I began my journey at the Ontario Jewish Archives as a volunteer following the completion of my Master’s of Information at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Information with the hope of gaining hands-on experience working in an archive. I was eventually brought on as a contract archivist for a particular project: processing the United Ostrowtzer Hilfs Committee collection.
Why it matters
When new archival materials arrive at the Ontario Jewish Archives, they often come with more than just paper and photographs — they arrive with stories waiting to be rediscovered. The United Ostrowtzer Hilfs Committee Collection is one such example. This collection sheds light on the humanitarian efforts of Toronto’s Jewish community in the aftermath of the Holocaust, particularly in supporting survivors and displaced persons from Ostrowiec, Poland. As the OJA team processes the collection, we carefully organize, describe, and preserve these valuable materials so that they can be accessed by researchers and the public for years to come.
These documents, and photos of people’s lives, with their loves and their losses are alive in the stories we can tell and pass along.
David Rosenberg
When new archival materials arrive at the Ontario Jewish Archives, they often come with more than just paper and photographs — they arrive with stories waiting to be rediscovered. The United Ostrowtzer Hilfs Committee Collection is one such example. This collection sheds light on the humanitarian efforts of Toronto’s Jewish community in the aftermath of the Holocaust, particularly in supporting survivors and displaced persons from Ostrowiec, Poland. As the OJA team processes the collection, we carefully organize, describe, and preserve these valuable materials so that they can be accessed by researchers and the public for years to come.
Photograph from the “United Ostrowtzer Hilfs Committee” archive collection (1930s).
What’s inside the collection
Some highlights include:
- Correspondence between committee members and international aid organizations
- Financial records documenting fundraising campaigns and remittances sent overseas
- Meeting minutes that reveal community decision-making and leadership
- Photographs and membership lists connecting families and individuals across continents
- Personal testimonies offering a glimpse into the experiences of survivors and their relatives
- Each document helps piece together a larger narrative — one of resilience, solidarity, and the power of community action in the face of tragedy.
Looking ahead
By processing and preserving this collection, the OJA ensures that the legacy of the United Ostrowtzer Hilfs Committee remains visible and accessible. These records not only honor the memory of those who lived through unimaginable hardship but also highlight the lasting impact of organized Jewish relief efforts in postwar Ontario.
