Part Of

David Vanek fonds

Personal records series

Level

Series

Fonds

1

Series

1

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Date

1906-1999

Physical Description

6 cm of textual records

4 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm or smaller

Scope and Content

Series includes correspondence and documents pertaining to the Vanek family in Russia and their early years in Ontario, recent letters from a cousin concerning family genealogy, and personal letters from Vanek to his wife, as well as correspondence concerning personal and professional matters from colleagues and friends. There is also an itinerary and notes from a judges' trip to China that took place in 1983 plus several photographs of the Vanek family.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Dunkelman fonds

Business series

Level

Series

Fonds

2

Series

3

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

architectural drawing

Date

1898, 1941-1988

Physical Description

56 photographs and other material

Admin History/Bio

Ben Dunkelman’s involvement in business was wide-ranging. He served as president of Tip Top Tailors after his father and as president of Cloverdale Shopping Centre. Along with his wife, Yael, he also opened the Dunkelman Gallery for modern art and Dunkelman's restaurant.

Scope and Content

Series consists of photographs, correspondence, pamphlets and papers documenting Benjamin Dunkelman’s business activities. The files are organized into three sub-series: Tip-Top Tailors, Constellation Hotel, and Dunkelman Gallery.

Notes

Physical description: Includes 6 cm of textual records, 5 architectural drawings, and 1 postcard.

Subjects

Business

Physical Condition

Most photographs are warped.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Solomon Edell fonds

Personal series

Level

Series

Fonds

4

Series

1

Material Format

multiple media

Date

[ca. 1900]-2000

Physical Description

49 cm of textual records and other material

Admin History/Bio

Sol Edell, the son of Paul and Mollie Edell, was one of five siblings. He and Dolly Weinstock, the daughter of Moishe and Sylvia Weinstock, had two daughters and two sons and lived in Toronto. After Dolly died in 1961, he married Celia (née Rogen) Hoffman, a widow, in 1966. He became the stepfather to the two sons of Max and Celia Hoffman who had been residents of Hamilton. Some members of the family remained in Toronto while others moved to other parts of Canada, the United States and Israel. Sol Edell was actively involved in or provided financial support to many educational, professional and religious organizations.

Scope and Content

Series includes correspondence, invitations, publications, photographs, family films and a sound recording. The series is made up of seven sub-series: Associations, Charities, Community Activities, Education and Extra-Curricular Activities, Life Cycle and Family Events, Religious, and Residence.

Notes

Physical description note: includes 12 photographs, 7 film reels, 1 audio reel, 1 plaque, 4 badges, and 47 architectural drawings.

Name Access

Hoffman, Max

Hoffman, Celia

Rho Pi Phi

Harbord Collegiate

Subjects

Education

Greek letter societies

Physical Condition

Film and sound reels should be digitized.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Solomon Edell fonds

Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue series

Level

Series

Fonds

4

Series

7

Material Format

textual record

architectural drawing

graphic material

Date

1913-1999

Physical Description

22 cm of textual records

4 architectural drawings

2 photographs

Admin History/Bio

Shomrai Shabbos is an orthodox congregation which was founded in 1896. Sol Edell’s grandfather, Rabbi Yosef Weinreb, served as rabbi of the congregation from 1900 until 1942. The synagogue was in several downtown locations until it moved to its present location on Glengrove Avenue in North York in 1966. The congregation has grown steadily over the years and now has a membership of over 350 families. Sol Edell’s family were members of the congregation when he was a child. Although he retained his membership in the congregation after his marriage, he rarely attended the services at the synagogue. However, he did continue to participate in fundraising on behalf of the synagogue.

Custodial History

The earlier records were collected by Sol's grandfather, Rabbi Yosef Weinreb, or his father, Paul Edell. After their deaths, Sol maintained his membership in the congregation and continued to receive material from the synagogue.

Scope and Content

Series consists of records documenting the establishment, construction, membership and activities of the Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue. Included is correspondence, speeches, technical drawings, financial records, ledgers, a tribute book, legal records, flyers, bulletins, marriage certificate receipts, certificates, invitations, a photograph, and stationary.

Name Access

Felder, Gedalia, Rabbi

Yosef, Weinreb, Rabbi

Subjects

Architecture

Synagogues

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Paul Edell fonds

Business records series

Level

Series

Fonds

5

Series

1

Material Format

textual record

Date

[191-]-[194-]

Physical Description

8 cm of textual records

Scope and Content

Series consists of correspondence and a ledger book relating to Paul Edell's business, Royal Printing. The ledger covers the years 1925 to 1932 and contains a list of customers and details about their printing jobs. Also included is Royal Printing stationery as well as samples of stationery that he printed for his customers.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Paul Edell fonds

Community activities series

Level

Series

Fonds

5

Series

2

Material Format

textual record

Date

1919-1978

Physical Description

5 cm of textual records

Scope and Content

Series consists of correspondence and a certificate relating to some of Paul Edell’s community activities including Shomrai Shabbos and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care fonds

Jewish Old Folks' Home series

Level

Series

Fonds

14

Series

6

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

object

Date

1917-[ca. 1950]

Physical Description

16 photographs and other material

Scope and Content

Series consists of records documenting the activities of the Jewish Old Folks' Home. Included are photographs, annual calendars, a badge, coins, a land deed, and a donation receipt.

Notes

Includes 3 folders of textual records, 1 badge, and 2 coins.

Name Access

Jewish Old Folks Home (Toronto, Ont.)

Related Material

For additional photographs of the Jewish Old Folks' Home see Fonds 61, series 6.

For minutes of the Jewish Old Folks' Home Committee (1934-1935) see Fonds 62, series 3, file 3.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Lipa Green fonds

Personal series

Level

Series

Fonds

20

Series

1

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Date

[190-]-[197-]

Physical Description

18 cm of textual records

68 photographs : b&w and sepia (23 negatives) ; 21 x 26 cm or smaller

Scope and Content

Series consists of records documenting Lipa Green's personal life. Included are donation receipts, greeting and bereavement cards, event invitations, personal correspondence, speeches and writings, photographs, and a scrapbook.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Morris Norman collection

Franklin family legal documents series

Level

Series

Fonds

22

Series

2

Material Format

textual record

Date

1856-1958

Physical Description

38 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

Abraham Franklin (ca. 1844-1905) and his wife Frances "Fanny" Franklin (ca. 1844-1908) came to Canada from Germany in 1865, via the United States. Together they had seven children: Jacob ("John"), Henry ("Harry"), Hyman ("Herman"), Annie (m. Robinson), Simon ("Sam"), Dora, and Katie.

