Accession Number
2005-11-1
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2005-11-1
Material Format
graphic material
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w ; 51 x 41 cm and 21 x 26 cm
1 item
Date
[ca. 1940]-[196-]
Scope and Content
Accession consists of 2 photographs and a sign related to the Jewish Public Library. One photograph is of Ben Zion Hyman, founder of the library, in graduation dress. There is writing in Hebrew on top of the photograph dated October 1940. A second photograph is of Bert Godfrey, Eddie Gelber and two other gentlemen sitting in the library. The sign is from the 1960s and has the address and operating hours of the library along with some other information for the patrons
Custodial History
The items were housed in the library and found during renovations.
Use Conditions
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the Archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Subjects
Libraries
Name Access
Jewish Public Library (Toronto, Ont.)
Hyman, Ben Zion
Godfrey, Bert
Gelber, Eddie
Source
Archival Accessions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Level
Series
ID
Fonds 37; Series 1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Level
Series
Fonds
37
Series
1
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1956-1978
Physical Description
447 photographs : b&w and col. (392 negatives) ; 26 x 21 cm or smaller
Admin History/Bio
The Negev dinners were established in 1948, coinciding with the creation of the State of Israel, as an annual fundraising dinner. The Jewish National Fund hosted these annual dinners in honour of a leading Canadian citizen, and the proceeds from the dinners were used to establish JNF projects in Israel in the name of the honouree. The JNF projects have, and continue to do so today, raised money to purchase land in Israel's Negev desert and for re-forestation efforts.
The annual dinner was dedicated to a member of the Toronto Jewish community, who had demonstrated outstanding support and commitment to the Community and to the State of Israel. In honour of this individual's contributions, the secured land in Negev was named after them. The honourary guests were presented with awards of appreciation from members of the Canadian and International Jewish community, often including delegates from Israel. The dinners were attended by prominent members of Toronto's Jewish community, including politicians, business men, and philanthropists.
Each subsequent dinner became larger and more successful in its aim to raise funds for Israel, as a result this event soon became the most significant Jewish event in Toronto. As well, it was also the largest annual kosher meal served in Toronto.
The JNF produced an annual Negev Dinner yearbook, commemorating the event, and documenting both the lives of the honouree's family and the current activities of the JNF. As well, the names of individuals who donated money for the JNF projects were recorded in the Souvenir books under patrons and sponsors of the dinners.
Scope and Content
Series consists of negatives taken by Al Gilbert documenting eight Negev Dinners hosted by the Jewish National Fund. The images depict the various activities undertaken at these dinners including: the procession and introduction of the head table guests, the presentation of awards, speeches, toasts, presentation of flowers to the honouree or the wife of the honouree, and the entertainment. The majority of the negatives are portraits taken of the guests posing with the honouree and his or her family. One dinner in this series was dedicated to the Toronto Jewish Community (1956) on the year of its centenary, while the others are in honour of one significant member of the community.
There were Negev dinners held across Canada; however, the dinners in this series were all held in Toronto and were primarily attended by members of the Toronto Jewish community. The honourees documented in this series include: 1956, Toronto Jewish Community; 1966, Bert Godfrey; 1967, Nathan Silver; 1968, Phil Givens; 1970, Leon E. Weinstein; 1973, Rt. Hon. John G. Diefenbaker; 1974, Phil Granovsky; 1978, Eric and Esther Exton.
Notes
Selection for this series reflects the various activities of the Negev dinners, including: speeches, toasts, award presentations, dinner tables, introductions, honourees, entertainment and presentation of flowers. In addition, we selected a sample of images documenting the dinner tables and guests who were not part of the evening's programme, and therefore, would not be captured in the aforementioned criteria.
Name Access
Negev
Jewish National Fund
Godfrey, Bert
Silver, Nathan
Givens, Phil
Weinstein, Leon E.
Diefenbaker, Rt. Hon. John G.
Granovsky, Phil
Exton, Eric
Exton, Esther
Subjects
Awards
Dinners and dining
Fund raising
Arrangement
Series has been arranged into files representing each annual dinner.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 37; Series 1; File 2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Level
File
Fonds
37
Series
1
File
2
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1966
Physical Description
51 negatives : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm
Admin History/Bio
Bert Godfrey was born on June 1, 1908 to Minnie Reisman and Solomon Godfrey. He married Ruth Grossman and they had two children named Corrine Leigh and Sheldon. Bert Godfrey was president of S. Godfrey Co. Ltd, a wool import and export company founded by Samuel Godfrey.
