- Accession Number
- 2021-12-2
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2021-12-2
- Material Format
- textual record
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- 5 photographs : b&w
- Date
- 1944-1984
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of correspondence to Ben Kayfetz from an American friend in Berlin in 1951 and 1952, a 1944 Central Commerce yearbook belonging to Eva Kayfetz (née Silver), five photographs, an armed forces prayer book formerly belonging to Chaplain Rabbi Jacob Eisen, a speech about Soviet Jewry, and Ben Kayfetz's retirement speech.
- Custodial History
- The donor, Zena Tenenbaum, is Ben's daughter.
- Administrative History
- Ben Kayfetz was a well-known leader of the Jewish community and advocate for human rights. He completed a degree in modern languages from the University of Toronto. During the Second World War, he worked for the Wartime Information Board reading prisoners-of-war letters, and from 1945 to 1947, worked with the Canadian Control Commission in the British-controlled sector of Germany.
- He served with the Canadian Jewish Congress from 1947 to 1985 in various positions, including director of public relations and executive director of the Central Region. He was instrumental in the development of government anti-discriminatory policies and legislation in the 1950s and 1960s onward and received the Order of Canada in 1986.
- Ben Kayfetz also founded the Yiddish Luncheon Club, was president of the Toronto Jewish Historical Society, and was a frequent contributor to various periodicals in Canada and abroad, under his own name and his pseudonym, Gershon B. Newman. He was viewed as the local authority on Toronto Jewish history and also had his own radio spot on CHIN.
- Use Conditions
- Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the Archives to obtain permission prior to use.
- Descriptive Notes
- Availability of other formats: correspondence have been scanned and available in PDF format.
- Subjects
- Prayer books
- Yearbooks
- Human rights workers
- Speeches, addresses, etc
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Ben, 1916-2002
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Part Of
- Gordon Mendly fonds
- Portraits series
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Fonds 18; Series 1; Item 20
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Gordon Mendly fonds
- Portraits series
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 18
- Series
- 1
- Item
- 20
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [ca. 1960]
- Physical Description
- 1 negative : b&w ; 18 x 13 cm
- Admin History/Bio
- Benjamin Gershon Kayfetz was born in Toronto on 24 December 1916, the son of Max and Leah Kayfetz. He graduated with a B.A. in modern languages from the University of Toronto in 1939, and a B.E.D. from the Ontario College of Education in 1940. In 1955, he married Eva (née Silver) and had three daughters: Zena (Tanenbaum), Tamara (Kingston) and Rebecca (Hamill).
- Between the years 1941 and 1943, he worked as a high school teacher in Huntsville and Niagara Falls. In 1943, he joined the war effort, working for the Department of National Defense in Postal Censorship and was responsible for reviewing prisoner of war mail. After the war, Kayfetz traveled to British-occupied Germany, where he worked as a censor of telecommunications with the Control Commission until 1947.
- Upon returning to Toronto, he was hired as the national director of Community Relations by the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC), and the national executive director of the Joint Community Relations Committee (JCRC), a CJC - B'nai B'rith cooperative organization. He also served as the central region executive director of the CJC between 1973 and 1978. During his tenure, he worked with various churches, unions and minority groups to develop anti-discrimination laws and for the protection of minority and religious rights.
- Kayfetz was also actively involved in promoting the welfare of Jewish communities worldwide, and made visits to Cuba in 1962 and 1965, and Russia in 1985. After his retirement in 1985, he was awarded the Samuel Bronfman Medal by the Canadian Jewish Congress. In recognition of his efforts to promote human rights, he was also awarded the Order of Canada in 1986.
- In addition to his professional activities, Kayfetz was a prolific writer, and wrote articles for various Jewish publications under both his own name and the pseudonym, Gershon B. Newman, and gave a weekly radio address on various contemporary Jewish issues on CHIN radio. He was also actively involved in the Toronto Jewish Historical Society, serving as its president, the Canadian Jewish Historical Society and the Yiddish Luncheon Circle. Ben Kayfetz died on 15 February 2002, at the age of 85.
