Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
- Sylvan Adams YM-YWHA
- YM-YWHA
- YMHA
- YWHA
- JCC
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
History
The Young Men’s Hebrew Association (YMHA) and the Young Women’s Hebrew Association (YWHA) were both founded in 1910 to serve the “social, cultural, recreational, physical and intellectual needs” of the Jewish community in Montreal, to quote the Y’s Mission Statement. This community centre has had many locations over the years, including buildings on St. Urbain, Mount Royal and the current location on Westbury Avenue, also known as the Snowdon Y. A second location was opened in Pierrefonds to serve members living in the West Island area. The YMHA and YWHA were amalgamated in 1950 when the new branch opened on Westbury. The YM-YWHA as a recreational organization offers diverse programming and facilities including gyms, a swimming pool, and sports such as wrestling, tennis and baseball. The YM-YWHA also offered musical programs, such as the singing Minstrels and an orchestra, as well as clubs, such as the Duplicate Bridge Club and Public Speaking Club. Tournaments were frequently put on during the Y’s history both for clubs and sporting events. Several education initiatives have taken place as well, including an Evening High School, Friday night lectures for adults and the participation of Montreal Jewish literary legends such as A.M. Klein, who gave lectures and presentations to Y members. Summer day camps have also been an integral part of the Y’s programming, including the popular Y Urban Camp, which began during the 1930s. Over the past 100 years the Y has served as a gathering place for the Montreal Jewish Community, meeting the needs of their members from all walks of life, whether it is immigrants, working-class citizens, or professionals.
The 'Y's locations in Montreal were: 54 Ontario Street West (January 1910), 52 Ontario Street West (May 1910), 492 St. Urbain Street (May 1912), 283 Sherbrooke St. West (May 1916), 697 St. Urbain Street (April 1920), 265 Mount Royal Avenue (1928) and currently 5400 Westbury Avenue (Ben Weider JCC) and 13101 Gouin Blvd., Pierrefonds (West Island JCC).