About Temple Sholom

About us

Temple Sholom is a Canadian Reform congregation, and the largest synagogue in Western Canada. It is an inclusive and egalitarian community.
Members come from a diverse background with a range of Jewish knowledge and experience.

Temple Sholom is many things to many people: a welcoming, multi-generational community for connecting with others, a sanctuary for engaging in meaningful prayer and study, and a receptive environment for nurturing cherished traditions and new ideas. Most of all, Temple Sholom is a sacred and safe place - it's your place to belong.

Since opening our doors in 1964, the congregation we've built and nurtured has been a strong advocate for Reform Judaism and progressive values, resolute in our mission to honour each person and integrate Jewish tradition with contemporary life. As the largest congregation in Western Canada-we're now more than 800 households strong-we take pride in our distinct culture: the egalitarian values that underscore everything we do; our commitment to tzedakah and the pursuit of justice; and our inclusive, kind community, which welcomes Jews of all ages and backgrounds, and warmly embraces interfaith families.

our history

Temple Sholom is Your Place to Belong

1964
In October, the Pacific Northwest Region of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC) (now known as the URH) held a Biennial in Vancouver led by Rabbi Alexander Schindler (z'l) and Rabbi Maurice Eisendrath (z'l) with the theme "Excellence in Judaism".

As the UAHC was anxious to see a Reform congregation established here, Vancouver residents were invited to attend. A meeting of those interested in forming a congregation followed.

They set up a religious school and held the first lay-led Shabbat evening services in private homes. Regional leaders and rabbis regularly began coming from the Pacific Northwest to lead services.

1965
In October, the Pacific Northwest Region of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC) (now known as the URH) held a Biennial in Vancouver led by Rabbi Alexander Schindler (z'l) and Rabbi Maurice Eisendrath (z'l) with the theme "Excellence in Judaism".

As the UAHC was anxious to see a Reform congregation established here, Vancouver residents were invited to attend. A meeting of those interested in forming a congregation followed

They set up a religious school and held the first lay-led Shabbat evening services in private homes. Regional leaders and rabbis regularly began coming from the Pacific Northwest to lead services.

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