The History of Beth Israel Synagogue, by Debby Shoctor
Debby Shoctor has compiled a history of the synagogue from the formation of the Edmonton Hebrew Association in 1906 until the celebration of the synagogue's 95th anniversary in 2001.
August 12, 1906: The start of Jewish Communal activity in the City of Edmonton. On this date, a minyan of Jewish Pioneers meets to form the Edmonton Hebrew Association, which will later become the Beth Israel Synagogue. These individuals meet at the home of Mr. and Mrs. D. Boyaner, and included Alberta's first Jewish citizen, Mr. William Diamond, as well as Edmonton's first Jewish citizen, Mr. Abraham Cristall. Along with L. Frankenburg, Harris Imy, A. Spiers, C. Shugarman, D. Silas, and J. S. Berkman, they hire Rabbi Hyman Goldstick to be their first Rabbi, Shochet and Mohel, so that the community will be able to have kosher meat, and introduce its new members into the covenant.
September 16, 1906: The Edmonton Hebrew Association is officially formed, and at its first meeting, Mr. Abe Cristall is elected President, Mr. William "Boss" Diamond Vice-President.
April 7, 1907: Bylaws for the organization are written and approved.
May 26, 1907: Cemetery grounds are purchased, under the direction of Jacob Baltzan, Elhanan Hanson and Samuel Shragge, with a loan of $700 from Abe Cristall.
September 1, 1907: A Talmud Torah is created for the community's five children. It will eventually find a home in the basement of the new synagogue. William Diamond becomes the new President of the congregation, a post he will hold for the next 31 years.
November 3, 1907: Three trustees are appointed for the new school: Abe Miller, D. Shugarman and M. Phillipson.
November 8, 1907: The first Sefer Torah is purchased.
January 1, 1909: William Diamond is elected the first Gabbai of the Chevra Kadisha.
October 2, 1910: A special meeting takes place to discuss the building of the first synagogue.
October 10, 1910: William Diamond's gift of a lot on 95th street as a site for the new synagogue is gratefully accepted.
August 13, 1911: The contract for the new synagogue is awarded to local builder A.E. Simpson at a cost of $11,700 and building commences shortly thereafter.
August 17, 1911: Cornerstone laid for the new Synagogue Building.
September 12, 1912: The first services are held in the new synagogue.
September 24, 1912: It is decided to build a mikvah next to the Synagogue on the corner of 95th St. and Grierson Hill.
1912: Rabbi Pinsky replaces Rabbi Goldstick and serves until 1933.
April 27, 1914: Permission is granted for the Zionist Council to meet in the Synagogue.
August 14, 1916: H. A. Friedman and J. Sternberg are elected to represent the Edmonton Hebrew Association at the Western Jewish Conference in Winnipeg.
September 24, 1916: William Diamond and A. Griesdorf are elected to the Board of the Western Jewish Congress.
October 10, 1921: Letters of censure are sent out to Jewish businesses which remained open on the High Holidays.
June 29, 1922: O. Friedman is given permission to open the first Kosher butcher shop.
September 6, 1922: A tax of 1 cent per pound is levied on Kosher meat in order to raise funds for the Talmud Torah and Achnoses Orchim.
September 23, 1923: Jacob Baltzan is appointed chairman of the Talmud Torah committee.
April 27, 1924: The Edmonton Hebrew Association joins the World Zionist Federation.
August 25, 1924: Fifty cents for every seat rented in the Synagogue is given to the Jewish National Fund for the purchase of land in Palestine.
April 25, 1925: The Chevra Kadisha applies for a charter and becomes a separate and independent organization.
December 14, 1925: William Diamond is inscribed in the Golden Book of the JNF for 17 years of devoted service.
September 1, 1926: Due to overcrowding, a second minyan is arranged in the Talmud Torah hall, led by A. Wershof. Mr. S. Shragge is elected Gabai.
September 1, 1927: H.B. Kline is elected Honourary Executive Member in recognition of his many years of devoted service.
