Waterloo, Ontario’s Goldman family was only moving four houses down the block, but the relocation somehow became a community event.
When Rabbi Moshe and Rivky Goldman, who direct Chabad-Lubavitch of the Waterloo Region and through its Rohr Chabad Jewish Student Centre, coordinate programs at Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo, and their two sons Mendel and Berel took up their new residence on Albert Street, three all-star football players, several fraternity brothers and their neighbors helped them pack.
Working for several hours in the rain July 14, the students joined local resident Michael Carmody to shepherd the Goldmans to their new digs in a large house nicknamed by neighbors as “The Mansion.”
Carmody, who has been living in Waterloo since long before the Goldmans’ 2008 arrival, was more than happy to help.
“We’ve had a friendly relationship since they moved in,” says his wife, Christine Carmody. “We were really happy they moved onto our street.”
When the Carmodys recently learned that the Goldmans were moving into the house just beside them – a former student residence known for its wild and disruptive parties – they were overjoyed.
“The Goldmans moving in will quite frankly save our sanity,” says Carmody. “I was absolutely thrilled [when I heard], absolutely filled with joy.”
Michael Carmody mentioned his excitement to the vice president of student affairs at Laurier University, David McMurray, resulting in his sitting down with Moshe Goldman. The two discussed a number of topics, including Jewish life on campus and the family’s impending move.
“I was very happy to hear [the Goldmans] were moving into the house,” says McMurray. “The Carmodys have lived there and seen problem situations that sometimes develop, so it was great for them to be a part of neighborhood change. We’re excited about Rabbi Goldman being here. [The students] tell me it’s a very positive and supportive environment.”
During the meeting, McMurray suggested sending over football players to help with the move. Goldman agreed and the players were eager to help out.
“We had players come over for a few hours and they really worked hard,” says Goldman, who also had brothers from the traditionally-Jewish fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi help out.
At one point, Michael Carmody knocked on the door of the Sigma Chi fraternity across the street and asked them to help.
“I haven’t seen community spirit like that in the neighborhood for so long,” says Christine Carmody. “There was a real sense of camaraderie. It was just great.”
Aside from serving as a campus rabbi in Waterloo, Moshe Goldman also serves the city’s larger Jewish community, home to between 300 and 400 families. Together, the Goldmans run holiday programs and classes, and a kosher catering service.
Says the rabbi: “We’re working on other projects like a teen program and, hopefully, a preschool.”
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