Abraham began as a picture frame dealer on York Street, later becoming, with his wife, the owner of a second-hand clothing store on Queen Street West. By 1890, Abraham had established a jewellery store named Franklin Brothers, with his sons Jacob and Henry, and by the early 1910s also owned A. Franklin & Sons. The two businesses continued to operate simultaneously as a pawn shop, a jewellery store, and even a bicycle repair shop.

The Franklin family owned many large plots of valuable land in downtown Toronto, which they leased out to individuals and businesses, including Eaton's. Their land was located on the north side of Albert Street from James Street to Bay Street, along Gerrard Street from Yonge to Elizabeth Streets, and along Walton Street from Yonge to Elizabeth Streets. Later, the children inherited the property held by their parents, which had extended around the Queen Street West and Portland Avenue area.

In 1916, stemming from family concerns over her upcoming marriage to Elias Robinson, Annie Franklin transferred ownership of her portion of the inherited Franklin estate to her brothers—Henry, Hyman, and Simon—for a cost of $25,000 to be held in trust for her.

Scope and Content

This series contains residential and commercial leases between various members of the Franklin family and the building occupiers, as well as deeds of land documenting the purchase or transfer of land. Also included are statutory declarations, mortgage papers, and some family legal documents.

The documents have been arranged into files by property and have been described at the file level. There is also a separate file for the family legal documents and for a set of invoices submitted by the Franklin family barristers.

Accession Number

2002-5-1

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Levine and Cass family fonds

Moses Levine family series

Level

Series

Fonds

25

Series

1

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[189-]-1976

Physical Description

28 photographs : b&w and sepia toned (3 negative) ; 28 x 18 cm or smaller

3 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

Moses (Moishe) Joseph Levine (1864-1919) immigrated to Toronto from Minsk in 1887. He was the son of Aaron and Sarah Levine (née Snider) (1832-1915). He began working as a peddler and later became a grocer. Sarah Levine (née Cass) (1876-1978) emigrated from Russia to Montreal around 1891, with her younger brother, Phillip. She then came to Toronto and initially lived with her sister, possibly Annie Smith, on York Street. Her first employment in the city was as a dressmaker. She was the daughter of Abraham Cass (1840-1897) and Rachel Rebecca Cass (née Cowart?) (1838-1903), who both immigrated to Canada in 1892.

Moses and Sarah met in Toronto and were married in 1895. They went to Midland with Moses' brother, Michael, and opened a store there. Their first daughter, Mary Soskin (1895-1990), was born in Midland that same year. However, after a few years, Moses and Sarah decided to move back to Toronto while Michael stayed in Midland with his wife, Anne Woods, and their children.

Moses and Sarah Levine first lived on Chestnut Street, then moved to Centre Avenue, then 115 Spadina Avenue near Dundas around 1903, and finally to 224 Beverley Street near College. Moses' mother, Sarah, lived with them for thirteen years. They had six additional children: Fanny (1898-1923), Anne Thuna (1899-1964), Abe (b. 1901), Harry (b. 1903), Rita (1905-1975), and Dorothy Bliss (1909-1992).

In the 1910 Toronto City Directory, Moses is listed as a grocer at 115 Spadina Avenue at Adelaide. Once he was able to, he moved into a larger wholesale grocery at 25 Jarvis Street in Toronto and is listed there in the 1920 Toronto City Directory.

The Levine family belonged to Goel Tzedec Congregation, which was located in a small church building purchased for the synagogue on University Avenue at Elm Street. A larger building was later built on University Avenue.

Moses died in 1919 after accidentally falling down an elevator shaft at his grocery store. The family closed the business shortly thereafter and the family continued to live on Beverley Street.

Scope and Content

Series consists of photographs which include the immediate family members and friends of the Moses Levine family. Series also contains one file of textual records relating to Sarah Levine's 90th and 94th birthdays and life membership in the Baycrest Women's Auxiliary.

Name Access

Levine, Moses

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Levine and Cass family fonds

Michael Levine family series

Level

Series

Fonds

25

Series

2

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1892]-[191-?]

Physical Description

4 photographs : b&w ; 16 x 11 cm or smaller

Admin History/Bio

Michael Levine (1869-1918) and Anne Woods (1876-1933) immigrated to Canada in 1889 from Russia and England respectively. They were married in 1892 in Toronto. They lived at 116 Agnes Street around this time. Michael was a merchant and opened a store in Midland, where the family lived for some years, before eventually moving back to Toronto. Their children were Martha (m. Samuels) (b. 1893), Rachael “Rae” (m. Rose) (b. 1894), Aaron “Harry” (b. 1896), Fanny (m. Gunn) (b. 1897), Mary (m. Ginsberg) (b. 1899), Rebecca “Rita” (b. 1901), Moses “Morris” (b. 1904), Abe (b. 1905), and Lillian (b. 1909). In the 1901 Canada Census, a Joe Woods is also listed in Simcoe East, Midland. Joe was likely the brother of Anne Woods Levine. By 1911, the family was living in Toronto at 65 Sullivan Avenue.

Scope and Content

Series consists of photographs of members of the Michael Levine family.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Levine and Cass family fonds

Abraham Levine family series

Level

Series

Fonds

25

Series

3

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1900-[193-]

Physical Description

5 photographs : b&w ; 15 x 10 cm and 14 x 10 cm and 10 x 5 cm

Admin History/Bio

Abraham [Avram?] Levine, was Moses Levine’s brother. He died young, possibly in 1908. He married Sarah Freinkelstein (d. 1948) in 1894, and they lived at 100 Elizabeth St., in Toronto. They had two sons Harry (1899-[1966?]) and Philip, both of whom worked in the building industry. Abraham worked as a dry goods merchant.

Scope and Content

Series consists of photographs of the Abraham Levine family.

