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Fern Glicksman
- Accession Number
- 2024-3-7
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2024-3-7
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 portrait : colour ; 61 x 51 cm on mat 77 x 67 cm
- Date
- 1978
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of a portrait of Pearl Langer taken by Al Gilbert. There is a small metal tag beneath the portrait on the mat reads "Pearl Langer, founder and first president, Co-ordinated Services to Jewish Elderly, 1975-1978. In recognition of outstanding community service."
- Custodial History
- Portrait was donated by Fern Glicksman, who is Pearl Langer's niece.
- Administrative History
- Pearl Vera Langer (née Rosenberg) (1924–2002) was born in Toronto. She was the daughter of immigrant parents, Shainka and Joseph Rosenberg, who emigrated from Ivansk, Poland, to Toronto. Pearl had a sister named Ruth Glicksman (née Rosenberg) (1929–2024) and a half-brother named Nat Ross.
- On 23 May 1943, Pearl married Michael “Mair” Langer. They had two daughters together, Janis Carol Shifrin (née Langer) (1947–1996) and Sheri Langer. Michael Langer graduated from the University of Toronto, where he studied pharmacy. He started his career as an apprentice pharmacist and subsequently owned and managed multiple drug stores. Michael passed away in 2010.
- Pearl lived all her life in Toronto. She graduated from Harbord Collegiate and took multiple university courses.
- Pearl volunteered in various organizations including the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada. She developed an interest in and concern for the needs of the elderly and became a strong supporter of seniors, particularly in assessing the governmental services for the elderly and finding ways to enable them to remain in their homes instead of being placed in long-term care facilities. One of her most significant achievements was to establish Coordinated Services to Jewish Elderly in 1974, which is now recognized as Circle of Care. She was also instrumental in founding various Meals on Wheels and Meals to Wheels programs.
- Throughout her career, she served on several provincial and mayoral task forces addressing the increasing needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities. Notably, she contributed to Mayor David Crombie’s Task Force on the Handicapped and held positions on various boards. She was also active with the Canadian Jewish Congress, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, and the Jewish Federation of North America. Her expertise and experience made her a highly sought-after keynote speaker.
- Later on, Pearl became involved with the CBC program "From Now On" (1982–[1984?]), developed for the "over-fifty” demographic, as its co-host after initially acting as a consultant. She delved into research and government affairs and also interviewed notable figures such as Peter Ustinov and Maggie Smith. Following the program's cancellation due to budget constraints, she transitioned to become the on-air ombudsman for a new CBC morning show, where she remained for several more years.
- In 1975, appointed by the premier of Ontario, she was among the very first group of women in Ontario to be awarded a medal for the International Women’s Year.
- Use Conditions
- Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
- Subjects
- Portraits
- Source
- Archival Accessions