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Rabbi Monson segment series
- Level
- Series
- ID
- Fonds 135; Series 4
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Series
- Fonds
- 135
- Series
- 4
- Material Format
- sound recording
- Date
- 1986-1988
- Physical Description
- 24 audio reels (ca. 1 hr, 53 min.) : 1/4 inch
- Admin History/Bio
- Rabbi David Aaron Monson was born in Ottawa in 1917. He was educated at Yeshiva University and later was ordained by the Rabbinical College of Canada of Montreal in 1939. He served as a rabbi for Shaarei Shomayim Synagogue in Toronto from 1939 until 1943. During the war, he served as a Chaplain with the Canadian military until 1945. After his return to Toronto, he founded Beth Sholom Synaogogue and served as rabbi there until his retirement in 1985. During his tenure, he officiated his first bat mitzvah in 1953, introduced a mixed choir to the service, and allowed men and women to sit together in the sanctuary. Rabbi Monson was a founding member of the Canadian Council for Christians and Jews. Over the years, he served on the Ontario Police Services Commission and many other government committees. He also helped establish Or Yehuda, a community centre for underprivileged Iraqi and Romanian children in Israel. As well, he was also instrumental in the establishment of the University of Waterloo. He organized the Hebrew Association of the Blind, and was named by the Prime Minister John Diefenbaker to the Board of the Canada Council. He was also active in the Order of the Masons. Finally, Rabbi Monson was a great supporter of Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Centre. Through his persistent efforts, the small hospital he first visited during the Six Day War was transformed into a modern, state-of-the-art facility. During his career he became widely known as the "people's rabbi", due to his ability to connect with community members from all branches of Judaism as well as non-Jews. He died on July 28, 2008, at 91 years of age. His wife Susan predeceased him and he left behind one child, Judith Waldman.
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of 24 audio reels containing Rabbi Monson's segment for The Jewish Hour, broadcast by CHIN Radio on Sundays. He discusses broad issues pertaining to the Jewish community in Toronto and around the world. He also promotes several Jewish and Israeli organizations and thanks for donations made to them by members of the Ontario Jewish community.
- Access Restriction
- Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing some of the records.
- 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.
- Accession Number
- 1986-12-5
- 1988-3-4
- Source
- Archival Descriptions