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

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

Accession Number

2021-11-22

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

5 cm of textual records

Date

1934-1958

Scope and Content

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

Administrative History

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

Use Conditions

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

Descriptive Notes

Language: English, Yiddish, and Hebrew

Subjects

Associations, institutions, etc

Name Access

Toronto Independent Benevolent Association

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

1997-5-5

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

26 photographs : b&w and col ; 13 x 18 cm or smaller

Date

1996-2001

Scope and Content

Accession consists of a souvenir program of the opening of Chabad Lubavitch of Markham (1997), programs for a Bais Yaakov High School Play (1997), a Canadian Holocaust Remembrance Association Yom Hashoah event (1997), and a flyer for a lecture at the Mizrachi Bayit (1997). As well there is an invitation to the First Annual Dinner and Auction of the Carrie and Adam Dream Fund (1997), a Firefly Books catalogue (1997) and a letter and photos regarding the opening of the caylefilm office.

The photographs document a variety of community events and oganizations including Camp Ramah in Canada, Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto (CHAT), Leo Baeck Day School, Temple Har Zion, Netivot Hatorah, Mizrachi, Israel Bonds, and Chabad Lubavitch.

001: Leo Baeck Day School in Thornhill celebrated Children’s Book Week this year with a week of visits by authors, book donations to Plaut Manor, and a Dress-up Day. Among the visitors were illustrator Heather Collins, and authors Sheryl McFarlane and Bernice Thurman Hunter. Enjoying Dress-up Day are [front row] Alana Bobet and [second row from left] Jamie Bregman, Matthew Sherman, Jamie Weksberg, Lisa Mark, Adina Mann, Mindy Perlmutter and Robbie Faibish. Photo by Barry Shainbaum. 009: Gertner family reception, [ca. 2000]. Back Row (L to R): Marlene (née Gertner) Brickman, Eric Gertner, Michael Brickman, Michael Brown, Director of York’s Centre for Jewish Studies, Henry Gertner, Berek Gertner, Elinor Gerner, Reginal Gertner and Cheryle Gertner. Front Row (L to R): Visual arts student Samara Enchin, history and education major Adam Segal, visual arts student Carolyne Novak and political science and Judaic studies major Jonathan Lasky.

Custodial History

These records were donated by Leila Speisman, a former employee of the Canadian Jewish News. The CJN would regulalry receive materials from institutions and organizations when writing about their events.

Subjects

Newspapers

Name Access

Mizrachi Bayit (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

1992-2-6

Material Format

graphic material

Physical Description

4 photographs : b&w and col. ; 25 x 21 cm or smaller

Date

1991

Scope and Content

Accession consists of a colour photograph of Hanna Schusheim, Emunah Toronto Council co-president (centre) with bazaar co-chairman Agnes Deutsch (left) and Malka Deutsch; a photograph of the entrance to Pardes Shalom cemetery with (L-R) Rabbi Sheldon Steinberg, Jewish community chaplain; Sidney Freedman, founding president of Toronto Hebrew Memorial Park; Bill Draimin, current president; and Lorna Jackson, mayor of the city of Vaughan; a photograph of Rabbi Yitzchak Witty (right) and Mr and Mrs. Yitz Feldman; and a photograph of Anna Cohen and family.

Custodial History

Thes pohtographs came to the OJA from the Canadian Jewish News through Leila Speismanm, a former journalist with the paper.

Subjects

Cemeteries

Newspapers

Name Access

Canadian Jewish News

Pardes Shalom Cemetery (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

1986-12-3

Material Format

graphic material

Physical Description

14 photographs : b&w and col. ; 20 x 26 cm or smaller

Date

[ca. 1980]-1986

Scope and Content

Accession consists of photographs from the Canadian Jewish News documenting the activities of a number of organizations including United Synagogue Day School, Associated Hebrew Schools, Maccabi World Union, Lubavitch Women's Organization, Jewish Community Centre (JCC), Yeshiva University, and Bar Ilan University.

Descriptive Notes

There are handwritten and taped pieces of paper on the backs of the photographs with descriptive and identifying information.

