The Sons of Abraham Synagogue
The Jewish community has had a presence in Medicine Hat since the early 1900s when the first immigrants arrived and established themselves as merchants, wholesalers, and farmers. Medicine Hat’s first congregation, the Sons of Abraham, was formed in 1912, and services were held in various locations around the city. By 1914, they had established the first Jewish Cemetery at Finn’s Lake, northeast of the city limits.
Meanwhile, in 1912, Elijah Becker built a garage at 530 Fifth (Ottawa) Street, as the automotive revolution was just getting under way. Becker designed the two-storey garage himself, providing access for automobiles on the lower north side of the building and with offices and storefront on the upper storey. It was constructed using local brick and hollow clay tile for $6,000. The building functioned as Becker Garage until 1917 and may have ceased operations due to the war economy.
It subsequently became the Service Garage, Fred Beebe Proprietor. In 1925, James McGarry became proprietor of the Service Garage and added taxi service to auto repairs, oil and gas, and he continued to operate until about 1927 when it became Hughes Astley Motors, Leonard Hughes and James Astley Proprietors. There were three salesmen, a stockman, a shop foreman and other employees but it didn’t last long, possibly a victim of the Depression that started in 1929.
The building was purchased by the Jewish Ladies Aid in 1930. By then, there were more than 100 people of Jewish faith in the community, most of them working as merchants. Smallscale renovations were undertaken to adapt the building to the Jewish community’s needs, which included religious services, social events, Hebrew classes, and shechita services performed by the resident rabbi.
In the early 1950s, with more than 40 Jewish families in the city, the congregation raised $35,000 to undertake major renovations. The original front elevation disappeared and the renovated building became distinguished by its sleek Modern-style elements including smooth white stucco finish, minimalist detailing and central entrance with flat awning roof. Banks of narrow glass block windows were situated symmetrically on both sides of the main entrance.
Interior renovations on the upper level featured a large sanctuary, facing east according to tradition. The “Aron Hakodesh” (Ark holding the Torahs) was on the east wall, in front of which stood a “Bimah” (table where the Torah is placed for reading). The “Ner Tamid” (Eternal Flame) hung above the ark. A centre aisle separated the padded wooden pews, dividing men and women. There was also a classroom and rabbi’s office. In the former shop on the lower level was a large social hall with a raised stage, a kosher kitchen. It hosted bar mitzvahs, weddings and holiday celebrations.
The size of the community declined as many of the younger generation left for college or work and chose to remain in cities with larger Jewish communities. Faced with ever lower attendance, the synagogue was sold in 1999 and the building began its new life as offices for Sunwise Engineering Ltd. Due to its location on a steep hillside and old age, the 106-year-old structure has recently undergone structural repairs to see it into its second century. Shalom!
Malcolm Sissons is the chair of the City’s Heritage Resources Committee. Barry Finkelman provided some of the information for this column.