Congregation Beth Shalom is the oldest synagogue structure in Ottawa, with congregational roots as far back as 1892. That's when Adath Jeshurun was formally founded with 35 families from the Ottawa Jewish community.

In its formative years, the congregation moved from its very first location on Murray Street in 1895, to King Edward Avenue in 1904. As the Jewish community grew in this city, so too did the need for more synagogues. The early 1900's saw the establishment of Agudath Achim (1902), Machzikei Hadas (circa 1906), and B'nai Jacob (1910).

Congregation Beth Shalom emerged in 1956 when the two oldest congregations in Ottawa, Adath Jeshurun and Agudath Achim, amalgamated. B'nai Jacob joined 15 years later, in 1971. With the construction of the building on Chapel Street, designed by Hazelgrove & Lithwick, Beth Shalom became the only downtown Jewish congregation in Ottawa.

The legacy of the Adath Jeshurun and Agudath Achim congregations lives on here in Beth Shalom. Two memorial cornerstones from each of the two synagogues are inlaid in our smaller Chapel, and the decorative circular stained-glass window dedicated to Mrs. A. J. (Lillian) Freiman and found in the main sanctuary was originally in Adath Jeshurun. The other eight stained-glass windows - designed by Dutch artist, Leo Lubbers - illustrate the Jewish holy days and festivals of Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Sukkoth, Shemini Atzeret, Simchat Torah, Chanukah, Purim, Pesach, and Shavuot. They, too, grace our sanctuary, which has been a place of spiritual reflection and prayer for Ottawa families, out-of-town visitors and dignitaries over these many years.

Congregation Beth Shalom has had a long and memorable history in Ottawa. We continue to be a downtown presence in this nation's capital, offering traditional services with a modern approach. We put much faith in our future, and invite you to join us in prayer and celebration, in study, and for our various special events and programs.