Accession Number
2004-5-53
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2004-5-53
Material Format
graphic material
Physical Description
46 photographs : b&w (26 negatives) ; 9 x 13 cm and 35 mm
Date
1986
Scope and Content
This accession consists of interior and exterior photographs of United Bakers Dairy Restaurant on Spadina Avenue before the move to Lawrence Plaza; Anshe Minsk Synagogue; and Rotman's Shoe Store, Spadina Avenue.
Custodial History
Donated by Cyrel Troster.
Use Conditions
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the Archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Subjects
Restaurants
Stores, Retail
Synagogues
Name Access
Anshei Minsk Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)
United Bakers Dairy Restaurant
Places
Spadina Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1979-9-16
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1979-9-16
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Date
1975
Scope and Content
Accession consists of textual records relating to a "Teach-In on Israel" held at the university on 22 January 1975. There is also an announcement of a meeting of the Revolutionary Marxist Group at York.
MG_RG
MG2 P1d
Subjects
Education
Children
Politics and government
Name Access
Jewish Student Federation (York University)
Source
Archival Accessions
Part Of
Sadie Stren fonds
Photographs file
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 78; File 3; Item 12
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Sadie Stren fonds
Photographs file
Level
Item
Fonds
78
File
3
Item
12
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1907]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 18 x 13 cm and 12 x 10 cm
Scope and Content
This item is a copy print and corresponding negative of the interior of Louis Henkle's store on Market Street in Brantford, Ontario. The photo shows several chairs, carpets, cushions and clothing for sale. There is a man, possibly Louis Henkle, pictured at the back of the store.
Name Access
Henkle, Louis
Subjects
Stores, Retail
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Accession Number
1978-11-3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Sadie Stren fonds
Photographs file
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 78; File 3; Item 20
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Sadie Stren fonds
Photographs file
Level
Item
Fonds
78
File
3
Item
20
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1917
Physical Description
1 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 18 x 13 cm and 12 x 10 cm
Scope and Content
This item is a copy print of Sam Nyman (behind counter) and Ben Foster (at the back) inside Nyman's store on Market Street in Brantford, Ontario.
Name Access
Foster, Ben
Nyman, Sam
Subjects
Stores, Retail
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Accession Number
1978-11-3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1910]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 17 x 24 cm and 10 x 12 cm
Scope and Content
Identified from left to right are: Geshia & Joseph Abramsky and daughter Katherine.
Notes
Original photograph by J. W. Wilson Co., 169 Queen St. W, Toronto
Photograph is a copy.
Name Access
Abramsky, Geshia
Abramsky, Joseph
Abramsky, Katherine
Subjects
Families
Portraits, Group
Stores, Retail
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Places
Kingston (Ont.)
Accession Number
1982-7-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1950]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 18 x 13 cm and 12 x 10 cm
Scope and Content
This item is a copy print and corresponding negative of a group of men in front of a store located at 1043 3rd Avenue East in Owen Sound, Ontario. Pictured left to right are: Jack Salter, Frank [?], Ezekiel Cadesky, Norman [?], Philipp [?], and Rabbi Klein.
Subjects
Portraits, Group
Rabbis
Stores, Retail
Places
Owen Sound (Ont.)
Accession Number
1978-7-19
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 3374
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
3374
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[194-]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 11 x 12 cm and 12 x 10 cm
Scope and Content
This item is a copy print and corresponding negative of the interior of a confectionery store in Sudbury, Ontario. There is a man standing behind the counter.
Subjects
Stores, Retail
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
Sudbury (Ont.)
Accession Number
1982-10-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 876
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
876
Material Format
graphic material
Responsibility
Duke Studio
Date
1976
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 14 cm
Scope and Content
This item is an original print of the Strand Theatre in Kirkland Lake, which was built in the 1920s by the Kaplan brothers with the help of Harry Oakes.
Name Access
Kaplan
Oakes, Harry
Strand Theatre (Kirkland Lake, Ont.)
