Obituaries
CHERYL ANNE (LAVITT) LAZAR November 2, 1965 – June 30, 2020
After a long and courageous battle with cancer, Cheryl Anne Lazar, loving wife, mother, daughter, sister and aunt, passed away on June 30, 2020 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
When she was first diagnosed with breast cancer in the summer of 2008, Cheryl was told that she had two years left. Always a fighter, she managed to add an extra decade to her life, living a relatively full life until her last month.
Cheryl was born in Winnipeg on November 2, 1965 to Adam and Judy (Schaffer) Lavitt, the second of four daughters. Cheryl grew up in the Garden City area of Winnipeg, and attended school at Talmud Torah, Forest Park School, Jefferson Junior High School, and Garden City Collegiate.
After graduating high school, Cheryl entered the Faculty of Commerce at the University of Manitoba, graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. After graduation she entered the work force as an auditor, spending most of her career with Arctic Cooperatives Ltd.. As an auditor with ACL, she got to travel to many far north communities, which appealed to her adventurous spirit. She came to know and appreciate the people and culture of the Inuit of the far north.
Cheryl had a free-spirited, outgoing personality, and made friends easily. While accompanying some friends to a party in 1988, she introduced herself to the party host, Michael Lazar. After “running in to” each other several times over the next few months, they began to date. On April 1, 1990, while seated on “The Climbing Tree” in Kildonan Park, Michael proposed to Cheryl, and they were married on August 4, 1991. In keeping with Cheryl’s thirst for adventure, Cheryl and Michael honeymooned by backpacking their way through France, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Israel.
Family and friends were very important to Cheryl. She was a dedicated soccer mom (and hockey mom, basketball mom, and baseball mom) to her three children. She was a cheerleader for their exploits in the arts and theatre, and always ready to help “encourage” them to finish their homework. She nourished and relished in long-term friendships from her days in Garden City, with her “Commerce Girls”, her friends from the Atah young Jewish adults group, from the neighborhood on Embassy Lane and later on Driscoll Crescent, from Congregation Etz Chayim, and many other friends that she made along the way. She was always there to celebrate good times, and to comfort in hard times.
Cheryl was pre-deceased by her father, Adam Lavitt, her grandparents, Liselotte and Abraham Schaffer and Harry and Eda Lavitt, and her in-laws, Rhona and Ronald Lazar. She is survived by her husband, Michael Lazar, her three sons, Elliot, Gabriel and Levi Lazar, her sisters Helen Lavitt-Smith (Carey), Debby Lavitt, and Susan Boyd (Ryan), her nephews and nieces Shannon (Jeff), Jeremy, Benji, Breanne, Brooke, Rory, Ezra (Sonia), Yona, Galya, Gilon, Casey, Solly, Aaron, Rachel and Jack, and great-nephews Max and Noah.
Cheryl’s funeral was held at the Rosh Pina Memorial Park, officiated by Rabbi Kliel Rose and Cantor Tracy Kasner. Pallbearers were Bert Schaffer, Allan Schaffer, Ron Worb, Gary Lazar, Matthew Lazar, and Joel Kay.
Cheryl’s family would like to thank her oncologist, Dr. Valerie Gordon, and the doctors and nurses at the Health Science Centre. They would also like to thank the many family members and friends who have lent their support both during Cheryl’s illness and following her passing.
Obituaries
ALAN KLUNER
Suddenly and unexpectedly, Alan Kluner passed away on July 11, 2025 at the young age of 66. Alan had a very good life despite some ongoing health challenges he met head on for the majority of his life. He loved family and was a very kind and loving son, brother and uncle.
Born in Winnipeg, Alan developed a small but close circle of friends he maintained for many years. His passions were following his sports teams (Jets, Vikings, Bombers) and attending numerous rock concerts.
Alan is survived by his oldest brother Martin (Reesa), his sister-in-law Hanna, his four nephews and nieces Mickey (Stephanie), Corey (Sean), Zev (Kristen), Elana (Danny), and his great-nephews and great-nieces Mason, Lucy, Nora, Remy and Enzo.
He was predeceased by his parents Bill and Phyllis, brother Kerry, and uncle Alvin Mantell.
