Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue

In 1888 a wave of Jewish immigrants arrived in Toronto. They established Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue. It was the fourth synagogue in Toronto. These newcomers needed a place to maintain their traditions. For ten years they used rented spaces on Richmond Street. In 1899 Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue bought its first permanent building. It was on Chestnut Street. The building could seat 100 men and women in a balcony. A year later the synagogue welcomed its first Rabbi. HaRav Yosef Weinreb ZT”L came from Busk Galicia. The synagogue thrived for thirty years. Then in the early 1930s the neighbourhood changed. The synagogue moved to Brunswick and Sussex Streets. This new location was larger. It had room for 300 people. Rabbi Weinreb passed away in 1942. The synagogue was without a Rabbi until 1950. HaRav Gedalia Felder ZT”L became the new Rabbi. He came from Istrik Galicia. Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue remained a center of Jewish life. However in the 1960s many Jews moved north. Rabbi Felder secured funding from the Franklin Robinson Estate. He led the effort to relocate the synagogue. Sol Kling was the president. Harry Marder chaired the building committee. The new location opened in 1965. Shomrai Shabbos Synagogue continued to grow. In 1976 it merged with Chevrah Mishnayos. This created the current name Shomrai Shabbos Chevrah Mishnayos Congregation. Five years later the synagogue expanded. They added a new wing. It included a Bais HaMedrash a library offices and a classroom. The Toronto Bais Din for Gittin was established there. Rabbi Felder led the synagogue for four decades. He passed away in 1991. His son Rabbi Yacov Felder became the new Rabbi. From 2005 to 2009 the synagogue underwent renovations and expansions. The Ohel Kodesh was built. It could accommodate daily services learning and programs. The main shul was renovated and named Ohel Avraham. The Shomrai Shabbos Chevrah Mishnayos Congregation is the oldest Orthodox synagogue in Toronto. It looks forward to many more years of growth and contribution to the Jewish community.