- Congregation Schara Tzedeck
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Congregation Schara Tzedeck Basic information Location 3476 Oak Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Affiliation Judaism Rite Orthodox Status Active Leadership Rabbi Andrew Rosenblatt Website scharatzedeck.com Congregation Schara Tzedeck is an Orthodox synagogue in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It is the oldest synagogue and the largest Orthodox synagogue in the city. Its name is Hebrew for "Gates of Righteousness".
Founded in 1907, it was originally known as "Benei Yehuda" and was located at East Pender Street at Heatley Street in the Strathcona neighbourhood, then the focus of the city's Jewish community. Francis George Gardiner, architect's drawings of the Schara Tzedeck synagogue, circa 1920 are at Vancouver City Archives. [1]
Its present rabbi is Rabbi Andrew Rosenblatt. Congregation Schara Tzedeck celebrated its centennial in 2007. The congregation has a diverse membership, with many multi-generational families and long-time members. It is located at 3476 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC.
Notable members included David Oppenheimer, entrepreneur and second Mayor of Vancouver, who donated the land for the original site.
The synagogue holds daily prayer services, and has numerous educational and social programs for children and youth, men, women, families, and seniors. Examples include weekly adult education classes, youth events, Bar/Bat Mitzvah classes, guest lectures, Shabbat dinners, and holiday programming. A mikveh as well as the office of the Schara Tzedeck Cemetery Board are located on-site. The Vancouver chapter of NCSY operates out of the synagogue. Congregation Schara Tzedeck is affiliated with the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America.
Contents
History
The congregation was founded in 1907 as "Benei Yehuda", which can be translated as Children (Sons) of Judah. The first synagogue building was erected at Pender Street and Heatley Avenue in 1911. The congregation was legally incorporated on June 14, 1917 under a newly chosen name, "Schara Tzedeck", which means Gates of Righteousness. A new larger building was completed in September 1947, located in the South Cambie neighbourhood adjacent to the Shaughnessy neighborhood. The new synagogue was officially opened on January 25, 1948. In 1963, an expansion was constructed on property to the immediate north to accommodate offices, classrooms, a large auditorium, and other facilities.[2] Past rabbis include Rabbi Bernard Goldenberg, Rabbi Marvin Heir, Rabbi Mordechai Feuerstein, and Rabbi Avi Baumol. The Institute for stained glass in Canada has documented the stained glass at Schara Tzedeck Synagogue. [3]
Present
The synagogue has seen growth in membership over the last several years. Its youth program, including NCSY chapter, was reinvigorated in 2001 due to the efforts of Rabbi Avi Berman and has continued to see strong attendance and growth. In 2007, to commemorate the synagogue's centennial, a Century Celebration and Century Campaign were held to raise funds for a youth programming endowment fund and renovations of the lower level, which are currently underway and nearing completion. The new facilities will include modern state-of-the-art kitchens, a completely renovated social hall, an expansion of the Wosk Auditorium, and renovation of the Beit Midrash. In the sanctuary, Torah is read to the congregation from the bimah and the Torah scrolls are stored in the aron kodesh on the east wall. The congregation face towards the east, and Jerusalem, in praying. The ornamentation features symbols such as Stars of David, signs of the zodiac and natural forms. [4]
The synagogue recently engaged in a strategic planning process to determine how to best serve the needs of its diverse membership.
External links
See also
- Oldest synagogues in Canada
- History of the Jews in Canada
- Jews and Judaism in Vancouver
References
- ^ "Dictionary of Architects in Canada". http://dictionaryofarchitectsincanada.org/architects/view/1581. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
- ^ http://www.scharatzedeck.com/10_02_history.html
- ^ stained glass at Schara Tzedeck Synagogue http://stainedglasscanada.ca/site.php?site=271
- ^ PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0007839 "Canadian Encyclopedia". http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0007839. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
Categories:- Synagogues in British Columbia
- Buildings and structures in Vancouver
- Religious organizations established in 1907
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