Administrative History:
The La Macaza Jewish farming colony was one of the earliest Jewish Colonization Association settlements, located in the northern Laurentians.

Custodial History:
The collection was donated by Saul and Joyce Abracen. Mark Isbitsky, a JCA farmer in La Macaza, was the maternal grandfather of the donor, Saul Abracen, whose mother was an Isbitsky. These documents were given to him by a cousin in Nova Scotia after the death of a descendant of Mark Isbitsky.

Scope and Content:
4 fragile original documents from JCA colony farmer Mark Isbitsky concerning the sale of a lot, school taxes and a JCA document specifying Jewish farmer ownership of the La Macaza Jewish cemetery following a land transfer.

Biographical Sketch:
A.M. Machlovitch is the only Jewish recipient of the King George Silver Jubilee Medal, which he received in 1935 for service to the Boy Scout movement.

Scope and Content:
Orders and records of Jewish Boy Scout Troop, Montreal.

Notes:
Alpha-Numeric Designation: P85/16.
Related Materials: Friedman, Norman - Jewish Boy Scouts Collection P85/14.

Administrative History:
Three Montreal old-age homes: the Hebrew Old People’s and Sheltering Home, the Steinhouse, and Nachlass Zkainim Homes, all founded in the 1910s and 1920s, merged in 1927. Over the years, the institution’s emphasis shifted to people needing constant care. The home became known as the Maimonides Hospital and Home for the Aged (1961), and a new building was completed in 1964. The hospital serves people who need help with daily activities, although there is also a daycare program for those who can partially manage on their own. Independence is fostered through recreational activities and therapy. A Jewish atmosphere is also maintained. Other services include Meals on Wheels, programs with students, and the use of the hospital for training geriatrics students.

Scope and Content:
Minutes (1936), Board of Directors notices of meetings and minutes (1982-1986), JPECC minutes and related correspondence (1982). President’s report (1982, 1984). List of hospital and report on external services (1984). Campaign requests, campaign funds information (1961), letters regarding donations (1928), balance sheet (1984).

Biographical Sketch:
Artist, mainly posters, well known in Russia and Israel before coming to Canada.

Custodial History:
Igor Maistrovski donated this collection in July 2, 2004.

Scope and Content:
7 photos. 5 color prints. 1 cd.

Notes:
Alpha-Numeric Designations: P04/01-36.

Biographical Sketch:
Moses Master. Moses Master (original name: Mester) was born on July 15, 1894, in Lublin, Poland. At a very young age he left his classical musical studies to became an itinerant hazzan (cantor), leading services for holidays in various towns and cities. When in Latvia he met his future wife, Josephine Brenner. World War I broke out, and he and the family (his wife’s family) fled to Russia, where he continued his studies of voice and music at the Moscow Conservatory. After the war the family returned to Latvia, where he was hired as hazzan in a large synagogue in Riga. Their two daughters, Esther and Rosa, were born during this period, Esther in Riga and Rosa in Libau. Moses Master came to Montreal in 1924 at the invitation of the Adath Jeshurun Congregation via a friend, a Mr. Abramovitch, who arranged for his passage and immigration to Montreal.

Administrative History:
Canadian Jews were able to save a group of European yeshiva students during World War II. Upon arriving in Montreal, they founded the Merkaz Hatorah Yeshiva in 1942. The aim was to preserve Jewish tradition and by extension to safeguard the Jewish people. As Canadian students enrolled, an elementary and high school were added to ease their transition into the rabbinical college/yeshiva atmosphere. The institution moved and expanded, adding a library and a Beit Midrash. In 1972 it merged with the Yeshiva Gedolah and in 1974 opened at its current location. The Yeshiva was the first to ordain local (and non-local) rabbis in Montreal (1950).

Scope and Content:
Dedication of Maor Hagola Yeshiva (1955). Report (1942-1945). Purim message (1943). Student/teacher statistics for Canadian Jewish Congress (1948-1949). Campaign letters. Invitations to events. Program of ordination ceremony (1950). “Merkaz” yearbook (1965, 1968, 1970). Journal (1942, y). Pamphlet (1945). Chag Hasmicha book (1950, 1954, e/y). Bulletin (1973). Clippings (1940s-1950s).

Administrative History:
Irving Merowitz spent summers in Shawbridge as a young man. He previously donated several notebooks of Rev. Edmunston’s Hebrew bible translations to this Archives, through Alan Raymond.

Custodial History:
The collection was donated on August 11, 2009.

Scope and Content:
Snapshot photo (1944 or 1946) of five young men, including the donor, outside a Jewish-owned store and dance hall in Shawbridge, Quebec, in the Laurentians. Single sheet advertisement for a Shawbridge bakery in the 1940s featuring kimmel bread and other Jewish baked goods.

Biographical Sketch:
Evelyn Miller was a member of the CJC Archives Committee and a founding member of the Canadian Jewish Historical Society. She devoted much effort to collecting information and locating archival documents about early Montreal Jewish history. Abraham de Sola was an important figure in Victorian Montreal, from the mid-1800s until his death. He taught at McGill in addition to being spiritual leader of the Shearith Israel and prolific author on religious Jewish subjects.

Custodial History:
This collection was donated by McGill University Archives and the estate of Evelyn Miller on February 1, 2005.

Biographical Sketch:
Alan Mills, born Albert Miller in Lachine in 1914, was a popular Canadian folksinger. Originally a reporter, he collected English and French folk songs as a hobby. He eventually became a singer and actor, singing on his own CBC radio show, on television and in concerts and appearing in local plays and National Film Board productions. He sang at folk festivals and wrote and edited books about music. He enjoyed performing for children and wrote many songs for them, including his well known I Know An Old Lady. Alan Mills died in 1977.

Scope and Content:
Various publications, including music magazines, song books, sheet music, clippings, etc. Reel-to-reel and 8-track tapes. 78 and 33 1/3 RPM records. Film strips. Five negatives. Framed pictures.

Notes:
Alpha-Numeric Designation: P83/16.
Finding Aids: There is a finding aid.

Administrative History:
Founded in 1918, the Montefiore Hebrew Orphans Home operated until 1942. It was first located on Jeanne Mance Street. In the 1920s, the Montefiore Hebrew Orphans Home merged with the Montreal Hebrew Orphans Home (founded 1909) and relocated to the former Herve Institute building on Claremont Avenue in the Notre Dame de Grace area of Montreal. The orphans who resided at the Home continue to attend reunions, organized by Judy and Myer Gordon. Judy Gordon’s research covers many aspects of this period in history (1915-1940s), including the social conditions of the time. Myer Gordon was a resident of the orphanage from 1926 through the 1930s. Judy Gordon of Toronto, his wife, has published two books about the Home and the individuals associated with it. She has donated both her research notes and the historical items she collected while writing the books as well as material gathered at the reunions that the Gordons organize annually in September. They also write a newsletter called the MIZPOCHA. Although in 2004 Judy and Myer declared they were no longer going to hold annual Montreal reunions, lectures and meetings of group members continue to take place.

Custodial History:
The collection was donated by Myer and Judy Gordon in autumn 2003, with additions in Nov. 2004. Additions 2005 on Sept. 12, 2005. Addition 2007 was made on April 16, 2007.

Administrative History:
B’nai Brith of Canada was established in 1875, disbanded by 1900 and re-established in 1909. The Montreal women’s lodge was first founded in [1939]. Its spheres of interest are Canada and Israel, but it provides non-sectarian aid to those who need it. B’nai Brith Women’s services include youth and adult Jewish education programs, human rights activism, community service, assistance to Israel, programs for the disadvantaged and the handicapped, and public affairs.

Scope and Content:
Two pamphlets. Women’s work calendars (including tips, recipes, and essays on specific themes) (1954-1973, with gaps).

Administrative History:
The Montreal Clinical Society was founded in 1923 by Jewish doctors at a time when it was difficult for them to find professional appointments in Montreal. In later years, when discrimination was no longer an issue, the society’s main activity was a lecture series, eventually named for Dr. Harold Segall, a prominent member and former president. The society ceased to function as an official body after 1989.

Custodial History:
The material was housed at the home of Dr. Brahm Hyams, archivist of the Montreal Clinical Society at the time of its dissolution. He donated the records to Canadian Jewish Congress in 1998.

Scope and Content:
History research notes and booklet. Colour photos of closing dinner events, flyers for annual medical lectures, financial records and membership information.

Administrative History:
The MHOH operated from 1909-1945, at which time orphans’ homes were eliminated in favour of both group homes and individual foster homes.

Scope and Content:
Minute book cases, also Old People’s Sheltering Home (1914-1917). Minute book - MHOH, HOPSH, Ascher Pierce (1918-1922). Canadian Jewish Chronicle, article on Jewish orphans by J. Gerdy (1922). Accounts, expenditures, president’s report (1930-1941). Officers, Board of Directors lists-Hebrew Orphans Home & HOPSH (1918-1941). President’s report, announcements of meetings Montefiore HOH (1932-1938). Annual reports to Dept. of Health, Insurance (Statements)(1925-1932). President’s report, relief cases, meetings food report (1931-1933).

Notes:
Alpha-Numeric Designations: MB 3.
Finding Aids: The Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of Montreal and Associated Agencies.

Biographical Sketch:
Moses Hyman Myerson was born in 1893. He was a barrister/solicitor; author; former member, Canadian Jewish Congress National Executive; Chairman, Canadian Jewish Congress, Eastern Region, Committees for Law and Social Action, Archives and Research and Cercle Juif de la langue française. He died in 1976.

Scope and Content:
Manuscript The Jew-Baiting Issue, a personal experience of kindness of French-Canadians towards Jewish immigrants to Quebec. Typescript Group Libel Law recommended opinions about defamation. Biographical press clippings. Published articles on human rights. Manuscript A Cursory Inventory of a 20th Century Lifestyle. Autobiographical reminiscences.

Notes:
Restrictions: Correspondence file.