Mississauga/Peel without Solel… Can You Imagine It?

And yet, that was the reality less than 60 years ago! There was no established Jewish community in Mississauga: no synagogue, no Rabbi, no religious/Hebrew school. Then a handful (and I do mean handful) of Jewish families decided there could be and should be an official Jewish presence in this area, and, as they say, the rest is history!

Many of you know the story: A young student Rabbi, Lawrence Englander, was engaged as our parttime clergy, coming in monthly, staying with congregants for the weekend and leading services at various locations – especially the old and then dilapidated site – which is now the beautiful Glen Erin Inn. We needed a permanent home, and now a somewhat larger group of Jews were able to acquire the property at 2399 Folkway Drive. They undertook a massive fundraising drive to build the synagogue that would be called Solel (Pathfinder -from the passage in Isaiah 62:10 “Solu, solu! blaze , blaze the pathway.) They did and we became the pathfinder for Jewish life in Mississauga. Because of their vision, dedication, and faith, we have a Jewish home here. We have a place to go to on Shabbat, a place to celebrate simchas. We have a Rabbi who advises us, teaches us, comforts us, officiates at our Kids’ Bar/Bat/B’nei mitzvahs and their weddings. We have a Rabbi who supports us as we lay our loved ones to their eternal rest.

And let’s remember all the community lunches we can attend, the Friday night onegs, and the Shabbat and Seder dinners we enjoy together.

Then there are all the exceptional and amazing learning opportunities. Guest speakers present often during services or at lunch and learns or special events.

There are films shown both to entertain and educate us on Jewish topics. Social action projects are initiated, like our work with Pathways and Foodpath. The Women of Solel get together working on many projects, including making and delivering food to members of our community. Members organize community walks, weekly minyans with breakfast, shiva meals, and our members lead shiva services for our congregation. To quote (more or less) a line from a great baseball movie- Field of Dreams- we built it and you all came.

Now there is a new reality. We have a strong and vibrant community, and we have to continue to keep it strong and vibrant. As Mississauga grows and the population shifts, we find there are fewer and fewer Jews moving into the area. But there are still families out there! We started, those almost 60 years ago, with about a half-dozen families. There are at least a half dozen families out there that could be members of Solel. We just have to find them! We have to let them know, as we know, how important this community is. Whether we meet them at a supermarket or the gym, or at work, engage in outreach with those who may be interested. Sometimes we see someone wearing a Star of David (and Stars out – not hidden – is a good sign of pride), please invite them to celebrate a holiday with us or a Shabbat service. Have them bring their kids to our holiday celebrations. Tell them we welcome mixed-married, and that we have a Jewish Information course, if they wish to become Jewish or return to Judaism or just learn about living a Jewish life, that will welcome them with open arms.

I don’t want even to imagine a Mississauga without a Solel. We have worked hard to establish this community and now it is incumbent on us to keep on working. We have to confirm our commitment spiritually, physically and financially. Let’s look forward to at least another 60 years of growth and strength and commitment at Solel. “Keyn Yehi ratzon.” May it be God’s will!

Filed under: Educator's Message

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