A Conversation with Paula Agulnik
With a lifetime dedicated to meaningful civic engagement and community building, Paula Agulnik shared her story and reflections with Communications Committee member Suzan Zilahi during a warm and thoughtful conversation.
1. What brought you to our congregation?
I grew up in Halifax, where my family belonged to Shaar Shalom Conservative Synagogue. My father was one of its founding members.
I moved to Ottawa as a student at Carleton University in 1968 and it was there that I met my husband, Manny. Not long after, as newlyweds, we joined Agudath Israel, which later amalgamated into KBI. We’ve been part of this community for almost six decades.
2. What do you love most about being part of this community?
I fell in love with Ottawa as soon as I arrived. It just felt right – bigger than Halifax, yet far more approachable than other big cities. Over the years, I’ve made close, lifelong friends through volunteer work and community involvement. I’ve always appreciated how naturally people of all ages volunteer side by side; it brings such vibrancy and warmth to our congregation.
We are fortunate to live in a Kehilla, a true community that offers something for every age group. The SJCC provides a wonderful gathering place for several activities. And it houses my favourite spot – our incredible library. I visit Hillel Lodge often to see family, and I’m continually moved by the dedication of the staff.
Having all of these services – spiritual, cultural, social, and supportive – within such close proximity is something unique and special about Jewish Ottawa.
3. Was there a defining moment that influenced your chosen path?
My older brother (by 14 years) wanted to show me how people in different communities lived. By the time I was growing up, there was more financial stability in my family than when he was growing up. He took me to a place called Africville in Halifax. The poverty was shocking and tragic. Between 1964 and 1970, City officials forcibly relocated the residents to a new area. I remember the garbage bags and garbage trucks. It’s just a disgusting blight on Halifax’s history. And that’s what drew me to community service.
4. What does it mean to you to have been bestowed with the Governor General’s Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012?
Oh, it was very special and certainly unexpected. To me it represents the work that we do in communities, (Paula was appointed as the Executive Director of Reach Canada in 1985, a non-profit organization). We can help others and it’s all about human rights, which includes disability rights. Reach provides services for people with disabilities and educational programming. We also had about 200 lawyers who donated their time and legal services to persons with disabilities.
Aside from my family, the work we did at Reach over those years gives me great pride and a true personal blessing. I retired ten years ago on my 30th anniversary.
5. Of all your contributions, which are you most proud of?
Raising two children, I wanted them to recognize the importance of helping others. I’m thrilled and satisfied that they, and their wives, encourage their own children to volunteer. I’m extremely gratified that my granddaughter in Toronto is in her first year of social work studies