[URBAN NOTE] More on the Minsker Synagogue

[rfmcdonald]

Kensington Market's Minsker Synagogue has suffered, on top of a long-term trend for Jews to move north along the Bathurst Corridor, the after-effects of a disastrous 2002 fire. Today's Toronto Star paints a hopeful picture for the synagogue's revival under the tenure of Cleveland-born rabbi Shmuel Spero.

Inside the synagogue, with its creaking floors, wooden pews and stained glass windows, Spero has gathered an eclectic bunch. Young and old. Orthodox and non-Orthodox. Rich and poor. They're all a part of this congregation.

Spero wanted to work at Anshei Minsk for one reason. "I liked the idea of involvement in Jewish outreach in a downtown setting."

Outreach means helping urban Jews become more connected to their religion. More than 100 Jews have started observing the Sabbath since Spero joined Anshei Minsk.

But that's only part of what outreach means to Spero. He offers counselling "for life problems," he says.

He encourages students and out-of-town visitors to eat a meal with the congregation on Friday nights. "We had people from the AIDS conference here," he says.

He also welcomes homeless Jews to participate in synagogue life. "These gentlemen come and they sit with everybody else during (prayers), during classes, during meals. And they're as much a part of the shul as anyone else," he says, using the Yiddish word for synagogue. "It affects them. It enables them to grow as people.

"A synagogue like this has to really be a synagogue centre. A centre is a place where people feel comfortable to come for ... prayer, education, and ... to socialize," he says.