Accession Number
2007-10-4
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
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
58
Material Format
textual record
Date
1965
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of a newspaper article about Alan Borovoy, the "anti-discriminator".
Notes
Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Sylvia Schwartz fonds
Jewish military portraits series
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 80; Series 2; Item 18
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Sylvia Schwartz fonds
Jewish military portraits series
Level
Item
Fonds
80
Series
2
Item
18
Material Format
graphic material
Date
May 1943
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 13 x 18 cm and 13 x 9 cm
Admin History/Bio
Alan Kaye was an overseas Royal Canadian Air Force Wireless Operator during the Second World War.
Scope and Content
The item is a portrait of Alan Kaye.
Notes
This negative has two images.
Name Access
Canada. Royal Canadian Air Force
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
Central Region sous-fonds
Subject files series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 28-1; Series 7; File 237
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
Central Region sous-fonds
Subject files series
Level
File
Fonds
28-1
Series
7
File
237
Material Format
textual record
Date
1966-1968
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
The file consists of correspondence and memoranda concerning membership, and communications.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zelda Young fonds
Miscellaneous series
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 135; Series 27; Item 9
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zelda Young fonds
Miscellaneous series
Level
Item
Fonds
135
Series
27
Item
9
Material Format
sound recording
Date
[between 1982 and 1986]
Physical Description
1 audio reel (6 min., 9 sec.) : polyester, 7 1/2 ips, 1 track, mono ; 1/4 in.
Scope and Content
Item consists of a short interview with Alan Rose in which he discusses the left-wing criticism of Zionism as a reactionary, retrogressive, and racist movement, arguing that it is in fact a national liberation movement. He also argues that the freedom of speech to criticize Israel when needed must be a right of all Jews. Finally, he briefly discusses the difference between private and public dissent and the dangers of the former if not done properly.
Subjects
Interviews
Zionism
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
Accession Number
2016-12-67
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2016-12-67
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
4 cm of textual records
Date
1959-1981
Scope and Content
Accession consists of material related to the history of the Jewish Community in London, ON. It includes: a copy of "The Jewish Community of London, Ontario, A Self Survey" issued by the Research Committee Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region, April, 1959, outlining the history from 1861; three copies of "The Organization of the Jewish Community of London" by Alan M. Cohen, 1973, part of a project to advance the systematic study of the structure, functions and behavior of Jewish communities of the contemporary world and was commissioned by The Study of Jewish Community Organiation in 1972; a letter addressed to Alan Maurice Cohen from Lerner & Associates, Barristers & Solicitors, enclosing a copy of the Letters Patent of the London Jewish Community Foundation and a draft By-law No. 1 for its operation and governance.
Name Access
Cohen, Alan Maurice
Places
London, Ont.
Source
Archival Accessions
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 55
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
55
Material Format
textual record
Date
1970
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of correspondence and documents from or to Alan Rose, Assistant Director of the CJC, related to various issues.
Notes
Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
Publicity photographs of people and events series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 28; Series 6; File 47
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
Publicity photographs of people and events series
Level
File
Fonds
28
Series
6
File
47
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[196-]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 12 cm
Scope and Content
The file consists of a photograph of Philip Givens presenting Alan Small with a briefcase.
