Canada’s population and society have developed through the addition of immigrants seeking new opportunities in a new land. People coming from the Old World brought with them their culture including their values and practices. Many of these immigrants were determined to respect their original culture while adopting a new society.

This book explores the lives and contributions of five leading Jews living in British Colombia between 1860 and 1970. Cecelia Davies Sylvester, Hannah Director, Leon Koerner, Harry Adaskin, and Nathan Nemetz are memorable for their contributions which shaped communities in British Columbia. Each chapter focuses on their particular achievements and struggles in different fields and different eras. Through a historical lens, these individuals are examined in detail with particular emphasis on how their Jewish heritage shaped their professional legacies and contributions to Canadian society.

Lillooet Nördlinger McDonnell, PhD, is a scholar of modern Jewish history. Originally from British Columbia, she is currently a research fellow at the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies in Ottawa, Ontario.

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