Obituaries
RABBI CARLA ELYNN FREEDMAN
Rabbi Carla Freedman will go down in history as a trailblazer. Not only was she the first Canadian woman to be ordained as a rabbi, she was also the first rabbi in history to become a grandmother. With great sorrow, Rabbi Carla’s family announces that the trail reached its end when, after a short, but devastating illness, she passed away on Monday, September 23, 2024, just five weeks shy of her 80th birthday. Carla Elynn Freedman was a leader from the moment she was born. While studying at West Kildonan Collegiate in her hometown, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, she took on her first elected leadership role, serving as President of B’nai Brith Girls, District 6. In this role, she honed her storytelling skills, winning an international championship by recounting the heroics of Hannah Senesh. She also discovered what would become a deep, lifelong love of Judaism. In 1965, shortly after the birth of her first daughter, Deborah, she became one of the earliest members of Temple Shalom, Winnipeg’s first Reform synagogue. She celebrated the birth of her second daughter, Rena, in trailblazing fashion, with the Temple’s first baby naming ceremony. After earning a B.A. in English and a master’s in educational psychology from the University of Manitoba, Carla worked as a counsellor in private practice and as a management training specialist with the federal Department of Transportation. She celebrated her 40th birthday by leaving Winnipeg to pursue her passion for Reform Judaism full time. She enrolled in Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating with a master’s degree in Hebrew Letters in 1989. She was ordained the following year, becoming the first Canadian-born woman rabbi in the process. While in rabbinical school, Carla met the love of her life, Jeanne Shanin. Carla and Jeanne spent 39 joyous years together, moving throughout the U.S. as Carla took on congregational pulpits at Beth Israel Congregation in Plattsburgh, New York, Jewish Family Congregation in South Salem, New York, and since 2013, at Beth Israel Congregation in Sun City Center, Florida. In 1992, while serving in Plattsburgh, Carla achieved her most treasured accomplishment when, upon the birth of her grandson, Jesse, she became the first rabbi in history to become a grandmother. She repeated the feat two years later, with the birth of her granddaughter, Brianna. While she had a lifelong aversion to the color green, she had a world-class green thumb and an unmatched gift for keeping her hundreds of plants healthy. She found immense joy in simple pleasures: spy novels, Israeli music, anchovies, black licorice, popcorn, Rachel Maddow, Monk, and anything from the British Isles. But by far her greatest joys were serving her congregations and spending time with her family. Rabbi Carla is survived by her soulmate, Jeanne of Riverview, Florida; her daughters, Deborah Melman-Clement (Tim) of Kingston, Ontario and Rena Rubin-Hines (Michael) of Toronto; her grandchildren, Jesse Rubin of Calgary and Brianna Rubin of Toronto; her sister, Phyllis Yaffe of Toronto; and her niece, Sarah Yaffe (Jay, Lewis, and Reya) of Toronto. She was predeceased by her parents, Lou and Yetta Freedman, and by her beloved pets, Mo and Harley. The family would like to thank all those who cared for Carla with such skill and compassion. Funeral services were held Wednesday, September 25 at Beth Israel the Jewish Congregation of Sun City Center, 1115 E Del Webb Blvd., Sun City Center, Florida, 33573, USA. Shiva Minyan with open mic tributes will follow. To view the recordings, contact cowebmaster1@jcscc.org. Shiva will also be held in Toronto from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sunday and Monday, September 29 and 30 at 70 Rosehill Ave., #208. Please feel free to honour Rabbi Carla’s memory with a gift to Beth Israel Congregation’s newly created Rabbi Carla Freedman Memorial Fund for the purpose of bringing to the congregation live music, speakers, and scholars in residence; or the charity of your choice.
Obituaries
JENNIE GOLDSTINE
September 25, 1929 – March 6, 2026
Surrounded by loved ones Mom passed away on March 6th at the age of 96.
Mom is survived by her three sons, Marc (Robyn), Ian (Elaine) and Lawrence. She was also blessed with five grandchildren, Jacque (Tyler), Steven (Jani), Daniel (Lainie), Jason (Gen) and Kyle as well as five great-grandchildren, Asher, Beckham, Jakob, Quinn and Abby. She is also survived by her sister Phyllis (Alvin).
She was predeceased by her husband Allan; her brothers, Boris and David; and her parents, Aaron and Manya Margolis.
Mom’s journey began in Kremenets, Poland on September 25, 1929. Mom came to Canada with her parents and brother Boris in the summer of 1930 and her story was in many ways the classic immigrant story. Raised in the North End, first on Euclid and Barber and then the big move in 1938 to Atlantic and Aikins, her parents ran a grocery store and times were not easy. However, the way out was education and in 1946, Mom graduated from St. John’s high school. Her high school was a point of pride for her throughout her life and when the 75th anniversary festivities took place in 1985, she had the time of her life. Mom’s education continued after high school and she attended United College (University of Winnipeg today) where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree. She was one of the few women of her generation to graduate from university and she took great pride in that fact. That push came from her own mother who had attended Gymnasia (secondary school) in Poland, a rarity for women.
Mom and Dad met in 1949 and were married on May 17, 1950. They were supposed to get married at the new Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on the corner of Wellington Crescent and Academy Road, but the first flood of the century intervened and they took refuge in Regina where my Dad had an aunt. They were married in aunt Eleanor’s living room. The family grew in the 50s and 60s with Marc arriving in 1952, Ian in 1955 and Lawrence in 1962.
