The
Kiever became a social institution as well as a religious
one when it was first established in 1912. The congregation
was formed under the landsmenshaft
trends: the congregants originated from areas near Kiev
and shared similar traditions. While they created Rodfei
Shalom Anshei Kiev for religious reasons, the Synagogue
also provided a place where landsmen
could meet.1 The founding members
immediately created an Executive in 1912, and although
it was largely administrative, it was also a social body.
There were many positions from which members could choose
to become involved: President, Vice-President, Trustee,
Treasurer, Gabbai,
etc. The attraction to these positions has transcended
generations. Many of the family names that appeared in
Executive lists in the 1920s, continued to be seen well
into the 1980s. Names such as Ross, Litvak, Lukatch and
Bossin have remained part of the Kiever Executive. The
history of the Kiever is therefore closely tied to many
family histories.
The Executive
held meetings to discuss synagogue ‘business’,
but in a social setting, discussing issues while partaking
in a snack or meal. This gave the members the chance to
get to know their community and to find a role in its
management. The last meeting before the summer was an
excuse to hold an event. A bulletin from 1958 advertises
a “Special Closing meeting” with guests and
a “fine breakfast”.
The
Executive was also responsible for organizing services
and events for the congregation. Around 1930, the Executive
formed a credit society that provided financial assistance
to members in need. For new immigrants, this service provided
some relief from the struggle to make ends meet, particularly
during the Depression years.2 Current
President of the Kiever, Dave Pinkus called it a “safety
valve and security blanket” for Jewish immigrants.3 The Executive also organized m’laveh malkah social gatherings (celebrations that took place after
the conclusion of the Sabbath). The Kiever invited special
guests and speakers including Rabbi Nahumtzi Twersky,
who visited the congregation often. In 1963, the Executive
arranged a celebration in honour of the Kiever’s
50th anniversary. All members were formally invited to
a banquet in which the history of the congregation and
its significance to the lives of each member was recalled.
While the Kiever helped its own members by providing a
healthy Jewish social atmosphere, the congregation also
contributed to the Jewish community at large. When looking
through Kiever documents, one cannot ignore the number
of certificates of donations. The Kiever donated to Youth
Aliyah
organizations, Histadrut, and the Jewish Home for the
Aged, to name a few. Rabbi Langner, who led the congregation,
was renowned for his hospitality and his charity work.
His congregation certainly adopted his philosophy.
The
women in the congregation set up the Ladies’ Auxiliary
a few years after the shul was established. The Ladies’
Auxiliary helped out with functions and was responsible
for collecting charity from the congregation and donating
these funds to important charities. The Auxiliary also
organized its own events. One event they held was in the
form of an annual tea.
The
Kiever was a social outlet for men, women, and youth as
well. Boys were able to participate in a youth minyan that was held in the basement of the Kiever. Fischel Cooper
led the group of boys and would take them on social outings
to High Park and Queen’s Park. Albert Gellman, who
participated in Cooper’s group, remembers Cooper
as a “Jewish grandfather, prophet, teacher, coach,
and pied piper all rolled into one.”4
The
Kiever synagogue was a popular site for a wide range of
social events. Numerous wedding receptions, bar mitzvah
celebrations, and anniversaries were celebrated in the
Kiever. Aside from personal celebrations, the hall in
the basement of the Kiever provided a space for social
gatherings ranging from member luncheons to a dance for
Young Judea Zionists.
The
building itself has been a reason for people to celebrate
together. The historic building has been the site of many
tours and exhibits. In 1974, the Jewish community organized
the Sense of Spadina tour that allowed people
to explore the history of the area. The tour was organized
by the Ontario Jewish Archives Committee. The Kiever was
the last site on the tour, where music and food were offered
to the guests. The building was also a site for tours
that were organized in conjunction with an exhibit about
the history of Jews in Western Canada, sponsored by the
Jewish Historical Centre of Western Canada. The building
was so popular as an educational site that in the late
1970s, there was discussion of creating a museum in its
basement.
1. David Pinkus, “History of the
Kiever”. http://kievershul.tripod.com/history.html
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Albert Gellman, Beth Tzedec Bulletin (July
20, 1975) p. 5.
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Early members of the Kiever (c. 1941)
Male congregants attending a meeting over a meal (April
1974)
An invitation to the Kiever’s 50th Jubilee celebrations
(1963)
The Ladies' Auxiliary of the Kiever
(c. 1963)
Fischel Cooper and Isaac Mosten with youngsters (c. 1938)
A Ketubah (certificate of marriage), dated 5690 (1930)
50th Anniversary celebration of Mr. & Mrs. Gutkin
Fruitman (1940)
Invitation to the wedding of Isidor Eisen and Rebecca
Gelbwachs (1921)
Members of the Sense of Spadina Walk Committee (June
16, 1974)
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