North America’s easternmost synagogue.

Built in 1931, Beth-El Synagogue remains the focal point for most of Newfoundland’s small Jewish community today. Because of St. John’s location on the island, Beth-El also enjoys the distinction of being the easternmost of North America’s synagogues. The roots of Jewish history in Newfoundland are somewhat murky and uncertain, but some speculate the island’s first Jewish settler was an English fur trader around the year 1800.

An influx of Eastern European Jews, mainly of Polish origin, in the early 20th Century bolstered the tiny Jewish population. The arrival of an American Jew by the name of Israel Perlin led to St. John’s first synagogue in 1909, called The Hebrew Congregation of Newfoundland. This congregation met in rented spaces in the town.

St. John’s Jews constructed the synagogue at its present location on Elizabeth and Downing streets as the community slowly grew through the early and middle part of the 20th Century. Interestingly, it was during the early 1930s when a movement arose to bring German Jews to the island to escape Nazi persecution. The British Government, which then oversaw Newfoundland’s affairs, didn’t think it was such a good idea although there were, in fact, plenty of room and opportunity new immigrants. With the economy still gripped by the Great Depression, some locals feared a wave of Jewish immigration would lead to lost jobs. In the end, only 11 permits were granted for European Jews seeking refuge in the years leading up to the war, according to the Simon Wiesenthal Center.

In the post war era, a few Jews escaped from the Soviet Union to Newfoundland. Though most eventually moved to mainland Canada, a handful stayed in St. John’s and elsewhere. By the early 1970s, the Jewish population in St. John’s reached 360.

The Beth-El Synagogue itself is a modest, modern-looking structure, unmistakable with its whitewashed exterior and large, Star of David window that lets natural light into the main hall above the Aron Kodesh. Once orthodox, the congregation today is an egalitarian conservative shul that is open to all Jews whatever their denomination.

The synagogue was rebuilt with financial assistance from Edmond de Rothchild in 1961 and he was later made an honorary member of the congregation for his contributions. Again, in 2001, the synagogue underwent extensive renovations. Today, Beth-El is at the heart of Jewish activities in St. John’s with regular services and holiday observances. The synagogue also works closely with the Jewish Community Havura, founded in 2006, to keep Jewish customs, religious practices and sense of community very much alive in the area.