Subjects
Theaters
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
Kirkland Lake (Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 885
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
885
Material Format
graphic material
Responsibility
Duke Studios
Date
1976
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 13 cm
Scope and Content
This item is an original print of the building that once housed the Atkins brothers' grocery business on Second Street in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. The business was begun in the 1930s by Ben, Al, and Harry Atkins.
Name Access
Atkins, Ben
Atkins, Al
Atkins, Harry
Subjects
Stores, Retail
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
Kirkland Lake (Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 893
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
893
Material Format
graphic material
Responsibility
Duke Studios
Date
1976
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 13 cm
Scope and Content
This item is an original print of the former Uptown Theatre, built by the Kaplan brothers in the 1930s and then converted to use as Children's Aid offices and apartments.
Name Access
Kaplan
Uptown Theatre (Kirkland Lake, Ont.)
Subjects
Architecture
Theaters
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
Kirkland Lake (Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 4048
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
4048
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1909
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 21 x 26 cm and 10 x 12 cm
Scope and Content
This item is a copy print and corresponding negative of the Ginsberg grocery store interior, located at Clarence and Horton Streets in London, Ontario. Pictured from left to right are: Rose Ginsberg, William Ginsberg (in apron), Nathan Freidkin, Bary Hyman Ginsberg (son of Rose and William), Dave Ginsberg, Joseph Levine.
Name Access
Freidkin, Nathan
Ginsberg, Bary Hyman
Ginsberg, Dave
Ginsberg, Rose
Ginsberg, William
Levine, Joseph
Subjects
Stores, Retail
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
London (Ont.)
Accession Number
1986-8-3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 3256
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
3256
Material Format
graphic material
Date
15 May 1947
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 7 x 12 cm and 10 x 12 cm
Scope and Content
This item is an original print and copy negative of Louis and Jenny Fingold standing with their daughter in front of their Elmwood Theatre in London, Ontario.
Name Access
Elmwood Theatre (London, Ont.)
Fingold, Jenny
Fingold, Louis
Subjects
Families
Theaters
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
London (Ont.)
Accession Number
1982-6-4
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 3257
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
3257
Material Format
graphic material
Date
15 May 1947
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 8 x 7 cm and 10 x 12 cm
Scope and Content
This item is an original print and copy negative of Louis and Jenny Fingold, and their daughter, standing in front of their Elmwood Theatre in London, Ontario.
Name Access
Elwood Theatre (London, Ont.)
Fingold, Jenny
Fingold, Louis
Subjects
Families
Theaters
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
London (Ont.)
Accession Number
1982-6-4
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 3260
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
3260
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[1948?]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 9 x 7 cm and 12 x 10 cm
Scope and Content
This item is an original print and copy negative of Esther Fingold holding her son, Douglas, in front of the Capitol Theatre in Meaford, Ontario.
Name Access
Capitol Theatre (Meaford, Ont.)
Fingold, Douglas
Fingold, Esther
Subjects
Mothers and sons
Theaters
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
Meaford (Ont.)
Accession Number
1982-6-4
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 3261
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
3261
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[1950?]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 8 x 5 cm and 12 x 10 cm
Scope and Content
This item is an original print and copy negative of Philip Fingold holding with his son, Douglas, in front of the Capitol Theatre in Meaford, Ontario.
Name Access
Capitol Theatre (Meaford, Ont.)
Fingold, Douglas
Fingold, Philip
Subjects
Fathers and sons
Theaters
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
Meaford (Ont.)
Accession Number
1982-6-4
Source
Archival Descriptions
Accession Number
2015-9-23
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2015-9-23
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Date
[194-]
Scope and Content
Accession consists of a bound document entitled 'This Is Our Faith'. The subtitle is 'The Religion of the Jews' and it appears to have been presented at a seminar of religions, under the auspices of Community Programs Branch, Department of Education, Province of Ontario.
Custodial History
There is no information on the acquisition of this material.
