
Fonds 109
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
John J. Glass fonds
Level
Fonds
Fonds
109
Material Format
multiple media
Date
1914–1974
Physical Description
71 cm of textual records and other material
Admin History/Bio
John Judah Glass was born in England on 31 October 1895 to Morris and Pearl Glass. In 1907, he immigrated to Toronto—two years after his father. In 1917, he graduated from the University of Toronto. During the First World War, he served overseas in the 58th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and was awarded the Military Medal for bravery. In 1921, Glass he earned his law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. That same year, he was called to the Ontario bar. Glass became a practicing barrister and solicitor and was a member of the Canadian Bar Association.
Glass went on to have a political career that spanned fifteen years. From 1928 to 1930, he served as trustee for the Toronto Board of Education. From 1931 to 1934, he represented the former Ward 4 as alderman in Toronto City Council. From 1934 to 1943, he represented the St. Andrew riding as Liberal MPP in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. In 1943, he left the world of active politics.
A significant portion of Glass' life was devoted to Jewish community work. For more than ten years, he was national president of the Canadian Federation of Polish Jews. He was also a member of Beth Tzedec Congregation's board of governors, a past president of the Toronto Zionist Council, a member of the Zionist Organization of Canada's national and regional executive, a founder of the Canadian Jewish Congress, a past president of Toronto B'nai Brith, and a founder and first president of the General Wingate Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. His affiliations included the Toronto Council of Christians and Jews, the Palestine Lodge, the Jewish Home for the Aged and Baycrest Hospital, the Jewish Historical Society, United Jewish Appeal, the Jewish National Fund, and State of Israel Bonds.
In addition to his involvement in various Jewish organizations, Glass was a Mason and past-president of the Scarborough Liberal Association. He died on 22 September 1973 and was survived by his wife, Anne Ethel Glass (née Horowitz), and two sons, George and Jesse.
Scope and Content
Fonds documents the life of John Judah Glass (1895-1973), including his involvement in the military, politics, and the Jewish community. The fonds is divided into three series: Artifacts, Documents, and Photographs.
Of note are those records documenting Glass' military service in the First and Second World Wars and his progression through the ranks of public service from lawyer to trustee of the Board of Education, Toronto City Council alderman, and Liberal member of the Parliament of Ontario.
Records also document Glass' participation in the unveiling of the Vimy Ridge Memorial as representative of the Government of Ontario and his role in the purchase of a historic building on Spadina Avenue for a new Zionist headquarters. (The chain of ownership of that property since 1883 is detailed in the records.)
Name Access
Glass, John Judah, 1895-1973
Subjects
Politicians
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
Some of the textual records are in poor condition and are enclosed in plastic. Panoramic photos are in fragile condition.
Creator
Glass, John Judah, 1895-1973
Places
Canada
France
Israel
United States
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Jewish Family and Child fonds
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 79; Item 25
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Jewish Family and Child fonds
Level
Item
Fonds
79
Item
25
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1953]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b & w ; 11 x 14 cm
Scope and Content
Item is a group portrait of ten individuals including Nathan Phillips (far left).
Name Access
Phillips, Nathan, 1923-
Subjects
Politicians
Portraits, Group
Access Restriction
Closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director and head of Jewish Family and Child 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
Level
Item
ID
Item 1217
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
1217
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1958
Physical Description
2 photographs : (1 negative)
Notes
See accession record.
Acquired September 9, 1975.
Name Access
Israel
Slonim, Rabbi Reuben
Phillips, Nathan, 1892-1976
Phillips, Mrs. Nathan
Weinberg, Bernard
United Jewish Appeal
Subjects
Charities
Politicians
Rabbis
Places
Israel
Accession Number
1977-1-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 2967-2968
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
2967-2968
Material Format
graphic material
Date
9 Sep. 1971
Physical Description
2 photographs
Scope and Content
For identification, see accession record.
Notes
See accession record for terms of use.
Name Access
Givens, Phil
Hadassah-Wizo
Subjects
Politicians
Women
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Accession Number
1978-1-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Dinner honouring the Toronto Jewish community file
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 37; Series 1; File 1; Item 25
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Dinner honouring the Toronto Jewish community file
Level
Item
Fonds
37
Series
1
File
1
Item
25
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1956
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 21 x 26 cm and 11 x 13 cm
Notes
Photograph by Al Gilbert.
