Beach Hebrew Institute, Synagogue in Toronto, Canada

The Beach Hebrew Institute occupies a red brick building at 109 Kenilworth Avenue, at Queen Street, in The Beaches, Toronto. The former Kenilworth Avenue Baptist Church, built in 1895, was given a new front facade in 1926 with a round top, a large Star of David and five stained glass windows, added to make it look less like a church and more like a synagogue.

The Beach Hebrew Institute was founded in 1919 by Jewish residents of The Beaches, who raised funds and in 1920 acquired the former Kenilworth Avenue Baptist Church, built in 1895, with a mortgage. A 1926 renovation added a red brick facade with a Star of David and five stained glass windows, an upstairs gallery for a school, and a new basement layout. After postwar decline, a 1970s campaign led to repairs and Toronto's 1982 heritage designation.

The congregation follows Conservative Jewish traditions while embracing an open, welcoming approach to membership and observance. This philosophy shapes how the community uses its spaces and engages with visitors today.

The sanctuary features wheelchair accessibility with ramps and level access throughout the building. Regular services take place, so visitors should check ahead for current hours and any specific visiting guidelines.

The 1926 red brick facade was added specifically to make the former church look less like a church and more like a synagogue. It has a round top, a large Star of David and five stained glass windows, so the building's Jewish identity is announced at street level rather than by a steeple.