September 8, 1928: Jacob Baltzan is elected Honourary Executive Member, and his name is inscribed in the Golden Book of the JNF.
November 3, 1929: J. Taradash is inscribed in the Golden Book of the JNF.
September 16, 1929: H. Margulis becomes Gabai of the Talmud Torah Minyan.
September 6, 1931: The congregation marks 25 years of activity with a special celebration.
September 26, 1932: A committee of five is appointed to investigate engaging Rabbi Eisen, who is later engaged by the newly formed Beth Shalom Congregation.
August 6, 1933: The congregation accepts the resignation of Rabbi Pinsky, who has served since 1912.
August 9, 1933: Rabbi Haft is engaged as Shochet, Mohel and Ba'al Tefillah, and serves until his death in 1941.
September 17, 1933: H. B. Kline is elected Honourary President for Life.
October 2, 1933: Hymie Baltzan is elected leader of the Boy Scout group.
January 27, 1936: Upon the death of King George V, a memorial service is arranged under the guidance of Jacob Baltzan and Maurice Stochinsky.
July 13, 1936: The Reverend J. Dorskind is engaged as Cantor for two years.
October 22, 1936: A new Management Committee is created, consisting of Jacob Baltzan, S. Liskear and Maurice Stochinsky.
March 21, 1937: A Silver Jubilee Celebration marking the 25th anniversary of the Synagogue building is held, and William Diamond is honoured for having donated the land on which it rested.
May 12, 1937: A special Coronation Service is held in honour of King Edward VIII.
October 23, 1938: The land title to the cemetery is transferred to the Chevra Kadisha. William Diamond resigns as President.
June 16, 1940: Rabbi Abraham Postone is engaged as assistant Shochet, Mohel and Ba'al Tefillah.
June 17, 1941: The death of Rabbi Haft. His son-in-law, Rabbi Postone, assumes leadership of the congregation for the next 28 years.
April 20, 1941: Maurice Stochinsky and Meyer Sheckter are appointed to represent the Edmonton Hebrew Association on the newly formed Talmud Torah board.
April 6, 1942: Samuel Shragge is inscribed in the Ussishkin Golden Book.
May 2, 1943: Mr. Abraham Wyman is appointed to chair a Planning Committee for the purpose of building a new synagogue.
October 31, 1943: Z. Ramelson is appointed Honourary Vice President for life.
October 15, 1944: Samuel Shragge is elected Honourary President.
September, 1944: The Talmud Torah Committee decides to engage an English-speaking Orthodox Rabbi as leader of the congregation and principal of the Talmud Torah.
April 28, 1946: The Shul is registered in the name of the Edmonton Hebrew Association.
June 6, 1945: Three lots on 113th Street are purchased for the building of the new Shul.
April 24, 1949: The lots on 113th St. are deemed unsuitable for the new Shul, as they were not in the centre of the Jewish Community. They were eventually sold in 1952.
August 11, 1949: Two lots on 119th Street are purchased on this date.
May 14, 1950: Plans for the new shul are deferred in favour of Talmud Torah.
October 26, 1950: The B'not Israel, or Sisterhood is organized, consisting of 24 women under the leadership of Mrs. Max Bornstein, at the home of Mrs. Sam Dolinko.
May 6, 1951: Talmud Torah abandons its plans for a new building, and plans for a new shul proceed. The first pledge of $1000 for the new building comes from Joe Shoctor.
May 30, 1951: The new building committee is appointed, including Samuel Shragge, Max Bornstein, H.R. Cohen, Maurice Stochinsky, Eddie Shoctor and Joe Shoctor.
August 28, 1951: Sod-turning ceremony for the new building. Samuel Shragge and Harry Cohen each contribute $5000 towards the building fund.
September 2, 1951: Excavation begins.
January 9, 1952: The old synagogue building is put up for sale. It is eventually sold in April to the Third Reform Church (Dutch Reform Church, later the Inglewood Reform Church), which owns the building until 1956.
