- Part Of
- Dr. Alexander Brown fonds
- Board of Jewish Education series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 95
- Series
- 1
- File
- 25
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1970-1975
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of graduation and annual dinner invitations and programmes, correspondence, an advertisement calendar and an informational booklet.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Board of Jewish Education fonds
- School files series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 48
- Series
- 5
- File
- 90
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1962-1970
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Access Restriction
- Closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing the records.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Board of Jewish Education fonds
- School files series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 48
- Series
- 5
- File
- 92
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1988-1999
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Access Restriction
- Closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing the records.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Board of Jewish Education fonds
- School files series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 48
- Series
- 5
- File
- 94
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1976-1978
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Access Restriction
- Closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing the records.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Board of Jewish Education fonds
- School files series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 48
- Series
- 5
- File
- 97
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1982-1983
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Access Restriction
- Closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing the records.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Accession Number
- 2014-9-4
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2014-9-4
- Material Format
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 1.2 m of textual records and other material
- Date
- [ca. 1936]-2012
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of records documenting the activities of Eitz Chaim. Included are photographs, yearbooks, class lists and registers, teachers record books and student grade reports, curriculum materials, anniversary books and 2 DVDs from a gala dinner and fundraising event. Also included is the Beth Jacob High School dedication and founders dinner book.
- Administrative History
- Known then as the Poylishe Talmud Torah, Eitz Chaim began in 1915 with a few students in one classroom guided by one teacher. The school’s first premises were in the Elm Street Shul. Within a year, a second teacher, Reb Leibish Noble, was hired, and he remained actively involved in Eitz Chaim for 30 years. There were now 30 students in two classes. The four-hour nightly sessions were held at the end of the regular public school day with an additional six hours on Sunday. Classes continued throughout the summer as well.
- The school’s first building on Chestnut Street was inaugurated in August 1916, with additional classes held at a branch on Simcoe Street. The second president of the school, Yosef Shidlowsky, in a move to be more inclusive of all Orthodox Jews, changed the name of the school to Talmud Torah Eitz Chaim.
- In 1917, Mr. Shidlowsky, Itshe Meyer Korolnek, and Joseph Cooper managed not only to obtain a provincial charter to open a religious school, but were also instrumental in purchasing the Italian Club at 68 D’Arcy St. to accommodate the school’s growing enrollment.
- In 1920, Rabbi Yehuda Leib Graubart arrived from Stashow, Poland, and assumed the post of spiritual leader of the Talmud Torah. He introduced more Hebrew instruction and a more intensive Torah curriculum.
- In 1926, Rabbi Pinchas Ravad became the next principal, a position he retained for the next nine years. During that time, a separate girls’ class was formed and the first female teacher was hired. Although a fire in 1927 destroyed the wooden school building on D’Arcy St., a new, larger school was constructed on the same site and dedicated on December 30, 1927. After moving into the new building, student enrollment increased dramatically. Beginning with 300 students in 1929, the student body grew to 400 in 1931, 503 in 1933, and 600 in 1938.
- After the passing of Rabbi Graubart, an evening high school yeshiva, the Maharil Graubart Yeshiva, was founded in 1939 to serve boys 14 years of age and up with Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky acting as rosh yeshiva beginning in 1941. The building next door to the Talmud Torah, at 80 D’Arcy Street, was purchased to provide space for the yeshiva and was connected via a walkway to the Talmud Torah. As the students of Eitz Chaim Talmud Torah graduated from the elementary school, they would eventually attend the Maharil Graubart Yeshiva. That same year, Rabbi Jacob I. Wohlgelernter became principal of the Talmud Torah and a kindergarten was added in 1942.
- Seven years later, Rabbi Chaim Nussbaum officially assumed the role of principal of Eitz Chaim Schools. Beginning with only a grade 1, new grades were added every year until grades 1 through 9 were in place. Eitz Chaim gradually broadened its scope, welcoming Jewish students from many diverse backgrounds and establishing afternoon and day classes beginning in 1950 at a branch on Burnside Ave. To meet the growing demand for classes, the Torath Emeth Jewish Centre was established at 1 Viewmount Avenue in 1956.
