jews in canada

The history of Jews in Canada dates back to 1763. Until 1760, the major European presence in Canada was New France, whose government did not allow Jews to settle in its territory. In 1763, however, the British defeated the French in the Seven Years' War, establishing British dominance in the area. Several Jews had been officers in the British Army, including Aaron Hart, who settled in Trois-Rivires in Quebec. Hart's son Ezekiel was later elected to the legislature of Lower Canada in the by-election of April 11, 1807, becoming the first Jew in an official position in the British Empire. Hart's opponents attacked him for refusing to take the required oath of office, which included a religious test that required the person to swear "on my faith as a Christian." The law required the oath was amended in 1829 to provide for Jews to not take the oath. In 1831, Jews were extended full political rights, 25 years earlier than England (see Jews in the United Kingdom).

Sources

"Canada." The Shengold Jewish Encylopedia. Schreiber: Rockland, Md.: 2001. ISBN 1887563660.

Judaism in Canada Canada, Judaism in

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