Accession Number
2010-3-5
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2010-3-5
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
1.28 m of textual records
Date
1935, 1960-1998, predominant 1980-1998
Scope and Content
The records consist of materials documenting the programs and social services administered by JIAS Toronto, predominantly from the 1960s through the 1990s. The records include reports and essays, case files, statistics reports, staff manuals and other resources, budget documents, minutes of meetings, resources JIAS produced for immigrants and resources from JIAS's education programs. Much of the material from the 1980s and 1990s deals with integration, particularly of Soviet Jews. There are records relating to the Integration Committee, the provision of "direct relief aid" and other services to clients, and research and analytical reports.
The earlier case files from 1935 and 1948-1981 concern reimbursement for immigrants' transportation costs. Later case files contain only one sheet, a case report, which includes personal and immigration information, occupation, remarks, sponsor’s information and an employment history. Some files also have: identification cards from United HIAS Service with sailing information; summary of assistance forms kept by JIAS case workers; and other administrative paperwork.
Use Conditions
Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director prior to accessing some of the records.
Name Access
JIAS Toronto
Source
Archival Accessions
Part Of
Julius P. Katz fonds
Subject files series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 55; Series 2; File 110
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Julius P. Katz fonds
Subject files series
Level
File
Fonds
55
Series
2
File
110
Material Format
textual record
Date
1957-1958
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
This file consists of a document outlining the structure and programme of the Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Canada, a report on the Annual Meeting and Workshop of United HIAS services held in New York and a report of the Case Committee. Included in the Case Committee report are examples of specific cases and a statistical report of immigrant assistance with a focus on Hungarian, North African and Polish/other immigrants.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Executive Committee series
Executive director sub-series
Executive director's correspondence sub-sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
67
Series
5-5-1
File
197
Material Format
textual record
Date
1969-1970
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of correspondence.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Client agency correspondence series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 67; Series 18; File 22
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Client agency correspondence series
Level
File
Fonds
67
Series
18
File
22
Material Format
textual record
Date
4 Jan. 1963-12 Nov. 1963
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of correspondence about Jewish Immigrant Aid Services.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Accession Number
2018-2-3
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2018-2-3
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Date
[1946?]-1951
Scope and Content
Accession includes an undated document describing immigration prospects following the Second World War and the anti-immigration sentiment. The document was published by an unknown group "interested in combating race-hatred and anti-Semitism and on strengthening the unity between the groups which make up the people of Canada". In addition, there is a copy of a confidential letter dated February 14, 1951 listing immigrants identified as skilled workers and selected by overseas Canadian immigration officials under the auspices of the Settlement Branch to settle in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. These immigrants were to arrive in Halifax on the above noted date of on board the SS Staveangerfgord.
Custodial History
File discovered while processing CJC fonds 17.
Use Conditions
Closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director prior to accessing the records.
Subjects
Immigrants--Canada
Places
Canada
Source
Archival Accessions
Part Of
Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Toronto fonds
Level
Fonds
ID
Fonds 9
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Toronto fonds
Level
Fonds
Fonds
9
Material Format
textual record
graphic material
Date
1925-1989
Physical Description
31.8 m of textual records
319 photographs : b&w and col. ; 21 x 26 cm or smaller
Admin History/Bio
The Jewish Immigrant Aid Society of Canada was established in 1920 by the newly-formed Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC). A Toronto branch was established in a storefront office on Spadina Avenue, but the organization was rudimentary. As the enthusiasm that spurred the founding of CJC died out, JIAS soon faltered. Then in 1922 it was taken over and reactivated under the cooperative support of the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of Toronto, B'nai B'rith, and the Council of Jewish Women. JIAS was legally incorporated on 30 August 1922. It also operated under the moniker of the Emergency Jewish Immigrant Aid Committee, and it changed its name to Jewish Immigrant Aid Services in 1954.
