A Conversation with Janice Pleet
A former manager at Canada Post, Janice now brings her data-mining and editing expertise and leadership to her new role as Secretary on KBI’s Board of Directors. Recently, Kate McGregor, Chair of the Communications Committee, spoke with her.
1. What brought you to our congregation?
Agudath Israel was always “our” shul. When I married my late husband Howard Spungin, Rabbi Fine performed the ceremony. Agudath Israel became our shul, and our son, Jonah, had his Bar Mitzvah here.
2. What do you love most about being part of this community?
KBI feels like family. When you walk down the hallway, people smile and say hello and ask how you’re doing. If they haven’t seen you for a while, people check in to ask if everything is okay.
Many congregants know that our son Jonah is an opera singer living in Europe. When we meet, after “How are things?”, the next questions are often “How is Jonah?”, “What is he up to?”, and “When is his next Canadian concert?”
3. Where did you grow up?
My mom Nancy, was born in the Bronx, but I was born in Ottawa like my dad, Larry. Growing up, we lived on Edgecliffe. My younger brothers, Brian and Evan, and I attended Hillel Academy and Junior Congregation on Shabbat. I attended Nepean High School, and Hebrew Afternoon High School. I studied at Queen’s University, graduating with an Honours BA in Urban Economic Geography. During our first year of marriage, Howard and I lived in Montreal; but we moved back to Ottawa a year later.
4. What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?
A few things that sometimes surprise even me – I played ladies’ baseball in the 70’s. More importantly, in 1977, two friends and I started the Ottawa Israeli Folk Dance group which is still going strong 48 years later. I adopted two Brussels Griffon dogs that make me laugh every day. I refer to them as my “retired sex trade workers” because they are purebreds who were used for breeding and were then retired. I started baking challahs for the attendees at KBI’s Kabbalat Shabbat services on October 13th, 2023, as my personal commitment to be “more Jewish”, a weekly pledge I maintained until all the hostages were released. And finally, I fill my “need-to-feed” by volunteering my kitchen talents to KBI events. Sheila Osterer and I have cooked and baked for the Yom Kippur Break-Fast events, the AJA50+ Shabbat kiddush, the Yiddish event, and a recent speaker reception. And now, watch for our delicious baked goods this Purim.
5. If you could have dinner with any Jewish figure (past or present), who would it be and why?
I would choose Golda Meir because she was a strong, stubborn, brave, perceptive and independent woman. If I could ask her anything, it would be how she managed to lead Israel with such confidence, even when her decisions were not always popular.
6. What is your favourite album?
True Love by the Reggae band Toots and the Maytals. It’s an album the band recorded with guest artists like Willie Nelson. It’s a party on a CD. It’s happy music that makes me want to move.
7. What is your favourite word?
Independent.