Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
History
Beth Shalom West Congregation commenced as a satellite of Beth Shalom Congregation, Chapel Street to fill the need for an Orthodox synagogue in the Greenbank/Baseline area of western Ottawa. Prayer services were initially held at the Sir John A. MacDonald High School and other functions were held in private homes or nearby public locations. The first West End service was conducted May 3, 1980. A central Craig Henry site was chosen for a new synagogue and property was donated by Jack and Irving Aaron. Over 400 people attended the ceremonial ground breaking ceremony. The dedication and official opening followed in September, 1986. Rabbi Dr. Basil Herring was the first religious official, Rabbi Michael Orelowitz from Aug. 1982 to June 1983. Rabbi Sonnenschein in summer of 1983 became the first full time rabbi in 1989 followed by Rabbi Finkelstein August 8th, 1991.