Rachelle Bronfman
My mother, Eleanor, gave my sister, my brother and me the foundation for a life of giving and loving. She is the family pillar, with every good quality a person can have.
By watching my mother, we learned the importance of friendship, kindness, generosity and tolerance. Above all, we learned to honour one’s parents. My mother bridged the generations by always taking us to visit her parents. Although my parents were divorced, my mother took us on weekly visits to our father’s parents. My mother loved and honored them like her own. Although we grew up in a secular manner, my mother had innate Torah values.
My connection to Jewish identity was fostered by my mother’s parents. They were from a Polish shtetl, spoke Yiddish, and made chicken soup. They ingrained in my young mind a sense of belonging and Jewish identity. I often lament that kids today miss out on these kinds of life-mentors. That is why I feel a need to learn the wealth of Jewish wisdom and convey it to my children.
My journey began unexpectedly at a mother-daughter seminar. I sat beside a woman who shared my Yiddish-Jewish sensibility. I asked how I could learn more. Months later, she invited me to an Aish Hatorah class where I met my husband, David. David and I went for tea after one of the classes and continued to learn together. I took many Judaic classes in university. My desire to learn was insatiable: what does Mitzvah mean? Why do we light the candles? What is a Seder and what do the holidays mean? The greatness and depth of Torah beckoned me.
This is why I fight so hard for our people and Jewish causes - because my personal path to Jewishness was not easily won. I never wanted shortcuts.
David came from a different background. His parents were community leaders but, like me, he had little Jewish understanding. He needed to dig deeper. Together, we ensure that Judaism informs our lives. We are members of two Synagogues; we value Jewish education and embrace community service. We are inspired to bring Torah principles like kindness and respect for others to our children, Shannah, Lyla and Herschel.
This endowment is a tangible way to take real action to shape our Jewish future and to strengthen the unity and well-being of our people wherever we may live. Israel is our home, the enduring spirit of our Jewish lives. I believe we must experience Israel, a sanctuary of democracy, a modern miracle. The land is as diverse, resilient and alive as its people. I try to bring my kids there each year to reinforce their belonging to a proud, secure and promising Jewish homeland. I also go to Israel at least twice annually for philanthropy work.
My philanthropy stems from my learning. When I give, I try to do as well. Time, energy, heart and neshama - soul - are at the epicenters of my service to community and the Jewish people.
