JAHSENA also holds the records of Abraham Shnitka's son, Dr. Theodor Shnitka. Additional material may be found in the First Century of Jewish Life Editorial Committee fonds held by JAHSENA.<br><br>Record No. SHN.02.1<br><br>
Abraham Shnitka was born in Libau, Courland- Latvia (Russia) in 1894. During his youth in Libau, Mr. Shnitka trained as a printer's apprentice before immigrating to Canada and settling in Calgary with his family in 1911. After working in the printing trade in Calgary for two years, in 1913 he started Franklin Press, the first Jewish Job Printing Shop in Western Canada, with a full range of hand and linotype machine-set Hebrew alphabet type. Jewish institutions and organizations that were his clients included the Peretz Institute, Calgary Jewish Literary Club, Calgary Talmud Torah and others. In 1935, Mr. Shnitka sold the Franklin Press and became the King's and later Queen's Printer for the Province of Alberta from 1935 until his retirement in 1958. In 1939, he founded and was named director of the Alberta Government Purchasing Department, a position he held until 1942. In 1951, he was the organizer and Chairman of the Queen's Printers' Association of Canada. Upon his retirement in 1957, Mr. Shnitka resigned as director of the association and was named an honourary president. Upon retirement, Mr. Shnitka worked as a sales representative for printing equipment for Sydney R. Stone Ltd., Toronto. He was also an active member of several Jewish organizations and was a passionate supporter of Zionist causes. Mr. Shnitka and his wife Pearl (nee Friefeld) had one son, Theodore, a doctor in Edmonton. Mr. Shnitka passed away in 1972.
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Title based on contents of the fonds.
The fonds consists of materials created by Abraham Shnitka of Calgary from 1910- 1959. The fonds consists of these series: 1. Franklin Press (ca. 1915- ca.1935). The series consists of pamphlets, handbills, publications and other materials published by or relating to Franklin Press. Most of the materials relate to meetings of Jewish and Zionist Organizations in Western Canada. 2. King's (Queen's) Printer (1935- 1957) The series consists of publications, brochures and other materials related to Abraham Shnitka's operations of the King's Printers' of Alberta. 3. Miscellaneous (1910- 1959) The series consists of correspondence, photographs, and other materials.
A portion of the material was donated to JAHSENA as a scrapbook. For preservation reasons the scrapbook was dismantled and the materials placed in an oversized acid-free box in the same approximate order.
Donated by Theodor Shnitka in 2002.
Further accruals are expected but not scheduled.
Due to the fragile nature of some of the material, restrictions may apply. Please contact the archivist for further details.
Preliminary inventory available in accession register.
Poster in Yiddish and English for a meeting of the American Jewish Congress in Calgary.
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Invitation card in Yiddish for a function of the Chevra Kadisha in Calgary. Translation: Calgary Chevra Kadisha, Calgary, 193__. Worthy member: Your are invited to attend a regular (special) meeting of the Chevra Kadisha on Sunday, _____ at 2:30 pm in the small Synagogue. Important items to be discussed. By order, Secretary _______.
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Poster for a Chanukah Concert.
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Poster for a Mass Meeting of the Jewish Community of Calgary.
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Flyer for a lecture by Yehuda Kauffman in Calgary.
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Poster for a concert by Chazzan Pinchas Katz. Translation: May our song and prayers be heard. Cantor Pinchas Katz from Winnipeg is arranged to lead the prayers for parsha Elchanon in Be Jacob Synagogue. Friday 7:30 pm evening service; Saturday Morning 9:00 am. July 27th and 28th. Come and hear the reknowned young Cantor. You will have much satisfaction. Also, Sunday, July 29th at 8:00 pm Cantor Katz will daven the Maariv service and present a concert in Beth Jacob Shul. Respectfully, the Committee.
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A poster for a meeting of the Calgary Jewish Congress to elect delegates to go to a meeting in Winnipeg.
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A poster for a Bazaar and Dance for the Calgary Jewish Community.
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A poster for a meeting of the Histadrut held in Edmonton.
