Legacy
CHW LEGACY CIRCLE
Sharon & Abe Flower By Cynthia Flower My parents, Sharon and Abe Flower, came from a typical Montreal Jewish immigrant family. Their parents escaped the pogroms in Russia at the turn of last century, getting on a boat with absolutely nothing, ending up in Montreal. It was their only chance to have a future for themselves and their later offspring. My parents were born and raised in the Jewish immigrant ghetto of St. Lawrence Street. Like most in the neighbourhood, they were traditional Jews, growing up in a household steeped in tradition, fluent in Yiddish and English. Respect, education, helping others, were always key points. As young adults, then as a newly married couple, this was already a part of their lives. Charity means more than giving money; it is also giving of yourself, your time, your abilities. As I was growing up, this quietly continued, setting an example. We had a tzedakah box to fill with spare change whenever possible, but volunteering continued to be the key. The last four years of their life together, my parents still felt a need to help those worse off than themselves. Although Abe was quickly losing his health, and Sharon was already clearly losing the battle with Alzheimer’s, community still mattered. Almost daily, they trekked the slow, arduous one hour walk to Maimonides, the local Jewish eldercare hospital. They had a nosh, ate lunch at the cafeteria, and then spent all afternoon each visiting with anyone who they saw was alone and needing company. 48
ORAH Magazine Summer 2020
Despite needing myself and a caregiver to provide their basic daily needs, they still felt compelled to help those who were worse off than themselves. Just like when they were growing up, they were grateful for everything that they had, and offered of themselves, their time, effort, compassion, until their end, which is why they chose to join the CHW Legacy Circle. I am also a Legacy Donor. The decision was simple to make. I discovered that by supporting a CHW youth village, I can help immigrants in Israel, who previously had no future, no hopes for a safe or decent life, often persecuted for their religion. Hmm, this sounds exactly like my grandparents... We have come full circle. Please become part of the Legacy Circle. Provide others with the opportunities that we received; this is the true blessing of charitable giving. It is our turn to continue the circle and set a good example for those to come.
