Search Results

Accession Number

2010-7-2

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

40 cm of textual records

Date

[1998?]-2010

Scope and Content

Accession consists of 1 box of gittin.

Use Conditions

Closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director and Rabbi in charge of gittin (or the Chair of the Reform Rabbis of Greater Toronto) prior to accessing the records.

Descriptive Notes

Gittin are in sealed envelopes and identified by the surname(s) of parties involved. The start date assigned to this accession may not be accurate as the gittin are sealed and not all are marked with a date on the envelope.

Subjects

Get (Jewish law)

Name Access

Reform Rabbis of Greater Toronto

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2012-1-9

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

4 cm of textual records

Date

2010-2011

Scope and Content

Accession consists of 1 box of gittin (religious divorce records).

Use Conditions

Closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director and Rabbi in charge of gittin (or Chair of the Reform Rabbis of Greater Toronto) prior to accessing the records.

Descriptive Notes

Gittin are in sealed envelopes and identified by the surname(s) of parties involved. The start date assigned to this accession may not be accurate as the gittin are sealed and not all are marked with a date on the envelope.

Subjects

Get (Jewish law)

Name Access

Reform Rabbis of Greater Toronto

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2015-6-5

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

ca. 25 cm of textual records

Date

2012-2015

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records of the Gittin performed by the Reform Rabbis of Greater Toronto.

Use Conditions

Closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director and Rabbi in charge of gittin (or the Chair of the Reform Rabbis of Greater Toronto) prior to accessing the records.

Descriptive Notes

Gittin are in sealed envelopes and identified by the surname(s) of parties involved. The start date assigned to this accession may not be accurate as the gittin are sealed and not all are marked with a date on the envelope.

Subjects

Get (Jewish law)

Name Access

Reform Rabbis of Greater Toronto

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2017-1-25

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

ca. 5 cm of textual records

Date

Aug. 2015-Sept. 2016

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records of the Gittin performed by the Reform Rabbis of Greater Toronto.

Use Conditions

Closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director and Rabbi in charge of gittin (or the Chair of the Reform Rabbis of Greater Toronto) prior to accessing the records.

Descriptive Notes

Gittin are in sealed envelopes and identified by the surname(s) of parties involved. The start date assigned to this accession may not be accurate as the gittin are sealed and not all are marked with a date on the envelope.

Subjects

Get (Jewish law)

Name Access

Reform Rabbis of Greater Toronto

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2018-5-9

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

1 box

Date

2016-2018

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records of the Gittin performed by the Reform Rabbis of Greater Toronto.

Use Conditions

Closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director and Rabbi in charge of gittin (or the Chair of the Reform Rabbis of Greater Toronto) prior to accessing the records.

Descriptive Notes

Gittin are in sealed envelopes and identified by the surname(s) of parties involved. The start date assigned to this accession may not be accurate as the gittin are sealed.

Subjects

Get (Jewish law)

Name Access

Reform Rabbis of Greater Toronto

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2009-7-12

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Date

1929-[198?]

Scope and Content

Accession contains two documents, one an original Get from 1929 for Pearl and Getzel Buchman. The Get is written by Rabbi Isaac Stollman of Detroit. It is handwritten on stationery in Hebrew script and bears the rabbi's official stamp. The other document is a photocopy of a letter written by a Mr. Weinberg[?], a leader at Ner Israel College of Toronto, to a concerned community member. The letter is a defense of Weinberg's association with various organizations within the community (such as Mizrachi and Beth Tzedec), which his correspondent has criticized.

Administrative History

Murray Buchman is the eldest child of Getzel and Pearl Buchman. His father, born in Warsaw around 1897, came to Canada in 1916 and married Pearl around 1923. Murray was born the following year.

Subjects

Get (Jewish law)

Letters

Name Access

Buchman, Murray

Buchman, Pearl

Buchman, Getzel

Source

Archival Accessions

Part Of

United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds

Photographic and audiovisual collection series

Level

File

Fonds

67

Series

27

File

338

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Date

7 Mar. 1978

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records ; 2 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm

Scope and Content

File consists of materials relating to the Federation of Jewish Women's Organizations Conference of Women, held on 7 March 1978 at Beth Tzedec Synagogue. Photographs consist of one portrait of Edith Levy (Chairman, Conference of Women) and one photograph of (L to R) Esther Goodbaum, Robert Cooper, Flora MacDonald, and Ruth Bass. Documents consist of a press release form announcing the conference, a program, . The program featured a dialogue between Mel Hurtig (founding member of the Committee for an Independent Canada), Beverley Smith (former Liason Officer to Rene Levesque), and Peter Trueman (Global TV news anchorman), moderated by Ruth Schwartz (Federation of Jewish Women's Organizations); the afternoon featured a keynote talk by Mme. Solange Chaput-Rolland (member of the Task Force on Canadian Unity). File also consists of news clippings related to the conference, Beverley Smith's curriculum vitae, correspondence between Mel Hurtig and Edith Levy, a biography of Mel Hurtig, Beverley Smith, and Peter Trueman, and a letter from Maurice Lucow at the Toronto Jewish Congress to the Toronto Star requesting an article be written about Edith Levy and the conference.

Notes

Photos by Graphic Artists Photographers, Toronto.

Availability of other formats: Also available as digital images.

Subjects

Women

Source

Archival Descriptions

Accession Number

2015-6-11

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

6 cm textual records

1 photograph

Date

1982-1983

Scope and Content

This accession consists of a scrapbook with materials documenting Morley Wolfe's presidency of B'Nai Brith Canada in 1982. Materials include congratulatory letters, tribute items, badges, pins, invitations, banquet programs, annual convention programs, speeches, awards, and certificates. There is also a photograph from a Harbord Collegiate reunion from the early 1990s. People identified in the photo: A. Kashen, I Cass, M. Barrett, G. Rumak, M. Silverberg, S. Rabinowitz, B. Federman, L. Novitsky, S. Friedberg, F. Gross, E. Robbins, B. Kleiman, B. Nightingale, S. Siegelman, G. Saunders, H. Freeman, M. Yasny, E. Fisher, L. Rosen, E. Smith, S. Landsberg, and M. Wolfe.

