Religion
During the latter decades of the 20th century, Kingston’s Beth Israel Congregation had to confront the question of whether to modify the orthodoxy of its founding fathers, as did most other small Jewish communities in Ontario. The question arose on a number of occasions as to whether mixed seating or other concessions to Conservative practice should be introduced. Opinion within Beth Israel remained divided. With the new population of more secular and reform-minded professionals and academics, the pressure to change increased. In 1975, a small group got together to try something more in tune with their own religious proclivities and needs. This move to form a second congregation in Kingston caused serious soul-searching at Beth Israel and tensions were high for a period of time. Eventually, however, each group settled into its own sphere and distinct role.
