Rosh Chodesh Tammuz: Honouring Matilda Bigio z’l

Rosh Chodesh Tammuz: Honouring Matilda Bigio z’l

Thursday, June 26, 7:30 am

Tammuz (Tamuz) is the fourth of the 12 months of the Jewish calendar, counting from Nisan. It means “heat” like a glowing furnace, which is very appropriate (for this season) as the sun is more radiant and at its height. It also signifies “Transformation” and “Redemption.”

Why? Understanding that the previous month, Sivan, which was considered the ‘Giver’ of the Torah, G/d gives the commandments to the Jewish people, and during the month of Tammuz, as Moses went up the mountain, we then represent the “Receiver” of the Torah.

The limb of the month is the Right Hand, which has a practical application used to celebrate Shabbat and to help us love G/d by following the 248 positive commandments.  Zodiac sign, Cancer (Crab) has a shell that hosts a body that grows and when the shell breaks, metaphorically speaking, ‘breaks the mould’. Meaning we too can change and transform.

Tammuz is an appropriate month to honour Matilda Bigio z’l, and as we know more about her life and her accomplishments, she taught us that after all her tragedies, she transformed her life and chose to do as many mitzvoth as she could, which earned her well-deserved recognition.

Join Women of Holy Blossom in sacred worship for Shacharit services followed by a light breakfast on Thursday, June 26, 7:30 am. Worship with us here!

A tribute to Matilda Bigio z’l by Linda Neufeld

A Woman of Valour—Who Can Find? From the Book of Proverbs, 31:10:31

Being a woman of valour means faithfully living out her gifts, talents and passions for the good of those around her. Who can find her?

Matilda Bigio was definitely a Woman of Valour!

In preparing to honour Matilda, I reached out to her grandson, Samuel, whom she adored. Samuel wrote, “I think about my Nana often for so many reasons. Kaylyn and I had a baby girl, and we named her Mayla Matilda. Recently, Mayla has been able to fit into many of the beautiful knitted cardigans that my Nana used to make and donate. She had set some aside with the intention that one day she would have a great-grandchild who would wear them. Funnily enough, they are all girl colours. I tell everyone that my Nana KNEW we would have a girl somehow all those years earlier. I am so touched that you and Sisterhood (now Women of Holy Blossom) would think to honour my Nana in this way. She would absolutely have loved that.”

Samuel continues, “I would just say that, despite the many tragedies of losing her children and her husband, Matilda pushed ever forward in life with a sense of resilience and strength to be reckoned with. She poured herself into her community through volunteerism—through Temple, friendships, and groups like Sisterhood. She understood the importance of belonging, community, and religion, and never questioned her faith. She was loved and missed dearly by many and especially her two grandsons, who think of her often. Thank you for honouring and remembering her in this way.”

Matilda was born in Cairo, Egypt, to European parents. She grew up with three brothers in a villa with servants. Her first language was French, but she would later learn English, Italian, Arabic, Yiddish, and a little Greek. She was seventeen years old when she met Henry, who was fourteen years her senior. It was love at first sight, and they married. The family— including ten-year-old Nancy and eight-year-old Andre—immigrated to Canada in 1956. They were fleeing from Egypt following a revolution in the country.

Matilda’s life was about to come crashing down. At the age of sixty-two, Henry died of a brain tumour. Just eight years later, Nancy died of brain cancer. Then, ten years later, a brain tumour killed Andre, who left behind two young sons, Samuel and Benjamin.

Matilda used to say, “I have had a hard life, believe me, but volunteering and bringing comfort or a smile to people in distress makes my life worthwhile.” Matilda was strong-willed and painfully honest.

At a time of life when most people would be taking it easy, she had no intention of slowing down.  Every week, she visited patients at Villa Colombo, where she comforted them by speaking Italian; she also visited Baycrest Hospital in the palliative care ward because she spoke Yiddish.

Because she volunteered more than 1,700 hours, Matilda received the Provincial Ministry of Culture and Citizenship Senior Achievement Award on Oct 28, 2009.

At Holy Blossom, every week for many years, Matilda sang in the Temple choir and volunteered in the Judaica Shop and Out of the Cold. She also knitted cardigan sweaters for baby namings, led weekday evening worship services, and was the Sisterhood Correspondence Coordinator, sending handwritten greetings, birthday, and get-well cards!

Matilda also volunteered at Mount Sinai Hospital and travelled to Israel to teach English to new immigrants.

Matilda was my friend and a true role model for many of us. She exemplified strength and courage. For someone who had experienced so much loss and grief in her life, her ability and commitment to giving so much to others and to her community were remarkable. She is missed by many and will be remembered by us all. Matilda was the epitome of a Woman of Valour.

May Matilda Bigio’s Memory be for a Blessing.