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Poster for a film depicting the life of Cantor Joseph Rosenblatt.
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A poster for a play put on by the Peretz Shul in Calgary.
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Advertisement card for Andre Davison.
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Advertisement for an Annual Bazaar and Dance.
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Revised poster for the Annual Bazaar and Dance of the I.L. Peretz Institute, 1934.
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A poster for a talk sponsored by the Histadrut Organization, in Edmonton, by Bernard Bloomfield, Abraham Shurem and Toviah Beham.
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Poster promoting the visit of Dr. Chaim Weitzmann to Calgary.
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A flyer for a Talmud Torah meeting.
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Poster for a meeting of the Jewish Calgary Relief Committee for the War Effort.
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<form><textarea wrap class=datatext cols=80 rows=10>A flyer inviting the Calgary Jewish Community to come and hear a Rabbinical candidate, Rabbi Cohen, at the Community Building. Translation of Yiddish: Important for all Jewish People in Calgary. We have the honour to let you know that Rabbi Jacob Cohen from Chicago will visit Calgary's Jewish people and will address a gathering Friday night at 8 pm, November 30th in Community Hall. Saturday morning the distinguished guest will give an address at the Synagogue and Sunday evening, December 2nd, at 8 pm in the community hall. The important guest was born in Israel and is an ordained Rabbi having recieved his ordination from Rabbi H. Cook, the chief Rabbi in Israel. His ordination he recieved in American universities. Jews in Calgary will surely take the opportunity to hear this worthy guest. With great respect, the Special Arrangements COmmittee.</textarea></form>
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Poster advertising a concert honouring I.L. Peretz.
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Card inviting people to a meeting of the Calgary Yiddish Literature Society, 1914. Translation: Calgary Jewish Literature Organization. Dear Brethren: You are invited to attend a general gathering of the Jewish Literature Organization at 8 pm in the Community Centre. Important business: A very nice program has been prepared. Come and bring your friends. Respectfully, A. Blumenthal (Secretary).
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Poster inviting people to a Histadrut program featuring Chaim Brandwein at the Beth Israel Synagogue, Edmonton.
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Poster advertising Maurice Samuel as a speaker for Karen Hayesod.
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Flyer for a Yiddish Children's Concert in Calgary.Translation: Annual Children's Concert from the Peretz Shul. Sunday, December 23, 1934 beginning at 2:30 in the afternoon. We invite all friends, parents and their children to our concert, which was prepared very carefully, nice and extremely interesting. Kindergarten artists will perform. Singers from the day school, "stars" from the evening school, speakers and dancers. The program features many different numbers - choirs, pantomime, dramatic folk songs, Jewish character scenes, a two-act play, recitations and dances, and last, a small speaking contest. "Dreamers and Fighters." Come on time. Bring your children. Treats for all the children.
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Postcard advertising a meeting of the Calgary Yiddish Culture Society. Translation: Cultural Society Calgary. Dear chaverim: You are invited toa general meeting of the Culture Society _______8 pm in the Peretz Institute. Important items to consider, your presence is urgently required. With brotherly greetings, Eisenstein, Recording Secretary.
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Poster for a play in Yiddish. Translation: Fydshet Hall. Wednesday, June 25. Mr & Mrs. Abramov will give a farewell presentation of the Jewish performers. They will be accompanied by their four-year -old wonder child David Abramov, Mr. Sam Adams, Mr. Kredentser and others. Program: 1. The Doctor - Sholem Aleichem. 2. Good Brothers - Abraham Reisen. 3. The Price of a Girl's Good Time - Zalatorevskin. 4. Finally, A Medley of Song and Dance. Presentation Begins at 8:30 pm. Tickets 50 cents and 75 cents.
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A flyer advertising the speaker Dr. David Rabelsky.
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A flyer for talk by Dr. John Shayne at the House of Jacob Synagogue in Calgary.
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Yiddish flyer.
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Poster advertising a speech by Zionist Dr. David Rabelsky at Paget Hall, Calgary in 1930.
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Poster for two lectures given by Peretz Hirschbein in Calgary, 1935.