Subjects
Religion
Politics and government
Name Access
Cohen, Julius
Places
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
2017-2-12
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2017-2-12
Material Format
multiple media
Physical Description
45 cm of textual records and other material
230 photographs : sepia and b&w ; 23 x 30 cm and smaller
8 sound recordings (50 wav files; 1 microcassette)
1 artifact
Date
1937-2004
Scope and Content
Accession consists of textual records, photographs and audio recordings documenting the lives of Dick Steele, his wife Esther, and friend Bill Walsh. The materials are mostly correspondences between Dick and Esther during his internment at the Don Jail and Ontario Reformatory in Guelph, and from Dick and Bill's military service overseas during the Second World War. They also include correspondences between Esther and Bill, Bill and Anne Walsh, "Jack" and Esther, and other family and friends. Some of the letters show evidence of being censored. There are news clippings in English and Yiddish about the family from various newspapers including the Canadian Tribune (a Communist Party paper). There is a letter Esther wrote to campaign for Dick's release from internment, part of women's activism in this period. There is also a photocopy of a memoir written by Moses Kosowatsky and Moses Wolofsky "From the Land of Despair to the Land of Promise" ca. 1930s.
The photographs include Dick and Bill in the army during the Second World War, a signed picture of Tim Buck addressed to Esther and the twins and a photo of Dick delivering a speech related to the Steel Workers. Also included is a recording of edited sound clips of Bill and Esther talking about Dick, Esther speaking about the letters, (how she received letters and flowers from Dick after he had already been killed), Bill reading a letter Dick wrote to Esther that he left with friends in England to send her in the case that he was killed (which he was), recordings of "Bill Walsh Oral history" Vols.1 and 2 compiled by Leib Wolofsky's (Bill's nephew), and 5 audio recordings by Adrianna Steele-Card with her grandparents Bill and Esther. There is also a microcassette labelled "Joe Levitt."
The accession also includes the stripe of a German corporal that Bill captured as a prisoner, peace stamps and an early copy of Cy Gonick's A Very Red Life: The Story of Bill Walsh, edited by Bill.
Administrative History
Richard "Dick" Kennilworth Steele is the name adopted by Moses Kosowatsky. He was born in 1909 in Montreal to Samuel Kosowatsky and Fanny Held. He lived in a laneway off Clark Street, below Sherbrooke, where his father collected and recycled bottles. He grew up with his siblings, Joseph, Mortimer, Matthew, Gertrude, and Edward.
Bill Walsh (birth name Moishe Wolofsky) was born in 1910, to Sarah and Herschel Wolofsky, the editor of the Keneder Adler (Montreal's prominent Yiddish newspaper). He attended Baron Byng and then Commercial High School, where he met Dick Steele. Bill recalled that Dick denounced militarism in the school when a teacher tried to recruit students to be cadets.
Bill moved to New York City in 1927. His brother, who was living there, helped him get a job as a messenger on Wall Street. He also worked in the drug department at Macy's while attending courses at Columbia University in the evening. Dick worked on a ship for a year and then joined Bill in New York City in 1928. Dick worked at a chemical plant called Linde Air Products while also studying in the evenings at Columbia University.
In 1931, Dick and Bill boarded a ship together in New York bound for Copenhagen. Together, they travelled across Europe, witnessed a Nazi demonstration in Breslau, Germany, and found work in Minsk and Moscow, Russia. This trip inspired them to become Communists. In 1933, Bill's father was on a Canadian trade mission to Poland, which he left to "rescue" his son from the Bolsheviks. Bill agreed to return to Canada after being advised to do so by the Comintern. He then changed his name to Bill Walsh to protect his family.
In 1934, Bill moved to Toronto. He worked as the educational director for the Industrial Union of Needle Trade Workers and the Communist Party, where he met Esther Slominsky/Silver, the organization's office manager. Dick joined Bill in Toronto soon after. Bill introduced Dick and Esther, who then married. In 1940, Esther gave birth to twin sons, Michael and John Steele. Esther was born in Toronto in 1914 to Joseph Slominsky and Fanny (Blackersany?). Her siblings were Bella, Eileen, Morris, and step-sister Eva. Her father, Joseph, was a cloak maker and Esther also worked in the garment industry. Her mother Fanny passed away in 1920 at the age of twenty-six from tuberculosis.
