Monday, May 5, 2008
My grandpa Jack Borad was the “Jacob Isaac Boroditsky” mentioned in the ‘history’ section of the Boroditsky Bulletin by Andy Boroditsky, who was responding to my nephew David.
My grandpa came to Chicago from Russia, his cousins Leo and Nathan left Russia for the States also. (My grandpa’s father’s name was Bonsal). Leo, Nathan and Jack changed their name to Borad.
We always knew that most of our relatives had settled in Canada. In fact I visited some of them in Winnipeg in 1969 or 1970 when I was passing through traveling with the Ice Follies. If they read this, I’m sure they’ll remember.
My father, Martin Borad, was born in and grew up in Chicago. I have two brothers, Jon and Bruce. (David is Bruce's son.) By the time I was born, all of us were living in California, first southern California, and then my parents, brothers and I were in northern California (San Jose and the East Bay). Nathan had two girls, Diane and Louise, both from southern California. Leo had two daughters also, Judy and Michelle.
Elizabeth Borad Goode
The seed was first planted in August 1995 when Sam and Layah Borod were at the First Special Service Force annual reunion (the 49th) in St. Andrews By the Sea, NB. It was announced that the next one would be in Detroit, Michigan and the following one would be held in Winnipeg, MB. We were sure that we would go to a Winnipeg reunion but we had to make the trip more worthwhile...A BORODITSKY REUNION!!! Could we possibly gather together all the descendants of Chayim and Bluma Boroditsky - the children of Mottel, Avrom Israel, Michel, Ziameh, Getche and Rochel; their grandchildren, great grandchildren and yes - their great great grandchildren?! It was worth a try and WE DID IT!
THE ANATOMY OF A REUNIONA "feeler" was sent out on September 15, 1995 to the children of the six siblings or to the oldest grandchild of each one with a request for lists of all family members. The response was adequate and with the aid of the telephone and especially of Rivka Selchen a reasonably good list was compiled.
On October 6, 1996, after speaking with Audrey Zimmerman at the Saper Bar Mitzvah in Ottawa, a second letter was sent. This mailing went to every name we had received, one letter to a household. We gave the date and requested a response to a questionnaire which was enclosed. It was truly AMAZING. The enthusiasm was very encouraging. The list of living descendants of Chayim and Bluma totalled about 245 and were scattered all over the continent with a very large percentage living in Israel.
The groundwork was laid. Audrey and we agreed that if we had 60 positive responses by mid-February, 1997 we would proceed with our plans. The ball was now in the court of the Winnipeg Committee...and what a wonderful team it was!
On February 19th, 1997 the wheels were put into motion. Date, time, place and cost were outlined in a letter from Audrey Zimmerman, Rena Boroditsky, Tannis and Zivan Saper, Ira Udow and Rebbie Schacter. The final letter was sent out on July 4th and by that time the Committee was augmented to include Diane Boroditsky, Rivka Selchen and Ann Blatt. The program was outlined along with a list of the out-of-towners expected. WOW! Did it look great...
The week preceding the Reunion was a hectic one for those who were welcoming children, sisters, brothers - and one mystery guest!!! Moshe Selchen had put our Boroditsky Family on the Internet and the results were astounding. Misha Boroditsky is a physicist at UCLA, Ca. His parents now live in Boston but they all came from Propoisk. Many of their ancestors bear the same names as ours. not only was he discovered - HE CAME TO THE REUNION. Except for the fact that he is 6'3" and very slim, there is definitely a family resemblance.
Upon arrival each registered guest received a white covered mug with "Boroditsky Family Reunion, a bottle of Wynola and the date" inscribed in red, an enormous scroll, representing the family tree (draft edition), the program, etc. The Tree, which was prepared by Audrey, Ira and the Committee represents hours and hours of painstaking work with a great deal of help from all members of the second generation. Special credit should be given to Tova Diamond who gathered all the information for the first tree which was prepared some time ago. The "Tree Committee" will continue to work for another year in order to include the Perlman family (Ita Perlman was Chayim's sister, children of Bobbeh Soreh Reva).
