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Liza and Sam Schein [graphic material (electronic)] – 1948-2010.

Accession Number: 2019-12-8

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2019-12-8

Material Format: graphic material (electronic)

Physical Description: 10 photographs : b&w & col. (jpeg)

Date: 1948-2010

Scope and Content: Accession consists of photographs of the Schein family. Included are Liza and Sam's wedding celebration in Salzburg, Austria (1948), Liza on board the RMS Samaria (1948), family portraits and snapshots of Liza, Sam and their daughter Gilda (1953-1954), their businesses Apex Uniforms (1960) and Apex Textiles (1980), and the front and back of Sam Schein's grave stone.

Administrative History: (Szymon (Sam) Schein (1923-2010) was born in Krakow, Poland, and was the eldest of three sons of Yitzchak and Leia Schein. Szymon's younger brothers were Alek, and Gershon. As a child, Szymon attended yeshiva and enjoyed singing. The Scheins were shopkeepers, and lived a modest lifestyle. Sam's immediate family were all murdered in the Holocaust. Szymon was the only member of his immediate family to survive. At the outset of the war he was sixteen years old. Sam survived four concentration camps – Plaszow, Mauthausen, Melk, and Ebensee. While living in a Displaced Persons camp in Bad Gastein, Austria, he met his wife, Liza Esanu. They were engaged in July 1948, and married a month later. Liza Esanu (1928-2017) was born in Romania in 1928, in the small town Tirgu Neamts, the third of four surviving children of Leib and Chaia Sura Esanu. Liza's father Leib died when Liza was only four years old, from a gall bladder attack. Chaia raised her four children on her own. In 1939, the family was forced to leave their home in the countryside, and over the next few years, were in hiding within Romania. Liza was eleven years old when the Second World War began in 1939. She was given a Singer sewing machine and learned how to sew. Her education as a seamstress progressed in the old European apprentice system, and before long, as a very young teenager, she was supporting her family with the money that she made with her sewing. After the war, she and her sister left Romania and ended up in a DP camp in Austria - Bad Gastein - where she met and married Szymon Schein. Liza and Sam sailed to Canada in September 1948 on the SS Samaria, and settled in Toronto. Although, Sam was accepted as a participant in the Tailor Project, it was Liza who was the sewer in the family. Eventually, they owned several businesses, including "Honest Sam's Cleaners" and a children's wear store. Their final two businesses were strongly related to the sewing –Apex Uniforms, where they manufactured and sold uniforms for gas station attendants and Apex Textiles, where they sold fabrics for clothing and drapery. Liza's sewing expertise was crucial to the success of those two businesses, while Sam handled the finances. Sam and Liza had one child, Gilda, born in Toronto in 1952. Their marriage broke up in 1986, and they each spent the rest of their lives separately. Sam died on New Year's Day, 2010, and Liza on October 15, 2017.

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

Source: Archival Accessions

Temple Anshe Sholom [textual record, graphic material] – [195-]-2020.

Accession Number: 2021-4-2

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2021-4-2

Material Format: textual record; graphic material

Physical Description: 3.6 m of textual records and graphic material

Date: [195-]-2020

Scope and Content: Accession consists of records documenting Temple Anshe Sholom of Hamilton, Ontario.

Administrative History: In the early 1850s, a small group of German Jewish families settled in the city of Hamilton. In 1853, they banded together to form the Hebrew Benevolent Society Anshe-Sholom of Hamilton. Religious services began in 1856 and in the next year, a half-acre plot was purchased as a cemetery site. On May 5, 1863, a “Body Corporate and Politic under the name of the Jewish Congregation Anshe-Sholom of Hamilton” was formed listing 19 founding members. Early meetings were held in members’ homes, with religious services, at first, largely restricted to the High Holy days. In 1866, a room was rented above a leather goods shop in downtown Hamilton; this was the first formal synagogue location for Temple Anshe Sholom.; Less than 20 years later, a site was chosen and the necessary funds were raised to construct a synagogue. Often referred to as the Hughson Street Temple, this building was dedicated in 1882. It served as the congregation’s home for almost 70 years. Edmund Scheuer, who arrived in Hamilton in 1871, served as president of Anshe Sholom for thirteen years from 1873 to 1886. Scheuer was the founder and first teacher of the religious school. He was an early proponent of interfaith understanding, a value and tradition that Anshe Sholom carries forward to the present day. The congregation pioneered in introducing English into the service, both in prayer and in the sermons, which had previously been given in German. Women no longer sat in a separate gallery; families sat together in pews. Music was introduced, both instrumental and vocal.; In 1870, the Deborah Ladies’ Aid Society (later Deborah Sisterhood) was founded, being the first group of Jewish women organized for charitable purposes in all of Canada. Sisterhood has always been a vital part of Temple Anshe Sholom, involved in numerous humanitarian, educational, charitable and social projects.; The great wave of immigration that swept into Canada in the late 19th and early 20th centuries brought many families, mainly Orthodox, to the community. During this period, men and women from Anshe Sholom were instrumental in founding such vital Jewish organizations as the B’nai Brith, Council of Jewish Organizations, Jewish Social Services and the Council of Jewish Women.; After the Second World War, Temple Anshe Sholom became the first synagogue in Hamilton to make the post-war move westward. On April 15, 1951, the sod was turned for the new building and in June of 1952, a dedication weekend saw the scrolls ceremoniously installed in the Ark. Rabbi Maurice N. Eisendrath was on hand to preach the Dedication Sermon. Thirteen years later, the addition that houses the present Reiss-Frank Auditorium, Religious School classrooms, library, youth lounge and offices was erected, more than doubling the size of the building on its present site.; Throughout the years, the following served as spiritual leaders: Wolf Landau, Herman Birkenthal, Joseph Friedlander, Jacob Minkin, Julius Berger, Iser Freund, Arthur A. Feldman, Arthur Lebowitz, Emil Fackenheim, Luitpold Wallach, Bernard Baskin, Irwin Zeplowitz, Phil Cohen and our current rabbi, Jordan D. Cohen (Anshe Sholom’s first Canadian born Rabbi), who began his service to this congregation on January 1, 2007.; At this time, Temple Anshe Sholom is traditional yet innovative in its worship and ritual observance. The congregation is inclusive and embraces diversity. Its core values include education, social justice, egalitarianism, creative expression, congregational participation in prayer and leadership, strong identification with Israel and dynamic, relevant spirituality. The Temple building also serves as home to the Temple Playhouse Multicultural Enrichment School and the Kehila Jewish Community Day School and Les Petites Pommes French School, and hosts many community organizations such as a Storytellers Group, The Shalom Community Teaching Garden, The Asper Foundation Human Rights and Holocaust Studies Program, The Mahjong Club, The Hamilton & Area Jewish Genealogical Society, various community meetings and gatherings and several youth arts and activities programs and summer camps.; Temple Anshe Sholom celebrated its 170th anniversary in 2020 as Canada’s first Reform Jewish congregation.; (text taken from https://anshesholom.ca/about-us/our-history, 2023-02-24)

Subjects: Synagogues

Name Access: Temple Anshe Sholom (Hamilton, Ont.)

Places: Hamilton (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Al Gilbert, C.M. [graphic material, textual record, object, philatelic record] – [1945?]-2006.

Accession Number: 2021-4-3

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2021-4-3

Material Format: graphic material; textual record; object; philatelic record

Physical Description: 3153 photographs : b&w and col. (3133 negatives) ; 41 x 51 cm or smaller; 13 sheets of postage stamps; 1 folder of textual records; 2 presentation pieces : 23 x 34 x 2 cm

Date: [1945?]-2006

Scope and Content: Accession consists of Negev Dinner negatives for the years of 1969, 1975-1977, and 1979-2006. Also included are several presentation pieces comprised of portraits that Gilbert took for presidents and prime ministers of Israel and Israeli Prime Ministerial postage stamps produced from those portraits. Some of the presentation pieces are accompanied by thank-you letters address to Gilbert and signatures of Gilbert and presidents and prime ministers of Israel being featured. Accession also includes six portraits featuring Robert Sterling, Elliotte Friedman’s grandmother, [Sydney Sugarman?], and one unidentified person; two unidentified group photographs; one unidentified wedding photograph; and one photograph depicting Al Gilbert at an event. Also included is an oversized group photograph of Greenfild’s Jewish Radio Hour of CKOC featuring Max Mandel and his colleagues.; Negev Dinner honourees include Mark Levy and Harry Gorman (1969); Rabbi Gunther Plaut (1975); James Kay (1976); Premier Bill Davis (1977); Murray Koffler (1979); Rose Wolfe (1980); Theodore Richmond (1981); Arnold Epstein and Madeline Epstein (1982); Kurt Rothschild and Edith Rothschild (1983); Abe Posluns (1984); Donald Carr and Judy Feld Carr (1985); Dr. Gerald Halbert (1986); Edwin Goodman (1987); Douglas Bassett (1988); Max Sharp and Isadore Sharp (1989); Bernard Weinstein (1990); Harry Gorman (1991); Albert Mandel, Nathan Hurwich, and Lewis Moses (1992); George Cohen (1993); Joey Tanenbaum (1994); Leslie Dan (1995); Henry Newton Rowell “Hal” Jackman (1996); Edward Bronfman (1997); Allan Silber (1998); Dr. Anne Golden (1999); Avie Bennett (2000); Alex Grossman (2001); Toby Feldberg and Saul Feldberg (2002); Eli Rubinstein and Renée Rubinstein (2003); Ronald Appleby (2004); Joseph Lebovic and Wolf Lebovic (2005); Ed and Fran Sonshine (2006).; Presidents and prime ministers of Israel being featured include Levi Eshkol, Yitzhak Rabin, Menachem Begin, Shimon Peres, and Chaim Herzog.

Custodial History: Accession donated by Nina Gilbert, Al Gilbert's daughter, on behalf of the Estate of Al Gilbert.

Administrative History: Nachman (Nathan) Gittelmacher was born in Kiev, Ukraine in 1898 to Shloima and Mattie Gittelmacher. Suffering terribly during the pogroms of 1918 and 1920, he fled from place to place and then emigrated to Canada in 1921. Trained as a photographer in Europe, he opened his own photography studio in Toronto in 1922, called Elite Studios. First located at 513 Queen Street West, he soon moved to 615 Queen Street West. Nathan serviced a largely Jewish clientele, photographing weddings, bar mitzvahs, and Jewish community events. Nathan was married to Nina Sokoloff and had three sons and a daughter: Louis (Lou), Albert (Al), Jack, and Ruth. During the early 1940s, the family legally changed their name from Gittelmacher to Gilbert and subsequently altered the name of the business to Gilbert Studios. When Nathan moved to the United States, Al, who had been working there since a young age, took over the business. It thrived under his management. To accommodate his growing clientele, he moved the studio to Eglinton Avenue and later to 170 Davenport Road, where it is situated today. Al made a name for himself as a portrait photographer, using natural light in innovative ways to create more natural looking portraits. Al’s primary work involved producing portraits of families, weddings, bar mitzvahs, special events, and dinners. Most of his early clients were from the Jewish community. He was also paid to produce portraits for local entrepreneurs. Moreover, his multi-year contract with the city gave him sole responsibility of producing portraits for the mayors and council members. He later branched out beyond the Jewish community and began to produce images for businessmen and leaders from the Italian community in Toronto. In addition to the paid contracts involving local personalities and groups, Al Gilbert has also produced many artistic portraits of local, national, and international celebrities, artists, and leaders, such as Wayne and Shuster, Howie Mandel, Oscar Peterson, Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, Robertson Davies, several Canadian prime ministers, Prince Charles, and the last Pope. He also produced portraits for all of the Israeli prime ministers, which were made into postage stamps by the Israeli government. Gilbert’s work, therefore, captures a huge range of individuals from the ordinary brides to extraordinary world leaders. Throughout his career, Al has won many professional awards and accolades from his peers. He is the three-time recipient of the prestigious Photographer of the Year award of the Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC). He has been named Fellow of the photographic societies in Canada, Britain, and the United States. In 1990, he was awarded the Order of Canada. In January 2007, the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) presented him with their Lifetime Achievement Award. This award is the highest honour that PPA can bestow on a person for their body of work and influence on professional photography.

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

Subjects: Photographers

Name Access: Gilbert, Al, 1922-2019

Places: Toronto (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Cyrel Troster [textual record, graphic material, sound recording] – [1960?]-2021.

Accession Number: 2021-7-1

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2021-7-1

Material Format: textual record; graphic material; sound recording

Physical Description: ca. 8 cm textual records; 6 posters : col. ; 66 x 51 cm or smaller; 2 photographs : b&w and col. ; 12 x 17 cm and 10 x 15 cm; 3 audio discs : vinyl

Date: [1960?]-2021

Scope and Content: Accession consists of records created and collected by Cyrel Troster, which document Cyrel and her parents Jack Troster and Lillian Troster's involvement in the Jewish community. Records include three vinyl records documenting the music of William Lion Mackenzie High School orchestra and Camp Manitou-Wabing (1961-1965); six oversized posters (1960-2008); programmes, flyers, brochures, cards, and other small, printed items relating to Jewish cultural events that Cyrel attended ([197-]-2019); booklets and magazines (1977-2016); newspaper clippings documenting cultural events and activities of the Ontario Jewish community (1973-2021); and two photographs depicting a B’nai B’rith event and the 2nd women’s conference panel in Toronto. Also included are other assorted documents such as Cyrel Troster’s essay on the Workmen’s Circle (1974); certificates; listing of Board of Jewish Education (BJE) members (2000-2001 and 2004); a proposal for Yiddish Education and Cultural Centre [1998?]; an application for a film grant (1992); correspondence (1978 and 2012); and documents pertaining to Jewish Arts Directory (1992-1994), Second Encounter (bibliography for annual programs, registration cards, meeting minutes; 1977-1979), Cultural Services Planning and Allocations Committee (CSPAC) (member list, proposal, meeting minutes, strategic plan; 1994-2004), and Tzedakah Box Project (2005). Topics and events documented other than those mentioned above are Bathurst Manor, downtown synagogues, Kensington Market, the Sense of Spadina tour, Holy Blossom Synagogue, the Journey into Our Heritage exhibit, and the first Toronto Jewish Film Festival.

