Kingston Jewish Community

Where we come from:

In 1861 the population of Kingston Jews was just five.  By 1920, due to the mass exodus from eastern and central Europe, the population grew to 303.

These immigrants were generally of modest means.  They were able to carve out a living peddling and progressed to being store owners.  In the 1960s, the dramatic expansion of universities brought unprecedented numbers of Jewish professionals, mainly academics, to Kingston.  Many of their grown children moved to larger centres, but newcomers replaced them.  Currently, the Kingston Jewish community is 900 strong.

The birth of an organization:

On the 19th of May, 1947, the Jews of Kingston, at a well-attended meeting, decided to form a Jewish Community Council.  At that first meeting, Rabbi Renov said, “Our first goal is to achieve unity - unity of thought and action.”  Under the leadership of Sheldon Cohen, the Council became the voice of the Jewish people in Kingston and the nucleus of Jewish life.  The new organization served as the coordinating agency for Kingston’s Jewish organizations, and monitored and confronted anti-Semitism.

The Kingston Jewish Council is our new name.  However, our purpose remains the same: to strengthen and celebrate Jewish life in Kingston.  In support of this goal, we facilitate social, cultural, religious, and educational activities that bring the community together.  Our events are often family oriented and child friendly.  Indeed, the future of the Kingston Jewish Community is with our children.

Today, Kingston is proud to offer two congregations, the contemporary orthodox Beth Israel and the reform Iyr HaMelech.  At a time when small town congregations struggle to survive, Kingston Jewry is enjoying a revival of energy and purpose.

Members of Kingston’s congregations are automatically members of KJC.  If you would like to become a member of the KJC, please click on Contact Us and email us.