MAY 2024
der zamler
JPL’S NEWSLETTER FOR ALL THINGS
ARCHIVES & SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
Happy 110th anniversary to the Jewish Public Library, and happy 40th anniversary to the JPL Archives!
The Jewish Public Library first opened to the public on May 1st, 1914, and the Archives formally opened on the 70th anniversary of the library in 1984. May 1st was no arbitrary opening day; the founding team of the library was largely comprised of working class community members, many of whom were involved in labour organizing. 'May Day' had, since the late 1800s, been a commemorative day in support of workers and labour rights. Both the US and Canada formally adopted a Labour Day on the first Monday in September in an attempt to dissociate from the socialist origins of the commemoration on May 1st. If you're interested in learning more, scroll down to check out our new podcast, re:collections, where some of the invited guests speak about the history of our beloved library in the context of the history of leftist organizing in Montreal!
A trilingual (French, English, and Yiddish) May Day Poster, 1934. Courtesy JPL Archives, Sholem Krishtalka Collection, ID: 1099_[058]_17.
In the last month, Leah, our Digital Archivist, oversaw the completion of our two McGill students' projects in the archives. Suzanne (from the School of Information Studies) described and digitized over 20 of our small collections, while Molly (from the Jewish Studies program) created English descriptions for two Yiddish fonds (Ezekiel Malin Fonds and Abraham Switzman Fonds).
Sam, our Reference Archivist, has been fielding requests for genealogical research in our collections. She also assisted a researcher from a TV documentary series to find out more about non-Jewish diplomats who helped Jews escape the Holocaust. We'll link the episode here when its public!
Maya, Director of Archives, and Victor, our archival intern, have been busy visiting some of our archival donors, who have more materials to add to their existing collections. Maya and Eddie, Senior Director of Library and Learning Services, have both been preparing for presentations at this year's Association of Canadian Jewish Studies Conference coming up in June.
sPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
RE:COLLECTIONS PODCAST
May 2024 marks the 110th anniversary of the Jewish Public Library.
Our opening season of the re:collections podcast is a celebration of our Jewish leftist roots in Montreal. re:collections weaves together interviews with scholars, activists, teachers, and fellow archivists that discuss topics such as Jewish immigration to Canada, Jewish languages and culture, labour and feminist movements in the 20th century, and the diversity of political ideologies that existed within the 'left'.
FOR THE RECORD:
A BLOG ABOUT THE WHO, WHAT, WHY, WHERE, AND HOW (OF ARCHIVING)
The reference room of the JPL Archives. (Where the magic happens.)
When should you use the library, and when should you use the archives for research?
The Director of the Archives walks us through the process of narrowing a subject of interest into a research question, and how library and archival sources can be used to answer those questions - or lead you to a plethora of new questions!
CURRENT IN-HOUSE EXHIBITION
Happy 110th anniversary to the Jewish Public Library!
May 1, 2024 - September 29, 2024
The Jewish Public Library opened its doors on May 1st, 1914 in a modest cold water flat at 669 rue St. Urbain with a small collection of 500 books. From the beginning, the Library was more than mere shelves and texts. It quickly became the meeting place for literary and cultural exchange, maintaining a link to the still flourishing Jewish communities in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, while promoting the community’s growth in its new Quebec home. With the creation of the Yidishe Folks Universitet (YIFO) or the People’s University, the Library also became a centre for continuing education. Currently in its seventh physical home, the JPL continues to respond to the needs of immigrant groups through its collections, programmes, and services.
To mark this anniversary, our opening season of the re:collections podcast is a celebration of the JPL’s Jewish leftist roots in Montreal. This opening season weaves together interviews with scholars, activists, teachers, and fellow archivists that discuss topics such as Jewish immigration to Canada, Jewish languages and culture, labour and feminist movements in the 20th century, and the diversity of political ideologies that existed within the 'left'.
CURRENT IN-HOUSE EXHIBITION
Not Quite Right: Politics and the History of the Jewish Left in Montreal
May 1, 2024 - August 25, 2024
Montreal Jews from many walks of life have long used their platforms to stand up for what they believe in and to make the world a better place. Jewish activists have been integral in Montreal, Quebec, and Canada’s progress towards fair labour conditions, gender equality and language diversity. In conjunction with our new podcast, re:collections, we have selected a sample of materials from the JPL’s Archives and Special Collections to illustrate some of these barriers, successes, and commemorations.
CURRENT OFF-SITE EXHIBITION
ETHEL STARK,
THE MONTREAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, AND THE PRESERVATION OF AUDIO HERITAGE
February 1, 2024 - July 31, 2024
Marvin Duchow Library, Music Building, McGill University
The Marvin Duchow Music Library’s new exhibit in collaboration with the Jewish Public Library Archives explores the professional achievements of Ethel Stark (1910-2012), a pioneering violinist and conductor who forged new paths for women with the creation of the Montreal Women’s Symphony Orchestra (1940-1965), as well as the role libraries and archives play in preserving audio heritage.
want more?
Do you want to know more about what is going on with the JPL’s Archives and Special Collections? Check out our highlights on JPL Curates.
Der zamler is a Yiddish term meaning “the collector” and is related to the verb zamlen, which means “to gather.” In using this name, we join a long history of people dedicated to gathering and preserving Jewish culture around the world. A heartfelt thank-you goes to Sam Bick for the initial idea and to Anna Fishman Gonshor for providing the cultural context.
All non-archival photography, unless otherwise credited, by staff of the JPL Archives.
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Jewish Public Library
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Canada