Turning of the Sod Ceremony, September 1966

Transcript

Dr. Harry Ballon: Rabbi Shuchat, Mayor Tucker, Mr. Heillig, Mr. Levine, fellow congregants and friends, on behalf of the trustees of Congregation Shaar Hashomayim, it is my pleasant duty to offer you a cordial welcome, we are standing here today because of our forefathers devoted to tradition and established principles of thought and conduct, were built – were moved to build a house of worship, beauteous in its dignified simplicity. Their choice of location reflects their thoughtful regard for the future. We strive for still greater and higher achievements, not in numbers, but in spiritual and educational depth compatible with meaningful contemporary living. The fruition of our plans are in most capable hands, and when they are brought to fruition should be an architectural ornament to the City of Westmount in which we have long been privileged to reside. It is with feelings of gratitude that I now call on Mr. Maxwell Cummings, who as chairman, will speak for the devoted members of our building committee.

[Applause]

Maxwell Cummings: Rabbi Shuchat, your Worship Mayor Tucker, Mr. President, members and friends of Congregation Shaar Hashomayim. Today marks one of the most important milestones in the 119-year history of our congregation. After approximately two years of research, soul-searching, planning, with the cooperation and devotion of many, many people, we are now ready to turn the sod for our new buildings. These new buildings, plus the alterations and improvements to our present premises, and the spiritual leadership we are blessed with, should give us the facilities necessary for Shaar Hashomayim to look after its present members and to continue to hold its rank as one of the world’s outstanding synagogues. Our target date for completion is September 1^st, 1967. Your building committee of which I am chairman, Mr. Arthur Rudnikoff associate chairman, and a tower of strength, will do everything in our power to see the work is properly executed and completed on time. I thank you.

[Applause]

Dr. Harry Ballon: The cornerstone of our present synagogue was laid on the 21st of November 1921. Our history brings out clearly the cordial relations between the City of Westmount and our congregation which have existed from the beginning. For sustained interest and courteous treatment, we are greatly indebted to Mayor Tucker, and the members of his council. Mayor Tucker has kindly consented to address this gathering.

[Applause]

Mayor Tucker: Rabbi Shuchat and the members of the Congregation Shaar Hashomayim, I know that today begins the fulfilment of the dream that is lain in the minds and the hearts of this congregation for many years. We all know that dreams do not come true just like that, and many sacrifices and much hard work I know has gone into the planning of this extension to your facilities. As mayor, it is my privilege to be with you on this memorable occasion, and to offer you the best wishes of the City of Westmount, for early and successful fulfilment of this project. I wish you every success and a wonderful endeavor you are making, not only in this community, but in the world generally to advance the work of God. Godspeed and thank you.

[Applause]

Dr. Ballon: [indistinct] is not without import, but the personality of any institution is in the final analysis measured by the character of the service it performs. It is now my privilege to call on Rabbi Wilfred Shuchat, our esteemed spiritual leader.

[Applause]

Rabbi Wilfred Shuchat: Your Worship Mr. Mayor, Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, this day brings to a culmination and a fitting climax the efforts of many individuals and committees who have laboured tirelessly over the past several years. We are engaged in what many of us liked to term our reluctant expansion. It is one thing when a small congregation increase its facilities, it is quite another when an already large congregation becomes larger and is forced to extend its already distinguished edifice. We would’ve preferred that this would not have been necessary, on the other hand we can speak with only the highest terms of gratification of the growth of our families, of the new generations of children and grandchildren that are arising, of the influx into Westmount and its environs of so many hundreds of Jewish families now on our membership roster, and the predictions of the soothsayers that development in Westmount will bring an additional resident population that will include a fair percentage of Jewish citizens. It is in the light of these developments that this expansion is taking place. And it is reluctant only because we already have experience with the spiritual role of bigness, and we know its risks and its difficulties. We are heirs to a tradition that teaches that a synagogue must always look upon itself as being more than the house of worship. A synagogue must also be a house of study, and a house of assembly. It is to fulfill our obligations in each of these areas that this expansion has been planned. We pray that the blessings of heaven will favour the many facets of our worship, our ambitious plans for study, and the many dimensions and moods of our gatherings and assemblies. My dear friends, this day in the Hebrew calendar is that of Rosh Chodesh, celebrating the beginning of anew Hebrew month, it happens to be the new month of Elul and tomorrow the shofar will be gin sounding in the synagogues of the world. We today sound our own shofar, we issue our proclamation to the glory of God, to the enhancement of the Torah, and to the spiritual fellowship of Israel and mankind. These are the ideals to which we dedicate our new chapel, our new social hall, and our new library-museum. The acrostic of the Hebrew word for the month of Elul is a reminder of a beautiful verse in the Song of Songs: Ani l’dodi, v’dodi li – I am for my beloved, and my beloved will be for me. The mystics interpret this as an allegory between God and his people. We at Shaar Hashomayim, in turning the sod of our expansion program, pledge ourselves to make every effort to be with God. We hope and pray that God will be with us. [Speaks in Hebrew]. May the sweetness of the Lord Our God be upon us. May He establish firmly the work of our hands, yea the work of our hands may He firmly establish. Amen.

[Applause]

Dr. Harry Ballon: Mr. Maxwell Cummings, Mr. Arthur Rudnikoff, supported by our dearly beloved honourary president Mr. Moe Heillig, will turn the sod.

To mark the occasion and as a token of our appreciation and esteem, I would ask Mr. Arthur Rudnikoff and Mr. Maxwell Cummings to accept these trowels.

[Applause]

Maxwell Cummings: thank you very, very much Mr. President.

[Applause]

[discussion, indistinct noises]

Dr. Harry Ballon: Now ladies and gentlemen, we can return to the synagogue for some light refreshment.