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Lizzies Old Timers Association [textual record, object] – 1998, 2011.

Accession Number: 2019-11-3

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2019-11-3

Material Format: textual record; object

Physical Description: 1 tribute book; 1 keychain

Date: 1998, 2011

Scope and Content: Accession consists of one Lizzies Old Timers Association tribute book issued on the occassion of its 2011 annual fundraising dinner and an eighty-fifth anniversary keychain issued in 1998.

Subjects: Associations, institutions, etc

Name Access: Lizzies Old Timers Association

Places: Toronto (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Morley Pape, J. O. Goodman and the director of the Ontario Trucking Association, Toronto [graphic material] – [194-].

Level: Item

ID: Item 3866

Source: Archival Descriptions

Level: Item

Item: 3866

Material Format: graphic material

Date: [194-]

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w

Scope and Content: Left to right: Morley Pape; J.O. Goodman; Director of Ontario Trucking Association.

Subjects: Associations, institutions, etc

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.)

Accession Number: 1985-11-11

Source: Archival Descriptions

Labor Lyceum (Toronto, Ont.) [textual record] – 1920.

Accession Number: 2019-5-11

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2019-5-11

Material Format: textual record

Physical Description: 1 folder of textual records

Date: 1920

Scope and Content: Accession consists of two 1920 shares for the Toronto Labor Lyceum Association, Limited. One share is made out to David Desser; the other is made out to A. Desser.

Subjects: Associations, institutions, etc

Name Access: Labor Lyceum (Toronto, Ont.)

Places: Toronto (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Jerry Paskowitz [textual record] – 1934-1958.

Accession Number: 2021-11-22

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2021-11-22

Material Format: textual record

Physical Description: 5 cm of textual records

Date: 1934-1958

Scope and Content: Accession consists of materials documenting the administration and activities of the Toronto Independent Benevolent Association. Included are: a scanned copy of the constitution and by-laws of the association (1934); a members registration ledger book from 1940 to 1944, which documents Jerry's father, Frank Paskowitz, and other members' membership with the Toronto Independent Benevolent Association; and a flyer in Yiddish documenting an event in 1958, which encourages people to express their solidarity with the State of Israel.

Administrative History: The Toronto Independent Benevolent Association is a benefit society founded on 20 Sept. 1909. Its head office is located in the City of Toronto. The purpose of the association is to assist the members in case of sickness by providing sick and relief benefits, burial ground services, medical treatments, and other services that concern members' well-being.

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

Descriptive Notes: Language: English, Yiddish, and Hebrew

Subjects: Associations, institutions, etc

Name Access: Toronto Independent Benevolent Association

Places: Toronto (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Canadian Association for Ethiopian Jews advertisement in the Toronto Star [textual record] – 1984.

Part Of: Larry Becker collection

Level: File

ID: Fonds 34; File 48

Source: Archival Descriptions

Part Of: Larry Becker collection

Level: File

Fonds: 34

File: 48

Material Format: textual record

Date: 1984

Physical Description: 1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content: File consists of an advertisement briefly describing the suffering of Ethiopian Jews, as victims of the worse drought in Africa's history, and soliciting donations.

Subjects: Victims

Source: Archival Descriptions

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Jewish Child Welfare Association fonds [textual record] – 1932-1943.

Part Of: Jewish Child Welfare Association fonds

Level: Fonds

ID: Fonds 86

Source: Archival Descriptions

Part Of: Jewish Child Welfare Association fonds

Level: Fonds

Fonds: 86

Material Format: textual record

Date: 1932-1943

Physical Description: 23 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio: The Jewish Child Welfare Association (JCWA) was formed in 1936 through the amalgamation of the Jewish Children’s Bureau, the Jewish Big Brother Movement, and the Jewish Big Sister Committee. This merger was intended to improve service to families in the community by making one agency responsible for all cases dealing with children and adolescents. The JCWA’s funding primarily came from the Federation for Jewish Philanthropies (later the United Jewish Welfare Fund) and municipal and provincial grants.; The JCWA’s chairman was Bertram N. Davis and first executive secretary was Anne Gussack. Gussack was succeeded by Freda Manson in 1939 and Aaron B. Feld in 1941. Soon after its formation in 1936, the JCWA became one of the first unionized social agencies in Canada when it formed the Staff Association with the Jewish Family Welfare Bureau (JFWB).; Located at 179 Beverley Street, the JCWA’s core activities included placing children in foster homes, arranging adoptions, supervising children in their own homes, providing housekeeping services to families, and providing supervision and guidance to unmarried mothers. The JCWA paid for the foster children’s room and board, clothing, and medical care; supervised their religious education; and supplied scholarships for vocational training through its Jewish Children’s Vocational Fund. The JCWA also ran the Foster Mothers’ Parent Education Group, initiated a foster day care program to allow foster mothers to work, and arranged for the placement of children in summer camps. A constant problem for JCWA was the lack of appropriate foster homes. In order to secure more homes, the agency regularly engaged in a foster homefinding publicity campaign.; The Child Welfare Committee of the Hebrew Maternity Aid Society assisted the JCWA with finding and visiting foster homes, arranging adoptions, and attending to chronic clinical cases. The Hebrew Maternity Aid Society also participated in a Car Corp program with the JCWA by providing its social workers with volunteer drivers to help them travel to different locations.; The JCWA’s Big Brother and Big Sister Departments provided guidance for delinquent, troubled, and developmentally disabled adolescents through individual and group work. Both departments assisted troubled youth with employment, vocational training, school adjustment, and recreational activities. In 1941, the Big Sister Committee left the JCWA to become affiliated with the JFWB.; Discussions regarding the co-ordination of services between the JCWA and the JFWB began as early as 1935. Since both agencies worked with children and families, a merger was believed necessary to improve service to the community and ease confusion. In February 1943, the JCWA and the JFWB merged to form the Jewish Family and Child Services (JF & CS).

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of textual records documenting the programs, operation, finances and special projects and studies of the Jewish Child Welfare Association and its predecessor the Jewish Children's Bureau. Included is correspondence, reports, surveys, memos, meeting notices, agendas and minutes, financial records, questionnaires, speeches, client and membership lists, case presentations, news articles, theatrical scripts, event invitations and statistics.; Fonds has been arranged with one sous-fonds, which contains the records of the Jewish Children's Bureau. In total there are 25 series. The Jewish Child Welfare Association (main fonds) series are: 1. Board of Trustees; 2. Executive Director; 3. Committees; 4. Adoption; 5. Foster care; 6. Summer camp program; 7. Nursery school; 8. Jewish Children's Vocational Board; 9. Finance and accounting; 10. Human Resources; 11. Operational statistics; 12. Special studies and surveys; 13. Publicity; 14. Liaison with other social welfare organizations; and 15. Welfare Council of Toronto. The Jewish Children's Bureau (sous-fonds) series are: 1. Board of Trustees; 2. Executive Director; 3. Adoption; 4. Foster care; 5. Finance and accounting; 6. Human resources; 7. Building administration; 8. Special studies and surveys; 9. Publicity; and, 10. Liaison with other social welfare organizations.

Notes: Associated material note: for related records held at the City of Toronto Archives, see also: Children's Aid Society of Toronto fonds (fonds 1001); Welfare Council of Toronto records in the University Settlement House fonds (fonds 1024, series 658); and, Department of Public Welfare records in the Former City of Toronto fonds (fonds 200).

Name Access: Jewish Child Welfare Association; Jewish Children's Home; Jewish Children's Vocational Fund; Davis, Bertram N.; Gussack, Anne; Manson, Freda; Feld, Aaron B.; Jewish Big Sisters Committee; Jewish Big Brothers Movement; Jewish Family and Child Services; Federation of Jewish Philanthropies; United Jewish Welfare Fund; Department of Public Welfare; Welfare Council of Toronto; Children's Aid Society

Subjects: Charities; Children; Families; Nonprofit organizations

Access Restriction: Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director and the head of Jewish Family and Child prior to accessing some of the records.

Related Material: See also: Jewish Family Welfare Bureau fonds (fonds 87); Jewish Family and Child fonds (fonds 79); Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of Toronto fonds (fonds 66); and, United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds (fonds 67).

Arrangement: Records of the Jewish Big Sisters Committee, the Jewish Big Brothers Movement and records documenting programs of the JCWA that continued after the formation of JF & CS, such as the Foster Homefinding Campaign and the Foster Mothers' Parent Education Group, are arranged with the JF & CS fonds 79.