Administrative History

Morley S. Wolfe was born in Winnipeg in 1928 to Cecil (b. 1895) and Betty (nee Davidow) Wolfe. He spent his early childhood in various cities in Saskatchewan and Manitoba until moving to Toronto in 1940. Soon after graduating from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1955 he started his own practice as a senior member of the law firm Burt, Burt, Wolfe and Bowman. In 1971 he was appointed Queen’s Council, and from 1973 to 1977 he served as counsel for B’nai Brith Canada. After his retirement from practice in 1993, the Province of Ontario appointed him presiding Justice of the Peace for Ontario and Deputy Judge in Small Claims Court. His first marriage was to Sandra Newman in 1958 and they had three children together: Leslie, Lee, and Melanie. He later married Joan and became the step-father to her daughter, Erin. Throughout his life Morley was passionate about fighting prejudice and discrimination and became involved with organizations, such as the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews and the Urban Alliance on Race Relations. He was also a member of the Toronto Police Services Board Committee on Race Relations, served as Chair of the North York Committee on Community, Race and Ethnic Relations, and was appointed to the Canadian Multiculturalism Council. In addition, he was the founding president of Toronto Residents in Partnership (TRIP) from 2003 to 2006. His involvement extended to Jewish organizations. He served as National President of B’nai Brith Canada (BBC) from 1982 to 1983 and was a founding member of its League for Human Rights. He was also President of BBC’s Toronto Regional Council and Wilson Heights Lodge No. 1998, and of the Jewish Camp Council of Toronto as well as many other organizations. Morley’s hard work and involvement in the community earned him many awards, including, City of Toronto’s William P. Hubbard Race Relations Award, the YMCA Canada Peace Medal, B’Nai Brith Canada Service Award, and the Province of Ontario’s Senior Achievement Award. Around 2002, Wilson Heights Lodge No. 1998 began filing a series of appeals with B’nai Brith International (BBI) over concerns that BBC’s national executive was governing undemocratically. Morley played a key role in filing these appeals and was the centre of one appeal filed after BBC censured him without advance notice or the opportunity for a hearing. These appeals were not all successful. Around 2006, Morley became involved in another appeal against BBC that was filed by a group of members who called themselves the Concerned Members of B’nai Brith Canada (CMOBBC). They alleged that BBC’s national executive had too much centralized power, was not governing transparently, failed to provide members with audited financial statements at multiple annual general meetings (AGMs), passed a constitution that members had defeated at the 2005 AGM, and was threatening and harassing some members. BBI’s appeal court rendered its verdict in 2007 in favour of BBC. Soon after this judgment was made BBC took steps to expel all the members of CMOBBC. In response, Morley resigned from the organization. Morley currently resides in Brampton.

Subjects

Law

Women

Name Access

Wolfe, Morley, 1928-

Source

Archival Accessions

Part Of

National Council of Jewish Women of Canada fonds

Level

Fonds

Fonds

38

Material Format

multiple media

Date

[190-]-2002

Physical Description

2.6 m of textual records and other material

Admin History/Bio

The National Council of Jewish Women of Canada (NCJWC) was the first national Jewish women's organization in Canada. The council had its beginnings among the urban elite, and played a strong role over the years in influencing public policy in such areas as relations with Israel, national unity, and the plight of world Jewry. The NCJWC is dedicated, in the spirit of Judaism, to furthering human welfare in the Jewish and general communities -- locally, nationally and internationally. It operated around three main pillars: service, education, and social action.

The National Council of Jewish Women was founded in the United States in 1893 by activist Hannah G. Solomon. In 1897, its first Canadian chapter was established in Toronto. In 1925, with seven chapters in Canada, a Canadian liaison position to the National Council of Jewish Women was created. A full-fledged “Canadian Division” of the NCJW was formed in 1934, with rules drafted at the first conference in Winnipeg three years later. Irene Samuel served as the Canadian Division’s first national president. In 1943, the division was renamed the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada, and was officially incorporated in 1944, though it did not receive its letters patent until three years later. Even so, the NCJWC still retained some affiliation with the NCJW, whereby they paid per-capita dues to the Americans in return for program and administrative materials. In 1967 the NCJWC ceased these payments altogether, thereby separating from NCJW completely.

The early NCJWC focused on providing service to young girls and immigrants. They also involved themselves in contemporary politics through support for the war effort; the council donated vehicles to the Red Cross, turned Council House into a servicemen's centre, and even built several libraries at Canadian army camps. A national office opened ca. 1950 in Toronto, but until 1966 it moved to the national president's home city with every election. That year the office was permanently anchored in Toronto. In the 1950s and 1960s the council established Good Age clubs, the Irene Samuel Scholarship Fund, and developed the national Higher Horizons child-care and Newer Horizons elder-care programs. It expanded its overseas programs with support for the Israel Family Counseling Association and Ship-a-Box. The Soviet Jewry projects in the 1970s and 1980s reflected the council’s increasing emphasis on social action. Since the late 1990s, the council has focused on women's issues with efforts such as the Breast Self-Examination (BSE) program.

The NCJWC was governed by an executive council, led by a president. Vice-presidents were each responsible for one portfolio, such as membership, public affairs, etc., which were in turn made up of a number of national committees. The national executive was responsible for producing by-laws, guidelines, policies and procedures, as well as developing national service and social action programs. National also provided support and program materials to the sections, and held biennial meetings every other year from 1937 in cities across Canada. Its decentralized structure meant that while the national office remained in Toronto, officers of the executive have resided right across the country.

As of 1997, the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada was an affiliate member of the International Council of Jewish Women, a member of UNESCO Canadian Subcommission of the Status of Women, and a member of the Coalition of Jewish Women Against Domestic Violence and the Coalition for Agunot Rights. Prominent past presidents include Mrs. Harry (Irene) Samuel, Mrs. Lucille Lorie, Dr. Reva Gerstein, Mozah Zemans, Mina Hollenberg, Sophie Drache, Thelma Rolingher, Helen Marr, Bunny Gurvey, Sheila Freeman, Penny Yellen, and Gloria Strom. The council’s national office moved to Winnipeg in November, 1993. As of 2006, the council still had 5 active sections in Canada: Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto and Montreal.

Custodial History

NCJWC donated these records to the OJA after they had finished a historical exhibit and catalogue in 1997 called "Faith and Humanity," celebrating 100 years of NCJWC.

