Update N4
Dear friends,
Following yesterday’s Yom Kippur appeal, I want to explain why we are asking for your help again.
Many of you already gave very generously. THANK YOU! Your original donations covered the down payment on 45 Lissom Crescent. We bought the house in January 2022. Your support gave us a property of our own.
The biggest question was: Would we be allowed to build our centre there? Getting zoning approval took years of work and an appeal. Boruch Hashem, we won! We now have an approved plan. We are exploring whether we can build bigger, but we already have permission for the approved size.
Now come the technical steps: detailed building plans, engineering, Site Plan Approval and building permits.
Our immediate goal is $150,000 to pay for this work and the City fees. These are called “soft costs.”
But this $150,000 takes us much further. We already have companies ready to help take down the old house, build the basement and put up the building’s frame. Once these preparations are complete and the permits are in place, those companies can get to work. The goal is to get our building’s structure standing!
Finishing the inside will still require a lot of work and money. That will be the next stage. Right now, your help can bring us much closer to a building we can actually see.
You helped us buy it. Please help us build it.
Sponsor a brick for $1,800, several bricks, or give any amount.
With heartfelt thanks,
Rabbi Yisroel Karpilovsky
Dear friends,
Following yesterday’s Yom Kippur appeal, I want to explain why we are asking for your help again.
Many of you already gave very generously. THANK YOU! Your original donations covered the down payment on 45 Lissom Crescent. We bought the house in January 2022. Your support gave us a property of our own.
The biggest question was: Would we be allowed to build our centre there? Getting zoning approval took years of work and an appeal. Boruch Hashem, we won! We now have an approved plan. We are exploring whether we can build bigger, but we already have permission for the approved size.
Now come the technical steps: detailed building plans, engineering, Site Plan Approval and building permits.
Our immediate goal is $150,000 to pay for this work and the City fees. These are called “soft costs.”
But this $150,000 takes us much further. We already have companies ready to help take down the old house, build the basement and put up the building’s frame. Once these preparations are complete and the permits are in place, those companies can get to work. The goal is to get our building’s structure standing!
Finishing the inside will still require a lot of work and money. That will be the next stage. Right now, your help can bring us much closer to a building we can actually see.
You helped us buy it. Please help us build it.
Sponsor a brick for $1,800, several bricks, or give any amount.
With heartfelt thanks,
Rabbi Yisroel Karpilovsky
Update N3
Project history and next steps
Why we began
Our community had grown, and we wanted a permanent home for Jewish life in North York. The space at 465 Patricia Avenue allowed our shul, schools and programs to develop, but we were still renting. Buying 45 Lissom was our first concrete step toward a home of our own. Initially, the property could serve as an investment toward a future centre or become the centre itself.
DECEMBER 2021 An offer accepted
On December 24, our offer for 45 Lissom Crescent was accepted. The search for a permanent home had become a concrete project.
25 JANUARY 2022 The property becomes ours
We completed the purchase with the help of community supporters. The existing house was rented out while we worked toward the future building.
2022 AND 2023 Planning and repeated revisions
The first City meeting took place on May 19, 2022. Architectural plans went through several zoning reviews and revisions, addressing setbacks, landscaping and parking. A second City meeting followed on September 11, 2023.
2024 AND 2025 Moving toward a formal application
A further zoning review and revised architectural drawings prepared the project for the Committee of Adjustment. In April 2025, we asked supporters to help cover the application fee and architectural work.
JULY AND AUGUST 2025 A setback and an appeal
The Committee of Adjustment refused the application. We continued with an appeal to the Toronto Local Appeal Body, supported by professional lawyers, a planner and our community.
23 JANUARY 2026 Boruch Hashem we win the appeal
Following the January 16 hearing, the Tribunal approved the revised variances, with the condition that the property be used by an Orthodox Jewish congregation. This was a major step toward our future home.
Preparing to begin construction
Project update as of 20 September 2026
JUNE 2026 The remaining approval work is clarified
The City confirmed that updated drawings must match the TLAB decision and that Site Plan Approval must be completed before it can issue the zoning certificate.
SUMMER 2026 Exploring a more accessible sanctuary
We explored moving the sanctuary from the basement to the main floor. A proposed 39.4% lot coverage would exceed the existing 30% limit and require a new variance. This option remains subject to approval.
SEPTEMBER 2026 Funding the work needed before construction
Our immediate focus is the soft costs: the professional work, drawings, studies and applications needed to complete the remaining approvals and prepare the project for construction.
What the soft costs cover
Architectural work Complete and coordinate the design and drawings for City review and construction.
Engineering and site information Prepare the required engineering work, servicing plans and supporting site studies.
Planning and approvals Advance Site Plan Approval and, if we proceed with the revised sanctuary, the additional variance application.
Application and permit fees Cover the municipal fees associated with the remaining submissions and permits.
We have secured the property and won the appeal. We now need to fund this next stage so we can complete the drawings and approvals required to begin building, bezrat Hashem.
Construction can begin once the required approvals, permits and construction funding are in place.
