Adath Israel

Nestled within the tranquil streets of Hampstead, stands Adath Israel. This isn’t just any synagogue. It’s a testament to the enduring spirit of Montreal’s Jewish community. Adath Israel, officially the Adath Israel–Poale Zedek–Anshei Ozeroff Congregation, has a rich history. Its story began in 1930 in a modest space above a delicatessen on Van Horne Avenue in Outremont. Imagine the aroma of pickles and pastrami mingling with the sounds of prayer. The congregation thrived, and in 1939, construction began on a permanent home at 899 McEchran Avenue. This new Adath Israel synagogue opened its doors in 1940, a beacon of hope in a world on the brink of war. That same year, Rabbi Charles Bender, formerly of the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, became its first spiritual leader. Adath Israel quickly became a pillar of the community. In 1941, it made history as the first synagogue in Canada to establish a Jewish day school. The Adath Israel School pioneered the Ivrit b’Ivrit method of Hebrew language immersion. This innovative approach shaped generations of young minds. The congregation eventually outgrew its Outremont location. In 1981, Adath Israel moved to its current home in Hampstead. The building itself is a work of art, featuring 30 stunning stained glass panels by Yehouda Chaki. These panels depict Biblical themes, adding a layer of beauty and reverence to the space. Over the years, Adath Israel has continued to grow, merging with Congregation Poale Zedek in 1992 and Congregation Anshei Ozeroff in 2003. These unions reflect the strength and unity of Montreal’s Jewish community. Adath Israel stands today as a vibrant center of Jewish life, a place where tradition meets modernity, where history intertwines with the present.