Congregation Shaar Hashomayim has a long and proud history of providing quality Jewish education and programming for its youth. For over 160 years, each generation, in its own way, has assumed the responsibility of passing on the traditions and values of Judaism to its children. In addition to prayer services for its young people and its Bar and Bat Mitzvah programs, the Synagogue has adapted to the changing needs of its members by offering dynamic and innovative educational and social opportunities from pre-school age through CEGEP (pre-University). The synagogue has also cultivated a close relationship with the Akiva School (www.akivaschool.com), an independent Jewish Day School housed in the Synagogue’s educational facility.

 

Garderie Foundation School Day Care Centre (Ages 2-5)

 

Weekdays 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Early supervision, lunch program and extra-curricular activities available.

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Shabbat Mornings Youth Programming (Ages 2-5)

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Y'mei Shemesh/Sunny Days Day Camp (Ages 2-5)

The Shaar's summer program for pre-school children.

Sherry Smith, Director  |  514.937.9475   |  ssmith@theshaar.org

For Ages 5-12

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Shabbat Mornings Youth Programming (Ages 6-12)

For Teens

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program (Girls: Age 11 and Boys: Age 12)

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Noam School (Grades 7-11)

Wednesdays 5:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.

Continuing Jewish text-study and discussion for alumni of Jewish Day Schools
enrolled in non-Jewish High Schools.

Abby Brown Scheier, Noam School Director (ext. 143)

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Downloads

Brochure:  Boys   |   Girls      

Registration Form:  Boys   |   Girls  

Occasional and Annual Events

 Friday Night and Festival Dinners

We host a number of dinners followed by special programs for children and adults.
The dinners include great food and singing and are often held
in conjunction with the visit of a guest speaker.

(Shabbatonim) Shabbat Retreats

We welcome groups who visit our Synagogue throughout the year.
Our youth groups also travel to campsites and other Jewish communities
in Quebec and beyond to celebrate Shabbat and Jewish
Holidays in varied settings. These programs are designed to
introduce our youth to a variety of Jewish customs and practices in a
fun, in a meaningful Shabbat environment. 

Youth Shabbat (sponsored by Sisterhood)

On Youth Shabbat, we provide numerous extra opportunities for our
young men and women to participate in our regular Synagogue services,
delivering Divrei Torah and leading various parts of the T'filah and
K'riat Hatorah.

For Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, we implement numerous activities for
all ages, in order to imbue every participant's High Holy Day experience
with meaning and inspiration.

As part of our Goshrim program for grades 1-6,
families with pre-School and elementary school-age children
join together to decorate the congregational Sukkah.

Teens spend the evening visiting area Sukkot
in chauffeur-driven limousines
and then join together for a BBQ
in the congregational Sukkah.

Pre-school and elementary students are
taken on a guided tour of the Torah and visit Biblical personalities,
sites and events along the way. Then it's singing and dancing en route
to the Main Sanctuary for the Hakafot (processions with the Torah around
the synagogue), followed by a festive family dinner.

Celebrations begin at Westmount City Hall with the
community-wide lighting of the Chanukiah and are followed by a
Chanukah party with music, fun activities and
latkes and sufganiyot (jelly donuts) for the whole family

This Seder pays homage to the beginning of spring in
the Land of Israel and deals with issues of ecology
using wine, fruits, readings and songs.
Special activities are planned for the entire family.

After a costume pageant for elementary school students
and the reading of the Megillah, festivities continue
with dinner, music and Purim fun.