Ottawa Hebrew Free Loan Association
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn101403
- Collection
- Ottawa Hebrew Free Loan Association
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 3 boxes Textual material
- Fonds No.
- O0038
- Date
- 1933 - 2006 (predominant 1933 - 1973)
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of textual files and bound ledgers of financial accounts, correspondence, minutes, annual reports and administrative files from 1933 - 2006 (predominant 1933 - 1973); BOX 1 - Open Access Individual Accounts: Arranged alphabetically and tied together - 1933-1969; Constitution - 193…
- Collection
- Ottawa Hebrew Free Loan Association
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 3 boxes Textual material
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of textual files and bound ledgers of financial accounts, correspondence, minutes, annual reports and administrative files from 1933 - 2006 (predominant 1933 - 1973); BOX 1 - Open Access Individual Accounts: Arranged alphabetically and tied together - 1933-1969; Constitution - 1935; Charitable Designation - 1962-1972; Insurance - 1940, 1955-1973; Annual Reports - 1938-1973 (no reports for 1940, 1941, 1942, 1947, 1952 and 1956); Financial Statements - 1949, 1950-1956, 1958-1959 (no statement for 1957); Financial Statements - 1960-1969; Financial Statements - 1970-1978; Financial Statements - 1980-1981; Financial Matters - 1955-1975; Investments - 1954-1969; Membership - Correspondence 1956-1974; Membership Lists - 1952-1966; Tea Receipts - 1959; BOX 2 - Closed Access Correspondence regarding Loans / Accounts Receivable - 1954-1963 (Restricted); Correspondence regarding Loans / Accounts Receivable - 1964-1974 (Restricted); Cheque Register - 1963-1974 (Restricted); LEDGER 1: Minutes, Membership Dues, Constitution - 1933-1938; Outstanding Loans, Cash Disbursements - 1936 (Restricted); LEDGER 2: Minutes Loan Committee Executive - 1938-1942 (Restricted); Minutes of Executive, Board and Annual 1950 - 1973 (Restricted); General Ledger: Cash Receipts & Disbursements - 1933-1938 (Restricted); General Ledger: Cash Receipts & Disbursements - 1938-1942 (Restricted); General Ledger: Cash Receipts & Disbursements - 1942-1948 (Restricted); General Ledger: Cash Receipts & Disbursements - 1948-1950 (Restricted); BOX 3 - Open Access Bequests/Donations - 1942-1952; Bequests/Donations - 1953-1962; Bequests/Donations - 1963-1967; Bequests/Donations - 1968-1970; Bequests/Donations - 1971-1975; Jerusalem Branch: Launch - Anniversary Dinner - 1964; Jerusalem Branch: Financial Statements 1964-1969; Jerusalem Branch: Correspondence - 1963-1966; Jerusalem Branch: Correspondence - 1967-1971; Jerusalem Branch: Correspondence - 1971-1976; Netanya Branch: Establishment of Brance and 40th Anniversary Dinner - 1973; Natanya Branch: Correspondence - 1974-1975; Natanya Branch: Financial Statements - 1976, 1977, 1978; Tel Aviv Branch: Minutes; Tel Aviv Branch: Correspondence - 1969-1975; Tel Aviv Branch: Financial Statements - 1971-76, 1978-1979; Requests for Donations - 1955-2003; Letters of Condolence - 1965-1975; Correspondence: Elections of Officers and Directors - 1945-1974; Correspondence - Thank You's; Invitations; Kiddushim/Dinners - 1964-1974; News Clippings; Miscellaneous Stationery; Correspondence: Vaad Ha'Ir - 1962-1974; Correspondence: JNF Dinners - 1967-68; Correspondence: Canadian Jewish Congress - 1958-1967; Reports to Vaad Ha'Ir - 1964, 1969-1972, 1974;
- Date
- 1933 - 2006 (predominant 1933 - 1973)
- Fonds No.
- O0038
- History / Biographical
- The Ottawa Chevra Mishnayes Free Loan Society was founded in 1933. The first General Meeting was held on November 9, 1933 with Mr. Moses Doctor presiding. Members of the Chevra Mishnayos (group of men who studied Mishna) from various synagogues were nominated to the membership of the Free Loan Society. As the membership overlapped within these two groups, this was reflected in the original name of the organization. By 1940, the group was known as the Ottawa Hebrew Free Loan Association. It is a registered charity which operates independently of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa. The object of the society was then, as it is to this day, to render financial assistance free of charge to members of the Jewish community. The society has been of particular assistance to immigrants. In 1935, loans were provided in sums up to $100, later increasing to $500 and then $600 in the 1940’s. As of 1991, 2,923 loans had been granted. By that time, money was loaned in sums up to $2,000 to applicants without charge of interest or expense of any kind. An annual special Shabbat was held every year, beginning in 1935, on Shabbat Parsha Mishpatim. The annual Shabbat rotated between the Rideau Street Synagogue (Agudath Achim) and the King Edward Street Synagogue (Adath Jeshrun). Beginning in 1957 the annual Shabbat was held at Beth Shalom Synagogue. In 1967 the annual Shabbat was switched to Shabbat Parsha Porah, the Shabbat before Purim. In 1973, it was decided that in future the annual Shabbat would be held between Passover and Shavuot so as not to conflict with Jewish Aid canvassing. It was discontinued as a method of fundraising due to increased costs. An annual tea was also held beginning in February 1937 until 1961, when it was discontinued in favour of a telephone campaign. Initially the tea was held at the Talmud Torah Hall on George Street and later in the Social Hall of the Jewish Community Centre on Chapel Street. A Jerusalem Branch was launched in Israel in 1963, followed by the Tel Aviv Branch in 1967 and the Natanya Branch in 1973, to assist Israelis. These branches were closed due to hyper inflation in Israel which depleted capital assets of the association. Throughout its existence, the Ottawa Free Loan Association has had only five presidents: Leon Petegorsky served from 1934-1953, Solomon Zelikovitz from 1954-1968, Thomas Sachs from 1969-1974, Bill Grossman to the late 1990's and Charles Wiseman from late 1990's to present. The association occupied offices at the Jewish Community Centre on Chapel Street and met on Sunday mornings from 10:00 am to 12:00pm. The office moved to the premises of Jewish Family Services on Carling Avenue in 2002 and is still operating there today. As of 2014, loans are provided in sums up to $3,000.
- Notes
- 1. Originally, the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin published annual reports of the Association. Now, financial statements are available through CRA. 2. Restrictions discussed and agreed upon with Charles Wiseman, President, in 2010.
- Access Restrictions
- 100 years for any material containing personal information related to loans. Minutes are restricted - however exceptions will be made upon receiving written permission from the president
- Related Material
- 1. See Beth Shalom Congregation fonds for: Chevra Mishnayos - Agudas Achim 1945 - 1956 Chevra Mashnayos - Beth Shalom 1956 - 1963 Chevra Mishnayons - Beth Shalom, Bank Statements, 1960 - 1963
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Ottawa Jewish Archives
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