- Scope and Content
- Item is a portrait of Ben Kayfetz.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Fonds 33; Series 4; Item 20
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 33
- Series
- 4
- Item
- 20
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [ca. 1970]
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 18 x 13 cm and 10 x 12 cm
- Admin History/Bio
- Benjamin Gershon Kayfetz was born on December 24, 1916 in Toronto, graduating from the University of Toronto in 1939, with a B.A. in modern languages. Between the years 1941 and 1943, he worked as a high school teacher in Huntsville and Niagara Falls. In 1943, he joined the war effort, working for the Department of National Defense in Postal Censorship and was responsible for reviewing prisoner of war mail. After the war, Kayfetz traveled to British Occupied Germany where he worked as a censor of telecommunications with the Control Commission until 1947.
- Upon returning to Toronto, he was hired as the National Director of Community Relations by the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC), and as the Executive (National) Director of the Joint Community Relations Committee (JCRC), a CJC - B'nai B'rith cooperative organization. He also served as the Central Region Executive Director of the CJC between 1973 and 1978. During his tenure, he worked with various churches, unions and minority groups to develop anti-discrimination laws and for the protection of minority and religious rights. Kayfetz was also actively involved in promoting the welfare of Jewish Communities worldwide, and made visits to Cuba in 1962 and 1965, and Russia in 1985, to study and report on the state of these Jewish Communities. After his retirement in 1985, he was awarded the Samuel Bronfman Medal by the Canadian Jewish Congress. In recognition of his efforts to promote Human Rights, he was also awarded the Order of Canada in 1986.
- In addition to his professional activities, Kayfetz wrote articles for various Jewish publications under both his own name and the pseudonym, Gershon B. Newman, and gave a weekly radio address on CHIN radio addressing various contemporary Jewish issues. He was also actively involved in the Toronto Jewish Historical Society (serving as its president), Canadian Jewish Historical Society and Yiddish Luncheon Circle. Ben Kayfetz died in 2002 and is survived by his wife Eva.
- Scope and Content
- This item is a portrait of Ben Kayfetz.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- Subjects
- Portraits
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
- Accession Number
- 2004-5-96
- 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
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-4-9; File 127
- 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
- 127
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1973
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of correspondence from and to Ben Kayfetz related to various issues.
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Accession Number
- 2010-11-6
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2010-11-6
- Material Format
- textual record
- graphic material
- sound recording
- Physical Description
- ca. 60 cm of textual records and other material
- Date
- [ca. 1930] - 2002
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of records documenting the personal and professional activities of Ben Kayfetz. Personal records include correspondence with family and friends, including letters home while serving overseas, Kayfetz's marriage and high school certificates, Kayfetz's memoirs, tributes and obituaries written about Kayfetz, as well as a portrait of him. Personal records also include audio cassettes of Yiddish music by Toronto musicians Honey Novick and Faye Kellerstein.
- Professional records include articles, book reviews and newspaper clippings written by Kayfetz, event invitations, correspondence, lecture notes, and speeches. Professional records also include an Order of Canada membership book and event programme, meeting minutes for various organizations Kayfetz was involved in, such as, the Association for Canadian Jewish Studies, photographs of Kayfetz receiving various awards, and photographs of various Canadian Jewish Congress and B'Nai Zion Club events. Finally, professional records include sound recordings of interviews, lectures given at various events, and the meeting minutes of various organizations, such as, CJC, JCRC and the Yiddish Dialects in Toronto.
