Jews everywhere, even in the remote home- steads, towns and cities of Alberta, have maintained their faith by uniting to observe religious rituals and life cycle events, to educate their chidren, to provide"tzedakah"(charity) to the needy, to join other Jews in"K'lal Israel",and to celebrate the milestones of their family and community life.

      As a religious and linguistic minority facing a strange and sometimes hostile environment, Alberta's Jews sought comfort in the company of their coreligionist by forming clubs and societies to stage social, cultural and entertainment activities.

      In Medicine Hat and Lethbridge synagogues were the first Jewish organizations to be formed, but in Calgary it was a burial society - the Chevra Kadisha - that was the first Jewish group officially incorporated, in 1904.Beth Jacob Congregation was formed soon after to be followed by another institution basic to Judaic communal life, a Hebrew School.

      Continuing immigration spurred the birth of the Jewish Ladies'Aid Society, an immigrant aid group, which became the Council of Jewish Women in 1920.

      A 1914 Jewish newspaper noted many Jewish groups active in Calgary, including the Young Men's Hebrew Association, the Zionist Society of Calgary (founded in 1907)and, as evidence of the growing diversity of the community, a Jewish(Yiddish) Library of Calgary, and a Jewish Workmen's Circle associated with the Socialist Party of Canada.

      There was also a Vaad Hair - a 12 member Jewish council intended to coordinate community activities and to ensure provision of basic religions and educational services. A B'nal B'rith lodge began in 1917.

      Diversity and growth continued into the 1920's.Jewish women became more active in organizational life, and prosperity brought more attention to cultural and social pursuits.

      Zionism became a focus of fund-raising and cultural activities after the Balfour Declaration of 1917.A "Jewish Tag Day"in 1917 raised $2,500 for Jewish relief in Palestine, including contributions from the Calgary Jewish Relief Committee, the Calgary Jewish Benevolent Society, and the Girls'Auxillary.