Jewish History and Resilience in Canada

The First Arrivals & The Fight for Rights: Did you know that Jewish history in

Canada goes back almost 300 years? It’s a story about people who refused to give up and helped

build the country we live in today. It starts with a bit of a mystery. The first Jewish

person recorded in Canada was named Esther Brandeau, who arrived in 1738. But back then,

New France had strict rules about who could enter. So, Esther had to disguise

herself as a boy just to gain passage on the ship! By 1768, a permanent community

formed in Montreal and established the Shearith Israel Synagogue. That’s the oldest

synagogue in Canada, and it is still active today. But life wasn't always fair.