Our parents, Max and Sala Maltz and Reuven and Pessi Kirch, came to Canada from Poland. The Maltzes settled in Winnipeg where Max operated Paris Furs. Phil and his sister, Anne, grew up on Stella Avenue. The Kirch family settled in Fort William, Ontario, where Reuven operated a leather wholesale business. Miriam, and her brother, Mendy (deceased), completed their early education at Ogden School and Fort William Collegiate. Both our families provided us with a strong traditional Jewish upbringing and set examples of commitment to Israel and community.

Phil attended Aberdeen Elementary School, St. John's High and the University of Manitoba. After some time in the fur business, Phil studied accounting and the major portion of his career in this area involved serving as Manager of the Mall Medical Clinic. Phil has been a lifelong active member of the Y.M.H.A., serving as a lifeguard at one time. Menorah Masonic Lodge, Rosh Pina Synagogue (Board Member), Jewish Child & Family Services and the ReFit Centre have been the centre of his commitment and interest.

Miriam has had a long and successful career in the field of education. She graduated from Queen's University, Kingston, the University of Toronto's College of Education, and did graduate work at the University of Manitoba (Gold Medalist in B.Ed. program). She taught English at both West Kildonan and Garden City Collegiate, instructed in the Faculty of Education (Manitoba), was a member of the Provincial English Curriculum Revision Committee, and set and marked provincial English departmental exams. The last twelve years of her career were spent as principal of Ramah Hebrew School.

Phil and Miriam were married in 1958 and have one daughter, Sharon, married to Howard Jesierski. We have two grandchildren, Matthew and Ryan. Our family is rooted here, and we hope that our children and grandchildren remain involved and active participants in the religious, educational and social life of the community.