Social Activities
Social life for the early Jewish Community was centred around the synagogue. Most of the Jewish families lived within walking distance of the shul, where many of the Jewish businesses, especially in Fort William, were also located. Much of the social activity was simple in kind, but important to the building of the community’s identity. The B’nai Brith hall was a gathering spot for Saturday night dances and card parties. The annual dance following Yom Kippur was always a popular event which drew the entire community together. Men participated in B’nai Brith and women were typically members of the Thunder Bay Council of Jewish Women, Hadassah, or both.
During the 1950s, active social organizations existed for every age group of the community’s Jewish population. Youth joined Young Judaea and attended Jewish summer camp. These activities were supported financially by B’nai Brith and the Women’s Auxiliary. When the youth came of age, they typically joined the adult societies. However, as the youth sought out work in professional fields outside of the region and the Jewish population aged, in the 1970s and 1980s many of the formerly vibrant social organization ceased to operate as it became difficult to recruit new members.
