Mourning a ‘lady’s lady’
NATIONAL Council of Jewish Women of Australia (NCJWA) stalwart Ray Ginsburg (pictured) was blessed with longevity because she had so much to achieve, NCJWA NSW president Victoria Nadel told those present at her minyan in late December.
NATIONAL Council of Jewish Women of Australia (NCJWA) stalwart Ray Ginsburg (pictured) was blessed with longevity because she had so much to achieve, NCJWA NSW president Victoria Nadel told those present at her minyan in late December.
Ginsburg passed away on December 20 at the age of 103.
During her long involvement with NCJWA she served as NSW president, national president, was appointed life governor of the organisation and received the award of Member of the Order of Australia.
Nadel said Ginsburg was a remarkable and inspirational woman. “Ray was, throughout her long life, an advocate, a campaigner, a creative fundraiser and mentor to many. In Judaism, we are taught ‘to love our neighbours as ourselves’, and when I look at Ray’s life I see it as a testimony to this commandment.
“Ray lived her life with an awareness and understanding that there are those who may not enjoy the same advantages or who face challenges that we would not wish for ourselves and tried to remedy these.”
In addition to being an inspiration to the community, Ginsburg was foremost an inspiration to her family, grandson David Kohari remembering her as a “lady’s lady” who always thought of others before herself.
“She was the glue of the family,” he told The AJN. “She was always there for us to talk to, she was always there for us to turn to when we needed somebody. She was the first one to assist us if we needed anything.”
He said Ginsburg’s enthusiasm for helping others inspired her family. Two of her grandchildren have served in the State Emergency Service and two are currently active in the New South Wales Rural Fire Service.
“She always taught to give of ourselves,” Kohari said. “She was kind, she was caring, she was loving, she was understanding. There aren’t enough good words in the English language to speak of her.”
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Vic Alhadeff also paid tribute. “Ray Ginsburg’s commitment to both Jewish and general causes, to the welfare of children and to Israel was legendary. Our thoughts are with her family and her NCJWA colleagues at this difficult time.”
GARETH NARUNSKY
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