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Sandy Vinnik

Sandy VinnikSandra “”Sandy”” Vinnik, whose vision, intellectual curiosity and compassion guided Denver’’s Jewish community for decades, passed away Sept. 2, 2015, in Englewood.

Rabbi Yaakov Chaitovsky and Cantor Joel Lichterman officiated at the Sept. 4 service at BMH-BJ. Interment followed at Mt. Nebo Cemetery. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.

Mourners in the crowded sanctuary were visibly moved because Mrs. Vinnik single-handedly had moved so many.

“”I imagine there’s not one person in this room who doesn’’t think of Sandra Vinnik as a friend,”” said Corrine Brown, who worked with Mrs. Vinnik on numerous committees and projects.

“”Not just an acquaintance, she was a person you could count on any time of the night or day; a woman who loved people and family and friends easily because she cared about who you were.

““Anyone who ever received a phone call from her will remember how it went. She’’d start out talking, stop and say, ‘’How are you?’’ And she meant it. No matter why she called she wanted to know first of all if you were OK, happy, well, and more.”

““Our Sandy was hard to keep up with, forever buzzing off to lectures, concerts and gatherings, sometimes five nights a week,”” Brown continued. “”Seemingly tireless up until the time of her surgery, she took life straight on, undaunted by much except her constant struggle with pain.””

Her feet and back plagued her. Maintaining her physical stability became a challenge. Yet she found a walking stick to her liking — a ski pole, “an ingenious tool for balance that she took wherever she went with her usual chic and aplomb,” Brown said.

Brown shared reflections by Dr. Sarah Pessin, director of DU’’s Center for Judaic Studies:

“”Sandy was a beloved friend and mentor,”” Dr. Pessin said. “”She was a true woman of valor — always learning and working to make the world better. She had a sharp mind and a kind heart.

““She was dedicated to projects and causes with the kind of passion that makes people wake up and think more carefully and someone for whom Jewish learning was so valuable.””

Dr. Jeanne Abrams, director of the Rocky Mountain Jewish Historical Society, was also quoted:

“”I worked with her for over 30 years,” Dr. Abrams said. “She was passionately committed to preserving the Jewish history of the Rocky Mountain region for posterity.””

The morning of the service, Ellen Premack, former director of the Mizel Museum, wrote Brown:

“”Sandy was the sweetest person but solid as a rock. She knew herself well and backed what she believed in. She always showed up and was a reliable museum supporter because she just wanted everything to be better.””

Mrs. Vinnik’’s sons Stephen and Jonathan and grandchildren Max, Andrew and Mara paid loving tributes to their mother and grandmother.

““She was an unbelievable woman,”” Lois London later told the IJN. “”Sandy was one of the first friends I made in Denver —— inspiring, filled with love. Whenever anyone was sick, she would bring food and comfort.

““She was not a gossip. She didn’’t hold grudges. She loved her family and her Judaism absolutely. She was an angel.””

Reva Sandra Vinnik was born July 24, 1935, in Cheyenne, Wyo., where she was raised. Her grandfather Sam Marchick helped build the city’s first synagogue in 1915.

She graduated Cheyenne High School in 1957 and briefly attended the University of Michigan.

On June 9, 1957, she married Dr. Irving Vinnik. The couple moved to Chapel Hill, NC, for one year and returned to Denver in 1959.

Dr. Vinnik passed away on Aug. 8, 1987.

Not long after his death, Mrs. Vinnik established the Center for Judaic Studies’ Dr. Irwin E. Vinnik Fellowship for Advanced Study in Israel, now in its 26th year.

DU’’s Center for Jewish Studies and Holocaust Awareness Institute, Rocky Mountain Jewish Historical Society, Mizel Museum, Sister Cities, Welcome to Colorado, Booklovers Inc. and the Denver Eclectic Series represent a sample of her communal involvements.

Mrs. Vinnik received multiple honors for her efforts, time and support, but recognition did not motivate her indefatigable energies. Improving the state of humanity was sufficient reward.

“”Every single Rosh Hashanah I could count on her to arrive at my door with a honey cake to greet the New Year,”” Brown said.

““It’’s more than fitting that she pass into the next world at this holy time on the Jewish calendar.””

Mrs. Vinnik is survived by her sons Stephen (Lisa Antweiler) and Jonathan (Lindsay Warren) Vinnik; former daughter-in-law Julie Shpall; brother Robert Waldman; and grandchildren Max, Andrew and Mara.

Contributions may be made to the Dr. Irwin E. Vinnik Fellowship for Advanced Study in Israel at DU’’s Center for Judaic Studies.

Copyright 2015 © by the Intermountain Jewish News




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