Not long ago, one of our Canadian writers wrote about keeping kosher, visiting, and finding the Jewish community in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. One of our readers was nice enough to email us with updates to the original post.

Kosher Info (updates):

• Berel’s Bakery is out of business, as is Haifa Deli.
• The Carriage House bakery (only certain items) and Karen’s Cafe are
  still certified kosher, but the orthodox community prefers to prepare
  their own food at home.
• The Safeway at Glenmore Landing has a small selection of kosher food
  (matzo, grape juice, fish sticks, frozen chicken, shabbos candles, etc).
• The Superstore at 10505 Southport Road SW has a somewhat larger
  selection of kosher, and seems to be where most people shop.
• Kalinka currently stocks Calgary’s largest selection of frozen meat
  (including convenient pre-cooked chicken nuggets) and Cholov Yisroel
  cheese, as well as various other items.
• Cholov Yisroel milk is not available in Calgary unless you make
  prior arrangements with Chabad (www.chabadalberta.org).

>> Be sure to refer to the original post on CALGARY, AB here < <

Jewish Info (updated):

• House of Jacob (orthodox) has a world-class Rabbi (Yisroel Miller),
  a mikveh, and offers Shabbat and weekday hospitality. Contact
  hospitality@hojmi.org for info.
• The conservative shul no longer has a cantor.

If you have updates to information we have on this site, please email us.

Contributed by: Aviron | Last Date of Travel: June 2005

Kosher Info:

The large supermarket in Whitehorse carried a surprising variety of kosher bread, pies, snacks and a plethora of canned fish with an assortment of US and Canadian kosher supervision symbols. It supplemented the usual kosher provisions that we take on trips out of the Jewish travel-sphere.

Travel Info:

Yukon is one of Canada’s 3 territories located in the northwest corner of the country, bordering Alaska to the west and the Northwest Territories to the east. It is larger than California. The population is small; the land is big, wide, bright (in summer) and startlingly empty. Two thirds of Yukoners live in the capital, named Whitehorse by early settlers because the swirling mists over the wild Yukon River reminded them of the flowing manes of galloping white stallions.

Whitehorse International Airport has 2 daily flights from Vancouver and sporadic flights from some northern Canadian communities. We rented a car and headed west towards Haines Junction, YT. The famed Alaska Highway is a well-paved 2-lane blacktop connecting British Columbia and Alaska. The road was built to protect the area from Japanese invasion during WWII.

Haines Junction is about a 2-hour drive from Whitehorse. Once you leave town, there are no traffic lights. There is no traffic. The only reason to stop is to gape at the scenery, because gaping and driving do not mix. This area is draped with green forests and sweeping snowcapped mountain in all directions. Throw in some emerald lakes and rushing glacier-fed rivers and you get the idea. The Yukon Department of Highways has wisely placed scenic turnoffs along the road to allow everyone to stop and breathe in the beauty.

Haines Junction is the first town west of Whitehorse. Its population is about 800. It is located at the junction of the Alaska and Haines Highways, hence the name. In addition to some houses ranging from shacks to lovely homes, the town has a general store/post office/bank, an upscale café, 3 motels, a school, a sports facility, gas stations and a brand new convention center, all surrounded by those omnipresent snowcapped mountains. There is a traffic signal at the actual intersection to handle all the activity. Our motel, the Alcan, (http://alcanmotorinn.com) faced a ridge of craggy mountains. The room was clean, modern and comfortable, with microwave and fridge. The view was always magnificent, as the colors and clouds and angle of the sun changed during the very very very long days. At 11PM we closed the shades to keep out the sunlight and went to sleep.

Due to its central location, Haines Junction also serves as the headquarters of Kluane (KLOO-AH-NEE) National Park and Reserve which encompasses the entire southwest corner of the Yukon, including Canada’s highest mountain peaks. At the visitors center we were able to get good information on what highlights the park offered. No roads enter the park, but the highway travels along its eastern flank. From the road, there are many trails from a half-kilometer to 7 days in length. We chose a few that led to lakes. We were not warned us about mosquitoes, but now you have been. As a precaution, we always made noise to scare away the bears. And we saw bears. They were just off the road, placidly munching on dandelions. They didn’t seem to mind when we stopped the car and got out to take a closer look.

Our second day in Kluane, we drove north to a different section with different topography. This area is drier, higher and windier. No mosquitoes. We selected the recommended 5km hike called Sheep’s Creek. It was tough going with steep switchbacks, narrow paths and little shade. But the views as we climbed higher and higher were spectacular. Rows upon rows of mountains reflected the sun off their icy slopes in a 360 degree panorama. Glaciers. Waterfalls. Flower-filled valleys. We picnicked alone on the peak until some hikers from Belgium joined us. The walk down was quicker.

Back in the car we headed next for the log cabin ghost town of Silver City. It is hardly mentioned in guide books, and not on any maps, but we managed to find it after a few wrong turns. Secluded in a small forest, near a lake, this “town” was abandoned in 1920 and left to the elements. A few buildings remain in various stages of collapse, but there was still enough left to get an idea of what it must have been like.

