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Baron de Hirsch Institute/Jewish Family Services
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn77771
- Collection
- Ometz Collection
- Description Level
- Series
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Fonds No.
- 1074; 1
- Date
- c.1842-2008
- Scope and Content
- This series contains records pertaining to or originating from Baron de Hirsch Institute/Jewish Family Services.
- Collection
- Ometz Collection
- Description Level
- Series
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Scope and Content
- This series contains records pertaining to or originating from Baron de Hirsch Institute/Jewish Family Services.
- Date
- c.1842-2008
- Fonds No.
- 1074
- Series No.
- 1
- History / Biographical
- In 1863 the Young Men’s Hebrew Benevolent Society (YMHBS) was formed by young unmarried men with the desire to help Jews in need. The Society also allowed the young Jewish men of Montreal to get to know each other better and to look after their social welfare needs. By 1882, the Society could not cope financially with the influx of immigrants arriving from Russia, most of who were destitute and had no means of support. The YMHBS appealed to philanthropist Baron Maurice de Hirsh. In 1890, Baron de Hirsch sent his first donation and in 1891, the Baron de Hirsch Institute opened and was dedicated to the purpose of “A Free School for the poor children of the Jewish faith and a home for sheltering distressed immigrants and orphans.” In 1900 Baron de Hirsch enlarged its sphere, and in recognition of the financial support received, obtained a new charter of incorporation to change its name to Baron de Hirsch Institute and Hebrew Benevolent Society of Montreal. The Institute was the pioneer charitable and philanthropic organization in Montreal. In 1917, because of the overlapping of much charitable and philanthropic work, the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies was formed with headquarters in the Baron de Hirsch Institute building. Baron de Hirsch became one of the constituent societies and continued its activities with the religious school, library, cemetery, family welfare, legal aid and Hebrew Court of Arbitration. The Federation of Jewish Philanthropies changed names three times. It became Federation of Jewish Community Services in 1951, Allied Jewish Community Services (AJCS) in 1965 and today’s Federation CJA in 1997. AJCS was under the direction of Manny Batshaw from 1967-1980). In 1974 the Jewish Family Services Social Service Centre (JFSSSC) was created and incorporated almost all the programs and human resources of the Baron de Hirsch Institute. Jewish Family Services encompassed these two organizations by providing joint structure for their complementing mandates. The JFSSSC was a publicly funded agency, working alongside the private JFS of the Baron de Hirsch Institute and primarily served the Jewish population. The JFSSSC became responsible for youth protection, young offenders, adoption and foster care (including group homes and placements for children, disabled adults and the elderly). Over the years, JFS adapted to transformations in Quebec society and developments in the field of social work. As mental health, sex education, addiction, care of the elderly and other concerns were recognized as part of the mandate of a social service provider, JFS developed programs to respond to these needs. JFS’s professional work also included the supervision of many volunteer units (for example, Big Brothers, Big Sisters and hospital volunteers). The public JFSSSC closed in 1993 in response to the Quebec government’s Bill 120 and the cessation of public funding. As a result, Jewish Family Services of the Baron de Hirsch Institute became a full-service, community-based organization.
- Language
- English
- French
- Hebrew
- Yiddish
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Jewish Public Library Archives
Ometz Collection
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn77770
- Collection
- Ometz Collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 2.9 linear metres textual records
- Fonds No.
- 1074
- Date
- 1842-1998
- Scope and Content
- Currently, the Ometz Collection is made up of records from the Baron de Hirsch Institute/Jewish Family Services, Jewish Immigrant Aid Services, and Jewish Vocation Services. Records include correspondence, minutes and memoranda, annual reports, publications, and documentation of history. Three ma…
- Collection
- Ometz Collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 2.9 linear metres textual records
- Scope and Content
- Currently, the Ometz Collection is made up of records from the Baron de Hirsch Institute/Jewish Family Services, Jewish Immigrant Aid Services, and Jewish Vocation Services. Records include correspondence, minutes and memoranda, annual reports, publications, and documentation of history. Three major series exist under each of the historical branches of Ometz: JVS/JEM, JIAS, and JFS. Under each series, further subseries organize specific records to each former agency.
- Date
- 1842-1998
- Fonds No.
- 1074
- History / Biographical
- Ometz, the Hebrew word for courage, was chosen in 2008 as the new name for the merged services of the former Jewish Family Services (JFS), Jewish Employment Montreal (JEM), and Jewish Immigrant Aid Services (JIAS). Ometz reflects the wish for those who seek the support of Ometz's services, that they find the courage to move forward with life's challenges. Ometz offers a continuum of services for the entire family. Employees include clinical social workers, employment, school and immigration consellors, mental health professionals, occupations and speech therapists, and psychologists. Hundreds of volunters also make up the work of the agency. The history of Ometz stretches over 150 years when including the foundation of the Young Men's Hebrew Benevolent Society. JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES OF THE BARON DE HIRSCH INSTITUTE In 1863, the Young Men's Hebrew Benevolent Society (YMHBS) was formed by young unmarried men with the desire to help Jews in need. The Society also allowed the young Jewish men of Montreal to get to know each other better and care for their social welfare needs. By 1882, the Society could not cope financially with the influx of immigrants arriving from Russia, most who were destitute and had no other means of support. The YMHBS appealed to Baron Maurice de Hirsch and in 1891, the new Baron de Hirsch Institute opened and was dedicated to the purpose of a "Free School for the poor children of the Jewish faith and a home for sheltering distressed immigrants and orphans. In 1900, the Baron de Hirsch enlarged its sphere and, in recognition of their namesake's generous support, obtained a new charter of incorporation under the name Baron de Hirsch Institute and Hebrew Benevolent Society of Montreal. In 1917, because of the overlapping of charitable and philanthropic work in the community, the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies (today's Federation CJA) was founded and began operation out of the Baron de Hirsch Institute building. The Baron de Hirsch Insitute in turn became one of the agencies of the new organization; continuing its activities with the religious school, a library, cemetery management, family welfare, legal aid and the Hebrew Court of Arbitration. In 1974, Jewish Family Services Social Service Centre (JFSSSC) was created and incorporated almost all of the programes and human resources of the Baron de Hirsch Institute. Jewish Family Services encompassed these two organizations by providing joint structure for their complementing mandates. The JFSSSC was a publicly funded agency working alongside JFS, mainly responsible for youth protection, young offenders, adoption and foster care. JFSSSC closed in 1993 due to the cessation of public funding. As a result, JFS of the Baron de Hirsch Institute became a full-service, community-based organization. JEWISH IMMIGRANT AID SERVICES In 1919, the Canadian Jewish Congress was organized and in anticipation of renewed Jewish immigration after the war, established Jewish Immigrant Aid Society (JIAS). JIAS' mandate was to lobby the government on behalf of potential Jewish immigration. It acted on a national scale to facilitate the legal entry of Jews to Canada and then to help them adapt and integrate into their new home. After the war, immigration greatly increased and JIAS had to respond to new needs. Thousands of Jews were received, settled and rehabilitated, many from Displaced Persons camps. A social service committee was formed in 1947 and professional social workers were hired for the first time. Joseph Kage joined JIAS as a social worker in 1947 and remained at JIAS until his retirement in 1983. Under his leadership, JIAS' name changed from "Society" to "Services. Under his role of National Executive Director and national Executive Vice-President, Kage became an authority on issues of Canadian immigration policy and was chair of the Canadian Governmental Advisory Board on Immigrant Adjustment. JEWISH VOCATIONAL SERVICES (JVS) / JEWISH EMPLOYMENT MONTREAL (JEM) JVS was created in 1945, immediately after the Second World War. Initially the mandate of JVS was to offer Holocaust survivors housing and jobs. JVS also offered employment support for returning war veterans, orphans, and displaced European Jews entering Canada. The 1950s saw a focus on young people looking for first-time employment or changing careers. JVS also began to offer career counselling during this period. In 1950, a sheltered workshop for people with physical or mental health issues was created and helped many Jewish emigres who were unable to find meaningful jobs. This became was is currently the JEM Workshop. JVS continued to adapt their services based on changing immigration demographics, economic realities, and social climates. After a structural change in 2003, JVS became Jewish Employment Montreal (JEM) and continues to offer programming with this name under Ometz. In 2008, Jewish Employment Montreal, Jewish Family Services of the Baron de Hirsch Institute, and Jewish Immigrant Aid Services merged to become Ometz.
- Language
- English
- French
- Acquisition Source
- Collection was created from multiple sources, including materials pulled from the Jewish Canadiana Collection of the Jewish Public Library and the offices of the former agencies themselves.
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Jewish Public Library Archives
Allan Raymond Collection
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn31559
- Collection
- Allan Raymond Collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 16 linear metres of multiple media
- Fonds No.
- 1034
- Scope and Content
- Consists of numerous series and sub-series from individuals, families, organizations and businesses from within the Jewish community of Montreal. Includes various forms of records such as correspondence, photographs, artefacts and ledgers.
- Collection
- Allan Raymond Collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 16 linear metres of multiple media
- Scope and Content
- Consists of numerous series and sub-series from individuals, families, organizations and businesses from within the Jewish community of Montreal. Includes various forms of records such as correspondence, photographs, artefacts and ledgers.
- Fonds No.
