Women of Valour Series celebrates Diana Goodman read by Sheila Smolkin

On January 30th, we welcome Rosh Chodesh Shevat, a month associated with the zodiac sign of Aquarius, symbolized by the water bearer. This imagery is connected to the biblical verse, “water will flow from his wells,” which figuratively calls upon each of us to share knowledge, inspire others, and lead. The acrostic “Shenishma Besurot Tovot” translates to “We should hear good news,” reflecting that Shevat is a month of positivity and good tidings.

In this spirit, we honour Diana Goodman, who served as president of our congregation from 1981 to 1983. Diana was a true trailblazer at a time when women were beginning to break barriers in boardrooms. Her leadership was instrumental in making significant inroads for women, and she continues to make a lasting impact on our community. Diana’s dedication, vision, and pioneering spirit are an inspiration to us all.

Please join us on Rosh Chodesh Shevat, January 30th, at 7:30 am during Shacharit Services as we celebrate our Past President Diana Goodman. We invite you to stay after services for Kiddush. All are welcome! Learn more & join us here: holyblossom.org/rosh-chodesh/

Breakfast following Shacharit services is generously sponsored by Joan Garson, Sheila Smolkin, and Judy Winberg, in honour of Diana Goodman.

Reflection by Sheila Smolkin

When Diana was completing her term as President of Holy Blossom Temple, the cover of a bulletin issue showed her as “Princess Di”. While this edition of the Bulletin was intended to be a Purim spoof, it nevertheless recognized that Diana had that elegance about her that she carried with her throughout her life.

Diana was born in Glasgow, Scotland and came to Canada with her parents in 1949 at the age of four. She grew up in Scarborough and joined Holy Blossom in 1968 after her marriage to her husband, Marvin, and her conversion to Judaism.

When her daughter started attending Nursery School at Temple, Diana responded to a blurb in the Bulletin from the Religious School office asking for volunteers to help with some clerical work. So while Sarah was in school, Diana would spend her mornings working with Annie Lasarge and Ruth Levine updating the school records.

Once involved with Temple life, Diana was introduced to Sisterhood (now Women of Holy Blossom), attended some of its programs and joined its Board. In particular, she remembers co-chairing the Religious School Festivals Committee with Sandy Schafer.

Moving up the ranks of the Sisterhood Board, Diana held the position of its President from 1981–83. After completing this term, she represented Holy Blossom Sisterhood on the Board of Women of Reform Judaism (then known as the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods).

Diana continued to be involved in many aspects of Temple life, serving on several committees. She remembers getting a call from Gordy Wolfe, chair of the Temple Nominating Committee, asking her if she would be prepared to become an officer of the Temple. She accepted the invitation and served as an officer under the presidency of Fred Zemans, Richard Krelstein, and Nancy Ruth. Diana was then elected President of the congregation, a position she held from 1992-1994.

Diana continues to be an active member of the congregation. She played an important role in the Temple’s celebration of its 150th anniversary, co-chairing its opening event with Fred Zemans, an occasion many of us remember fondly. She recently returned to the Temple Board as a representative of the past presidents. She has become involved with Ve’ahavta, a Jewish Humanitarian Organization, and has spent many nights in the Ve’ahavta van giving out food and clothing supplies to those in need.

Diana can be found most Shabbat mornings in Shul attending services where the sounds of the incredible music we have can lift her spirits and provide comfort during difficult times. And, of course, she continues to be there in her unique, elegant style that is an inspiration to her friends and fellow Temple members who are fortunate to know her well.

Rosh Chodesh Chesvan: Sheila Smolkin

By: Anne Dublin

Sheila Smolkin (née Joyce) was born in Ottawa in 1945. Her parents were Walter Joyce and Mary Sedgewick Joyce. They both graduated from Victoria College, University of Toronto in 1940 where they majored in Math and Physics. Mary was one of only two or three women in her class at that time; Walter was a teacher who went on to become a principal at several high schools in Ottawa.

The oldest of four children, Sheila was raised in a United Church family. After high school, she moved to Toronto where she planned to study Household Economics at Victoria College, U of T. However, in 1963, this department became The Faculty of Food Sciences, a change that meant she could no longer live at Victoria College. Fortunately, University College allowed her to stay there for her first year. She obtained her BSc in Food Sciences in 1967.

Meanwhile, Sheila met Bob Smolkinon a blind date during her first year at UC. They continued dating until Sheila graduated. They got married that same year. The couple joined Holy Blossom and Sheila took classes there with Rabbi Michael Stroh from 1966 to 1967. She converted to Judaism—both because it was important to Bob and because she was attracted to the religion.

Sheila began a master’s program in nutrition at U of T and graduated with an MSc in 1969. However, she soon realized that she didn’t want to become a research scientist (and experiment on white rats!), so she began a new path and obtained a bachelor’s degree in library science the following year. Sheila got a job quickly. First, at the David Dunlop Observatory library; then in the Science and Medicine Library at U of T.