Subjects

Newspapers

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

1982-7-6

Material Format

object

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

1 poster

3 cm of textual records

Artifacts

Date

1928-[ca. 1944]

Scope and Content

This accession includes a Standard Theatre poster for the play Sheindele from Slabodke, staring Mischa and Lucy German (1928). This production was also known as Papirosn-makherin (Cigarette Maker) and Reizele from Slabodke and was staged in 1927 in the Hopkinson Theatre then in Philadelphia with Clara Young, Lucy German, and Vera Rosanka.

Also included are pages from a scrapbook with Jewish Standard editorial writings from the 1930s by Hye Bossin. Topics include life on Spadina Avenue and in Kensinton Market, Yiddish entertainers, Emma Goldman's visit to Toronto, Caplan's Cafe, athletes, and the Toronto Islands. As well, there is a metal plate for F. B. Harris, circa 1944, with an inscription on it in memory of Sgt. F. B. Harris who "died in his country's service 6 June, 1944."

Descriptive Notes

Availability of other formats: The Standard Theatre poster and Emma Goldman interview are available as digital files.

Subjects

Newspapers

Theatrical posters, Yiddish

Name Access

Bossin, Hye

Goldman, Emma, 1869-1940

Harris, Fred. B.

Standard Theatre (Toronto, Ont.)

Places

Kensington Market (Toronto, Ont.)

Spadina Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

1979-9-32

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

2 folders of textual records

1 photograph : b&w ; 26 x 21 cm

Date

1917-1948

Scope and Content

Accession consists of a certificate of membership to the Independent Order of Foresters, membership dues slips from the Adoniram Council of the Masonic Lodge, and a photographic reproduction of a certificate of membership in the Pride of Israel Sick Benefit Society. Accession also includes business correspondence and newsclippings.

MG_RG

MG 6 E 3

Subjects

Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)

Freemasonry--Lodges

Societies

Name Access

Independent Order of Foresters

Pride of Israel Sick Benefit Society

Eisen, Solomon

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

1980-6-1

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Date

1910

Scope and Content

Accession consists of a memorandum of agreement beween the trustees of Machziki Hadas and A. Eisen concerning the sale of two seats in the synagogue and a Hebrew prayer book belonging to the congregation.

MG_RG

MG 3 A 6

Subjects

Prayer books

Synagogue seating

Name Access

Machziki Hadas Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

1983-7-2

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

6 cm of textual records

Date

1899-1982

Scope and Content

Accession consists of material documenting the life and career of Rabbi Ernest Klein. Records include personal as well as professional correspondence, certificates, newspaper clippings and book reviews, a marriage register, bar mitzvah invitations, and Klein's birth certificate.

Administrative History

Ernest Klein (1899-1983) was born in Szatmar, Hungary on 26 July 1899. He studied at the University of Vienna and served as a rabbi in several countries including Czechoslovakia, Romania, and France. The Second World War brought great hardship for Klein, who survived Auschwitz and Dachau (his wife and son were killed in Czechoslovakia just before the war). After the War, Klein came to Canada, where he became rabbi of Congregation Beth Yitshak in Toronto. A polyglot and a scholar, Klein wrote three etymological dictionaries, the most famous of which was his Comprehensive Etymological Dictionary of the English Language (1966-67). For his work, he received honourary degrees from McMaster University and the University of Guelph in 1977 and was awarded the Order of Canada in 1978. He passed away on 4 February 1983.

Use Conditions

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

Descriptive Notes

USE CONDITION NOTE: Accession contains medical records that are closed to researchers until January 2034.

MG_RG

MG 6 D

Subjects

Birth certificates

Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)

Invitation cards

Marriage records

Rabbis

Name Access

Klein, Ernest, 1899-1983

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

1991-12-3

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

1 book

Date

[19--?]

Scope and Content

Accession consists of the book Ohel Yitzhak from the Book Branch at 35 D'Arcy Street in Toronto.

MG_RG

MG2 c1h

Subjects

Books

Places

D'Arcy Street (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2007-3-4

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

30 cm of textual records

Date

1984-1995

Scope and Content

Accession consists of textual records documenting Fred M. Catzman's regular column, “The Name Game”, in the Canadian Jewish News. As well as correspondence with readers and fans, the records include more than a thousand individual column topics (family names). A chronological publication date list and an alphabetical name list are both included in File 13 (Correspondence with the Canadian Jewish News). Column copies and typescripts include not only original meanings of surnames, but details on alternative spellings and European geographical origins: excellent clues for discovering previously unknown relatives. Correspondence files include letters from many grateful readers reporting this additional unexpected and exciting outcome from his responses to their requests. The research files also offer family historians a wide range of valuable information concerning name and family research information sources identified during Mr. Catzman’s many years of research.

