Accession Number

1998-3-11

Material Format

graphic material

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w ; 16 x 11 cm and 12 x 8 cm

12 postcards : b&w ; 15 x 9 cm or smaller

Date

1909-1912

Scope and Content

Accession consists of two photographs and a collection of black-and-white postcards in with one tinted.The postcards were manufactured in Russia, Poland, and Germany and have inscriptions in Yiddish. Several feature likenesses of prominent individuals such as Sholem Asch, Sholem Aleichem, and Jacob Gordon.

Descriptive Notes

Language: Yiddish and Russian language

Places

Russia

Source

Archival Accessions

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Part Of

Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care fonds

Publications and publicity series

Level

Item

Fonds

14

Series

10

Item

1

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1967

Physical Description

1 postcard : col. ; 9 x 14 cm

Scope and Content

Item is a postcard depicting the exterior of the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Accession Number

2004-5-115

Material Format

graphic material

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 14 x 9 cm

1 postcard : b&w ; 14 x 9 cm

Date

[ca. 1895]-[ca. 1910]

Scope and Content

Accession consists of a postcard photograph of two unidentified children on a hobby horse and a postcard from Poland depicting two men wearing talit in a sorrowful pose on the steps of what appears to be a synagogue.The message on the back is written in Yiddish.

Custodial History

These items were found behind a wall during renovation of a home in Rosedale by a Mr. Knobel's daughter.

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2004-5-152

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

2 postcards

Date

1914

Scope and Content

Accession consists of 2 postcards writtten in Yiddish, sent from Montreal to Toronto

Source

Archival Accessions

Part Of

Julius P. Katz fonds

Subject files series

Level

File

Fonds

55

Series

2

File

139

Material Format

textual record

Date

1941

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

This file consists of correspondence from The Kehilla of Toronto, Inc.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

William Stern fonds

Family photographs series

Level

Item

Fonds

33

Series

1

Item

11

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1925]

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 14 x 9 cm

Admin History/Bio

Lebil Shternshis was Bill Stern's paternal grandfather. His aunt Peah was brought to Canada by his father Mosihe in 1927, while his aunt Rivka was brought in 1930. Peah later married a Tepperman and Rivka married Phillip Greenspan.

Scope and Content

This item is a postcard photo of the Shternshis family in Lagov, Poland. Pictured from left to right is Rivka, Lebil and Peah. There is writing in Yiddish on the verso of the card.

Name Access

Shternshis family

Shternshis, Lebil

Shternshis, Peah

Shternshis, Rivka

Subjects

Postcards

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

Poland

Accession Number

2004-5-96

Source

Archival Descriptions

• 

Part Of

Jewish Family Welfare Bureau fonds

Liaison with other social welfare organizations series

Level

File

Fonds

87

Series

16

File

4

Material Format

textual record

Date

1932-1938

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of correspondence between the JFWB and the Poppy Fund of Toronto Inc.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds

Committee for Soviet Jewry series

Affiliated organizations sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

17

Series

3-4

File

13

Material Format

textual record

Date

1977-1979

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File contains petitions, correspondence, news releases and articles related to the committee's efforts on behalf of their Soviet Jewish peers and efforts to garner support for a ban on collaborative research between Canadian universities and the Soviet Union.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Accession Number

1981-9-2

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Date

1928-1936

Scope and Content

Accession consists of S. Levy's licence to operate radio receiving equipment in Toronto (1928-1929); gasoline handling licence granted to I. Levy of Levy's Hardware, Toronto (1934); and Isaac Levy's certificate of membership at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto (1936).

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

1982-8-1

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

2 photographs : b&w ; 20 x 26 and 13 x 18 cm

Date

1908-1961

Scope and Content

Accession consists of a photograph of a group of people in front of the Ontario Legislative Building at Queens Park in the 1930s, a photograph of J. Irving Oelbaum, national vice president of Canadian Jewish Congress, presenting a Scroll of Honour to Mr. and Mrs. J. Donnenfeld (1961), and a United Zionists of Toronto certificate awarded to Paul Levi in 1908.

