Celebrating 80 years ...

The final curtain call of a Granville Island concert – one of a series of events celebrating Temple Sholom’s 18th year – was captured in the Oct. 28, 1982, issue of the Jewish Western Bulletin. “More than 300 people crowded into Arts Club Theatre on Granville Island recently for an evening of Jewish music,” began the accompanying article. Among the performers were cellist Yevgeny Osadchy and pianist Melinda Coffey, and Temple Sholom choir director and cantorial soloist Murray Kenig.

“Enjoyable as well were original compositions by Joan Beckow, performed by the composer herself and accompanied by Beverly Holender and Wendy Stuart. Trombonist Gordon Cherry and pianist Joyce Cherry delighted the audience with rarely performed works by Ferdinand David and Leonard Bernstein,” continued the review. Other participants included Temple Sholom president Gershon Growe as narrator and the Talmud Torah Choir, directed by Rabbi Maurice Myerowitz. “Responsible for the success of the evening” were Stuart, Tobin Robbins and Cathy (Netter) Bregman of the Chai celebration committee.

The Bulletin has been witness to most of the community’s milestones. In the same 1982 issue, Congregation Beth Israel was celebrating the Chai year of Rabbi Wilfrid and Phyllis Solomon and the Louis Brier Home and Hospital had just gotten its expansion plans approved by Vancouver City Council.