Jews first arrived in Victoria during the 1858 gold rush and soon built a 350-seat synagogue, even though the Congregation had about fifty active members. Co-edited by Todd Litman, Sefer Emanu-El is an illustrated history of Victoria's Jewish community and Canada's oldest surviving and operating synagogue. It describes the Romanesque-style synagogue, its decline and eventual restoration, while also elucidating basic Jewish concepts, traditions and recipes. Community members are also profiled. After 150 years, Emanu-El celebrates a dynamic, progressive, haimish (Yiddish, "warm and friendly") congregation. The history is available for $36 directly at the synagogue and at various Congregation events, or by mail for $50. 978-0-9683340-3-4

[BCBW 2014]