Shaar Hashomayim Congregation

Congregation Shaar Hashomayim is a traditional synagogue in Westmount, Quebec. It is the oldest traditional Ashkenazi synagogue in Canada, incorporated in 1846. It is also the largest traditional synagogue in Canada. Congregation Shaar Hashomayim is committed to perpetuating our rich history of Ashkenazi religious and ritual practice. We strive to maintain a spirit of openness, inclusiveness and tolerance. While guided by Orthodox tradition, our approach is one that embraces everyone, regardless of their level of knowledge or observance. Within the community at large, we also strive to set a gold standard in service, life-cycle events, communications, and programming. Congregation Shaar Hashomayim is one of the last vestiges of the European Choral Synagogue tradition. Music has always played a key role in the life and identity of the Congregation. Indeed, one of the major reasons for establishing Congregation Shaar Hashomayim was the yearning of its founding members – a group of English, German and Polish Jews – for an Ashkenazic service that included the melodies with which they were familiar. The Congregation established an all-male a cappella choir in 1887. Today, Congregation Shaar Hashomayim is one of only a few synagogues left in the world whose services are led every week by cantor and male choir. Philosophy and Repertoire At Congregation Shaar Hashomayim, music is seen as an extremely powerful force in the act of prayer. The music dignifies and beautifies the prayers and imbues the liturgy with meaning and reverence. A special environment and ambience is created that is conducive to an elegant prayer experience. The repertoire reflects the long and distinguished history of the Congregation and includes traditional melodies sung the world over, classic pieces for Cantor and choir, as well as signature choral pieces and compositions by former cantors and choir directors. The Cantor and Synagogue Choir We are also proud of having many different settings of the same text. Weekly repertoire choices are based on the time of year, size of congregation present, and circumstances such as a Bar Mitzvah, a long Torah reading and so on. A successful service has variety and pace and is capable of adjusting to the needs and desires of the congregation.A number of elements are intrinsic to the music of the services at Congregation Shaar Hashomayim. Of primary importance is the chanting of the Cantor. The foundation of his singing is Nusach Hat’filah, the traditional prayer modes which are associated with a particular time of day and whether the service is being held on a weekday, Shabbat, Festival or High Holy Day. The Shaar Hashomayim Synagogue Choir is a highly regarded all-Jewish, all-male ensemble. The Choir sings on Shabbat and at Festival and High Holy Day Services throughout the year. The method of arrangement and broad harmonic palette, combined with the style of singing, produces a very distinctive sound that has been widely praised. Much attention is paid to blend and balance, creating an especially elegant choral sound. While the choir sometimes sings compositions on its own, much of the time it provides a sophisticated a cappella harmonic accompaniment to the Cantor’s vocal line. Style of Worship Founding INfluence Services at Congregation Shaar Hashomayim follow a traditional Orthodox ritual, with men and women separated. The style of worship has remained true to the founding vision of our congregation, and is the result of three major influences: The Spanish and Portuguese Congregation, which the founding members of Shaar Hashomayim had previously attended. The English, German and Polish roots of the Congregation . The physical architecture and layout of the Main Sanctuary. Visitors to the congregation are struck by the dignity, elegance and majesty of the services. Our Music Congregation Shaar Hashomayim is one of the few remaining synagogues in the world to maintain, on a weekly basis, the traditions of the great Choral Synagogues of Europe. The services are focused on the chanting of the Cantor who is accompanied by an all-male choir and sings at all Shabbat and Festival Services. The music is a seamless blend of traditional prayer modes , compositions for choir and cantor , music for choir alone as well as congregational melodies. The sheer size of the Sanctuary and its acoustic, the fact that the congregational pews face forward while the Cantor is close to the ark and has his back to the Congregation, together with the sound of the unaccompanied choir all contribute to this special ambiance. Where Services are Held Shabbat, Festival and High Holy Day Services are held in the Main Sanctuary. Weekday, Friday Night and some evening Holiday Services are held in the Chapel. During the quiet months of January and July, most services are held in the Chapel. Who Does What In the Main Sanctuary, the services are chanted by the Cantor and the Ritual Director, who also reads from the Torah. The Rabbi reads special prayers, oversees life cycle events, makes special announcements and delivers the sermon. The Parnass is responsible for congregational honours and other matters pertaining to ritual The Parnass is assisted by “bimah boys” . What They Wear The members of the clergy of Congregation Shaar Hashomayim are robed for every Shabbat, Festival and High Holy Day service, with the Cantor and Ritual Director wearing traditional cantorial hats. Clergy and officers wear morning suits, with the President, Parnass and other congregational officers seated on the bimah wearing top hats. On Festivals, tailcoats replace the morning coats. Male congregants typically wear business attire and women are required to cover their shoulders. Our Maharat, A North American First In 2013, Congregation Shaar Hashomayim became one of the first synagogues in North America to hire a Maharat, or Orthodox female member of Clergy. The Maharat is a spiritual leader and teacher at our congregation, and maintains a clergy presence in the women’s section of the Sanctuary. Notable Customs While on the bimah, worshippers bow before the ark. Mourners come to the front of the synagogue to recite Kaddish. After reciting Prayers for the Government of Canada, the Welfare of the State of Israel and the Israel Defense Force, the Rabbi includes a prayer for those who are known to be unwell.
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