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As early as 1916 the Ezras Noshem Society (a mutual benefit society for Jewish women) started to raise funds to purchase and renovate what would become The Toronto Jewish Old Folks' Home (Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care’s forerunner) after its members recognized the need for a home in Toronto where the Jewish elderly could receive kosher meals and communicate with staff in their own language. Property at 31 Cecil Street was purchased in 1917 and sometime between September 1918 and January 1920 the Home officially opened there. The Home was run by a small staff and the women of Ezras Noshem who volunteered their time to make beds, cook kosher meals, do laundry and sponsor fundraising events.
Toronto Jewish Old Folks' Home, 1917-1954
- Address
- 29 Cecil Street
- Source
- Landmarks
As early as 1916 the Ezras Noshem Society (a mutual benefit society for Jewish women) started to raise funds to purchase and renovate what would become The Toronto Jewish Old Folks' Home (Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care’s forerunner) after its members recognized the need for a home in Toronto where the Jewish elderly could receive kosher meals and communicate with staff in their own language. Property at 31 Cecil Street was purchased in 1917 and sometime between September 1918 and January 1920 the Home officially opened there. The Home was run by a small staff and the women of Ezras Noshem who volunteered their time to make beds, cook kosher meals, do laundry and sponsor fundraising events.
- Address
- 29 Cecil Street
- Time Period
- 1917-1954
- Scope Note
- As early as 1916 the Ezras Noshem Society (a mutual benefit society for Jewish women) started to raise funds to purchase and renovate what would become The Toronto Jewish Old Folks' Home (Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care’s forerunner) after its members recognized the need for a home in Toronto where the Jewish elderly could receive kosher meals and communicate with staff in their own language. Property at 31 Cecil Street was purchased in 1917 and sometime between September 1918 and January 1920 the Home officially opened there. The Home was run by a small staff and the women of Ezras Noshem who volunteered their time to make beds, cook kosher meals, do laundry and sponsor fundraising events.
- History
- By 1938 the Home had expanded into its neighboring houses at 29, 33, and 35 Cecil Street and was caring for 115 residents. It provided residents with synagogue services, a hospital ward and social activities. At this time the Home also became a member of the United Jewish Welfare Fund. In 1946, the need for a larger and more modern building prompted a fundraising campaign and in 1954, the new building opened at 3650 Bathurst Street.
- Category
- Organization
- Medical
- Social Service
- Source
- Landmarks
![Men's ward of Jewish Old Folks' Home, Cecil Street, [ca. 1950]. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, fonds 61, series 6, item 2.|](/media/Digital Assets/61-JCC/F61_s6_i002.jpg?maxheight=1000&maxwidth=1000&watermark=wmk)
![Nurses' station at Jewish Old Folks' Home, Cecil Street, [ca. 1950]. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, fonds 61, series 6, item 5.|](/media/Digital Assets/61-JCC/F61_s6_i005.jpg?maxheight=1000&maxwidth=1000&watermark=wmk)
![Poster for Jewish Old Folks Home, Cecil Street, Toronto, [195-]. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, item 249.|](/media/Digital Assets/249.jpg?maxheight=1000&maxwidth=1000&watermark=wmk)
![Exterior view of Jewish Old Folks' Home, Cecil Street, [ca. 1950]. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, fonds 61, series 6, item 1.|](/media/Digital Assets/61-JCC/F61_s6_i001.jpg?maxheight=1000&maxwidth=1000&watermark=wmk)
![Jewish Old Folks' Home (Toronto), [192-?]. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, fonds 14, series 6, item 5.|This photo depicts the exterior of 29 and 31 Cecil Street. Staff and residents are pictured from a distance standing in front of the home. The signs on the building were added to the image after the photograph was taken. The photograph has been plaque mounted.](/media/Digital Assets/14-Baycrest/Series 6/F14_s6_i5.jpg?maxheight=1000&maxwidth=1000&watermark=wmk)
![Hospital at the Jewish Old Folks' Home, Cecil Street (Toronto), [ca. 1933]. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, fonds 14, series 6, item 7.|Item is a copy photograph of residents and a nurse inside the hospital ward at the Jewish Old Folks' Home. This image is found on page 22 of the Home's annual calendar for 1933-4.](/media/Digital Assets/14-Baycrest/Series 6/F14_s6_i7.jpg?maxheight=1000&maxwidth=1000&watermark=wmk)
![Jewish Old Folks' Home (Toronto) poster, [193-?]. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, fonds 14, series 6, item 8.|This is a publicity poster depicting the exterior of 29 and 31 Cecil Street and group photographs of residents. The signs on the Home were added to the photograph after the image was taken.](/media/Digital Assets/14-Baycrest/Series 6/F14_s6_i8.jpg?maxheight=1000&maxwidth=1000&watermark=wmk)
![Residents in backyard of Jewish Old Folks' Home, Cecil Street, [ca. 1950]. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, fonds 61, series 6, item 6.|](/media/Digital Assets/61-JCC/F61_s6_i006.jpg?maxheight=1000&maxwidth=1000&watermark=wmk)
![Residents in corridor of Jewish Old Folks' Home, Cecil Street, [ca. 1950]. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, fonds 61, series 6, item 12.|](/media/Digital Assets/61-JCC/F61_s6_i012.jpg?maxheight=1000&maxwidth=1000&watermark=wmk)
