My parents, Isaac and Riva, were fortunate in leaving Poland in the 1930's, before the beginning of the Second World War and the horrors of the Holocaust. At first, they settled in Melville, Saskatchewan and engaged in the poultry processing business and in the operation of hotels. I was born in Melville and received my early secular education at Central School.

It wasn't easy being Jewish and raising a family (I had one brother and two sisters) , in a small town with a very limited Jewish population. Keeping kosher proved to be a real challenge as did sporadic anti-semitism. I particularly recall High Holiday services, and also have vivid memories of Hebrew classes after regular school where Rabbi Goldstein taught.

In 1957 we moved to Winnipeg (Inkster Blvd.), and I attended St. John's High. After high school I attended the University of Manitoba, Moorehead State College (Minnesota) and then returned to Winnipeg to study Law at the University of Manitoba. I am a practising criminal lawyer, and greatly value the respect afforded me by my peers. I have served as a Bencher of the Law Society of Manitoba, and as Chairperson of The Manitoba Adolescent Treatment Centre.

The other important dimension of my life centres around my family. I take great pride in my wife, Shaaron's volunteer organizational work, and in the manner that she has raised our two wonderful children, Tannis and Josh. As a family, we attend Rosh Pina Synagogue and I have served on its Board.

My wish is that people will think of me as a person who treated people with respect and who used humour in dealing with others. I hope they will see in our children qualities that were nourished in a home where warmth and traditional values reigned. My wish for the Jewish Community is that it continues to be close-knit but also involved in the greater Winnipeg Community.