Celebrating Women of Valour: Sheila Smolkin

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