Dick was a metal worker and became a union organizer in the east end of Toronto. He was the head organizer of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) and the Steel Workers Organizing Committee of Canada (SWOC) until 1940, when he was dismissed for being a Communist. Bill helped organize Kitchener's rubber workers into an industrial union and was also an organizer for the United Auto Workers of Windsor, Ontario.
Jack Steele, an alias for Dick's brother Mortimer, fought with the Mackenzie-Papineau Brigade in the Spanish Civil War. Jack Steele was recalled to Canada in October 1937 to rally support for the efforts in Spain, returned to the front in June 1938, and was killed in action in August. Some of Dick's letters to his wife, Esther, are signed "Salud, Jack" and were likely written in 1940 when the Communist Party (CP) was banned by the Canadian government under the War Measures Act.
In November 1941, after Mackenzie King's call for enlistment, Dick wrote to the Department of Justice to ask permission to join the army. He never received a reply. On 1 April 1942, Dick's home was raided and he was interned at the Don Jail until September 1942, when he was moved to the Ontario Reformatory in Guelph. Esther wrote a letter to the minister of justice, Louis St. Laurent, to appeal on his behalf.
Major public campaigning by Communists and the wartime alliance with the USSR after 1941 shifted public opinion toward the CP, and the Canadian government slowly began releasing internees in January 1942. Dick was released in October 1942 and enlisted at the end of the month. Dick died on 17 August 1944 in Normandy, France. He was a tank driver in the Canadian Army.
Bill was similarly arrested in 1941, spending time in jail and then an internment camp with other members of the CP. He joined the Canadian Army in 1943 and fought in Holland and Belgium. Bill was first married to Anne Weir who died of a brain hemorrhage in 1943, just before he enlisted. The family believes this may have been due to drinking unpasteurized milk. Encouraged by Dick Steele to take care of his family should he pass in the war, Bill married Esther Steele in 1946. They had a daughter named Sheri and were members of the United Jewish People's Order. For twenty years, Walsh worked for the Hamilton region of the United Electrical Workers (UE). Bill remained a member of the CP until 1967, when we was expelled for criticizing another union leader. He died in 2004. Esther passed away in 2010 at age ninety-six.
Use Conditions
Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director prior to accessing some of the records.
Descriptive Notes
RELATED MATERIAL NOTE: Library and Archives Canada has the William Walsh fonds and MG 28, ser. I 268, USWA, vol.4, SWOC Correspondence, has various letters from Dick Steele ca. 1938. Museum of Jewish Montreal has an oral history with Leila Mustachi (daughter of Max Wolofsky, Bill's brother) where she speaks about Bill, Dick and Esther. USE CONDITION NOTES: For "Bill Walsh Oral history" Vols.1 and 2, some contributors stipulate that recordings are restricted to personal use only and must not be used for any commercial purpose.
Subjects
World War, 1939-1945
Politics and government
Labour and unions
Name Access
Steele, Michael
Steele, Dick
Walsh, Bill
Walsh, Esther Steele
Places
England
Fort William (Ont.)
Germany
Guelph (Ont.)
Hamilton (Ont.)
Montréal (Québec)
Netherlands
Oshawa (Ont.)
Ottawa (Ont.)
Thunder Bay (Ont.)
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2018-12-6
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2018-12-6
Material Format
graphic material
textual record
Physical Description
19 cm of graphic material and textual records
Date
1931-1999
Scope and Content
Accession consists of material documenting Brown family. Included are: business records, clippings, correspondence, eulogies, notes, an issue of the LIFE Institute's L.i.f.e.lines newsletter, photographs, résumés and cover letters, school records, and vital statistics. A significant amount of the material documents the donor's father, Jack Brown, a community leader in Brantford, Ontario, and friend of Pierre Elliott Trudeau. Of note are autographed pictures of Former Prime Ministers Pierre Elliott Trudeau and Jean Chrétien.
