By Tori Cheifetz
Special to the Tribune
WINDSOR, ON – It is surprising that in a community of 1,500 Jews and three synagogues, there is no Conservative option.
The Shaar Hashomayim clings to its Orthodox roots, despite president’s call for change.
In the early 20th century, when the Jewish population of Windsor, ON, expanded, two synagogues were built to meet the growing needs. The Shaarey Tzedek, and Tiffereth Israel, both Orthodox, catered to the needs of the community. Another synagogue wasn’t built until 25 years later. The third synagogue, the Shaar Hashomayim was built as an alternative to the two Orthodox shtibls, and in the beginning, was a traditional schul. This new traditional shul promoted mixed seating in certain areas, and did not require a rabbi with an orthodox s’michah.
However, one year later, the Shaar Hashomayim proclaimed itself an Orthodox shul, and no one disputed it. Thirty years later, after Tiffereth Israel closed, and the Shaar Hashomayim now an Orthodox shul, disgruntled Shaar members decided to build Temple Beth El, the Reform option. They were angry because of a Shaar board vote in the early ’60s, which rewrote the constitution to make it almost impossible for the synagogue to return to its less-Orthodox roots.
Today, as Windsor’s Jewish population ages rapidly, the community recognizes there is a need for change. In a city where there are two Orthodox synagogues, and one Reform temple, there is no Conservative option.
Dr. Mark Biederman, vice president of the Shaarey Tzedek, said, “The term Orthodox is used very loosely in Windsor.” Out of 1,500 Jews in Windsor, only half are affiliated religiously, and more than half of those affiliated, belong to an Orthodox synagogue. However, there are only a handful of Orthodox families in the entire city, so many Jews are left wondering why they have no alternative to the Orthodox and Reform options.
Rabbi Jeffrey Ableser of Temple Beth El said the first problem in Windsor’s religious predicament as the lack of amalgamation between the two Orthodox synagogues; the Shaar Hashomayim and the Shaarey Tzedek.
Rabbi Ableser conceded, “This will never happen,” and attributes his belief to the “ever-present traditions in the community.” The rabbi believes that the model type of merger for Windsor would be “one synagogue, in which there was a Friday night Reform service, and a Saturday morning Orthodox service.” He believes a compromise on Conservative would be the wrong choice for Windsor, and that “the community should be liberal and traditional together.”
The temple, which has 180 families in its congregation, has seen declining numbers in attendance and membership, which could mean that Windsor Jews are also frustrated with their Reform option.
Dr. Biederman is confident that his synagogue would oppose the Conservative option, and says that the Shaarey’s congregants are very dedicated to Rabbi Joseph Krupnik. The Shaarey Tzedek, which is celebrating its centennial this year, is the smaller of the two Orthodox synagogues, and has only 60 members, most of whom are elderly. The synagogue is set to receive a facelift, and Dr. Biederman is positive that there will be new members coming along to continue the tradition, which has lasted 100 years. Although optimistic, Dr. Biederman admits that if Rabbi Krupnik were to leave, it would most likely be the end of the Shaarey Tzedek.
David Abraham, president of the Shaar Hashomayim, believes there is a need for a Conservative option, and was himself, a strong supporter when the Shaar held a vote in 2002 on whether to change the constitution to make the Shaar a Conservative synagogue.
For the change to occur, the board required a two-thirds majority vote, which was almost impossible, owing to the fact that the members of the congregation who didn’t show up were put down as “no” by default.
When the Shaar Hashomayim was built in 1929, it was originally supposed to be a traditional synagogue, which would serve as an alternative to the two existing Orthodox Synagogues. The campaign to turn the Shaar Conservative was introduced early on, and a vote in the early ’60s showed that those in favour of a Conservative synagogue were just under the 66 per cent required.
Anna Mae Gumprich, a Shaar congregant and the woman who lead the campaign to go Conservative in 2002, said there is one question Windsor Jews need to ask themselves: “Do we unite as a people, or do we continue the way we are?” Gumprich, who is positive that the synagogue will eventually become Conservative, is disheartened that there seems to be no one on the board to continue the crusade.
“You’ve got to bring people together,” she said, adding that the synagogue lacks the leadership to bring people in.
The Jewish community of Windsor has some tough decisions to make to ensure the continued existence of a vibrant and dynamic people. They are at a crossroads. However, if nothing is done to provide a Conservative option, as the Shaar’s Abraham said, “The last one out will close the lights.”
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