Members of the largest downtown synagogue marked its last day by marching through the capital carrying their sacred Torah.

“The symbolism for us is that our community is moving West,” said Jay Amdur, the Treasurer at the Congregation Beth Shalom.

Dozens walked the 10 kilometer trip from the Congregation Beth Shalom on Chapel Street to the Jewish Community Centre off Carling Street and Broadview Avenue. Members of the congregation voted in 2011 to sell the synagogue to a local developer for millions of dollars.

Sandy Hill, where the congregation was based, used to be a vibrant community. In recent years, however, many families have moved out of the neighborhood and into homes in the west end.

The congregation does not have a permanent home, but will be based out of the Jewish Community Centre for at least the next year. Members of the congregation said the one-year period will give them enough time to decide what to do next, including whether they should build a new synagogue or join another congregation.

“We are hoping that while we are here, we will be able to reconnect and people will enjoy our energy and our presence and change the shape of our future,” said Anita Almstedt, the Director of the Congregation Beth Shalom, about the move to the Jewish Community Centre.

The congregation will now be at the heart of a large Jewish neighborhood that includes two schools, a long-term care facility, and a community centre.

Members of the congregation said they are looking forward to making new memories in their temporary home, but admitted they will miss the old facility.

“This is the day we are saying goodbye to a building that has a lot of importance to our community and to our family,” said Adam Sachs, a member of the congregation.

Sachs, his brother, and their kids took part in the march, sharing fond memories of their time at the synagogue along the way.

“As children we were there for every holiday; a lot of Shabbats,” he said.

“We grew up to have our bar mitzvahs there.”

Members of the synagogue will decide in the coming weeks what should be preserved and taken to the congregation’s new home.