The Federation of the Jewish Philanthropies of Toronto
The Federation of the Jewish Philanthropies of Toronto was first located on this site, in a house shared with a Jewish orphanage. Established in 1917 to more effectively raise and distribute funds for charitable work with Toronto's Jewish community, it organized one joint annual fundraising campaign for its affiliated organizations - including a Family Welfare Bureau, the neighbouring orphanage, and boys and girls clubs. With the funds raised, the Federation championed a more thorough assessment of need, and worked to coordinate social services within the Jewish community.
Beyond providing critical aid to many Torontonians, the Federation shaped the future of Jewish philanthropy and the Jewish community. In 1937, it was absorbed into the United Jewish Welfare Fund. Today, a vastly expanded successor organization, UJA (United Jewish Appeal) Federation of Greater Toronto, continues to organize community fundraising, and provides centralized planning and infrastructure construction for Toronto's Jewish community.
Plaque via Alan L. Brown's site Toronto Plaques. Full page here.