The Jewish Cultural Society of Yukon

The Jewish Historical Society of Yukon was originally formed in 1997, in response to the discovery of the Jewish Cemetery in Dawson City, Yukon, Canada. The mandate of the Historical Society was to clean, restore, and rededicate the cemetery, to which was added the task of researching who was buried in the cemetery. After celebrating the completion of this task, we thought our work was done. However, 15 years later our community in Whitehorse grew in numbers and interest in the research was reignited.

The Jewish Cultural Society was created in 2012, with an expanded mandate to bring together the Jewish community to share our culture, to celebrate the High Holidays and Passover together, and to hold social gatherings. From the get-go, the society also dedicated efforts to discover more information about the Jews of the Gold Rush. The stories we unearthed were indeed enthralling, and we decided to create a travelling historical display (see below) to share them. That display travelled the country, and then in 2024 we published a book titled “The Jewish Presence in the Yukon - Before, During, and After the Klondike Gold Rush.”

The book has been distributed to Jewish Archives, Libraries, Jewish Historical Associations, JCC’s, Museums, and others throughout the country. If you would like a copy of the book please go to the Contact Us page and send us a message by filling out the form at the bottom of the page. The cost of a book is $20.00 plus shipping.

Our Gatherings: 

A Visit by Two “Roving Rabbis” from New York in July 2026!

It was a wonderful surprise to be contacted by two Rabbis from a Yeshivah in New York City who wanted to visit Whitehorse - wow! 

They explained that they are part of a program as they are finishing their studies at the Yeshiva called "Roving Rabbis.” 

They had plans to visit communities in Alberta, then come to Whitehorse and Yellowknife before returning to New York. It was more than a pleasure to welcome them … it was also a very positive learning experience.

Everywhere we went, people would yell out in a questioning tone “Rabbis”?? And they would come up to us and were unbelievably supportive and complimentary and so happy just to meet Rabbis - it was amazing! In the picture with the person in front of his red camper van we learned that he and his wife were Jewish people from California. Oh my they kept us there for a ‘long’ time just talking and saying how happy, 

and surprised they were to actually meet Rabbis in Whitehorse.

Purim 2026: 

Pictures from Our Celebration on Sunday, March 1'st 2026

Passover Seder 2026: 

Pictures from Passover 5786, Yukon (Apr 2'nd 2026):

Bat Mitzvah

On August 31st, 2024 we celebrated the Bat Mitzvah of Una Reta Sorochan. The ceremony was directed by Cantor Ben Silverberg by Zoom. Cantor Silverberg 

was in Toronto and we were here in Whitehorse at the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre connected with the Cantor by a super large screen. As you can see from the 

pictures below there were a lot of family members that came to Whitehorse to be with Una’s parents Clare, Steven, Una and her brother and sister (.     ).

It was a wonderful service and Una did an amazing job - Mazel Tov Una!

Cantor Silverberg on the big screen leading the service from Toronto  

Rosh Hashana 2024: 

Pictures from Rosh Hashana 5785, Yukon (Sept. 2024):

Rosh Hashana 2023: 

Rosh Hashana 5784, BBQ at Wolf Creek CampgroundYukon (Sept. 2023):

Rosh Hashana 2022: 

Rosh Hashana 5783 BBQ at Wolf Creek Campground, Yukon (Sept. 2022):

Read about us in the Canadian Jewish News:

As we develop our website, we will continue to share the weekly Parsha, as we have been doing, and provide links to National Associations for those who want to keep up-to-date, or just explore what is going on across the country.