The arrival of the New Moon has been celebrated by Jewish women throughout the ages.  Rosh Chodesh Kislev will be observed on Monday, December 2 at 7:30 am. Please join us for Shacrait Service, in solidarity with Women of the Wall. Each month, the Women of Holy Blossom honours a special member of our community by dedicating our Rosh Chodesh celebrations in her name. This month, our Woman of Valour is Zita Gardner z”l.

From Proverbs 31

“A woman of valour, who can find?
She is more precious then fine pearls…

Zita enriched the lives of everyone who knew her.

To all, especially her beloved Allen z’l, she was loyal, helpful, and sympathetic; always ready to listen and be supportive in her quietly optimistic way. Zita was a delightful travelling companion, enjoying new adventures with determination and humour.

…She seeks wool and flax and works 
Intently with her hands…

Zita was constantly busy with some beautiful needlework.

Each of her children and grandchildren were the recipients of a treasured hand-sewn memento; Zita often wore her one of her own lovely crocheted jackets.

…She brings her food from afar…

Zita hosted beautiful and elegant dinners. When invited to friends’ or family’s dinners or holiday celebrations she invariably arrived with something delicious she had made.

…She rises when it is still night…
She girds herself with strength and
performs her tasks with vigour…

Zita’s personal habit of rising early fitted in naturally with her illustrious teaching career. Like every good teacher, she was constantly learning and became a teacher’s teacher.

After graduating in PhysEd at University of Toronto in 1961, Zita taught for a year at Vaughan Road Collegiate and then for two years in England while Allen was furthering his medical training. The Toronto Jewish community happily welcomed Zita when she became a religious school teacher and supervisor at Holy Blossom Temple for eight years and then the supervisor and principal for United Synagogue Day School. Her position as Director of the Leo Baeck Day School was the crowning achievement of her teaching career. Toward the end of those 12 years, her beloved Allen died. In spite of her profound grief, Zita continued her leadership at Leo Baeck until retirement.

Zita’s neighbourhood as well as the wider Jewish community benefited from her energy and leadership.

Over the course of twenty years, she served terms as a member and then President of her Condominium Board, as president of her neighbourhood Community Association, as Chair of the York Mills and Etienne Bruce Family of Schools Council, as Chair of the National Association of Temple Educators, and the Educational Counselling Committee of Jewish Vocational Services. Her focus was always on educational enhancement,

…Give her from the fruit of her
labours, and her own achievements 
will praise her in the gates…

Her continuing support of communal educational organizations ultimately brought her the Queen Elisabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal for Community Service.

…Her husband is well known in the gates;
He sits among the leaders of the land…

With Zita at his side, Allen strengthened his family’s connection with Holy Blossom Temple and became president of Brotherhood.

…Her children rise up and declare
 her happiness…

Of all the joys in Zita’s busy life, the greatest were her three wonderful children and eight grandchildren. Somehow she always had time for them with good advice, with support, with a meaningful gift, or something delicious. And always with her encouraging smile.

…Strength and dignity [enrobed] her;
she [was] optimistic about the future.
She [opened] her mouth with wisdom;
the law of kindness [was] on her tongue…

These last words perfectly describe Zita Gardner z’l.

Please join us on Monday, December 2 at 7:30 am to welcome the month of Kislev, and following with Women of Holy Blossom Temple series of “Women of Valour,” Brenda Saunders will be reflecting and honouring the life accomplishments of a great educator of Holy Blossom Temple Zita Gardner z’l. All are welcome, services will be followed with Kiddush.

Learn more & join us here!