Accession Number: 2004-1-8

Source: Archival Descriptions

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Joseph Addison - 12 May 1982

Name: Joseph Addison

Material Format: sound recording

Interview Date: 12 May 1982

Source: Oral Histories

Name: Joseph Addison

Number: OH 128

Subject: Athletes; Sports; Associations, institutions, etc

Interview Date: 12 May 1982

Quantity: 1 cassette (1 copy); 1 WAV file

Total Running Time: 31:21 minutes

Conservation: Copied August 2003; Digitized in November 2014 ceases to be audible at 14:03 minutes; Recording fades and is not audible at 14:03 minutes

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

Biography: Joseph Addison was an active member of the Brunswick Street YMHA and its executive committee member. He also held the position of vice president and chair of the board. Addison was a handball enthusiast and was the first chair of the Canadian Handball Association. Joseph Addison was a judge.

Material Format: sound recording

Language: English

Name Access: Young Men's Hebrew Association (Toronto, Ont.)

Geographic Access: Toronto (Ont.)

Original Format: Audio cassette

Copy Format: Audio cassette; Digital file

Transcript: G:\Description\Oral Histories\OH 128 - Addison\OH128_Log.pdf

Source: Oral Histories

Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region [textual record] – 1986-1987.

Accession Number: 1988-10-1

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 1988-10-1

Material Format: textual record

Physical Description: 1.2 m of textual records

Date: 1986-1987

Scope and Content: Accession consists of the Executive Director files of the CJC, Central Region. The files were created and accumulated by E. Y. Lipsitz.

Use Conditions: Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.

Subjects: Nonprofit organizations

Name Access: Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region (Toronto, Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region [textual record] – [197-]-[199-].

Accession Number: 1990-5-3

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 1990-5-3

Material Format: textual record

Physical Description: 12 m of textual records

Date: [197-]-[199-]

Scope and Content: Accession consists of records documenting various activities of the Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region, including the small communities, regional committees, eduction and culture. The records appear to have originated with E. Y. Lipsitz.

Use Conditions: Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.

Subjects: Nonprofit organizations

Name Access: Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region (Toronto, Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region [textual record] – 1958-[199-].

Accession Number: 2012-7-10

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2012-7-10

Material Format: textual record

Physical Description: 37.8 m of textual records

Date: 1958-[199-]

Scope and Content: Accession consists of general office files of the CJC as well as records related to the Education and Culture Committee, the Toronto Jewish Cultural Committee, Planning and Priorities/Assimilation, the Youth Committee, CJC plenaries, small communities, Chaplaincy, Orthodox Division, Political Liaison Committee, community services, the Audit Committee, Joint Community Relations Committee, Camp Massad and Moess Chitton.

Custodial History: There is no acquisition information for this material. The accession number has been assigned by the archivist.

Use Conditions: Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.

Subjects: Nonprofit organizations

Name Access: Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region (Toronto, Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region [textual record, graphic material, moving images] – [ca. 2000]-[ca. 2010].

Accession Number: 2013-12-4

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2013-12-4

Material Format: textual record; graphic material; moving images

Physical Description: 11.1 m of textual records and other material

Date: [ca. 2000]-[ca. 2010]

Scope and Content: Accession consists of records related to the operations of the CJC Ontario Region. Included are records related to the activities of the Community Relations Committee, reports, correspondence, political affairs records, communications, meeting minutes and agendas, photographs, and moving images of various events.

Descriptive Notes: Physical description note: Includes graphic material and audio-visual records

Subjects: Nonprofit organizations

Name Access: Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region (Toronto, Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region [sound recording] – 1969.

Accession Number: 2015-9-31

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2015-9-31

Material Format: sound recording

Physical Description: 2 audiotapes

Date: 1969

Scope and Content: Accession cosists of two audiotapes of a Regional Executive Meeting of January 1969 and a Community Town Hall Meeting of February 1969. The second tape may be of speeches at a plenary session.

Custodial History: There is no information on the acquisition of this material.

Subjects: Nonprofit organizations

Name Access: Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region (Toronto, Ont.)

Places: Toronto, Ont.

Source: Archival Accessions

JIAS National Office sous-fonds [textual record] – 1926-1982.

Part Of: Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Toronto fonds

Level: Sous-fonds

ID: Fonds 9-1

Source: Archival Descriptions

Part Of: Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Toronto fonds

Level: Sous-fonds

Fonds: 9-1

Material Format: textual record

Date: 1926-1982

Physical Description: 51 cm of textual records; 14 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm or smaller

Admin History/Bio: The Jewish Immigrant Aid Society of Canada was organized into a national office in Montreal and regional offices in Winnipeg (Western Region), Toronto (Central Region) and Halifax (Eastern Region). The national office was responsible for directing and managing all the affairs of the organization, including defining national and international policy; administration of regional offices; national budget; fundraising; external relations with other organizations, such as the United Jewish Relief Agencies (UJRA) and Jewish Family & Child Services (JF&CS); and publicity. It also organized the annual meeting, special events and conventions.; Membership in JIAS was open to individuals, organizations or companies who paid an annual fee. General meetings of the membership were held at least once every two years, where reports were presented and considered, nominations and elections held for national officers and the national executive committee, policies, programs and problems discussed, and decisions taken.; The National Executive Committee of JIAS was composed of the following members: national president; three vice-presidents (the presidents of the Western, Central and Eastern regions), with the addition in the 1950s of a vice-president at large; three regional treasurers, eventually reduced to one national treasurer; secretary; and twelve members comprising four representatives from each region. In 1929 the ‘executive secretary’ position was renamed ‘executive director.’ According to the 1943 constitution, the executive was required to hold meetings at least three times a year, in alternate cities. In 1954 this was amended to twice a year.; During the early stages of JIAS's operations, it had to face the difficulty of being overstretched financially, as it sought to respond to and to change the often oppressive living conditions of new immigrants and the situation of those held in federal detention centres. The organization’s principled approach to immigrant welfare won JIAS much of its early success, as it became the preferred contact for government officials who had formerly dealt with numerous independent agencies, many of which had profited from the exploitation of desperate immigrants. This situation also profited the government, however, as the responsibility for establishing the priority of applications reverted increasingly to JIAS as it had to limit its appeals by the quotas imposed by the federal government.; JIAS was one of the founding organizations responsible for the establishment of the Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) in 1978, which has since operated as a non-profit umbrella organization to coordinate the efforts of immigrant and refugee advocacy groups. JIAS continues to operate offices across Canada in Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Hamilton, London, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, Windsor and Winnipeg. The JIAS National Office moved from Montreal to Toronto in 1989, with the appointment of Susan Davis to National Director, and is now located at 4580 Dufferin St., Suite 306, Toronto, Ontario.

Scope and Content: Sous-fonds consists of National Office records retained by the Toronto JIAS office as reference copies. Records include meeting minutes, speeches and reports from annual meetings, and the published annual reports produced from the annual meetings. The sous-fonds covers the years 1926 to 1982 and is divided into the following series: 1. National Executive meeting minutes; 2. National annual meeting proceedings; 3. National annual reports; 4. Publications; and 5. Photographs.

Name Access: Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Canada (creator)

Subjects: Immigrants--Canada; Nonprofit organizations

Access Restriction: Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.

Source: Archival Descriptions

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Canadian Federation to Aid Polish Jews in Israel [textual record, graphic material] – [192-?]-1993.

Part Of: Rabbi Nachman Shemen fonds

Level: Series

ID: Fonds 103; Series 1

Source: Archival Descriptions

Part Of: Rabbi Nachman Shemen fonds

Level: Series

Fonds: 103

Series: 1

Material Format: textual record; graphic material

Date: [192-?]-1993

Physical Description: 1.5 m of textual records; 35 photographs

Admin History/Bio: The Canadian Federation to Aid Polish Jews in Israel, originally called the Canadian Federation of Polish Jews (CFPJ), was established in 1933 to assist Jews in Poland who were victims of anti-Semitism as expressed in economic boycotts and political discrimination. The CFPJ provided political action and advocacy on behalf of Polish Jews, as well as social help, moral strength and material support. It was a constituent member of the World Federation of Polish Jews, established in 1935, which provided relief and economic assistance to Jews in Poland, and coordinated the assistance given to Jewish communal organizations in Poland. In addition, the CFPJ assisted Canadian landsmanshaften (mutual benefit societies) which were giving support to those communities from which their members had emigrated.; In 1939, following the outbreak of the Second World War, the CFPJ was among those Canadian Jewish organizations which founded the United Jewish Refugee and War Relief Agencies, the purpose of which was to assist in the war effort and to aid war victims. At the conclusion of the war, the UJRWR was renamed the United Jewish Relief Agencies, with an aim to assist refugees in their effort to settle in Canada.; The scope and mandate of the CFPJ has changed over time as new challenges and projects have emerged. In January 1950, its activities expanded to include building homes in Israel for Polish Jewish immigrants, providing local relief to newly arrived Polish Jewish immigrants in Canada, locating relatives and providing legal advice on matters related to passports and visas, contributing to and participating in memorials honouring lost Jewish communities, and maintaining contact with its sister Farbands across the world.; In December 1951, the name of the organization was officially changed to Canadian Federation to Aid Polish Jews in Israel, and as of March 1953, its priorities had shifted to focus increasingly on providing support to Israel.

