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April 12, 2002
Synagogue “gates” open
The Burquest Jewish community enjoys its new home.
CYNTHIA RAMSAY
SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN
There was a real feeling of excitement and a sense of accomplishment
as members and friends of the Burquest Jewish Community Association
gathered en masse Sunday to witness the ceremonial mezuzah hangings
on the doors of Sha’arei Mizrah (Gates of the East).
The opening of the building marks a big milestone in the community’s
25-year history.
“There was always a dream for us to meet in a place like this,”
emcee Mark Winston told the approximately 100 people who were there
to celebrate the occasion and to honor Bob and Reesa Devlin, who
were key to bringing the community “to this fine point.”
Winston spoke of the Devlins as “a couple who opens gates.”
They were instrumental in finding the congregation a building and
arranging all of the necessary renovations. Winston held back tears
as he commended the Devlins for “their spirit and the hard
work they put in.”
Both Winston and the Devlins thanked the many others who helped
find and prepare Burquest’s new home. A group that had to meet
in families’ basements for years now has a two-level building
with a sanctuary, a kitchen, three classrooms and an office.
Mezuzot were placed on the inside and outside of the building’s
front door, on the sanctuary door and the door to the kitchen. The
first one mounted was a mezuzah that Burquest founding members Cliff
and Sandra Unger bought years ago in Israel at a time when the community
was short on finances and high on optimism, said Winston.
Cliff Unger said the blessing for the ritual. Reesa Devlin and community
member Glen Bullard affixed the mezuzot to the doorposts.
Sha’arei Mizrah is located at 2870 Dewdney Trunk Rd. (at Mariner
Way). For service and community information, call 604-526-7235.
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