BINNY GOLDMAN
Reflection and projection prevailed, as a decade of dedication to the Jewish community was celebrated by the Jewish Seniors Alliance of Greater Vancouver at its annual general meeting on June 27.
The AGM was not the mere disclosure of a year in the life of JSA but a retrospective of its steady progress through the last 10 years, most of them under the leadership of president Serge Haber.
Haber opened the meeting by welcoming those gathered and leading a minute of silence honoring those who had passed away during the year.
Adolf Zilbershtein, president of Most-Bridge Russian Jewish Seniors, brought greetings and thanks for JSA’s continuous support. This was followed by a brief but positive report from JSA treasurer Milt Adelson. Charles Leibovitch then spoke of the three graduate classes of JSA’s new peer-support services and read several letters from grateful clients, while Lynn Moss shared with the group other examples of the ongoing success of this venture, which is overseen by Rita Roling. Lyle Pullan reported that the association’s membership is continuing to grow yearly.
Haber outlined the many ways in which JSA aids the community and, judging by the faces of those listening, the report truly impressed those attending, several of whom were founding members and experienced those fledgling years. Haber seems to lead and live by the motto, “The difficult we do right away … the impossible takes a little while.”
Shanie Levin read out the slate of board nominees for 2014 and onward, and those named were elected by acclamation.
Certificate of merits were handed out, with Judy Mandelman receiving one for chairing a JSA event.
After the meeting concluded, everyone took part in a meal prepared and served by Nava-Susy Siegel Catering, and turned their attention to Bernice Dorfman, who chaired the second half of the evening. Just prior to that, Shelley Rivkin brought “birthday” greetings from the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, praising the many achievements of JSA and its members’ perseverance, determination and passion.
Ben Roling – JSA’s own stand-up comedian and aspiring emcee – proved to be a great singer. He serenaded Bud Riback, one of JSA’s honorees that night, who was turning 85 the next day, with “Happy Birthday” and “Yom Huledet Samayach.”
Dorfman returned to the mic to introduce musicians Stan Shear and Harriet Frost, whose voices blended beautifully, each singing with “gefeel,” feeling and Yiddish taam that is so captivating.
The AGM’s honorees were selected by their individual organizations in appreciation for their time “in service to others,” a phrase so fitting to describe each one of them. These are people whose lives are dedicated to making sure others enjoy life to the fullest of their abilities. Each was presented with a certificate by Dorfman.
Rita Akselrod’s name was put forth by the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre. Her accomplishments, as listed by VHEC executive director Nina Krieger, are impressive. It may take a village to raise a child, she said, but it takes dynamic volunteers to care for a community – and Akselrod cares. Among her many roles, Akselrod is the co-founder of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and a funder, past president and current director of VHEC.
As mentioned, Riback was also honored. Nominated by Temple Sholom, he noted that his monthly seniors group was also 10 years old, having grown from a small group of 10 when he founded it to more than 100 now. Riback also has a monthly outreach group of Temple Sholom members who reside at the Louis Brier Home and Hospital, enabling them to partake in the program, as well.
Honorees Frank and Bat-Ami (Binki) Segal were put forward by Or Shalom. The tribute was written by Rabbi Laura Duhan Kaplan but, because she was unable to attend, Dorfman read the text. She delighted the audience when she revealed that Frank Segal had been her first kiss, at age 11 … obviously, he does not kiss and tell.
Rabbi Laura wrote that she thinks of the Segals as a unity of heart and mind, Frank Segal being the chair of the Bayit committee, maintaining the building, while Bat-Ami Segal, chair of the Gemilut Chesed committee, helps maintain souls.
The warm, festive AGM evening was put together by a large committee of JSA volunteers, too numerous to name, headed by Dorfman and Barbara Eisinger. Thanks also go to coordinator Karon Shear, assisted by Rita Propp. (For anyone who misses a JSA event, videos are recorded and posted online by Shear.)
The night wound down with pianist Bob York playing showtunes, such as “Theme from Exodus” and other music by Jewish composers. It had begun with everyone linking arms and singing “Hinei Ma Tov,” led by Frost and Stan Shear, and the heimish evening epitomized what that song means: how wonderful it is to be together. Here’s to the next decade
… and the next….
Binny Goldman is a member of the Jewish Seniors Alliance of Greater Vancouver board.
