(ID 27766861 © Blueenayim | Dreamstime.com)

By Derek Craddock

CHANUKAH

GALLERY: A look at Prince Albert’s Jewish past as Chanukah comes to a close

Dec 3, 2021 | 5:00 PM

Editor’s note: A special thanks to the Prince Albert Historical Society and Bill Smiley Archives for providing the photos for this story

This weekend marks the end of the Jewish celebration of Chanukah, an eight-day festival to mark the dedication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

The story of the first Chanukah dates to the second century BCE when Jewish followers were ruled by Syrian-Greek forces.

Once the temple in Jerusalem was reclaimed, Jewish believers sought to light the Menorah inside but only had one earthen pot of olive oil to last a day. That miraculously lasted eight days, hence the length of the festival.

While many believers in Saskatchewan will gather to remember these times, celebrations in Prince Albert will be silent.

FSIN

Chief Bobby Cameron re-elected for fourth term as FSIN Chief

Oct 31, 2024

victim still sees no compensation

Sentencing issued in SaskPower vs. Blayne McKay

Oct 31, 2024

Economy

Economy stalled in August, Q3 growth looks to fall short of Bank of Canada estimates

Oct 31, 2024

But it wasn’t always that way in the Gateway City, as Prince Albert was once home to a vibrant Jewish community with its own synagogue and cemetery.

That synagogue, which was called the Beth Jacob Congregation, still stands in the city, though now it’s being used by different organizations including the Seniors Advocacy Centre and Way of Wisdom Church.

(Submitted Photo: Prince Albert Historical Society)

Prince Albert was also home to a Jewish mayor for four terms in the 1960s. Allan Barsky was born in Wakaw but moved to Prince Albert when he was a boy and later helped run his father’s business, the Blue Chain Stores.

(Submitted photo/Prince Albert Historical Society)

Barsky was not the only Jewish businessman in the city as several called Prince Albert home over the decades. This included Herschel Davidner, the owner of Davidner’s Western Clothing on River Street West which closed permanently in 2014.

Davidner frequently contributed to the 4-H club and served as president of the Red Cross and the Canadian Club. He was also the director of the United Way, a very successful canvasser for the Canadian Cancer Society, a proud member of the Lions Canadian Legion and was named the 1982 Citizen of the Year in Prince Albert.

Davidner passed away in 2013.

Other prominent businesses run by Jewish families in Prince Albert included Fayerman Brothers, Shnay and Tadman Ltd, and Aaron’s Apparel.

(Submitted photo/Prince Albert Historical Society)

(Submitted photo/Prince Albert Historical Society)

(Submitted photo/Prince Albert Historical Society)

(Submitted photo/Prince Albert Historical Society)

(Submitted photo/Prince Albert Historical Society)

In 2019, the history of the Jewish community in Prince Albert and rural Saskatchewan caught the attention of Rabbi Mendel Super who toured many cities on invitation from the Chabad Jewish Centre of Saskatoon

In a blog eventually written fir Chabad.org,Mendel visited several places in Saskatchewan including P.A., North Battleford, Estevan and Edenbridge, home to the oldest standing synagogue in Saskatchewan.

The blog was part of the series known as “Roving Rabbis” which featured Jewish followers in smaller communities in Saskatchewan while showcasing the current and former synagogues in those areas.

Currently, the majority of Jewish followers in Saskatchewan meet in Saskatoon and Regina. Saskatoon is home to the Congregation Agudas Israel and Chir Chadash synagogues and the Chabad Jewish Centre of Saskatoon.

Regina is home to the Chabad Jewish Centre of Regina and the Beth Jacob Synagogue which carries the same name as the old Prince Albert congregation.

—

(Submitted photo/Prince Albert Historical Society)

(Submitted photo/Prince Albert Historical Society)

—

derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @PA_Craddock