JGH Auxiliary: celebrating 75 years of excellence

Image adapted from the invitation to the New Members reception of the Women's Auxiliary, May 2, 1962.

Founded in 1936, the JGH Auxiliary, a volunteer-based, non-profit organization, has been committed to providing moral support to staff and patients as well as fundraising for much-needed equipment for the hospital. Since its beginning, The Auxiliary has contributed over 20 million dollars to the JGH as well as countless hours of volunteer work. Through initiating and supporting various quality programs and services at the hospital, The Auxiliary plays a crucial role in ensuring the best possible care and comfort for our patients. This record of excellence carries on and The Auxiliary’s remarkable history continues to be made. It is with great pride that the JGH Archives present a historical exhibit entitled Jewish General Hospital Auxiliary: celebrating 75 years of excellence to commemorate the 75th anniversary of The Auxiliary.The online exhibit is prepared to accompany the physical exhibit under the same title currently set up in the main lobby of the hospital. It consists of a photo gallery and a document collection that includes correspondence, pamphlets and other ephemera.

Travelcade Day for the JGH Children’s Nursery Fund, May 25, 1953. The Travelcade Day was an annual push for membership fees, donations and new memberships to the Women’s Auxiliary. (Seated l to r): Mrs. M. Insky, Mrs. S. Rubin, Mrs. J. Shulman, Mrs. S. M. Atcovitch; (standing l to r): Sheila Moss, Mrs. P. Niloff, Barbara Taub, Lois Klein, Mrs. S. Hershon.
“Cherry Blossom Ball” fundraising committee of the Women’s Auxiliary: (L to r) Anne Carlin, Helen Finkelstein, Mrs. Sydney Pedvis, Annalee Wolfe, 1962.
7. Volunteers working at the Women’s Auxiliary “Look Ahead Show”, 1965. (L to r): Mrs. J. Carin, Gift Shop Co-Chairperson, Mrs. C. Hershorn and Mrs. B. Ripstein, Co-Chairpersons of the “Flea Market” kiosk. The “Look Ahead Show” was put on by the Women’s Auxiliary Forget-Me-Not gift shop in the run-up to the holiday season.
Members of the Women’s Auxiliary Mobile Library Committee, 1967. (L to r): Vice-Chairperson Rachelle Douek, Vice-Chairperson Mrs. J. Bernard and Mrs. Saul Albert, Chairperson.
Nancy Shalinsky (left), vice-chairperson of the Women’s Auxiliary Coffee Shop and Ruth Blanshay serve JGH staff, patients, and visitors in a relaxing atmosphere with a variety of products, 1967.
The Women’s Auxiliary raised $275.65 for the Canadian Cancer Society on “Daffodil Day”, April 7, 1967. 2400 fresh flowers were sold by four volunteers at the JGH.

