Baycrest Health Sciences will honour Edwin Goldstein – one of its most dedicated volunteers, who has an outstanding record of more than 50 years of service – at a tribute dinner on Oct. 22.
At the age of 87, Goldstein, who will be honoured at Baycrest’s Winter Garden Court, has an impressive amount of energy and determination.
He is an inspiring example of aging gracefully, while contributing to improving the quality of life of the elderly members of Toronto’s Jewish community. With a modest demeanour and reluctance to take credit for his many years of service, he wants to share the accolades with other community leaders. But he’s very proud of the success and acclaim that Baycrest has garnered, as a well-respected centre of research into aging and brain health. “Not bad for the original Jewish Old Folks Home for the Aged, located on 29 Cecil St. in 1918 in the old Kensington Market neighbourhood,” he mused.
In keeping with the Kensington Market theme, the tribute dinner is being dubbed the “Kensington Kool Dinner,” and will feature food stalls, music and an option for guests to dress casually in “Kensington Kool” style. Kashrut will be observed.
“Baycrest is extremely grateful to Edwin Goldstein for his many years of service and for spearheading initiatives that have transformed Baycrest over the past five decades,” said Dr. William Reichman, president and CEO of Baycrest.
Goldstein’s brother and sister-in-law, David and Bonnie Goldstein, who both served as campaign chairs, have been the driving force behind the tribute. The event chairs are Bonnie Goldstein and Lynda Friendly. The tribute committee contains the names of many well-known Jewish community leaders, including former Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman and Goldstein’s wife, Joyce, to whom he’s been married for 63 years.
According to David Goldstein, “Edwin has a talent and passion to attract many people to a good cause. He’s the spark that starts the engine on the journey to reach the common goal. Edwin loves people and is very good at working with them in a spirit of co-operation and harmony.”
“Without his passion and determination, the assisted living facility for seniors at 2 Neptune Dr. in Toronto, adjacent to Baycrest, would never have become a reality,” he continued. “It was also Edwin’s idea of turning his tribute dinner into a fundraiser to create better living conditions for the elderly living in the Apotex Centre. The Apotex Centre is now almost 18 years old and needs improvements to provide residents with a more home-like environment.”
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Josh Cooper, the new president and CEO of the Baycrest Foundation, said that the goal of the dinner “is to raise more than $800,000 to improve the existing space – part of a floor in the Apotex building, which is aging and in need of improvement. This will also provide residents with better dining facilities, better social meeting spaces and make it more convenient for moving around in walkers and wheelchairs. It will also create a more pleasant place for socializing with family and friends.”
He said that the organization is well on its way to meeting its goal, but that a few tickets are still available.
Dedication to service is a Goldstein family tradition. Goldstein began working with Baycrest when it had only one building located on an empty field. He has served on the board for more than 30 years, holding positions such as president and chairman of the board. He can still be found there several times a week and he still serves on several committees.
For his efforts, he has received the Shem Tov Award from the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, the Canada Volunteer Award from the government of Canada and the Toronto Volunteer Award.
For tickets, donations and more information, contact Elana Carr Horowitz at 416-785-2500 ext. 2568.
