OUR SHUL HAS MUCH TO CELEBRATE! - Welcome to Shaarei Shomayim | Shaarei Shomayim Fundraisin… · · 2013-09-03OUR SHUL HAS MUCH TO CELEBRATE! ... Shaarei Shomayim is the place

R E T I R E R E B U I L D R E N E W

We Invite You to a Very Special Celebration

OUR SHUL HAS MUCH TO CELEBRATE!

The Success of Our Capital CampaignThe Generosity of Our Members and Donors and

Our Unwavering Commitment to the Future and Our Community

Please Join UsTuesday December 3rd, 2013

7:00 PMShaarei Shomayim

Tickets $250 each

To reserve your tickets, please contact Miriam [email protected] or 416.789.3213


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Our Synagogue has been a spiritual home to our members since 1928. Originally founded as the Hillcrest Congregation, located at 563 Christie Street. We changed our name to Shaarei Shomayim in 1934. In 1936, the Synagogue found a home at 840 St. Clair Avenue and by 1947 the building was completed.

It was in this period of time that the Synagogue oriented itself toward the perspective of Modern Orthodoxy. In addition to housing our Congregation, it also was home to a very successful Talmud Torah school.

In 1962, the leadership decided to move to our current location at 470 Glencairn Avenue with the building completed in 1966.

The success of the Shul was evident by its growing numbers. Membership rose to approximately 750 families of all ages and backgrounds.

Today, we are among the largest Modern Orthodox Synagogues in Canada. Those who helped pave the way did so by ensuring we had world class facilities to offer wide ranging programs and services.

It is now the responsibility of the leaders of today to ensure this legacy continues and reaches even greater heights as we look toward the future.

OUR PROUD LEGACY

SHAAREI SHOMAYIM, 840 ST. CLAIR AVENUE

We have good reason to take great pride in our Synagogue. For almost 100 years, Shaarei Shomayim has

been providing leadership to the Toronto Jewish community by:

Carrying the banner of Modern Orthodoxy where Torah plays an essential role in our modern day lives.

Our unwavering Zionist view and commitment to modern day Israel.

Delivering a vibrant centre for davening, learning, chessed, and Israel action.

Providing both members and the broader community an inclusive platform for some of the most

important Jewish celebrations and commemorations.

An institution where women are welcome to learn Torah in classes and give Divrei Torah to share their

knowledge and insight with the greater Congregation.

A place where future leaders are created with our teen and youth programs.

This passion and commitment lies in our hearts. But its expression is seen within the physical presence of

the bricks and mortar. After forty-six years we are making the necessary upgrades to ensure that we meet

the growing needs of our members for a first-class Synagogue that will be an important North American

Centre for Modern Orthodoxy.

Changes to our building are a commitment to ensuring the Judaism we believe in has a home in which to

flourish in midtown Toronto. It is here where we can impact our community within our walls and beyond.

Join us in retiring our debt, rebuilding our building and renewing our commitment to Shaarei Shomayim.

B’Shalom,

Rabbi Chaim Strauchler, Michael Goldrich, David Mansell, Brian Cantor, Eli Dadouch, Joyce Eklove, Howard Katz, & Katy Korman.

JUDAISM WE ALL BELIEVE IN


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Many organizations turn to us for support. There are many

places where we can bring our resources into play to make

a difference in the world. Yet, caring for our Synagogue

community is one of the most important. Shaarei Shomayim

should be one of the first addresses for our philanthropy.

Why is this?

Shaarei Shomayim is our home. The people who pray,

study, and volunteer here are our extended family. Shaarei

Shomayim is a place where we celebrate our brises, bar/bat

mitzvahs, and weddings. It is also where we join together to

mourn the loss of our loved ones. We come together at Neila

every year, and we stand shoulder to shoulder with tears in

our eyes. Between these walls, we cry and sing together. When we look at our Synagogue, we must see it

as the spiritual extension of our homes. King David made this point best when seeking the opportunity to

build a place for God within his community, “I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells behind

a curtain.”

Shaarei Shomayim is the place where we go to make a difference, to make our Jewish lives matter. A great

Synagogue is a multiplier. At Shaarei Shomayim, we come together to achieve things that none of us can

do alone. We work on behalf of Jews at the farthest extremes of the earth and for the poor and needy next

door. Shaarei Shomayim stands amongst the great Synagogues and communities of Jewish history. Each

Synagogue is a small embassy of Jewish sovereignty, a beacon that proclaimed the men and women who

pray and volunteer here are a people working for a unique destiny. We have the chance today to make

Shaarei Shomayim matter again. Shaarei Shomayim needs leaders who want to matter. Be that leader.

