Richard Wenner and Gail Dodek Wenner became members of Congregation Schara Tzedeck when they were married in 1979. They were still in University attending Law School and Medical School respectively. When they were expecting their first child, they purchased a home within walking distance to the synagogue and soon became active in synagogue events.

But the story does not begin with Richard and Gail. When Gail’s paternal grandparents, Max and Susie Dodek, moved from Winnipeg to Vancouver in 1934, they became members of the Peretz Centre and Schara Tzedeck. Morton Dodek, Gail’s father, had his Bar Mitzvah at the Schara Tzedeck on Heatley Street in East Vancouver. And Max Dodek’s brother and sister in law, Mandel and Fanny Dodek, were long Kme members of Congregation Schara Tzedeck. Gail’s Uncle Arthur Dodek married Judy Wosk at the “new” Schara Tzedeck on Oak Street in 1966.

Richard was lucky to have been involved with NCSY in his teenage years (1970-1974) and was significantly impacted by Rabbi Pinky Bach. It was Rabbi Bach who deeply affected Richard’s cohort and to this day, most of them lead a Modern Orthodox lifestyle.

Over the past 44 years Gail and Richard have had the honour of meeting a variety of clergy serving Schara Tzedeck: Rabbi Marvin Hier, Rabbi Pinky Bach, Cantor Price, Rabbi Zaichyk, Rabbi Mordechai Feuerstein, Rabbi Avi Baumol, Cantor Orzech, and now, Rabbi Andy Rosenblatt.

Our 3 children celebrated their Bar Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvah at Schara Tzedeck. Congregaton Schara Tzedeck was a second home to our children. They have always felt welcome and comfortable in Shul. We’ve had 3 grandsons and one granddaughter celebrate their birth at Schara Tzedeck.

Richard was on the Board of Directors for many years, serving as the Youth Committee Chair, and Legal Advisor. Gail contributed to the Shul by designing and creating the Parochet (curtain) for the main Bimah in 2004.

As we watch Congregation Schara Tzedeck grow and change through the years, we are proud to be a part of this Kehilla. We are grateful for all of the clergy and lay members who have made Congregation Schara Tzedeck the Shul that it is today and we thank Rabbi Rosenblatt for carrying the torch of his predecessors. Kol HaKavod to you, Rabbi Rosenblatt, for 20 years of commitment to our community!