Jewish Population In New Brunswick

New Brunswick, New Jersey, is home to a diverse population of around 55,000 people, including a significant Jewish community. The city's Jewish population has grown over the years, with an early Jewish settler recorded in 1722 and the first synagogue, now Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple, founded in 1859. While the exact number of Jewish residents in New Brunswick is not known, estimates place the Jewish population of Middlesex County, in which New Brunswick is located, at around 45,000. This diverse community includes students, professionals, and people from various ethnic and religious backgrounds, contributing to the cultural and social fabric of the city.

History of Jewish settlement in New Brunswick, New Jersey

The history of Jewish settlement in New Brunswick, New Jersey, dates back to the early 18th century. The earliest Jewish settler in the area was Daniel Nunez, a justice of the peace in 1722, around 40 years after the town's founding in 1679-1680. Nunez was a businessman based in Piscataway, a small village neighbouring New Brunswick. Another early Jewish settler was Hannah Lonzoda, who lived in New Brunswick from 1750 onwards.

In the mid-19th century, Bohemian and German Jews began to settle in New Brunswick, and by 1852, around 20 to 25 Jews were living in the town. The Jewish population grew from 90 in 1865 to 280 in 1897, slightly more than 1% of the general population.

In 1861, the first organised Jewish community was established in New Brunswick, and the Congregation B'nai Jeshurun synagogue was founded in 1848. The Jewish population continued to grow with an influx of Eastern European Jews starting in 1888.

In the early 20th century, Sephardic Jews from the Balkans and the Mediterranean settled in New Brunswick, constituting about one-third of the Jewish community of 2,500 between 1912 and 1924. They found employment in companies like Johnson & Johnson, U.S. Rubber, and Michelin Tire, with the latter attracting many Sephardic Jews due to their French-speaking workforce.

By 1969, the Jewish community in New Brunswick was served by two Reform, five Conservative, and five Orthodox synagogues. The oldest synagogue, now known as the Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple, was founded in 1859 and was likely an Orthodox congregation before becoming a Reform temple around 1890.

Today, New Brunswick is home to a diverse Jewish community, with a range of religious, social, and educational organisations. The Jewish Federation of Raritan Valley, founded in 1948, plays a crucial role in coordinating various activities to enhance Jewish communal life in the area.

Jewish population in New Brunswick

New Brunswick, New Jersey, has a rich Jewish history dating back to the 18th century. The city, located on the Raritan River, has been a hub for Jewish settlement and cultural life.

The earliest Jewish settler in New Brunswick was Daniel Nunez, a justice of the peace in 1722, about 40 years after the founding of the town. The Jewish population grew slowly, with around 20 to 25 Jews living there by 1852. This number increased to 90 in 1865 and 280 in 1897, slightly over 1% of the general population. An influx of Eastern European Jews began in 1888, and the Jewish population continued to grow into the 20th century.

By 1969, the Jewish community in New Brunswick was well-established, with two Reform, five Conservative, and five Orthodox synagogues serving the area. The oldest synagogue, now known as the Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple, was founded in 1859 and is believed to have been established as an Orthodox congregation.

The Jewish Federation of Raritan Valley, founded in 1948, plays a crucial role in coordinating various activities to enhance Jewish communal life. Rutgers University, located in New Brunswick, has a significant Jewish student population, with approximately 4,500 Jewish students across its campuses. The university also houses the Allen and Joan Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life, which promotes academic excellence and sponsors community outreach programs related to Jewish studies.

New Brunswick's Jewish population has contributed to various aspects of the city's development. Before 1900, most Jews in the area were peddlers and small shopkeepers, with a few professionals. From 1900 to the 1930s, many worked as tradesmen and artisans. By the 1960s, Jews in New Brunswick were practicing professions such as law, medicine, accountancy, and teaching, and some served as elected officials in municipal government.

While the exact number of Jewish residents in New Brunswick today is unclear, the city's diverse population and strong Jewish institutions reflect a vibrant and enduring Jewish presence in the area.

Jewish student life in New Brunswick

New Brunswick, New Jersey, is home to Rutgers University, which has approximately 4,500 students, including Jewish students. The Allen and Joan Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life at Rutgers is dedicated to promoting academic excellence and fostering faculty research. The centre works closely with the Department of Jewish Studies, which offers an interdisciplinary approach to the academic study of Jewish history, society, and culture. The department offers over 60 interdisciplinary courses that are open to all students, and students pursuing a B.A. degree may major or minor in Jewish Studies.

Hillel, an organisation dedicated to enriching the lives of Jewish students, partners with student leadership in planning and implementing religious, social, and cultural events for Rutgers/New Brunswick's Jewish students. Hillel is committed to creating a pluralistic, welcoming, and inclusive environment for Jewish students, encouraging them to grow intellectually, spiritually, and socially. They help students find a balance between their Jewish identity and universal human values, promoting social justice, repairing the world, and supporting Israel and the global Jewish community. Hillel events include learning sessions, Birthright Israel, weekly Shabbat services and free dinners, holiday and cultural commemorations, and programs for graduate students. These events are run across all five New Brunswick campuses.