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Poster advertising an event in honour of Herzl's anniversary.
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Flyer promoting a meeting of the Calgary Jewish Community.
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<form><textarea wrap class=datatext cols=80 rows=10>Yiddish flyer for the Peretz Shul Committee. Translation as follows: Peretz Shul Society. To All Jewish Parents of Calgary! In a few days school vacation ends. All the public schools are getting ready to take in the non-committed children, who will shortly come to learn and study. But they never worried about the Jewish upbringing of our children. They forget that the same needs and duties await the Jewish children when they reach adulthood. Assure that your children have a Jewish upbringing! There cannot be healthy upbringing of children where there exist differences between school and home. In many of our homes there lingers the fear of our living in an uncertain world. The life and problems of the Jews in Canada and the U.S.A., tempered by memories of the old world, the woe-cries of the tortured in Hitler's Germany, and the hopes of the tens of thousands of Jewish immigrants are crossing the oceans to carve out a new life. It must be taught to the Jewish child with love so that it will remain near and dear to his heart. Peretz Shul -- a Modern Jewish Training Institution! Peretz Shul is beginning its seventh school year and we're proud that we met every step. But when we look back at the past six years we will stand behind our decisions. Under the auspices of dedicated and newly arrived teachers, the Jewish story, the folk songs, the Yiddish language, the Jewish and Hebrew literature, the flavours of the Yiddish and General communities, all of that creates an atmosphere of culture and learning around our children in Peretz Shul. Register your children for Peretz Shul. Tuesday, September 4, 1934 the school opens for the children. We again will have a kindergarten, the Jewish-English class, and evening school. This year we're adding a sixth class. Courses for Adults. Everything is being prepared for to renew courses for adults. These will be much broader in scope. Register Your Children Now. Make sure your child doesn't miss a day. Register your children before September 4th. With Shul Greetings.</textarea></form>
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Bookplate of Abraham Shnitka, King's Printer, created by Shnitka in 1935.
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Bookmark ad for the Franklin Press, Calgary.
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Program for a Grand Passover Concert by the Yiddish Culture Society of Calgary in 1931.
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Invitation to the Memorial Service for the late Jacob Dubisky, OBM.
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Invitation to a meeting of the Calgary Zionist Association about Literary Propaganda.
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Flyer promoting Ernest Manning, Social Credit Candidate, Calgary Constituency.
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Flyer advertising Rosh Hashonah services at the Calgary Jewish Community Building in 1932.
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Flyer advertising a Mass Meeting at the House of Jacob Synagogue, Calgary to talk about the immigration problem.
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Card invitation to a meeting of the Mother's Auxilliary of the Peretz Shul.
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Yiddiah flyer from Calgary. Translation: Agudas Zion Calgary. Public Meeting. To attend the memorial for the cedeased Zionist leader David Wolfson will take place in Bth Jacob Synagogue, Sunday, OCt. 25, 1914. 3 pm in the afternoon. Come one come all. The Executive. Franklin Press.
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Invitation to a talk by Peretz Hirschbein. Translation: The possibility of a Jewish Republic in the Soviet Union. Lecture by Peretz Herschbein. Friday, February 22, 1935, 8:30 pm. In Peretz Hall. Entrance fee: 35 cents.
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Social Credit Manual written by Bill Aberhart, published by Abraham Shnitka in Calgary, circa 1935.