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2015-9-33

Material Format

moving images

Physical Description

2 VHS tapes

13 film reels : 8 mm

Date

1957-1967

Scope and Content

Accession consists of home movies documenting the Levy family of Hamilton, Ontario. Included is footage of birthday parties, children playing at their home and in parks, swimming, sailing, a football game at Ivor Wynne Stadium, a trip to Algonquin Park, family picnics, and trips to Quebec and New York.

Administrative History

Nancy Levy was born in 1951 to Corinne (née Cohn) and Edgar Levy. (Corinne and Edgar's name was originally Moshe Noss. He was born in the Ukraine and orphaned at an early age. Around 1921 he immigrated to Canada through the help of a Mr. Grafstein. Once in Canada, Edgar and his brothers were adopted into different families. The Levy family adopted Edgar and he took their name.

Edgar married Corrine Cohn in 1946. Edgar had a business in Hamilton called Piston Service, which was a wholesaler for car parts. Corrine drove a truck for this business and eventually became the bookkeeper for another firm. After marriage, they lived in Hamilton at 18 West Third.

Nancy had two younger siblings: Ann (1956–) and Lois (1958–2018). She married Wayne Greenberg in 1979 and they divorced around 1985. She studied medical lab technology at a community college and worked at various hospitals and businesses, including Henderson Hospital in Hamilton and Baycrest.

Subjects

Families

Name Access

Levy family

Places

Hamilton, Ont.

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2019-12-3

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

ca. 33 cm of textual records and other material

Date

1913-2014

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material documenting the maternal (Cohn) and paternal (Levy) branches of the donor's family. Included are cards, certificates, death certificates, degrees, diplomas, family trees, letters, an oral history transcript, passports, photographs, reference materials, telegrams, and other records.

Individuals documented in the records include: Al Berns, Etta Cohn, Judah Cohn, Natalie Cohn, Stanley Cohn, Sylvia Cohn, Al Cole, Myer Drazin, Manny Godfrey, Bert Gold, Dan Gold, Jonah Gold, Yenta Kohl, Ann Levy, Corinne Levy, Edgar Levy, Lois Levy, Nancy Levy, Joan Lipton, Joy Matsuzaki, Raymond Mock,Edythe Noss, Harvey Noss, Mark Noss, Walter Lyons, Judy Rubin, Richard Seymour, and Elaine Zimmerman.

Caption (030): Edgar Levy shortly after arrival in Canada, [ca. 1921]. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, accession 2019-12-3.

Administrative History

The Noss family traces its origins to Russia/Ukraine. The patriarch, Avraham Noss, died after contracting typhus after being badly beaten in a pogrom. His wife, Toiba, died of either cholera, typhus, or influenza (accounts vary). They left behind four children: Raisa, Meyer, Joseph, and Moshe. The extended family took care of the four orphans but did not have enough food to feed them, so the three youngest were put in a Jewish orphanage. The eldest, Raisa, was too old but came every day to visit her brothers. One day, she arrived only to be told, "The missionaries took them away." The entire orphanage was brought to Canada. A Mr. Hershman from Toronto was involved as was a congregation of Christadelphians from Hamilton including a Mr. Farrar who owned a good-quality clothing store.

Raisa remained in Russia, where she received an education from the Communist Party and became an engineer. Meyer kept in touch with his sister for as long as possible, but the two eventually lost touch.

The Drazin family took in Meyer, the eldest brother, although the family never adopted him. Despite this, he changed his name to Drazin. Joseph ("Joe") was adopted but was returned to Children's Aid, where he went from foster home to foster home. He eventually took back the Noss family name. As for Moshe, he was adopted by Moses Levy and Marietta Steinert. Moshe's new parents changed his name to Edgar Steinert Levy. Edgar Levy is thus the same individual as Moshe Noss. Marietta was well-known in the Hamilton community, and a chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women was named after her.

Use Conditions

Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.

Descriptive Notes

Accompanying material: After donating the records in her possession, the donor emailed the archivist a document titled "Noss Family Story," which the archivist used to compose the biographical sketch. The document has been saved with other supporting documentation.