Name Access
Phillips, Nathan, 1892-1976
Jewish National Fund
Subjects
Politicians
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 1909
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
1909
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1980
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Dr. Stephen Speisman, director of the Ontario Jewish Archives from 1973–2001, receiving the City of Toronto Book Award from Mayor John Sewell on 7 March 1980 for his book "The Jews of Toronto: A History to 1937." Dr. Speisman was executive director of Toronto Hebrew Memorial Park/Pardes Shalom Cemetery.
Name Access
Sewell, John
Speisman, Stephen A., 1943-
Subjects
Authors
Literary prizes
Politicians
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 4348
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
4348
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1957]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Name Access
Phillips, Nathan, 1892-1976
Becker, Joseph
Subjects
Politicians
Accession Number
1985-10-7
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 3598
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
3598
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1954
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w
Scope and Content
Pictured from left to right: Shammai Ogden, Dr. Joseph Klinghofer, Eleanor Roosevelt, J. Irving Oelbaum.
Notes
Arthur Kay Studios, Toronto.
Name Access
Oelbaum, J. Irving, 1899-1966
Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962
Subjects
Exhibitions
Politicians
Portraits, Group
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 631
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
631
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1975
Physical Description
2 photographs : (1 negative)
Name Access
Phillips, Nathan, 1892-1976
Subjects
Anniversaries
Charities
Politicians
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 638
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
638
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1975
Physical Description
2 photographs : (1 negative)
Name Access
Herlick, Lily
Phillips, Nathan, 1892-1976
Toronto Hebrew Free Loan
Subjects
Anniversaries
Charities
Politicians
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 4275
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
4275
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1980
Physical Description
1 photograph : col.
Name Access
Elizabeth, Queen, consort of George VI, King of Great Britain, 1900-2002
Grafstein, Goldie
Hart House
Kaplan, Robert, 1936-2012
Subjects
Grandmothers
Politicians
Queens
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Accession Number
1987-11-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Community Relations Committee series
Anti-Semitism cases sub-series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 17; Series 5-3; File 22
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Community Relations Committee series
Anti-Semitism cases sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
5-3
File
22
Material Format
textual record
Date
19 July 1968
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of one news clipping regarding comments made by George Ben, Liberal MPP for Humber.
Notes
Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
Subjects
Politicians
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Photographic and audiovisual collection series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 67; Series 27; File 34
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Photographic and audiovisual collection series
Level
File
Fonds
67
Series
27
File
34
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1969
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w ; 15 x 23 cm and 13 x 18 cm
Scope and Content
File consists of two photographs of the 1969 UJA Women's Campaign Mission to Ottawa.
The first photo depicts members of the campaign on the steps of at Parliament Hill. Identified in the photo are Phil Givens, Sally Libman, Annette Naiman, Frances Seligman, Mirial Small, Inez Solish, and Marvelle Koffler.
The second photo is a group photo at an event; identified in the photo are Phil Givens, MP; Mitchell Sharp; Beatrice Minden (standing); Florence Cooper; and Barney Danson, MP (sitting).
Name Access
Danson, Barney
Givens, Philip, 1922-1995
Subjects
Politicians
Places
Ottawa (Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Photographic and audiovisual collection series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 67; Series 27; File 46
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Photographic and audiovisual collection series
Level
File
Fonds
67
Series
27
File
46
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1977
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
File consists of two photographs from a UJA meeting led by Garth Drabinsky. In the first photo, Al Waxman is visible (seated). Identified on the back of the second photo are (L to R) John Roberts, MP; Allan Offman; and Garth Drabinsky.
Notes
Photo by Graphic Artists Photographers, Toronto.
Name Access
Drabinsky, Garth
Offman, Allan, 1938-2017
Roberts, John, 1933-2007
Waxman, Al
Subjects
Meetings
Politicians
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Philip Givens fonds
City of Toronto Mayor series
Official engagements sub-series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 51; Series 4-6; File 51
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Philip Givens fonds
City of Toronto Mayor series
Official engagements sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
51
Series
4-6
File
51
Material Format
graphic material
Date
15 Oct. 1965
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
File consists of two photographs of Mayor Phil Givens welcoming the Korean Orphan's Choir and leading the singing of "Oh Canada" at City Hall.
Notes
Photographs are by the Toronto Fire Department.
