Masha Zeleznikow’s Legacy Celebrated at the Tuesday Club
Jewish Care Victoria honoured the significant contributions of the late Masha Zeleznikow at a special memorial service at the ‘Tuesday Club’, a program Masha pioneered and directed for over 38 years.
Janet Francis, John Zeleznikow and, Jennifer Murray
The memorial was held recently at Kadimah Jewish Cultural Centre & National Library, Elsternwick.
Masha established the Tuesday Club in 1978, recognising the need to support the disadvantaged and socially isolated within Melbourne’s Russian and European Jewish community, including Holocaust survivors. Today, the club continues to operate as part of Jewish Care’s Healthy Ageing Program.
The commemoration included a moving tribute by Masha’s son, John Zeleznikow, and Jewish Care President Mike Debinski made a tribute on behalf of the organisation, where Masha volunteered for over 38 years.
Rabbi Reyder sang beautiful tunes in memory of Masha, including the classics ‘Mayn Yiddishe Mame’ and ‘Oseh Shalom’. Memorial prayers were also sung and candles were lit by Masha’s family members and Jewish Care CEO Bill Appleby.
John Zeleznikow reflected on Masha’s life spent with his father, Avram, and how they both contributed generously to the Jewish and wider communities.
Beryl Sandler and Bill Appleby
“To Mum and Dad, Jewish life and Jewish Care were almost all that mattered outside their family,” John said.
“Although we shall miss Masha greatly, she will be reunited with her true love – my father.”
Mike Debinski expressed how Masha dedicated her life to volunteering and advocacy, and that the Tuesday Club is a testament to her dedication to the people she cared for.
“The Tuesday Club continues to play a vital role in supporting community connectedness and inclusiveness, as today’s gathering testifies,” Mr Debinski said.
“If anyone exemplified our organisation’s values, it was Masha. We can pay her no greater honour than to ensure that her example of caring for those in need is carried on.”