Administrative History: Cyrel Troster was an active member on the Cultural Services Planning and Allocation Committee and the Archives Committee and a former board member of the Ontario Jewish Archives Foundation. She is a recently retired schoolteacher and an active member of the Jewish community.

Descriptive Notes: Availability of other formats: digital preservation copies for some documents have been created and are available in PDF, JPG, and TIF formats.

Name Access: Troster, Cyrel

Places: Toronto (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Jewish National Fund of Toronto [textual record, graphic material, moving images] – 1975-2020, predominantly 2000s.

Accession Number: 2021-7-4

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2021-7-4

Material Format: textual record; graphic material; moving images

Physical Description: 2.1 m of textual records, graphic material, and moving images

Date: 1975-2020, predominantly 2000s

Scope and Content: Accession consists of photographs and audiovisual materials documenting the Jewish National Fund of Toronto's Negev dinners and other programming, as well as annual general meeting booklets.; Box 4: Audio Visual recordings on VHS, DVD, Beta (2000-2006, 2011); Box 4: Negev Dinner photographs honouring Alex Grossman (2001); Box 5: Negev Dinner photographs, honouring Toby & Saul Feldberg (2002), Elie & Renee Rubenstein (2003), Ron Appleby (2004), Joe & Wolf Lebovic (2005).; Box 6: Roots Magazine, incomplete run, issues from 2001-2019; Box 6: JNF Annual Meeting booklets, incomplete run, issues from 1975-1997.; Box 7: JNF Annual Meeting booklets, incomplete run, issues from 1998-2020.

Name Access: Jewish National Fund of Toronto

Source: Archival Accessions

Joseph and Joyce Herman [graphic material, textual record] – 1992, Nov. 1993.

Accession Number: 2021-9-1

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2021-9-1

Material Format: graphic material; textual record

Physical Description: 1 folder of graphic material and textual records

Date: 1992, Nov. 1993

Scope and Content: Accession consists of material documenting Joseph and Joyce Herman. Included are thirty-three photographs taken at a gathering held at the Beth Ezekiel Synagogue in Owen Sound, Ontario, on 10 November 1993, on the occasion of their move to British Columbia.; Identified in the photographs are: Carol Brooman, David Brooman, Molly Cadesky, Sarah Cadesky, Marilyn Fedorenko, Rynaldo Fedorenko, Bernie Fishman, Myrna Fishman, Hy Fromstein, Sylvia Fromstein, Avrum "Av" Gorbet, Norman "Norm" Gorbet, Ruth Gorbet, Tillie Gorbet, Avrum Green, Emmy Green, Joe Herman, Joyce Herman, Steven Hershoran, Gary Levine, Julia Levine, Bertha Rabovsky, Mike Rabovsky, Miriam Rabovsky, Karen Rich, Lorne Rich, Goldie Ronald (née Rabovsky), and Alisa Van Wyck.; Also included are two textual records: a copy of the speech given by Tillie Gorbet at the 1992 synagogue event held in honour of Joyce when she stepped down as synagogue president and Joyce’s acceptance speech from the same event.

Administrative History: Joe Herman (29 April 1925–21 April 2005) was born in Toronto. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force at age seventeen and trained as a navigator. He was a graduate of the the School of Optometry of Ontario. Joyce (11 July 1927–23 April 2020) was born Roslyn Joyce Cainer in Miami, Florida. Her family returned to Toronto in 1929. Joe and Joyce married in 1948 and moved first to Timmins, Ontario, and then to Owen Sound, where they lived for thirty-seven years. Joe maintained his optometric practice in Owen Sound from 1956 to 1993, with Joyce working alongside him in the office. Joyce was a weaver and an active member of the Pottawatomi Spinners and Weavers Guild and the Maker’s artist cooperative. Joe and Joyce had three children: Shawn Herman Hawkins, Nessa Herman, and David Herman.; Joyce was president of Owen Sound’s Beth Ezekiel Synagogue from about 1973 to 1992. She was possibly the first woman president of a synagogue in Canada. Her father (Israel) David Cainer was president of Toronto’s Shaarei Shomayim Synagogue from 1943 to 1945.

Use Conditions: Conditional Use. Researchers must receive permission from the donor prior to publication. Please contact the OJA for more information.

Descriptive Notes: Availability of other formats: Accession has been digitized: photographs are available as JPEG images; textual records are available as PDF files.; Terms governing use and reproduction: Not to be used for external advertising in any medium. Permission to publish required.; General: Av Gorbet's wife is Tillie Gorbet, and Norm Gorbet's wife is Ruth Gorbet. The four were owners of B. Gorbet and Sons Furriers and clothing store.

Subjects: Married people; Parties; Synagogues

Name Access: Beth Ezekiel Synagogue (Owen Sound, Ont.); Herman, Joseph, 1925-2005; Herman, Joyce, 1927-2020

Places: Owen Sound (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Kiever Synagogue [textual record, graphic material, object] – 1913-2013.

Accession Number: 2021-10-1

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2021-10-1

Material Format: textual record; graphic material; object

Physical Description: 30 cm of textual records; 5 photographs : b&w & col. ; 30 x 20 cm or smaller; 2 metal award certificates : 28 x 21 cm; 1 key : framed in a wooden box

Date: 1913-2013

Scope and Content: Accession consists of records related to the Kiever Synagogue or had been stored at the synagogue. Included are certificates (1930-[1961?]); a print of the 1913 Officers and Members of the Grand Order of Israel of Canada; a poster of Yitzhak Ben-Zvi (president of Israel) presented by National Committee for Labour Israel for Israel Histadrut campaign; National Synagogue Directory issued by Canadian Jewish Congress Charities Committee (2011-2012); The Jewish Magazine (2006); Baycrest Men's Service Group Honour Roll books (1993-1997, 1999); shabbat, wedding, and bar mitzvah/bat mitzvah benchers (1965-2013); newspaper clippings; blessing guides; and administrative material such as receipt books (1933-1934), Synagogue Laws and Customs (1976), and a memorandum of agreement (1920). Also included are photographs featuring David Pinkus, Nate Leipciger, students of Talmud Torah Eitz Chaim (1936), and the top view of bimah and chuppah of the Kiever Synagogue, which was taken at Samara Kaplan’s wedding (2004); and miscellaneous material such as raffle tickets (1928), invitation tickets from Chevra Kadisha (1928), and record books of Toronto Free Loan Association. This accession also includes the following artifacts: two metal certificates of Recognition of Service Award granted by State of Israel Bond and Canada-Israel Securities Limited (1964 and 1965) and a skeleton key framed in a wooden shadow box, which is possibly the original key to the building. People identified in the photograph of students of Talmud Torah Eitz Chaim (1936) are: Solly Speisman (second row, fourth from left), Myer Orzench (second row, far right), Hymie Reingewietz (second row, sixth from left), Mr. Hoffman (teacher, left-hand side), and Mr. Nobleman (teacher, right-hand side). Myer Orzench was the second vice-president of the Kiever Synagogue; Mr. Nobleman was father of Ben Nobleman, the municipal politician of York Region.

Custodial History: Records deposited by David Moyal of the Kiever Synagogue.

Administrative History: The Kiever synagogue, also known as the Kiever Shul, is a Modern Orthodox Jewish synagogue in Toronto. It was founded in 1912 by a small congregation of Jewish immigrants from the Kiev Gubernia of the Russian Empire (now Ukraine) and formally incorporated in 1914 by the granting of the Letters Patent by the Provincial Secretary. The congregation’s formal name is "The First Russian Congregation of Rodfei Sholem Anshei Kiev." According to the earliest congregational records, Max Bossin was president in 1912. At first, services were held in members’ homes and later in a rented house on Centre Avenue in the Ward. Not being able to afford a rabbi, services were led by members, including Cantor Herschel Litvak. In 1917, sufficient funds were raised to mortgage a house at 25 Bellevue Avenue on the outskirts of Kensington Market. The congregation relocated there and the facilities were enlarged in 1921 with the acquisition of a second house. In 1927, a new synagogue, which was built on the site of the two houses and designed by a Jewish architect named Benjamin Swartz in the Byzantine Revival style, was completed to accommodate increasing number of congregants. During the construction from 1924 to 1927, religious services were conducted at the home of Mr. Silverman at 29 Wales Avenue. Equipped with a rabbi and a proper synagogue, the Kiever was able to play a larger role in the Toronto Jewish community. The shul offered Yiddish and bar-mitzvah lessons, a youth minyan led by Fischel Cooper, a credit society, as well as a women’s auxiliary. Several decades later, the Kiever’s membership declined in the 1950s and 1960s due to demographic changes—Jews began leaving the downtown core for the north end of town. The synagogue building deteriorated. In 1973, the Archives Committee of the Canadian Jewish Congress Central Region decided to help preserve it, and by 1982, sufficient funds had been raised to restore the building. In 1979, the Kiever Synagogue became the first building of Jewish significance to be designated a historical site by the province of Ontario and has been protected under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act since then. Some of the founders included: B. B. Smith, Yehudah Leib "Louis" Bossin, Isaac Mosten, Jake Dubin, Harry Cohen, and Wolf Ganz. The congregation's first and longest-tenured rabbi was Solomon Langner, who served from around 1929 until his death in 1973. Sheldon Steinberg served as rabbi from the time of Langner's death until the mid-1990s. David Pinkus served as president of the Kiever Shul from the late 1970s to 2011. His parents, Molly and Isadore Pinkus, were co-founders of the shul. As of 2022, the synagogue president is Adam S. Cohen.

Descriptive Notes: LANGUAGE NOTE: material is in Yiddish, Hebrew, and English.; Availability of other formats: digital preservation copies for some documents have been created and are available in PDF, JPG, and TIF formats.

Subjects: Synagogues

Name Access: Kiever Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)

Places: Toronto (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Eker family [textual record (electronic)] – 1977-2021.

Accession Number: 2021-10-2

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2021-10-2

Material Format: textual record (electronic)

Physical Description: 12 textual records (pdf)

Date: 1977-2021

Scope and Content: Accession consists of material (chiefly genealogical research) documenting Glen Eker's family, particularly the Bishinskh line. Also included are two theses by Glen Eker—Leisure and Lifestyle in Selected Writings of Karl Marx: A Social and Theoretical History and The Early Writings of Karl Marx on the Position of Women and the Family in Bourgeois Society—and articles written by Debby Eker for the Excalibur and the Enterprise. Finally, there is an article by Paul M. Eker titled "Biblical Genealogy of Eker," which appeared in the March 1999 issue of Shem Tov.

Subjects: Families

Name Access: Eker (family); Eker, Glen; Marx, Karl, 1818-1883

Places: Ontario

Source: Archival Accessions

Jewish National Fund of Canada [moving images, graphic material] – [198-]-[202-].

Accession Number: 2021-10-5

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2021-10-5

Material Format: moving images; graphic material

Physical Description: 1.2 m of graphic material and moving images

Date: [198-]-[202-]

Scope and Content: Accession consists of material documenting the Jewish National Fund of Canada. Much of the material is photographic and audiovisual.

Name Access: Jewish National Fund of Canada

Source: Archival Accessions

Helen Marks [graphic material, textual record] – 1908-1985.

Accession Number: 2021-10-11

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2021-10-11

Material Format: graphic material; textual record

Physical Description: 1 folder of textual records and graphic material; 1 oversized photograph

Date: 1908-1985

Scope and Content: Accession consists of material documenting the family of Helen Marks. Included are two wedding three school photographs, school photographs, personal identity documents, a certificate of naturalization, a letter, a program for a gala evening, and a un untranslated document.; The first wedding photograph was taken at the wedding of Rose Miltz and Nathan Weisblatt on 29 December 1935. Rose and Nathan were part of Helen's father's family.; The second wedding photograph was taken at the wedding of Rose Nimon and Isadore Weisblatt. Rose and Nimon were Helen's parents.; Two school photographs were taken at John Fisher School in the 1930s. Helen attended the school from kindergarten until grade eight.; A third school photograph was taken at North Toronto Collegiate sometime around Christmas 1939. Helen attended the school for one year from 1939 to 1940.; There are several identity documents for Helen's father-in-law, Morris Marks. The first such document is a Romanian passport dated 24 May 1908. The second such document is a deed poll testifying to Morris' change of name dated 23 January 1933. The third document is a document certifying that the latter is a true copy.; The certificate of naturalization is for Harry Schnall. Helen believes Harry was her mother-in-law's father but is not positive.; The letter is from Max Niman and Moishe Fishbaum and is dated 15 August 1985. The letter regards the amalgamation of the Ostrovtzer Congregation and the Shaarei Tefillah Congregation. Helen's mother's family were founders of the congregation.; The program is for a gala evening presented by the Chinese community for the Mount Sinai Hospital Research Centre expansion, which was held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on 22 June 1985.; Finally, there is a document in what appears to be Romanian but which has not been translated.

Descriptive Notes: Language: English, Romanian, French

Subjects: Immigrants--Canada; Ketubah; Public schools

Places: Romania

Source: Archival Accessions

Lorie Shekter-Wolfson [textual record, graphic material] – 1917-1977, 1992, 2013.

Accession Number: 2021-11-5

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2021-11-5

Material Format: textual record; graphic material

Physical Description: 1 folder of textual records; 19 photographs : b&w and col. ; 44 cm x 32 cm or smaller

Date: 1917-1977, 1992, 2013

Scope and Content: Accession consists of records documenting members of the Shekter and Taylor families of Hamilton, Ontario. Included are three Negev Dinner books honouring Jack Taylor, Samuel Taylor, and Franklin Shapiro; news clippings documenting the viewing of the Hamilton Jewish Community Centre featuring Ben Shekter as well as Ben Shekter's obituary; and photographs depicting Ben Shekter, Harry Taylor, Dorothy (Taylor) Shekter, Jeanette Miller, Rebecca Taylor, Sam Taylor, James L. Shekter, and members of the Temple Players at Anshe Sholom Temple in Hamilton. Other locales featured in the photographs are Palm Springs, Hollywood Beach, and Hamilton. Also included are two oversized childhood portraits of Dorothy Taylor (aged approx. 6 years) and Ben Shekter (aged approx. 1 year).