Administrative History
The son of Rose and William Brown, Jack Irving Brown was born in Toronto on January 4, 1926. His family moved to Brantford, Ontario when he was a boy. Upon graduating from high school, Jack went to work at his father's retail store. When he eventually bought the store, he renamed it Brown's of Brantford. In addition to running his business, Jack held leadership positions with the Beth David Congregation, Brant Liberal Association, and the Rotary Club of Brantford. Upon moving to Toronto, he became president of the LIFE Institute at Ryerson University.
Jack and Joy Brown (née Greenberg) had four children: Andrew, Marlene (1952-2007), Holli (b. 1954), and Harriette (b. 1958). Later in life, Jack and Joy separated. For the final years of his life, Jack's companion was Rheta Rhosen. Jack died on September 23, 1999.
Subjects
Businesspeople
Families
Stores, Retail
Name Access
Brown (family)
Brown, Andrew, 1950-
Brown, Harriette, 1958-
Brown, Jack, 1926-1999
Brown, Rose
Brown, William
Chrétien, Jean, 1934-
Katzman, Marlene, 1952-2007
Trudeau, Pierre Elliott, 1919-2000
Verkade, Holli, 1954-
Places
Brantford (Ont.)
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2019-5-10
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2019-5-10
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
1 cm of textual records
Date
1945-[1990]
Scope and Content
Accession record consists of business cards from several Gwartzman family owned business first established on Baldwin Street by Moshe Aaron Gwartzman and his wife Bella (née Weinstock) as M. A. Gwartzman Silks and Wollens. In addition, there is a 1945 change of address card indicating that the business moved from 421 Spadina Avenue to 448 Spadina Avenue along with business cards from the 448 Spadina location for Gwartzman's Drapery Bargain Centre, Gwartzman's Canvas, Art and Graphic Supplies, and Masters, Fine Art and Stationary Products.
Subjects
Stores, Retail
Places
Spadina Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)
Kensington Market (Toronto, Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions
Address
42 St George Street
Source
Landmarks

In 1919, Mr. Mendel Granatstein commissioned Benjamin Brown and Robert McConnell to design a three storey Classical Georgian style house located at 42 St. George Street. The house contained a unique feature -- a retractable roof used on Sukkoth. In 1947, the house was acquired by the University of Toronto and was used for a variety of purposes until it was demolished in 1999. The Bahen Centre for Information Technology now stands in its place.
Address
42 St George Street
Time Period
1919-1999
Scope Note
In 1919, Mr. Mendel Granatstein commissioned Benjamin Brown and Robert McConnell to design a three storey Classical Georgian style house located at 42 St. George Street. The house contained a unique feature -- a retractable roof used on Sukkoth. In 1947, the house was acquired by the University of Toronto and was used for a variety of purposes until it was demolished in 1999. The Bahen Centre for Information Technology now stands in its place.
History
Mr. Mendel Granatstein was a member of one of the early Jewish families of Toronto. In 1895, he founded M. Granatstein and Sons, Ltd., a junk dealing company, and by the early 20th century, he had become one of the most prosperous Jews in Toronto. Mr. Granatstein was also a community leader, having a hand in the foundation of Beth Jacob Synagogue.
Category
Architecture
Residences
Source
Landmarks
Level
Item
ID
Item 603
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
603
Material Format
graphic material
Date
Nov. 1975
Physical Description
2 photographs : (1 negative)
Scope and Content
The "New Strand Building".
Notes
Negative: 8:5:13.
Acquired November 1975.
Name Access
Victory Theatre (Toronto, Ont.)
Subjects
Architecture
Theaters
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 605
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
605
Material Format
graphic material
Date
Nov. 1975
Physical Description
2 photographs : (1 negative)
Scope and Content
The "New Strand Building".
Notes
Acquired November 1975.
Negative: 8:6:15.
