Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
Level
Fonds
ID
Fonds 28
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
Level
Fonds
Fonds
28
Material Format
textual record
graphic material
moving images
Date
1908-1979, predominant 1955-1976
Physical Description
7.4 m of textual records and other material
Admin History/Bio
The Zionist Organization of Canada (ZOC) (1921-1978) acted as the official voice of Zionism in Canada, promoting the aims of Zionism in communities across the country. The ZOC adhered to the principles of the Jerusalem Program of the Zionist movement founded by Theodor Herzl in 1898 during the First Zionist Congress held in Basle Switzerland. These principles included: 1) the promotion of immigration to Israel; 2) raising funds to carry out the aims of Zionism; 3) encouraging investment in Israel; 4) fostering Jewish consciousness; and 5) mobilizing public opinion about Israel and the Jewish communities of the Diaspora.
The Federation of Zionist Societies of Canada (FZSOC) was founded in 1898 as the national collective of groups representing Zionist interests in Canada. In 1921 the organization changed its name and was incorporated as the Zionist Organization of Canada, becoming the primary umbrella organization for Zionist groups in Canada.
The ZOC was a broad-based organization that embraced an ideology of nationhood which attracted influential national leaders within the Jewish community as well as thousands of members across the country. ZOC's main office was located in Montreal until 1970, when it moved to the Toronto Zionist Centre on Marlee Ave, Toronto. ZOC provided smaller communities, which had few institutional supports, with vital linkages to the metropolitan centres through their programs that were run out of the regional offices and local Zionist councils. The Zionist Organization of Canada operated as an umbrella group that oversaw Zionist funds and administered the budgets of such organizations as Canadian Hadassah-WIZO, the Men's Zionist Organization of Canada and Young Judaea. ZOC programs promoted a stronger Jewish identity amongst Canadian Jews and familiarity with Hebrew through the periodical, Canadian Zionist. These programs included book clubs, lunch clubs, film exhibits, youth camps, travel offices, and two television programs during the 1970s on cable television in Montreal and Toronto.
In 1967, ZOC became a constituent member of the new Federated Zionist Organization of Canada (FZOC), along with Canadian Hadassah-WIZO, the Labour Zionist Movement of Canada, Mizrachi Hapoel Hamizrachi Organization of Canada, Zionist Revisionist Organization of Canada, Achdut Avoda, and Friends of Pioneering Israel (Mapam). In 1972, FZOC became the Canadian Zionist Federation (CZF). During the 1970s, ZOC's functions were gradually absorbed by the Canadian Zionist Federation, the CZF Central Region based in Toronto, and by the Toronto Zionist Council. By 1978, the Zionist Organization of Canada had ceased to function as an organization.
Scope and Content
The Zionist Organization of Canada (ZOC) records span a 70 year period between 1908, with the formation of the Toronto Zionist Council (and its affiliated corporation, the United Zionists of Toronto) and the creation of the Zionist Organization of Canada in 1921, until 1978. The bulk of the records in the fonds were created after 1950.
The fonds is organized into two sous-fonds and eight record series. The sous-fonds contain records of the ZOC Central Region and the Toronto Zionist Council, which exercised considerable autonomy in their work under the ZOC umbrella. The record series include records relating to: ZOC's executive bodies, the National Administrative Council and Executive Board, and their predecessor, the Executive Committee of the Federation of Zionist Societies of Canada (1919-1976); the National Camps Association, responsible for overseeing the administration of summer camps owned by ZOC (1961-1968); Canadian Young Judaea, the youth wing of ZOC which was also responsible for the operation of ZOC summer camps (1957-1978); the ZOC Department of Education and Culture's cable television programme, Shalom (1971-1977); ZOC national conventions (1946-1975); the Federated Zionist Organization of Canada, of which ZOC became a member organization on its formation in 1967 (1972-1978); and the 28th World Zionist Congress held in 1972. The fonds also includes a series of subject files, the primary recordkeeping system for ZOC's administration, and a series of photographs of prominant persons and events maintained by ZOC for its public relations work.
Notes
Physical description note: Includes: ca. 1100 photographs (b&w and col.; some negatives), 24 embossed prints, 3 film reels (col., Super 8 mm), and 1 videocassette (col., VHS).
Associated material note: Additional records of the Zionist Organization of Canada can be found at the Canadian Jewish Congress National Archives (Montreal), Library & Archives Canada (Ottawa), and the World Zionist Organization's Central Zionist Archives (Jerusalem)
Name Access
Zionist Organization of Canada
Subjects
Zionism
Access Restriction
Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing some of the records.