Administrative History: Dorothy Shekter (née Taylor) (1915-2010) was born in 1915 in Hamilton, Ontario, to Max and Rebecca Taylor. Max and Rebecca moved from Russia to Canada in around 1906 and established a grocery business in Hamilton. Rebecca was a community worker; Max served as president of the Hess Street Shule for many years and was president and also one of the founders of the Ohav Zedek Congregation. Dorothy had four brothers: Jack, Lloyd, Harry and Sam, and a cousin Jeanette Miller, who has raised as a sister after being orphaned at age two. Dorothy married her husband Ben Shekter on 30 Aug. 1942. Dorothy was a social worker, having graduated from McMaster University in 1939 and then with her MSW from the University of Toronto in 1941. Dorothy passed away on 9 Feb. 2010.; Ben Shekter (1915-2013) was born on 6 Aug. 1915 in Hamilton, Ontario, to James and Lillian Shekter. He was an activist, a lawyer, a musician, and an advocate. His father owned the Shekter hotel on James St. North in Hamilton. As president of Hamilton Jewish Federation, Ben was committed to the Hamilton Jewish community and contributed to building and developing the Jewish Community Centre in Hamilton. Ben was one of the founding members of the Beverly Golf and Country Club (est. 1957) and was president of the club several times. Later, Ben initiated the plan for establishing Shalom Village, a Jewish seniors' residence and nursing home in Hamilton, and was its first president. In addition, Ben was also a board member of Hamilton Place, chairman of the Council of Jewish Organizations, and was active in the downtown Businessmen's Association. Ben passed away on 4 July 2013.; Jack Taylor, Dorothy's brother, was born on 5 Sept. 1905 in Russia and immigrated to Canada at the age of six months with his parents. He attended Hamilton public schools and Central Collegiate in his early years. From 1926 to 1928, he moved to New York and attended Columbia University studying playwriting and dramatics. Jack married Florence Cohan in 1929 and had a daughter, Shirley. Jack joined the Grand Order of Israel in 1934 and became the Grand Noble Master of the Grand Lodge in 1949 and 1961. He also served as chairman of the Territorial Division of the United Jewish Appeal, Men's Division in the 1950s. In 1956 and 1957, Jack served as president of the Council of Jewish Organizations. In 1963, Jack was president of Viceroy Reading Lodge of B'nai B'rith and also president of the United Hebrew Memorial Chapel. In the same year, after working at Hamilton Auto Parts for nineteen years, Jack established his own business, Taylor Automotive Supplies. In the 1970s, Jack served as vice-president of the Jewish National Fund (JNF) of Hamilton and was the honouree of the 1971 Hamilton Negev Dinner.; Samuel Taylor, Dorothy's brother, was born in 1916. He became a professional musician at age fifteen and continued in music from age eighteen to twenty-six. During the Second World War, Sam served in the Air Force Central Band and began his studies in the accounting field at the same time. In 1948, he graduated as a chartered accountant and opened the firm of Taylor, Leibow Chartered Accountants in 1950. In the same year, Sam married Anne Klein and had two children, Michael and Robin. From 1974 to 1976, Sam served as president of Hamilton JNF. In 1974 and 1975, he served as president of United Jewish Welfare Fund. Besides, Sam was a member of the Board of the Ontario Association of Licensed Trustees in Bankruptcy and a member of Executive Board of United Israel Appeal of Canada. In 1977 he became president of Hamilton Jewish Federation and was the honouree of the 1977 Hamilton Negev Dinner.

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

Places: Hamilton (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Beverley Schaeffer [textual record] – 1922-2015.

Accession Number: 2021-11-7

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2021-11-7

Material Format: textual record

Physical Description: 7 cm of textual records; 1 poster

Date: 1922-2015

Scope and Content: Accession consists of material collected by Beverley Schaeffer. The bulk of the material consists of newspaper clippings documenting Jewish communities in northern Ontario, primarily Kirkland Lake. In addition to the clippings, there are several other items: the first draft of Eddie Duke's "The History of the Jewish Community of Kirkland Lake," a copy of a typed article titled "The Way We Were" by Bettyann Elliott (née Archer), two issues of Beth Tikvah Sisterhood Magazine (spring 1988 and spring 1990), and a typed document titled "Judaica - Canadian" that was prepared by Fred Schaeffer. Of note is an article written by Shelley Duke entitled "Somebody's Somebody: Jews from Small Communities" dated 16 December 1985.

Use Conditions: Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.

Descriptive Notes: Availability of other formats: Textual records available as PDF files.

Subjects: Communities

Name Access: Duke, Eddie; Elliott, Bettyann, 1928-2015

Places: Kirkland Lake (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Yael Bendat-Appell, Camp Ramah [graphic material] – 1992-1995.

Accession Number: 2021-11-10

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2021-11-10

Material Format: graphic material

Physical Description: 24 photographs : col. 10 x 15 cm or smaller

Date: 1992-1995

Scope and Content: Accession consists of photographs from Camp Ramah. The photographs document the interior of buildings, such as cabins and the dining hall; exterior shots of the waterfront and sports field; and activities, such as the annual colour wars program.

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

Subjects: Camps

Name Access: Camp Ramah in Canada

Source: Archival Accessions

Toronto Grand Order of Israel [textual record] – 1968-2004.

Accession Number: 2021-11-12

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2021-11-12

Material Format: textual record

Physical Description: 1 box

Date: 1968-2004

Scope and Content: Accession consists of material documenting the Toronto Grand Order of Israel. Included are financial statements, memoranda, and other records.

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

Subjects: Fraternal organizations

Name Access: Toronto Grand Order Of Israel

Places: Toronto (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Bill Gladstone [graphic material, textual record] – 1910-2020.

Accession Number: 2021-10-12

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2021-10-12

Material Format: graphic material; textual record

Physical Description: ca. 10 cm of textual records; 12 photographs : b&w and col, 25 x 20 cm or smaller; 1 painting : oil on board

Date: 1910-2020

Scope and Content: Accession consists of material from the Agudas Hamishpocha (AH) Rubinoff/Naftolin cousins club, books and an oil painting. Included are photos of the Rubinoff/Naftolin family taken in Russia; copies of postcards from family in Russia written in Yiddish and Russian; notes compiled by Bill Gladstone translating cards sent by Dan & Rose Newman; copies of email correspondence with Dan Newman; copies of photos of Rubinoff/Naftolin family taken in Russia and Toronto; two souvenir booklets marking the 80th and 85th anniversary of AH; Shana Tova postcard from AH; newspaper clippings of obituaries of family members; AH membership fee statements, a copy of the speech written by Bill Gladstone for a book launch, copy of an invitation to 85th anniversary of AH; a copy of AH family tree; AH meeting minutes; lists of AH Philanthropic Fund donations; AH schedule of breakfasts and AH membership lists. Also included is a book commemorating the 75th anniversary of Congregation B'nai Israel in London, ON; a signed copy of "From Rags to Riches" by Dr. Max M Glassman; a signed copy of "My Ninety Years: Confessions of a 14-Year-Old High School Dropout" a biography by Max Beder; a copy of "Borrowed Time : The Life of Russell Norman Gladstone 1918-1988" by Bill Gladstone; a photo of the Gladstone family; an original oil painting of the Kiever synagogue by an unknown artist.

Descriptive Notes: 2 books have been moved to the OJA library: "From Rags to Riches", the autobiography of Dr. Max M. Glassman and "Borrowed Time" by Gill Gladstone.; Related Material Note: See also 1988-2-9; 2011-6-3; 2016-2-1; 2016-2-15; 2018-7-3; 2019-4-5; 2020-1-6; 2020-2-5.

Source: Archival Accessions

Posluns family [textual record] – 1927-1984, predominant 1927-1947.

Accession Number: 2021-11-21

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2021-11-21

Material Format: textual record

Physical Description: 13 cm of textual records

Date: 1927-1984, predominant 1927-1947

Scope and Content: Accession consists of material documenting the Posluns family. Included are letters to Sam Posluns written in 1927, when Sam was in New York; letters to Sam Poslun written in 1947, when he was in Europe with the Tailor Project; miscellaneous newspaper articles; and a 1984 Negev Dinner book. Of note is a letter addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Posluns from Abby Fuhrman, whose son, David Fuhrman, went to live with the Posluns during the Second World War.

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: Families; World War, 1939-1945

Name Access: Posluns (family); Posluns, Samuel, 1910-1994

Places: Europe; New York (N.Y.).

Source: Archival Accessions

Charles and Anne Dubin [textual record, graphic material, moving images (electronic)] – 1973-2013.

Accession Number: 2021-11-25

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2021-11-25

Material Format: textual record; graphic material; moving images (electronic)

Physical Description: 2 folders of textual records; 3 photographs; 1 CD

Date: 1973-2013

Scope and Content: Accession consists of material documenting the personal and professional lives of Charles and Anne Dubin. Included are: a copy of the eulogy for Charles presented by Justice Robert P. Armstrong October 20, 2008; a newspaper clipping from the "Globe and Mail" of an obituary for Charles Dubin written by Sandra Martin; obituary for Anne Ruth Dubin August 2007; a DVD of the Dubin Lecture presented by Sheila Block on April 21, 2010; a copy of the book "The Dubin Lectures on Advocacy 1998-2002" by Edward L. Greenspan, Q.C., Sir Sydney Kentridge, Q.C. and Justice W. Ian Binnie; a programme from "An Evening in Appreciation of The Honourable Charles L. Dubin Q.C." April 1996; 3 photos; 2 programmes for the administering of the oaths of office and allegiance to The Honourable Charles L. Dubin as the Associate Chief Justice for Ontario in September 1987 and as the Chief Justice of Ontario in April 1990; a newspaper clipping from the Canadian Jewish news March 1990 featuring Charles Dubin; a copy of a speech presented by Charles Dubin on being the recipient of the honourary Degree of Doctor of Laws from University of Toronto; a programme from a dinner marking the appointment of Charles Leonard Dubin as a Justice of Appeal of the Supreme Court of Ontario February 1973; a programme from the Annual Book of Life Celebration sponsored by the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto on October 2013 recognizing Charles and Anne Dubin as honourees; a copy of "Nexus". the University of Toronto Faculty of Law Alumni magazine, from 2009 noting the creation of The Honourable Charles L. Dubin Memorial Scholarship; a copy of "The Advocates' Journal" from 2009 featuring a eulogy written by the Honourable Robert P. Armstrong in memory of the Honourable Charles Leonard Dubin, Q.C.; a newspaper article written by Peter Worthington in memory of Charles; a newspaper clipping from the "New York Times" October 30, 2008 noting the death of Charles Dubin; a copy of an obituary in memory of Charles Dubin written by Tracey Tyler in the the "Toronto Star" October 28, 2008; a newsclipping published by Canwest News Service in memory of Charles Dubin published October 28, 2008; a newspaper clipping remembering Charles Dubin in the "Toronto Star" written by Peter Small; a copy of the eulogy for Charles written by Francie Klein, Charles's niece; a copy of an article concerning the creation of The Honourable Charles L. Dubin Memorial Scholarship; copies of press releases following the death of Charles Dubin; copies of an article highlighting Dubin's legal achievements; a letter of condolence sent to Francie and Stuart Klein from Mayo Moran, Dean of Law from the University of Toronto; a letter of thanks to Francie Klein, niece, from Hinda Silber, Chair of the the Book of Life, from the Jewish Foundation; a certificate marking 2013 UC Alumni of Influence Award presented to the estate of Charles Leonard Dubin on behalf of the Government of Canada accompanied by a letter of congratulations to Francie Klein and Stuart Klein from Hart Hanson.

Administrative History: Charles Leonard Dubin was born in Hamilton to parents Harry and Ethel Dubin. He attended Hamilton Central Collegiate Institute and University of Toronto where he graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School as Gold Medalist in 1944. Charles began a practice in law with a classmate to form the firm of Kimber and Dubin. He was distinguished as an Officer of the Order of Canada, invested an Officer of the Order of Ontario and appointed to Queen's Counsel in 1950. In 1972 Kimber and Dubin merged with another firm, Torys. Charles was appointed to the Ontario Court of Appeal in 1973. In 1987 he became Associate Chief Justice of Ontario and served as Chief Justice from 1990-1996. In 1988, Charles headed an inquiry, known as the Dubin Inquiry, that delved into drug use in Canadian amateur sports. In 1988, the U of T Faculty of Law presented Charles with the Distinguished Alumnus Award, and in 1993 was awarded an honourary doctorate laws. He retired in 1996. Charles died October 27, 2008. Anne Dubin (nee Levine) and Charles were classmates in Law School. They were married in 1950. Anne practiced in corporate law. She was a director of Petro-Canada, and a member of the Ontario Law Reform Commission Advisory Board. She served as a director of Telemedia Communications Inc., Morgan Trust Co. of Canada and as a former Public Governor of the Toronto Stock Exchange. She was vice-chair, Area Committee of the York County Legal Aid Plan, a former member of the Attorney General's Advisory Committee on the Juvenile & Family Court of Metropolitan Toronto, and a former member of the Joint Committee on Penal Reform for Women. Anne's community service included : vice-chair of York University; a trustee of the Toronto Hospital Foundation; a director of the Canadian Club; an Honorary Counsel of the Canadian Red Cross Society; an Honorary Counsel for the Museum Children's Theatre; a director of the Elizabeth Fry Society; a director of the Toronto Mental Health Clinic for Children and Adolescents and its successor, the Hincks-Dellcrest Centre; a director of the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry; and a trustee of the Ontario Mental Health Foundation. Anne died on August 2, 2007.

Descriptive Notes: Availability of other formats: Speech has been digitized.

Source: Archival Accessions

Jack Geller [graphic material, textual record] – [ca. 1934]-2015.

Accession Number: 2021-11-26

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2021-11-26

Material Format: graphic material; textual record

Physical Description: 1 folder of textual records; 36 photographs : col. and b&w ; 21 x 25 cm or smaller

Date: [ca. 1934]-2015

Scope and Content: Accession consists of records related to John Arthur (Jack) Geller's life and career. Of note are 36 colour and b&w photographs dated from ca. 1934 to 1984 documenting Geller's life and career; Spring Issue 1955 of Obiter Dicta magazine; a small poster with photos of the 1955 graduating class of Osgoode Hall Law School, when Geller was awarded the Gold Key Award; a Certificate of Honor awarded to Geller by the B'nai B'rith Hillel Foundation for the year of 1949-1950; the May 1999 issue of Fasken Link containing an interview with Geller; a draft of a speech delivered by Geller during a debate at Hart House with the presence of Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent as well as an invitation to and newspaper clippings about the debate; newspaper clippings about Geller's participation in several debates; correspondence relating to Geller's licensing examination and call to the Bar; the March 2015 issue of Holy Blossom Temple Bulletin containing a tribute to Geller; the section of the 18 May 1963 issue of Maclean's dealing with the Hal Banks case and the Norris commission, of which Geller was part representing Upper Lakes Shipping; awards given to Geller; and correspondence addressed to him.

