Adath Israel (Montreal)

Adath Israel
Hebrew: עדת ישראל‬
Religion
AffiliationModern Orthodox Judaism
RiteAshkenazi
LeadershipRabbi Michael Whitman
StatusActive
Location
Location223 Harrow Crescent
Hampstead, Quebec
CountryCanada
Adath Israel (Montreal) is located in Montreal
Adath Israel (Montreal)
Location in Montreal
Geographic coordinates45°28′51″N 73°39′20″W / 45.480850°N 73.655680°W / 45.480850; -73.655680
Architecture
Date established1930; 95 years ago (1930)
Completed
Website
adath.ca

Adath Israel, officially the Adath Israel–Poale Zedek–Anshei Ozeroff Congregation (Hebrew: ק״ק עדת ישראל–פועלי צדק–אנשי אזשעראוו‬), is a Modern Orthodox synagogue located in Hampstead, Quebec, a suburb of Montreal. Until 1980 it was located in the city of Outremont (now a borough of Montreal).

History

Adath Israel was established in 1930, initially situated in a rented space above a delicatessen on Van Horne Avenue in Outremont.[1] Construction of the congregation's permanent home at 899 McEchran Avenue began in 1939, and the synagogue was dedicated in 1940.[2] That same year, Charles Bender, formerly of the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, became the congregation's first rabbi.[3]

In 1941, Adath Israel became the first synagogue in Canada to establish a Jewish day school—the Adath Israel School—which pioneered the Ivrit b'Ivrit method of Hebrew language immersion.[2]

The congregation moved to the suburb of Hampstead in 1981. In 1992, Adath Israel amalgamated with Congregation Poale Zedek (founded in 1910),[4][5] and, in 2003, with Congregation Anshei Ozeroff (founded in 1918).[6][7]

Building

Installation of stained glass windows by Yehouda Chaki.

Adath Israel's original building at McEachran and Ducharme was designed by architects Milton Eliasoph and Henry E. Greenspoon.[8] Its Bauhaus-influenced modernist style represents a shift from traditional synagogue architecture in Montreal.[1] The building now houses the Saint Anthony the Great Monastery.

The synagogue's Hampstead building is noted for its 30 stained glass panels by Yehouda Chaki depicting Biblical themes.[9]

Clergy

The following individuals have served, or are currently serving, in clerical roles in the congregation:

Rabbis

  • Charles Bender (1940–1969)
  • Michael Kramer (1969–2001)
  • Michael Whitman (2001–present)

Ḥazzanim

  • Myer Mandelcorn (1932–?)
  • William Sauler (1940–1945)
  • Eugene Goldberger (1947–1965)
  • Benjamin Hass (1965–1987)[10]
  • Yaakov Motzen (1987–1997)
  • Abraham Sultan (1997–2007)
  • Shmuel Levin (2012–2016)

References

  1. ^ a b Tauben, Sara. "Adath Israel". Museum of Jewish Montreal. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Our History". Adath Israel Poale Zedek. Archived from the original on September 22, 2001.
  3. ^ "Rabbi is a beacon to several generations". The Gazette. Montreal. April 1, 1990. p. D3.
  4. ^ "Poale Zedek Synagogue". Canadian Jewish Heritage Network. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  5. ^ Goldenberg, Joel (September 13, 2017). "Ceremony looks back at Poale Zedek congregation". The Suburban.
  6. ^ Singer, D.; Grossman, L. (October 29, 2023). American Jewish Year Book. American Jewish Committee. p. 292. ISBN 9780874951172.
  7. ^ Tauben, Sara. "Adath Israel Poale Zedek Anshei Ozeroff". Museum of Jewish Montreal. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  8. ^ "Eliasoph, Milton". Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada, 1800–1950. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  9. ^ Brodt, Shirley Muhlstock, ed. (2011–2012). "National Synagogue Directory – Quebec" (PDF). Canadian Jewish Congress. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 27, 2022.
  10. ^ Shulman, David; Jaffe, Steven (March 30, 2020). "Rabbinical Profiles". Jewish Communities & Records — United Kingdom. JewishGen. Retrieved October 24, 2023.