Israel at 75: Celebrating the Shaar’s long connection with Israel

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Israel at 75: Celebrating the Shaar’s long connection with Israel

Beginning in the evening on April 25th, Israel will be marking its 75th year since Independence. On this milestone occasion, we are celebrating the close connection between the Shaar and Israel--which dates back to long before the establishment of the State. In this digital photo gallery, see how the Shaar has celebrated, marked, and memorialised important moments in Israeli history, both in Israel and in Canada, beginning in 1912.

As we celebrate Israel's 75th, the Shaar Museum and Archives wants to see your Shaar/Israel memories! Do you have an photographs, papers, or other documents from across the years? If so, please get in touch with us at museum@theshaar.org

Shaar group joins Montreal Mega Mission to Israel, 2017

A JNF Certificate showing contributions made to the JNF Land Fund in the name of “Master Ben Zion Stein” on the occasion of Ben Zion Steine’s Bar Mitzvah on November 23, 1912 (Montreal, Quebec), totaling $425 (nearly $10,000 today) by the Agudath Zi

The 1924 visit of Rav Kook—the first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of British Mandatory Palestine and one of the father’s of Religious Zionism—on a visit to Montreal in 1924. Here they stand outside city hall. On the left is pictured Lyon Cohen.

Rav Kook with the Montreal Delegation who oversaw his visit. Standing in the back row on the right are Lyon Cohen and Rabbi Herman Abramowitz

The programme for the Shaar’s religious school graduation of 1925. Note that Hatikvah was sung among the National anthems (more than 20 years pre-Independence)

Jumping forward some years, in 1952, the Shaar hosted a memorial service for Dr. Chaim Weizmann—Israel’s first President—upon his death in 1952

A JNF Certificate from 1958 showing a contribution to the Dr. Rabbi Herman Abramowitz Forest. 244 trees were planted by the pupils of the Shaar Hashomayim School on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the State of Israel.

A Purim pageant from the early 1960s with children in costume as Israeli Chalutzim (pioneers)

Purim pageant from the 1960s. These children are dressed as fruit from Israel such as grapes and Jaffa oranges.

Purim pageant from the 1960s. These children are dressed as a boat carrying new olim (immigrants) to Israel, who follow behind carrying instruments.

The pamphlet for the memorial service for Israel’s second President, Izhak Ben-Zvi, which was held at the Shaar in April 1963 following his passing.

An invitation to the Shaar Hashomayim’s celebration of Israel’s 25th anniversary since Independence (1973)