Susan Landau-Chark - Concordia University

4
were 206 congregations of which 174 were Orthodox, 25 were Conservative and 7 were
Reform. 8 Rosenberg commented that this “rise in synagogue building and membership
appeared to be motivated by a desire to “belong” rather than [by] a strong religious
conviction.” 9
In Montreal’s West Notre Dame de Grace, by 1951, there was a large enough
Jewish population to prompt consideration for a building that would house a synagogue
(soon to be named “Shaare Zion”), a Hebrew school, and a community hall. 10 In July of
1951 the initial group of 16 families had expanded sufficiently to elect officers and
organize into the Jewish Congregation of Western N.D.G. 11 On April 2, 1952, the
congregation was incorporated under the Companies Act of Canada.
In Gordon’s observation of the families moving to the American suburbs, he had
expressed concern that many of these families were joining their synagogues in order to
“socialize” with other Jews rather than because of any perceived connection with Jewish
tradition. Many of the group in Western N.D.G. grew up within a traditional Jewish
setting but were now seeking a more modern approach to Judaism for themselves and the
families they were forming. This group very much saw itself as a community, and wanted
to be seen that way by others. They hoped to attract members by emphasizing not only
the community’s friendly and hospitable environment, but also the fact that their services
were structured and decorous unlike the remembered services, for many, of their
childhood.
Reference Book and Directory, ed. Dr. Elie Gottesman, (Montreal, QC: Central
Rabbinical Seminary of Canada, 1965): 189.
8
Ibid. 189. In Montreal by the 1960's there were 48 Orthodox synagogues, 4
Conservative and 3 Reform synagogues.
9
Ibid. 190.
10
Shaare Zedek Souvenir Book. 1955: 4
11
Shaare Zedek Souvenir book. 1955: 4