Name Access
Philip Givens
Alan Small
Source
Archival Descriptions
Name
Lorraine and Alan Sandler
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
12 May 2015
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Lorraine and Alan Sandler
Number
OH 420
Subject
Canada--Emigration and immigration
Jews--South Africa
Jews--Zimbabwe
South Africa--Emigration and immigration
Interview Date
12 May 2015
Interviewer
Lisa Newman
Total Running Time
1 hr. 30 min.
Use Restrictions
Partially closed.
Biography
Lorraine, the daughter of European immigrants to Africa, was born in Bulawayo, Rhodesia (today Zimbabwe) where she grew up with her three siblings. For his part, Alan was born in Cape Town, South Africa where he grew up a single child, his only brother passing away at a young age.
Alan first met Lorraine while on vacation in Bulawayo with some friends. The two dated while Alan was doing his accounting exams and Lorraine was attending teacher’s college. They married in Bulawayo after dating several years.
After their honeymoon, Alan and Lorraine began their new life in Cape Town, where they started their family. One incident in particular prompted the couple to seriously consider leaving South Africa: Their eldest son requested to attend a movie with his nanny, which would have been illegal under apartheid.
Not seeing a future in South Africa, the family looked to immigrate. Initially, Lorraine wanted to make aliyah, but Alan felt the language-barrier would be an obstacle to finding work. Eventually, they made their way to Toronto where they attended a Shabbat dinner that persuaded them that Jewish life could flourish in Canada.
The family—Alan, Lorraine, and their two sons—arrived in Canada on August 5, 1976. Unlike many subsequent Jewish South Africans who came to Toronto, the family chose to live downtown, enrolling their children in Jewish day school. Both Alan and Lorraine took on leadership roles within Toronto’s Jewish community. Alan is a founder of the South African Jewish Association of Canada and was president of the UJA Federation of Toronto. In turn, Lorraine was chair of both the Women’s Campaign and the Sarah and Chaim Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre. Today, their children are married and Alan and Lorraine are proud grandparents.
Material Format
moving images
Language
English
Name Access
Sandler, Alan
Sandler, Lorraine
Geographic Access
Bulawayo (Rhodesia)
Cape Town (South Africa)
Toronto (Ont.)
Original Format
Digital file
Copy Format
Digital file
Transcript
00:09 Lorraine's maiden name was Weinstock. Her mother came from Lithuania. Her father came from Poland.
00:38 Lorraine describes her parents' histories and their respective journeys to Rhodesia (today Zimbabwe).
04:56 Lorraine describes her parents' courtship and decision to marry. Together they saved enough money to bring Lorraine's aunt to Rhodesia. Lorraine's father was a carpenter; her mother was a seamstress.
06:48 Lorraine describes her parents' early years together. Initially, they lived outside of Bulawayo, where her father worked for a mine. Lorraine's two older siblings, Mickey and Fay, were born there.
07:47 Lorraine's parents moved to Bulawayo. Her father and a partner started a lumber business, which flourished over time. Lorraine describes the business.
08:51 Lorraine was born. Her younger sister, Sheila, was born five years later.
09:11 Lorraine explains how despite financial struggles, life was good. She cites the weather, education, sports, friends, and fruit trees.
10:08 Lorraine describes the critical role Habonim played in her life.
11:09 Lorraine describes the Jewish community in Bulawayo. She addresses the important role the synagogue played in their lives, especially the Friday-night service.
12:30 Lorraine explains that her parents spoke Yiddish at home with one another and English with the children. The children were able to understand Yiddish, but not speak very much of it.
13:10 Lorraine attended Hebrew school but learned very little Hebrew. She learned Hebrew vocabulary at Habonim.
14:00 Alan's maternal great-grandfather came to South Africa from England. His maternal grandmother and her three sisters and four brothers were born in Cape Town. His maternal grandfather came to South Africa from Germany in 1908.
14:54 Alan's paternal grandparents came from Lithuania with other members of their shtetl. His grandparents tried (unsuccessfully) to farm. Alan explains how his father's four sisters enabled the only brother to attend university. Alan's three younger sister and father were born in South Africa. His oldest aunt was born in Lithuania.
