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THE ARCHIVES
Highlights from the Shaar Wedding Collection: Weddings of the 1930s and the 1940s
By Hannah Srour-Zackon
As we continue to feature highlights from the remarkable wedding collection in the Shaar’s archives, in this article we’re showcasing weddings of the 1930s and 1940s, including weddings which took place during World War II!
Weddings of the 1930s
Wedding of Sylvia Lillian Cohen (daughter of Lyon Cohen) and Sydney J. Cohen of England, October 17, 1933. The ceremony took place at the Shaar at 3:00 pm and was officiated by Rabbi Herman Abramowitz. According to news reports, “a profusion of yellow and bronze chrysanthemums and autumn leaves” were used as decorations throughout the synagogue, and the bride’s veil was a family heirloom.
The wedding of Milly (née Bronfman) and Bernard Lande on June 14, 1936. The first picture was published as part of the wedding announcement in the Montreal Star. The second picture is of the ceremony which took place at the Shaar and was officiated by Rabbi Herman Abramowitz.
The Montreal Star reported “effective decorations were carried out in the synagogue with spruce trees as a background and peonies, yellow roses, mauve larkspur and blue delphinium used in abundance, the floral entwined pillars marking the guest pews. Pure white tapers lit the altar amidst the exotic color scheme.”
Further Shaar Weddings in the Newspaper (1930s)
(From left to right)
1. Wedding announcement of Laura (née Schubert) and William V. Victor, January 30, 1935 (Montreal Star).
2. Wedding announcement of Gertrude (née Schwartz) and Dr. Harry C. Ballon, September 14, 1938 (Montreal Star).
Weddings during World War II
In spite of the war, many weddings still carried on the Shaar, many of which were weddings of men in active service, or recent veterans.
(Courtesy of David Searle)
The wedding of Helen Flora (nee Tarshis) and Sergeant Herbert Shapiro took place at the Windsor Hotel on February 14, 1934, and was officiated by Rabbi Herman Abramowitz, assisted by Cantor Nathan Mendelson. As Shapiro was still in active service, he required permission for leave from the Royal Canadian Air Force (R.C.A.F.).
(Courtesy of Anne Kugler)
Wedding of Meta (née Surchin) and Dr. Hyman Surchin, Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps (R.C.A.M.C) on April 12, 1945 at the Shaar, officiated by Rabbi Herman Abramowitz, assisted by Cantor Nathan Mendelson.
Further Weddings of the 1940s
(Courtesy of Marlene Brownstein)
The wedding of Natalie (née Lupovich) and Harold Brownstein took place at the Shaar on June 6, 1946 at the Mount Royal Hotel, and was officiated by Rabbi S. Herschorn.
Shaar Weddings in the Newspaper (1940s)
(From left and right)
1. Wedding announcement of Jeannette (née Heillig) and William Abrams, March 1, 1944 (Montreal Star).
2. Wedding announcement of the Honourable Sheila (née Abbey) and Alan Finestone, June 11, 1947 (Montreal Star).
3. Wedding announcement of Florence (née Gersovitz) and Archie Ortenberg, January 21, 1949 (Montreal Star).
