Celebration at Burquest

BAILA LAZARUS EDITOR

The new Burquest Jewish Community Centre, Sha'arei Mizrah, welcomed more than 150 people to its sanctuary Sunday to participate in its official opening and dedication.

After being warmly greeted by Reesa Margolis-Devlin, invited guests heard touching stories from students of the Burquest Hebrew school class of 2002, reflections on the early years of the community from Bill Gruenthal and personal observations on the growth of the centre by member Mary Lynn Schlifer.

Burquest president Dov Lank expressed the community's gratitude to St. Laurence Anglican Church for accommodating the Jewish services and holiday activities over the years while the congregation was still searching for a permanent home.

"This partnership was a model of how communities of faith can enhance each others' lives," said Lank.

"Among other things, they can learn about plaques," he joked, before presenting Rev. Barbara Clay, minister of the church, with a plaque with an inscription from Proverbs: "Through wisdom is a house builded; and by understanding it is established."

Clay responded with a moving speech conveying the church's enjoyment at having been able to host the Jewish members of the Burquest community.
"There was something very holy knowing your faith and your love were in our midst," she said. "We treasure you and we admire you."

Clay returned Lank's gesture by presenting Sha'arei Mizrah with a similar plaque so that both communities would be able to acknowledge the contribution of the other.

Former president Mark Winston spoke about the search for stability in a long period of constant change for the community.

"It meant so much for Burquest to have a permanent home – a place for a Torah, a permanent place to meet," Winston said, his voice wavering. "To me this exhibits all the compassion and caring and the drive for permanence in this community."

Winston also recalled the help he had received from Morris Wosk, not only by financial contributions, but by involving other donors in the project. In the Wosk family's honor, the synagogue's chapel was formally named the Morris and Dena Wosk Sanctuary.

"Every time we walk into this room, we have an opportunity to remember the gift that he gave to us," said Winston.

Rabbi Yosef Wosk was also present to reflect on the importance of the new structure. He commented that the challenges faced by the Burquest members in reaching their goal of a permanent home had brought the community together and made it stronger.

Sha'arei Mizrah (Gates of the East) hosts bimonthly Conservative-oriented Shabbat and holiday services, usually led by members of the community. It also runs a Hebrew school on Sunday mornings, as well as an adult Hebrew and Jewish Life class. For more information, call 604-552-7221, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.burquest.org.

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