My maternal and paternal grandfathers both came to Canada with very little. When they arrived, having a State of Israel was just a dream. “Next year in Jerusalem” was something said at the end of Passover seders. Both worked hard, succeeded in business, and gave back to the Jewish community. One was the first president of Jewish Immigrant Aid Services (JIAS), helping Jewish immigrants coming to Canada. The other was a past president and instrumental in starting Beth Tzedec, Associated Hebrew Schools, and Baycrest. While their religious observance was mixed, Friday night dinners were mandatory.
Both my parents grew up in households where giving back was a given. By watching their parents, they learned it was something you simply did. My mother was active in Hadassah, eventually becoming president of her chapter, and co-chaired the CHW Bazaar, raising funds for women, children, and those in need. After developing MS at a young age, she raised money in search of a cure that would not be found in her lifetime. I remember accompanying her to shopping centres where she sold carnations for MS research. My father was deeply involved in UJA, Big Brothers, the University of Toronto, and a charity set up in the footwear industry he was in, which provides loans and grants to those in the industry facing hardship.
For my parents, Israel was no longer a dream but a reality. I vividly remember in 1967, when Israel’s existence was in jeopardy, my father going door-to-door to collect funds. Once again, there was no excuse for missing Friday night dinners, where lively discussions about politics, religion, economics, and Israel took place. The lesson passed down to my siblings and me was simple: show up for dinner and find your own way to give back.
Throughout my life, volunteering and fundraising for UJA have been part of our family values. I have been honoured to do so and have received much more than I have given. Giving back has added greatly to my sense of purpose and meaning.
As adversity entered my life and the lives of my siblings, each of us supported charities addressing those challenges. These grassroots organizations needed our help, and we gave both time and resources. When my first husband died of cancer more than 30 years ago, I became more actively involved in the Israel Cancer Research Fund and remain so today. While progress in treatments has been made, more support for research is needed.
As my siblings and I had children, providing them a Jewish home, Jewish education, and Jewish experiences—such as summer camp and visiting Israel—became essential. Despite growing demands, Shabbat dinners were almost always observed altogether. The next generation, even at a young age, embraced giving back, first through their parents’ causes and now through their own.
Among my greatest blessings are my grandchildren. At ages six and four, they can already lead parts of a Passover seder in ways beyond earlier generations. Few things made me prouder than hearing how they benefit from a volunteer “buddy” at Bialik and how they look forward to becoming buddies themselves. They say the Friday night blessings—usually with joy, sometimes out of obligation—but they are at the table, and that is how the next chapter continues.