Subjects

Families

Genealogy

Name Access

Cohn (family)

Levy, Corinne,1917-1978

Levy, Edgar, 1915-1980

Levy (family)

Levy, Marietta Steinbert, 1858-1928

Noss (family)

Places

Canada

Source

Archival Accessions

Part Of

National Council of Jewish Women of Canada fonds

Photographs and audio-visual material series

Audio cassettes file

Level

Item

Fonds

38

Series

8

File

11

Item

6

Material Format

sound recording

Date

28 Aug. 1984

Physical Description

1 audio cassette

Scope and Content

Item is an audio cassette of an interview with Levy Conglin. The survey results of a statistical analysis of disabled Jews are discussed.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Jewish Community Centre of Toronto fonds

Jewish Community Centre Archives Committee series

Photograph collection sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

61

Series

2-2

File

81

Material Format

graphic material

textual record

Date

1951-1961

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w ; 10 x 7 cm and 7 x 10 cm

0.5 cm of textual records

Scope and Content

This file consists of two photographs of Mort Levy. One features Mort Levy standing with Mr. A. Lipson on a dirt road and the other is Mort Levy sitting on the front steps of a cabin at Camp Frailoch, surrounded by campers. The cabin was probably the original Willison farmhouse, which was later bought by the YMCA in the 1940s and was destroyed by fire in the 1950s.There is also a letter from the Globe and Mail addressed to Mort Levy regarding the presentation of an engraving to Bobbie Rosenfeld and a membership certificate for the North Toronto YM-YWHA, signed by Sam Granatstein and Alex Fisher.

Repro Restriction

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Source

Archival Descriptions

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Part Of

Levine and Cass family fonds

Levy family series

Level

Item

Fonds

25

Series

15

Item

5

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[192-?]

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 14 x 9 cm

Scope and Content

Item is a photograph of Rose Levy.

Name Access

Levy, Rose

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.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Levine and Cass family fonds

Levy family series

Level

Item

Fonds

25

Series

15

Item

4

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[192-?]

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 10 cm

Scope and Content

Item is a photographic portrait of Rose Levy taken at a studio in Toronto likely in the 1920's.

Notes

Mounted in card frame

Photographer: Rembrandt Studio, 141 Yonge Street, Toronto

Name Access

Levy, Rose

Subjects

Portraits

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

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Levine and Cass family fonds

Levy family series

Level

Series

Fonds

25

Series

15

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1902]-[192-?]

Physical Description

5 photographs : b&w ; 24 x 17 cm or smaller

Admin History/Bio

Mrs. Dora Levy was the daughter of Abraham and Rebecca Cass and the sister of Sarah (Cass) Levine. She was born in Russia in 1870 and immigrated to Canada in 1889. She married Charles Levy (b. 1869) on 10 February 1892 in Toronto.

Shortly thereafter, they moved to Allerston, Ontario, where he opened up a store. The couple had four children: Tobias (b. 1892), Louis (b. 1894), Benjamin (b. 1897) and Esther (b. 1899). Tobias, who was also referred to as Theodore or Ted, married Rhoda Davis on 12 June 1919. His sister, Esther, married Joseph Kert on 6 November 1921.

Scope and Content

Series consists of photographs of members of the Levy family.

Name Access

Levy family

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Board of Jewish Education fonds

Executive director series

Teacher files sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

48

Series

2-4

File

255

Material Format

textual record

Date

1960-1976

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

2021-11-4

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Date

[19--]

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material documenting the family of Nancy Levy. Included are a biography of the orphan Meir Noss, which was translated from the Yiddish in 1921, and a copy of an undated clipping about the donor's mother, who was the only attendant at her friend Jean Kamarner's wedding. The first item describes events in Z'vil, Ukraine that took place in 1919/1920.

