2025 Acquisition Highlights
February 2025
This month, we are pleased to highlight a recent donation that sheds light on the Masonic traditions of Palestine Lodge No. 559, AF & AM, in Ontario. The collection documents the involvement of Earl Brightman and his father-in-law, Auby Morris, in Freemasonry in the twentieth century. Among the items are Masonic certificates, a Masonic edition of the Holy Bible, by-laws, and instructional booklets that provide insight into the rituals and teachings of the lodge.
Notably, the donation includes three Masonic aprons and a Royal Arch Masonic sash, tangible symbols of membership and rank within the organization. These artifacts not only reflect the personal journeys of Earl and Auby within the fraternity but also offer a glimpse into the broader traditions of Freemasonry in Canada. The accession is also significant in the context of Ontario’s Jewish history, as Jewish participation in Freemasonry provided a unique space for social connection, professional networking, and community engagement at a time when Jews often faced social barriers in other institutions.
January 2025
After temporarily closing its doors to new acquisitions for the last quarter of 2024, the OJA is once more accepting new donations!
This month's acquisition documents Selig Gross (pictured left), an important figure in Toronto's diamond business. Born in Chrzanów, Poland, in 1894, Selig immigrated to Canada in 1920 with his wife, Anna. Once in Toronto, he established a branch of his wife's family's diamond-importing business.
Gross’s role in the diamond industry was particularly significant during the Second World War, when Nazi Germany's invasion and occupation of Belgium and the Netherlands disrupted Europe’s diamond trade. Recognizing an opportunity, Gross helped bring skilled Jewish diamond cutters to Canada, establishing the Dominion Diamond Cutting Company in Toronto in 1941. Training a new generation of Canadian cutters, including high school students, this industry flourished for a decade before Europe regained its dominance.