Custodial History: Records were donated by Jack's daughter, Dana.

Administrative History: John Arthur Geller was born in 1930 in Toronto, Ontario, to Polish immigrants Kalman and Katy Geller (née Ladowsky). He attended Forest Hill Collegiate and University College at the University of Toronto, where he graduated with a BA degree in 1951. He met his wife, Sybil Gangbar (daughter of Phil and Sarah Gangbar), in 1948, during his second week at U of T, where she was also studying, and they were married two weeks after graduating. They had four children: Lawrence (b. 1955), Dana (b. 1957), Jan (b. 1960), and Harold (b. 1964). After enrolling at Osgoode Hall Law School later that year, and articling at the firm Campbell, Godfrey & Lewtas, he was called to the Bar in 1955. Geller began his legal practice with Campbell, Godfrey & Lewtas, where he remained for the entirety of his career. He was appointed a Queen's Counsel in 1966. In 1993, Geller retired from legal practice and was appointed Vice-Chair of the Ontario Securities Commission. He served in different capacities with the Commission until his 2001 retirement. In addition to his work as a lawyer and for the Ontario Securities Commission, Geller served as a director on the board of Leitch Transport Limited and Ford Glass Limited. He was also a member of the Canadian Jewish Congress, served as president of B'nai Brith, Central Region, and was the National President of the Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Canada (JIAS), and a member and Honorary President for Life of Holy Blossom Temple. After suffering a stroke in 2002, Geller developed aphasia and spent five years working tirelessly to regain his reading abilities. He passed away on 7 January 2015. His funeral was held at Holy Blossom Temple, which he never stopped attending.

Subjects: Lawyers

Name Access: Geller, John Arthur (Jack), 1930-2015

Places: Toronto (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Manny Grafstein and Reva Grafstein [graphic material, textual record] – [194-]-2000.

Accession Number: 2021-11-28

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2021-11-28

Material Format: graphic material; textual record

Physical Description: 1 folder of textual records; 3 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm

Date: [194-]-2000

Scope and Content: Accession consists of records documenting the communal lives of Manny Grafstein and Reva Grafstein of London, Ontario. Included are certificates from B'nai Brith, Hadassah-WIZO, Jewish National Fund, London Jewish Youth Association, and the Canadian Technion Society. Also included are general correspondence related to the London Hadassah-WIZO, a copy of the Jewish Observor detailing the three Grafstein sons enlisted during the Second World War, a London Jewish Directory (1950–1951), a B'nai Brith Digest, newspaper clippings related to the Grafstein family, and three photographs of Al Siegel of B'nai Brith.

Administrative History: Manny Grafstein (1917–1984) was born in London, Ontario, to Max (Melech) W. Grafstein and Rose Grafstein. Max was an author, showman, and proprietor of the London Silk Shoppe. He used to serve as the editor of the Jewish Observor and was a member of the B'nai Israel Congregation. In his youth, Manny and his other two brothers served in Canada's Armed Forces. Later, he became the owner of Manney's Fabric Centre and once served as president of the East London Business Association. He was also an active member of the London Jewish Youth Association and B'nai Brith. Manny married Reva Grafstein (1924–2018), who used to be a communication team member of the London Hadassah-WIZO and the co-ordinator of a clinic at the Jewish Community Centre in London. Manny and Reva had three children together: Norman Grafstein, Karen Grafstein Reiss (Willie Reiss), and Susan Grafstein.

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: Awards; Families; Married people

Places: London (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Bill Gladstone [textual record, graphic material] – 1832-2017.

Accession Number: 2021-12-1

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2021-12-1

Material Format: textual record; graphic material

Physical Description: ca. 25 cm of textual records; 15 photographs : b&w and col. ; 20 x 26 cm and smaller

Date: 1832-2017

Scope and Content: Accession consists of the research files of Bill Gladstone. The materials document Bill’s research on various aspects of the Jewish history of Toronto and Canada and are sourced from a variety of newspapers, books, and archival repositories. Most of the newspaper clippings and copies of clippings are from the Canadian Jewish News, Toronto Star, the National Post, and the Globe and Mail; and the copies of archival documents are mainly from the Archives of Ontario, the City of Toronto Archives, and the Ontario Jewish Archives.; Included are Bill’s newspaper articles; documents relating to Bill’s books and a publishing house that Bill established in 2008 named Now and Then Books; genealogy research materials and notes; copies of early Toronto maps; copies of articles written by Ben Kayfetz; research materials documenting Toronto local synagogues such as the Holy Blossom Temple, Goel Tzedec Synagogue, First Narayever Congregation, and McCaul St. Synagogue (Beth Hamidrash Hagadol); copies of Canadian Moving Picture Digest and Canadian Film Weekly that document the accomplishments of Jews in the Canadian film industry; and research materials pertaining to Russian Jews, Yiddish theatres and opera houses, religious education in public schools, and the history of the Jews in Toronto and Canada in general. Also included are research documents relating to Toronto Jewish neighbourhoods such as Kensington Market, The Junction, The Ward, and Bathurst Manor; and materials documenting Toronto local Jewish businesses, organizations, families, and individuals.; Accession also contains a small number of photographs that Bill took or collected during his research, most of which feature the Holy Blossom Temple, Temple Beth Israel (Macon, Georgia), and Congregation Mickve Israel (Savannah, Georgia).

Administrative History: Bill Gladstone is a researcher, journalist, author, publisher, and genealogist living in Toronto. He has written and edited numerous books on Canadian Jewish history and is a frequent contributor to the Canadian Jewish News, the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, and other publications. He is often asked to give community presentations on a variety of topics related to the history of Jewish Toronto. In 2008, Bill established a publishing company named Now and Then Books. Bill is the former president of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Toronto and book review editor for Avotaynu, the international journal of Jewish genealogy.

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: Titles of files were transcribed from their original formal titles; for files that do not bear formal titles, supplied titles were given based on file contents.

Subjects: Genealogists; Authors; Journalists

Name Access: Gladstone, Bill

Places: Toronto (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Ben Kayfetz [textual record, graphic material] – 1944-1984.

Accession Number: 2021-12-2

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2021-12-2

Material Format: textual record; graphic material

Physical Description: 1 folder of textual records; 5 photographs : b&w

Date: 1944-1984

Scope and Content: Accession consists of correspondence to Ben Kayfetz from an American friend in Berlin in 1951 and 1952, a 1944 Central Commerce yearbook belonging to Eva Kayfetz (née Silver), five photographs, an armed forces prayer book formerly belonging to Chaplain Rabbi Jacob Eisen, a speech about Soviet Jewry, and Ben Kayfetz's retirement speech.

Custodial History: The donor, Zena Tenenbaum, is Ben's daughter.

Administrative History: Ben Kayfetz was a well-known leader of the Jewish community and advocate for human rights. He completed a degree in modern languages from the University of Toronto. During the Second World War, he worked for the Wartime Information Board reading prisoners-of-war letters, and from 1945 to 1947, worked with the Canadian Control Commission in the British-controlled sector of Germany.; He served with the Canadian Jewish Congress from 1947 to 1985 in various positions, including director of public relations and executive director of the Central Region. He was instrumental in the development of government anti-discriminatory policies and legislation in the 1950s and 1960s onward and received the Order of Canada in 1986.; Ben Kayfetz also founded the Yiddish Luncheon Club, was president of the Toronto Jewish Historical Society, and was a frequent contributor to various periodicals in Canada and abroad, under his own name and his pseudonym, Gershon B. Newman. He was viewed as the local authority on Toronto Jewish history and also had his own radio spot on CHIN.

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

Descriptive Notes: Availability of other formats: correspondence have been scanned and available in PDF format.

Subjects: Prayer books; Yearbooks; Human rights workers; Speeches, addresses, etc

Name Access: Kayfetz, Ben, 1916-2002

Places: Toronto (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Goodman and Carr [graphic material] – [197-]-1983, 2000.

Accession Number: 2021-12-3

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2021-12-3

Material Format: graphic material

Physical Description: 4 photo albums (83 photographs) : b&w and col. ; 20 x 25 cm or smaller

Date: [197-]-1983, 2000

Scope and Content: Accession consists of four photo albums documenting the staff and cooperative partners of Goodman and Carr LLP. Included are snapshots of corporate events and parties—a picnic at Seneca King Campus in 1981, a lawyers and staff baseball event in 1983, and a picnic in 2000. Also included are photographs depicting Goodman and Carr LLP’s partners at a social event dating from the 1970s.

Custodial History: The records were in the possession of Gary Luftspring before being gifted to the Ontario Jewish Archives on Dec. 9, 2021. Gary Luftspring was previously Goodman and Carr LLP's chairman.

Administrative History: Goodman and Carr LLP was a Canadian law firm, established in 1965 when Wolfe Goodman and Donald Carr combined their practices. The firm once reigned as one of Canada's top tax and real estate law firms, employing over 140 lawyers. The company dissolved in 2007, following partner defections and failed merge talks with its competitors, including the major international law firm, Baker McKenzie.

Descriptive Notes: SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE: Further identification of the individuals pictured in the photographs is required.

Subjects: Lawyers

Places: Toronto (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Daniel Zultek [textual record] – [1939?]-2020, predominant 1939-1946.

Accession Number: 2022-2-3

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2022-2-3

Material Format: textual record

Physical Description: 3 cm of textual records

Date: [1939?]-2020, predominant 1939-1946

Scope and Content: Accession consists of records documenting the immigration of Daniel Zultek from Poland to Canada under a Sugihara Visa in 1941 and documents pertaining to Sugihara visas and Chiune Sugihara (also known as Sempo Sugihara), a Japanese diplomat who served as vice-consul for the Japanese Empire in Kovno (Kaunas), Lithuania. Included are Daniel’s travelling documents dating from 1939 to 1941—an identification document, an immigration identification card, a quarantine/medical examination card issued by Nippon Yusen (also known as NYK Line), and a ship manifest; correspondence between Daniel and Polish consulates in Toronto and Montreal (1941-1943)—one of the letters (28 May 1942) was obtained by Daniel for the purpose of bringing his brother, who was still in Warsaw at that time, over to Canada; a memorandum from the Jewish Community of Kobe to Daniel (1941); records documenting Daniel's experience in serving in the Polish Armed Units in Canada (1941); work documents pertaining to Daniel’s career at Canada Motor Products (1941-1942); and a brief memoir written by Daniel with notations by his daughter Irene. Also included are newspaper clippings and book chapters documenting Daniel’s immigration to Canada via Japan under a Sugihara visa (1993-2020), a programme book of the Sempo Sugihara Tribute Dinner (1993), and a pamphlet of the Chiune Sugihara Memorial Hall in Japan.

Custodial History: The records were in the possession of Daniel’s daughter, Irene Henry, before being gifted to the Ontario Jewish Archives on Feb. 9, 2022.

Administrative History: Daniel Zultek (1910-1995) was born in Warsaw, Poland, on 1 September 1910, to Leon and Helena Zultek. Leon owned a large freight shipping company on the Vistula River, between Danzig and Gdynia harbours. Leon was a successful businessman, a community leader, a philanthropist, and a life member of the Jewish Kehilla Congress in Warsaw, which was allegedly the largest Jewish institution in Europe voted by the Jewish public. Daniel had been running the family business since 1932 until 1939 when the Second World War broke out. He was nominated to the board of directors of the company in 1938. In January 1939, Leon died of a heart attack. Daniel's mother Helena, sister Natalia, and most family members were murdered by Nazi Germany in concentration camps. The only survivors were Daniel, his elder brother Rafael, Irene (Rafael's first wife, who lived in Argentina), and four cousins name Daniel (surname unspecified), Rita (surname unspecified), Adam Zultek, and Dorka Zultek. On 6 September 1939, Daniel fled Warsaw, where was heavily bombarded by German troops, and headed for Pinsk, a city near the Soviet border. Half a month later, because Soviet troops invaded Pinsk, Daniel escaped to Vilnius in the neighbouring country Lithuania. In June 1940, the Soviet Union entered Lithuania. During that time, Daniel heard that the Japanese consulate in Kaunas was issuing transit visas. Fortunately, on 1 August 1940, Daniel received his visa from Vice-consul Chiune Sugihara. In the same month, he managed to escape Kaunas and headed for Moscow. With a Russian transit visa, he took the Trans-Siberian Railway from Moscow to Vladivostok; from there, he took a ship for Tsuruga Port, Japan. During his stay in Japan, he learned that the British Embassy in Tokyo was recruiting volunteers to join the Polish Armed Forces in Australia, the United States, and Canada. Daniel volunteered and chose Canada as his destination. On 5 June 1941, he embarked on the ship, Hikawa Maru, in Yokohama and arrived in Vancouver on the 17th of the same month. From there, he headed for the Polish military base in Owen Sound, Ontario. Daniel received eight months of military training in Owen Sound but was honourably discharged owing to a cataract in his right eye. Fortunately, he was allowed to remain in Canada. After being discharged, Daniel worked various jobs to make a living. In 1941, he had jobs with Canada Motor Products and Frankel Engineering; from 1942 to 1945, he served de Havilland Aircraft as an inspector; from 1945 to 1948, he worked as a sales representative of an American milkshake and ice cream company named Mr. Gordon. While working at Frankel Engineering in 1941, Daniel met Mr. Epstein who introduced him to farming. In 1948, Daniel bought a one-hundred-acre farm in Brampton, Ontario. In the same year, he attended an agriculture college in Guelph, Ontario. While running the farm, he also opened Caledon Sand and Gravel, a company located in Caledon, Ontario, supplying sand and gravel for construction. His career also involved business in real estate. Daniel married Molly Mandel in 1943 and had three daughters Helen, Leona, and Irene. Molly (nee Mandel) Zultek (1915-1989) was a Torontonian of Russian descent. Her father, Albert Mandel, was one of the founders of the Congregation Knesseth Israel (also known as the Junction Shul) located on Maria Street in the Junction. Molly grew up in the Junction neighbourhood. In 1957, Daniel sold the farm and moved to Forest Hill Village a neighbourhood and former village in Midtown Toronto with his family. Daniel retired in 1988. In addition to business, Daniel also devoted his time to charity and social work. Daniel was an ardent Zionist and visited Israel twenty-seven times. He was director and a member of the board of governors of the Jewish National Fund. He was also a generous contributor to Jewish organizations and sponsored the Hebrew University and its students.

