Just five days after the passage of Bill 21, a Quebec law banning certain public servants from wearing religious articles of clothing such as a Kippah, over 500 members of TMR’s Jewish community gathered to discuss the new bill and to celebrate Shabbos together under the stars.
To accommodate the crowd, Chabad of the Town converted their 22,000 square foot parking lot into a giant park by laying grass over the asphalt. They also hoisted a massive tent in the back of the lot.
Only 60 years ago, Jews were not allowed to own homes in Town of Mount Royal. On Friday afternoon, a deejay blasted live Jewish music as hundreds entered to mingle, dance, and enjoy a pre-Shabbos barbecue with an open bar.
Women then ushered in Shabbos with a communal lighting of the Shabbos candles. A melodious Maariv service followed.
Following the service, a catered sit down three-course dinner was served on chinaware in the massive tent. After a beautiful Shalom Aleichem and Eishes Chayil, Shliach to TMR Rabbi Moshe Krasnanski led the community with the Kiddush.
The hot topic discussed at the meal was the new law banning Yamulkes and other religious clothing from judges, teachers, police officers, and prison guards.
“It was a tremendous display of unity and strength in the face of the new bill,” said Rabbi Moshe Krasnanski, Founder and Spiritual Leader of Chabad of the Town. “It was a public demonstration that the Jewish community in Montreal and in TMR in particular is vibrant, active, and here to stay.”
After Shabbos, participants praised the Mega Outdoor Shabbos. “It was the best Friday night of my life,” gushed Silvana Smejoff.
“The tent was fabulous,” said Helen Brotte. “It brings you back to when you were a kid and could play with your friends. People were joyful, the music was great, and the food was spectacular.”
“It was the most fantastic evening,” David Minsky said. “I brought a big group of ten people, and they had the best time. In fact, two of them were Holocaust survivors and they left almost in tears because it reminded them what Judaism used to be like at home and they had the greatest time.”
What is TMR, please?
Town of mont Royal
Outrageous law, hope new decree of religious freedom will be announced soon instead of this law
Pure “democracy” can be very destructive. In a democracy, if you have 2 poor men and 1 rich man the two can vote to tax the rich man, and “democracy” will have worked. A common definition of “republic” is, to quote the American Heritage Dictionary, “A political order in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who are entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them” — the USA is that. A common definition of “democracy” is, “Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives” — the USA is that, too. The… Read more »
Why is Canada a democracy?
The politics of Canada function within a framework of parliamentary democracy and a federal system of parliamentary government with strong democratic traditions. Canada is a constitutional monarchy, in which the monarch is head of state. … Canada has placed emphasis on equality and inclusiveness for all its people….
They do not have any concept of constitutionally limited government. So this is what happens
There is the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and you can bet that this bill will meet with a constitutional challenge. It’s anyone’s guess what will ultimately happen.
Once again the Krasnanskis pull off an amazing event! May you continue to go from strength to strength!
That is a neighbourhood in Montreal with wonderful shluchim to do an amazing job for all those who live there. Keep up the good work!
Amazing Shluchim! Looking good Zalmy! (And you too, Mendel Rader)
There is no Yarmulka ban in Quebec, rest assured, and no ban on Shabbat or Jewish life here. Thank God, the Quebec government is quite supportive of our community here. So any of you travelling here for the summer, please rest easy, you can wear your Kippah!
Lots of misinformation, or shall we say, fake news about Bill C21. You can all come here and see that Jews are wearing Kippah.
Thank you.
As turns out to be the case regarding much so-called, “fake news”, this ban is in fact true. There is NOT a ban on the general public – nobody ever said there was. There is, however, a ban on any and all religious symbols if you work for the government. Put simply, if you are – or want to be – a government employee, you have to choose between your kippah and your job. Does it impact many Jews’ lives directly? Who knows – I do not know how many frum Jews are public servants. Is it an outrageous attack… Read more »