Formerly located on Manitoba Avenue in Winnipeg, this two-storey brick building, measuring 40 feet by 88 feet, was designed by local architect Max Zev Blankstein and built in 1914 by owner/contractor Samual Cohen at a cost of about $20,000. In its original configuration, the building contained ten residential apartments.
In early 1919, the building was renamed the Cressy Block but, shorter thereafter, it was purchased to become the Jewish Old Folks Home. Renovations to the block were designed by Blankstein and completed by the Genser Brothers Construction Company at a cost of about $2,000.
In 1927, alterations to the building which included the addition of a mortuary were also designed Blankstein and completed by contractor Victor Rubin at a cost of about $500. When the Old Folks Home moved to a newly constructed building on Magnus Avenue, this building became the Tiferes Israel Synagogue. At some point the building was demolished and the site is now occupied by another building.
Jewish Old Folks Home (no date)
Source: Jewish Historical Society of Western Canada Collection #1024, Archives of Manitoba
The former Jewish Old Folks Home (March 1980)
Source: PC 18/7150/18-6309-011, Winnipeg Tribune Photo Index, University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections
Safe at the former Jewish Old Folks Home painted with the preceding Jewish Old Folks Home (May 2024)
Source: Jordan MakichukSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.91608, W97.14111
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Max Zev Blankstein (1874-1931)
Manitoba Business: Genser Brothers Construction Company
Memorable Manitobans: Victor Rubin (c1871-1945)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Jewish Old Folks Home of Western Canada (146 Magnus Avenue, Winnipeg)
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 1377/1914, City of Winnipeg Archives.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 1070/1919, City of Winnipeg Archives.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 15/1927, City of Winnipeg Archives.
We thank Kenneth Ingram for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Jordan Makichuk and Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 25 November 2024
Historic Sites of Manitoba
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