Subjects
Choirs (Music)
Orphans
Politicians
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Philip Givens fonds
Jewish communal series
B'nai B'rith sub-series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 51; Series 9-1; File 12
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Philip Givens fonds
Jewish communal series
B'nai B'rith sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
51
Series
9-1
File
12
Material Format
graphic material
Date
Nov. 1973
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 25 cm
Scope and Content
File consists of one photograph of Phil Givens meeting with Prime Minister Rabin and other officials at a B'nai Brith event. Identified in the photograph are (left to right): Phil Givens, Shmul Avnat (Israel consul), and Yitzhak Rabin.
Notes
Photograph is by Leo Hausman of The Studio (1720 Avenue Rd. Toronto)
Name Access
Hausman, Leo, 1912-1982
Israel. Prime Minister (1974-1977 : Rabin)
Subjects
Politicians
Prime ministers--Israel
Repro Restriction
Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Joseph Baruch Salsberg fonds
Level
Fonds
ID
Fonds 92
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Joseph Baruch Salsberg fonds
Level
Fonds
Fonds
92
Material Format
multiple media
Date
1914-1993
Physical Description
1.2 m of textual records (2 v.) and other material
Admin History/Bio
Joseph Baruch Salsberg (1902-1998) was a labour leader, political activist, politician, insurance salesman, and journalist. He was also active in various Jewish organizations, including the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC), the Jewish Federation of Greater Toronto, and the New Fraternal Jewish Association. He is well-remembered by contemporaries, such as Sam Lipshitz, as a “champion of the people," committed to social justice, the plight of the working class, and the preservation of Jewish culture.
J. B. was born in Lagow, Poland on November 5, 1902 to Abraham and Sarah-Gittel Salsberg. Abraham immigrated to Toronto in 1910 and J. B. followed with his mother and two younger sisters in 1913. They settled at 73 Cecil Street. Abraham and Sarah-Gittel had additional children in Canada: Nathan (b. 1915), Reuven (Bob or Robert, b. 1917), Betty, and Thelma. Abraham worked as a peddler in Toronto.
J. B. briefly attended Landsdowne Public School, but dropped out around 1916, against his parents' wishes, and took a job in a leather goods factory to contribute to his family’s income. J. B.’s parents had hoped he would become a rabbi and, despite his full-time employment, J.B. continued to study Torah with scholars at the synagogue on Centre Avenue.
In 1917, J. B. decided to pursue the ideas of Zionism and socialism and, abandoning his plans to become a rabbi, became involved in establishing the Young Poale Zion organization, a Labour Zionist youth group dedicated to secular aims. Around 1922, J. B. was made secretary general of the Young Poale Zion of America in New York, where he worked for one year. Shortly after returning to Toronto, he became the organizer for the Hat, Cap, and Millinery Workers Union of North America in Chicago. J. B. married Dora Wilensky in 1927.
In 1926, J. B. joined the Communist Party of Canada (CPC). He was an active member of the CPC for 30 years, serving as the head of its Trade Union Department for two decades. In 1929 he was suspended from the party for one year as a dissenter. In 1932, he became the Southern Ontario District union organizer for the Communist Workers' Unity League.
It was as a member of the CPC that J. B. entered electoral politics. After a series of failed bids in municipal and provincial elections between 1935 and 1937, J. B. was elected alderman of Ward 4 in Toronto in 1938. He only held the position for one year. He was re-elected to this position in 1943, beating out Nathan Phillips, before being elected to the Ontario Legislature as the representative for the St. Andrew riding. J. B. sat as member of provincial parliament for the Labor-Progressive Party (the provincial wing of the CPC) for 12 years. For several years, he was the only elected Communist in North America. As MPP, he helped create legislation banning discrimination in public places and introduced a bill that would ensure fair employment practices in the province. He lost his seat to Allan Grossman in 1955 and unsuccessfully ran in the federal election later that year. Remembered by journalist Gordon Sinclair as “one of the best debaters in the house," J. B. was well-respected by members of all political parties. Out of admiration for J. B., Conservative Premier Leslie Frost named Salsberg Township in Northern Ontario in his honour.
Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, J. B. had grown increasingly concerned about reports of Soviet antisemitism and privately urged party leaders to pursue the issue. In 1956, when Soviet First Secretary Nikita Khrushchev exposed the transgressions of Stalin’s regime, J. B. went to Moscow as part of a CPC delegation. After meeting with Khrushchev himself, it became clear to J. B. that antisemitism was indeed a problem in the USSR and that his efforts to probe the situation were being stonewalled.
