100 Years of CHW History After passionately supporting Children, Healthcare, and Women in Israel and Canada for over 100 years, CHW has a lot of stories to tell. And so begins this special series, featuring the history of CHW Centres across Canada.
CHW in the Maritimes: Memories by Elly Friedman By Brondell Shapiro
From the Netherlands, Elly arrived in Montreal where she met her husband Louis. They moved to Sydney, Nova Scotia in 1963 where Louis and his brother founded a fur company. Elly and Louis lived in Sydney until his retirement in 1999, and then they moved to Toronto. While in Sydney, Elly was a very active member of CHW, serving as Youth Aliyah Chair and President of the Queen Esther Chapter. For the Cape Breton Council of 100 women, she was Chair of Youth Aliyah and Bazaar Treasurer and President. Sydney’s Bazaar took place in the local Schule. The CHW supporters ran a very successful bazaar, which required much hard work; each member was responsible for 10 baked items to be sold at the bakery booth, and one item to be sold at the snack bar. The booth sold gift baskets made from the homemade baked goods. Barbie dolls wearing handmade clothes were also available, as were slightly used books. Raffle tickets were sold for large
Line-ups for Bazaar at the Schule in Sydney
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ORAH Magazine Summer 2018
items like TVs. A silent auction took place at night, as did a regular auction where a local celebrity auctioneer sold small appliances and high fashion items. Disposal of excess used clothing wasn’t a problem: customers who were trying on clothes were allowed to throw items out the window to waiting accomplices. In this depressed region of the Maritimes, the most successful Bazaar netted $25,000. Youth Aliyah events also took place at the Schule. There, dessert luncheons were held and speakers were invited to inspire and educate. It is evident that CHW supporters in Atlantic Canada were very creative, definitely hard working, and extremely successful. Elly herself continues to be creative, quilting amazing items especially for her grandchildren. Kol Ha Kavod!