June 12, 1952: Laying of the cornerstones of the new building. The contents of the cornerstones from the old shul are transferred to those of the new one. The new building is completed by Dominion Construction Co. in one year and is ready for High Holidays services, 1952.
October 19, 1952: Cantor Banda is engaged for one year. Harry Cohen, Maurice Stochinsky and Dr. Morris Weinlos are elected as trustees.
January 17, 1953: The new synagogue is dedicated, a banquet celebrating the opening is chaired by Joe Shoctor.
May 3, 1953: A new Sefer Torah is presented to the congregation by Mr. and Mrs. Max Bornstein.
December 27, 1953: A gala testimonial dinner is held to pay tribute to all members of the community over the age of 70, and 70 trees are planted in their honour in the Queen Elizabeth Coronation Forest in Israel. Rabbi S. Ginsberg of Minneapolis is the guest speaker.
1954: Meyer Sheckter is made an Honourary President.
February, 1954: Rabbi Louis Ginsburg takes over as spiritual leader of the Congregation.
April 12, 1954: The congregation is presented with a Sefer Torah by Mr. Harry Cohen.
June 5, 1955: The congregation is presented with a Sefer Torah by Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Shragge.
November, 1959: Rabbi Bertrand G. Fink is appointed new Rabbi of Beth Israel.
November 20, 1960: A new Sefer Torah is dedicated by Mrs. William Laskin and sons Dr. Merv Laskin and Mr. Shimon Laskin in memory of the late William Laskin.
c. 1960: The Sisterhood forms a Sunday School and Tallis and Tefillin club.
June 15 and 16, 1962: A concert by renowned cantor Leibl Glantz is held in honour of the 10th anniversary of the new building.
1966 Rabbi Lewis N. Ginsburg becomes spiritual leader.
November 20, 1966: The 60th Anniversary Dinner is held.
December 8, 1966: The first Sisterhood study group is formed.
September, 1975: Raymond Stern is appointed Cantor and Youth Director.
1969 A Sisterhood member becomes a member of the Beth Israel Congregation Board for the first time.
November 23, 1969: Maurice Stochinsky is honoured at the annual donor dinner.
1966 Rabbi Abraham D. Mandelbaum is hired.
1969 Rabbi Mandelbaum introduces the National Council of Synagogue Youth.
1970 Edmonton is chosen as the outstanding NCSY Chapter in North America.
June 26, 1977: Sisterhood annual dinner honours J. Motkovitch, oldest active Gabbai in North America.
1977 Rabbi Sultan supervises the installation of kosher kitchens at the new Hillcrest JCC.
1979 First Casino Licence applied for, estimated income $17,000. Tallis and Tefillin Club started
Feb. 13, 1980: Beth Shalom Synagogue is destroyed by a fire bomb.
Feb. 16, 1980: Beth Shalom Congregation under Rabbi Hyman holds the first Friday night services at Beth Israel as guests.
January, 1981: Zane Feldman donates $50,000 for refurbishment of the synagogue.
February, 1981: Beth Israel recieves a bequest of $65,600 from the estate of Harry Cohen.
1982 Rabbi Akiva Mann arrives in Edmonton.
January 23, 1983: Sir Immanuel Jakobovits, Phd., Chief Rabbi of the British Commonwealth, gives a lecture at Beth Israel on, "The Contemporary Jewish Scene."
1984 Land for new synagogue is donated by the estate of the late Harry Cohen, Zane Feldman and William Lutsky.
May, 1987: Sisterhood holds its 36th anniversary dinner, honouring all members past and present.
1987 President Herschal Bookhalter begins discussions about building a new synagogue on the land donated in the west end, at the corner of Wolf Willow and Wanyandi roads.
1988 A concert by Hassidic master Reb Shlomo Carlebach is held.
1989 A concert by the Mazeltones is held.
September 9, 1989: Rabbi Akiva Mann leaves for Scottsdale, Arizona.
