Ben Zion Hyman

Ben Zion Hyman

Ben Zion and Fannie Hyman, circa 1932
Born October 22, 1891
Mazyr, Belarus
Education Odessa Polytechnical Institute, University of Toronto
Occupation Engineer, Teacher, Bookseller
Spouse(s) Fannie (nee Konstantynowski)
Children Gurion Hyman (1925)
Parent(s) Rev. Mendel and Bella Hyman

Ben Zion Hyman (1891 - 1984) was a Canadian Jewish bookseller. Originally from Mazyr in what is now Belarus, Hyman graduated from the Odessa Polytechnical Institute. After coming to Canada (settling first in Guelph, Ontario), he graduated in electrical engineering from the University of Toronto. Hyman and his wife, Fannie (née Konstantynowski), (in Polish, Fela; in Yiddish, Faigel), opened Jewish Toronto's most prominent book store, Hyman's Book and Art Shoppe (later known as Hyman's Booksellers, and still later known as Hyman & Son) at 412 Spadina Avenue in 1926.

During his life, Hyman was active as a member, founder and/or president of a number of organizations. These included: Hadassah, JIAS, Toronto Zionist Council, Toronto JNF, Keren Hatarbut, Poale Zion, and Farband. Hyman was an elected delegate to the first Canadian Jewish Congress in 1919. He also founded the Toronto Jewish Public Library in 1941. In 1953, his son Gurion Hyman opened a branch at 1032 Eglinton Avenue West in the Cedarvale/Forest Hill area of Toronto.

Hyman closed the store in the early 1970s after the death of his wife.

References

  1. Speisman, Stephen. The Jews of Toronto. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1979
See also: Hyman
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