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

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(27 Photos) 1

Shaar Israel Tour 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 Zion Society of Montreal. This page notes that, in addition to the contributions made in Steine’s name to the land fund, his name was also inscribed in the JNF’s golden book

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

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 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)

Two Shaar Hebrew school classes visit the Israeli Consulate in Montreal on the occasion of Israel’s 25th.

The first message sent by Rabbi Shuchat to the congregation during the Yom Kippur War. Rabbi Shuchat was on a sabbatical that year in Israel and was sending back messages to the congregation as the War unfolded.

The seating chart from the 1976 memorial held at the Shaar in memory of the massacre of 11 Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics. This memorial was held one week prior to the beginning of the Summer Olympics in Montreal.

A photograph in the Montreal Gazette of the memorial service. It was attended by 1,800 people. Including massacre survivor Esther Roth, the widows and relatives of three of the murdered athletes, as well as 60 members of the 1976 Israeli Olympic team.