Subjects

Families

Name Access

Levy (family)

Places

Ukraine

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2022-12-9

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

object

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records and other material

Date

1958-1967

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material documenting Nancy Levy, primarily education records, such as citizenship awards and scholarship awards issued by the Board of Education for the City of Hamilton, Ontario. It also consists of certificates and patches issued by the Canadian Red Cross Society and the Royal Life Saving Society of Canada while at Camp Kadimah and Hamilton's Recreation Centre as well a photograph of a Temple Anshe Sholom confirmation class taken in 1967. Identified in the photograph are: (back row) Michael Epstein, Paul Simon, Leslie Mitchinick, Rabbi Baskin, Michael Isaac, Robert Mitchnick, Harold Barnett, Brian Singer, (front row) Cheryl Hebscher, Sharon Leutcher, Robin Raphael, Gerrie Perrell, Nancy Levy, Jacqueline Houston, Elaine Hotz, Ethel Landrecht, and Debbie Minden.

Administrative History

Nancy Levy was born in 1951 to Corinne (née Cohn) and Edgar Levy. (Corinne and Edgar's name was originally Moshe Noss. He was born in the Ukraine and orphaned at an early age. Around 1921 he immigrated to Canada through the help of a Mr. Grafstein. Once in Canada, Edgar and his brothers were adopted into different families. The Levy family adopted Edgar and he took their name.

Edgar married Corrine Cohn in 1946. Edgar had a business in Hamilton called Piston Service, which was a wholesaler for car parts. Corrine drove a truck for this business and eventually became the bookkeeper for another firm. After marriage, they lived in Hamilton at 18 West Third.

Nancy had two younger siblings: Ann (1956–) and Lois (1958–2018). She married Wayne Greenberg in 1979 and they divorced around 1985. She studied medical lab technology at a community college and worked at various hospitals and businesses, including Henderson Hospital in Hamilton and Baycrest.

Use Conditions

Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.

Descriptive Notes

Availability of other formats: Digitized material.

Subjects

Confirmation (Jewish rite)

Education

Name Access

Temple Anshe Sholom (Hamilton, Ont.)

Places

Hamilton (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Part Of

Zionist Organization of Canada fonds

Central Region sous-fonds

Subject files series

Level

File

Fonds

28-1

Series

7

File

68

Material Format

textual record

Date

1967-1968

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

The file consists of correspondence, invitations to receptions, press releases, biographical information and programmes of events.

Name Access

Eshkol, Levi, 1895-1969

Subjects

Prime ministers--Israel

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Zionist Organization of Canada fonds

Publicity photographs of people and events series

Level

File

Fonds

28

Series

6

File

146

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[194-?]

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm

Scope and Content

The file consists of a portrait photograph of Mark Levy.

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.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Zionist Organization of Canada fonds

Publicity photographs of people and events series

Level

File

Fonds

28

Series

6

File

148

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[194-?]

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 12 cm

3 embossed prints ; 7 x 12 cm

Scope and Content

The file consists of a portrait photograph and embossed prints of Mort Levy.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Passenger Names

Levy, Abraham

Page Number

518

Date Range

June 6, 1911 to January 19, 1915

Photographer

Harvey and Adena Glasner

Source

Rotenberg Ledger

Passenger Names

Levy, Abraham

Page Number

740

Date Range

June 6, 1911 to January 19, 1915

Photographer

Harvey and Adena Glasner

Source

Rotenberg Ledger

Passenger Names

Levy, David

Page Number

312

Date Range

June 6, 1911 to January 19, 1915

Photographer

Harvey and Adena Glasner

Source

Rotenberg Ledger

Passenger Names

Levy, Issy

Page Number

398

Date Range

June 6, 1911 to January 19, 1915

Photographer

Harvey and Adena Glasner

Source

Rotenberg Ledger

Accession Number

1991-7-1

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Date

1918

Scope and Content

This accession consists of a Statutory Declaration on paper printed by Dye & Durham, Law Stationers, Toronto, for Morris Cohen of Toronto regarding his Russian nationality and status concerning military service in Canada.

Administrative History

Morris Cohen was born in the Province of Magalov, Russia on November 27, 1891. In the declaration he states that he has been in Canada for about three years, but has not been naturalized. His parents were still living in Russia, and had not visited Canada.

Name Access

Cohen, Morris, 1891-

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

1985-3-5

Material Format

graphic material

Physical Description

5 photographs : b&w and col. ; 21 x 26 cm and 22 x 17 cm and 13 x 18 cm

Date

[ca. 1940]-[ca. 1978]

Scope and Content

Accession consists of a wedding photograph, photographs of the same couple at social events in later years, a family group wedding photograph in the 1970s, and a group photo (including the same couple) in front of an El AL Lockheed Electra propliner in the late 1950s. No identification is provided for any of the photographs.