- By 1958, in response to the geographical shift of the Jewish population northward, the Tanenbaum Building was added to the complex, followed by the Korolnek Building in 1961, both at 1 Viewmount Avenue. By this time, Eitz Chaim had two principals: Rabbi Nussbaum, who oversaw Hebrew studies, and Rabbi Shlomo Jakubovitz, who oversaw general studies.
- The two buildings on D’Arcy St. were sold in 1966 and the proceeds were designated toward purchasing a new school building to the north of the city. Rabbi Shlomo Jakobovits, Avraham Bleeman, Joe Goldwasser and Sam Wortsman led the way in persuading the Board of Directors to purchase the land at Patricia and Bathurst Streets. Patricia and Bathurst Streets served as the temporary location for portable units until the large, permanent building was completed in 1970. This location evolved into the boys’ campus, servicing students from all areas of the city.
- Rabbi Shneur Weinberg succeeded Rabbi Nussbaum in 1969 and served as the Hebrew principal until his retirement in 1995, when Rabbi Aaron Levine took over. The position of Hebrew studies principal for the girls’ school was created in 1974 and was held by Rabbi Leibish Adler for 26 years. Rabbi Mordechai Gewirts succeeded Rabbi Adler in 2002 and was principal of the girls’ school until 2012. Eitz Chaim Schools developed rapidly and acquired an excellent reputation among North American day schools.
- The female graduates of Eitz Chaim, for the most part, attended public high school. To counter this trend, Beth Jacob High School, with the guidance of Eitz Chaim, was launched in 1963, with classes conducted near the Viewmount branch. In 1966, the Beth Jacob High School and Teacher’s Seminary was completed on Lawrence Avenue, culminating in the opening of a girls’ high school that became completely independent of Eitz Chaim. Today, many female graduates of Etiz Chaim continue their education at Beth Jacob High School.
- The Spring Farm campus, named for the farm formerly on that site, opened its doors in 1988. Currently, Eitz Chaim serves primarily as an elementary educational institute under the guidance of Rabbi Isser Pliner.
- History from http://www.eitzchaim.com/index.php?page=history (viewed Oct. 6, 2014)
- 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. 500 photographs, texts, 2 DVDs and 1 betacam cassette.
- Use Conditions note: student grade reports are closed until 30 years after the death of the individual.
- Subjects
- Education
- Children
- Name Access
- Eitz Chaim Schools (Toronto, Ont.)
- Places
- Toronto, Ont.
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Part Of
- United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
- Photographic and audiovisual collection series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 67
- Series
- 27
- File
- 146
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 8 May 1975
- Physical Description
- 5 photographs : b&w (5 negatives) ; 28 x 28 mm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of five negatives depicting students (boys only) at a Learnathon, possibly at Eitz Chaim.
- Notes
- Photos by Graphic Artists Photographers, Toronto.
- Subjects
- Jewish day schools
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Accession Number
- 1990-5-2
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1990-5-2
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 2.3 m of textual records
- Date
- 1979-1985
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of records of the USDS Board of Directors, Membership, Executive Committee, working committees, programs and office files. The records document budgeting, teachers' welfare, membership appointments, synagogue affiliation, the 25th anniversary of USDS and transportation. The records include minutes, notices, agendas, correspondence, memos to parents, memos to teachers and lists. The following committees and groups are documented: Scholarships and Bursaries; Personnel; Ways and Means; Growth; House; Building; Fiscal; Special Tuition Committee, Board of Jewish Education; Parents' Association; CHAT; Junior High School committee; Education committee; Special Education sub-committee; Mainstreaming committee; and Pre-school sub-committee.
As well, special programs are highlighted. These include: the Cultural Enrichment program; Keren Ami; Avraham Nachum Memorial (1976-1980); and French Language Grants. Finally, there are files pertaining to interaction with the Ontario Jewish Association for Equity in Education and the Ontario Association of Alternative and Independent Schools.
- Administrative History
- In 1957, the Beth Tzedec Synagogue, a Conservative congregation, opened a congregational day school, the Foundation day school, consisting of a kindergarten and grades one to four. In 1961, eight other synagogues joined with Beth Tzedec to form the United Synagogue Day School. Beginning in 1965, the school offered instruction from Nursery to grade nine. From 1971 to 1973, the United Synagogue Day School also included a high school.
