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Reverend Jacob Mirsky fonds
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn101243
- Collection
- Reverend Jacob Mirsky fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 6cm of records; 8 folders of music, 3 boxes of books, 7 photographs (1 framed), 2 audio cassettes
- Fonds No.
- I0199
- Date
- 1904-2001
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of biographical material including obituaries; Recollections of the Reverend Jacob Mirsky by his grandson Mervin Mirsky; Will and Yahrzeit Records; News clippings; Retirement banquet honouring Reverend Mirsky in 1927; Invitations to Canadian Government functions; Several religious bo…
- Collection
- Reverend Jacob Mirsky fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 6cm of records; 8 folders of music, 3 boxes of books, 7 photographs (1 framed), 2 audio cassettes
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of biographical material including obituaries; Recollections of the Reverend Jacob Mirsky by his grandson Mervin Mirsky; Will and Yahrzeit Records; News clippings; Retirement banquet honouring Reverend Mirsky in 1927; Invitations to Canadian Government functions; Several religious books from Reverend Mirsky’s library; Music compositions for voice and violin; A framed and restored photograph of Mirsky as a young man (see 1-966) and other family photographs; Two audio cassettes of Lyon and Sholom Pearlman performing their grandfather Reverend Jacob Mirsky's music (nigunim) and discussing his arrangements (recorded in 1985 and 1996); Box 1 Series 1: Newspaper clippings and notes File 1: File contains newspaper clippings, notes, and reports with biographical information on Jacob Mirsky, 1904-2001. Series 2: Events File 2: File contains invitations to community and parliamentary events, 1906-1949. Series 3: Correspondence File 3: File contains correspondence between Jacob Mirsky and his grandson, Nahman Leib Pearlman, n.d., with translation. A letter from Jacob Mirsky, [1908-1910], with translation. A poem by Jacob Mirsky, 1911. Series 4: Death File 4: File contains a memorial booklet and yartzheit record belonging to Jacob Mirsky's son, 1942. The will and testament of Jacob Mirsky, 1944. Accompanying correspondence from Mirsky, Soloway & Mirsky Law Firm, 1951. Series 5: Photographs File 5: File contains three photographs, one of the Mirsky family home, one of Jacob Mirsky and two sons, one of Jacob Mirsky's brother, Hershel, and nephew, Dave, [1904-1960]. Oversize Box Series 6: Music (Oversize) Series contains 8 files of sheet music composed by Jacob Mirsky [1904-1940]. Audiotape entitled "Lyon & Sholom: Recollections of Zaydeh's Music," 1985. Audiotape entiteld "Music of Rev. J Mirsky," with Lyon and Sholom Pearlman performing, 1996. Series 7: Ephemera (Oversize) Series contains a box with Jacob Mirsky's gartel.
- Date
- 1904-2001
- Fonds No.
- I0199
- Storage Location
- 1 box in OS
- History / Biographical
- Reverend Jacob Mirsky was born in Mir, Province of Minsk, Russia, 1859 and died in Ottawa, April 29, 1942. “From his early youth he was a Talmudic scholar and studied to be a cantor”. In the early 1890's, he arrived in New York City where he “was taken in by a Jewish Seminary”. An Ottawa delegation composed of Moses Bilsky, John Dover and a third unknown man traveled to New York and selected Reverend Mirsky for the spiritual needs of the small Ottawa Jewish community. Mirsky arrived in Ottawa in 1893-94 where he became the first cantor of Congregation Adath Jeshurun. Some of his songs were his own compositions. Sacred choral music, III, v. 25, 1998, a publication of the Canadian Musical Heritage, Carleton University, Ottawa, contains one of his compositions entitled "Adam Yesodd Meofor". His personal style was a traditional one and his voice was sweet and gentle. He retired in 1927 and when he died in 1942, he was mourned by the entire community. Reverend Mirsky was a compassionate leader, sensitive to the needs of his whole community and revered by all who knew him.
- Notes
- 1. Restored photograph hangs in the foyer entrance to the Vaad and JCC offices, Ages Family Building, Ottawa. Restored by Greg Hill, National Archives of Canada. Restoration and framing donated by Mervin Mirsky. 2. Recollections acquired from Mervin Mirsky, 1998 and used for fonds biography. 3. German shipping list, 1895, for Sarah Mirsky and her four children, youngest being Abraham, aged 10 months; and death notice of a Miss Sarah Mirsky, daughter of Rev. Mirsky, died 1904 donated by Peter Mirsky, May, 2007. 4. Music and coloured photograph acquired from Naomi Pearlman in 1998. 5. Many of these Mirsky books In Storage may not be actually from his library. Shirley Berman accepted the donations and she was certain it was Laz Mirsky who donated them (August, 2005). In November, 2005 these books sent to long term storage. 6. See photograph 1-535 for more personal information. 7. Mrs. Gladys (Greenberg) Bodnoff recalled when she lived beside the Mirsky's as a young girl. Reverend Mirsky was very kind to her (told her she should take medicine for headaches during pesach) and that Mrs. Mirsky was a tiny lady. She would bring the children presents of matza and honey at Pesach. Her brother Jacob (John) helped Mirsky with the chickens that people would bring for slaughter to their home on Cumberland Street (January, 2010 to past Archivist Laurie Dougherty). 8. A very high quality reproduction of the Reverend's restored portrait can be found in the Oversized Documents Box 1. 9. From a May, 2013 Facebook article written on Mirsky: Jacob Mirsky (1859-1942) - Ottawa's First Rabbi When Ottawa's Jewish community was becoming large enough that it could be termed as such in the 1890's, its people began to want a Rabbi present to lead them. Since there were none in our somewhat small and grimy lumber town (and none apparently coming any time soon) a three man delegation was put together and sent off to the large and grand city of New York in the US to invite a Rabbi from the rabbinical school that was located there to make the move back to Ottawa. The three men left from Ottawa in 1894 and consisted of John Dover, Moses Bilsky and a third, unfortunately unknown individual who were all part of Ottawa's first Jewish congregation - Adath Jeshurun. They were seeking not just someone to serve as Rabbi, but as cantor, shoichet (a ritual slaughterer) as well as moyel (to perform bris's on baby boys). After interviewing a number of candidates the delegates chose 35 year old Jacob Mirsky. What was amazing about Mirsky was that when he came upon the small and struggling Jewish community here, he did not confine himself solely to the congregation of Adath Jeshurun as he was hired to do, he immediately reached out and began working with all of the fledgling congregations in Ottawa that were being created. He fast became a pillar that the people could lean on. He helped many young businessmen to set up successful enterprises and helped them again and again after they were established. He tried to ensure that all brides from poor families were provided a dowry, a necessity for a young couple just starting a life together. As the community’s shoichet, Mirsky prepared chickens and cows in the ritual manners, ensuring kosher meat was available for all. He also loved to compose his own songs and music for services and was known for his incredibly melodic voice. The Canadian Musical Heritage Society even has one of his compositions, "Adam Yesodd Meofor", which has been archived as a part of Canadian musical history. The Jewish Archives is lucky enough to have a few of his notebooks which contain lyrics, writings, compositions and notes in his own hand. He retired from his duties in 1927 and when he died in 1942, he was deeply mourned by the entire community.
- Access Restrictions
- Any requests for reproductions of the musical compositions must have written permission of the Pearlman family.
- Related Material
- Related photographs in attached list.
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Ottawa Jewish Archives
Mr. Marc Davidson, Mrs. Lillian Freiman and Reverend Jacob Mirsky
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn105067
- Collection
- Reverend Jacob Mirsky fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w
- Fonds No.
- I0199; OJA 1-110
- Date
- [ca. 1938]
- Collection
- Reverend Jacob Mirsky fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w
- Date
- [ca. 1938]
- Fonds No.
- I0199
- Item No.