Godfrey contributed much time and energy to the cause of Israel and other philanthropic pursuits. Mr. Godfrey was founding president of Beth Tzedec and former president of Goel Tzedec. He served as president of the Bureau of Jewish Education and was founding president of of the United Synagogue Day School. He also sat on several different boards including: Mount Sinai, Jewish home for the Aged, United Jewish Welfare Fund and the Canadian Jewish Council.
Other awards presented to Bert Godfrey include, the Jewish Theological Seminary of America's Louis Marshall Award in 1961 and the National Human Relations Award from the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews in 1964.
Scope and Content
File consists of negatives documenting the 1966 Negev Dinner held in honour of Bert Godfrey. The dinner was hosted by the Jewish National Fund at the Royal York Hotel and was attended by members of the Toronto Jewish community.
Images are of the main activities and participants of the event including speeches and presentations from the following guests: Alfred Green, Rabbi Gedalia Felder, Rabbi Erwin Schild, Nat Hurwich, Manny Rotman, Honourable Gabriel Lourie, Honourable Allan A. Grossman, Mayor Philip G. Givens, Samuel Shainhouse, Morris B. Kaufman, Rabbi David Monson, Max Schecter, Honourable Mr. Justice Abraham H Lieff, Rabbi Stuart E. Rosenberg, Louis L. Lockshin, Rabbi Louis J Cashdan, and Julius Hayman.
Name Access
Negev Dinner
Jewish National Fund
Godfrey, Bert
Green, Alfred
Felder, Rabbi Gedalia
Schild, Rabbi Erwin
Hurwich, Nat
Rotman, Manny
Lourie, Honourable Gabriel
Grossman, Allan A.
Givens, Philip G.
Shainhouse, Samuel
Kaufman, Morris B.
Monson, Rabbi David
Schecter, Max
Lieff, Mr. Justice Abraham H.
Rosenberg, Rabbi Stuart E.
Lockshin, Louis L.
Cashdan, Rabbi Louis J.
Hayman, Julius
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Bert Godfrey file
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 37; Series 1; File 2; Item 1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Bert Godfrey file
Level
Item
Fonds
37
Series
1
File
2
Item
1
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1966
Physical Description
1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm
Notes
Photograph by Al Gilbert.
Name Access
Godfrey, Frank
Godfrey, Bert
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Bert Godfrey file
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 37; Series 1; File 2; Item 6
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Bert Godfrey file
Level
Item
Fonds
37
Series
1
File
2
Item
6
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1966
Physical Description
1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Rabbi Stuart Rosenberg speaking at the 1966 Negev Dinner held in honour of Bert Godfrey. Seated from left to right are: Mr. & Mrs. Bert Godfrey, Rabbi S. Rosenberg, Mr. & Mrs. Julius Hayman.
Notes
Photograph by Al Gilbert.
Name Access
Godfrey, Bert
Hayman, Julius
Rosenberg, Stuart E., 1922-1990
Subjects
Dinners and dining
Rabbis
Speeches, addresses, etc
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Bert Godfrey file
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 37; Series 1; File 2; Item 17
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Bert Godfrey file
Level
Item
Fonds
37
Series
1
File
2
Item
17
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1966
Physical Description
1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Rabbi Stuart E. and Hadassah Rosenberg at the Negev dinner held in Bert Godfrey's honour. Rabbi Rosenberg was a guest speaker for the event.
Notes
Photograph by Al Gilbert.
Name Access
Rosenberg, Rabbi Stuart E.
Rosenberg, Hadassah
Godfrey, Bert
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Bert Godfrey file
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 37; Series 1; File 2; Item 18
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Gilbert Studios fonds
Negev dinners series
Negev dinner honouring Bert Godfrey file
Level
Item
Fonds
37
Series
1
File
2
Item
18
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1966
Physical Description
1 negative : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm
Notes
Photograph by Al Gilbert.
Name Access
Godfrey, Bert
Hayman, Julius
Repro Restriction
Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
Source
Archival Descriptions