Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Level

Fonds

Fonds

37

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1895]-1979

Physical Description

690 photographs : b&w and col. negatives ; 26 x 21 cm or smaller

Admin History/Bio

Gilbert Studios was originally called Elite Studios and was located at 513 Queen Street West, Toronto. The owner, Nathan Gittelmacher, immigrated to Toronto from Kiev, Ukraine after the First World War. He first worked as a photographer at Empire Studios, and then in 1922, opened up his own studio, Elite Studios, at 513 Queen Street West, which serviced a largely Jewish clientele, photographing weddings, bar mitzvahs, as well as Jewish community events. The studio moved to 615 Queen St. West in July 1923

.During the 1940s, the family changed its name to Gilbert and subsequently altered the name of the business to Gilbert Studios. His son, Al Gilbert, was born in 1922, and started working in the family business in 1941, when he was 19 years of age. He eventually assumed control of it after his father retired. He moved the studio to Eglinton Avenue and then later to Davenport Road, its current location.

Early on in his career, Al made a name for himself as a portrait photographer. At that time, he mostly catered to the Jewish community, photographing brides, rabbis, businessmen and communal events and celebrations. Over the years, he branched out and photographed prominent individuals from the Italian community of Toronto, as well as well as many of the mayors and councilmen and women from Toronto, due to his multi-year contract with the city. In addition, he photographed some of the most important people of our time – from Canada and abroad – including artists, politicians, scientists, philanthropists, athletes, and religious figures.

Over the years, Al won many competitions, awards and accolades. He is a three-time recipient of the prestigious Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC) photographer of the year award. He has also been named a Fellow of the photographic societies in Canada, Britain and the United States. Al was also the first recipient of the Yousuf Karsh award. In 1990, he was recognized for his contribution to the nation as an artist with the Order of Canada award. Finally, in 2007, he was awarded the Professional Photographers of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He died in 2019 at the age of 96.

Gilbert Studios is still in business today.

Scope and Content

Fonds consists of images taken by Nathan and Al Gilbert. In addition, there are some images the Gilbert family acquired, from the early 1900s, that have historical significance to the Toronto Jewish community.

Although the Gilberts photographed a variety of people and organizations, the individuals and groups included in this fonds are either Jewish in origin or connected to the Jewish community.

The fonds has been arranged into nine series: Negev dinners; B'nai B'rith Sportsmen Lodge dinners; Zionist Centre cornerstone ceremony; Al Gilbert portraits; Nathan Gilbert portraits; weddings; Jewish Community events; Jewish clubs businsesses and organizations; and Miscellaneous collection.

Notes

Positive digital scanned images are available for all of the described negatives.

Name Access

Elite Studios (Toronto, Ont.)

Gilbert, Al, 1923-2019

Gilbert, Nathan

Gilbert Studio

Physical Condition

Some negatives are suffering from vinegar syndrome.

Related Material

See also the Albert Gilbert fonds (Reference # R9086-0-X-E) at Library and Archives Canada

Creator

Gilbert Studios (Toronto, Ont.)

Accession Number

1991-6-2

1991-4-4

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Weddings series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

6

Item

7

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1955]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Scope and Content

Photograph of a wedding ceremony with the bride and groom kissing at the front of the synagogue under the chuppah.

Subjects

Marriage service

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Weddings series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

6

Item

4

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1950]

Physical Description

1 negatives : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Scope and Content

Photograph of a wedding ceremony inside Goel Tzedec Synagogue on University Avenue.

Name Access

Goel Tzedec Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)

Subjects

Marriage service

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

University Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Weddings series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

6

Item

3

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1921]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

Morris B. Kaufman was president and owner of Kaufman Metal Company. Rose Kaufman (née Bearg) was a member of Beth Tzedec Sisterhhod, State of Israel Bonds and Hadassah. Together they had three children named Linda Joy, Deena Karen, and Ira David.

Scope and Content

Photograph of Rose and Morris Kaufman on their wedding day taken by Nathan Gilbert.

Name Access

Kaufman, Morris

Kaufman, Rose

Subjects

Married people

Portraits

Repro Restriction

Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Weddings series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

6

Item

1

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1895]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

Miriam and Moishe Oelbaum were the parents of Sidney, Chas, Irv, Babe, and Jack.

Scope and Content

Photograph of Miriam and Moishe Oelbaum's wedding portrait.

Name Access

Oelbaum, Miriam

Oelbaum, Moishe

Subjects

Married people

Portraits

Repro Restriction

Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Weddings series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

6

Item

8

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1964]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Scope and Content

Item is of an image of a wedding reception with the couple and family standing behind the dessert table.

Subjects

Portraits, Group

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Weddings series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

6

Item

2

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1956]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 18 x 13 cm

Scope and Content

Item is a portrait of a bride holding her bouquet of flowers.

Subjects

Brides

Portraits

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Weddings series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

6

Item

5

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1966]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ;18 x 13 cm

Scope and Content

Image is of two brides standing together with their bouquets, which was probably taken for a bridal advertisment.

Subjects

Brides

Portraits

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Weddings series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

6

Item

6

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1955]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Scope and Content

Item consists of a photograph taken of a wedding group standing in front of the dessert table. The bride and groom are in the centre surrounded by family and friends.

Notes

Title based on contents of photograph.

Subjects

Portraits, Group

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Weddings series

Level

Series

Fonds

37

Series

6

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1895-1966

Physical Description

8 negatives : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Scope and Content

Series consists of images taken at weddings by both Nathan and Al Gilbert.

The wedding images are of brides and grooms, guests, the head table and dessert tables, and the ceremony. Some of the images are taken in synagogues.

Subjects

Weddings

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Level

Series

Fonds

37

Series

1

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1956-1978

Physical Description

447 photographs : b&w and col. (392 negatives) ; 26 x 21 cm or smaller

Admin History/Bio

The Negev dinners were established in 1948, coinciding with the creation of the State of Israel, as an annual fundraising dinner. The Jewish National Fund hosted these annual dinners in honour of a leading Canadian citizen, and the proceeds from the dinners were used to establish JNF projects in Israel in the name of the honouree. The JNF projects have, and continue to do so today, raised money to purchase land in Israel's Negev desert and for re-forestation efforts.

The annual dinner was dedicated to a member of the Toronto Jewish community, who had demonstrated outstanding support and commitment to the Community and to the State of Israel. In honour of this individual's contributions, the secured land in Negev was named after them. The honourary guests were presented with awards of appreciation from members of the Canadian and International Jewish community, often including delegates from Israel. The dinners were attended by prominent members of Toronto's Jewish community, including politicians, business men, and philanthropists.