Name Access

Levine, Abraham

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Levine and Cass family fonds

Salamansky family series

Level

Series

Fonds

25

Series

6

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[188-?]-[ca. 1927]

Physical Description

7 photographs : b&w ; 14 x 10 cm and 10 x 7 cm

Admin History/Bio

[Chana?] (Annie) Levine (1861-1931) was the sister of Moses Levine. She married Pesach (Philip) Salamansky (1861-1943) and they immigrated to Toronto from Russia in 1887. In 1903 the Salamanskys lived at 27 Centre Street and operated a grocery store from the same location. They later moved to 204 Chestnut Street and 268 Brunswick Avenue. Their children were Harry (b. 1889), Louis (b. 1890), Fanny (b. 1893), Gertie (b. 1894), Abe (b. 1899), and Sam (b. 1903).

A number of Salamanskys lived in Toronto and some of them shortened their names to Salem in the 1920s and 1930s, perhaps in connection with Salem’s Garage on 479 Spadina St., which would have been an identifiable Salamansky family-owned business. Harry and Hinda may have been relations of Pesach.

Louis Salamansky, son of Pesach and Anna Salamansky, and resident of 204 Chestnut Street, married Anna Kosloff in 1922 and worked as a plumber. Another Louis Salamansky (b. 1883), possibly his cousin, was married to Mary, and had two daughters, Ettie and Sylvia (both born in 1907). Harry Salamansky married Hannah (née Horowitz) in 1911, and also worked as a plumber and hardware merchant.

Scope and Content

Series consists of photographs of members of the Salamansky (Salem) family.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Levine and Cass family fonds.

Bliss family series

Level

Series

Fonds

25

Series

8

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1900]-[1954 or 1955]

Physical Description

8 photographs : b&w ; 26 x 21 cm or smaller.

Admin History/Bio

Harry Bliss (1882-1931) was born in Russia and immigrated to Canada around 1909. He lived at 442 Ontario Street, in Toronto, from 1916 until his death and was employed as a vest-maker and an insurance agent. He had three sons: Barney, Henry and Johnny. Their mother, whose name may have been Tobby, remarried after Harry’s death, to a Mr. Raymond.

Dorothy Bliss (née Levine) (1909-1992) was the daughter of Moses and Sarah Levine. She was married to Barney A. Bliss (d.1985) and they had one daughter, Helen Woolven (née Bliss) (b.1938) who worked as a medical secretary. She married Ed Woolven and they lived in Ottawa. They had two children: Stephen (b.1962) and Linda (b.1965).

Henry Bliss (d.1992), Barney’s brother, married Ida Bliss, and they had three children: Harvey and Eileen Bliss and Barbara (m.Gastman).

Scope and Content

Series consists of photographs of members of the Bliss family.

Name Access

Bliss family

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Levine and Cass family fonds

Samuels family series

Level

Series

Fonds

25

Series

9

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1890]-[192-]

Physical Description

10 photographs : b&w ; 20 x 13 cm or smaller

Admin History/Bio

Rebecca (Bessie) Samuels (née Levine) (b.1875) was Moses Levine’s sister. In 1895, she married Joseph Samuels (b.1874), at which time the couple lived at 116 Agnes St. and Joseph was employed as a tinsmith. He later became a retail merchant in Toronto and owned a hardware store located at 275 Queen St. West. Their children were Harry (b.1896), Fanny (b.1898), Ida (b.1900), Annie (b.1902), Mary (Martha) (b. 8 Dec. 1908), and Abe (b.1911). Harry was drafted in 1917, and, following the war, he and Fanny worked in their father’s store. The family also lived on Queen Street, but by the 1930s had moved to 410 Brunswick Ave.

Scope and Content

Series consists of photographs of the Samuels family.

Name Access

Samuels family

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Levine and Cass family fonds

Soskin family series

Level

Series

Fonds

25

Series

10

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[189-]-1951

Physical Description

23 photographs : b&w ; 26 x 21 cm or smaller

Admin History/Bio

Martha Soskin (née Cass) (1866-1946), Sarah Levine's sister, was married to George Soskin (b.1858), a storekeeper in Waubaushene, Ontario. George was born in Poland and had been previously married. Martha and George were already married when they immigrated to Canada in 1888, via the U.S., where their first child was born, in St. Louis, Missouri. They had as many as ten children: Isaac (1886-1976); Libby (m.Rothbart) (b.1888); Minnie “Hannah” (m.Rotenberg) (b.1891); Benjamin (1894); Beulah (m.Cole) (1896-1953); Sarah Mary (m.Mendel) (b.1898); Lobe Yente “Tesa” (m.Narrol) (b.1900); Abram Benjamin (b.1902); Aaron (b.1905); and “Ralph” Ruben (b.1907). The family moved from Waubaushene after 1901, and were listed as residents at 16 Lansdowne Ave. in the Toronto West region in the 1911 Census.

Isaac married Channah Aungene Abramson (d.1979) in Saskatchewan in 1913. They lived in Los Angeles, where Isaac worked as a clothing merchant, and the couple later moved to San Francisco, where they lived until their deaths. Libby married Maurice Rothbart in 1912 and they moved to Chicago. Beulah married Al Cole in 1916, and the younger Soskin daughters, Sarah and Tesa, were both married in 1919, to Paul Mendel and Albert Narrol respectively. George retired and moved with Martha and the other adult children to Los Angeles, where Benjamin worked in the real estate business. The 1930 US Census record also lists Aaron, Tesa (then divorced), and her son, Albert Narrol (b.1921) as residing in the same Los Angeles household.

Mary Levine (1895-1990), daughter of Moses and Sarah Levine, married Saul Soskin (d.1953), George Soskin's son from his first marriage. They lived in Toronto and later moved to Los Angeles. They had three children: Morton “Bud”, Estelle (b.1922), and Fred (1929-2000). Estelle was married to Irving Liss and worked as a secretary. They were married in Los Angeles in 1946 and lived in Toronto, while the other members of the family remained in California. Bud married Lee and had a son. Fred worked in production control for an aircraft company. He married Diane [?] and had four children: Scott, Christopher, Robin (m.Barnes), and Maria.

Scope and Content

Series consists of photographs of members of the Soskin family.

Name Access

Soskin family

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Levine and Cass family fonds

Cass family series

Level

Series

Fonds

25

Series

11

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1894-[192-]

Physical Description

15 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 15 cm or smaller

Admin History/Bio

Abraham Cass (1840-1897) married Rachel Rebecca Cass (née [Cowart?]) (1837-1903). They were both born in Russia and immigrated to Canada in 1892 to join their eldest children who had already immigrated to Ontario. The children of Abraham and Rachel Rebecca Cass were: daughters: Fayge (m.Sax) (1861-1942), Hannah (m.Segel) (1863-1930), Martha (m.Soskin) (1866-1946), Dora (m.Levy) (b.1871?), Sarah (m.Levine) (1876-1978), and Annie (m.Smith) (1880- 1952); and, sons: David M. Cass (1869-1959), Bill Cass (b.1874?), and Phillip Cass.