Custodial History

Records were in the custody of Marvin and Lynn Catzman, the son and daughter-in-law of Fred Catzman, until donated to the Archives.

Administrative History

Fred M. Catzman, Q.C. (1906-2003) practiced law in Toronto from 1929 until his 1995 retirement. A long-time senior partner in the Toronto legal firm of Catzman and Wahl, he was honoured with the Law Society of Upper Canada Medal in 1986 and received the Order of Ontario in February, 2003. He also chaired a special four-year-long “Advisory Committee on the Personal Property Security Act” for the Ontario Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relation.

As important as his successful law practice, was his life-long fascination with family names, their origins and meanings. While assembling his extensive research into a manuscript for a book on this topic, he began writing a regular column, “The Name Game”, for the Canadian Jewish News in June 1985. The column was published until mid-1995. It contained brief essays on the origins, meaning of, and variations on Jewish family names. The resultant letters from readers and family historians inevitably requested his assistance in researching their own family names. These requests served both as guides to further research and subjects for future columns.

Descriptive Notes

ASSOCIATED MAERIALS NOTE: Records donated to the Ontario Jewish Archives by Fred Catzman may be found in Accessions 1981-3-12, 1985-4-1 and 1987-12-4.

Subjects

Newspapers--Sections, columns, etc.

Name Access

Catzman, Fred, 1906-2003

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2009-11-4

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

object

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

2 photographs : b&w ; 9 x 14 cm and 9 X7 cm

1 matchbook

Date

1928-2009

Scope and Content

Accession consists of mementos, family documents and clippings from Nancy Draper (née Frankel). The records include a birth announcement card for Nancy in 1928 and a matchbook party favour from her wedding to Darrell Draper in 1949. There is also a scholarship application letter from the donor's granddaughter, Haley Draper, to UJA. Other records include a staff list from Camp Wabi-Kon in 1946; a Globe and Mail obituary of Dr. Martin Wolfish, a past volunteer of OJA; a photograph of David Steinhauer; a clipping about an Inuit sculpture inspired by the experience of Holocaust survivor Leon Kahn; and three eulogies for Patricia Drevnig Goldstein (1940-2005) (née Jacobs). Patricia was the granddaughter of Rabbi Solomon Jacobs of Holy Blossom, and her mother, Edna, was a Frankel. Finally, the accession includes a photocopy of a photograph of members of the Siglen family of Meaford with Maurice Frankel, the great-uncle of the donor, and Irwin Rosen, ca. 1928.

Administrative History

Nancy Frankel (b. 1928) is the daughter of Carl and Dorothy Jacobs Frankel, past prominent members of the Toronto Jewish community and members of Holy Blossom Temple. Nancy attended Camp Wabi-Kon, a Jewish camp in northern Ontario near Temagami, and then worked there as a teenager. She married Darrell Draper on December 10th, 1949. Nancy is a longtime volunteer at the OJA.

Subjects

Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)

Camps

Families

Letters

Obituaries

Name Access

Draper, Nancy

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2012-7-23

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

60 cm of textual records and graphic material

Scope and Content

Accession consists of graphic and textual records that were used for research or publication by the Canadian Jewish News.

Custodial History

There is no acquisition information for these records. The accession number has been assigned by the archivist.

Use Conditions

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

Subjects

Newspapers

Name Access

Canadian Jewish News (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2013-6-2

Material Format

textual record

text

Physical Description

30 cm of textual records

7 books

Date

1966-1974

Scope and Content

Accession consists of several copies of the Canadian Jewish Review, the Chronicle Review and the Canadian Jewish Chronicle Review. Also included is an Ottawa Jewish bulletin and several books.

Custodial History

Records were in the possession of Stanley Shankman.

Administrative History

Stanley Shankman was the former owner of the Canadian Jewish Chronicle Review. He purchased the Canadian Jewish Chronicle (est. 1914, successor to the Jewish Times, est 1897) in Montreal in 1962 when it was experiencing financial difficulties. Max Melamet was his first editor. He later purchased the Canadian Jewish Review (est. 1921) and combined the two publications into one: the Candian Jewish Chronicle Review (ca. 1967), which published editions in both Montreal and Toronto. Carol Frilegh was the paper's first edtor.