Each subsequent dinner became larger and more successful in its aim to raise funds for Israel, as a result this event soon became the most significant Jewish event in Toronto. As well, it was also the largest annual kosher meal served in Toronto.

The JNF produced an annual Negev Dinner yearbook, commemorating the event, and documenting both the lives of the honouree's family and the current activities of the JNF. As well, the names of individuals who donated money for the JNF projects were recorded in the Souvenir books under patrons and sponsors of the dinners.

Scope and Content

Series consists of negatives taken by Al Gilbert documenting eight Negev Dinners hosted by the Jewish National Fund. The images depict the various activities undertaken at these dinners including: the procession and introduction of the head table guests, the presentation of awards, speeches, toasts, presentation of flowers to the honouree or the wife of the honouree, and the entertainment. The majority of the negatives are portraits taken of the guests posing with the honouree and his or her family. One dinner in this series was dedicated to the Toronto Jewish Community (1956) on the year of its centenary, while the others are in honour of one significant member of the community.

There were Negev dinners held across Canada; however, the dinners in this series were all held in Toronto and were primarily attended by members of the Toronto Jewish community. The honourees documented in this series include: 1956, Toronto Jewish Community; 1966, Bert Godfrey; 1967, Nathan Silver; 1968, Phil Givens; 1970, Leon E. Weinstein; 1973, Rt. Hon. John G. Diefenbaker; 1974, Phil Granovsky; 1978, Eric and Esther Exton.

Notes

Selection for this series reflects the various activities of the Negev dinners, including: speeches, toasts, award presentations, dinner tables, introductions, honourees, entertainment and presentation of flowers. In addition, we selected a sample of images documenting the dinner tables and guests who were not part of the evening's programme, and therefore, would not be captured in the aforementioned criteria.

Name Access

Negev

Jewish National Fund

Godfrey, Bert

Silver, Nathan

Givens, Phil

Weinstein, Leon E.

Diefenbaker, Rt. Hon. John G.

Granovsky, Phil

Exton, Eric

Exton, Esther

Subjects

Awards

Dinners and dining

Fund raising

Arrangement

Series has been arranged into files representing each annual dinner.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Level

File

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

1

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1956

Physical Description

73 photographs : b&w (42 negatives) ; 26 x 21 cm and 11 x 13 cm

Scope and Content

File consists of negatives documenting the 1956 Negev dinner held in honour of the Toronto Jewish community's centennial. The dinner was hosted by the Jewish National Fund at Toronto's Royal York Hotel. This honourary dinner was bestowed on the community in celebration of the ongoing committment to fostering a strong, supportive and vibrant Jewish community in Toronto.

The dinner was attended and officiated by prominent members of the Toronto Jewish community, including: Rabbi Stuart Rosenberg, Rabbi David Monson, D. Lou Harris, Stephen E. Berger, Rabbi Charles Bender, Manny Rotman, Sol D. Granek, J. Irving Oelbaum, Meyer W. Gasner, Samuel Feldt, Edward E. Gelber, and Rabbi Abraham L. Feinberg. The images in this file reflect these individuals' participation in the event.

Name Access

Bender, Rabbi Charles

Berger, Stephen E.

Feinberg, Rabbi Abraham L.

Feldt, Samuel

Gasner, Meyer W.

Gelber, Edward E., 1903-1970

Granek, Sol D.

Harris, D. Lou

Jewish National Fund

Monson, Rabbi David

Negev Dinner

Oelbaum, J. Irving, 1899-1966

Rosenberg, Rabbi Stuart

Rotman, Manny

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Level

File

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

2

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1966

Physical Description

51 negatives : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

Bert Godfrey was born on June 1, 1908 to Minnie Reisman and Solomon Godfrey. He married Ruth Grossman and they had two children named Corrine Leigh and Sheldon. Bert Godfrey was president of S. Godfrey Co. Ltd, a wool import and export company founded by Samuel Godfrey.

Godfrey contributed much time and energy to the cause of Israel and other philanthropic pursuits. Mr. Godfrey was founding president of Beth Tzedec and former president of Goel Tzedec. He served as president of the Bureau of Jewish Education and was founding president of of the United Synagogue Day School. He also sat on several different boards including: Mount Sinai, Jewish home for the Aged, United Jewish Welfare Fund and the Canadian Jewish Council.

Other awards presented to Bert Godfrey include, the Jewish Theological Seminary of America's Louis Marshall Award in 1961 and the National Human Relations Award from the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews in 1964.

Scope and Content

File consists of negatives documenting the 1966 Negev Dinner held in honour of Bert Godfrey. The dinner was hosted by the Jewish National Fund at the Royal York Hotel and was attended by members of the Toronto Jewish community.

Images are of the main activities and participants of the event including speeches and presentations from the following guests: Alfred Green, Rabbi Gedalia Felder, Rabbi Erwin Schild, Nat Hurwich, Manny Rotman, Honourable Gabriel Lourie, Honourable Allan A. Grossman, Mayor Philip G. Givens, Samuel Shainhouse, Morris B. Kaufman, Rabbi David Monson, Max Schecter, Honourable Mr. Justice Abraham H Lieff, Rabbi Stuart E. Rosenberg, Louis L. Lockshin, Rabbi Louis J Cashdan, and Julius Hayman.

Name Access

Negev Dinner

Jewish National Fund

Godfrey, Bert

Green, Alfred

Felder, Rabbi Gedalia

Schild, Rabbi Erwin

Hurwich, Nat

Rotman, Manny

Lourie, Honourable Gabriel

Grossman, Allan A.

Givens, Philip G.

Shainhouse, Samuel

Kaufman, Morris B.

Monson, Rabbi David

Schecter, Max

Lieff, Mr. Justice Abraham H.

Rosenberg, Rabbi Stuart E.

Lockshin, Louis L.

Cashdan, Rabbi Louis J.

Hayman, Julius

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Level

File

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

4

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1968

Physical Description

77 photographs : b&w (53 negatives) ; 9 x 9 cm and 6 x 6 cm

Admin History/Bio

Philip Gerald Givens (1922-1995) was born to Hyman and Mary Givens. He was married to Minnie Rubin and they had two children named Eleanor and Michael. He worked as a lawyer for the firm Pivnick, Givens, & Chusid, was Senior Alderman for the City of Toronto for ten years, a member of the Metropolitan Council for seven years, and in 1961, he was elected Controller of City of Toronto. After his term as mayor expired, Givens was elected into the House of Commons for York West in 1968.

Philip Givens was founder and first president of the Upper Canada Lodge of B'nai Brith and past president of the Metropolitan Coordinating Council of B'nai B'rith. He was an active member of the Jewish community.