- 1034
- Storage Location
- JPL
- History / Biographical
- Allan Raymond (1922- ) was born in Lithuania and came to Montreal in 1928. He is a researcher and lecturer of Canadian Jewish history and an avid collector of Canadian Judaica. Raymond also considered himself a romantic poet. He had a successful career as an insurance broker in Montreal and during World War II served overseas with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Amongst his varied community activities he served as public relations director of the Westmount Historical Association, Montreal Jewish Historical Society, St. James Literary Society, One Parent Families Association, Parents Without Partners Association, the YMHA Chaverim Group, Avant Garde Singles Group and S-Group. Mr. Raymond conducted research for the Montreal Gazette's "Great Montreal Walks" as well as for the television documentary "Six Decades." Many of his historical documents and photographs were exhibited at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Universite de Montreal, Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom, Shaar Hashomayim Congregation and the Jewish Public Library. He has delivered a series of illustrated lectures dealing with Canadian Judaica at the former Saidye Bronfman Centre among other institutions. This collection was accumulated by Allan Raymond over a period of thirty-five years. Most of the collection held at the Jewish Public Library was donated in 1993 and again in 1999. Mr. Raymond continues in his collecting as well as donations of material to the Jewish Public Library Archives to this day.
- Language
- English
- Yiddish
- French
- Hebrew
- Custodial History
- Received by the Jewish Public Library by Allan Raymond in 1993 and 1999.
- Arrangement
- Each series arranged individual to the specific family, person, institution, business or organization. Also includes materials arranged based on format such as "artefacts."
- Access Restrictions
- Some restrictions may apply due to Privacy legislation.
- Reproduction Restrictions
- Some restrictions may apply due to Copyright legislation.
- Finding Aid
- Original finding aid available in JPL-A.
- Subjects
- Abramowitz, Herman
- Abramowitz, Tess (nee Bokar)
- Montreal (Quebec) - Buildings, structures, etc.
- Montreal (Quebec) - Street scenes
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Jewish Public Library Archives
Images
Louis Rubenstein Collection
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn38825
- Collection
- Louis Rubenstein Collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Fonds No.
- 1168
- Date
- 1859-2002
- Scope and Content
- Consists of one large scrapbook of Rubenstein's achievements in figure skating as well as several folders of material dealing with the establishment of the Louis Rubenstein Memorial on Parc Avenue in Montreal, Quebec.
- Collection
- Louis Rubenstein Collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Scope and Content
- Consists of one large scrapbook of Rubenstein's achievements in figure skating as well as several folders of material dealing with the establishment of the Louis Rubenstein Memorial on Parc Avenue in Montreal, Quebec.
- Date
- 1859-2002
- Fonds No.
- 1168
- Storage Location
- JPL
- History / Biographical
- Louis Rubenstein (1861-1931) is one of Canada's most legendary sports figures. In 1890, he became the first World FancySkating Champion, at a competition held in Russia, and a Canadian sports hero. However, Mr. Rubenstein aptitude for sports extended far beyond skating. He was a venerable proponent of cycling, curling, bowling, and swimming. His love of sports led him to establish the International Skating Union of America and the Amateur Skating Association of Canada. He also organized other fields of amateur sports. He became a civic leader and philanthropist, devoting his energy to underprivileged youth.
- Language
- English
- French
- Russian
- Norwegian
- Subjects
- Rubenstein, Louis, 1861-1931
- Skating
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Jewish Public Library Archives
Saint John Jewish Historical Museum Community Files
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn48379
- Collection
- Saint John Jewish Historical Museum
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 4.5m of multiple media
- Fonds No.
- SJJHM-C
- Date
- 1871-2012
- Scope and Content
- Consists of the community files of the Saint John Jewish Historical Museum, including both original and collected information. Contains business and family records of various Saint John Jewish community members as well as those records that document the military involvement and contributions of th…
- Collection
- Saint John Jewish Historical Museum
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 4.5m of multiple media
- Scope and Content
- Consists of the community files of the Saint John Jewish Historical Museum, including both original and collected information. Contains business and family records of various Saint John Jewish community members as well as those records that document the military involvement and contributions of the Jewish community to the wider city of Saint John. Material includes minutes, correspondence, newspaper records, official documents, photographs and monographs.
- Date
- 1871-2012
- Fonds No.
- SJJHM-C
- Storage Location
- SJJHM
- History / Biographical
- The Louis I. Michelson Memorial Archives of the Saint John Jewish Historical Museum preserve the documentary heritage of Saint John's Jewish population. The Archives are organized thematically - synagogues, organizations, community life, and people. The Community Files contain a wealth of diverse information about the various contributions and aspects of Jewish life in New Brunswick. Saint John's Jews were very active within their own ethnic and religious community and also in the city's organizations and business life from the first arrivals in 1858 to the present day. Many community members are notable for their extensive contributions to many charitable organizations in Saint John and many of the Jewish businesses were well-known and patronized. The history of the Saint John Jewish community is presented in the Community Files section of the archive. This includes written histories by community members, most notably Dr. Eli Boyaner and Dr. Joseph Tanzman, but also by Museum staff. Information from other public records is also available including population profiles from the census and city directories. A number of themes are also represented including immigration to the city, athletes, artists and the film industry. Participation by some in city philanthropic organizations is also preserved. Education at the high school and university level and achievements in the professions are also important aspects of Jewish life in Saint John. Jewish life throughout Canada and the rest of the world is also represented in the collections, mostly from newspaper clippings and magazines. This serves to place this community into a context with the rest of the world and reflects information easily available in the local city newspapers on world events. A reunion of the now widely scattered Saint John Jewish Community, called the "Koom Ahaim", was held in Saint John in July 1984 to coincide with provincial bicentennial celebrations. This collection includes a mailing list, correspondence, and memorabilia from this major event in the community's history. Jewish men in business were led by Solomon Hart who owned a cigar factory in 1858. Similar businesses were established by the families that followed from England and Western Europe. The Eastern Europeans possessed skills and trades when they arrived, but they turned first to the peddling of goods in the countryside to earn money and also to learn English. After a few years, small shops and factories were established in the city's North end along Main Street and some later moved uptown to other parts of the city. It was a varied group of businesses where one could purchases nearly everything available, but clothing, food and manufactured goods were the most common things available. Many also sold second-hand goods and dealt in scrap metal. The history of Jewish businesses has been well-documented through the city directories, newspaper advertisements and features, and a limited number of company records. At one time a great many of Saint John's prominent merchants were Jewish, but by 2007 all fo the "original" Jewish run businesses had closed. The archives also has early business records of Isaac Selick and Sons of Moncton, New Brunswick. The Saint John Jewish community was very active in both World Wars. During the Second World War many men enlisted for the army, navy, and air force, while many women joined the Red Cross, the Canadian Women Army Corps, enlisted as nurses, or stayed in Saint John to provide assistance to the servicemen passing through the city, either in their own homes, in the Jewish Servicemen's Centre on Union Street, or in other service centres. This collection includes many of the dramatic newspaper headlines of the time, and the documents and prayer books carried by the servicemen. The richest part of the collection is that contributed by the family of Mrs. Jennie Brownberg, who was part of the Red Cross and also opened her home to servicemen.
- Language
- English
- Yiddish
- Notes
- Collected information on Jewish businesses and Jewish residential directories from 1863-1999 is searchable in database format. This database can be accessed through the Family History section of the Canadian Jewish Heritage Network.
- Access Restrictions
- Contact the Saint John Jewish Historical Museum directly for information on accessing this collection.
- Related Material
- Researchers should also consult the sections on SYNAGOGUE, GENEALOGY, AUDIO VISUAL, and PHOTOGRAPHS for further information.
- Subjects
- Boyaner, Dr. Eli
- Selick, Isaac
- Brownberg, Jennie
- Tanzman, Dr. Joseph
- Isaac Selick and Sons (Moncton, New Brunswick)
- Saint John (New Brunswick) - Jews
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Saint John Jewish Historical Museum
Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom Fonds
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn30952
- Collection
- Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom Fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 7.8m multiple media
- Fonds No.
- 1044
- Date
- 1882-1978
- Scope and Content
- This fonds consists of records of both Temple Beth Sholom and Temple Emanu-El. Records vary from birth, marriage and burial registers, minutes, bulletins, correspondence and various legal documents.
- Collection
- Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom Fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 7.8m multiple media
- Scope and Content
- This fonds consists of records of both Temple Beth Sholom and Temple Emanu-El. Records vary from birth, marriage and burial registers, minutes, bulletins, correspondence and various legal documents.
- Date
- 1882-1978
- Fonds No.
- 1044
- History / Biographical
- Temple Emanu-El was founded as the first Reform synagogue in Montreal in 1882 although it was not until 1892 when the first Temple sanctuary was erected on Cyprus Street, corner of Stanley Street. Temple Emanu-El re-located in 1911 to a new building on the corner of Shebrooke Street and Elm Street in Westmount. In 1957, tragedy struck the congregation when a fire destroyed the building erected in 1911. A new sanctuary was completed at the same location in 1959. In 1980, Temple Emanu-El and Temple Beth Sholom, a sister congregation founded in 1953, merged together to create Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom.
- Language
- English
- Subjects
- Temple Beth Sholom - Montreal (Quebec)
- Temple Emanu-El -- Montreal (Quebec)
- Synagogues - Montreal
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Jewish Public Library Archives
Temple Emanu-El Series
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn30954
- Collection
- Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom Fonds
- Description Level
- Series
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 4.5m multiple media
- Fonds No.
- 1044; 2
- Date
- 1882-1978
- Scope and Content
- This series consists of records from Temple Emanu-El prior to its merger with Temple Beth Sholom. Records consist of registers, minutes, correspondence, financial information and bulletins.
- Collection
- Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom Fonds
- Description Level
- Series
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 4.5m multiple media
- Scope and Content
- This series consists of records from Temple Emanu-El prior to its merger with Temple Beth Sholom. Records consist of registers, minutes, correspondence, financial information and bulletins.
- Date
- 1882-1978
- Fonds No.
- 1044
- Series No.
- 2
- Language
- English
- Subjects
- Temple Beth Sholom - Montreal (Quebec)
- Temple Emanu-El -- Montreal (Quebec)
- Synagogues - Montreal
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Jewish Public Library Archives
Mannie Lecker Fonds
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn16743
- Collection
- Mannie Lecker Fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- .4m of mixed material
- Fonds No.
- 1043
- Date
- 1885-2005 (predominant 1942-1945)
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of wartime memorabilia and propaganda collected by Mr. Lecker during his service in Europe in World War II.
- Collection
- Mannie Lecker Fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- .4m of mixed material
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of wartime memorabilia and propaganda collected by Mr. Lecker during his service in Europe in World War II.
- Date
- 1885-2005 (predominant 1942-1945)
- Fonds No.
- 1043
- Storage Location
- JPL
- Creator
- Mannie Lecker
- History / Biographical
- Mr. Lecker was born and raised in Montreal. He enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces during World War II and served as ground maintenance crew in the Air Force. Mr. Lecker was present during D-Day invasion, June 06, 1944 and marched across Europe, specifically through France, Holland and Germany. During his time in Europe, Mr. Lecker collected and saved wartime propaganda and memorabilia. Upon discharge from the Forces Mr. Lecker returned to Montreal but travelled often across Canada as a travelling salesman. Mr. Lecker passed away in Montreal in December 2007.
- Custodial History
- Initial donation was made in 1978 by Mr. Lecker to Paul Trepman, then director of the JPL. In 2005, Mr. Lecker was reconnected to the Library and Archives and made two further donations in 2005 and 2006. The last donation of Mr. Lecker's service medals was made in 2008 after his death.
- Name Access
- Lecker, Mannie, d.December 2007
- Subjects
- Veterans, Jewish - Canada
- World War, 1939-1945 - Veterans
- World War, 1939-1945 - Personal narratives
- Medals
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Jewish Public Library Archives
Rev. Dr. Herman Abramowitz
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn31777
- Collection
- Allan Raymond Collection
- Description Level
- Series
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 144cm of multiple media
- Fonds No.
- 1034; 1
- Date
- 1890-1978
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of correspondence, sermons and speeches, financial and legal documents, diary of an overseas trip in 1913, correspondence, school report cards and certificates pertaining to his children, postcards, calendar diaries, 1908-1934; manuscript thesis; reference pamphlets and photographs.
- Collection
- Allan Raymond Collection
- Description Level
- Series
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 144cm of multiple media
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of correspondence, sermons and speeches, financial and legal documents, diary of an overseas trip in 1913, correspondence, school report cards and certificates pertaining to his children, postcards, calendar diaries, 1908-1934; manuscript thesis; reference pamphlets and photographs.
- Date
- 1890-1978
- Fonds No.
- 1034
- Series No.
- 1
- Storage Location
- Bay 9
- History / Biographical
- Rabbi Herman Abramowitz was born in Russia in 1880, and came to America in 1890. He was educated at the public schools, the College of the City of New York (from which he graduated in 1900 with a Bachelor of Arts) and at the Jewish Theological Seminary. From 1900 to 1903, he took a post-graduate course in philosophy at Columbia University. In 1907 he received the degree of Doctor of Hebrew Literature from the Seminary, being the first graduate to receive this honour. In 1903, he accepted a call from the Shaar Hashomayim Congregation, Montreal. Dr. Abramowitz developed the congregational Sunday School, and Hebrew Day School; the Women's Auxiliary; the Young Peoples' Society and other activities. He was active in all communal enterprises ofa philanthropic and educational character and in 1910 personally raised from subscriptions the entire cost of the building of the Mount Sinai Sanatorium for tubercular patients. He was also in charge of the organization which raised annual subscriptions for the maintenance of the Sanatorium. His part in the Plamondon case was as a key witness in this infamous anti-Semitic libel case in Quebec City in 1913. In 1909, Dr. Abramowitz visited the Jewish agricultural colonies in the western provinces of Canada to establish religious schools and other institutions. He was invited to become a member of the Canadian Committee and in 1913 was sent to Paris to confer with the Jewish Colonization Association heads. He also represented Canada at the Congress held later that year in Vienna. Shortly after the outbreak of the World War I, Dr. Abramowitz was appointed Jewish Chaplain in the Canadian Army with the rank of Captain. He was also active on the speakers' team in all the Victory Loan campaigns and relief drives held during the war. He was Vice-President of the United Synagogue of America; Director, Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of Montreal; Director, Montreal United Talmud Torahs; and a life Governor of the Montreal General Hospital. Dr. Abramowitz married in 1911 to Theresa Bokar and had one son, David Lester and one daughter, Judith.
- Subjects
- Abramowitz, Herman.
- Abramowitz, Judith
- Abramowitz, David Lester
- Abramowitz, Tess (nee Bokar)
- Shaar Hashomayim Congregation -- Montreal (Quebec).
- Rabbis -- Canada.
- World War, 1914-1918
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Jewish Public Library Archives
Osterer Family fonds
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn107632
- Collection
- Osterer Family fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 1cm textual recods; 11 photographs
- Fonds No.
- I0184
- Date
- [1890-1990]
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of 11 photographs of members of the Osterer, Glustein, and Finkelman families, 7 postcards created by Irv Osterer (donated by Irv, Sept. 2022) and a memorial and envelope in memory of Howie Osterer created by Irv Osterer (donated by Irv March 2024). Post cards cover the histories of…
- Collection
- Osterer Family fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 1cm textual recods; 11 photographs
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of 11 photographs of members of the Osterer, Glustein, and Finkelman families, 7 postcards created by Irv Osterer (donated by Irv, Sept. 2022) and a memorial and envelope in memory of Howie Osterer created by Irv Osterer (donated by Irv March 2024). Post cards cover the histories of Rabbi Bulka, Adath Jeshurun, B'nai Jacob, Machzikei Hadas, Agudath Achim, and Lillian Frieman and the Poppy campaign.
- Date
- [1890-1990]
- Fonds No.
- I0184
- History / Biographical
- Betty and Joseph Osterer are the children of Leo (d. 1982) and Fannie (Glustein) Osterer (d. January 17, 1995) of Ottawa. The family owned a convenience store on Florence and Lyon Street, and a soft drink and party supply business. Betty Osterer married Sidney Finkelman and had two children, Elliot Finkleman (b. March 28, 1957) and Neil Finkelman (b. February 28, 1961). Joseph Osterer (d. May 19, 2016) married Blanch Betcherman and had four children, Irving (b. April 5, 1953), Howard (b. July 29, 1955 - November 11, 2004), Murray (b. August 23, 1957), and Karen. Irving Osterer studied at the Ontario College of Art and Design and earned a degree from Queen's University. He earned his Masters of educational administration from the University of Ottawa. Irving Osterer married Sheila Stanislawski and had a son, Robert (b. October 30, 1993). He is an accomplished teacher and has won multiple awards for his efforts. Irving is the recipient of the Capital Educator's Award (Ottawa-Carleton Research Institute), the OCDSB - Director's Citation, and the Marjorie Loughrey Lifetime Achievement Award. Howard Osterer attended Hillel Academy before attending Fisher Park High School and earning a degree from the University of Ottawa. Howard, known as "How" or "Howie," was an accomplished athlete, an all-star lineman for the Ottawa Sooners. In his later life he was a national fundraiser for Scouts Canada. Howard married Ellen Rivers and had five children. In 1998 Howard moved to Israel where he became the Regional Director of the Israel Association of Baseball and helped to bring the game to Israel. Howard died on November 11, 2004 while umpiring a baseball game in Israel.
- Acquisition Source
- Betty (Osterer) Finkelman
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Ottawa Jewish Archives
Adath Jeshurun Congregation fonds
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn101102
- Collection
- Adath Jeshurun Congregation Fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- textual records, 34 photographs
- Fonds No.
- C0001
- Date
- 1891 - 1957
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of a comprehensive record of the life of the Congregation from its earliest days including 1891-1892, 1910-1956 minutes; 1904 membership, officers, building committee; 1896 incorporation of by-laws; mortgages; deeds; celebrations of 1942 Golden Jubilee and 1952 Diamond Jubilee and …
- Collection
- Adath Jeshurun Congregation Fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- textual records, 34 photographs
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of a comprehensive record of the life of the Congregation from its earliest days including 1891-1892, 1910-1956 minutes; 1904 membership, officers, building committee; 1896 incorporation of by-laws; mortgages; deeds; celebrations of 1942 Golden Jubilee and 1952 Diamond Jubilee and 60 years of service: Our Diamond Jubilee, Congregation Adath Jeshurun, Ottawa, Canada, 1892-1952, 5652-5712, edited by Herman S. Roodman; cemetery records including 1897 deed of first Jewish cemetery at Bowesville Road, deeds, record book of burials: 1935 - 1957 (5-334-01 to 03), burial permits: 1948 -1956; 1920-1955, Cemetery plans and related correspondence - 1944; financial statements (5-335-01/02), a Dues Record Ledger from 1895-96 (5-337-01 to 03); 1950's Sisterhood minutes and invitations; Young People’s League or Jewish Young People’s League. A Rosh Hashanah prayer book with the label on the inside cover stating, "Donated by the Adath Jeshurun Sisterhood - May, 1953." (5-333). A small book called, "Index of Graves", containing Yiddish (?) and English writings, ca. 193-? ( 5-336-01/02). 6 textiles: four Torah mantles (one white, three red), 1 red valence (kipporet), 1 white valence (kipporet), were donated by Harry Beck of Beit Tikvah congregation. These are believed to have been used originally in Adath Jeshurun synagogue, then at Beth Shalom and eventually were transferred to Beth Shalom West (now Beit Tikvah). These are described in the database (5-296). A large b&w photograph of the choir at Adath Jeshurun, dated 1955 or 56 (see 5-057a). Restricted access. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Box 1 - Series: Legal, Financial, etc. Legal - Declaration of Incorporation, two copies - 1896; Legal - Incorporation of Bylaws, five copies - 1896; Legal - Hand written copy of Charter - 1896; Legal - Constitution, positive and negative photographic reproductions - July 4, 1895; Administrative - List of congregation Members; List of congregation Officers; List of Building Committee Members for the new King Edward Synagogue, Lists authored by Rose Harris - July 25, 1904; Notice of laying of the corner stone, authored by A. Harris, Secretary of the Building Committee - July 25, 1904; Legal - Bylaws – black notebook containing hand written drafts of and amendments to of Bylaws, minutes of a Board Meeting - July 17, 1915, and expenditures and deposits sporadically throughout - 1914-1915; Official Bylaws of Congregation Adath Jeshurun, based upon those of Congregation Shaar Hashomayim, Montreal - April 1, 1936; Legal - Assignment of Lease, between George Lang and David R. Burbank, lot number one on the east side of King Street, Ottawa - June 12, 1858; Legal - Quit Claim Deed, between David R. Burbank and Patrick Kelly, lot number one on the east side of King Street, Ottawa, - July 23, 1858; Legal - Indenture of Mortgage, between Patrick Kelly and Michael Gleeson, lot number one on the east side of King Street, Ottawa - November 29, 1859; Legal - Mortgage of Leasehold Premises, Martin Mahon to Archibald Keys, lot number one on the east side of King Street, Ottawa - February 22, 1864; Legal - Assignment of Mortgage, Archibald Keys to Mary Keys, lot number one on the east side of King Street, Ottawa - February 14, 1885; Legal - Deed of Land, Francis McDougal to Martin Mahon, lot number one on the east side of King Street, Ottawa - June 10, 1885; Legal - Ordnance Land Sale Grant, to Martin Mahon from the minister of the interior - January 22, 1886; Legal - High Court of Justice Order, between Edward Devlin, Plaintiff, and the Mahons and McDougall party, defendants. Order states that the defendants stand debarred and fore-closed of right and title to the mortgaged premises - May 28, 1897; Legal - Agreement for Sale, Edward Devlin to Adath Ashurun (Jeshurun) - April 24, 1903. Legal - Deed of Land, Edward Devlin to Congregation of Adath Eshuroon (Jeshurun), lot number one on the east side of King Street, Ottawa - June 1, 1903; Legal - Mortgage - August 21, 1903; Financial - Cheque receipt MacCracken, Hendersn and McDougal, Barristers, acknowledging receipt of $2100 from Congregation Adath Esheroon (Jeshurun) - June 1, 1903; Legal - Sherriff’s Certificates - 1885, 1895, 1903, 1911; Legal - Abstract of Title, City of Ottawa Registry Office, title records for lot number one on the east side of King Street, Ottawa - 1885-1904; Legal - Mortgage Agreements - August 5, 1904; Legal - Statutory Declaration, in the matter of Mortgage - September 13, 1904; Legal - Bond, A.J. Freiman et al to the Toronto General Trusts Corporation - April 20, 1911; Legal - Mortgage - May 10, 1911; Legal - Agreement for Extension of Time, Loan 7866 - June 1921; Legal - Agreement for Extension of Time, Loan 7866 - May 1926; Correspondence – various between Toronto General Trusts Corporation and Congregation Adath Jeshurun - 1935; Legal - Deed of Mortgage and Trust, to Capital Trust Corporation Limited - 21 February, 1921; Legal - Statutory Declaration of Benjamin Goldfield - November 1, 1930; Legal - Release of indenture - September 27, 1930; Addition to Synagogue - Contract with W.G. Adamson, contractor; receipts, various; correspondence, various - 1920-1921; Mortgage Fund - 19 canceled bank notes; Correspondence; List of subscribers to Mortgage Fund and amounts paid - 1929, 1931; Financial - Mortgage Fund Account Book - 1928-1929; Financial - Ottawa Taxes and Water Rates - 1911, 1921, 1926; Financial - Budgets and Financial Statements - 1920-1955; Insurance Record Book - 1916; Insurance Policies - 1930-1935; Insurance Policies - 1930-1955; Insurance Policies and correspondence - 1927-1930, 1935-1938; Insurance Policies - 1938-1945; Financial - Bank record book - 1907-1913; Financial - Bank record book - 1931-1946; Financial - Donation Record Book - 1912; Financial - Membership Accounts Book - 1910-1911; Administrative - Correspondence and Accounts - 1950-1952, 1956; Administrative - Correspondence regarding member donations - 1949-1953; Financial - Invoices - 1954; Financial - Receipts - 1954-1956; Administrative - Liquor License and Permit - 1946; BOX 2 - Series: Legal, Financial, Jewish Cemetery - various dates. Financial - Synagogue Ledger - Congregants by Surname, A - 1917-1939; Financial - Synagogue Ledger - Congregants by Surname, B - 1917-1939; Financial - Synagogue Ledger - Congregants by Surname, C - 1917-1939; Financial - Synagogue Ledger - Congregants by Surname, D, E - 1917-1939; Financial - Synagogue Ledger - Congregants by Surname, F, G - 1917-1939; Financial - Synagogue Ledger - Congregants by Surname, H, I, J, K, L - 1917-1939; Financial - Synagogue Ledger - Congregants by Surname, M, N, O, P - 1917-1939; Financial - Synagogue Ledger - Congregants by Surname, Q, R, S - 1917-1939; Financial - Synagogue Ledger - Congregants by Surname, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z - 1917-1939; Financial - Synagogue Ledger - Various Accounts - 1917-1930; Financial - Synagogue Ledger - Various Accounts - 1930-1937; Financial - Synagogue Ledger - Various Accounts - 1937-1945; Legal - Jewish Cemetery - Sample Bill of Sale for Cemetery Plot - 1943; Legal - Jewish Cemetery - Deed of Land Metcalfe Road Highway 31 - 1947; Legal - Jewish Cemetery - Jewish Cemetery Land Deeds - 1940-1946; Legal - Jewish Cemetery - Contract for installation of a Fence - June 5, 1913; Contract for installation of a Granite Arch - September 18, 1913; Legal - Jewish Cemetery - Cemetery Land Deeds of Congregation United Brethren -1940-1946; Legal - Jewish Cemetery - Deed of Land Bowesville Road Property, Gloucester - 1893-1921 Legal - Jewish Cemetery - Burial Permits - 1948-1956; Liquor License - 1949-1950; Administrative - Cemetery Record Book - 1935-1957; [incomplete] Map - Plan of Cemetery Metcalf Road Ontario Adath Jeshurun Congregation Ottawa; Related Correspondence - 1944; Administrative - List of Cemetery Accounts Outstanding - April 24, 1949; Miscellaneous forms for purchasing cemetery plots and requesting maintenance of existing cemetery plots - 1950s; BOX 3 - Series: Financial - Account Record Books and Ledgers - 1892-1941 (with gaps) Account Book - kept by J. Freedman, Yiddish - 1892-1986; Account Book - Yiddish - 1896-1901 Dues Record Book - 1900-1901; Dues Record Book - 1904-1906; Account and Receipt Book - 1912; Account Book - Seats and Donation – 1913-1915 Account Book - 1912-1916; Gabai Record - Yiddish - dates unknown; BOX 4 - Series: Minute of Meeting - 1892, 1913-1953. Minutes of first General Meeting - Translated from Yiddish by Miriam Paghis in 2000 - December 9, 1891; Minute Book - Minutes of General Meeting, copy of contents - 1892; Minute Book - Minutes of r General Meeting - 1892; Minute Book - Minutes of General Meeting - September 17, 1913 to August 5, 1917; Minutes - Minutes of General Meeting, contains early record of Talmud Torah and King Edward Hebrew Institute - March 6, 1910 to July 8, 1913; Financial - Records of Accounts - 1910-1912; Talmud Torah - Establishment of Board of Education - 1910; *Minutes arranged by year include Regular Meetings, General Meetings, Special Meetings, Meetings of the Board of Trustees, and Various Committee Meetings* Minutes - Minutes of Meeting - January 17, 1917 to December 7, 1919; Minutes - Minutes of Meeting - January 4, 1920 to August 6, 1922; Minutes - Minutes of Meeting - September 3, 1922 to December 6, 1925; Minutes - Minutes of Meeting - February 7, 1926 to August 10, 1930; Minutes - Minutes of Meeting - September 7, 1930 to December 3, 1933; Minutes - Minutes of Meeting - January 7, 1934 to August 18, 1935; Minutes - Minutes of Meeting - September 15, 1935 to July 24, 1939; Minutes - Minutes of Meeting - June 6, 1939 to June 11, 1942; Minutes - Minutes of Meeting - September 1, 1942 to June 4, 1944; Minutes - Minutes of Meeting - September 6, 1944 to December 16, 1945; Minutes - Minutes of Meeting - February 4, 1946 to July 22, 1948; Minutes - Minutes of Meeting - October 17, 1948 to June 19, 1951; Minutes - Minutes of Meeting - August 15, 1951 to August 12, 1953; Meeting Agendas - 1950-1951; Notices of Meeting of the Bylaws Committee - 1932-1935; Notices of Meetings - 1908-1909, 1918, 1923, 1935-1942, 1945, 1954-1955; BOX 5 - Series: Membership BOX 6 - Series: Administrative, Correspondence, Ephemera Correspondence - Appointment of Rev. J. Rabin as Cantor - September 8, 1929; Administrative - forms - Family Record - no date; Adath Jeshurun Congregation Balance of account template - 1918; Ephemera - Banquet Program, to celebrate the paying off of the Synagogue Mortgage, five copies - March 17, 1935; Ephemera - Program Schedule Booklet of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Founding of Adath Jeshurun Congregation, five copies - March, 1942 Ephemera - Newspaper clipping - “King Edward Avenue Synagogue to Celebrate Golden Jubilee” Xerox copy, original newspaper clipping is located in John Dover fonds - 1942; Guestbook - Fiftieth Anniversary of the Founding of Adath Jeshurun Congregation - March 22, 1942; Ephemera - Invitation - Fifty-fifth Anniversary of the Founding of Adath Jeshurun Congregation, transferred from Hy and Lillian Gould fonds - March 7, 1947; Ephemera - Banquet Program - Diamond Jubilee Sixtieth Anniversary of the Founding of Congregation Adath Jeshurun – November, 1952; Ephemera - Table Place Cards - Adath Jeshurun Congregation Diamond Jubilee - November 30, 1952; Correspondence - letters and telegrams regarding the Congregation’s Diamond Jubilee - 1952; Ephemera - Diamond Jubilee Anniversary Banquet reservation cards, 11 copies; Diamond Jubilee Banquet reply card; Diamond Jubilee Banquet ticket, no. 260 -1952; Ephemera - Invitation - First Oneg Shabbat of the Season Commemorating the Sixtieth Anniversary of the Founding of Congregation – November 28, 1952; Ephemera - Program - Testimonial Banquet Honoring Reverend Joseph Rabin upon his silver Jubilee of Service to Congregation Adath Jeshurun - March 7, 1954; Ephemera - Program and Menu for Banquet Table Setting - Sixtieth Anniversary of the Founding of Congregation, five copies – November 30, 1952; Ephemera - Invitation - Diamond Jubilee, two copies - November 30, 1952; Ephemera - Press releases, speeches and newspaper clippings - Diamond Jubilee - 1952; Ephemera - Invitations, Programs, Menus - 1935-1954; Ephemera - Newspaper clipping - “Corner Stone Laid Synagogue of Adath Esheroon (Jeshurun) King Edward Avenue” Ottawa Free Press, The Evening Citizen, The Ottawa Evening Journal - July 26, 1904; Ephemera - Newspaper clippings - Various - Includes Caspar Caplan, Rabbi Freedman, L.S. Greenberg, Rabbi Margolis, Lillian Freiman - 1936-1938, 1940-1942, 1944; Ephemera - Newspaper clipping, - Various - Includes sacrilegious attack, induction of Rabbi Nathan Kollin, Young People’s League News, Ottawa Jewish Bulletin, Rabbi Lifschutz - 1920s-50s; Administrative - Adath Jeshurun Sisterhood - Chanukah Dinner Party; Executive membership - 1953-1954; Symposium “Things You Would Like To Know” - January 17, 1956; Various Sisterhood Event Invitation - 1952-1956; Ephemera - High Holiday Bulletins - 1949-1953; Box 7 - Rosh Hashana prayer book, 1953 Textile Box 8 - Torah, 1938 Cemetery Plot Record Book Account Book, 1912-1915
- Date
- 1891 - 1957
- Fonds No.
- C0001
- Storage Location
- A.1.3 - A.1.5
- 2 boxes in OS 6 textiles in OS Mixed Box 11
- History / Biographical
- The first official meeting of Adath Jeshrun was held on December 9, 1891 with the express purpose of establishing an orthodox congregation for the growing Jewish Community of Ottawa. Congregation Adath Jeshrun was founded in 1892 when its first president, John Dover, received the official charter. John Dover, Abraham Kranf, Morris Adler, and Michael Fine served as the first official executive committee. During the 1891 meeting it was agreed that the congregation was to be overseen by a committee of elected officials which would make up the executive committee. Executive offices included a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and three Trustees with office terms of one year. The structure of the governing body of Adath Jeshrun continued in this manner for the duration of the congregation's existence, with minor alterations, as it gained additional members. The 1914 congregation by-laws show an expansion of the governing committee. The committee grew to include a President, Vice-President, Parnass, Treasurer, and 9 trustees. The by-laws also established a number of active committees including the Education, House, Choir, Membership, Seat, and Cemetery committees. In 1929 Chevra Kadisha societies were established and additional rules of decorum were added. The by-laws subsequently recorded the religious officials who were to serve as part of the congregation. Religious officials included Rabbi, Chazan, Assistant Chazan, Shamas, and a Choir Master. Between 1890 and 1895, religious services were conducted at the homes of Moses Bilsky and John Dover, or at the homes of the leading members of the day. In 1893 a plot of land was bought on the East side of King Street for the congregation. The first Adath Jeshurun Synagogue was housed in a small building at 264 Murray Street from 1895-1904. The corner stone for the new synagogue was laid July 25, 1904 by A. Rosenthal. The congregation later moved into the King Edward Street shul, located at 375 King Edward Avenue. The Synagogue Building Committee was chaired by Archibald Freiman, then only 21 years of age. He presided over the Congregation from 1904 until 1930. Wolfe Abelson was the vice president throughout the early part of the congregation's history, serving continuously from 1905 to 1930. In 1910 the Hebrew Institute was added with the establishment of the Talmud Torah Board of Education. In 1917 it was decided that the King Edward Institute, owned by the congregation, was to be leased in order to facilitate the amalgamation of all Talmud Torah's in the area. During the first half of the twentieth century the congregation of Adath Jeshrun served as the principal orthodox congregation of the Ottawa Jewish Community. When the Diamond Jubilee was celebrated in 1952, two of the original congregation members, Jacob Freedman and Bernard Smith, were part of the festivities. Ottawa-born David Petegorsky, Executive Director of the American Jewish Congress, was the guest speaker at the anniversary banquet. In 1956, Adath Jeshurun Congregation, along with Agudath Achim Congregation, joined together to form the Beth Shalom Congregation on Chapel Street. At this time the synagogue building became the Jewish Memorial Chapel, also known as the Chevra Kadisha. The congregations first Cantor and Shochet was Reverend Jacob Mirsky who served from 1892 until 1942, followed by Reverend Joseph Rabin (1929-1956), and Reverend Harry Weissbord (1944-1956). Rabbi Simon Fyne served from 1912 to 1920, followed by Rabbi Max Mintz (1924-1926), Rabbi Dr. Julius Leikin (1927-1928), Rabbi Nathan Kollin (1929-1932) and United Synagogue Rabbis Abraham H. Freedman (1931-1636), William Margolis (1937-1938), Oscar Z. Fasman (1940-1946), Emanuel L. Lifschutz (1946-1951) and Simon L. Eckstein (1952-?). Vice-Presidents included Wolf Abelson (1910-1923, 1925-1930), Samuel Katz (1923-1925), Laz Greenberg (1930-1937), Dr. Samuel Mirksy (1937-1938), Leon Petegorsky (1938-1942), Hyman Gould (1942-1948), Samuel Caplan (1948-1952), and Isidore Stone (1952-1956). Benjamin Pearl served as Congregation Secretary from 1912 to 1948 and was succeeded by Herman Roodman. Lillian Freiman established the Adath Jeshrun Sisterhood and served as its first president from 1910 until 1929. She was succeeded by Mrs. Slone (1929-1931). Subsequent Presidents were Mrs. S. Brodie (1931-1938), Mrs. M. Pearlman (1938-1940), and Mrs. S. Lepofsky (1940-1944), Mrs. G. Caplan (1944-1947), Mrs. L. Frieman (1947-1949), Mrs. H. Gould (1949-1952), Mrs. S. Torontow (1952-1953), Mrs. R. Berke (1953-1955), and Mrs. M. Freedman (1955-1956).
- Acquisition Source
- Textiles donated by Harry Beck.
- Custodial History
- In 1973, these records were transferred to the National Archives of Canada, and returned to the Ottawa Jewish Archives in 1996.
- Notes
- 1. Adath Jeshurun does not readily translate into English. 2. After amalgamation, synagogue records were given to the Jewish Community Centre. 3. Further accrual of a photograph of attendees at the banquet for burning of the mortgage. Donated by Goldie Cantor, June 11, 2006. Program of the event located in the fonds. 4. Torah donated by John Holzman, presented to the Adath Jeshurun Congregation by Mr and Mrs William Holzman, 1938. 5. 1896 Incorporation date from Rabbi Lifschutz letter, April 20, 1951. 6. The Dues Record Book is mostly written in Yiddish with some English. The names of the debtors are written on the top along with their exact addresses, amounts owed and amounts paid. 7. Synagogue Ledger - Congregants by Surname - contains name, address, and in some cases the date the individual joined the congregation.
- Related Material
- See Subject file for Rabbi S. Fyne
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Ottawa Jewish Archives
United Talmud Torahs Fonds
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn17109
- Collection
- United Talmud Torahs Fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Fonds No.
- 1047
- Date
- 1896 - current
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of administrative records on the running and organization of the school, student activities, teachers, activities, special occasions and parent involvement. The fonds is divided into eleven series. Series I: Board of Directors Series II: History Series III: Fundraising Series IV: Bu…
- Collection
- United Talmud Torahs Fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of administrative records on the running and organization of the school, student activities, teachers, activities, special occasions and parent involvement. The fonds is divided into eleven series. Series I: Board of Directors Series II: History Series III: Fundraising Series IV: Budget and Finance Series V: Teaching Staff Series VI: Parents Series VII: Students Series VIII: Programs Series IX: Publications Series X: Audio-Visual Series XI: Correspondence
- Date
- 1896 - current
- Fonds No.
- 1047
- Storage Location
- JPL
- History / Biographical
- The United Talmud Torahs were founded in 1896. Rabbi A.M. Ashinsky established the first Talmud Torah class on 130 Cadieux St. In 1903 the Talmud Torah was housed in its own building at 140 St. Urbain street, when it came under the directorship of Rabbi Hirsch Cohen. In 1912 the school admitted girls and was incorporated under the name of "The Hebrew Free School of Montreal". In 1917 the language of instruction changed from Yiddish to Hebrew. Several Hewbrew schools, which were spread over the city of Montreal were amalgamated in 1917 as The United Talmud Torahs. In 1930 the building on St. Joseph Blvd. was erected and in 1935 The United Talmud Torahs became a day school. Since 1970 The French language is a significant language of instruction. At present the United Talmud Torahs consist of elementary school and Herzliah High Schools with branched in Snowdon and St. Laurent.
- Custodial History
- All records transferred directly from the United Talmud Torahs of Montreal.
- Subjects
- United Talmud Torahs (Montreal)
- United Talmud Torahs (Montreal) - Bialik Hebrew School
- United Talmud Torahs (Montreal) - Chomedy
- United Talmud Torahs (Montreal) - Herzliah High School
- United Talmud Torahs (Montreal) - Cote St-Luc
- Religious education
- Education, Elementary
- Education, Preschool
- Education, Secondary
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Jewish Public Library Archives
Yavna B'nai Parnass/Parnass Family Collection
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn51019
- Collection
- Yavna B'nai Parnass/Parnass Family Collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 1.2 linear metres of multiple media + 58 photographs
- Fonds No.
- 1293
- Date
- 1898-2010
- Scope and Content
- Consists of ephemeral and some documentary material related to both the Yavna B'nai Synagogue (such as correspondence related to the sale of the building) as well as artefacts originating from the Synagogue (parochet/curtains, electric menorah, kesser/sefer torah crowns). Also includes photographs…
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 1.2 linear metres of multiple media + 58 photographs
- Scope and Content
- Consists of ephemeral and some documentary material related to both the Yavna B'nai Synagogue (such as correspondence related to the sale of the building) as well as artefacts originating from the Synagogue (parochet/curtains, electric menorah, kesser/sefer torah crowns). Also includes photographs of the synagogue and the Parnass family.
- Date
- 1898-2010
- Fonds No.
- 1293
- Storage Location
- JPL
- Bay 9
- History / Biographical
- Raizel and Pinchas Parnass lived in Russian town of Kagul in Bessarabia with their six children, Sara, Abraham, Boris, Harry, Mottel and Joseph. In 1903, the entire family emigrated to Montreal where Pinchas opened a successful clothing store on St. James Street. Beyond settling in their new home and raising their family, Raizel and Pinchas dedicated themselves to community building, most especially in religious observance and education. In 1910, Pinchas founded the Kerem Israel shull at 4335 St. Dominique, corner Marie-Anne. The second floor of the Kerem Israel was used as a free school for children. In 1926, on the occasion of their 25th wedding anniversary, Pinchas bought Raizel a two-storey brick building belonging to the Seventh Day Adventist Church at 4690 Hutchinson Street. The sale of the church was dependent on the new owners observing Saturday as Sabbath. For Raizel the building was fulfillment of a childhood desire to build a synagogue in the "New World". As a child, Raizel witnessed the destruction during a pogrom of a synagogue built by her father. Raizel also designated the second-floor space of the building for a Hebrew free school. The new Orthodox synagogue was given the name 'Yavna B'nai' by Rabbi Herschorn but quickly became known as the Parnass Shul throughout the community. The Parnass family indeed provided the necessary elements to the tiny synagogue: Harry, who was skilled in carpentry, built the bimah (a table used for unrolling the Torah); Raizel and daughter Sara (Berman) made and embroidered the parochet (curtain that covers the Torah Ark) and Sara also donated the Megillah Scroll for the shul. The Torah scrolls were donated by the Lubavitch Yeshiva. Joseph Parnass, Raizel and Pinchas' youngest son, assumed management of the Synagogue and it was he that established the rule that no donations would ever be accepted by Yavna. Instead, the Synagogue was sustained by the Parnass family. In this way, the family ensured that the Synagogue remained free for anyone who wished to worship there. Joseph Parnass was also one of the founding members of the Canadian Jewish Congress in 1919 and he later sat on the board of the Rabbinical College of Canada. Boris Parnass, the second-eldest son, assumed caretaker responsibilities for the building and after his death, his sons Victor and Myer, continued in their father's dedication. The Yavna B'nai Parnass Synagogue was the first synagogue in Outremont and during its height was filled to capacity and provided three minyins each day. The Synagogue was also used for appeals for other organizations, specifically the Lubavitch Yeshiva and the Jewish Old People's Home, now Maimonides Hospital. A plaque hangs in Maimonides Hospital, donated by Joseph Parnass, dedicated to the founding of Yavna B'nai Synagogue by Raizel and Pinchas Parnass. In 1991, the Yavna B'nai Synagogue was closed and sold. Proceeds from the sale went to the Jewish Hospital of Hope for that institution's Synagogue, now known as the Yavna B'nai Parnass.
- Language
- English
- Hebrew
- Custodial History
- Donated by Helen Parnass Constantine on behalf of the Parnass family.
- Accession No.
- 12-018
- Subjects
- Synagogues - Canada.
- Synagogues - Montreal (Quebec)
- Parnass, Pinchas
- Parnass, Raizel
- Parnass, Joseph
- Yavna B'nai Synagogue
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Jewish Public Library Archives
Dreyfus Collection
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn75976
- Collection
- Dreyfus Collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- Textual material ; 144 postcards ; 66 photographs ; 17 prints
- Fonds No.
- 1318
- Date
- 1989-1914 [predominant 1903-1908]
- Scope and Content
- The Dreyfus Collection contains material related to the Dreyfus Affair, specifically the publicity and commentary surrounding the trial. It consists of a collection of editorial cartoons, newpaper clippings, broadsides, photographs and drawings. The content represents both positions in support and …
- Collection
- Dreyfus Collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- Textual material ; 144 postcards ; 66 photographs ; 17 prints
- Scope and Content
- The Dreyfus Collection contains material related to the Dreyfus Affair, specifically the publicity and commentary surrounding the trial. It consists of a collection of editorial cartoons, newpaper clippings, broadsides, photographs and drawings. The content represents both positions in support and against Alfred Dreyfus, some of which are explicitly anti-semitic. The collection of postcards contains political cartoons and caricatures that were circulating at the time. Similarly, some of the posters represent the trial in a political manner. Newspaper clippings from the period are also included within the collection.
- Date
- 1989-1914 [predominant 1903-1908]
- Fonds No.
- 1318
- Storage Location
- JPL
- History / Biographical
- The trials of Captain Alfred Dreyfus took place in the last decade of the 19th century and first decade of the 20th century. Dreyfus, an officer of the French general staff, was falsely accused of passing state secrets to the German military, tried and twice convicted (1895,1899) of treason before finally being exonerated in 1906. The effects of the decade-long controversy were felt both within France and abroad for decades after the case proper was settled. The media that surrounded the trial and its aftermath created a flurry of public commentary on the topic and is an aspect that is well reflected within this collection. Postcards in particular were a new and inexpensive format that propelled the scale of popular opinion expressed through their mass-circulation and often time provocative, anti-semitic imagery. Dreyfus counted among his defenders such illustrious figures as the future French prime minister Georges Clemenceau, the celebrated novelist Emile Zola, and the social thinker Bernard Lazare. Theodore Herzl, serving as Paris correspondent for the Viennese newspaper Die Welt, was disturbed enough by the anti-semitic implications of the Dreyfus Affair to turn his thoughts and energies to political Zionism, the movement which he founded.
- Language
- French
- English
- Yiddish
- Custodial History
- Provenance for this collection remains unknown.
- Notes
- A portion of material was removed from the collection's two albums. For each of these items a note has been created that indicates its initial page number and position in which it was originally placed.
- Subjects
- Dreyfus Affair (1984-1906)
- Dreyfus, Alfred, 1859-1935
- Zola, Emile, 1840-1902
- France
- France - Jews
- Antisemitism
- Media
- Cartoon
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Jewish Public Library Archives
Images
Robert Adams Collection
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn50190
- Collection
- Robert Adams Collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 0.37m of multiple media
- Fonds No.
- 1306
- Date
- [between 1900 and 1990] predominently 1987-1988
- Scope and Content
- The Collection contains, correspondence, research notes, photographs, negatives, museum catalogues, magazines, manuscripts and news clippings related to life and work of Alexander Bercovitch as well as the research and publication of "The Life and Work of Alexander Bercovitch - Artist" by Robert Ad…
- Collection
- Robert Adams Collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 0.37m of multiple media
- Scope and Content
- The Collection contains, correspondence, research notes, photographs, negatives, museum catalogues, magazines, manuscripts and news clippings related to life and work of Alexander Bercovitch as well as the research and publication of "The Life and Work of Alexander Bercovitch - Artist" by Robert Adams. The material predominently focuses on the years 1987-1988, during which Adams was researching, writing and publishing his book.
- Date
- [between 1900 and 1990] predominently 1987-1988
- Fonds No.
- 1306
- Storage Location
- 7-1A
- History / Biographical
- Robert Adams was born in South Wales in 1937. He first studied at the London School of Economics, after which he moved to Montreal to continue his education and teaching career at Concordia University. In 1972 he received a position at College Bois-du-Boulogne where he taught for eight more years. It was during these years he wrote his first book, “The Life and Work of Alexander Bercovitch – Artist.” In the same year of its publication, 1988, the noted biography was short listed for the Quebec Society for the Promotion of English-Language Literature (QSPELL) award in non-fiction. Robert Adams would later go on to be a recognized book reviewer, speaking regularly on CBC Radio’s “Talking Books” and TV Ontario’s “Big Ideas” on Book TV. He was also been a frequent guest-speaker at many literary functions, including those held by the Jewish Public Library in Montreal. Known as the father of modern Jewish painting in Montreal, Alexander Bercovitch was a Russian Jewish painter born in 1891 in the port city of Kherson in the Ukraine. He spent his formative years travelling across Europe honing his artistic skills and establishing himself as a painter. It wasn’t until 1926 that Bercovitch and his family came to Montreal. After a difficult first year in Montreal Bercovitch left his family and would continue to have a turbulent relationship with his wife and children. Throughout the remaining twenty-four years of his life Bercovitch would join the "Eastern Group of Painters,” work with John Lyman to establish the Canadian Arts Society of Jewish Artists and the Eastern Group as well as teach a generation of Jewish artists, including Moe Reinblatt, Ghitta Caiserman-Roth, Rita Briansky and Esther Wertheimer. On January 7, 1951 Alexander Bercovitch died from a massive heart-attack, which struck him only four hours before his retrospective was to open at the YM-YWHA.
- Language
- English
- French
- Yiddish
- Arrangement
- Original order was maintained. Duplicates were removed from both the textual and photographic material.
- Notes
- Includes correspondence to and from Alexander Bercovitch.
- Subjects
- Painters
- Montreal (Quebec)
- Bercovitch, Abram William, 1882-1962.
- Bercovitch, Alexander
- Artists
- Adams, Robert
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Jewish Public Library Archives
Samuel Caplan Family fonds
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn101144
- Collection
- Samuel Caplan family fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- multiple media
- Fonds No.
- I0213
- Date
- 1900 - 1975
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of Caspar Caplan’s 1914 list of Ottawa families and addresses; correspondence, 1930's; records outlining Sam Caplan’s leadership role with the Jewish Community Council of Ottawa, 1952-1953; the Synagogue and Jewish Community Centre, 1952 - 1953; President of the Adath Jeshurun Congre…
- Collection
- Samuel Caplan family fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- multiple media
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of Caspar Caplan’s 1914 list of Ottawa families and addresses; correspondence, 1930's; records outlining Sam Caplan’s leadership role with the Jewish Community Council of Ottawa, 1952-1953; the Synagogue and Jewish Community Centre, 1952 - 1953; President of the Adath Jeshurun Congregation, 1952 - 1954; large collection of community souvenir programs and invitations, 1900 - 1950; news clippings; a book entitled "Caplan’s in the the capital: a history of C. Caplan Limited & the Caplan Family of Ottawa, 1890 - 1999"; a Caplan family tree (descendants of Yankel-Herschel Caplan b. 1850); oral history taped interview, 1977; b&w and colour photographs; Marcia Caplan’s typewriter portraits and correspondence relating to her typewriter portraits. Souvenir Programs and invitations include: Stag parties of Dave Bilsky, 1928; Cecil Slonemsky, 1929; Harold Pearl, 1931;Gordon Caplan, 1932; Sam Caplan, 1936 and Hyman Horlick, 1936; Myer Caplan marriage to Mary Levin, 1911; Samuel Caplan marriage to Marcia Clarice Singer, 1936; Birthday of Sam Caplan, date unknown; Bar Mitzah of Jesse Hyman Abelson, 1905; Silver Wedding anniversary of Mr. & Mrs. J. Holzman, 1916; Wedding of Libbie Silver to Lyon Cohen, Montreal, 1900; Wedding of Betsy Kert to Ben Benovitch (Benwick), 1901; Wedding of Jennie Freiman to Max Epstein, Hamilton, 1907; Wedding of Lillian Bilsky to Archibald J. Freiman, 1903; Wedding of Myer Caplan to Mary Levin, 1911; Wedding of Susan Sugarman to Samuel Katz, 1910; Wedding of Sophie Loeb to Samuel Edelson, King Edward Institute, 1915; Wedding of Mildred Markson to Nathan Bilsky, 1914; Wedding of Sophie Cooper to Sidney Miller, 1912; Wedding of Rebecca Shapiro to Gabriel Cohen, 1919; Souvenir Booklets include: Banquet and Presentation to Mr. Samuel Berger by his Ottawa friends on his departure for Osgoode Hall, September 12, 1922; Ottawa Hebrew Benefit Society Memorial Service, September 22, 1935; Ottawa Jewish Community Council Introduction Rabbi William Margolis, October 31, 1937; Annual father and son session of the Hanoar Study and Breakfast Club, May 23, 1943; Funeral of Archibald Jacob Freiman, 1944; Annual Tea, Lady Members of the Ottawa Hebrew Free Loan Association, Talmud Torah Hall, February 11, 1945; Installation of Rabbi Simon L. Eckstein, Sunday, December 7, 1952; Memorial Service, Dr. Chaim Weizmann, First President of Israel, December 10, 1952; Synagogue and Jewish Community Centre of Ottawa Dedication, November 2, 1952; Special Coronation Service in honour of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, June 2, 1953; Testimonial Dinner in honour of the Honourable Abraham H. Lieff, Q.C. President of the Agudath Israel Synagogue, 1953; Testimonial Banquet honouring Reverend Joseph Rabin upon his Silver Jubilee of service to Congregation Adath Jeshurun, March 7, 1954; Ottawa Vaad Ha’Ir Annual Memorial Service, September 19, 1954; B’nai B’rith Ottawa Lodge, No. 885 Presents its 1967 Citation Award Dinner honouring Dr. Samuel Mirsky as Citizen of the year 1966, March 1, 1967; Israel week in Ottawa, 23rd Anniversary, anniversary Sabbath, Sunday, May 2, 1971; Negev Dinner in tribute to Dr. Samuel Mirsky, December 10, 1972; Testimonial dinner in tribute to Louis Rasminsky on his retirement as Governor of the Bank of Canada, February 11, 1973; Negev Dinner in honour of Jacob Gordon, November 18, 1973; Negev Dinner in tribute to Dr. Samuel Mirsky, December 10, 1972; 25th Anniversary of Israel’s Independence, May 6, 1973; Service of dedication of Temple Israel, Ottawa, October 26, 1975; Music and Theatre Programs include: Queen Esther given by the Girls’ Herzl Zion Society, St. Patrick’s Hall, February 22, 1915; First Annual “Y” Vaudeville Show, directed by Abe Lieff, January 28, 1923; The Galvinizer, November 25, 1929; Young People’s League presents Haman’s Trial at King Edward Institute, March 4, 1931; The Y. M. H. A.'s sixth annual minstrel show “We’re in the army now,” February 21 - 23, 1931, Montreal; Young Judea of Ottawa presents the Eighth Annual Concert at the Little Theatre, May 5, 1932; Ottawa Drama Club presents "Dulcy" at the Little Theatre, April 14, 15, and 16, 1932; Young People’s League presents “The Butter and Egg Man” at the Little Theatre, March 11, 1933; Young People’s League of the synagogues of Ottawa present “A Bachelor’s Honeymoon” at the Little Theatre, February 24, year unknown; H. Y. M. A. of Young Judea present a dance and floor show at the Talmud Torah Hall, March 29, 1936; Young People’s League: Purim Party: Yiddishe Mountaineers at the Talmud Torah Hall, March 8, 1947; United Sisterhoods of Ottawa present Uncle Tom’s Community Centre: a musical comedy written by Sol Max and Abraham H. Lieff, December, 20, 1952; Ottawa Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Eugene Kash, Capital Theatre, Season 1952 - 1953; Israeli Forum presents Three American Rabbis at the Jewish Community Centre, February 8, 1953;
- Date
- 1900 - 1975
- Fonds No.
- I0213
- History / Biographical
- Samuel (Sam) Caplan (b. 1898 - d. 1983 in Ottawa) was the son of Caspar Caplan and Dora Roston. He had two brothers, Gordon Caplan and David Caplan, and three sisters, Miriam (M. Wershof), Lessie (E. Roston) and Lillian (L. Wolfe). Sam began working within the family's retail business, C. Caplan Limited (Caplan's), as a teenager and married Marcia Clarice Singer of Montreal in August 1936. Caplan’s was first opened in 1897 by Casper Caplan and moved to Rideau Street in 1916. By the time Caplan’s expanded to a department store on Rideau Street, Sam was the Secretary-Treasurer. Caplan’s purchased Shaffer’s Limited in 1967, and closed two decades later on July 28, 1984. As the store was facing declining sales and increased competition from the Rideau Centre Shopping mall. Sam was affiliated with the Ottawa Hebrew Benevolent Society all his adult life. He was a charter member of B’nai B’rith Ottawa Lodge and a life long member of Adath Jeshurun Congregation. He served as Adath Jeshurun's president between 1951 and 1956 and led negotiation talks which facilitated the merger with Agudath Achim and the creation of Congregation Beth Shalom. Sam died in 1983, just one year before Caplan’s closed. Marcia Caplan was a noted bridge player, being the second Jewish female Life Master in Ottawa. Between 1935 and 1952, Marcia Caplan created a series of portraits of leading world personages using a typewriter. Marcia died in Ottawa in 2003.
- Acquisition Source
- 1. Sam Caplan donated most of the fonds. 2. Further accrual of a letter donated by Aaron Bernstein, 1997. 3. Further accruals of 11 photographs : b&w, and some news clippings donated by George Caplan, July 2000.
- Custodial History
- Mrs. Manuel Gluck (Joan Caplan) donated 8 photographs in October, 2009.
- Notes
- Marcia Caplin’s typed portraits were displayed by the Ottawa Jewish Historical Society at Arts Alive in 1984 One portrait's glass broke, and the glass was removed
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Ottawa Jewish Archives
Reference Collection
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn107633
- Collection
- Reference Collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- multiple media
- Fonds No.
- R0001
- Date
- ca. 1900-2011
- Scope and Content
- The Reference Collection consists mostly of miscellaneous records, subject files, photographs, artifacts, and other published material not associated with an existing fonds, but which have or contain informational value relating to persons, groups and organizations relevant to the Jewish community …
- Collection
- Reference Collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- multiple media
- Scope and Content
- The Reference Collection consists mostly of miscellaneous records, subject files, photographs, artifacts, and other published material not associated with an existing fonds, but which have or contain informational value relating to persons, groups and organizations relevant to the Jewish community of Ottawa, or which have display or historical value.
- Date
- ca. 1900-2011
- Fonds No.
- R0001
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Ottawa Jewish Archives
Lea Roback Fonds
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn31359
- Collection
- Lea Roback Fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 4.8m of textual records. -- 1013 photographs.
- Fonds No.
- 1243
- Date
- 1901-1998 ; predominant 1930-1998
- Scope and Content
- The Fonds contains material reflecting Lea Roback's activity in politics, union organization and activism in addition to personal records that document her relationship with family. Records from her political and activist work include radio addresses, correspondence, fliers, reports, and periodical…
- Collection
- Lea Roback Fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 4.8m of textual records. -- 1013 photographs.
- Scope and Content
- The Fonds contains material reflecting Lea Roback's activity in politics, union organization and activism in addition to personal records that document her relationship with family. Records from her political and activist work include radio addresses, correspondence, fliers, reports, and periodicals. Personal records include correspondence wit her family members, the narrative of the Roback family written in prose, and various pieces of memorabilia belonging to Roback. The majority of the photographs in the collection are of Lea and her family from their time in Montreal, Beauport (QC) as well as Lea's travels in Europe. The series included within the Lea Roback Fonds are the following:
- Series 1 -- Professional activity
- Series 2 -- Biographical and personal material
- Series 3 -- Correspondence
- Series 4 -- Bibliographic reference publications
- Series 5 -- Videos
- Series 6 -- Photographs
- Series 7 -- Graphic material
- Date
- 1901-1998 ; predominant 1930-1998
- Fonds No.
- 1243
- Storage Location
- JPL
- History / Biographical
- Activist and organizer, Lea Roback was born on November 3rd, 1903 in Montreal. She was the second of nine children of Fanny (1885-1973) and Moses (1870-1935) Roback, both of whom immigrated from Poland. She spent her childhood in Beauport, Quebec where her parents ran a general store. The Robacks spoke Yiddish at home; outside it was French or English. Léa was able to switch freely between languages, a skill that became useful in work with labour organizations. When Léa was fourteen the family returned to Montreal where, two years later, she began working in the city's factories. It was at this point that she became accutely aware of the inequality between Montreal's affluent English-speaking families and the mostly French and Jewish working class. In the mid-1920s, Léa spent a two years at the University of Grenoble in France, supporting herself by privately teaching English to students. In 1928, Léa joined her older brother Harry in Berlin where he was studying medicine. She enrolled at the University of Berlin studying Sociology and German. Léa became involved with leftwing student groups and eventually joined the Communist Party. In 1932 Lea returned to Montreal, finding work as a youth group director at the Young Women’s Hebrew Association, where her mentor was Saidye Bronfman, wife of Sam Bronfman. In 1935 she managed the Modern Bookshop on Bleury Street, the first Marxist bookstore in Quebec, which became a gathering place for local radicals. That same year Lea coordinated Fred Rose's bid for election. Eight years following this campaign, Rose became the first communist elected to the House of Commons. In 1936 she was recruited by Thérèse Casgrain, legendary women’s suffrage leader, to assist in her work to obtain the vote for women in Quebec. Léa also became involved with the International Ladies Garment Workers’ Union (ILGWU) during their attempts to improve conditions in the garment industry. In 1937, Léa was a leader – along with organizers such as Rose Pesotta and Bernard Shane – in organizing over 5,000 women who walked off the job from the garment industry factories of Montreal. During the war years, Lea began working for the Radio Corporation of America (R.C.A.) and became an organizer for the United Electrical Workers, where she was a business agent for the 3,000 R.C.A. workers in Montreal. Lea was an active advocate for social justice and human rights for the majority of her life. She was affliated with numerous organizations in Montreal including the Québec Aid to the Partially Sighted, the Voice of Women, as well as anti-nuclear and anti-war groups. Lea was a continual presence within the ranks passing out leaflets, demonstrationing, providing support and lending her respected voice to so many causes.
- Language
- English
- French
- Yiddish
- Spanish
- Acquisition Source
- Lea Roback
- Custodial History
- This material was donated to the Jewish Public Library Archives by Lea Roback in 1998. The material of the Fonds was in the possession of Ms. Roback until the date of the transfer.
- Arrangement
- The arrangement of the Lea Roback fonds maintained the order in which it was donated to the archives with the exception of Series 3. In the correspondence series, letters were grouped by sender and when without date or an identifiable author, were grouped together. In 2015, as a result of entering unprocessed material into the database, the intellectual arrangement of this fonds was also updated. To consult the original finding aid please contact the JPL-A directly.
- Notes
- In addition to textual and photographic material, the Lea Roback Fonds contains sound recordings (10 audio cassettes) and graphic material (2 prints, 7 posters)
- Access Restrictions
- Some privacy restrictions apply to material within the Léa Roback Fonds. Please contact the JPL-A directly for further information.
- Reproduction Restrictions
- Some Copyright restrictions may apply
- Finding Aid
- Detailed finding aid available; file level control.
- Accession No.
- 09-002
- Name Access
- Roback, Lea, 1903-2000
- Subjects
- Roback, Lea, 1903-2000
- Labour movement
- Labour unions
- Women Workers
- Women in the labour movement - Canada
- Working Class
- Feminism
- Social justice
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Jewish Public Library Archives
Images
Slonemsky Family fonds
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn101275
- Collection
- Slonemsky family fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 9 photographs, 1 artifact
- Fonds No.
- I0224
- Date
- 1901 - 1917
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of 9 photographs including Jacie Slonemsky in uniform and an interior view of Slonemsky’s Clothing Store among others; a presentation key presented to Israel Slonemsky by Congregation Adath Eshuroon (see - 1-955), and news clippings of R. H. Thomson World War II history project.
- Collection
- Slonemsky family fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 9 photographs, 1 artifact
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of 9 photographs including Jacie Slonemsky in uniform and an interior view of Slonemsky’s Clothing Store among others; a presentation key presented to Israel Slonemsky by Congregation Adath Eshuroon (see - 1-955), and news clippings of R. H. Thomson World War II history project.
- Date
- 1901 - 1917
- Fonds No.
- I0224
- Storage Location
- vault
- History / Biographical
- Jacie Slonemsky (b. August 14, 1892 - d. August 14, 1918) was born in Montreal to parents were Ethel and Israel Slonemsky. The family moved to Ottawa in the late 1890's and they lived at 371 Friel Street. Some members of the extended Slonemsky family later shortened their surname to Slone. Israel Slonemsky operated a clothing store at 9 Mosgrove Street. Israel was also active in the Ottawa Jewish community and served as the first President of Adath Jeshurun Congregation in 1903-1904. Son Jacie enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force in July 1917. At the time his occupation was listed as Fur Salesman. Jacie joined the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, a Regiment of Eastern Ontario. Jacie was killed in action on his 26th birthday in 1918 and his name is engraved on the Vimy Memorial in France. Adath Jeshurun Congregation gave a vote of condolence “to Mr. I. Slonemsky and family, at the loss of their beloved son Jacie Slonemsky, who met a hero’s death on the field of battle on the 14th of August, 1918, fighting for justice and world democracy, independence for the smaller nations and a future lasting peace”.
- Notes
- 1. Vote of condolence from Adath Jeshurun Congregation fonds, October 6th, 1918 minutes. 2. Key inscribed “Presented by the Congregation of Adath Eshuroon to the President, I. Slonemsky, 5664 (1904)”. A gift of the children of Israel and Ethel Slonemsky.
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Ottawa Jewish Archives
Personal papers
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn109102
- Collection
- Deborah Mirsky-Cosman Family Fonds
- Description Level
- Series
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 5 cm of textual record, 10 photographs and graphic material
- Fonds No.
- I0281
- Date
- 1902-2014
- Scope and Content
- Series consist of textual records, photographs and grapical objects, including documents related to the lives of family members related to Deborah Mirsky including correspondence, birth and death certificates, eulogies, passports, and similar personal material, mostly for her husband, Dr. H.H. Cosm…
- Collection
- Deborah Mirsky-Cosman Family Fonds
- Description Level
- Series
- Material Type
- multiple media
- Physical Description
- 5 cm of textual record, 10 photographs and graphic material
- Scope and Content
- Series consist of textual records, photographs and grapical objects, including documents related to the lives of family members related to Deborah Mirsky including correspondence, birth and death certificates, eulogies, passports, and similar personal material, mostly for her husband, Dr. H.H. Cosman, MD, and also including her parents.
- Date
- 1902-2014
- Fonds No.
- I0281
- Language
- English
- Custodial History
- Personal documents of Mrs. Mirsky were provided by her in 2018
- Notes
- Related Material - Dr. Herbert H. Cosman Fonds
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Ottawa Jewish Archives
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