21
Sixth page of program for Sisterhood presentation of Overlaid and South Persia, March 23, 195223 March 1952
Carleton Street, Saint John, New Brunswick
22
Seventh page of program for Sisterhood presentation of Overlaid and South Persia, March 23, 195223 March 1952
Carleton Street, Saint John, New Brunswick
23
Eighth page of program for Sisterhood presentation of Overlaid and South Persia, March 23, 195223 March 1952
Carleton Street, Saint John, New Brunswick
24
Ninth page of program for Sisterhood presentation of Overlaid and South Persia, March 23, 195223 March 1952
Carleton Street, Saint John, New Brunswick
25
Certificate of honour presented to the Shaarei Zedek Sisterhood.13 May 1980
unknown
26
Though the Saint John Jewish community had been Orthodox since its inception, it was first suggested to the Sisterhood by Mrs. Guskin Levi of Fredericton in 1944 that they affiliate with the Conservative United Synagogues of America. The Sisterhood joined the Women's League for Conservative Judaism in 1947-1948. In 1952, president Rose Freedman wanted to find out if they could join an Orthodox women's organization. Questions were raised why they needed to change organizations after belonging to the League for five years. The decision was made to remain with the Conservative organization. Rose Freedman was appointed a regional vice-president of the Women's League's Eastern Canadian Branch in 1955.Despite continued concerns about Orthodox women belonging to a Conservative group, the Sisterhood retained its membership. A September 1957 visit by National President, Mrs. Louis Sussman of New York, who conducted a leadership training course, seemed to solidify the Sisterhood in the League. The Sisterhood presaged the eventual joining of Congregation Shaarei Zedek with the Conservative movement in 1959-1960. The Sisterhood has left and rejoined the Women's League a number of times. Since the Women's League is so centred in the United States and central Canada, it has been felt that the League has not been able to give them all they wanted in terms of support and useful programs for a smaller, Canadian community.
27
Combined Sisterhood Hadassah meeting1980
Saint John, New Brunswick
28
Joint meetings with the members of the Hadassah-Wizo were held as far back as the 1960's, but a shrinking membership base and the fact that most women belonged to both organizations meant that joint meetings became the norm by 1978.29
Combined Sisterhood Hadassah meeting1980
Saint John, New Brunswick
30
Jewish Home Beautiful Pageant1940
Carleton Street, Saint John, New Brunswick
31
The Sisterhood continues to serve the Jewish community and the city in general. The Sisterhood attempted to bring greater understanding of the Jewish way of life to those of other faiths through outreach projects such as a presentation of a pageant "The Jewish Home Beautiful" in the 1940s in the vestry room of the synagogue and a a holiday demonstration held at Trinity Anglican Church in 1988. More recently, a number of senior Sisterhood ladies organized education sessions for the younger or intermarried women in the community to teach them Jewish holiday customs.32
Outreach Program on Jewish hlolidays presented at Trinity Anglican Church, Saint John1988
Saint John, New Brunswick
33
Chanukah Dinner Preparations in the kitchen of the Shaarei Zedek Synagogue1995
Carleton Street, Saint John, New Brunswick
34
Today the remaining active members of the Sisterhood devote themselves to preparing two small community dinners each year and ensuring that sweets are made for kiddushes held after each Sabbath morning service. |
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