The family that keeps on giving
A Melbourne family activates a generational change in a long history of charitable donations…
Rabbi Meir Shlomo Kluwgant accepting the donated Mishna books from Susan Zimmerman and husband Les.
For many years, while leading successful retail businesses, Laser Slutzkin and his brother Sholom, were known as true advocates for the needs of our community. Immigrants from Czarist Russia, they created numerous work places for community members and newcomers, offered a helping hand to those in need, made generous contributions to synagogues and lived their lives with a genuine spirit of giving.
Following the philanthropic beliefs of her grandfather Sholom and great uncle Laser, Susan Zimmerman, and her mother Alys Slutzkin, continue the generational chain of supporting our community.
Recently, Susan and Alys donated two beautiful Mishnah sets to St Kilda Hebrew Congregation, Montefiore Homes Community Residence and Gary Smorgon House, in memory of Susan’s grandfather Sholom and father, Robert Eliot Slutzkin.
Rabbi Meir Shlomo Kluwgant, Jewish Care’s General Manager of Cultural and Spiritual Services, was thrilled to welcome the new set of holy books into the Montefiore Shul. This synagogue is located in the Slutzkin Wing, named after Sholom Slutzkin, past President and Board Member of the Montefiore Homes, who was responsible for its first complete renovation in 1945.
“These Mishnayot will certainly be used in our weekly shiurim (lectures) touching the hearts and souls of our elderly in such a meaningful way,” said Rabbi Kluwgant.
“The donated Mishnah edition, Derech Hanesher, is very close to my heart, as it encapsulates the commentaries of my great uncle Laser, who was a renowned Torah scholar and a prominent community leader,” said Susan Zimmerman. “During the mourning year following my father’s death, I found comfort in learning Mishnah, infused with my great uncle’s words of wisdom.”
Jewish Care Victoria extends its heartfelt appreciation to the Zimmerman and Slutzkin family for their kind donation enriching the spiritual wellbeing of our seniors and adding to the heimish feel of our residences.