SHABBAT DINNERWe were all instructed to be in the Wellington Ballroom at 6:30 p.m. sharp for family photos. In view of the fact that all meals were kosher we had only a short time to do this even though we had our own "mashgiach" (Steven Selchen was given the assignment). With well over 100 present, it was no small feat for Audrey - our official photographer - to keep order but she did it (because we are all so well behaved!). Some day these pictures will be as valuable as the one of Chayim and Bluma's 50th Wedding Anniversary - we're still trying to identify some of the guests. We'll do better this time.
Ira Udow was the Master of Ceremonies of this dinner and, in fact, was the glue which held the entire Reunion together. After his opening remarks he called on Layah Borod to respond because she had initially instigated the event and helped bring it to fruition. The Shabbat candles were lit by Tova Diamond together with her sisters and all who wanted to come forward. Sam Borod, the most senior Boroditsky present made the "moitzi" and then a beautiful meal with wine was served.
The overall reunion also provided an opportunity for the participating family units to have mini-reunions. Therefore the seating arrangements were en famille. Each table was introduced and although many bear different names now through marriage, you were pretty safe if you called someone "Boroditsky".
It was Shabbat and therefore musical instruments were not permitted but there was much singing, socializing, "getting-to-know-yous" and many proud grandparents and parents "shepping nachas". Four generations were represented (2nd to 5th).
SATURDAY MORNING SERVICEThe Summit Room on the 21st Floor of the Lombard was a lofty place to hold a service. After an intensive search for a Torah, Dr. Sam Borden produced one of his Bar Mitzvah presents - a miniature Torah - which he still cherishes. It is about a foot long but beautifully encased in red velvet with gold trim. Ira Udow and Jack Boroditsky performed masterfully as "chazzanim" and members of all families were readers and had "aliyahs" - Sam Borod read the Haftorah. The hearts of our grandparents would surely have swelled with pride.
Noam Chernick gave a very moving and inspiring talk (drosheh) about our roots. From the heights of the hotel he could point to the railroad station at which our ancestors arrived, knowing only one Propoisker who settled in Winnipeg. willing to work hard. THEY SUCCEEDED.
The room was packed and all were invited to the Hospitality Suite for what was listed on the program as a light Kiddush. In the old days the Boroditsky family has always had a great reputation for its culinary skills. Nothing has changed. The food was bountiful and delicious (would you believe that there were leftovers?), the atmosphere was charged and the conversation was lively and abundant. Our Shabbat morning was truly a great and uplifting experience.
THE PAUSE THAT REFRESHEDThe afternoon was left free for relaxing - some golfed; many followed the leader (Ira) to the Forks; the lobby of the hotel reverberated with Boroditsky chatter...etc., etc. I should mention here that we could not have wished for better weather. The sun shone down on us and warmed us throughout the reunion.
SATURDAY NIGHT GALAIt was a buffet dinner with a big variety of food. There was no prearranged seating. It was our hope that peers of various ages would mingle. This was their opportunity to create new friendships and family ties which would link them together in the future. We hope it worked.
The Havdallah Service at 9:13 p.m. was ably conducted by (Dr.) Elisheva Chernick (Forster) with Jennifer Borden holding the candle. The room was darkened but all faces shone brightly as the new week began.
The festivities really took off at this point. It was a night for nostalgia, anecdotes, FUN! Original humorous musical skits were presented by (Dr.) Richard Boroditsky and family. Belva, Hillel, their children and Len Udow kept us applauding; Ann Blatt (and others) talked about her mother, Auntie Peshke, who was instructed not to exert herself. She baked up a storm and hid the goodies under the bed. Uncle Getche threw grapes at the T.V. (with a swear word) when his wrestler lost a bout. Uncle Ziameh reprimanded friends when they served cokes instead of Wynola.
Hillel Boroditsky talked about the family's itinerary and pointed out that their destination was Galveston, Texas (because the Jewish community needed some poor Jews there in order to get Government grants). Sam Borod disputed this assertion because he had first hand information from his father. They were really destined to go to Argentina but missed the boat. This resulted in several moments of absolute levity.
