Rebbetzin (rabbi’s wife) Taube Kaplan (ca. 1856-1940), a Russian immigrant, was instrumental in the foundation of the Montreal Hebrew Maternity Hospital. In the 1910s, Montreal’s infant mortality rate was among the highest in the world: more than one in five children died before the age of 1. The situation was especially dire in the impoverished neighbourhoods that were home to many of the city’s Jewish immigrants. In 1914, Kaplan proposed the creation of a hospital providing prenatal and postpartum care for young Jewish women. In response to the massive immigration of mostly destitute Eastern European Jews, Kaplan sought to provide services for mothers otherwise unable to afford it. The hospital was created specifically for Jewish women and served kosher food.
Taube Kaplan achieved a feat that would be almost unthinkable today, canvassing door-to-door for years to raise funds for the construction of the Montreal Hebrew Maternity Hospital. The individual donations she collected financed the purchase of a building on Cadieux Street (today Rue De Bullion) for conversion into a hospital. With the support of several influential individuals, among them a group of physicians headed by Dr. J. R. Goodall, the project was completed in 1916.
Taube Kaplan was a pioneer in the area of Jewish hospital services at a time when none were available in Montreal. Her actions led to the creation of a precursor institution to the Jewish General Hospital. She also played an important role with regard to the position of Jewish women in society. While women in general were only just beginning to become involved in public matters and institutions, such participation was even less common in Kaplan’s Orthodox community. A woman of modest origins who taught Hebrew and religion several hours a week to supplement her husband’s meagre income, Kaplan consistently refused recognition for her efforts. Thus, for instance, she declined the honour of having a ward named after her in the future Montreal Jewish General Hospital.
Compiled by Valérie Beauchemin, translated by Helge Dascher.
Sources
Baumel Joseph, Norma. “A Portrait of Jewish Life: Jewish Women in Canada: An Evolving Role.” From Immigration to Integration, the Canadian Jewish Experience: A Millenium Edition. Institute for International Affairs B’nai Brith Canada. 2000. Online.
King, Joe. Fabled City : The Jews of Montreal. Montreal: Éditions Price-Patterson Ltd., 2009.
King, Joe. Les Juifs de Montreal: Trois siècles de parcours exceptionnels. Outremont Les Éditions Carte Blanche, 2002.
Wright, Alexander. Our Tribute Everlasting: 50th anniversary, Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital, 1934-1984. Montreal: The Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital, 1984.
*Images are courtesy of the Jewish General Hospital Archives and the CJCCCNA.
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