Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Level

Fonds

Fonds

17

Material Format

multiple media

Date

1936-1992

Physical Description

47 m of textual records and other material

Admin History/Bio

By 1919 the plight of post-war eastern European Jewry and the need for a united community voice for Canadian Jewry led to the creation of the Canadian Jewish Congress. Its founding meeting was held on March 16, 1919 in Montreal. Though it briefly maintained a tiny regional office in Toronto, the CJC remained inactive until 1933, when it fully reconvened by opening offices in Winnipeg, Montreal, and Toronto. Egmont L. Frankel was the first president of the new central division in Toronto. While the national office in Montreal focused on the overarching issues of the social and economic rights of European Jewry, assistance for Jewish immigrants, and combating prejudice in Canada, the Toronto office dealt with local, violent anti-Jewish demonstrations as well as continuing discrimination both in employment and in access to public recreational facilities. The structure was based on regular national biennial plenary conferences, at which policies were delineated and national and regional executives were elected. Between plenary sessions, national and regional councils were in charge. These were augmented by the following standing committees: administrative, officers, personnel, financial, publications, and educational and cultural. Special committees were created to deal with issues such as: youth, community loans, kashruth, fundraising, Israel, Russian Jewry, and various emergency issues such as refugees, immigration, and housing.

During the 1930s the central division office moved several times and occupied offices in the following locations: Yonge Street, the Bond Street Synagogue, Scheuer House, the Zionist Building, and its long-term home at 150-152 Beverley Street, where it remained until its July 1983 move to the Lipa Green Building in North York.

The CJC's activities expanded to include taking responsibility for Jewish educational standards, but by 1941 its main efforts shifted to support for Canada’s war effort. Immediately after the end of the war, the focus again shifted to Jewish immigration projects and the maintenance of Jewish identity in small communities. By 1950, the CJC’s use of the title “division” was changed to “region” to accommodate internal operational divisions within each region. Also, by then, the central region was busy expanding its programs for all Ontario Jewish communities, creating a province-wide council of youth groups, and working with the newly-created Bureau of Jewish Education (later Board of Jewish Education, now Mercaz). Standardization of kashruth rules in Ontario was implemented. As well, regular educational conferences and cultural events were held throughout the province, while province-wide fundraising efforts in support of Moess Chittin for relief projects in Israel and for local Congress activities were expanded. Many of its educational and cultural responsibilities necessitated working with other Jewish organizations such as the United Jewish Welfare Fund, Jewish Immigrant Aid Society (JIAS), Hadassah, the Canadian Legion, B’nai Brith, the World Jewish Congress, the American Jewish Congress, and the many landsmenshaften (Jewish mutual benefit societies, each formed by immigrants originating from the same Eastern European community).

During the 1960s, the central region began sending Moess Chittin relief shipments to Cuban Jews unable to acquire kosher foods for Passover. Its lobbying efforts included participation in the Royal Commissions on Hate Propaganda, and its greatest success came with the introduction and implementation of Ontario’s fair employment and fair accommodation practices legislation, an achievement in which Congress played a pivotal role.

From 1971 to 1989 the major focus became international and national lobbying for, and providing support to, Soviet Jewry. Virtually all local and Canadian efforts to assist the Soviet Jewish “refusniks” were organized and coordinated in Toronto by the Ontario region office, which provided staff and funding for the many lobbying activities and public demonstrations that characterized this successful effort.

As of November 1975, the central region’s responsibilities in Toronto were radically altered. To improve cost efficiency in Toronto, CJC educational and social service program activities were merged with similar programs already provided by Toronto’s United Jewish Appeal. The UJA assumed sole responsibility for these amalgamated programs in Toronto and was renamed Toronto Jewish Congress. The central region still retained province-wide responsibilities for Ontario’s smaller Jewish communities, and its office remained in Toronto. Also, following this reorganization, its name was changed to Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region. Although CJC no longer provided direct social and educational programs to Toronto, the TJC’s senior executive was, at the time, still obliged to continue to keep it notified about developments concerning previous Congress responsibilities.

From 1983, the Ontario Region's offices were located in the Lipa Green Building at 4600 Bathurst Street. It continued its work of financially supporting various Israeli institutions and fostering Canada-Israel relations. It also spearheaded the movement to support and protect Jews in Arab lands, especially in Syria. Funding for the CJC came from the Canadian Council for Israel and Jewish Advocacy, which restributed a portion of the funds raised by the local Jewish federations across Canada.

