Or Shalom is a Conservative synagogue affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Congregation Or Shalom has a variety of programs that offer something for all family members. We are an evolving egalitarian synagogue where men and women are both counted for minyan and where both are able to receive honours at the bimah. Women who wear a tallit and tefillin will feel welcome and at home at our services. For more information on our services, please see

We are accessible to people who have difficulty with stairs. We have a wheelchair-accessible entrance leading directly into the sanctuary, on the north side, and there are pew locations for wheelchairs. Our foyer is connected by a ramp to the sanctuary, and there is an operated elevator to the auditorium. We have wheelchair accessible washroom facilities on both the sanctuary level and the auditorium level.

Our facilities are strictly kosher. We have a meat/pareve kitchen in our main building, and a dairy kitchen in the adjacent Anna Leff Youth Building.

Our facilities are strictly non-smoking at all times.

History

The first Conservative synagogue in London was incorporated in 1940 under the name of United Jewish League. In 1944 it joined with a previously Orthodox congregation called B'nai Israel. In 1960 a synagogue was built at Huron and Adelaide streets. In 1966 further construction was completed and with the amalgamation of B'nai Israel and B'nai Moses ben Judah, Congregation Or Shalom was formed.

Location

Or Shalom is located at 534 Huron Street, near Adelaide Street, and is easily accessible by public transportation. Or Shalom's next door neighbours are the Jewish Community Centre and the "Village," a senior citizens' complex which serves the Jewish community of London. The Anna Leff Youth Centre is attached by a breezeway to Or Shalom and is used by Jewish youth of the community, in particular by Pre-Kadima (Nitzanim), Kadima, and USY. Meeting rooms are available along with a dairy kitchen and a gym which is used on a regular basis by different aerobic, exercise, basketball and dance groups. Contact the Synagogue Office at 519 438-3081 to make rental arrangements.

About Conservative Judaism

A vibrant religious movement, Conservative Judaism began in 19th century Europe as a traditional Halachic form of Judaism. It seeks to retain traditional Jewish practice while remaining open to cautious change based on the needs of modernity and the community.