Anna Steinberg

 Truly a "Woman of the World"

 By: Joanne Lebovits-Brodkin 

In February 2004, the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association held a special event to recognize and celebrate several women who had made a significant and noteworthy impact on the lives of immigrants.   They were acknowledged as being “especially exceptional because they have helped build a foundation and continue to increase the quality of lives for thousands of newcomers and Calgarians.” Our very own Anna Steinberg was one of the recipients of this award and we couldn’t be more proud.

Recipients of the "Woman of the World" Awards with The Hon. Joe Clark

Anna, resettlement coordinator at Jewish Family Services (CJFS) and JIAS service partner in Calgary, has, for the past 12 years, been very involved in settlement services for refugees and immigrants, through both CJFS and many other community partnerships.

In her role at CJFS, Anna sees a wide range of clients from a variety of backgrounds.   Since she, herself, was an immigrant, many of Anna’s clients feel very comfortable with her as she would know how newcomers feel. 

To many, Anna is a friend for life. Even after they have gone through the integration programs and are well on their way to establishing new, independent lives, they still attend all the Jewish holiday programs Anna sets up.  At last year’s Chanukah party, Anna welcomed 130 people who were provided with a strictly Kosher latke dinner and spectacular entertainment by a recently arrived immigrant playing the piano.  Anna’s former clients will return year after year because of the strong bond they have established with Anna and the rest of the CJFS staff. And it’s a good thing that Anna speaks five languages (Russian, Polish, Yiddish, English & French) because the crowd is very diverse at all these gatherings and she often has to switch gears quicker than on a 21-speed bike! 

Anna may be the person responsible for resettlement, but her portfolio is bursting with a myriad of other projects and responsibilities. For example, she is now working on an interesting case which involves honouring a couple, as Righteous Gentiles, who saved some Jewish lives just outside of Babi Yar during the Holocaust. This couple, too, attend many of Anna’s events as they feel comfortable and enjoy the camaraderie. 

I asked Anna what, in particular, makes her job so meaningful. Anna says that the most rewarding part of her job is her ability to improve so many lives every day. 

It is easy to see why Anna was chosen to be recognized at such an important event.   The women who were being honoured were piped into the dinner by a procession of Scottish bagpipers. One of the highlights of the evening, entitled “Women of the World Gala,” was a riveting keynote speech given by Maureen McTeer on the topic “Women, Culture and International Diversity: A Strength for Calgary and Canada.” Not to be overshadowed by his wife, the former Prime Minister, Joe Clark, had the honour of presenting awards.

Anna receiving her award from The Hon. Joe Clark

Anna was very touched when she found out that the Board at CJFS decided to buy tickets for her and her husband for the evening.   Although she was the one being honoured at the gala, Anna stresses that she is not a one-woman show. “I am so fortunate to be a member of a very dynamic and wonderful team,” she says, and she wants to make sure that they too, are given as much recognition as she. “There’s Beverley Sheckter, CJFS Executive Director; Steve Elman, Vocational Councillor; Andrea Resnik, psychologist, who came via Ottawa (originally from Argentina) and who works with the Spanish-speaking clients; Albina Shimonov, who works with the Russian-speaking seniors, all the social workers; and the rest of the team!” 

As we spoke of all her years serving the community, two things became most evident to me. One was that Anna has a very giving heart. The other is that Anna’s heart is equally touched by her day-to-day experiences with her clients.  She explained that “there are many people who come back to visit me, beyond their JIAS mandated time. They keep in touch with me and the agency, not only when they have tsuris (trouble), but also, when they are happy and have something to celebrate.”  

Just like parents who receive naches (joy) from their children, Anna receives much naches from her former clients. For example, she explained to me how many newcomers have now become leaders in the Calgary Jewish community.  Anna had organized a series of leadership weekend retreats for 60 young people, most of whom were immigrants. Some of the attendees at this forum have now become leaders in our community, at UJA (United Jewish Appeal), Hillel, or elsewhere.  

Anna tells another heartwarming story of one of her clients who is now Number 5 in Canada in Track & Field.  Anna tells me, with such warmth and emotion in her voice, that “this young man is very close to me.  He arrived from Russia 2-1/2 years ago and is hoping to compete in the next Olympics!” She proudly adds that “JIAS has supplied him with a pair of shoes.” 

Anna loves to talk about her clients’ triumphs and points out that most young people integrate and succeed very quickly in their new country. What is truly inspiring to Anna, and indeed to us all, is when an immigrant receives his/her professional degree.  “This,” Anna points out, “is real progress and really shows that they are moving on.”  Calgary’s Jewish community numbers approximately 8,000 within a larger population of one million. Anna shares that “in such a small community, I feel very fortunate because I am really able to see that progress.” 

As our conversation draws to an end, Anna, once again, refers to CJFS Executive Director, Bev Sheckter, pointing out that Bev has given her, as a resettlement coordinator, “lots of encouragement and a free hand at approaching resettlement in the way I understand it should be approached.” For this, Anna is truly thankful.  

Not all Anna’s days are filled with happy stories. There are many heart wrenching ones as well. In the end though, as Anna puts it, “if you’re not devoted 100%, then forget it.” The Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association honoured Anna Steinberg as a “Woman of the World,” but it’s plain to see that the world is fortunate to have this woman. In Proverbs they refer to this kind of woman as an Eshet Chayil - a Woman of Valour. Truly this embodies everything Anna represents. Mazel Tov Anna!!! 

Joanne Lebovits-Brodkin is a freelance writer and volunteer with JIAS Canada