Scope and Content: Series consists of records documenting the activities of the Canadian Federation to Aid Polish Jews in Israel. Many records provide insight into the relief efforts carried out to assist Jews in Poland and Israel. Included are meeting minutes, agendas, reports, correspondence, speeches, newspaper articles, financial records, conference material, a ledger book, posters and invitations, membership and donation lists, scrapbooks, leaflets, photographs of important events, letters of appeal, visa and identification applications, property claims applications, and letters from individuals requesting aid.

Name Access: Canadian Federation of Polish Jews; Canadian Federation to Aid Polish Jews in Israel

Subjects: Jews--Israel; Jews, Polish

Access Restriction: Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing some of the records.

Places: Israel

Source: Archival Descriptions

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Jewish Family and Child fonds [multiple media] – 1933-2011.

Part Of: Jewish Family and Child fonds

Level: Fonds

ID: Fonds 79

Source: Archival Descriptions

Part Of: Jewish Family and Child fonds

Level: Fonds

Fonds: 79

Material Format: multiple media

Date: 1933-2011

Physical Description: ca. 4.8 m of texutal records and other material

Admin History/Bio: Jewish Family & Child was established in 1943 from the amalgamation of a variety of different social agencies formed as early as 1868. These included the Ladies Benevolent Fund, the Free Burial Society, Jewish Family Welfare Bureau, Jewish Children’s Bureau, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and the Ladies Maternal Aid Society. Much of its funding and support after its inception came from the United Jewish Welfare Fund.; The first executive director of the agency was Dora Wilensky. She was a trained social worker who served for twenty-eight years, until her untimely death from cancer in 1959. Jerome Diamond took over in 1960 and Gordon Wolfe succeeded him in 1981. Ron Levin briefly replaced Wolfe after his retirement in 2003, and was succeeded in 2006 by Dr. Richard Cummings who then retired in 2015. As of 2017, Brian Prousky is the organization’s current executive director.; During the early years, fees were established, but the agency never refused to assist clients because of their inability to pay. JF&CS became one of the first agencies to rely on trained social workers. It was also the first social agency in Canada to become unionized.; Over the years the agency’s role has changed and it has expanded significantly, in terms of its staff and services. After the Second World War it played a pivotal role supporting the Holocaust orphans who came to Canada as refugees, particularly in the area of locating foster parents for these children. By 1957, the agency hired its first counsellor and became a member of the United Community Fund of Greater Toronto. The year 1968 marked the start of JF&CS’ new program involving the use of a mobile treatment centre to reach out to Jewish street kids and in 1974 they established the Jerome D. Diamond Adolescent Centre.; In 1981, JF&CS was mandated by the Province of Ontario as a Jewish children’s aid society responsible for the care and protection of all Jewish youth in the GTA. In 1983 they established the Just-A-Second Shop at 3101 Bathurst Street, which took in used goods from the community to pass on to needy families. Two years later they established the Henry G. Goodman Home for developmentally challenged children on Wilmington Avenue. The following year marked the opening of the Elm Ridge Group Living Residence for elderly people. In 1988, they opened a special shelter for abused women and children, and in 1994, they introduced their Homework Club for kids.; The current mission of Jewish Family & Child is to support the healthy development of individuals, children, families, and communities through prevention, protection, counselling, education, and advocacy services, within the context of Jewish values. Their services include counselling, rehabilitation and support, foster care, family services, and community services. These services are offered in a host of different languages including Hebrew, Yiddish, Russian, French, and English.; JF&CS is an independent organization that receives its funding from a variety of different sources such as UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, United Way Toronto and York Region, the Government of Ontario, and individual donations.; As of 2017, JF&CS has nearly 130 staff providing more than thirty community services with a budget of almost $20 million. Their main office is located in the Lipa Green Centre for Community Services at 4600 Bathurst Street. They also maintain offices and run services out of their downtown branch at 35 Madison Avenue, their York Region branch inside UJA’s 1 Open Door at the Lebovic JCC, and their Jerome D. Diamond Adolescent Centre in midtown Toronto.

Name Access: Jewish Family and Child; Wilensky, Dora, 1902-1959; Wolfe, Gordon; Diamond, Jerome D.

Subjects: Charities; Children; Families; Nonprofit organizations

Access Restriction: Closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director and head of Jewish Family and Child prior to accessing the records.

Related Material: See also: Jewish Child Welfare Association fonds (fonds 86); Jewish Family Welfare Bureau fonds (fonds 87); Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of Toronto fonds (fonds 66); and, United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds (fonds 67).

Creator: Jewish Family and Child (Toronto, Ont.)

Accession Number: 2004-5-101; 2004-1-8; 2002-10-38; 2006-6-7 (Shelf 03-6,Orphan index cards); 2009-12-9; 2010-4-1 (Shelf 34-1); 2010-10-5; 2015-8/11; 2015-9/1

Source: Archival Descriptions

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Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Toronto fonds [textual record, graphic material] – 1925-1989.

Part Of: Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Toronto fonds

Level: Fonds

ID: Fonds 9

Source: Archival Descriptions

Part Of: Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Toronto fonds

Level: Fonds

Fonds: 9

Material Format: textual record; graphic material

Date: 1925-1989

Physical Description: 31.8 m of textual records; 319 photographs : b&w and col. ; 21 x 26 cm or smaller

Admin History/Bio: The Jewish Immigrant Aid Society of Canada was established in 1920 by the newly-formed Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC). A Toronto branch was established in a storefront office on Spadina Avenue, but the organization was rudimentary. As the enthusiasm that spurred the founding of CJC died out, JIAS soon faltered. Then in 1922 it was taken over and reactivated under the cooperative support of the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of Toronto, B'nai B'rith, and the Council of Jewish Women. JIAS was legally incorporated on 30 August 1922. It also operated under the moniker of the Emergency Jewish Immigrant Aid Committee, and it changed its name to Jewish Immigrant Aid Services in 1954.; Charged with organizing emergency relief for European Jews in distress, JIAS became the central agency of the Jewish community to facilitate the lawful entry of Jewish immigrants into Canada, and provided them with welfare services, transportation, and assistance with accommodation and employment after their arrival. In addition, JIAS offered consultation services for sponsors of potential immigrants, ran a competitive foreign remittance service, and campaigned to counter the activities of unscrupulous steamboat agents, lawyers, and influence peddlers, or “shtadlanim,” who often victimized immigrants and sponsors alike.; In conjunction with similar efforts by the CJC, JIAS was also actively engaged in negotiating for the increased admission of Jewish immigrants to Canada. In 1923, the federal government instituted a permit-based immigration program and JIAS competed with travel agents and solicitors in the private sector for these limited quota permits. After combating the anti-immigration policies of the Depression era, the outbreak of war in 1939 virtually closed the already limited avenues for immigration.; JIAS Canada was organized into a national office in Montreal and regional offices in Winnipeg (Western Region), Toronto (Central Region), and Halifax (Eastern Region). The Central Region covered Ontario, and established a full-time head office in 1935 at 399 Spadina Avenue in Toronto (hence the Central Region was sometimes called simply the Toronto Office). The office later moved to 265 Spadina Avenue. JIAS Toronto’s board of directors met on a regular basis at different locations in Toronto, including 206 Beverley Street and in the Talmud Torah building at 9 Brunswick Avenue. The first JIAS Toronto board included notable Toronto residents such as Henry Dworkin, Mrs. Draiman, Mr. Kronick, Dr. Brodey and Mrs. Willinsky. The role of the board was to oversee the operations of the Central Region. It rendered decisions on issues relating to finances, procedures and policies, negotiations with the federal Immigration Branch, as well as individual cases that required their attention.; General meetings of the Central Region membership were held annually. The 1943 JIAS constitution states that regional annual meetings were to be held for “receiving and considering reports,” holding nominations and elections for the executive, and discussing JIAS’s program and policies.; In the post-war era, JIAS shifted its focus to renewed efforts on behalf of individual claimants and community support, while the focus for lobbying for a reversal of Canada's immigration policy fell increasingly under the jurisdiction of the CJC. A boom in immigration between 1947 and 1952 saw the arrival of large numbers of Jewish immigrants to all parts of Canada and the Toronto Office of JIAS renewed its efforts to meet the needs of this new influx. Major world events also sparked other waves of immigration from Hungary, Czechoslovakia, North Africa, and Russia, to which JIAS responded in turn. JIAS worked in conjunction with other immigrant aid societies such as HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, in the United States, to facilitate immigration to the United States, and later to Israel, where many of the immigrants and refugees coming to Canada had family and ultimately settled.

