Small Winnipeg Orthodox Synagogue Enjoying a Renaissance Thanks to Conservative Synagogues Merger

By Myron Love

The Chavurat Tefila (Fellowship of Prayer) Synagogue, a small, Orthodox synagogue in north Winnipeg, has been enjoying a renaissance over the past three years, thanks largely to a merger of the three major Conservative synagogues in the North End.

On July 1, 2002, the Rosh Pina, Beth Israel and Bnay Abraham Synagogues officially merged in the Rosh Pina building under the name Congregation Etz Chayim. The Rosh Pina and Bnay Abraham Synagogues were facing financial difficulties due to declining membership as Winnipeg’s Jewish population of about 15,000 continues to shift to south Winnipeg and other parts of the city from the North End where the majority of the Jewish population had traditionally been living. The Beth Israel was on solid financial ground but was without a rabbi.

While the Rosh Pina and the Beth Israel were egalitarian congregations, the Bnay Abraham was a more traditional synagogue with mixed seating its only concession to Conservatism. The Bnay Abraham was the kind of shul where there were a few regulars who attended the daily minyanim (supplemented by men from the attached Jewish seniors residence) and Shabbat services with most other members coming only for Yom Tov and other special occasions. Many of the regulars were not happy with the merger and the idea of attending an egalitarian congregation. While there are currently five smaller Orthodox/traditional shuls still in the North End, a couple of the Bnay Abraham regulars (who were also Chavurat Tefila members) persuaded the others that the Chavurat Tefila was their best option.

The Chavurat Tefila congregation was founded in 1973 by a group of individuals who were unhappy with the existing Orthodox congregations. Among the founding members of the Chavura were three rabbis connected to the University of Manitoba. In 1975, the congregation was able to buy a street corner church which they converted into their synagogue.

The synagogue has a mechitza consisting of moveable shelving units. The women’s side on the south has room for 40 to 50. The men’s side seats 50 to 60. The main sanctuary also doubles as a dining hall which can seat up to 120. The synagogue has always been run by a core of willing volunteers. There are no paid staff members (although the Torah readers do receive honorariums).

Although the Chavurat Tefila has never had an official rabbi, for most of its history, there have been rabbis who have been members of the congregation.

By the mid-1980s, many of the original members have moved on including two of the original rabbis. The shul had its first renaissance in the mid-1980s following an acrimonious split with the last of the original rabbis. At about the same time – and largely as a result of the rabbi’s departure – about a dozen young families left one of the other Orthodox synagogues in the area and joined the Chavurat Tefila. Among the new members were two rabbis – both teachers at the Jewish high school – and their families.

The synagogue had been a Shabbat/Yom Tov shul but, with the influx of new members, for the first time, the Chavurat Tefila was able to offer morning minyans. For a while, the shul was having up to 70 men, women and children attending every Shabbat morning. As often happens though, after a time membership began to decline again as families left the city. The daily morning minyan came to an end after about a year. The two rabbis also left the city for Toronto – although the synagogue has maintained a strong connection with Rabbi Charles Grysman who comes back twice a year or more to visit his father and his in-laws.

The congregation has declined to the point where its future was in doubt both financially and demographically. Then the merger took place.

As a result of the merger and the influx of former Bnay Abraham members, the Chavurat Tefila’s membership has almost doubled. For the first time, the congregation is having twice daily services every day, making it the most successful congregation in north Winnipeg on a day to day basis. Because the shul offers daily services, it has also attracted other members of the community – including some from other congregations – who are saying kaddish or want to attend a daily minyan, something the four other traditional synagogues in the area can no longer offer.

Also as a result of the merger, the Chavurat Tefila membership now also includes Rabbi Peretz Weizman, the long time rabbi at the Bnay Abraham and the longest serving rabbi in the city, as well as three of Winnipeg’s longest-serving cantors.

This influx of new members is older than the mid’80s group. Considering the average age of the membership, the question of how long the synagogue can continue to function is still a question. For now though, the membership is basking in its growth and newfoundsuccess.

For shul times or more information, phone 204 334-4961.