Their son David Mitchell Cass had immigrated to Canada earlier than his parents, in 1889. His wife, Hannah (née Kleiman) (1870-1935), immigrated to Canada in 1890, and they were married in 1894. David Cass worked for Pregger's Grocery Dealer as a salesman and gave Moses Levine work-related advice in this area. David and Hannah lived, in Waubaushene and Tey Township, in Simcoe County, where they were neighbours of the Soskins and where most of their children were born. By 1911, however, they had moved back to Toronto. They had eleven children: Ethel I. (m.Gold) (1894-[1998?]), Infant Cass (unnamed, died at 7 weeks, 1895), "Abe" Abraham B. (1897-1987), Leah G. (m.Harser) (1899-1975), Sarah "Sec" Marie (m.Rogers) (1901-1932), Ely "Hilly" (b.1902), "Reuben" Garfield P. (1904-1991), Dorothy (m.Sandler) (b.1906), Anne (m.Solway) (1907-1994), Rita (m.Appleby), and Libby (m.Balick).

As a new immigrant to Canada, having emigrated from Russia in 1896, Louis Smith (1873-1945) was registered as a tailor in the 1901 federal census. He later worked as a contractor in Toronto. He was married to Annie Cass, Sarah Levine's sister, in 1901 and they lived together at 5 Edward Street, along with Rachel Rebecca Cass, with whom they cohabitated following the death of Abraham Cass.

David and Hannah's son, Abraham Cass, was married to Carrie (née Waldman) in 1922. Garfield married Dorothy (née Simon) and had two children, Donna and Danny. Anne Solway was married to a prominent Toronto violinist and music teacher, Maurice Solway (1906-2001), and they had one son, Stephen.

Scope and Content

Series consists of photographs of members of the Cass family.

Name Access

Cass family

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Levine and Cass family fonds.

Segel family series

Level

Series

Fonds

25

Series

12

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1900]-1916

Physical Description

3 photographs : b&w ; 15 x 10 cm and 14 x 10 cm and 4 x 3 cm

Admin History/Bio

William Segel (1861-1918?) married “Anna” Hannah Cass (1863-1930) in 1887 in St. Louis, Missouri, and they immigrated to Canada in the same year. They were both Russian-born immigrants. They had five children: Julius (b.1888), Isaac “Ike” (1891-1982), Sarah Mary (m.Clavir) (1894-1968?), Matthew (1895-1982), and Reuben (b.1905) and seem to have moved frequently within Ontario around the turn of the century, perhaps in connection with William’s work as a merchant. Isaac, Sarah, and Matthew were employed in retail positions in their young adulthood.

Following William Segel’s death from influenza during the early stages of the pandemic in 1918, Anna Segel lived with her children at 76 Wright Ave., in Toronto. Isaac and Matthew were drafted during The Great War in 1917 and 1918 respectively. Sarah was married to William “Bill” Clavir (1893-1975) in 1918 and lived in Toronto at 23 Burncrest Drive. Isaac later married Esther Kenen (1895-1986) and they lived in Hamilton, where they had a son, Avrum (Duke). Matthew Segel married one of William Clavir’s sisters, Gertrude.

Scope and Content

Series consists of photographs of members of the Segel family.

Name Access

Segel family

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Levine and Cass family fonds

Sax family series

Level

Series

Fonds

25

Series

13

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[189-?]-[192-?]

Physical Description

7 photographs : b&w ; 16 x 10 cm or smaller

Admin History/Bio

Sarah Levine (née Cass) had an elder sister named Fayge “Fanny” Cass (1861-1942). Fayge married a Mr. Sax and lived in the United States. They had a son named Morris (d.1947?) and also had a daughter, possibly named Eva.

Scope and Content

Series consists of photographs of members of the Sax family taken in Toronto and the United States.

Name Access

Sax family

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Levine and Cass family fonds

Weiner family series

Level

Series

Fonds

25

Series

14

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1900]-[192-?]

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w ; 14 x 9 cm and 13 x 10 cm (oval)

Admin History/Bio

Julius Weiner was born in Russia on 10 April 1892. He married Fanny Salamansky (b.1893), who was the daughter of Annie (née Levine) and Pesach Salamansky, and niece of Moses Levine. The Weiner's had four children named Ray [Rachel?], Abraham, Charles, and Bess. Julius was a tailor who was also active in the community, especially after he retired. He was one of the oldest members of both B'nai Brith and B'nai Zion. He was also involved in the fundraising efforts for the United Jewish Appeal and received honours for his humanitarian services. He was a member of Beth Lida synagogue.

Scope and Content

Series consists of photographs of members of the Weiner family.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Levine and Cass family fonds

Levy family series

Level

Series

Fonds

25

Series

15

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1902]-[192-?]

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

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

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

Scope and Content

Series consists of photographs of members of the Levy family.

Name Access

Levy family

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Levine and Cass family fonds

Miscellaneous family members series

Level

Series

Fonds

25

Series

17

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[188-?]-[193-?]

Physical Description

5 photographs : b&w ; 14 x 10 cm or smaller

Scope and Content

Series consists of photographs of individuals whose relationship to the Levine family is not known. These include members of the Samuel, Keyfetz, Wineberg, and Gold families as well as one identified as Ethel C.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Levine and Cass family fonds

Unidentified photographs series

Level

Series

Fonds

25

Series

18

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[188-?]-[195-?]

Physical Description

42 photographs : b&w ; 20 x 25 cm or smaller

Scope and Content

Series consists of unidentified photographs primarily of members, relatives, and/or friends of the Levine and Cass family.

Source

Archival Descriptions

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Part Of

Harold S. Kaplan fonds

Architectural projects series

Level

Series

Fonds

27

Series

1

Material Format

architectural drawing

graphic material

textual record

Date

1913-1968

Physical Description

348 architectural drawings

123 photographs

2 cm of textual records

Scope and Content

The series consists primarily of architectural drawings and photographs of buildings designed or renovated by Kaplan & Sprachman, or by Harold Kaplan following the dissolution of Kaplan & Sprachman in 1965. Many projects are documented through only a few interior and exterior photographs of the building or photographs of architectural models and drawings. The architectural drawings include floor plans, elevations, sections, mechanical and electrical plans and lot plans. Approximately a third of the drawings are originals done in pencil, while the remainder are blueprints, blueline prints and other reproductions.

