Discover Jewish life across Ontario
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Discover names, memories, and moments preserved in our records.
Tips for searching
Combine search terms with the AND, OR, and NOT operators (in capitals).
AND will narrow your search. e.g., – Kensington AND store
OR will broaden your search. e.g., – Kitchener OR Waterloo
NOT will exclude results from your search. e.g., – union NOT Soviet
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Check out the link below for an extensive guide on how to search the archives more effectively.
Learn more advanced search tipsFeatured exhibition
Toronto’s Garment Unions: Threads of Unity and Discord
Step into a world of union fights, factory conditions, and community tension — when labour, migration, and identity clashed and converged in Toronto’s garment industry.
Latest additions to our archives
The bridge of hope
The history and impact of Toronto’s Mutual Benefit Societies is told through this permanent exhibition.
Instruments of faith
Photographs of some of Toronto’s earliest synagogues, by Toronto photographer Robert Burley.
Storefront stories
The Jewish Shops that Built Toronto Neighborhoods.
Share your story. Shape our history.
The Ontario Jewish Archives invites you to be part of our living history. Donate items or share your stories to ensure the diverse voices of our community are preserved for generations to come.
Share your memories and stories to help build a living record of Jewish life in Ontario.
Donate photos, documents, or artifacts to help preserve and share our community’s history.
Featured stories
The Kensington Market legacy
Exploring the Jewish roots of Toronto’s most vibrant neighbourhood.
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Threads of Time
An exhibition showcasing traditional crafts and their evolution through generations in rural areas.
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Echoes of Change
A documentary series exploring the impact of urban development on local communities inthe 1970s.
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Support the OJA
Help us preserve history and make it accessible to future generations.
Financial support
Make a monetary contribution to support our preservation and education efforts.
Volunteer
Join our team of dedicated volunteers and help with archival work and events.
Contribute items
Donate photos, documents, or artifacts to help preserve and share our community’s history.
Plan your visit
Discover the Ontario Jewish Archives in person. Our reading room and exhibition spaces are open to visitors by appointment, where you can view materials, explore collections, and connect with our staff for research support. Admission is free.
Mon – Thu: 9 AM – 5 PM
Fri: Hours vary by season
Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre
4600 Bathurst St., Sherman Campus
Toronto, ON M2R 3V2