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

1977-4-2

Material Format

graphic material

Physical Description

8 photographs : b&w

Date

1917-1942

Scope and Content

This accession consists of eight photographs depicitng various conventions and gatherings of the Borochov Branch of Farband and a Cohen family portrait.

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

1980-7-7

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder textual records

4 photographs : b&w (2 negatives) ; 21 x 26 cm and 10 x 12 cm

Date

1919-1970

Scope and Content

Accession consists of Yiddish newspaper clippings and Yiddish theatrical programs including a Kiever Podoler Society concert program, Victory Theatre, Spadina Avenue. (Toronto, ON), 30 Oct.1949 Also included are two copy photographs of a Toronto Yiddish Theatre Company poster for a performance in Hamilton and a poster for an Isaac Nelson New York Free Yiddisher Folk Theatre performance in Hamilton.

Descriptive Notes

LANGUAGE NOTE: Materials are in Yiddish and English.

MG_RG

MG4 A1

Name Access

Cohen, Philip

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2007-6-23

Material Format

graphic material

Physical Description

44 photographs : b&w ; 13 negatives; 20 x 25 cm or smaller

Date

1940-1943

Scope and Content

Accession consists of photographs of Mike Ordon, Fay Gordon and her family, a military parade and others. Several of the photos have yet to be identified.

Name Access

Cohen, Shirley

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2007-10-4

Material Format

textual record

moving images

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

1 DVD ; 20 min.

Date

2007

Scope and Content

Accession consists of one DVD detailing the history of Ralph and Helen Cohen entitled: 1947: Once Upon a Time. The video was created by Alan, the son of Ralph and Helen, in honour of his parents 60th wedding anniversary. It features still photographs of his parents and family friends with a narrative voice-over. As well, the video features several archival photographs from various institutions, including the OJA. Additionally, there is a publicity brochure for Alan's business producing family commemorative DVDs.

Name Access

Cohen, Helen

Cohen, Ralph

Cohen Alan

Source

Archival Accessions

Part Of

William Stern fonds

Hamilton Jewish community photographs series

Level

Item

Fonds

33

Series

3

Item

33

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1967]

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 6 cm

Scope and Content

This item is a portriat of Lillian Cohen, the librarian at the Hamilton Jewish Community Centre from 1967 until 1971.

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

Accession Number

2010-11-10

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

2 photographs : col. and b&w ; 12 x 12 cm

Date

1945-2006

Scope and Content

Accession consists of bound memoir of Cohen's experiences during the Second World War, writings on Lieutenant Theodore Herman as well as two photographs.

Administrative History

Kelman Cohen is a Second World War veteran of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry. Cohen was born in Toronto, the second child of Morris Cohen and Esther Minden. Morris, a carpenter, immigrated from Russia in 1912 and Esther immigrated from Russian that same year with her parents to Hamilton. The two met in 1920, married and lived in Toronto. They had a daughter, Jacqueline in 1921, and Kelman in 1925. Cohen joined the Royal Canadian Engineers Reserve Unit at the Exhibition Armories at the age of sixteen. In May 1944, at the age of eighteen, he joined the regular army and was placed in basic training at Brantford, Ontario with the Canadian Infantry Corps. He was sent overseas to England in December 1944 and saw action in Belgium, France and Germany.