MESSAGE FROM THE RABBIRABBI CHAIM STRAUCHLER

TO OUR COMMUNITY LEADERS

Shaarei Shomayim is more than a synagogue. Shaarei Shomayim is the space where Toronto’s Jewish community

comes together. In times of joy and sadness, this building hosts the special moments that enrich Jewish life. It

holds our diverse Jewish community together.

Shaarei Shomayim is open to everyone regardless of physical ability, religious observance or social status.

We welcome people into our building with a non-judgemental posture. We are devoted to the principles of

inclusion, as we work to create a warm welcoming environment.

In Shaarei Shomayim’s eighty-year history many of the critical events in the civic life of Toronto Jewry have

happened here. Be it the rally for Jerusalem when all the local synagogues gathered together to hear Natan

Sharansky or the community gathering to mourn the murder of the Fogel family in Itamar – Toronto Jewry

shows its connection to Israel here. Be it the Toronto mayoral debate before the 2010 election or a visit by

Stockwell Day in October 2009 - the Toronto Jewish community interfaces with the issues affecting Canada

here. Be it lectures by British Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks and Harvard Professor Ruth Wisse or presentations

by Ambassador Yehuda Avner and Pulitzer Prize winner Bret Stephens (all in the last two years) – great

conversations that matter to the Jewish community begin here.

There are many reasons for the role that Shaarei Shomayim plays in the life of the Toronto Jewish community.

Some of them are physical. Our spacious building in the centre of Toronto (with ample parking) allows for great

ease of use. Some of them are ideological. Shaarei Shomayim, as a modern Orthodox synagogue, serves as a

bridge between the liberal and traditional communities of Toronto. Regardless of reasons, Shaarei Shomayim

plays a unique role in the fabric of Toronto Jewish life. An investment in improving this Jewish communal space

is an investment in the future of Jewish life.

Our building is almost fifty years old, and we have begun a campaign to update the building’s infrastructure

and physical plant. As a well-known leader and supporter of the Toronto Jewish community, Shaarei Shomayim

needs your help to ensure that we can move forward to create the space that will hold the great Jewish

moments of Toronto’s future. We ask you to consider joining your name to the building that will continue to

play such a vital role for Jewish Toronto for generations to come.


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The philanthropy you extend to Shaarei Shomayim will align you alongside many leaders in our community.

The following donors have committed $10,000 or more as of August 29th, 2013

OUR LEADERSOVER $4 MILLION RAISED

BUILDING $2.5 MILLIONThis sponsorship opportunity will provide the Synagogue the ability to upgrade the building to support a world-class

centre of Judaism, not only for the community but the city at large. In recognition of the generous donation, the

donor’s name will be associated with the Synagogue and on all signage.

SANCTUARY $1 MILLIONThe sanctuary is the jewel of the building. It is the centre for prayer, learning and celebration. This space has been

relatively untouched since it’s original construction in the 1960s and requires a donor to restore it to its glory. In

recognition of the generous donation, the donor’s name will be associated with the sanctuary and will include a

prominently placed plaque outside the sanctuary.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

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GEORGE & CHARLENE ARJEDOV & BONNIE BEGUN

