Hebrew Classes - Level 1 - Winter 2026
2026-01-19 17:55 - 18:55, 2026-01-26 17:55 - 18:55, 2026-02-02 17:55 - 18:55, 2026-02-09 17:55 - 18:55, 2026-02-16 17:55 - 18:55, 2026-02-23 17:55 - 18:55, 2026-03-02 17:55 - 18:55, 2026-03-09 17:55 - 18:55 (America/New_York) and 1 more date | Online
Level 1: Learning to Read
This level introduces the Hebrew alphabet and vowels. Learners begin to decode and read simple words and phrases while focusing on correct pronunciation and reading fluency. No prior knowledge of Hebrew is required.
online with Merav Luz

Chess for Beginners - Winter 2026 Session
2026-01-20 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-01-27 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-02-03 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-02-10 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-02-17 19:00 - 20:30 | 450 Kensington Avenue, 450 Kensington Avenue, Westmount, Quebec, H3Y 3A3, Canada
Taught by Frank Teuton
Master the board – one move at a time!
$100 per person

Challah & Chesed - For Young Professionals
2026-01-22 19:00 - 21:00 | Congregation Shaar Hashomayim, 425 Metcalfe Ave, Westmount, Quebec, H3Y 3A2, Canada

Spark, Sip and Spice: Havdalah for Young Professionals
2026-01-24 20:00 - 23:00 | Congregation Shaar Hashomayim, 425 Metcalfe Ave, Westmount, Quebec, H3Y 3A2, Canada
$18 per person

The Yalla Club
2026-01-26 18:30, 2026-02-02 18:30, 2026-02-09 18:30, 2026-02-16 18:30, 2026-03-09 18:30 | Congregation Shaar Hashomayim, 425 Metcalfe Ave, Westmount, Quebec, H3Y 3A2, Canada
Jewish Learning. Israel Connection. Meaningful Friendships.
$90 per session · for students in grades 7-9 · Dinner will be served

Movie Night with Zera Café
2026-02-02 18:00 | Cinestarz Deluxe, 5800 Cavendish Boulevard, Côte Saint-Luc, Quebec, H4W 0A9, Canada
At Cinestarz Deluxe, Cavendish Mall; 5800 Cavendish Boulevard
Kick off JDAIM (Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month) with a special movienight with Zera Café.
Doors open: 6:00 PM; Light snacks will be servedMovies begin: 7:00 PM; Ticket includes popcorn and a drink.
Choose between two movies:
Anaconda – Starring Jack Black and Paul RuddIs This Thing On? – Starring Bradley Cooper, Will Arnett, and Laura Dern.

French Connexion Club de lecture
2026-02-04 19:30 - 21:00 | Quebec
Chaque mois quelques passionnés de lecture se retrouvent pour discuter de livres proposés ainsi que leurs dernières trouvailles.Il ne faut pas lire tous les livres, ni venir à tous les rendez-vous.La rencontre a lieu en mode hybride, ceux qui le souhaitent se retrouvent dans une salle au Shaar et les autres se connectent sur zoom.Avis aux amateurs !
L’inde est le thème de notre rencontre du 4 février, nous discuterons de :-Le tigre blanc de Adiga Aravind-L’Équilibre du monde de Rohinton Mistry-Un nom pour un autre de Jhumpa Lahiri

Iran Unveiled: The Reality Behind The Headlines With Jonathan Harounoff
2026-02-05 19:30 - 21:00 | Congregation Shaar Hashomayim, 425 Metcalfe Ave, Westmount, Quebec, H3Y 3A2, Canada

Discover Purim Through The Archives
2026-02-10 19:00 | Online
Join the Shaar Hashomayim Museum & Archives for a special presentation highlighting Purim treasures in our collection. Explore photographs of Shaar Purimspiels and pageants, historic megillot and gragers, and stories from Purims past showing how our community has celebrated the holiday over the generations.
Free and Open to All

Youth & Young Families Superhero Purim Party
2026-03-02 16:30 - 18:30 | Congregation Shaar Hashomayim, 425 Metcalfe Ave, Westmount, Quebec, H3Y 3A2, Canada
Calling all superheroes!
Everyone is invited to a Superhero-themed Purim Party packed with bouncy castles, face painting, virtual reality superhero games, air hockey, prizes, a toddler corner, dinner and more! Come celebrate courage, kindness, and joy – superhero style! For kids ages 0-12.