Creator
Zionist Organization of Canada (1921-1978)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
National Administrative Council and Executive Board series
Level
Series
ID
Fonds 28; Series 1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
National Administrative Council and Executive Board series
Level
Series
Fonds
28
Series
1
Material Format
textual record
Date
1919-1977
Physical Description
86 cm of textual records
Admin History/Bio
The National Administrative Council was the executive and administrative body of the Zionist Organization of Canada. From 1919 to 1921, its predecessor for the Federation of Zionist Societies of Canada was known as the Executive Committee for Zionist Affairs in Canada, or the Executive Committee of the Federation of Zionist Societies of Canada.
At its convention in 1921, the Zionist Organization of Canada adopted a constitution which called for the election of a National Administrative Council at each convention, to be responsible for administration of the Organization between conventions. The first meeting of the National Council took place on 7 February 1921, at the Zionist Headquarters in Montreal. The Council was composed of the Organization's executive officers, regional representatives and representatives from Hadassah-Wizo and Canadian Young Judea. An Executive Board was also formed, which included members elected at the conventions, ZOC executive officers and the immediate past-president, the chairs of National Administrative Council standing committees, representatives of Hadassah-Wizo and Young Judea, and other National Administrative Council regional representatives elected from the Council's members. The Board could also appoint additional members at its discretion to assist in its work. The Executive Board was delegated to carry out the decisions and ongoing work of the National Administrative Council and of the Organization generally.
Scope and Content
The series is organized into five sub-series, which includes: minutes of meetings of the National Administrative Council and the Executive Board and their predecessor, the Executive Committee for the Federation of Zionist Societies of Canada (1919-1970); correspondence of the Council and the ZOC Executive Vice-President (1970-1976); auditor's reports and financial statements maintained by the National Treasurer (1929-1968); records of the Council's Constitution Committee (1952-1975); and, records of the Commission of Enquiry Regarding Canadian Olim (1975-1977).
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
National Administrative Council and Executive Board series
Minutes of meetings sub-series
Level
Sub-series
Fonds
28
Series
1-1
Material Format
textual record
Date
1919-1970
Physical Description
32 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
The sub-series consists of the minutes of meetings of the Executive Committee of the Federation of Zionist Societies of Canada (1919-1921) and of the National Administrative Council and Executive Board (1919-1970).
Prior to 1947, minutes of the National Administrative Council and the Executive Board were interfiled by date. Beginning in 1947 Council and Board minutes were kept in separate binders, and only the minutes of the Executive Board have survived.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
National Administrative Council and Executive Board series
Minutes of meetings sub-series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 28; Series 1-1; File 1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
National Administrative Council and Executive Board series
Minutes of meetings sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
28
Series
1-1
File
1
Material Format
textual record
Date
1919-1928
Physical Description
6 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
The file consists of a volume of minutes of meetings of the Executive Committee of the Federation of Zionist Societies of Canada, and, as of 7 February 1921, of the National Administrative Council and the Executive Board of the Zionist Organization of Canada.
Physical Condition
Records are in good condition; spine of minutes book brittle and damaged.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
National Administrative Council and Executive Board series
National Treasurer sub-series
Level
Sub-series
ID
Fonds 28; Series 1-3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
National Administrative Council and Executive Board series
National Treasurer sub-series
Level
Sub-series
Fonds
28
Series
1-3
Material Format
textual record
Date
1929-1968
Physical Description
16 cm of textual records
Admin History/Bio
The National Treasurer of the Zionist Organization of Canada was a member of the National Administrative Council and the Executive Board. The National Treasurer was responsible for reporting on the financial situation of the Zionist Organization of Canada through the presentation of auditor's reports and financial statements. These documents were presented for review and approval at national conventions.
Scope and Content
The sub-series is organized into two sub-sub-series: auditor's reports (1929-1966); and, copies of financial reports submitted by the treasurer to the national conventions (1922-1968).
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
National Administrative Council and Executive Board series
National Treasurer sub-series
Auditor's reports sub-sub-series
Level
Sub-sub-series
Fonds
28
Series
1-3-1
Material Format
textual record
Date
1929-1968
Physical Description
10 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
The sub-sub-series consists of auditor's reports and associated correspondence from the chartered accounting firms of Rathie, Woodall and Wilton, and Richter, Usher and Vinberg, created between 1929 and 1968.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
National Administrative Council and Executive Board series
National Treasurer sub-series
Auditor's reports sub-sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
28
Series
1-3-1
File
1
Material Format
textual record
Date
1929
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
The file consists of the Auditor's Report and financial statements issued by Rathie, Woodall and Wilton, Chartered Accountants.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
National Administrative Council and Executive Board series
National Treasurer sub-series
Financial reports sub-sub-series
Level
Sub-sub-series
Fonds
28
Series
1-3-2
Material Format
textual record
Date
1922-1966
Physical Description
6 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
The sub-sub-series consists of the Treasurer's copies of the financial reports submitted to the national conventions held between 1922 and 1966.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
National Administrative Council and Executive Board series
National Treasurer sub-series
Financial reports sub-sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
28
Series
1-3-2
File
1
Material Format
textual record
Date
1922
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
The file consists of a photocopy of the financial report and record of zionist achievement in Canada submitted to the 18th national convention of the Zionist Organization of Canada.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
National Administrative Council and Executive Board series
National Treasurer sub-series
Financial reports sub-sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
28
Series
1-3-2
File
2
Material Format
textual record
Date
1923
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
The file consists of a photocopy of the financial report and record of zionist achievement in Canada submitted to the 19th national convention of the Zionist Organization of Canada and 3rd convention of the Hadassah Organization of Canada.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
National Administrative Council and Executive Board series
National Treasurer sub-series
Financial reports sub-sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
28
Series
1-3-2
File
3
Material Format
textual record
Date
1925
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
The file consists of a photocopy of the financial report and record of zionist achievement in Canada presented to the 20th convention and 4th convention of the Hadassah Organization of Canada.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
National Administrative Council and Executive Board series
National Treasurer sub-series
Financial reports sub-sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
28
Series
1-3-2
File
4
Material Format
textual record
Date
1927
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
The file consists of a photocopy of the financial report and record of zionist achievement in Canada presented at the 21st convention and the 5th convention of the Hadassah Organization of Canada.
Name Access
Canadian Hadassah
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
National Administrative Council and Executive Board series
National Treasurer sub-series
Financial reports sub-sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
28
Series
1-3-2
File
5
Material Format
textual record
Date
1929
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
The file consists of the financial report submitted to the 22nd Canadian Zionist convention.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
Central Region sous-fonds
Conventions series
National conventions sub-series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 28-1; Series 5-2; File 26
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
Central Region sous-fonds
Conventions series
National conventions sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
28-1
Series
5-2
File
26
Material Format
textual record
Date
1958
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
The file consists of brochures and booklets including: "10 reasons why you should buy Israeli bonds", "Facts about Israel," "Israel 1958 - 10th Israel Summer Institute," "A decade of freedom," and the programme of the national conference of the Canadian Association for Hebrew Education and Culture.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
Level
Sous-fonds
ID
Fonds 28-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
Level
Sous-fonds
Fonds
28-2
Material Format
textual record
Date
1907-1979
Physical Description
18 cm of textual records
Admin History/Bio
Formed in 1907 following the 1906 Zionist Congress in Toronto, the Toronto Zionist Council (TZC) was founded by the societies Agudath Zion, B'Nai Zion, Daughters of Zion, B'noth Zion Kadimah, Zion Literary Club, and the Young Men's Zion Club of Toronto. The purpose of the Council was to coordinate the efforts of its member organizations in promoting the aims of Zionism in the Toronto area. The formation of the Council was accompanied by the incorporation of the United Zionists of Toronto as a publicly traded corporation, which purchased property and acquired assets for use in TZC activities and for rental by TZC member organizations.
In 1912, United Zionist of Toronto purchased a building at 249 Simcoe Street, Toronto, as the first Zionist Institute. The Institute included meeting rooms, a Zionist and Hebrew library, and a small gymnasium. In 1913, the Institute moved to a building at 206 Beverley Street. The Institute subsequently moved to 651 Spadina Avenue in 1924 and was renamed the Zionist Centre. In 1962 the Centre moved to a new building at 188 Marlee Avenue, Toronto.
Scope and Content
The sous-fonds includes: records relating to the incorporation of the United Zionists of Toronto (1907), copies of the Toronto Zionist Council constitution and proposals for constitutional ammendments, minutes of meetings of United Zionists of Toronto Board of Directors (ca. 1912) and Toronto Zionist Council and committees (1952-1953, 1962-1977), property management records and correspondence concerning rental arrangements for offices and meeting rooms in the Zionist Institute/Centre. The sous-fonds also includes some administrative records and correspondence with affiliated organizations created by TJC officers and Zionist Centre staff.
Related Material
See also Al Gilbert; accession # 1991-4-4
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
Toronto Zionist Council sous-fonds
Level
File
ID
Fonds 28-2; File 3
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
Toronto Zionist Council sous-fonds
Level
File
Fonds
28-2
File
3
Material Format
textual record
Date
1913-1956
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
The file consists of a handwritten draft of the constitution from 1913 and copy of the constitution as amended in 1956.
Physical Condition
Records are in fair condition.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
Toronto Zionist Council sous-fonds
Level
File
ID
Fonds 28-2; File 5
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
Toronto Zionist Council sous-fonds
Level
File
Fonds
28-2
File
5
Material Format
textual record
Date
1924-1955
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
The file consists of the Toronto Zionist Council; nominations committee and executive board minutes of meetings.
Source
Archival Descriptions