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February 18, 2011

Celebrating 80 years ...

The message in early 1985, after arson attacks against both Temple Sholom and the Schara Tzedeck chapel, was for calm and patience. The two institutions were then located in West Point Grey and, while the damage to the chapel was minimal, the synagogue suffered “extensive fire, smoke and water damage,” which forced “the shul’s 290 family members to seek a new place of worship.”

Reaction to the attacks was the front-page story in the Feb. 7, 1985, Jewish Western Bulletin. The article noted that Jewish community representatives posted a $15,000 reward for information on the fire-bombing of Temple Sholom and that the police were “making a serious effort” to find the perpetrator(s), who have yet to be found. It also contained comments by Rabbi Philip Bregman (pictured in photo on the right) and then-president of Temple Sholom Dr. Gerry Growe about the rebuilding that would be taking place and that “the five West Point Grey churches met recently to condemn the attacks and even contribute funds toward rebuilding the Temple.”

A follow-up cover story in the Feb. 21, 1985, issue of the JWB (above right) reported on the benefit concert for the synagogue that would take place at West Point Grey United Church the next week. The church’s reverend at the time, Rev. Douglas Bacon, told the paper that the event would be more than a fundraiser – it also  would be a unique opportunity for local Jews and Christians to work together. 

The concert was being organized by the church’s music chair, Betty Munn, and Temple Sholom member Wendy Stuart, who acknowledged that the event would only make a dent in the $400,000 needed to rebuild the synagogue, but that the new connection between Jews and Christians would show that “out of this bleakness something positive can happen.”