Saint John's Jewish community had its beginning in 1858 with the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Hart who came out from England. Mr. Hart opened a tobacco factory in the city and Mrs. Hart founded the Daughters of Israel, an organization devoted to helping the less fortunate members of the community. The Harts were joined by other families who were also in the tobacco business, with whom they intermarried. All of these families made their homes in the city's uptown. By 1898 the community had grown to such an extent that they were able to establish the first synagogue, the Ahavith Achim (Brotherly Love) on Carleton Street.

At the turn of the century (1890 to 1920) the second wave of immigrants arrived from Eastern Europe to escape the pogroms and persecution in that part of the world. Unlike the

original settlers, these people were poor and without many prospects other than the dream of a new and better life. The European immigrants started out as peddlers carrying goods into the countryside and within three generations had moved from being merchants to professionals. These families lived and established their businesses along Main Street and its side streets in the city's North End, creating a small Jewish ghetto.

The rapid growth of the community led to the creation of a second synagogue- the Hazen Avenue Synagogue in 1906. This second congregation was also established by the original British settlers who chose to worship in this new building, leaving the original synagogue for the new arrivals. By 1906, the Saint John Jewish community split along the lines of language, economic position and ways of religious practice. By 1918, these differences had been overcome and a third synagogue was established for use by both congregations. The Shaarei Zedek (Gates of Righteousness) Synagogue was dedicated for services in March 1919 and is still in use today.

A Jewish cemetery was established in 1882 and has separate sections for the founding families and members of the two original synagogues.

The 1920s to the 1960s are considered to be the "Golden Years" for this community with 250 to 300 families actively involved in all facets of life in the Jewish and non-Jewish community. A large number of Jewish organizations such as Jewish troops of Boy Scouts and Girl Guides and B'nai Brith, Hadassah-Wizo, and others flourished leading to the creation of a Jewish community centre in 1950. Many members of the community also devoted themselves to such organizations as the Lion's Club, the Red Cross and a number of women's organizations in the city. Attendance at religious services was large and there were sixty children attending Hebrew School classes.

Sadly, this community is now one of the diminishing communities in the Diaspora. With this in mind, the Saint John Jewish Historical Museum was created in 1986 to preserve the history and heritage of the Jewish community in Saint John and to share it with the larger community.

Ahavith Achim