Anshei Minsk, Byzantine Revival synagogue in Kensington Market, Canada
Anshei Minsk Synagogue is a prayer house for the Jewish community in Toronto, built with two towers and a prominent entrance stairway. The brick building features large windows with stained glass artwork oriented toward Jerusalem.
Jewish immigrants from Belarus founded this prayer house in 1912, and the brick building was completed in 1930. The architecture reflects the influences from this era of immigration to Toronto.
The congregation gathers here daily for prayers, maintaining Orthodox Jewish customs that have been passed down through generations. Visitors can observe how religious life continues in this space and what these practices mean to the community.
The building opens early in the morning for prayers and remains active throughout the day, so plan your visit based on your availability. It sits in a busy area with accessible streets nearby and close to shops and cafes.
This congregation has been the only Orthodox Jewish community maintaining daily prayers downtown since the late 1980s. The continuity of these daily practices over decades makes it a rare religious anchor in the city.
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