Joseph Tanenbaum came to prominence in the business world as a master bridge builder, but his true legacy was built on his immense philanthropic endeavors that continue to shape the Jewish world both in Canada and abroad to this very day. Born in a Polish stettle in 1906, Mr. Tanenbaum moved to Canada in 1911 along with his parents Chippa Sura and Avraham Tanenbaum. The family settled in Toronto where Mr. Tanenbaum Sr. collected scrap metal until he was able to open his own salvage yard which he named Runnymede Steel after the street that it was situated on. Joseph left school at the age of 12 to help his father support the family, finally taking over the operation in 1951 at the age of 45. From scrap metal, to steel fabrication, and ultimately real estate, Mr. Tanenbaum used his inventiveness, legendary hard work, and business acumen to build a business empire that has had an undeniable impact on the Sothern Ontario landscape, but more importantly on the entire Jewish world.

Joseph's wife Faye (Sager), who he married in 1922 was full partner in his success, and together they had three children: Wayne, Frances (Mandell), and Estherelke (Kaplan). The family that they built together continues to follow in their charitable footsteps, and in many cases supporting some of the same Jewish institutions that Joseph and Faye established so many years ago.

A modest man, who never flaunted his wealth and success, Joseph explained that his philanthropy was what ultimately drove him. Since he never received much formal Jewish education himself, Joseph always felt that it was his mission and privilege to provide one for others. Through the Joseph and Faye Tanenbaum Charitable Foundation, that legacy continues to this very day and includes the Albert and Temmy Latner Forest Hill Jewish Centre.

Though they passed away decades before our brand new building was ever built, the project that we are celebrating this evening would not have been possible without Joseph and Faye Tanenbaum, a power couple who continue to change lives across the Jewish world every day. As Hanoch Teller writes in his book about the life of Joseph Tanenbaum, a builder of bridges of steel now stands as a builder of bridges to Torah.