Part 14: Looking Towards the Next 100 Years
Amid construction work in the Summer of 2022, the cornerstone from the 1967 building extension was dislodged, inside of which was found a time capsule (see Part 8). This unexpected find led synagogue leaders to seek out other time capsules hidden in the building.
Montreal Gazette, 1921.
Indeed, after conducting research, a time capsule was confirmed to be held in the building’s original 1921 cornerstone. In an article entitled “Christendom and Jewry in Amity: Function at Shaar Hashomayim Synagogue Brought Forth Sentiments of Goodwill; Cornerstone Posed; Mayor of Westmount Welcomed Advent of New congregation and addition to Religious Edifices”, published on November 11, 1921, the Montreal Gazette reported:
“An adjournment was then made to the exterior, where the stone was ‘well and truly laid’ by Mr. Lyon Cohen, who deposited within it a lambskin parchment with an inscription of the date and its doings, newspapers of the day and other matter, all of which they enclosed in a brass cylinder and incorporated in the building.”
1921 Time Capsule.
Julius Suss (Shaar President, 2019-2022) and Rabbi Adam Scheier remove the 1921 time capsule from the cornerstone.
In September 2022, for the synagogue’s 100th year in Westmount, this second time capsule was extracted.
Keneder Adler (Jewish Daily Eagle), 1921 Time Capsule.
While the documents inside were somewhat damaged (it snowed heavily on the day on which it was sealed, and moisture became trapped inside), most were recoverable.
The contents included four local newspapers dated November 10, including the Yiddish-language Keneder Adler; 5 coins minted in 1921; a list of subscribers to the synagogue building and the amount of their contributions; a copy of the by-laws of the City of Westmount; and a letter from Rabbi Abramowitz (at this time illegible owing to water damage).
1921 Time Capsule Contents.
Re-dedicating the Shaar Sanctuary in Memory of Rabbi Wilfred Shuchat.
This message from the past was timely. Just a few days later, on September 17, 2022, the synagogue re-dedicated its sanctuary, exactly 100 years after officially making Westmount its home. As part of the ceremony, the sanctuary was dedicated in loving memory of Rabbi Wilfred Shuchat, who had passed away in 2018 at the age of 98.
Celebrating 100 Years in Westmount – Re-dedication of the Shaar’s Sanctuary.
Reflecting on what the next 100 years of Congregation Shaar Hashomayim will look like, the synagogue is preparing a new time capsule to be sealed in the building. Just as generations before have sent messages from the past, the current generation will pay it forward with its own message to generations to come.