William ("Bible Bill") Aberhart was born December 30, 1878 near Seaforth, Ontario; he was the son of William and Louisa (Pepper) Aberhart. He studied at Mitchell Model School, Chatham Business College, Seaforth Collegiate Institute and the Ontario Normal School in Hamilton, Ontario. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Queen's University in 1911; he accomplished this by correspondence beginning in 1907. In 1899, he taught at Morris School, near Wingham, Ontario. In 1901, he moved to Brantford, Ontario and taught at Central Public School; he was appointed principal of Central Public School in 1905. He was active in Brantford's Zion Presbyterian Church and for a time planned on entering the Presbyterian ministry. He married Jessie Flatt on July 29, 1902; they had two daughters, Khona Louise (Cooper), born November 1, 1903, and Ola Janette (MacNutt), born August 31, 1905. The Aberhart family moved to Calgary, Alberta in 1910, as Aberhart had accepted an offer from the Calgary School Board to become principal of Mount Royal College beginning in the spring of 1910. However, the school was not ready when he arrived so he became principal of Alexandra Public School. In the fall of 1910, with Mount Royal still not ready, he became principal of Victoria School. When ready, he did become principal of Mount Royal School and then in 1913 became the principal of King Edward School. From 1915 to 1935, Aberhart was principal of Crescent Heights High School. He taught bible classes at Trinity Methodist Church until 1916 and attended and taught classes at Grace Presbyterian Church until 1912. The Aberhart family then attended Wesley Methodist Church and Westbourne Baptist Church where Aberhart was eventually recognized as a lay minister and baptized on May 2, 1920. By 1918, Aberhart's bible classes we so popular and well attended, the classes were renamed the Calgary Prophetic Bible Conference. In 1925, he was appointed Dean of the newly established Calgary Prophetic Bible Institute. Also beginning in 1925, Aberhart's Sunday afternoon bible lectures for the Calgary Prophetic Bible Conference were broadcast over the radio; these became known as "Back-to-the-Bible Hour." In 1929, Aberhart established the Bible Institute Baptist Church. Beginning in 1932, influenced by personal experiences brought on by the Depression, Aberhart began to give serious thought and study to the social credit theories espoused by Major C.H. Douglas. In 1933, Aberhart began giving lectures on these theories, soon forming a Social Credit Study Group; other study groups formed across Calgary and the province. Aberhart organized the Douglas Social Credit League in 1933 (later the Alberta Social Credit League). Initially trying to work with United Farmers of Alberta to implement social credit theories, when this failed, Aberhart organized the social credit movement into a political party, and this Alberta Social Credit Party won the majority of seat in the 1935 provincial election. As leader of the Social Credit Party, even though he did not run, Aberhart was sworn in as Premier and Minister of Education on September 3; on November 3, 1935, a by-election was held in the electoral district of Okotoks-High River which Aberhart won by acclamation. On September 5, 1937, he was appointed Attorney General. He was reelected in 1940 for electoral district of Calgary. Suffering form illness, Aberhart and his wife traveled to Vancouver, British Columbia in April of 1943 to visit their daughters. William Aberhart died May 23, 1943 and was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Burnaby, British Columbia.
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Flyer calling for an emergency meeting to save the financially troubled Calgary Talmud Torah.
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Postcard invitation to an event at the Peretz Shul, Calgary.<br>Translation: Mother's Auxilliary of the Y.L. Peretz Shul, Calgary, Alberta. Dear sister, you are asked to come to a general emeting of the Mother's Auxilliary this _____ at 8:30 pm in the Peretz Institute. Important business to deal with and your presence is really required. With special greetings, Recording Secretary.
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Invitation to an urgent mass meeting of the Calgary Jewish Relief Committee.
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<form><textarea wrap class=datatext cols=80 rows=10>Invitation to hear S. Lifshitz speak. Translation: Lecture, Lecture by S. Lifshitz. S. Lifshitz is a Labour Leader, well known from the Central Committee of the Canadian Labour Union, formost in the "struggle" and a good lecturer. Just two lectures in Calgary. Tuesday, October 16, 8:30 pm in the Peretz Shul Hall. Subject: "The Risk of War and Fascism" entrance fee 25 cents. Lecture and Banquet. Wednesday, October 17, 8:30 pm, 1934. Subject: "Biro-Bidjan as a Jewish Autonomous Territory." Also a music program. Piano solo: Queenie Lawrence; Violin solo: Joe Marks; Songs: Nechama Gemerl. There will be no lack of ? Entrance fee: 35 cents. Don't miss this opportunity to obtain the latest information regarding these important event which must interest every Jew. Come and bring your friends. You will get a real lift. Worker's Union Society.</textarea></form>
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Flyer advertising a concert in honour of the memory of Sholem Aleichem.
