Auxiliary

Fonds 2

Jewish General Hospital Auxiliary Fonds [graphic materials; textual records] . -- 1929-2013.

Women's Auxiliary The Auxiliary

63,5 cm of textual material; 30,7 cm of photographic material

The Auxiliary of the Jewish General Hospital was officially founded on January 30th 1936, merely two years after the hospital itself was founded. It was based on the model created by Mrs. Taube Kaplan for the Hebrew Maternity Hospital in 1916 of energetically raising money and establishing a warm and welcoming atmosphere for the patients. Three hundred dedicated women from all parts of the Jewish and Hospital Community attended the Auxiliary’s first meeting and elected a Slate of Officers. The mandate was to create a body that would aid the hospital financially as well as be a goodwill instrument and liaison between hospital and community. Annie Goldbloom was its first president and laid the foundation for the projects and successes that would follow.

Many of the early projects of the Auxiliary included annual fundraising balls for the community which succeeded in raising thousands of dollars to fund research projects and buy hospital equipment such as the first X-ray Room, and an Iron Lung. Early committees included the Linen Purchasing Committee, the Surgical Dressing Service and the Children’s Nursery Fund. One of the earliest and most important acts of the Auxiliary was the Life Saving fund, whose purpose was to ensure that all patients would receive everything necessary for their recovery, regardless of their ability to pay. A new category of membership, Patroness, requiring a $25 annual donation, was created to finance the fund. It remained a backbone of the Auxiliary until the 1970s when government health insurance replaced it.

In the early years an effective administrative network was put in place including the Membership Committee, the Publicity Committee and Travelcade Committee which worked efficiently to collect donations from thousands of its members. In the 1940s, in response to worker shortages caused by the Second World War, the Auxiliary created a Volunteer Service which brought seventy-five women each week to assist with hospital duties and serving refreshments, thereby bringing comfort to the patients and relief to the nurses. This service grew and expanded to encompass a diverse number of jobs and projects and was called on during Hospital Emergencies such as the maintenance strike of 1966. When the war was, over an influx of refugees and concentration camp inmates arrived in Montreal, so the Auxiliary founded the Medical Social Service Committee in 1946 to offer refugees medical services in their own language and to help them cope with their trying circumstances.

Mrs. Goldbloom also organized a monthly speaker series for the members of the Women’s Auxiliary which began a tradition of thought provoking education in diverse subjects from medical education to Women’s rights. She also arranged distinguished Honourary Patronesses for the Auxiliary such as Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, Lady Alexander and Madame Pauline Vanier, wife of Canada’s Governor General. Mrs. Goldbloom grew the organization in 12 years and made it the largest and most successful hospital Auxiliary in Montreal.

In the 1950s the Auxiliary continued to expand under Hazel Lozinski, Esther Kershman and Dorothy Block. Mrs. Lozinski was heavily involved in the foundation of the School of Nursing, raising $26,000 towards the building of the Nurses’ residence and a further $51,000 for the school which opened in 1957. In addition, the Auxiliary acted as “Foster Mother” to the student nurses organizing many projects and recreational activities for them. In 1951, in recognition of the Auxiliary’s important role, it was given representation on the Board of Administration of the Hospital. During the 1950s several committees were founded which were to have a lasting impact on the Auxiliary including the Chai Committee, the Gift Shop, the Canteen, the Outlet Shop, the Blood Donor Clinic, the Layette Committee and the Mobile Library.

In the 1960s the Auxiliary expanded its reach. In 1961 the first Look Ahead Show was put together by the Forget-me-not Gift Shop. It also put together a volunteer program for teenaged girls called the “candy stripers.” It continued to put together successful fundraising galas such as Cherry Blossom Ball and the Spring in Paris Ball. In 1966 the Auxiliary experienced a sudden tragedy when former president and founding member Dorothy Block and her husband were killed in plane crash over Tokyo Bay. The outpouring of grief led to thousands of donations and letters of support to the Auxiliary and a Memorial Scholarship for the School of Nursing was established in Dorothy and Julius Block’s name.

In the 1970 the Auxiliary began the Kosher Meals on Wheels program to serve Kosher food to isolated members of the Jewish community. In 1973, the Auxiliary launched the Hospital Opportunity Program for Students (HOPS) to give valuable experience to students who were interested in working as medical professionals. With the workforce accommodating more and more women, the Auxiliary reached out to men to help keep up the membership and continue the Auxiliary’s projects. In 1978, Bernard Finestone, the hospital president, became the first male member of the Auxiliary.