Descriptive Notes: LANGUAGE NOTE: some of the material is in Japanese and has been translated into English. Translated documents are available at S:\Collections\2022-2-3.; Availability of other formats: digital preservation copies for most documents have been created and are available in PDF, JPG, and TIF formats.

Subjects: Immigrants; World War, 1939-1945

Places: Warsaw (Poland); Lithuania; Japan; Toronto (Ont.); Owen Sound (Ont.); Brampton (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Sons of Jacob Congregation (Belleville, Ont.) [textual record] – [197-]-2008.

Accession Number: 2022-2-4

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2022-2-4

Material Format: textual record

Physical Description: 13 cm of textual records

Date: [197-]-2008

Scope and Content: Accession consists of material documenting the Sons of Jacob Congregation of Belleville, Ontario. Included are meeting minutes, handwritten notes, and a copy of the synagogue's constitution, as well as other textual records.

Custodial History: The files belonged to the donor's parents. The latter were active in the Sons of Jacob Congregation (Mike's mother was the secretary for a time).

Descriptive Notes: Availability of other formats: Constitution also available as a PDF file.

Subjects: Synagogues

Name Access: Sons of Jacob Congregation (Belleville, Ont.)

Places: Belleville (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Morris Rose [graphic material] – [19--].

Accession Number: 2022-3-4

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2022-3-4

Material Format: graphic material

Physical Description: 4 photographs : b&w and col. ; 34 x 34 cm or smaller

Date: [19--]

Scope and Content: Accession consists of four photographs of Morris "Murray" Rose. Three of the four photographs show Murray atop horse. In addition to M. Rose, Mrs. J Chesney (owner) and J. Chesny (trainer) are also identified in the 1929 photograph.

Custodial History: The photographs were donated by Roz Tobias, the daughter-in-law of Morris Rose (the subject of the photographs).

Administrative History: Morris "Murray" Rose was born in Poland and came to Toronto as a child. His love of riding dates back to this time: at the age of ten, he would ride his grandfather's horse up and down the lanes of Kensington. Rose never completed secondary school; instead, he ran away from home at the age of fourteen and became a stable boy at the Woodbine Racetrack. Subsequently, he became a jockey. The high point of his career came on 23 May 1931, when, at the Churchill Downs Racetrack in Kentucky, he ran five winners in a six-card race. Rose retired from riding horses after sustaining a serious head injury during a race.; After retiring from racing, Rose worked at a textile store on College Street. Later, he opened his own store on the south side of College Street at Spadina Avenue. He and his wife ran the store for many years with one or two employees. Rose eventually purchased the building in which his store was located and rented out space to a variety of businesses, including a smoke and confectionary store, a ticket agency, and an eyeglass store.; Rose's entrepreneurial activity extended to purchasing bankrupt businesses and building apartment buildings with a group of friends. In the 1960s, he was a co-partner in Triangle Billiards at Bathurst Sreet and Sheppard Avenue. He also purchased a fifty-acre farm in Buttonville on Woodbine Avenue, which he rented out until his death.; Rose died in July 1989 at the age of seventy-eight. He left behind a wife, Mary; two sons, Bobby and Ken; two daughters, Marjorie Swartz and Elaine Rubinoff; two sisters, Lil and Rae; a brother, Sam; fourteen grand children; and one great-grandchild.

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

Descriptive Notes: Availability of other formats: Also available as digital images.; General note: The information for the biographical sketch was taken from an obituary written by Ben Rose titled "Leading Jockey Rose Dies at 78."

Subjects: Horses; Jockeys

Source: Archival Accessions

Ashkenaz Foundation [textual record] – 1997-[ca. 2012].

Accession Number: 2022-3-12

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2022-3-12

Material Format: textual record

Physical Description: 13 cm of textual records

Date: 1997-[ca. 2012]

Scope and Content: Accession consists of material documenting the Ashkenaz Foundation. Included are memorandums of understanding between UJA Federation of Greater Toronto and Ashkenaz Foundation (2004–2010), a copy of the original letters patent that was issued on 21 July 1997, brochures and flyers, and Ashkenaz records for the years 2004–2012.

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: Festivals; Nonprofit organizations

Name Access: Ashkenaz Festival; Ashkenaz Foundation

Places: Canada

Source: Archival Accessions

Cary Elias [graphic material, textual record, sound recording] – 1972-1997.

Accession Number: 2022-3-14

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2022-3-14

Material Format: graphic material; textual record; sound recording

Physical Description: 92 photographs : col.; 1 folder of textual records; 2 audio cassettes; 1 booklet

Date: 1972-1997

Scope and Content: Accession consists of material collected by the donor. Included are eighty-three photographs taken at B'nai Brith Institute of Judaism events, one folder of textual records documenting the institute, one audio recording of a talk on the ethics of abortion (possibly by Rabbi Howard Sackowitz), one audio recording of a talk by J. B. Salsberg regarding China's new role in world affairs, nine photographs documenting a Barrie Hebrew school, and one booklet titled "The Beth Am Story."

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

Descriptive Notes: Availability of other formats: audio recordings available as WAV files; photographs available as JPEG files.

Subjects: Speeches, addresses, etc

Name Access: Salsberg, J. B.,1902-1998

Places: Barrie (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Abraham Feinstein [graphic material, textual record] – [1939?]-2021.

Accession Number: 2022-5-22

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2022-5-22

Material Format: graphic material; textual record

Physical Description: 10 cm of textual records; 38 photographs : b&w and col. ; 20 x 30 cm or smaller

Date: [1939?]-2021

Scope and Content: Accession consists of records documenting Abraham Feinstein's law career and early life. Included are biographical documents such as Abe's CV, personal history, eulogy and obituary; letters of condolence; speech notes written by Abe while serving as Hillel Ottawa oresident; telegrams sent on the occasion of Abe's bar mitzvah; a copy of a speech presented by Abe honouring his parents' diamond anniversary; information concerning CCOC (Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation); correspondence pertaining to his appointment as Queen's Counsel; information concerning the official opening of the Ottawa Courthouse and Registry Offices; a copy of a speech presented by Abe to YMCA-YWCA; article in "Ontario Lawyer's Gazette" featuring Abe; an article in "National" journal featuring Abe; a candidate letter written by Abe in "Law Society of Upper Canada Guide for Voters"; newsclippings announcing Abe as president of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada; a copy of a speech presented by Abe to LibraryCo; a copy of "Focus", the LibraryCo newsletter; a copy of "County of Carleton Law Association Bulletin" and a newsclipping from the "Ottawa Jewish Bulletin" honouring Abe as the recipient of the Carleton Medal; letters of nomination of Abe for County of Carleton Law Association's Legal Innovator Award; copies of three speeches presented to the County of Carleton Law Association by Abe as recipient of the Carleton Medal in 1999, recipient of The Solicitor Award in 2011 and recipient of The Legal Innovator Award in 2020; copy of a letter to the editor of "Law Times" written by Abe; two letters of congratulations on election as a Bencher of the Law Society; a copy of "Communiqu-ate"; copies of three speeches presented by Abe to the County and District Law President's Association in 1993, to Prescott and Russell Law Association in 1994 and to County and District Law Presidents Association in 1995; content pertaining to the receipt of the Order of Ottawa including a copy of the program, an invitation to the ceremonies, letters of congratulations, three nomination letters and an announcement by Soloway Wright; a certificate of recognition for distinguished achievements; a copy of a speech presented by Abe at the Shirley Berman Memorial Lecture Series, 2019 and a copy of the program; content pertaining to The Law Society Medal including a brochure , newsclipping announcing Abe as the recipient of the Law Society Medal in 2008, letters of congratulations, a hand-out describing the walk-through for the ceremony, a copy of Abe's speech, a copy of the program, letters of nomination, an announcement in the CJN and a mention in the "Law Society Gazette". Also included are photographs documenting early family life and honours.

Administrative History: Abraham "Abe" Feinstein was born 19 December 1936 in Ottawa, Ontario to Benjamin and Freda (née Dickstein) Feinstein. Benjamin (1898-2001) was born in Teplik, Russia. Following pogroms and a term of imprisonment, Benjamin fled to Romania for four years and then made his way to Canada in 1924. While living in Winkler, Manitoba he married Freda (1900?-1986), and they had two daughters Miriam (m. Levitin) and Ruth (m. Aaron). Around 1930, the family moved to Ottawa, Ontario where two more children were born, Pearl (m. Moskovic) and Abraham.; Abe attended Kent Street public school and graduated from Lisgar Collegiate. He attended and worked at Camp B'nai Brith and worked at Camp Wooden Acres and Camp White Pine. While completing his Bachelor of Arts degree at Carleton University, he was president of the Ottawa Hillel. Abe received his LLB from the University of Ottawa in 1963 and was called to the Bar in 1965 at Osgoode Hall in Toronto. Abe practiced law with Soloway Wright LLP in Ottawa for 55 years.; Abe married Beverley Kavanat on 23 August 1964 and had three daughters Susan, Harriet and Shawna.; Abe was recognized for his community and professional service to a number of organizations over his lifetime. He was a founding director of Centretown Citizens of Ottawa Corporation in 1975 and was named an honorary life member. In 1982, he was the founding director of the County and District Law Presidents Association of Ontario and the chair of the Committee of Adjustment of the City of Ottawa. Abe was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1983. He served as chair of the Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee East Region. He served as president of the County of Carleton Law Association (CCLA). The CCLA awarded Abe with the Carleton medal in 1998, the Solicitors' Award in 2011 and the Legal Innovator Award in 2020. Abe became a bencher at the Law Society of Upper Canada (now called the Law Society of Ontario) in 1991, and was awarded the Law Society Medal in 1998. He also served as director and president of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. He also acted as a consultant during the building of Ottawa's new courthouse, ensuring that the needs of attorneys were included in the design. Abe was a director on the board of the Ottawa Food Bank and was made honorary president of the Ottawa YMCA-YWCA. He served as chair of the Investment Committee of the Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation. From 2018-2020, Abe was the chair of the Governance Committee of Kehillat Beth Israel Congregation in Ottawa. The Order of Ottawa was bestowed upon Abe in 2016.

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

Descriptive Notes: Associated Material Note: Abraham Feinstein's Order of Ottawa and Law Society medals are held at his former law firm, Soloway Wright LLP. A video of Abe as part of the Shirley Berman Lecture Series is held at the Ottawa Jewish Archives.

Subjects: Law; Lawyers

Name Access: Feinstein, Abraham, 1936-2021

Places: Ottawa (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Cary Elias [textual record, graphic material] – 1972-1996.

Accession Number: 2022-6-21

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2022-6-21

Material Format: textual record; graphic material

Physical Description: 13 cm of textual records and other material

Date: 1972-1996

Scope and Content: Accession consists of material documenting the B'nai Brith Institute of Judaism, which was held annually. Included are twenty handbooks covering the following years: 1972-1974, 1976-1977, 1980-1982, 1984-1994, 1996. Also included are brochures covering the following years: 1975-1994, 1996. Additional material includes a photograph of Velvel Pasternak, who participated in the Thirtieth Annual B'nai Brigth Institute of Judaism in 1986, and a copy of an article by Gil Kezwer that appeared in the Canadian Jewish News titled "Toronto Professor Praises Moscow Jewish Film Festival."

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

Descriptive Notes: Availability of other formats: Textual records have been scanned and are available as PDF files; one photograph has been scanned and is available as a JPEG image.

Name Access: B'nai Brith Canada

Source: Archival Accessions

Pearl Freedhoff [textual record, graphic material, object] – 1922-1997.

Accession Number: 2022-7-6

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2022-7-6

Material Format: textual record; graphic material; object

Physical Description: ca. 8 cm of textual records; 25 photographs : b&w and col. ; 21 x 26 cm or smaller; 1 medal : bronze

Date: 1922-1997

Scope and Content: Accession consists of textual records, photographs, and a bronze Shekel Medal for Israel’s twenty-fifth anniversary, most of which document Pearl Freedhoff and her Jewish communal and public service activities.; Textual records include public speeches, handwritten notes and short writing pieces, invitation and greeting cards, correspondence, materials relating to the sisterhoods of Beth Tzedec and Goel Tzedec synagogues, Pearl’s 1940 National Registration certificate, materials documenting the Ontario Bicentennial Award and dinner, and the 1981 royal tour of Canada, newspaper clippings relating to Pearl’s Jewish communal and public service activities, and an advertisement that Pearl made for Lido Spa. Also included are newsletters, magazines, and bulletins, which document Pearl’s experience in wedding consultation and her active involvement in Toronto Hadassah-WIZO and the Women’s Auxiliary of the Jewish Home for the Aged; and travel itineraries and promotional materials for Israel and the Orient trips, which were issued by Toronto Hadassah-WIZO, B’nai Brith, and travel agencies they were in co-operation with. Textual records also include a small number of bulletins and magazines as well as a twenty-fifth anniversary book of Baycrest men’s service group, which document the accomplishments of Pearl’s husband, Dr. Samuel Freedhoff.; Photographs feature the Goel Tzedec Sisterhood, trips to Israel organized by Toronto Hadassah-WIZO, the wedding of Linda Greene (Lorne Greene’s daughter), and various social and political events that Pearl attended.; Accession also includes a bronze Shekel Medal for Israel’s twenty-fifth anniversary. It was presented to Pearl to commemorate her inscription as a governor of the Haifa Community College.

Custodial History: Records were in the possession of Judith Golden, Pearl's daughter, until being gifted to the Ontario Jewish Archives on 14 July 2022.

