Local Historian: Congregation Emanu-El

Congregation Emanu-El: Original Jewish congregants of the synagogue were what one local historian called charter members of Victorias 19th-century newcomers. Those newcomers came from places like Europe, the U.S. and Eastern Canada with a wide variety of backgrounds. , according to Times Colonist. So when it was time to ceremonially lay that cornerstone, all of Victoria was part of the event. Congregation Emanu-El marks its 150th anniversary next month by re-enacting the laying of the cornerstone to its synagogue, and all of Victoria is invited to celebrate. When the synagogue opened in 1863 as Congregation Emanu-El, its members were just another element in a mixed community that started to transform Victoria from frontier town to modern city. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.