Obituaries
SHEILA STREIFLER
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Sheila Streifler on December 10, 2020, at the age of 90. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Nathan, and her parents Irvine and Fanny Charach.
She will be deeply missed by her children Leesa (Kenneth), Marc (Cindy), her grandchildren Riley, Jesse, Seth, and Daniel, her siblings Harold Charach, Neil Charach (Judy) and Elaine Campbell, along with many nieces, nephews and their families.
Sheila was born on June 4, 1930, the oldest of four children. Growing up on Scotia Street, in Winnipeg’s North End, she was the “big sister,” a role she treasured. In her youth she attended St. John’s High School and spent memory-filled summers at her family cottage at Winnipeg Beach. After attending the University of Manitoba, she worked as a legal secretary. During this time, she met our dad, fell in love, and they married in 1953. They had a wonderful marriage and mom took great joy in being a wife, a mother and a homemaker. She was an exceptional cook and baker and she created a comfortable, beautiful home. We have fond memories of family vacations to California and B.C. visiting relatives. Tragically, our dad passed away much too soon and mom was left a widow at age 46. The transition to life as a single mother was very difficult, but with great courage and determination mom rebuilt her life.
Our mother’s greatest pleasure was being part of a close-knit community of family and friends. She was an active member of Winnipeg’s Jewish community, giving generously of her time to ORT and Hadassah and was a member of the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue. Mom was blessed with a vibrant personality, and great enthusiasm; qualities that drew people to her. She was known to be extremely capable and savvy, and her advice was often sought out by friends and family.
Mom was motivated by what she could do for others. Doing what she called “the right thing” was very important to her. She found great joy in giving her mother the love and support she needed to live independently in her own home until she was 92 years old. Mom loved being with family and she often travelled to Vancouver and California to be at family events. Her nieces and nephews, and their families knew her well and her love for them was mutual.
With the birth of her first grandson, mom found a new role that she adored, that of Grandmother (Bobi). She was over the moon with pride for her four clever, handsome grandsons, always interested in what they were doing and making sure she was present in their lives. She had no trouble keeping up, endlessly inquisitive and full of energy.
Mom always seemed much younger than her years. She was energetic and engaged in life. She enjoyed attending cultural events, going out for dinner, and playing mahjong with her friends. Always fashionable, she was admired by many. Mom’s large circle of friends, some life-long and others more recent, played a key role in her happiness and enjoyment of life. She lived a happy, active and independent life until she was 85.
After being diagnosed with a debilitating illness, mom moved into the Simkin Centre in fall 2017. Mom met her illness with grace. She was brave beyond words, setting an example for all of us, as she did throughout her life.
Mom taught us so many valuable lessons, the biggest one being that of generosity and kindness. She will be remembered as a woman of great courage and inner strength and a gracious, spirited person with an enormous capacity for joy. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, auntie, cousin, and friend. Our love for her is eternal and although we will miss her greatly, she will have a special place in our family forever.
We are grateful for the care Mom received from the staff at the Simkin Centre and Dr. Wayne Manishen. We are also grateful for Maria Arbuthnot, whose love and exceptional care greatly enhanced mom’s quality of life.
Family and friends wishing to honour mom’s memory may make a donation to the Simkin Centre, the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, or a charity of 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.
Obituaries
EDITH LANDY
June 30, 1920 – July 2, 2025
After a long and fulfilling life, our Mother passed on July 2, 2025. Born in Winnipeg, she grew up as part of a large extended family.
Mother was predeceased by her parents, Joseph Mayer Freiden and Rivka (nee Fordman), our father, David Landy, and her sisters Syma Katz and Jennie Rich. Edith is survived by her five children and their families: Laurie Landy and Nora Spinks, Barbara and Paul Livingston, Bob and Rhonda Landy, Mark Landy and Jenifer, and Martin Landy, her grandchildren Saralyn, Adam, Alex, Joshua, Ethan, Caitlin, David, Alicia, Lily, and six great-grandchildren, her cousins Norma Chernick and Shlomo Mayman and her many friends and relatives.
Mom grew up as part of a large extended family in the North End of Winnipeg, guided by her father’s values of service, community and the importance of family. She entered the School of Nursing at the Winnipeg General Hospital, now the Health Sciences Centre. She progressed from general duty nurse to nursing supervisor and served as the Assistant Director of Nursing for 15 years until her retirement in 1983. Over the course of her five-decade nursing career, she raised five children, managed a household, cared for many extended family members and remained actively involved in the community.
Community was a foundation of Mom’s life. Mom was very proud of her volunteering at the Winnipeg International Children’s Festival, Winnipeg Folk Fest and other community events. She and David were patrons of the arts, including the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and the Manitoba Opera. In 2024, she was recognized as the longest continuous subscriber to the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.
The North Centennial Seniors Association played an important role in our parents’ later years. She ran her kitchen crew, supervised Hot Dog Day and provided food for many bus trips. Mom’s legacy was the Grandma Grandpa Swim Club, which she established, raised funds for, and built into a strong organization.
After a long and remarkable life of service and giving care, Mom accepted the need to receive care. The Family would like to thank Melita and Nelissa for their care and dedication, as well as the staff of the Simkin Centre, especially on Weinberg 2.
We cannot put into words how much she will be missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Joseph Freiden Scholarship for Jewish Studies at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
A service was held July 4, 2025, at Chesed Shel Emes – Winnipeg.