Can someone tell me about Jews of British Columbia?

Question

Can someone tell me about Jews of British Columbia?

Answer 1

The first recorded Jewish arrival was 21 year old Francis Joseph (Frank) Sylvester.  The Jewish population of the territory, 50 in 1858, increased to 242 within five years.  Later, when the Gold Rush that brought them here waned, this number dropped to 90.  Many had come from Germany or England, and to a lesser extent Eastern Europe.  They had traveled first to the United States, some chased by political unrest in their  homelands. In the "New World", economic opportunity drew them from  California up into Canada.

The first organized act of the Jewish community in Victoria was said to be a collection ($185) to help the Jews of Morocco. In the first year of their arrival, 1858, Jewish religious services took place observing the High Holy Days. Sabbath services were held in a private home on Johnson Street Within a year, the Victoria Hebrew Benevolent Society was established, the first formal Jewish organization in western Canada. Its goals were to provide relief to the Jewish poor and to purchase land for a cemetery.

The consecration of the Jewish Cemetery - still in use today - took place in 1860, with the first burial the following year. The Benevolent Society then focussed its attention on erecting a synagogue. A religious congregation was formed and held its first official meeting in August, 1862. Ten months later, on 3 June 1863, the cornerstone was laid in a moving ceremony  participated in by many city officials and groups. The synagogue building was consecrated that September by Rev. Dr. Morris R. Cohen, first rabbi of the Victoria congregation.

BC's early Jewish citizens were venturesome, trying many careers before finding success. In Victoria, most Jewish businesses were near the wharf area. Many were registered as clothing and dry goods merchants, with several substantial wholesale operations amongst them. The rest were in a range of small businesses, such as grocers and provisioners, auctioneers, land agents, owners of hotels, saloons and restaurants. A very few were furriers and manufacturers.  In the outlying areas of the territory, Jews became miners, traders, and in the case of the Oppenheimer Brothers, provisioners and road builders.

http://www.jewishmuseum.ca/timeline/Page...

Jews also immigrated to British Columbia from other countries. The greatest proportion have come from the United States, but relatively large numbers have also come from: the Former Soviet Union, especially from Russia; Hungary following the 1956 Revolt; South Africa; Israel; Western Europe; and most recently, the Balkan States. Although not yet well documented, a number have come from Central and South America.

http://www.jewishmuseum.ca/timeline/Page...

The Jewish community in British Columbia consists of over 28,000 people spread throughout 125 cities, towns, districts and villages.  The Jewish community of Vancouver continues to undergo a profound demographic transformation. In the past two decades, its population has increased by 130 per cent. In the last ten years alone, it has grown by more than 30 per cent and become Canada’s third largest Jewish population centre.

http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:6KP...

Vancouver is now the third largest Jewish community in Canada, larger than Winnipeg, which for a long period was the "capital" of the Jewish west. Until recently, Vancouver was the fastest growing Jewish community in Canada.

Synagogues

http://www.kosherdelight.com/CanadaBriti...