Young Men`s Hebrew Association (YMHA)

Experience Heritage
Young Men’s Hebrew Association
of Montreal
OS/YMHA007
Jewish Public Library Archives
[email protected]
www.jewishpubliclibrary.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Experience Heritage
2
Introduction to the YMHA
3
Digital Archive Images
4
Classroom Discussion – Student Copy
47
Classroom Discussion – Teacher Copy
48
1
EXPERIENCE HERITAGE IN YOUR CLASSROOM
Thank you very much for allowing the Jewish Public Library Archives the opportunity
to share its resources with your students.
Each kit contains a variety of copies of archival sources, including newspaper
clippings, annual reports, photographs, correspondence, commemorative books and
publicity materials. These sources are complimented, when possible, with
secondary sources from standard resources that the Library, Archives and
researchers use in studying Montreal Jewish history.
Also in each kit you will find the guide to the subject. It includes a brief narrative, a
glossary if necessary, useful information such as timelines and suggested questions
for the students to answer in their research. These questions are merely a
suggestion. We designed the questions to match the material in the kit but they
should in no way define or limit the students’ use of the material. In general, there
are ten questions provided with each kit but you will notice that some kits have
more. This allows for more than one group to work on a topic or for the students to
pick and choose those questions they feel are important to them.
2
YMHA of Montreal
INTRODUCTION
The Young Men’s Hebrew Association (YMHA) originated in the United States (the first was
in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1854), with chapters opening in cities across North America over the
following decades. The YMHA was established as a Jewish alternative to the similarly named
Christian association called the YMCA. The “Y” is a term frequently used to refer not only to the
organization, but to the community centre or physical recreation building operated by a local
YMHA. The “Y” will usually include a library of Jewish reading material, offer lectures and
classes for young men and women in Jewish history and Hebrew language, as well as
programs that suit the makeup and desires of a community. The YMHA’s focus upon sport and
physical activity is as prominent as its focus upon leadership training, education and community
programs.
The Montreal Beginnings:
The YMHA story in Montreal begins around 1910, and is a story of growth and community. Like
many community groups, the YMHA started small, meeting in a little room that cost
$7.50/month to rent. A small group of men paid 25 cents/week in membership dues, but when
the rent was raised to $25/month, the fledgling club had only $15 in the bank and still needed
more for tables and chairs to sit upon. They pooled their resources and each of the ten
members contributed $2.50 for the cause. They paid their rent, put down a downpayment of $9
for furniture, and even had $1 left over in the bank account. These humble beginnings laid the
way for educational opportunities that would open up the world of sport, literature, arts and
crafts and social engagement for thousands of young people in the future. In just a few years,
the Montreal YMHA grew to be the second largest “Y” in North America, second only to the
famous 92nd Street “Y” in New York City. By 1912, there were 1,260 members.
The Montreal Buildings:
The first rented room was located in the Baron de Hirsch Institute, but the organization moved
to progressively larger and larger facilities throughout its first decades. In 1929, a new home for
the YMHA was officially opened, thanks to a generous donation from Sir Mortimer B. Davis.
From this point on, the YMHA was regarded as a community centre, not just a private club. By
1940, with more than 4,300 members, plus an additional 1,100 young women involved in the
Young Women’s Hebrew Association (YWHA), the “Y” once again needed a new home. Both
the men’s and women’s buildings were overflowing. The idea to combine the buildings and
associations into one YM-YWHA was forming. In 1950, the two groups merged and both moved
into the new YM-YWHA in Snowdon. Other community centres followed, as well as a cultural
centre in 1967, with theatre, art classes, lectures and exhibitions.
3
YMHA of Montreal
pr001173
4
YMHA of Montreal
pr001181
5
YMHA of Montreal
pr001183
6
YMHA of Montreal
pr009993
7
YMHA of Montreal
pr010002
8
YMHA of Montreal
pr010009
9
YMHA of Montreal
pr010015
pr010031
10
YMHA of Montreal
pr010041
11
YMHA of Montreal
pr010093
12
YMHA of Montreal
pr010097
13
YMHA of Montreal
pr010111
14
YMHA of Montreal
pr010174
15
YMHA of Montreal
Snowdon “Y” Beacon Dedication Issue, 1950
16
YMHA of Montreal
Snowdon “Y” Beacon Dedication Issue, 1950
17
YMHA of Montreal
Snowdon “Y” Beacon Dedication Issue, 1950
18
YMHA of Montreal
Snowdon “Y” Beacon Dedication Issue, 1950
19
YMHA of Montreal
Snowdon “Y” Beacon Dedication Issue, 1950
20
YMHA of Montreal
Snowdon “Y” Beacon Dedication Issue, 1950
21
YMHA of Montreal
22
YMHA of Montreal
23
YMHA of Montreal
24
YMHA of Montreal
25
YMHA of Montreal
26
YMHA of Montreal
27
YMHA of Montreal
Canadian Jewish Yearbook, 1940-1941
28
YMHA of Montreal
Canadian Jewish Yearbook, 1940-1941
29
YMHA of Montreal
Canadian Jewish Yearbook, 1940-1941
30
YMHA of Montreal
The Jew in Canada, 1926
31
YMHA of Montreal
The Jew in Canada, 1926
32
YMHA of Montreal
33
YMHA of Montreal
34
YMHA of Montreal
35
YMHA of Montreal
36
YMHA of Montreal
37
YMHA of Montreal
38
YMHA of Montreal
39
YMHA of Montreal
40
YMHA of Montreal
41
YMHA of Montreal
42
YMHA of Montreal
43
YMHA of Montreal
44
YMHA of Montreal
45
YMHA of Montreal
46
YMHA of Montreal
CLASSROOM DISCUSSION – STUDENT COPY
1.
In what year was the Montreal Young Men’s Hebrew Association founded? Was this the first
YMHA to open in North America?
2.
After reviewing the file contents, what types of activities do the documents show taking place at
the YMHA? What stands out to you the most? Why?
3. List as many buildings or locations as you can that the YMHA has used for recreation, sports,
theatre, meetings and other events.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
4.
Was the YMHA a men’s only club? Were women involved in “Y” activities before the YMYWHA was created in 1950? What ways do you think that women would have participated or
contributed? Do you see any evidence of their contributions?
5.
What was the total number of female members of the “Y” in 1973?
6. Find and name five drama productions that have taken place at the “Y” and note whether they
were performed in Hebrew, Yiddish, French, English or another language:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
7.
How much did it cost to mail a newsletter in Canada in 1970?
8.
In the “Y”, what are you encouraged to Freshen Up with?
9.
How many women served on the Physical Education Committee for the YM-YWHA when the
new “Y” was opened in 1950? How many women served on the Budget Committee in 1950?
How many women served on the Membership Committee in 1950?
10. Describe two examples of how the YMHA supported soldiers, the war effort, or veterans.
47
YMHA of Montreal
CLASSROOM DISCUSSION – TEACHER COPY
1. In what year was the Montreal Young Men’s Hebrew Association founded? Was this the first
YMHA to open in North America?
Dates given within the materials vary – 1908, 1910, 1919. It was not the first YMHA in North
America.
2. After reviewing the file contents, what types of activities do the documents show taking place at
the YMHA? What stands out to you the most? Why?
As shown in photographs and listed in texts: boxing, dancing, art classes, camp, Hebrew classes,
English classes, French classes, luncheons, meetings, book launches, theatre, tobogganing, single
parent socials, charity work, war relief, veteran support, or 100’s of other activities that the “Y” has
engaged in during the past century.
3. List as many buildings or locations as you can that the YMHA has used for recreation, sports,
theatre, meetings and other events.
There are numerous building locations listed within the file where YMHA activities have taken
place. The teacher could additionally ask students to describe what types of activities might have
been held in each location. For example, orchestra concert, dance, boxing, gymnastics, etc.
4. Before it joined with the YWHA, was the YMHA a men’s only club? Were women involved in “Y”
activities before the YM-YWHA was created in 1950? What ways do you think that women would
have they contributed to the YMHA?
Women were permitted membership in the YMHA before it merged into the YM-YWHA in 1950.
Students may mention any number of ways in which women/sisters/wives might have participated in
YMHA activities, including: as dance partners, spectators at concerts, volunteers, working staff,
fundraisers, canvassers, promotion and advocacy. As well, students might mention the activities of
the women’s own association, the YWHA, as falling under a “Y” umbrella prior to 1950.
5. What was the total number of female members of the “Y” in 1973?
9,071 [Statistics report, 1973]
48
YMHA of Montreal
CLASSROOM DISCUSSION – TEACHER COPY
6. Find and name five drama productions that have taken place at the YM-YWHA and note
whether they were performed in Hebrew, Yiddish, French or English:
Students will find numerous examples within the file. These are printed on brochures, posters,
letters, catalogues, etc.
7. How much did it cost to mail a newsletter in Canada in 1970?
5 cents: The postmark on the YMHA Beacon newsletter dated March, 1970, shows a postage
mark of 5 cents.
8. In the “Y”, what are you encouraged to Freshen Up with?
Seven-Up! [See advertisement on p. 49 of YM-YWHA Beacon, 1950]
9. How many women served on the Physical Education Committee for the YM-YWHA when the new
“Y” was opened in 1950? How many women served on the Budget Committee in 1950? How many
women served on the Membership Committee in 1950?
5, 0, 8. [Page 14 of YM-YWHA Beacon, 1950]
10. Describe two examples of how the YMHA supported soldiers, the war effort, or veterans.
[Page 305-306 of Canadian Jewish Year Book 1940-1941; YMHA Beacon 1945; photographs]
Students might mention the Jewish YMHA members signing up for duty, soldiers’ use of the “Y”
buildings, offer of 6 months free membership to returning soldiers, collecting materials and/or charity
for war relief.
49