Administrative History: Pearl Freedhoff (née Narrol) (1906-1997) was born on 17 September 1906 in Toronto to Harry Narrol and Esther Narrol (née Newman). She had four siblings: Albert, Gertie, Hilda (m. Spivak), and Mendell (died as infant). Pearl married Dr. Samuel Osias Freedhoff (1903–1973) in 1927 and had two children: Stephen and Judith. Samuel was the son of Harry Freedhoff and Molli Freedhoff (née Bohnen). Pearl graduated from the University of Toronto, School of Social Work, and Samuel graduated from the School of Dentistry. Both were members of Goel Tzedec Synagogue, with Pearl serving as sisterhood president from 1949 to 1950 and Samuel as president of the men's club in 1952.; Pearl was an active member of the Jewish community and served on executives and boards in many Jewish communal organizations, including the Canadian Hadassah-WIZO Toronto Centre, the sisterhoods of Goel Tzedec and Beth Tzedec Synagogues, and the Women’s Auxiliary of the Jewish Home for the Aged. She had a political interest in the Progressive Conservative Party and was active in federal and provincial politics; she served on the boards of the Victorian Order of Nurses and Ontario Housing Commission and was included in special dinners such as dinners for the royal family. In addition, she had an outstanding reputation as a bridal and bar-mitzvah counsellor for over thirty years. In 1984, she was awarded the Ontario Bicentennial Medal in honour of her contributions to the community at large.; Pearl passed away on 18 December 1997.

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: Politicians

Name Access: Freedhoff, Pearl, 1906-1997

Places: Toronto (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Forberg and Michalowicz families [textual record, graphic material, sound recording, object] – 1920-2013.

Accession Number: 2022-7-10

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2022-7-10

Material Format: textual record; graphic material; sound recording; object

Physical Description: ca. 9 cm of textual records; 186 photographs : b&w and col. ; 22 x 28 cm or smaller; 1 album (197 photographs) ; 34 x 25 cm; 1 audio cassette : 1/8 in.; 1 identification tag : metal ; 5 x 5 cm

Date: 1920-2013

Scope and Content: Accession consists of records documenting the Forberg and Michaels (Michalowitz) families. They include family histories, Holocaust documentation, and records pertaining to Bathurst Manor. Accession also includes 186 photographs documenting ancestors, family life, and family celebrations from the early 20th century to the early 2000s, including life in the DP camps and Bathurst Manor, and an album containing 197 photographs documenting Honey and Esther Forberg's 1967 trip to Israel. Additional records include Syma Forberg's metal Jewish identification tag, tributes to the Forberg family, Esther Forberg's school history project, Henry and Pola Michaels' funeral records, among others.

Custodial History: Records were donated by Esther Michaels, David and Syma's daughter, Harry and Pola's daughter-in-law.

Administrative History: David Berel Forberg was born in Czestochowa, Poland, on 1 February 1922. From 1939 to 1942, he lived in the Czestochowa Ghetto, where he worked as a manual labourer and painter. Syma Jurkowska was born in Opatow, Poland, on 5 August 1924. From 1939 to 1942, she lived in the Opatow Ghetto, where she made brushes in a factory and cleaned Gestapo homes and the post office. David and Syma met at the Polish labour camp Hasag-Palcery, where they worked at an ammunitions factory. After the war, they were placed in a DP camp in Lampertheim, Germany, where they got married on 11 September 1947. In July 1948, they left the German DP camp after three years and immigrated to Canada, via Quebec. They had two children, Joseph (born 19 June 1946 in Mannheim, Germany) and Honey Sarah (born 16 January 1948 in Lampertheim, Germany). They had been sponsored by Syma's uncle Cheil Slavny, who lived in Toronto. David and Syma rented rooms in their home, while David worked as an upholsterer and Syma babysat. In the early 1950s, they started making chairs and tables, which they delivered on the streetcar. David and Syma's younger children, Esther and Billy Avraham, were born in Toronto on 23 May 1949 and 26 Sep. 1952, respectively. David died on 9 October 2011. Syma died on 9 April 2021.; Harry Michaels (Hersz Michalowicz) was born in Kalisz, Poland, on 26 May 1918. Pola Lewkowicz was born in Zagorow, Poland, on 28 August 1916. By the end of the Second World War, they were living in the Soviet Union, where their first son, Julius (Jozef) was born, in the city of Gelendzhik, on 8 May 1945. After the war, they lived in Jawor, Poland, before resettling at the Steyr DP camp, in Austria, where their second son, Albert (Abram) was born, on 22 April 1947. In 1948, the family immigrated to Canada, arriving via Halifax on 1 October of that year. In Toronto, Harry worked as a furniture merchant. He died on 27 Sep. 1997. Pola died on 23 Apr. 2003.; David and Syma's daughter Esther married Harry and Pola's son Albert.

Use Conditions: Closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA Director prior to accessing the records.

Subjects: Holocaust survivors; Families

Source: Archival Accessions

Sydney and Miriam Bendahan [multiple media] – 1890-2002, predomintant 1956-1977.

Accession Number: 2022-8-3

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2022-8-3

Material Format: multiple media

Physical Description: 6 cm of textual records and other material

Date: 1890-2002, predomintant 1956-1977

Scope and Content: Accession consists of records documenting the Bendahan and Corcos families, specifically Sydney and Miriam Bendahan (née Corcos), including immigration documents, Corcos family history, Corcos family tree, Sydney's CV and letters of recommendation written on his behalf, among others. Includes records documenting the Magen David Sephardic Congregation, speeches and reference material documenting Sephardic history and the Sephardic community in Canada, oral history tapes recorded by Sydney and Raphael Bendahan for the Multicultural History Society of Ontario (including reports of the interviews), records related to Miriam's career as a fashion designer, and a CBC interview from "Identities".; Interviewees include: A. Bechetrit; Corcos; Bitton; Arnold Oro; Sol Hamouth; Mr. and Mrs. J. Benaim; Benzacar; De Pinto; J. Cohen; Perez; Nahman; Kuessous; and Moryoussef.

Administrative History: Sydney David Bendahan was born on 1 Nov. 1919 in Gibraltar, the son of Raphael and Esther (née Benabu). He was a descendant of a distinguished Sephardic family who immigrated to Gibraltar from Spain over 300 years ago. His father was a civil servant with the British government for many years. Sydney was fluent in English, French, and Spanish, having received formal education in the three languages. He served with the security services of the British armed forces during the Second World War. After the war, he served with the International Police in Tangier and later was a Special Investigator for the United States Air Force in North Africa. He married Miriam in Tangier, and the couple relocated to Casablanca. They had two sons: Raphael and Mark. The family immigrated to Toronto in Mar. 1957, and for a number of years Sydney headed Dominion Furniture Ltd. He was a member of the board of the Canadian Jewish Congress - Central Region, president of the Association sépharade in Toronto, president of Magen David Sephardic Congregation, and one of the founders of the Canadian Sephardic Federation. He died on 18 Dec. 1979 and was buried at Mount Sinai Memorial Park, in North York.; Miriam (Mimi) Bendahan (née Corcos) was born on 25 Oct. 1923 in Mogador, French Morocco (present-day Essaouira, Morocco), the daughter of Albert and Oro (née Hamouth).

Use Conditions: Conditional Use. Researchers must receive permission from the donor prior to publication. Please contact the OJA for more information.

Descriptive Notes: Physical Description note: Contains 6 cm of textual records, 27 audio cassettes (ca. 24 hr., 34 min.), 1 photograph (b&w ; 8 x 12 cm), 1 family tree (60 x 90 cm), and 4.28 GB of electronic records.

Subjects: Sephardim; Jews, Moroccan

Name Access: Bendahan, Sydney, 1919-1979; Bendahan, Miriam, 1923-; Magen David Sephardic Congregation

Places: Morocco; Tangier (Morocco); Toronto (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Justice Sydney Robins [textual record, graphic material] – 1939-2012.

Accession Number: 2022-6-17

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2022-6-17

Material Format: textual record; graphic material

Physical Description: 4 cm of textual records; 10 photographs : b&w and col. ; 25 x 31 cm or smaller

Date: 1939-2012

Scope and Content: Accession consists of records documenting the life and career of Justice Sydney Robins. The records include photographs, diplomas, correspondence, and material written by or about Justice Sydney Robins.

Custodial History: Records were donated by Robins' son-i-law, Steven Sharpe.

Administrative History: Sydney Lewis Robins (1923-2014) was born in 1923 in Toronto, Ontario, to Samuel Robins and Bessie Kamarner. He graduated from the University of Toronto in 1944 and was admitted to Osgoode Hall Law School that same year. He was called to the Bar of Ontario in September 1947. Robins received an LL.M. degree from Harvard University in 1948. Robins served as a special lecturer on torts at Osgoode Hall Law School from 1948 to 1960, and participated in many continuing legal education sessions for the Law Society of Upper Canada. He was appointed a Queen's Counsel in 1962. Robins was first elected a bencher of the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1961, and served as its Treasurer from 1971 to 1974. Robins was appointed to the Supreme Court of Ontario in 1976, and to the Court of Appeal for Ontario in 1981. Robins served on several Ontario provincial commissions, and arbitrated a TTC labour dispute. Following his retirement from the bench in 1998, Robins joined the law firm of Goodmans LLP. He served as Chair of the Law Foundation of Ontario, and was active in the Canadian Bar Association. Robins died in Toronto on 10 January 2014.

Subjects: Lawyers; Justice

Name Access: Robins, Sydney Lewis, 1923-2014

Source: Archival Accessions

Canadian Society for Yad Vashem [moving images, sound recording (electronic), graphic material] – 1988-2016.

Accession Number: 2022-8-14

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2022-8-14

Material Format: moving images; sound recording (electronic); graphic material

Physical Description: ca. 260 optical discs; 83 videocassettes; 27 photographs

Date: 1988-2016

Scope and Content: Accession consists of audiovisual materials documenting the events and programs of the Canadian Society for Yad Vashem. Most of the recordings are DVDs and VHS tapes and document Holocaust commemoration and memorialization programs, and include some Canadian and international dignitaries, as well as survivor speakers. There are also a few DVD-ROMs featuring Yad Vashem educational content and a few CDs containing photographs of events.

Name Access: Canadian Society for Yad Vashem

Source: Archival Accessions

Nate Leipciger [textual record, graphic material, graphic material (electronic)] – [1923]-2021.

Accession Number: 2022-8-7

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2022-8-7

Material Format: textual record; graphic material; graphic material (electronic)

Physical Description: 30 cm of textual records and graphic material

Date: [1923]-2021

Scope and Content: Accession consists of photo albums: two family albums, one album titled "Auschwitz: Back to life", one album titled "Journey to Warsaw" in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, and one album titled "Poland" documenting Nate's trip to Poland with his son Cary in 1990. The trip was an invitation to the Second Conference of the International Advisory Committee on the Future of Auschwitz. Nate attended as one of 28 representatives from around the world as a delegate of the Canadian Jewish Congress. Also included are textual records that document Nate Leipciger's family and life in displaced persons camps and immigration to Canada and life in Canada post-Holocaust. Also included are records related to Nate's involvement with the March of the Living and the Holocaust Centre in Toronto, as well as clippings, correspondence, speeches and writings, etc.

Administrative History: Nate Leipciger was born in Chorzów, Poland, in 1928. He survived the Sosnowiec Ghetto and the camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau, Funfteichen, GrossRosen, Flossenberg, Leonberg, and Dachau. Nate and his father were liberated in May 1945, and immigrated to Canada in 1948. In Toronto Nate attended Harbord Collegiate and eventually obtained a university degree in engineering. He later established an engineering firm with several partners. In 1982, Nate chaired the Toronto Holocaust Remembrance Committee, later becoming an executive member of the Canadian Jewish Congress National Holocaust Remembrance Committee. Nate was a member of the International Council to the Museum of Auschwitz-Birkenau for fifteen years and has been an educator on March of the Living trips to Poland and Israel for fifteen years. In 2015, The Azrieli Foundation published Nate's 280-page memoir "The Weight of Freedom" as part of their series of Holocaust memoirs by survivors in Canada. In 2016, Mr. Leipciger guided Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on a tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Descriptive Notes: SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE: Album of Nate's trip to Poland is in digital format only. The original album was returned to the donor at his request.

Subjects: Holocaust survivors

Name Access: Leipciger, Nate, 1928-

Source: Archival Accessions

Harvey Freeman [graphic material, textual record] – 1914-1996.

Accession Number: 2023-1-1

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2023-1-1

Material Format: graphic material; textual record

Physical Description: 1 folder textual records; 7 photographs : b&w and col. ; 22 x 28 cm or smaller

Date: 1914-1996

Scope and Content: Accession consists of material documenting Harvey Freeman. Included are seven photographs (both black and white and colour) and a small number of textual records.; The first photograph, possibly taken in the 1940s, shows the workers of the Model Fur Co., which was located on Adelaide Street West; Morris Freeman is shown in the front centre. The second photograph, possibly taken in the 1960s, shows Max Schecter, Lord Samuel, Harvey Freeman, and Phil Givens at the mayor's office. The third photograph is a group portrait, taken in 1914, of Morris Freeman and other members of the military arsenal in Austria. The fourth photograph, date unknown, shows Harvey Freeman with a bag pipe. The fifth photograph is a family portrait in which the following individuals are identified: Abe Brown, Leah Brown, Rose Brown, Sidney Brown, Morris Freeman, Abe Golden, Fradel Goldman, and Sam Golden. The sixth photograph, taken in 1948, shows F/Sgt. Harvey Freeman at Camp Borden. The seventh photograph, taken in 1996, shows Harvey Freeman with bagpipes at the opening of Darchei Noam's new chapel.; Also included are newspaper clippings; meeting minutes of the 63rd Semi-Annual Conference of the Eastern Canadian Council, B'nai Brith, which was held in Ottawa, Ontario, in November 1955; volume 1, number 4 of the Sheaf. Annotated on the October 1943 issue of the Sheaf, published by the employees of Canadian Breweries Limited, is the following: “uncle Lou’s picture here on page 9.” Annotation refers to a photograph of Lou Krugel selling victory bonds in 1916 from the steps of Toronto’s city hall.

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.

Name Access: Freeman, Harvey

Source: Archival Accessions

Bessie Frisch [textual record, graphic material] – 1939-1987.

Accession Number: 2022-5-12

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2022-5-12

Material Format: textual record; graphic material

Physical Description: 30 cm of textual records; 10 photographs : b&w and col. ; 21 x 26 cm or smaller

Date: 1939-1987

Scope and Content: Accession consists of materials documenting the Hebrew Weston Sanitarium and Service Club. Included are meeting lists, minutes, financial statements, photographs, and invitations for charitable luncheon and tea events. Other organizations documented in the records include: Federation of Jewish Women's Organizations; Israel Lung and Tuberulosis League; Mount Sinai Women's Auxilliary; Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation; and Shaarei Shomayim.

