Hyman's Book and Art Shoppe
Encyclopedia
Hyman's Book and Art Shoppe, 1926 - 1971, was widely known in the Jewish community as Hyman's Bookstore. It was an important part of the early history of Spadina Avenue in Toronto
, as well as the early Jewish community of Toronto. The store was founded in 1926 by Ben Zion Hyman
and his wife Fannie (also known as Faygle). For most of its 45 year history, Hyman's Bookstore was located at 412 Spadina Avenue in Toronto, Canada.
The book store specialized in Jewish books of both secular and religious interest in English, Yiddish and Hebrew. Hyman's Bookstore carried a complete line of Jewish ritual objects such as talleisim, tfillin, kiddush cups, menorahs, shabbath candlesticks, kippot and jewelry (e.g., mezuzahs and magen davids). It was also the main supplier of all the Jewish schools in Toronto. In 1941, Hyman used books from the store to found the Toronto Jewish Public Library
.
Hyman's Bookstore started a book registry in the late 1940s, so that there would be no duplication in Bar Mitvah gifts. Another one of Hyman's specialties was office supplies. In addition, the business was renowned for its Jewish greeting cards sold during major Jewish holidays. Many Jewish landsmanshaften [organizations of people from the same European area] depended on Hyman's service for mimeographing multiple copies of local community society newsletters and minutes.
The store gained its fame as a meeting place of Jewish political ideas and viewpoints. It was often referred to as the "Jewish Parliament." Many heated conversations took place in the store, over bottles of coca cola. They discussed viewpoints such as Labour Zionism, Mizrachi, Revisionism, and so on.
All points of view were welcomed except for Communism. Many people came to the bookstore to have letters written in Fanny Hyman's handwriting (in English, Polish or Yiddish) to be sent home to their families in eastern Europe.
"Hyman's Book and Art Shoppe" was the name of the store from 1926 to 1953. "Hyman and Son" was the name of the store from 1953 to its closing in 1971.
A northern branch was opened at 1032 Eglinton Avenue West (Bathurst and Eglinton). It was owned and managed by Ruth Warner and Gurion Hyman
from 1953 to 1962.
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, as well as the early Jewish community of Toronto. The store was founded in 1926 by Ben Zion Hyman
Ben Zion Hyman
Ben Zion Hyman was a Canadian Jewish bookseller. Originally from Mazyr in what is now Belarus, Hyman graduated from the Odessa Polytechnical Institute. After coming to Canada , he graduated in electrical engineering from the University of Toronto...
and his wife Fannie (also known as Faygle). For most of its 45 year history, Hyman's Bookstore was located at 412 Spadina Avenue in Toronto, Canada.
The book store specialized in Jewish books of both secular and religious interest in English, Yiddish and Hebrew. Hyman's Bookstore carried a complete line of Jewish ritual objects such as talleisim, tfillin, kiddush cups, menorahs, shabbath candlesticks, kippot and jewelry (e.g., mezuzahs and magen davids). It was also the main supplier of all the Jewish schools in Toronto. In 1941, Hyman used books from the store to found the Toronto Jewish Public Library
Jewish Public Library (Toronto)
The Albert and Temmy Latner Jewish Public Library in Toronto was founded in 1941 as the Jewish Public Library by bookseller Ben Zion Hyman. The library has had several locations throughout its history. In 1983 it settled in its current location at 4600 Bathurst Street. Today, the library is a...
.
Hyman's Bookstore started a book registry in the late 1940s, so that there would be no duplication in Bar Mitvah gifts. Another one of Hyman's specialties was office supplies. In addition, the business was renowned for its Jewish greeting cards sold during major Jewish holidays. Many Jewish landsmanshaften [organizations of people from the same European area] depended on Hyman's service for mimeographing multiple copies of local community society newsletters and minutes.
The store gained its fame as a meeting place of Jewish political ideas and viewpoints. It was often referred to as the "Jewish Parliament." Many heated conversations took place in the store, over bottles of coca cola. They discussed viewpoints such as Labour Zionism, Mizrachi, Revisionism, and so on.
All points of view were welcomed except for Communism. Many people came to the bookstore to have letters written in Fanny Hyman's handwriting (in English, Polish or Yiddish) to be sent home to their families in eastern Europe.
"Hyman's Book and Art Shoppe" was the name of the store from 1926 to 1953. "Hyman and Son" was the name of the store from 1953 to its closing in 1971.
A northern branch was opened at 1032 Eglinton Avenue West (Bathurst and Eglinton). It was owned and managed by Ruth Warner and Gurion Hyman
Gurion Hyman
Gurion Joseph Hyman – Canadian Jewish Anthropologist, Linguist, Pharmacist, Composer, Artist, and Translator. Primary contributions have been liturgical compositions for the Passover Haggadah and Sabbath prayer service, translations into English as well as the setting to music of several...
from 1953 to 1962.