Former Schara Tzedeck Synagogue

In 1892, the first meeting of the Jewish community in Vancouver took place in the Knight of Pythias hall upstairs in the Dunn Miller Block (today’s Army and Navy Store at 8-36 W Cordova) .They continued to meet there until 1912 when four houses on Heatley Avenue were purchased for $14000 and became the site for a synagogue that could accommodate 200 people.

Built in 1917 as the first permanent synagogue in Vancouver, the Schara Tzedeck, Sons of Israel, expanded in 1920 with a growing congregation of 600. Its Romanesque Revival style with arches and arched windows is a popular style in Canadian synagogues. The first floor was a meeting hall and the second floor had two classrooms. David Belasoff was the first rabbi in 1911.

When the synagogue moved to Oak Street in 1948, the sanctuary was converted into a gymnasium and it was purchased by sportsman Rufus Gibbs and operated as the Vancouver Boys Club Association, later Boys and Girls Club. After sitting vacant for some time it was successfully converted into condominiums in 1986-88.

Source

City of Vancouver Heritage Files, Schara Tzedeck website, John Atkins "Strathcona Vancouver's First Neighbourhood"

More information

https://jewishmuseum.ca/exhibit/east-end-stories/