- The Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue Archives
- The Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue
- Text of speech given by Miss Rachel Wolff (Mrs. Joseph Esar) on the history of the Spanish & Portuguese Congregation
Text of speech given by Miss Rachel Wolff (Mrs. Joseph Esar) on the history of the Spanish & Portuguese Congregation
fileSP-01-F-16-22
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- Building MaterialDocumentHandwrittenJewish CommunityLetterMilitaryMirrorReligionSignatureSpeechStone MasonrySynagogueTypewrittenTagged automatically by a vision model; may contain mistakes.
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- By Rachel Wolff (Esar)THE HERITAGE OF SHEARITH ISRAEL.What I would like to tell you about is the great heritage we have in belonging to the oldest synagogue in Canada, and the men and women who built it up.The first Jewish settlement began with the British conquest in 1759, because the French regime allowed only Catholics to settle here. COMMISSARY AARON HART who rode into Montreal with General Amherst in 1760 is known as the first Jewish settler.Others followed him, and by 1768 they felt the need of forming a congregation; so they met in a room in the House of David David on St.James St.for services for a few years.By 1777 they were able to erect their first building of which the only description we have is " a high white-washed wall surrounded the low stone structure with its high red roof"Can't you just imagine the excitement of that first service in that first building with the men in their powdered wigs, lace ruffles, and buckled shoes; and the ladies in their brightly coloured brocades and rustling silks?Montreal was a very small city at the water's edge and the building was at the corner of Notre Dame and St.James St; and after it was pulled down, a plaque was placed on the court house which was built there. This was also demolished, and the much-travelled plaque finally ended up in our showcase.Services were held there till 1825, when they had to vacate, and it was not till 1838 (13 years later) that the cornerstone was laid for the second building on Chenneville St.at the corner of Lagauchetiere.We have pictures of this one in the synagogue.In 1851 there were only 181 Jews in Montreal, all of whom lived in that district which was the fashionable district.This synagogue sufficed for 52 years, until the congregation outgrew it, and the city had moved north and west. Land was bought on Stanley Street just above St.Catherine St.and the building was dedicated in 1890.It was a beautiful building, as you can see by the pictures we have in the synagogue. I could tell you lots about it, since that is where I grew up............... 6 little girls!In 1940 we had a re-dedication ceremony to celebrate 50 years, and a special golden booklet was produced.Read automatically; may contain mistakes.
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- 2026-10-18T19:27:00Z · source datestamp n/a · cjhn
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