Charged with organizing emergency relief for European Jews in distress, JIAS became the central agency of the Jewish community to facilitate the lawful entry of Jewish immigrants into Canada, and provided them with welfare services, transportation, and assistance with accommodation and employment after their arrival. In addition, JIAS offered consultation services for sponsors of potential immigrants, ran a competitive foreign remittance service, and campaigned to counter the activities of unscrupulous steamboat agents, lawyers, and influence peddlers, or “shtadlanim,” who often victimized immigrants and sponsors alike.
In conjunction with similar efforts by the CJC, JIAS was also actively engaged in negotiating for the increased admission of Jewish immigrants to Canada. In 1923, the federal government instituted a permit-based immigration program and JIAS competed with travel agents and solicitors in the private sector for these limited quota permits. After combating the anti-immigration policies of the Depression era, the outbreak of war in 1939 virtually closed the already limited avenues for immigration.
JIAS Canada was organized into a national office in Montreal and regional offices in Winnipeg (Western Region), Toronto (Central Region), and Halifax (Eastern Region). The Central Region covered Ontario, and established a full-time head office in 1935 at 399 Spadina Avenue in Toronto (hence the Central Region was sometimes called simply the Toronto Office). The office later moved to 265 Spadina Avenue. JIAS Toronto’s board of directors met on a regular basis at different locations in Toronto, including 206 Beverley Street and in the Talmud Torah building at 9 Brunswick Avenue. The first JIAS Toronto board included notable Toronto residents such as Henry Dworkin, Mrs. Draiman, Mr. Kronick, Dr. Brodey and Mrs. Willinsky. The role of the board was to oversee the operations of the Central Region. It rendered decisions on issues relating to finances, procedures and policies, negotiations with the federal Immigration Branch, as well as individual cases that required their attention.
General meetings of the Central Region membership were held annually. The 1943 JIAS constitution states that regional annual meetings were to be held for “receiving and considering reports,” holding nominations and elections for the executive, and discussing JIAS’s program and policies.
In the post-war era, JIAS shifted its focus to renewed efforts on behalf of individual claimants and community support, while the focus for lobbying for a reversal of Canada's immigration policy fell increasingly under the jurisdiction of the CJC. A boom in immigration between 1947 and 1952 saw the arrival of large numbers of Jewish immigrants to all parts of Canada and the Toronto Office of JIAS renewed its efforts to meet the needs of this new influx. Major world events also sparked other waves of immigration from Hungary, Czechoslovakia, North Africa, and Russia, to which JIAS responded in turn. JIAS worked in conjunction with other immigrant aid societies such as HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, in the United States, to facilitate immigration to the United States, and later to Israel, where many of the immigrants and refugees coming to Canada had family and ultimately settled.
Custodial History
Custody of these records was transferred to the Ontario Jewish Archives by JIAS in 1983, as preparations were under way for the move to a new facility in North York. Much of the material was in four-cubic-foot boxes and in file cabinets.
The accession was divided into three sections: files which were at the JIAS office and had been retained in their original order; files which had been retrieved from a flood in the basement of 152 Beverley St. and consequently had been thrown into dry boxes without regard to order; files discovered in the furnace rooms at 150 and 152 Beverley St., intact but covered in coal dust. The bulk of the records were stored off-site, with dirty files being isolated from the rest.
The dust-covered materials were cleaned at an off-site location, placed in temporary boxes and transferred to the Archives and restored, as far as was possible, to their original order.
Clips were removed and replaced as appropriate with archivally acceptable ones. All materials were transferred to acid-free folders and boxes.
Scope and Content
Fonds contains the records of the Toronto Office (Central region) of the Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Canada. The fonds consists primarily of textual records: minutes, correspondence, financial records, reports, immigration files, naturalization case files, social service case files and the records of attempts to trace missing individuals. There are also photographs of special events, speakers and arriving immigrants.
The fonds represents an important resource for the study of Canadian Jewry, especially when taken in conjunction with the JIAS National Office records at the Canadian Jewish Congress National Archives in Montreal, and those of the Western Office at the Library and Archives of Canada. It documents the means by which a particular Canadian ethnic community has dealt with the problems of rescue, settlement and government relations. These records also offer insight into the relationship between the Toronto Office and the other branches of JIAS, and invite comparison with similar agencies in the United States, as well as those of other ethnic groups in Canada.
