Sukkot

Sydney Gartner 

Barbara and I have been married for 53+ years and have 2 daughters, 2 sons-in-law and 4 grandchildren. 3 boys and our only and favourite granddaughter, Amber.

The Gartner family became members of SZBE more than 25 years ago . My late parents were regular Shabbat attendees, a tradition that my mother continued until she fell ill at 101 years young.

Up until this past year I was a typical 3 day a year Shul goer. After my mom Lisa passed last July a great deal changed for me. I discovered SZBE as well as Shaare Zedek. The clergy were  and are most welcoming, but what really comforted me was and is the warmth of the combined “minyanaires”. I now realize how important the daily minyan is to those who are saying Kaddish. My year has now passed but I continue to attend daily services as much as possible in order to be there for those that are now in mourning and of course for the breakfast! Make an effort to join us for daily services and the camaraderie that we all enjoy. 

My relationship with the synagogue began in 2021 when I joined the Shaare Zedek Choir. I continued to attend weekly shabbat services and was given opportunities to participate. My role at the synagogue evolved over time, from being one of the regular haftarah readers to leading portions of the shabbat services as a chazzanit.

From the moment I started coming to synagogue, I felt like I belonged within the vibrant community of people who make up Shaare Zedek. Spending Saturday morning at shul is truly something special. Without its people, Shaare Zedek is just a building, with their presence, it becomes a house of Hashem.

I am truly grateful for being chosen as one of this year’s honourees and look forward to spending another year as a member of the wonderful Shaare Zedek Congregation.

Chag Saméach!

My parents, Holocaust survivors, and I arrived in Montreal in 1948. We settled in the Mile End of the city, where I attended Edward VII Elementary School and Outremont High. Our family soon became five with the birth of my two brothers. After completing a 2-year diploma course at Macdonald College and receiving a BA degree at Sir George Williams, I taught at a number of schools for the PSBEM and Lester B. Pearson school board.

My husband Marvin and I were married in June 1966. We have a daughter who lives with her family in Alberta. My grandsons nicknamed me “Granny Curry” after basketball star, Stephen Curry as I enjoy shooting hoops with them.

Sadly, Marvin passed away in 2015. I am so grateful to family and friends who supported me at this difficult time. Community service was always gratifying to me and I was happy to be a long time member of Bnei Brith Women and a volunteer at the Cummings Center. Synagogue was also important to us. We were members at Adath in DDO, Beth El, and now I am enjoying being a part of Shaare Zion Beth-El. The transition was easy as members are friendly and the clergy create a nice atmosphere. I enjoy learning about our Jewish history and ideology and have studied with some knowledgeable Rabbis and continue to do so with Rabbi Rubin. For secular knowledge, I attend study groups at McGill. I appreciate this honour and would have loved to have Marvin share it with me.