The next service on Friday, Feb 8th at 7:30pm has been canceled.
Check out the Calendar page for a list of 2018 & 2019 services and events.
Congregation Beth Jacob, Unaffiliated
Established in the early 1900s and with its synagogue built in 1945, this friendly congregation welcomes all visitors and newcomers to Sault Ste. Marie. Although the Congregation is unaffiliated, Conservative prayer books are used and all services are egalitarian. Services are held for the High Holy Days and monthly from September through May. Additionally
there are activities and social events for other holidays during the year. Beth Jacob Hebrew School meets once a week.
Please contact us for dates and times, info@bethjacobssm.ca
A Brief History
From the turn of the 20th century the Jewish community added considerably to the rich and vibrant ethnic diversity of Sault Ste. Marie.
The Federal Bureau of Statistics (now StatsCan) reported that in 1901 there were 8 Jews in Sault Ste. Marie. By 1911,there were 80. The Jewish population hovered in the 90 to 120 range but by 1962 there were 142 and the community was perhaps at its peak in terms of population and activity.
The Sault Ste. Marie Jewish Community has always been an International community with the two Sault Ste. Marie's
separated by the St. Mary's River. When the first Jews arrived in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, the Soo on the Michigan side
of the river was the larger and more prosperous city. The Jews of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan had a close relationship with
their friends on the Canadian side. A Synagogue was never built on the Michigan side of the River, so those wishing to
attend Services or social events where always welcome on the Canadian side. American members of Congregation Beth
Jacob were instrumental in helping to build and maintain the community.
“In the early years Services were held above stores on Queen Street.......Prior to the 1940's there were actually two
different locations where services were held. Past stories talked about the fierce but friendly competition among the
businessmen in the Community; maybe that was the reason there were two congregations? Other theories involved
differences in Religious affiliation, or simply different friends grouped together. Whatever the true story of the original two
meeting places for Services, by the 1940's it became apparent that for the community to survive, these two groups
needed to bond together to form one Synagogue. The Sault’s only synagogue opened in1946 and continues to operate to
this day. The Synagogue to become what we know today as Congregation Beth Jacob would become the heart and soul
of the Sault Ste. Marie Jewish Community.”
There were a few members that served in the First World War and there were many more that served with the Canadian Military during the Second World War.
The 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s saw many businesses opened by members of the Jewish community. They were (to name a few):
Traders Metal-Cohen
Allen’s Ladies Wear-Torgov
Algoma Hotel-Cohen
Friedman’s Department Store-
Davis Clothing-Davis
Bernard Shoes-Garshowitz
Bregman’s Furniture-Bregman
Con-Ell Furs-Kates
Fishman’s Men’s Wear-Fishman
Hub Clothing-Basest
Richardson’s Ladies Wear-Richardson
Kleiman’s Sport Store-Kleiman
Algoma Bakery-Wiseman
Haft’s Furniture-Haft
Daiter’s Cleaners-Daiter
Bert’s Auto Supply-Segal
The men and women of the Jewish community were highly committed to the city and volunteered long hours to help develop the many service clubs and institutions we now take for granted. Many men belonged to Legion, Kiwanis, Rotary, Masons, Shriners, Oddfellows. The women joined Rebekah’s, Legion and Hadassah-WIZO. They sat on community boards and help fund raise to better the whole of Sault Ste. Marie.
The Jewish community today is smaller in numbers. Many of the founders have passed on, and many of
the next generations have moved to larger centers. But the community, though small, remains vibrant and active.