Danny and Rhonda Borden sang a number of very lovely songs, one of them an original. Their three year old daughter Chelsea later performed to everyone's amazement. Hillel Diamond described how he met Tova with whom he just celebrated a 50th Wedding Anniversary and mentioned that Rivka and Zalman Selchen and Layah and Sam Borod just celebrated their 51st. Aliza and Yitzhak Gluzman will celebrate their 50th on her return to Israel. pause for a very long time. This was truly a combination of talent, enthusiasm, liveliness, enjoyment, and high spirits...a fitting end to a wonderful evening - but not before the gigantic and scrumptuous chocolate cake of many layers was served. No Boroditsky party can end without a good taste in the mouth! In the wee hours of the morning the curtain was drawn.
DOUBLE DECKER BUS TOURThe double-decker bus was red. It had a winding staircase. We felt as though it was dancing happily along the old neighbourhoods as it stopped at the homes of Bobbeh Bluma and Zeide Chayim. (Dr.) Sam Borden gave a running commentary as we passed landmarks, schools, parks, the "shvitz" first homes of the uncles and aunties, and the second generation. The bus driver did some very fancy manipulating of his vehicle and earned our applause several times.
The final houses on the itinerary were on Rupertsland and Smithfield, the veterans housing development (no phones, no sidewalks for two years, sunken lawns) where Sam and Layah and Sonny and Sork Udow lived.
Sam Borden invited others to join him with anecdotes...and we did. He set the tone and we played to it. Somewhere along the way we picked up Aviva Chernick and Moshe Selchen...and what a blessing that was! Moshe invited us to his home for a drink and...you know what. Marla is a saint! She and her crew were waiting for us with refreshing drinks.
There were stops at the Rosh Pina and Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemeteries where we paid our respects to those who are no longer with us. This was a very necessary and meaningful part of our weekend program.
We picked up our box lunches and returned to the hotel, maybe a little hot and sweaty (old Red wasn't air conditioned) but completely satisfied and happy.
IT WAS WONDERFUL - UNIQUE - A BOOK OF NEW MEMORIES - AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE FOR ALL WHO PLANNED, EXPEDITED AND SHARED IN THE BORODITSKY REUNION EXPERIENCE!
Respectfully submitted,
Layah Borod
The year was 1946. It was Yom Kippur night, Saturday, October 5th - a rainy, miserable, dismal, uninviting night, typical Fall weather for Winnipeg, they said - the time 9:00 p.m. or thereabouts.
Present were: Ann and Phil Blatt, Elsie and Dave Boroditsky, Max and Sork Saper, Shirley and Shmulek Borden, Sonny and Sorc Udow, Dinah and Harry Mindess, Louis and Rosalie Boroditsky, Gittel and Max Winkler, Aaron and Sorkeh Boroditsky, Rivka and Zalman Selchen and Sam and Layah Boroditsky.
PREAMBLE:At time of organization the status of those present is as follows:
Ann and Phil are the proud pa and ma of two cute but mischievous boys - Arahleh and Chaym'l. Phil is an expert hobby painter and Ann's his inspiration. They painted their country dining room set RED (no special reason). Their two little guys may be a handful now but their parents will sure "klibe nachas" in twenty years. They live on Bannerman Ave.
Elsie has a sense of humour in other words, she's "kidding" and Dave prays every night for a little sister for Richard. In fact, he spent all of Yom Kippur in Shul. By the second meeting we will know if God paid any attention to his appeal! They solved their housing problem by buying a cute little bungalow on Anderson and McGregor.
Max is busy riding around in an "unpretentious" Wynola truck, trying to get oil burners to give the general public the hot foot. Oil burner or no oil burner, Sork still keeps Max warm, I'll bet. They live at Uncle Ziameh's house on the riverbank.
Shmulek is busy commuting from Winnipeg to Pine Falls, where he sadistically makes everybody toothless in true Dogpatch style. Shirley makes the week speed by by knitting until Shmulek comes home to keep her busy with other things. They've certainly been around Canada! They live with Shirley's parents on Mountain.
Sorc and Sonny are proud to see their little bundle of love - Lennus - dawdle along independently. Now they are waiting to hear him spurt words of wisdom, like "dadda". I wonder if Lennus will sing like Sorc or jitterbug like Sonny! They help cheer up the Getche residence.