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Flyer for a play called "The Mishpoche" (Family), a drama in three acts presented at the I.L. Peretz Institute in Calgary.
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<form><textarea wrap class=datatext cols=80 rows=10>Yiddish flyer promoting the Sociel Credit party to the Jews of Alberta. Translation: The Progressive Democratic world over, we Jews are face to face with the world overall. From day to day the world becomes more trapped in the throes of the War, which tends to threaten our democratic freedoms and seeks to ? us Jews. And in such an exceptionally critical moment, we in Canada are going to the polls, to elect a Federal government, and also a Provincial government in Alberta. Upon us since we live here and enjoy the freedom of rightful citizenship, and as well-informed people, falls the double duty to use the priviledge which we enjoy to the maximum. We have to and we must demonstrate our support in this way. Not one eligible man or woman should fail to respond. The Social Credit party a short five years ago took over governing in Alberta with a tremendous majority through various promises to the people. Obviously some of the promises could not be kept through interference by other jurisdictions. But what the Social Credit through the Honourable William Aberhart did achieve was for the benefit of the workers and middle class. It is enough to mention a few: 1. The moratorium on loans, which saved the homes of many people, prevented the mortgage companies foreclosing. 2. Thanks to the big protest of the Social Credit Government of raising the interest rates, the Federal government was forced to cut interest rates on certain loans. 3. Through different subsidies, the Social Credit Government encouraged many new industries in our Province. 4. The "retail" and "wholesale" sales increased immensely. 5. Government fire insurance helped reduce the cost of insurance by about 25%. 6. Education -- public school to university was improved. 7. Youth training, a very needy item these days, which enables youth to learn new skills, will help them become more useful citizens. This and many other accomplishments which can't be listed here in a small letter, were achieved by the Social Credit Government in Alberta. When you go to the polling station, keep it well in mind! Do your duty to yourself and to the community. Support and help the Social Credit government carry out her scheduled work.</textarea></form>
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Poster inviting the community of Calgary to a memorial lecture by Peretz Hirschbein commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Theodor Herzl's death in 1904.
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Flyer for a Yiddish play. Translation: Jewish Small Theatre. In three Acts. Performed by the Drama section of the Y.L. Peretz Shul. Sunday, October 28, in the Peretz Hall, 8:30 pm. "Parents and Children" from S. Ansky. "On the Bima" from A. Schwartz. "Three Minutes Dead" from Max Gebl. First time in Calgary. An evening of fine plays. Amusing Humour. New-Original. Interesting.
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Flyer describing the Social Credit Movement in Alberta. Seems to be guidelines for a study group on the subject.
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Flyer promoting and explaining Social Credit Theory. In the form of a Study Group worksheet.
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Bookmark ad for the Franklin Press.
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Ad for the Franklin Press featuring "Professor Beetlebrow."
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Christmas greetings from the Franklin Press.
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Franklin Press Advertisement featuring a military theme, and photo of Shnitka.
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Bookmark ad for the Franklin Press featuring a poem.
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Advertisement for the Franklin Press promoting a new automatic printer.
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Postcard addressed to the community concerning the Polish-Jewish Family Lending Union. Translation: Calgary, Alberta. Dear Chaver, You are asked to come to a general meeting of the polish-Jewish Family Lending Union this Sunday, _________ at 2:30 pm in the Peretz Institute. Important items to consider, your presence is extremely necessary. With regards, N. Horodetsky, Secretary.
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Price list for Alberta Grocery Ltd. in Innisfail, AB. Owned by Ben Shnitka, and printed by Abraham Shnitka, his brother.
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Program for the Hadasim Ball, an evening of entertainment at the Peretz Shul, Calgary.
