- Part Of
- Rebecca Kamarner fonds
- Level
- Fonds
- Fonds
- 11
- Material Format
- textual record
- graphic material
- Date
- [ca.1900]-[196-?]
- Physical Description
- 4.5 cm of textual records
- 24 photographs : b&w and sepia ; 21 x 13 cm or smaller
- Admin History/Bio
- Rebecca Kamarner (née Huenstein) (1882-1975) was born in Russia and lived there until her early adulthood. She married Harry Kamarner (1877- 1962) in 1902 and immigrated to Toronto around 1904. Mrs. Chava Kamarner (1847-1929), possibly Harry’s mother, may have immigrated at a later date and lived with the family in Canada. Rebecca and Harry had three children: Bessie (b. 1903), Anne (b. 1906?), and Jack (1907?-1986). Harry and Rebecca lived on 35 Bellevue Avenue in 1925 and later resided at 72 Barton Street.
- From the date of her arrival as an immigrant to Canada, Mrs. Kamarner was involved in charitable work through such organizations as The Hebrew Women’s Convalescent Home established in 1936 (of which she was the President and founder), The Hebrew Maternity Aid Society, and The Women’s Auxiliary Toronto Hebrew Free School. During the First and Second World Wars she was actively involved in social aid and the sponsorship of orphans, and she worked as a nurse during the influenza pandemic that began in 1918 and had its greatest effect on the Jewish community in Toronto in 1919 and 1920. She was one of the earliest members of the Toronto Hadassah-Wizo (Schamira Levine chapter) and was also actively involved in fundraising for the Women’s Auxiliary of The New Mount Sinai Hospital, of which she was listed as a charter member. She served on the Board of Directors of The Jewish Home for the Aged and was a preeminent name in the promotion of convalescent care and social advocacy for the disadvantaged throughout her lifetime.
- Harry, Nathan "Nutta" (d. 1956), and Louis Kamarnar were men’s clothing and furnishings retailers and owned the Merchant’s Clothing Co. store on 131 Queen Street West. Harry, his son Jack, and his son-in-law Harry Granger, were also affiliated with the Judean Knights of Pythias, a fraternal order.
- Bessie Kamarner married Sam Robins (b.1893) in 1922 and they lived together at 273 Queen Street East. Anne Kamarner was married to Harry Graner (d. 1986) in 1931. Jack Kamarner lived in Toronto and married Jeanne (née Rubin). They had two daughters, Ann and Nancy.
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of family photographs, a scrapbook, and other textual records, both of a personal nature and those relating to the volunteer work done by Rebecca Kamarner. These records document her community social work, her affiliation with the Women’s Auxiliary, and her fundraising efforts for the Hebrew Women’s Convalescent Home, later the Mount Sinai Convalescent Home, in Toronto.
- Name Access
- Kamarner, Rebecca, 1882-1975
- Subjects
- Immigrants--Canada
- Volunteers
- Related Material
- see also clipping, re. photo #2503, from accession 1978-6-4
- Arrangement
- The fonds has been arranged in five files: the first file is of family photographs; the second contains one passport; the third contains institutional programmes; the fourth is of personal invitations and correspondence; and, the fifth file contains Rebecca Kamarner's scrapbook and clippings from that scrapbook. These are all kept together in one box and each file is housed in a separate folder.
- Creator
- Kamarner, Rebecca, 1882-1975
- Places
- Russia
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 1986-5-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Rebecca Kamarner fonds
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 11
- File
- 1
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 1900-1959
- Physical Description
- 24 photographs : b&w ; sepia ; 21 x 13 cm or smaller
- Arrangement
- The file contains 24 photographs. The photos are all marked with two numbers on the back: one conforming to the original accession list, the other indicating the new database arrangement and indicated by the prefix of the fonds number "11". (e.g. "11-1" is the first photo in the chronological arrangement of the photographs, "11-2" the second, etc.).
- Accession Number
- 1986-5-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Rebecca Kamarner fonds
- Family photographs file
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 11
- File
- 1
- Item
- 1
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [ca. 1900]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 10 x 7 cm on matte 11 x 7 cm
- Scope and Content
- This photo was taken in Russia before Rebecca Kamarner's immigration to Canada.
- Accession Number
- 1986-5-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Rebecca Kamarner fonds
- Family photographs file
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 11
- File
- 1
- Item
- 2
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [190-?]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12 x 7 cm
- Notes
- Postcard photo.
- Accession Number
- 1986-5-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Rebecca Kamarner fonds
- Family photographs file
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 11
- File
- 1
- Item
- 3
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 1912
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 14 cm
- Scope and Content
- The subjects of this photograph are, left to right: Anne, Rebecca and Bessie, with the baby, Jack, seated on Rebecca's lap. They are posed casually outside. The girls have bows in their hair and Jack is wearing a belt over a large white shirt. There is a kind of broad-leafed bush behind them and they appear to be in the shade of a sunny park. Rebecca is seated in an engraved highbacked chair with arm rests.
- Notes
- Photo printed on postcard.
- Physical Condition
- Appears to have been torn from an album of some kind in which the original backing has partially adhered to the photograph.
- Accession Number
- 1986-5-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Rebecca Kamarner fonds
- Family photographs file
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 11
- File
- 1
- Item
- 4
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 1913
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph: b&w ; 14 x 9 cm
- Scope and Content
- The subjects of the photograph are, left to right: Anne, [Chava?], and Jack Kamarner. This is a posed, formal photograph, taken in Toronto.
- Notes
- The subjects of this photograph were identified in the original accession list as "Anne, great-grandmother and Jack". It is more likely that [Chava?] is the grandmother of Jack, and that the information was taken down incorrectly, or that the reference was in connection to a later Kamarner generation.
- Physical Condition
- The photo has been marked by blue pen, particularly around the subjects' heads, and the upper right hand corner of the photograph is bent slightly.
- Accession Number
- 1986-5-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Rebecca Kamarner fonds
- Family photographs file
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 11
- File
- 1
- Item
- 5
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 1915
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 10 x 7 cm
- Scope and Content
- The portrait of Anne and Bessie is a studio photograph, taken in Toronto. Anne is standing to the right of her seated elder sister, Bessie.
- Subjects
- Portraits
- Sisters
- Physical Condition
- The upper right and lower left corners of the photograph are torn.
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 1986-5-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Rebecca Kamarner fonds
- Family photographs file
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 11
- File
- 1
- Item
- 6
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 1916
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12 x 7 cm
- Scope and Content
- This photograph of Jack is a studio photo, in front of an artificial backdrop depicting a gate, table and vase. Jack is wearing a men's hat, tie, gloves, long jacket and formal attire, while posing with his hand on the prop wicker chair. The photo was taken in Toronto.
- Notes
- Photo printed on postcard.
- Physical Condition
- The top corners of the photo are torn and missing.
- Accession Number
- 1986-5-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Rebecca Kamarner fonds
- Family photographs file
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 11
- File
- 1
- Item
- 7
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 1916
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 14 x 9 cm
- Scope and Content
- In this posed studio photograph, Anne is seated cross-legged on a stool in front of a solid-coloured, draped backdrop. The stool has a swivel seat and has been raised so that her feat do not touch the floor. She is wearing a white dress and stockings, black leather shoes and what appears to be a black sash as a belt.
- Notes
- Postcard photograph.
- Stamped: L. Surdin, Photo Studio, 16 Cameron St., Toronto.
- Physical Condition
- The photo is torn and badly creased along the left hand side.
- Accession Number
- 1986-5-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Rebecca Kamarner fonds
- Family photographs file
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 11
- File
- 1
- Item
- 8
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 1917
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 13 cm
- Scope and Content
- This is a posed studio photograph taken in Toronto. Both children are dressed formally and are standing. Jack has his hand in his coat pocket and is wearing a tie. Anne is wearing a dress with long sleeves and has her hair cut just below her ears, with her bangs cropped.
- Accession Number
- 1986-5-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Rebecca Kamarner fonds
- Family photographs file
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 11
- File
- 1
- Item
- 9
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 1918
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 11 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph includes members of three generations of the Kamarner family.
- Relations of Rebecca Kamarner from left to right: (standing) Rebecca, Harry (husband), Bessie (daughter), [Chava?] (mother-in-law), Gussie (niece), Nathan "Nutta" (brother-in-law), and Reva Kamarner (sister-in-law); (sitting) Anne (daughter), Jack (son), and Florence (niece).
- Florence and Gussie were the daughters of Nathan and Reva. Nathan was Harry's brother.
- Physical Condition
- Photograph is badly creased in the middle and is in danger of tearing.
- Accession Number
- 1986-5-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Rebecca Kamarner fonds
- Family photographs file
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 11
- File
- 1
- Item
- 10
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [ca. 1918]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 14 x 9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Jack Kamarner is seated on a toy pony. His sister, Anne, is standing beside him, and Rebecca appears to be leaning against a pillar on the porch of the house in the background. Jack is dressed in a cowboy outfit with a bandana around his neck and a kind of cowboy hat. Somebody standing outside the frame is reaching into the picture to hold the pony's bridle.
- Notes
- Photo postcard.
- Accession Number
- 1986-5-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Rebecca Kamarner fonds
- Family photographs file
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 11
- File
- 1
- Item
- 11
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [ca. 1920]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 9 cm
- Scope and Content
- The photograph is of seven members of the Kamarner family. They are outside, in fornt of a tree, perhaps in a residential backyard. The grandmother is seated on a chair and the boys are seated in front. Everybody else is standing
- First row from left: [unknown], Jack.
- Second row: Bessie Kamarner Robins, Chava Kamarner, [unknown].
- Back row: Anne Kamarner Grainer (?), [unknown].
- The two unidentified women might be Florence and Gussie Kamarner. The unidentified boy might be their brother Abe. They are the children of Nutta Kamarner.
- Notes
- Reference to an "identification copy" on the original accession list, currently missing?
- Physical Condition
- Photo is torn and discoloured in the upper left hand corner.
- Accession Number
- 1986-5-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Rebecca Kamarner fonds
- Family photographs file
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 11
- File
- 1
- Item
- 12
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [ca. 1922]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 9 cm
- Scope and Content
- There appears to be a woman in the driver's seat, likely Rebecca Kamarner.
- Accession Number
- 1986-5-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Rebecca Kamarner fonds
- Family photographs file
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 11
- File
- 1
- Item
- 13
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [ca. 1922]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 8 cm
- Scope and Content
- The Ontario license plate on the automobile reads 1922. Of the two people in the automobile, the one in the passenger seat might be Harry Kamarner, but the men's faces are obscured by the reflection on windshield. The automobile is parked on a brick road, on what appears to be a residential street.
- Accession Number
- 1986-5-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Rebecca Kamarner fonds
- Family photographs file
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 11
- File
- 1
- Item
- 14
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 1927
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12 x 7 cm
- Scope and Content
- The photograph is of an [unknown?] female, possibly a relative, and Jack Kamarner in Toronto.
- Accession Number
- 1986-5-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Rebecca Kamarner fonds
- Family photographs file
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 11
- File
- 1
- Item
- 15
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [ca. 1927]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 12 cm
- Scope and Content
- This is a family snapshot, taken outdoors in bright sunlight. Residential buildings and tree foliage can be seen in the background. Pictured are, left to right: Florence Roth (née Kamarner), Harry Graner, [unknown?], Jack Kamarner, [unknown?], and the shoulder of another unknown person (cut off by frame).
- Notes
- Print is somewhat faded.
- Accession Number
- 1986-5-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Rebecca Kamarner fonds
- Family photographs file
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 11
- File
- 1
- Item
- 16
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [ca. 1928]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 7 cm
- Scope and Content
- The business pictured is Merchants Clothing Co., 131 Queen St. West. Prices for the artciles of clothing are clearly visble on the signs behind the figure of Jack. A variety of hats are on display in the front window.
- Name Access
- Kamarner, Jack
- Merchants Clothing Co.
- Subjects
- Storefronts
- Physical Condition
- There is some blurring of the image and discoloration on this print, especially towards the lower right corner.
- Places
- Queen Street West (Toronto, Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 1986-5-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Rebecca Kamarner fonds
- Family photographs file
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 11
- File
- 1
- Item
- 17
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [ca. 1928]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12 x 7 cm
- Scope and Content
- Snapshot of, left to right: Saul Lean (family friend?) and Jack Kamarner. The two companions are lathered for shaving and posing with their razors. Both men are wearing tank tops and trousers with high socks. The sign in the background, attached to what appears to be a kind of rustic camp cabin, reads "Pine" and is slightly obscured by Saul Lean's head in the foreground.
- Accession Number
- 1986-5-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Rebecca Kamarner fonds
- Family photographs file
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 11
- File
- 1
- Item
- 18
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [192-?]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 10 x 5 cm ; on matte ; 16 x 8 cm
- Scope and Content
- This is a posed photograph of Rebecca Kamarner seated in an ornate high-backed chair.
- Notes
- Photographer's inscription on matte reads Thompson [?--possibly "Bros".], 177½ Yonge St. Toronto.
- Physical Condition
- The photograph that is pasted on the matte is not squarely trimmed and the matte has become scuffed.
- Accession Number
- 1986-5-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Rebecca Kamarner fonds
- Family photographs file
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 11
- File
- 1
- Item
- 19
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [192-?]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 12 cm
- Scope and Content
- Nathan and Reva are standing in the foreground, with Gussie clearly visible behind and between them. A fourth figure is obstructed from view, but could possibly be their other daughter Florence. The snapshot is taken outside of a residential building in Toronto, possibly the family home.
- Accession Number
- 1986-5-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Rebecca Kamarner fonds
- Family photographs file
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 11
- File
- 1
- Item
- 20
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [ca. 1930]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12 x 8 cm
- Scope and Content
- Jack Kamarner is standing on the far left. The others in the photo are not identified. The Delmonte Hotel may have been a northern Ontario resort hotel of some kind.
- Accession Number
- 1986-5-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Rebecca Kamarner fonds
- Family photographs file
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 11
- File
- 1
- Item
- 21
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [ca. 1930]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12 x 8 cm
- Scope and Content
- The snapshot is of an unidentified co-ed group photo at the Delmonte Hotel. Some of the people appear to be the same friends as photographed in photo #20 of the same file. Jack Kamarner may be the individual moving on the steps to the right of the frame, as he is wearing a collared shirt that matches roughly the one worn in photo #20, however the face is blurred, preventing easy identification.
- The age of the group appears to be fairly uniform, perhaps in their mid-twenties, suggesting a social organization group activity, or a professional affiliation.
- Accession Number
- 1986-5-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Rebecca Kamarner fonds
- Family photographs file
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 11
- File
- 1
- Item
- 22
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [193-?]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 11 cm
- Admin History/Bio
- The Judean Knights of Pythias are a fraternal chapter, in Toronto, affiliated with the Knights of Pythias fraternal society, founded by Justus H. Rathborn in Washington in 1864. The principles of the charitable and social order are listed as: friendship, charity and benevolence. The Knights of Pythias have been in Ontario since 1872 and are still active.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph includes Harry and Jack Kamarner, and Harry Graner: identified as 4th, 5th and 6th from right to left in the front row. The other group members are not identified.
- Accession Number
- 1986-5-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Rebecca Kamarner fonds
- Family photographs file
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 11
- File
- 1
- Item
- 23
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [194-?]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12 x 7 cm
- Scope and Content
- This snapshot is taken in front of the family home at 72 Barton St., Toronto. The grandchild could possibly be one of Jack Kamarner's daughters, Anne or Nancy.
- Accession Number
- 1986-5-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Rebecca Kamarner fonds
- Family photographs file
- Level
- Item
- Fonds
- 11
- File
- 1
- Item
- 24
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [195-?]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 7 cm
- Scope and Content
- As in photo #23, Rebecca and Harry are standing in front of 72 Barton St. They appear to be somewhat older than in the other photo, however.
- Physical Condition
- The photo has been trimmed unevenly by hand.
- Accession Number
- 1986-5-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Rebecca Kamarner fonds
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 11
- File
- 2
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- [ca. 1909]
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- The file includes a Russian passport, most likely belonging to Nathan Kamarner (d. 1956). The text is in Russian, however the dates on the visa stamps are all stamped from 1909. There is no photo and the passport has not been clearly identified. A note inserted into the booklet reads: “This is from [Bernice?]—probably her grandfather’s” and “Nathan Kamarner” on the other side.
- Accession Number
- 1986-5-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Rebecca Kamarner fonds
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 11
- File
- 3
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1934-1953
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- This file includes 3 textual records: a certificate marking the occasion of a Bazaar held in aid of The Toronto Hebrew Free School (20 Nov. 1934); the programme for the Festival of Confirmation of the Holy Blossom Congregation (16 May 1937); and, the programme for the 17th Anniversary of The Hebrew Women’s Convalescent Home celebration dinner in honour of Mrs. Kamarner (4 Jan. 1953).
- Accession Number
- 1986-5-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Rebecca Kamarner fonds
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 11
- File
- 4
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1927-1968
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- This file includes 8 textual records: an invitation to the 25th anniversary of Harry and Rebecca Kamarner (11 Sep. 1927); invitation to tea in Anne’s honour (13 May 1931); invitation to the wedding ceremony for Harry Graner and Anne Kamarner (16 Jun. 1931); invitation to social event, Re-Mar Social Service League, from Vera Latchman, secretary (4 May 1941); a letter of congratulations on the occasion of Mr. and Mrs. Kamarner’s 60th wedding anniversary (14 Sep. 1962) from Mayor Nathan Phillips, Q.C.; an invitation to attend a “Gala Champagne Party” as “honoured guest” from The Women’s Auxiliary, New Mount Sinai Hospital (14 Nov. 1963); invitation to life membership, Women’s Auxiliary, Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care (10/06/68) ; and, a hand written resume of Rebecca Kamarner’s record of community service [author unidentified; no date].
- Accession Number
- 1986-5-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Rebecca Kamarner fonds
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 11
- File
- 5
- Material Format
- textual record
- graphic material
- Date
- [1927-196-?]
- Physical Description
- 1 v.
- Scope and Content
- The scrapbook includes numerous press clippings about The 17th Anniversary of the Hebrew Women’s Convalescent Home celebration dinner in honour of Mrs. Kamarner and the 50th wedding anniversary of Harry and Rebecca Kamarner; photographs; notes of thanks and recognition from Lillian Freiman, Mrs. Samuel (Jimmie) Norris, Mrs. Israel (Ruth) Shapiro, Teme Shapiro, A. Posluns, Dora Till, David Croll and Ada Adelberg; and, other articles in English and Hebrew (mostly material from the 1950s). The file also includes four loose clippings pulled from the scrapbook and put into a separate file folder.
- Subjects
- Scrapbooks
- Physical Condition
- Some of the pages of the scrapbook have come apart from the binding.
- Accession Number
- 1986-5-5
- Source
- Archival Descriptions