The material collected includes information about the countries of origin, transportation routes, settlement and employment patterns of Jewish immigrants to Canada in the twentieth century. The documents also touch upon important related issues such as advocacy, sponsorship, admission processes, health and social problems.
These records cover several waves of immigration following the Second World War: Holocaust survivors in the late 1940s, Sephardic (North African) and Hungarian Jews in the 1950s, Russian and Czechoslovakian Jews in the 1960s, and additional Russians in the 1970s.
The records also contain significant information for those researchers looking to conduct genealogical research into Jewish immigrants and their descendents.
The fonds has been arranged with one sous-fonds, which contains the records of the National JIAS office in Montreal. In total there are 17 series. The Toronto office (main fonds) series are: 1. Board of Directors and Executive Committee Minutes; 2. Annual meeting proceedings; 3. Reports; 4. Legal ; 5. Administration; 6. JIAS Committees; 7. External committees; 8. Financial ; 9. Arrivals; 10. Immigration case files; 11. Social service assistance case files; 12. Photographs; 13. Miscellaneous. The National Office sous-fonds is divided into the following series: 1. National executive meeting minutes; 2. National annual meeting proceedings; 3. National annual reports; 4. Publications; and Photographs.
Notes
Physical description note: Physical extent is based on fully processed records. Additional accessions are not included (see Related Material note below).
Associated material note: The CJC National Archive, in Montreal, has additional JIAS records from 1920-1989 including 275 m of textual records and graphic materials (3250 photos): collection number I0037; alpha-numeric designation MA 4. The National Archives of Canada, Manitoba branch, in Winnipeg, has Jewish Historical Society of Western Canada JIAS textual records from 1923-1950 on 18 microfilm reels: Former archival reference number MG28-V114 (no replacement listed). The originals of these records are maintained by the Jewish Historical Society of Western Canada.
Name Access
Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Toronto
Subjects
Immigrants--Canada
Nonprofit organizations
Access Restriction
Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.
Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing some of the records.
Related Material
Other OJA records relating to JIAS may be found in the following accessions: 1979-9-5; 1988-5-2; 1991-10-5; 2006-3-11.
Creator
Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Toronto
Accession Number
1983-8-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Julius P. Katz fonds
Subject files series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 55; Series 2; File 111
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Julius P. Katz fonds
Subject files series
Level
File
Fonds
55
Series
2
File
111
Material Format
textual record
Date
1948-1958
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
This file consists of a meeting minutes of the Executive and the Board of Directors of Jewish Immigrant Aid Services.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Julius P. Katz fonds
Subject files series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 55; Series 2; File 112
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Julius P. Katz fonds
Subject files series
Level
File
Fonds
55
Series
2
File
112
Material Format
textual record
Date
1956
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
This file consists of a program from the Annual Meeting of the Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Canada, December 23, 1956.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Julius P. Katz fonds
Subject files series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 55; Series 2; File 113
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Julius P. Katz fonds
Subject files series
Level
File
Fonds
55
Series
2
File
113
Material Format
textual record
Date
1958
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
This file consists of an agenda from a dinner meeting for the Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Canada, January 22, 1958. Also included is a report of the Nominations Committee for 1958.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Solomon Edell fonds
General community activities series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 4; Series 11; File 12
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Solomon Edell fonds
General community activities series
Level
File
Fonds
4
Series
11
File
12
Material Format
textual record
Date
12 Dec. 1960
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of an invitation to an annual luncheon meeting.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Executive Committee series
Executive director sub-series
Executive director's correspondence sub-sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
67
Series
5-5-1
File
302
Material Format
textual record
Date
4 Aug. 1981
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of reports.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gordon Mendly fonds
Events and organizations series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 18; Series 3; File 24
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gordon Mendly fonds
Events and organizations series
Level
File
Fonds
18
Series
3
File
24
Material Format
graphic material
Date
6 May 1970
Physical Description
4 images : b&w ; 6 x 6 cm
Scope and Content
This file consists images taken at a general meeting of the Jewish Immigrant Aid Society, held at the Zionist building at 788 Marlee Ave. The images depict three speakers at the podium, and a photograph of the crowd seated in front of the executive table.