Custodial History: Custody of these records was transferred to the Ontario Jewish Archives by JIAS in 1983, as preparations were under way for the move to a new facility in North York. Much of the material was in four-cubic-foot boxes and in file cabinets.; The accession was divided into three sections: files which were at the JIAS office and had been retained in their original order; files which had been retrieved from a flood in the basement of 152 Beverley St. and consequently had been thrown into dry boxes without regard to order; files discovered in the furnace rooms at 150 and 152 Beverley St., intact but covered in coal dust. The bulk of the records were stored off-site, with dirty files being isolated from the rest.; The dust-covered materials were cleaned at an off-site location, placed in temporary boxes and transferred to the Archives and restored, as far as was possible, to their original order.; Clips were removed and replaced as appropriate with archivally acceptable ones. All materials were transferred to acid-free folders and boxes.

Scope and Content: Fonds contains the records of the Toronto Office (Central region) of the Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Canada. The fonds consists primarily of textual records: minutes, correspondence, financial records, reports, immigration files, naturalization case files, social service case files and the records of attempts to trace missing individuals. There are also photographs of special events, speakers and arriving immigrants.; The fonds represents an important resource for the study of Canadian Jewry, especially when taken in conjunction with the JIAS National Office records at the Canadian Jewish Congress National Archives in Montreal, and those of the Western Office at the Library and Archives of Canada. It documents the means by which a particular Canadian ethnic community has dealt with the problems of rescue, settlement and government relations. These records also offer insight into the relationship between the Toronto Office and the other branches of JIAS, and invite comparison with similar agencies in the United States, as well as those of other ethnic groups in Canada.; The material collected includes information about the countries of origin, transportation routes, settlement and employment patterns of Jewish immigrants to Canada in the twentieth century. The documents also touch upon important related issues such as advocacy, sponsorship, admission processes, health and social problems.; These records cover several waves of immigration following the Second World War: Holocaust survivors in the late 1940s, Sephardic (North African) and Hungarian Jews in the 1950s, Russian and Czechoslovakian Jews in the 1960s, and additional Russians in the 1970s.; The records also contain significant information for those researchers looking to conduct genealogical research into Jewish immigrants and their descendents.; The fonds has been arranged with one sous-fonds, which contains the records of the National JIAS office in Montreal. In total there are 17 series. The Toronto office (main fonds) series are: 1. Board of Directors and Executive Committee Minutes; 2. Annual meeting proceedings; 3. Reports; 4. Legal ; 5. Administration; 6. JIAS Committees; 7. External committees; 8. Financial ; 9. Arrivals; 10. Immigration case files; 11. Social service assistance case files; 12. Photographs; 13. Miscellaneous. The National Office sous-fonds is divided into the following series: 1. National executive meeting minutes; 2. National annual meeting proceedings; 3. National annual reports; 4. Publications; and Photographs.

Notes: Physical description note: Physical extent is based on fully processed records. Additional accessions are not included (see Related Material note below).; Associated material note: The CJC National Archive, in Montreal, has additional JIAS records from 1920-1989 including 275 m of textual records and graphic materials (3250 photos): collection number I0037; alpha-numeric designation MA 4. The National Archives of Canada, Manitoba branch, in Winnipeg, has Jewish Historical Society of Western Canada JIAS textual records from 1923-1950 on 18 microfilm reels: Former archival reference number MG28-V114 (no replacement listed). The originals of these records are maintained by the Jewish Historical Society of Western Canada.

Name Access: Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Toronto

Subjects: Immigrants--Canada; Nonprofit organizations

Access Restriction: Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.; Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing some of the records.

Related Material: Other OJA records relating to JIAS may be found in the following accessions: 1979-9-5; 1988-5-2; 1991-10-5; 2006-3-11.

Creator: Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Toronto

Accession Number: 1983-8-1

Source: Archival Descriptions

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Jewish Family Welfare Bureau fonds [textual record, architectural drawing] – 1928-1943.

Part Of: Jewish Family Welfare Bureau fonds

Level: Fonds

ID: Fonds 87

Source: Archival Descriptions

Part Of: Jewish Family Welfare Bureau fonds

Level: Fonds

Fonds: 87

Material Format: textual record; architectural drawing

Date: 1928-1943

Physical Description: 67 cm of textual records; 1 architectural drawing

Admin History/Bio: Sometime around 1919, the Family Welfare Committee was set up within the newly created Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of Toronto (FJPT) to perform social welfare work with Jewish families. Around 1931, the Committee was reorganized as an independent member agency of the FJPT and renamed the Jewish Family Welfare Bureau (JFWB). At the same time, Dora Wilensky (1902-1959), a professionally-trained social worker, was hired as the agency’s executive director. Throughout its existence, most of its funding came from the FJPT (later the United Jewish Welfare Fund).; Located at 179 Beverley Street, the JFWB’s core activities included: relief provision; helping families meet basic needs, such as medical care, heating and clothing; housekeeping assistance; counseling; and case work. The JFWB’s major concerns shifted over time from a rise of immigration and desertion cases in the 1920s to the dramatic increase of wife abuse, suicide, and unemployment cases during the Great Depression of the 1930s. After the outbreak of the Second World War, the JFWB sought ways of assisting soldiers and their families, such as, investigating special government grants to soldiers.; In an attempt to meet community needs, the JFWB initiated various programs, such as a Homemaking Club to teach women house management skills, and a Clothing Centre to provide families with inexpensive household goods. It also partnered with other local Jewish organizations in the early 1940s in the Liaison Project for troubled Jewish youth. In the 1930s, the Jewish Employment Service and Hebrew Free Burial Society became departments of the JFWB and, in 1941, the JFWB began guaranteeing loans for clients through the Hebrew Free Loan Association. In the same year, the Jewish Big Sister Committee became affiliated with the agency and the Jewish Big Brother Movement followed soon after.; In 1936, the JFWB became one of the first unionized social agencies in Canada when it formed the Staff Association with the Jewish Child Welfare Association (JCWA), another member of the FJPT. Although the JFWB’s focus was work with families and the JCWA’s focus was work with children, both agencies found it necessary at times to work with both children and families. In order to prevent service duplication and reduce confusion over casework responsibility, the Joint Application Bureau was set up within the FJPT to review all case work applications and determine the appropriate agency to provide assistance. However, a merger between the agencies was still believed necessary to improve service to the community and ease confusion. Discussions regarding the co-ordination of services between the JCWA and the JFWB began as early as 1935 and in February 1943, the JCWA and JFWB merged to form the Jewish Family and Child Services (JF & CS).

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of textual records and one architectural drawing documenting the programs, operation, finances, and special studies of the Jewish Family Welfare Bureau as well as its relationships with other organizations. Included are reports, meeting notices, agendas and minutes, correspondence, memos, budgets, statistics, theatrical scripts, newsclippings, and one architectural blueprint. A number of the records relate to special short-lived committees and projects that the JFWB participated in with other agencies, such as the Jewish Big Sister Committee, Jewish Big Brother Committee, Jewish Child Welfare Association, the Jewish Community Centre Association, the Young Men's and Women's Hebrew Association, and the Jewish Old Folks' Home.; Records have been arranged into the following 19 series: 1. Board of Directors; 2. Executive Director; 3. Jewish Federation Communal Council; 4. United Jewish Welfare Fund Men's and Women's Service Council; 5. Case Committe; 6. Joint Meetings and Committees; 7. Joint Application Bureau; 8. Homemaking Club; 9. Clothing Centre; 10. Liaison Project; 11. Operational statistics; 12. Finance and accounting; 13. Human Resources; 14. Special projects and studies; 15. Publicity; 16. Liaison with other social welfare organizations; 17. Canadian Association of Social Workers; 18. Welfare Council of Toronto; and, 19. Conferences.

Notes: Associated material note: for related records held at the City of Toronto Archives, see also: Welfare Council of Toronto records in the University Settlement House fonds (fonds 1024, series 658); and, Department of Public Welfare records in the Former City of Toronto fonds (fonds 200).

Name Access: Jewish Family Welfare Bureau; Jewish Community Centre Association; Young Men's-Young Women's Hebrew Athletic Association (Toronto, Ont.) (subject); Jewish Old Folks Home (Toronto, Ont.); United Jewish Welfare Fund (Toronto, Ont.) (subject); Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of Toronto (subject); Wilensky, Dora, 1902-1959

Subjects: Charities; Children; Families; Nonprofit organizations

Access Restriction: Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director and the head of Jewish Family and Child prior to accessing some of the records.

