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Obituaries

SERKY GOLDBERG

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Serky Goldberg on the 14th of Tammuz, 5784 (July 20, 2024) at the age of 86. Her funeral was held at the Chesed Shel Emes and she was interred at Rosh Pina Memorial Park on July 22, 2024.
Sora Pearl Mozersky was born in Winnipeg and her first few months were spent in the home of her grandparents, David and Faigie Soudack on Cathedral Avenue before moving into the Mozersky home on Rupertsland. She grew up in the North End, attending the Folk Shul, Luxton, Seven Oaks, and Peretz School during her elementary school years, and then St John’s High School. She graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1958 and was certified as a teacher at Teachers College in 1959.
Serky’s family was cental to her life. She was in almost daily contact with those of us who lived locally, and those more distant were only a visit, phone call, FaceTime or birthday card away. She loved when members of the family came to the cottage in the summer or when she and Benny traveled to Toronto, Ottawa, California, Boston, New York or Israel for simchas, birthdays, or just a visit. Over the years she maintained strong ties with siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and other relatives all over North America and in Israel.
Serky had many dear friends and always had an active social life. She was treasurer of her Bridge group for over 60 years, participated with Benny in the “The Volleyball Group,” and stayed in touch with her Habonim Workshop cohort throughout her life. Later, she made new friends during winters in Palm Springs and on the various globetrotting cruises on which she and Benny embarked after his retirement.
A product of socialist Bundist Jews, Serky became a proud Zionist in her teens. Her love for Israel was strengthened after spending a year at Kibbutz Kfar Blum in 1954 on Habonim Workshop. Subsequently, she and Benny made numerous visits to Israel, including leading a mission on behalf of the Winnipeg Jewish community to Gan Yavne as part of Project Renewal.
Serky dedicated much of her volunteer time to the Combined Jewish Appeal, serving as Chair of the Women’s Division, Chair of the Annual Campaign, and contributed to many committees at a national level. Over the years, she led many local committees and subcommittees that helped assure the vibrancy and continuity of Winnipeg’s Jewish community. The Jewish Federation honoured her with the Max Nathanson Young Leadership Award in 1977 and the Max and Mollie Shore Memorial Award in 2018. She was also a member of Pioneer Women, Hadassah and volunteered as a canvasser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Serky applied skills she learned at Teachers College to teach English as a Second Language to new Canadians throughout the 1990’s, and to inform her service as the Chair of the Board of Jewish Education.
Serky was often found reading a book, magazine or newspaper, knitting, listening to CBC, baking, telling a story or dispensing advice. She was elegant and understated. She loved hosting parties and setting a beautiful table. She appreciated art, music and literature. She loved her summers at the cottage in Gimli. Her phenomenal memory, sharp intellect and perceptive judgment were the source of answers to many questions about the family, the Winnipeg community, Israel, cooking, entertaining, fundraising or really any other topic you can imagine. Her love for us all was a great gift, and she was loved by all.
Serky is predeceased by her parents, Myer and Lily Mozersky and her brother Ken Mozersky. She leaves behind her husband of 64 years, Dr. Benjamin Goldberg; brother Dan Mozersky (Joy), and sister Ruthie Grubert; children Harold Goldberg (Alisa), Marty Goldberg (Sharon), and Elana Schultz (Myron); grandchildren, Samuel Wolfberg (Tali), Anna Wagner (Adam), Jacob Goldberg (Kelsey Fenn), Adina Goldberg (Max Levit), Tamar Goldberg (Benjamin Miller), Leora Goldberg, Dafna Schultz, Abbie Schultz, and Liat Schultz; great grandchildren Bella, Maya, Miko, Reni, Bahir, and Hatzkel, and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
Donations in Serky’s memory may be made to Serky and Benny Goldberg Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, www.jewishfoundation.org 204- 477-7520, or a charity of your choice .

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Obituaries

RHONDA MATIAS

Rhonda Matias (nee Rykiss) passed away peacefully December 31, 2024, in Toronto, surrounded by her children.

Daughter of the late Belle and the late Max Rykiss of Winnipeg. Rhonda was born in Winnipeg on May 3, 1944, and raised in both the North End on Inkster Boulevard and later Cordova Street in Winnipeg’s South End. Her family nickname was Cookie as her father said she had a round face. She moved to Montreal when she was 18, only to be called back to Winnipeg to take care of her ailing mother.

Growing up in an entrepreneurial household, Rhonda was an independent and successful businesswoman. She worked in retail sales for her parents and from her basement, and later was a successful sales rep. Rhonda was a well-known and beloved figure at her own enterprise, A Store is Born, at the Winnipeg International Airport.

She loved fashion and art and followed in her mother and sister’s footsteps of cooking and baking. She read newspapers, kept in close contact with friends and family, stayed in shape and liked to spend time in the sun.

Rhonda relocated to Toronto in 2000 to be closer to family. She made many new friends and nurtured her love for dogs.

She is survived by her children, Debbi-Jo Matias (Kevin Filkow), Marshall Matias (Merav Barr). Bubbi Cookie adored her grandchildren, Mikaela Matias, Jack Matias, Jesse Filkow and Ari Filkow. She is also survived by her brother Bruce M. Rykiss and aunt Fay Rykiss, nieces and nephews, Jodi Sprackman (Paul), Steven Gilletz (Cheryl Lis), Douglas Gilletz (Ariane Cohen). She was predeceased by her son Jeffrey Matias in June 1973.