The CJC dissolved in 2011. Today, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) acts as the Jewish community's primary lobby group.

Scope and Content

Fonds consists of the records of the Ontario Region office of the Canadian Jewish Congress. Of primary importance in documenting this organization’s history are its minutes of the Executive and Administrative Committees and the various standing, and short-term committees such as Community Organization, Finance, Fund Raising, Educational and Cultural, Research, Immigration, War Efforts, and Jewish Education. Most of these records are still managed all together within Fonds 17, Series 1. Fonds 17, Series 2 contains the general subject and correspondence files of these committees. Records in both series require further processing.

Records now found in Series 3 document the efforts of the Committee for Soviet Jewry in coordinating the activities of the many Toronto and Ontario organizations involved in assisting Soviet Jewry during the 1971 to 1989 period.

Series 4 consists of administrative and committee records of the United Jewish Refugee and War Relief Agencies in Toronto from 1938 through 1967. These document its work rescuing the survivors of European Jewish communities, settling as many as possible in Ontario, and providing assistance to those attempting to obtain restitution payments.

Series 5 consists of the records of the Community Relations Committee (1938-1976). Responding to depression-era anti-Semitism in Canada, the Canadian Jewish Congress and B’nai Brith together established in 1938 a new joint committee. Since then this Committee has documented racist threats in Canada; initiated advocacy activities to work for improved civil rights; promoted legislation combating hate; worked to ensure equality of access to employment, education and accommodation; and investigated specific incidents of discrimination. The Committee, for example, played a key role in achieving the Anti-Discrimination Act of 1944, and the Fair Employment Practices Act of 1951, key steps leading to Canada’s current Human Rights Code. Although originally named Joint Public Relations Committee in 1938, a series of name changes later occurred; s follows: Joint Community Relations Committee, Central Region (1962-1978), Joint Community Relations Committee, CJC, Ontario Region (ca. 1978-ca. 1991) Community Relations Committee, CJC, Ontario Region (ca. 1991-present) Records in this series were reorganized into 5 sub-series and a further 9 sub-sub-series during the 2009 to 2011 period. For further details please view the database records for Fonds 17, Series 5. Although this series will eventually hold all CRC records up to 1992, only those prior to 1979 are currently fully processed.

Notes

Physical description note: Includes 1839 photographs, 89 audio cassettes, 11 videocassettes, 4 drawings, and 6 microfilm reels (16 mm).

Processing note: Processing of this fonds is ongoing. Additional descriptive entries will be added in future.

Name Access

Canadian Jewish Congress. Ontario Region

Subjects

Pressure groups

Access Restriction

Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the Archivist prior to accessing some of the records

Arrangement

Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the Archivist prior to accessing some of the records.

Creator

Canadian Jewish Congress. Ontario Region (1919-2011)

Places

Ontario

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Pamphlets series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

51

File

7

Material Format

textual record

Date

1938

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of a pamphlet issued by the Jewish War Veterans of the United States regarding Jews of many countries serving in the First World War.

Subjects

World War, 1914-1918

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Pamphlets series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

51

File

40

Material Format

textual record

Date

1938

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of a pamphlet issued by the Committee on Jewish-Gentile Relationships in Toronto describing the history of the stereotype of the Jew as a usurer.

Name Access

Committee on Jewish-Gentile Relationships

Subjects

Stereotypes (Social psychology)

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Pamphlets series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

51

File

53

Material Format

textual record

Date

1946

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of a fifteen page pamphlet entitled "Causes of Prejudice." The content of the pamphlet is drawn from an address by Mr. J. R. Seeley to the Study Conference of Protestant, Catholic and Jewish Clergymen in St. Paul's Minnesota on 13 February 1946. The pamphlet was published by the Young Men's Committee, National Council of YMCAs in Canada.

Subjects

Prejudices

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Pamphlets series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

51

File

65

Material Format

textual record

Date

1946

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of a Citizens' Forum pamphlet to accompany a CBC broadcast of the same name, dated 19 March 1946. The content of the Citizens' Forum, prepared by the Canadian Council of Education for Citizenship, addresses how we acquire our prejudices and what can be done to combat these prejudices.

Subjects

Prejudices

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Pamphlets series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

51

File

71

Material Format

textual record

Date

[1938?]