Women’s Auxiliary volunteer, Mrs. Harold Rubin in the Women’s Auxiliary gift shop, 1968.
Women’s Auxiliary member volunteering at the “Raffles and Gift Show”, 1970.
Women’s Auxiliary President Claire Sheiner and the wishing well. Donations to the wishing well were used in support of projects of the Women’s Auxiliary, 1970s.
The Women’s Auxiliary Gift Shop, 1979.
Archie Deskin, Executive Director, Phylis Waxman, Auxiliary President, and Sandy Braverman in the Auxiliary gift shop, 1981.
Auxiliary office volunteers standing in front of portraits of past Auxiliary Presidents, 1986. (L to r): Sadie Diamond, Sarah Proctor, Lil Berman, Sadie Schapera, Bloma Erdle, Chairperson – Office Volunteers, and Diane Gillick.
By 1986 the Auxiliary had a membership of almost 8000. These volunteers which made up a committee of 11, handled all the mailings.
Cheque presentation for the purchase of a cardiac monitor and other new equipment for the ER, 1986.
A total of $35,000 was raised through the efforts of the “A Chorus Line” Movie Premiere committee of the Auxiliary: (L to r) Dr. Schwartz, Chief of Emergency, Joan Lazarus, Co-Chairperson of the Premiere, Claire Sheiner, Co-Chairperson of the Premiere, Archie Deskin, Executive Director of JGH, Jackie Veinish, President of the Auxiliary, 1986.
Letter from Beatrice Spencer-Smith, lady-in-waiting to Lady Tweedsmuir, wife of Governor General John Buchan, February 8, 1936. Written on mourning stationery during the year of the death of King George V of the United Kingdom (1910-1936).
Letter from Beatrice Spencer-Smith, lady-in-waiting to Lady Tweedsmuir, wife of Governor General John Buchan, February 8, 1936. Written on mourning stationery during the year of the death of King George V of the United Kingdom (1910-1936).
Invitation to the Women’s Auxiliary Inauguration Meeting, Mount Royal Hotel, 1936.
Invitation to the Women’s Auxiliary Inauguration Meeting, Mount Royal Hotel, 1936.
Invitation to Women’s Auxiliary General Meeting, Windsor Hotel, Montreal, 1937.
Invitation to Women’s Auxiliary General Meeting, Windsor Hotel, Montreal, 1937.
Letter from Thérèse Casgrain to Annie Goldbloom, President of the Women’s Auxiliary, March 23, 1938.
Letter from Allan Bronfman, President of the JGH, to Annie Goldbloom, President of the Women’s Auxiliary, May 4, 1938.
Letter from Dr. Charles Liebman, Director, X-ray Department, to Annie Goldbloom, President of Women’s Auxiliary, May 4, 1938.
Letter from The Honourable Cairine Reay Mackay Wilson, first female Senator of Canada to Annie Goldbloom, President of the Women’s Auxiliary, October 18, 1938.
Letter from Samuel Cohen, Superintendant of the JGH, to Annie Goldbloom, President of the Women’s Auxiliary, November 6, 1938.
Official receipt from the JGH Endowment of a Basinette to the Children’s Nursery Fund of the Women’s Auxiliary for a donation of $200 (a total of $500), November 4, 1938.
“An Appeal to Reason!”—Flyer promoting fundraising for the establishment of the first Nurse’s Training School under Jewish auspices at the JGH, May 2, 1945.
“A Call to Action!”—Flyer promoting fundraising for the establishment of the first Nurse’s Training School under Jewish auspices at the JGH, June 6, 1945.
Letter from Sylvia J. Evans, private secretray to Her Royal Highness Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone to Women’s Auxiliary President, Annie Goldbloom, July 23, 1945.
Letter from Allan Bronfman, President of the JGH, to Annie Goldbloom, President of the Women’s Auxiliary, on the occasion of the Women’s Auxiliary’s 10th anniversary, January 10, 1946.
Letter from JGH Superintendant Samuel Cohen to Women’s Auxiliary President Annie Goldbloom, February 5, 1946.
Letter from Women’s Auxiliary President Annie Goldbloom accompanying 10th anniversary souvenir booklet “Memoirs of Mercy” mailed to members, November 1946.
Letter from Montreal Mayor Camillien Houde (1928-1932) to Women’s Auxiliary President, Annie Goldbloom, November 25, 1946.
Letter from Samuel Cohen, Superintendant of the JGH, to Annie Goldbloom, President of the Women’s Auxiliary, December 3, 1946.
Letter from Samuel Cohen, Superintendant of the JGH, to Mrs. Joseph Simand of the Women’s Auxiliary, January 5, 1948.
"This will be your showpiece!" Women’s Auxiliary Subscription Campaign for the new Nurses’ Training School, 1949.
"This will be your showpiece!" Women’s Auxiliary Subscription Campaign for the new Nurses’ Training School, 1949.
“Join the 4-H Club— Support the Subscription Campaign”—Pamphlet for the Women’s Auxiliary campaign to build the first Jewish Nurses’ Training School in Canada, 1949.
“Join the 4-H Club— Support the Subscription Campaign”—Pamphlet for the Women’s Auxiliary campaign to build the first Jewish Nurses’ Training School in Canada, 1949.
Letter from Corresponding Secretary of the Women’s Auxiliary, Pearl Gasco, to JGH Superintendant, Samuel Cohen, October 31, 1951.
“Support the Hospital”—membership drive card, 1956.
Annual appeal and invitation to the Annual Meeting from Women’s Auxiliary members, Annalee Wolfe and Sybil F. Lupovich, 1958.
“We need your help—The Outlet Shop”, pamphlet promoting the Women’s Auxiliary Outlet Shop, 820-C Decarie Blvd, St. Laurent, Que., late 1950s.
“We need your help—The Outlet Shop”, pamphlet promoting the Women’s Auxiliary Outlet Shop, 820-C Decarie Blvd, St. Laurent, Que., late 1950s.
Entrance ticket to the Women’s Auxiliary “Look Ahead Show”, 1977.
Flyer announcing the Auxiliary’s “Look Ahead Show”, 1982.
Flyer announcing the Auxiliary’s “Look Ahead Show”, 1982.
Invitation to 50th Anniversary Gala of the Auxiliary, 1984.
Invitation to 50th Anniversary Gala of the Auxiliary, 1984.
Invitation to 60th Anniversary Luncheon of the Auxiliary, with special guests The Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc (Governor General of Canada) and Mrs. Diana Fowler-LeBlanc, 1996.
Invitation to 60th Anniversary Luncheon of the Auxiliary, with special guests The Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc (Governor General of Canada) and Mrs. Diana Fowler-LeBlanc, 1996.
“Diabetes—second in the Health Notes series”, sponsored by the Women’s Auxiliary of the JGH, undated.
“Diabetes—second in the Health Notes series”, sponsored by the Women’s Auxiliary of the JGH, undated.
“Acute Communicable Disease—third in the Health Notes series”, sponsored by the Women’s Auxiliary of the JGH, undated.
“Acute Communicable Disease—third in the Health Notes series”, sponsored by the Women’s Auxiliary of the JGH, undated.

Page last updated on 

We always seek feedback to make our site better.