Repro Restriction
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Community Relations Committee series
Research Records sub-series
Advocacy, General sub-sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
5-4-9
File
94
Material Format
textual record
Date
1970
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of correspondence from the Toronto City Clerk
Notes
Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Accession Number
1991-10-5
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1991-10-5
Material Format
textual record
graphic material
Physical Description
4 cm textual records
29 photographs : b&w ; 19 x 24 cm and 11 x 9 cm
Date
[196-?]-[1989]
Scope and Content
Accession includes twenty-nine photographs, most from the 1984 and 1985 Toronto Region Annual Meetings. Many are images of awards being given to outgoing and incoming presidents, and of speakers, with some group table shots.
Textual records include Toronto JIAS information and brochures, a history of the organization, meeting programs and invitations, a list of the 1969 board of directors, and a 1974 report "JIAS Background Information" by Joseph Kage. In addition there is a publicity brochure for Montreal and minutes of a JIAS-UJRA meeting in Montreal in 1975.
Custodial History
Jewish Immigrant Aid Services (JIAS)
Source
Archival Accessions
Level
Item
ID
Item 680
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
680
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[193-]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)
Scope and Content
Item is a photograph of applicants and staff at the Jewish Immigrant Aid Service office in Montreal.
Name Access
Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Canada
Subjects
Offices
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Places
Montréal (Québec)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Accession Number
2009-3-5
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2009-3-5
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Date
1980
Scope and Content
Accession consists of a report prepared by JIAS Canada detailing the situation of recent immigrant arrivals to various small communities in Ontario. The communities discussed are Cambridge, Hamilton, Kitchener, London, Ottawa, St. Catharines and Windsor.
Custodial History
The custodial history for this item is unknown. The accession number has been assigned by the assistant archivist.
Subjects
Immigrants--Canada
Communities
Name Access
Jewish Immigrant Aid Services (Toronto, Ont.)
Places
Cambridge (Ont.)
Hamilton (Ont.)
Kitchener (Ont.)
London (Ont.)
Ottawa (Ont.)
St. Catharines (Ont.)
Windsor (Ont.)
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1979-9-5
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1979-9-5
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Date
2 May 1976
Scope and Content
Accession consists of one booklet for the annual meeting of the Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Canada, Central Region held at Temple Sinai with guest speaker Mr. Gaynor Jacobson, executive vice-president of HIAS.
Subjects
Immigrants--Canada
Name Access
Jewish Immigrant Aid Services (Toronto, Ont.)
Jacobson, Gaynor
Temple Sinai Congregation of Toronto
Places
Toronto, Ont.
Source
Archival Accessions
Level
Item
ID
Item 1390
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
1390
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1974
Physical Description
1 slide : col.
Name Access
Jewish Immigrant Aid Services
Subjects
Signs and signboards
Places
Beverley Street (Toronto, Ont.)
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Julius P. Katz fonds
Subject files series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 55; Series 2; File 114
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Julius P. Katz fonds
Subject files series
Level
File
Fonds
55
Series
2
File
114
Material Format
textual record
Date
1939-1943
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
This file consists of communication from the Jewish Immigrant Aid Society of Canada. Included are reports and updates, meeting minutes, notice of meetings and a letter with New Year greeting from JIAS president (September 1941).
