Most of the historical artifacts on the western Coast of Canada are younger than those in the east since this area was settled by Europeans much later. Victoria, for instance was only founded in 1843, almost 350 years after Columbus first arrived on the shores of eastern North America. The building pictured above, Congregation Emanu-El, therefore is unusual in that it is the oldest synagogue in Canada, being erected here on Blanshard Street in downtown Victoria in 1863. It was restored in 1981, which no doubt accounts for its pristine appearance. There is an interesting history of the building and Victoria's Jewish community on their website (click here).
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Saturday, March 14, 2009
Congregation Emanu-El
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3 comments:
What a gorgeous building and such a fascinating history. It makes sense that Victoria's Jews came from San Francisco as there was a fair number of Jews there in the mid-19th century, including Levi Strauss.
Thanks for sharing this, Ben!
Congratulations on your one year anniversary! This page is a favorite of mine and I hope to see St Andrew's Cathedral in this series of church photos.
Thank you for your wonderful insight into Victoria...both it's past and the present.
Thanks Jacob and Wellington.
Wellington, I earlier published a photo of the exterior of St. Andrew's though I plan to go back and take some photos of the interior if possible.
http://victoriadailyphoto.blogspot.com/2008/12/st-andrews-roman-catholic-cathedral.html
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