Manny Mitchell, long-time friend and great supporter of JVS Toronto, passed away on February 10, 2017.  Those who met and knew him were always inspired by Manny’s generous nature and commitment to supporting organizations that impact the most vulnerable in our community.

In 1996 Manny joined JVS Toronto’s Board of Directors and soon his contributions were helping to transform the agency.

Knowing the importance of demonstrating community support through volunteerism and charitable donations, Manny was instrumental in establishing JVS Toronto’s volunteer-led fundraising program. In 2000, he helped launch JVS Toronto’s first direct mail campaign and set JVS Toronto on the course of a more formal and coordinated approach to philanthropy. 

By 2003, he actively developed and initiated as co-chair the agency’s signature fundraising event, Strictly Business; an annual awareness-building luncheon that continued for 12 years.

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L to R: Robin Chow, Kim Coulter, President & CEO, Jeff Goldfarb, Board of Directors Chair, Stuart Demeter.

It was announced at JVS Toronto’s 70^th Annual General Meeting on September 13, 2017, that XBASE Technologies Inc. is the official sponsor of the agency’s 70^th anniversary events.

JVS Toronto turned 70 on June 16, 2017 and will be highlighting this milestone throughout the year. XBASE’s Robin Chow, Founder and President, and Stuart Demeter, Managing Partner were both in attendance for a formal cheque presentation.

XBASE’s contributions to JVS Toronto, both as the agency’s IT managed services supplier and as a loyal and long-time supporter, have significantly impacted our delivery of services over the last number of years.

“On a daily basis, we see first-hand how dedicated the staff across all locations are, and how committed they are to ensuring client needs are met,” said Robin Chow,“We partner with JVS Toronto on a daily basis and are delighted to support the agency’s important work as anniversary sponsor.  Congratulations on 70 years of remarkable work in the community.”

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We thank XBASE Technologies Inc. for their generosity and support.

L to R: Jeff Goldfarb, Board of Directors Chair, Kim Coulter, President & CEO, Norm Halpern, Larry Enkin, Robert Hall, Sandra Brown, Elliott Eisen, Gerald Epstein, Ruth Abrahamson, Peter Shenfield

Sewing a button hole was a lifeline to renewal and optimism in Canada for Holocaust survivors after World War II, and the spark that ignited the creation of JVS Toronto.  On June 16, 2017, JVS Toronto celebrated 70 years serving the Jewish and greater community.  Our roots and history – told below by former Board of Director Chairs who helped shape it – weave together a story of giving hope and building self-sufficiency by helping people facing restrictive hurdles in life gain employment.

Starting a seven decade journey

In post-war Europe, Holocaust survivors living in Displaced Persons Camps (DP Camps) waited for admittance into any country that would take them.  Max Enkin was one of the businessmen instrumental in The Tailor Project that identified those in DP Camps as tailors if they could sew a button hole.  As a result, 2,000 Jewish garment industry workers came to Canada in 1947.

This experience lead Max Enkin to establish Jewish Vocational Service of Metropolitan Toronto, now called JVS Toronto, to support Jewish immigrants, Holocaust survivors, and members of the Jewish community facing anti-Semitic hiring practices. 

1940s

“I met one of the tailors who came through that program.  When he saw my father, he recognized him as selecting him from a DP Camp.  My father said, ‘Most who came here weren’t tailors.  Why are you still in the industry?’  He replied, ‘Mr. Enkin, I was a tailor.’”

Larry Enkin, Son of JVS Toronto Founder, Max Enkin

• JVS Toronto opens its doors on June 16, 1947 at 455 Spadina Avenue, fittingly in the Tip Top Tailor Building
• $7,314 from the Jewish Welfare Fund of Toronto funds the agency
• Founder Max Enkins becomes first Board of Directors Chair
• Vocational counselling and job placement services are provided to newcomer clients
• Agency becomes a member of what is now the United Way Toronto & York Region

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