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of a pamphlet documenting an address delivered over the Columbia Broadcasting System under the auspices of the Council Against Intolerance in America. The presentation was made by Rev. Dr. Maurice S. Sheehy, head of the Department of Religious Education at the Catholic University of America and reprinted by the Canadian Conference of Christians and Jews. The address delves into the history of antisemitism and includes a call to action to denounce antisemitism.

Name Access

Catholic University of America

Subjects

Antisemitism

Catholic Church--Relations--Judaism

Papacy

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Pamphlets series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

51

File

76

Material Format

textual record

Date

[1943?]

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of a pamphlet issued by the Canadian National Committee on Refugees containing stories of individual European refugees and their contributions to Canada. Examples range from contributions in agriculture, industry, and the arts. The twelve-page pamphlet includes a foreword by Senator Cairine R. Wilson and articles by Austin F. Cross, Ken W. MacTaggart, and J. N. M. Brown.

Subjects

Refugees

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Pamphlets series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

51

File

86

Material Format

textual record

Date

1939

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of a pamphlet issued by the Committee on Jewish Gentile Relationships (Canada) about the threat of antisemitism to democracy.

Name Access

Committee on Jewish-Gentile Relationships

Subjects

Antisemitism

Democracy

Places

Canada

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Pamphlets series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

51

File

97

Material Format

textual record

Date

[1945?]

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of a fundraising pamphlet that shares the story of Paul Hodess. Born in Lodz, Poland, Paul, now aged fifteen, is an orphan and survivor of Nazi concentration camps. His autobiography is included alongside a solicitation to support United Jewish Relief Agencies (UJRA) with their relief and rehabilitation services.

Subjects

Orphans

Holocaust survivors

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Pamphlets series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

51

File

100

Material Format

textual record

Date

1950

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of a booklet written by Rabbi Abraham L. Feinberg of Holy Blossom Temple, published by Canadian Welfare. Rabbi Feinberg summarizes the activities of Canadian Jewish Congress and the various projects it initiated to support Jewish-European orphan immigration to Canada before, during, and after the Second World War. Feinberg goes on to describe the continued support from organizations such as the Jewish Immigrant Aid Society (JIAS) and the YMHA to aid in the continued rehabilitation of these orphans through programs including night school, work projects, and activities.

Name Access

Canadian Jewish Congress

Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Toronto (creator)

Subjects

Orphans

Holocaust survivors

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Pamphlets series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

51

File

142

Material Format

textual record

Date

1938

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of a pamphlet issued by the Committee on Jewish-Gentile Relationships (Toronto) listing facts and misperceptions about Jews.

Name Access

Committee on Jewish-Gentile Relationships

Subjects

Jews

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Pamphlets series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

51

File

167

Material Format

textual record

Date

1944-1946

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of two handbooks for servicemen and servicewomen in the Canadian Armed Forces containing religious calendars and Canadian Jewish War Efforts for the Jewish calendar years 5705 (1944–1945) and 5706 (1945–1946).

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Pamphlets series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

51

File

219

Material Format

textual record

Date

1949

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of a pamphlet advertising a talk in Toronto by Dr. Trude Weiss-Rosmarin, editor of the Jewish Spectator.

Subjects

Judaism

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Pamphlets series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

51

File

244

Material Format

textual record

Date

1944

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of a pamphlet by the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America containing an analysis of potential conflict in Palestine following the anticipated end of the Second World War..

Name Access

Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America

Subjects

Arab-Israeli conflict

Jewish-Arab relations

Places

Palestine

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Pamphlets series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

51

File

283

Material Format

textual record

Date

1946

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of a pamphlet issued by the Jewish Reconstructionist Foundation (U.S.) on steps to improve inter-faith relations.

Subjects

Religion

Anti-racism

Antisemitism

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Pamphlets series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

51

File

312

Material Format

textual record

Date

1947

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of pamphlets published by Canadian Jewish War Veterans containing articles related to the world war and to Palestine.

Subjects

World War, 1939-1945

Palestine--History--Partition, 1947

Places

Palestine

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Pamphlets series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

51

File

319

Material Format

textual record

Date

1947

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of a pamphlet about the Jewish ghetto in Prague.

Subjects

Jewish ghettos

Places

Prague (Czech Republic)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Pamphlets series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

51

File

329

Material Format

textual record

Responsibility

Jacob Lestchinsky

Date

15 Apr. 1946

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of a pamphlet by Jacob Lestchinsky titled Jews in Moslem Lands. The pamphlet was issued by the American Jewish Congress as part of its Jewish Affairs series.

Notes

General note: The spelling of "Moslem" (as opposed to "Muslim") is contested. In a post published on the History News Network in 2002, Yii-Ann Christine Chen notes, "The seemingly arbitrary choice of spellings is a sensitive subject for many followers of Islam. Whereas for most English speakers, the two words are synonymous in meaning, the Arabic roots of the two words are very different. A Muslim in Arabic means 'one who gives himself to God,' and is by definition, someone who adheres to Islam. By contrast, a Moslem in Arabic means 'one who is evil and unjust' when the word is pronounced, as it is in English, Mozlem with a z." The OJA has retained the spelling as it appears on the pamphlet without, however, endorsing it.

Name Access

American Jewish Congress

Lestchinsky, Jacob

Subjects

Jews--Islamic countries

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Immigration series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

27

Material Format

textual record

Date

1951

Physical Description

6 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

Canadian Jewish Congress was involved in all aspects of immigration services. It facilitated the entry of immigrants into Canada, providing social assistance and finding employment for the new arrivals. It also assisted those immigrants who were filing restitution claims against Germany.

Scope and Content

Series consists of general files of Immigration.

Notes

Series formerly described and cited as RG259.

Access Restriction

Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director prior to accessing some of the records

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Internees series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

41

Material Format

textual record

Date

1940-1949

Physical Description

1.6 m of textual records

Admin History/Bio

Following the outbreak of the Second World War, German and Austrian citizens living in Britain were arrested and interned in prison camps in Canada and Australia. Some of these internees were Jewish. Canadian Jewish Congress lobbied the Canadian government to release Jewish prisoners and provided social assistance and employment for those freed. Although this was a national effort, the project operated out of the Toronto (Central Region) office; consequently, the case files formed part of the Central Region's records.

Scope and Content

Series consists of Internee case files.

Notes

Series formerly described and cited as RG282.

Access Restriction

Closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing the records.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Publicity series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

43

Material Format

textual record

Date

1957-1959

Physical Description

6 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

This group dealt with the preparation of press releases and articles publicizing the activities of Canadian Jewish Congress.

Scope and Content

Series consists of general files relating to Publicity.

Notes

Series formerly described and cited as RG284.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Financial series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

49

Material Format

textual record

Date

1939-1960

Physical Description

4.5 m of textual records

Scope and Content

Series consists of general files regarding financial records of the Canadian Jewish Congress and United Jewish Relief Agencies.

Notes

Series formerly described and cited as RG298.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Publications series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

50

Material Format

textual record

Date

1950-1961

Physical Description

48 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

The Canadian Jewish Congress published various periodicals which contained articles publicizing their activities.

Scope and Content

Series consists of Congress Bulletin (1953-1961), Inter-Office Information (1952-1956), Program Helps (1950s) and Program News (1954).

Notes

Series formerly described and cited as RG299.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Arbitration Committee series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

19

Material Format

textual record

Date

1951-1960

Physical Description

6 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

This committee dealt with internal disputes within the Jewish community, often having to do with religious functionaries and teachers. Its objective was to minimize the number of these cases that might reach the courts.

Scope and Content

Series consists of general files of the Arbitration Committee.

Notes

Series formerly described and cited as RG251.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Budget Committee series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

21

Material Format

textual record

Date

1951-1959

Physical Description

18 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

This body determined the annual budget for the Central Region. It consisted of committee chairmen and other nominees.

Scope and Content

Series consists of general files of the Budget Committee.

Notes

Series formerly described and cited as RG253.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Cemetery Committee series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

22

Material Format

textual record

Date

1951-1959

Physical Description

18 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

The Ontario government was putting pressure on the Jewish cemeteries spread around Toronto to clear up the disorder in the burial grounds to ensure a system of perpetual care. The cemeteries were approached with this in view. In the end, through the efforts of Al Ginsburg of Beth Tzedec, the Dawes Rd. and Jones Avenue properties were reorganized, a permanent fulltime groundskeeper was engaged (A.M. Levy) and adminstration was improved. The other cemeteries remained outside of this new organization which was named the Amalgamated Dawes Road Trustees. Some of these made their own arrangements. Canadian Jewish Congress lent its administrative help to the Amalgamated Dawes Rd. Trustees, hence this committee.