Scope and Content

The fonds documents NCJWC’s fundraising, social service and social action work in Toronto, in other cities across the country, and overseas. Records include conference and meeting programs, minutes, hand-written correspondence, speeches and reports, national newsletters, published histories, by-laws and policies, photographs, publicity material, historical subject files and artifacts. The records have been arranged into nine series: National biennial conventions and annual meetings; National Executive Council; National portfolios and committees; National program and event materials; National history research and subject files; International Council of Jewish Women; Toronto Section; Photos and audio-visual material; and National Council of Jewish Juniors, Toronto Section.

Notes

Physical description note: includes ca. 2470 photographs, 13 architectural drawings, 2 artistic drawings, 3 badges, 3 medals, 1 pin, 28 audio cassettes, and 1 videocassette.

Name Access

National Council of Jewish Women of Canada

Subjects

Women

Related Material

See also: photographs 3207, 3192, 4140, 4067, 4066, 4434; Accession 1977-8-7 for National Council of Jewish Women of Welland; National Council of Jewish Juniors, photographs 458, 459, 460, 463, 464, 465, 466, 468; MG2 B-1K

Arrangement

Records have been arranged by function, in accordance with information gleaned from NCJWC's organizational charts and annual reports

Creator

National Council of Jewish Women of Canada

Accession Number

2001-8-4

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

National Council of Jewish Women of Canada fonds

International Council of Jewish Women series

Level

File

Fonds

38

Series

6

File

4

Material Format

textual record

Date

1940-1948

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of pamphlets from South Africa, England and Australia and a radio broadcast announcement from National Council of Jewish Women, New York.

Name Access

National Council of Jewish Women. New York Section

Subjects

Women

Source

Archival Descriptions

Accession Number

2016-3-45

Material Format

graphic material

Physical Description

3 photographs : b&w ; 22 x 17 cm and 18 x 13 cm

Date

1950-[196-]

Scope and Content

Accession consists of three photographs. One photo is of a group of canvassers seated at a meeting for UJWF's Women's Division (1950). The Division broke its area down into districts, which appear on poster boards at the back of the room. The other two photographs appear to date from the 1960s and were taken in Israel. On the reverse side of a photo with three people is the name Prof. Lillian Kingstone, ORT and the other photo depicts Golda Meir, David Ben-Gurion and Aba Eban seated, along with others.

Custodial History

There is no information on the acquisition of this material.

Subjects

Women

Name Access

ORT

United Jewish Welfare Fund (Toronto, Ont.)

Ben-Gurion, David

Eban, Aba

Meir, Golda

Places

Israel

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Part Of

National Council of Jewish Women of Canada fonds

International Council of Jewish Women series

Level

Series

Fonds

38

Series

6

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Date

1940-1996

Physical Description

30 cm of textual records

11 photographs

Admin History/Bio

The International Council of Jewish Women is made up of Jewish women's organizations from across the world. Founded in 1912 and revived in 1949, the ICJW's goals were to promote equal rights, women's rights, understanding, and peace throughout the world. It sought to spread knowledge about and strengthen Jewish cultural traditions, to help build Israel, and to encourage women to participate in community services. It cooperated actively as a non-governmental organization with UNESCO, and was an accredited observer at the United Nations. The National Council of Jewish Women has been a vital member of the ICJW, with a number of its members having served on the executive and as vice-presidents and presidents of the ICJW.

In a first attempt to form an international council of Jewish women, representatives from the National Council of Jewish Women in the United States, along with similar organizations in Great Britain and Germany, met in Rome in 1912. Their efforts were aborted with the onset of World War I, but in the 1920s, Jewish women's groups reconvened and ended up holding three meetings. After a long hiatus due to the devastation of World War II and the Holocaust, the International Council of Jewish Women was officially re-born in 1949 in Paris. The ICJW has held conventions every three years since 1954, and in countries around the world, including in Toronto in 1972, and in Vancouver in 1987.

The ICJW was organized in a committee system which communicated through a network of newsletters, mailings, and triennial meetings. Committees have included By-Laws, Community Services, Herczeg Israel Seminar, Newsletter, North American Committee, Public Relations, Resolutions, Soviet Jewry, Status of Women, and United Nations. The ICJW also held regional meetings, seminars such as the Rosa and Esteban Herczeg seminars in Jerusalem, and field trips.

Canadian presidents of the ICJW have included Antonia S. Robinson (1957-1960), and Helen Marr (1990-1993). While serving as president, Tony Robinson represented Jewish women of Canada at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

Helen Marr served as president of National Council of Jewish Women of Canada, Toronto Section from 1973 to 1976, and as president of the NCJWC from 1981 to 1985. She married Gerald Marr, and has three children. Helen served as Canada's Vice-President to the ICJW from 1986-1989, and chaired the ICJW's triennial convention in Vancouver in 1987. She also held leadership positions with the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, Ben Gurion University, Canadian Jewish Congress, and the Skylight Theatre.

Scope and Content

Series contains records documenting the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada's involvement in the International Council of Jewish Women. It includes pamphlets and publicity material, newsletters, the 75th anniversary tribute book, by-laws and resolutions, material from conventions and other activities, correspondence, and photographs.

A portion of the records were generated during Helen Marr's presidency of the ICJW. These records include by-laws and guidelines, committee files, and mailings.

Notes

The International Council of Jewish Women was variously called the World Congress of Jewish Women, the World Conference of Jewish Women, and the World Organization of Jewish Women between 1912 and 1929.

Name Access

Helen Marr

World Congress of Jewish Women

World Conference of Jewish Women

World Organization of Jewish Women

Subjects

Human rights

Women

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Harry Clairmont fonds

Level

Item

Fonds

32

Item

2

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1960

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm

Scope and Content

Item is a photograph of a group of women standing outside of Lou Leeds Agencies in the garment district of Toronto.

Notes

Photographer was Gordon Mendly of Famous Studio.

Subjects

Women

Repro Restriction

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the Archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Related Material

See fonds 18, series 3, file 53 for negative of this image.

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Accession Number

1984-1-6

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

4066

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1930]

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)

Notes

Original photograph appeared in the Canadian Jewish Review.

Name Access

National Council of Jewish Women of Canada

Samuel, Mrs. Harry

Subjects

National Council of Jewish Women of Canada--Presidents

Portraits

Women

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

Saint George Street (Toronto, Ont.)

Accession Number

1985-3-7

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

4067

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1930

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)

Name Access

National Council of Jewish Women of Canada

Subjects

National Council of Jewish Women of Canada--Presidents

Portraits, Group

Women

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

Saint George Street (Toronto, Ont.)