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2014-1-16

Material Format

moving images

textual record

textual record (electronic)

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

1 document (electronic)

4 DVDs

1 scrapbook

Date

1988-2001

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material relating to the Maccabees Royal Canadian Legion branch 343, including a 1998 membership register, poppy sale information, correspondence and notes regarding Ben Sussman's application for a lifetime membership, information about the ticket sales and a copy of the certificate from 1997 JNF tribute dinner that honoured Albert and Pearl Cohen, and planning notes for the 50th anniversary banquet of the Maccabees in 1995. The accession also contains the draft of Albert Cohen's speech that he presented at the 50th anniversary dinner, as well as newspaper clippings from the Hamilton Jewish News and the Canadian Jewish News relating to the Maccabees, two certificates from the Grand Order of Israel Benefit Society recognizing Albert Cohen's 40 years of membership and an award of merit, and a eulogy in Yiddish, with some translation, written by a father about the son he lost, Balinson, in the line of duty. The DVDs contain footage from the 1997 JNF dinner honouring the Cohens, including Pearl Cohen speaking about early Hamilton, one clip from 1994 of Albert Cohen telling the history of the Maccabees, and video from the 50th anniversary dinner of the Maccabees where there were various speakers including an address by the guest speaker, Commander Sam Pasternack, who spoke about the contribution of Jewish soldiers in WWII (DVD, Maccabees dinner part 3).

Custodial History

Michael Cohen is the son of Albert and Pearl Cohen, and was in possession of the records prior to donating them.

Administrative History

Albert Cohen (1918-2006) who also went by the nickname "Boomie," was born on November 12, 1918 in Hamilton, Ontario. Pearl Cohen (nee Chaunce) (1919-2008) was born in Hamilton on September 2, 1919. Albert and Pearl married in 1941. In the same year, Albert volunteered to serve in the army as a staff sargeant stationed in Hamilton. He was later discharged in May 1946 after the war. Albert then joined Hamilton's Maccabees, Branch 343 of the Royal Canadian Legion. The branch was founded in 1947 and had a membership of 150 people. The Maccabees' membership was made up of Jewish veterans of WWII, and some veterans of WWI. The branch held meetings in Hamilton's Jewish centre. Albert served as president of the branch for almost 20 years, from 1975 to around 2000. The Maccabees were quite active, and helped raise money by selling poppies for Remembrance Day. The money raised would be sent to general hospitals, veterans hospitals, and families of needy veterans. Albert passed away on August 7, 2006, and Pearl passed away April 18, 2008.

Subjects

Canada--Armed Forces

World War, 1939-1945

Name Access

Cohen, Albert, 1918-2006

Cohen, Pearl, 1919-2008

Places

Hamilton, Ont.

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2015-3-8

Material Format

graphic material (electronic)

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

18 photographs : tiff

Date

1969, 1974-2014

Scope and Content

Accession consists of textual and graphic material documenting the Cohen family, their immigration to Canada from South Africa, and life in Toronto. Textual records include photocopies of correspondence and paperwork relating to the Cohen's immigration, certificates, and a typed document containing humorous stories their South African friends shared at a "10 Years Out Of Africa" party relating to their adjustment to Canadian life. Also included are family portraits and photographs documenting family celebrations such as weddings and bar mitzvahs. Of note is an image of Vivien and John at the "10 Years Out of Africa" party.

Administrative History

John Cohen was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1944 to Phil and Flora Cohen. Vivien Cohen (née Lehwess) was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1947 to Henry Lehwess and Isle Lehwess (née Wronsky). John's cousin was in physiotherapy school with Vivien, and they were introduced to each other. They married on 3 December 1969 and had three children together: Nicole (b. 1972), Steven (b. 1974), and Jeremy David (1979). Vivien was a physiotherapist, and John was a textile sales agent. Due to the unstable political situation in South Africa, they immigrated to North York in March 1977. For the first few weeks, they lived in a rental apartment in North York. They soon moved into a townhouse nearby. In 1980, they bought their first house in Thornhill. They were both able to continue in their professions after immigrating to Canada. Both of their mothers and many of their friends also moved to Toronto. John and Vivien were members of Shaarei Shalom synagogue for twenty-five years and are now members of Darchei Noam.

Subjects

Families

Immigrants--Canada

South Africa--Emigration and immigration

Name Access

Cohen, John

Places

Johannesburg, South Africa

Source

Archival Accessions

• 
• 
• 
• 

Accession Number

2015-9-23

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Date

[194-]

Scope and Content

Accession consists of a bound document entitled 'This Is Our Faith'. The subtitle is 'The Religion of the Jews' and it appears to have been presented at a seminar of religions, under the auspices of Community Programs Branch, Department of Education, Province of Ontario.