Scope and Content

Series consists of general files of the Cemetery Commitee.

Notes

Series formerly described and cited as RG254.

Subjects

Committees

Cemeteries

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Community Organization series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

25

Material Format

textual record

Date

1950-1956

Physical Description

12 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

Many of the smaller Jewish communities in Ontario could not support a central communal organization. The Canadian Jewish Congress, therefore, assisted them in all aspects of their communal activities. Congress field workers would visit on a regular basis, assess local problems and refer them to the appropriate agencies for resolution. The name was later changed to Community Services.

Scope and Content

Series consists of general files of the Community Organization.

Notes

Series formerly described and cited as RG257.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Community Services series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

26

Material Format

textual record

Date

1958-1968

Physical Description

12 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

Many of the smaller Jewish communities in Ontario could not support a central communal organization. The Canadian Jewish Congress, therefore, assisted them in all aspects of their communal activities. Congress field workers would visit on a regular basis, assess local problems and refer them to the appropriate agencies for resolution. The name was formerly known as Community Organization.

Scope and Content

Series consists of general files of the Community Services.

Notes

Series formerly described and cited as RG258.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Jewish Education series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

28

Material Format

textual record

Date

1950-1960

Physical Description

3.6 m of textual records

Admin History/Bio

The Canadian Jewish Congress assisted the communities in all aspects of Jewish education for both youth and adults. It recruited qualified teachers, provided pedagogical training, established a uniform curriculum and evaluated school programmes. It also helped the smaller communities in organizing cultural activities such as Jewish Book Month and Jewish Music month and supplied guest speakers in support of these projects.

Scope and Content

Series consists of general files of Jewish Education.

Notes

Series formerly described and cited as RG260.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Personnel Committee series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

30

Material Format

textual record

Date

1948-1959

Physical Description

12 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

This committee dealt with salaries, appointments, increases and staff relations. It consisted largely of committee chairmen.

Scope and Content

Series consists of minutes of the Personnel Committee.

Notes

Series formerly described and cited as RG262.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Research Committee series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

31

Material Format

textual record

Date

1949-1960

Physical Description

80 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

This committee conducted studies of various aspects of Jewish community life in Ontario. These studies included "self surveys" of smaller Jewish communities in the province, interviews with immigrants from Israel and a study of the consumption of kosher meat in Toronto. Its objective was to study the nature and needs of the Jewish community so that proper services could be provided.

Scope and Content

Series consists of general files of the Research Committee.

Notes

Series formerly described and cited as RG263.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Societies Division series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

33

Material Format

textual record

Date

1946-1950

Physical Description

12 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

This was a very active committee consisting of representatives from the fraternal orders, sick benefit societies and landsmanshaften. An early chairman was Alfred Green. In 1947, it was Carl Herlick, K.C. The committee dealt - or tried to deal - among other issues, with the relationship of the societies and the medical profession. After the expulsion of the United Jewish Peoples Order in 1950, it seemed to peter out. The Societies Division held annual social events - one year at the Prince George Hotel.

Scope and Content

Series consists of general files of the Societies Division.

Notes

Series formerly described and cited as RG265.

Name Access

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region (creator)

Subjects

Societies

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Youth Division series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

35

Material Format

textual record

Date

1934-1949

Physical Description

12 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

The youth division was composed of adults who determined how Congress in the Region could best serve the needs of youth.

Scope and Content

Series consists of general files of the Youth Division.

Notes

Series formerly described and cited as RG267.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Fund Raising series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

39

Material Format

textual record

Date

1950-1959

Physical Description

1.2 m of textual records

Admin History/Bio

The Canadian Jewish Congress operated fundraising campaigns jointly with the Zionist Organization of Canada. Monies collected financed local activities of both organizations, as well as projects in Europe and Israel. Canadian Jewish Congress took the lead in campaign organization, and provided speakers and publicity material.

Scope and Content

Series consists of general files of Fund Raising.