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Julius P. Katz fonds
Subject files series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 55; Series 2; File 115
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Julius P. Katz fonds
Subject files series
Level
File
Fonds
55
Series
2
File
115
Material Format
textual record
Date
1946-1954
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
This file consists of communication from the Jewish Immigrant Aid Society of Canada. Included are: a programme from 1948 National Convention, JIAS newsletter (January 1948), a statistical report on central region (1953), a copy of the publication JIAS Record from Montreal (1949), 2 letters in Yiddish from JIAS of Canada regarding Polish Jews.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Julius P. Katz fonds
Subject files series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 55; Series 2; File 116
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Julius P. Katz fonds
Subject files series
Level
File
Fonds
55
Series
2
File
116
Material Format
textual record
Date
1944-1954
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
This file consists of receipt books for donations to the Jewish Immigrant Aid Society.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Executive Committee series
Executive director sub-series
Executive director's correspondence sub-sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
67
Series
5-5-1
File
4
Material Format
textual record
Date
1944-1953
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of correspondence.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Executive Committee series
Executive director sub-series
Executive director's correspondence sub-sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
67
Series
5-5-1
File
268
Material Format
textual record
Date
23 April 1972-20 Dec. 1972
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of correspondence.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Social Planning Committee series
Correspondence with funded agencies sub-series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 67; Series 9-13; File 22
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Social Planning Committee series
Correspondence with funded agencies sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
67
Series
9-13
File
22
Material Format
textual record
Date
Feb. 1969-Aug. 1969
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of correspondence with the Jewish Immigrant Aid Society about their funding and expenses.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Accession Number
2006-3-12
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2006-3-12
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Date
1943-1954
Scope and Content
Accession consists of material related to the Jewish Immigrant Aid Society (JIAS) of Canada. Records include campaign promotional material, national convention programmes and invitations, national activity reports and Central Region meeting invitations.
Descriptive Notes
Jewish Immigrant Aid Society of Canada.
JIAS.
Source
Archival Accessions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 17; Series 2; File 829
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
2
File
829
Material Format
textual record
Date
1974
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Access Restriction
Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.
Accession Number
2005-2-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 17; Series 2; File 20
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
2
File
20
Material Format
textual record
Date
1975
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Access Restriction
Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.
Accession Number
2005-2-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 17; Series 2; File 1130
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
2
File
1130
Material Format
textual record
Date
1996
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Access Restriction
Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.
Accession Number
2005-2-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Rabbi Nachman Shemen fonds
Canadian Federation to Aid Polish Jews in Israel series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 103; Series 1; File 132
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Rabbi Nachman Shemen fonds
Canadian Federation to Aid Polish Jews in Israel series
Level
File
Fonds
103
Series
1
File
132
Material Format
textual record
Date
1946-1950
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of correspondence with the Jewish Immigrant Aid Society of Canada
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Executive Committee series
Executive director sub-series
Executive director's correspondence sub-sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
67
Series
5-5-1
File
93
Material Format
textual record
Date
2 Mar. 1954-21 Oct. 1954
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of correspondence.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Executive Committee series
Executive director sub-series
Executive director's correspondence sub-sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
67
Series
5-5-1
File
94
Material Format
textual record
Date
7 Jan. 1954-28 Dec. 1954
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of correspondence.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Ostrowtzer Hilfs Committee fonds
Letters from organizations series
Jewish Immigrant Aid Society of Canada sub-series
Level
Sub-series
ID
Fonds 148; Series 2-10
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Ostrowtzer Hilfs Committee fonds
Letters from organizations series
Jewish Immigrant Aid Society of Canada sub-series
Level
Sub-series
Fonds
148
Series
2-10
Material Format
textual record
Date
1946
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Admin History/Bio
The Jewish Immigrant Aid Society of Canada (JIAS) was established in 1922 to assist Jewish refugees coming to Canada. As the exclusive Jewish social service agency dedicated to settlement services, it has aided immigrants and refugees from various regions, including postwar Europe, North Africa, the former Soviet Union, South Africa, Syria, the former Yugoslavia, Argentina, and Israel. In a milestone move in 2015, JIAS Toronto became a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH), empowering the organization to sponsor refugees and facilitate their arrival in Canada. Throughout its history, JIAS has been instrumental in providing essential support and fostering the successful settlement of Jewish immigrants in the country.