Related Material: See also: Jewish Child Welfare Association fonds (fonds 86); Jewish Family and Child Services fonds (fonds 79); Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of Toronto fonds (fonds 66); and, United Jewish Welfare Fund fonds (fonds 67).

Arrangement: Records relating to programs, committees and liaison with other organizations that continued after the formation of JF & CS are arranged with that fonds.

Source: Archival Descriptions

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Albert Edelstein [graphic material] – [198-].

Accession Number: 2015-11-5

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2015-11-5

Material Format: graphic material

Physical Description: 3 posters : col. ; 60 x 45 cm and smaller

Date: [198-]

Scope and Content: Accession consists of three posters: a North American Jewish Students' Network poster with the words, "Black Jews of Ethiopia, Why Not This Year in Jerusalem? Next Year May Be Too Late"; a Canadian committee for Soviet Jewry poster with an illustration by Selma Hurwitz; and a Toronto Action Committee for Soviet Jewry poster with the words, "Speak Out For Soviet Jewry, Let My People Go".

Subjects: Jews, Ethiopian; Jews--Soviet Union

Name Access: North American Jewish Students' Network

Source: Archival Accessions

United Ostrowtzer Hilfs Committee fonds [textual record, graphic material, object] – [1940?]-1952, predominant 1946-1947.

Part Of: United Ostrowtzer Hilfs Committee fonds

Level: Fonds

ID: Fonds 148

Source: Archival Descriptions

Part Of: United Ostrowtzer Hilfs Committee fonds

Level: Fonds

Fonds: 148

Material Format: textual record; graphic material; object

Date: [1940?]-1952, predominant 1946-1947

Physical Description: 56 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio: Founded in 1924, the Ostrowtzer Hilfs Farein was a landsmanshaft society named after the town of Ostrowiec in Poland. Initially a function of the Ostrovtzer Shul, the society’s mission was to provide support to Ostrovtzers who had immigrated to Toronto, offering small loans and medical assistance and fostering a sense of community. The society began with thirty-eight members, offering assistance to Ostrovtzers arriving in Toronto. Over a decade, membership grew to one hundred, enabling the society to hire a doctor for medical services.; While immigration policies and the outbreak of war slowed membership growth, it surged again with the arrival of Holocaust survivors. Postwar, the Ostrowtzer Society extended relief and aid to refugees in displacement camps, Europe, and Israel. Around this time, it became known as the United Ostrowtzer Hilfs Committee.; In 1946, the society organized a landmark conference in Toronto, leading to the formation of the Central Committee of Ostrowtzer Hilfs Fareinen in North and South America. Max Hartstone served as the committee's executive secretary.; The society expanded its reach, creating a young men's branch and evolving into the Ostrovtzer Independent Mutual Benefit Society. In recent years, it has provided support for Israel, the Baycrest Foundation, UJA Federation, and more. It also owns cemetery land, ensuring that each of its members receives a proper Jewish burial. The society also established an endowment fund through the Jewish Federation of Greater Toronto.

Custodial History: The records were donated by Nancy Freeman, Max Hartstone’s daughter, on 17 October 2017. A subsequent donation was made on 19 April 2022. Nancy recalls that the letters, received by her father Max Hartstone in his capacity as secretary of the United Ostrowtzer Hilfs Committee, were stored in large bakery boxes in their garage.

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of records documenting the activities of the United Ostrowtzer Hilfs Committee. The fonds primarily contains correspondence from other Ostrovtzer societies and Holocaust survivors from Ostrowiec, Poland, located throughout North and South America, Europe, and Palestine. Photographs are included with some of the correspondence. Other materials include minutes, notices of meetings, financial records, invitations, events memorabilia, speeches, and newspaper clippings. The materials document the efforts of the United Ostrowtzer Hilfs Committee, in collaboration with Ostrovtzer societies worldwide, to provide assistance and support to Holocaust survivors from Ostrowiec. These records also offer insight into the immediate, postwar experiences of Holocaust survivors; The fonds is arranged into five series. The series are: 1. Letters from individuals; 2. Letters from organizations; 3. Administrative; 4. Events; and 5. Newspaper clippings.

Name Access: Hartstone, Max, 1907-1982

Subjects: Fraternal organizations; Holocaust survivors; Jews--Poland

Access Restriction: Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing some of the records.

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

Physical Condition: Some of the textual records are fragile and are enclosed in plastic.

Arrangement: Nancy Freeman had bundled the correspondence upon donation; however, given that there did not appear to be a specific order to the bundles, the archivist rearranged the materials to improve accessibility.

Creator: United Ostrowtzer Hilfs Committee

Places: Ostrowiec (Sokolów Podlaski, Poland)

Accession Number: 2017-10-5; 2022-4-5

Source: Archival Descriptions

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Canadian Young Judaea. [graphic material, textual record]-- [graphic material, textual record] – [ca. 1963]-[ca. 1995].

Accession Number: 2014-5-4

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2014-5-4

Material Format: graphic material; textual record

Physical Description: 4 photograph albums; ca. 450 photographs : b&w and col. (ca. 260 negatives) ; 36 x 30 cm and smaller; 3 cm of textual records

Date: [ca. 1963]-[ca. 1995]

Scope and Content: Accession consists of graphic material and textual records documenting Canadian Young Judaea. Included are photographic albums, loose photographs, clippings, photographic contact sheets and negatives, and textual records, including meeting minutes, correspondences, etc. All of the items relate to Ontario-based Jewish summer camps such as Camp Solelim and Camp Biluim, as well as to Canadian Young Judaea.

Custodial History: Records came via Josefa Michaelson, c/o Canadian Young Judaea

Subjects: Nonprofit organizations; Children; Camps

Name Access: Canadian Young Judaea

Source: Archival Accessions

Toronto Hadassah-WIZO [textual record] – [ca.1960].

Accession Number: 2015-9-20

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2015-9-20

Material Format: textual record

Physical Description: 1 folder of textual records

Date: [ca.1960]

Scope and Content: Accession consists of a program 'Festival of Song' put on by Toronto Hadassah. The guest of honour was Rabbi Abraham L. Feinberg.

Custodial History: There is no information of the acquisition of this material.

Administrative History: Rabbi Feinberg was the lead rabbi of Holy Blosom Temple from 1943 to 1961.

Subjects: Jews--Music; Nonprofit organizations; Rabbis

Name Access: Toronto Hadassah-WIZO

Places: Toronto, Ont.

Source: Archival Accessions

Council of Jewish Federations Canada (CJF) [textual record]

Accession Number: 1996-6-2

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 1996-6-2

Material Format: textual record

Physical Description: 15 m of textual records

Scope and Content: Accession consists of the records of the Council of Jewish Federations of Canada. Also included within the records are those of the National Budgeting Conference (NBC).

Use Conditions: Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.

Subjects: Nonprofit organizations

Name Access: Council of Jewish Federations of Canada; National Budgeting Conference

Source: Archival Accessions

Toronto Hebrew Free Loan Casa [textual record]

Accession Number: 1986-11-4

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 1986-11-4

Material Format: textual record

Physical Description: 4.2 m of textual records

Scope and Content: Accession consists of records documenting the operations of the Toronto Hebrew Free Loan Casa.

Use Conditions: Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.

Subjects: Nonprofit organizations

Source: Archival Accessions

Lillian Beube - 1972

Name: Lillian Beube

Material Format: sound recording

Interview Date: 1972

Source: Oral Histories

Name: Lillian Beube

Number: OH 27

Subject: Nonprofit organizations

Interview Date: 1972

Quantity: 1

Interviewer: Morris Silbert

AccessionNumber: 1978-2-2

Conservation: Copied August 2003

Notes: Second side inaudible

Use Restrictions: Conditional access. Researchers must receive permission from the interviewee or their heir prior to accessing the interview. Please contact the OJA for more information.; Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Material Format: sound recording

Name Access: Beube, LIllian; Silbert, Morris

Geographic Access: Hamilton (Ont.); Toronto (Ont.)

Original Format: Audio cassette

Copy Format: Audio cassette

Source: Oral Histories

UJA Federation of Greater Toronto [graphic material, textual record] – [ca. 1982]-[ca. 1983].

Accession Number: 2014-1-10

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2014-1-10

Material Format: graphic material; textual record

Physical Description: 1 folder of textual records; 1 presentation piece : 50 x 42 cm

Date: [ca. 1982]-[ca. 1983]

Scope and Content: Accession consists of one folder of textual records related to the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto and one presentation piece in the form of a framed photograph of Hilda Naiman complete with a commemorative plaque.

