Building Renewal History of Project

For almost two decades the Narayever community struggled with how to make our beloved building accessible to all, provide more functional spaces for the Rabbi and staff as well as our children and youth programming and to update aging building systems.

The Narayever Building Renewal Project was started in 2016 following surveys of the membership confirming that congregation should stay in the building on Brunswick Street. The decision was made to  develop a plan for our building  that would better serve current and future members’ needs. As Rabbi Ed Elkin noted in his message about the project, 

“Our Narayever forebears made sure that we have a building... Now it’s our turn to make that building live up to our highest values and aspirations.” Read the Rabbi's full message here. 

We then entered into a multi-year process that included ongoing consultations with the congregation, engaging building and design professionals, and a lengthy series of approvals. A very dedicated and hard-working Building Renewal Committee provided the overall management of the project throughout the design and construction process. 

Members only: Click here to watch a recording of the March 25, 2022 Building Committee Project update and slideshow.

See previous progress updates about the project here.

In December 2016 the City of Toronto Committee of Adjustment considered the plan. 

In June 2017 the Provincial Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) hearing on the plan commenced. 

In January 2019, the LPAT approved the plan for our building renewal project.

At our AGM on June 23, 2019, the First Narayever Congregation membership overwhelmingly voted  93% in favour of proceeding with the detailed design and construction of the project and to launch the “Living Our Vision” capital campaign to raise the funds building on the founding commitment of $1 million by our lead donor Sam Mizrahi. (Members only: click here to view minutes) 

In February 2020 a Special Members meeting was held with a recommendation from the Board to include additional elements to the project and increase the budget.  With over 100 members voting,  over 95% approval to proceed. (Members only: click here to view minutes) 

In November 2020 another Special Members Meeting was held with a recommendation from the Board to increase the Building Budget to accommodate cost changes due to COVID and include a number of additional elements that had been identified through more extensive investigations.  Again, with over 100 members voting, the Board recommendation was approved by 90%  (Members only: click here to view minutes) 

In September 2020 construction started on the project. We are so excited to have moved back in even as finishing touches are still being worked on.