HALIFAX — One era in Saint John, N.B., is ending, but the president of the city’s lone synagogue is confident that a new one is just beginning.
Shaarei Zedek Synagogue has been sold, after serving the Saint John Jewish community for 88 years. Once a thriving centre of nearly 300 families and 1,400 Jewish people, the New Brunswick port city’s shul now has 55 members – families or singles – 13 of whom live away. Another 13 are very elderly and mostly inactive.
“We have about 29 active family memberships, and of those, only 15 are really active,” said president Norman Hamburg, adding that the costs of maintenance and upkeep of the large shul are becoming overwhelming for the congregation.
The building and its adjacent community centre, home of the venerable Saint John Historical Museum, had been for sale for the last five years and were finally sold to the city earlier this year.
Both will close at the end of November.
“It’s going to be used as part of urban renewal,” said Hamburg. “It will be disappointing to lose Shaarei Zedek, a building that can seat 550 people and is considered by many to be the most beautiful synagogue in the Atlantic region. But our members recognized the cost factors and, when we voted on the sale, only one of 30 attending said nay.”
Shaarei Zedek, a Conservative, egalitarian congregation, began as an Orthodox shul in 1919 in a building that formerly housed a Christian church, built in 1865. It became Conservative in the 1950s and continues to hold Friday night and Saturday services, rarely missing a minyan.
Hamburg said the community plans to build another shul and community centre. “With a new, smaller, more efficient building, our costs would be cut considerably.”
The museum, established in 1986, is still active, with thousands of visitors stopping in each year. Increased cruise ship traffic, and tourism generally, have meant strong visitation.
Much museum support comes from Saint Johners living far from their place of birth and growing-up years. It’s administered by a board that’s separate from the shul and has Jewish and non-Jewish members.
Hamburg said the community is looking about 15 years ahead as it plans a new shul and museum.
“We feel Saint John is in a boom period, with growth from the energy industry and a new medical school to be built here in the next two years. Both should attract new Jewish people. Any number of members joining the shul would be a huge boost for us.”
Hamburg, a lifelong Saint John resident, said the money from the sale, plus funds held in investments, will support construction of a new building and museum.
He added, with a tinge of sadness in his voice, “Building new is the only option. If we don’t have a home, we would really just fall apart [as a community].”