Project history and next steps
Why we began
Our community had grown, and we wanted a permanent home for Jewish life in North York. The space at 465 Patricia Avenue allowed our shul, schools and programs to develop, but we were still renting. Buying 45 Lissom was our first concrete step toward a home of our own. Initially, the property could serve as an investment toward a future centre or become the centre itself.
DECEMBER 2021 An offer accepted
On December 24, our offer for 45 Lissom Crescent was accepted. The search for a permanent home had become a concrete project.
25 JANUARY 2022 The property becomes ours
We completed the purchase with the help of community supporters. The existing house was rented out while we worked toward the future building.
2022 AND 2023 Planning and repeated revisions
The first City meeting took place on May 19, 2022. Architectural plans went through several zoning reviews and revisions, addressing setbacks, landscaping and parking. A second City meeting followed on September 11, 2023.
2024 AND 2025 Moving toward a formal application
A further zoning review and revised architectural drawings prepared the project for the Committee of Adjustment. In April 2025, we asked supporters to help cover the application fee and architectural work.
JULY AND AUGUST 2025 A setback and an appeal
The Committee of Adjustment refused the application. We continued with an appeal to the Toronto Local Appeal Body, supported by professional lawyers, a planner and our community.
23 JANUARY 2026 Boruch Hashem we win the appeal
Following the January 16 hearing, the Tribunal approved the revised variances, with the condition that the property be used by an Orthodox Jewish congregation. This was a major step toward our future home.
Preparing to begin construction
Project update as of 20 September 2026
JUNE 2026 The remaining approval work is clarified
The City confirmed that updated drawings must match the TLAB decision and that Site Plan Approval must be completed before it can issue the zoning certificate.
SUMMER 2026 Exploring a more accessible sanctuary
We explored moving the sanctuary from the basement to the main floor. A proposed 39.4% lot coverage would exceed the existing 30% limit and require a new variance. This option remains subject to approval.
SEPTEMBER 2026 Funding the work needed before construction
Our immediate focus is the soft costs: the professional work, drawings, studies and applications needed to complete the remaining approvals and prepare the project for construction.
What the soft costs cover
Architectural work Complete and coordinate the design and drawings for City review and construction.
Engineering and site information Prepare the required engineering work, servicing plans and supporting site studies.
Planning and approvals Advance Site Plan Approval and, if we proceed with the revised sanctuary, the additional variance application.
Application and permit fees Cover the municipal fees associated with the remaining submissions and permits.
We have secured the property and won the appeal. We now need to fund this next stage so we can complete the drawings and approvals required to begin building, bezrat Hashem.
Construction can begin once the required approvals, permits and construction funding are in place.
B"H
Update N2
Mazal Tov! - Stage 1 of the Building Campaign is accomplished - the house is bought and rented out until we are ready to build bezrat Hashem.
Stage 2 of the Building Campaign - applying and getting all the necessary building permits from the City of Toronto - Mazal Tov! - Done! - The 45 Lissom is approved for the construction!!
Stage 3: Assembling Building Committee and Fundraising Campaign...
Stay tuned for the next steps...Bezrat Hashem!
Update N1
Mazal tov, mazal tov!! - Stage 1 of the Building Campaign is accomplished - the house is bought and rented out until we are ready to build bezrat Hashem.
Stage 2 of the Building Campaign - applying and getting all the necessary building permits from the City of Toronto - in progress...
Stay tuned for the next steps...Bezrat Hashem!
Boruch Hashem our community has now it's piece of land, this is the beginning of new journey b'ezrat Hashem.
Thank you to all who already donated! Only together we are able to do this!
Although now we have a beautiful space at 465 Patricia to house our shul, schools, and many programs, we've taken the first step into building our future home.
We've purchased the property - 45 Lissom Cr., which can be an initial investment into a future centre, perhaps even at our current location - 465 Patricia, or eventually, a centre itself. A future Jewish North York Community Centre.
The house is bought! But we still need to collect the more money for building.
Please put your brick or few bricks into our future building.
Let's build the space to accommodate our growing programs - an edifice that proudly expresses who we are as a community.
Let's build the home for our community together!
Mazal tov, mazal tov!! - Stage 1 of the Building Campaign is accomplished - the house is bought and rented out until we are ready to build bezrat Hashem.
Stage 2 of the Building Campaign - applying and getting all the necessary building permits from the City of Toronto - in progress...
Stay tuned for the next steps...Bezrat Hashem!
Boruch Hashem our community has now it's piece of land, this is the beginning of new journey b'ezrat Hashem.
Thank you to all who already donated! Only together we are able to do this!
Although now we have a beautiful space at 465 Patricia to house our shul, schools, and many programs, we've taken the first step into building our future home.
We've purchased the property - 45 Lissom Cr., which can be an initial investment into a future centre, perhaps even at our current location - 465 Patricia, or eventually, a centre itself. A future Jewish North York Community Centre.
The house is bought! But we still need to collect the more money for building.
Please put your brick or few bricks into our future building.
Let's build the space to accommodate our growing programs - an edifice that proudly expresses who we are as a community.
Let's build the home for our community together!