16:35 Yiddish was not spoken. The majority of Cape Town's Jewish community came from Lithuania at the turn of the century. English was spoken at home. Alan learned Afrikaans and French at school.
17:50 Alan describes the vibrant Jewish community in Cape Town. he notes that there has been a Jewish presence in Cape Town since 1652 with the arrival of the Dutch.
19:30 Alan recalls that the meeting place for Jewish children in Cape Town was Muizenberg Beach.
19:58 Alan explains the reasons he did not have a strong Jewish education. In contrast, his Zionist education was very strong.
21:05 Alan explains that his father developed Zionist leanings while in university and he grew up in a Zionist household. He recalls meeting David Ben-Gurion and fundraising events for Israel.
22:42 Alan shares memories from his bar mitzvah. He recalls that he did not have a close connection with synagogue, but was actively involved with Zionist and Jewish community needs.
25:22 Alan contrasts the Jewish community in Cape Town with Toronto.
28:05 Alan's father was an accountant. He notes that in the 1930s and 1940s the large accounting firms did not hire Jews. The situation changed after the war as Jews became more affluent.
30:35 Alan and Lorraine describe how they met and dated.
36:20 Alan and Lorraine discuss their wedding.
38:40 Alan shares an anecdote about his aufruf (calling to the Torah) before his wedding.
40:30 Lorraine discusses their early years of marriage living in Cape Town. She discusses her and Alan's active involvement in the Jewish community.
43:17 Lorraine identifies an incident that served as a trigger for their decision to leave South Africa.
44:22 Alan discusses the inception and practice of apartheid in South Africa. He describes his personal dissonance with the situation.
47:26 Both Lorraine's father and Alan's parents supported their decision to South Africa.
48:40 Alan explains that the only people who were leaving South Africa were forced to leave because of their political activism or Zionists making aliyah. Lorraine wanted to move to Israel.
50:09 Alan and Lorraine discuss their exploration of English-speaking countries in 1974. They explain the factors that facilitated their decision to choose Toronto.
54:08 Alan discusses the financial implications of leaving a "blocked-currency state."
54:38 Alan explains his reasons for not going to Israel.
55:34 Alan discusses the sequence of events that delayed their departure until August 1976.
57:07 Lorraine discusses their difficult circumstances upon arrival in Toronto. She explains why they chose to settle in the Bathurst-Eglinton area and their decision to buy a house.
1:02:07 Alan discusses his initial involvement with the Toronto Jewish community and how he attempted to promote the needs of new Jewish South African immigrants.
1:04:00 Alan explains how he was able to integrate into a new country.
1:04:22 Once Lorraine started to run Holy Blossom Temple's preschool, she felt less isolated.
1:04:38 Alan describes the shock of a Canadian winter.
1:05:14 Alan discusses the impact of the influx of Jews from Montreal during the same period.
1:11:50 Alan describes their involvement in the Toronto Jewish community.
1:13:00 Lorraine cites her reasons for reaching out and persevering despite the obstacles.
1:14:28 Alan compares his experience to other Jewish families who remained in South Africa. He contrasts himself as an immigrant to the majority of immigrants who leave their home country.
1:16:28 Alan discusses the success of the next generation, more specifically their own children.
1:17:58 Lorraine discusses her career as a Jewish educator in early childhood education in Toronto.
1:21:24 Lorraine discusses her volunteer work in the Jewish community.
1:23:04 Alan comments that the establishment of Leo Baeck Day School was a direct result of the success of Holy Blossom Temple's preschool.
1:24:39 Lorraine displays and discusses some family mementos: heirloom candlesticks and some photographs.
1:27:38 Alan describes some family photographs and shares some family anecdotes. He discusses some of the barriers to Jews at university when his father was a student and some of the successes of Jewish students.
1:30:09 Alan and Lorraine share a photograph of their children, their spouses, and grandchildren.
Source
Oral Histories

Teacher of Teachers

It

Impact of Habonim

A Reconnaissance Mission

Name
Adele and Alan Farber
Material Format
moving images
Interview Date
13 Apr. 2016
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Adele and Alan Farber
Number
OH 428
Subject
Canada--Emigration and immigration
Jews--South Africa
South Africa--Emigration and immigration
Interview Date
13 Apr. 2016
Interviewer
Lisa Newman
Total Running Time
OH 428 part 1: 18 min.
OH 428 part 2: 19 min.
OH 428 part 3: 22 min.
OH 428 part 4: 3 min.
Biography
Adele and Alan met when she was fifteen and he was seventeen years old. They married a few years later, and lived in Johannesburg until Alan qualified as a chartered accountant. In 1975, they immigrated to Toronto.
Adele arrived in Canada with an honours degree in psychology. She initially completed a one-year program at a Canadian teaching college. After having three children, she went back to university, and obtained an honours degree in social work from York University and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Toronto. She worked with teenagers for several years at an agency and in 2001 opened a private practice as a psychotherapist. Today she works part-time.
Alan requalified as a chartered accountant in Canada, and became a trustee in bankruptcy. In 1979, he founded a firm, which is currently called Farber Group. The firm provides business advisory services from eleven business units and operates in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta.
Adele and Alan are members of Kehillat Shaarei Torah and have engaged in philanthropy through the United Jewish Appeal, Canadian Friends of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, and other Jewish and community charitable organizations.
Their oldest son, Jonathan, lives in Israel while their two younger children, Steven and Sherri, live in Canada. They have seven grandchildren.
Material Format
moving images
Language
English
Name Access
Farber, Adele, 1952-
Farber, Alan, 1951-
Geographic Access
Israel
Johannesburg (South Africa)
Toronto (Ont.)
Original Format
Digital file
Copy Format
Digital file
Transcript
00:02 Adele was born in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1952. She has one brother, ten years her junior.
00:32 Adele explains why her family moved several times during her childhood: to London, England in 1962; to Herzliya Pituach, Israel in 1964; and back to Johannesburg in 1967.
02:55 Adele discusses her parents' family histories. Her paternal grandfather came from Lithuania at the turn of the century. Her paternal grandmother came from England. They married in South Africa. Her father was the youngest of five children. Adele's maternal grandparents came from Poland prior to the Second World War. Her mother was the middle of six children, all born in Poland.
05:26 Adele discusses her extended family, their cloneness, and regular family get-togethers.
07:17 Adele outlines her Jewish education.
08:13 Adele speaks Hebrew fluently and majored in Hebrew and psychology at university.
08:41 Adele has a son who lives in Israel.
09:07 Adele discusses how she met her husband, Alan. They married young: Adele was nineteen; Alan was twenty-one. They lived in Johannesburg for three years before moving to Canada.
11:10 Adele discusses the reasons they decided to leave South Africa.
14:40 Adele explains why they chose to immigrate to Canada.
16:36 Adele discusses the rocky start to their immigration due to her father's illness and death. They entered Canada in June 1975, returned to South Africa for six months, and returned to Canada at the end of 1975.
17:59 Adele's mother immigrated to Canada in 1980. Adele's brother moved to the United States.
18:12 Adele discusses return trips to South Africa.
Part 2:
00:00 Alan was born in 1951 in Johannesburg. Alan has two older sisters.
00:20 Alan briefly outlines his primary and secondary education.
00:54 Alan fondly reminisces about a friendship he has maintained since childhood.
02:43 Alan discusses growing up in Johannesburg: his neighbourhood, his friends, and his interest in sports.
03:44: Alan discusses his family's origins. Alan's father was born in South Africa. His paternal grandparents came from Lithuania. Alan's mother and maternal grandfather were born in South Africa. His maternal grandparents came from Latvia.
04:35 Alan describes his observance of Judaism while growing up.
06:15 Alan discusses his bar mitzvah. He had a private Hebrew teacher.
07:54 Alan explains that he and his family had limited involvement in Jewish community activity.
09:00 Alan explains how he became more involved in Jewish community organizations in Toronto. He describes his involvement.
11:38 Alan describes his professional training to become an accountant in South Africa, a chartered accountant in Canada, and a trustee in bankruptcy.
13:52 Alan discusses his career development in Canada. He describes his business, the Farber Financial Group.
17:09 Alan discusses the optiosn he considered before ultimately choosing Canada as an immigration destination.
Part 3:
00:03 Adele discusses her post-secondary education, including an honour's degree in psychology earned in South Africa, a teaching degree, a bachelor of social work, and a master's of social work earned in Canada. Adele discusses her various jobs and her private practice.
03:20 Adele discusses their young family: Jonathon (1978), Steven (1980), and Sherry (1983).
05:34 Alan warmly describes raising his children.
06:31 Adele discusses their family's Jewish life when they first arrived in Toronto: the neighbourhood, Shabbat observance, and synagogue attendance. Adele and Alan explain that, for financial reasons, they sent their children to public school, with the exception of Sherry who attended the Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto (CHAT).
09:29 Alan and Adele discuss how they established social connections when they first arrived in Canada, welcomed by distant cousins and with other young Jewish couples who had recently immigrated from South Africa.
11:13 Adele and Alan discuss how they were received by Canadians.
12:26 Alan describes their efforts to help other immigrants including sponsoring a family from Vietnam in 1981, sponsoring a Russian Jew through Jewish Immigrant Aid Services (JIAS), and helping sponsor Syrian refugees through their synagogue.
14:29 Adele discusses the supports offered by South African Jews in Canada to South African immigrants, specifically through the Southern African Jewish Association of Canada (SAJAC).
15:57 Alan explains how he served as a contact person for other South African accountants when they arrived in Canada. Also, many of his business employees are from South Africa.
18:03 Alan and Adele belong to Kehillah Shaarei Torah.
18:48 Adele and Alan discuss their grown children. Their oldest son, Jonathon (Israel) is a rabbi in Bet Shemesh, Israel. Steven is a professor of urban geography at the University of Toronto. Sherry, who studied medicine at Ben-Gurion University, returned to Canada to practice medicine.
20:37 Alan shares his hopes for the future.
Part 4:
00:39 Adele expounds on her appreciation of living in Canada.
Source
Oral Histories