J. B. publicly expressed his concerns about Soviet antisemitism in a series of articles published in the Vochenblatt from October 25, 1956 to December 13, 1956. He finally left the Communist Party in 1957. However, he remained a member of the United Jewish People’s Order (UJPO), a Communist Jewish fraternal organization.
Entering the business world, J. B. established the Model Insurance Agency Limited in 1957, where he served as president for several years. In 1959 J. B.’s wife, Dora, passed away. Around this time J. B. also resigned from the UJPO, along with other members who felt the organization needed to be more critical of the Soviet Union. They founded an alternative, non-Communist, left-wing Jewish organization, the New Fraternal Jewish Association, where J. B. served as president for several terms and edited its publication, Fraternally Yours.
In his later life, J. B. was active as an executive member of organizations, such as the CJC and the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care. He was the first chairman for the CJC Ontario Region’s Soviet Jewry Committee and the Committee for Yiddish. He also began writing an award-winning weekly column for the Canadian Jewish News. J. B. was awarded the CJC’s Samuel Bronfman Medal for distinguished service, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Toronto’s Ben Sadowski Award of Merit. A strong supporter of Israel, he was involved in the creation of two Israeli medical centres that are named in his honour. He also helped establish the J. B. and Dora Salsberg Fund and the J. B. Salsberg Fund for Yiddish at the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto. J. B. passed away in 1998.
Custodial History
The records were donated to the OJA in a series of accessions. Material from accessions 1991-5-4 and 1992-9-4 were donated by J. B. Salsberg. The remaining material was donated by his estate after his death.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of records documenting J. B. Salsberg's personal, professional and Jewish communal activities. The bulk of the records are textual and relate to his membership in the CPC (later LPP), election campaigns, and Jewish communal work. Included is correspondence; photographs; reports; political writings; certificates; agendas; pamphlets; brochures; booklets; flyers; campaign literature; campaign notes; posters; newspaper clippings; press releases; articles; transcripts; speeches; telegrams; political platforms, briefs and submissions; statements; constitutions; resolutions; newspapers; meeting minutes; bulletins; periodicals; notebooks; notes; course guides and outlines; medallions; pins; plaques; donation receipts; event invitations and programmes; lists; blank employment applications; a school test; a study; a coin; a drawing; a sketch; an audio cassette; and a delegate card.
Records are arranged into the following five series: 1. Personal ; 2. Labour Zionism and union activities ; 3. Political career ; and, 4. Jewish community involvement. There are also four files and one item attached directly to the fonds.
Notes
Physical Description Note: Includes 53 photographs, 7 medallions, 11 pins, 4 posters, 2 plaques, 1 sketch, 1 drawing, 1 audio cassette, 1 desk name plate, and 1 coin.
Physical Extent Note: Fonds was reduced from approximately 7 metres to 1.5 metres. The culled material consisted primarily of published books, periodicals and pamphlets that had been collected by J. B. Salsberg. For further details about what was culled please view the accession records.
Associated Material Note: Queen's University Archive also has a J. B. Salsberg fonds, 14 hours of interview tapes with J. B. Salsberg and records of the UJPO are held by the Multicultural Historical Society of Ontario (MHSO).
Name Access
Salsberg, J. B.,1902-1998
Subjects
Labor leaders
Politicians
Related Material
For additional records in OJA's holdings, see: Ben Kayfetz fonds 62, series 8, file 2 ; accession 2008-11-2 ; accession 2004-1-4 ; and oral histories AC 71 and AC 226.
Creator
Salsberg, Joseph Baruch, 1902-1998
Accession Number
1991-5-4
1992-9-4
1998-2-2
1998-12-5
2004-5-28
2010-4-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Philip Givens fonds
Level
Fonds
ID
Fonds 51
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Philip Givens fonds
Level
Fonds
Fonds
51
Material Format
multiple media
Date
[192-]-1990
Physical Description
1.35 metres of textual records (20 vols.) and other material
Admin History/Bio
Philip (Phil) Gerald Givens, QC, (1922–1995) was a Canadian politician, judge, police commissioner, and active Jewish communal leader. He is is largely remembered as the fifty-fourth mayor of Toronto.
Phil Givens was born in Toronto, the only son of Hyman and Mary Gevertz (Gewercz). As a youth, he attended Harbord Collegiate and graduated from the University of Toronto in political science and economics in 1945. In 1947, he married the former Minnie “Min” Rubin. They had two children together: Eleanor and Michael.
