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Although most of the early members of the Minsk moved up north, as was the trend in the 1950s, the shulShul - The Yiddish term for Jewish house of worship that is primarily used by Orthodox Jews. continues to fill a vibrant role in the Jewish community. It remains the only downtown shulShul - The Yiddish term for Jewish house of worship that is primarily used by Orthodox Jews. to hold three daily minyansMinyan - In an Orthodox congregation, at least 10 men over the age of Bar Mitzvah (13) are required in order to form a congregation to begin services. This group is called a minyan.. ShabbatShabbat - the period between Friday at sundown and Saturday one hour after sundown in which Jews are required to refrain from all forms of work. shacharitShacharit - Morning prayer services. services, led by Cantor Rueben Schwebel for over fifty years, attract more people. Most of the congregants include men who work in the city and need a place to pray during the day, students who live in the nearby University of Toronto area, and Jews who either never moved north or have moved downtown. Many tourists come to services as well, since it is centrally located and is an historic site in itself.

Rabbi Spero, who is originally from Cleveland , Ohio , became the Minsk 's leader in 1988 and has revived its unique spirit. He was largely responsible for attracting a younger crowd. While keeping true to Orthodox traditions, the Minsk welcomes people of all religious backgrounds. Programming includes free Friday night ShabbatShabbat - the period between Friday at sundown and Saturday one hour after sundown in which Jews are required to refrain from all forms of work. dinners and Passover SedersPassover Seders , study sessions, ShabbatonsShabbaton - an overnight gathering of Jews, sometimes held in another city, to celebrate Shabbat together. These outings usually include activities and religious learning. , and the Minsk 's popular PurimPurim - A holiday that is held in March that celebrates the rescue of the Jews from extermination at the hands of the chief minister of the King of Persia. During this celebration, the Megillah or scroll is read, which tells the story of Esther. During the recitation, the children use their noise-makers or gragers when the name Haman is mentioned, in order to blot out the name of the villain in this tale. The children also dress up in costumes of the biblical figures from this story: Esther, Mordecai and Ahasuerus. and ChanukahChanukah - This holiday is celebrated in December and commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after it was defiled by the Selucid Greeks. Families light menoras or chanukias each night and recite the traditional blessing. Another tradition is to eat ladkes and doughnuts, play dreidel games and open up presents each night of the holiday. parties. For visitors, there is even an apartment available within walking distance from the synagogue, since Jewish law prohibits driving on Shabbat.

The historic synagogue is often the venue for Jewish events such as lectures, concerts, and seminars, in addition to weddings and bar-mitzvahsBar-Mitzvah (pl. Bnei-Mitzvah) - A ceremony for boys who reach the age of 13 in which they read from the Torah on the Sabbath falling closest to their Hebrew birthday. (Judaism follows a lunar calendar.) At this age, boys are considered accountable for their own actions and have higher responsibilities to God. Girls reach this level of responsibility at the age of 12, in what is called a Bat-Mitzvah. However, according to Orthodox tradition, girls do not read from the Torah. . The Minsk has also participated in Doors Open Toronto in recent years, and receives many visitors, since it is one of the few historic buildings that has not changed its original function. In addition to being on the City of Toronto 's inventory of heritage sites, the Minsk is an essential stop on the Ontario Jewish Archives' "A Sense of Spadina" walking tour which explores downtown Jewish Toronto's history. The shul has collaborated on programs with many other Jewish organizations like NSCY, Aish Hatorah, Jews for Judaism, Hillel, and Beit Halochem. While many events and programs have been held at the Minsk , the congregation also provides support to the poor in the community.

The Minsk currently has about 200 members. Many have retained their membership, despite having moved out of the area, because they are fond of the shulShul - The Yiddish term for Jewish house of worship that is primarily used by Orthodox Jews. and its historic significance to the community or to their family. The Executive continues to hold meetings on a monthly basis and an unofficial sisterhood operates within the shulShul - The Yiddish term for Jewish house of worship that is primarily used by Orthodox Jews. as well.

Plans for the future include renovations that will provide space for a Jewish learning centre and daycare, as well as installing more washrooms and beautifying the front areas. These additions will be designed to respect and preserve the historic spirit of the shulShul - The Yiddish term for Jewish house of worship that is primarily used by Orthodox Jews..

As more and more young Jews move downtown, and the enthusiastic response to programming at the Minsk continues, the future of this historic synagogue looks promising.

 

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The Minsk today, 2003.
The Minsk today, 2003.

Chanuka at the Minsk, n.d.
Chanuka at the Minsk , n.d.

Dancing at the Minsk’s Purim party, n.d.
Dancing at the Minsk 's Purim party, n.d.

Listening to a guest lecturer at the Minsk, n.d.
Listening to a guest lecturer at the Minsk , n.d .

Passover at the Minsk, April 2003.
Passover at the Minsk , April 2003.

CanadaUJA Federation of Greater TorontoThe Ontario Jewish ArchivesRyerson UniversityCanada's Digital Collections