Scope and Content

File consists of photographs documenting the 1968 Negev dinner held in honour of Philip G. Givens.The dinner was hosted by the Jewish National Fund at the Royal York Hotel and was attended by members of the Toronto Jewish community.

The programme for the evening included speeches and presentations made by the following guests: Morley J. Pape, Rabbi Erwin Schild, Rabbi David Monson, Honourable Dr. Aba Gefen, Wm. R. Allen, Louis L. Lockshin, Charles Kent, Nathan Silver, Samuel Shainhouse, Nathan O. Hurwich, Stuart E. Rosenberg, Honourable Allan Grossman, and Leon E. Weintstein.

Name Access

Givens, Philip G.

Grossman, Allan, 1910-1991

Pape, Morley J.

Schild, Rabbi Erwin

Monson, Rabbi David

Gefen, Hon. Dr. Abba

Allen, Wm. R.

Lockshin, Louis L.

Kent, Charles

Silver, Nathan

Shainhouse, Samuel

Hurwich, Nathan O.

Rosenberg, Stuart E.

Weinstein, Leon E.

Negev dinners

Related Material

See also Accession # 1990-9-7 for materials related to Phil Givens

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Level

File

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

5

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1970

Physical Description

53 negatives : b&w and col. ; 6 x 6 cm

Admin History/Bio

Leon E. Weinstein was born in the back room of his family's grocery store in Toronto on August 19, 1909. His parents names were Sam and Sarah Weinstein. Leon married Anna Sackin and together they had three children named: Carol Joy, Frances Lee, and Henry Jacob. Continuing in his family's line of work, Leon was President and General Manager for a large grocery corporation called Power Super Markets Limited.

He was also actively involved in the Toronto Jewish community and held several appointments with B'nai B'rith, United Jewish Appeal Toronto, Israel Bond Drive, United Appeal of Greater Toronto, United Jewish Welfare Fund, Toronto Jewish Home for the Aged and many more. He was a member of the Holy Blossom Temple.

Scope and Content

File consists of negatives documenting the Negev dinner held in tribute to Leon E. Weinstein. The dinner was hosted by the Jewish National Fund at the Royal York Hotel and was attended by members of the Toronto Jewish community.

The programme for the evening included speeches and presentations made by the following guests: Robert R. Hall, Rabbi Dr. Moses J. Burak, James F. Kay, Rabbi Harold Lerner, Eric Exton, Charles A. Kent, Lewish J. E. Moses, Philip Granovsky, David L. Dennis, Mrs. Arnold Finkler, Hon. Dr. Aba Gefen, Hon. Allan Grossman, Philip Givens, Rabbi W. Gunther Plaut, and Allen Ephraim Diamond.

Name Access

Weinstein, Leon E.

Hall, Robert R.

Burak, Rabbi Dr. Moses J.

Kay, James F.

Lerner, Rabbi Harold

Exton, Eric, 1907-1997

Kent, Charles A.

Moses, Lewis J.E.

Dennis, David L.

Finkler, Mrs. Leona

Gefen, Hon. Dr. Aba

Grossman, Allan, 1910-1991

Givens, Phillip

Plaut, Rabbi W. Gunther

Diamond, Allen Ephraim

Granovsky, Philip

Jewish National Fund

Negev dinners

B'nai B'rith

United Jewish Appeal

United Jewish Welfare Fund

Israel Bonds Drive

Toronto Jewish Home for the Aged

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Level

File

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

6

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1973

Physical Description

45 negatives : col. ; 13 x 11 cm and 6 x 6 cm

Admin History/Bio

John G. Diefenbaker was born in Neustadt, Ontario on Sept. 18, 1895 to William and Mary. He joined the Canadian Officers' Training Corps and served as lieutenant with the 105th Saskatoon Fusiliers' Regiment between the years 1916-1917. Afterwards, he returned to school in Saskatchewan and became a lawyer starting up a practice in Wakaw.

He married Edna Brauer, then after her death, he remarried in 1953 to Olive E. Freeman Palmer. He had no children.

John G. Diefenbaker was elected to the house of Parliament in 1940 and won the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party in 1956. The Party won the 1957 election and John G. Diefenbaker became Canada's 13th Prime Minister. He was defeated in 1963 by the Liberals, and in 1967 Diefenbaker was replaced as the P.C. leader by Robert Stansfield.

During his reign as Prime Minister, he initiated the Canadian Bill of Rights, which was later adopted in 1960. John G. Diefenbaker died on Aug. 16, 1979.

The 1973 Negev dinner, along with the erection of the John G. Diefenbaker Parkway in Israel, was the Toronto Jewish Community's recognition of his humanitarian efforts and his commitment to Israel.

Scope and Content

File consists of photographs documenting the Negev dinner held in honour of John G. Diefenbaker at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto.

The programme for the evening included speeches and presentations from the following guests: Robert R. Hall, Rabbi David Monson, Leona Finkler, Cantor Joseph Cooper, Hon. Allan Grossman, Ambassador Theodor Meron, James F. Kay, Bernard M. Bloomfield, Philip G. Givens, Murray B. Koffler, and David L. Dennis.

Name Access

Bloomfield, Bernard M.

Cooper, Cantor Joseph

Dennis, David L.

Diefenbaker, John G., 1895-1979

Finkler, Leona

Givens, Philip G.

Grossman, Allan, 1910-1991

Hall, Robert R.

Kay, James F.

Koffler, Murray B.

Meron, Theodor

Monson, Rabbi David

Palmer, Olive E. Freeman [Diefenbaker]

Subjects

Prime ministers--Canada

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Level

File

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

7

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1974

Physical Description

49 negatives : col. ; 6 x 6 cm

Admin History/Bio

Philip Granovsky was born in Romania to Abraham and Pearl Granovsky. He moved to Toronto with his family at the age of five. He was a student at the Brunswick Talmud Torah. Philip married Shirley Rockfeld in 1946 and they had four children named: Fahla, Stanley, Maxine and Ronald. Phil and his brother Irv took over their father's business, Atlantic Packaging Company in 1959, which in turn, was expanded and became a thriving organization.

In addition to his professional success, Phil Granovsky was regarded as a formidable fund raiser and devoted many years of his life assisting the United Jewish Appeal in their annual fundraising campaign. He was also past president of the United Jewish Welfare Fund of Toronto. Under the auspices of the United Jewish Appeal, and of his own initiative, Phil Granovsky was a frequent visitor and supporter of Israel.

Scope and Content

File consists of negatives documenting the Negev dinner honouring Philip Granovsky held at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto.

