Zuker Family
Esther and Philip Zuker were proud members of the Jewish community of Niagara Falls Canada.
Esther came to Canada as a teenager from Zaklikov Poland. After an initial stop in New York she came to live with her sister who had previously immigrated to Toronto.
Philip also came to Canada as a teenager from Poland. He was from Opole-Lubelski, also the poorer Eastern region of Poland. He came to live with his eldest brother, the only other sibling to escape, in Toronto.
Esther worked in the garment industry and became an expert furrier. Philip delivered milk with his brother by horse and buggy for a while, but then took a job in the garment industry and became an outstanding coat maker.
Esther and Philip met at a sports club in downtown Toronto, got to know each other, fell in love, and decided to build a life together. After working in the garment industry in Toronto they decided to open up a business of their own.
With the encouragement and support of Esther’s siblings in Welland and Niagara Falls, they created Zuker’s Furs and Ladies Wear, a small store on Queen Street, focussing on high-quality women’s dresses and coats as well as fur coats, jackets and shawls. They sold new, specially selected items for their clients, provided alterations for dresses, coats and furs, and had a large active fur storage business. The work was difficult, but they were determined to make their business successful and they did.
The Jewish community of Niagara Falls was very supportive of one another. Made up mostly of small businesspeople, they helped each other through difficult times be with moral support, financial assistance or business advice.
Together with the Steins, the Zukers also created a substantial rental property business with five locations throughout the city.
They were staunch supporters of the synagogue and the Jewish community. Their children went to Hebrew school, attended Shabbat and High Holiday services and with the help of the congregation, had a firm Jewish background and foundation. Philip was active in B’Nai Brith and in the congregational Activities and Esther was active in the Sisterhood.
When Philip became president of the B’Nai Jacob Synagogue, it was in need of significant renovations. Under his leadership, the sanctuary was renovated and modernized. Importantly stained glass windows were created and beautifully placed in the sanctuary, not only rejuvenating it but also revitalizing worship in the shul.
The Hebrew school also needed updating and enlarging. There was a large banquet hall in the ground floor that also required rejuvenation. Philip was proud to preside over these renovations and particularly proud of the stained glass windows that dominate the sanctuary. Details can be found in the commemorative book that celebrates these renovations and his presidency.
Esther and Philip Zuker had a wonderful life together in Niagara Falls, supported by their friends, their relatives and the Jewish community.. There was an almost weekly get together of some sort, where birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, Bar Mitzvahs were celebrated together. Particular note where the Zhong and gin rummy games which often went late into the night. The camaraderie and support was infectious and led to a fulfilling lifetime of joy together.
Philip and Esther worked together as a team, enjoyed life together as a team and were inseparable. They remain together at the Niagara Falls Lundy’s Lane cemetery, in the Jewish section. They rest there together in peace as they lived together in harmony.
