Fran Klodawsky and Aron Spector

“There is a real effort to be welcoming and inclusive. It’s precious and something we shouldn’t take for granted.”

Helping Temple Israel thrive for the next generation

Fran Klodawsky and Aron Spector joined Temple Israel in the early 1980s, after they moved to Ottawa from Kingston, Ontario.

They were leaning towards Reform when they arrived, says Aron. “We were part of a small Reform chavurah in Kingston, Congregation Iyr Ha’Melech, and it was very participatory. We had to do a lot.”

“Because we’d been introduced to Reform in Kingston, that felt more comfortable than any of the alternatives,” says Fran. “When we arrived in Ottawa, I asked around a bit. I remember a conversation with Margaret Delicate, and what she described sounded good. On that basis, we came to Temple and were immediately welcomed by Irving Singer.”

At Temple Israel, the family often went to Friday night dinner services and their children went through the religious school. Noah Spector graduated and attended Camp George, the Reform summer camp. They particularly appreciate “the warm feeling of community and the social justice orientation of Temple.”

Fran and Aron are among the Temple members who have signed a Letter of Intent for Temple’s Life & Legacy program.

The couple decided to support Life & Legacy because “Temple Israel is a very important part of our lives in Ottawa,” says Fran.

“It’s an important community for us, and we’ve taken advantage of many different opportunities to become involved – choir, Torah study, adult education, social action. It makes sense to contribute to Temple’s long term viability, with the hope that our kids will also stay connected.

“Temple Israel is really a very special congregation and community. There is a real effort to be welcoming and inclusive. It’s precious and something we shouldn’t take for granted.”