Administrative History: Bessie Frisch was the president of the Hebrew Weston Sanitarium Club between 1967-1971; 1974-1976; and co-president with Ivy Freiman in 1980-1982. She was married to Harry Frish and had one daughter. Rhoda.; HWSC was founded in 1928 and became Hebrew Weston Charitable Services in 1967. It was a volunteer group that was formed to provide aid to the Jewish patients at the Toronto Hospital for Consulptives (more commonly known as the Weston Sanitorium), now West Park Healthcare Centre. Meals on Wheels was funded in part by HWCS in 1965 and was in full operation by 1966.

Subjects: Women; Medical care

Source: Archival Accessions

Willi Holz [textual record] – 1933-1982.

Accession Number: 2023-2-7

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2023-2-7

Material Format: textual record

Physical Description: 7 cm of textual records

Date: 1933-1982

Scope and Content: Accession consists of material, mostly correspondence, documenting Willi Holtz. Included are: a letter to Willi from the German Metal Worker's Union (20 November 1933); Willi's German Reich passport (1936); a postcard from Palestine (1938); a confirmation regarding application for certificate of entry into Palestine (2 January 1938); a letter to the Reich Interior Ministry from Willi (15 April 1939); a certification of good character for Willi (6 June 1939); a letter to the American consul in Canada from Leon L. Berkowitz regarding Willi Holz's internment in Camp "N" (17 February 1941); and a letter to F. C. Blair, director of the Immigration Branch of the Department of Mines and Resources, from Willi (8 January 1943).

Custodial History: Records were in the possession of Camille Norton, Willi Holz's stepdaughter, prior to Camile donating them to the Ontario Jewish Archives.

Administrative History: Willi Israel Holz was born on 6 April 1912 in Breslau, Germany (today Wroclaw, Poland). From 1919–27, he attended elementary school in the same city. Starting in 1927, he attended technical high school. In 1929, he joined the Kommunistischer Jugendverband Deutschlands (Young Communist League of Germany). In 1931, he received his electrician's license. Apart from a period of unemployment in 1932, he worked from 1931–38 with several firms, acquiring experience in electrical installations. In 1933, he lost his membership in the German Metal Workers' Union (Deutscher Metallarbeiter-Verband) on racial grounds.; In 1938, Willi was put in a Nazi concentration camp. In January 1939, he was released from the concentration camp. He nevertheless had to report to the Gestapo headquarters on a monthly basis until he was able to leave Germany. This proved difficult, as Willi tried and failed to immigrate to a number of countries, including Palestine, Bolivia, and China. (In the latter case, the Republic of China granted Willi and his mother visas, but there were no ship tickets available.) In February, Willi applied to be accepted for a transit camp for Jewish emigrants that was located in Richborough, England; in July, he was accepted. He arrived in Richborough on 8 August 1939. Willi's mother was unable to come with him.; From Richborough, Willi was moved between several locations before departing from Liverpool, England, on the SS Ettrick. He arrived in Quebec, Canada, on 13 July 1940 at Internment Camp "L." From there, he was transferred to Internment Camp "N" in Sherbrook. In January 1941, he was provided with an affidavit for immigration to the United States, but he was unable to enter owing to an unspecified condition. In 1942, Willi's mother was deported to eastern Europe (she died in Auschwitz). In November of that same year, Willi was transferred to yet another camp.; In February 1943, Willi was released from internment for work at Stark Electrical Instrument Co. in Toronto, Ontario. In 1944, Willi started working as foreman of the machine shop for the same company. In 1946, the plant at which Willi was working ended up moving to a different location, and Willi started work on the production line. That same year, Willi appeared before a county court judge to take the oath of allegiance. He became a Canadian citizen on 4 May 1946.; Willi died on 10 October 1979. His funeral took place at Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel.

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: A significant portion of the material is in German.

Subjects: Electricians; Holocaust survivors; Immigrants--Canada

Name Access: Holz, Willi, 1912-1979

Places: Breslau (Germany); Toronto (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Andre Rosenbaum [textual record, graphic material] – [ca. 1890]-2016.

Accession Number: 2023-2-8

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2023-2-8

Material Format: textual record; graphic material

Physical Description: ca. 18 cm of textual records; 207 photographs : b&w and col. ; 28 x 32 cm or semaller

Date: [ca. 1890]-2016

Scope and Content: Accession consists of records related to Clara and Sándor Rosenbaum, and their extended families. Included are documents and photographs documenting their lives in Hungary prior to the Holocaust, as well as their lives after immigrating to Tangier and, subsequently, Canada. Also includes Holocaust accounts and restitution papers, immigration documents, vital documents, correspondence, paper money, a late 19th- or early 20th-century prayer book, and a book of Shabbat songs.

Administrative History: Clara (Klára) Szabó was born in Bölcske on 28 Nov. 1920, the daughter of local lawyer Imre Szabó (born on 2 Jun. 1893 in Bölcske) and Vilma Szabó (née Stern, born in Bölcske in 1892). She had three siblings: Elizabeth (Erzsébet), born on 30 Dec. 1913; Anna, born on 10 Jan. 1915; and András, born on 5 Dec. 1916. The family lived in Paks, where she spent most of her youth. She went to elementary school in Paks, but moved to Budapest in 1935 to attend boarding school, returning to Paks in 1939. Her father committed suicide on 3 Mar. 1940. She married Sándor Rosenbaum in Paks on 14 Jan. 1941. While visiting her sister in Békéscsaba, the whole family were deported to Auschwitz: Clara, her mother, her brother, her two sisters, and her two-year-old niece. From Auschwitz, Clara and her sister Elizabeth were sent to Ravensbrück, and from there to Neustadt bei Coburg, where they worked as forced labourers at a Siemens factory. The rest of her family were killed in the gas chambers at Auschwitz. On 15 Apr. 1945, Clara and Elizabeth escaped from a forced march and headed towards the American advance. After the war, Clara and her husband reunited, and in 1946 relocated to Tangier, where Sándor's brother, Nikolas, had been living since 1940. There, they had two children: André (born on 27 Aug. 1949) and Anique (born on 1 Oct. 1950). They lived there until 1956, when the family relocated to Montreal. There, she was the president of the Dayan Chapter of Hadassah-WIZO from 1980 to 1982. She moved to Toronto in 1997 to be closer to her children. Clara died on 6 Feb. 2016 in Toronto.; Sándor (Alexander) Rosenbaum was born in Paks on 28 Jul. 1906, the son of Mihály (Michael) Rosenbaum (merchant, born on 1875 or 1876) and Regina Freund (1882-1932). He had three siblings: Hedvig (married to Oskar Barotti), Sari (married to Zoltan Barotti), and Nikolas. During the war, from May 1943 to Sep. 1943, he served at the Jewish labour service squadron No. 104/3, in Budapest, at the post office No. 70 labour service. The squadron was then moved to the Carpathians, and Sándor worked as a farm labourer in the region. He served as a yellow armband labour serviceman in the Carpathians until the end of Oct. 1944. He escaped from the labour camp with a friend, hiding in the Carpathian forests for a few weeks. After the war, Sándor changed his last name to Rostás to sound more Hungarian, later changing it back to Rosenbaum. He immigrated with his wife Clara to Tangier, and later to Montreal with their two kids, having worked most of his life as a businessman. He died in Montreal on 6 Jul. 1987 and was buried at Shaar Hashomayim Cemetery in Outremont.

Subjects: Holocaust survivors; Families

Name Access: Rosenbaum, Clara (Klára), 1920-2016; Rosenbaum, Alexander (Sándor), 1906-1987

Places: Hungary; Tangier (Morocco); Montréal (Québec); Toronto (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Judith Cohen [textual record, object, text, philatelic record] – [ca. 1910]-2013.

Accession Number: 2023-2-2

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2023-2-2

Material Format: textual record; object; text; philatelic record

Physical Description: 10 cm of textual records; 1 sheet of postage stamps; 8 artifacts; 1 prayer book; 1 plaque; 8 photographs : b&w and col ; 10 x 18 cm or smaller

Date: [ca. 1910]-2013

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

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

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

Source: Archival Accessions

Gloria Roden [textual record, graphic material] – 1947-2001.

Accession Number: 2023-5-7

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2023-5-7

Material Format: textual record; graphic material

Physical Description: 10 cm of textual records; 2 photographs : b&w and col. ; 13 x 18 or smaller

Date: 1947-2001

Scope and Content: Accession consists primarily of records related to Gloria Roden's term as the president of the Toronto section of the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada, from 1976 to 1979. Also includes personal records of Gloria's youth, as well as records related to committees and organizations in which she was presumably participated, such as the Association of Sponsoring Organizations – Recreation for the Elderly, the Association of Club Senior Officers – Recreation for the Elderly, the Steering Committee of the Coordinated Services to the Jewish Elderly of the United Jewish Welfare Fund, and the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Association of Senior Clubs.

Administrative History: Gloria Barbara Roden (née Mosoff) is the daugher of Alexander Eliott and Fay Mosoff. Her mother was a member and volunteer of the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada for several decades. Gloria attended Forest Hill Colegiate until her family moved to Hamilton, where she graduated from Notre Dame Academy, in Waterdown. She went on to study child management at Ryerson Polytechnical School and taught nursery school until her marriage to Jack Percival Roden, a pharmacist, in 1955. Jack and Gloria had two children: Melanie and Barry.; Gloria was a Sunday School teacher at Anshe Shalom Synagogue in Hamilton, a board member of Mt. Sinai Hospital, and served in several organizations and committees, notably the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada, of whose Toronto section she was president from 1976 to 1979.

Subjects: Women--Societies and clubs

Name Access: Roden, Gloria; National Council of Jewish Women of Canada

Places: Toronto (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

David Matlow [multiple media] – 1982-2017, predominant 2014-2015.

Accession Number: 2023-5-5

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2023-5-5

Material Format: multiple media

Physical Description: 40 cm of textual records and other material

Date: 1982-2017, predominant 2014-2015

Scope and Content: Accession consists of records documenting David Matlow's role as chair of the UJA Campaign 2015, his involvement in the March of the Living, and other community organizations. Also reflects Andrea Cohen's role as co-chair of campaign and Allison Himel as chair of Women's Philanthropy. Includes 40 cm of textual records, 16 photographs (col. ; 22 x 28 cm or smaller), 2 prints (poster ; 28 x 36 cm or smaller), 1 wristband, 1 medal (8 cm in diam. on loop 4 x 42 cm), 1 t-shirt, and 1 papercut (18 x 18 cm in frame 30 x 36 cm).

Administrative History: David Matlow is the owner of the world’s largest private collection of Theodor Herzl memorabilia and is the producer of My Herzl, a 52 minute documentary by Israeli film maker Eli Tal-El. A partner at Goodmans LLP in Toronto, David was the co-chair, together with Andrea Cohen, of Toronto’s 2015 Campaign for the United Jewish Appeal.

Subjects: Fund raising; Jewish outreach; Jewish philanthropists

Name Access: Matlow, David; UJA Federation of Greater Toronto

Source: Archival Accessions

Rabbi Joseph Benjamin Friedberg [architectural drawing, graphic material, object, textual record, sound recording] – 1930-2012.

Accession Number: 2022-8-4

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2022-8-4

Material Format: architectural drawing; graphic material; object; textual record; sound recording

Physical Description: ca. 11 m of textual records and other material

Date: 1930-2012

Scope and Content: Accession consists of records documenting the life and career of Rabbi Benjamin Friedberg. Included are subject files, eulogies, sermons, marriage records, funeral record cards, conversion certificates, gittin (Jewish divorce documents), addresses for High Holiday services, and photographs. Also include are a few artifacts, such as felt patches and medallions, as well as sound recordings. A large number of documents are relating to Rabbi Friedberg's rabbinical career at Beth Tzedec Congregation.

Administrative History: Rabbi Joseph Benjamin Friedberg (1927-2022) was born on June 26, 1927, in Toronto to Chaim (Chamel) and Rochel Rose Friedberg. Rochel Friedberg was born in Polaniec, Poland (Russian part of Poland), the daughter of Moshe and Sura Poss. Rochel had little formal education but learned Talmud from her father. In her youth, Moshe came to Toronto to make a living and had to leave the family behind; shortly thereafter, World War I broke out, and Rochel was sent to the town of Stopnitz. She was then sent to Crackow to work. Rochel married Chaim (Chamel) Friedberg from Patchenev, who was enlisted in Pilsudski’s army. Before the Great Depression, Rochel and Chaim immigrated to Canada. Later on, Chaim took ill and had to go to the Western Sanitarium; soon after that, he passed away in 1957. Rochel passed away in 1992.; Rabbi Benjamin Friedberg was a native of Toronto and received his basic religious and secular education there. He attended Harbord Collegiate in his youth. After spending a number of years at the Yeshiva University in New York, he returned home to attended the University of Toronto, from which he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1949. In 1950, Rabbi Friedberg entered the Rabbinical School of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. He received his Master of Hebrew Letters degree and rabbinical ordination in 1954.; Rabbi Friedberg’s first pulpit was in Rochester, New York. He served as assistant rabbi at Beth Tzedec Congregation in 1955; and then as rabbi of B’nai Israel Congregation in London, Ontario. In 1959, he received his Master of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario in Bible and Archaeology. As part of his doctorial program, he studied in the Department of Archaeology and Bible at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem; he also spent several years studying in the Department of Religion at the University of Ottawa with special emphasis on the Samaritans.; In 1961, Rabbi Friedberg was called to the pulpit of Agudath Israel Congregation in Ottawa, Ontario, where he served for thirteen years until 1974.; In 1974, he was appointed senior rabbi at Beth Tzedec Congregation, Toronto. His major emphases in the congregation were the development of both child and adult education and emphasizing Israel as the dominant fact in Jewish life today. Much of the programming at Beth Tzedec that he instituted dealt with Israel.; Rabbi Friedberg’s interest in Jewish education was responsible for the founding of a Hebrew High School in Ottawa. His concern with Jewish youth prompted him to devote his time as counsellor to the Hillel Organization on the campuses of the University of Western Ontario, Carleton University, and the University of Ottawa. He taught Bible, Biblical Hebrew, and courses in Judaism at the University of Ottawa; and was an occasional lecturer at the University of Western Ontario in the Orientals Department. While living in Ottawa, he was active in a number of Jewish communal organizations. He was the founder and the organizer of the Ottawa Soviet Jewry Committee and was head of the Jews in Foreign Lands Committee and Canada-Israel Committee. Also, he was on the Social Welfare Council and was chairman of the Aliyah Committee in Ottawa.; Rabbi Friedberg was active with the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC) and the Canadian Zionist Federation (CZF). He worked actively on behalf of the CJC’s Educational Department. He was on the executive of the CJC Central and Eastern Regions and served as national chairman of the CJC’s International Affairs Committee. As an active Zionist, he served as national chairman of the Hasbara Committee of the CZF and was president of Mercaz Canada, the Zionist organization of the Masorti (Conservative) Movement. He also organized Israel tours and led Israel tour groups for a number of times. Rabbi Friedberg was the recipient of citations of the UJA, State of Israel Bonds, and various other awards in recognition of his communal work. In addition, he had also been invited to serve as a member of Teddy Kollek’s Jerusalem Committee.; Rabbi Friedberg was a contributor to Anglo-Jewish press, television work, and radio. He was chairman of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s Religious Advisory Committee and hosted his own television program called “Focus.” He had written for the London Free Press, and the Ottawa Citizen, and a number of Jewish periodicals.; Rabbi Friedberg was married to the former Lola Constant of Montreal (1930-2022). They had three children together—Mark, Gilah, and Esther. Lola Friedberg had a degree from McGill University in Arts and Music. She had given two-piano recitals in conjunction with her twin sister, Miriam “Mitzi” Leboff, on a number of occasions. Lola had taught piano and conducted choirs in Montreal and Ottawa.