Scope and Content
Sub-series consists of correspondence from the Jewish Immigrant Aid Society of Canada regarding assistance for Regina Nisenbaum, who resides in Bielsko, Poland, in locating her relatives.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Morris Norman collection
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 22; Item 122
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Morris Norman collection
Level
Item
Fonds
22
Item
122
Material Format
textual record
Date
[194-]
Physical Description
1 item
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Toronto fonds
Miscellaneous series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 9; Series 13; File 10
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Toronto fonds
Miscellaneous series
Level
File
Fonds
9
Series
13
File
10
Material Format
textual record
Date
[196-]
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of a 361 page bound report complete with tables, notes and select bibliography, authored by Joseph Kage.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Community Relations Committee series
Publications, speeches, press releases, and reports sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
5-2
File
43
Material Format
textual record
Date
1964
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of a report
Notes
Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
United Jewish Relief Agencies, Toronto (UJRA) series
Immigration and Location Service case files sub-series
Level
Sub-series
Fonds
17
Series
4-12
Material Format
textual record
Date
1941-1951, predominant 1947-1949
Physical Description
96 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
Sub-series contains communication case files on immigrants and their sponsors, maintained by the Immigration and Location Service of UJRA. The files date from 1941 to 1951, but most were created in the years right after the war. The records document the interaction between social services agencies and sponsors in the process of locating missing relatives and facilitating the immigration to Canada of known relatives. Records include incoming and outgoing letters, memoranda and telegrams exchanged between the UJRA, sponsoring individuals in Ontario, and Jewish aid organizations such as: the American Joint Distribution Committee in its various European centres; the United Service for New Americans in the United States; the World Jewish Congress; and others. They reflect the administrative process of being a sponsor. Sponsors agreed to keep and support their relatives upon their arrival, but some letters reflect their reluctance, or inability, to provide any aid beyond that. For a short time in 1947, Displaced Persons were admitted regardless of their relationship to their sponsor, but beginning in September 1947, permits were limited to first-degree relatives only. Having employment lined up in Canada was only sufficient where special projects existed: for farmers, miners, lumbermen and D.P.s in camps in Germany and Austria.
Some thicker files document transactions over a period of time; some contain forms such as the letter of authorization granted by the American Joint Distribution Committee; and some letters outline the case history of immigrants, telling their story. The majority of files, however, have just one or two letters dealing with the common administrative activities of the UJRA: dealing with the entrance of relatives, in terms of asking an individual to be a sponsor, passing along messages from the Joint Distribution Committee overseas, or being a go-between to locate sponsors and give them information and instructions. Many letters pertain to the requirement that sponsors pay the travel expenses of their immigrating relatives, or pay for administrative fees for the application process. UJRA in Canada also helped the United Service for New Americans in New York City to locate refugees or those who moved to Canada after their arrival.
The files in this sub-subseries are arranged as they were by UJRA, in alphabetical order by sponsor surname.
Notes
This sub-series is composed of former RG 294, which was separated into case files and administrative files.
Access Restriction
Closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing the records.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 17; Series 2; File 141
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
2
File
141
Material Format
textual record
Date
1994
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Access Restriction
Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.
Accession Number
2005-2-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Ostrowtzer Hilfs Committee fonds
Letters from organizations series
District Committee, Ostrowiec sub-series
Letter from Aron Fridenthal to the Jewish immigrant Aid Society of Canada file
Level
File
Fonds
148
Series
2-8
File
1
Material Format
textual record
Date
3 Oct. 1945
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Admin History/Bio
Aron Fridenthal (b.1904-d.1970) was born in Lipsk, Poland. He became a rabbi at eighteen and later married Fiega, the daughter of Rabbi Shmuel Gringlas. They had a son, Abraham.
He headed the Revisionist movement in Ostrowiec, promoting Zionist ideas. Aron also worked as an accountant at Prince Pnitowski’s flour station. After the Holocaust, he organized an effort to provide housing and support for the community, connecting with people from Ostrowiec worldwide. While living in Warsaw in the mid- to late-1940s, Aron set up a historical committee to collect materials for the purposes of preserving Ostrowiec’s history. He helped people immigrate to Palestine/Israel and, as the secretary of the Jewish Congregation in Poland, worked to save Jewish children who had been given to Polish families during the Holocaust. Aron also played a role in rescuing Torah scrolls and Jewish books to be sent to Israel.
