Gennady (Gershon) Slabodnik
IT Analyst, North York
Where is your family from, and how long have you live in Ontario?
My parents and I are from Belarus. I have lived in Toronto since April
1989.
Why did you choose to live in North York?
This area was chosen because it is the center of the Russian community.
What do you do in your free time? Do you have any hobbies?
Some of my free time I spend in front of the computer, and my main
hobby is chess.
If you were given the opportunity to meet anyone, alive or dead, who would you choose, and why?
I would choose to meet with the Lubavitcher Rebbe. From 1973 to 1976 I studied in the yeshiva in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York. In 1974 I received a dollar from the hands of theRebbe (as a blessing), which I have kept carefully until today.
When did you begin participating in JRCC programs?
By happy coincidence, in the spring of 2007 in our condo, 175
Hilda, the JRCC opened a new location. The initiator was Alexander
Yusfin, who every Saturday went from floor to floor and persistently
invited men to participate in the Shabbat services.
Due to various circumstances of life, I drifted away from Judaism,
but the opening a JRCC location at Hilda, right in my own building,
was a sign for me to come back. I very much enjoy participating in
JRCC programs, and I actively take part in many.
What are your future plans?
To continue developing our small, but very friendly, synagogue at
175 Hilda (Steeles & Hilda). I would like invite everybody. Come in
and join us every Saturday morning at 10am.