The programme for the evening included speeches and presentations made by the following guests: Robert R. Hall, Jack Gwartz, Rabbi Erwin Schild, Charles A. Kent, Rabbi J. Benjamin Friedberg, Hon. Allan Grossman, Shmuel Ovnat, James F. Kay, Philip G. Givens, Rabbi Dr. W. Gunther Plaut, Rabbi Arthur J. Lelyveld, and George A. Cohon.

Name Access

Atlantic Packaging Company

Cohon, George A.

Friedberg, Rabbi J. Benjamin

Granovsky, Philip

Granovsky, Shirley

Granovsky, Irv

Gwartz, Jack

Givens, Philip G.

Grossman, Allan, 1910-1991

Hall, Robert R.

Kay, James F.

Kent, Charles A.

Lelyveld, Rabbi Arthur J.

Ovnat, Shmuel

Plaut, Rabbi Dr. W. Gunther

Schild, Rabbi Erwin

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Level

File

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

8

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1978

Physical Description

50 negatives : b&w and col. ; 11 x 13 cm and 6 x 6 cm

Admin History/Bio

Eric Exton (1919–2001) was born in Potschappel, Germany. He was expelled in the Kristallnacht purge of students from his college in November 1938, where he studied industrial chemistry. He fled to England, where he was interned and then sent to Canada in 1940, where he spent a year in the Sherbrooke internment camp for refugees.

Eric and Esther Exton were married on 17 August 1948. They had two children named Sybil and Lennie. Esther was a dressmaker for many years, and Eric worked in a variety of different positions, eventually starting the first mortgage investment corporation to be publicly traded in Canada.

Eric was president of the Eglinton Lodge B'nai B'rith in 1959, president of Hillel in 1970, and chairman of the inaugural convention of the Federated Zionist Organization of Canada in 1967. He also held the positions of treasurer, vice president, and president of the Toronto organization of the Jewish National Fund. Finally, he served as president of Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care for a three-year term.

Esther Exton was also a member of the Eglinton Chapter B'nai B'rith and was president for one term and co-chairman of B'nai B'rith Women's Israel Bond Committee. She was also co-chairman for the Women's Division of United Jewish Appeal Israel Special Fund campaign and president of the Women's Auxiliary of Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care.

Both Eric and Esther were devoted to the cause of Israel and the Jewish community in Toronto. Their dedication was passed on to their two children who, following their parents lead, have taken active roles within the Jewish community.

Scope and Content

File consists of negatives documenting the Negev dinner held in tribute to Eric and Esther Exton.

The evening's programme included presentations and speeches from the following: Robert R. Hall, Frank Wolfe, Rabbi Erwin Schild, Rabbi J. Benjamin Friedberg, Hon. David Ariel, Nathan Scott, Jack Gwartz, Jack Friedman, Abe Posluns, Nathan Starr, Dr. Mark A. Siegal and Joseph Kerzner.

Related Material

See also Fonds 28, Zionist Organization of Canada

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Miscellaneous collection series

Level

Series

Fonds

37

Series

9

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[1914-1935]

Physical Description

7 negatives : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Custodial History

This series was compiled by the Gilbert family and transferred to the Archives in 1991.

Scope and Content

Series consists of photographs collected by the Gilbert family. The Gilbert family collected historically significant photographs. Included in the sub-series are photographs of the Koffler family, Leon Mendelson, and Elias Pullan, which were given to Al Gilbert by the families.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Negev dinners series

Level

File

Fonds

37

Series

1

File

3

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1967

Physical Description

50 negatives : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

Nathan Silver was born in Warsaw, Poland to Blima and Shul Silver. He married Lily Anne Cooper and they had four children: Shul David, Deborah Ruth, Joseph Baruch, and Bonnie Suzanne. Nathan served in the Second World War as an artillery gunner in the Canadian Army. His occupation was that of a builder and developer and he played an active role within the Toronto Jewish community, operating as National Chairman of the Zionist Revisionist Organization of Canada, executive member of the United Zionist Congress, and, as well, he was a member of the World Executive Zionist Revisionist Movement. Nathan Silver was also an advocate of Jewish education and was Chairman for the Executive of the Associated Hebrew Schools.

Scope and Content

File consists of images documenting the Negev dinner held in honour of Nathan Silver at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto.

Included on the evening's programme were: Lewis J.E. Moses; Rabbi Emanuel Forman; Rabbi Joseph Kelman; Hon. Dr. Aba Gefen; Louis L. Lockshin; Eric Exton; Rabbi Dr. David Monson; Cantor Zvee Aroni accompanied by Leo Spellman; Philip G. Givens; William Stevenson; Samuel Shainhouse; and Stephen Berger. This file features several images of the aforementioned individuals participating in their assigned roles for the event.

Name Access

Moses, Lewis J.E.

Forman, Rabbi Emanuel

Kelman, Rabbi Joseph

Gefen, Hon. Dr. Aba

Lockshin, Louis L.

Exton, Eric, 1907-1997

Monson, Rabbi Dr. David

Aroni, Cantor Zvee

Spellman, Leo

Givens, Philip G.

Stevenson, William

Shainhouse, Samuel

Berger, Stephen

Negev dinners

Jewish National Fund

Subjects

Dinners and dining

Revisionist Zionists

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Miscellaneous collection series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

9

Item

7

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[between 1890 and 1910]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

Jake Wolfe was related to Max and Maurice Wolfe who started the Ontario Produce Company, which was the forerunner of the IGA grocery franchise.

Scope and Content

Photograph of Jake (Yael) Wolfe and Sarah Frieidel.

Name Access

Frieidel, Sarah

Wolfe, Jake

Subjects

Portraits

Weddings

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.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Miscellaneous collection series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

9

Item

6

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[192-?]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

S. Leon Mendelson, QC, was an advocate, barrister, and solicitor who was born in Lithuania in 1902 to Maxwell and Rose Mendelson. Leon Mendelson married Edythe Rubin, and they had a daughter, Paula Ruth. His affiliations included: Federation of Jewish Philanthropies, YW-YMHA (past-president), and Elmridge Golf and Country Club (president).

Scope and Content

Photograph of S. Leon Mendelson standing on a dock by the water in a bathing suit.

Name Access

Mendelson, S. Leon

Subjects

Portraits

Repro Restriction

Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Miscellaneous collection series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

9

Item

3

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca 1915]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

Tiana Koffler was born in Romania but moved to Saskatchewan with her family while still a baby. She attended the University of Saskatchewan for liberal arts and married Leon Koffler in 1922. Together, they parented their only child, Murray Koffler.

