At home with business

TRUDE HUEBNER

Historically, Jewish women were expected to be strong and competent in the home, the home-based business and, sometimes, the community marketplace. All that changed in the second half of the 20th century, when it was considered repressive for any woman to work in the home. Today though, many women are rediscovering the wisdom of halachah (Jewish law) and the benefits that come with being a work-from-home mom.

The small sign in the tidy front yard of the blue duplex announces Vancouver Jewish Family Childcare, but come in through the back lane and colorful children's toys fill up the yard, while the trill of young children speaking fluent Hebrew welcomes you to a child's world filled with the joy of discovery and a love of learning. For years, Tova Sandbrand worked alongside her husband, Mordechai, running the thriving family sporting goods store Joe's Cycle, in Saskatoon. Tova Sandbrand worked the sales floor, selling bikes in the summer and skates in the winter. When daughter Yiska arrived, Sandbrand felt the pull to be at home, to personally teach the values of Judaism and offer all of the mom comforts to her child.

Israeli-born, and educated in Montreal, Sandbrand laughed as she recalled her entry into child care. "My job came to me and knocked on my door," she explained. The mother of my daughter's friend got a wonderful job offer. Our children played together, and she asked me to look after her three-year-old son while she was at work." The youngster "arrived with his toy cars and was my little companion all day." Welcoming more children into her home came easily.

The Sandbrand family made a decision to relocate to Vancouver so Yiska could have a Jewish education. The school year began at Vancouver Hebrew Academy and, again, opportunity knocked at Sandbrand's door. Her daughter's teacher needed care for her infant daughter, so each morning, Yiska would be dropped off at her Grade 1 class and her teacher would trade off her baby to Sandbrand; at the end of the school day, the reverse exchange would happen.

Now a fully licensed and fully insured child-care service, Vancouver Jewish Family Childcare is a warm and friendly immersion into Jewish culture and traditions. Shabbat is celebrated with songs and the baking of challah. The bright kitchen is kosher, and Jewish culture and holidays are celebrated with songs and stories. On a shelf in the china cabinet sits a shofar, handmade by her husband. The children live in a secular world remarked Sandbrand, so it is important to teach about Jewish identity.

Each day brings a new activity. The children often explore the wonders of the natural plant world at VanDusen Gardens, located a block away. A few-minute walk along Oak Street is the Isaac Waldman Jewish Public Library, at the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver, where the tiny pupils cuddle into the children's corner to listen to stories and check out the new books.

Sandbrand is a mother who wanted to be at home with her daughter. Now, she offers a second home to youngsters, filling their days with Israeli dancing, songs and laughter.

Travel south to Marine Drive and there's the home studio of fashion designer Nurit Perla. The Perla family moved to Vancouver from Israel in 2003, with two young children and two suitcases of belongings. The family had a good life in Givat Adda, said Perla, but felt stressed living in a country with war and wanted to give the children a safe place to grow up. She and her husband rented a little flat in Kitsilano and started a new life. After one year, her husband found a job as a clinical counsellor.

"My first year in Vancouver, I felt overwhelmed," said Perla. "Vancouver fashion seemed to be all jeans and casual clothes." But Perla was designing and sewing her own clothes. When people started asking her where she made her purchases, she began to consider doing fashion design here: she owned a clothing shop with her sisters in Israel, and had turned out some collections that sold well.

Hearing about a house for sale, Perla knew at once that it would work for her and the family, once the garage was converted into a studio.

Perla was concerned about the children not being fluent in English and wanted to be at home with them in a new country. The move to a house with a home studio has allowed her to flourish and to be at home when her children need her.

Talia Designs, named for her daughter, are chic and unique and are drawing customers from throughout Vancouver. Client Elaine Klein spoke with delight as she displayed the pieces purchased from Perla.

"I enjoy wearing the clothing, as I always get lots of compliments from my colleagues," said the English-language teacher. "And I am comfortable all day."

Perla has been invited to design fashions for the upcoming 60th anniversary of Israel celebration this Sept. 14 in Stanley Park.

Trude Huebner is a Vancouver freelance writer.

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