In 1951, he immigrated to Israel, where he studied law in Tel Aviv and became licensed to practice in 1964. In 1967, Aron received the Medal of Merit for his Zionist activities.
Scope and Content
File consists of a copy of a letter from Aron Fridenthal, chairman of the District Committee of Ostrowiec to the Jewish Immigrant Aid Society, dated 3 October 1945. In this letter, Aron provides details about several Ostrovzers and their whereabouts. File also contains a typed translation.
Repro Restriction
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
Executive Committee series
Executive director sub-series
Executive director's correspondence sub-sub-series
Level
File
Fonds
67
Series
5-5-1
File
212
Material Format
textual record
Date
1970-1971
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of correspondence.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Larry Becker collection
Level
File
ID
Fonds 34; File 34
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Larry Becker collection
Level
File
Fonds
34
File
34
Material Format
textual record
Date
1920
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of a letter announcement of a meeting, to take place on August 8, 1920, to assist Jewish immigrants arriving in Canada in large numbers. Letter was written by committee members: M. Layevsky, S. Feldberg and Sol. Eisen.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Toronto fonds
JIAS committees series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 9; Series 6; File 17
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Toronto fonds
JIAS committees series
Level
File
Fonds
9
Series
6
File
17
Material Format
textual record
Date
1976
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Admin History/Bio
This committee succeeded the United Jewish Welfare Fund Task Force on Soviet Jews.
Scope and Content
File consists of reports, statistics, correspondence and minutes of the Co-ordinating Committee.
Access Restriction
Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Toronto fonds
JIAS committees series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 9; Series 6; File 18
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Toronto fonds
JIAS committees series
Level
File
Fonds
9
Series
6
File
18
Material Format
textual record
Date
1977
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Access Restriction
Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 17; Series 2; File 999
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
2
File
999
Material Format
textual record
Date
2 Jan. - 22 Dec. 1952
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of a list of sponsored Jewish immigrants arriving in Canada, listing their name, the ship they arrived on and the address of their sponsor.
Access Restriction
Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.
Closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing the records.
Accession Number
2005-2-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 17; Series 2; File 1000
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
2
File
1000
Material Format
textual record
Date
3 Jan. - 29 Dec. 1953
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of a list of sponsored Jewish immigrants arriving in Canada, listing their name, the ship they arrived on and the address of their sponsor.
Access Restriction
Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.
Closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing the records.
Accession Number
2005-2-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 17; Series 2; File 1001
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
2
File
1001
Material Format
textual record
Date
1 Jan. - 24 Dec. 1954
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of a list of sponsored Jewish immigrants arriving in Canada, listing their name, the ship they arrived on and the address of their sponsor.
Access Restriction
Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.
Closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing the records.
Accession Number
2005-2-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 17; Series 2; File 1002
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
General office subject and correspondence files series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
2
File
1002
Material Format
textual record
Date
12 Feb. - 10 Oct. 1955
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of a list of sponsored Jewish immigrants arriving in Canada, listing their name, the ship they arrived on and the address of their sponsor.
Access Restriction
Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.
Closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing the records.
Accession Number
2005-2-2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Jewish Vocational Services of Toronto fonds
Level
Fonds
ID
Fonds 75
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Jewish Vocational Services of Toronto fonds
Level
Fonds
Fonds
75
Material Format
textual record
graphic material
moving images
Date
1947-2006
Physical Description
5.1 m of textual records and graphic material
1 DVD
Admin History/Bio
The Jewish Vocational Services (JVS) was established on 16 June 1947. After the Second World War thousands of survivors arrived in Canada in search of homes, education for their children and jobs. The returning servicemen, in turn, were also in need of employment. For the first two years of its existence, JVS catered exclusively to these two groups. By 1949, it had expanded its mandate to become a community-wide agency.
