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Dr. John E. Ackerman
- Accession Number
- 2013-4-6
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2013-4-6
- Material Format
- graphic material (electronic)
- Physical Description
- ca. 500 photographs (tif) : b&w and col.
- Date
- [ca. 1937]-[ca. 1983]
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of scanned copies of photographs taken by Dr. John E. Ackerman, which document his personal and professional activities. Included are images of family events, his mother's grocery store business, his dental practice and education at the University of Toronto and Jarvis Collegiate, his military involvement during the Second World War, his involvement in the scouting movement, and Jewish communal events. Also included are snapshots of individuals who lived in his Toronto neighbourhood near Dundas and Elizabeth as well as beach and resort images taken at Crystal Beach, Sunnyside Beach, Smith's Bay, Muskoka, Manor House, and the Greenspoon's resort in Glasgow (Bolton). Of note are images taken of the first Israel Day parade in Toronto (May 16, 1948); the opening of Baycrest Hospital (December 1954); the homecoming of Dr. Ackerman's brother, Al, from military service overseas; a Beth Tzedec Synagogue and Beaches Hebrew Institute event; B'nai Brith Institute events; an image taken of the Hillel House opening at the University of Toronto (1951); and an image of Dr. Ackerman's family at the UJA Walkathon (1973). Among the photographs of family and friends are images taken of Jewish families living in North Bay and Sudbury. Identified individuals include: Dr. John E. Ackerman, Al Ackerman, Frances Ackerman, Mindel Ackerman, Phil Halpern, Harold Nirenberg, Gary Nirenberg, Mrs. Tattlebaum, Jeffrey Halpern, Fran Halpern, and Lynn Reiss.
- Custodial History
- Records were inherited by Dr. Ackerman's son David after his death; he donated them to the OJA.
- Administrative History
- Dr. John E. Ackerman was born in Toronto on December 16, 1921 to Jacob and Mindel Ackerman. John was one of four children. Jacob initially worked as a presser in a factory. Mindel opened and ran a small grocery store at Dundas and Elizabeth Street. Jacob died around the age 57.
- Dr. Ackerman went to school at Jarvis Collegiate and later enrolled in dentistry school at the University of Toronto. As part of the school's program, Dr. Ackerman had to enlist in the Canadian Army's General Corp. While in school, he also met his future wife, Frances, at a Hillel lecture on campus. Frances was a graduate student studying psychology. Dr. Ackerman graduated from university in 1946. He initially worked as a dental intern at the Toronto General Hospital, but after a few years he opened his own practice above the Royal Bank at Dundas and Elizabeth Street.
- Dr. Ackerman married Frances on September 12, 1954. They had three children together: Martin (b. 1959), Penina (b. 1963), and David (b. 1965).
- As a young teenager, Dr. Ackerman took up photography as a hobby and remained passionate about it for the remainder of his life. He took many photographs of family life, Toronto, his military involvement, and other activities. He also shot many family films and even converted part of his house into a darkroom.
- Dr. Ackerman became involved in the Jewish Boy Scouts after his son Martin became a cub. He was active in Troop 166 out of Beth Tzedec. Frances initially worked in the outpatient department of the Toronto Psychiatric Hospital, but later worked with the Toronto District School Board until her retirement. Dr. Ackerman retired his practice in 1995 or 1996. He passed away on December 13, 2008.
- Use Conditions
- Credit Dr. John E. Ackerman for the photographs.
- Name Access
- Ackerman, John, 1921-2008
- Source
- Archival Accessions