The Jewish community in Moncton began with Jake Baig, who arrived as the city’s first Jewish settler in 1898. The foundation of the community was truly established when 22 families from Dorbyan, Lithuania immigrated and settled together. These families, known as the Dorbyanners, created a close-knit community by choosing to live on the same street, fostering deep bonds that would sustain them in their new home.

As the community grew, so did its needs. By 1910, the congregation had expanded enough to hire its first rabbi, Jacob Hans. Four years later, in 1914, members began a dedicated building fund, contributing 10 cents per member each week. This grassroots effort demonstrated the community’s commitment to establishing a permanent place of worship.

Their perseverance paid off. By 1924, the congregation had saved enough to purchase land for their synagogue. At a public auction, Jake Marks and Sam Borenstein successfully bid $650 (approximately $12,000 in today’s currency) for the lot on Steadman Street that would become home to Congregation Tiferes Israel. Despite facing opposition from some non-Jewish residents who attempted to prevent construction, the community pressed forward with determination.

The cornerstone was laid in 1926, marking a pivotal moment in Moncton’s Jewish history. Through the combined efforts of the growing number of Jewish families and generous financial support from the community the building was completed in 1927. 

The synagogue’s location on Steadman Street was carefully chosen for practical reasons. Many founding families lived in the immediate neighborhood. This proximity was essential due to the prohibition of driving during Shabbat (Sabbath), allowing families to walk to services while observing their religious traditions.

As Moncton’s first and only synagogue, Tiferes Israel became the spiritual heart of the Jewish community. In 1930, the community acquired a cemetery, ending the previous practice of burying Moncton’s Jewish deceased in Saint John.

The synagogue continued to evolve with its congregation’s needs. Around 1983, a major expansion transformed the facility. The addition included a mikvah (ritual bath), a dedicated kiddish room, and a spacious lobby and reception area. The project also encompassed the renovation and expansion of the downstairs social hall and kosher kitchens, creating a comprehensive community center that could accommodate the full spectrum of Jewish religious and social life.

The historical and architectural significance of Tiferes Israel received formal recognition in 2016 when the synagogue was registered by the Canadian Register and designated as a Canadian Local Historic Place. This designation honors both the building’s Gothic Revival inspired architecture and its profound importance to Moncton’s Jewish community.

For a century, Congregation Tiferes Israel has stood as a testament to the vision, sacrifice, and determination of Moncton’s Jewish pioneers, remaining not only a cornerstone of Jewish life in the city but also a recognized treasure of Canadian heritage.