The first Jews of Victoria came to the city in 1858 from San Francisco, joining the rush of people heading up north to pursue gold. However, many of these Jews, who were well-educated and had considerable merchant and professional experience, decided to stay in town and establish Victoria as a base for their businesses. They were met with considerable success. By the end of 1858, there were 32 Jewish families who had settled in Victoria.
By 1860, Jewish New Year services had brought 150 attendees, and the Jewish community began to make plans to build a synagogue. By 1862, the Congregation Emanu-El was formed, alongside a Building Committee. Both Jews and non-Jews donated money. The laying of the first two cornerstones on the corner of Pandora and Blanshard on June 3rd, 1863, were celebrated by the the whole city. The synagogue was completed on September 13th, 1863.
Members of the Jewish community held prominent roles in Victoria society. They were business owners, merchants, MPs, mayors, members of the fire brigade, and Freemasons. The women of Congregation Emanu-El established the Hebrew Ladies of Victoria, a society dedicated to fundraising, organizing social programming, and helping those in need in the community. The Jewish community was both independent and well integrated into society.
For further reading on this subject, check out these sources:
Sefer Emanu-El: 150 Years of Victoria’s Jewish History edited by Jonathan Lotan and Todd Litman.
“On These Shores”, an online exhibit on the Jewish Museum and Archives of BC website.
The Rise of Jewish Life and Religion in British Columbia, 1858–1948 (1st ed.) by C.E. Leonoff.