The 1940s

During the 1930s and 1940s, the congregation altered the name and spelling of the synagogue until they eventually settled on the name Shaar Hashomayim. The first synagogue was used for religious services until 1948, when it could no longer accommodate the expanding congregation. Many of the members had fond memories of that building, except for the women, who complained that it was situated so close to the train tracks that the upper gallery, where women and children worshiped, shook so much that they worried they might get hurt. From the late 1940s until 1959, religious services were held at the Jewish Community Centre, a renovated three-story yellow home at 140 Cedar Street. The JCC had been purchased in 1940 to be used for social events, fundraisers, and Hebrew school classes. Within that building, the sanctuary was below. The Aron Kodesh was in the middle of the room and the men and women were seated on either side of it.

In 1948, Rabbi Joseph Brandis from France was appointed Rabbi of the synagogue. He was replaced by Rabbi William Rosenthal, who began his fifteen year career in Sudbury in 1949. Rabbi Rosenthal was a vibrant and dedicated leader who brought a great deal of visibility to the synagogue. He participated in a number of inter-faith organizations and inspired the community's children to learn Hebrew, celebrate the Jewish holidays and appreciate Jewish culture. Mitchel Spiegel described the Rabbi as "an amazing man" who had an enormous influence on his life.

The Rabbi also tended to his flock outside of the community. Part of his duties included visiting the Burwash jail twice a month, in order to provide counsel and companionship to the Jewish inmates. In 1956, the Canadian Jewish Congress recognized his extraordinary contribution to the community, presenting him with a certificate of honour for his work promoting Jewish living and teaching Hebrew in Sudbury. In 1964 he resigned, in order to move his family to Toronto. The congregation held a large testimonial dinner in his honour.

• First Minyan
• Rabbis
• Hebrew School
• The 1940s
• The 1950s
• The 1960s
• Cemeteries