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<form><textarea wrap class=datatext cols=80 rows=10>Translation: A well-known Jewish Scholar Visits Calgary. Chaim Shois. One of the few, modern researchers of the Jewish story, old and new Jewish culture, recognized publisher and lecturer, with themes related to social and cultural questions will speak in the Peretz Hall, Tuesday, November 27th, on the subject, "The War of the Nazis Against Bible Tanach and Yiddishkeit". To hear Chaim Shois regar this question means obtaining ideas of the very first order. Chaim Shois made a name for himself in the Jewish world with his thorough, intelligent work, which his original investigations regarding Jewish life, with his ability to explain in a popular manner the most difficult subjects. His research on old Jewish Culture in the land of Israel has enriched the knowledge of a whole generation of young Jewish scholars. The pictures he portrayed of the Jewish prophet's epoch inspired every Jewish school with its liveliness. Therefore don't let this opportunity escape you. Come to hear a Jewish Scientist. Remember the date: Tuesday, November 27, 8:30 pm.</textarea></form>
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<form><textarea wrap class=datatext cols=80 rows=10>Announcement of upcoming events at the Calgary Peretz Shul. Translation: To all our Jewish friends and Jewish parents of Calgary! Peretz School has the honour and pleasure in inviting you to several undertakings shortly, in conjunction with the closing of this year. Another year sees strengthened cultural upbringing work, so we want to, in a holiday mood, be with our friends, friendly get together and also learn something. 1. Sunday, June 24, 10 am. there will be opening lectures in classes 3, 4 and 5. 2. Monday, June 25, 10 am. Introductory lectures in the day school class. 3. Monday, June 25, 7 pm. will see the opening of a large school display. This will be a wonderful pedagogical demonstration of the work which our children did both in class and in club groups. 4. Wednesday, June 27, 8 pm. Ceremonial farewell from the big school presentation, assembly at the Peretz Institute. In closing a farewell banquet for the school year 1933-1934. The presentations for Monday and Tuesday 7 pm to 11 pm and Wednesday 2 pm until late in the evening. You are cordially invited to all listed undertakings. Entrance to Banquet Free. Displays Free. With School greetings, The Committee.</textarea></form>
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<form><textarea wrap class=datatext cols=80 rows=10>Description of the activities of the Peretz Institute in its fourth year. Translation: Dear Friend: with the advent of the new school year, we begin to write a new page for the Jews of Calgary, on the fourth year working for the Peretz Institute. What is three years in the story of time? Besides, what great and inportant cultural work has the institution accomplished? Let's examine the ____ and look at the number of branches the Peretz Institute has: 1. Kindergarten 2. Normal classes (3 grades teaching Yiddish and English) 3. Evening school 4. Evening courses for adults 5. Cultural fellowship. 6. Choir 7. Drama section 8. Orchestra 9. Library 10. Youth-Ring 11. Mother's auxilliary. Who of you has not experienced the celebration of the High Holy Days by our children? And who of you has not participated in the undertakings of the drama group, the choir, and youth ring? Has there ever before been such growth of the Peretz Institute, and has it changed such sweet and ____ the modern Jewish words as we now experience? When did you, (the parent alone) till now have the opportunity to get to know the best creations in drama from our great accomplished dramatists as we do now? Did you ever dream that in Calgary there would be as big and good a choir as now we have? Did you believe that your children over 15, 16, 17 and older, long distanced from you would belong to a Jewish Club called the "Youth-Ring", and that you also could attend evening courses? Would any one of you let the opportunity to become part of the drama section escape you? Who of you would not come and join the library, which will this year be organized in the familiar numerical fashion, to enjoy reading a book, journal, newspaper or to enjoy a game of chess?</textarea></form>
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Advertisement for the I.L. Peretz Institute in Calgary.
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The Franklin Press, printing shop owned by Abraham Shnitka in Calgary from circa 1918-1935. The only Yiddish printer west of Winnipeg, Shnitka spent many years here printing Yiddish and English flyers, etc. for the Calgary Jewish Community before becoming King's Printer and moving to Edmonton.<br><br>
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Abraham Shnitka, King's Printer, seated at his desk in his Edmonton office.<br><br>
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First Queen's Printer Conference, October 6-10, 1952, Mount Royal Hotel, Montreal. Abraham Shnitka seated centre front. Other names illegible.<br><br>
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