Vancouver Synagogues
by David Berner
Jews have always been wonderful about accommodating diversity. Why should Vancouver be different? From avant garde to Orthodox, from the most traditional to the most egalitarian and participatory, Ashkenazic, Sephardic and inventive congregations that are a creative mix of world traditions and modern needs, Greater Vancouver synagogues have it all.
Local Jewish historian Cyril Leonoff notes religious observance as early as 1887 in Mr. Zebulon Franks’ hardware store and home on Water Street. Mr. Leonoff cites a Yom Kippur service in 1892 as the first documented public service. The local press took note and led with the headline, “God’s Peculiar People.”
Vancouver’s first synagogue, built in 1911-12 on the southeast corner of Heatley Avenue and East Pender Street, was the B’Nai Yehudah (Sons of Israel). This wood-frame building was moved to the back of the lot and stuccoed over to match the new Schara Tzedeck when it was completed in 1921 at a cost of $65,000. Today that site is irreverently known as Beth Condo, since the old building became, as a part of the gentrification of the Strathcona neighborhood, a compact of privately owned apartments.
While the two great Oak Street synagogues, the Orthodox Schara Tzedeck and the Conservative Beth Israel stand within blocks of each other as public witnesses to the Jewish presence in Vancouver, synagogue life has never been more varied or vibrant in the Lower Mainland than it is today. There are fewer than 15,000 Jews but there are riches.
What do you want? Ultra-orthodox? The Heather Street Beth Hamidrash has become in its way the home of the Sephardic congregation. Reform? Temple Shalom, with 430 families, has the largest religious school in the city. Services in English and Hebrew are guided by “the Gates of Prayer” siddur. Women, called to the Torah and leading both services and policy meetings, are total participants.
Conservative Egalitarian? In Richmond? No problem. The Beth Tikvah, begun over 20 years ago, now boasts a new sanctuary, a Hebrew school, two choirs and a growing congregation of more than 300 families. Orthodox in Richmond? Eitz Chaim has grown from 11 families in 1977 to over 120 families and offers a full range of programs, including afternoon school.
The Beth Israel, with over 850 families, is both the largest congregation in Greater Vancouver and the largest Conservative synagogue west of Winnipeg. Like several local schuls, the B.I. strives to be a Bet Tefillah (House of Worship), a Bet Midrash (House of Study) and a Bet Knesset (House of Assembly).
Looking for a “traditional egalitarian Jewish alternative spiritual community in Vancouver?” Then look at Or Shalom in its new home on East 10th Avenue. Guitars, flutes, banners, tapestries, original songs, meditations and group aliyot are only the outward signs of a congregation that is not just different, but deeply committed to Jews of every kind. With over 200 members Or Shalom’s immediately recognizable hallmarks are inclusiveness, warmth and a sense of community.
Remember also that there are congregations in Coquitlam, White Rock and West Vancouver. The Har El congregation on the North Shore is beginning construction on a beautiful new $3 million synagogue and community centre designed by architect Mark Ostry. The new facility will be located on the southwest corner of Taylor Way and the Trans-Canada Highway, amidst creek and towering trees and, with 170 families in membership, will strive to serve all Jews on the North Shore.
Many of the congregations listed, large and small, extend the full range of programs to members and public alike: daily minyan, Shabbat services, High Holidays, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, funerals, youth programs, Hebrew studies, summer camps, social action groups, counselling and community outreach .
Beth Hamidrash Sephcrrdic Orthodox 3231 Heather Street
Beth Israel Conservative 4350 Oak Street Beth Tikvah Conservotive 9711 Geal Road, Richmond
Burquest Jewish Community Association-Traditional New Westminster
Ohel Ya’akov Community Kollel 1965 West Broadway
Chabad-Lubavitch-Chassidic 5750 Oak Street
Eitz Chaim-Orthodox 8080 Frances Road, Richmond
Har El-Conservative 1735 Inglewood Avenue, West Vancouver
Lower FraserValley Jewish Community Centre 1349 Johnston Road, White Rock
Or Shalom-Traditional Egalitarian 710 East 10th Avenue
ScharaTzedeck-Orthodox 3476 Oak Street
ShaareyTefilah-Traditional 785 West 16th Avenue
SchaareTzion-Orthodox 8360 St. Albans Road
Temple Sholom-Reform 7190 Oak Street
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