Origins

Early Jewish immigrants came from Eastern Europe with the majority coming from Russia and Poland in the 1880's.  Escaping poverty and persecution, many Jews arrived penniless and with little knowledge of the English language.  North America was seen as a guarantee of a better life.  Following the fire of 1871, which destroyed much of Windsor's downtown core, there was a period of growth and prosperity.

Windsor became an attractive alternative to Detroit for many early immigrants.  William Englander, considered the first Jewish resident of Windsor, established himself here in 1876.  Englander started out as a peddler and then opened a poultry business on Mercer Street in the city's downtown.  He was an alderman for Ward 3 and worked as an immigration officer and court interpreter.  Many of the early Jews were peddlers.  They settled in the downtown city market area known then as the "Jewish Colony".  Another early resident was Aaron Meretsky.  He came here in the late 1880's working as a junk dealer; as well he served on city council and was eventually a President of the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue.  It was he who in 1917 purchased property for a Jewish cemetery on Pillette Road.

Life in Windsor was challenging; peddling goods door to door was not always easy.  However, over time, many of the peddlers opened second-hand stores; some eventually opening general stores.  Religious services were first held in individuals' homes until the first synagogue, known as Shaarey Zedek, was established.  Located on Pitt Street in a storefront owned by Herman Benstein, it was opposite the city market and next to the fire station.

Prior to 1900, marriage services were either held in Detroit or a rabbi from Detroit came to Windsor to conduct the service.  Demand for a new synagogue increased as the population continued to grow.  A new Shaarey Zedek Synagogue was opened in 1906 at the corner of Brant and Mercer Streets with Morris Gitlin as Rabbi.  This building served the community for over 50 years.

By the late 1950's, the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue was no longer big enough to accommodate the growing congregation.  It was torn down in the late 1950's and was replaced by the present Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, which has served the community since 1958 at the corner of Giles and Lillian.

An early simcha

The year 1960 saw the Shaarey Zedek synagogue play host to the wedding of long-time member Mrs. Switzer's daughter.  Although I have been asked not to mention the names of those pictured in these photos, I don't think it would be giving away any secrets to mention Rabbi Samuel Stollman of the Shaar Hashomayim Synagogue, and Rabbi Karelitz of the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue.

Rabbi Karelitz with the bride and groom

Receiving the Sefer Torah

In November, 1961, the Dzodin family graciously donated a new Sefer Torah to our synagogue.  Such an occasion was cause for celebration, and there was dancing in the streets and within the synagogue itself.   Milt Dzodin, grandson of Leizer, is still a member of the congregation, and serves on the Board of Directors.  He has graciously donated some rare photographs of the occasion for inclusion on this website.

Congregation Shaarey Zedek has been and is a place where its members can go to experience lifecycle events such as, Brises, Baby namings, Bar/Bat mitzvahs, weddings, and funerals within the practice of Orthodox Judaism.

Our spiritual leader since March, 1992 is Rabbi Joseph D. Krupnik.