Kingston Jewish Walking Tours
Jewish history hidden in plain sight in Canada’s first capital.
Kingston is one of Canada's most historic cities. Visitors come for the limestone architecture, military history, waterfront, politics, prisons, and Queen's University.
But hidden in plain sight is another story.
For more than 150 years, Jewish families have lived, worked, worshipped, studied, built businesses, shaped institutions, contributed to civic life, and helped leave their mark on this city.
My Kingston Jewish Walking Tours uncover that story.
Led by Yos Tarshish - educator, consultant, local historian, and Kingston resident - these tours combine Canadian history, local history, Jewish history, family stories, immigration, entrepreneurship, student life, philanthropy, antisemitism, and community-building to reveal a side of Kingston that most people never see.
Whether you are a local resident, a visitor from further afield, a Queen's graduate, a history enthusiast, or simply someone curious about the city around you, these tours offer a fresh perspective on Kingston's past and present.
Monthly Tour Schedule
Throughout the Summer a different tour is offered each Sunday at 2:00 PM, highlighting four distinct dimensions of Kingston's Jewish history. As we move into September, tours will still take place weekly but not on Sundays due to the High Holidays schedule this year.
Tour 1: Downtown Kingston: Neighbours & Builders
Allyship, antisemitism, and the making of a community
Tour 2: Queen's University
Inclusion, exclusion, and the Jewish campus experience
Tour 3: Downtown Kingston: Arrivals & Enterprise
Immigration, entrepreneurship, and the pursuit of opportunity
Tour 4: McBurney Park Neighbourhood
How ordinary lives built an extraordinary community
Tour duration is typically 60-75 minutes. Larger groups may require up to 90 minutes.
Tour 1: Downtown Kingston: Neighbours & Builders
Allyship, antisemitism,
and the making of a community.
How did Kingston become a place where Jewish life could take root and flourish?
This tour explores the relationships, institutions, and individuals that helped shape Kingston's Jewish community. Along the way, we'll examine both stories of support and cooperation, and moments when antisemitism challenged the community's place in the city.
Length: 60-75 minutes
Walking Distance: 1.4km
Start: The Kingston Sign, Confederation Park
End: Samuel Springer Memorial Lot, Queen St
(between Montreal St and Bagot St)
Upcoming Dates: June 28, July 26, September 6
Tour 2: Queen's University
Inclusion, exclusion,
and the Jewish campus experience.
Queen's Jewish story is older, deeper, and more surprising than most people realise.
From the first Hillel House in Canada to Holocaust survivors, philanthropy, student life, and campus controversies, this tour explores more than a century of Jewish experiences at one of Canada's most influential universities.
Length: 60-75 minutes
Walking Distance: 1.9km
Start: 26 Barrie St
End: “Time” sculpture (Breakwater Park)
Optional Extension: Continue on to Beth Israel Kingston and the present home of Hillel Queen's (+1km)
Upcoming Dates: July 5, August 9
Tour 3: Downtown Kingston: Arrivals & Enterprise
Immigration, entrepreneurship, and the pursuit of opportunity
How did immigrant peddlers become business owners, philanthropists, and community leaders?
This tour follows the journeys of Kingston's early Jewish settlers while placing their experiences within the broader story of Jewish immigration to Canada. Join me to uncover this story of ambition, resilience, and opportunity.
Length: 60-75 minutes
Walking Distance: 1.5km
Start: Slush Puppie Place (Gate 4)
End: The Works (Corner of Clergy and Princess St.)
Upcoming Dates: July 12, August 23, September 29
Tour 4: McBurney Park Neighbourhood
How ordinary lives built an extraordinary community.
Behind every institution are the families who made it possible.
This neighbourhood tour explores former homes, businesses, prayer spaces, and gathering places while uncovering the everyday lives of Kingston's early Jewish families. Ideal for those who have already participated in Tour 1 or 3 and want an even deeper look at the people behind the history.
Length: 60-75 minutes
Walking Distance: 2.5km
Start: Corner of Sydenham St and Queen St
End: Springer Memorial Lot (Queen St)
Upcoming Dates: July 19, August 30
Private Group Tours
Private tours are available for families, synagogue groups, schools, alumni groups, community organisations, conference groups, and visitors looking for a more personalised Kingston experience.
Private groups can book one tour, combine two routes, or arrange a custom experience drawing from all three.
Private tours are available for groups of 10 or more.
To enquire, please include:
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preferred date and time
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group size
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which tour or tours interest you
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any mobility/accessibility needs
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whether the group has a particular interest, such as Queen’s, local Jewish families, migration, synagogue history, or antisemitism and campus life