Dinah owns a brand new black fall coat so I guess Harry must be selling as well as travelling. We know he's travelling because he's got some collection of jokes! Their gem, Rebbie, is now a little school girl - Peretz School Kindergarten. They reside on Burrows Avenue in the neighbourhood of the Lubavitcher Shul. How convenient for everybody, i.e. for everybody who goes.
Louis came in from Brandon to "fast" with the rest of the B's. The main reason, of course, was because Rosalie was here with Audrey and Chuckie. Audrey, poor kid, isn't all there - she had her appendix removed! They invited everybody to spend Sunday, October 13th, with them in Brandon. Lucky it isn't Friday.
Gittel's face was red. Her Frankie made his debut at Shul on Yom Kippur. He quite audibly wanted to know where his mother was - and so did everyone else. Max and Gittel are proud of their latest achievement. In this houseless age they managed to rent a cottage on Manitoba Avenue.
Aaron and Sorkeh are the most respectable of the lot. The criterion: Aaron boys 1, 2 and 3 and Malka Dvorahleh, who is the spittin' image of her pappy (bald head and all). Aaron was the host of the evening but believe me there was no "host"ility - even though three bottles of liquor were consumed.
Now that Zalman has graduated as a chemical engineer he will probably make an effort to "engineer" a chemical which will make eggs and fish edible! He must have it in him if he went to a good school like McGill. Rivka would be relieved if she could just boil a couple of eggs in a pinch. They inhabit the A. I. abode.
Sammy insists that Layah's job is to keep a record of the number of hot dogs, pickles, olives and voorshts which are eaten and bottles of liquor consumed at meetings. Layah is lucky because the doctors warned Sam, because of his disk operation, not to pick up more than 100 lbs. - and which Boroditsky wants such a skinny dame! So now she knows he'll be faithful. Anyhow, once they move into Rupertsland it will be a mighty hard task to get to the corner of Portage and Main (he has no snowshoes).
And now down to serious business.
The first item on the program was the election of officers, which are as follows: PRESIDENT - Aaron; TREASURER - Dave; SECRETARY - Layah; SOCIAL COMMITTEE - Ann, Dinah and Sork Saper. All officers were unanimously elected.
NAME: Layah moved and Phil seconded the motion that the name of the club be BFC Club. After considerable discussion the name was adopted.
MEMBERSHIP: The club is to consist only of the married grandchildren of Chayim and Bluma Boroditsky, which includes the sons and daughters of Avrom Israel, Ziameh, Getche, Michel, Mottel and Rochel Perlman. All wives and husbands automatically become members of the club.
PURPOSE: It was unanimously passed that the purpose of the club be solely and strictly social and that politics be excluded from meetings due to the fact that opinions and inclinations vary. Details will be drawn up by the Executive (see Program).
REFRESHMENTS: A number of those present, mostly of the female species, were of the opinion that a set pattern be made for the serving of refreshments at meetings and that alcohol (in all its forms) be excluded from service. There was a great deal of dissension after this suggestion was made, mainly from the male members of the club. No motion was passed but the matter rests in the hands of future hosts and hostesses who will do as they think fit.
FEES: It was suggested by Sorc Udow and seconded by Harry Mindess that the fees and obligations of the members be discussed at an executive meeting and then brought for final approval before the next meeting.
SOCIAL COMMITTEE: It will be the responsibility of this committee to keep track of all birthdays and anniversaries of club members, and also to purchase any necessary gifts, as well as any other duties decided upon at the Executive meeting.
PROGRAM: It was left in the hands of the Executive to discuss in detail the programs of forthcoming meetings. This suggestion was made by Max Saper and generally accepted.
After the above items were discussed, heckled and closed, Sammy Sr. moved that the meeting be adjourned. Dave echoed his motion.
After adjournment of the meeting proper, everybody did justice to Sorkeh's refreshments. By 2:00 a.m. everybody was well packed, stocked and pleased, and all were homeward bound.
Respectfully submitted,
Layah Boroditsky
P.S. I resolved that a vote of thanks be given to Messrs. Mayer and Lazer Boroditsky for their able assistance in the culinary department of the meeting.
N.B. - 1997...BFC was the acronym for Boroditsky First Cousins but we privately referred to it as Big Fat Cousins (we all got pregnant!). Nothing has changed - we still refer everything to Executives! Liquor was served. Nobody wanted to be called cheap.