Those who grapple with translating the Russian-era Polish-Jewish civil documents (births, marriages, deaths) may find the attached document of value. It is a list of Jewish names in Russian printed characters on one side with their Polish equivalents on the other. I often refer to this list when wanting to check what a Jewish name…
Sarah Salsberg dead at 94 (1977)
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From the Canadian Jewish News, April 1, 1977 Sarah Gitel Salsberg, long a colourful, vivacious figure in the Toronto Jewish community, died this past weekend after a brief illness. She was 94 years of age. Born in Lagow, Poland, Salsberg came to Canada 64 years ago, about 1903. The mother of CJN columnist J. B.,…
At 103, Ben Sherman isn’t ready to retire (1974)
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A look back at the CJN from 40 years ago: From the Canadian Jewish News, March 6, 1974 Spry Ben Sherman has no thought of retiring, and plans to work a full day in the hardware store he founded 55 years ago, the Canadian Jewish News reported in March 1974. Sherman’s family wasn’t even planning…
Fewer women thieves in city than 10 years ago (1913)
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From The Star Weekly, July 5, 1913 Not long ago, a woman was caught red-handed in the act of shoplifting in Toronto under rather pathetic circumstances. Years ago, she had been accustomed to steal continuously from stores. In fact she belonged to a family which subsisted to a great extent by stealing.Then she had married…
Obit: Rebbetzin Lifsha Gordon, 1938
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From the Canadian Jewish Chronicle, November 11, 1938 Rebbetzin Lifsha Gordon, wife of the late Rabbi Jacob Gordon, died, after a brief illness on Monday, October 31st. The funeral service was held at the University Avenue Synagogue, where Rabbi Samuel Levine of Hamilton, Rabbi A. N. Mandelbaum of the Beth Medrash Hagodol of Alany Park,…
A Bitter Dispute in Centre Avenue Synagogue
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From the Globe and Mail, April 18, 1908 Objecting to a Reference to Kosher Meat, Shier Herman Pulled Rabbi Levi from the Altar and a Disturbance Followed Because he objected to the rabbi’s doctrine, Shier Herman of Teraulay street caught Rabbi Levi by his robe yesterday morning at the Tower of Justice Synagogue [possibly Shaarei…
The Jew in Canada: Name Index
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◊ The Jew in Canada (first published 1926) offers hundreds of personal profiles as well as history capsules of Jewish communities from coast to coast as well as synagogues and many Jewish organizations. It is a wonderful resource for historians and genealogists. Below is the complete “biographical index” of persons profiled (with photographs) in the book.…
Strub family brought pickle recipe from Russia
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Condensed from The Canadian Jewish News, August 4, 1983 When the cucumber harvest is in, the Strub brother’s facility in Dundas, Ontario goes into their busiest season. The cucumbers are brought to the plant, unloaded, washed, sorted, packed into big barrels and vats filled with special pickling ingredients and then put into cold storage. Some…
Toronto Police of 1912 was “cosmopolitan” (Tely 1912)
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From The Toronto Evening Telegram, May 6 1912 Note: This article describes the surprisingly high cosmopolitan character of the Toronto Police Force of 1912. For the previous decade the city had been filling up with tens of thousands of European and other immigrants, so it only seems appropriate that some would find their way onto…
Profile: “Button King” Sam Sterling (1983)
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Condensed from The Canadian Jewish News, July 28, 1983 Sam Sterling was named Man of the Year of the Fashion Industry by the Fashion Division of State of Israel Bonds despite the fact that Sterling has never visited Israel, Frank Rasky wrote. Sterling — the courtly 66-year-old “Button King” of Toronto’s garment trade — was…
