Ethan Lebowitz read from the Torah for the first time last fall at the synagogue at Baycrest – a special location that was chosen so that his zaidah (Yiddish for grandfather), Apotex resident Arthur Lebowitz, could also take part.
“It was so beautiful, and my dad said the blessing perfectly,” said Sidney Lebowitz, Ethan’s father. “It was the launch for our celebration.”
On March 13, 2016 the family gathered again, this time in Loftus Hall, to celebrate Arthur’s 84th birthday and to cheer as Ethan presented a cheque for $1,800 to Baycrest. Ethan says he decided to give a portion of his bar mitzvah gifts to Baycrest because he wants the organization to help more people like his grandfather, who has had two strokes.
Ethan’s great-grandmother was also at Baycrest for 13 years and passed away 12 years ago in Baycrest Hospital. “It’s influenced my family a lot,” Ethan says.
Baycrest Foundation Chief Development Officer Jennifer Chen and Joanne Gittens, Manager, Planned Gifts, presented a Certificate of Appreciation and a signed hockey stick to Ethan, who enjoys all kinds of sports, including baseball, basketball, hockey and lacrosse.
Sidney said he and his wife Dina are proud of Ethan, and the family is grateful to Baycrest.
“Ethan feels a connection to his zaidah and to this wonderful place that has been taking care of my father for the last few years. We think it’s a great place. We see the work they do, not just with my father, but with everybody we see and meet.”
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