In 1963 Dad graduated with his CA and as a celebration the family went out to Gimli and stayed at the Shoreliner Motel. While visiting Gimli, Mom and Dad made one of the great decisions of their lives when they purchased 25 2nd Avenue. The family shared so many fantastic experiences and has so many memories throughout the 50 years in Gimli.
Mom’s education continued in 1967 when she returned to school to obtain her teaching certificate. She taught for a year at Shaughnessy Park and spent a year on supply for Winnipeg School Division. Mom took a break from teaching in 1970 but returned in 1976 in a new role that would define her teaching. Mom became a substitute teacher for Winnipeg School Division and would continue in this role until she retired in 1992. Although she had no specialized training in early years education, Mom substituted primarily in JK K and Grade 1. She spent the majority of her time substituting in North End schools such as David Livingston, Victoria Albert and Norquay to name only a few. You could take the girl out of the North End but you could never take the North End out of the girl.
After Mom and dad retired in 1992, they moved out to Gimli to live full-time. Mom had one condition for moving out to Gimli, there had to be cable TV. Dad made sure there was cable TV. Mom and dad had a magical 20 years in Gimli. They met some terrific people who would become very close friends and they loved life in the Interlake. In late January each year they would drive down to Palm Springs and spend wonderful winters in the Coachella Valley.
It was the best of both worlds.
In 2013 they made the necessary decision to move back to Winnipeg in order to be closer to family. Mom and Dad were married for 63 years when dad passed away in 2014. Fortunately for mom, she was always a people person and she stayed busy by meeting new people and staying active. She was a voracious reader and there was always a newspaper or book in her hands. She also loved TV and enjoyed watching her favourite shows such as Murdoch Mysteries, Hudson and Rex and Blue Bloods.
Mom’s last journey began in June 2023 when she moved into the Simkin Centre. She adjusted well to her new surroundings and was well liked by staff and residents. She looked forward to Friday afternoon bingo on Weinberg 2 and especially winning at bingo which she often did. The family is grateful for the wonderful care Mom received from all the staff on Weinberg 2. There is one person who deserves special recognition and that is Mom’s companion and loving friend Mary Ann. The family is forever grateful for the care, respect and love she showed towards mom. It added a special quality of life to Mom’s final years. We were blessed to have Mom in our lives for an incredible 96 years. When Mom was 93, I asked her what it felt like to be 93. Her reply, 19!!
Mom’s funeral was held at Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on March 9th officiated by Rabbi Carnie Rose. Beautiful words of tribute were given by Mom’s grandson Steven Goldstine. Pallbearers were Jacque Edwards, Daniel Goldstine, Steven Goldstine, Jason Goldstine, Kyle Goldstine and Honourary Pallbearer Alvin Slayen.
Donations can be made to the charity of your choice.
Mom we will miss your smile, warmth and sense of humour. “You are my sunshine my only sunshine.”
Obituaries
WALTER (VEV) GANETSKY
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our father Walter (Vev) Ganetsky on Thursday, April 2, 2026 at the age of 85.
He will be lovingly remembered by his son David, his son and daughter-in-law, Morgan and Tracie, grandchildren, Braden (Maya), Jori (Justin), Alix and pup Enzo. Vev is also survived by Penny Ganetsky, sister-in-law Sharon Ganetsky, nephew Leonard (Lynn), niece Michele (Myles), great-nephews, numerous cousins, life long friends and special friend Fay Reich.
Graveside service was held at B’nay Abraham Cemetery on April 6. Pallbearers were David Ganetsky, Morgan Ganetsky, Braden Ganetsky, Myles Levin, Howard Jesierski, Laurie Etkin and Mitchell Rosenberg. We would like to thank Rabbi Matthew Leibl for his kindness. A heartfelt thank you to Ashley Miller of WFPS and the other first responders for their care and compassion.
If desired, donations can be made to Jewish Child and Family Service, Heart & Stroke Foundation, or a charity of your choice.
Obituaries
ESTHER MINUK Dec. 27, 1932 – April 3, 2026
Esther Bat Hershel Ve Devorah
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Esther Minuk, beloved matriarch of our family. She was predeceased by her bashert, her beloved husband, Julius; her parents, Doris and Harry Golub; and her sister, Evelyn (Herbie).
Esther was a loving and proud mother, Baba, and Great-Baba to her children Yale, Rhonda (Tom), Perry (Abby), Jody, and Marla (Franklin); her grandchildren Jordan (Amy), Daniel (Allie), Allie (Jordan), Hannah, and Lily; and her great-grandchildren Julian, Aidan, and Eddie.
Known to many as `Queen Esther’, she led with kindness and integrity, always seeing the good in others. Her home was open and welcoming, filled with warmth, laughter, and love. She was sharp, compassionate, and deeply devoted to her family. We are heartbroken and forever grateful for the love and legacy she leaves behind. She will be eternally missed by her family.
Memorial donations may be made to B’nai Brith of Canada Foundation, 416-633-6224, https://bit.ly/4bRsabI or Sunnybrook Foundation, 416-480-4483, www.sunnybrook.ca/foundation