When Ray Wolfe, Donald Carr and Charles Bronfman purchased the Candian Jewish News from M. J. Nurenberger, Shankman sold them the Candian Jewish Chronicle Review to incorporate into one community paper serving the two cities.

Subjects

Newspapers

Name Access

Shankman, Stanley

Canadian Jewish Chronicle Review

Canadian Jewish Review

Canadian Jewish Chronicle

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2013-8-2

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

2.7 m of textual records (35 v.)

6.3 m of photographs : b&w and col.

Date

1949, [197-]-2012

Scope and Content

Accession consists of bound Canadian Jewish News newspapers from 1996 to 2012; bound copies of the Canadian Jewish Review from 1949 and the Canadian Jewish News' photograph collection. The photographs are arranged alphabetcially by subject, with the exception of two blocks of photographs related to "rabbis" and "places".

001: Anti-Zundel rally in front of Old City Hall, 19 Jan. 1984. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, accession 2013-8-2. Photo by Graphic Artists.

Custodial History

The records were in the custody of the Canadian Jewish News.

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

Newspapers

Name Access

Canadian Jewish News

Places

Canada

Toronto, Ont.

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2015-1-2

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

20 cm of textual records

Date

1934-1966

Scope and Content

Accession consists of the records created or accumulated by Suzann (Cohen) Hutner related to the operations of the Canadian Jewish Review. Included are circulation reports, financial records, correspondence related to advertisers and the sale of the publication, issue summaries prepared by Suzann and a history of the paper written by Suzann. There also a few issues of the CJR from the 1930s.

Custodial History

The records were in the custody of Harold Hutner, the stepson of Suzann Hutner.

Administrative History

The Canadian Jewish Review was established in 1921 by George and Florence Cohen. The couple had founded the short-lived Buffalo Jewish Review prior to them immigrating to Canada. The CJR was not bound by any particular religion or organization. Their offices were located in the Hermant Building at Dundas Square. The paper was sold to the Canadian Jewish Chronicle in 1966.

Subjects

Newspapers

Name Access

Hutner, Suzann

Cohen, Florence

Cohen, George

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2016-9-3

Material Format

textual record

graphic material

Physical Description

13 cm of textual records

5 photographs : b&w and col. ; 21 x 26 or smaller

Date

1912-2015

Scope and Content

Accession consists of records documenting the life of Pearl Freedhoff. The bulk of the material are speeches and other writings related to Pearl's position as president of the Goel Tzedec Sisterhood around 1949-1950, as well as material related to her role with the Eastern Canadian Branch of the Women's League of the United Synagogue. Also included is Pearl's hand-written memoir and the final bound copy edited by her daughter Judith Golden. The remaining records relate to Pearl's work as a travel guide and organizer of trips to Israel, East Asia, and the Lido Spa in Florida; dance cards from the 1920s; a small amount of personal correspondence with a friend living in England; Pearl and Samuel's wedding invitation; a letter to Pearl and her sister Hilda from their mother, Esther; newsclippings; photographs; and a book won as a second place prize by Pearl at Edmund Scheuer's Zionist girls' school.

Administrative History

Pearl Freedhoff (née Narrol) was born on 17 September 1906 to Harry Narrol and Esther Narroll (née Newman). She had four siblings: 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 1949–1950 and Samuel as president of the men's club in 1952. Pearl passed away on 18 December 1997.

Subjects

Manuscripts

Speeches, addresses, etc

Synagogues

Travel

Name Access

Freedhoff, Pearl, 1906-1997

Freedhoff, Samuel, 1903-1973

Goel Tzedec Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2016-12-68

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Date

1967-1981

Scope and Content

Accession consists of 9 monthly periodicals of The Canadian Zionist dating from December 1967 to September/October 1981. Published by Canadian Zionist Federation, national office, 1310 Greene Ave., Montreal, Quebec.

Subjects

Newspapers

Name Access

The Canadian Zionist

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2018-2-1

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Date

1946

Scope and Content

Accession consists of pages from the Jewish Chronicle dated Friday January 18, 1946. The front page reported the death of British Empire's Chief Rabbi Rev. Dr. J. H. Hertz, C.H.

Custodial History

Clipping was discovered while processing CJC (Fonds 17) holdings.

