• Awarded on: April 20, 1999

Marcia Koven, Saint John, N.B.
Governor General's Caring Canadian Award

Marcia Koven, a lifelong volunteer in her community, is best known as the founder and curator of the Saint John Jewish Historical Museum. Concerned that Saint John's Jewish community was slowly decreasing, she decided to research its history and preserve as many artifacts as possible. What began in 1986 as a small museum in the Saint John Jewish Community Centre became, under her guidance, a significant educational centre and source of valuable Jewish educational outreach programs. Mrs. Koven's years of research also resulted in the publication of Weaving the Past into the Present, a glimpse into the 130-year history of the Saint John Jewish community, and a cookbook of traditional recipes.