- Administrative History
- Benjamin Gershon Kayfetz was born on December 24, 1916 in Toronto, graduating from the University of Toronto in 1939, with a B.A. in modern languages. Between the years 1941 and 1943, he worked as a high school teacher in Huntsville and Niagara Falls. In 1943, he joined the war effort, working for the Department of National Defense in Postal Censorship and was responsible for reviewing prisoner of war mail. After the war, Kayfetz traveled to British Occupied Germany where he worked as a censor of telecommunications with the Control Commission until 1947. Upon returning to Toronto, he was hired as the National Director of Community Relations by the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC), and as the Executive (National) Director of the Joint Community Relations Committee (JCRC), a CJC - B'nai B'rith cooperative organization. He also served as the Central Region Executive Director of the CJC between 1973 and 1978. During his tenure, he worked with various churches, unions and minority groups to develop anti-discrimination laws and for the protection of minority and religious rights. Kayfetz was also actively involved in promoting the welfare of Jewish Communities worldwide, and made visits to Cuba in 1962 and 1965, and Russia in 1985, to study and report on the state of these Jewish Communities. After his retirement in 1985, he was awarded the Samuel Bronfman Medal by the Canadian Jewish Congress. In recognition of his efforts to promote Human Rights, he was also awarded the Order of Canada in 1986.
- In addition to his professional activities, Kayfetz wrote articles for various Jewish publications under both his own name and the pseudonym, Gershon B. Newman, and gave a weekly radio address on CHIN radio addressing various contemporary Jewish issues. He was also actively involved in the Toronto Jewish Historical Society (serving as its president), Canadian Jewish Historical Society and Yiddish Luncheon Circle. Ben Kayfetz died in 2002 and is survived by his wife Eva.
- Use Conditions
- Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director prior to accessing some of the records.
- Descriptive Notes
- Physical description note: includes ca. 20 audio cassettes, 1 audio reel, and ca. 25 photographs (4 negatives)
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2010-12-11
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2010-12-11
- Material Format
- textual record
- textual record (electronic)
- sound recording
- Physical Description
- 1 box of textual records
- 1 audio cassette
- 1 CD
- Date
- 1932-2001
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of records documenting the personal and professional activities of Ben Kayfetz. Personal records include correspondence with family and friends, Kayfetz's high school examination reports, and speeches, invitations and other material relating to a tribute dinner for Kayfetz. Personal records also include correspondence about the Ben Kayfetz Scholarship Fund at the University of Toronto.
- Professional records include articles, book reviews and newspaper clippings written by Kayfetz, correspondence, lecture notes, speeches and transcripts for Kayfetz's CHIN Radio broadcasts. Professional records also include notes from Kayfetz's interview of Arthur Gelber, obituaries written by Kayfetz for Frank Shuster and Ben Lappin, and early teaching contracts with the Huntsville Board of Education. Finally, professional records include a CD that contains records transferred over from Kayfetz's old computer floppy disks and one audio recording of a CBC Radio broadcast featuring the Yiddish Luncheon Club.
- Administrative History
- Benjamin Gershon Kayfetz was born on December 24, 1916 in Toronto, graduating from the University of Toronto in 1939, with a B.A. in modern languages. Between the years 1941 and 1943, he worked as a high school teacher in Huntsville and Niagara Falls. In 1943, he joined the war effort, working for the Department of National Defense in Postal Censorship and was responsible for reviewing prisoner of war mail. After the war, Kayfetz traveled to British Occupied Germany where he worked as a censor of telecommunications with the Control Commission until 1947. Upon returning to Toronto, he was hired as the National Director of Community Relations by the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC), and as the Executive (National) Director of the Joint Community Relations Committee (JCRC), a CJC - B'nai B'rith cooperative organization. He also served as the Central Region Executive Director of the CJC between 1973 and 1978. During his tenure, he worked with various churches, unions and minority groups to develop anti-discrimination laws and for the protection of minority and religious rights. Kayfetz was also actively involved in promoting the welfare of Jewish Communities worldwide, and made visits to Cuba in 1962 and 1965, and Russia in 1985, to study and report on the state of these Jewish Communities. After his retirement in 1985, he was awarded the Samuel Bronfman Medal by the Canadian Jewish Congress. In recognition of his efforts to promote Human Rights, he was also awarded the Order of Canada in 1986.