Givens graduated as a lawyer from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1949; however, shortly thereafter, he decided to enter politics, running as a municipal school board trustee in 1950. In 1951, he was elected as alderman for Ward 5, serving in this capacity until 1960, when he was subsequently elected as a controller.
Givens was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1962.
Following the sudden death of Mayor David Summerville in 1963, Givens was appointed by City Council as the mayor of Toronto and was officially elected to the position in 1964, winning a close race against Allan Lamport. As mayor, Givens was automatically a member of the Metropolitan Toronto Executive and Council, the Metropolitan Toronto Police Commission, the Consumer’s Gas Company Executive, the Toronto Hydro Commission and the governing boards of Toronto’s major hospitals.
Givens was publicly seen as an affable and populist mayor, but his tenure was not without controversy. His support for the construction of the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts and his decision to acquire Henry Moore’s bronze sculpture The Archer for the new Nathan Phillips Square were both highly controversial during his term in office. In particular, the Moore sculpture sparked intense controversy and public debate amongst council members and citizens alike, because traditional and representational public art pieces were the norm in Toronto at the time and The Archer sculpture was considered expensive, bold, and unrelatable. The controversy surrounding the statue’s purchase was still partly to blame for Givens’ 1966 election defeat to William Dennison. Ultimately, the sculpture was purchased with privately solicited donations and has become one of Toronto’s beloved and recognized landmarks.
Givens ran for the House of Commons of Canada in the 1957 and 1958 federal elections but was defeated in his bid to become member of Parliament for Spadina. In 1967, Givens entered national politics for the second time, winning a seat as a Liberal in Toronto’s York West riding. In 1971, he stepped down before the end of his term to campaign for a seat in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Again, running under the Liberal banner, Givens won his seat in York-Forest Hill. In the 1975 provincial election, he was re-elected as a member of Provincial Parliament in the Armourdale constituency.
In 1977, Givens retired from politics and was appointed as a provincial court judge and chair of the Metropolitan Toronto Police Commission, serving in both capacities until 1985, when he left the Commission but continued in the judiciary as a civil trial judge until officially retired from public life in 1988.
In addition to his political career, Givens also worked briefly as a current affairs commentator for local radio broadcaster CHUM 1050 AM.
Givens was an ardent Zionist and a prominent leader of several Jewish communal organizations. He was the founder and first president of the Upper Canada Lodge of B’nai Brith and sat on the executives of the Canadian Jewish Congress, the United Jewish Welfare Fund, the Talmud Torah Eitz Chaim, the Zionist Organization of Canada, the Toronto Zionist Council, Jewish National Fund, State of Israel Bonds, and the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care. He was chair of the United Israel Appeal-Israel Emergency Fund in 1967 and the United Jewish Appeal-Israel Special Fund in 1968. From 1973 to 1985, he was the national president of the Canadian Zionist Federation. In the 1990s, he served as the national chairman of the Committee for Yiddish of the Canadian Jewish Congress.
Givens was the honouree of the Jewish National Fund’s Negev Dinner in 1968. He received the Human Relations Award from the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews in 1969 and the Award of Honour from the Toronto Regional Council of B’nai Brith in 1972.
Givens was also known to be a passionate sailor and was a member of both the Royal Canadian and the Island Yacht Clubs in Toronto.
Custodial History
The records were in the possession of Phil Givens until they were donated to the Archives in September 1990 by his wife.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of records documenting the personal, professional and communal activities of Phil Givens. The bulk of the material is graphic and most of the photographs relate to his tenure as Mayor of Toronto and to his Jewish communal work. The records also include general correspondence, speeches, campaign material, scrapbooks, cartoons, certificates and awards, biographical writings, audio and visual materials and artifacts. The records have been arranged into nine series representing Givens’ various roles and activities and have been described to the file level and item level when necessary. These series are: 1. Personal life; 2. City of Toronto Alderman; 3. City of Toronto Controller; 4. City of Toronto Mayor; 5. Metropolitan Toronto Police Commissioner; 6. Provincial politics; 7. National politics; 8. Legal career; 9. Jewish communal service.
Notes
Physical Description Note: Includes ca. 915 photographs, 14 drawings, 1 print, 1 presentation piece, 27 objects, 4 DVD’s, 4 videocassettes and 1 audiocassette.
Physical Extent Note: Fonds was reduced from 5.5 m of records to 2.6 m of records. Please see accession record for further details regarding the records that were culled.
