The first recorded Jewish settlers on Prince Edward Island were around the turn of the 20th century. A 1908 newspaper article reported about a Passover Seder held in Charlottetown. Early arrivals around that time were the brothers Louis, Israel and Albie Block from Riga, Latvia. They established themselves, built families and became prominent entrepreneurs.

Approximately another dozen Jewish families operated businesses on the Island before World War II.

The majority of members of the PEI Jewish Community arrived in the 1970’s or later.

The first known High Holy Day service were held in 1975, when a Torah was brought to the Island for the first time. The Torah was brought back in 1976 for the first known Bar Mitzvah celebration. By 2000, there were 50 Jews living on the Island.

Dr. Joseph Glass, longtime resident and former Board Member of the PEIJC, has written extensively on the history of Jews in PEI:

Here is A Short Jewish History of PEI.

Here is another article on PEI Jewish history.