Custodial History: Records came via Shelly Rotman, Adminstrative Assistant with the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto.

Administrative History: Hilda Naiman was the former Executive Secretary of Toronto Jewish Congress when they were located on Beverley Street in Toronto.

Use Conditions: UJA Federation meeting minutes and general correspondence are closed for 10 years from date of creation. Contracts and donor agreements are permanently closed.

Subjects: Nonprofit organizations

Name Access: Haiman, Hilda; Toronto Jewish Congress; UJA Federation of Greater Toronto

Source: Archival Accessions

Paul Gilmore [textual record] – 1956-1962.

Accession Number: 2014-6-7

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2014-6-7

Material Format: textual record

Physical Description: 1 folder of textual records

Date: 1956-1962

Scope and Content: Accession consists CJC correspondence and conference notes, Ottawa JCC building campaign materials, a Beth David congregation of Brantford report and the Mizrachi Women's Work report.

Subjects: Nonprofit organizations

Name Access: Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region (Toronto, Ont.); Beth David Congregation (Brantford, Ont.); Ottawa Jewish Community Centre; Mizrachi Women (Toronto, Ont.)

Places: Brantford, Ont; Ottawa, Ont; Toronto, Ont.

Source: Archival Accessions

Cyrel Troster [textual record] – 1988-2014.

Accession Number: 2014-8-10

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2014-8-10

Material Format: textual record

Physical Description: 5 cm of textual records

Date: 1988-2014

Scope and Content: Accession consists of textual records documenting Cyrel Troster's Jewish communal involvement, particularly with cultural planning for UJA Federation. Included are event inviations, program books, brochures, a postcard, meeting minutes, reports, and flyers. Records relate to the following agencies and projects: UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, the Tomorrow Campaign, Anshei Minsk Synagogue, Holy Blossom Temple, Shareeh Haim Synagogue, the Jewish Museum in Toronto, reports on Jewish education in Toronto, the Toronto Jewish Film Festival, the Holocaust Centre of Toronto, and the Koffler Centre. Of note is a copy of a study commissioned by UJA Federation for Frank Gehry, who was originally approached to design the Koffler Gallery.

Subjects: Nonprofit organizations

Name Access: Troster, Cyrel; UJA Federation of Greater Toronto

Source: Archival Accessions

UJA Federation of Greater Toronto : Corporate Affairs [textual record] – 2006-2011.

Accession Number: 2015-2-1

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2015-2-1

Material Format: textual record

Physical Description: 45 cm of textual records

Date: 2006-2011

Scope and Content: Accession consists of Executive Committee and Board of Director packages distributed to members prior to meetings. Included in the packages are previous meeting minutes, agendas, and ancillary reports. The Executive Committee packages are from 2006-2008 and 2010-2011 and the Board of Director packages are from 2006-2008.

Use Conditions: UJA Federation meeting minutes and general correspondence are closed for 10 years from date of creation. Contracts and donor agreements are permanently closed.

Subjects: Nonprofit organizations

Name Access: UJA Federation of Greater Toronto

Places: Toronto, Ont.

Source: Archival Accessions

The Jewish Community Council of Windsor [textual record] – 1960-1965.

Accession Number: 2015-9-7

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2015-9-7

Material Format: textual record

Physical Description: 1 folder of textual records

Date: 1960-1965

Scope and Content: Accession consists of the constitution of the Jewish Community Council of Windsor; a document outlining the description and function of the council; documents of the names of the officers, directors, and governors for 1962–1963; a document of the Windsor Jewish Community Centre activities; and a document on the personnel practices of the council.

Custodial History: There is no information on the acquisition of the textual records

Administrative History: The Jewish Community Council of Windsor was an outgrowth of the Zionist Organization of Canada (ZOC).

Subjects: Nonprofit organizations

Name Access: Jewish Community Council of Windsor; Zionist Organization of Canada

Places: Windsor (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Reena [textual record, graphic material] – 1973-2017.

Accession Number: 2017-7-1

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2017-7-1

Material Format: textual record; graphic material

Physical Description: ca. 10 m of textual records and graphic material

Date: 1973-2017

Scope and Content: Accession consists of records related to the operation of Reena including executive materials, committee records, general correspondence, policy documents, promotional materials and photographs.

Administrative History: Reena was established in 1973 by a small group of parents of children with developmental disabilities as a practical alternative to institutions. In 1977 Reena began to receive funding from the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services. Reena is also funded by the community through the Reena Foundation and by the United Jewish Federation of Greater Toronto. Reena today provides programs and support to close to 1,000 persons in a variety of residential locations. The Toby and Henry Battle Developmental Centre was opened in 1999 for day and evening programs for children and adults with a developmental disability. Located in Vaughan, this unique building features a wellness and health centre, sports centre, creative arts workshop, computer lab, greenhouse and library, all with activities tailored to the individual skills and interests of its members. The Battle Centre is also the site of Reena’s administrative offices. Recognising the increasing needs of individuals with developmental disabilities as they age, Reena opened its first home dedicated to seniors in 2000, followed by another such home in 2007. An innovative new housing alternative, the Reena Community Residence, was officially opened in September 2012 in the heart of the Lebovic Jewish Community Campus in Vaughan. It provides apartments for 84 adults with developmental, cognitive, physical or mental health needs. Designed as an Intentional Community for individuals with special needs, the residents will be truly integrated into the community as they access all the facilities and programs the campus has to offer.; (from http://www/about/history-Reena/ accessed 27 July 2017)

Use Conditions: Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director prior to accessing some of the records.; Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.

Subjects: Nonprofit organizations

Name Access: Reena (Toronto, Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Cyrel Troster [textual record, sound recording] – 1973-2005.

Accession Number: 2018-6-7

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2018-6-7

Material Format: textual record; sound recording

Physical Description: 30 cm of textual records; 6 cassette tapes

Date: 1973-2005

Scope and Content: Accession consists of material documenting Cyrel Troster's involvement with various Jewish committees and organizations. Included are: transcripts of oral histories with prominent Jewish Torontonians that were conducted as part of an oral history project in 1973; correspondence between Cyrel Troster and interviewees; index cards listing the dates of the oral history interviews; promotional materials for Jewish arts festivals; public proposal document for the new Shaarei Shomayim Synagogue; and documents and records from Cyrel's involvement in various Jewish organizations. Also included are Local Initiatives Program application forms (1973), lists of presidents of various Jewish organizations, a map of the Jewish York Region (1999), issues of Exodus Magazine in both English and Russian from May 2018, and two issues of the Wilson Heights High School yearbook The Torch (1962-63).; The six tape cassettes are as follows: Cantor Paul Kowarsky Live in Concert (no date); Highlights from the 1994 Toronto Jewish Storytelling Festival; interview with Esther Volpe (two cassette tapes); interview with Samuel Harris; and one cassette marked "Dov Noy copy of Library tape" (Dov Noy was a Jewish folklorist).; The accession contains transcripts for the following interviewees: Mrs. Arbus, David Biderman, Benjamin Brown, Benjamin Sherman, Arthur Cohen, Mrs. Draimin, Max Federman, Morris Flicht, Joshua Gershman, Samuel Harris, Ben Heisel, Rose Heisel, Mr. Lean, Mary Levy, Harry Pullan, J. B. Salsberg, Yekil Silverman, A. S. Socol, Nathan Strauss, Esther Volpe, and Annie Zeidman.; The accession contains records related to Cyrel's involvement in the following committees and organizations: Committee for Yiddish (1997-2004); Cultural Services and Planning Committee (1990-2005), Jewish Public Library (2005); Canadian Jewish Congress, Orthodox Division (1982-1984); Holocaust Centre (1979-2004); Limmud (2000); Ontario Jewish Archives (1973-2004); Jewish Theatre (1996-2002); Jewish Arts Council (2000-2004); Jewish Toronto Tomorrow (1994-2004); Ashkenaz (1997-2004); UJA Federation (1978, 1984, 1990-2004).

Use Conditions: Credit to be given to Susan Cohen and Cyrel Troster—coordinators of the Local Initiatives Project project in 1973—and to interviewer(s) and transcribers when using tapes or transcribed interviews.; Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director prior to accessing some of the records.

Descriptive Notes: RELATED MATERIAL NOTE: See accession 2017-4-6 for related sound recordings. Some may be duplicates.

Subjects: Nonprofit organizations

Name Access: Committee for Yiddish (Toronto, Ont.); Limmud Toronto; Ontario Jewish Archives; Troster, Cyrel; UJA Federation of Greater Toronto

Places: Toronto (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Farband of Lithuanian Jews [textual record] – 1962-1983.

