Jewish Museum and Archives of British Columbia

Founded in 1971 as the Jewish Historical Society of BC, the JMABC collects and cares for documents, photographs, artifacts and oral histories chronicling all facets of the community’s history.

With assistance from the National Council of Jewish Women and the Canadian Jewish Congress–Pacific Region, this small group of interested individuals founded the Jewish Historical Society of British Columbia (JHSBC). The Society’s work has included publishing a regular journal, The Scribe, authoring several books, recording oral histories of community members throughout the province, and preserving and making accessible the important photographs and records of the Jewish community. In December 2010, the Jewish Museum and Archives of British Columbia exhibition space was closed and the offices of the JHSBC moved to the Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture in March 2011.

The Nemetz Jewish Community Archives mandate is to identify, acquire, preserve and make available private and public records pertaining to Jewish communities, religion, culture and traditions as practiced in British Columbia, including how Jews in BC have been affected by or reacted to Jewish issues beyond the provincial boundary. Since 1970 the Jewish Historical Society of British Columbia (JHSBC) has acquired the records, oral histories and photographs of individuals, organizations and businesses in BC's Jewish community. Now part of the Jewish Museum and Archives of British Columbia, the Archives also manages a resource library and provides records management services to various community agencies.

The Custodian of the records created by the now-closed Vancouver URO office.

Volume: 1000 linear metres of textual records; 300,000 photographs; and 700 oral history interviews; Inclusive Dates: 1860-2011; Predominant Dates: 1920-2005. Among others contains restitution- and/or compensation-related materials.

The website provides information about the archival holdings and services of the Jewish Historical Society of British Columbia, along with historical exhibits, educational and teaching resources, and general information about the Society.