Volunteer
Help preserve and share the stories of Jewish life in Ontario, for today and for the future. Your tax-receiptable gift sustains collecting, preservation, and public access to the archive.
Why donate your records
Help us preserve history and make it accessible to future generations.
Preserve heritage
Your records safeguard the stories of Jewish Ontario for future generations.
Safe stewardship
Professional care protects items (including digital files) from loss, and damage.
Inclusive history
Your voice helps fill gaps and build a fuller, more accurate community record.
Ongoing collection projects
We’re always growing our archives to reflect the richness and diversity of our community’s experiences. Alongside our permanent collections, we also run special projects that focus on gathering records around specific themes, events, or time periods.
If you have materials that may fit one of these projects, we’d love to hear from you! Donating your records ensures that your stories and experiences become part of the shared historical record.
Photograph from the “Summer Camps” archive collection (1990s).
The records donation process
Get in touch
Tell us what you have that you would like to donate to the OJA (who/what/where/when).
Prepare records
An archivist will confirm where your record will fit and share a list of simple preparation tips to you.
Transfer to OJA
Our team will arrange a drop-off, courier, or secure digital transfer of your record to the OJA.
Paperwork
We complete a Deed of Gift; tax receipting
may apply.
Preservation
We describe, preserve, and make materials available for research.
Physical donation
Visit below to learn more about preparing your physical records to the Ontario Jewish Archives.
Digital donation
Digital records require special preparation and handling processes. Please contact us for more information.
Honouring my grandmother with a Tribute Card felt quiet, meaningful, and lasting.
Maya K. Thornhill. ON
Preparing your records for donation
Make it easy for archivists, and future researchers, to understand and care for your materials.
Place records in a box
Keep original order and enclosures together whenever possible.
Include a file list
Include box contents and note who, what, where, and when for each item.
Label photos
Write names, places, and dates in pencil on the back of all your photographs.
Provide creator info
Include a short biography
or administrative history of
the creator.
Need more guidance?
Reach out to one of our archivist or researchers to get more insights on genealogy.
