Torontonians Fay and Harry Nesker celebrated their wedding anniversary on May 28, 75 years after marrying in secret. Family and friends attended a reception at Cummer Lodge where Fay is a resident to rejoice in their marriage that took place on May 28, 1928. On that day, Fay Lefkovitz and Harry Nesker, who were then…
Tag: JEWISH TORONTO
Sons of Jacob Benevolent Society still going strong after 87 years
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The history of the Sons of Jacob Benevolent Society, which recently entered its 87th year, mirrors the growth and development of the Toronto Jewish community. The society’s current president, Joe Goren, says the records show that the organization, founded in 1918, was formed “to do good works and [give] charitable donations.” Its first meeting was…
Fresh memories of Kensington Market
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I can still remember the wonderful things I smelled, when as a child, my mother took me shopping to Kensington Market on Thursdays. Kensington Market was the hub of activity, as storekeepers — mostly East European Jews — and bargain-seeking shoppers congregated. You could always smell bread baking in the myriad of bakery shops. At…
Bossin family celebrates 100 years in Canada
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More than 225 descendants of Leib Yehuda and Surah Leah Bossin will come together from across North America, Germany and Israel to celebrate the family’s 100th anniversary in Canada. Descendants ranging in age from eight months to 90 years old will gather on the weekend of August 20 (2004) at the Nottawasaga Inn in Alliston,…
Club Desmond members hold 50th anniversary reunion
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Friendship and keeping in touch with old friends are very important, says Ken Heller. “Looking back, my teenage years were a wonderful time of life with less stress and a place to go every week to have fun.” Several months ago, Heller, 66, began planning a 50th anniversary reunion with the former members of Club…
Restoration of old Mount Sinai Hospital
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Although most of the old Mount Sinai Hospital on Yorkville Avenue is gone, a prominent architectural firm has agreed to restore the only wing of the hospital still standing. The wing, built as an addition around 1928, was used as a nursing home after Mount Sinai moved to its present location on University Avenue in…
Hyman’s book store was Spadina landmark
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As the “people of the book,” wherever Jews live, they will always find a dealer who can provide them with sforim — Hebrew, Jewish and religious books. Before the turn of the century, rabbis and scholars brought with them numerous sacred books, and from time to time, a shipment of books would arrive here. Barenholtz…
Landsmanshaft societies helped immigrants feel at home
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As Jews from Eastern European countries began to settle in Toronto and other urban areas, they formed landsmanshaften, groups of individuals from the same area or shtetI. Along with the friendships, camaraderie and the social aspects of the landsmanshaft, these societies fulfilled many other needs of the immigrants. They arranged for funerals and purchased burial grounds,…
Many at funeral of Flora Draimin (1842-1925)
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This obituary appeared in the Toronto Evening Telegram, November 2, 1925. Many at funeral of Mrs. Draimin Deceased Was One of First Jewish Citizens of Toronto In the death of Mrs. Flora Draimin, aged 83 years, wife of the late Jacob Draimin, who died at the home of her son, Archie Draimin, at 80 Beverley…
Snapshot of Jewish education in Toronto, 1917
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From the Toronto Daily Star, August 11, 1917 Toronto Jews Foster the Higher Education Schools Many, and No One Is Neglected Among the City’s 35,000 Hebrews AND LIBRARIES TOO Hebrew and Yiddish Taught, and a Yiddish Paper is Published Although the Jewish population in Toronto forms but one-sixteenth part of the entire city’s population, there…