$10 per person; $36 per household (before March 2).

$15 per person; $45 per household (at the door).

Congregational Superhero Purim Party
2026-03-02 19:30 - 22:00 | Congregation Shaar Hashomayim, 425 Metcalfe Ave, Westmount, Quebec, H3Y 3A2, Canada
This Purim, our community is invited to celebrate at our Superhero-themed Congregational Purim Party. Come in costume (superhero or otherwise!) and enjoy an evening of food, fun and games, and a thrilling mentalist show as we celebrate the heroes among us.

$15 per adult; $54 per household (before March 2).

$20 per adult; $72 per household (at the door).

$10 per child (12 and under); free for children 3 and under

French Connexion Club de Lecture
2026-03-04 19:30 - 21:00 | Quebec
Chaque mois quelques passionnés de lecture se retrouvent pour discuter de livres proposés ainsi que leurs dernières trouvailles.Il ne faut pas lire tous les livres, ni venir à tous les rendez-vous.La rencontre a lieu en mode hybride, ceux qui le souhaitent se retrouvent dans une salle au Shaar et les autres se connectent sur zoom.Avis aux amateurs !
Le 4 mars, les romans épistolaires seront à l’honneur avec– Le cercle littéraire des amateurs d’épluchures de patates de Mary Ann Shaffer– 84 Charing Cross Road d’Helene Hanff– Inconnu à cette adresse de Kathrine Kressmann Taylor

Youth and Young Families Kabbalat Shabbat
2026-03-06 17:30 | Congregation Shaar Hashomayim, 425 Metcalfe Ave, Westmount, Quebec, H3Y 3A2, Canada
with Akiva School
Co-hosts: Emmanuelle Cahen, Melissa Kakon, Jessica Neat, Shari Segal
$45 per adult; $25 per child; Free for children under 3
Open to all
5:30 PM
Join Shaar clergy and the Akiva choir for a music-filled service in the Chapel.
6:30 PM
Family Shabbat dinner. Drop-in activities for kids supervised by Camp Lumi staff.

Tuesday Night Learning - Spring 2026
2026-03-10 19:30 - 21:30 | Congregation Shaar Hashomayim, 425 Metcalfe Ave, Westmount, Quebec, H3Y 3A2, Canada
Featured Keynote Speaker:
Thomas Mulcair
MARCH 10
7:30 PM – 8:20 PM
Bringing Learning to Life
Kollel Torah Mitzion: “From Purim to Pesach: The Quiet Way Redemption Unfolds”
An interactive session exploring the journey from Purim to Pesach and the ways redemption unfolds quietly in Jewish history and in our own lives.

Big Problems, Big Ideas
Thomas Mulcair, former leader of the NDP: “Antisemitism in Canada: Time To Speak Up”
Drawing on decades in Canadian public life, Mulcair addresses the rise of antisemitism in Canada and the responsibilities of leaders and institutions in responding to it.

8:40 PM – 9:30 PM
Crucial Debates about Israel and Zionism
Professor Csaba Nikolenyi: “Israel as a Jewish and Democratic State”
Beginning with Theodor Herzl’s observation that modern antisemitism differs from earlier religious persecution, Professor Nikolenyi explores contemporary debates around antisemitism and IHRA definition.

Montreal Spiritual Leadership
Rabbi Eric Grossman: “The Great Rabbi Shortage”
Rabbi Grossman examines the growing shortage of rabbis across North America and what it means for Jewish communities and institutions in the years ahead

The Shabbat Table
Hands-On Babka Workshop: Learn to Braid and Shape Like a Pro with Sabrina Benizri @hungry4anything
Participants will leave with their own babka to bake and enjoy at home.