Custodial History

There is no information on the acquisition of this material.

Subjects

Religion

Politics and government

Name Access

Cohen, Julius

Places

Toronto, Ont.

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2015-11-11

Material Format

graphic material (electronic)

Physical Description

14 photographs : col. (jpg)

Date

[1981?]-2009

Scope and Content

Accession consists of photographs documenting various trips Nicole Cohen took to South Africa as a child and adult. Photographs predominatly document Nicole visiting sites around Johannesburg, particularly her family's old apartment building. Also included are photographs of Nicky visiting her grandparents as a child, reconnecting with her family's maid, and visiting the Nelson Mandela Square with her children. Also included is one photograph of Nicole's brother, Jeremy David Cohen, in front of the Cohen family home in Thornhill (1984?).

Administrative History

Nicole (Nicky) Cohen was born in Johannesburg, South Africa to John Cohen and Viviane (nee Lehwess) Cohen in 1972. She has two siblings: Steven (b. 1974), and Jeremy David (1979). Viviane worked as a physiotherapist and John as a textile sales agent. Due to the unstable political situation in South Africa, the family immigrated to North York in March 1977. For the first few weeks, they lived in a rental apartment in North York. They soon moved into a townhouse nearby. In 1980, they bought their first house in Thornhill. Both John and Viviane were able to continue in their professions after immigrating to Canada. The family regularly visited South Africa.

Nicole is a clinical psychologist in Toronto. She married Jordan Kerpinsky on May 16, 1999. They have three children together: Hayley, Justin, and Ryan.

Descriptive Notes

Related Material Note: for an oral history interview with Nicole Cohen see AC 422, for other Cohen family material see accession #2015-3/8.

Subjects

Families

South Africa--Emigration and immigration

Vacations

Name Access

Cohen, Nicole

Places

South Africa

Thornhill (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

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Accession Number

2019-11-9

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Date

1922–1953

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material documenting the Cohen family. Included are an agreement between Moses Nepomjesze and J. L. Shekter dated 18 April 1922 regarding the bringing of three individuals–Hannah Nepomjesze and, A. Yudel Nepomjesze, and Raphuel Nepomjesze–to Toronto on or before 20 July 1922; an unsigned document in which Goldie Sherman appoints Moses Nepomjesze (Cohen) as her attorney; an agreement made in duplicate on 17 July 1922 between Morris Cohen and Jas. L. Shekter; landing cards for Chana Niepomieszcze (the donor's grandmother) and Rafael Niepomieszcze (the donor's father) stamped 14 September 1922; a receipt of payment for $6 dated 29 December 1931 and issued to Morris Cohen; an undated application for vise [sic] form with Chana's signature in Yiddish; a youth aliyah certificate of honour issued to Mrs. M. Cohen in May 1942; a sworn oath dated 9 June `1953 by Benjamin Sherman saying he knew Morris Cohen as Moshe Gersch Nepomyashtski Berkovitch when he resided in Uman in Kiev, Russia; a sworn oath by Asher Olshinetsky saying he has known Morris for forty-two years; and the second page of a document signed by Goldie Herman and Jas L. Shekter.

Custodial History

Records were discovered in the house the donor's uncle, Harold Cohen, after he passed away.

Administrative History

Originally from Russia, Morris Cohen came to Canada in 1911. His wife, Chana, and son, Ralph (1911–2000), stayed behind until such time as Morris was able to bring them over. In 1922, Chana and Ralph made the trip to join Morris in Canada. Chana's visa application from that year gives her age as thirty-one and her son's age as nine. The same visa indicates that Morris was living at 537 Cannon Street in Hamilton, Ontario and that he was working as a merchant/tailor. Once in Canada, Morris and Chana had one more child, Harold. At some point, Morris, Chana, and their family relocated to 350 Euclid Avenue.