- The school was founded in order to provide students with a complete general and Judaic education. The language of instruction in the Judaic studies was Hebrew. The Judaic curriculum was presented within the framework of Conservative Judaism. However, the students were taught the traditional customs and observances. Within the confines of the school, students were expected to conform to traditional, religious behavior. Emphasis was placed on the diversity of Judaism and the importance of the re-establishment of the state of Israel.
- Each day included instruction in both Judaic and general studies, which were sometimes integrated together. Wherever possible, the general studies were approached from a Jewish perspective.
- Descriptive Notes
- Related material note: see related records in accession 1986-11/5, MG 3 A4 (Beth Tzedec) and 1980-12/12 (Beth Tzedec).
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Part Of
- Board of Jewish Education fonds
- School files series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 48
- Series
- 5
- File
- 191
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1989-1991
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Access Restriction
- Closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing the records.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Accession Number
- 2012-7-11
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 2012-7-11
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 30 cm of textual records
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of records of the USDS board of directors.
- Custodial History
- There is no acquisition information for this material. The accession number was assigned by the archivist.
- Use Conditions
- Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Part Of
- Solomon Edell fonds
- General community activities series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 4
- Series
- 11
- File
- 55
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1960-1997
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of correspondence, borchures, and donation cards.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Solomon Edell fonds
- General community activities series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 4
- Series
- 11
- File
- 56
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1971-1995
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of correspondence.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Solomon Edell fonds
- General community activities series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 4
- Series
- 11
- File
- 57
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1972-1999
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of newsletters and calendars.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Solomon Edell fonds
- General community activities series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 4
- Series
- 11
- File
- 59
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1971-1997
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of invitations and a graduation programme.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Gilbert Studios fonds
- Jewish community events series
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 37
- Series
- 7
- Item
- 5
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- November 1970
- Physical Description
- 1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm
- Admin History/Bio
- Eitz Chaim school was founded by a group of boys who were concerned about the education of the Jewish youth. Some of the founding members included: Itsheh Meyer, Sam Korolnek; and Samuel and Louis Cooper. Together, with a few other boys, they started a small gathering in the Bes Medrash Shul on Elm Street in 1914. The official founding date for the Talmud Torah Eitz Chaim School was in 1915, with the move to temporary quarters on Chestnut Street, and eventually moving to the newly rennovated building on D'Arcy Street in 1917.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph is of a dedication ceremony at the Eitz Chaim School in Toronto.
- In attendance were: Phil Givens (far left), Rabbi Itche Meyer Korolnek & Mrs. Korolnek (2nd & 3rd from left), and Joe Tanenbaum (standing behind the Korolnek's).
- Name Access
- Eitz Chaim School
- Givens, Philip, 1922-1995
- Korolnek, Rabbi Itche Meyer
- Tanenbaum, Joe
- Subjects
- Dedication services
- Portraits, Group
- Schools
- 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.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Accession Number
- 1997-11-2
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Accession Number
- 1997-11-2
- Material Format
- textual record
- Physical Description
- 7.2 m of textual records
- Date
- [198-]-[199-]
- Scope and Content
- Accession consists of records of the Board of Directors and general school files.
- Use Conditions
- Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.
- Source
- Archival Accessions
- Part Of
- Dr. Alexander Brown fonds
- Board of Jewish Education series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 95
- Series
- 1
- File
- 27
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- [ca. 1960]-1976
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of correspondence and reports.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
- Photographic and audiovisual collection series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 67
- Series
- 27
- File
- 280
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 8 Jun. 1977
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 25 cm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of one photograph of a rabbi addressing a room of students (boys) at Eitz Chaim.
- Notes
- Photo by Graphic Artists Photographers, Toronto.
- Availability of other formats: Also available as a digital image.
- Subjects
- Rabbis
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds
- Photographic and audiovisual collection series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 67
- Series
- 27
- File
- 431
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 24 May 1979
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs : b&w (2 negatives) ; 28 x 28 mm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of two negatives of a rabbi lecturing to a room full of boys, possibly at Eitz Chaim.
- Notes
- Photos by Graphic Artists Photographers, Toronto.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions