SARA BERKAL (GINSBERG)

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SARA BERKAL (GINSBERG) June 2, 1917 - March 1, 2009 How fortunate we were to have had our wonderful mother, Sara Berkal, with us until the blessed age of 91 years old. On March 1, 2009, after a lengthy history of strokes and seizures, she left behind her soulmate of some 70 years, Rabbi Louis Berkal who she lovingly called by his Jewish name Lapiedus . The two were inseparable! They met in 1938, when Louis Berkal took his first rabbinical posting in Grand Forks, North Dakota at B'nai Israel Synagogue. They were destined to be together and were married within a year. Sara was born on June 2nd, 1917 in Minneapolis and was raised in an Orthodox Jewish home in Grand Forks, by her parents Harry and Betty Ginsberg (Zeissman). Sara was the eldest of four and was the last of her siblings to pass - Ben Ginsberg (spouse June - still living), Mildred Kessler (David) and Rebecca Hackner (Irwin). She had a strong relationship with her sisters and brother and their spouses and built a lifetime of memories together both prior to marriage and later on as couples. Sara ensured that her children were close to their cousins south of the border and they spent wonderful vacations together. As a new bride at 22 years old, Sara stood by Louis as the Rebbitson (Rabbi's wife) of the congregation for 16 years in Grand Forks. In 1954, and after two children, Sara and Louis moved to Winnipeg where Louis took on a new position at Shaarey Zedek Synagogue as cantor and assistant rabbi. This was a much larger congregation and presented new challenges for Sara as a clergy's wife. But after having two more children, she served that congregation for 51 years, where she played a vital role in the history of that synagogue, attending thousands of bar/bat mitzvahs, weddings and condolence calls. But life was not without its challenges for Sara as she battled depression episodically. She persevered by dedicating herself to raising her children over a 33 year period with enormous love and support and by undertaking numerous home projects. She was a very wonderful mother! Sara and Louis lived these past 54 years in Winnipeg on Brock Street in River Heights - the one and only home they ever had here. Sara loved her home and was always house proud. She earned a well established reputation as an excellent cook and was known for her Friday night Sabbath feasts. Her specialty was her gefilte fish which Louis relished and ate regularly. She loved having company over and enjoyed the lifelong friendships she enjoyed with Louis' family - Abe (and Hilda) Berkal, Sammy (and Clara) Berkal, Doris (and Hymie) Margolis, Morris (and Sophie) Berkle, Bella (and Jack) Aaron and all her wonderful nephews and nieces. They all helped make Winnipeg her new home. And she treasured the love and support of all her dear friends. A talented legacy lives on in all of her water color paintings which she undertook in the last four years. The family thanks Jennifer Labella for her encouragement and kindness in teaching Sara in weekly lessons. You stuck in there - thank God! A special note of mention goes out to marvelous Marie Borges-Boldt, who extended herself as a special caregiver and friend to both Sara and Louis these past three years. Without her help they wouldn't have been able to stay in their own home for so many years. Marie treated our mother as if she was her own - always with the utmost respect and honour. We are indebted to you Marie! Other caregivers who cannot be forgotten are: Shanna, Vicki, Ingrid, Krista, Anna and Kerry. Thank you for being there for her. Sara leaves behind her only daughter, Harriet (married to Larry Sarbit) and her three special sons: Harvey (Judy), Ben (Shirley Labman) and Allen (Sandy). As well, nine grandchildren live on in her memory; Sophie and Manny; Ariel and David; Josh and Erin; and Daniel, Adina and Sherri, each leaving their own mark on Sara's life. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, March 3rd at Shaarey Zedek Synagogue with interment at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbearers were nephews and grand nephews: Brian Kessler, Bennett Hackner, Aubry Margolis, Evan Margolis, Marlon Slutchuk and Sheldon Permack. We thank Rabbi Green for his kind words. Donations in Sara's name may be made to Jewish Child and Family Services or to a charity of your choice. Mom - we will never forget you or the values you instilled in us. We will miss your spunk, humour and wit. We promise to take good care of Dad but know that we can never take your place beside him. And we will always think of you when we hear someone say that something is a machaya (wonderful). There will NEVER be another Sara Berkal.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 14, 2009