- In addition to his professional activities, Kayfetz wrote articles for various Jewish publications under both his own name and the pseudonym, Gershon B. Newman, and gave a weekly radio address on CHIN radio addressing various contemporary Jewish issues. He was also actively involved in the Toronto Jewish Historical Society (serving as its president), Canadian Jewish Historical Society and Yiddish Luncheon Circle. Ben Kayfetz died in 2002 and is survived by his wife Eva.
- Use Conditions
- Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director prior to accessing some of the records.
- Descriptive Notes
- Language note: some records are in Yiddish.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2016-3-69
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2016-3-69
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 1950-1991
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of interviews with various persons concerning their link with Goel Tzedec and its successor synagogue, Beth Tzedec. The interviews were primarily conducted by Ben Keyfetz and Jack Orenstien, the latter serving as the executive director of Beth Tzedec at that time. Persons interviewed included Carl Keyfetz, N. N. Levine, Meyer Axler, and Bert Godfrey. There is also other information in the file concerning cantors and rabbis who served at Goel Tzedec, including Julius Price, Bernard Wladowsky, Jacob Gordon, and Samuel Sachs. There is a document from Bert Godfrey—undated but with a reference to 1950—titled "Report of Construction Sub-Committee." This presumably preceded the construction of the building housing the Beth Tzedec Synagogue on Bathurst Street. Also included is a 1955 publication of the Ne'ilah Service of Beth Tzedec to take place on 6 February 1955, concluding a half century of worship at the synagogue on University Avenue. Lastly, there are several pages of notes concerning the synagogue and its history.
- Custodial History
- There is no information on the acquisition of this material.
- Subjects
- Committees
- Synagogues
- Rabbis
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- Places
- Toronto, Ontario
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2016-11-19
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2016-11-19
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Date
- 1950-1964
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of the personal records of Ben Kayfetz. Included is an article written under the pseudonym Gershon B. Newman, and one legal document belonging to Eva Silver. Also included are writings on the Jewish community in the year 1913-1914, a fictional account of a trip from Chile to Argentina and a poem written about Eva Kayfetz by her daughter.
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Level
- File
- ID
- Fonds 2; Series 4; File 11
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 2
- Series
- 4
- File
- 11
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1978-1979
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of correspondence and a newsletter related to the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC). The correspondence is a letter to Ben Dunkelman from Ben Kayfetz at the Canadian Jewish Congress, congratulating him on assuming full-time responsibility of the Joint Community Relations Committee at the CJC. The newsletter consists of announcements, along with a report providing information about an Anti-Nazi Committee.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- Physical Condition
- Some records are fragile.
- 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
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-4-9; File 53
- 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
- 53
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1965
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of miscellaneous correspondence and other material from and to Ben Kayfetz.
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
- Community Relations Committee series
- General office records sub-series
- Level
- File
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-5; File 20
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
- Community Relations Committee series
- General office records sub-series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 17
- Series
- 5-5
- File
- 20
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1960-1964
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of correspondence to and from Ben Kayfetz related to various topics.
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
- Community Relations Committee series
- General office records sub-series
- Level
- File
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-5; File 21
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
- Community Relations Committee series
- General office records sub-series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 17
- Series
- 5-5
- File
- 21
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1962
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of correspondence with Ben Kayfetz related to various topics.
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
- Community Relations Committee series
- General office records sub-series
- Level
- File
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-5; File 27
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
- Community Relations Committee series
- General office records sub-series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 17
- Series
- 5-5
- File
- 27
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1964-1965
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of correspondence from or to Ben Kayfetz on various issues
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
- Community Relations Committee series
- General office records sub-series
- Level
- File
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-5; File 67
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
- Community Relations Committee series
- General office records sub-series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 17
- Series
- 5-5
- File
- 67
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1972
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of general correspondence from and to Ben Kayfetz
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
- Community Relations Committee series
- General office records sub-series
- Level
- File
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-5; File 73
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
- Community Relations Committee series
- General office records sub-series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 17
- Series
- 5-5
- File
- 73
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1975
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of correspondence from and to Ben Kayfetz
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- 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
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-2; File 35
- 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
- 35
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1961
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of correspondence and reports by Ben Kayfetz on a large number of topics.