Administrative History

The Jewish Chronicle is a London, England based Jewish weekly newspaper. Founded in 1841, it is the oldest continuously published Jewish newspaper in the world.

Subjects

Newspapers

Places

England

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2018-2-7

Material Format

textual record (electronic)

Physical Description

1 file of textual records (pdf)

Date

23 Oct. 2017

Scope and Content

Accession consists of speech written and presented by Gloria Roden. She presented the early history of National Council of Jewish Women, (1897-1957) at a government of Canada ceremony in which NCJW’s Council House, formerly located at 44 St. George Street, Toronto, was designated an institution of national historic significance by Parks Canada Historic Sites and Monuments Board. The event took place at Council House, 4700 Bathurst Street on October 23, 2017.

Administrative History

Gloria Roden is a a second generation volunteer National Council of Jewish Women member.

Use Conditions

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

Subjects

Speeches, addresses, etc

Name Access

National Council of Jewish Women of Canada

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2019-5-11

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Date

1920

Scope and Content

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

Subjects

Associations, institutions, etc

Name Access

Labor Lyceum (Toronto, Ont.)

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2019-11-3

Material Format

textual record

object

Physical Description

1 tribute book

1 keychain

Date

1998, 2011

Scope and Content

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

Subjects

Associations, institutions, etc

Name Access

Lizzies Old Timers Association

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Accession Number

2020-10-4

Material Format

textual record

Physical Description

4 cm of textual records

Date

1955-2004

Scope and Content

Accession consists of speeches and other textual records primarily written by Gangolf Herman in his role as president of Congregation Habonim Toronto. Included are mostly speeches, addresses, and sermons (1955-2001) that Gangolf wrote for Friday night services; tribute dinners; memorial services; the congregation’s anniversaries; and Jewish festivals such as Yom Kippur, Shavuot, Passover, and Hanukkah. Also included are correspondence (1974, 1992, 2003), one copy of Mrs. Hildegard Herman’s address to the Sisterhood of Congregation Habonim in 1955, one poem, one play script, president messages that Gangolf wrote for Congregation Habonim’s bulletins (1958-1996), and the Congregation’s bulletin for June 2004.

Administrative History

Gangolf Herman (1921-2004) was one of the founding members of Congregation Habonim of Toronto—a liberal reform synagogue founded in 1954 and also one of the first Holocaust refugee/survivor congregations to develop in Canada. Gangolf served as secretary, treasurer, board member, and president of the Congregation and was one of the Congregation’s most active members for more than half a century. Gangolf was born in 1921 in Berlin, Germany, to Georg and Rosa (née Wolff) Herman and was a Holocaust survivor. He had a younger sister, Ruth, who did not survive the Holocaust. Georg owned a boiler-making factory in Niederschönhausen and was trying to sell his business before leaving Berlin; however, he was taken from home with his wife Rosa, mother-in-law Therese, and daughter Ruth in 1942 to Riga. Georg died in Treblinka extermination camp [or in Kaiserwald concentration camp near the Riga suburb]. Gangolf left Germany in 1937 and went to school in Holland. Around 1939 and 1940, he left school and went to England where his family had friends. While in England, he was classified as an “enemy alien” and got shipped on HMT Dunera to Australia where he interned for three years. Gangolf had been writing letters to his family until 1942 when they were taken to Riga. Around 1944, Gangolf was brought back to London, England. Afterwards, he moved back in with friends and joined the Montefiore Circle, where he met his wife, Hildegard (Hilde) Stern. Gangolf and Hilde got married in 1946 and had two children born in London—Gavin (born in 1948) and Ruth (born in 1951). Hilde Stern (1920-1990) was born to Martin and Flora Stern in Frankfurt, Germany. Martin survived the Holocaust and escaped to London during 1937 and 1938. Martin gave up his shoemaking factory and received restitution afterwards. In 1951, Gangolf and his family bounded a ship from Southampton, England, to Halifax, Canada. After moving to Canada, Gangolf worked as a mechanical engineer, while Hilde was a homemaker. Hilde set up a nursery school inside Downsview United Church and worked at Holy Blossom Junior School. She was also active in the Sisterhood of Congregation Habonim. After the war, Gangolf received restitution from the West German government for properties owned in Berlin.

