Ellin speaks at Congregation Shaar Hashomayim in Montreal Saturday May 26, 2018 after Sabbath Services

During WWII, the Shaar Hashomayim synagogue counted among its members many prominent Jewish Montreal families who actively participated in the country’s war effort. Sam Bronfman became head of the organized Jewish community’s civilian war activities, while Rabbi S. Gershon Levi was appointed Canada’s first rabbi in uniform. Later, Rabbi Sam Cass would go overseas as a captain and served on the front lines as the Allied troops entered Germany. Over 200 synagogue members went off to war including Barney Finestone, who was wounded in Italy. Many did not come back, including Fred Pascal, Jack Tritt, Bernard Samuels, Moses Usher, Michael Stein Jacobs, Lionel Morris, and my great-aunt’s brother Jack Brovender.