The Les Turchin Chabad House, a vibrant centre for Jewish life, is also located at Rutgers University. Chabad House operates over 20 community service programs and serves as headquarters for all Jewish activities. The building features housing for students, peer counselling and drug prevention centres, student activity offices, a 300-seat synagogue, a publications centre, a library, a kosher dining hall, student lounges, and a computer area. Their programs include hospital and prison visitations, holiday rallies and festivals, counselling and social services, and Kosher Meals on Wheels.

In recent news, a controversy has arisen at East Brunswick High School, where the yearbook omitted the names of the Jewish Student Union members and replaced their photo with one of a group of Muslim students. The school district is investigating the issue and has asked for all 700 yearbooks to be returned for correction. The incident has sparked outrage in the community, with some calling it a blatant antisemitic act.

Jewish places of worship in New Brunswick

New Brunswick has a long history of Jewish settlement, with the earliest known Jewish settler being Daniel Nunez, who lived in the area in 1722. The Jewish population grew from 20-25 in 1852 to 280 in 1897. Today, the Jewish population of Middlesex County, in which New Brunswick is located, is estimated to be 45,000.

The first Jewish congregation in New Brunswick was formed in the mid-19th century, with the first synagogue, Anshe Emeth, founded in 1859, probably as an Orthodox congregation. Over time, more congregations were established, and by 1969, there were two Reform, five Conservative, and five Orthodox synagogues serving the Jewish community in New Brunswick.

Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple (Reform)

This is the oldest synagogue in New Brunswick, founded in 1859. It was initially an Orthodox congregation but became a Reform temple around 1890. The synagogue's building, constructed in 1897, featured Gothic Revival-style elements, such as stained glass pointed arch windows.

Congregation Ahavas Achim (Orthodox)

Congregation Ahavas Achim was founded in 1889 as an orthodox Eastern European congregation. Their original building, purchased in 1900, featured rounded arch openings and was remodelled into a synagogue.

Poile Zedek Synagogue

The Poile Zedek Synagogue is known for its blend of Romanesque, Classical Revival, Georgian, and Moorish Revival architectural styles. It is one of the last early properties in New Brunswick's former Hiram Market Historic District. Unfortunately, a fire damaged the building in 2015, and the congregation decided to place it on the market.

Ohav Emeth

This congregation was organised by Hungarian Jews in 1918 and built an exotic Moorish, Byzantine, and Romanesque brick synagogue on New Street in 1927.

Etz Ahaim

Etz Ahaim is the fifth congregation of New Brunswick, formed by Sephardic Jews in 1926. Their synagogue was also located on New Street.

Highland Park Conservative Temple

The Highland Park Conservative Temple was founded in 1930 and is located in Highland Park, New Jersey.

Temple B'nai Shalom

Temple B'nai Shalom is a Reform congregation located in East Brunswick, New Jersey. It welcomes people from all walks of life and is dedicated to enriching the lives of its congregants through worship, education, community engagement, and social action.

East Brunswick Jewish Center

The East Brunswick Jewish Center is a synagogue that embraces all members of its community. It offers a range of religious, educational, and social programs in support of Conservative Judaism, Israel, and the local community.

Notable Jewish people from New Brunswick

New Brunswick, Canada, has been home to many notable Jewish people throughout history. Here are some individuals who have contributed to the province's Jewish community and culture:

• Solomon Hart and his family : They were among the first Jewish settlers in Saint John, arriving in 1858. Hart established a tobacco business, and the family played a significant role in the city's early Jewish community.
• Elizabeth Hart and Louis Green: This couple had the first Jewish wedding in Saint John in 1882, an event that brought together people from all walks of life, regardless of religious affiliation.
• Early Jewish Immigrants: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, hundreds of Jewish immigrants arrived in Saint John, escaping religious persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe. These immigrants were supported by the first Jewish Immigrant Aid Society in Canada, founded in 1896. Many of them became leaders and contributors to the development of the Saint John Jewish community.
• Recent Jewish Immigrants: Since 2010, there has been a renewed effort to attract Jewish immigrants to Saint John, with the revival of the Habonim mission. This has resulted in a growing Jewish community, currently consisting of approximately 35 families.
• Members of the Moncton Jewish Community: Moncton, the second-largest Jewish community in Atlantic Canada, is home to approximately 100 Jewish families. The community is served by an Orthodox Synagogue, Tiferes Israel, and has experienced growth due to an influx of young Jewish people attracted by expanding government and university sectors.
• Jewish Museum Curators and Contributors: The Saint John Jewish Historical Museum plays a crucial role in preserving and showcasing the history and culture of the Jewish community in the region. Through exhibits, tours, and educational programs, the museum connects people to their Jewish roots and shares stories of Jewish life in Saint John from 1783 to the present.

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