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As we gather on the sacred night of Kol Nidre, we reflect on the meaning of our prayers and our commitments to one another. The Kol Nidre appeal is a time-honored tradition that calls upon each of us to give generously from the heart. Your contributions help sustain our community, support those in need, and strengthen the programs that keep our values alive.

Please consider making a meaningful donation this year. Together, we can continue to build a vibrant, compassionate future for our congregation and beyond.

CLICK HERE to contribute to our 5785 Kol Nidre Appeal

Kol Nidre Appeal by Susan Abramowitz, Co-President of SZBE

In 2016 David Budman asked me to join the board. I was flattered but it was a bit of an odd request. After all, I’m not religious. Outside of High Holidays, my shabbat attendance was sparing and usually only because I was attending a bar or bat mitzvah. I never came for minyan – not even for my mother’s yahrzeit. But instead of saying NO, I asked: What kinds of problems are you trying to solve?

So much has changed since 2016. A new rabbi. The pandemic. No rabbi. A merger. An interim rabbi. Another new rabbi. October 7^th.

I was warned that synagogue boards can be a challenge. But, this much drama isn’t what I signed up for! On the other hand, the journey has been more enriching than I expected – both intellectually and spiritually. Here is what I’ve learned:

In moments of great despair synagogue becomes more relevant than ever.    It’s where Jewish life is sustained, where we gather to find strength and community, and where, in times of uncertainty, we can always turn.

While we scrambled to get a minyan during the pandemic, after October 7^th the need to connect with fellow Jews was fiercely felt. Some of you came out of defiance—a bold statement of Jewish pride. Some of you came to pray. Others came simply to be among Jews. You came to say Kaddish, or to celebrate milestones. In the face of threats and hostility and fears over whether it would be safe…you showed up. Through it all, this incredible community was here, waiting to embrace you, to share your burden, and to lift each other up. And as attendance grew, there was something powerful at play.

We bonded over kiddush lunches. We celebrated baby namings. Bar mitzvahs. Bat mitzvahs. Weddings. Aufrufs. And so many milestone birthdays and anniversaries. Those of your who lost a loved one bonded through your grief twice a day at minyan.

We welcomed new members. And out-of-towners. And people we usually only see at High Holidays became regulars on shabbat. It was wonderful, even if it was born from the ugliness beyond these doors.

You joined us for our Boots on the Ground zoom sessions. Yachad concerts that lifted spirits. You attended Book Club meetings. And learning sessions. Your kids or grandkids sang along at Shabbatots, or volunteered at MADA as part of the Bnai Mitzvah club. Together we raised thousands of dollars for Auberge Shalom through our Megillah Reading. And for IVOW through our raffle.  We hosted over 100 IVOW kids from Israel – all victims of unimaginable terror – for what turned out to be an incredibly emotional shabbat evening. THIS is how we build community. AND without community, we cannot sustain what happens here.

Tonight, as we stand on the brink of Yom Kippur, I am asking you to pledge your support. Your membership fees and the cost of your seats help us keep the lights on. But they don’t cover the vital extras that build and sustain community. The programming. The kiddush lunches. The beautiful Band is Back oneg shabbats. The choir. The honey cakes. And so on…

So please ask yourself this: What is the Jewish legacy you want to leave to your children and grandchildren? How it important is it to know that Shaare Zion Beth-El will be here for YOU when YOU need it? And beyond.

By taking action tonight, you are committing to ensuring not just the future of this synagogue. You are also ensuring that Jewish identity and continuity in Montreal continue to thrive. Every gift counts. And every gift is an investment in our collective future. Thank you for being generous. Shanah tovah and gmar hatima tova

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