Name Access
Victory Theatre
Subjects
Architecture
Theaters
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 604
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
604
Material Format
graphic material
Date
Nov. 1975
Physical Description
2 photographs : (1 negative)
Scope and Content
The "New Strand Building".
Notes
Acquired November 1975.
Negative: 8:5:14.
Name Access
Victory Theatre (Toronto, Ont.)
Subjects
Architecture
Theaters
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 606
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
606
Material Format
graphic material
Date
Nov. 1975
Physical Description
2 photographs : (1 negative)
Scope and Content
The "New Strand Building".
Notes
Acquired November 1975.
Negative: 8:6:16.
Name Access
Victory Theatre (Toronto, Ont.)
Subjects
Architecture
Theaters
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Betty Goldstick Lindgren fonds
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 45; Item 34
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Betty Goldstick Lindgren fonds
Level
Item
Fonds
45
Item
34
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1910]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w ; 13 x 18 cm on mat 20 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Isadore and David working in a jewellery store located at 304 Yonge Street. David is on the left; Isadore is on the right. The photograph was likely taken before Isadore completed his PhD and David completed his law degree.
Name Access
Goldstick, David
Goldstick, Isidore
Subjects
Employees
Stores, Retail
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
Yonge Street (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
1978-10-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 4688
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
4688
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1907]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm and 17 x 19 cm
Scope and Content
Original and copy photograph of Mr. Meyer Michalson holding his daughter, Esther (m. Cooper), in his crockery store at Queen near Parliament at 360 Queen St. East. Eventually Mr. Michalson expanded his business to establish Michalson's Wholesale China at Parliament and Dundas Street. He also opened Michalson's East End Bargain House at the same corner.
Name Access
Cooper, Esther
Michalson, Esther
Michalson, Meyer
Michalson's Wholesale China
Subjects
Fathers and daughters
Stores, Retail
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
Queen Street East (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
1988-3-3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 1544
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
1544
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1935]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)
Name Access
Gary's Groceries (Toronto, Ont.)
Gary, Joseph
Subjects
Stores, Retail
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
College Street (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
1978-11-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 2944
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
2944
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1905
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)
Scope and Content
Pictured in this photograph is Mrs. Richards.
Name Access
Richard's Grocery
Subjects
Stores, Retail
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
Kensington Market (Toronto, Ont.)
Lippincott Street (Toronto, Ont.)
Nassau Street (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
1981-4-4
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Henry Weingluck fonds
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 44; Item 22
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Henry Weingluck fonds
Level
Item
Fonds
44
Item
22
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[195-]
Physical Description
1 photograph
Name Access
Health Bread
Subjects
Stores, Retail
Streets
Repro Restriction
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Places
College Street (Toronto, Ont.)
Grace Street (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
1988-2-11
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 1556
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
1556
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1913]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)
Admin History/Bio
The Hoffmans emigrated to Toronto from Czestochowa, Poland in 1908. According to The Might Directory, the Hoffmans opened their first grocery store in "The Ward" in 1909 at 134 Centre Avenue. Subsequent locations listed include 141 Centre Avenue (1910-1913), 339 Spadina Avenue (1914-1920), 350 Spadina Avenue 1922-1928 and 270 Spadina Avenue (1936 - ca. 1950).
Scope and Content
This photograph was likely taken at 141 Centre Avenue (1910-1913) prior to the Hoffmans moving their shop to 339 Spadina Avenue in 1914. Pictured are Rivka and Nathan (Nahum) Hoffman.
Name Access
Hoffman family
Hoffman, Nahum
Hoffman, Nathan
Hoffman, Rivka
Subjects
Stores, Retail
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
Centre Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
1978-9-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 1504
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
1504
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1919
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)
Scope and Content
Item is a photograph of the exterior of Hirsch Harold Achber Grocery in Toronto. Pictured left to right are: Miriam (Achber) Hurvitz, Robert Hurvitz, Freda Hurvitz, Jacob Hurvitz.
