The Saint John Jewish Historical Museum located at 91 Leinster Street is a vibrant hub of Jewish heritage, culture, and history, located in the heart of Uptown Saint John. It narrates the story of the Jewish community from its origins in 1783 to the present day.
David Gabel, the first known Jewish resident of Saint John, arrived with the Loyalists after the American Revolution in 1783. He established a butcher shop and bakery on Kings Square, raised a family, and was laid to rest in 1816 in the Old Burying Ground across from his home.
In 1858, Solomon and Alice Hart arrived with their family and are widely recognized as the founders of the Saint John Jewish community. Solomon was a successful cigar maker with a factory in the city, while Alice was a well-educated woman who taught Hebrew school children at home and managed a day nursery. She also founded the Daughters of Israel, a group dedicated to aiding the poor, needy, and new immigrants. Following the Harts were Louis Green and his family, along with brothers Abraham and Israel Isaacs, all interconnected through marriage and working as cigar makers.
Between 1892 and 1930, most Jewish families settling in Saint John hailed from Eastern Europe (Lithuania, Poland, Russia), fleeing worsening persecution. Over 200 families, primarily from Dorbian, Lithuania, and others from Russia, Poland, and Romania, made their way to the city. Initially confined to ghettos and speaking only Yiddish, these immigrants started as peddlers before opening their own shops in the north and central parts of the city.
To serve the growing community, two synagogues were established: Ahavith Achim (Brotherly Love) was dedicated in 1899 for families from England, and Hazen Avenue Synagogue opened in 1906, primarily serving the more established members, leaving Ahavith Achim to the newer Eastern European arrivals.
By 1918, cultural and linguistic divides within the community had largely been bridged, leading to the merger of the two congregations into Congregation Shaarei Zedek (Gates of Righteousness), which relocated to 76 Carleton Street. This building, originally a Calvin Presbyterian Church from the 1860s, was minimally altered after its purchase and dedication as a synagogue in 1919, reflecting the community’s Orthodox practices with separate seating for men and women.
Following World War II, a small number of Holocaust survivors arrived, with some making Saint John their permanent home due to existing family ties. The community thrived from the 1920s to the 1960s, with over 200 families, numerous Jewish businesses, and active participation in Jewish organizations like Habonim, Hadassah, and Young Judaea. Many community members served in the armed forces during World War II, and Jewish families often had summer homes in Pamdenec, enjoying recreational activities along the St. John River.
However, by the 1960s, the grandchildren of the immigrants began leaving Saint John for educational and career opportunities in larger cities, leading to a decline in the community’s numbers. By the early 2000s, fewer than 50 families remained, with few children among them.
In 2008, the community made the difficult decision to sell the Shaarei Zedek Synagogue on Carleton Street and move to a renovated former funeral home on Leinster Street. This new location, built in 1897 by Charles Peters, has a rich history and now serves as the synagogue, museum display space, and housing for the museum’s library, archives, and Hebrew School classrooms.
In 2010, a dedicated group formed to encourage Jewish immigration to Saint John, welcoming new families from Israel, other parts of Canada, and around the world, thus revitalizing the community with fresh events and traditions.
The Saint John Jewish Historical Museum was established in 1986 by Marcia Koven, who was deeply involved in community life and dedicated to preserving its history. Marcia, who returned to university later in life, began collecting documents and photographs to ensure the community’s legacy would not be forgotten, leading to the museum’s founding. She authored “Weaving the Past Into the Present” in 1989, detailing the community’s history. Marcia received numerous accolades, including the Community Service Award from the Atlantic Jewish Council, the Louis Rosenberg Award from the Canadian Jewish Historical Society, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
The museum is committed to preserving the history of the local Jewish community through a blend of permanent and rotating exhibits, engaging visitors from all over. It welcomes individuals, families, school groups, and tours, offering a unique perspective on local Jewish history through tours led by community members, providing a personal and authentic cultural experience.
Source: Saint John Jewish Historical Museum
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