Accession Number

1985-3-7

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

2495

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[1944 or 1945]

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)

Notes

Photo by George Rutherford.

Name Access

B'nai B'rith

Subjects

Women

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

Toronto (Ont.)

Accession Number

1979-11-20

Source

Archival Descriptions

Accession Number

2007-11-5

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

3 cm of textual records

Date

1953, 1956-1957

Scope and Content

Accession consists of three cookbooks produced by the Toronto B'nai Brith Women. The first is entitled "Party Book", the second is "Oven Magic", and the third is "What's Cooking?".

Subjects

Food

Women

Name Access

Toronto B'nai B'rith Women

Source

Archival Accessions

Level

Item

Item

2954

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[193-]

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 13 x 18 cm and 10 x 12 cm

Scope and Content

This item is a copy photograph and corresponding negative of the Pioneer Women's closing meeting in Toronto. The photograph depicts a group of women seated in a garden. Pictured are:

Back row, left to right: Mrs. Nathan Rosen, [unidentified], [unidentified], Mrs. Heifetz, Rose Dukoff, Bessie Harris, [unidentified], [unidentified], Mrs. Haber, Lena Sharpe, Faye Tanenbaum.

Middle row, left to right: [unidentified], [unidentified], Birdie Spivak, Esther Pike, Ida Krackover, Helen Krongold, [unidentified], Mrs. Etin, [unidentified].

Front row, left to right: [unidentified], Rose Sharpe, Fannie Ginsberg, Sophie [Solnik?], Helen Nissenbaum.

Name Access

Dukoff, Rose

Etin, Mrs.

Ginsberg, Fannie

Haber, Mrs.

Harris, Bessie

Heifetz, Mrs.

Krackover, Ida

Krongold, Helen

Nissenbaum, Helen

Pike, Esther

Rosen, Mrs. Nathan

Sharpe, Lena

Sharpe, Rose

Solnik, Sophie

Spivak, Birdie

Tanenbaum, Faye

Subjects

Clubs

Women

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

Toronto (Ont.)

Accession Number

1979-6-5

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Dora Till fonds

Mothers' and Babes' Summer Rest Home Association series

General photographs sub-series

Campers and staff at Tollandale file

Level

Item

Fonds

52

Series

1-7

File

5

Item

5

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1948]

Physical Description

2 photographs (1 negatives) : b&w ; 7 x 12 cm

Scope and Content

This item is a photograph and corresponding negative of a group of women dressed up in costume. Some of the costumes include a baby, an Indigenous person, and Little Red Riding Hood.

Subjects

Costume

Portraits, Group

Women

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

Accession Number

2014-10-1

Material Format

multiple media

Physical Description

10 cm textual records

ca. 70 photographs: b&w and col. ; 10 cm x 15 cm or smaller

1 scrapbook

Date

1963-2013

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records documenting the activities of "Council '63", a branch of the Toronto Section of the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada (NCJWC). Types of records include a photograph album, a scrapbook, correspondence, souvenirs, meeting minutes, membership lists, program materials and budgets.

Administrative History

The "Council '63" Branch of the Toronto Section of the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada (NCJWC) was formed in 1963. Currently consisting of 20 members, the group was initially spearheaded by Barbara Norwich (d. 2011), and they met regularly in homes in the Cedarvale area. The group primarily did volunteer work, although it later evolved into a study group and book club.

Subjects

Women

Nonprofit organizations

Name Access

National Council of Jewish Women (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Level

Item

Item

801

Material Format

graphic material

Responsibility

Duke Studio

Date

[195-]

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 18 cm

Scope and Content

This item is a copy print of four women seated in the pews of the newly-remodeled Adath Israel Synagogue in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. Pictured on the far right is Fanny Goldstein.

Name Access

Adath Israel Synagogue (Kirkland Lake, Ont.)

Goldstein, Fanny

Subjects

Women

Places

Kirkland Lake (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds

Photographic and audiovisual collection series

Level

File

Fonds

67

Series

27

File

523

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Date

6 Nov. 1980

Physical Description

1 folder textual records

10 photographs : b&w (10 negatives) ; 28 x 28 mm

Scope and Content

File consists of ten negatives depicting the Women's Division-sponsored UJA Day event at Shaarei Shomayim Congregation. Two frames show set tables, with hats as a centrepiece; other frames depict Women's Division members with a female personality known for hats. Also included is a flyer for the event: "Women CAN make a difference! You can learn how on UJA Day, Thursday, November 6, 1980, at Shaarei Shomayim Synagogue, 47 Glencairn Ave. at 12 noon." The program names the guest speaker as former U.S. Congresswoman Bella Abzug.

Notes

Photos by Graphic Artists Photographers, Toronto.

Availability of other formats: Also available as digital images.

Name Access

Abzug, Bella S., 1920-1998

Shaarei Shomayim Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)

Subjects

Women

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

4749

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[between 1948 and 1952]

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)

Scope and Content

Copy photograph of Club One, Pioneer Women, Cecil Street, Toronto.

Name Access

Club One Pioneer Women

Farband

Subjects

Clubs

Women

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

Cecil Street (Toronto, Ont.)

Accession Number

1989-2-4

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

2323

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[193-]

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w

Admin History/Bio

Club One was established in 1925.

Scope and Content

Identified in this photograph fourth from the left: Mrs. Rycus.

Name Access

Club One

Pioneer Women

Rycus, Mrs.

Subjects

Clubs

Women

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

Toronto (Ont.)

Accession Number

1980-9-2

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

4204

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1986

Physical Description

1 photograph : col.

Scope and Content

Centre: Esther Rothschild.

Co-Chairmen of everning: Agnes Deutsch (left); Arlene Weisbart.

Notes

Photograph may have been published in Canadian Jewish News.

Name Access

Emunah

Rothschild, Esther

Deutsch, Agnes

Weisbart, Arlene

Subjects

Women

Repro Restriction

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

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Accession Number

1986-12-3

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Harry Clairmont fonds

Level

Item

Fonds

32

Item

3

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1960

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm

Scope and Content

Item is a photograph is of a group of women crossing a street along Spadina Avenue in the garment district of Toronto.

Notes

Photographer was Gordon Mendly of Famous Studio.

Subjects

Streets

Women

Repro Restriction

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the Archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Related Material

See fonds 18, series 3, file 53 for negative of this image.