Descriptive Notes

Pages of Testimony (issued by Yad Vashem) that filled out by Gangolf Herman containing information about his family members as victims of the Holocaust were discovered on MyHeritage’s website and are available at S:\Collections\2020-10-4_Herman

Subjects

Holocaust survivors

Speeches, addresses, etc

Name Access

Congregation Habonim of Toronto

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Accessions

Level

Item

Item

505

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1969

Physical Description

1 photograph

Name Access

Canadian Jewish Congress. Central Region

Kruger, Arthur

Subjects

Congresses and conventions

Speeches, addresses, etc

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

510

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1969

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 25 cm

Scope and Content

Item is a photograph of Rabbi Bernard Baskin of Anshe Sholom Temple, Hamilton, addressing the conference dinner on the topic "Jewish Life Today: Perspectives and Prospects." Shown also, from left: Saul Hayes, QC, congress executive vice-president, who also addressed the session on the same topic; Mrs. Sidney M. Harris and Mr. Harris, chairman of central region; Mrs. Baskin; Monroe Abbey, QC, president of congress.

Notes

Acquired 9 July 1975.

No negative.

Name Access

Abbey, Monroe

Baskin, Rabbi Bernard

Canadian Jewish Congress. Central Region

Harris, Sidney M.

Hayes, Saul

Temple Anshe Sholom (Hamilton, Ont.)

Subjects

Congresses and conventions

Rabbis

Speeches, addresses, etc

Places

Hamilton (Ont.)

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

511

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1969

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 20 x 25 cm

Notes

Acquired 9 July 1975.

4 x 5 negative.

Name Access

Canadian Jewish Congress. Central Region

Newman, David E.

Subjects

Congresses and conventions

Speeches, addresses, etc

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

512

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1969

Physical Description

1 photograph

Name Access

Canadian Jewish Congress. Central Region

Spotts, Leon

Subjects

Congresses and conventions

Education

Speeches, addresses, etc

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

625

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1975

Physical Description

2 photographs : (1 negative)

Name Access

Herlick, Lilly

Subjects

Anniversaries

Charities

Speeches, addresses, etc

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

626

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1975

Physical Description

2 photographs : (1 negative)

Name Access

Lieff, Abraham

Subjects

Anniversaries

Charities

Speeches, addresses, etc

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

633

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1975

Physical Description

2 photographs : (1 negative)

Name Access

Toronto Hebrew Free Loan

Subjects

Anniversaries

Charities

Speeches, addresses, etc

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

913

Material Format

graphic material

Date

Mar. 1965

Physical Description

1 photograph

Notes

Aquired 1976.

Credit: Jack Mitchell, Toronto.

Name Access

Gasner, Meyer W.

YMHA

Young Men's Hebrew Association

Subjects

Meetings

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.

Places

Bloor Street (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

1784

Material Format

graphic material

Date

3 Jun. 1969

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 26 x 21 cm

Scope and Content

This item is a copy print of Hy Bocknek speaking at a podium at a JNR banquet in Belleville, Ontario.

Name Access

Bocknek, Hy

Subjects

Speeches, addresses, etc

Places

Belleville (Ont.)

Accession Number

1979-9-42

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

2386

Material Format

graphic material

Date

14 Dec. 1954

Physical Description

1 photograph

Name Access

Associated Hebrew Schools of Toronto

Gelber, Edward E., 1903-1970

Subjects

Lawyers

Speeches, addresses, etc

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Accession Number

1977-4-3

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

2449

Material Format

graphic material

Date

16 Apr. 1955

Physical Description

2 photographs : (1 negative)

Scope and Content

Left to right: Wolfson (graduate of Peretz school); Mr. and Mrs. Paul Frumhartz; Mr. Matenko; Professor Percy Matenko; Mrs. P. Matenko.

Name Access

Frumhartz, Paul

Frumhartz, Mrs. Paul

Matenko, Isaac, 1874-1960

Matenko, Percy

Matenko, Mrs. P.

Wolfson, Harry

Subjects

Birthdays

Dinners and dining

Speeches, addresses, etc

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Accession Number

1979-4-4

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

2450

Material Format

graphic material

Date

16 Apr. 1955

Physical Description

2 photographs : (1 negative)

Name Access

Diamond, Dr. Joseph

Matenko, Isaac, 1874-1960

Subjects

Birthdays

Dinners and dining

Speeches, addresses, etc

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Accession Number

1979-4-4

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

2896

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[195-?]