Notes

Series formerly described and cited as RG280.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Plenary Assembly series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

42

Material Format

textual record

Date

1947-1959

Physical Description

40 cm of textual material

Admin History/Bio

The Plenary Sessions (as they were then known) were the final legislative resort of Canadian Jewry. They were held every second year, alternately in Toronto and Montreal, though this was not adhered to every time. (Once Montreal had two sessions in sequence). The Central Region held voting sessions in Toronto, at which delegate would be elected. The programme involved all the activities and projects of Congress by way of written and oral reports. Efforts were made - not always successful - to allow opportunity for discussion. The Resolutions Committee was a particularly hard-working unit. Resolutions embodied the policies and programme of Canadian Jewish Congress for the following 2 or 3 years. International speakers were always a feature of the Plenary.

Scope and Content

Series consists of general files of the Plenary Assembly.

Notes

Series formerly described and cited as RG283.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Regional Conference series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

44

Material Format

textual record

Date

1950-1954

Physical Description

80 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

Regional conferences tooks place in this period every three years. This record group includes material relating to the organization of the conference and registration of delegates, as well as preparation of publicity material and the programme.

Scope and Content

Series consists of general files relating to the Regional Conference.

Notes

Series formerly described and cited as RG285.

Subjects

Congresses and conventions

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Audio reels series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

52

Material Format

sound recording

Date

1961-1971

Physical Description

49 audio reels (ca. 103 hr., 27 min.) : 1/4 in.

Scope and Content

Series comprises 49 audio reels containing recordings created by the Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region between 1961 and 1971. Includes meetings, conferences, and interviews. Of note are interviews with members of the Canadian Nazi Party and a tap of John Beattie's private telephone line.

Name Access

Canadian Jewish Congress. Ontario Region

Canadian Nazi Party

Access Restriction

Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing some of 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.

Physical Condition

Condition of the tapes varies from good to poor, depending on age and base.

Accession Number

2005-2-2

2002-10-69

2015-9-31

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Audio reels series

Level

Item

Fonds

17

Series

52

Item

2

Material Format

sound recording

Date

7 Jul. 1965

Physical Description

1 audio reel (3 hr., 46 min.) : polyester, 3 3/4 ips, 2 tracks, mono; 1/4 in.

Scope and Content

Item consists of a CJC meeting held on 7 July 1965, discussing John Beattie's speech and the rise of neo-Nazism in Canada. Speakers include Myer Sharzer and Carmen Burger.

Notes

Includes note listing the full content of the tape.

Name Access

Beattie, William John

Canadian Nazi Party

Subjects

Neo-Nazism

Repro Restriction

Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.

Physical Condition

Tape is in fair condition, with mild spoking and some popped strands. Audio quality is good, and content is clear -- volume varies according to speaker.

Related Material

Note listing the full content of the tape -- digitized.

Accession Number

2005-2-2

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Community Relations Committee series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

5

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Date

1938-1978, 1991

Physical Description

6.5 m of textual records

15 photographs

Admin History/Bio

The Joint Community Relations Committee was created in 1938 by the Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region and the Toronto Lodge B’nai Brith. It was originally named the Joint Public Relations Committee and was responsible for combating antisemitism in Ontario. Public statements, by agreement, were made only by the Canadian Jewish Congress as B’nai Brith recognized the uniqueness of its national constitution. The committee was led by lay leaders from the community and a staff representative from the CJC. Shortly thereafter, similar committees were set up in Montreal and in Western Canada, and soon a National Joint Community Relations Committee was established.

The committee played a key role in achieving the early anti-discrimination act of 1944, and the Fair Employment Practices Act of 1951, leading to the Human Rights Code of today. It was prominent in the action against the spread of sectarian religious teachings in the public schools and took the lead in pressing for legislation against the dissemination of racial hatred. It acted for the preservation of religious and human rights and worked with numerous religious, fraternal and ethnic organizations in the wider community. The committee also investigated and acted upon all complaints of discrimination, antisemitism and other such incidents. They supplied Jewish and secular schools with educational materials including pamphlets and books, and conducted intercultural and inter-religious work in the community through organized lectures, seminars, institutes, and plenary sessions.

The committee was composed of equal representation from both the Canadian Jewish Congress, and the B’nai Brith. The money for the operation of the Committee was first provided by both organizations, however, in a 1947 agreement between the National CJC and B’nai Brith Canada, the parties stated that the finances for the committee would be raised in the name of the CJC, with B’nai Brith agreeing to make “token” contributions and co-operate with Congress’ fundraising campaign. As well, the professional staff and support persons for the committee, along with their salaries, came solely from the Central Region CJC.

The executive director (also referred to as the executive secretary) was the primary staff person responsible for carrying out the policy and activities of the JPRC, which included preparing press releases, liaisoning with affiliated groups, organizations, individuals, journalists, government representatives and any others wanting or needing information on issues relating to the JPRC’s work. The executive director acted as the recording secretary at all committee meetings and was the keeper of all official documents.

Around 1978, due in part to the earlier creation of the B’nai Brith’s League for Human Rights in 1970, the Canadian Jewish Congress and the B’nai Brith terminated their joint relationship with the committee. At the time, the CJC felt that B’nai Brith was playing a dual role in advocacy through the League and through the JPRC. B’nai Brith, in turn, felt that the CJC was shutting out the B’nai Brith’s voice. Nevertheless, the “Joint” was not dropped from the name until around 1991.

In 2011 the Community Relations Committee ceased to exist when the CJC Ontario office was closed and the functions of the CJC were folded into the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA).

Committee name changes were: Community Relations Committee, CJC, Ontario Region (ca. 1991-2011) Joint Community Relations Committee, CJC, Ontario Region (ca. 1978-ca. 1991) Joint Community Relations Committee, Central Region (1962-1978) Joint Community Relations Committee, (1938-1962)

Scope and Content

Series consists of five sub-series. Sub-series 1 contains the agendas, minutes and associated documentation supporting meetings of the Community Relations Committee. Sub-series 2 contains speeches , publications, press releases and reports presented and/or distributed by the Committee. Sub-series 3 consists of case files documenting the Committee's activities of combating specific antisemitism and Holocaust-denying activities in Canada. Extensive documentation about Ernst Zundel is included Sub-series 4 contains 9 sub-sub-series documenting various categories of research files accumulated by the Committee. Sub-series 5 contains the general office records of the Committee and includes correspondence and memos of the Executive Director and records providing insight to the internal organization and management of the Committee's internal functions.

For more details see descriptions within the scope and contents notes at the sub-series and sub-sub-series levels.

Notes

Previously processed and cited a MG8 S

Physical extent note: when originally listed in 1988, this series contained about 20.5 metres of textual records. When partial processing and reorganization had been completed in 2013, 14 metres had been culled because those documents were duplicates, newspaper clippings, created by outside agencies or maintained in other agencies.

Associated material note:Library and Archives of Canada holds the records for the National B’nai Brith which does contain 30cm of material on the National Joint Community Relations Committee. The Canadian Jewish Congress National Archives in Montreal holds the records for the National Joint Community Relations Committee, which contains some files on the Ontario Region, as they reported to the National office. The whereabouts of the B’nai Brith records pertaining to the Central Region activities are currently unknown.

Subjects

Committees

Arrangement

Because records in this series had been previously organized in a manner that proved difficult for use by archivists and researchers, the records, during 2010 and 2011, were totally rearranged and described to comply with RAD standards, to provide ease of access by researchers, and to fully reflect the activities and organizational history of the Community Relations Committee of the Canadian Jewish Congress during and after the period when it was a joint committee with the B'Nai Brith.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Regional Executive minutes series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

6

Material Format

textual record

Date

1950-1959

Physical Description

18 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

The Regional Executive, the principal legislative body of Canadian Jewish Congress in Ontario, was named from among the members of the Dominion Council, itself named at Plenary Assemblies. Consisting of between 25 to 40 people, the Regional Executive usually met monthly. Its function was to approve or veto issues of policy and to consider matters arising from comittees.

Scope and Content

Series consists of meeting minutes, notices and correspondence of the Regional Executive Committee.

Notes

Series formerly described and cited as RG200.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Dominion Council minutes series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

8

Material Format

textual record

Date

1950-1959

Physical Description

12 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

The Dominion Council is the supreme authority of Canadian Jewish Congress between Plenary Assemblies and the members were named from among the delegates to the Plenary. It convened only occasionally and usually to deal with extraordinary issues.

Scope and Content

Series consists of minutes and meetings of the Dominion Council.

Notes

Series formerly described and cited as RG202.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

National Executive minutes series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

9

Material Format

textual record

Date

1957-1958

Physical Description

6 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

The National Executive met alternately in Toronto and Montreal approximately every six or seven weeks. Consisting of about 50 members, it dealth with national and international concerns ranging from the World Jewish Congress and the Joint Distribution Committee to antisemitism and Jewish teacher training.

