The Beach Hebrew Institute consisted of a small number of members from the 1960s, including Sam Tanenbaum, Jack Rawek, Sam Day and Leo Schechter. The synagogue building, at that time, was in poor shape. In the early 1970s, a third wave of Jews moved to the Beach area. Some of these new residents were intermarried couples or were new converts to Judaism, many of whom had faced obstacles joining the mainstream Toronto synagogues. They were hoping to build a vibrant, more liberal Jewish life in the Beach. With the influx of new, young members, the congregation was able to attend to some of the minor repairs, and the Hebrew school was re-opened. However, it quickly became clear that volunteer labour and a treasury of $40 would not be enough to take care of all the building’s problems.

Accordingly, an aggressive restoration campaign was started, spearheaded by some of the younger members. Letters and pamphlets were sent out to thousands of Jewish households in Toronto and received an excellent response. Additional special events like the annual Fathers’ Day Bazaar and 60th anniversary celebration brought in additional funds. With the initial monies raised, the congregation was able to clean up the basement and the back area.

Increased political and media attention also aided the synagogue’s cause. The mainstream and local papers printed a number of articles on the restoration efforts. In addition, politicians, including Mayor of Toronto, Art Eggleton, and MP, Neil Young, acted as celebrity auctioneers at the annual bazaars. In 1982, the Beach Hebrew Institute even received a plaque designating it a site of historical importance by the City of Toronto.

With the positive community response and increased media attention, the restoration fund met its goal of $20,000. Repairs began in earnest in 1980, and just in time; the year before, the pipes had frozen and burst and then the basement flooded. The roof, parts of the collapsing side walls, the brick and mortar work and plumbing were all repaired, and two new furnaces were installed. Finally, around 1990, the basement was completely redesigned to serve as a function hall; this meant more bar and bat-mitzvahs and wedding celebrations, and ultimately, more revenue.

The Beach Hebrew Institute’s restoration would not have been possible without the help of the committed Executive. Their efforts left the synagogue with a vibrant legacy that still continues today. They have kept alive the memories of the founding families and ensured a healthy, stable future for the synagogue today.

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