Jews enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces in great numbers in both World Wars. Six thousand Jewish soldiers served Canada in World War I (out of a population of only 80,000 Jews) and 17,000 men and women, about 10 percent of the Jewish population, joined up in World War II.

      This was the highest military participation of any Canadian ethnic group. By December of l939 at least 30 Southern Alberta Jews had enlisted. A 1942 list showed over 100 local men and women in uniform and by the end of the war this number had doubled. As well, there were many Jewish reservists and cadets. Many others tried to join but were rejected.

      Twelve of this area's Jewish servicemen were killed in action. Many were wounded and some suffered as war prisoners. Southern Alberta's Jews were awarded many medals for bravery in combat.

      Jewish military personnel from other parts of Canada and from the Commonwealth Air Training stations in the area visited our communities. Some married Alberta Jews; many returned here after the war.

      Home front activities gave local Jews a chance to exercise their growing cohesion and patriotism. In World War I every Alberta Jewish community was involved in the Western Fund for the Relief of War Sufferers, and many Jews participated in local Red Cross or Patriotic Society activities.

      In World War II the home front war efforts were very extensive. Jewish organizations raised funds for international relief, and many were devoted to military aid - helping Jewish servicemen in Alberta, welcoming them into homes and synagogues for Jewish observances and sending parcels to local enlistees serving elsewhere.

      The communal resources so active during the war years were able to continue their efforts after both wars, aiding and welcoming increasingly-large groups of Jewish refugees, assisting the Zionist movement and accelerating the growth of local Jewish institutions.