The largest affiliated Conservative synagogue in North America severed ties with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
Beth Tzedec Congregation, following an April 23 vote by its board of governors, became the third Toronto Conservative synagogue to end its affiliation with United Synagogue. The split is retroactive to July 2007.
In a statement, Beth Tzedec said the needs of “Canadian Conservative congregations will be better served by allocating our resources directly toward local, provincial and national programs and services.”
Gary Mansfield, a former synagogue president, told The Canadian Jewish News that because of United Synagogue’s dues policy, there was “virtually no money for programming” at the shul.
Beth Tzedec follows Adath Israel Congregation and Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue in leaving the umbrella body.
Earlier this month, the membership of a fourth Conservative shul in Toronto, Beth Tikvah, voted to stay in United Synagogue after its board of governors recommended leaving.
