Founding publisher Barry Slawsky celebrates milestone birthday with friends and family

By Jennifer Kovacs, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

(AJNews) – Friends and family gathered in Victoria BC over the May long weekend to celebrate the 80th birthday of founding Edmonton (now Alberta) Jewish News publisher Barry Slawsky. It was truly an amazing action-packed weekend with close to 180 people attending the festivities.

In true Barry fashion, it was either go big or go home – and no one was going home! Barry has contributed much to the success of the Edmonton Jewish Community – particularly the Talmud Torah School and the friends that he has made along the way are friends for life. The eclectic group of people attending the party is a testament to Barry’s overall generational impact on the community, his good nature and his great sense of humour.

Barry’s vision for Edmonton Jewish News was that it celebrate community, and provide a platform for community members of differing outlooks, politics and religious affiliations. That it connect people who might otherwise be unconnected. That vision has come to fruition with the expansion to include and represent the entire province – building and strengthening connections and friendships among all community members.

At the simcha, many of Barry’s friends toasted him and expressed their warm feelings toward him and wished him alot of nachas. His longtime friend Gordy Hoffman, who has known Barry since their days at Camp BB (now Camp BB-Riback). gave a heartfelt toast.

He said that “Barry Slawsky is a true mensch –  an amazing, warm, and thoughtful individual. He is charitable and philanthropic, helps many in need all quietly and without recognition and he does not know how to say ‘No.’

“Barry is what friendship is all about and he stays in contact with his friends regularly. He remembers all his friends regardless of their station in life – all 180 of them.”

Barry’s milestone birthday brought his friends and family together for a special joyful weekend of Jewish camaraderie. Much the way he lives his life.

“When Eva and I were walking through Butchart Gardens on the beautiful warm Saturday afternoon we met for the first time Jewish friends from all across Canada and the United States,” noted Gordy, “ and we had an immediate strong relationship with them, with there being an instant bond and we realized and brought home to us the value and importance of our heritage, our community and our long-standing friendships.

Best wishes and Zay G’zunt to Barry on your milestone birthday and may you enjoy many more.