Toronto is a multinational and multicultural city, home to people of various nationalities, including Germans, French, Ukrainians, Jews, and many others. Each community strives to preserve its heritage, customs, and traditions, and this is especially true when it comes to places of worship. Today, we’ll explore some of the synagogues operating in Toronto. Read more about this on toronto-future.com.
Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue
Let’s begin with the story of one of Toronto’s largest Conservative synagogues. Beth Emeth was founded in 1959 by a small group of people. About 150 individuals shared a single dream: to create a new community. However, to establish the synagogue, they initially had only $500.
Construction of the synagogue began in 1959, with the project designed by the architectural firm Freedman & Petroff. Within a few months, some of the synagogue’s rooms were ready for use. Classes began for 300 students of the Hebrew school, and the first holiday services were led by Rabbi Joseph Kelman, who became the community’s spiritual leader.
In 1963, Beth Emeth Synagogue merged with Bais Yehuda Synagogue, which allowed for a significant expansion of the building. A year later, a new prayer hall, a chapel, and additional classrooms were added. In 1975, the Hebrew Men of England also decided to join the synagogue.
Notably, Rabbi Joseph Kelman not only led the community but also played a crucial role in its development. He founded inclusive institutions for adults and children—the Kadima School and the Kadima Centre. Today, Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda is home to over 1,200 families and offers a wide variety of programs.
Temple Sinai Congregation of Toronto
Another synagogue, the Temple Sinai Congregation of Toronto, was established in the 1950s. Once again, a group of dedicated migrants, led by the Grosberg and Pollack families, decided to create a Reform synagogue. They envisioned a new synagogue that would be modern and “in step with the times.” This is how Temple Sinai Congregation of Toronto came to be—a community that would later become a symbol of innovation in Canadian Judaism.
The decision to create the new community was finalized in 1954. That same year, Jordan Pearlson joined the project, taking on the role of spiritual leader. Another vital step toward the synagogue’s creation was the receipt of its first Torah from Holy Blossom Temple and a loan of $25,000.
In 1955, land was purchased to build the future synagogue, and construction began two years later.
The newly built synagogue officially opened in 1960. That year, the school wing was also established under the leadership of Leo Kahane. He developed educational programs that combined Torah study with modern pedagogical methods. Over time, the synagogue opened additional classrooms. In the 1980s, a social hall was opened for weddings, bar mitzvahs, and cultural events.
Today, Temple Sinai Congregation of Toronto is a centre for progressive Judaism, uniting over 1,600 families.
Toronto can confidently be called a model of unity, tolerance, and mutual respect. In our city, diverse peoples, faiths, and cultures coexist peacefully. As for its synagogues, our city has many. They are places of faith, love, and hope, where the past inspires the future.
We hope you found this article informative and learned something new about your city.
What other synagogues are there in Toronto? We look forward to your comments on social media.