February 2026
der zamler
JPL’S ARCHIVES AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS NEWSLETTER
NFB staff showing us how the ultrasonic cleaning machine works on our recent tour of their archives and preservation facilities.
February 2026
This winter we’ve had two awesome practicum students getting hands on experience and helping with some important JPL Archives projects: Andrew is migrating the file-level structure of the 1255 Collection (the photograph collection) to our online database, jplarchives.org, while Lola is processing the Susan Gurman fonds.
Our team recently had the opportunity to tour the NFB’s Preservation and Digitization facilities. For archives like ours who hold such a range of materials, it’s exciting to see the facilities and storage solutions of an institution who focuses on a narrower range of materials, and the innovations that are possible in these environments.
Upcoming Events
My View, Montréal: Youth Photography Workshop & Contest
Workshop: Sunday, March 1, 2026
Vernissage and Contest Results: Sunday, March 22, 2026
Jewish Public Library Archives (basement level)
$15 | Open to Youth aged 11-17
Show us your slice of the city!
Participants aged 12-17 will receive a digital camera (limit of one per family) and are invited to take photos of their experience of Montréal for an exhibition and contest. Participants will be invited to select up to two photos to include in the exhibition celebrating Montréal at the JPL, and library patrons will vote on their favourites. Prizes will be awarded to the top three!
UPCOMING exhibition
Aline and Eric Gubbay, circa 1950s. Courtesy of the JPL Archives, Aline Gubbay Fonds, ID 1280-PR021056.
The Life and Photography of Aline Gubbay
Opening March 1, 2026
In-House Exhibition
Jewish Public Library, across from circulation desk
Photographer, art historian, and writer, Aline Gubbay (1920-2005) lived many lives between her early years in Alexandria, Egypt, her beloved London, England of her youth, and settling in Canada where she spent the longest part of her life. Trained as an actress, photographer, social worker and art historian, Gubbay shared her multi-faceted talents with her adopted city, teaching at local colleges and dedicating her time to bringing Westmount’s diverse history into the spotlight.
FOR THE RECORD:
A monthly blog by the JPL Archives
Screenshot of Archives Roadshow presenters, November 22, 2022. From left to right, top to bottom: Janice Rosen (Alex Dworkin Canadian Jewish Archives), Ellen Belshaw (JPL), Ezell Carter (JPL), Teigan Goldsmith (Ottawa Jewish Archives), Donna Bernardo-Ceriz (Ontario Jewish Archives), and Hannah Srour-Zackon (Congregation Shaar Hashomayim).
A Prelude to Archives: Records and Knowledge Management
Ellen Belshaw talks tips and tricks for records management that are applicable to any field.
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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