A Toronto inner city synagogue established by immigrants from Kiever Gubernia, Ukraine.

Formally named “The First Russian Congregation of Rodfei Sholem Anshei Kiev”, the shul is generally referred to as “The Kiever”. In 1912 Several immigrants from Kiever Gubernia (Ukraine) decided to start a synagogue that would be run according to their traditions of Orthodox JudaismOrthodox Judaism. At first the congregation met in a house, and as it grew a second, adjacent house was acquired.

It was not until 1923 that the Kiever congregation raised enough funds to build a synagogue large enough to accommodate its growing numbers. Benjamin Swartz, a Jewish architect, was hired to design the current synagogue, which replaced the two houses that had been used for services. The Synagogue was completed in 1927, after three years of construction. The new building had a capacity to hold up to 400 people. Although the Kiever has never had more than 250 members, the additional space was required to accommodate the High Holiday crowds. Rabbi Solomon Langner became the spiritual leader of the congregation and continued in this capacity until his death in 1973. Equipped with a rabbi and a proper synagogue, the Kiever was able to play a larger role in the Toronto Jewish community.

The Synagogue thrived for several decades until the 1950s, when Jews began leaving the downtown core for the north end of town. In recent years there has been an increase in membership as more congregants have moved back to Toronto’s vibrant central city. The Kiever holds weekly Shabbat services as well as services on Jewish holidays.