DAVID BRONFMANMICHAEL & RENA BUCKSTEIN

BRIAN & CAROLE CANTORJEFFZ”L & DOROTHY COHEN

BEN COPELOVICIRANDALL & LINDA CRAIG

ELI & ANITA DADOUCHSHELDON & LORI DISENHOUSE

DAVID EISENSTAT & AMANDA SALEMARTHUR & JOYCE EKLOVELORNE & YAFFA FACTOR

THE FIALKOV FAMILYESTATE OF ESTHER FREIMANZ”L

RICHARD & YVONNE GOLDBERGBARRY & DEBBY GOLDMAN

MICHAEL & FRANCINE GOLDRICHGILBERT & GRACE GOODMAN

MELECH & DOROTHY HALBERSTADTSTEPHEN & JANICE HALPERN

STEPHEN & CAROL HANDELMANJAY & ANITA HELLER

HAIM & MARDI HIRSHBERGANDY KAMINKER

DAVID & SANDRA KAMINKER TOBY KASNER

HOWARD & EVA KATZELIA KLEIN & MIRIAM ERLICHMAN

REUBEN KLEINBERNIE & ANNA KLEINBERG

CLIFF & KATY KORMANSAUL & MIRA KOSCHITZSKY

BRIAN & BRENDA LASSJEFF LIPSITZ & JUDITH LAXER

GARY & MO LITWACKELLIOTT & BEVERLY LYONS

JACK & AGI MANDEL

DAVID & NAOMI MANSELLMICHAEL & LISA MILLS

JOEL & ROCHELLE MONSONMARK & EDITH NUSBAUMBENNY & ELAINE OSHER

HARRY PERLSTEINELAN PRATZER & MALKA LEWITTES

HOWIE & LEAH PRICEANDREW RAAB

AARON & JOYCE RIFKINDYIGAL RIFKIND

JEFFREY & GAYLE ROBERTSHAROLD & GILI ROSENIAN & PAM ROSMARIN

ELIE & JUDY ROTHTHE CHILDREN & GRANDCHILDREN OF EUGENEZ”L &

LILYZ”L SANDORFYTED & LEORA SASKIN

HYMIE & SHIRLEY SCHILDKRAUTPETER & CAROL SEIDMAN

ISADORE & ROSALIE SHARPTHE SILVER FAMILY

HARVEY & RENEE SOLURSHBENNY & BARBARA STARK

JOSEPH & MELISSA STARKMANRABBI CHAIM & AVITAL STRAUCHLER

BRADLEY & TERRY STRAUSSPHILIP & NANCI TURK

MICHAEL TYLMAN & CAROLE FREEMAN JOHN & LORI ULMER

GEORGE & ELFRIEDA VALEIES & RUTH VAN MESSEL

FRED & LINDA WAKSDAVID & BERNICE WALERSTEIN

MARK & JODI WEISLEDERTHE ZIMMERMAN FAMILY

SISTERHOODBROTHERHOOD


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BANQUET HALL $600,000The Banquet Hall is where we come together to celebrate smachot and enjoy our community. To ensure that we can

continue to provide an inviting and beautiful space to celebrate for years to come, we require a donation to upgrade

our facilities. In recognition of this generous donation, the donor’s name will be associated with the Banquet Hall and

will receive a prominently placed plaque outside the Banquet Hall.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES CONTINUED...

BEIT MIDRASH $500,000The newly renovated Beit Midrash will be a daily hub of spirituality, education, and culture. The space has been designed

to be a multi-purpose room with plenty of natural light. The Beit Midrash will be the home of daily minyanim, classes,

special programs and a library. In recognition of the generous donation, the donor’s name will be associated with the

Beit Midrash and will receive a prominently placed plaque outside the space.



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MAIN ENTRY LOBBY $500,000The main entry lobby is the space that first welcomes you in to pray, learn or celebrate. The sponsorship will help

expand and renovate this space to make our building more inviting and welcoming. In recognition of the generous

donation, the donor’s name will be associated with the main entry lobby and will receive a prominently placed plaque

inside the lobby.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES CONTINUED... SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES CONTINUED...

ARON KODESH IN MAIN SANCTUARY $360,000The Aron Kodesh in the main sanctuary is the most important focal point of the building and houses our precious Sifrei

Torah. In recognition of the generous donation, the donor’s name will receive a prominently placed plaque next to the

Aron Kodesh.

SISTERHOOD HALL $250,000The Sisterhood Hall is one of the most widely used rooms in our Synagogue. It houses the ever growing Downstairs

Minyan and many programs throughout the week. With a sponsorship the space can be made physically more inviting

and friendly. In recognition of the generous donation, the donor’s name will be associated with the Sisterhood Hall and

will receive a prominently placed plaque outside the room.

YOUTH WING $250,000The newly renovated youth wing currently houses the Netivot Hatorah South Campus during the week and Shaarei

Shomayim’s fantastic youth programing on Shabbat. This wing of the Synagogue is full of life and smiling faces. In

recognition of the generous donation, the donor’s name will be associated with the youth wing and will receive a

prominently placed plaque outside the wing.

SOCIAL HALL (LOWER LEVEL) $180,000The newly renovated Social Hall will provide the Synagogue with much needed multi purpose space. The room has

been designed with a movable partition to divide the space into two smaller spaces for classes or meetings or remain

as one room for an intimate banquet facility or other shul social gatherings. In recognition of the generous donation,

the donor’s name will be associated with the Social Hall and will receive a prominently placed plaque outside the room.

LOWER LEVEL FOYER $180,000The lower level foyer has recently been expanded and renovated. It will be a busy lobby serving many areas of daily

Synagogue life, feeding the Beit Midrash, Sisterhood Hall, social hall and administrative offices. In recognition of the

generous donation, the donor’s name will be associated with the lower level foyer and will receive a prominently

placed plaque outside the wing.

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SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES CONTINUED...SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES CONTINUED...

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BIMA IN SANCTUARY $136,000The bima in the sanctuary is from where our tefillah emanates. It is the central element of the sanctuary and is the

stage for many bar mitzvahs, weddings and speakers. In recognition of the generous donation, the donor will receive

a prominently placed plaque on the bima.

STAINED GLASS GALLERY $120,000The stain glass window gallery located on the lower level was designed to showcase the historic windows from the

original St. Clair location. The area was carved out specifically to best show the windows with custom made light-

boxes in a floating wall. The gallery is a symbol of where the Congregation came from in the newly renovated area.

CLASSROOM (SIX CLASSROOMS AVAILABLE) $100,000 EACHThe youth wing now houses six bright, inviting classrooms which during the week are used by Netivot Hatorah South

Campus for their Gan Netivot program. On Shabbat the classrooms play a pivotal role by providing our young members

with a fun place to learn about Torah, holidays and tradition. In recognition of this generous donation, the donor will

receive a prominently placed plaque outside a classroom.

SHAAREI SHOMAYIM LIBRARY COLLECTION $100,000The Shaarei Shomayim library collection includes the many books and documents that our Synagogue has collected

over the years. These texts facilitate Jewish learning, the lifeblood of our Synagogue community. The library collection

will be held in the new Beit Midrash where they will be stored on open shelves for reference and for use throughout

the Synagogue. The donor will receive a plaque next to the collection.

RABBI’S OFFICE $100,000The Rabbi’s office serves as more than just an office, it is also a place where the Rabbi can meet with our members to

provide private consultations and spiritual counseling. The office has been designed with a private washroom as well

as access to the Beit Midrash. In recognition of this generous donation, the donor will receive a prominently placed

plaque outside the office.

BALCONY $100,000The balcony currently sits unused and is in need of revitalization. This space has great opportunity to serve our

Synagogue. Recently, the balcony has become accessible via an elevator and with a donation, planning can begin on

repurposing the space. In recognition of this generous donation, the donor will receive a prominently placed plaque

outside the balcony.

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL SPACE $180,000 Shaarei Shomayim remembers our brethren who were murdered and the communities that were destroyed in the Shoah.

Our St. Clair building was one of the first buildings in North America to architecturally memorialize the Holocaust with

the creation of a stained glass window (donated by Meyer Gasner). In 2011, our synagogue commissioned a unique

piece of art by Yuri Dojc to establish a lasting memorial to the communities of Europe destroyed in the Holocaust and

to the lasting strength of our people that has risen from the ashes. The Holocaust Memorial Space will hold the original

stained glass window from our St. Clair Building, the Yuri Dojc art installation, and an interactive platform telling the

stories of Holocaust survivors within our community.

ARON KODESH IN BEIT MIDRASH $150,000The brand new Aron Kodesh has been designed as part of the Beit Midrash. It is the focal point of the room and

matches the modern look of the room yet still respects the history of the previous Aron Kodesh by using the historical

doors, tablets and Ner Tamid from the original St. Clair Synagogue in an updated application. In recognition of this

generous donation, the donor’s will receive a prominently placed plaque on the Aron Kodesh.

BRIDAL SUITE $150,000Shaarei Shomayim can provide a beautiful space for weddings for both our members and community-at-large. With

this sponsorship, the bridal suite will be upgraded to provide brides and their family with a warm welcoming space

for their special day. In recognition of the generous donation, the donor’s names will be associated with the room and

receive a prominently placed plaque outside the bridal suite.

SHUL OFFICE (administrative offices) $150,000 Shaarei Shomayim’s offices are the place where the business of a bustling synagogue happens five days a week.

Programs are designed – volunteers work hand in hand with staff setting the stage for everything that takes place in

our community. Our offices are newly redesigned and decorated. They have an open concept that allows for easy

interaction between staff members and volunteers.

NORTH LOBBY FOYER $136,000The newly renovated north lobby will become the functional entrance during the week. This area will see traffic for

both the Synagogue and school’s daily activity. In recognition of the generous donation, the donor will receive a

prominently placed plaque in the north lobby foyer.


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SUKKAH $100,000Sukkot provides our community a fantastic opportunity to unite and celebrate, During this time the Sukkah becomes

the new home for the Shul and represents a fantastic place to mingle. As well, the Sukkah has been used for many

programs such as a senior’s tea, jazz night and movie night. In recognition of the generous donation, the donor will

receive a prominently placed plaque at the entrance of the Sukkah.

CHAZZAN’S OFFICE $75,000The Chazan’s Office is located directly off the lower level lobby. Music can often be heard coming from the office as

the Chazan prepares to daven and teaches members of the congregation. In recognition of the generous donation, the

donor will receive a prominently placed plaque outside the Chazzan’s office.

YOUTH LOUNGE $75,000Our busy youth programs require a place where the youth directors and youth leaders can properly meet and plan our

fantastic youth programming. The renovated youth office provides a large space for our future leaders to meet and plan. In

recognition of the generous donation, the donor will receive a prominently placed plaque outside the youth office.

NURSING ROOM $75,000It is important that all our members feel comfortable coming to the Synagogue. The new addition of a dedicated

nursing room provides a private place so mothers can feel comfortable with our youngest members. The room has

access to a washroom and a more private entrance. In recognition of this generous donation, the donor will receive a

prominently placed plaque outside the nursing room.

SHULCHAN IN THE NEW BEIT MIDRASH $75,000The shulchan in the Beit Midrash is the table used daily for the prayers of our community. It is here that the shaliach tzibur

(prayer leader) leads the congregation, and it is here that the Torah is read at least three times a week. The shulchan is a

classic design made from solid wood. The donor family will be acknowledged on the shulchan cover that will rest upon the

shulchan.

PRESIDENTS’ RECOGNITION WALL $75,000

Shaarei Shomayim has been blessed with great lay and professional leaders during our more than 84 year history. This

wall will be redesigned, modernized, and expanded to honour the presidents of our Shul who gave their time, energy,

hearts and souls to our shul. It will include sections to honour the presidents of our sisterhood and brotherhood, as

well as to honour the rabbis who have served our congregation.

SHAAREI SHOMAYIM HISTORICAL WALL $75,000 Shaarei Shomayim has a long and illustrious history. Our story is the story of Jewish Toronto. This wall will tell that

story – preserving the artifacts of our synagogue’s 84 years including pictures, plaques, and other memorabilia. We

will use this wall to tell the story of where we have come from as a congregation and to preserve the legacies of the

many individuals who have brought us to where we are as a community.

YAHRZEIT BOARD (9 BOARDS PLEDGED, 6 AVAILABLE) $50,000 EACHThis is an opportunity to donate in memory of a loved one who has passed on. The yahrzeit boards provide members

a permanent plaque to commemorate a loved one’s yarzheit. In recognition of this generous donation, the donor will

receive a prominently placed plaque on the yahrzeit board.

LOWER LEVEL WASHING STATION $36,000This washing station will provide a place to perform the mitzvah of netilat ya’dayim. It will be located just off of the

lower level lobby. In recognition of this generous donation, the donor will receive a prominently placed plaque next to

the washing station.

WASHING STATION IN YOUTH WING $25,000The washing station will replace the old washing station in the youth wing. In recognition of this generous donation,

the donor will receive a prominently placed plaque next to the washing station.

STAINED GLASS WINDOW (7 WINDOWS PLEDGED, 2 AVAILABLE) $25,000 EACHThese magnificent stained glass windows were loving restored by our synagogue after forty years. These colourful

design elements from the original St. Clair building are now prominently displayed in our synagogue’s lower level. In

recognition of these generous donations, the donors will receive a prominently placed plaque next to their window.

MEZUZAH $18,000-$36,000 EACHVarious mezuzot are located throughout the building with different donor levels. In recognition of these generous

donations, the donors will receive a prominently placed plaque next to the mezuzah.

BANQUET HALL WINDOWS (1 PLEDGED, 10 AVAILABLE) $15,000 EACHThe banquet hall windows look upon the joyous moments of our community and shine gorgeous sunlight upon the

quiet moments before kol nidre and neila. These tall windows are patterned in blue, yellow and white.

RECOGNITION ON DONOR WALL $10,000 OR MOREIt is important to celebrate the commitment of members and promote the culture of giving. With any commitment of

$10,000 or more The name of your family and it’s members will be added to our wall outside our Sanctuary as a lasting

sign of your commitment to the community.

*Commitments can be paid off over five years.

*Pledges can also be made in the form of publicly traded securities

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Documents

OUR SHUL HAS MUCH TO CELEBRATE! - Welcome to Shaarei Shomayim | Shaarei Shomayim Fundraisin… · · 2013-09-03OUR SHUL HAS MUCH TO CELEBRATE! ... Shaarei Shomayim is the place