Shaar Shalom Synagogue

The Shaar Shalom Synagogue, is a Conservative synagogue located in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The Shaar Shalom Synagogue was among the first Canadian Conservative synagogues to hire women in clergy positions and welcome same-sex partners as members.

History

It was founded in 1953 by a collective of families who were members of Halifax's Baron de Hirsch Synagogue who sought a community that would permit "family seating". They sought an egalitarian ideology that would permit women's political and ritual leadership.
The community has had professional leaders over the years, including Dr. Irving Perlin. Perlin was an obstetrician who served as a lay hazzan and mohel, and presided over weekly sabbath liturgies and ceremonial circumcisions. The synagogue is a supporter of Camp Kadimah.
Many of the art pieces still decorating the synagogue were procured during David Jacobs' tenure from 1953-1957. The building that stands at the corner of Oxford St. and Pepperell St. was dedicated on October 31, 1955.

Rabbinic Leaders

1953-1957: Rabbi David J. Jacobs, an enthusiast of modern Jewish art
1957-1961: Unknown
1962-1964: Rabbi Emanuel S. Goldsmith
1965-1968: Unknown
1969: Rabbi Dr. Max Wallach.
1970-1974: Unknown
1975-1976: Rabbi Leo Heim
1977: Unknown
1983-1995: Rabbi Jacob Chinitz
1995-1998: Rabbi Pamela Hoffman
1999-2000: Unknown
2000-2001: Rabbi Dr. Michael Goldberg, author of Why Should Jews Survive?: Looking Past the Holocaust Toward a Jewish Future
2001-2010: Ari Isenberg-Grzeda
2010-2011: Catherine Clark & Joshua Rabin
2011-2013: Ari Isenberg-Grzeda
2013-2015: Rabbi Ari Isenberg-Grzeda
2015-2016: Rabbi Irit Printz
2016–2019: Rabbi Dr. Raysh Weiss & Rabbi Jonah Rank
2019-present: Rabbi Gary Karlin