Max Enkin, the founder of the post-war "tailor scheme" became its first president and chairman of the board. Under this scheme, he and other members of his delegation were able to bring over 2,200 displaced persons to Canada as skilled tailors. Other members of the JVS board included Lipa Green, Sydney Harris, Dr. Albert Rose and Louis Lockshin. The executive director was Norman Stack. He served for a few years and was replaced by Milton Freidman in 1949. Freidman was a social worker who relocated to Toronto from Buffalo and spent close to 40 years in this position, retiring in 1985.
JVS's early mandate was to serve as a placement service for applicants and employers and to provide individual counselling services to its clients. Its office was situated above the original Tip Top Tailors building at 455 Spadina Avenue. It later moved its office to 152 Beverley Street and then in the 1960s to Tycos Drive. By the 1960s, JVS began to expand its services to all segments of society including newcomers, people with disabilities and from all sectors of life. The staff included social workers, psychologists, job counsellors and clerical staff.
During the 1980s, Bernie Berger became the new executive director. He served in that capacity until 1991. He was replaced by Ed Segalowitz. During this period, JVS set up a seniors' program called ATLAZ on the grounds of the Baycrest Home for the Aged. It was funded by the Bick family and was intended to create programs to keep seniors engaged. Today, this program is called the Al Green Resource Centre and provides employment, placement, training and volunteer opportunities to adults of all ages and with developmental disabilities. JVS also launched a youth program called Youthinc and a women's program.
Karen Goldenberg became executive director in 1998 and was replaced by Frank Markel in 2011 after her retirement. JVS has expanded its clientele, helping people from all backgrounds with diverse needs to identify their strengths and goals, develop skills, and achieve success in school, work and life. By 2009, it offered an expansive range of over 40 employment-related support programs and services throughout the Greater Toronto Area to thousands of unemployed and underemployed individuals and served 23,000 people. They operated out of 12 locations and have approximately 200 professionals on staff.
Kim Coulter became president and CEO in 2013.
Custodial History
The case files were located in the vault with no accession number. They were likely transferred to the OJA during the 1970s or 1980s. They were assigned accession number 2002-10/34.
The remaining records were in the possession of Amanda Batchelor of JVS, who had acquired the material from various past board and committee members for the creation of the 60th anniversary book.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of records documenting the activities, programs, finances, operation and history of the Jewish Vocational Services. Included are meeting minutes, photographs, correspondence, surveys, reports, financial statements, certificates, bulletins, newsletters, newsclippings, press releases, anniversary books, and one DVD. The fonds is arranged into the following series: 1) Formation and history; 2) Board of Directors; 3) Executive board; 4) Annual general meetings; 5) Special and general meetings; 6) Committees; 7) Career, employment and training services; 8) Disability services; 9) Immigrant and newcomer services; 10) Women in New Roles (WINR); 11) Youth services; 12) Volunteer program; 13) Studies and reports; 14) Finance; 15) Personnel; 16) Planning and operations; 17) Publications and publicity; 18) Fundraising; 19) United Way; 20) Events; 21) Conferences and workshops.
Name Access
Jewish Vocational Services of Toronto
Subjects
Charities
Immigrants--Canada
Access Restriction
Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing some of the records.
Creator
Jewish Vocational Services of Toronto (1947-)
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Accession Number
2002-10/34
2008-9/6
2010-11/7
Source
Archival Descriptions
Accession Number
2015-9-11
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2015-9-11
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Date
1979
Scope and Content
Accession consists of a document titled 'Educational Counseling Centre (Day School) Guidance and Counseling Program of the Jewish Vocational Service of Metropolitan Toronto (JVS).
Custodial History
There is no information on the acquisition of this material.
Administrative History
The Educational Counseling Centre of JVS provided a guidance and counseling program to the seven Hebrew Day Schools in Toronto.
Subjects
Children
Education
Name Access
Jewish Vocational Service of Metropolitan Toronto
Places
Toronto, Ont.
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2005-2-6
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2005-2-6
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
2.4 m of textual records
Scope and Content
Accession consists of the records of the Toronto Jewish Congress' Chaplaincy Services.
Use Conditions
Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.
Source
Archival Accessions