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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