Fonds - Young Jewish People’s Association of Ottawa fonds

This organization provided a social and cultural outlet for the more than 100 young people, mostly new immigrants to Ottawa from Poland, Lithuania and the Ukraine. It was founded by Dr. Arnoni and Hugo Levendel served as President from its inception in 1930 until its close in 1934. Gatherings were held every Sunday afternoon in the Talmud Torah hall on George Street and “listened to readings, recitations, Jewish current events and debated on diverse problems...made use of all available local speakers and welcomed all comers from New York and Montreal regardless of their mission in Ottawa: Yiddish poets and writers, Hebrew teachers, agents of Yiddish periodicals, Poale Zionists and the Yiddishists....lent a hand to every worthwhile undertaking, participated in campaigns, sold shekels, assisted with Zionist campaigns.” The Yiddish language was used at meetings. In time a Jewish library was established and members gathered in the evenings to get books and read periodicals. There were also dances, picnics, swimming and sleigh rides. Marriage and increased responsibilities as well as other interests began to take their toll and the association folded in 1934. The politically minded of the association became part of Ottawa’s Zionist life.