When Sheila had her first (of three) children in 1974, she decided to be a “stay-at-home” mom. By then, Bob had graduated from law school and was practising as a real estate lawyer.
Sheila wanted to become more involved with Temple. She answered an ad in the Bulletin for volunteers in the Sisterhood Library. She was gladly accepted and eventually became chair of the library committee. Because of her talent and commitment, she was then asked to be on the Sisterhood Board. One portfolio led to another until Sheila became President of Sisterhood from 1991 to 1993. Her outstanding leadership and organizational abilities were recognized. Sheila became a member of the Temple Board, then the Executive, and eventually “worked her way up” to becoming President of Temple (2000–2002).

That’s not all. In 1981, David Hart, who was chair of the Archives committee, asked Sheila to help celebrate Temple’s 125th anniversary. Of course, Sheila accepted the challenge! In Sheila’s modest and unassuming way, she states that she has been happy since that time to continue her work in the Archives. Not so long ago, she helped to organize Temple’s 150th anniversary!
Sheila continues to be active in the Archives and is also a regular at the Saturday morning Torah study. She feels extremely grateful for her involvement in Temple, for she asserts that Temple has helped her live a rich Jewish life. May her strength and commitment continue for many years to come!

Rosh Chodesh, meaning head of the month, is a holiday celebrating the arrival of a new moon. All genders are welcome to join Women of Holy Blossom and pray in solidarity with Israel’s Women of the Wall in sacred worship for 7:30 am Shacharit services (9:00 am on Sundays and statutory holidays), followed by a light breakfast.

Learn more & join us in sacred worship to celebrate Shelia Smolkin here

Rosh Chodesh AV

by Teresa Quiroz, on behalf of Women of Holy Blossom

Preface

As previously communicated, this will be the last submission on the series of” About the month of …” This initiative was originated by Jill Kamin and passed to me. I learned a lot through my research for these articles, and I very much appreciated hearing from congregants who also did.

The Rosh Chodesh celebration is evolving to recognize Holy Blossom Temple women, from our past and present. As always, Women of Holy Blossom is indebted to those upon whose shoulders we stand, in sisterhood, spirituality, and social justice.

Av is the 5th month of the year counting from the month of Nissan. It means ‘Father’. During this month we the Jewish people, G/d and Torah become one. It is during this month that the destruction of the two temples happened. The expulsion of the Jews from Spain also happened during the month of AV. The month conjures up a mixture of conflicting moods. The Mishna says: “As AV enters, we diminish joy”. During this month one sees the true love of a Father (G/d) and his unconditional love for his children in spite of his children not following his commandments.

Rosh Chodesh AV is the beginning of the stricter mourning period for the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash – First and Second.  The final Nine Days of Tisha B’AV and the Three Weeks are a time of intensified mourning.  There are times when we’re told to be sad and this period is one of several during the year. And it is because without these times of sorrow and consolation, our joy would flow false and from sorrow joy will permeate. It is an opportunity to seek the 5^th level of spirituality and to become one with G/d and this only happens through humility where we can understand the greatness of G/d.

The Tribe of the month is Shimon, from the word Shema, which attribute is to hear/listen and by Listening it will bring you closer to G/d hoping his commandments would be followed. In the previous month of Tammuz Reuben’s attribute was “to see”.

The permutation of the month of Av: (ה.ו.י.ה) is derived from Exodus Ch-9 V3

And bespeaks of plague, the letters begin reversed (ה.ו) but end in the correct order (י.ה). This indicates that while the judgment over the first half of the month is harsh and strict, the month concludes with Divine Mercy. In fact, the letters ‘yud’ and ‘heh’ are not only “in order” and connote Mercy; their numerical equivalent is 15. This reveals that the second half of G-d’s name for this month literally correlates to the last 15 days of Av, and corresponds to the teaching of the Talmud which states (Ta’anit 26b), “There are no greater days for the People of Israel like the 15th of Av and Yom Kippur”.

The letter of the month: is Tet, the letter for Tov (Good), which together TVB which adds to 15 day of AV. The word Tov is mentioned in the 5^th chapter, 55A of the Gemara.

Chassidic teaching frowns upon sadness, an old Chassidic proverb goes, “Sadness is not a sin, but its effect on the person is worse than any sins.” The soul was sent to this world not to be, but to do; not to merely exist, but to achieve. To retreat into the self is to reverse the flow of life. Joy is revelation.

Ken Yehi Ratzon,

Shacharit Service: Monday, August 5, 2024, 7:30 am ET, in-person or via Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/93902401402?pwd=dGlOR2dEcGs1RVc0OVFwdkFtOVo5UT09
password: 667580

For upcoming dates and why Rosh Chodesh is special for women, see https://holyblossom.org/rosh-chodesh/