From the HBT Archives: The Key to our Past

Holy Blossom Temple Archives Committee

Ceremonial key, Bond St. Synagogue, 1897
On permanent display, Atrium

Welcome to our new Archives space in Life @ Holy Blossom. The Archives Committee looks forward to sharing discoveries and answering your questions about Holy Blossom’s storied history.

Founded in 1856, we are Toronto’s first synagogue. Archivists before us – Dr. David Eisen, Judith Bohnen and David Hart – developed the framework of the collection, going back to the actual board minutes of that eventful first meeting in September.

Our committee meets regularly in the second-floor Archives room. There we organize the collection, plan exhibits, answer queries and consider how best to move archives forward to the digital era. Our current members are Susan Cohen, Michael Cole, Ruth Ellen Greenwood, Howard Roger, Sheila Smolkin and Judy Winberg.

Check out the objects that tell our 166-year history. Look at the 14 items on permanent display at the north end of the Atrium by Holy Grounds café, and as you enter the sanctuary, focus on the congregation’s first yad (Torah pointer).

We are also responsible for rotating exhibitions in the cases on the west side of the Atrium. Currently one honours Rabbi Dow Marmur z”l, another follows Women of Holy Blossom’s 100th anniversary by highlighting Pioneering Women Leadership, and the third considers Rosh Hashanah observance over the decades using information from our Bulletins which date back to 1925.

We always appreciate your feedback, questions or your suggestions for future displays. Send your comments to [email protected] and put Archives in the subject