The series is organized chronologically into sub-series by the buildings worked on: Loew's Theatre, 189 Yonge Street, Toronto (now the Elgin Theatre); Loew's Uptown Theatre, 764 Yonge Street; Loew's Winter Garden Theatre (189 Yonge St., Toronto); the Jewish Home for the Aged; the Kaplans' homes in North York and in an apartment or condominium bulding, Park Towers; Atlas Radio Corporation; R.J. Sapera's store at Sheppard Ave. E. and Willowdale Ave.; Mr. & Mrs. P. Cooper's residence (Pembroke); the Primrose Club, Russell Hill Rd. & St. Clair Ave., Toronto; Precast Building Products (Vaughn Township); Thorncliffe Theatre (East York); and, Mr. & Mrs. S. Greenberg's residence, 19 Dellbank Drive.

Sub-sub-series are defined for the series of projects undertaken at Loew's Theatre, and at the Uptown Theatre. These sub-sub-series are organized by the original project reference code or by date when a reference code is not available.

In some cases, the project materials include plans prepared by other architects who carried out earlier work on the building in question, or by contractors for Kaplan & Sprachman projects. The sub-sub-series for Uptown Theatre projects includes, for example, photostatic reproductions of the 1919 theatre plans by Thomas W. Lamb.

Notes

The Thorncliffe Theatre plans were created by Mandel Sprachman, architect, son of Abraham Sprachman. Harold Kaplan's role in this project is not known.

Accession Number

2003-6-1

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Harold S. Kaplan fonds

Family photographs and other personal materials series

Level

Series

Fonds

27

Series

4

Material Format

textual record

object

graphic material

Date

[ca.1910]-[ca. 1968]

Physical Description

2 cm of textual records

10 photographs : b&w and col. (1 negative) ; 21 x 26 cm or smaller

Scope and Content

The series consists of the following materials:.

4 prize cards (9x12 cm) won by Kaplan in drafting or design competitions at the Canadian National Exhibition in 1916, 1918, and 1919.

5 photographs of stores on Dundas Street near Bay Street, probably dating from the mid-1910s.

A colour photocopy of the invitation to Kaplan's stag party, 13 Dec 1923.

A participant's medal from the 1948 Olympic Games in London, England, where Kaplan & Sprachman's design for the Oakdale Golf & Country Club was entered in the Arts Competition.

An undated typescript of a speech given by Kaplan to the Council of Jewish Women, entitled What to look for in building or buying a home.

4 family photographs.

A pamphlet and button from the Save the Eglinton Theatre Committee, and an article on the Eglinton Theatre from the Toronto Star, 26 Apr 1996. These materials were added to the fonds by Kaplan's daughter, Phyllis Pepper.

Name Access

Kaplan, Harold S., 1895-1973

Accession Number

2003-6-1

2004-3-4

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Zionist Organization of Canada fonds

National Administrative Council and Executive Board series

Level

Series

Fonds

28

Series

1

Material Format

textual record

Date

1919-1977

Physical Description

86 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

The National Administrative Council was the executive and administrative body of the Zionist Organization of Canada. From 1919 to 1921, its predecessor for the Federation of Zionist Societies of Canada was known as the Executive Committee for Zionist Affairs in Canada, or the Executive Committee of the Federation of Zionist Societies of Canada.

At its convention in 1921, the Zionist Organization of Canada adopted a constitution which called for the election of a National Administrative Council at each convention, to be responsible for administration of the Organization between conventions. The first meeting of the National Council took place on 7 February 1921, at the Zionist Headquarters in Montreal. The Council was composed of the Organization's executive officers, regional representatives and representatives from Hadassah-Wizo and Canadian Young Judea. An Executive Board was also formed, which included members elected at the conventions, ZOC executive officers and the immediate past-president, the chairs of National Administrative Council standing committees, representatives of Hadassah-Wizo and Young Judea, and other National Administrative Council regional representatives elected from the Council's members. The Board could also appoint additional members at its discretion to assist in its work. The Executive Board was delegated to carry out the decisions and ongoing work of the National Administrative Council and of the Organization generally.

Scope and Content

The series is organized into five sub-series, which includes: minutes of meetings of the National Administrative Council and the Executive Board and their predecessor, the Executive Committee for the Federation of Zionist Societies of Canada (1919-1970); correspondence of the Council and the ZOC Executive Vice-President (1970-1976); auditor's reports and financial statements maintained by the National Treasurer (1929-1968); records of the Council's Constitution Committee (1952-1975); and, records of the Commission of Enquiry Regarding Canadian Olim (1975-1977).

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Men's Clothing Manufacturers' Association of Ontario fonds

Legal series

Level

Series

Fonds

31

Series

1

Material Format

textual record

Date

1919-1975

Physical Description

8 cm of textual records

Scope and Content

This series consists of the legal documents of the Men's Clothing Manufacturers' Association of Ontario. Included are the various constitutions and by-laws, a copy of the original letters-patent, correspondence related to the supplementary letters-patent when the organization changed their name from the Associated Clothing Manufacturers, as well as the corporate information returns filed with the Provincial Government.

Accession Number

2008-12-4

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Men's Clothing Manufacturers' Association of Ontario fonds

Annual and general meeting minutes and agendas series

Level

Series

Fonds

31

Series

4

Material Format

textual record

Date

1919-1979

Physical Description

45 cm of textual records

Scope and Content

This series consists of meeting minutes, agendas and other accompanying material created at the annual and general meetings with the Association's membership.

Accession Number

2008-12-4

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Men's Clothing Manufacturers' Association of Ontario fonds

Negotiations Committee series

Level

Series

Fonds

31

Series

5

Material Format

textual record

Date

1919-1987

Physical Description

83 cm of textual records

Scope and Content

This series consists of records related to the activities of the Negotiations Committee. Included are the committee's meeting minutes and agendas, records of the negotiation proceedings, conciliation and arbitration hearings, Impartial Chairman's reports and correspondence, as well as collective agreements.

