Saint John Jewish Historical Museum facts for kids
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| Established | July 1986 |
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| Location | Saint John, New Brunswick |
The Saint John Jewish Historical Museum is a special place in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. It helps us learn about and remember the history of the Jewish community in Saint John. A wonderful person named Marcia Koven started the museum in 1986. Before the museum opened, a Jewish Historical Society was already working in the community.
Contents
Discovering Jewish History in Saint John
The museum shares the story of the Jewish community in Saint John. It collects and shows old items and stories donated by local Jewish families. This helps everyone understand their past.
How the Community Began
The Jewish community in Saint John has a long history. It goes back to the mid-1800s. Solomon Hart, a businessman from England, moved to Saint John in 1858. He is known as the founder of the Jewish community there. Solomon and his wife, Sarah Hart, opened the city's first synagogue in 1889. A synagogue is a special place where Jewish people gather to worship and learn.
Growth and Changes Over Time
In the early 1900s, many Jewish people moved to Saint John. They came from places like northern and eastern Europe. By the 1920s, the community grew to about 1400 members. After this time, fewer people moved to Saint John. Also, some families moved to bigger cities. Because of this, the Jewish population in Saint John became smaller. By the 1960s, there were about 300 members. Today, there are around two dozen Jewish families in the community.
What You Can See and Do at the Museum
The museum has many interesting things to see. It has exhibits that are always there. These are called permanent exhibits. The museum also creates new exhibits each year. Sometimes, they even have exhibits that travel to other places.
Learning Programs and Tours
The museum offers fun ways to learn. They host tours for local schools. This helps students learn about Jewish history and culture. They also give out educational kits. These kits have activities and information for learning. If you visit Saint John on a cruise ship, you might even get a tour of the museum!
The Museum's Library and Archives
The museum also has a special library. It has many books and old documents about Jewish history. This collection is called an archive. If you want to look at these materials, you can make an appointment.
Awards and Recognition
The Saint John Jewish Historical Museum has been recognized for its important work. It has received several awards over the years. These awards show how much people appreciate what the museum does.
- American Association for State and Local History (1987)
- The Church and Synagogue Library Association (1996)
- Province of New Brunswick (2000)
See also
