CLASS SCHEDULE
January 11, 6:00pm-7:30pm
January 18, 6:00pm-7:30pm
January 25, 6:00pm-7:30pm
February 1, 6:00pm-7:30pm
COST
$120. ACJS members are eligible for a 10% discount. Become a member, save your discount code, then return here to continue registration. Already a member? Please contact membership@canadianjewishstudies.ca.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
From crowded immigrant neighbourhoods in The Ward to the vibrant and diverse Jewish communities across the Greater Toronto Area today, Jewish Toronto has been shaped by more than two centuries of migration, resilience, activism, culture, and change. This course explores the people, places, and events that have influenced Jewish life in Toronto from early Jewish settlement through to the modern era, while examining how Jewish communities have also helped shape the city’s social, cultural, political, and economic development. Along the way, we’ll visit historic neighbourhoods, institutions, personalities, moments of celebration, and periods of challenge, tracing the many ways Jewish Torontonians have built community and contributed to the life of Canada’s largest city. Designed for learners with no prior background in Jewish history, the course combines historical scholarship with engaging stories, archival materials, photographs, maps, and primary sources to bring Toronto’s Jewish past to life.
Who is this course for?
Anyone curious about Toronto's history
People interested in immigration, urban history, and multiculturalism
Jewish community members looking to learn more about their local history
History enthusiasts with no previous background in Jewish studies
Lifelong learners who enjoy exploring the stories behind the city they live in
Takeaways
Develop a broad understanding of the history of Jewish Toronto from the early nineteenth century to the present
Explore how historians use archival sources, photographs, newspapers, maps, and personal stories to reconstruct the past
Understand how Jewish experiences illuminate broader themes in Canadian history, including immigration, urbanization, multiculturalism, and social change
Become familiar with the neighbourhoods, institutions, and individuals that have shaped Jewish life in Toronto
Gain a richer appreciation for how local history contributes to our understanding of the city’s past and present
COURSE INSTRUCTOR
Sterling Stutz
Sterling Stutz is a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto, where her work bridges public health, Canadian Jewish history, and Jewish studies. Her SSHRC-funded research is grounded in close collaboration with Jewish communities and explores how history, identity, and lived experience shape health, belonging, and community life. She is particularly interested in antisemitism, collective memory, and the ways historical and contemporary experiences influence wellbeing and public life in Canada. Drawing on multidisciplinary approaches, Sterling’s work connects scholarship with community priorities to support research that is both meaningful and accessible beyond the university.
All course details, including Zoom links for all class sessions, will be emailed to registered students one week prior to the first class. This class will be conducted in English.