ZALMAN SELCHEN

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ZALMAN SELCHEN Zalman Selchen passed away on January 3, 2000 surrounded, as he always was in his life, by his beloved wife, children, and grandchildren. Zalman was born in Winnipeg on December 27, 1924, the son of Malka and Nachman Selchen. He attended the I.L. Peretz School from junior kindergarten until graduation from its high school. He was also a graduate of St. Johns Tech. He subsequently earned a degree in chemical engineering from McGill University and a masters degree in food sciences from the University of Manitoba. In his late thirties he changed careers and earned degrees in social work and administration. He then worked for many years at the Child Guidance Clinic of Greater Winnipeg, beginning as a school social worker working with inner city children. He was the assistant director of the clinic when illness forced him to retire in 1979. The extent of the affection and respect of his co-workers was demonstrated at his funeral, where in spite of the fact that he had been retired for 21 years the Clinic was well represented. Zalman was raised in a home imbued with Jewish and socialist-humanist values. His parents were both community activists, particularly in the I.L. Peretz School and also in other Jewish and community organizations. Zalman was especially proud that his mother was one of the founders of the school in 1914 when she was only 15 years old, that she was the first woman to serve as education chair of the school, and that three Selchens served as school president (Zalman, his father Nachman, and his uncle Mark). Zalman learned the meaning of social commitment and community involvement from his parents. He was a longtime member of the board of the I.L. Peretz School and served as education chair and school president. In the broader Winnipeg Jewish community, he was chair of education of the Jewish Welfare Fund, and Western Canadian chair of education of the Canadian Jewish Congress. Zalman was the first chair of the coordinating committee for Jewish education and was a member of the inner committee which amalgamated the Jewish Welfare Fund and the Canadian Jewish Congress to found the Winnipeg Jewish Community Council. He became the Council vice president in charge of education. He had a deep dedication to the state of Israel, and made Aliyah with his family in 1959, but returned to Canada because of illness. His commitment to the larger Winnipeg community was demonstrated through his work in the areas of social welfare and education. He was vice president of the Manitoba Federation of Independent Schools. His work led him to serve on the board of the Manitoba Alcoholism Foundation. He was a board member of the United Way of Greater Winnipeg, and was chair of its Childrens Panel. Zalmans commitment to his community was exceeded only by his commitment to his family. His passion for the love of his life, his wife Rivka, never dimmed in over 53 years of marriage. Her never-ending love and care added years to his life and allowed him to survive a series of devastating illnesses. He was a devoted son and brother, and an exceptional father and grandfather. Zalman Selchen was a man with an unusual constellation of characteristics. He was an intellectual with a wonderful ability to be nonjudgmental and to accept people for what they were. He was a reserved man who had a tremendous capacity to be emotionally welcoming and open. He was a man of action, vigorously involved in his community, who was a conciliator by nature. He was a man who was not formally religious, but lived his life with the ability to experience awe. He was a man with a sharp wit, whose essence was a quiet sweetness. Zalman is survived by his wife Rivka; his children Moshe and Marla, Daniel and Sharon, Frumie and Douglas; his sister Leah and brother-in-law Jimmy; his grandchildren Michael, David, Steven, Adam, Nathaniel, Laura, Sarah, Malka, and Yale; his former daughter-in-law Sharon; brothers- and sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held on January 5, 2000 at the Chesed Shel Emes, with internment at the Hebrew Sick Cemetery, officiated by Rabbi Alan Green. Pallbearers were grandsons Michael, David, and Steven Selchen; Adam Gutkin; Nathaniel McVicar; and nephew Eli Boroditsky. Special thanks to Zalmans caregivers over the last few years, who looked after him with compassion and respect. Donations in his memory may be made to the charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 08, 2000