Over these past weeks several members of Kolot Mayim have died. I want to make mention of both Caroline Hergt and Sheila Greenberg.
Caroline and her family were founding members of Kolot Mayim – her three children – Quintin, Gabby and Sheldon grew up in our kehillah. The Hergt family donated the breastplate of our Torah – something I only discovered a few years back. We may remember Martin bringing his accordion to a service, or Caroline’s ‘lettuce’ hat, or her walking with Gabby straight into the waters during taschlich last fall – we have our own memories of a woman who personified love of family and love of Judaism.
Sheila is less well-known to many members as she had physical incapacities that precluded her attendance at services. Originally from Edmonton, Sheila moved to Victoria, and shared her home here with Todd. In speaking with her daughter Natalie and Todd, I discovered Sheila read my “From the Rabbi’s Desk’ religiously as it were. (I often wonder if anyone reads my words so that was most gratifying to hear)! Sheila was a wonderfully bright, engaged and extremely well-organized woman, who looked at her life with a straightforward and direct eye. Even in hospital, as we spoke about how to best plan for that death that will come to us all, she told me “Be blunt, be honest”, with a genuine and open smile.
It has been my honour to know both women. We send our condolences to both families.
Wishing all long life, healthy life, a good life,
With deep love,
Rabbi Lynn
Caroline Hergt and Sheila Greenberg
March 16, 2025 by Rabbi Lynn Greenhough • From the Rabbi's Desk
Over these past weeks several members of Kolot Mayim have died. I want to make mention of both Caroline Hergt and Sheila Greenberg.
Caroline and her family were founding members of Kolot Mayim – her three children – Quintin, Gabby and Sheldon grew up in our kehillah. The Hergt family donated the breastplate of our Torah – something I only discovered a few years back. We may remember Martin bringing his accordion to a service, or Caroline’s ‘lettuce’ hat, or her walking with Gabby straight into the waters during taschlich last fall – we have our own memories of a woman who personified love of family and love of Judaism.
Sheila is less well-known to many members as she had physical incapacities that precluded her attendance at services. Originally from Edmonton, Sheila moved to Victoria, and shared her home here with Todd. In speaking with her daughter Natalie and Todd, I discovered Sheila read my “From the Rabbi’s Desk’ religiously as it were. (I often wonder if anyone reads my words so that was most gratifying to hear)! Sheila was a wonderfully bright, engaged and extremely well-organized woman, who looked at her life with a straightforward and direct eye. Even in hospital, as we spoke about how to best plan for that death that will come to us all, she told me “Be blunt, be honest”, with a genuine and open smile.
It has been my honour to know both women. We send our condolences to both families.
Wishing all long life, healthy life, a good life,
With deep love,
Rabbi Lynn