Access Restriction

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

Accession Number

2008-12-4

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Men's Clothing Manufacturers' Association of Ontario fonds

Other committee meeting minutes and agendas series

Level

Series

Fonds

31

Series

9

Material Format

textual record

Date

1919-1976

Physical Description

13 cm of textual records

Scope and Content

This series consists of the meeting minutes and agendas created by the various ad-hoc committees of the Association. Also included are minutes taken at meetings with other organizations and representatives of other branches of the men's clothing industry, such as the coat and vest contractors.

Access Restriction

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

Accession Number

2008-12-4

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

William Stern fonds

Family photographs series

Level

Series

Fonds

33

Series

1

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1913]-1976

Physical Description

84 photographs : b&w and col. (55 negatives) ; 21 x 26 cm or smaller

Admin History/Bio

Bill Stern's father, Moishe (Morris) Shternshis (ca. 1893-1976), was born in Lagov, Poland, the son of Lebil and Rachel (Shedlovsky) Shternshis. He came to Canada in 1911, and upon his arrival, changed his surname to Stern. Bill Stern's mother, Fanny Rumianek (ca. 1896-1991), was born in Chmielnik, Poland, the daughter of Moishe Hamelech and Golda (Zimmerman) Rumianek. The family arrived in Canada in 1913. Moishe and Fanny met a few years later, and were married at the Ostrovtzer Synagogue on Cecil Street on 16 December, 1916. The couple moved to Hamilton in 1917, but later returned to Toronto.

For over forty years, Moishe worked as a milkman. Beginning in 1921, he was the first Jewish independent milkman in Toronto. It was a profitable and successful venture for the Stern family, and as a result, Moishe founded a co-operative in 1944, with six other milkmen. Named the Alliance Dairy, the business was eventually bought by Borden's Creamery in 1966, and Moishe retired as a result. Fanny volunteered much of her time to organizations such as the Jewish Old Folks Home and Sunnybrook Hospital.

The first child born to Moishe and Fanny was Max Stern (1918-1997), who eventually joined the army, married Ruth Soles, and had two daughters, Bonnie and Janie. Today, Bonnie is a well-known Canadian cook-book author. Bill was the second child, born in 1921.

In 1923, Moishe brought his younger brother, Sam Stern (1912-1939), to Canada from Lagov, Poland. Although actually his uncle, Bill was raised knowing Sam as his brother. In 1933, Sam travelled to Palestine and founded the Ginosar Kibbutz, near Tibireus. He was killed six years later while on guard duty.

Scope and Content

This series consists of photographs documenting the Stern and Rumianek families. They include individual and group portraits, as well as snapshots of family events and gatherings.

The photographs have been arranged chronologically and have been described at the item level.

Accession Number

1980-2-1

1981-9-4

1986-1-8

1991-5-5

1991-5-6

2004-5-96

2004-5-135

2006-2-8

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Weddings series

Level

Series

Fonds

37

Series

6

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1895-1966

Physical Description

8 negatives : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Scope and Content

Series consists of images taken at weddings by both Nathan and Al Gilbert.

The wedding images are of brides and grooms, guests, the head table and dessert tables, and the ceremony. Some of the images are taken in synagogues.

Subjects

Weddings

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Jewish clubs, businesses and organizations series

Level

Series

Fonds

37

Series

8

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1917-1935

Physical Description

9 negatives : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Scope and Content

Series consists of photographs of clubs and organizations that had a Jewish membership or mandate. Included in this sub-series are group portraits of the Girl Guides, 69th Toronto Company; Judeans; Rokeah, the Jewish Druggist's Club; the U.of T. Menorah Society; the YMHA; and the Jewish Legion.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Gilbert Studios fonds

Miscellaneous collection series

Level

Series

Fonds

37

Series

9

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[1914-1935]

Physical Description

7 negatives : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm

Custodial History

This series was compiled by the Gilbert family and transferred to the Archives in 1991.

Scope and Content

Series consists of photographs collected by the Gilbert family. The Gilbert family collected historically significant photographs. Included in the sub-series are photographs of the Koffler family, Leon Mendelson, and Elias Pullan, which were given to Al Gilbert by the families.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Jewish community building plans and drawings series

Level

Series

Fonds

49

Series

1

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[1915]-1940

Physical Description

174 architectural drawings

Scope and Content

Series consists of Benjamin Brown’s architectural plans and drawings of significant buildings designed or renovated for Toronto‘s Jewish community, including proposals that were never implemented. Contained within are renovation plans of the Beach Hebrew Institute synagogue, an ark design for the McCaul Street Synagogue, and the complete designs of the Henry Street Synagogue. The last of these projects is of particular significance, because it was the first synagogue in Toronto designed by a Jewish architect and was one of Brown‘s largest commissions. Drawings of the Primrose Club (a Jewish men’s club) and the Brunswick Talmud Torah Day School, as well as plans of Camp Yungvelt (a Jewish summer camp) are also included. Additionally, several preliminary sketches of synagogue facades are contained within.

The majority of these drawings are on tracing or drafting paper, several of which are in colour, and the remainder are either blueprints or drawn on cardboard. Floor plans, elevations, sections, foundation plans and sketches of building exterior facades and interiors are included. Additionally, there are drawings of windows, doors and synagogue arks.

Physical Condition

Several drawings and plans are in poor condition. See file level descriptions for further details.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

Series

Fonds

49

Series

2

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1919-[1935]

Physical Description

327 architectural and technical drawings

Scope and Content

Series consists of Benjamin Brown’s architectural drawings of personal residences that were either designed or renovated for real estate developers, landlords or the occupants themselves. The majority of the buildings were designed for a Jewish clientele, many of whom were prominent citizens, including Louis Gelber and Mendel Granatstein. Brown also created designs for his own personal residence on Castle Frank Crescent, however the home was never completed. Most of the houses he designed or renovated were located in the Annex, Forest Hill, Casa Loma or Hillcrest neighborhoods. Many were designed with elements of Georgian, Craftman, Colonial Revival and/or Tudor architectural styles. They ranged from three storey mansions to small duplexes and single story homes. The vast majority of his commissions were standard three or four bedroom two storey homes.

The majority of these drawings are on tracing or drafting paper, several of which are in colour and the remainder are either blueprints or drawn on cardboard. Plans, sketches, elevations, sections, detailing and technical drawings of the residences are included.