Name Access
Achber, Harold
Achber, Hirsch
Achber, Hurvitz
Hurvitz, Freda
Hurvitz, Jacob
Hurvitz, Miriam
Hurvitz, Robert
Subjects
Stores, Retail
Storefronts
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
Auburn Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
1978-2-3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 1485
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
1485
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1920
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)
Scope and Content
Left to right: Mrs. Greenburg, Goldie Sherman, Murray Greenburg, Phillip Greenburg.
Name Access
Greenburg, Goldie
Greenburg, Murray
Greenburg, Phillip
Subjects
Stores, Retail
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
Queen Street West (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
1977-8-28
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 557
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
557
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1910
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)
Scope and Content
Item is a photograph of Albert Fine (on right) and another man in Fine's store in Toronto.
Name Access
Fine, Albert
Subjects
Stores, Retail
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
Queen Street West (Toronto, Ont.)
University Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
1977-2-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 3288
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
3288
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1908]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)
Name Access
Sprachman, Jacob
Subjects
Stores, Retail
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
King Street East (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
1982-7-4
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 5013
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
5013
Material Format
graphic material
Date
4 Jul. 1959
Physical Description
1 photograph b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
Item is a photograph of the interior of Honest Ed's Bargain store. The photograph depicts a line-up of customers waiting to recieve free salamis.
Notes
Original photo by Graphic Artists.
Name Access
Honest Ed's
Mirvish, Ed, 1914-2007
Subjects
Stores, Retail
Places
Bathurst Street (Toronto, Ont.)
Bloor Street West (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
1990-1-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 5014
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
5014
Material Format
graphic material
Date
4 Jul. 1959
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
Item is a photograph of customers outside of Honest Ed's waiting in line for a free salami. There are two costumed police officers pictured.
Notes
Original photo by Graphic Artists.
Name Access
Honest Ed's
Mirvish, Ed, 1914-2007
Subjects
Consumers
Stores, Retail
Places
Bathurst Street (Toronto, Ont.)
Bloor Street West (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
1990-1-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 5018
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
5018
Material Format
graphic material
Date
22 Oct. 1958
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
item is a photograph of a radio broadcaster in a "country" studio set inside Honest Ed's during the opening of the store's expansion.
Notes
Original by Graphic Artists.
Name Access
CKEY Broadcasting
Honest Ed's
Mirvish, Ed, 1914-2007
Subjects
Stores, Retail
Places
Bathurst Street (Toronto, Ont.)
Bloor Street West (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
1990-1-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 5019
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
5019
Material Format
graphic material
Date
22 Oct. 1958
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
Item is a photograph of a CKEY broadcaster in a "country" studio set inside Honest Ed's during the opening of the store's expansion. The broadcaster is seated in an outhouse.
Notes
Original photo by Graphic Artists.
Name Access
CKEY Broadcasting
Honest Ed's
Mirvish, Ed, 1914-2007
Subjects
Stores, Retail
Places
Bathurst Street (Toronto, Ont.)
Bloor Street West (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
1990-1-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 5020
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
5020
Material Format
graphic material
Date
22 Oct. 1958
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
Item is a photograph of the exterior of Honest Ed's during their expansion opening. The image depicts the checkouts.
Notes
Original photo by Graphic Artists.
Name Access
Honest Ed's
Mirvish, Ed, 1914-2007
Subjects
Stores, Retail
Places
Bathurst Street (Toronto, Ont.)
Bloor Street West (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
1990-1-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 5021
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
5021
Material Format
graphic material
Date
22 Oct. 1958
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
item is a photograph of a group of men and women inside Honest Ed's during the opening of the store's expansion. There is a banquet table with sweets and a coffee urn.
Notes
Original by Graphic Artists.
Name Access
Honest Ed's
Mirvish, Ed, 1914-2007
Subjects
Stores, Retail
Places
Bathurst Street (Toronto, Ont.)
Bloor Street West (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
1990-1-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 4035
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
4035
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1950
Physical Description
2 photographs : (1 negative)
Scope and Content
Features: M. rotstein; Max Seifert; Chayale Luxenburg; Jennie Eisenstat; Maurice Turk; Eva Fishman.
Subjects
Concerts
Posters
Theaters
Places
Dundas Street West (Toronto, Ont.)
Spadina Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
1986-3-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 4294
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
4294
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[1925 or 1926]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)
Scope and Content
Identified third from left: William Shankman.
Notes
Photo by Midland Press Agency, 520 Suffolk St., Birmingham.
Subjects
Orchestra
Theaters
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
Birmingham (England)
Accession Number
1987-9-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 676
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
676
Material Format
graphic material
Date
Feb. 1965
Physical Description
2 photographs : (1 negative)
Scope and Content
Item is a photograph of a Broadway Theatre and another building on the south side of Queen Street West, Toronto.
Name Access
Broadway Theatre
Subjects
Architecture
Theaters
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
Queen Street West (Toronto, Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 5017
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
5017
Material Format
graphic material
Date
22 Oct. 1958
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 26 x 21 cm
Scope and Content
Item is a photograph of Ann and Ed Mirvish standing inside Honest Ed's at the opening of the store's expansion.
Notes
Photo by Graphic Artists.
Name Access
Honest Ed's
Mirvish, Ann
Mirvish, Ed, 1914-2007
Subjects
Businesspeople
Stores, Retail
Theatrical producers and directors
Places
Bathurst Street (Toronto, Ont.)
Bloor Street West (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
1990-1-5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Ethel Mehr fonds
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 68; Item 56
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Ethel Mehr fonds
Level
Item
Fonds
68
Item
56
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1947]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
This item is a photograph of the interior of the Lady Ellis shop in Ottawa, Ontario. The photo depicts a large crowd of women at the counter and looking at the merchandise on the racks.
Subjects
Consumers
Stores, Retail
Women's clothing
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
Ottawa (Ont.)
Accession Number
1988-12-3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Ethel Mehr fonds
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 68; Item 57
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Ethel Mehr fonds
Level
Item
Fonds
68
Item
57
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1947]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
This item is an original print of the interior of the Lady Ellis shop in Ottawa, Ontario. The photo depicts a large crowd of women looking at the merchandise on the racks and display tables.
Name Access
Lady Ellis Shop
Subjects
Consumers
Stores, Retail
Women's clothing
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
Ottawa (Ont.)
Accession Number
1988-12-3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Ethel Mehr fonds
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 68; Item 58
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Ethel Mehr fonds
Level
Item
Fonds
68
Item
58
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1947]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
This item is a photograph of the interior of the Lady Ellis shop in Ottawa, Ontario. The photo depicts the clothing on display tables and racks in the exterior of the store.
Name Access
Lady Ellis Shop
Subjects
Stores, Retail
Women's clothing
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
Ottawa (Ont.)
Accession Number
1988-12-3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Ethel Mehr fonds
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 68; Item 70
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Ethel Mehr fonds
Level
Item
Fonds
68
Item
70
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[195-?]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 18 cm
Scope and Content
This item consists of a photograph of a sign for Lady Ellis Shops in Toronto. The sign was probably on the subway line located at Yonge Street and Farnham Avenue.
Subjects
Signs and signboards
Stores, Retail
Women's clothing
Repro Restriction
Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Places
Farnham Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)
Yonge Street (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
1988-12-3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Ethel Mehr fonds
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 68; Item 53
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Ethel Mehr fonds
Level
Item
Fonds
68
Item
53
Material Format
graphic material
Date
15 Nov. 1946
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
This item is a photograph of the interior of the first Lady Ellis Shop located on the corner of Yonge and Adelaide Streets in Toronto. The photograph depicts many customers inside the store being shown merchandise by the sales women behind the counter.
Subjects
Consumers
Stores, Retail
Women's clothing
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
Adelaide Street West (Toronto, Ont.)
Yonge Street (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
1988-12-3
Source
Archival Descriptions