Accession Number: 2023-8-6

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2023-8-6

Material Format: textual record

Physical Description: 1 ledger

Date: 1962-1983

Scope and Content: Accession consists of material documenting the Farband of Lithuanian Jews. Included is one ledger that runs from 1962 to 1983.

Custodial History: Prior to donation, the item was in the possession of Harry Klaczkowski, whose mother was actively involved in the Farband of Lithuanian Jews as a member of the executive.

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: Language: Yiddish.

Subjects: Fraternal organizations

Name Access: Farband of Lithuanian Jews

Places: Toronto (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Some facts and fables about the Jews [textual record] – 1938.

Part Of: Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds; Pamphlets series

Level: File

ID: Fonds 17; Series 51; File 142

Source: Archival Descriptions

Part Of: Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds; Pamphlets series

Level: File

Fonds: 17

Series: 51

File: 142

Material Format: textual record

Date: 1938

Physical Description: 1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content: File consists of a pamphlet issued by the Committee on Jewish-Gentile Relationships (Toronto) listing facts and misperceptions about Jews.

Name Access: Committee on Jewish-Gentile Relationships

Subjects: Jews

Places: Toronto (Ont.)

Source: Archival Descriptions

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Ethiopian Jewry [textual record] – 1980-1989, 1999.

Part Of: Solomon Edell fonds; Aliyah series

Level: File

ID: Fonds 4; Series 8; File 17

Source: Archival Descriptions

Part Of: Solomon Edell fonds; Aliyah series

Level: File

Fonds: 4

Series: 8

File: 17

Material Format: textual record

Date: 1980-1989, 1999

Physical Description: 1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content: File consists of correspondence, a newspaper clipping, and a photocopy of a brochure documenting the Toronto Chapter of Canadian Friends of Ethiopian Jews and the AMICHAI Canada educational fund for Ethiopian Jewry.

Source: Archival Descriptions

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Jews in Moslem Lands [textual record] – 15 Apr. 1946.

Part Of: Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds; Pamphlets series

Level: File

ID: Fonds 17; Series 51; File 329

Source: Archival Descriptions

Part Of: Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds; Pamphlets series

Level: File

Fonds: 17

Series: 51

File: 329

Material Format: textual record

Responsibility: Jacob Lestchinsky

Date: 15 Apr. 1946

Physical Description: 1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content: File consists of a pamphlet by Jacob Lestchinsky titled Jews in Moslem Lands. The pamphlet was issued by the American Jewish Congress as part of its Jewish Affairs series.

Notes: General note: The spelling of "Moslem" (as opposed to "Muslim") is contested. In a post published on the History News Network in 2002, Yii-Ann Christine Chen notes, "The seemingly arbitrary choice of spellings is a sensitive subject for many followers of Islam. Whereas for most English speakers, the two words are synonymous in meaning, the Arabic roots of the two words are very different. A Muslim in Arabic means 'one who gives himself to God,' and is by definition, someone who adheres to Islam. By contrast, a Moslem in Arabic means 'one who is evil and unjust' when the word is pronounced, as it is in English, Mozlem with a z." The OJA has retained the spelling as it appears on the pamphlet without, however, endorsing it.

Name Access: American Jewish Congress; Lestchinsky, Jacob

Subjects: Jews--Islamic countries

Source: Archival Descriptions

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Canadian Jewish Congress

Address: 150 Beverley Street

Source: Landmarks

By 1919 the plight of post-war Eastern European Jewry and the need for a united community voice for Canadian Jewry led to the creation of the Canadian Jewish Congress. Its founding meeting was held on March 16, 1919 in Montreal. Though it briefly maintained a tiny regional office in Toronto, the CJC remained inactive until 1933, when it fully reconvened by opening offices in Winnipeg, Montreal, and Toronto. Egmont L. Frankel was the first President of the new Central Division in Toronto. While the National Office in Montreal focused on the overarching issues of the social and economic rights of European Jewry, assistance for Jewish immigrants, and combating prejudice in Canada, the Toronto office dealt with local violent anti-Jewish demonstrations as well as continuing discrimination both in employment and in access to public recreational facilities. The structure was based on regular national biennial plenary conferences at which policies were delineated and national and regional executives were elected. Between plenary sessions, National and Regional Councils were in charge.

Address: 150 Beverley Street

Time Period: 1919-2012

Scope Note: By 1919 the plight of post-war Eastern European Jewry and the need for a united community voice for Canadian Jewry led to the creation of the Canadian Jewish Congress. Its founding meeting was held on March 16, 1919 in Montreal. Though it briefly maintained a tiny regional office in Toronto, the CJC remained inactive until 1933, when it fully reconvened by opening offices in Winnipeg, Montreal, and Toronto. Egmont L. Frankel was the first President of the new Central Division in Toronto. While the National Office in Montreal focused on the overarching issues of the social and economic rights of European Jewry, assistance for Jewish immigrants, and combating prejudice in Canada, the Toronto office dealt with local violent anti-Jewish demonstrations as well as continuing discrimination both in employment and in access to public recreational facilities. The structure was based on regular national biennial plenary conferences at which policies were delineated and national and regional executives were elected. Between plenary sessions, National and Regional Councils were in charge.

History: During the 1930s the Central Division Office moved several times and occupied offices in the following locations; Yonge St., the Bond St. Synagogue, Scheuer House, the Zionist Building, and its long-term home at 150-152 Beverley Street where it remained until its July, 1983 move to the Lipa Green Building in North York. Its activities expanded to include taking responsibility for Jewish educational standards but, by 1941, its main efforts shifted to support for Canada’s war effort. Immediately after the end of the war, the focus again shifted to Jewish immigration projects and the maintenance of Jewish identity in small communities.By 1950, the CJC’s use of the title “division” was changed to “region” to accommodate internal operational “divisions” within each region. Also, by then, the Central Region was busy expanding its programs for all Ontario Jewish communities, creating a province-wide council of youth groups, and working with the newly-created Bureau of Jewish Education (later Board of Jewish Education).

Category: Organization

Source: Landmarks

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Jews For Jesus [textual record] – 1991.

Part Of: Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds; Community Relations Committee series; Anti-Semitism cases sub-series

Level: File

ID: Fonds 17; Series 5-3; File 117

Source: Archival Descriptions

Part Of: Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds; Community Relations Committee series; Anti-Semitism cases sub-series

Level: File

Fonds: 17

Series: 5-3

File: 117

Material Format: textual record

Date: 1991

Physical Description: 1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content: File consists of correspondence regarding Jews for Jesus, including concern over their activities outside the Skydome in Toronto.

Notes: Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.

Name Access: Jews for Jesus

Subjects: Jewish Christians; Messianic Judaism; Mission to Jews

Places: Toronto (Ont.)

Source: Archival Descriptions

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Canadian Jews in Government [textual record] – 1970.

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 99

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: 99

Material Format: textual record

Date: 1970

Physical Description: 1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content: File consists of a newspaper article.

Notes: Previously processed and cited as part of MG8 S.

Source: Archival Descriptions

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Warshawer Lodzer Mutual Association [textual record] – 1928-1931.

Accession Number: 1982-12-3

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 1982-12-3

Material Format: textual record

Physical Description: 1 folder of textual records

Date: 1928-1931

Scope and Content: Accession consists of a Warsawer- Lodzer Mutual Benefit Association dues book and constitution printed in Yiddish.

MG_RG: MG 2 B 1UU

Subjects: Fraternal organizations

Places: Toronto (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

North American Jewish Students Network [textual record]

Accession Number: 1996-6-4

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 1996-6-4

Material Format: textual record

Physical Description: 1.5 m of textual records

Scope and Content: Accession consists of records of the North American Jewish Students Network.

Use Conditions: Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.

Subjects: Children; Nonprofit organizations

Name Access: North American Jewish Students Network (Canada)

Source: Archival Accessions

Ontario Jewish Archives [graphic material] – 2002.

Accession Number: 2009-3-4

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2009-3-4

Material Format: graphic material

Physical Description: 12 photographs : col. ; 12 x 10 cm

Date: 2002

Scope and Content: Accession consists of images of the Ontario Jewish Archives vault, processing room, research room, and reception area taken by Ellen Scheinberg upon being hired as the OJA's new director in 2002. The photographs illustrate the state of the archives upon her arrival.

Custodial History: The photographs were taken by Ellen Scheinberg, director of the Ontario Jewish Archives. They were kept in her office until she transferred them to the OJA on 4 March 2009.

Subjects: Archives; Nonprofit organizations

Name Access: Ontario Jewish Archives

Source: Archival Accessions

North American Jewish Students Network [textual record] – [197-]-[199-].

