Student Research at the OJA
This section of the OJA’s website is devoted to new undergraduate student research conducted at the OJA. The essays have been selected from those submitted to York University Professor David Koffman’s Canadian Jewish History Course (HIST3555) taught in 2014-15 and 2015-16 and his History course "Worry and Wonder: Jewish Politics, Religion, and Culture in Canada" (HIST4581) taught in 2017-18, 2020-21 and 2022-23. Following an Information Literacy workshop at the OJA, students were assigned an original research essay. Students chose their topics and with the aid of OJA archivists, examined primary sources at the OJA and other relevant archives as part of their research process. They carefully selected archival materials and used them to present new research arguments on subjects that professional scholars have not yet written. The essays are often the outcome of students' first encounters with archival records. Professor Koffman and the OJA hope to expand this to include research from students at other universities across the country.
This is a partnership between the Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, the Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Studies at York University, York University's Department of History and the Association for Canadian Jewish Studies.
Author: Emily Belmonte
Title: Gender and the Canadian Jewish Fur Trader Experience: Expansion and Colonialism in British North America – 1759 to 1812.
Prepared for: Prof. David Koffman, HIST 4581, Worry and Wonder: Jewish Politics, Society and Religion in Canada, York University, 2021
Emily Belmonte lives in Woodbridge, Ontario and is a fifth-year undergraduate student at York University pursuing her specialized honours BA in History and her bachelor of education with plans to graduate in 2022 as an Ontario Certified Teacher. She is passionate about studying history and Indigenous studies and was honoured to create a paper showing the early relations between Jewish fur traders and Indigenous peoples in Canada using a gendered lens. She strives to be a teacher who decolonizes history and encourages her students to reach their fullest potential.
Click here to read Emily's paper (pdf will open)
Author: Tabitha Berger
Title: Canadian Jewry: The Response to the 1972 Munich Massacre.
Prepared for: Prof. David Koffman, HIST3555, York University, 2015
Tabitha Berger is married with two children and is currently working towards her Undergraduate degree in French Studies at York University. She is interested in Jewish culture and enjoys doing research to uncover the hidden truths of the past.
Click here to read Tabitha's paper (pdf will open)
Author: Benjamin Black
Title: Taking Back Control: Sustaining Positive Post-War Experiences through Financial and Other Turmoil at Camp Hatikvah and British Columbia’s Jewish Community, 1960–1980s
Prepared for: Prof. David Koffman, HST 4581, Worry and Wonder: Jewish Politics, Society and Religion in Canada, York University, 2023
Benjamin Black is a student of history taking a bachelor of arts in the history program at York University. He is interested in learning and researching about history in the classroom and beyond the classroom through books and archival materials. Benjamin hopes to discover more histories by seeing artifacts and visiting their places of origin.
Click here to read Benjamin's paper (pdf will open)
Author: Giancarlo Caprara
Title: The Establishment of the Muscular Jew- The Fight Against Anti-Semitism and the Rise of Jewish Masculinity in Mid 1930s Canada.
Prepared for: Prof. David Koffman, HIST 4581, Worry and Wonder: Jewish Politics, Society and Religion in Canada, York University, 2021
Giancarlo Caprara is a York University graduate with an Honours B.A Major in History, currently enrolled in York University’s Bachelor of Education program and pursuing a career as a high school history teacher, with an eventual goal of completing a PhD in History. Giancarlo's main interest is 20th century History.
Click here to read Giancarlo's paper (pdf will open)
Author: Minahil Choudhary
Title: Putting Aside Differences, Jews and Muslims in Toronto: A Look at Holy Blossom Synagogue's Efforts from 2020-2022
Prepared for: Prof. David Koffman, HIST 4581, Worry and Wonder: Jewish Politics, Society and Religion in Canada, 2022
Minahil Choudhary recently graduated from York University with a BA (Hons) in religious studies. She enjoyed the interdisciplinary approach that came with studying religion. The archival and research skills required for this paper was a new skill acquired. Minahil hopes to continue her education in the fall of 2024.
Click here to read Minahil's paper (pdf will open)
Author: Jessica Darlington
Title: Tensions Within: How the Toronto Jewish Community Dealt with The Canadian Nazi Party in the 1960s.
Prepared for: Prof. David Koffman, HIST3555, York University, 2016
Jessica Darlington is a History undergraduate major at York University. She plans to persue a career in teaching.
Click here to read Jessica's paper (pdf will open)
Author: Rebecca Giblon
Title: Labour Negotiations in Toronto’s Jewish Garment Industry, 1931- 1944: Conflict & Cooperation
Prepared for: Prof. David Koffman, HIST 4581, Worry and Wonder: Jewish Politics, Society and Religion in Canada, York University, 2018
Rebecca Giblon is an undergraduate pursuing a dual degree in History and Finance at York University. She plans to continue to graduate study.
Click here to read Rebecca's paper (pdf will open)
Author: Wilbur Greer
Title: “Everybody Benefits, Everybody Gives”: Israel, Charity, and Jewish-Canadian Identity at the Toronto YMHA During the Mid-Twentieth Century
Prepared for: Prof. David Koffman, HST 4581, Worry and Wonder: Jewish Politics, Society and Religion in Canada, York University, 2023
Wilbur Greer is an undergraduate student currently completing his bachelor of history and public history certification. With the completion of his MA (and potentially his PhD), he hopes to become a professional archivist. He currently works as a research assistant and conservator with Madness Canada and gives significant credit for his interest and success in research to Professor Koffman’s class.
Click here to read Wilbur's paper (pdf will open)
Winner of the 2023 Irving Abella Canadian Jewish Studies Essay Prize
Author: Robin Grossman
Title: The Jewish Old Folks Home: How the Ladies Auxiliary became Invaluable to the Operations of the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care
Prepared for: Prof. David Koffman, HIST3555, York University, 2016
Robin Grossman is a student in the Department of Equity Studies at York University. She is pursuing an honours BA with a major in Human Rights and Equity Studies, and a minor in Multicultural and Indigenous Studies.
Click here to read Robin's paper (pdf will open)
Author: Tommy Herman
Title: “The Jews are on the Side of Liquor and Always Have”: Attitudes, Anxieties, and Responses to Jewish Bootlegging during the Prohibition Era in Canada.
Prepared for: Prof. David Koffman, HIST 4581, Worry and Wonder: Jewish Politics, Society and Religion in Canada, York University, 2018
Tommy Herman was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario and just completed his fourth year at York University, as a Humanities major. Throughout his academic career, he has excelled in various courses within Jewish Studies, having had a previous paper published in the York Humanities journal, on the topic of Israeli-Arab relations in Israel. This paper was also awarded the Samuel G. Rosen Memorial Prize for the outstanding essay in Judaic Studies by a third or fourth year student in 2017. In the near future, Herman plans on attending law school and hopes to one-day work in the music industry.
Click here to read Tommy's paper (pdf will open)
Author: David Iliaguiev
Title: A Tale of Two Languages: Hebrew and Yiddish Language Education in Ontario, 1948-1970.
Prepared for: Prof. David Koffman, HIST3555, York University, 2016
David Iliaguiev is an undergraduate student at York University. He is working towards an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science.
Click here to read David's paper (pdf will open)
Author: Nathan Lev
Title: The Campaign to Implement Fair Employment & Fair Accommodations Practices in Ontario.
Prepared for: Prof. David Koffman, HIST3555, York University, 2015
Nathan is a recent History graduate from York University, who is now pursuing a legal education at Osgoode Hall Law School.
Click here to read Nathan's paper (pdf will open)
Author: Bianca Magliocchetti
Title: Maccabi Canada and the Maccabiah Games: The Integration of Canadian Jewish Youth.
Prepared for: Prof. David Koffman, HIST3555, York University, 2016
Bianca Magliocchetti graduated from York University in June 2016 with a Spec. Hons. B.A. in History. She will be attending teachers college in Fall 2016.
Click here to read Bianca's paper (pdf will open)
Author: Ariella C. Markus
Title: Gender Prescriptions and the “Jewish Body”: Sports Programming for Girls and Women in the Early Years of the Y.M.H.A.
Prepared for: Prof. David Koffman, HIST3555, York University, 2015
Ariella Markus lives in Thornhill, Ontario. She graduated from York University in 2015, with a B.A. in Children's Studies and a B.Ed. in Jewish Education. Ariella believes that girls should be afforded multi-faceted opportunities.
Click here to read Ariella's paper (pdf will open)
Author: Jeff McMahan
Title: It Takes a Village: How The Jewish Grocery, Garment Worker, and Real Estate Communities in Toronto Built Ed Mirvish
Prepared for: Prof. David Koffman, HIST 4581, Worry and Wonder: Jewish Politics, Society and Religion in Canada, York University, 2021
Jeff McMahan is an undergraduate student at York University. He holds a bachelor of performing arts from Capilano University and is pursuing an honours bachelor of arts with a major in history and a certificate in public history.
Click here to read Jeff's paper (pdf will open)
Author: Saranqi Naveendrathas
Title: Jewish Immigration Restrictions in the Context of Canadian Eugenics During the Interwar Period and Post WWII
Prepared for: Prof. David Koffman, HIST 4581, Worry and Wonder: Jewish Politics, Society and Religion in Canada, York University, 2021
Saranqi Naveendrathas is in her fourth and final year of her undergraduate studies at York University. She will be graduating in October 2021 with an Honours Degree in History and Human Rights and Equity Studies (HREQ).
