Ben Zion Hyman
Ben Zion Hyman | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Mazyr, Belarus |
| Died | July 17, 1984 (aged 92) |
| Occupation | Bookseller |
| Known for | Founder of Hyman's Book and Art Shoppe; founder of Toronto Jewish Public Library |
Ben Zion Hyman (October 22, 1891 – July 17, 1984) was a prominent Canadian Jewish bookseller. Originally from Mazyr, currently part of Belarus, Hyman completed his studies at the Odessa Polytechnical Institute and subsequently obtained an electrical engineering degree from the University of Toronto after relocating to Canada. In 1926, together with his wife Fannie (née Konstantynowski), he launched Toronto's foremost Jewish bookstore, Hyman's Book and Art Shoppe—later known as Hyman's Booksellers and Hyman & Son—situated at 412 Spadina Avenue. Their son, Gurion Hyman, opened an additional location in 1953 at 1032 Eglinton Avenue West, serving the Cedarvale/Forest Hill neighborhood of Toronto. The original Spadina Avenue store ceased operations in the early 1970s following Fannie's passing.
Hyman played a significant role in various Jewish organizations, holding positions such as founder, president, or active member in groups including Hadassah, JIAS, Toronto Zionist Council, Toronto JNF, Keren Hatarbut, Poale Zion, and Farband. He was chosen as a delegate to the inaugural Canadian Jewish Congress in 1919 and was responsible for founding the Toronto Jewish Public Library in 1941.