Funeral services were held at Chesed Shel Emes and Shaarey Zedek Cemetery in Winnipeg on January 2, 2025, Rabbi Kliel Rose presiding, and Shiva was observed in Toronto.

Pallbearers were Kevin Filkow, Jesse Filkow, Jack Matias, Ari Filkow, Bryan Borzykowski and Steven London.

The family wishes to thank her devoted caregivers, especially Michelle Ciego.

Donations may be made to Jewish Foundation of Manitoba – Rhonda Matias Memorial Fund in support of BB Camp, or charity of your choice.

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Obituaries

SYBIL RUBIN MARCH 18 1931 – SEPTEMBER 4 2024

Sybil passed on to her next adventure on September 4, 2024 at age 93 1/2.
She was a bright light in many people’s lives, most especially her loving family’s. Sybil lived her values with joy, energy, and purpose. She was always welcoming and inclusive, unwaveringly supportive, loving and optimistic. She volunteered extensively her time and skills with countless community organizations. She thrived on both teaching and learning, presenting celebrated book reviews, as a community presenter on the subjects of Israel and Hanukkah, and developing iconic programs like the Beth El Art Auctions.
Born in Montreal, Quebec, Sybil was raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Manitoba, and was elected to lead her college as Lady Stick of Arts in her senior year. Sybil met Manly Rubin – the love of her life – while in their teens in Winnipeg; they married in 1953. They immediately ventured off to Dublin, Ireland where Sybil earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Trinity College while Manly earned his medical degree. She loved their time in Dublin, which provided opportunities to explore various European countries.
They then moved to a small town in Saskatchewan where they welcomed their three children: Harry, Caron and Rochelle. With relocation to Minneapolis a few years later, Sybil threw her energy into her new community’s programs, her children’s activities, and volunteer opportunities. She remained a voracious reader (participating in three book clubs) and enthusiastic traveler into her 80’s, bringing her family on exotic foreign adventures after Manly passed away in 2010. She always delighted in attending plays, concerts and other performances. Hers was a life well lived.
Sybil is survived by her adoring children, Harry, Caron (Marc Meirovitz) and Rochelle Rubin (Scott Rutzick); sister, Rochelle Pincovich; grandchildren, Colin and Ethan Meirovitz, Shelby Rutzick and Boaz, Amalya and Gilad Rubin, as well as loving nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by husband, Manly Rubin; parents, Sam and Minnie Heft; sister, Connie Robinson; brothers and sister-in-law, Myles Robinson, Leon & Lainy and Jack Rubin and Aurel Pincovic

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Obituaries

ISAAC GOTFRIED

Isaac Gotfried passed away peacefully on February 3, 2025 in his 100th year.

Isaac was predeceased by his loving wife of 68 years, Hilda(nee Goldberg) and his brother Bernard.  The rest of his birth family perished in the Holocaust.

He is survived by his daughters, Irene Shapira (Gary), Susan Libby Hutton (Christopher), Marla Gaudet (Alan), and Paula Kerr (David); grandchildren, Jared, Laura, Casey (Stephen), Morgan (Marie Michele), Evan, Callum (Sophie) and Rowan; and great-grandchildren, Makenna, Jachin and Bodhi.

Isaac was very proud of the life he made for himself and his family in Winnipeg.  He was a devoted family man, a good friend and a hard worker.

Isaac was a survivor.  He was in several concentration camps, from ages 15-18, escaping into the woods shortly before liberation.  He testified against the Nazis at the Buchenwald trials in Dachau, Germany, in 1947.  

After retiring from a very successful career with London Life, he devoted his energy to educating people of all ages and backgrounds about the horrors of the Holocaust by speaking to over 25,000 people at schools, museums and conferences locally and internationally.    He was interviewed by newspapers, television, documentarians, and PhD candidates.  His legacy has been captured on film, in print and by the Shoah Foundation.  He wanted to ensure that the Holocaust was never forgotten.  He ended every lecture and interview with the words ‘Never again’.  

At the age of 92, Isaac published his memoir ‘Lucky to Survive’ which sold over 1000 copies.  At Isaac’s request, all proceeds were donated to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.  He was very proud of the book, selling it to everybody he met, even his ambulance attendants.   

Isaac loved and was loved and respected by many.  He was very sociable, generous, a great story teller, and loved telling a good joke.  He was an excellent bridge player, playing at least twice a week right up to his admission to hospital.  He was a very intelligent, self-educated man.  He loved to travel with Hilda and spend the winters in Florida or Palm Springs.  

Thank you to the Shaftesbury Park Retirement Residence staff and friends who became such a huge part of his life.

In lieu of flowers, Isaac requested that donations be made to the Jewish Heritage Centre’s Holocaust Education Endowment Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.

The funeral will be held Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 9:30 at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, 561 Wellington Crescent, Winnipeg.  It will also be live streamed.   Shiva will be in the library at The Shaftesbury, 905 Shaftesbury blvd on Friday from 2-4 pm and Saturday from 7-9 pm.

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