Scope and Content

Photograph of a sixteen-year-old Tiana Reinhorn Koffler (née Reinhorn).

Name Access

Koffler, Ernestiana (Mrs. Leon)

Koffler's drugstore

Subjects

Immigrants--Canada

Portraits

Teenagers

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.

Related Material

see also photographs: 37-S4-3-item-2, 37-S4-3-item-3, 37-S4-3-item-9, 37-S4-3-item-20

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Miscellaneous collection series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

9

Item

5

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1935]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

Elias Pullan was born in Telz—a town in the province of Kovno, Lithuania—in 1865. He came to Canada in 1885 and started a waste-paper and scrap business called E. Pullan Limited. He married Bertha Helner in 1890, and, together, they had ten children: Harry, Joe, Emanuel, Gordon, Martha, Dorothy, Bessie, Rita, Jennie and Helen. Elias Pullan was the president of the kehillah in Toronto and president, treasurer, and parnas of Goel Tzedec Synagogue. He was also the founder and first president of the Simcoe Street Talmud Torah.

Scope and Content

Image is of Elias Pullan.

Name Access

E. Pullan Limited

Pullan, Elias

Subjects

Businesspeople

Immigrants--Canada

Portraits

Repro Restriction

Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Miscellaneous collection series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

9

Item

1

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1927]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

Murray Bernard Koffler was born in a four-room flat over his father's drugstore on College Street on 22 January 1924. His parents' names were Leon and Tiana Koffler (née Reinhorn). Murray married Marvelle Seligman, and they had five children: Leon, Theo, Tom, Adam, and Tiana.

Following in his father's footsteps, Murray was educated as a pharmacist and eventually took over the family drugstore when he was twenty-two years old. After making some profitable real-estate investments, he helped to co-found the Four Seasons Hotel chain and created the first self-serve pharmacy in Canada. His entrepreneurial talents led the way to the creation of the giant pharmacy franchise Shoppers Drug Mart.

A world-renowned philanthropist, Murray Koffler’s donations and commitments have helped fund the creation of the Koffler Centre of the Arts, the Koffler Institute of Pharmacy Management, the Canadian Council for Native Business, and the Council on Drug Abuse. He has also held positions on numerous boards and organizations. His tireless efforts and achievements have been recognized with many awards including becoming a member of the Order of Canada in 1977.

Scope and Content

Photograph is of Murray Koffler with his Aunt Anne, outside of Koffler's Drug Store, located at 376 College Street in Toronto.

Name Access

Anne

Koffler, Murray, 1924-2017

Koffler's Drug Store

Subjects

Drugstores

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

College Street (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Miscellaneous collection series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

9

Item

2

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1939

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

Leon Koffler was born in Romania. He moved to Canada and settled in the Toronto area at the age of fifteen with his mother and his three sisters. He graduated from the Ontario College of Pharmacy in 1921 and, two years later, opened his first pharmacy on College Street. Leon lived in the apartment above his store with his wife Tiana Koffler (née Reinhorn) and their son Murray.

Scope and Content

Photograph of Leon Koffler standing inside Koffler's Drug Store preparing pharmaceuticals.

Name Access

Koffler's Drug Store

Koffler, Leon

Subjects

Drugstores

Pharmacists

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.

Related Material

see also photographs: 37-S4-3-item-2, 37-S4-3-item-3, 37-S4-3-item-15, 37-S4-3-item-20

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Miscellaneous collection series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

9

Item

4

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1914

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

Leon Koffler was born in Romania. He moved to Canada and settled in the Toronto area at the age of fifteen with his mother and his three sisters. Leon Koffler worked for Nelson's when he first moved to Canada as a fruit peddler. He graduated from the Ontario College of Pharmacy in 1921 and two years later opened his first pharmacy on College Street. Leon lived in the apartment above his store with his wife Tiana Koffler (née Reinhorn) and their son, Murray.

Scope and Content

Photograph is of Leon Koffler seated in a horse-drawn buggy, peddling fruit and vegetables at age eighteen.

The buggy has a Nelson's sign on it and the address for 460 Yonge Street.

Name Access

Koffler, Leon

Nelson's

Subjects

Immigrants--Canada

Peddlers

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.

Related Material

see also photographs: 37-S4-3-item-2, 37-S4-3-item-3, 37-S4-3-item-9, 37-S4-3-item-15

Places

Yonge Street (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Al Gilbert portraits series

Level

Series

Fonds

37

Series

4

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1941-1978]

Physical Description

56 negatives : b&w, 1 col. ; 18 x 13 cm or smaller

Admin History/Bio

Al Gilbert was born on November 18, 1922 in Toronto. His father Nathan Gittelmacher [Gilbert] owned a photography studio, called Elite Studios, where Al began to learn the photography trade. Al went to Central Technical High School for commercial art and started working at his father's store after he graduated at the age of 19. Al returned to school as an adult and earned his Master of Photography and Photographic Craftsmen degree from the Professional Photographers of America.

Al took over Gilbert Studios and moved to a larger location on Eglinton Street and then later to Davenport Road. Al married, and he and his wife Gail had two children named Nina and Michael.

Al began his career following in the tradition of his father photographing weddings and other significant events in the community. However, he also expanded his repertoire to include series of portraits documenting different cultural and religious groups. While still making a name for himself, Al arranged a deal with a local radio station -- CKEY -- that had a promotional programme called Club 580. The programme was designed to draw music celebrities down to an auditorium where school kids would get the chance to see them. He approached the station, asking if he could photograph these musicians, and in exchange, provide the station with picture postcards depicting the musicians. Some of the entertainers he photographed during this period included: Oscar Peterson, Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, and Dizzy Gillespie. One of his most personally significant series documents all of Israel's Prime Ministers starting in 1959 with David Ben Gurion up until the late 1990s. Most recently, Al finished a series of portraits depicting prominent Italian Canadian men and women.

One of Al Gilbert's photographic influences was George Hurrell, whose portraits of Hollywood movie starts were backlit with spotlights creating a glamorous effect. In 1943, Gilbert started to introduce some of Hurrell's lighting techniques into his portraits. He was constantly changing the window displays at his store to draw attention to his latest techniques and attract a new clientele. Twenty years later, still fascinated with lighting, Al started using more window lighting and doing outdoor photography; he also perfected the technique of simulating natural light using artificial sources of light.

Al Gilbert built his reputation as a portrait photographer. Due to his innovative style and the prominence of his subjects, Al's work has received much recognition -- he has been given the Canadian Photographer of the Year in 1968, 1969, and 1973 from the Professional Photographers of Canada. He was awarded the Order of Canada and held the Confederate Medal of Canada. In addition, he was also the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Photographic Industry of America and the International Award from the American Society of Photographers.

