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My parents came to Toronto from Jerusalem in 1906. They loved
Israel, but couldn't make a living there. I was born and raised
on Euclid Avenue - the youngest of nine children. My father
was a shochet. He died when I was very young, so my mother
took over the business, operating it until my brother became
a shochet. Although she was busy raising a family and running
a business, she had time to be President of the Ladies Auxiliary
of our shul on Palmerston Avenue and active at the Cecil Street
Hospital –the forerunner to both Mount Sinai Hospital
and Baycrest Centre.
I grew up in an observant home, attended a private cheder
and later studied at the Yeshiva on D'Arcy Street. Jewish
life and learning were always very important to me. In fact,
I met my wife, Shirley, at a conversational Hebrew class.
After we were married, Shirley and I spent the summer of
1949 in Israel. We thought about staying, but life was still
very difficult there. We returned to Toronto, where our daughter,
Golda, and son, David William were born. But we always loved
Israel and in 1967 purchased an apartment in Netanya.
I've been in the financial planning business for 60 years.
About 30 years ago I started setting up charitable life insurance
policies for many of my clients – including us –
naming UJA Federation and other Jewish organizations as beneficiaries.
I felt annual giving wasn't the whole answer because it didn't
address the needs of the next generation. An endowment is
an investment that helps secure the future.
I've always felt if you live and earn a livelihood in a community,
you should support it. I chaired UJA Federation's Insurance
Division, was President of Shaarei Shomayim Synagogue, and
was involved with hospitals and my kids' school. I am particularly
proud to have been named Man of the Year in 1985 by the Professional
Advisory Committee of the United Jewish Welfare Fund. My children
have followed my example. They are my partners in the family
business and have taken on leadership roles in the community.
I know their children, our four grandchildren are learning
these same lessons.
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