B.C. Museum Welcomes Alberta Exhibit

First Threshing Machine in Rumsey area, 1919. Left to right: Nate, Jack, Sarah and Fred HorodezkyPic: Jewish Historical Society of Southern Alberta Archives

Psalm 126: “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.” That is the inspiration behind the latest exhibit opening in the The Jewish Museum and Archives of British Columbia in August. Titled A Joyful Harvest, the exhibit is an ode to Jewish contribution in southern Alberta.

As part of The Jewish Museum and Archives of British Columbia's theme, "The Ties that Bind," A Joyful Harvest will take visitors on a historical tour of Jewish immigration in Alberta and the people's lifestyles dating as far back as 1889. Molly Winston, education coordinator of the museum, says the exhibit highlight events, institutions and personalities that have made an impact in Western Canada's Jewish history. The exhibit will also include snapshots of Alberta farming life in the early 1900s (pictured above). Winston says, "There are also many gems within the exhibit, such as a display of homesteader Horse Brands from 1916 registered to Jewish cattle dealers, farmers and ranchers in southern Alberta."

A Joyful Harvest was originally created by the Jewish Historical Society of Southern Alberta in 2005 to celebrate the province's centennial. It was first displayed at the Jewish Historical Society of Southern Alberta before it was brought to other parts of Calgary. The B.C. museum, which has had a close relationship with Alberta organization, decided to acquire A Joyful Harvest due to its history of Jewish residents who have roots in Alberta.

Winston reveals that the impact of Jewish immigrantion in Alberta to other Jews today attracted the museum to bring the exhibit in B.C. "What affects one Jewish community affects another, and it is important to explore other community histories in order understand our collective Canadian-Jewish identity," she says. "Bringing the exhibit from Alberta is another opportunity to explore where we came from and how that has impacted Canadian history."

A Joyful Harvest will have an opening reception on August 5, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Sidney & Gertrude Zack Gallery, Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver. The exhibit will run at The Jewish Museum and Archives of British Columbia from August 5-31. For more information, visit www.jewishmuseum.ca.

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