Places

Spadina Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Accession Number

1984-1-6

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

549

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1930

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)

Scope and Content

Item is a photograph of the Toronto Executive Committee of the Mozirer Young Women's Club

Notes

From the Mozirer S.B.S. Silver Anniversary Book (B.G.K.).

Name Access

Mozirer Young Women's Club

Subjects

Clubs

Women

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

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

3764

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1933

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)

Admin History/Bio

The Jewish Community House women's basketball team was part of the National Council of Jewish Women in Canada. In 1933, the basketball team was the Ontario Junior Champions.

Scope and Content

This item is a photo of the Jewish Community House women's basketball team. Standing in a row posing for their team portrait, the team can be identified from left to right: Coach Maurice Black (1902-1973), Bunnie Shoom (1917-1981), Buschie Stone Kamin (?), Bess Pacter (1915-1971), Ann Feldman Gross (1916-2006), Adele (?), Mildred Appleby (?), [?], [?], Esther Parnes (1915-2008), Pearl Pascal Cole (?-1990), and Clara Freedhof Black (1909-1994)

Notes

For identification, see accession record.

Name Access

Jewish Community House

Subjects

Portraits, Group

Sports teams

Women

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

Toronto (Ont.)

Accession Number

1985-6-7

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

General office subject and correspondence files series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

2

File

261

Material Format

textual record

Date

1998

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Access Restriction

Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.

Accession Number

2005-2-2

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

1678

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1927

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 21 x 26 cm and 10 x 12 cm

Scope and Content

This item is a copy print and corresponding negative of Mrs. Dora Saxe (standing left) with a group of women at the Canadian Jewish Farm School in Georgetown, Ontario. Identified standing in the back row (left to right) is: Mrs. Dora Saxe, Sonia Goldfarb, Rivka (?), Sura Liba Goldman, and Esther Barnett. Identified in the front row, sitting fourth left is Rayzeleh (Rose) Rosenbloom (m. Plant).

Name Access

Barnett, Esther

Canadian Jewish Farm School

Goldfarb, Sonia

Goldman, Sura Liba

Rivka

Saxe, Dora

Subjects

Farms

Women

Orphans

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

Georgetown (Ont.)

Accession Number

1978-12-8

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care fonds

Women's Auxiliary series

Programs and services sub-series

Beauty Shop file

Level

Item

Fonds

14

Series

4-6

File

40

Item

2

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[1958?]

Physical Description

1 photograph : col. ; 18 x 13 cm

Scope and Content

Item is a photograph of a woman getting her hair done at the Baycrest Beauty Shop.

Subjects

Hairdressing

Access Restriction

Conditional Access. Researchers must receive permission from the donor prior to accessing the records. Please contact the OJA for more information.

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

4140

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1928

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)

Admin History/Bio

The gymnasium was added onto Council House at 44 St. George Street in 1928.

Name Access

National Council of Jewish Women of Canada

Subjects

Portraits, Group

Women

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

Saint George Street (Toronto, Ont.)

Accession Number

1985-3-7

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

3409

Material Format

graphic material

Date

Mar. 1948

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)

Notes

Credit: Graphic Artists, 781 Bloor St. W., Toronto.

Name Access

Jewish Organizations

Jewish Women International of Canada

Subjects

Dinners and dining

Women

Repro Restriction

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

Accession Number

1982-5-2

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

1726

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1922]

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)

Admin History/Bio

The Young Women's Hebrew Choral Society was directed by Rigel Haupt.

Name Access

Haupt, Rigel

Young Women's Hebrew Choral Society

Subjects

Choirs (Music)

Women

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

Toronto (Ont.)

Accession Number

1979-5-3

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

460

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1932

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 18 cm

Scope and Content

Item is a photograph of members of the National Council of Jewish Juniors taken at 44 St. George Street, Toronto.

Name Access

National Council of Jewish Juniors

Subjects

Women

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

Saint George Street (Toronto, Ont.)

Accession Number

Acquired April 7, 1975.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

4233

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1929

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)

Scope and Content

For identification, see accession record.

Name Access

Ladies' Auxiliary

Workmen's Circle

Arbeter Ring

Arbeiter Ring

I.L. Peretz

Subjects

Education

Women

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

Toronto (Ont.)

Accession Number

1986-4-1

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

2553

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[1929?]

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 25 cm on matte 30 x 35 cm

Scope and Content

Item is a portrait photograph of the members of Club One, Pioneer Women. The women are assembled in the backyard of a member's home.

Front row, seated on left: Mrs. Gordon. Seated on far right: Sylvia Mirsky.

Second row, seated fifth from left: Goldie Myerson (Golda Meir).

Back row: standing eighth from the left Nachumah Zuker

Notes

Goldie Myerson is Golda Meir.

Name Access

First Toronto Pioneer Women Club

Gordon, Mrs.

Meir, Golda, 1898-1978

Mirsky, Sylvia

Subjects

Clubs

Portraits, Group

Women

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

Toronto (Ont.)

Accession Number

1986-6-4

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

4056

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1952

Physical Description

1 photograph

Notes

Composite photograph.

Original photo by Morris Lazebank, 95 Atlas Ave., Toronto.

Subjects

Portraits

Women religious Zionists

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Accession Number

1986-9-7

Source

Archival Descriptions

Accession Number

2017-11-3

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

30 cm of textual records

Date

1958-1976

Scope and Content

Accession consists of B'nai Brith Women Toronto cookbooks from 1958, 1960-1963, 1967-1972, and B'nai Brith Women's Council of Toronto yearbooks from 1973, 1975-1976. Each cookbook has a specific theme: Food for Fun; Dinner Dates; Chef's Choice; Gourmet Goodies; Around the World; Candlelight and Wine; Calories a la Carte; Gourmet's Gallery; Confessions of a Bala Busta; Dinner Magic; and People Helping People. The 1972 issue is both a yearbook and a cookbook. From 1973 on, the yearbooks, entitled Pledged to Serve, no longer contained any recipes and instead focused solely on the work of the B'nai Birth Women's Council of Toronto and its chapters.

Custodial History

There is no acquisition information for this accession. The accession number was assigned by the archivist.