Alan’s funeral service was graveside at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on Tuesday July 15, officiated by Rabbi Matthew Leibl. Pallbearers were: Martin Kluner, Mickey Kluner, Corey Kluner, Elana Kluner, Henry Goldfeld, and Alan Levine. Honorary pallbearer was Albert Yanofsky.
For those who wish, donations in Alan’s memory may be made to Diabetes Canada or the charity of your choice.
Obituaries
ALAN JEFFREY RAPPAPORT
With much love and sadness, we mourn the passing of Alan Jeffrey Rappaport who died at the age of 72 on July 1, 2025.
Alan was predeceased by his parents – Sidney and Elaine Rappaport. He is survived by his former wife, Lynnie and their children Amy (Josh Bloomfield) and Lissie (Tamir Bourlas), grandchildren Aiden, Olivia, Shai and Aviya, his sister Bonny Leszcz (Molyn), brother Eppy (Ellen), brother Danny (Marcy), and many nieces, nephews and niblings.
Alan was born in Brooklyn, NY. He lived in Pennsylvania and California before moving to Winnipeg at the age of 14 when his father accepted a position as head rabbi at the Rosh Pina Synagogue. He earned an accounting degree at the University of Manitoba and became a Certified Chartered Accountant. An entrepreneur at heart, he went on to become co-owner of Omnitsky Kosher with his brother Eppy.
Alan was a gifted athlete. He had a sharp intellect (particularly with numbers). He played a great game of pool, poker and golf. He was well loved for his sense of adventure. He knew how to live large and did so in the first part of his life.
Alan had a significant stroke at the age of 48 when he lost the use of his left side. The latter part of his life was marked by adjusting to disability. He learned to live with less and appreciate ordinary everyday delights – a riveting murder mystery, a corned beef sandwich, a Blue Jays game.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Simkin Centre for the care he received in his final years.
If desired, memorial donations can be made to: Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre or Bruce Oake Recovery Centre.
Obituaries
JACOB (JACK) KLEIMAN FEBRUARY 8, 1927 – AUGUST 19, 2024
It was with great sorrow that we announced the passing of Jacob (Jack) Kleiman (Jacob ben Moishe) on Monday August 19, 2024 (16, Av) in his 98th year.
He was predeceased by his parents, Maurice and Rose Kleiman, his brother, Harvey, and his sisters, Florence (the late Louis Selby), Betty (the late Joseph Gilfix) and Ruth (the late Ben Aisenstat). He is survived by his sister Ann of Bethesda, U.S.A. (the late Harold Eist). He will be missed by his many nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grand-nieces, great-grandnephews, and great-grandnieces.
Jack’s maternal grandparents were among the pioneer families established in the then Hirsch Colony (founded 1892) by the Jewish Colonization Association in the Southeast corner of Saskatchewan. Jack and his late brother Harvey lived and farmed on the same land purchased by their parents in the area.
In later years he and his brother developed many business interests: initially farm implement and automotive sales and later oil exploration companies including Poplar Developments Ltd., drilling locally. They were well known in the surrounding community and were generous supporters of local charitable initiatives such as the Estevan General Hospital.
Jack and his brother were the last Jewish farmers in the Hirsch area and over the years were the subject of many literary articles and television interviews. Jack and his brother helped to maintain the Jewish cemetery in the Hirsch area until it was taken over as a historical site by the province. Due to advancing age, the family farm was sold in 2016 and both retired to Calgary to be nearer to family. This marked the closing of one chapter of Jewish history in Canada.
Jack was a talented mechanic who remained married to the land and devoted to his family. He was ever of good spirit. Although frail in body, Jack remained active mentally and involved in life until the end being always interested in the happenings of his extended family.
It is hard to adequately sum up a long life marked by both hard work, dedication to family, and good humour. The entire family remember him and honour him with love, affection, and good memories.
The family wishes to thank the many friends and neighbours in the Estevan area who provided help and support during his last years and especially to his dedicated care givers in Calgary.
The funeral was held in Calgary on August 22, 2024, at the Chevra Kadisha Chapel with interment at the 37th Street Jewish Cemetery.
The unveiling will take place on July 27, 2025 at 11:30 AM at the same location. Donations may be made in Jack’s memory to the charity of your choice.