Early in 1970, Historian Cyril Leonoff convened with a small group of people to discuss the possibility of starting a Jewish historical society in British Columbia. With assistance from the National Council of Jewish Women and the Canadian Jewish Congress – Pacific Region, this small group of interested individuals founded the Jewish Historical Society of British Columbia (JHSBC).
Over the years the Society’s work has included publishing a regular journal, The Scribe, authoring several books, recording oral histories of community members throughout the province, and preserving and making accessible the important photographs and records of the Jewish community. However, in 2002 the JHSBC’s collection was becoming so large and important, that the idea to create a carefully planned integrated museum and archives took hold.
Under the presidency of Bill Gruenthal, the JHSBC Board of Directors gathered a Museum Steering Committee, which included Gary Averbach, Shirley Barnett, Bill Gruenthal, Richard Henriquez, Cyril Leonoff, Irv Nitkin, Rosa Sevy, Ronnie Tessler, Steve Turnbull, Yosef Wosk, and Catherine Youngren.
With the creation of the Steering Committee the plan for the new museum was underway. So began two exciting years of planning and fundraising of over $1.2 million to build the new Jewish Museum and Archives of British Columbia.
The planning and design work for the new facility was accomplished by Henriquez Partners Architects, interior designer Catherine Youngren, and exhibit designers Aldrich Pears and Associates. The Museum Steering Committee and the Exhibit Review Committee, which included Debby Freiman, Irene Dodek and Richard Menkis, worked tirelessly on the complicated puzzle of planning and building a facility that would capture the public’s interest.
In early 2006 the Board completed the team by hiring museum consultant, Donna Bryman to bring the project to completion. Combined with the dedication and skills of JHSBC Office Manager Marcy Babins, the Jewish Museum and Archives of British Columbia met its deadline and officially opened on the evening of March 25th, 2007.
The Jewish Historical Society of British Columbia administrates the work of the Museum and Archives. For more information on the Jewish Historical Society of BC or the Jewish Museum and Archives of BC, contact 604-257-5199.