Subjects

Food

Women in charitable work

Name Access

B'nai Brith Women's Council of Toronto

B'nai Brith Women (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2018-7-21

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

multiple media

Physical Description

113 cm of textual and other records

1 scrapbook

Date

1938-2016

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material documenting the Act to End Violence Against Women organization. Included are: meeting minutes of the executive board; a ledger containing executive board waivers of notice; meeting minutes and resolutions from the yearly conventions; photographs of Act to End Violence Against Women members; correspondence with other organizations; correspondence, research material, public reactions, and ephemera from various campaigns; a commemorative booklet for a B'nai Brith cantorial concert; a scrapbook on the formation of the B'nai Brith Women Claire Morry Chapter; constitutions, constitutional amendments, reports, budgets, resolutions and other records of Act to End Violence Against Women; member lists and honour roll of past chapters; material and correspondence with B'nai Brith Washington; UJA material concerning assimilation and intermarriage and 2001 Jewish census data results.

Administrative History

The first Canadian chapter of B'nai Brith Women International was formed in Windsor, Ontario in 1923. Other chapters were soon formed throughout Eastern Canada and additional chapters were established in Winnipeg and British Columbia after 1949. The organization was initially administered by the American B'nai Brith Women. In 1976, it finally became autonomous (although still affiliated with the American agency) and changed its name to B'nai Brith Women of Eastern Canada. In 1981, its name was changed again to B'nai Brith Women of Canada. In 1995, the organization became known as Jewish Women International of Canada (JWIC). In November 2011, the organization underwent a final name change to Act to End Violence Against Women.

JWIC is committed to social change, with a particular focus on improving the lives of women and their families. In the 1980s, the agency initiated programs to counter domestic violence and began operating safe housing for Jewish women and children known as ASTEH (Alternative Safe Temporary Emergency Housing). JWIC also runs the JWI Residential Treatment Centre for emotionally disturbed youth.

Use Conditions

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

Descriptive Notes

Language note: Material in English, Russian and French.

Subjects

Charities

Family violence

Women

Name Access

Act to End Violence Against Women

Places

Canada

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2018-5-6

Material Format

textual record (electronic)

Physical Description

1 textual record (electronic)

Date

1 Dec. 2003

Scope and Content

Accession consists of a letter written by Rabbi Edward Elkin and addressed to members of the First Narayever Congregation, of which he was the rabbi. In the letter, Rabbi Elkin describes his purpose as follows: "I would like to cover what I see as the salient grounds in Jewish law (halakha) which led me to the point where I can comfortably say that I am prepared to officate at a same-sex marriage."

The letter was written ahead of a congregational meeting and vote on same-sex marriage set for the end of January 2004.

Administrative History

In 1914, Jews from eastern Galicia (now in modern Ukraine) established the First Narayever Congregation in Toronto as a landsmanshaf, i.e. a society of Jewish immigrants from the same town or region. The synagogue takes its name from the small market town of Narayev, which is located in eastern Galicia. The synagogue's founders belonged to the working class and many worked in Toronto's garment industry.

Initially, congregation members met in different locations, but by 1923 their numbers and financial means had grown such that they were able to rent a small house at 70 Huron Street at the corner of Huron and Dundas. This house served as the congregation's home for twenty years.

The congregation's first president was Israel Chaim Katz and its first meeting was held at the Katz home at 156 William Street. The congregation's first rabbi was Solomon Langner, who was hired by the congregation in 1923. He retained this affiliation despite serving the Kiever Synagogue as a full-time rabbi from 1929 until he died in 1973.

In 1943, the congregation purchased property at 187-189 Brunswick Avenue from Bethel Church. This is where the the synagogue is located today.

In 1950, Henry Young became president of the congregation. He occupied that position until his death in 1976. Shalom Langner, the son of Rabbi Solomon Langner, succeeded Young as president.

As Toronto's Jewish population began to move north, the First Narayever continued to serve Orthodox Jews living downtown. In the 1980s, the congregation struggled to balance the needs of this older generation with the young generation's desire to make the synagogue more egalitarian with respect to gender. In 1983, the congregation's new leadership team successfully advanced a proposal to allow the full participation of women in traditional services. This innovation led to several long-standing members taking legal action, but their case was dismissed on the grounds that it was not a matter for civil law.

The First Narayever's identity continued to evolve. In 2009, its membership voted to allow its rabbi, Edward Elkin, who began serving the congregation in 2000, to officiate at same-sex marriages.

Use Conditions

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the Archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Subjects

Jewish law

Rabbis

Same-sex marriage

Name Access

Elkin, Ed

First Narayever Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Level

Item

Item

1002

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1912]

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 15 x 18 cm and 10 x 12 cm

Scope and Content

This item is a copy print and corresponding negative of a group of Goldstein women with a horse and buggy outside of Goldstein's Butcher Shop and Ice Cream Parlour in Charlton, Ontario. Identified are Bessy Goldstein, Ida Goldstein, Mrs. Goldstein and [Rivi?] Levine.

Notes

Acquired in 1976.

Name Access

Goldstein, Bessy

Goldstein, Ida

Subjects

Women

Small business

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

Charlton (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Isaac Matenko fonds

Workmen's Circle series

I.L. Peretz School photographs file

Level

Item

Fonds

89

Series

1

File

3

Item

4

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1929

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 25 cm mounted on board 25 x 35 cm

Scope and Content

Item is a portrait of the Women's Auxiliary of the I.L. Peretz Workmen's Circle Schools. Individuals identified are (top row, left to right): ?, ?, Gluskin, Farber, Goldberg, Matenko, ?, ?, ?

(second row, left to right): ?, Saretsky, Goldstein, Soboloff, ?, ?, Lipchitz, ?, ?

(third row, left to right): ?, Nelson, ?, Ginsberg, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, Rose

(fourth row, left to right): Lipman, Glazer, Soboloff, Sable, Gordon, Epstein, Seltzer, Frumhartz, ?, ?

(front row, lef to right): ?, Carson, Gerrard, Solway, Gelberg

Subjects

Portraits, Group

Women

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

Accession Number

2016-2-14

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

1.8 m of textual records and graphic material

Date

1989-2000

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records created by UJA Federation's Women's Campaign and Advocacy. The records consist of general subject files that document the breadth of work of the WC&A, including the operation of its executive board and committees, fundraising campaigns and the various giving levels, missions, volunteer management, outreach efforts, programming, as well as the WC&A's relationship with the Jewish Women's Federation.

Custodial History

These records appear to have originated with Frances Goldstein.

Use Conditions

UJA Federation meeting minutes and general correspondence are closed for 10 years from date of creation. Contracts and donor agreements are permanently closed.

Subjects

Philanthropy and fundraising

Women

Name Access

UJA Federation of Greater Toronto

Jewish Women's Federation (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

General office subject and correspondence files series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

2

File

344

Material Format

textual record

Date

1995

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Access Restriction

Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.

Accession Number

2005-2-2

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1946

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 19 x 24 cm and 10 x 12 cm

Notes

Photograph is a copy.

Subjects

Congresses and conventions

Women

Zionism

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

Toronto (Ont.)

Accession Number

1982-7-10

Source

Archival Descriptions

Accession Number

2022-5-22

Material Format

graphic material

textual record

Physical Description

10 cm of textual records

38 photographs : b&w and col. ; 20 x 30 cm or smaller

Date

[1939?]-2021

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records documenting Abraham Feinstein's law career and early life. Included are biographical documents such as Abe's CV, personal history, eulogy and obituary; letters of condolence; speech notes written by Abe while serving as Hillel Ottawa President; telegrams sent on the occasion of Abe's bar mitzvah; a copy of a speech presented by Abe honouring his parents' diamond anniversary; information concerning CCOC (Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation); correspondence pertaining to his appointment as Queen's Counsel; information concerning the official opening of the Ottawa Courthouse and Registry Offices; a copy of a speech presented by Abe to YMCA-YWCA; article in "Ontario Lawyer's Gazette" featuring Abe; an article in "National" journal featuring Abe; a candidate letter written by Abe in "Law Society of Upper Canada Guide for Voters"; newsclippings announcing Abe as President of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada; a copy of a speech presented by Abe to LibraryCo; a copy of "Focus", the LibraryCo newsletter; a copy of "County of Carleton Law Association Bulletin" and a newsclipping from the "Ottawa Jewish Bulletin" honouring Abe as the recipient of the Carleton Medal; letters of nomination of Abe for County of Carleton Law Association's Legal Innovator Award; copies of three speeches presented to the County of Carleton Law Association by Abe as recipient of the Carleton Medal in 1999, recipient of The Solicitor Award in 2011 and recipient of The Legal Innovator Award in 2020; copy of a letter to the editor of "Law Times" written by Abe; two letters of congratulations on election as a Bencher of the Law Society; a copy of "Communiqu-ate"; copies of three speeches presented by Abe to the County and District Law President's Association in 1993, to Prescott and Russell Law Association in 1994 and to County and District Law Presidents Association in 1995; content pertaining to the receipt of the Order of Ottawa including a copy of the program, an invitation to the ceremonies, letters of congratulations, three nomination letters and an announcement by Soloway Wright; a certificate of recognition for distinguished achievements; a copy of a speech presented by Abe at the Shirley Berman Memorial Lecture Series, 2019 and a copy of the program; content pertaining to The Law Society Medal including a brochure , newsclipping announcing Abe as the recipient of the Law Society Medal in 2008, letters of congratulations, a hand-out describing the walk-through for the ceremony, a copy of Abe's speech, a copy of the program, letters of nomination, an announcement in the CJN and a mention in the "Law Society Gazette". Also included are photographs documenting early family life and honours.

Administrative History

Abraham "Abe" Feinstein was born 19 December 1936 in Ottawa, Ontario to Benjamin and Freda (neé Dickson) Feinstein. Benjamin (1898-2001) was born in Teplik, Russia. Following pogroms and a term of imprisonment, Benjamin fled to Romania for four years and then made his way to Canada in 1924. While living in Winkler, Manitoba he married Freda (1900?-1986), and they had two daughters Miriam (m. Levitin) and Ruth (m. Aaron). Around 1930, the family moved to Ottawa, Ontario where two more children were born, Pearl (m. Moskovic) and Abraham.

Abe attended Kent Street public school and graduated from Lisgar Collegiate. He attended and worked at Camp B'nai Brith and worked at Camp Wooden Acres and Camp White Pine. While completing his Bachelor of Arts degree at Carleton University, he was president of the Ottawa Hillel. Abe received his LLB from the University of Ottawa in 1963 and was called to the Bar in 1965 at Osgoode Hall in Toronto. Abe practiced law with Soloway Wright LLP in Ottawa for 55 years.

Abe married Beverley Kavanat on 23 August 1964 and had three daughters Susan, Harriet and Shawna.

Abe was recognized for his community and professional service to a number of organizations over his lifetime. He was a founding director of Centretown Citizens of Ottawa Corporation in 1975 and was named an honorary life member. In 1982, he was the founding director of the County and District Law Presidents Association of Ontario and the chair of the Committee of Adjustment of the City of Ottawa. Abe was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1983. He served as chair of the Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee East Region. He served as president of the County of Carleton Law Association (CCLA). The CCLA awarded Abe with the Carleton medal in 1998, the Solicitors' Award in 2011 and the Legal Innovator Award in 2020. Abe became a bencher at the Law Society of Upper Canada (now called the Law Society of Ontario) in 1991, and was awarded the Law Society Medal in 1998. He also served as director and president of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. He also acted as a consultant during the building of Ottawa's new courthouse, ensuring that the needs of attorneys were included in the design. Abe was a director on the board of the Ottawa Food Bank and was made honorary president of the Ottawa YMCA-YWCA. He served as chair of the Investment Committee of the Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation. From 2018-2020, Abe was the chair of the Governance Committee of Kehilat Beth Israel Congregation in Ottawa. The Order of Ottawa was bestowed upon Abe in 2016.

Use Conditions

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the Archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Descriptive Notes

Associated Material Note: Abraham Feinstein's Order of Ottawa and Law Society medals are held at his former law firm, Soloway Wright LLP. A video of Abe as part of the Shirley Berman Lecture Series in held at the Ottawa Jewish Archives.

Subjects

Law

Lawyers

Name Access

Feinstein, Abraham, 1936-2021

Places

Ottawa (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

1989-10-2

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

7 cm of textual records

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records relating to Ralph Milrod's involvement in Beth Tzedec Synagogue and the various court cases of the early 1970s arising from the dismissal of Rabbi Stuart Rosenberg.

Subjects

Synagogues

Law

Name Access

Milrod, Ralph

Rosenthal, Stuart E.

Beth Tzedec Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)

Places

Toronto, Ont.