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- 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
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-2; File 36
- 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
- 36
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- Jan. 1961-May 1961
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of general correspondence, primarily from Ben Kayfetz.
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- 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
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-2; File 42
- 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
- 42
- 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.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- 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
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-2; File 52
- 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
- 52
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1966
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of wide range of articles written by Ben Kayfetz.
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- 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
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-2; File 53
- 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
- 53
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- Jan. 1966-Dec. 1966
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of official and personal letters by and to Ben Kayfetz
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- 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
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-2; File 55
- 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
- 55
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1966
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of a very wide selection of articles by Ben Kayfetz on many different topics.
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- 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
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-2; File 57
- 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
- 57
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1967
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of articles on a wide range of subjects by Ben Kayfetz.
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- 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
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-2; File 59
- 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
- 59
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1967
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of articles written by Ben Kayfetz on a very wide range of topics.
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- 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
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-2; File 62
- 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
- 62
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1969
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of articles written by Ben Kayfetz. Included are book reviews, obituaries of prominent members of the Jewish community and notes on current events of interest to the Jewish community.
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- 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
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-2; File 66
- 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
- 66
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1969-1970
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of articles written by Ben Kayfetz. Included are book reviews, notes on current events of interest to the Jewish community and obituaries.
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- 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
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-2; File 69
- 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
- 69
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- Oct. 1970
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of one article by Ben Kayfetz entitled "Looking Back at 5730: The Anti-Hate Bill", which appeared in the newsletter "Fraternally Yours".
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- 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
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-2; File 70
- 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
- 70
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1970
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of articles by Ben Kayfetz.
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- 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
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-2; File 73
- 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
- 73
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1971
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of articles written by Ben Kayfetz.
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- 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
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-2; File 74
- 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
- 74
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1971
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of Ben Kayfetz's correspondence.
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- 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
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-2; File 76
- 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
- 76
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1971
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of articles by Ben Kayfetz.
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- 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
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-2; File 80
- 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
- 80
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1972
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of articles by Ben Kayfetz.
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- 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
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-2; File 93
- 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
- 93
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1974
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of various articles by Ben Kayfetz regarding the Jewish community.
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- 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
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-2; File 95
- 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
- 95
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1974
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of various articles by Ben Kayfetz regarding the Jewish community
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Ben Kayfetz fonds
- Level
- Fonds
- Fonds
- 62
- Material Format
- multiple media
- Date
- 1919-2001
- Physical Description
- 93 cm of textual records and other material
- Admin History/Bio
- Benjamin Gershon Kayfetz was born on December 24, 1916 in Toronto, graduating from the University of Toronto in 1939, with a B.A. in modern languages. Between the years 1941 and 1943, he worked as a high school teacher in Huntsville and Niagara Falls. In 1943, he joined the war effort, working for the Department of National Defense in Postal Censorship and was responsible for reviewing prisoner of war mail. After the war, Kayfetz traveled to British Occupied Germany where he worked as a censor of telecommunications with the Control Commission until 1947.
- Upon returning to Toronto, he was hired as the National Director of Community Relations by the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC), and as the Executive (National) Director of the Joint Community Relations Committee (JCRC), a CJC - B'nai B'rith cooperative organization. He also served as the Central Region Executive Director of the CJC between 1973 and 1978. During his tenure, he worked with various churches, unions and minority groups to develop anti-discrimination laws and for the protection of minority and religious rights. Kayfetz was also actively involved in promoting the welfare of Jewish Communities worldwide, and made visits to Cuba in 1962 and 1965, and Russia in 1985, to study and report on the state of these Jewish Communities. After his retirement in 1985, he was awarded the Samuel Bronfman Medal by the Canadian Jewish Congress. In recognition of his efforts to promote Human Rights, he was also awarded the Order of Canada in 1986.
- In addition to his professional activities, Kayfetz wrote articles for various Jewish publications under both his own name and the pseudonym, Gershon B. Newman, and gave a weekly radio address on CHIN radio addressing various contemporary Jewish issues. He was also actively involved in the Toronto Jewish Historical Society (serving as its president), Canadian Jewish Historical Society and Yiddish Luncheon Circle. Ben Kayfetz died in 2002.
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of materials produced or acquired by Ben Kayfetz in both his personal and professional capacity. It includes biographical materials, minutes, correspondence, recorded CJC and JCRC meetings, memorabilia, transcripts and recorded versions of CHIN radio broadcasts he delivered, as well as various interviews, speeches, articles, book reviews and works he composed. Fonds also consists of minutes, agendas and other records of various Yiddish and historical associations Mr. Kayfetz was involved in.
- Notes
- Physical Description note: includes 20 photographs, 107 audio cassettes, 1 Beta video cassette and 1 object.
- Fonds includes audio tapes 1-5, 7-32, 35-37, 39-42, 44-45, 47-50, 53-56, 58-64, 66-67, 70-85, A1-A5, A7-A9, A12-A14, A16-A20, A23-A28, A30, A32-A38 and A40-A43.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Ben, 1916-2002
- Access Restriction
- Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing some of the records.
- Related Material
- Audio tapes AC 246-AC 275 belonged to Ben Kayfetz and are related to this fonds.
- Creator
- Kayfetz, Ben, 1916-2002
- Accession Number
- 1975-012, 1976-10-4, 1980-12-13, 1982-2-2, 1983-6-2, 1985-4-2, 1987-2-3, 1996-5-4, 1998-3-22, 2000-11-4, 2004-3-1, 2004-5-20, 2006-2-9, 2006-8-4
- 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 25
- 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
- 25
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1975
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- 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 26
- 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
- 26
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1975
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- 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
- Community Relations Committee series
- General office records sub-series
- Level
- File
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-5; File 22
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
- Community Relations Committee series
- General office records sub-series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 17
- Series
- 5-5
- File
- 22
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- May-Dec.1962
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of correspondence with Ben Kayfetz related to various topics.
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
- Community Relations Committee series
- General office records sub-series
- Level
- File
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-5; File 39
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
- Community Relations Committee series
- General office records sub-series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 17
- Series
- 5-5
- File
- 39
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1967
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of personal correspondence from and to Ben Kayfetz related to varous subjects.