- OJA 1-110
- Physical Condition
- small creases
- Acquisition Source
- Norman Mirsky
- Notes
- Taken at the Freiman summer home on Meech Lake in Gatineau.
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Ottawa Jewish Archives
Images
Mervin Mirsky with Ariel Sharon
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn101585
- Collection
- Reverend Jacob Mirsky fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w
- Fonds No.
- I0199; OJA 1-1208-01
- Date
- October, 1983
- Collection
- Reverend Jacob Mirsky fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w
- Date
- October, 1983
- Fonds No.
- I0199
- Item No.
- OJA 1-1208-01
- Storage Location
- vault
- Creator
- Phil Mirsky
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Ottawa Jewish Archives
Images
Mervin Mirsky with Ariel Sharon
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn111798
- Collection
- Reverend Jacob Mirsky fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w
- Fonds No.
- I0199; OJA 1-1208-02
- Date
- October, 1983
- Collection
- Reverend Jacob Mirsky fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w
- Date
- October, 1983
- Fonds No.
- I0199
- Item No.
- OJA 1-1208-02
- Storage Location
- vault
- Creator
- Phil Mirsky
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Ottawa Jewish Archives
Images
Mrs. Sadie Mirsky
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn105486
- Collection
- Reverend Jacob Mirsky fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w
- Fonds No.
- I0199; OJA 1-192
- Date
- [ca.1900]
- Collection
- Reverend Jacob Mirsky fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w
- Date
- [ca.1900]
- Fonds No.
- I0199
- Item No.
- OJA 1-192
- Physical Condition
- Very faded with some marks on photograph
- Acquisition Source
- Dr. Lyon Pearlman
- Notes
- Sadie Mirsky was the mother of Norman, Jack & Mervin Mirksy. It states in the Reverend Jacob Mirsky fonds that Mervin was Rev. Mirsky's grandson. Photo taken in Ottawa.
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Ottawa Jewish Archives
Images
Reverend Jacob Mirsky in his Cantorial Robes
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn101580
- Collection
- Reverend Jacob Mirsky fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w
- Fonds No.
- I0199; OJA 1-534
- Date
- [193-?]
- Collection
- Reverend Jacob Mirsky fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w
- Date
- [193-?]
- Fonds No.
- I0199
- Item No.
- OJA 1-534
- Storage Location
- workroom
- Acquisition Source
- Rose Pearlman and Lyon Pearlman
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Ottawa Jewish Archives
Images
Reverend and Mrs. Jacob Mirsky, Devorah
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn101579
- Collection
- Reverend Jacob Mirsky fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w
- Fonds No.
- I0199; OJA 1-535
- Date
- [ca. 1900]
- Collection
- Reverend Jacob Mirsky fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w
- Date
- [ca. 1900]
- Fonds No.
- I0199
- Item No.
- OJA 1-535
- Storage Location
- vault and workroom
- Acquisition Source
- Norman Mirsky and Naomi Pearlman
- Notes
- Forth photograph has the following notation from Dr. Pearlman: "Bubbeh Dvoreh (sp?)"Mirsky and Zade Jacob Mirsky. Bubbe was mother of Joseph Nathanson, Ottawa's first Jewish obstetricion. Special training in obstretics who started the first natal clinic in Ottawa. Bubbe was step mother to Rose, Dave, etc. Maiden name Bach. Her brother was Vice President Public National Bank, New York City.
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Ottawa Jewish Archives
Images
Samuel, Abe and Reva Mirsky
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn101581
- Collection
- Reverend Jacob Mirsky fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w
- Fonds No.
- I0199; OJA 1-536
- Date
- [1914-1915]
- Collection
- Reverend Jacob Mirsky fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w
- Date
- [1914-1915]
- Fonds No.
- I0199
- Item No.
- OJA 1-536
- Storage Location
- vault
- Physical Condition
- Not in reproduction quality
- Acquisition Source
- Dr. Lyon Pearlman
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Ottawa Jewish Archives
Images
Rev. J. Mirsky and his brother, Hershel Mirsky
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn101582
- Collection
- Reverend Jacob Mirsky fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- graphic material
- Fonds No.
- I0199; OJA 1-537
- Date
- [1900-1905]
- Collection
- Reverend Jacob Mirsky fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- graphic material
- Date
- [1900-1905]
- Fonds No.
- I0199
- Item No.
- OJA 1-537
- Storage Location
- vault
- History / Biographical
- Rev. J. Mirsky was the first Jewish religious leader in Ottawa, arriving in 1894
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Ottawa Jewish Archives
Images
Reverend and Mrs. Jacob Mirsky and family
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn101583
- Collection
- Reverend Jacob Mirsky fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w
- Fonds No.
- I0199; OJA 1-538
- Date
- 1940
- Collection
- Reverend Jacob Mirsky fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w
- Date
- 1940
- Fonds No.
- I0199
- Item No.
- OJA 1-538
- Storage Location
- vault
- Creator
- Hugo Levendel
- Notes
- L-R: David Mirsky (son of Harris Mirsky), Esther Mirsky (Esther Gottdank), Laz Mirsky, Gert Tradburks, Shalom Pearlman, Mendel Pearlman, Dr. Lyon Pearlman, David Mirsky Sr. (founder of Pure Spring), Allan Pearlman, Norman Mirsky, Mervin MIrsky (in uniform). Middle row: Rose Mirsky, Rose Pearlman, Reve Glass, Dr. Sam Mirsky. Seated: Harris Mirsky, Cayla Mirsky, Reverend Jacob Mirsky, Dvora Mirsky (Fanny is her name in her obituary), Shirley Pearlman, John Mirsky (also known as Jack Mirsky).
- Together on the occasion of his 80th birthday at the home of Mendel and Rose Pearlman, 312 Blackburn, Ottawa (upstairs).
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Ottawa Jewish Archives
Images
Reverend Jacob Mirsky and his four children
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn101584
- Collection
- Reverend Jacob Mirsky fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w
- Fonds No.
- I0199; OJA 1-539
- Date
- 1898
- Collection
- Reverend Jacob Mirsky fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w
- Date
- 1898
- Fonds No.
- I0199
- Item No.
- OJA 1-539
- Storage Location
- workroom
- Acquisition Source
- Rose Pearlman
- Notes
- L-R: David, Abraham, Rose and Reva in forefront
- Taken in Ottawa
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Ottawa Jewish Archives
Images
Reverand Jacob Mirsky
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn106023
- Collection
- Reverend Jacob Mirsky fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia
- Fonds No.
- I0199; OJA 1-945-01
- Date
- [191-?]
- Collection
- Reverend Jacob Mirsky fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia
- Date
- [191-?]
- Fonds No.
- I0199
- Item No.
- OJA 1-945-01
- Conservation
- 1. In very good condition, only slight wear.
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Ottawa Jewish Archives
Images
Reverand Jacob Mirsky
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn106024
- Collection
- Reverend Jacob Mirsky fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia
- Fonds No.
- I0199; OJA 1-945-02
- Date
- [191-?]
- Collection
- Reverend Jacob Mirsky fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia
- Date
- [191-?]
- Fonds No.
- I0199
- Item No.
- OJA 1-945-02
- Notes
- Photo was originally printed as a postcard and cut from it.
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Ottawa Jewish Archives
Images
Rev. Jacob Mirsky
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn106124
- Collection
- Reverend Jacob Mirsky fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col.
- Fonds No.
- I0199; OJA 1-966
- Date
- September, 2011
- Collection
- Reverend Jacob Mirsky fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col.
- Date
- September, 2011
- Fonds No.
- I0199
- Item No.
- OJA 1-966
- Conservation
- The portrait is not to be displayed except under very strict conditions (very low light, low UV) and even then for no longer than a very short period of time. A reproduction of the portrait now hangs in the Vaad and JCC offices, Ages Family Building, Ottawa.
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Ottawa Jewish Archives
Images
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