Scope and Content

Series consists of portraits taken by Al Gilbert. The portraits depict prominent individuals from the Toronto Jewish community, Jewish clubs, politicians, and several well-known personalities including the comedians Wayne and Shuster.

Notes

All portraits were selected with the exception of duplicates and portraits where the issue of ownership remains unresolved because the photographer is unknown.

Name Access

Wayne & Shuster

Hurvitz, Rabbi

Hennick, Nat

Posluns

Kayfetz, Carl

Sterling, Bob

Van Der Hout, Victor

Goodman, Eddy

Greenberg, David

Kay, Jimmy

Hall, Robert

Shopsowitz, Sam

Lockshin, Lou

Topper, Harry

Drevnick,Bill

Givens, Phil

Silver, Nathan

Tanenbaum, Wayne

Orliffe, Herbert

Leslie, Dr. Harold

Herman, Woody

Waxman, Al

Wayne, Johnny

Shuster, Frank

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Nathan Gilbert portraits series

Level

Series

Fonds

37

Series

5

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1920-1930]

Physical Description

5 negatives : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

Nathan Gittelmacher was an immigrant from Kiev, Russia who moved to Toronto and first worked as a photographer at Empire Studios. In 1922, he opened up his own business called Elite Studios, located at 615 Queen Street West. He specialized in portraits and catered to a largely Jewish clientele. Many of Nathan's portraits were produced with a large format view camera and printed from glass negatives.

Nathan Gittelmacher changed his family's name to Gilbert in the early 1940s and subsequently altered the family business name to Gilbert Studios. Nathan was married to Nina and they had four children named: Lou, Jack, Albert and Ruth.

Scope and Content

Series consists of photographs taken by Nathan Gilbert. The photographs in this series are mostly of the Gilbert family. One of the Gilbert family portraits depicts the Gilbert automobile with the Elite Studio's insignia written across the side of the car. Also here, are a few examples of studio portraits that reflect Nathan Gilbert's photographic style.

Name Access

Gilbert, Nathan

Subjects

Portraits

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Al Gilbert portraits series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

4

Item

2

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca.1975]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

Rabbi Israel Hurwitz was rabbi for the congregation Anshe Lida during the 1930s and for the congregation Chevra Mikra during the 1960s and 1970s. He was also former president of the Toronto Rabbinical Association and was a shochtim for the Vaad Hoir, or United Jewry, which was established as a rival supervisory body to that of the kehillah.

Scope and Content

Item consists of a portrait taken of Rabbi Israel Hurwitz.

Name Access

Hurwitz, Rabbi Israel

Hurvitz [alternate spelling]

Toronto Rabbinical Association

Anshe Lida

Chevra Mikra

Kehilla

Vaad Hoir

Subjects

Rabbis

Repro Restriction

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

Related Material

see also Accession #1982-4-3 for Rabbi Israel Hurwitz records

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Al Gilbert portraits series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

4

Item

33

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1970]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

Nat and Irving Hennick were born in Poland to Molly and William Hennick. The family emigrated to Canada shortly afterwards.

Irving Hennick was married to Shirley Kirshenblatt and they had three children named Georgia, Jeffrey, and Steven. Irving was president of Marvel Jewellery Ltd. on McCaul Street in Toronto.

Irving Hennick was a member of the Mason Order, Herzl Zion, Maple Downs Golf and Country Club and Chairman of the Jewellery Division of U.J.A.

Harry Hennick and Nat Hennick played for the Lizzies sports teams.

Scope and Content

Portrait of the three Hennick brothers Nat, Irving and [Harry?].

Notes

Identification of Harry Hennick is not certain.

Name Access

Hennick, Irving

Hennick, Nat

Subjects

Brothers

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Al Gilbert portraits series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

4

Item

12

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1965]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

The generation of Posluns captured in this photograph were the children of Sheindel and Abraham Isaac Posluns. They had seven children named: Abe, Louis, Sam, Joseph, Gertie, Sarah and Anne.

Abe was born in 1908. He married Elsie Posluns and had three children named: Alan Irwin, Dorothy Hildred, and Richard Wilfred Joel. Abe Posluns was a financier and was actively involved in the Toronto Jewish community.Moreover, at different points in his life, he was president of the United Community Fund of Greater Toronto, president of the Jewish Home for the Aged, President of Baycrest Hospital, Honorary Vice-President for United Jewish Welfare Fund, Director and Executive of New Mount Sinai Hospital, Director of YW-YMHA, Director of Canadian Welfare Council, and a member of B'nai B'rith, Primrose Club, and Oakdale Golf and Country Club.

Louis Posluns was married to Leah and they had three sons: Wilfred, Jack and Irving. Louis was the Presdient of YMHA and a founding member of Beth Tzedec Congregation. Louis and his brother Jospeh started a family business called Superior Cloak; all four brothers became involved in the business, which in turn led to the creation of several other successful organizations.

Sam Posluns was Past President of the Board of Jewish Education.

The Posluns family was involved in many philanthropic ventures, which included a donation to the Baycrest Hospital to help fund a centre devoted to helping seniors who suffer from dementia as a result of strokes. The Louis and Leah Posluns Centre for Stroke and Cognition opened in 2000. The Leah Posluns Theatre located at the Bathurst Jewish Community Centre was also funded by the Poslun family.

Scope and Content

Photograph is of the Posluns siblings. Seated from left to right are Gertie Wasserman, Joseph and Louis. Standing from left to right are Sam, Abe, Sarah Bernstein and Anne Straus.

Name Access

Posluns

Subjects

Brothers and sisters

Portraits, Group

Repro Restriction

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

Related Material

1997-7-6 Sam Posluns fonds

1999-12-2 Leah Posluns Theatre

2004-5-79 Posluns family memorabilia

Oral History #AC 214 Abe Posluns

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Al Gilbert portraits series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

4

Item

1

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1941]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

Carl was born in 1907 to Leah and Mark Keyfetz who was a Toronto Jewish pioneer arriving in 1887.

Carl Keyfetz was co-founder of the 59th Toronto Troupe in 1921, the 1st Jewish Boy Scout Troupe in Ontario. He was superintendent at the McCaul Street Synagogue and 1st Principal at the St. Clair Avenue Synagogue. Carl was President of the Toronto Lodge, B'nai B'rith in 1939, and he also founded Guelph Lodge in 1941 and Empire Lodge in 1946.

He was extremely involved in the Toronto Jewish community and sat on numerous committees and boards, including: United Jewish Welfare Fund, Jewish Home for the Aged, Beth Tzedec and Jewish Immigrant Aid Society.

