A New Life on the Land: Jewish Farmers in Canada – Film Screening

This screening is proudly presented in partnership with the Jewish Historical Society of Southern Alberta.

In this film screening, discover the incredible journey of Jewish pioneers who cultivated not only the land but also a lasting legacy in Canada. Through the voices of early settlers, their children and grandchildren, this compelling documentary tells the story of resilience, determination and community.

Escaping poverty and oppression in Eastern Europe, these settlers braved harsh winters in underground shelters, battled locust swarms and worked tirelessly to transform the land into thriving farms. Jewish women played a pivotal role in building vibrant communities, establishing schools, synagogues and cultural traditions that endure to this day. From the Prairie homesteads to Quebec and Ontario, the film explores the evolution of Jewish agriculture—from runaway oxen in 1900 to today’s award-winning dairy farms and organic produce.

The film pays homage to the legacy of Baron Maurice de Hirsch and his wife Clara, whose Jewish Colonization Association (JCA) played a vital role in helping Jewish immigrants establish farms and businesses, ensuring they could build prosperous lives in their new homeland.

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