renewal Background
For almost two decades, our Narayever community struggled with the issue of building accessibility and function. On Shabbat mornings, a single basement space accommodated babysitting, preparation and table-setting for Kiddush lunch, a children’s service, congregants engaged in private text study, and those who wished to sit and talk. Countless congregants, and would-be congregants, were barred from entering the building to attend services due to lack of accessibility. For some, beloved family members and guests were left out of simchas. With no dedicated study or office, our rabbi struggled to find a discreet and private area to meet with and counsel community members. It was essential that we address these issues.
We developed a plan to provide the Narayever congregation with an accessible and revitalized building that would better serve current and future members’ needs.
We then entered into a multi-year process of preparations which included ongoing consultations with the congregation, engaging building and design professionals, and a lengthy series of approvals. In January 2019, the Ontario Municipal Board approved the plan for our building renewal project. At our AGM on June 23, 2019, the First Narayever Congregation, with an overwhelmingly positive vote of 93% in favour, provided the go-ahead to officially launch “Living Our Vision”; the campaign to renew our building for present and future generations.
Sat, July 5 2025
9 Tammuz 5785
Capital campaign