Carl Keyfetz was with the R.C.A. F. from 1941 to 1945 in the Administration Branch as Adjutant, Commanding Officer & Legal Department and then as Directorate of Personal, Air Force Headquarters.

Scope and Content

Photograph of Carl K. Keyfetz in R.C.A.F. uniform during the Second World War.

Name Access

Keyfetz, Carl

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.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Al Gilbert portraits series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

4

Item

11

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[196-?]

Physical Description

2 negatives : b&w ; 18 x 13 cm and 13 x 11 cm

Admin History/Bio

Dora was born to Yetta and Max Tobias. She married Morris Till and they had one child named Cecil. Dora was an active community leader who also contributed a lot to social service work. She was co-founder and first President for Mothers' and Babes' Summer Rest Home, Vice-President of the Hebrew Maternity Aid Society, a board member for the Jewish Family and Child Services, an executive for the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies, Honourary Vice-President of United Jewish Welfare Fund, on the board of Canadian Jewish Council and past President of the Naomi Chapter of Hadassah-WIZO.

Scope and Content

Photograph is of Dora Ann Till.

Name Access

Till, Dora, 1896-1987

Repro Restriction

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

Related Material

see also 1987-1-5, Dora Till papers

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Al Gilbert portraits series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

4

Item

13

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1960]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

Robert Sterling was married to Dorothy Sterling. His family had a business called Button and Pleating Limited, where he was the vice-president.

Scope and Content

Photograph of the Bob Sterling family at a wedding or formal reception.

Name Access

Sterling, Bob

Subjects

Families

Portraits, Group

Weddings

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Al Gilbert portraits series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

4

Item

14

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1969]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

Victor Van Der Hout's wife's name was Irene. His family owned an automotive distribution company called, Van Der Hout Association Limited, where Victor served as vice-president. He was a member of Beth Tzedec Synagogue.

Scope and Content

Photograph of Victor Van Der Hout.

Name Access

Van Der Hout, Victor

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Al Gilbert portraits series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

4

Item

15

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1970]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

Nat Hennick was born in Poland to Molly and William Hennick. The family immigrated to Canada shortly after his birth. Nathan Hennick was a member of Beth Tzedec Synagogue.

Scope and Content

Photograph of Mr. Nat Hennick.

Name Access

Hennick, Nat

Subjects

Immigrants--Canada

Repro Restriction

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

Related Material

see Photo #51 for Irving Hennick

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Al Gilbert portraits series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

4

Item

16

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1970]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

Irving Hennick was a gemologist. He was born in Poland in 1922 to Molly and William Hennick. The family emigrated to Canada shortly afterwards. Irving Hennick was married to Shirley Kirshenblatt and they had three children named Georgia, Jeffrey, and Steven. Irving was president of Marvel Jewellery Ltd. on McCaul Street in Toronto.

Irving Hennick was a member of the Mason Order, Herzl Zion, Maple Downs Golf and Country Club and Chairman of the Jewellery Division of U.J.A.

Scope and Content

Photograph of Irving Hennick.

Name Access

Hennick, Irving

Subjects

Gemologists

Repro Restriction

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

Related Material

see Photo # 50 for Nat Hennick

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Al Gilbert portraits series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

4

Item

36

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1987]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

Edwin "Eddy" Alan Goodman was born to David Bertram and Dorothy Soble on October 11, 1918. He married Suzanne Dorothy Gross and they had two children named Joanne Ruth and Diane Selena.

He was a barrister and solicitor with Goodman and Goodman along with his father, who was also a prominent barrister. Eddy Goodman was an active leader within the Jewish community. His accomplishments include: Past President of the National Ballet Company; Vice-President of the Progressive Conservative Association of Canada; Past President of University College at the University of Toronto; honorary counsel for United Jewish Welfare Fund; Past President of Toronto Chapter, Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University; Director YM-YWHA; and Director, New Mount Sinai Hospital. In 1987, Edwin Goodman was the honourary guest at the Negev Dinner held at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto.

Scope and Content

Photograph of Edwin Alan Goodman posing in a photography studio. This photograph may have been taken for Edwin Goodman's Negev Dinner Tribute book in 1987.

Name Access

Goodman, Eddie

Subjects

Lawyers

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Al Gilbert portraits series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

4

Item

9

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[195-?]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

David Greenberg was an electrical engineer. He later became a chiropracter in Toronto. His father, Louis Greenberg, was a tailor whose shop was located in the Jarvis and Parliament area on Queen Street East. The family originally belonged to the Berkeley Street Synagogue, but there was no minyan for David's bar mitzvah and they moved to the McCaul Street Synagogue.

Scope and Content

Photograph is of the Greenberg family, including Mr. and Mrs. Greenberg with their four children.

Name Access

Greenberg, David

Berkeley Street Synagogue

McCaul Street Synagogue

Subjects

Families

Portraits, Group

Repro Restriction

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

Related Material

See Photo #37, David Greenberg's Bar Mitzvah

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Al Gilbert portraits series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

4

Item

50

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1980]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

James (Jimmy) Kay was born in Winnipeg on April 30, 1922 to Fanny and Sam. He was a lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Army Services Corporation during the second World War. Jimmy married Elaine Cheslow in 1963 and they had four children: Wendy, Sean, Allyson, and Melanie.

After completing his education in commerce and finishing his term in the Army, Jimmy formed a partnership with the Posluns family, which resulted in the creation of Dylex Limited. Together they created the largest specialty clothing retail business in Canada, with over 300 stores from coast to coast. Dylex Limited also purchased Tip Top Tailors from the Dunkelman family.

Jimmy Kay was president of Jewish National Fund from 1973 to 1975.

Scope and Content

Photograph of James F. Kay taken at Gilbert Studios.

Name Access

Kay, James

Kay, Jimmy

Subjects

Businessmen

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Al Gilbert portraits series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

4

Item

34

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1974]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

Robert Hall was born on September 4, 1927 to Maurice and Rose. He married Edith Heisler and they had four children: Lon Jason, Daniel David, Barbara Ann and Andrew Philip. He was a partner in the legal firm Gordon, Keyfetz, Hall and Baker.

Scope and Content

Photograph of Robert Hall.

Name Access

Hall, Robert

Subjects

Lawyers

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Al Gilbert portraits series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

4

Item

35

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1970]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 6 x 7 cm

Admin History/Bio

Sam was born on April 11, 1921 to Harry and Jennie. He married Lillian Pearlstein and they had three children named Shari, Noah and Alane.

