18 - Transformation & the Labour Lyceum

1 sound

The Labour Lyceum was founded in 1913. It served as an important social and political hub for the Jewish immigrant community, including political groups, socialists, anarchists, and labour activists who would gather and strategize how to improve working conditions and ensure shorter work days. In the early 1970s, “The Canadian Jewish News” announced that the Labor Lyceum was being replaced by a Chinese restaurant. In their article, they said that no building was more important to Jewish workers than the Lyceum. The Lyceum moved to a building on Cecil Street, which is now the United Steelworkers Hall. Recently, 346 Spadina Ave had dramatic architectural changes, and the building looks much more like a generic condo. By looking at it, you would never know the history it holds!

Look for a QR Code that can show you how this historic building transformed over time!

This piece was written by Winchevsky Grades 2-3 teacher Miriam Brookman.

The Winchevsky Kensington Market Tour

Note: You have to be on-location at Kensington Market to hear this soundwalk. Kensington Market was historically one of the most multicultural neighborhoods in Toronto. In the 1920s and 1930s, however, so many Jewish immigrants moved to the Market that it became known as "the Jewish Market". This was the third centre of Jewish life in Toronto, after the East End and The Ward, where today Nathan Phillips Square stands. When they moved into the Market, Jewish immigrants created many communities, congregations, and social centres. They opened dozens of shops from groceries to butcheries, tailors and textiles, and often sold goods imported from Eastern Europe, from which many of them came. At the height of Jewish life in Kensington Market, it became home to about 60,000 Jews and served as the centre of Jewish political, religious, and economic life in the city. It was then that secular Jews came together to form the United Jewish People's Order, an organization that represents secular Jews in Canada to this day. The UJPO's Morris Winchevsky school is also home to the city's Jewish students who learn about the four thousand year Jewish civilization from a secular perspective, focused on Social Justice. In 2021 Winchevsky's teachers created this soundwalk about some of Kensington Market's Jewish history. Special thanks to the MWS educators Sharoni Sibony, Lainie Basman, Miriam Brookman, Iris Benedikt, and Tal R. for writing and narrative this soundwalk. Sound editing by MWS Education Director Lia Tarachansky.

free

18 - Transformation & the Labour Lyceum

Part of this walk

The Winchevsky Kensington Market Tour

Get in touch

Echoes creative apps

Echoes labs

About us