Machzikei Hadas (literally translated from Hebrew as 'Supporters of the law') is a Modern Orthodox synagogue in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
[3] The Machzikei Hadas congregation first began Shabbat services in a home on St. Patrick Street owned by Mr and Mrs Goldberg in 1907, paying 25 cents per week dues.
The congregation rented a hall at the corner of Dalhousie and St. Patrick Street for one month covering Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and charging $1.00.
On May 12, 1908, the 264 Murray Street former premises of Adath Jeshurun Congregation and subsequent soda water factory of Michael Fine, was purchased for $1,800.00 by 15 to 20 families for their first permanent Machzikei Hadas synagogue.
Dr. Reuven Bulka, who served as spiritual leader of Congregation Machzikei Hadas in Ottawa starting in 1967, and became rabbi emeritus in 2015, emphasized adult education, psychology, and Judaism.
The synagogue has hosted or co-hosted human rights day gatherings, an information evening for potential bone marrow transplant donors, and All-Candidates meetings.
People who emigrated from Poland started synagogues wherever they arrived and named them "Machzikei Hadas", after the organised community life they left behind in their home towns.