Mailing address:
B3-1410 Parkway Blvd, Unit 14
Coquitlam, BC V3E 3J7

The Burquest Community selected the name Congregation Sha’arai Mizrah, Gates of the East, reflecting our geographic position relative to Vancouver. Congregation Sha’arai Mizrah encompasses the Jewish ritual and lifecycle activities that occur on a regular basis.

Burquest nurtures our rich Jewish heritage by facilitating ritual events such as Shabbat services, Jewish Festivals, High Holidays, baby-namings, Bar and Bat Mitzvah and other life cycle events. On occasion we meet in family homes for Shabbat dinner too. If you are planning on a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, both the Hebrew school and the Ritual Committee will be eager to help you make your important milestone a memorable and meaningful experience. Whether our children race around with the Torah on Simchat Torah, hunt for Chametz (leaven) before Pessach, decorate a Sukkah or celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel’s Day of Independence), we are proud to have a warm, supportive, joyful and welcoming environment where friendships grow.

Our services are led by Cantor Levin, and occasionally by rabbis or guests. We also rely on community members, mothers and fathers alike, the adult Hebrew classes and our past Bar and Bat Mitzvah students to contribute to the services by reading from the Torah or leading any part of the service. This, however, does not mean that you have to be an expert at Jewish customs to find the warmth of our community. Congregation Sha’arei Mizrah is not affiliated, and our rich participatory and egalitarian medley is something we cherish.

Burquest's Hebrew school is the oldest "institution" within the organization, reflecting the high priority our members have always put on Jewish education. The school, designed for children in Grades K–7 as well as for Adults, meets from 9:30-12:00 on Sunday mornings. Our school offers a full complement of experienced teachers. Children are divided into 3 classes: a Kita Aleph class (Grades K-2) introduces crafts, songs, Jewish culture and rituals; Kita Bet (Grades 3 – 5) emphasizing beginning Hebrew language skills, life cycle events, holidays, and basic prayers; Kita Gimel (Grades 6–7) is a B'nei Mitzvah preparation class that focuses on more advanced language skills, the meaning of prayer, life cycle events, and cultural and historical traditions. For those unable to attend Sunday morning classes, there is also a multi-level class offered on Thursday afternoons.

Burquest includes children in its activities, including services, to the greatest extent possible. We also offer youth programming for teens.

Burquest is rich in adult programming. Our adult education program meets several times per year, either as a series or a set of stand-alone events. We teach beginner and intermediate basics of Hebrew language and Jewish practice in adult classes. We have a Torah Study class and adults have celebrated long-delayed Bar or Bat Mitzvahs within our community. We offer fun activities including workshops, Israeli dancing lessons, and socials.

We offer ongoing adult educational classes, such as weekly beginner and intermediate Hebrew language classes along with monthly Torah study groups. Other enjoyable activities include workshops, guest speakers, parents & tots group, and a senior’s program that includes monthly luncheons, outings and socials. We regularly participate in interfaith activities, provide information on Judaism, and conduct school tours. The Royal City Chapter of Hadassah is using our building for their meetings and operates a gift shop selling Judaica and related holiday gift items.

We have a successful community kitchen program where members enjoy getting together and preparing various traditional foods, such as gefilte fish, hamentaschen and potato latkes for our seniors and pot luck lunches and dinners that we provide for the community.