The Beth Sha’ul Synagogue was founded in 1912 on Lorne Hill Road (next to the Maslovsky Farm) in the RM of Springfield in what was referred to as “Jew Town”. It was in the heart of a small community of European Jewish immigrants trying to earn their livelihood as farmers. The community was near the corner of Garven Road and Hwy 59 close to Birds Hill Provincial Park, Manitoba.The original congregation was started by David Spivak (grandfather of Sydney Spivak –former leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba and Frankie Spivak, father of the Editor) who was the president, Mendell Peikoff, Moishe Daiter, Nuchum Henoch Lazar, Meyer Checik, and Abraham Slobinsky. Members included the families of Eva(Solomon) and Joseph Maslovsky , and Mr. and Mrs. Pernarsky, and Mr. and Mrs. Goldfine and later Mr. and Mrs. Davido and family. Mr. Kanizynski who lived kitty corner from the shul taught the boys of the community their Maftir lessons. The shul was a 2 room building with separate rooms one for the men and one for the women and children–not fancy but there was a bimah, 3 torahs (2 kosher- 1 questionable) and an eternal light.

On July 18, 1919 my Baba Genendal (Getrurude) Daiter married my Zaida Eliezar (Louis) Lazar at the Beth Sha’ ul Synagogue. After the ceremony the bridal party walked across Lorne Hill Road to the Daiter farm where a reception was held in a tent.

In the 1920s there were approximately 10-12 Jewish families in the area using the Synagogue. High Holiday services were held with a Rabbi coming out from Winnipeg to lead the service. Sam Maslovsky always blew the shofar for the congregation.

The synagogue was unused for much of its last decade. It was demolished by my dad Edward Lazar and his brothers Sam, Ronald and Lloyd in 1957. The torahs were donated to other synagogues and the corner stone of the Beth Sha’ul was passed down by Ronald Lazar to my cousin Garry Lazar who subsequently donated it to the Jewish Historical Society of Western Canada.

References:

Interviews with Edward H.Lazar, Ida Smordin and notes by Zenith L. Daiter.

Springfield, The First Rural Municipality 1873-1973, Dugald Women’s Institute, 1974.

“Heritage Highlights”, Winnipeg Real Estate News, Brain H. Kahanee.

My Zaide & Other Memories Growing Up Jewish, Ricki Segal, Driver Works. CA, 2008.