October, 1989: Shmuel Mann takes over as Head Rabbi.
October 13, 1990: Beth Israel honours outgoing 5-year executive director Max Grunberg and family, who are leaving for Israel.
October, 1990: Beth Israel and Beth Shalom form Shalom L'Israel religious school, a joint venture cheder.
1992 A celebration is held in honour of the synagogue's 85th Anniversary at the Fantasyland Hotel. Nate Siegel and Noach Zalmanowitz are the honourees. A Sefer Torah is presented by Rabbi Postone and Evelyn Haft Postone in honour of her late father, Rabbi Haft. President Eric Schloss requests a draft architectural proposal for a new synagogue from MSA Architecture, Calgary
April 17, 1994: A "Women of Valour" luncheon is held in honour of Eva Gorasht, Raye Dolgoy and Bertha Fox, Honourary Life Members of the Beth Israel Board and Sisterhood.
March, 1995: Under the leadership of President Ron Levin, the Board eliminates a projected $100,000 operating deficit and sets the stage for a renewed effort to construct a new building.
June, 1995: Zane Feldman is elected as an Honourary President, Hersch Bookhalter an Honourary Life Board Member and Eva Gorasht an Honourary Life Trustee. The Board votes overwhelmingly to build a new synagogue in the west end of Edmonton.
October, 1996: The Board of Directors and Trustees agree that the Wolf Willow Road site is preferable. Dr. Schloss is appointed Campaign Chairman, Joe Shoctor Building Chairman, and Herschal Bookhalter Associate Building Chairman.
November, 1996: The Congregation gives its approval, through secret ballot, to build a new synagogue on the Wolf Willow site. An architectural design competition is initiated amongst seven firms.
May, 1997: The Congregation approves the selection of Manasc/Isaac Architects of Edmonton as winners of the design competition.
August, 1997: The Executive committee approves an expanded design for the synagogue with a budget between $3.5-$4 million, provided an additional $1 million is raised.
September, 1998: Joe Shoctor makes his memorable Yom Kippur "Hold on to your Yarmulkes" speech, announcing a $1 million donation from Bill Lutsky.
October, 1998: The Congregation approves the expanded plans. Rescom Inc. is employed as building construction manager. New design incorporating 26,878 square feet is adopted.
March 1, 1999: Beth Israel Congregation receives a building development permit. A new Sefer Torah is purchased by the Sisterhood and brought to Edmonton from Israel by Rabbi Yaakov Lief Cohen. Mark Katzeff designs a new breastplate and Torah Crown.
April, 1999: Construction of the new building begins. Rabbi Eli Lagnado retires.
June 20, 1999: The official Sod Turning Ceremony is held at the Wolf Willow site. Dignitaries include: Dr. Eric Schloss, Campaign Chair; Howard Starkman, Q.C., Congregation President; Dr. Joseph Shoctor, O.C., Q.C., Building Chair; Wendy Kinsella, Edmonton City Councillor; Nancy MacBeth, MLA; Ian McLelland, M.P.; The Honourable Anne McLellan, Minister of Justice; and newly appointed Rabbi Ari Enkin.
September, 1999: Rabbi Ari Enkin presides at his first High Holidays services in the 119 St. building.
May, 2000: The Congregation takes possession of the new building. $1.2 million is raised from the membership, with an additional $1million gift from the Lutsky family. The Aron Hakodesh in the main sanctuary is designed by artist Irene Klar, and fabricated by local sculptor Roy Leadbeater, who also designs the door handles. Elexis Schloss provides design services.
December 2, 2001: A gala celebration is held in honour of the 95th anniversary of the Edmonton Hebrew Association/Beth Israel Synagogue.
Presidents of the Beth Israel Board of Trustees
Rabbis of Beth Israel Synagogue
Cantors of Beth Israel
Shamuses of Beth Israel
Gabbais of Beth Israel
Presidents of Beth Israel Sisterhood
Special Honours1925
197?