General Note: Previously cited as MG6 B
Associated material note: City of Toronto Archives: “Philip Givens fonds” (fonds 1301) and Series 363, Sub-series 2 “Mayor' Office journals” (fonds 200). Library and Archives Canada: “Correspondence and subjects” series (R4942-1-1-E) in the Stuart E. Rosenberg fonds (R4942-0-X-E); Henry S. Rosenberg fonds (R3946-0-9-E); Jewish National Fund of Canada fonds (R4347-0-1-E), “Subject series: Givens, Judge Philip G. – Toronto” (R4347-7-4-E); “Correspondence, memoranda, minutes, reports” series (MG31-H67), Zdzislaw Przygoda fonds (R6257-0-0-E) [Sir Casimir Gzowski monument committee records –chaired by Phil Givens]; B'nai Brith Canada fonds (R6348-0-9-E); Canadian Zionist Federation fonds (R9377-0-6-E).
Name Access
Givens, Phillip, 1922-1995
Givens (nee Rubin), Min
Subjects
Law
Politicians
Related Material
See Fonds 2: Benjamin Dunkelman fonds
See Fonds 18: Gordon Mendly fonds
See Fonds 28: Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
See Fonds 37: Gilbert Studios fonds (Negev dinners series, Zionist Building series, Portraits series).
Creator
Givens, Philip, 1922-1995
Accession Number
1990-9-7
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Philip Givens fonds
City of Toronto Mayor series
Level
Series
ID
Fonds 51; Series 4
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Philip Givens fonds
City of Toronto Mayor series
Level
Series
Fonds
51
Series
4
Material Format
multiple media
Date
1963-1990
Physical Description
ca. 360 photographs : b&w, sepia toned, and col (99 contact sheet, 2 slides) ; 34 x 26 cm or smaller and other material
Scope and Content
Series consists of records documenting Phil Givens’ work as Mayor of Toronto from 1963 until 1966. The bulk of the records are photographs featuring Mayor Givens at various city and community events; of note are images of Givens meeting with Robert Kennedy, Israeli President Zalmon Shazar, Sam Shopsowitz, and Pope Paul VI. Also included is general correspondence, speeches, election campaign materials, cartoons, certificates, artifacts, textual records related to the acquisition of the Henry Moore sculpture, a VHS cassette of Givens discussing the building of the New City Hall and an audiocassette documenting a council trip to Montreal in 1966. In addition, there is a small number of photographs which document events that occurred outside the dates of his time in office, but which relate to his role as mayor.
The series has been arranged into nine sub-series: 4-1. Campaign; 4-2. City of Toronto Council; 4-3. Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto Council; 4-4. City of Toronto Board of Control; 4-5. Henry Moore Sculpture and artwork; 4-6. Official engagements; 4-7. Certificates and Awards; 4-8. Portraits and publicity; and 4-9. Political cartoons.
Notes
Includes 7.8 cm of textual records, 14 drawings, 1 DVD, 1 videocassette, 1 audiocassette, and 8 objects.
Photographers and photography studios are identified on the photographs.
Subjects
Politicians
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Committee for Soviet Jewry series
Protest activities sub-series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 17; Series 3-5; File 144; Item 1-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Committee for Soviet Jewry series
Protest activities sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
3-5
File
144
Item
1-2
Material Format
graphic material
Date
Aug. 1987
Physical Description
22 photographs : b&w ; 13 x 18 cm or smaller
Scope and Content
File contains photographs of Anatoly Scharansky meeting with dignitaries and speaking in Ottawa. Included is a meeting with Joe Clark, the then secretary of state for external affairs, and one with Senator David Croll.
Notes
Photographs by Ben Lechtman.
Name Access
Clark, Joe, 1939-
Croll, David, 1900-1991
Subjects
Politicians
Repro Restriction
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Places
Ottawa (Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Al Gilbert portraits series
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 37; Series 4; Item 52
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Al Gilbert portraits series
Level
Item
Fonds
37
Series
4
Item
52
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[197-?]
Physical Description
1 negative : b&w ; 18 x 13 cm
Admin History/Bio
Joe B. Salsberg was born in Lagov, Poland and emigrated to Canada in 1913 at the age of 11. His parents names were Sarah and Abraham. He initially studied to become a rabbi, but at the age of 13 was forced by economic circumstances to begin working the sweatshops. These experiences lead him to a life of activism, fighting to improve the wages and working conditions for labourers. Salsberg married Dora Wilensky.