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: Rabbis; Sermons; Eulogies

Name Access: Friedberg, Benjamin, 1927-2022; Beth Tzedec Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)

Places: Toronto (Ont.); Ottawa (Ont.); London (Ont.); Jerusalem

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

United Israel Appeal of Canada [graphic material, textual record] – 1977-1996.

Accession Number: 2023-9-9

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2023-9-9

Material Format: graphic material; textual record

Physical Description: 1 folder of textual records; 53 photographs : b&w and col. ; 25 x 18 cm or smaller

Date: 1977-1996

Scope and Content: Accession consists of material documenting United Israel Appeal of Canada. Included are photographs of various sites in Israel (many under construction), including: Kibbutz Yuron, a student centre in memory of Norman Ratner located in the Old City of Jerusalem, the Arthur Fuchs Youth Centre located in Kiryat Shmona, the Leo Baeck School, the Boxer Sports Hall located in Yesud HaMa'ala, and a kindergarten in Gderot Nahanya Hospital. In addition to these photographs, there is a small amount of correspondence and several newspaper clippings.

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: Some of the material is in Hebrew.

Subjects: Charities

Name Access: United Israel Appeal

Places: Israel

Source: Archival Accessions

Beta Sigma Rho [textual record, graphic material, object] – 1922-1994.

Accession Number: 2023-11-1

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2023-11-1

Material Format: textual record; graphic material; object

Physical Description: 18 cm of textual records; 11 photographs : col ; 10 x 15 cm or smaller; 91 slides : col ; 35 mm; 54 negatives : col. ; 35 mm

Date: 1922-1994

Scope and Content: Accession contains material related to the Beta Sigma Rho Fraternity, Eta Chapter at the University of Toronto. Included in the material is a 1922 constitution and ritual book, pledge and introduction manuals, rushing guidelines, records of initiation and interviews with pledges, programmes and invitations to annual balls, dinner dances, conventions and reunions, revenue reports, invoices and receipts, legal documents relating to the house sale and dissolution of the chapter, meeting minutes, membership lists, ETA and Grand Chapter newsletters, newspaper clippings, personal correspondence and memorabilia, photographs and slides, songbooks and correspondence. Also included is material relating to the Beta Sigma Rho Grand Chapter, New York, New York. The included object is a wooden case with a glass door, presumably used to hold information or announcements.

Custodial History: Records were in the possession of several individuals in the following order: Barney Dales, Marvin Pearl, Ed Bogolmy, Richard Stein.

Administrative History: The Beta Sigma Rho fraternity was founded in 1910 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York by four Jewish veterinary students who were unable to obtain membership in existing fraternities because of their religion. Originally named Beta Samach, the purpose of the fraternity was to promote fraternal spirit and good fellowship among its members, to diffuse a liberal culture, to advance scholarship, and to further equity in college affairs. Although not formally stated in its constitution, the fraternity also served a social function allowing its members to develop friendships and to take part in social events, such as dances.; The fraternity began to expand nationally in 1914, and in 1920 the fraternity’s name was changed to Beta Sigma Rho. The fraternity expanded into Ontario in 1930 with the Eta Chapter at the University of Toronto. In 1944 a second Canadian chapter was opened at the University of Western Ontario, known as the Iota Chapter.; Membership in Beta Sigma Rho began to decline in the late 1960s, and in 1972 its national office merged with the Pi Lambda Phi fraternity for financial assistance. The chapter at Pennsylvania State University chose not to take part in the merger and became an independent fraternity under the new name Beta Sigma Beta.

Subjects: Greek letter societies

Name Access: Beta Sigma Rho Fraternity (Toronto, Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel [textual record] – 1930-1980.

Accession Number: 2023-11-3

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2023-11-3

Material Format: textual record

Physical Description: 4.9 m of textual records

Date: 1930-1980

Scope and Content: Accession consists of record books and file cards documenting deceased persons handled by Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel.; The seven record books were kept by Joseph Benjamin from 1930 to 1980 and contain the following information: date of death, yarzheit, name of deceased, cemetery section, name of cemetery. The outside dates for each book are:; Book 1: Jan. 1930 to 31 Dec. 1945; Book 2: 1 Jan. 1946 to 19 Dec. 1953; Book 3: 1 Jan. 1954 to 29 Dec. 1959; Book 4: 29 Dec. 1959 to 29 Dec. 1963; Book 5: 1 Jan. 1964 to 30 Dec. 1968; Book 6: 29 Dec. 1968 to 28 June 1972; Book 7: 29 June 1972 to 30 June 1980; The complete set of file are arranged alphabetically in chronological order, 1936–1945, 1954–1976, vols. 1 to 21. Records arranged chronologically 1916 to 1957, vols. 21 to 24. The cards contain information about the deceased which supplements that found in the record books:; Volume 1: Aaron to Benaim; Volume 2: Benatar to Breslin; Volume 3: Breslin to Cohen; Volume 4: Cohen to Dzialoszynsk; Volume 5: Eaton to Fox; Volume 6: Fox to. Golant; Volume 7: Gold to Green; Volume 8: Green to Herman; Volume 9: Herman to Katz; Volume 10: Katz to Kyriazoglou; Volume 11: Labelle to Lipschitz; Volume 12: Lipset to Miller; Volume 13: Miller to Pearson; Volume 14; Pearson to Roher; Volume 15: Roher to Saltman; Volume 16: Saltman to Shindler; Volume 17: Shindman to Sobel; Volume 18: Soberman to Swerling; Volume 19: Swersky to Wein; Volume 20: Weinbaum to Yellin; Volume 21: Yeretsky to Zyro; 1 Jan. 1946 to 21 June 1947; Volume 22; 21 June 1947 to 28 Oct. 1949; Volume 23: 30 Oct, 1949 to 31 Dec. 1951; Volume 24: 1 Jan. 1952 to 31 Dec. 1953

Custodial History: Transferred from Library and Archives Canada in 2023 at the request of the OJA and with permission from Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel.

Administrative History: Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel was founded in 1922 by Henry Benjamin, who was a member of one of the early chevrah kadishas of Toronto. Henry Benjamin came to Canada at the turn of the nineteenth century from Russia. He owned a grocery store on College Street in Toronto and had a wagon that he used to deliver groceries. Wagons were rare in the Jewish community at that time, so Henry was asked by Toronto’s first chevrah kadisha to use his wagon to help deliver bodies for burial. At first, he did this because he felt a responsibility to his community. Over time, he became more deeply committed to the work of the chevrah kadisha. When his son, Joe, was a young man, Joe helped his father prepare bodies for burial, and his father impressed upon him that taking care of the dead was a sacred trust.; In 1922, the Ontario government passed a law to regulate funerary services. From then on, the cultural traditions of all ethnic and religious communities had to be practiced under the auspices of a licensed funeral home. That year, H. Benjamin and Sons was established on Spadina Avenue to provide the proper legal framework for continued service by the members of this chevrah kadisha.; Joe Benjamin took over the company in 1939 following Henry Benjamin's death. The chapel (then known as the Park Memorial Chapel) served the Jewish community for forty years from its premises on Spadina Crescent. In Joe’s forty years, the chapel was known as H. Benjamin and Sons, Park Memorial Chapel, and, finally, Benjamin’s Park Memorial Chapel.; While Henry’s worldview had been local—focused within a few square blocks in Toronto—Joe’s was much wider. He was an active participant in the Jewish Funeral Directors of America, expanding his expertise and helping to develop many of the standards of communication, practice, process, philosophy, and values that are characteristic of the North American Jewish funeral home.; After university, Michael Benjamin, Joe’s son, studied to become a licensed funeral director in Ontario. He enhanced his training at Yeshiva University in New York and the Institute of Funeral Services in Evanston, Illinois. He studied Jewish ethical issues around burial with the late Rabbi Felder. He pursued an ambitious dream for a new funeral facility, custom-designed to meet the highest standard of care for the Jewish community. He assumed full responsibility for the business in 1979.; Toronto’s Jewish community had spread up the “Bathurst spine” to the suburbs and across the city. The culturally and religiously homogeneous Judaism then practised started to splinter through immigration and new religious movements. Benjamin’s followed the community north and built a new chapel at 1404 Steeles Ave W., which opened in 1977, the first designed specifically for Jewish funeral rituals.; As of 2024, Michael Benjamin and now his children, Marc, Jordan, and Barbi, continue to guide the business. After university, Marc and Jordan qualified for their funeral director licenses, while Barbi gained her certificate in human resources. They now form the core executive team under Michael, helping to guide Benjamin’s into the future.

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

Descriptive Notes: USE CONDITION NOTE: Records less than forty years old will be made available only to:; researchers who have obtained written permission from Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel;; staff of the archives for purposes of answering specific requests for information and providing reproductions of records in response to such requests, with the cause of death and the cost of the funeral redacted;; researchers who seek information of a statistical nature and who agree in writing that they will not disclose directly or indirectly information about any individual person.

Subjects: Burial records

Name Access: Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel

Places: Toronto (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions

Herbert Goldstein [textual record] – 1992.

Accession Number: 2024-1-6

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2024-1-6

Material Format: textual record

Physical Description: 1 folder of textual records

Date: 1992

Scope and Content: Accession consists of material documenting Herbert Goldstein. Included is Herbert's typed, first-hand account of his experience being in Berlin during Kristallnacht. According to Herbert's friend Larry Mogelonsky, Herbert wrote down his account in 1992.

Custodial History: Larry Mogelonsky was a friend of Herbert Goldstein and donated Herbert's account to the Ontario Jewish Archives after his friend's death.

Administrative History: Herbert Goldstein lived in Montreal and moved to Toronto circa 2000. He passed away on 17 April 2012.; Herbert's obituary was published in the Toronto Star on 19 April 2012. The obituary records the following information: "Herbert Goldstein, beloved husband of Sheba. Loving father and father-in-law of Debra Goldstein and David Cohen, and Earl Stuart and the late Lisa Goldstein. Dear brother and brother-in-law of Edward and Susan Goldstein, and Lynda Gould. Devoted grandfather of Jacob, and Sophie Cohen, and Jessica and Matthew Stuart."

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

Descriptive Notes: Availability of other formats: Also available as a PDF/A file.

Subjects: Kristallnacht, 1938

Name Access: Goldstein, Herbert

Places: Berlin (Germany)

Source: Archival Accessions

Allan Robbins [textual record] – [198-]-[199-].

Accession Number: 2024-3-5

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 2024-3-5

Material Format: textual record

Physical Description: 7 scrapbooks

Date: [198-]-[199-]

Scope and Content: Accession consists of seven scrapbooks, three of which contain newspaper clippings documenting the 1982 Lebanon War, and the remaining four contain newspaper clippings related to the trials of James Keegstra (a high school teacher convicted of promoting hatred against an identifiable group) and Ernst Zündel (a publisher and pamphleteer who was charged twice in the 1980s for publishing literature denying the Holocaust).

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: Hate speech--Law and legislation; Holocaust deniers; Lebanon--History--Civil War, 1975-1990

Name Access: Keegstra, James, 1934-2014; Zündel, Ernst, 1939-2017

Places: Canada; Lebanon

Source: Archival Accessions

Morton Bernholtz [graphic material, textual record] – [ca. 1961]-1984.

Accession Number: 1991-6-3

Source: Archival Accessions

Accession Number: 1991-6-3

Material Format: graphic material; textual record

Physical Description: 2 cm of textual records; 2 photographs : b&w

Date: [ca. 1961]-1984

Scope and Content: Accession consists of the records created and collected by Morton Bernholtz. Records document Morton Bernholtz's involvement within the Windsor Jewish community.; There are newspaper clippings about the Shaar Hashomayim Religious School in Windsor and specifically about Bernholtz's participation with the school, including as chair for several years. Programmes are included from some of the graduation exercises and bar mitzvah ceremonies held by the school. Included is a black-and-white photograph depicting members of the school's staff.; The records also include materials of the Windsor Jewish Community Council, for which Morton Bernholtz was president from 1966–1968. There is also a playbill, newspaper review, and a photograph from a production of Guys and Dolls put on by the Centre Theatre Workshop at the Jewish Community Centre in 1963. Both Morton Bernholtz and his wife Lottie played roles in the musical.

Administrative History: Morton Bernholtz was an active member of the Jewish community in Windsor, Ontario, where he held positrons as president of the Windsor Jewish Community Council and was chair of the Shaar Hashomayim Religious School. He was married to Lottie Bernholtz.

Places: Windsor (Ont.)

Source: Archival Accessions