The Jewish Foundation of Manitoba [JFM] held a beautiful event honouring exceptional community leader Marjorie Blankstein, who is almost 96 years old, and a founder of the Women’s Endowment Fund [WEF]. The event was attended by about 180 people on the evening of May 15 at Shaarey Zedek Synagogue.
Chair of the JFM, Dan Blankstein, Marjorie’s son, who said ‘he happened to know a bit” about the honouree. He said said that this year the Women’s Endowment Fund distributed over $ 100, 000, compared to five years ago when it distributed $ 74,000. He noted that “as the fund grows there is increased need.” He also noted that former JFM Chair and WEF founder Yhetta Gold passed away recently and the JFM had benefited significantly from her work. Yhetta often said, “I am a believer in being a participant in the community. For myself, the role is as an agent of change.”
Dan said that his mother Marjorie “has provided an example of what we can achieve when we show up for community, whether through volunteerism or philanthropy — or both! Her example led me to also be a philanthropist and volunteer. She continues to be an inspiration for us all.”
Carol McArton, Marjorie’s daughter, spoke of her mother as “a strong caring and determined woman”, who “gets things done.”
“I am sure she would credit her own mother, Rose Rady, for setting an example. My mother often repeated what her mother said to her-when someone comes to you in need, reach out to them with an open hand. ‘’Although she talked about those outstretched hands, my mother never waited to see the hands in the first place. She did what she could to anticipate and then meet the needs of those around her.”
McArton noted that the WEF “began in the Jewish community but was always intended to reach beyond it and address women’s issues wherever a need was identified. That’s what women do-we get each other, we support each other and we help each other as best we can.”
McCarton added that “Financial support is always needed but so is the need to model courage and compassion for our children and grandchildren. We need to show them through our actions that even in this unpredictable and complicated world, there is always time and ways to help each other.
McCarton indicated that last year she established funds for her granddaughters Rowan, Brooke and Isobel. ‘What I love about these funds is that they ensure that our cherished values are being passed on and that the work we feel is essential continues to be done.” She added that males can also have funds and she will establish a fund for her grandson Teddy.
McCarton referred to her mother and the other women who founded the WEF as “visionaries” who “all deserve our gratitude,” and noted that “the idea of women empowering woman to change community is as important
Today as it was when the fund was envisioned and established.” McCarton added “Like my mother and our Fund’s founders, we can play out part. So, thank you mom, and thank you to all of you, for what you have done and are continuing to do.”
Marcia Cowan, former CEO of the JFM spoke of how when Marjorie was a her “role model, and mentor.” She spoke of meeting with Marjorie and her husband Morley, z”l, and how they had decided they “wanted their parents stories “ in the JFM Endowment Book of Life and informed her that they would make the bequest to the JFM in their lifetime. She noted that their fund at the JFM supports 11 community organizations Marjorie supports through established organizational endowment funds. They are (in alphabetical order): Asper Jewish Community Campus of Winnipeg, Canadian Institute for the Study of Antisemitism, Gray Academy of Jewish Education, Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre, JCFS, Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, Jewish Heritage Centre, National Council of Jewish Women, Rady JCC, Saul & Claribel Simkin Centre, Winnipeg Jewish Theatre. Cowan said “Marjorie has been a mover and a shaker”, and is “always the first to step up.” She noted that she and Karyn Lazareck, Marjorie and Yhetta Gold would meet for lunch “and talk about the community.”
Marjorie has been on the Board and Executive of the JFM and is on the Board of Governors of the JFM. She is a Past President of the National Council For Jewish Women and of Winnipeg Jewish Community Council (the predecessor of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg.) She was a driving force behind the building of the Asper Campus, raising funds for it and is a former Chair of the United Way. She has been honoured by the Jewish National Fund, and Ben Gurion University. She is also an honorary life member of Jewish Child and Family Service and was the first recipient of the Sol Kanee Distinguished Service Medal, and was the YM/YWCA Woman of the Year (Community Service category) in 1978. She became a member of the Order of Canada in 1982.
Analyn Baker of Grads for Gowns, a recipient of funds from the WEF spoke about being grateful for receiving this financial support. She noted the organization “is all volunteer-run”, and spoke of how every graduate deserves the chance to celebrate their success. Gowns for Grads collects donations of formal gowns, shoes, evening bags, and jewelry. These items are re-distributed to Manitoba High School Diploma graduates, or Mature Student Diploma graduates, who are not be able to afford them.
Erin Crawfod, CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba spoke of how the grant the organization received from the WEF went towards funding equipment for the Minds in Motion Program designed for people with early to moderate signs of dementia to attend with a family member or friend. This weekly program includes a gentle chair fitness class followed by engaging activities and conversation. She said that the program “provides a moment of joy.”
Al Benarroch CEO and President of Jewish Child and Family Services (check the designation), a recipient of funds from the WEF expressed his gratitude to the WEF “for always helping support women and families.” He explained that grant from the WEF enabled JCFS to speak to newcomer women and record their “stories of courage faith and re-buildings and of holding onto their cultures.” Their stories will be turned into a digital e-book. Stories foster “space for personal growth and healing.” As a result of the grant “voices of Jewish newcomer women will be heard.”
