1980s Culture and Arts!

Art Collection Unveiling, c. 1980s.
Participating in the unveiling of the sculpture "Family" are from left, Rose Cooper, president of the Jewish Home for the Aged Residents' Council (seated), Yetta and Harry Ungerman and Estelle Schipper, chairperson of the Baycrest Centre Art Committee.

“Passages of Life” sculpture by Anne Harris, 1987.
Bronze sculpture on bronze base.

Hospital Interior, c. 1980s.
View from inside Museum.

Dining Room Installation, November 1988.
Art Committee JHA.

Baycrest Heritage Museum Show Opening, October 18, 1981.
From December 1981 Baycrest News: “This display commemorates the ritual of betrothal. It features the T’noyim or engagement contract that explicitly sets out the terms of the union and the dowry gifts. Arranged by Pauline Goldhar, the t’noyim shown here is, in fact, the engagement contract of her own parents, written in Lodz, Poland, 1903. The photo at left is of her parents four years after their marriage. The other objects include a hand-embroidered cloth and a pair of collapsible Russian sterling Kiddush cups used for travelling loaned by Mrs. Fanny Gertzbein. The gold wedding band, in the lefthand corner, is ornamented with clasped hands and is on loan from Mr. and Mrs. Wolfgang Goldberg.”

Happening to Care, May, 1986.
The heritage of culture lives on through the ministering of a woman whose association with Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care spans three decades. Standing beneath the stained-glass dome of the new Kanner Heritage Museum, Dora Till, founder of Baycrest Centre’s Woman’s Auxiliary, displays a turn-of-the-century Torah crown, one of the fine examples of Judaica in the Centre’s extensive collection. Located in the Saul A. and Isabel Silverman Garden Court of the Baycrest Hospital, the museum will house a rotating display of antiquities that tell the story of the Jewish culture and religion which are an integral part of Baycrest Centre.

Patients enjoy Children’s Show, 1989.
From September 1989 Baycrest Bulletin: “Hospital patient Millie Marks chats with two of the 46 campers, ages five to 10, from the Jewish Community Centre’s Summer Fun day camp who came to Baycrest Hospital to sing for patients. The program was one of the many activities enjoyed by residents, patients and members this summer. Other summer events included weekly outings to parks, Harbourfront, Ontario Place, the Shrine Circus, Centre Island, and the racetrack.”

Dance music therapy a positive outlet, March 1985.
From March 1985 Baycrest News: “A new and innovative approach is being used at Baycrest Centre to improve the physical and mental health of patients and residents. Dance movement therapy involves the channeling of emotions into physical movements. As well as being an outlet for tension, the therapy is a medium for positive feelings. The program ends with the passing of a sponge ball around the circle. The class decides what to pass with the ball, be it health, happiness or sunshine and then squeeze as much goodness from the ball as they can. In this way they pass their good thoughts and feelings to each other, before returning to their day.”

Meeting residents’ needs with programs that count, August 1986.
From August 1986 Baycrest News: “Garden Court fitness classes include exercises that involve group participation, such as tossing a sponge ball in the air with a parachute. Exercises such as this provide an opportunity for residents to benefit from the socializing that goes on in group activity.

Museum Exhibition, early 1980s.
“A unique showing of Judaica artifacts on loan from the collection of Tillie and Wolfe Goldberg attracted this crowd to the Baycrest Heritage Museum recently. Dr. Sydney Wax, chairman of the Baycrest Heritage Committee, welcomed the guests to the showing, talked briefly about the artifacts and thanked the Goldbergs on behalf of Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care. The museum, located in the lobby of the Jewish Home for the Aged, 3560 Bathurst St., is open to the public. The Goldberg collection will be on display for several weeks.”

Living is taking pride in your accomplishments, September 1981.
From September 1981 Baycrest News: “Participants in the Arts and Crafts program held a display of their work and invited family and friends to share their joy. Resident Anne Feldman admires her painting of a pineapple.”

“The Picnic” painting by Aileen Sax, c. 1980s.
“Toronto Artist Aileen Sax stands beside "The Picnic," inspired by a scene in Earl Bales Park, and one of twelve painting she recently donated to Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care. The paintings were displayed at a recent reception at the Centre, honouring the donation and Sax's 80th birthday. Her love of people and nature themes, use of bold colours, design and brushwork and the exuberant attitude reflected in her paintings made them perfect additions to Baycrest.”

Hospital Interior, c. 1980s.
View from inside Museum.

Dining Room Installation, November 1988.
Art Committee JHA.

Baycrest Heritage Museum Show Opening, October 18, 1981.
From December 1981 Baycrest News: “The Baycrest Heritage Museum Committee’s L’Chaim show opened fittingly on October 18. The display, in the lobby of The Jewish Home for the Aged, consists of 18 tableaux that illustrate various Jewish occasions. Coordinator of the display is Pauline Goldhar. Curator of the museum is Dr. Sydney L. Wax. Representing him was Dora Till.”

Pomegranate Guild of Judaic Textiles, June 1983.
From June 1983 Baycrest News: “Phyllis Spivak, president of the Pomegranate Guild of Judaic Textiles, arranges a handwoven prayer shawl. It is part of the Guild’s exhibition now on at the Heritage Museum, JHA lobby.”

Program introduces staff to Jewish beliefs and customs, 1989.
From September 1989 Baycrest Bulletin: “In a presentation for staff about the Jewish Holidays, Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, Hospital patient Ida Farber and recreationist Mara Swartz (left) bless the candles while JHA program worker Bluma Heimlich pours the wine.”

Museum presents Wedding Exhibit, 1989.
From September 1989 Baycrest Bulletin: “Jewish Home for the Aged resident Molly Rae proudly displays a photograph from her daughter’s wedding that is one of the many items in the Wedding Exhibit at Baycrest Centre’s Kanner Heritage Museum until the end of September. Other features include hand-painted ketubahs, antique wedding gowns and bridal jewelry and late 19th and early 20th century wedding portraits on loan from residents, patients, members, staff, volunteers and community members.”

Artwork enhances hospital walls, August 1986.
From August 1986 Baycrest News: “Baycrest Hospital contains a number of special features that help patients and their families feel more at home with their surroundings. One of those features is the beautiful art which fills every patient room, common areas, departments and hallways of the hospital.