I grew up going to Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and as a child I can remember going to high holiday services, sitting in the fourth or fifth row of the pews with the Spivak side of my family, sitting next to my father Frank and playing with the fringes of his tallis. My uncle Sidney, who would sit on the very end of the pew, closest to the centre aisle always had pockets full of hard candies. I tried at times to get a seat near enough to him so that I could for sure get a candy, to put the ‘sweet into the Sweet New Year.” The candies were passed down the pew and would get to me. My older cousins on the Portigal side still tease me about the fact that my mother put my hair up in a bun for high holidays when I was little. And I recall wearing a Maroon French type beret as part of another high holiday outfit.
We went to the second service at Shaarey Zedek, which meant that I could sleep in during the morning, and get to shul for twelve thirty or one o’clock. Sitting near the front had its disadvantages, as I’d always have to crane my head around to see the people behind me. I remember my mother and many other women wearing large hats, which happens far less today.
Since my family went to the second service at Shaarey Zedek, it would be dark when we parked the car and walked to the synagogue for the Kol Nidre Service. And we wouldn’t finish our meal before the fast until it was close to dark(I only learned later at school that we were supposed to finish the meal before Yom Tov came in.) But I did fast as did other members of my family, except that my father was known to break the fast a tad early. In university, I also missed class for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, which I think my children’s generation is less inclined to do.
I remember the pious Rabbi Berkal chanting the “Hinenei prayer” on Kol Nidre in front of the ark and I recall making sure to get inside the sanctuary before Kol Nidre started or else Alan Brownstone who was standing by the door wouldn’t let me in.
I had my bat mitzvah at Shaarey Zedek on Friday May 6, 1977 and my mother had the chefs at the International Inn make ice sculptures to be displayed at the buffet tables, including one in the shape of a menorah. But what I remember the most about my Bat Mitzvah is that one of my classmates ( whose name I shall not mention) brought weed and the boys in my grade at Joseph Wolinsky all smoked it for their very first time ever under the bridge nearby. I saw them suddenly get up and leave the sanctuary and then make a noisy return as I was about to begin my haftorah. Several of the boys were making funny faces at me while I was trying to chant my haftorah portion, (so much so that I was afraid to look up as I didn’t want to be distracted ).My parents noticed that several of the boys in my grade went through the reception line six or seven times. They did so since they were high.
Rabbi Berkal taught me the “pashta” on a cassette recording for my Bat-Mitzvah and I saved it. A few years later, I played a prank with it at Joseph Wolinsky Collegiate. Dr. Wilf Schlosser, the physics teacher was giving a test in room 19 but I had planted a tape recorder in the adjoining room with Rabbi Berkal’s “pashta” hidden in a desk at full volume and turned it on as the test begun, and then escaped the premises. No one could find the tape recorder and the test had to be cancelled as students could not write their test with Rabbi Berkal’s distinctive voice in Hebrew wafting through the air. (It wasn’t until a few years ago that I shared this story with Harriet Berkal.).
I also later got married at Shaarey Zedek synagogue, and all four of my grandparents are buried in Shaarey Zedek cemetery. I turned 60 this year and received a membership to the Sisterhood of Shaarey Zedek as one of my gift, and I intend to check out the SZ sisterhood gift shop once it’s fully opened in the new building!
I would like now to share some serious thoughts. Congregation Shaarey Zedek has just undergone an $18 million dollar renovation, ($16 million for the synagogue, $1 million for the daycare, plus $2 million in soft costs.) The building has been transformed, and is very beautiful-with features such as a wood beaned ceiling, new pews and a social hall with windows facing the river. It is a gorgeous renovation, and ultimately an investment in the future. And there will be a daycare which will bring a stream of young families into the building. Akman Construction was the Construction Manager for the project
The Board and staff of Shaarey Zedek are to be congratulated for embarking on the Le’Dor V Dor Project, and the I want to give a hearty Mazel Tov to all the donors who made it happen.
At the same time, I am convinced that what ultimately draws people to a synagogue is not just the physical landscape but, of course, the spiritual one. For many years I went to Camp Massad, and when I did the campsite was not particularly beautiful (it is much nicer now), but the “ruach,” the spirit at the camp was sublime, as was the programming.
A yearning for spiritual sustenance and growth, a sense of community, and a sense of belonging is what people are looking for in a synagogue, I believe. And since Oct 7, I think the need for synagogues has only gotten stronger, not weaker. The Jewish people have survived for thousands of years because we have had faith, have kept our traditions and values, and have tried to make the world a better place through tikkun olam.
My wish for Shaarey Zedek is that the newly renovated building will serve to inspire a renewed sense of community and spirituality. May the Congregation grow and flourish. May the programs the synagogue puts forth continue to be ones that are meaningful and resonate with people, and may there be many programs to engage young adults, and young families, who comprise the next generation who will be the ones to propel the synagogue forward in the future. May the newly formed Ruach choir infuse Shaarey Zedek synagogue with ruach, which will keep people coming back on a regular basis. May members of and Jewish organizations in our community use the newly refurbished spaces for many family simchas and joyous occasions .
As Editor of the Winnipeg Jewish Review, I want to extend a big fat Mazel Tov to Congregation Shaarey Zedek on the completion of the L’Dor V Dor project, and on returning to its spiritual home on 561 Wellington Crescent. May you enjoy your new digs and may you go from strength to strength.