Subjects

Dwellings

Physical Condition

Several drawings are in poor condition. See file level descriptions for further details.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

Series

Fonds

49

Series

3

Material Format

architectural drawing

graphic material

textual record

Date

1919-1949

Physical Description

ca. 1000 architectural and technical drawings

2 photographs : b&w ; 38 x 30 cm or smaller

1 cm of textual records

Scope and Content

Series consists of architectural and technical drawings of commercial buildings that Benjamin Brown either designed or altered. Most of Brown’s clients were Jewish owned businesses, several of which were run by prominent members of the community. These businesses included Imperial Optical, Gelber Brothers Woolens, the City Dye Works, Schipper Brothers Furs, and the Empire Clothing Company.

Architectural plans of apartments, warehouses, theatres, service stations, banks, restaurants, stores, office towers, a bakery and a laundry are included. Several of these buildings are now designated as Toronto heritage buildings. These include the Balfour Building, the Hermant Building (eastern tower), the Hermant Annex, the Commodore Building and the Standard Theatre. Also included are plans of the headquarters of Famous Players Canada, which later became a subsidiary of Cineplex Odeon.

The majority of the drawings are either blueprints or pencil drawings on tracing or drafting paper, several of which are also in colour. Some are on linen weave or cardboard. Plans, elevations, sections, sketches, detailing, photographs of building exteriors, building specifications, and technical drawings of the buildings are included.

Physical Condition

Several drawings are in poor condition. See file level descriptions for further details.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Demonstration Drawings series

Level

Series

Fonds

49

Series

4

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1910-[1935]

Physical Description

15 architectural drawings : 1 blueprint, pencil and 10 hand col. watercolour, pastel and pencil crayon, some on cardboard, some on verso of blueprints ; 55 x 70 cm or smaller

Scope and Content

Series consists of several high quality colour sketches of a variety of buildings. These have been grouped together to display Brown’s artistic ability and were originally used for both public display or as commissions. Drawings are sketches of both commercial and residential buildings. Among the sketches are building interiors and exteriors, an entrance, a theatre stage and a bedroom. Brown's sketch of a public library when he attended the University of Toronto is also included. Two drawings have been described at the item level, one is the library Brown drew when he was a student and the other is a house interior of exceptional quality.

Notes

Both drawings with item level descriptions are encased in Melinex.

Physical Condition

The two drawings in roll 1 are in need of conservation. Both have significant tears.

6/16/2015: The two rolled drawings were sent out for conservation treatments.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Reference materials series

Level

Series

Fonds

49

Series

5

Material Format

architectural drawing

textual record

Date

1912-1947

Physical Description

28 architectural drawings

15 cm of textual records

Scope and Content

Series contains articles and illustrations from a book and several architecture and design journals that influenced Benjamin Brown‘s work, as well as plans of buildings he didn’t design, but he either subsequently altered, influenced his work or was built for one of his clients.

Included are the original plans of an office building of Doctors Solway and Pollock that Brown later altered, the plans of a Talmud Torah Hebrew School in New York City and the plans of a theatre on Kingston Road. Architectural drawings of the house of Samuel Godfrey and stores for Mr. A. Levy, both of whom hired Brown for other projects, are also included.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Julius P. Katz fonds

General correspondence series

Level

Series

Fonds

55

Series

3

Material Format

textual record

Date

1919-1969

Physical Description

60 cm of textual records

Scope and Content

The series consists of Katz's miscellaneous correspondence and telegrams filed chronologically by year. The content includes messages of congratulations, regrets, Passover and New Year's greetings; family correspondence and letters; letters from Katz as a representative of various organizations and agencies such as Mizrachi, Jewish National Fund, Jewish Immigrant Aid Services and United Jewish Welfare Fund; solicitation letters; and letters of recognition (e.g. Polish Farband for service, donations, etc.).

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Julius P. Katz fonds

Photographs series

Level

Series

Fonds

55

Series

8

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[191-?]-[195-?]

Physical Description

56 photographs : b&w, col. and sepia ; 40 x 15 cm or smaller

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

This series consists of portraits of Katz, family pictures, photographs of conferences and public events attended by J. P. Katz and photographs of religious and governmental dignitaries. Also included are copy prints of religious and governmental dignitaries.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Ben Kayfetz fonds

Collected materials series

Level

Series

Fonds

62

Series

3

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

object

Date

1919-1970

Physical Description

11 cm of textual records

18 photographs

1 object

Scope and Content

Series consists of various materials collected by Ben Kayfetz. It includes various items from Nazi Germany including a Jewish yellow star and number on a badge, Nazi hymn book and a service book of a Nazi Stormtrooper. Among the other materials are photographs of the Bronfman family, World War II enlistment posters, Peretz School Composition books and Jewish Old Folks Home Committee minutes.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

The Shuls Project fonds

Reference series

Level

Series

Fonds

64

Series

5

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

architectural drawing

Date

1859-1980

Physical Description

35 cm of textual records

10 photographs

41 architectural drawings

Scope and Content

Series contains reference materials created by and written about the synagogues. Primary records include commemorative booklets, a small number of newsletters, brochures, and programs from special events. There are also newspaper clippings and copied articles providing histories of synagogues. There is a small number of photograph prints and negatives, but many of the files also include photographs from books, magazines or photocopies. The series is arranged in alphabetical order by city, then by synagogue. Not every synagogue the project team researched has a reference file, and there may be reference files for shuls for which no photographs survive.

Subjects

Synagogues

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of Toronto fonds

Incorporation series

Level

Series

Fonds

66

Series

1

Material Format

textual record

Date

14 Sep. 1917

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content

Series consists of the original Province of Ontario letters patent legally incorporating the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of Toronto with the powers to collect and distribute funds for charitable or philanthropic purposes.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of Toronto fonds

Annual, special and general Meeting minutes series

Level

Series

Fonds

66

Series

2

Material Format

textual record

Date

1918-1922, 1935-1936

Physical Description

2 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

Under the original articles of the FJPT, an annual meeting was to be held in March or April each year, commencing with 1918. The main business of such meetings was the submission of a full report on the previous year's activities and the election of a new group of fifteen trustees to replace the fifteen who were retiring. Forty members were necessary to constitute a quorum of annual meetings.

Scope and Content

Series consists of the minutes of the annual meetings of the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies from 1918 to 1920 and for the 1935/36 year. Also included are minutes of a special meeting in 1935 and general meetings in 1918 and 1922.

