Mission & History

Congregation Shaar Hashomayim was originally incorporated by an Act of Parliament of Lower Canada as 'The English, German, and Polish Congregation'. They rented a room on St. James Street for $10.

On July 12, the cornerstone of the Shaar's first building was laid at 41 St. Constant, now de Bullion Street. The building was less than 5,500 square feet, and accommodated 150 men and 50 women, with services modeled after the Bayswater Synagogue in London, England.

On October 21, the cornerstone for a new synagogue building was laid on McGill College Avenue by synagogue president John Edward Moss, and was consecrated the following year. During the ceremony, the synagogue officially adopted the name "Congregation Shaar Hashomayim."

Rabbi Dr. Herman Abramowitz was hired as the synagogue's spiritual leader, a position he held until his death in 1947.

To accommodate a growing membership, in 1918, the Shaar purchased land at Kensington Avenue and Côte St. Antoine in Westmount. The cornerstone of the current synagogue, which came from Israel, was laid by synagogue president Lyon Cohen in 1921, and the building was consecrated on September 17, 1922.

A young Rabbi Wilfred Shuchat, then only 26 years old, was hired as Assistant Rabbi, and promoted to full Rabbi in 1948 following the death of Rabbi Abramowitz. He went on to become the Congregation's longest-serving rabbi. Also in 1946, the Shaar marked its centennial.

After WWII, the congregation's membership grew in large numbers. On October 31, 1948, the Congregation opened and dedicated the Rabbi Herman Abramowitz Educational Annex adjacent to the synagogue. The cornerstone was laid by synagogue President Moses J. Heillig, who was presented with a commemorative silver trowel.

Meeting the needs of its ever-expanding membership, the Shaar enlarged the building, tripling it in size. On October 1, the cornerstone was laid, and a new social hall, second chapel, two kiddush rooms, the library-museum, kitchens, and more were opened.
The same year, the 'Pavilion of Judaism' at Expo ’67 was created by Rabbi Wilfred Shuchat.

Sidney Dworkin was appointed as Cantor.

Reverend David Woolfson was appointed Ritual Director, and Stephen Glass was hired as the new Musical Director. Rabbi Wilfred Shuchat retired and was appointed Rabbi Emeritus.

The Shaar's 150th Anniversary Year. The Coat of Arms was granted to Congregation Shaar Hashomayim by the Governer General of Canada.

"The Gate of Heaven: The Story of Congregation Shaar Hashomayim of Montreal, 1846-1996," by Rabbi Shuchat, was published, detailing the history of the synagogue.

The Westmount Eruv is established and The Zomet Institute certified that the sound system could be used on Shabbat.

'The Canadian Haggadah Canadienne', a trilingual haggadah in English, French, and Hebrew, compiled and edited by Rabbi Adam Scheier and Richard Marceau, was published by the Shaar.

The Shaar celebrated its centennial in Westmount. As part of the celebrations, The Shaar retrieved a time capsule from the 1921 cornerstone, and rededicated its sanctuary on September 17 —exactly 100 years after it was initially dedicated.

The newly renovated chapel, lobby, and new memorial boards are dedicated.