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- "Afterword" Collection 1
- 39th Henry Hank Torontow Scouts fonds
- A COAT OF MANY COLOURS, CANADIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION (CBC) - Videotaped Interviews. 1
- A. L. Florence fonds 1
- A. Levin fonds 1
- A. Nissenson Fonds 1
- A. Rhinewine Fonds 1
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- ABELLA, Irving. 1
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- ADATH ISRAEL CONGREGATION 1
39th Henry Hank Torontow Scouts fonds.
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn101368
- Collection
- 39th Henry Hank Torontow Scouts fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 21cm of textual records, several artifacts, 2 boxes of photographs
- Fonds No.
- O0001
- Date
- 1931-1939, 1984, 1990's
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of short overviews of the 39th, detailed early history written by Dr. Slone, 1935-1936, record Book of the 39th Hebrew Boy Scouts, 1937 application forms of the 39th Hebrew, news clippings, Howie Osterer programming, including Kinus 1993; textiles including Irving Rivers Scout hat, …
- Collection
- 39th Henry Hank Torontow Scouts fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 21cm of textual records, several artifacts, 2 boxes of photographs
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of short overviews of the 39th, detailed early history written by Dr. Slone, 1935-1936, record Book of the 39th Hebrew Boy Scouts, 1937 application forms of the 39th Hebrew, news clippings, Howie Osterer programming, including Kinus 1993; textiles including Irving Rivers Scout hat, David Kardish’s boy scout sweater with a “39th Ottawa” patch, fanny pack, neckerchiefs and souvenir items, two laminated and mounted photographs: Larger one is a scouts group of young boys, smaller one is the Honourable Herb Gray signing autographs on Parliament Hill with scouts (see 4-726-01/02). There are 2 boxes of photographs, as well as several VHS and DVDs. The photographs have been digitizied.
- Date
- 1931-1939, 1984, 1990's
- Fonds No.
- O0001
- Storage Location
- 3 boxes in OS
- History / Biographical
- During the 1910's, "the Boy Scouts had a Christian religious base and thereby precluded the involvement of Jewish youth. The 39th Scout Pack formed under the leadership of one of Ottawa’s outstanding sportsmen, Jess Abelson in around 1918, who felt that Jewish boys would benefit from the Scouts, so he formed the 39th - one of the first Jewish scout troops in Canada.” "The boys who were the first members of the 39th were all from 'first generation' Jews. Most, if not all, were from low income families who did not have the means to buy a scout uniform." - Moe Slone. Jess Abelson was followed as leader by Dr. Abe Slone, the first Jewish dentist in Ottawa. He remained in that position for many years. Hy Harris followed Dr. Slone. Hy Wolfson was a Scoutmaster in the 1920's, then Jacob Greenberg in 1931-1932, Harold Shaffer in 1932-1933, Harold Rubin, 1933-1935, Hy Maser,1936-1941, assisted by Henry Kelson. According to Dr. Abe Slone, it was "of considerable size," but it "disbanded for some unknown reason around 1920." At one point the 39th grew to 93 Scouts, making it the largest troop in Ottawa. In 1921-1922, the District Boy Scout's Organization approached a newly formed B'nai B'rith Lodge and asked them to sponsor a new Jewish troop. Dr. Slone said it was "probably at the instigation of the older boys who were in the former troop." B'nai B'rith agreed to sponsor the new troop and the Troop Committee from the Lodge consisted of Dr. Harry Dover, Mr. W. Shenkman and Dr. Slone. Because there was no one else available at the time who could fill the role, Dr. Slone agreed to become the Scoutmaster. It was "a very well-organized troop consisting of four Scout Patrols and one Rover Patrol." During World War II, Arnold Borts became a Scoutmaster with troop leaders, Alan Abelson, Jack Barrett and Ab Hochberg. The 39th were very active during this time, including the commencement of Cubs, early participation in Boy Scout Apple Day as well as assisting as summer errand boys and waiting on tables when the Women’s Canadian Club served lunches at the Capital Theatre. During the period between 1930 and 1960, the 39th had many different leaders including Dr. Abe Slone, Jacob Greenberg, Harold Shaffer, Harold Rubin, Hy Maser, Arnold Borts, Sam Ages and Jack Goldfield. They ran annual summer camps, at first with the District and then on their own. They left the District because of the problem of keeping kashrut (kosher). The tents, marquis, cool-tents, bedding and tables were all on loan from the militia. They had very impressive Sabbath services, but otherwise strictly followed the Scouting mandate of badges, hiking, survival and emergency training and nature study. They also took part in all Boy Scout activities such as parades, Dominion Day celebrations, etc, all with the other troops in the District. Between 1974 and 1989, the scouting movement in the Ottawa Jewish community was inactive. In 1989 though it was revitalized by a very dedicated Scout, Howie Osterer. The 39th was renamed the 39th Henry “Hank” Torontow Scouting Movement to honour Hank Torontow’s “distinguished meritous service as a Director of Scouting between 1957 and 1971". Beavers and Cubs had previously been the important areas of continuity and continued to be in the 1990's. In 1991, all levels of the 39th became co-ed, and was the first troop in Ontario to do so. Many former Scout members ended up becoming leaders of the Jewish community, such as Dr. Lyon Pearlman, Jack Greenberg, Laz Mirsky, Harold Shenkman, Irving Cohen and more.
- Notes
- 1. All textiles in a textile box marked with 39th Henry Hank Torontow Scouts fonds. 2. Howie Osterer donated many records and textiles, 2008 before his departure to Israel. 3. Boy Scout sweater donated by David Kardish’s mother, Shirley Kardish. 4. 1935-1936 Record Book and 1937 Application forms donated by Howie Osterer, summer, 2005 5. Detailed early history in a photocopied letter from Dr. A. Slone to Rabbi Lifschutz, July 16, 1954 (original letter in Rabbi Lifschutz fonds). 6. Brief Overview of the 39th Scout Movement, renamed the 39th Henry “Hank” Torontow Scout Movement in 1989 - as dictated to past Archivist Dawn Logan. The 39th was organized in 1918 with Jess Abelson as the first Scoutmaster. He was followed by Dr. Abe Slone, the first Jewish dentist in Ottawa. He remained in that position for many years. Hy Harris followed Dr. Slone. Hy Wolfson was a Scoutmaster in the 1920's, then Jacob Greenberg in 1931-1932, Harold Shaffer in 1932-1933, Harold Rubin, 1933-1935, Hy Maser,1936-1941, assisted by Henry Kelson. During World War II, Arnold Borts became a Scoutmaster with troop leaders, Alan Abelson, Jack Barrett and Ab Hochberg. The 39th were very active during this time, including the commencement of Cubs, early participation in Boy Scout Apple Day as well as assisting as summer errand boys and waiting on tables when the Women’s Canadian Club served lunches at the Capital Theatre. They met in the gym of York Street School, Ottawa. On Apple Days, they slept overnight at Boy Scout headquarters on Metcalfe Street for an early start. Ab Hochberg is quoted as saying “I have more proficiency badges than any other Scout”. As these Scouts grew older, they joined the army and air cadets. In the 1950's Cubs were organized by Sam Ages. Scoutmasters in the 1950's were Jack Goldfield and Assistant Scoutmaster was Jack Barrett. Cubs met at the Talmud Torah Building on Sunday afternoons and Boy Scouts at the new Jewish Community Centre on Thursday evenings. In the mid-1960s Eric Haltretcht was Scoutmaster. Henry Torontow began his scouting days in 1957. In the early 1970's Barnie Farber and John Deiner were Cub Masters. Between 1974 and 1989, the scouting movement in the Ottawa Jewish community was inactive. In 1989, the 39th Boy Scouts was revitalized under the leadership of Howie Osterer. The 39th was renamed the 39th Henry “Hank” Torontow Scouting Movement to honour Hank Torontow’s “distinguished meritous service as a Director of Scouting between 1957 and 1971". Beavers and Cubs were the important areas of continuity. In 1992, all levels of the 39th became co-ed. In 1993 or 1994, the 39th participated in a Food Bank Drive, CPR training for 8 to 11 year olds, and acted as flag bearers, coat checkers, lost and found coordinators and first aid attendants. When Howie Osterer assumed a full time position at Scout Headquarters, he had to relinquish his position as Scoutmaster. Finding suitable scout leaders is always a problem. Information supplied by telephone conversation with Ab Hochberg, March, 2002; Ottawa Jewish Bulletin search under “scouting” and short telephone conversation with Mrs Henry Torontow. Telephone Conversation with Alan Abelson. He phoned from Los Angeles, Calif. on Feb. 8th, 2006 to talk about his Boy Scout Days. - They met once a week in the York Street School. They were organized by patrols. Arnie Borts was a Troop Leader, assisted by Abe Hochberg. Alan Abelson was a Patrol Leader. - Scouting was very popular at this time. - During the World War II years it was quite exciting for young boys. The War Service Badge was particularly memorable. It was measured by hours of service to the Ottawa community. “It was quite exciting learning survival type instructions.” One element was taking a flashlight at night and biking around to locate the police and fire stations in case of an emergency. - Another aspect of the War Service Badge was assisting the Women’s Canadian Club who ran teas at the Capital Theatre. The Scouts assisted with the coat check, moving trays. - Most of the Scouting Badges were proficiency badges - in hiking, swimming, knot tying. Hikes took place in Rockcliffe Park in the direction of the Rockcliffe Air Base. - There was the Path Finder Badge where every shop, store, fire and police stations within a mile radius had to be marked on a map. - Boy Scout Apple Day was a definite highlight as they slept overnight on a wooden floor at the Scout Headquarters in order to make early morning preparations for the next day.
- Related Material
- Related Boy Scout shirts in Alan Abelson, Arnold Borts and Abe Hochberg fonds and Girl Guide Dress, tie, belt and bloomers in Martin Levinson fonds. Related material in Harold Rubin fonds, Arnold Borts fonds.
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Ottawa Jewish Archives
ASSOCIATION OF SURVIVORS OF NAZI OPPRESSION.
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn92
- Collection
- ASSOCIATION OF SURVIVORS OF NAZI OPPRESSION.
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 0.3 metres of textual records. - 8 artefacts.
- Fonds No.
- I0090
- Date
- 1960s-2004.
- Scope and Content
- The earliest of these records date back to the founding of this association. Only a quarter of the original donation was retained, due to the deteriorated condition of the records. Much of the discarded information pertained to membership dues and other financial documentation. The retained records…
- Collection
- ASSOCIATION OF SURVIVORS OF NAZI OPPRESSION.
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 0.3 metres of textual records. - 8 artefacts.
- Scope and Content
- The earliest of these records date back to the founding of this association. Only a quarter of the original donation was retained, due to the deteriorated condition of the records. Much of the discarded information pertained to membership dues and other financial documentation. The retained records consist of one box of documents which includes the constitution, some minutes, selected membership forms, clippings, posters, and publications (including information on USA Neo-Nazis). Also donated: 5 replicas of concentration camp uniform jackets and 3 concentration camp style hats, made circa 1961 for use in commemorative events.
- Date
- 1960s-2004.
- Fonds No.
- I0090
- History / Biographical
- The Association was founded circa 1960 in Montreal. It was an active organization typical of several founded by post-war Jewish immigrants in order to memorialize the losses sustained by Jews during the Holocaust. Their collection includes copies of striped prison uniform jackets which are still worn in demonstrations and are potential display items. The Association ceased operations in 2004. Some of its former members now operate through the Association of Romanian Survivors.
- Custodial History
- The collection was donated by Issie Weisfeld and Lou Zablow on April 25, 2005. The collection had been stored in the house of Mr. Zablow, the organization's President. At the time of donation the collection contained 4 large boxes (approximately 1.6m). With the help of Mr. Weisfeld the boxes were sorted and stringently weeded, as many records were moldy and had to be discarded. In some cases photocopies were made of historical documents which could not be kept in their damaged condition. Much of the discarded information pertained to membership dues and other financial documentation.
- Notes
- P05/07.The commemorative uniforms were donated on condition that they be lent back to Issie Wiesfeld as needed for Yom Ha Shoah (Holocaust Rememberence Day) and related events. This was done in May 2005, after which they were returned. One jacket and cap was removed from the collection on a permanent basis Aug. 2, 2005, so the present total is 4 uniform jackets and 2 caps.
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Canadian Jewish Archives
Images
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