Our History

The Sephardic Association of the West Island of Montreal (ASBOM) was founded on November 15, 1977 by three seasoned community builders, Messrs. Charles Ayache, Maurice Elmaleh and Raphael Serfaty. The first two presided over the young association for seven years, from 1977 to 1984, while Raphael is still active in the association to this day.

Starting from a small minyan of a few families who were just beginning to settle in the West Island, ASBOM held its first Friday night and Saturday services in the premises of Beth Tikvah. Then, as the Kahal slowly grew, we organized High Holiday prayers — first at Beth Tikvah the first year, then in the Terry Fox Park chalet, then in a borrowed space on boulevard des Sources — before acquiring our first house of worship at 102 rue Roger-Pilon in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, which served as our sanctuary for six years until we settled for good at 96 rue Fredmir in 1991.

During the 1980s, with a growing Kahal, discussions were held about joining forces with Beth Tikvah or launching our own building project. The decision was made to go ahead with a construction project, which was started but never completed.

In 1991, as our Kahal kept growing, ASBOM ran a fundraising campaign among its Dollard members to acquire Temple Rodeph Shalom at 96 Fredmir, which had become available, renovated it and added the name Or Shalom to our synagogue.

We occupied 96 Fredmir in its original form for 18 years, and our Hazzan Mr. David Azoulay accompanied us there with skill and devotion before retiring in 2009.

Driven by successive boards and their presidents, a building fund campaign was run from 1998 onward to raise the money to pay off our mortgage.

Our first dream came true when the mortgage was paid off in full, just before Pesach 2003 and a year ahead of schedule. We finally owned our building, thanks to the association’s determination and the financial contribution and unwavering support of our members.

Some time later, in 2005, we were able to hire our first permanent rabbi, Rav Avraham Maruani.

A second building project was prepared in the mid-2000s. After acquiring additional lots next to our synagogue, we had new plans drawn up for our new sanctuary and obtained a building permit. In April 2009 we laid the first stone of the new sanctuary beside the old one — which became a daycare (Or Shalom) — and it all became reality for the High Holidays of 5770 (2009-2010).

This new dream was the culmination of the continuous work and the constructive, sustained contribution of every president and board over the previous three decades.

Our new premises, renamed the “Assouline Community Centre” after a generous gift from Mr. Daniel Assouline and the Assouline family, are modern, practical, superbly bright and airy, and suited to our present and future needs. They seat just over 500 people between the Ouaknine-Ohayon sanctuary and the women’s Azara.

A banquet hall, the Saleh Reception Hall, a small chapel and administrative offices were completed in 2010.

Or Shalom rightly stands out as one of the most beautiful synagogues in the West Island. It is also the only Sephardic synagogue in this large region.

Its liturgical approach, traditional and modern at once, under the leadership of our rabbi Avraham Maruani and our Hazan Orel Gozlan, offers a setting for study and religious practice open to every member, whatever their level of knowledge or participation.

This project is a testament to the sacrifices of our parents and grandparents, and to the success and continuity of our generation and the one to come…

Key dates

Baruch Haba — we look forward to welcoming you, online on our site and in person at our Assouline Community Centre.