The 1960s


A new synagogue was constructed at 158 John Street and was dedicated on 24 April 1960. It was designed by Toronto architect Mandel Sprachman. This brick structure, which is still in use today, backs onto a ravine and has a lovely courtyard on the side. The large sanctuary can seat 90 and can be expanded to hold up to 200 people for major events, such as weddings and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs. In addition, the building includes a large foyer, a big auditorium with a stage, two classrooms, a small library and a study for the rabbi. The same year the synagogue was constructed, the congregation joined the United Synagogues of America, the chief organ of Conservative Judaism.

Slide Show - Shaar Hashomayim

The early 1960s marked a celebratory period for the congregation of Shaar Hashomayim. After years of holding services in the Jewish Community Centre, in 1960 the community was finally able to move into their new permanent building on John Street.

The images in this slide show document the architecture and design of the new Shaar Hashomayim Synagogue building. The photographs, which were taken in 1979, are part of a larger project known as Treasures of the People. This project was conducted from 1976 to 1980 by three University of Toronto architecture graduates, Sheldon Levitt, Lynn Milstone, and Sid Tenenbaum, who set out to photographically document synagogues across Canada. The project culminated with the release of a selection of their work in a book entitled Treasures of a People: The Synagogues of Canada (Toronto: Lest & Orpen Dennys Limited, 1985). Following the publication, the authors donated their research and photographs to the Ontario Jewish Archives.

Credit: Sidney T. Tenenbaum. Ontario Jewish Archives, fonds 64:2:38

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