An amazing renovation project at the Sons of Jacob Synagogue is pretty much complete.
In the spring, Tom Richardson, a local businessman who is not even a member, started a GoFundMe campaign in hopes of raising enough money to renovate the aging synagogue located on the corner of McIntyre Street West and Cassells Street in North Bay.
Richardson's GoFundMe raised $8,500 towards the renovations.
The renovations of the Sons of Jacob Synagogue, which is a North Bay Heritage site, began in September and are nearly complete.
"Just a few details left, I'm going to be doing some arches on the windows and I'm trying to get the synagogue, some spotlights, so some up-down lighting, and possibly some cameras, so aside from the painting, it's pretty much wrapped up," explains Richardson.
Howard Kizell, president of the Sons of Jacob Synagogue, is thrilled to see what Richardson has been able to do with the synagogue renovations.
"We love it, the membership loves the whole idea and the look of the place is simply a major improvement," he told BayToday.
Richardson admits he has been humbled by not only the support through the GoFundme prior to the start of the project but also the feedback he has received from around the community.
"The immediate reaction from the community was really motivating," said Richardson.
"When I first started the project scraping, I knew I was in for a challenge but so many people go out of their way to tell me how much of a positive a change it is and how much they appreciate it. I never really knew how many people were affected especially members of the synagogue."
While Richardson did the majority of the work, he wanted to give thanks to many who helped make the project a reality.
That includes all the GoFundMe contributors, Synagogue board members, Stewart's Decorating for the paint donation, United Rentals for the lift donation, and his wife Sarah Jane Valiquette for supporting the family while he was painting.
See related: Synagogue renovations begin
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.
