During
the early 1970s, the Kiever began experiencing financial
difficulties. The situation had reached the point where
the members considered selling the building at 25 Bellevue.
The idea of losing the historic structure alarmed the
Toronto Jewish community. In 1973, the Archives Committee
of the Canadian Jewish Congress Central Region voted to
help preserve the Kiever. The Chairman of the Committee,
Victor Sefton, and archivist Stephen Speisman agreed that
“the community should have the building not only
for its inherent historical value, but also because it
would provide a physical environment where youth could
identify their roots, to see their parents’ milieu
and what motivated previous generations.”1
In 1975, the Toronto Jewish Congress, which was the predecessor
of UJA Federation, created the Ontario Jewish Archives
Foundation. The Foundation was a charitable trust responsible
for raising money for the necessary restoration of the
Kiever. The building had suffered water damage and termite
infestation and the structure was in desperate need of
repairs.
The
Restoration Committee, which was led by Sol Edell and
Albert Latner, immediately appealed to the Toronto Jewish
community for support. The Committee had acquired a Ministry
of Citizenship and Culture Wintario grant for $115,000,
but Martin Mendelow, the contracted architect for the
project, estimated the restoration costs at $400,000.
The remaining $285,000 had to come from donations.
Different
methods were used to attract support. In June 1975, the
Committee organized a cantorial concert in Denison Square,
as well as an exhibit on the history of the Kiever in
the social hall in the basement of the shul. Sol Edell
and Albert Latner also tried to raise funds by contacting
institutions, companies, and individuals for donations
into the early 1980s. The Foundation sold honourary memberships
and provided limited edition copies of a watercolour of
the Kiever created by Martin Mendelow as an incentive
to those who were willing to donate more than $1000. In
turn, individuals and companies also contributed through
the provision of construction services and supplies. Eventually,
enough money was raised.
Once
the Committee reached its goal, the restoration project
was launched in 1981. The project involved replacing doors
and windows to match the originals. In addition, the social
hall was renovated and the exterior trim and interior
walls were repainted. By the mid-1980s, the restoration
was completed.
1. Minutes of the Archives Committee
of the Canadian Jewish Congress, Central Region held on
February 27, 1974.
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Sol Edell (Left), Chairman of TJC-CJC Archives Committee
with architect Martin Mendelow (1974)
Watercolour of the Kiever by Martin Mendelow (1979)
An exhibit in the Kiever to inform the public about
the synagogue’s history (Slideshow)
The Kiever Restoration during the 1980s (Slideshow)
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