Clara Balinsky
Practical Idealism Clara Balinsky was born in Kharkov, Ukraine, and immigrated to Montreal with her family at the age of six. She was a proud Canadian who spent a lifetime fostering the Canadian ideals of democracy, human rights and multiculturalism. This was reflected in her choice of organizations for which she worked. Clara graduated from The McGill Conservatory of Music in 1939, and served her community, province and country with her musical knowledge. Her major contribution to this field was the founding of Montreal’s Concert Society in 1957. Clara’s mother was a member of Canadian HadassahWIZO, and at the request of a Past President of Montreal Hadassah-WIZO, Clara formed a new chapter in 1942.
She was a practical idealist; believing in the human values of integrity, education and continuity. Her career within Canadian Hadassah-WIZO is evidence of that.
1976 - 1980
Prior to accepting the challenge of the National Presidency in 1976, Clara founded and coordinated the Public Affairs Departmen, which was created to promote a Jewish-Christian dialogue, with an emphasise on women’s and children’s rights in connection with UNESCO. Personal highlights of her years in office were: Building Independence Hall (CHW’s 30th birthday gift to Israel), and CHW’s “Jubilee in
Jerusalem” in 1977, at which Menachem Begin announced he was inviting Anwar Sadat to Israel for peace talks. Clara Balinsky was an educator in the deepest sense – nurturing younger members and offering them encouragement to take on leadership roles. She was a role model inspiring members with her energy, creativity and passion for perfection. Her personal philosophy was, “Individuals must be helped through caring and education to overcome ignorance, oppression and prejudice.” ORAH Magazine Summer 2016 [ 46 ]