The rabbi, the hazan, the religious council and the board of directors
The community’s rabbi since 2005
The Torah says: “Build Me a sanctuary and I will dwell among you.” G-d asked Moshe Rabbenu to build a sanctuary so that He could dwell among us and, from that day on, the people of Israel have built tens of thousands of synagogues around the world.
Since we no longer have our Temple in Jerusalem, our synagogues have taken over and, thanks to them, G-d continues to dwell among us to this day, le dor va dor.
I am very happy and very proud to lead our wonderful Or Shalom community — 14 years already this year. Those years have gone by very quickly, and I believe the reason is that together we make a good team.
A Chinese proverb says: “Choose a job you love and you will never work a day in your life.”
I deeply thank all our members and founding presidents who had the vision that one day the Sephardic community of DDO would grow. They felt the need, and the importance, of building a community centre for the generations to come.
May G-d grant them and their families long life in good health, and for those who have left us, may G-d rest their souls in Gan Eden. We will remember them forever.
King Solomon said: “One generation passes away and another generation comes.”
I should add that, thank G-d, in recent years many families have settled in DDO — young couples with small children whom we hear playing in the synagogue’s corridors during Shabbat and holiday prayers. It is for them that we are here, to teach and pass on our knowledge and our values through our prayers and our activities throughout the year.
May G-d bless our community. Amen, ken yehi ratzon.
Rav Avraham Maruani
✉ ravmaruani@videotron.caHazan of the Or Shalom synagogue since 2010
From a very young age, Orel Gozlan has been passionate about liturgical music, piyutim and hazanut. Having started as a singer in various choirs (the Maimonide school choir, the Mizmor Shir choir, Samy Elmaghribi’s choir), at 15 he chose to specialize in liturgical and Judeo-Arabic (Andalusian piyutim) music. He quickly made a name for himself in Montreal with his melodious voice and vast repertoire, even at such a young age.
The late Samy Elmaghribi, internationally renowned singer and hazan, was one of his many teachers. His first experience as a hazan was at the synagogue of the Communauté Sépharade Unifiée du Québec, where he served for two years.
He has been the hazan of the Or Shalom synagogue in Dollard-des-Ormeaux since 2010. Orel specializes in bar mitzvah preparation, and in leading wedding ceremonies and other events (Shabbat hatan, hillula, sheva brachot, evenings and concerts).
One of Orel’s main goals is to share his knowledge of the traditions and melodies of the Moroccan Sephardic liturgy with the next generations so they are not forgotten. He is also a French teacher at a Jewish school in Montreal.
Over his career Orel has sung in many places around the world, notably in the United States, France and Israel. In 2012 he represented the Jewish community at a concert for peace entitled “Finis les duels, Bonjour les duos”, sharing the stage with the internationally renowned singer Abderrahim Souiri. He has also shared the stage with many other well-known singers, including Moshe Louk, Benjamin Bouzaglo, Lior Elmaleh and Shimon Sibony.
Dedicated volunteers who run the association and its programs.
With advanced training in business management (executive MBA level), a master’s degree in higher education and a certification from the Canadian Institute of Traffic and Transport (CITT), Monique Lasry brings multidisciplinary expertise in business development, management, manufacturing, international transport and entrepreneurship.
Her career includes key roles, notably as director of the Hapag-Lloyd line in Montreal, and her contribution to import-export pricing for the Zim Lines consortium in Israel. She also played a decisive part in Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) tenders, deepening her expertise in international projects. She currently contributes to the strategic development of RetSight, an innovative Israeli start-up specializing in ocular imaging for the early detection of diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
On the social and academic side, Monique has for over 20 years been the founder of the Centres d’Enseignement Lasry, whose mission is to secure academic success for Quebec students. In partnership with the École chrétienne Emmanuel, her initiatives use proven techniques to reach as many students as possible — work carried out with the approval of the Ministry of Education, under a shared motto: success for all.
Monique also serves as a judge in public-speaking competitions for high school graduates, championing the art of oratory, and mentors young professionals, helping them build fulfilling and meaningful careers.
Recognized for her professional, social and community contribution, Monique Lasry will soon be honored by the National Assembly of Quebec with a medal in recognition of her commitment and achievements.
Within the community, Monique is one of the builders of Or Shalom, having actively contributed to its growth. Still deeply attached to her community, she continues to devote herself with passion to its cohesion, well-being and prosperity.