A note on names: Several of the individuals documented in the records changed their names. According to one record signed by an acquaintance of Morris' from Russia, Morris was originally named Moshe Gersch Nepomyashtski Berkovitch and changed his name Morris Cohen shortly after coming to Canada. In other records, the same individual is referred to as Moses Nepomjesze (Cohen). According to his granddaughter, Carol, Morris was told he could not keep his name and was given the surname Cohen–this despite the fact Morris was not a kohen. After arriving in Canada, Chana adopted her husband's new surname: a certificate issued to the former is made out to "Mrs. M. Cohen." In writing the above account, the archivist has used the names by which the individuals were best known.

Use Conditions

Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.

Descriptive Notes

Availability of other formats: Also available as PDF files.

Subjects

Families

Immigrants--Canada

Name Access

Cohen (family)

Places

Ontario

Russia

Source

Archival Accessions

Part Of

Julius P. Katz fonds

Subject files series

Level

File

Fonds

55

Series

2

File

50

Material Format

textual record

Date

1941-1942

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

This file consists of correspondence between Katz and Ezekiel Cohen, 3595 St. Famille Street, Montreal.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Koffler Centre of the Arts fonds

Art exhibitions series

Level

File

Fonds

100

Series

8

File

92

Material Format

textual record

Date

2000

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of an exhibit catalogue entitled Troubled Beds.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Koffler Centre of the Arts fonds

Performances and events series

Level

File

Fonds

100

Series

9

File

34

Material Format

textual record

Date

2010

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

File consists of promotional material for Israeli jazz artist Avishai Cohen's CD launch Aurora held off-site at the Elizabeth Bader Theatre. Also included is correspondence, a Jewish Tribune review, license agreements, an artist bio, and Aurora lyrics.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Nathan Gilbert portraits series

Level

Item

Fonds

37

Series

5

Item

5

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1930]

Physical Description

1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Admin History/Bio

Eva Cohen (née Mintz) was from Klimontov, Poland and migrated to Canada in 1912. She married Abe Cohen, and they had two children: Annette Cohen Bearg and Bob Cohen.

Scope and Content

Photograph of Eva Cohen in formal attire.

Name Access

Cohen, Eve

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.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Board of Jewish Education fonds

Executive director series

Teacher files sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

48

Series

2-4

File

84

Material Format

textual record

Date

1951-1957

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

Executive director series

Teacher files sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

48

Series

2-4

File

85

Material Format

textual record

Date

1951-1953

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

Executive director series

Teacher files sub-series

Level

File

Fonds

48

Series

2-4

File

86

Material Format

textual record

Date

1952-1967

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

2023-2-2

Material Format

textual record

object

text

philatelic record

Physical Description

10 cm of textual records

1 sheet of postage stamps

8 artifacts

1 prayer book

1 plaque

8 photographs : b&w and col ; 10 x 18 cm or smaller

Date

[ca. 1910]-2013

Scope and Content

Accession consists of two scrapbooks containing emails, letters of thanks, articles and program materials related to Judith's various speaking engagements and presentations as a survivor speaker. Also included are eight photos of family members, a prayer book, plaque, a spice box and eight kiddush cups, two certificates affirming completion of English language courses at McGill University, two certificates of recognition of commitment to Holocaust Education from the Ontario Government and the Government of Canada, one sheet of stamps remembering the Holocaust issued by Canada Post, and a labour discharge certificate from the Tailor's Immigration project.

Administrative History

Judith Cohen was born in 1928, in Debrecen, Hungary. Cohen was deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration and Death Camp, and to other labour camps. Cohen lived in a displaced persons camp in Germany following liberation where she reunited with her remaining siblings. In 1948, Cohen arrived in Canada as part of the Tailor Project, originally settling in Montreal and later moving to Toronto. She chaired the Holocaust Education Centre and is a committed Holocaust educator and speaker as well as a human rights activist.

Use Conditions

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 Accessions

Part Of

Zionist Organization of Canada fonds

Publicity photographs of people and events series

Level

File

Fonds

28

Series

6

File

23

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[194-]

Physical Description

3 photographs : b&w ; 9 x 12 cm

Scope and Content

The file consists of portrait photographs of Justice Haim Cohen, Supreme Court of Israel.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Passenger Names

Cohen, Ab.

Page Number

248

Date Range

June 6, 1911 to January 19, 1915

Photographer

Harvey and Adena Glasner

Source

Rotenberg Ledger