Click here to read Saranqi's paper (pdf will open)
Author: Carlo Pagtalunan
Title: Honour Thy Brother: The Strengthening of Christian-Jewish Relations in Canada 1968-1995.
Prepared for: Prof. David Koffman, HIST3555, York University, 2016
Carlo graduated from York University in 2016 with a Specialized B.A. in History and lives in Toronto, Ontario. He is currently pursuing a career in video game development.
Click here to read Carlo's paper (pdf will open)
Author: Sarah Polychronopoulos
Title: "Furthering the Welfare”: The National Council of Jewish Women of Canada And Its Effort to Enfranchise Toronto Jews with Disabilities, 1980-1987.
Prepared for: Prof. David Koffman, HIST 4581, Worry and Wonder: Jewish Politics, Society and Religion in Canada, York University, 2018
Sarah Polychronopoulos is an undergraduate student at York University, who is currently pursuing a Honours B.A Double Major English Literature and History. She hopes to pursue a career in law.
Click here to read Sarah's paper (pdf will open)
Author: Sonya Richards
Title: “Cowering from hatred and unfair treatment was rarely an option:” Jewish and African Canadian Communities in The Post World War II Period.
Prepared for: Prof. David Koffman, HIST 4581, Worry and Wonder: Jewish Politics, Society and Religion in Canada, York University, 2021
Sonya Richards is an undergraduate at York University pursuing an honours B.A. in History. She is a first generation Canadian of Jamaican heritage. Sonya believes in the notion of remembering and acknowledging the past as a means to construct a better future.
Click here to read Sonya's paper (pdf will open)
Author: Marta Sa
Title: Liberation from the “Oppression of Housewifery”: The Contributions of Canadian-Jewish Women in WWII
Prepared for: Prof. David Koffman, HST 4581, Worry and Wonder: Jewish Politics, Society and Religion in Canada, York University, 2023
Marta Sa is currently pursuing a bachelor of arts degree (honours) in history and is expected to graduate in 2023. Her main area of interest is women’s history. Marta plans to become a teacher.
Click here to read Marta's paper (pdf will open)
Author: Catherine Usher
Title: “Under the Reign of the Underworld”: Montreal’s Jewish Gangsters of the 1920s & 1930s
Prepared for: Prof. David Koffman, HST 4581, Worry and Wonder: Jewish Politics, Society and Religion in Canada, York University, 2023
Catherine Usher is an undergraduate student at York University in a specialized honours BA history degree and the concurrent BEd program.
Click here to read Catherine's paper (pdf will open)
Author: Chan Chun Yin Samuel
Title: Canadian Jewish Efforts to Lobby for Israel in 1967
Prepared for: Prof. David Koffman, HIST 4581, Worry and Wonder: Jewish Politics, Society and Religion in Canada, 2022
Chan Chun Yin Samuel is a fourth-year undergraduate student of history originally from Hong Kong. He focused mostly on history from the nineteenth century to the modern period. In this publication, he aimed to write a topic regarding the 1967 Israeli war and local Canadian Jewish politics. Samuel has a goal of being a history teacher in the future.
Click here to read Samuel's paper (pdf will open)
![Y.M.-Y.W.H.A. theatre group, [ca. 1950]. Ontario Jewish Archives, fonds 61, series 6, item 17.](https://ontariojewisharchives.org/cms_uploads/images/F61_s6_i17.jpg "Y.M.-Y.W.H.A. theatre group, [ca. 1950]. Ontario Jewish Archives, fonds 61, series 6, item 17.")
Author: Matthew Williams
Title: The Jewish Theatre Committee of Toronto and its Contributions to Jewish Theatre Culture.
Prepared for: Prof. David Koffman, HIST3555, York University, 2016
Matthew Williams is a fourth year History major at York University, with interests in writing, journalism, and law.
Click here to read Matthew's paper (pdf will open)
Author: Sarah Zimbalatti
Title: Constructing A Lively Community in the Midst of Oppression: Jewish Refugees Interned in Canada During WWII
Prepared for: Prof. David Koffman, HIST 4581, Worry and Wonder: Jewish Politics, Society and Religion in Canada, York University, 2021
Sarah Zimbalatti is a fifth-year undergraduate student at York University pursuing her Specialized Honours BA in History. In her fourth-year of university, Sarah completed her first-year of the Concurrent Education program at York University, and will complete her second and final year of this program next year in 2022, graduating as an Ontario Certified Teacher. Throughout her university career, Sarah has accumulated an extensive knowledge of history that she aspires to share in her classroom.
Click here to read Sarah's paper (pdf will open)