He joined the Zionist worker's group and in 1926 the Communist Party of Canada. He worked as a Labour Zionist executive, a union organizer, Communist Party union strategist, journalist, activist and was president of Model Insurance Agency Limited. He was also a Toronto Alderman in 1938 and again in 1943 and was voted into parliament as an M.P.P. representative of the Labour Progressive Party in 1943-1955. He was actively involved in introducing the Ontario Human Rights Code in reaction to a decision to disallow Jews and blacks into certain pools as well as other anti-Semitic behavior in Ontario.
After visiting Russia on two occasions to study and discuss with Russian leaders the Jewish problems in Russia, Salsberg renounced Stalin and his own participation in Communism.
Scope and Content
Photograph of Joseph B. Salsberg taken by Al Gilbert.
Name Access
Salsberg, J. B.,1902-1998
Subjects
Politicians
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.
Related Material
See also Joe Salsberg fonds: Accession # 1998-2-2, 1998-12-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Jewish community events series
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 37; Series 7; Item 1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Jewish community events series
Level
Item
Fonds
37
Series
7
Item
1
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1955]
Physical Description
1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Carl Keyfetz addressing City Council with Mayor Nathan Phillips seated at the head of the table.
Carl was born in 1907 to Leah and Mark Keyfetz who was a Toronto Jewish pioneer arriving in 1887.
Carl Keyfetz was co-founder of the 59th Toronto Troup in 1921, the 1st Jewish Boy Scout Troup in Ontario. He was the superintendent at the McCaul Street Synagogue and first principal at the St. Clair Avenue Synagogue. President of the Toronto Lodge, B'nai B'rith in 1939, he also founded Guelph Lodge in 1941 and Empire Lodge in 1946.
He was extremely involved in the Toronto Jewish community and sat on numerous committees and boards.
Name Access
City Council
Keyfetz, Carl
Phillips, Nathan, 1892-1976
Subjects
Politicians
Speeches, addresses, etc
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Dinner honouring Nathan Silver file
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 37; Series 1; File 3; Item 31
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Dinner honouring Nathan Silver file
Level
Item
Fonds
37
Series
1
File
3
Item
31
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1967
Physical Description
1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm
Name Access
Phillips, Nathan, 1892-1976
Subjects
Politicians
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Al Gilbert portraits series
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 37; Series 4; Item 27
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Al Gilbert portraits series
Level
Item
Fonds
37
Series
4
Item
27
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1965]
Physical Description
1 negative : b&w ; 18 x 13 cm
Admin History/Bio
Philip G. Givens, the son of Hyman and Mary Gevertz [Givens], was born in Toronto in 1922. He graduated from the University of Toronto in Political Science and Economics in 1945 and from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1949. He practiced law at Pivnick, Givens, and Chusid. Philip Givens was married to Minnie Rubin and they had two children named Eleanor and Michael.
Givens was first elected in 1951 as Alderman for Ward 5 in Toronto, serving in that capacity until he ran for Controller in 1960 and won. He was Controller until 1963, when he was appointed Mayor. He was re-elected Mayor in 1964, but was defeated in 1966.
In 1968, he was elected as a Liberal Member of Parliament for York West, and in 1971, he was elected to the Ontario Provincial Legislature for the riding of York Forest Hill.
In 1977, Phil Givens was appointed Provincial Court Judge and Chairman of the Metropolitan Toronto Police Commission. He served as Chairman until 1985, when he was appointed trial judge in the Civil Division. He retired from the judiciary in 1988.
Philip Givens was active in Jewish communal life. He held offices in many organizations, including the Canadian Jewish Congress, the United Jewish Welfare Fund, B'nai B'rith, the Zionist Organization of Canada, the Talmud Torah Eitz Chaim and Baycrest Centre.
He was also the founder and first president of the Upper Canada Lodge of B'nai B'rith. He was general chairman of the United Israel Appeal -Israel Emergency Fund in 1967 and the United Jewish Appeal -Israel Special Fund in 1968. From 1973 to 1985 he was national chairman for the Canadian Zionist Federation.
Philip Givens was the recipient of the Negev dinner award from the Jewish National Fund in 1968, the Human Relations Award of the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews in 1969, and the Award of Honour from B'nai B'rith and the State of Israel Bonds in 1972.
Scope and Content
Item consists of a studio portrait of Philip Givens.
Name Access
Givens, Philip, 1922-1995
Subjects
Judges
Mayors--Canada
Politicians
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.
