Retiring Dollard rabbi honoured for his 49 years of leadership
When Rabbi Dr. Mordecai Zeitz and wife Charlotte arrived in Dollard-des-Ormeaux as newlyweds in the dead of winter 49 years ago, there was little more than frigid winds, snow-covered fields and 20 or so Jewish families in search of a spiritual leader.
The couple was from the Bronx. Zeitz had been offered jobs in California and Dollard. He chose Dollard.
Under Zeitz’s guidance, what is now Congregation Beth Tikvah Ahavat Shalom Nusach Hoari has become the spiritual home to 800 families, one of the larger congregations in North America.
Zeitz, 74, retires at the end of June.
Three days of activities honouring his work begins Thursday with a parade, which sets out from the corner of Wilson St. and Westpark St. at 6:15 p.m. and heads to the synagogue on the corner of Roger Pilon St. and Westpark St. The parade is followed by the dedication of the new Sefer Torah in honour of the couple.
Friday, there is an evening service and Shabbat dinner. On Saturday, the new Sefer Torah will be used for the first time.
During a recent chat in his office — a comfortable room with walls lined with framed honours and degrees and bookshelves topped with personal photos of family and friends — Zeitz looked back at why he chose snow over sand.
“There were family considerations, of course. My family was in New York and I was finishing my degree at a university in New York,” Zeitz said. “But I was also struck by the warmth and tremendous vision of those young families I met — families that wanted their children to grow up with a Jewish identity. I wanted to share their vision and be part of starting something totally new.
“Over the years, I’ve had many opportunities to move on, but I’ve turned them all down. I feel a tremendous satisfaction about what the congregation has become.”
Zeitz held his first Shabbat in August 1966, in their living room, with boards laid down over the mud leading to the front door.
From the beginning, the couple encouraged all Jewish families in the commun- ity to use the congregation’s facilities, no matter their level of observance.
“Some people were critical of that,” Zeitz said. “But we wanted a place where all Jewish families could come and feel comfortable.”
Zeitz consistently championed the importance of Jewish education and watched over the building of the Hebrew Foundation School and a synagogue that could accommodate the growing congregation. It was the congregation who chose their original name, Beth Tikvah (House of Hope).
Zeitz has also been a leader to the Jewish community at large. He served as president of the Jewish Education Council of Montreal, is on the board of directors of the Canadian Institute for Jewish Research, holds a chair with the Azrieli School of Education at Yeshiva University and was awarded the Bernard Revel Memorial Award in Religion and Religious Education. He worked as the Jewish chaplain at the Montreal General Hospital and Lakeshore General Hospital and he and Charlotte have led more than two dozen missions to Israel.
In 2001, the couple was recognized by the Quebec National Assembly for their leadership and dedication to the community.
“Charlotte has been by my side every step of the way and done so much for the community in her own right,” Zeitz said. “She’s been a good sport for 50 years.”
Zeitz will be replaced by Rabbi Mark Fishman, who comes from Britain via Israel. Fishman met his wife, a native of Dollard, while in Israel.
Fishman has been working closely with Zeitz for the past three years.
After retiring, Zeitz becomes rabbi emeritus and, at least in the foreseeable future, will be staying in Dollard.
“It’s difficult to consider leaving a place where you feel so welcome,” Zeitz said.