JFS Edmonton honours Jeni Adler and Rhonda Eidelman

By Regan Treewater

(AJNews) – A hearty mazel tov to Jeni Adler and Rhonda Eidelman! On Sunday morning, September 8, the greater Edmonton Jewish community came together to pay tribute to the incredible dedication of two women who continue to propel forward the transformative work being done at Jewish Family Services.

Over 200 people gathered in the grand banquet hall of the Fantasyland Hotel for the auspicious occasion. With kosher supervision provided by Rabbi Mendy Blachman, the sumptuous feast was an undertaking many days in the making. The affair was an elegant one, and the two guests of honour were properly toasted with all the pomp and circumstance befitting their outstanding achievements and contributions.

The emcee for the day was none other than Hersch Sobel, with speeches of praise from Danielle Dolgoy, JFS Executive Director, and Toby Rabinovitz, JFS President. There was much to say, since both Jeni Adler and Rhonda Eidelman have been active forces of good at JFS for over 20 years. The event was a moment for the community, as a whole, to say ‘thank you’ to two highly deserving women.

Jeni Adler is a two-time immigrant and knows firsthand how frightening and intimidating it is to be physically, emotionally, and psychologically displaced. Add to this the obstacle of communication, and the hurdles undertaken by immigrants seem insurmountable. For anyone that has gone through the bitter-sweet adventure of immigration, they will know that the supporting helping hand of a kindred spirit extended in friendship, can make all the difference in the world.

For so many people Jeni Adler has been that kindred spirit. Her contribution to Tikkun Olam, repairing the world around her, has been welcoming newcomers to Canada – both Jewish and not. She is the driving force behind the English language classes offered by Jewish Family Services, and because of her passion for teaching, she has empowered many people who have rebuilt their lives in Canada.

“I’m besotted by the English language,” said Adler with bemusement. “It isn’t hard when you truly love what you do.” During a video tribute, one non-Jewish student of Adler’s commented: “I could not imagine my experience in Canada without Jeni.”

Language, or the lack there of, creates an inadvertent power-dynamic that Adler’s efforts work to balance out. She does not just focus on the technicalities of language, but on what will serve her students well. She recognizes how terrifying it can be not to have the words to communicate, especially at times of great need, and she has committed herself to providing newcomers with the building blocks for self-agency.

Their colleagues all described Adler and Eidelman as forces of nature when commenting in the film compilation. While Adler focuses on the day-to-day tools for how to maneuver and adapt within the Canadian context, Eidelman, a nurse by training, is dedicated to people marginalized within society in a different way – Edmonton’s elderly and aging Jewish population. The mission of a nurse is one of compassion and care, but as her colleagues can attest, Eidelman takes empathy to a new level. For any situation that she is approached with, she is committed to finding a solution.

Eidelman recalled during her remarks to the audience that she has been honoured to be able to bring dignity back to the lives of those within the community who have been isolated by age. “We need to speak up when it is noticed that people are not coming out as often to events and gatherings,” she explained.

Along with volunteers and others on the JFS team, Eidelman coordinates the delivery of kosher Shabbos meals to people with mobility restrictions, and Pesach goodies every Passover. She recalled that one 95-year-old woman she met in a nursing home, had lived a completely kosher life, but had become vegetarian because of accessibility issues. With Eidelman’s assistance, this woman was able to go back to living a healthy and happy kosher life. “I still remember coming to visit her at Passover with Rabbi Ari, and her yelling from the bathroom: ‘Did he bring the soup?’ Well, she was disappointed that he’d only brought matzoh, but of course we made sure that she also got soup,” she said with a chorus of chuckles for attendees.

It is not just comforting meals and smiles that Eidelman brings to the community, but a lifeline in times of distress. For those suffering with mental health crises and traumatic loss, she has connected them with much needed counseling and support services, she even provides a shoulder to cry on.

It is with thanks to leaders like Jeni Adler and Rhonda Eidelman that the Jewish community of Edmonton continues to be strong, vibrant, flourishing, and resilient.  Both women have touched the lives of more people than they will ever be able to count, and they embody the best that humanity has to offer. Yasher koach and mazal tov to Jeni Adler and Rhonda Eidelman for over 20-years of building a better Edmonton!

Regan Treewater is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.