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by Dr. E. A. (Ted) Lyons, President (00-03) Published in the Shaarey Zedek Shofar in May 2001
The definition of commitment is different than that of involvement and is best defined by an example… a breakfast of steak and eggs. To create such a meal, the Chicken was merely INVOLVED whereas the COW was COMMITTED. The chicken gave a small part of her “efforts”, an egg, whereas the cow gave its life, its very fiber - the steak.
To be committed means that the activity or interest becomes part of your very fabric, part of who you are, how you think and what you do. In time “it”, whatever the commitment happens to be, is actually part of what defines you. Am I mistaken or is total commitment becoming less common? To find a happy medium where there is commitment as well as time for family and friends is not always easy to achieve but the Shaarey Zedek has been fortunate to have a number of these individuals over its past 112 years. Two such people worthy of note are Mildred Devins and Marcia Dempsey.
This year Mildred and her dedicated committee are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Adult Leisure program and her leadership of it. This has been her personal commitment not only to the Shaarey Zedek, but also more significantly to the seniors of Winnipeg’s Jewish community. The program is housed at the synagogue and was, for many years, also funded by it. During tough financial times, we had to limit funding and encourage Mildred to find outside sponsorship, which she immediately did. She was not going to let her special commitment flounder for a lack of funds. The program has been a continual success for over 100 people who are in bi-weekly attendance, often transported via special bus from their homes or seniors residences. The varied programs include speakers and musical presentations, often featuring Mitch Parks and Rabbi Louis Berkal. This commitment has allowed Mildred to become an important part of the lives of many of these seniors.
There were a number of people over the past that helped out with this program, one of note being Glori Plattner, the synagogue receptionist. She called seniors to remind them of the program and to answer questions when they called. She got to know most of them by the sound of their voice and was always friendly and familiar. She has recently left to devote herself to working more extensively with seniors and we wish her well in her new job. Yasher Koach to Mildred and your committee for the last 25 years of commitment.
Marcia Dempsey has committed herself to developing and growing as the Youth and Program Director at Shaarey Zedek for the last 5 years. This is a relatively short time in the life of the synagogue, but her impact has been enormous. She brought to the position a wealth of knowledge, enthusiasm and an overwhelming desire to learn. This has been her personal commitment to the Shaarey Zedek but, more significantly, to the children and adults of Winnipeg’s Jewish community.
The programs for Moms and Dads and their toddlers have brought children from ages one to three into the synagogue every week, not only to be a part of a playgroup, but to also participate in our traditions and religious activities. All of the families are either members or potential ones. The development of the citywide Atid (Grades 5 and 6), Kadima (Grades 7 and 8) and USY Grades 9 through 12) groups have been a large part of Marcia’s activities over the years. A direct benefit has been the development of youth leaders who have grown up in these programs.
Marcia has helped us focus on adult education programs with the help and support of our clergy, our program chairs and committees, and the program assistants, previously Katie Green, and currently Robert Didych. She helped form the Beit HaMidrash, the learning community for adults and children, which is a very successful part of Shaarey Zedek's 2000-2001 programming. There are more than 250 people attending the more than 26 hour-long classes on Sunday mornings, taught by 10 teachers. With this added focus we have now TRIPLED the number of individuals attending synagogue programming on a weekly basis.
The Bar/Bat Mitzvah should be more than just a one-day event. Marcy’s vision and dedication was instrumental in establishing the B’nai Mitzvah Family series that has helped make the Bar/Bat Mitzvah a family oriented life cycle experience within the synagogue. Rosh Pina Synagogue recognized Marcia this winter at a special Shabbat morning service, in honour of her contribution to High Holy Days programming for their children. As well, the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism central office has asked her to share many of the programs she helped develop with other affiliated congregations.
It is important to note that while Marcia has been the Program Director at the Shaarey Zedek, and attending school part-time to get a Certificate in Education, she is also sharing the raising of three small children with her husband, Neil. Marcia is currently on a leave of absence from the Synagogue. While she is on leave, we will miss her vision and commitment.
The goal of your management group is to make the synagogue an integral part of the life of your children. This is what will create a sense of belonging that will always have a special place in their hearts when they become Jewish adults. We want our Jewish traditions and institutions to be safe in their hands. This can be best achieved by integrating the synagogue into their lives from the earliest age. The lessons learned as children, especially the warm and special feelings developed within the synagogue are the building blocks they will have to preserve our institutions and traditions for the future.
As an adult, what I feel at my very core about the Shaarey Zedek is what has made me care so much for it now, and work so hard towards maintaining and improving it. I can still “feel” my father sitting beside me when I listen to the dulcet tones of Rabbi Berkal on a Shabbat morning or at the High Holy days. I can still remember playing basketball in the gym (now the lower lounge) and attending “after four” Hebrew school in the classrooms which are now occupied by the choir room. The friends of my “synagogue” youth are my closest friends today.
During my formative years in the 50’s, the synagogue was THE focal point, and with the help of committed people like Marcia and Mildred, the synagogue will again be THE focal point in the lives of our members and their children. |
Are
You Committed or Just Involved?
