Ohev Yisroel’s 20th Anniversary Gala Honouring Rivka Kraus & Cantor Moshe Kraus on his 100th Birthday
Sunday May 29, 2022, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, EST
Ohev Yisroel, Downtown Ottawa’s Orthodox Synagogue, is celebrating its 20th anniversary serving local residents, businesspeople who visit the city, temporary government employees, tourists as well as students. We are located in Sandy Hill, close to the University of Ottawa, to Parliament Hill, to the Market and beautiful tourist attractions. Starting off with services in a private home and in the party room of an apartment building in Sandy Hill, Ohev Yisroel has been operating at 516 Rideau Street for the past 18 years, where its sign proudly hangs over the sidewalk. Over these years Ohev Yisroel has offered an orthodox choice in the downtown area of the Nation’s capital, where observant tourists, businesspeople, students and local residents have been able to pray on Shabbos and on the Yomim Tovim. Our shul has hosted hundreds of visitors, and we have always provided Shabbos hospitality to them. Ohev Yisroel offers services in a warm, friendly and heimische atmosphere, in the spirit of “ahavas Yisroel” ‑ love of one’s fellow Jew. Lay members lead the services, and everyone, regardless of background or affiliation, is invited to participate in any way they can. Nobody is turned away for lack of funds, even on the High Holidays. Every service is followed by a congregational kiddush.
Cantor Moshe Kraus and Mrs. Rivka Kraus have resided in Ottawa for almost 50 years. Their hospitality is world-renowned. Moshe Kraus achieved fame as a composer and as the elite among the world-class cantors. His own unique style is inimmitable. Almost all currently eminent chazzanim look up to him. He officiated as the Chief Cantor of the greatest synagogues in the world, starting at the age of 13 with Sighet, Budapest, Bucharest, Antwerp, Johannesburg, Mexico City, and finally Ottawa, and appeared at chazzanus concerts all over the world. He was also the first Chief Cantor of the Israel Defence Forces. A Holocaust survivor, he has been very active speaker, ensuring that the current and future generations do not forget what happened to European Jewry. Chazzan Kraus has participated regularly in our shul services ever since 2002, when our synagogue became the only orthodox shul in downtown Ottawa. We are proud to have him and Rivka as active members of our shul. Rivka has been an accomplished activist in the International Emunah Women’s organization, organizing annual events and establishing the Mothers-in-Israel programme which alleviates poverty and establishes various educational institutions in Israel. She was the President of the Ottawa chapter for many years. Almost all Jewish residents of Ottawa have known and loved the Krauses for their selfless devotion to individual guests as well as to institutions in Ottawa.
We are celebrating both anniversaries (20 for our shul and 100 for Chazzan Kraus) by inviting all who know and love the Krauses to a ZOOM-gala. Several speakers and singers will honour the Krauses and inspire us to emulate their devotion to Yiddishkeit and to celebrate their contributions to Jewish life all over the world. An exciting keynote speaker (TBA) will inspire us. We are inviting everyone to submit greetings which will be published in a commemorative tribute booklet to be made available prior to the gala event. Because this will be an international event with very many participants, a deadline for the submission of greetings is strictly set for May 22, 2022.
Journal Ads and Greetings (8½” x 5½“ page)
Booklet Advertisement Rates
Add $10 for each entry in a raffle to win a grand prize (TBA).
Options for submitting greetings
- Fill out the form on this web page, below, where there is also a link to our secure donation page.
- E-mail your text and payment instructions (credit card details) to ohevyisroel@gmail.com. An e-transfer is also acceptable.
- Regular postal service: fill out the form and send either a cheque or credit card details below, and send to Ohev Yisroel, 195 Marlborough Ave., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1N 8G3.
- Payments can always be made directly on our secure payment webpage: https://secure.cardknox.com/ohevyisroel
Credit card details
Name: ___________________________________________________
Address:__________________________________________________
City: _________________ Province / State ________ Postal Code __________
Telephone ________________ e-mail: __________________________
I am unable to participate, but I would like to make a donation of $ ______
Cheque (Payable to Ohev Yisroel)
Credit card Visa Master Charge
Card Number ______________________________ Expires _________
Cardholder’s signature ______________________________________
Alternatively, go to our secure payment webpage: https://secure.cardknox.com/ohevyisroel
If sending by postal mail, please return to: Ohev Yisroel, 195 Marlborough Ave., Ottawa K1N 8G3
If sending by e-mail please return to: ohevyisroel@gmail.com
Submitters of greetings / ads will receive tax receipts as per the Canada Revenue Agency guidelines
Greetings submission form