Synagogues

The first services of this Congregation were held in the private home of Meyer Held on St. Patrick Street. In 1902 they began to hold their services at a location on Rideau Street. The first services in the new location were officiated by Rabbi Joseph Berger and Rev. Louis Doctor.

On Shushan Purim, April 15, 1892 the Adath Jeshurun Congregation assembled for the first time. Like many of the other Congregations that would follow it, Adath Jeshurun services were being held in private homes. The Congregation also began raising money for the establishment of a synagogue, at times the dues were as high as 25 cents a month. It wasn't until later that their first synagogue was completed at 264 Murray Street in 1895. Nine years later, in 1904, the Congregation moved to a newly built synagogue on King Edward Avenue. The building was designed by architect John Watts and featured two onion shaped domes in the style of Eastern European synagogues. Aaron Rosenthal laid the cornerstone on July 25, 1904. Later the Hebrew Institute was added onto the building which housed a Talmud Torah.

In 1944 the Congregation donated a 10 volume set of the Universal Jewish Encyclopaedia to the University of Ottawa. It was presented by Rabbi Oscar Z. Fasman who hoped that through the dissemination of accurate facts misunderstandings would be wiped out and social happiness would become attainable. In 1956 the Congregation Adath Jeshurun united with the Congregation Agudath Achim to form the Congregation Beth Shalom. They began holding their services at 151 Chapel Street.In February of 1999 the building on King Edward which had served as the Jewish Memorial Chapel was sold to the Seventh Day Adventists to use as their church.

Adath Shalom is an egalitarian Congregation that is affiliated with the United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism. As there is not a permanent Rabbi, members are encouraged to participate in leading various parts of the service, present divrai Torah and kiddushim. Men and women are given equal participation in all aspects of Jewish life. Those who wish to may lead Davening, read the Torah and Haftarah and give Divrei Torah. On the High Holy days and other occasions visiting rabbis and scholars provide spiritual leadership and study.

When that last congregation in Brockville closed, Adath Shalom received their hand made wooden ark.

By 1936, the group decided to organize itself into a permanent Conservative Congregation which was chartered under the name of Congregation Agudath Israel, and in 1938, a former church was purchased at 17 Fairmount. In 1944, a Sunday School was established under the guidance of Abe Lieff. The classes were conducted in the kitchen of the synagogue around a pot belly stove, while about 10 children sat on orange crates.

The Congregation moved to 30 Rosemount, and while at that location, the Nearly New Shop was established next door. To this day, the Nearly New Shop continues to be a major source of revenue, the proceeds of which go to the synagogue.

By 1958, the building of the current synagogue began on Coldrey Avenue designed by architect Sid Lithwick. Congregation milestones include testimonial dinners for Hon. Mr. Lieff after 16 years as President and Cantor Aptowitzer for 30 years of service, the first congregation seder in 1975, and "The Groisse Simcha" 50th anniversary of the Congregation in 1989.

In 1956 two of the oldest Congregations of Ottawa, Adath Jeshurun and Agudath Achim, united to form Congregation Beth Shalom which means House of Peace. It was designed by Hazelgrove and Lithwick as part of the larger Jewish Community Centre at 151 Chapel Street.

The idea of an Uppertown Congregation began in 1910 when familes had to walk to Lowertown synagogues for Holy Day services in bad weather. In 1911 the residents of Uppertown began to hold services in a public hall at 219 Bank Street and the home of Mr. J. R. Fogle at 384 Bank Street. For these services the Congregation had been renting a Torah from another shul for $10, through donations they were later able to purchase their own Torah. It was in 1914 that they purchased a house at 54 James Street as their shul, the purchase required a $4,000 mortage and $1,000 in cash.

Congregation Machzikei Hadas

The shul has been established and re-established on three occasions. The Congregation first began services in a Murray Street apartment in 1907. In 1923, property on the corner of Murray Street and King Edward Avenue was purchased and the new synagogue was completed in 1929. The women's gallery was decorated with a set of painted murals.

Again in 1973, the Congregation moved, this time away from the By Ward Market to the residential area of Alta Vista. The murals were restored and installed in the foyer of the Jewish Community Centre at 151 Chapel Street, an more recently re-installed in the new Soloway Jewish Community Centre.

The Ottawa Reconstructionist Havurah (ORH), now in its 14th year, is a democratic, self-led, egalitarian friendship group whose goal is to establish a creative, caring and inclusive Jewish community. The members of ORH have a vision of what a congregation should be - a participatory setting for the explanation of our Jewish heritage, a forum for intellectual and spiritual growth and an extended family for the celebration of life-cycle events. Reconstructionists believe in the equality of the sexes and members are encouraged to lead Shabbat services, read from the Torah, and lead discussions. In 1995 a new Torah Scroll was dedicated and members crafted a cover. Services are enriched by rabbinic visitors. Jewish holidays and festivals are traditions, including a communal self catered second seder, a Shira and a commemorative program on Tisha B'Av. Often celebrations are enhanced by the ORH musical band.

In the spring of 1966, four couples met to organize a Liberal Reform Congregation. Elaine and Irving Singer, Myrna and Ernie Potechin, Bill and Billy Danson, and Matty and David Alexandor felt there was a need for a reform congregation and are credited with its creation. Bill Danson was elected president and the name Jewish Reform Congregation of Ottawa was chosen.

On December 6, 1966 the first Shabbat services of the shul were conducted in a Ottawa area school. Twenty nine families were members at an annual fee of $25.

Without a permanent location services were held in the Histadrut Centre, Montefiore Club, with larger gathering for the High Holidays at the Chateau Laurier or El Mirador Hotel. In September 1971 the Congregation moved to the James Street Synagogue previously owned by the B'nai Jacob Congregation. The sanctuary was renovated and a permanent home was reality, however not for long. In October 1972 the Synagogue was badly damaged by fire and the Congregation was again back to using the Montefiore, as well as the Jewish Community Centre and the Unitarian Congregation for services. Renamed Temple Israel, they found a permanent location in 1975. On October 26 their new building was dedicated realizing their dream for a permanent home. Presently Ottawa's only reform congregation has over 400 family members and 200 children enrolled, through nursery to grade 10, in its Temple Israel Religious School.

Congregation Young Israel began in 1967 with a minyan in the basement of the home of Moe and Rose Lickwick. Within months membership grew and the Orthodox Congregation needed new accommodations. The shul rented space in a converted pizza outlet on Merivale Road, making them popularly referred to as "Pizza Palace". It was in this location where a Sefer Torah donated by the late Gilbert Greenberg was dedicated on March 31, 1968. Services were conducted by Rabbi Howard G. Messinger.

With growing membership a property was purchased on Kirkwood Avenue and a basement and partial first floor was constructed for synagogue services. On August 17, 1980 Congregation Young Israel realized its dream with the dedication of a upper floor that included a new sanctuary. Rabbi Mordecai Berger, spiritual leader of Young Israel since 1976, stated "This is a great milestone. We now have, for the first time, full facilities that a Synagogue should offer. We are hoping this will serve as a stepping stone to further social, religious and educational activities in reaching out to the Jewish community." 21 years later Rabbi Burger's comments are reality as the Congregation has continued to celebrate many more milestones, membership growth and offer a high level of programs.