Fran Belzberg
Woman of
Valour
After finally settling in Los Angeles, her father loaned his voice to narrate several films about the Holocaust. Charity was always important in her home. She shares, “we always had a Pushke in our family. My mother went around the neighborhood collecting them. My father’s mantra was that we must all pay rent for the space we occupy on this earth.” Fran believes that as a woman, she has a voice in this world, and that it should be used to help those in need. After getting involved with CHW, programs and services for children, especially the Youth Aliyah program, captured a special place in her heart. She shares, “my special interest in children is helping them develop into their full potential, and that we as adults should give them every opportunity to achieve that.”
Fran Belzberg is a long time CHW supporter that currently lives in Vancouver, BC. Her journey with CHW began in 1950, when she moved to Edmonton, AB as a new bride. When she arrived in the small town with dirt roads, very few telephones, and limited indoor plumbing, the first call she made was to the local CHW chapter to find like-minded Jewish women who wanted to make a difference in the world. “When you come into a closed community as a total stranger, it’s often very difficult to become acclimated and to become inclusive. CHW gave me that opportunity. When I called, they were warm and welcoming and put me in the right hands. So I have to say thank you to Hadassah for welcoming me to Canada as a young bride!” Fran’s desire to make change was instilled in her from the beginning. Born in Los Angeles, California, her family emigrated from Poland. Her father was very involved in religiosity, and started a synagogue in every small community the family went.
With 40 immediate family members, including children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren living in Israel, Fran makes the trip multiple times a year to see them. During her visits to Israel, she has also had the opportunity to see many CHW projects firsthand, and the impact that they have had on so many lives. All of the beliefs that were instilled in her from a young age and her commitment to Jewish life, plus her ability to do it gave her the desire to become a Woman of Valour. “I feel gratified that I have the funds, the ability, and the desire to be involved. My involvement has given me much more back than I have contributed. It makes me feel more like a human being, like an accomplished woman.” Fran encourages anyone who has the means to make a major gift to consider becoming a Woman of Valour. “I would say to anyone who can afford to make a major gift anywhere, and their heart is with CHW, then certainly it is a positive place to put your money. CHW deals with so many aspects of Jewish life, not only in Israel, but in Canada, which ripples through other parts of the world. If any woman has the financial wherewithal, and has a choice of where to donate, I would certainly give to CHW, because its wings spread so far.
To learn more about the Woman of Valour program, please visit: chw.ca/support-us/major-gifts/woman-of-valour 38
ORAH Magazine Winter 2021