On July 17th 1966, at the laying of the Foundation Stone of the Synagogue, Rabbi Rosenblum made a speech that laid out his vision. We hope you take the time to read it below:
We are all assembled today with joy in our hearts, and hopes for the future, in the knowledge that an edifice is being built to the glory of God […]
Worthy guests and congregants. This Synagogue is being dedicated to the glory of God. Thus it is and will be a bridge.
A bridge to link the past of our people and our Religion with the present and future of our Faith.
A bridge with the rest of Jewry in this twin-town where we have always striven and will continue to strive to strengthen the unity and co-operation with all sections of the community.
A bridge that will enable us to work for and derive spiritual strength from the State of Israel.
This Synagogue will also be a bridge between the Jewish community and our non-Jewish fellow citizens.
My friends, this Synagogue is also being dedicated to the memory of the six million Jews who perished in Nazi Concentration Camps during the last World War. We do so to honour the dead and as a warning to the living. God forbid that this should be misunderstood and believed to be done to perpetuate hatred towards anyone in the world. For I believe with all my heart that hatred breeds hatred, and the world cries out for goodness and kindness. No, we dedicate the Synagogue to the service of God and mankind. We remember the six million Jews because of our love for them and not because of any hatred towards those who were responsible for their death. But we must remember it also as a warning to the living. For what has happened in the last war to six million of our brethren has shown to what depths man can fall and how important it is to strengthen ourselves and all mankind with true religious and spiritual values.
My friends, the Hebrew name of our Synagogue is Sha’are Shalom – Gates of Peace. May the foundation stone remind us all of the only true foundation upon which this wholly edifice can stand in order to serve its highest purpose – namely, a foundation cemented by the spirit of peace and harmony, by the active co-operation and fellowship of all who dwell in this district.
May the members of this congregation associate themselves with every good cause of humanity, charity and religion, extending beyond the limits of our creed; associating together as brothers and sisters should do, in the earnest desire to please our Father in Heaven.
May the Sanctuary which is reared on this spot, serve as a centre of enlightenment, of courage, of comfort, and of hope; may it serve as a means of strengthening the brotherhood of Israel.
May the classrooms which will be erected tend to turn the hearts of children to the religion of their fathers.
With these thoughts and these aspirations, we commend our task to The Divine care. Be Thou with the builders and those who guide the work; send Thy blessing unto the members of this congregation, ready to take their active share in the establishment of this Synagogue: send Thy blessing unto those who, with zealous devotion, have helped to bring about this joyous day.
May this Holy House to be raised here never fail in its ultimate purpose, of rendering those who will worship therein, worthy of inheriting Thy House on high – where those who on earth act justly, deal kindly and walk humbly before Thee to dwell, abiding in Thy shelter.
“Let Thy work be made manifest unto Thy servants and Thy majesty upon their children. Establish Thou the work of our hands upon us; yes, the work of our hands establish Thou it.” Amen! Amen!