Beth El Synagogue (Newfoundland)

Beth El Synagogue is a Conservative synagogue in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. It is the only synagogue in Newfoundland, and the easternmost synagogue in North America.[1]

Beth El Synagogue
Religion
AffiliationConservative Judaism
LeadershipPresident: Michael Paul[1]
StatusActive
Location
LocationElizabeth and Downing Streets, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador,  Canada
Geographic coordinates47.5800°N 52.7175°W / 47.5800; -52.7175
Architecture
Completed1961[2]

The Hebrew Congregation of Newfoundland was founded in 1909 as an Orthodox[3] congregation meeting in rented spaces in town. The earliest members were Jews from the United States, and later many Russian Jews who had defected from the Soviet Union became members during the Cold War.[2] The current synagogue building at the corner of Elizabeth and Downing was constructed from 1959 to 1961,[2] and features include an open courtyard.[4] Edmond de Rothschild was made an honorary member of the synagogue in 1966 for his contributions to its construction. In 2001, the building underwent extensive renovations.[2]

As of 2008, the congregation had 25 member families. The president was Dr. Michael Paul.[1]

References

  1. "National Synagogue Directory 5769/2008–2009" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2010-11-28. (620 KB), Canadian Jewish Congress Charities Committee, 2008, p. 1.
  2. Newfoundland Archived December 8, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, Atlantic Jewish Council website. Accessed November 28, 2010.
  3. https://theajc.ns.ca/history/the-jewish-community-of-newfoundland/
  4. "Synagogues". Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
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