From left: Sam (in hat) and son Percy (holding chuppah pole), Torah scroll march to new Chavurat T'fillah synagogue building, 1974. My Zaida, Aaron, is holding a Torah, second from the right, with future city lawyer David Cohen holding the other chuppah pole. The man wearing the hat in the middle of the picture, behind the 2 kids, is the late Dr. Carl Pinsky.I have memories of Sam Golubchuk going back to my childhood as a member of the Talmud Torah synagogue. An orthodox congregation, there were 3 long rows of benches facing east for the men to sit.
Sam and his son Percy sat in the row on the south side of the shul; there was a short middle row behind the Bimah (prayer lecturn), and the bench my grandfather Aaron sat in - first row on the left as you entered the synagogue- that was our spot. Later around 1974 they joined my zaida as members of the then-fledgling Chavurat T'fillah on Hartford and McGregor, under Rabbi Moshe Stern. On Shabbat or High Holidays when service was over, I would always go over to to wish Sam and Percy gut shabbos or gut yomtov. The Golubchuks were kind hearted and good humoured, and always involved in the community.
I have said very little on the show about the tragedy that unfolded the last few months, as Percy and his sister Miriam refused to compromise their religeous beliefs and insisted that life support be maintained as Sam was consumed by illness. The doctors and nurses at the Grace Hospital and the officials of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority struggled with their own responsibilities and obligations as health care providers. The family was going to court to fight for their beliefs he be kept alive by any means necessary.
It behooves all of us to have a personal discussion with our families about end-of-life care and to plan for what will be asked of the doctors and nurses. The WRHA must also ensure that care be available to those who share the Golubchuk's beliefs.
Today the issue was decided not by a court or doctors, but by Hashem calling Sam to eternal rest. May his soul rest in peace.
I have said very little on the show about the tragedy that unfolded the last few months, as Percy and his sister Miriam refused to compromise their religeous beliefs and insisted that life support be maintained as Sam was consumed by illness. The doctors and nurses at the Grace Hospital and the officials of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority struggled with their own responsibilities and obligations as health care providers. The family was going to court to fight for their beliefs he be kept alive by any means necessary.
It behooves all of us to have a personal discussion with our families about end-of-life care and to plan for what will be asked of the doctors and nurses. The WRHA must also ensure that care be available to those who share the Golubchuk's beliefs.
Today the issue was decided not by a court or doctors, but by Hashem calling Sam to eternal rest. May his soul rest in peace.
