Our Collections

The OJA’s records span all segments of Ontario’s Jewish community. We have records from businesses, families, labour unions, organizations, and synagogues. These records date from the community’s earliest days to its present. What’s more, they come from all over Ontario and in every format you can think of. If you were to lay out all of our boxes, they would stretch from the foot of Yonge Street to Dundas Square!

Below you can find highlights from our newest acquisitions as well as collections that have recently been processed and added to our website search.

Do you have records to donate to the OJA? Click here to learn how.

Acquisition of the Month

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.