One of the most important Auxiliary initiatives was the Hope & Cope program founded by Sheila Kussner in 1981. As a survivor of cancer herself, Kussner understood the importance of complimentary therapies and a supportive network in recovery from cancer. The program employs volunteers and professionals to provide emotional support, inspiration and practical advice on nutrition, diet and exercise to cancer patients. Hope & Cope has become a huge success and Mrs. Kussner earned the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award and membership in the Order of Canada as a result.

Over the years the Auxiliary has received several awards in recognition of its work. In 1960 it was given a special citation from the Federation of Jewish Community Services in recognition of an outstanding record of performance. In 1970 it received an award from the Israel Emergency Fund and the Combined Jewish Appeal. In the 1980s the Auxiliary was the largest and most successful Hospital auxiliary in North America.

The Auxiliary is still a vital part of the Hospital’s community nearly 80 years later and still holds many fundraising events and supports numerous patient health initiatives. It works with many other community organizations to reach as wide a population as possible. Although many of its activities have changed it still successfully achieves its mandate of supporting the hospital financially and creating a welcoming atmosphere in the hospital for its patients.

Works Consulted:

Iris Britain, Phyllis Waxman and Jackie Veinish. Memoirs of Mercy. Montreal, 1984

Raff, Sylvia. Memoirs of Mercy. Montreal, 1961

English

Donated by The Auxiliary to the Health Sciences Library of the Jewish General Hospital.

The fonds consists of the records recording the adminstration and activities of the JGH Auxiliary. The Administrative Records (2.1) includes annual reports, by-laws, member lists, calendar of events, meeting minutes, statements of donations and bursaries, requests for financial aid, announcements and invitations. Another large series, Fund Raising Projects (2.6), contains records related to the Life Savind Fund, Vial of Life, Children’s Nursery Fund, as well as various pamphlets and promotional materials for such projects. Hope and Cope (2.8) activities are documented through newsletters, annual reports, newspaper clippings and volunteer profiles. Correspondence (2.5) contains letters pertaining to Princess Alice’s visit, the correspondence of Annie Goldbloom, and general correspondence to and from Auxiliary Presidents. Major Events (2.2) contains various records documenting the JGH 25th, 50th, and 60th anniversaries. Photographs (2.9) depict Auxiliary events, projects, committees, presidents and volunteers. As well, included within the fonds, are Invocation prayer (2.3), Publications (2.4), Newspaper Clippings (2.7) and Awards, Testimonials (2.10).

Administrative Records (2.1) and Publications (2.4) are arranged in Files by subject and within those files organized chronologically by decade. Major Events (2.2), Newspaper Clippings (2.7) and Photographs (2.9) are organized chronologically. Correspondence (2.5) and Fundraising Projects (2.6) are arranged by subject. Invocation prayer (2.3), Hope and Cope (2.8) and Awards, Testimonials (2.10) are organized based on type of material.

No restrictions.

Provided for non-commercial usage only -- Commercial usage requires fee and written permission.

Series descriptions and photographic file lists available.
Item No. Range:
2

Series 1

Administrative Records Series [textual records] . -- 1937-1997.

Goldbloom, Annie Kate Aitken

27 cm of Textual Records

English

Held in the Health Sciences Library of the Jewish General Hospital.

This series contains the Administrative Records of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Jewish General Hospital between 1937 and 1997. It includes Annual Reports from the 1938 to 1985 (not-inclusive) and reports and Amendments of the By-laws committee from the 1930s to the 1950s. It also includes the original charter of incorporation and its supporting documentation from 1937. In addition, it contains committee reports, Calendars of events, Lists of Officers and Minutes of Meetings of the Executive Committee, the Board and from General meetings (1930s to 1990s). The series also contains receipts and statements of bursaries and grants, Announcements and Invitations to meetings and Form Letters. Handwritten notes have been included that were taken down from an unknown source at an unknown date, which pertain to the history of the Auxiliary. This series also contains press releases about the Auxiliary and a transcript of 1948 a CBC segment detailing the workings of the Women’s Auxiliary by journalist Kate Aitken.

Materials are arranged in files by subject and within those files chronologically by decade.

No restrictions.

Provided for non-commercial usage only -- Commercial usage requires fee and written permission.

File Lists Available.

Location:
Cabinet 2 - Box Auxiliary 1
Item No. Range:
2.1

Series 2

Major Events Series [textual records] . -- 1961-1971, 1984, 1996.

Deitcher, Joyce Rudy, Essie Waxman, Phyllis

2.5 cm of Textual Records

English

Held in the Health Sciences Library of the Jewish General Hospital.

This series contains documents pertaining to events organised by the Women’s Auxiliary. For the 25th Anniversary of the Women’s Auxiliary there is a visitor’s book and a hand written report on the celebrations in 1961. For the 50th anniversary in 1984, there are invitations and a poem. The 60th anniversary file contains an invitation and an order form for a Souvenir Book.

Materials are arranged chronologically by event.

No restrictions.

Provided for non-commercial usage only -- Commercial usage requires fee and written permission.

Location:
Cabinet 2 - Box Auxiliary 2
Item No. Range:
2.2

Series 3

Documents pertaining to Auxiliary Foundation Series [textual records] . -- 1936.

Abramowitz, Rabbi H.

1 cm of textual materials

English

Held in the Health Sciences Library of the Jewish General Hospital.

This series contains a prayer written by Rabbi Abramowitz in 1936 for the Women’s Auxiliary to be read at every General Meeting.

Materials are arranged chronologically.

No restrictions.

Provided for non-commercial usage only -- Commercial usage requires fee and written permission.

Location:
Cabinet 2 - Box Auxiliary 2
Item No. Range:
2.3

Series 4

Publications Series [textual records] . -- 1946, 1954-1969, 1974, 1975, 1984-1991, 1993-97.

Women's Auxiliary The Auxiliary

8 cm of textual records

English

Held in the Health Sciences Library of the Jewish General Hospital.

This series contains material published by the Women’s Auxiliary. It contains the Auxiliary News (1954-69, 1974-5, 1984-91, 1993-7). It also contains hardcover and paperback copies of the Memoirs of Mercy which was published during Hospital Anniversaries to raise money (1946, 1961, and 1984).

Materials are arranged in files by document type and within the files are chronologically.

No restrictions.

Provided for non-commercial usage only -- Commercial usage requires fee and written permission.

File Lists Available.

Location:
Cabinet 2 - Box Auxiliary 2
Item No. Range:
2.4

Series 5

Correspondence Series [textual records] . -- 1936-1943 1945-52, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1964-1966, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1985, 1986.

2,2 cm of textual records

English

Held in the Health Sciences Library of the Jewish General Hospital.

This series contains letters written by Presidents of the Women’s Auxiliary to various prominent members of the community and the hospital. The File 2.5.1 contains letters written to and from Annie Goldbloom about Princess Alice’s dedication as honorary patroness of the Auxiliary and her visit in 1947. File 2.5.2 contains correspondence from the 1930s & 40s between Mrs. Annie Goldbloom and figures such as Samuel Cohen, Allan Bronfman, Senator Carine Wilson, Lady Tweedsmuir, the Governor-General Lord Tweedsmuir, Mazo de la Roche, Camilien Houde (Mayor of Montreal) and many others. File 2.5.3 contains letters written to and from presidents of the Women’s Auxiliary such as Joyce Deitcher, Claire Sheiner, Dorothy Block, Margery Miller and Hazel Lozinski to various members of the hospital community. File 2.5.4 contains wartime conference materials and correspondence pertinent to the celebration of the Canada Hospital Day in 1972.

Materials are arranged by subject.

No restrictions.

Provided for non-commercial usage only -- Commercial usage requires fee and written permission.

The following corespondences (in plastic sleeve) from File 2.5.2 were on display during the exhibit entitled Jewish General Hospital Auxiliary: Celebrating 75 years of excellence, 20111. Letter from Dr. Chas. Liebman, Director of X-Ray Department for donation of an X-Ray machine, May 1938
2. Letter from Samuel Cohen re Cancer Education, Feb., 1946
3. Letter from Camilien Houde re "Memoirs of Mercy", Nov., 1946

Location:
Cabinet 2 - Box Auxiliary 2
Item No. Range:
2.5

Series 6

Fundraising Projects Series [textual records; architectural and technical drawings] . -- 1942, 1945, 1947, 1949-51, 1953, 1958-63, 1968, 1973-74, 1981-82, 1985, 1995-97, 2003.

15 cm of textual records predominantly, and architectural and technical drawings

English
Hebrew; French

Held in the Health Sciences Library of the Jewish General Hospital.

This series contains material from various Auxiliary Projects such as the Golf Classic Souvenir books (1995-1997, 2003), and the Health Education Series (1973-1974). It also contains promotional material and correspondence from the Vial of Life Fund (1981), Look Ahead Shows (1982, 1985), the Blood Donor Clinic (1962, 1963), the Wishing Well and Auxiliary collaborations with School of Nursing (1940s & 1951). In addition, it contains a press release and correspondence about the Children’s Nursery Fund (1950.) It also contains promotional materials, invitations, solicitation letters and “case histories” for the Life Saving Fund (1940s, 1950s &1960s). The Travelcade/Telethone/Membership Committee File contains promotional materials, Volunteer guides, event invitations pertaining to those committees from the 1950s & 1960s. This series also contains a script for the skit “Telephone” as well as programs for the plays “Frankly Feminine” (1963) and “Mrs. Wonderful” (1962) put on by the Auxiliary and the Volunteer department. It also contains promotional material for the 1985 Premiere of A Chorus Line the movie. In addition, there is a blueprint for the Auxiliary Gift Shop from 1951 and various promotional pamphlets for the Auxiliary, the Outlet Shop, the Hospital and medical equipment and devices.

Materials are arranged by subject.

No restrictions.

Provided for non-commercial usage only -- Commercial usage requires fee and written permission.

Look Ahead Show luncheon ticket, Oct. 26, 1977 was on display during the exhibit entitled Jewish General Hospital Auxiliary: Celebrating 75 years of excellence, 2011

Location:
Cabinet 2 - Box Auxiliary 2
Item No. Range:
2.6

Series 7

Women's Auxiliary Newspaper Clippings Series . -- 1929, 1932-66, 1968, 1981.

Montreal Star Montreal Gazette Town of Mount-Royal Weekly Post Your Community Canadian Jewish Review The Medical Post

5 cm of textual records

English

Held in the Health Sciences Library of the Jewish General Hospital.

This series contains newspaper clippings from various newspapers including the Montreal Star, Montreal Gazette, The Medical Post, Town of Mount-Royal Weekly Post, Your Community, and the Canadian Jewish Review about various Women’s Auxiliary initiatives, personalities and events.

Chronologically by decade

No restrictions.

Provided for non-commercial usage only -- Commercial usage requires fee and written permission.

Location:
Cabinet 2- Auxiliary Box 3
Item No. Range:
2.7

Series 8

Women's Auxiliary Hope and Cope Series [textual records] . -- 1981-1985, 2002.

Montreal Gazette Canadian Jewish Review Women's Auxiliary The Auxiliary

2,5 cm of textual records

English

Held in the Health Sciences Library of the Jewish General Hospital.

This Series contains materials relating to the activities of Hope and Cope when it was still part of the Women’s Auxiliary. It contains Hope & Cope Newsletters from 1983 to 1985 and an Annual Report from 1981/82. It also contains newspaper clippings from 1981 and 1982 from the Montreal Gazette and the Canadian Jewish News. In addition, there is a profile of a Hope and Cope Volunteer.

Arranged by type of material

No restrictions.

Provided for non-commercial usage only -- Commercial usage requires fee and written permission.

Location:
Cabinet 2- Auxiliary Box 3
Item No. Range:
2.8

Series 9

Auxiliary Photographs Series [graphic materials] . -- [between 1930 and 1989]

Women's Auxiliary The Auxiliary

18 cm of photographic materials

English

Held in the Health Sciences Library of the Jewish General Hospital.

This series contains photographs of Auxiliary Events, Projects, Committees, Presidents, and Volunteers from the 1930s through to the 1980s. There are approximately 800 photographs in total, 80 of which have been individually cataloged. Most of the photographs are labeled with event names, dates and people’s names. It also contains views of the Gift Shop and Coffee Shop over the decades.

This Series is arranged by decade except for the 1930s and 40s which are grouped together. Each decade contains a folder labeled “Loose photographs” which indicates that the photographs do not have dates or labels associated with them and their decade is approximated. The 1960s is divided into four folders “Events”, “Auxiliary Projects”, “Look Ahead Shows” and “Loose Photographs.” The 1980s has a separate folder labeled “Breast Self-Exam Clinic 1982-83.”

No restrictions.

Provided for non-commercial usage only -- Commercial usage requires fee and written permission.

File Lists Available.

Location:
IX- Photo- drawer 2 - Auxiliary
Item No. Range:
2.9

Series 10

Awards and Testimonials Series [textual records] . -- 1948, 1960, 1961, 1970, 1971.

0,5 cm of textual records

English

Held in the Health Sciences Library of the Jewish General Hospital.

This series contains Awards awarded to the Women’s Auxiliary by the Federation of Jewish Community Services of Montreal in 1960 and another awarded by the Combined Jewish Appeal in 1970 and two from the Israel Emergency Fund in 1970 and 1975. It also contains invitations and a program for the Testimonial Luncheon held in Mrs. Annie Goldbloom’s honour in 1948 and a Telegram honouring Mrs. Goldbloom from 1971. It also contains a Testimonial in recognition of Leadership of Mrs. Dorothy Block from 1961.

This series is arranged by document type.

No restrictions.

Provided for non-commercial usage only -- Commercial usage requires fee and written permission.

Location:
Cabinet 2- Auxiliary Box 3
Item No. Range:
2.10