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In my family we believed that the giving of one’s time
and finances to the community was the link to maintaining
a healthy and vibrant Jewish world. As a lower-middle class
family of five, giving was often a struggle but as a basic
tenet of our values, it was always a must.
Role modelling was key to the way my siblings and I were
brought up. My father z"l was our "Jewish, man about
town". He canvassed for UJA and was president of our
shul for many years.
My mother was a B’nai Brith lady working tirelessly
on projects such as the Second Helpings Cookbook and performances
at senior’s residences. Their hectic schedules opened
the door for my entrepreneurial spirit. I learned early that
I could charge my parents 50 cents per hour to baby-sit my
kid brother and sister so they could go out to their many
meetings.
My parents understood that the secret to a strong Jewish
community was in the future. They had a very clear-cut commitment
to our synagogue and wanted to help it obtain financial independence.
They took the opportunity to open a day camp operating out
of the shul, and for ten years were able the help the shul
attain its fiscal goals. It was a family affair. Mom was the
director; dad did the books and my brother, sister and I worked
as staff. It gave me a very comprehensive understanding of
what real tzedakah was: giving of one’s time and money
and also creating opportunities for those who needed a job
– we all worked for the camp and were not dependant on
thecommunity. It was also apparent that our work would have
a lasting legacy. The building would be paid off and the shul
would be a part of the Jewish lives of generations to come.
My hope is that my legacy will have a similar impact. That
in some way, what I am doing today will continue to ensure
that those who come after me will have the same opportunities
- to live, work and play in a strong Jewish community.
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