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My parents, fleeing Germany in December 1939, met on the
boat to New York. They soon married and settled in Allentown,
Pennsylvania, where my brother and I were born and raised.
My parents worked hard as professional photographers. Jewish
life held an important place in our home. Friday nights were
celebrated with candles, challah and often, services at our
Reform synagogue. I survived Hebrew school, despite being
the only girl in a class of 13. In high school, I was president
of B'nai Brith Girls, active in athletics and at the Jewish
Community Center. I worked several summers at Camp Echo Lake
in Lake George New York, where I made friends with many Montrealers,
one of whom would eventually become my brother-in-law.
After university, I married and immigrated to Montreal. In
1976, like many young couples, we moved to Toronto. Once settled,
I became involved in the Jewish community where there were
many opportunities available to me - each new responsibility
led to another challenge.
Over the years I have been very active with Hadassah-WIZO,
locally and nationally, UJA Federation and my synagogue, Temple
Sinai. I have served as a Board member and officer of Ve’ahavta:
The Canadian Jewish Humanitarian and Relief Committee, and
Kolel: The Adult Centre for Liberal Jewish Learning. In 1993,
through the auspices of a Hadassah-WIZO study program that
culminated in a mission to Israel, I celebrated my Bat Mitzvah.
I participated as a chaperone on the 1994 March of the Living
and chaired the 1997 UJA Federation Women's Campaign &
Advocacy. As a volunteer I am empowered to make a difference
in my community.
My love of Israel and my passion for Jewish life and learning
are constantly with me. Integrity along with Jewish values
and practices has always been an important priority in my
life and I continue to study weekly and attend synagogue regularly.
My commitment to the Lion of Judah Endowment expresses my
gratitude for the blessings I have enjoyed and it ensures
that the values I hold dear will continue as my legacy –l’dor
v’dor.
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