514-748-6559
Mon–Thu: 9am–3pm , Fri: 9am–1pm
FAQ
Membership & Financials
Services & Religious Pratices
Holidays
Life Cycle Events
Education & Programs
Practical
Questions
Membership & Financial
Do you offer payment plans for memberships?
Yes! We offer flexible payment schedules up to 12 months to make membership accessible for everyone.
When can I expect my tax receipt?
Tax receipts are issued shortly after your donation or payment is processed. You will receive it via email or mail, depending on your preference.
What does membership include?
Membership includes High Holiday seating, Torah honors (aliyot), yahrzeit notices, access to lifecycle events, discounted program pricing, our weekly newsletter, and the ability to sponsor Kiddushim and purchase cemetery plots.
Can I join mid-year?
Yes! Contact our office to discuss pro-rated membership options.
Are donations tax-deductible?
Yes, Beth Ora is a registered charity. All eligible donations will receive an official tax receipt.
Services & Religious Practice
What time are Shabbat services?
Friday evening services and saturday morning services vary each week. Please check our weekly newsletter or website for any schedule changes.
Do I need to be a member to attend services?
No! Everyone is welcome to attend our regular Shabbat and holiday services. Membership comes with reduced prices for High Holiday seating and certain lifecycle events.
Is the synagogue wheelchair accessible?
Yes, Beth Ora is fully accessible with ramps, elevators, and accessible washrooms.
What is the dress code for services?
We encourage modest, respectful attire. Many men wear a kippah (head covering) and tallit (prayer shawl). We have kippot available for guests.
Do you have a mechitzah (partition)?
Yes, we maintain separate seating.
Holiday Questions
Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur
Do I need tickets for High Holidays?
Yes, members receive complimentary seating. Non-members can purchase guest tickets. Contact our office for pricing and availability.
When should I arrive for Yom Kippur services?
We recommend arriving 15-20 minutes early to allow time for seating, especially for Kol Nidre.
What should I bring to services?
Bring your machzor (High Holiday prayer book) if you have one, though we provide them. Many people also bring a tallit (prayer shawl). For Yom Kippur, wear comfortable shoes as leather shoes are traditionally not worn.
What is the shofar and when is it blown?
The shofar (ram’s horn) is blown during Rosh Hashanah services and at the conclusion of Yom Kippur. It’s a call to repentance and spiritual awakening.
Can I eat before Yom Kippur services?
Yes! It’s actually a mitzvah to eat a festive meal before the fast begins at sunset. The fast lasts approximately 25 hours until nightfall the next day.
What is Tashlich?
Tashlich is a Rosh Hashanah ritual where we symbolically cast away our sins by throwing bread crumbs into flowing water.
Pessach
What is chametz and when must it be removed?
Chametz refers to leavened grain products (bread, pasta, cookies, etc.). It must be removed from your home before Pessach begins. Many people sell their chametz through the Rabbi.
Can I sell my chametz through Beth Ora?
Yes! Contact Rabbi Benshimon before Pessach to arrange the sale of your chametz. The Rabbi will sell it on your behalf and buy it back after the holiday.
What are the candle lighting times for Pessach?
Candle lighting times vary each year. Check our holiday schedule or weekly newsletter for specific times. Remember: no new fire can be created on Yom Tov, so light from an existing flame on the second night.
Sukkot
Does Beth Ora have a sukkah?
Yes! Our communal sukkah is available for members to use during the holiday. We also host meals and celebrations in the sukkah throughout the week.
Can I shake the lulav and etrog at Beth Ora?
Yes, we have a lulav and etrog available during morning services throughout Sukkot. Our Rabbi or gabbai will guide you in the blessing and ritual.
What is Simchat Torah and what happens?
Simchat Torah celebrates the completion and restart of the annual Torah reading cycle. We dance with the Torah scrolls, and everyone gets an aliyah! It’s one of our most joyous celebrations.
Chanukah
What are the Chanukah blessings?
We place candles building rightward, but light starting from the newest (leftmost) candle Three blessings are recited on the first night, and two blessings on subsequent nights:
- Blessing over the candles:
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Chanukah.
(Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light.) - Blessing for the miracle:
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam, she’asah nisim la’avoteinu bayamim hahem bazman hazeh.
(Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time.) - Shehecheyanu (first night only):
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam, shehecheyanu v’kiy’manu v’higianu laz’man hazeh.
(Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.)
When do we light Chanukah candles?
Candles should be lit after sunset, when stars appear. On Friday, candles are lit before Shabbat candles. The menorah should burn for at least 30 minutes.
How many candles do we light each night?
Night 1: One candle plus the shamash (helper candle)
Night 2: Two candles plus the shamash
…and so on until Night 8: Eight candles plus the shamash
What are traditional Chanukah foods?
Latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly donuts) are traditional because they’re fried in oil, commemorating the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days.
Purim
Do I need to wear a costume to the Purim celebration?
Costumes are encouraged and add to the fun, but they’re not required! Many adults and children dress up in creative costumes.
What is the Megillah reading?
The Book of Esther (Megillah) is read twice during Purim – once in the evening and once in the morning. We use groggers (noisemakers) to drown out Haman’s name!
What are mishloach manot?
Mishloach manot means “sending portions” – it’s the mitzvah of giving food gifts to friends and family. Many people exchange baskets with at least two types of ready-to-eat foods.
What is the Purim seudah?
The Purim seudah is a festive meal held on Purim afternoon.
Shavuot
Why do we eat dairy on Shavuot?
There are several traditions: some say when the Israelites received the Torah, they didn’t yet know the kosher laws so they ate dairy; others note that Torah is compared to “milk and honey.”
What is Tikkun Leil Shavuot?
It’s the tradition of staying up all night studying Torah on the eve of Shavuot. Beth Ora hosts a learning program.
Is there a special service for Shavuot?
Yes! We read the Ten Commandments from the Torah and the Book of Ruth.
Tu B’Shevat
What is Tu B’Shevat?
Tu B’Shevat is the “New Year of the Trees,” a celebration of nature and the land of Israel. It’s customary to eat fruits, especially those mentioned in the Torah like dates, figs, and pomegranates.
Tisha B’Av
What is Tisha B’Av?
Tisha B’Av is a day of mourning commemorating the destruction of both Holy Temples in Jerusalem and other tragedies in Jewish history. It’s observed with fasting and reading the Book of Lamentations (Eicha).
Are there services on Tisha B’Av?
Yes, we hold evening and morning services. The evening service includes reading Eicha while sitting on low chairs or the floor as a sign of mourning.
Life Cycle Events
How do I arrange a Bar/Bat Mitzvah?
Contact Rabbi Benshimon at least 12-18 months in advance to begin planning and schedule a date.
Can non-members have lifecycle events at Beth Ora?
Yes! Non-members are welcome to hold lifecycle events such as B’nei Mitzvah, weddings, and funerals at Beth Ora. Please contact the office to discuss availability, pricing, and requirements.
How do I arrange a funeral?
Contact Rabbi Benshimon and Paperman & Sons Funeral Home immediately. The Rabbi will guide you through Jewish mourning customs and help arrange the service.
How do I reserve the synagogue for a simcha (celebration)?
Contact our office to check availability and discuss rental fees, catering options, and logistics.
Education & Programs
Are there adult education classes?
Yes! We offer Torah study, holiday workshops, and special lectures throughout the year. Check our newsletter and website for the current schedule.
Practical Questions
Where do I park?
Parking is available in our lot at Beth Ora, 2600 Badeaux. Street parking is also available. Please be mindful of local parking regulations.
Can I sponsor a Kiddush?
Yes! Members and non-members can sponsor a Kiddush to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, yahrzeits, or other occasions. Contact the office for pricing and available dates.
How do I get added to the newsletter?
Click the button below or contact office@bethora.org to be added to our mailing list.
What is your cancellation policy for bad weather?
In case of severe weather, cancellations will be posted on our website, social media, and sent via email. When in doubt, call the office.
Contact Us
Still have questions?
Email: office@bethora.org
Phone: 514-748-6559
Website: bethora.org
Address: 2600 Rue Badeaux, Saint-Laurent, QC, H4M 1M5
Office Hours: Monday – Thursday: 9:00am-3:00pm, Friday: 9:00am-1:00pm
We’re here to help! Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, big or small.
