The Saint John Jewish Historical Museum collects, preserves and shares material on the history of all aspects of Jewish life in Saint John from 1858 to the present day. This includes minute books, reports, correspondence, legal documents, invitations, programs, newspaper clippings, family trees, photographs, art work and artifacts.
Louis I. Michelson
The Louis I. Michelson Memorial Archives
The Archives space was dedicated to the memory of Louis I. Michelson (1918-1996) by his wife Jen (Kashetsky), son and daughter-in-law, Drs. Alan and Donna Michelson, and granddaughters, Ariel and Ariane. Louis Michelson was very active in the Jewish community as a member of Young Judaea, B’nai B’rith, Habonim and YMHA, as a Cub leader and as treasurer, vice-president, and president of the Congregation Board of Directors. In the absence of a Rabbi, he served devoutly as Lay Reader for more than 13 years. In 1986 Louis received an honorary life membership in the Congregation Shaarei Zedek and in 1994 he received the community service award from the Atlantic Jewish Council. He spent much of his career as a film distributor with Columbia Pictures and was a co-owner of the first drive-in restaurant in Saint John – The Dogs-N-Suds – on Rothesay Avenue.
The archival collection has been organized into several sections:
Synagogue
Documents related to the history of the three Jewish congregations that existed in Saint John from 1899 to the present-day including meeting minutes, reports, correspondence, financial records, religious ceremonies (Bar Mitzvahs, weddings), burial records and community events.
Organizations
Documents related to the many Jewish organizations which had once flourished in the community – Daughters of Israel, Sisterhood Shaarei Zedek, Boy Scouts and Cubs, Girl Guides and Brownies, Shomer (Seniors) Club, Hadassah, Habonim, State of Israel Bonds, B’nai B’rith, Young Judaea and Jewish War Veterans of Canada Atlantic Post #4.
Community
Documents related to immigration, demographics, Jewish life around the world, businesses and military service.
Personal History
Family trees and a variety of documents that tell the stories of the families and individuals that resided in Saint John, as well as oral interviews with former and current community members.
Holocaust
Research and newspaper files related to different aspects of this history and its impact of the local community and the wider world.
Saint John Jewish Historical Society Inc.
These files preserve the organizational history of the Museum and include meeting minutes, reports, financial records, and events hosted by the Museum.
Photographs
This collection parallels the sections listed above and includes hundreds of photographs of families, individuals, events, and activities.
Fine Arts
Including a modest collection of Maritime Jewish artists.
Artifacts
This collection parallels the sections listed above.
We continue to welcome donations of material relevant to the history of the Saint John Jewish community.
Detailed finding aids and inventories for each section are available at the Museum for consultation.
Saint John Jewish Archives at the New Brunswick Museum.
A large portion of the archival holdings comprising the sections on Synagogue, Organizations, Community, Personal History, Holocaust and Saint John Jewish Historical Society Inc. – were transferred to the New Brunswick Museum Archives and Research Library in October 2014 and are housed in their Collections and Research Centre at 228 Lancaster Avenue in Saint John.
Appointments are required to consult this material.
Please contact the New Brunswick Museum at:
Phone: 506-643-2322
Email: archives@nbm-mnb.ca
Online Access to Saint John Jewish Genealogical Records.
Some genealogical material – the database for the Shaarei Zedek Cemetery and data collected from the Saint John City Directory for individuals and businesses can be found online through the Canadian Jewish Heritage Network.
For more information, visit the website: The Canadian Jewish Heritage Network
Contact us for inquiries
It is recommended that researchers contact the Museum and make an appointment for an in-person or telephone consultation to review relevant material for more information on holdings and what is available for their particular interest.
Photographs, art work and artifacts remain in the custody of the Saint John Jewish Historical Museum and may be consulted by appointment.
Please contact the Jewish Historical Museum at:
Phone: 506-633-1833
Please note that fees will be applied for some research and copying services.
a peek into The archival collection