Physical Description

2 photographs : (1 negative)

Name Access

Borochov School

Menachovsky, Moshe

Subjects

Graduation (School)

Speeches, addresses, etc

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Accession Number

1981-4-6

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

2942

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[between 1940 and 1944]

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 14 cm

Scope and Content

This item is a photograph of Rumkowski standing on a podium in the yard of the firehall in Lodz Ghetto. The photo is said to be Rumkowski giving his speech asking mothers in the crowd to give up their children to the Germans.

Name Access

Rumkowski

Subjects

Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Poland--Lódz

Jewish ghettos

Speeches, addresses, etc

Repro Restriction

Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.

Places

Lódz (Poland)

Accession Number

1978-7-6

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

2991

Material Format

graphic material

Date

15 May 1950

Physical Description

1 photograph

Notes

See accession record for credit line.

Name Access

Hadassah-Wizo Organization of Toronto

Harman, Mrs. Avraham

Subjects

Speeches, addresses, etc

Accession Number

1978-1-2

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

3185

Material Format

graphic material

Date

May 1948

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)

Name Access

Maple Leaf Gardens Ltd.

Subjects

Israel--Anniversaries, etc

Parades

Repro Restriction

Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Accession Number

1982-2-8

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

3186

Material Format

graphic material

Date

May 1948

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)

Subjects

Israel--Anniversaries, etc

Parades

Repro Restriction

Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Accession Number

1982-2-8

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

3358

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[ca. 1940]

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 11 x 13 cm and 10 x 12 cm

Admin History/Bio

Hascal Moses built the flat iron building in Sudbury, the design which was based on a similar building in New York City. Wolfe Moses owned the large and successful store from around 1935 to 1973.

Scope and Content

This item is a copy print and corresponding negative of Wolfe's news stand in the flat iron building in Sudbury, Ontario. Jack Leve Raw Furs is located on the second floor.

Notes

Title taken from caption on photograph.

Subjects

Newspaper vendors

Repro Restriction

Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.

Places

Sudbury (Ont.)

Accession Number

1982-10-1

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

3370

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1933

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 13 x 11 cm and 12 x 10 cm

Scope and Content

This item is a copy print and corresponding negative of the Moses' news stand on Durham Street in Sudbury, Ontario.

Notes

Title taken from writing on photograph.

Subjects

Newspaper vendors

Repro Restriction

Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.

Places

Sudbury (Ont.)

Accession Number

1982-10-1

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

3649

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[between 1900 and 1920]

Physical Description

2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)

Scope and Content

For partial identification, see accession record.

Probably with the staff of the Hebrew Journal.

Name Access

Shapiro, Shmuel Meir

Hebrew Journal

Yiddisher Zhurnal

Subjects

Yiddish newspapers

Repro Restriction

Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.

Accession Number

1984-5-4

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

3709

Material Format

graphic material

Date

Jan. 1956

Physical Description

1 photograph

Notes

Photo by Graphic Artists.

Name Access

Canadian Jewish Congress. Central Region

Oelbaum, J. Irving, 1899-1966

Shaarei Shomayim Congregation (Toronto, Ont.)

Subjects

Congresses and conventions

Speeches, addresses, etc

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

3712

Material Format

graphic material

Date

1966

Physical Description

1 photograph

Scope and Content

Left to right: Max Shecter, Sydney M. Harris Q.C., Dr. Albert Rose, Saul Hayes Q. C., Louis Herman Q.C., Ben Kayfetz.

Notes

Photo by Graphic Artists.

Name Access

Canadian Jewish Congress. Central Region

Kayfetz, Benjamin, 1916-2002

Subjects

Congresses and conventions

Lawyers

Speeches, addresses, etc

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

3866

Material Format

graphic material

Date

[194-]

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w

Scope and Content

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

Subjects

Associations, institutions, etc

Repro Restriction

Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Accession Number

1985-11-11

Source

Archival Descriptions

Level

Item

Item

4172

Material Format

graphic material

Date

Feb. 1986

Physical Description

1 photograph

Notes

Original: Graphic Artists.

Subjects

Speeches, addresses, etc

Students

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.

Places

Toronto (Ont.)

Accession Number

1986-12-3

Source

Archival Descriptions