Source

Archival Accessions

Part Of

Philip Givens fonds

Level

Fonds

Fonds

51

Material Format

multiple media

Date

[192-]-1990

Physical Description

1.35 metres of textual records (20 vols.) and other material

Admin History/Bio

Philip Gerard Givens (1922-1995) was a municipal, provincial and federal politician, a judge, a police commissioner and an active Jewish communal leader. He is largely remembered as the 54th Mayor of Toronto.

Phil Givens was born in Toronto on April 24th, 1922, the only son of Hyman and Mary Gevertz (Gewercz). As a youth, he attended Harbord Collegiate and graduated from the University of Toronto in political science and economics in 1945 and from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1949. In 1947, he married Minnie "Min" Rubin (born February 7th, 1924) and together they had two children, Eleanor and Michael.

Givens graduated as a lawyer from Osgoode Hall; however, shortly thereafter he decided to enter politics, running as a municipal school board trustee in 1950. In 1951 he was elected as alderman for Ward 5, serving in this capacity until 1960, when he was subsequently elected as a city Controller.

Givens was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1962.

Following the sudden death of Mayor David Summerville in 1963, Givens was appointed by City Council as the Mayor of Toronto and was officially elected to the position in 1964, winning a close race against the former mayor, Allan Lamport. As mayor, Givens was automatically a member of the Metropolitan Toronto Executive and Council, the Metropolitan Toronto Police Commission, the Consumer’s Gas Company Executive, the Toronto Hydro Commission and the governing boards of Toronto’s major hospitals.

Givens was publicly seen as an affable and populist mayor but his tenure was not without controversy. His support for the construction of the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts and his decision to acquire Henry Moore’s bronze sculpture “the Archer” for the new Nathan Phillips Square were both highly controversial during his term in office. In particular, the Moore sculpture sparked intense controversy and public debate amongst council members and citizens alike. Although ultimately purchased with private solicited donations, the controversy surrounding the statue’s purchase was still partly to blame for Givens’ 1966 election defeat to William Dennison.

In 1967 Givens entered national politics for the second time, the first being a failed 1957 bid in Toronto’s Spadina riding, winning a seat as a Liberal in Toronto’s York West riding. In 1971 he stepped down before the end of his term to campaign for a seat in the Provincial Legislature. Again running under the Liberal banner, Givens won his seat in York-Forest Hill and after the elimination of this riding in 1975, was re-elected in the new riding of Armourdale. In 1977 he retired from politics. He also worked briefly as a current affairs commentator for local radio broadcaster CHUM 1050 AM.

In 1977, Givens was appointed as a provincial court judge and chairman of the Metropolitan Toronto Police Commission, serving in both capacities until 1985, when he left the Commission but continued in the judiciary as a civil trial judge until officially retiring from public life in 1988.

An ardent Zionist, Givens was also a prominent leader of several Jewish communal organizations. He was the founder and first president of the Upper Canada Lodge of B’nai Brith and sat on the executives of the Canadian Jewish Congress, the United Jewish Welfare Fund, the Talmud Torah Eitz Chaim, the Zionist Organization of Canada, the Toronto Zionist Council, Jewish National Fund, State of Israel Bonds and the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care. He was chairman of the United Israel Appeal-Israel Emergency Fund in 1967 and the United Jewish Appeal-Israel Special Fund in 1968. From 1973 to 1985 he was the national president of the Canadian Zionist Federation and in the 1990s was the national chairman of the Canadian Jewish Congress’ Committee for Yiddish.

Givens was honoured by Jewish community organizations, including the Jewish National Fund’s Negev Award in 1968 and the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews’ Human Relations Award in 1969. As well, in 1972, he received the Award of Honour from the Toronto Regional Council of B’nai Brith.

Givens was also known to be a passionate sailor and was a member of both the Royal Canadian and the Island Yacht Clubs in Toronto. He died on November 30th, 1995 at the age of 73.

Custodial History

The records were in the possession of Phil Givens until they were donated to the Archives in September 1990 by his wife.

Scope and Content

Fonds consists of records documenting the personal, professional and communal activities of Phil Givens. The bulk of the material is graphic and most of the photographs relate to his tenure as Mayor of Toronto and to his Jewish communal work. The records also include general correspondence, speeches, campaign material, scrapbooks, cartoons, certificates and awards, biographical writings, audio and visual materials and artifacts. The records have been arranged into nine series representing Givens’ various roles and activities and have been described to the file level and item level when necessary. These series are: 1. Personal life; 2. City of Toronto Alderman; 3. City of Toronto Controller; 4. City of Toronto Mayor; 5. Metropolitan Toronto Police Commissioner; 6. Provincial politics; 7. National politics; 8. Legal career; 9. Jewish communal service.

Notes

Physical Description Note: Includes ca. 915 photographs, 14 drawings, 1 print, 1 presentation piece, 27 objects, 4 DVD’s, 4 videocassettes and 1 audiocassette.

Physical Extent Note: Fonds was reduced from 5.5 m of records to 2.6 m of records. Please see accession record for further details regarding the records that were culled.

General Note: Previously cited as MG6 B

Associated material note: City of Toronto Archives: “Philip Givens fonds” (fonds 1301) and Series 363, Sub-series 2 “Mayor' Office journals” (fonds 200). Library and Archives Canada: “Correspondence and subjects” series (R4942-1-1-E) in the Stuart E. Rosenberg fonds (R4942-0-X-E); Henry S. Rosenberg fonds (R3946-0-9-E); Jewish National Fund of Canada fonds (R4347-0-1-E), “Subject series: Givens, Judge Philip G. – Toronto” (R4347-7-4-E); “Correspondence, memoranda, minutes, reports” series (MG31-H67), Zdzislaw Przygoda fonds (R6257-0-0-E) [Sir Casimir Gzowski monument committee records –chaired by Phil Givens]; B'nai Brith Canada fonds (R6348-0-9-E); Canadian Zionist Federation fonds (R9377-0-6-E).

Name Access

Givens, Phillip, 1922-1995

Givens (nee Rubin), Min

Subjects

Law

Politicians

Related Material

See Fonds 2: Benjamin Dunkelman fonds

See Fonds 18: Gordon Mendly fonds

See Fonds 28: Zionist Organization of Canada fonds

See Fonds 37: Gilbert Studios fonds (Negev dinners series, Zionist Building series, Portraits series).

Creator

Givens, Philip, 1922-1995

Accession Number

1990-9-7

Source

Archival Descriptions