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
- Community Relations Committee series
- General office records sub-series
- Level
- File
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-5; File 64
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
- Community Relations Committee series
- General office records sub-series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 17
- Series
- 5-5
- File
- 64
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1971
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of general correspondence from and to Ben Kayfetz
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Series
- ID
- Fonds 135; Series 17
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Series
- Fonds
- 135
- Series
- 17
- Material Format
- sound recording
- Date
- 1984-1988
- Physical Description
- 27 audio reels (ca. 1 hr., 45 min.) : 1/4 inch
- Admin History/Bio
- Born in Toronto in 1916, Benjamin Gershon Kayfetz (1916–2002) was the fourth of five children. He would grow up to become a leading figure in the Jewish community through his work as a Canadian-Jewish public servant, journalist, broadcaster, and human rights activist. He graduated from the University of Toronto in 1939 with an honours bachelor of arts degree in modern languages. He then continued his education at the Ontario Teachers College, graduating in 1940 with a specialization in language teaching. In 1943, he joined the war effort, taking on a position with the Department of National Defense in Postal Censorship. After the war, Kayfetz stayed on with the Canadian military and was sent to British-occupied Germany in the immediate post-war years. In Germany, he worked as a telecommunications censor for the Control Commission until 1947. Upon returning to Toronto in 1947, Kayfetz was hired as the National Director of Community Relations by the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC), where he worked until 1985. In addition, he also served as the National Director of the Joint Community Relations Committee in 1955 and as the Central Region Executive Director of the CJC in 1973. Ben married his wife Eva Silver in 1954 and over the course of their marriage they had three daughters together: Zena, Tamara, and Rebecca. In addition to his professional activities, Kayfetz wrote articles for various Jewish publications under both his own name and the pseudonym Gershon B. Newman. He also gave a weekly radio address on CHIN radio, in which he addressed various contemporary Jewish issues. He was also actively involved in the Toronto Jewish Historical Society, serving as its president and founder; the Canadian Jewish Historical Society; and the Yiddish Luncheon Circle. After his retirement in 1985, he was awarded the Samuel Bronfman Medal by the Canadian Jewish Congress. In recognition of his efforts to promote human rights, he was also awarded the Order of Canada in 1986. Ben Kayfetz died on 15 February 2002 at the age of eighty-five.
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of 27 audio reels containing Ben Kayfetz's segment for The Jewish Hour, broadcast by CHIN Radio on Sundays. He comments on several issues related to contemporaty Jewish life in Canada and around the world, news related to the Jewish experience, and his travels in Eastern Europe.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Ben, 1916-2002
- 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
- Part Of
- Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
- Community Relations Committee series
- Publications, speeches, press releases, and reports sub-series
- Level
- File
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-2; File 64
- 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
- 64
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- Jan. 1969-Nov. 1969
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists primarily of correspondence regarding special talks delivered by Ben Kayfetz. Also included are articles written by Kayfetz.
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- 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
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-2; File 78
- 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
- 78
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1972
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of articles and speeches by Ben Kayfetz.
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- 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
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-2; File 94
- 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
- 94
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- Dec.1973-Dec.1974
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of talks by Ben Kayfetz broadcast on radio station CHIN
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- 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
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-2; File 99
- 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
- 99
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1976
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists transcripts of broadcasts on radio station CHIN by Ben Kayfetz
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- 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
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-2; File 100
- 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
- 100
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1978
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists transcripts of broadcasts on radio station CHIN by Ben Kayfetz
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Ben Kayfetz fonds
- Personal series
- Level
- File
- ID
- Fonds 62; Series 1; File 3
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Ben Kayfetz fonds
- Personal series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 62
- Series
- 1
- File
- 3
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1927-1999
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of certificates of honour, a high school diploma, a university diploma and other memorabilia of Ben Kayfetz and his family.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Name
- Ben Kayfetz
- Material Format
- sound recording
- Interview Date
- 4 Mar. 1984
- Source
- Oral Histories
- Name
- Ben Kayfetz
- Number
- OH 210
- Subject
- Antisemitism
- Human rights
- Law
- Nonprofit organizations
- Interview Date
- 4 Mar. 1984
- Quantity
- 1
- Interviewer
- Phyllis Platnick
- Total Running Time
- 46 minutes
- Conservation
- Copied August 2003
- Notes
- Christie Pits riot at approximately minute 16:00
- Use Restrictions
- Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
- Biography
- Benjamin "Ben" Gershon Kayfetz was born on 24 December 1916 in Toronto. He married Eva Silver and had two children. Ben graduated from the University of Toronto in 1939, with a bachelor of arts in modern languages. He worked as a high school teacher in Huntsville, Ontario and Niagara Falls, Ontario between 1941 and 1943. In 1943, he joined the war effort, working for the Department of National Defense in postal censorship and was responsible for reviewing prisoner of war mail. After the war, Kayfetz traveled to British-occupied Germany, where he worked as a censor of telecommunications with the Control Commission until 1947. Upon returning to Toronto, he was hired as the national director of community relations by the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC) and as the executive (national) director of the Joint Community Relations Committee (JCRC), a CJC-B'nai B'rith cooperative organization. He also served as the central region executive director of the CJC between 1973 and 1978. He worked to develop anti-discrimination laws and for the protection of minority and religious rights. Kayfetz was also actively involved in promoting the welfare of Jewish communities worldwide. He was awarded the Samuel Bronfman Medal by the Canadian Jewish Congress in 1985 and the Order of Canada in 1986. In addition to his professional activities, Kayfetz wrote articles for various Jewish publications under both his own name and the pseudonym Gershon B. Newman. He also gave a weekly radio address on CHIN radio addressing various contemporary Jewish issues and was actively involved in the Toronto Jewish Historical Society (serving as its president), the Canadian Jewish Historical Society, and the Yiddish Luncheon Circle. He died in 2002.