Scope and Content

Series consists of minutes of the National Executive.

Notes

Series formerly described and cited as RG203.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Research Committee minutes series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

15

Material Format

textual record

Date

1947-1959

Physical Description

6 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

This committee conducted studies of various aspects of Jewish community life in Ontario. These studies included "self surveys" of smaller Jewish communities in the province, interviews with immigrants from Israel and a study of the consumption of kosher meat in Toronto. Its objective was to study the nature and needs of the Jewish community so that proper services could be provided.

Scope and Content

Series consists of minutes of the Research Committee.

Notes

Series formerly described and cited as RG209.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Zone Councils minutes series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

17

Material Format

textual record

Date

1947-1951

Physical Description

24 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

Ontario was divided into four zones - East, West, North and South. The communities in each zone formed a Zone Council, which coordinated the activities of the communities within that zone.

Scope and Content

Series consists of minutes of Eastern, Western, Northern and Southern Zone Councils.

Notes

Series formerly described and cited as RG212, RG212A, RG212B, RG212C and RG212D.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Civil Rights Committee series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

23

Material Format

textual record

Date

1950

Physical Description

6 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

In 1950, Canadian Jewish Congress through the Joint Public Relations Committee, was heavily involved in promoting and influencing public opinion in favour of an anti-discrimination law in employment. While this heading is a misnomer, Canadian Jewish Congress did its utmost to popularize the concept of civil rights, at that time not a widely accepted one.

Scope and Content

Series consists of general files of the Civil Rights Committee.

Notes

Series formerly described and cited as RG255.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Labour Division Committee series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

29

Material Format

textual record

Date

1954-1955

Physical Description

6 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

At some point in the 1950s, there was talk of establishing a Congress committee on labour. A meeting was convened of representatives chaired by David Lewis. There was no follow-up, probably because the Jewish Labour Committee already existed.

Scope and Content

Series consists of general files of the Labour Division Committee.

Notes

Series formerly described and cited as RG261.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Self Study Committee series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

32

Material Format

textual record

Date

1950-1951

Physical Description

6 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

In Toronto, there was overlap between the services offered by Canadian Jewish Congress and by the United Jewish Welfare Fund which was established in 1937. This committee was set up to reduce the duplication of service and redefine the mandates of both organizations.

Scope and Content

Series consists of general files of the Self Study Committee.

Notes

Series formerly described and cited as RG264.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Toronto Centenary Committee series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

34

Material Format

textual record

Date

1956-1958

Physical Description

24 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

This committee was charged with organizing community events and publications to commemorate what was thought to be the centenary of Jewish settlement in Toronto. It in fact republished a number of relevant articles and pamphlets, some of which co-sponsored with the United Jewish Welfare Fund. Much of its proposed programme, however, never came to fruition.

Scope and Content

Series consists of general files of the Toronto Centenary Committee.

Notes

Series formerly described and cited as RG266.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

General Subject Files series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

40

Material Format

textual record

Date

1948-1958

Physical Description

64 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

The files relate to the broad activities of the Canadian Jewish Congress. They are organized chronologically.

Scope and Content

Series consists of general files of the Canadian Jewish Congress.

Notes

Series formerly described and cited as RG281.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Chronological Correspondence Files series

Level

Series

Fonds

17

Series

46

Material Format

textual record

Date

1942-1958

Physical Description

6 reels of microfilm and 19 m of textual records

Admin History/Bio

During this period, Congress staff in Toronto maintained a central correspondence file arranged alphabetically by subject and by community within each year. The file rubrics tended to repeat themselves annually. Incoming and outgoing correspondence were integrated by subject. The purpose of this system was to enable staff members to be cognizant of developments in all departments. One had simply to peruse the central file to learn of activity in any particular area. The various standing committees also maintained their own correspondence files which overlap these years, as do the thematic files. The original arrangement was maintained in all of these record groups.

Scope and Content

Series is organized chronologically first and alphabetically by name or subject second. Also included are correspondence files specifically related to Shangai refugees from 1949-1950.

Notes

Series formerly described and cited as RG290.

Files list for Shanghai refugees have not been scanned as part of this finding aid.

Access Restriction

Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing some of the records.

Source

Archival Descriptions