A Rich History

The Montefiore Club is rich in history and tradition. The Club was founded in 1880 by 11 young men ranging in age from 15 to 23. The idea had originated from a parent of one of these men to form a Jewish social club. Almost immediately, the Club was open to women as well.

The importance of Jewish community involvement began with the selection of a name. Sir Moses Montefiore retired from business at the age of 40 and devoted the remainder of his life (he lived to 101) to the interests of the Jewish people. In addition to philanthropy, he spent much of his time convincing European political leaders to be kinder to Jewish people. He was so touched by the request to use his name for the Club, that he sent a ten pound sterling note, which is still on display in the Club entrance.

At first the Club rented rooms at various locations, later renting an entire small building until 1906, when the current building was constructed. Members share a common bond of charitable, social and civic responsibility.

Leaders of the Montreal Jewish community have been Club members for generations. Some important events in the Club's history:

• In 1918 a fire erupted across the street at the Convent of the Grey nuns, where the nuns cared for infants and other sick people. The Club immediately made all its facilities available to the Nuns and the helpless people who were in their care.
• In the early 1900s the Club transformed from a social club to a focus of leadership in the Montreal Jewish community. Large numbers of poor Jewish immigrants arrived from Russia and other parts of Europe. The leaders of the Club saw it as the Club’s responsibility to take a leadership role in helping them integrate into the Community.
• Since 1919, the Club's facilities have been used as a meeting place for dozens of Jewish communal organizations.
• The concept and planning for the Jewish General Hospital was developed at the Montefiore Club by a committee consisting almost exclusively of Club members.
• For many years, the leaders of the Club constituted the leadership of the Baron de Hirsch Institute.
• Federation CJA was formed in 1915 by 20 Montreal Jews, of whom 18 were Montefiore members (4 of whom were past presidents).
• Federation’s annual campaign dinners from 1916 onwards were always held at the Club until the 1950s when attendance outgrew our facilities.
• Montefiore members usually led the Canadian Jewish Congress from its inception in 1919.
• The idea of forming a Jewish golf course originated at the Montefiore, resulting in the establishment of Elm Ridge.
• It was at a dinner at the Club in 1926 that our member, Sir Mortimer Davis, announced his donation that would create the new building for the YMHA.
• During the Six-Day War, the leaders of the Canadian Jewish Community gathered at the Montefiore Club and, that afternoon, raised $13 million to help Israel.