Archie and Sophie Bennett

Scope and Content: Accession consists of textual records, graphic materials, and an artifact pertaining to Sophie and Archie Bennett. The textual records are made up of newspaper clippings, books, visitor log, correspondence, and event programmes. The graphic material relates to photographs of Archie Bennett and photograph postcards. Of note is a selection of postcards sent to Sophie Bennett by Ethel Ostry on 5 June 1945 from Germany. There is a scrapbook and other commemorative items and letters addressed to Sophie Bennett honouring her work as national president of ORT in 1965 as well as celebrating her 70th birthday. The artifact is a ceremonial key for the Jewish Public Library from 8 April 1951 given to Archie Bennett as he was president of the library at the time of its opening in 1951. Other subject matter related to this accession are as follows: Canadian Jewish Congress, ORT, United Jewish Appeal, Zion Benevolent Association, Hadassah-WIZO, United Jewish Welfare Fund, and the Zionist Organization of Canada.

Administrative History: Archie (A.B.) Bennett and Sophie Bennett (born 1895) were members of the Toronto Jewish community. Archie Bennett was pesident of the Jewish Public Library in Toronto at the time of the opening of the library's building at 22 Glen Park Ave in 1951. Archie Bennett was also involved with the Jewish Standard. Sophie Bennett was the national president of ORT (1959-1964) and was honoured at a testimonial dinner in 1965 for her contributions.