- Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue of Montreal
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Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue of Montreal 
former Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, Stankey Street in Montreal in use from 1890-1947
Basic information Location St. Kevin Street in Snowdon, Canada Affiliation Judaism Rite Nusach Sefard Status Active Leadership Rabbi Shachar Orenstein Website www.thespanish.org The Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue of Montreal also known as Shearith Israel is a Montreal synagogue, located on St. Kevin Street in Snowdon, which is the oldest Jewish congregation in Canada. The Congregation traces its history back to 1760 and was formally established in 1768. It is affiliated with the Orthodox Union.
Some of the notable Rabbis of the synagogue have included Abraham de Sola (1825–1882) and his son Meldola de Sola (1853–1919).
The current senior rabbi is Rabbi Shachar Orenstein. Rabbi Howard Joseph, who has served the community since 1970, is Rabbi Emeritus.
Contents
Architecture
The first synagogue building, and the first non-Catholic house of worship built in the province of Quebec, was the synagogue building in the Old City. The Congregation built a new Judeo-Egyptian style templelike building with a front of cut stone, and adorned with a portico with two columns on Chenneville Street in 1838. This was the only formal place for Jewish worship in Montréal until 1846. Charles T. Ballard, architect, designed a new and larger Synagogue for the Spanish & Portuguese Congregation on Stanley Street in the Egyptian style of architecture in 1887-1890. [1]
The Congregation has been housed in its fourth premises in the Côtes-des-Neiges/Notre-Dame-de-Grâce area of Montreal since 1947.
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. [2]
See also
External links
References
- ^ "Dictionary of Architects in Canada". http://dictionaryofarchitectsincanada.org/architects/view/1025. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
- ^ PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0007839 "Canadian Encyclopedia". http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0007839. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
Categories:- 1768 establishments
- Religious organizations established in the 1760s
- Synagogues in Montreal
- Spanish and Portuguese Jews
- 18th-century synagogues
- Quebec building and structure stubs
- Synagogue stubs
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