The Kensington of Johannesburg

Maybe Canada?

Immigrants Sponsoring Immigrants

Kiss the Ground

Name
Ben Kayfetz and Alan Borovoy
Material Format
sound recording
Interview Date
2 Jun. 1973
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Ben Kayfetz and Alan Borovoy
Number
OH 255
Subject
Speaking on the Norm Perry Show on antisemitism
Interview Date
2 Jun. 1973
Quantity
1
Interviewer
Norm Perry
Conservation
Copied August 2003
Distorted
Use Restrictions
Radio program. Copyright may apply.
Biography
Benjamin Gershon Kayfetz (1916–2002) was a former community relations director of the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC). His career with the CJC spanned nearly four decades from 1947 to 1985, during which he challenged prevailing social attitudes and put Canada’s Jews visibly at the forefront of a national battle for legal reforms to protect minority rights. He was part of a group that lobbied for, and obtained (through the Ontario government), a fair employment act, a fair housing act, and a human rights code. He was made a member of the Order of Canada in 1986.
Alfred Alan Borovoy, OC (b. 1932) is a Canadian lawyer best known as the general counsel of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA). In 1960, Borovoy started working as secretary of the Jewish Labour Committee in Toronto fighting racism against minority groups in Toronto, particularly Black Canadians. In 1968, he became general counsel for the CCLA, a position he held until his retirement on 1 July 2009. In 1982, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Material Format
sound recording
Original Format
Audio cassette
Copy Format
Audio cassette
Source
Oral Histories
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
Publicity photographs of people and events series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 28; Series 6; File 30
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Zionist Organization of Canada fonds
Publicity photographs of people and events series
Level
File
Fonds
28
Series
6
File
30
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[195-]
Physical Description
5 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
Scope and Content
The file consists of photographs. # 1 to 3 are a photograph featuring from left to right: Leslie Frost; Mrs. Frost; Alan Grossman and David Peters. Photograph #4 features from left to right: Leslie Frost; Ithak ben Zvi; George Liban; and Alan Grossman. Photograph #5 features from left to right: David Peters; Alan Grossman; Leslie Frost; and George Liban.
Name Access
Leslie Frost
Mrs. Frost
Alan Grossman
David Peters
George Liban
Izhak ben Zvi
Source
Archival Descriptions