Our parents, Paula and Mischa Fouks and Dasha and Louis Zack, emigrated from Russia to Canada in the early 1900’s and settled in Vancouver in 1918 & 1927 respectively.

We were taught to be philanthropic, and we taught our children to “pay back” for the privilege of living as Jews in a free country. Our children Joanne and Rafi live in Israel, and our daughter Rosalind Karby is involved in Vancouver’s Jewish community.

Sidney served as president of many organizations including: Talmud Torah, Schara Tzedeck Synagogue and Canadian Jewish Congress. He chaired the UJA annual campaign twice and was a national vice-president of UIA of Canada. Gertie was National Chairman of Education for Hadassah-Wizo Canada, a vice-chair of the JCCGV and three times chair of CJA Women’s Division. We were honourees of the 1967 JNF Negev Dinner, and the 1987 University of Judaism’s Community Service Recognition Dinner. Both are included in “Who’s Who of Canadian Jewry” and Gertie is also listed in “Jewish Women of Canada.”

Sidney and Gertrude Zack