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A Jewish lawyer’s sage observations about divorce (1982)

From Canadian Jewish News, 1982 Marriage may be likened to a city besieged: those without despair of getting in, those within despair of getting out. – Abraham Drayanov I have often wondered who makes couples happier, the rabbis who marry them or the lawyers who obtain their divorce. But this sentiment notwithstanding, the smoothest of…

Cynthia Gasner z’l, community worker (CJN profile, 1986)

◊ Cynthia Gasner, who died in Toronto on November 9, 2022, touched the lives of many. This profile of her appeared in The Canadian Jewish News in 1986 after she was honoured as one of nine “Women of Valour” by State of Israel Bonds, Women’s Division. From the Canadian Jewish News, 1986 An admitted “super…

A Moravian Tax List of 1808

The Neu-Raussnitz Tax Book by Dr. Heinrich Flesch, translated, adapted and with an introduction by Patrick Gordis & Henry Wellisch Some 90 years ago, a Moravian rabbi and historian, Dr. Heinrich Flesch (1875-1942), annotated a list of Jews from Neu-Raussnitz, Moravia, who paid taxes in 1808, then used the annotated list as a basis for a…

Mutual Benefit: Toronto’s ‘Society’ doctors

by Irving B Rosen, MD, FRCSC Society doctors, like Harley Street specialists, evoke the image of the sought after, affluent doyen of their calling, courted by the high and mighty, who never question their high fees. Toronto had its society doctors who held sway for about fifty years from about 1900 to 1950. I became…

History of Beth Lida Forest Hill Congregation

Note: In 2012, Beth Lida commissioned Bill Gladstone to write a detailed history of the congregation since its founding in 1912. While the 44-page booklet is now out of print, it is still available in PDF format, and easily downloadable for free from the link below. From the Introduction: In Toronto, as in many cities…

Zionism in Canada — A Century Ago (1922)

One century ago this summer (2022), the Canadian Zionist Convention drew delegates to Ottawa from all parts of Canada. As the Shanghai-China-based newspaper Israel’s Messenger reported, a keynote speech was given by our prime minister, MacKenzie King. “The address of Premier King has created a deep impression,” the newspaper reported. “It was punctuated with bursts…

Abella on Weisgal (1972)

Irving Abella, the author and former history professor who died on July 3, 2022 at age 82, wore many hats throughout his distinguished career. He was chair of Canadian Studies, the Shiff Professor of Canadian Jewish History, chair of Canadian Professors for Peace in the Middle East, chair of Canadian Jewish Archives, Governor of York…

Meir Kahane in Montreal (1970)

From the Canadian Jewish News, May 22, 1970 The Montreal Jewish community is still discussing the relevance of the Jewish Defense League to this city following the recent successful meeting at the Sheraton Mount Royal Hotel. Theme of the meeting, sponsored by the Quebec branch of the League, was: A Jewish Survival Rally. The introduction,…