Harry and Jennie Shopsowitz started the family business, Shopsy's Delicatessen, in 1921. The first location was on Spadina Avenue at Dundas Street and was initially an ice-cream parlour, although they quickly converted it into a delicatessan in 1922. Shopsy's became an institution in the city where the likes of Bob Hope, Al Waxman, Dennis Hull and Scotty Bowman were regular customers. Harry's three sons took over the business in 1947. The brothers, Sam and Israel, expanded the business by packaging and distributing their hotdogs and corned beef to grocery stores. Sam Shopsowitz, the more gregarious of the two brothers, was known as the "Corned Beef King".

Sam Shopsowitz's affiliations included: founding member of YW-YMHA; executive crew of the Varsity Club of Ontario; Honorary Director, St. Alban's Boys Sports Club; Honorary Member, Ontario Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association; and member of, Associated Hebrew School of Toronto, B'nai B'rith, Herzl Zion Club, and Palestine Lodge.

Scope and Content

Photograph of Sam and Lillian Shopsowitz.

Name Access

Shopsowitz, Lillian

Shopsowitz, Sam

Subjects

Married people

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Al Gilbert portraits series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

4

Item

17

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1956]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

Lou Lockshin was born on 21 January 1916 in Winnipeg to Etta and Issac Benjamin. He married Sylvia Freedman and they had three children named Brenda, Sherryn Gail and Martin Irwin.

Lou was the founder of Century Engineering Company Limited. He was also a member of Beth Tzedec Synagogue.

Scope and Content

Photograph of Lou Lockshin.

Name Access

Lockshin, Lou

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Al Gilbert portraits series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

4

Item

18

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1972]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

William Bernard Herman was born 31 March 1911 to Rose and Joseph Herman. He married Alice Blanche Suroff and they had two children: Carole Helen and Wendy Ruth.

Mr. Herman was a lawyer at his own firm, Herman & Herman. He was chairman for City Parking Limited of Toronto, President of Globe Parking Ltd. of Montreal and Secretary for Wilson Century Theatres Limited. His affiliations with the Jewish community include: Oakdale Golf and Country Club, Island Yacht Club, Toronto Board of Trade, Empire Lodge B'nai B'rith, Variety Club International, Toronto Israel Bonds, and United Jewish Appeal.

Scope and Content

Photograph of Mr. William Bernard Herman.

Name Access

Herman, William Bernard

Subjects

Lawyers

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Al Gilbert portraits series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

4

Item

20

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1975]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

Jack Stupp was married to Lillian. He was the founder and president of Consumers Distributing Company and founder of the Stupp/Cohen Families Foundation.

Scope and Content

Photograph of Jack Stupp, founder and president of Consumers Distributing Company.

Name Access

Stupp, Jack

Subjects

Businessmen

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Al Gilbert portraits series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

4

Item

22

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1965]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

Ben Winbaum was born on October 12, 1912 in Poland to Sarah and Samuel Winbaum. He was married to Faye Goldman and they had one daughter named Rosemary.

An industrialist, he was President for Vaunclair Purveyors Ltd. and President of Winco Ltd.

Ben Winbaum's community affiliations included: co-founder for the Beth Sholom Synagogue and a member of the Jewish Home for the Aged & Baycrest Hospital, Canadian Friends Hebrew University, Herzl Zion Club, YMHA, Palestine Lodge AF & AM, B'nai B'rith, Fairbanks Rotary Club, Primrose Club, Maple Downs Golf & Country Club and the United Jewish Appeal. He also played baseball for the Toronto Jewish Community League.

Scope and Content

Photograph of Ben Winbaum.

Name Access

Winbaum, Ben

Subjects

Industrialists

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Al Gilbert portraits series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

4

Item

23

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca.1970]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

A. E. Diamond was an electrical engineer and land developer. He was born on March 1, 1921 to Alice and Meyer Diamond. He married Shirley Greenberg and they had four children: Michael, Stephen, Carey, and Mark.

Diamond was president of Cadillac Contracting Ltd., co-founder and past President of Temple Sinai, as well as, a member of the Board of Directors for the New Mount Sinai Hospital. He was also a member of the Jewish Home for the Aged, United Jewish Welfare Fund, Canadian Friends of Hebrew University, Association of Professional Engineers and served two years in the Canadian Navy during the second World War.

Scope and Content

Photograph of A.E. [Allen Ephraim] Diamond.

Name Access

Diamond, A. E., 1921-

Subjects

Electrical engineers

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Al Gilbert portraits series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

4

Item

19

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1965]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

Hyman and Ettie Sobol were the parents of Stanley Sobol. Stan was born in Hamilton, Ontario on 21 June 1920. An industrialist, he was President of Kent Steel Products Ltd., which was founded in 1942. Interested in Jewish issues, he visited Israel in 1957 as a member of the United Jewish Appeal study mission, and Vienna in 1959 on a mission to rescue Romanian Jews.

He was chairman of the Heavy Industry Division of U.J.A. for two years, co-founder of the Jewish Home for the Aged & Baycrest Hospital and the New Mount Sinai Hospital, and as well, he was an executive member for the Central Region of Zionist Organization of Canada, Associated Hebrew Schools, Israeli Bonds and Jewish Welfare Fund.

Scope and Content

Photograph of Hyman, Stanley and Ettie Sobol dressed in formal attire.

Name Access

Sobol, Ettie

Sobol, Hyman

Sobol, Stanley

Subjects

Families

Portraits, Group

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Al Gilbert portraits series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

4

Item

24

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1962]

Physical Description

2 negatives : b&w ; 18 x 13 cm and 13 x 11 cm

Admin History/Bio

Herbert Orliffe was a QC barrister and solicitor who owned his own practice, Herbert Orliffe QC. He specialized in labour law and was the first Chairman of the Ontario Jurisdictional Disputes Commission.

He was born on May 5, 1905 to Anne and Charles Orliffe in Newcastle, England. Herbert married Ida Goren and they had four children: Annabel, Joan, Barbara and Robert.

His affiliations included: Jewish Public Library, Canadian Jewish News, Jewish Welfare Fund, Board of Jewish Education, Beth Tzedec Congregation, Sunnyside Lodge IOOF, Palestine Lodge AF & AM, Toronto Board of Trade, and the Empire Club.

Herbert was also the first Jewish Chairman of the Toronto Board of Education in 1952, an alderman for Ward Four in 1954, and a member of Municipality Toronto Council in 1956.

Scope and Content

Photograph of Herbert and Ida Orliffe with their children: Annabel, Joan, Barbara and Robert.

Name Access

Goren, Ida

Orliffe, Herbert

Subjects

Families

Portraits, Group

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions