MAY 19 • 2022 | 31

Holidays. We keep the syna-
gogue going.
”
Cantor David Neumark has 
been Shaar Hashomayim’s spir-
itual leader since 1993. Rabbi 
Sholom Galperin of the Chabad 
Jewish Centre of Windsor also 
has a hand in services at the 
synagogue. 
Shaar Hashomayim’s 
constitution defines it as 
an Orthodox congrega-
tion, although it has made 
some concessions to certain 
Conservative practices at the 
request of many congregants. 
While it strives to maintain 
strict separation of men and 
women in the main sanctuary, 
it does provide mixed seating 
in the social hall as well as 
limited areas of family seating 
in the balcony during the High 
Holidays.
Shaar Hashomayim also 
runs its own Hebrew school, 
serving about 20 kids, with 
Rabbi Galperin as its director. 

The Shaar runs its own 
cemetery as well, which 
Mechanic estimates 
holds 1,000-1,300 
graves spanning gener-
ations of families.
Mechanic says the 
synagogue currently 
has 85-90 “member 
units” — families or 
individuals who belong. 
Each year, Shaar 
Hashomayim draws 
men from all over for 
its biggest social/fundraising 
event of the year, a kosher deli 
feast known as “The Man’s 
Lunch.
” It features all-you-
can-eat corned beef, pastrami, 
salami and more. The meat 
is custom-brined and takes a 
month to make in Hamilton, 
Ontario. The lunch also offers 
seven-layer cake and rye bread 
from Detroit’s Bake Station, 
along with guest speakers. This 
year’s lunch takes place Sept. 
22, and spots can be reserved 

now. 
The synagogue, which 
has endured its fair share of 
struggles, is still going strong 
as it approaches its centennial. 
Mechanic takes pride in 
its aged uniqueness and is 
grateful for the community 
that continues to unabashedly 
support it and the multiple-
generational families that still 
congregate there.
“We’ve reinvested over $1 
million in the last 20 years to 
bring this building back to 

the level it should be at and 
to honor those who made it 
available to us starting in 1929,
” 
Mechanic said. 
“We’ve been given this 
magnificent synagogue, and 
we just have to keep it going. 
There’s no synagogue like it; it’s 
inspirational.
” 

To learn more about Shaar Hashomayim 

or to donate, visit https://shaarwindsor.

org, call (519) 256-3123 or email shaar@

mnsi.net. Also, check out a conversation 

with Rabbi Galperin on thejewishnews.

com.

The 
sanctuary