Backtracking via Whitehorse – there are no other roads – we drove into the Yukon’s Deep South, and the scenery actually improved. Bigger mountains, larger lakes, grander vistas. We stopped for a self-heating lunch (www.labriutemeals.com) in the small settlement of Carcross, an old town full of souvenir shops and a modern visitor’s center, plus vintage trains and an historical wooden railroad bridge. Driving further south, towards the Alaska panhandle, the terrain took a very bizarre turn. The valley floors became filled with small lakes connected by creeks and little waterfalls. Mossy rock mounds rose and fell. The trees seemed dwarfed, but the panoramas were huge.

Yukon was an amazing and easy outdoors experience.

Contributed by: Dani Klein | Last Date of Travel: June 2009

It’s hard to believe we haven’t had a post on Toronto yet, the 2nd largest Jewish community outside of Israel. Recently, I’ve had the privilege of visiting Toronto on multiple occasions and trying much of their great food.

Kosher Info: The largest Jewish city north of the American border does not disappoint when it comes to kosher options. Throughout the Jewish neighborhoods, kosher food are plentiful.

The Jewish community is saturated along Bathurst Ave. which runs North to South into the downtown district. The majority of the restaurants are located on, or fairly close to, Bathurst Ave. So when in doubt, drive up or down Bathurst, and you will inevitably find numerous kosher options.

The Bathurst / Lawrence neighborhood hosts some classic Toronto establishments:

• Tov Li – amazing pizza, falafel, and other pizzeria goodies. (I was actually quite impressed with this place)
• Jewels & Java – a unique combo of jewelery store and cafe.
• Umami Sushi – a highly recommended sushi place by the locals (I haven’t tried it so I cant confirm)
• Dairy Treats - a great breakfast place

Further north, near Wilson Ave., you’ll be able to find:

• Marky’s – a traditional deli that evoked mixed reactions from Torontonians
• King David Pizza – whose pizza did not look fresh to me – so I stayed away
• Donut Delight – not quite Dunkin Donuts

North of the city limits, the Thornhill neighborhood of Vaughan, ON houses a densely populated Jewish suburban area. At one strip mall at Clark & Hilda Aves you can find:

• D-Lite’s – a quaint sit down dairy eatery with salads, great sushi (I recommend getting yours tempura style if you like things fried like me), and even some poutine (a traditionally French Canadian side dish consisting of French fries, melted cheese, and gravy – non meat of course). The service was not so great, but not awful considering the few waiters on hand.
• Miami Grill is a popular fleishig establishment with all the usual grilled favorites including steak and burgers.
• Second Cup - this special branch of the coffee chain is entirely certified kosher.
• Sobeys – a local supermarket chain all over Toronto – this particular branch has everything made in house certified kosher including a bakery, butcher, fish and appetizing sections. This is truly something you can’t even find in New York.

Tourist Info:
Toronto is a cultural hub for Canada, with a mix of American and European flavors. In the summer time, Toronto is filled with tons of outdoor events. (I suspect they’re spending the freezing winter months pining for the nice days of summer to be outdoors). Each year the Jewish community holds a Jewish culture festival and an Israel fair. Head to the Harbourfront on Lake Ontario, as there are numerous outdoor vendors and nearby museums.

If you’re anywhere near downtown, you wont be able to miss the CN Tower which marks the city’s skyline. Also downtown is the Hockey Hall of Fame.

On the corner of Bathurst & Bloor you’ll find a Toronto relic, Honest Ed’s – a carnival-like, discount shopping experience. Further down Bloor you’ll find major shopping malls and shops.

Highly recommended is the Royal Ontario Museum, better known as the ROM.

Jewish Info: The Jewish community is large and visible. I make a distinction between Toronto and New York, because in Toronto the community is somewhat condensed (along Bathurst Ave.) and everywhere you go you see Jewish signs, Israeli flags, posters, etc. In NY, you could be driving through the Jewish areas of Manhattan or Long Island and sometimes not know the difference. Chabad is very active in Toronto, with a few visible houses, and a large one in Thornhill.

Nearby in Thornhill, you’ll be able to find the famous BAYT (pronounced “Bayit” like ‘house’ in Hebrew), which is a massive orthodox shul, with multiple minyanim of all types, which boasts a wedding hall and multiple kiddush clubs.

When visiting Toronto, you shouldn’t find trouble finding a warm place to stay for Shabbat.

Contributed by: Dani Klein | Last Date of Travel: July 2006

Kosher Info: Kosher food in the Niagara region can only be found on the Canadian side, or in Buffalo (about 20+ min. away). Directly near the falls there is a dairy restaurant: King David Bakery which carries decent pizza, sandwiches, Israeli products, and bakery items. Chabad recommends Mendy’s Kosher Niagara, although I was not there. Here are Chabad’s listings for the area: Kosher Niagara.

Tourist Info: The falls are breathtakingly beautiful no matter who you are. There are fun activities on both the American and Canadian sides, however the fun tourist-y atmosphere exists by the hotels and attractions on the Canadian side of the Rainbow Bridge. Best time to visit is July 1-4, as July 1st is Canadian Independence Day and July 4th is American Independence Day, all 4 days are used to celebrate both countries; fireworks each night around 10pm.

American Attractions:

• Cave of the Winds
• Maid of the Mist
• Goat Island

Canadian Attractions:

• Maid of the Mist
• Journey Behind the Falls
• Skylon Tower
• Casino Niagara
• Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectricity Power Plant

Jewish Info: There isn’t much history here. Contact the Chabad of Niagara which can help you with minyanim, mikvah, Shabbat, and food situations.