News

Sandy Hyman's Endowment Book of Life story, which can be found in our online EBOL Database, paints a picture of her family’s history. Her father emigrated from Romania in 1921 and met her mother in Winnipeg a few years later. The two of them purchased and ran a local grocery store.   

Born in 1946 and raised in Elmwood, Sandy remembers clearly the diversity of the neighbourhood she grew up in, growing up in a home beside the family grocery store. 

“It was truly a mosaic,” she says. There were Metis, Indigenous, and European families, but we were one of only two Jewish families in the area. It gave me a terrific opportunity to learn about these other cultural traditions. 

Although Sandy's family grew up in the neighbourhood, only Sandy's sister attended Elmwood High School. Despite not attending herself, her family became known and loved in the area through the community. The connections and friendships formed during these years have remained significant throughout her life.

Recently, a long-time acquaintance came across Sandy's Endowment Book of Life story, noting her family's ties to Elmwood High School, and shared it on one of the school's online boards. The story resonated with many, leading to calls and emails from old friends and neighbours, who remember her family fondly now decades later.

Sandy's dedication to and interest in other cultures were initiated in her childhood and have continued throughout her life. 

She was actively involved in interfaith work, serving as the chair of the Interfaith Roundtable for over 30 years, from its inception in 1986 until the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“The Jewish Federation provided a space for these monthly meetings, which welcomed representatives from every faith,” she says. “We had open dialogues, and everything was rooted in mutual respect, even when opinions differed. I loved that inclusive environment. Everyone had a voice and the opportunity to listen and learn.”

In 2001, Sandy Hyman chose to leave a lasting legacy in our community by becoming an Endowment Book of Life signer. Doing so ensures her story of devotion to community, interfaith dialogue, and cultural understanding will inspire generations for years to come.