A sushi bar turned shul

By Rabbi Yisroel Bernath

Following the news that we are homeless for Rosh Hashanah, we got to work.

There was no way we were going to let down so many people. We called and called. Anyone and everyone we knew how could possibly have an idea. We perused a number of options, from a room in the Benny Centre to a room on Campus to a Kosher Restaurant.

The holy days drawing closer, the clock was not stopping and nothing seemed to be moving. I was on my way out to the wedding of Levi and Aidel Goldstein when the call came in.

“Meet me at Yakimono in 15 minutes.”

Yakimono is a Kosher Sushi Restaurant in Montreal that happens to be in the area of the Chabad House. They have incredible sushi and would certainly be closed over the holiday.

There are two owners. One owner said he would give it without hesitation, the other was a bit a skeptical but gave in. They were overjoyed to lend their place for such a “noble” cause and are really bending over backwards to make it happen.

The MK (Kosher Certification in town) was not as excited to allow this. What will ignorant people think if they see a Kosher Restaurant open on Rosh Hashanah. They cerainly had a point, but that wont stop us. Nothing will stop us. With the help of the owners we were able to come to an agreement and that everything would be put into the kitchen and the door would be bolted and absolutely NO food will be brought into the premisis.

Not my ideal situation but we have a place. We can set up show and that is the greatest news I hav heard in a while.

So… Rosh Hashanah is happening and Chabad of NDG will be open for business. Hope to see you there in person or spirit.

Your humble Rabbi.

– Rabbi Bernath directs the Chabad House in Montreal’s Notre-Dame-de-Grâce residential district located to the west of downtown