This is an extraordinary story of silversmithing and philanthropy, one that is impossible to imagine without Aaron and Bertha Rosenthal. In Ottawa, the name Rosenthal was once synonymous with silver, and Aaron himself was known as “Ottawa’s Silversmith.” Learn more about the role of this Jewish couple and their success in Ottawa Ski.
The Silver Craft
This was a true art form involving the creation of items from silver or silver alloys. To become a master silversmith required patience, skill, and creativity—qualities that were hard to cultivate all at once.
Readers may find it intriguing that Ottawa was once home to a highly renowned silversmith. In the late 19th century, Ottawa welcomed two German immigrants into its small Jewish community: Aaron and Bertha Rosenthal. At that time, Ottawa’s Jewish population numbered only around 20 people.
Who Was Aaron Rosenthal?
Aaron Rosenthal’s journey began in a small Polish town. Over time, he trained to become an experienced jeweler and silversmith. As a young man, he left his hometown and traveled to India before eventually making his way to Sri Lanka, which was rich in gemstone and mineral markets. He spent most of his teenage years far from home.
After moving to Australia during the gold rush of 1859, Aaron opened a jewelry shop in Melbourne. It was there that he met the love of his life.
The Rosenthal Family’s Life Together
In the late 1860s, Bertha Lehman (her maiden name) visited Australia with her family. It was then that she met the young and ambitious jewelry merchant. They quickly fell in love and married in Austria before deciding to start fresh in England.
New opportunities soon arose, prompting the couple to move to Montreal, and in 1878, they relocated to Ottawa. This turned out to be their best decision, as Ottawa became their home. They opened a jewelry store on Sparks Street, investing all their savings into the construction of a new building. The Birks Building, located on Sparks Street, was eventually owned by the federal government. It was the tallest building in Ottawa at the time and served as both a business and residence for the Rosenthal family.
A Famous Store in Ottawa
Aaron’s silverware was sold in this store and was incredibly popular among Ottawa residents. Canadian families desired to own his silverware.
Aaron’s sons joined the jewelry business, which became known as A. Rosenthal and Sons Ltd. It was located in the heart of Ottawa’s business district. Even after Aaron’s passing in 1909, the business continued to thrive under his children’s management. Eventually, in 1945, the jewelry giant Birks purchased the historic building.
The Sons and Their Success
The Rosenthal family was incredibly well-known in Ottawa. Interestingly, four of Aaron’s sons joined the family business. The couple had five sons in total. The affluent Rosenthal family also supported sports. The entire family was athletic—Martin and his older brothers, Harry and Samuel, played hockey at a near-professional level. Samuel Rosenthal became a local sports hero and was the first Jewish person to hold a municipal office in Ottawa. He served four terms before being re-elected in 1921. Samuel also later served as a magistrate.
Over time, Martin Rosenthal managed the Ottawa hockey team known as the “Silver Seven.” Tickets for their games were often sold through the Rosenthal business, and during Stanley Cup events, the trophy was displayed in the store’s window.
Remarkably, the building in Ottawa still stands today.
It is also worth mentioning that Martin Rosenthal, despite being Jewish, married outside his faith in 1905 in Toronto. He is buried at Beechwood Cemetery. Over time, Martin’s ties to the Jewish community waned. After his marriage to Mary, their family grew with the birth of their children Lionel, Phyllis, and Malcolm.
Bertha Rosenthal passed away in 1922 due to pneumonia. Her life revolved around establishing and supporting Ottawa’s Jewish community. She found great fulfillment in her philanthropic work. Thanks to the Rosenthal family’s efforts, Ottawa’s Jewish community gained closer ties with Canadian and British imperial communities.
Founders of Ottawa’s Jewish Community
The Rosenthal family is credited as one of its key founders. Between 1881 and 1901, Ottawa’s Jewish population grew fourfold—from about 20 to nearly 500 people. The Rosenthal and Bielski families played a crucial role in assisting new Jewish immigrants. Together, they organized a prayer group for Jewish holidays. When the number of newcomers became too large, they helped establish a synagogue.
While Aaron Rosenthal focused on business affairs, Bertha was the driving force behind charitable initiatives. Here are some key philanthropic efforts led by Bertha Rosenthal:
- She founded the Ottawa Hebrew Ladies’ Aid Society, the city’s first organization dedicated to welcoming new Jewish immigrants. Many Jewish newcomers arrived in poverty and relied on the society’s help. The group operated independently, raising funds through local donations and initiatives such as selling a cookbook of traditional Jewish recipes. Many of these recipes are still used by the community today.
- Bertha became president of the “Ottawa Hebrew Ladies Sewing Circle,” which provided warm clothing for impoverished residents.
- She provided financial and physical assistance to the Perley Home for the Incurables and the Ottawa General Hospital.
- During World War I, she organized a sewing group under the Canadian Red Cross to support soldiers’ families, set up a veterans’ lounge, and raised funds for war-related causes. This initiative later evolved into the Disraeli Chapter of the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire, which continued supporting war orphans until the last child completed school at Ottawa Technical School.
The Rosenthal Family and Ottawa
Through their generosity, selflessness, and charitable work, Bertha Rosenthal helped not only Ottawa’s Jewish community but also the city’s general population. The Rosenthal family’s contributions laid the foundation for future generations of Jewish immigrants to call Ottawa home. Aaron, through his business acumen and ingenuity, built a thriving enterprise and set an example for other entrepreneurs, while Bertha dedicated herself to easing the suffering of those in need.
Overall, the Rosenthal family played a pivotal role in making life in Ottawa better for all.