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The men of the community formed a number of organizations to support Jewish activity in Saint John and to promote their Zionist ideals.The first of these was the Jewish Immigrant Aid Society formed in 1896 and which was initially formed of recent immigrants. Their mandate was to assist the immigrants who followed them from Eastern Europe with food, lodging, employment and translation services for the immigration officials. By the 1920s, the organization in Saint John had become part of the Jewish Immigrant Aid Services with its headquarters in Montreal. Most of the work for the organization focused on the winter months when inland ports were blocked by ice.
Contributions to the Jewish National Fund were initially collected in individual homes in the 1930s. By the late 1950s the men of the community began to organize fundraising dinners at the Admiral Beatty Hotel to raise funds for this organization. At each of the dinners a prominent member of the community was honoured and special guest speakers were brought to the city.
Additional support for the development of Israel came through the State of Israel Bonds. Bonds were pledged and annual dinners were held. The women of the community were involved in these affairs as well, although their efforts were considered under a separate section.
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State of Israel Bonds Dinner1960s
Saint John, New Brunswick
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Women's Committee - Israel BondsSaint John, New Brunswick
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State of Israel Bonds Dinner1960s
Saint John, New Brunswick
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Sate of Israel Bonds Dinner1960s
Saint John, New Brunswick
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State of Israel Bonds Dinner1960s
Saint John, New Brunswick
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Lesser support was given to the Canadian Jewish Congress which held a national conference in Saint John in the 1930s and supported a Servicemen's Centre in the city during the Second World War.8
Canadian Jewish Congress Meeting1940s
Saint John, New Brunswick
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There was also a branch of the B'nai B'rith began with a charter banquet at the Admiral Beatty Hotel in 1954 and lasted for about a decade. The first president was Mitchell Franklin. Annual picnics were held at Franklin Farms.10
B'nai B'rith group1961
Saint John, New Brunswick
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More than sixty members of the Saint John Jewish community enlisted in the armed services between 1939 and 1945. Most would have participated in activities for veterans in the years after the war, particularly participation in annual Remembrance Day ceremonies in Kings Square and in the Synagogue. The Jewish War Veterans of Canada was formed in _____ and an Atlantic Post was established as well. Led by Gar Meltzer of Saint John, these men and women held annual meetings and met the concerns of Jewish vets.12
Remembrance Day ceremony - David Lubin1980s
Saint John, New Brunswick
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Jewish War Veterans of Canada1980s
Bains Corner, New Brunswick
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In the 1950s, Dr. Moses Polowin organized the Jewish Community Players. The members of this organization presented plays in the social hall of the synagogue during the first half of the 1950s. A stage was constructed and sell out shows were frequent events. Some plays presented Jewish themes, but others were classics. Community members of all ages participated, some performing on stage for the first time in their lives. |
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