- Material Format
- sound recording
- Name Access
- Balmy Beach Swastika Club
- Canadian Jewish Congress
- UJA Federation of Greater Toronto
- Geographic Access
- Toronto
- Kew Beach
- Christie Pits
- Original Format
- Audio cassette
- Copy Format
- Audio cassette
- Digital file
- Transcript
- G:\Description\Oral Histories\AC 210, Ben Kayfetz\AC 210 notes.pdf
- Source
- Oral Histories
In this clip, Ben Kayfetz describes the skirmish between antisemitic and Jewish youths at Kew Beach in July 1933.
In this clip, Ben Kayfetz discusses the laws that restricted “Jews or other objectionable races” from purchasing, owning, or renting properties in Toronto and summer resort areas. He describes the steps taken to change the law.
- Part Of
- Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
- Community Relations Committee series
- General office records sub-series
- Level
- File
- ID
- Fonds 17; Series 5-5; File 23
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
- Community Relations Committee series
- General office records sub-series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 17
- Series
- 5-5
- File
- 23
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- June-Sept. 1963
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of reports by and to, and correspondence with, Ben Kayfetz related to various topics.
- Notes
- Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
- Name Access
- Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Fonds 135; Series 17; Item 1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 135
- Series
- 17
- Item
- 1
- Material Format
- sound recording
- Date
- 1 Apr. 1984
- Physical Description
- 1 audio reel (3 min., 49 sec.) : polyester, 7 1/2 ips, 1 track, mono ; 1/4 in.
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of Ben Kayfetz's segment. He gives a eulogy for Bora Laskin, a Canadian jurist who served as the 14th Chief Justice of Canada from 1973 to 1984 and had passed away on 26 March 1984. Kayfetz also pays tribute to the late Joseph (Joe) Levine, whom he describes as a "stalwart of Jewish education," president of the former Kehillah, which had gone out of existence 40 years prior. Finally, he shares an annecdote about Archie Bennett and Samuel (Sam) Bronfman.
- Name Access
- Bronfman, Samuel, 1889-1971
- 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.
- Physical Condition
- Tape is in good condition. Audio quality is good. No signs of mold or SBS.
- Accession Number
- 1986-12-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- ID
- Fonds 135; Series 17; Item 2
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 135
- Series
- 17
- Item
- 2
- Material Format
- sound recording
- Date
- 9 Nov. 1986
- Physical Description
- 1 audio reel (4 min., 17 sec.) : polyester, 7 1/2 ips, 1 track, mono ; 1/4 in.
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of Ben Kayfetz's segment. He narrates his visit to Prague, highlighting the Old Jewish Cemetery, where one of his wife's ancestors had been buried, and the Alt-neu Shul (Old New Synagogue), the oldest active synagogue in Europe. He provides his impressions of the trip and his view of Jewish life behind the Iron Curtain.
- 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.
- Physical Condition
- Tape is in good condition. Audio quality is good. No signs of mold or SBS.
- Places
- Europe, Eastern
- Accession Number
- 1986-12-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions