A local businessman and landlord is hoping to raise some funds to help renovate the exterior of the historical Sons of Jacob Synagogue located in downtown North Bay.
Tom Richardson, a local businessman and landlord, has set up a GoFundMe page in hopes of raising $10,000 to paint the North Bay synagogue.
Richardson says the building caught his eye when he saw a social media post about the synagogue on a North Bay Nostalgia page.
"I commented that I always imagined helping to improve that building," said Richardson.
An old friend of Richardson's and a member of the synagogue saw his message and reached out.
"The membership has really gone down in the past number of years, they realize it is kind of an eyesore and can be improved and I asked to meet with the membership," said Richardson.
"We met at the building and I asked permission to raise some money, I wasn't asking them for money. I just wanted to get their blessing for me publicly asking for a donation."
Marty Brown, Member of the Sons of Jacob Synagogue met with Richardson at the aging building. He noted that they have faced challenges at the synagogue including a flood that occurred 15 years ago.
"We have been very fortunate here in North Bay, when something bad happens everyone gets together and we pull through," said Brown.
"It is beautiful inside once more."
However, the exterior of the building is not so beautiful anymore.
"I think if you have had a chance to look at the synagogue lately you know that renovations are needed," said Brown.
"Unfortunately, we never had the funds to maintain the outside of the building. It is over 100 years old like a lot of buildings in North Bay that age, the bricks are starting to crumble. We have tried to find bricks to blend, but to me, it has gotten to be an eyesore."
Richardson says he has experience renovating older buildings.
"I am looking forward to spurring some positive change," he said.
"I know while I am not associated with the religion there are such a nice group of people who are a part of the synagogue. They are people in our community and I can offer my skill set to help offer their skill set and I think that is what being part of a community is."
Richardson says he hopes to start working on the synagogue in late August or early September. That will include brick prep work but he's optimistic the project can be completed within a four or five-day span.
The Sons of Jacob Synagogue is the oldest synagogue north of Toronto still in use as a place of worship.
According to the synagogue site, it was built in 1913 as a grocery store, then transitioned into a hardware store and later a furniture store.
The first services in this building as a synagogue were held in 1925, the year North Bay was incorporated as a city.
