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A lot of things in life capture
your attention. Fewer capture your heart. My family and Jewish community
are two of my greatest passions.
 I grew up in a fairly secular Jewish home. There wasn’t a great
deal of talk about Israel or Jewish community. Still, I have fond memories
of my grandma, in New York, being actively involved in her local Hadassah
chapter, and of my Bubie in Toronto lighting Shabbos candles with a tear
in her eye. I always wondered what that tear was about and what she felt
in those moments.
Today, I think I understand.
The feeling of being Jewish and being part of a community with such rich
history and traditions can be very powerful. It is for me now but it wasn’t
always.
The doors – and my heart – really opened to Jewish life in
the early ‘90s, almost by accident. I got involved with Holy Blossom
Temple professionally as an editor of their newsletter. I became increasingly
more immersed over the years, participating in many volunteer positions,
including Chair of the Holy Blossom Temple Foundation. I also made Israel
a large part of my life, visiting at least once a year, with my friends
from the Temple.
As I studied and learned
more, and explored my own Jewish identity, I realized there’s as much
room for individuality as there is for community in Jewish life. I met fantastic
people along the way, many who have become lifelong friends.
If it wasn’t for Holy Blossom’s
open and inviting approach – and the rabbis who ignited my Jewish spark
– I wonder where I would have found this connection and what I may
have missed.
I want to give back what
I’ve received. Tzedakah is my privilege and my husband, Harley Mintz,
shares this feeling. Although we give as a family, as a working woman, it’s
important for me to make my own contribution. That’s why I funded my
own Lion of Judah endowment at UJA and I continue to give of my time to
UJA, Holy Blossom and many other worthy organizations in the Jewish community
and beyond.
My hope is that, by example,
I will inspire Jewish values and the joys of Jewish life in my children,
Jay and Rebecca. If I can help ignite a spark that will encourage others
to create their own meaningful Jewish life then I know I will have made
a difference.
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