Accession Number: 2012-7-6

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2012-7-6

Material Format: textual record

Physical Description: 12 m of textual records

Date: [197-]-[199-]

Scope and Content: Accession consists of records related to the North American Jewish Students Network and in particular, its Canadian division.; Programming and correspondence, 1983-1987. The bulk of the programming material is related to the trial of A. Shcharansky. Also included are resources materials and posters. (Shelf 65-1)

Custodial History: There is no acquisition information for this material. The accession number has been assigned by the archivist.

Use Conditions: Records in off-site storage; advance notice required to view.

Subjects: Children; Nonprofit organizations

Name Access: North American Jewish Students Network (Canada)

Source: Archival Accessions

Hillel of Greater Toronto [textual record, moving images, sound recording] – [ca. 1970]-[ca. 2010].

Accession Number: 2014-1-15

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2014-1-15

Material Format: textual record; moving images; sound recording

Physical Description: ca. 3 m of textual records; ca. 20 video cassettes; ca. 5 audio cassettes

Date: [ca. 1970]-[ca. 2010]

Scope and Content: Accession consists of textual records, and audio-visual material documenting the operations of Hillel and its predecessor organization, the Jewish Students Federation.

Subjects: Education; Nonprofit organizations

Name Access: Hillel of Greater Toronto

Places: Toronto, Ont.

Source: Archival Accessions

Hillel of Greater Toronto [textual record] – 1995-2007.

Accession Number: 2014-8-7

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2014-8-7

Material Format: textual record

Physical Description: ca. 30 cm textual records

Date: 1995-2007

Scope and Content: Accession consists of documents related to Hillel of Greater Toronto. Types of materials include meeting minutes, flyers, correspondence employee manuals and financial statements.

Subjects: Education; Nonprofit organizations

Name Access: Hillel of Greater Toronto

Places: Toronto, Ont.

Source: Archival Accessions

National Council of Jewish Women, Council 63 Branch [multiple media] – 1963-2013.

Accession Number: 2014-10-1

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2014-10-1

Material Format: multiple media

Physical Description: 10 cm textual records; ca. 70 photographs: b&w and col. ; 10 cm x 15 cm or smaller; 1 scrapbook

Date: 1963-2013

Scope and Content: Accession consists of records documenting the activities of "Council '63", a branch of the Toronto Section of the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada (NCJWC). Types of records include a photograph album, a scrapbook, correspondence, souvenirs, meeting minutes, membership lists, program materials and budgets.

Administrative History: The "Council '63" Branch of the Toronto Section of the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada (NCJWC) was formed in 1963. Currently consisting of 20 members, the group was initially spearheaded by Barbara Norwich (d. 2011), and they met regularly in homes in the Cedarvale area. The group primarily did volunteer work, although it later evolved into a study group and book club.

Subjects: Women; Nonprofit organizations

Name Access: National Council of Jewish Women (Toronto, Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Jewish Vocational Service [textual record] – 1949-1955.

Accession Number: 2015-9-3

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2015-9-3

Material Format: textual record

Physical Description: 1 folder of textual records

Date: 1949-1955

Scope and Content: Accession consists of documents such as letters and minutes of meetings of the Jewish Social Service Agencies of the United Jewish Welfare Fund, of which JVS was a member agency.

Custodial History: There is no information on the acquisition of this material. We believe that it likely originated from Milton Friedman, Executive Director of JVS.

Subjects: Charities; Nonprofit organizations

Name Access: Jewish Vocational Service (Toronto, Ont.); Friedman, Milton

Source: Archival Accessions

Ronnee Alter [textual record, graphic material] – 1951-1996.

Accession Number: 2017-6-9

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2017-6-9

Material Format: textual record; graphic material

Physical Description: 71 cm of textual records; 36 photographs : b&w and col. (9 negatives) ; 13 x 18 cm and smaller

Date: 1951-1996

Scope and Content: Accession consists of material documenting the National Council of Jewish Women, London Section. Included are: board and committee meeting minutes and correspondence, general correspondence, program material, publicity records, event invitations, committee and membership lists, membership recruitment materials, directories, by-laws, publications, anniversary records, newsletters, newsclippings, financial and budgetary records, and leadership training material. Program themes include women's health, women's equality, childcare, children's health, babysitting, and home care. Publications include issues of the national journal Council Woman, the newsletter National Newsletter, the London Update, the NCJW Bulletin, and the NCJW London Section Bulletin from 1951-1978.

Administrative History: The London Section of the National Council for Jewish Women of Canada was founded in the late 1940s. The section was presented its charter in 1950. Dev Fox was the section's first president. The section was involved in fundraising for various causes through events such as raffles, bingo nights, fashion shows and dinner-dances. They also organized discussion groups, programs and campaigns around topics of social interest such as mental and physical health, education, poverty, women's equality, women's health, child abuse and others. The London Section is no longer active.

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.

Subjects: Women in nonprofit organizations

Name Access: Alter, Ronnee (creator); National Council of Jewish Women, London Section (subject)

Places: London, Ont.

Source: Archival Accessions

Arbeiter Ring 10th Year Jubilee [graphic material] – 1939.

Accession Number: 2017-8-9

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2017-8-9

Material Format: graphic material

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 36 x 31 cm

Date: 1939

Scope and Content: Accession consists of an original photograph of the Arbeiter Ring (Workmen's Circle), Branch 670, 10th year jubilee celebration. The photo is dated March 1939 and was taken by Daylight Studio Toronto, Photograph by Simon.

Use Conditions: 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.

Subjects: Anniversaries; Nonprofit organizations

Name Access: Workmen's Circle (Toronto, Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Esther Matlow [textual record, graphic material] – 1959-2001.

Accession Number: 2017-6-8

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2017-6-8

Material Format: textual record; graphic material

Physical Description: 1.4 m of textual records and graphic material

Date: 1959-2001

Scope and Content: Accession consists of records related to Esther Matlow's involvement as both a member and as a former president of Hadassah-WIZO of Canada. By extension, the records also reflect the activities of World WIZO and Hadassah International. Included are meeting minutes and associated board reports; speeches and greetings; general correspondence; Hadassah publicity and informational materials including Orah Magazine; bulletins and president's newsletters; seminar materials; conference materials; and honours and certificates. There is also material related to Matlow's personal affairs, including letters written to news media outlets with her husband Irving, personal correspondence, and several cookbooks including one compiled of Esther's recipes created in 2001 in her honour. Also included is a personal memoir written by Irving Matlow for his children.

Administrative History: Esther (née Climans) Matlow (1930-2012) served as national president of the Hadassah-WIZO Organization of Canada from Nov. 1990 to Nov. 1993, presiding over the organizations 75th anniversary celebrations. Her term of office spanned an historic period from the events leading up to and including the Persian Gulf War to the signing of the Middle East peace accords. A forty-year member of the organization, she served it in a variety of executive capacities before her election as president. She was married to Irving Matlow for 60 years and had four children, Anne, Ruth, Elaine, and David. Esther passed away on 1 Dec. 2012.

Use Conditions: Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director prior to accessing some of the records.

Descriptive Notes: ASSOCIATED MATERIAL NOTE: Library and Archives Canada hold the Esther Matlow fonds, MG31 H187.

Subjects: Women; Nonprofit organizations

Name Access: Matlow, Esther, 1930-2012; Hadassah-WIZO Organization of Canada

Source: Archival Accessions

Shoel Silver [textual record] – 1987-2011.

Accession Number: 2018-7-20

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2018-7-20

Material Format: textual record

Physical Description: 120 cm of textual records (4 boxes)

Date: 1987-2011

Scope and Content: Accession consists of material involving Shoel Silver's involvement with various Jewish organizations including B'nai Brith Canada (BBC), the Canada-Israel Committee (CIC), the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), UJA Federation of Greater Toronto (UJA), and the United Israel Appeal (UIA). Included are meeting minutes, reports, memoranda, correspondence, budgets, discussion documents, resource material, newspaper clippings, photocopies of newspaper articles, briefing papers, resolutions.

Custodial History: Records remained in the custody of Shoel Silver until 27 July 2018 when the OJA acquired the records from the former.

Administrative History: Shoel Silver is a Toronto businessman. He formerly co-chaired the Unity of the Jewish People Committee with Natan Sharansky. Prior to that, he was the scholar in residence for the first Federation Shabbaton.

Use Conditions: Accession is closed for 25 years from date of donation.

Subjects: Israel; Nonprofit organizations

Name Access: B'nai Brith Canada; Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs; Jewish Agency for Israel; Silver, Shoel; UJA Federation of Greater Toronto; United Israel Appeal

Places: Canada; Israel

Source: Archival Accessions