Related Material

See Fonds 67, Series 1 for minutes of the annual meetings of the United Jewish Welfare Fund.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of Toronto fonds

Annual reports series

Level

Series

Fonds

66

Series

3

Material Format

textual record

Date

1917-1929

Physical Description

4 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

From the beginning of its operation, the FJPT distributed an annual report. Although originally titled an "Annual Statement", it was meant to inform the community about its funding activities and organizational changes resulting from its annual meeting. Its central component, the alphabetical donor lists, was however seen by Toronto Jewish residents as a way of publicly lauding the generosity of donors while by implication shaming those community residents who were not contributing.

Scope and Content

Series consists of the published annual reports of the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies. Only four of these publications are still extant; 1917-1918, 1918-1919, 1924-1925, and 1929. Reports contain lists of officers, managers and trustees as well as the names and descriptions of affiliated organizations receiving funds. Information about new by-laws, rules and internal organizational changes are also found here. The largest component of each report was always an alphabetical list of individual and corporate donors, showing how much each contributed.

Of special note are the descriptions of the various charitable organizations supported by the FJPT. Reports from some, but not all, years also contain donor addresses. In several cases these annual reports may be the sole source for information about these early Jewish community charities.

Related Material

See fonds 67, Series 2 for Annual Reports of the United Jewish Welfare Fund, successor to the FJPT.

Arrangement

The files are arranged in chronological order.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of Toronto fonds

Board of Trustees series

Level

Series

Fonds

66

Series

4

Material Format

textual record

Date

[1918?]-1936

Physical Description

5 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

The original FJPT Board of Trustees membership was set at forty-five, with fifteen serving at a time and fifteen being replaced annually. With the passage of time, and especially after 1929, new board members became harder to find, while remaining members rarely attended the occasional scheduled meetings. By the early 1930s, finding a quorum became virtually impossible, and a twelve-member Board of Management reporting to the Executive Committee was constituted to assume the responsibilities of the Board of Trustees. A small nominating sub-committee was utilized to select members of the Board of Trustees.

Scope and Content

Series consists of two sub-series. Sub-series 1 contains minutes, correspondence and reports of meeting of the Board from 1919 to 1925. Sub-series 2 contains Minutes of the Nominations Sub-committee of the Board from 1935 and 1936.

Related Material

For records of meetings of the FJPT Board of Management, see Fonds 66, Series 1.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of Toronto fonds

Executive Committee series

Level

Series

Fonds

66

Series

6

Material Format

textual record

Date

1918-1924

Physical Description

3 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

The Executive Committee of the FJPT was the original management team responsible for the ongoing operations of the organization. It consisted of the officers of the FJPT: the honorary president, the president (who acted as committee chair), all four vice-presidents, the treasurer, the honorary secretary, and the executive director. Regular meetings were held monthly, but occasional special meetings were sometimes called to deal with emergencies or special events. All of its policy and procedures recommendations were passed to the Board of Trustees for final approval. Edmund Scheuer was its first chair and remained on the committee as honorary president throughout the 1920s.

Although this committee was established in 1918, and existed until at least 1934, no meeting minutes remain from the years between 1924 and 1937.

Scope and Content

Series consists of meeting minutes of the Executive Committee of the FJPT.

Related Material

See Fonds 67, Series 5 for records of the Executive Committee of the United Jewish Welfare Fund.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Congregation Beth David fonds

Religious programs and services series

Level

Series

Fonds

88

Series

2

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1916]-1994

Physical Description

4 cm of textual records (1 v.)

3 photographs (1 negative) : b&w ; 15 x 18 cm or smaller

Scope and Content

Series consists of photographs and textual records documenting Congregation Beth David's marriage, Bas Torah and conversion services, and its affiliated programs; the Beth David Hebrew School, Beth David Sisterhood, and Beth David Cemetery. Included are certificates; correspondence; a marriage register for the period from November 1952 to June 1963; one photograph of an early Hebrew School class; one photograph and program of the Congregation's first Bas Torah service for Elaine Abeles, Sherry Rotberg and Susan Rotberg; and, a report on the school's classrooms. Series also contains records documenting the Sisterhood's library, including; library book cards, an income and expenses notebook, bookplates and a memo.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Isaac Matenko fonds

Workmen's Circle series

Level

Series

Fonds

89

Series

1

Material Format

graphic material

textual record

Date

1911-1971

Physical Description

5 folders of textual records

13 photographs : b&w ; 19 x 23 cm mounted on board 30 x 34 cm or smaller

Admin History/Bio

The Workmen's Circle (Arbeiter Ring) is a radical left Jewish fraternal organization founded in 1900. It was originally established to protect the rights of Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe who were entering the North American labour force. The Workmen's Circle's main purpose was to promote the labour movement and ensure economic justice for its members. It also promoted secular Yiddish culture, and ran many schools and summer camps across North America, such as Camp Yungvelt in Pickering.

The I.L. Peretz School began as the Toronto Yiddish National-Radical School in 1911. It was founded by Socialist-Territorialist members Isaac Matenko, Abraham Rhinewine, Paul Frumhartz, Aaron Bromberg, H. Rigelhaupt, L. Goldman, and Louis Koldovsky in order to promote Yiddish culture and language. By 1916, it had been taken over by the Workmen’s Circle and renamed the I.L. Peretz School. The founders overcame many obstacles to establish the school, including opposition from religious groups (which preferred Hebrew over Yiddish); a lack of support from the Jewish community; and a serious lack of funds.

The school began in a rented room in the Zionist Institute on Simcoe St., with about forty students. By the following school year, the number had increased to 330, due to cheap tuition and a good reputation. The growing number of students necessitated several moves to larger spaces, among them 260 Richmond St. W. and 194 Beverley St. Later, other branches and other levels (kindergarten to mittelshul) were established on Maria St., Bellwoods Ave., and St. Clair Ave. The school flourished for about 50 years before its decline and ultimate closure.

Scope and Content

Series consists of records documenting Isaac Matenko's involvement in the Workmen's Circle and the affiliated I.L. Peretz School and Camp Yungvelt. Included are photographs, programmes, certificates, a yearbook, a songbook, and newsclippings.

Name Access

Arbeòter-ring Y.L. Perets-Shuln

Workmen's Circle (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions