Toronto Hebrew Memorial Parks Explained

Toronto Hebrew Memorial Parks operates two Jewish cemeteries in York Region, north of Toronto. THMP is a not-for-profit, community-owned agency, based in Toronto at the Prosserman Jewish Community Centre. What became THMP was first conceived of by lawyer and Temple Sinai president Sidney Freedman in 1965 when he saw the need for a community-run cemetery. In 1970, he purchased the property that would become Pardes Shalom and began the process of rezoning the land for use as a cemetery.^{[1] [2]} In 1972, he founded Toronto Hebrew Memorial Parks, gifting the land to the community.^{[3] [1]}

THMP operates the two largest Jewish burial grounds in the Greater Toronto Area, Pardes Shalom and Pardes Chaim.^[4]

Pardes Shalom Cemetery

Pardes Shalom (43.8856°N -79.4883°W) opened in 1977 and is a resting place for over 30,000 on an 89acres site in Vaughan, Ontario, on Dufferin Street, north of Major Mackenzie Drive.^[5]

Notable burials

• Corey Haim^[6]
• Harvey Atkin^[7]
• Al Waxman^[8]
• Harry Rasky
• Marvin Goldhar
• Phyllis Gotlieb
• Bluma Appel

Pardes Chaim Cemetery

Pardes Chaim (43.9108°N -79.4783°W) opened in 2010 north of Toronto in Vaughan, Ontario, on Bathurst Street, north of Elgin Mills Road.^[9] The newer site will be able to accommodate between 70,000 and 90,000 burial plots over 200 acres (81 ha).^[1]

Notable burials

• Marvin Elkind^[10]
• Max Haines^[11]
• Cayle Chernin^[12]

External links

• Toronto Hebrew Memorial Parks

Notes and References

1. News: Pardes Chaim officially opens to community . November 14, 2024 . Canadian Jewish News . October 27, 2010.
2. Web site: Sidney Freedman . Ontario Jewish Archives . Ontario Jewish Archives . November 14, 2024.
3. Web site: About Us . Toronto Hebrew Memorial Parks . THMP . November 14, 2024.
4. News: Kraft . Frances . New cemetery for interfaith couples opens in the GTA . November 14, 2024 . Canadian Jewish News . May 3, 2018.
5. Web site: Pardes Shalom Cemetery .
6. News: Corey Haim’s mom opens up about son’s snubs, tributes to Cory Monteith . November 12, 2024 . Global News . October 4, 2013.
7. Web site: Elliot Harvey Atkin . Steeles Memorial Chapel . November 12, 2024.
8. https://www.legacy.com/ca/obituaries/theglobeandmail/name/al-waxman-obituary?id=41859741
9. Web site: Pardes Chaim Cemetery .
10. News: Chauffeur to mobsters, friend to Muhammad Ali, and Canada's most prolific police informant: Marvin 'The Weasel' Elkind dead at 89 . November 12, 2024 . National Post . January 25, 2024.
11. https://www.legacy.com/ca/obituaries/thestar/name/max-haines-obituary?id=42129336
12. https://www.legacy.com/ca/obituaries/thestar/name/cayle-chernin-obituary?id=44856856