Community Activities and Relations
After the establishment of the Balfour agreement in 1917, the community celebrated by holding a parade to thank Britain for its support and recognition of Palestine as the homeland of the Jewish people. The parade ran down St. Paul Street and included a car leading the procession with a huge wreath bearing a Star of David on it. There were men carrying huge banners in English and Hebrew thanking Britain and the King, on behalf of the Jewish community of St. Catharines, for signing the declaration. In addition, the procession included a band, dozens of little girls in white dresses and bows, carrying British flags, followed by a stream of cars.
On 26 May 1957, the Jewish community participated in a municipal Founding Day event. Ben Sharpe was the local participant involved. He received support from Ben Lappin, from the Canadian Jewish Congress. A table was set up and they erected a sign with a Star of David and a message in English and Hebrew that this should represent the beginning of a new era for their youth.
From early on, the St. Catharines Jewish community has been visible and involved in local clubs and events within the city. Many of the community’s members have participated in local service clubs. For instance, Murray Walters was a devoted member and president of the Kiwanis Club, Max Kaminsky was associated with the Lions Club, Harold Nash served as the only Jewish president of the Rotary Club, and Sidney Slepkov was a longtime member of the Masonic Order.
During the 1970s and 1980s, the community participated in the local Folk Arts Festival. Marla Katzman was given the honour of being selected one of the Queens of the festival in 1974. B’nai Israel and Temple Tikvah organized an open house together for the 7th annual festival under Pearl Katzman’s leadership. That year, the community brought in Jewish entertainers such as the Ami Hai dancers from Ottawa as well as Ella Harris, a recent Israeli immigrant who sang and played guitar. Each year, the Rabbi opened the synagogue to the public and gave tours to over 300 visitors one year. And finally, booths were set up with Jewish delicacies such as gefilte fish, blintzes and baked goods which were sold to hundreds of satisfied citizens who in many cases, were exposed to Jewish cooking for the first time in their lives.