Related Material
See also Accession #1990-9-7
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Dorothy Dworkin fonds
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 10; Item 31
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Dorothy Dworkin fonds
Level
Item
Fonds
10
Item
31
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[194-?]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
Left to right: unidentified, Phil Givens, Dora Dworkin.
Notes
Stamp from A. Gilbert Studio on verso.
Subjects
Politicians
Repro Restriction
Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Accession Number
2005-4-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Accession Number
2022-7-6
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2022-7-6
Material Format
textual record
graphic material
object
Physical Description
ca. 8 cm of textual records
25 photographs : b&w and col. ; 21 x 26 cm or smaller
1 medal : bronze
Date
1922-1997
Scope and Content
Accession consists of textual records, photographs, and a bronze Shekel Medal for Israel’s twenty-fifth anniversary, most of which document Pearl Freedhoff and her Jewish communal and public service activities.
Textual records include public speeches, handwritten notes and short writing pieces, invitation and greeting cards, correspondence, materials relating to the sisterhoods of Beth Tzedec and Goel Tzedec synagogues, Pearl’s 1940 National Registration certificate, materials documenting the Ontario Bicentennial Award and dinner, and the 1981 royal tour of Canada, newspaper clippings relating to Pearl’s Jewish communal and public service activities, and an advertisement that Pearl made for Lido Spa. Also included are newsletters, magazines, and bulletins, which document Pearl’s experience in wedding consultation and her active involvement in Toronto Hadassah-WIZO and the Women’s Auxiliary of the Jewish Home for the Aged; and travel itineraries and promotional materials for Israel and the Orient trips, which were issued by Toronto Hadassah-WIZO, B’nai Brith, and travel agencies they were in co-operation with. Textual records also include a small number of bulletins and magazines as well as a twenty-fifth anniversary book of Baycrest men’s service group, which document the accomplishments of Pearl’s husband, Dr. Samuel Freedhoff.
Photographs feature the Goel Tzedec Sisterhood, trips to Israel organized by Toronto Hadassah-WIZO, the wedding of Linda Greene (Lorne Greene’s daughter), and various social and political events that Pearl attended.
Accession also includes a bronze Shekel Medal for Israel’s twenty-fifth anniversary. It was presented to Pearl to commemorate her inscription as a governor of the Haifa Community College.
Custodial History
Records were in the possession of Judith Golden, Pearl's daughter, until being gifted to the Ontario Jewish Archives on 14 July 2022.
Administrative History
Pearl Freedhoff (née Narrol) (1906-1997) was born on 17 September 1906 in Toronto to Harry Narrol and Esther Narrol (née Newman). She had four siblings: Albert, Gertie, Hilda (m. Spivak), and Mendell (died as infant). Pearl married Dr. Samuel Osias Freedhoff (1903–1973) in 1927 and had two children: Stephen and Judith. Samuel was the son of Harry Freedhoff and Molli Freedhoff (née Bohnen). Pearl graduated from the University of Toronto, School of Social Work, and Samuel graduated from the School of Dentistry. Both were members of Goel Tzedec Synagogue, with Pearl serving as sisterhood president from 1949 to 1950 and Samuel as president of the men's club in 1952.
Pearl was an active member of the Jewish community and served on executives and boards in many Jewish communal organizations, including the Canadian Hadassah-WIZO Toronto Centre, the sisterhoods of Goel Tzedec and Beth Tzedec Synagogues, and the Women’s Auxiliary of the Jewish Home for the Aged. She had a political interest in the Progressive Conservative Party and was active in federal and provincial politics; she served on the boards of the Victorian Order of Nurses and Ontario Housing Commission and was included in special dinners such as dinners for the royal family. In addition, she had an outstanding reputation as a bridal and bar-mitzvah counsellor for over thirty years. In 1984, she was awarded the Ontario Bicentennial Medal in honour of her contributions to the community at large.
Pearl passed away on 18 December 1997.
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
Politicians
Name Access
Freedhoff, Pearl, 1906-1997
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
Publicity photographs of people and events series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 28; Series 6; File 73
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
Publicity photographs of people and events series
Level
File
Fonds
28
Series
6
File
73
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[196-?]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w ; 9 x 12 cm
Scope and Content
The file consists of photographs of Allan Grossman.
Name Access
Grossman, Allan, 1910-1991
Subjects
Politicians
Source
Archival Descriptions