On April 24 at 2:30 p.m. MST, House of Jacob Mikveh Israel (Calgary), in conjunction with Congregation Rinat Yisrael (Teaneck), will host a virtual presentation by Dr. Eliezer Segal, professor emeritus in the Department of Classics and Religion at the University of Calgary on the topic of “Gunsmoke & Gemara, Depictions of Jewish Life in Classic TV Westerns.” The talk is sponsored by the family of the late Minnie Zuckier, z”l, on the occasion of her first yahrzeit.

Minnie Lyon was born in Calgary on October 18, 1930 to Ruth and Yitzchak Lyon, immigrants from Poland who met and married in Calgary. The family operated a modest confectionery store, eventually constructing their own building on 9th Avenue Calgary (which remains standing and is eponymously known as the Lyon’s Confectionery Building).

Minnie has been described as reserved, but with a steely resolve. According to her family, she was impeccably honest, highly tolerant of others, unflinchingly patriotic and very proud to be a Canadian and an observant Jew. The western virtues of independence, self-reliance, honesty and neighborliness overlapped with the Jewish values of tzedakah, chesed, tzniut and emet, resulting in a unique personality that her family would like to highlight with this special program.

Minnie Zuckier had a love of Calgary and Western culture, a great respect and affinity for Judaism and Jewish values, and at least a small expertise in classic television shows. Professor Segal’s presentation will shed some light on Judaism and the Western frontier, at least through the eyes of Hollywood, and serve as a lighthearted reminder of a unique Calgary personality who graced the community for over 90 years.

To attend the virtual presentation on April 24 at 2:30 p.m. MST, visit zoom.us/j/4653630025.

Apply password 8372795.