On Thursday, May 14, 1953 a meeting was called, 96 people assembled to determine the necessity of forming a Conservative congregation.

 At a General Meeting, held in June, 1953, the new congregation was named “Shaar Shalom Congregation”.  Of the original 105 families who were the Founding Members of Shaar Shalom Congregation we still have 10 of them as members today. Many of the children of the Founding Members are members of Shaar Shalom today with children of their own.  It is a large family indeed. 55 years of  3 generations having become members of Shaar Shalom Congregation with a 4^th generation on its doorstep.

 A vision was created when in November 1953 a Building Fund Campaign is launched. The new congregation was to have a new home.  The Founding members of Shaar Shalom congregation worked hard and tirelessly to raise the needed funds to build their new synagogue.   

 The lot on the corner of Oxford St. and Pepperell St., Halifax,  1954

Ground Breaking Ceremony 

On Tuesday, October  5, 1954 at 4:00 pm a Groundbreaking Ceremony was held.  The ceremony was carried out by Shaar Shalom president, Noa Heinish and Shaar Shalom Congregation’s first Rabbi, Rabbi David Jacobs.

Also taking part are Max Pascal and David Devlin to the right of Mr. Heinish.

Corner Stone Laid

On October 31, 1955 a Corner Stone was laid by the Shaar Shalom President, Mr. Noa Heinish after Mr. Max Pascal had filled the time-capsule.  Inside  the time-capsule was a brochure printed just after the getting of the land, the first bulletin announcing services in the synagogue, the names of the 43 children in the first Hebrew class held, the addresses being given on that day, two coins of 1955 and a bag of Holy Earth from Mount Sinai brought over for that purpose.

"It is a day that the Lord Hath made." Rabbi David Jacobs on the opening of Shaar Shalom Synagogue.

“SHAAR SHALOM CONGREGATION TO HOLD HIGH HOLIDAY SERVICES

IN BEAUTIFUL NEW SYNAGOGUE.”

            “If you will it, it is not a dream.”  This pithy aphorism applied to Shaar Shalom means the realization not only of a dream cherished by a handful of members a few years ago, but the culmination of something for which these same members have sacrificed, striven and worked against great odds to achieve.  As we stand on the threshold of our New Year, it is with pride coupled with humility that we give thanks to the Almighty that we have been able to erect a House of Worship to keep alive our Judaism and to be a force for good in this Jewish Community of ours.

Members of Shaar Shalom recall the difficulties we experienced in obtaining the land, the sceptics who had to be convinced that such a building was needed; even our own members at times felt that the sights we had set for ourselves were far greater than we could hope to attain – and yet – little by little – month by month we have seen our little congregation grow in size and strength; enthusiasm grow by leaps and bounds; until today we can truly say “Shehecheyonu vkiymonu vhigiyonu lazman hazeh!”

 (Taken from the September 1955 NY Bulletin, Rosh Hashana 5716)

Present Day

Shaar Shalom Congregation has continued to  to follow the dream and the vision of its Founding Members.  We have 172 families as members and the future of Shaar Shalom Congregation will live on in the young families joining our congregation and will continue for generations to come.

Some highlights from the Shaar's recent history include:

• In 2003 the Shaar Shalom celebrated its golden anniversary filled with a year of celebrations.   
• In 2004 A communal Bat Mitzvah for women of the synagogue who did not have one when they were growing up. Each woman did a portion of a Shabbat Service from Shacharit to Musaf Service. The ceremony was an inspiration for the rest of the Congregation.  This occasion launched our Torah repair appeal. 
• We have had 2 SOLD OUT Concerts of Jewish Music at Pier 21, Halifax. 

• Over the years, through the generous donations of members the Shaar has had a series of successful cultural and educational lecture series.  Including:

                 The “Scholar In Residence” weekend programs;

                 The Saul Green lecture series in partnership with Dalhousie University; and

                 The The Shaar Shalom St. Mary's University Annual Lectureship series.

Thank you for your interest in the history Shaar Shalom Congregation.