90th anniversary flashback: The Jewish General Hospital is inaugurated
With the arrival of the JGH’s 90th anniversary on October 8, JGH News looks back at that momentous opening day, as well as some glimpses of the hospital’s earliest era:
- The inauguration of the Jewish General Hospital in 1934
- Memories of a witness to the hospital’s dedication ceremony
- The first patient to be admitted to the JGH
- Feeding patients with food grown by the hospital
All of the anniversary items that have been published so far can be found in the JGH News archive.
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Coverage of the opening of the JGH in the Montreal Star.
La Presse devoted a considerable amount of space to the launch of the JGH.
When the Jewish General Hospital opened on October 8, 1934, the grand ceremony was widely covered by the French and English press.
Lord Bessborough, the Governor‑General of Canada, who had broken the ground for construction of the JGH in 1931, returned in 1934 for the official opening, where he told the audience:
Today an ornament to its city, a notable addition to that city’s social services, the Jewish General Hospital stands up fully equipped and fully staffed. It is more than that, too. It is a monument to that spirit of charity toward your fellow men which has always been the characteristic of Jewry throughout the world.
I hope that this may be the beginning of a long and fruitful chapter in the history of that never-ending struggle which men of all races and all creeds are called upon to wage against sickness and suffering throughout the world.
The proceedings were concluded by Montreal Mayor Camilien Houde, who expressed his gratitude in unambiguous terms:
If there is one lesson, more than any other, which we have to learn from the Jewish community in Montreal, it is that of solidarity and community effort. Down through the ages, the Jewish people, for the most part in hardship and in bitterness of spirit, have survived as a race because they have known how to help those of their fellow-nationals who have been in trouble, in poverty and in illness.
Montreal is facing problems of great moment. The calls on us are endless. The destitute have never stood more in need of help. For your initiative in financing and erecting this magnificent hospital, all of Montreal should be grateful to you.
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A witness to history recalls the realization of a dream
Cover and agenda page from the commemorative program booklet that was distributed at the ceremony to open the JGH on October 8, 1934.
Bernard J. Finestone, Past President of the JGH.
In fall 2009, JGH News marked the hospital’s 75th anniversary by publishing the reminiscences of HCol Bernard J. Finestone, CD, CdeG, (Ret’d), a Past President of the hospital:
On October 8, 1934, at the age of 14, I was among the thousands who lined Côte Sainte‑Catherine Road. The inauguration of a hospital, especially in the dark years of the Depression, was an event of great significance. That’s why so many dignitaries were expected, including the Governor General of Canada, Lord Bessborough.
The organizers decided the Governor General ought to have a guard of honour. So my friends and I—a Boy Scout troop from Congregation Shaar Hashomayim—were recruited.
You could feel pride in the air, because a magnificent building had been erected by the Jewish community. Since many of the spectators were unemployed due to the Depression, they flocked to this event to have their spirits lifted by the good news and the renowned speakers.
Over the next two hours, it was clear that everyone, even youngsters like us, understood what the Jewish General Hospital meant. What a grand occasion!
Special admission card that was issued to dignitaries seated on the main platform at the ceremony to open the JGH.
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First patient is admitted to the hospital
On October 15, 1934, one week after the JGH officially opened, Dr. A. O. Freedman—grandfather of the JGH Foundation’s current President and CEO, Bram Freedman—admitted the first patient to the hospital.
According to materials in the JGH Archives, the married, 37-year-old woman (whose identifying information has been blacked out in the photo) was born in Romania and had been living in Montreal for 18 years. She was admitted through the Department of Otolaryngology and was hospitalized for two days.
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Health care and … farming
In the 1930s, the JGH used the extra land around the hospital to grow its own vegetables, which were often harvested using horses and a wagon. Not only was money saved in feeding patients during the Great Depression, vegetables could be preserved at their peak of freshness and then served to patients during the winter.
The JGH also used part of its western property for tennis courts (lower right in the photo) and for giving patients a place to relax on Adirondack chairs (bottom centre) while enjoying a view of Côte-Sainte-Catherine Road. (upper left).
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