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Ivor Kavin and his wife Denise in store

Alberta, Canada - The Calgary city’s only strictly kosher deli was kept alive for six weeks by volunteers when both its owners were ill.

“They are a group of angels,” Denise Kavin, the 58-year-old co-owner of Haifa Deli  in the city’s southwest, said of the more than 20 volunteers. “How do you thank them all?”

Her husband, Ivor Kavin, 60, underwent open-heart surgery days before Christmas. For 14 days, she alone ran the Palliser Drive store, which is open six days a week—a task that took its toll.

Denise came down with bronchial asthma and infected lungs and was forced into hospital herself. Once her husband returned home from his surgery—and with his wife still in hospital—he took on the exhausting job of running the deli alone.

Both again ended up in hospital. In the Kavins’ hour of need, the community stood by them.

“There was never any question about helping,” said Sheila Martin, an integral part of the volunteer group. “There were many selfless acts.”

After Martin found out that both Kavins had fallen ill, she phoned her synagogue, the House of Jacob-Mikveh, to recruit volunteers. With Susan Rose’s assistance, help poured in.

“They offer a wonderful service to our community,” said Linda Wolf, a full-time employee for the Hull Child and Family Services. Even though she works and attends university, Wolf said it was important to find time to help.

“I am worried about them,” she said.

Wolf was in charge of organizing the schedule for three weeks, which involved filling three shifts daily.

To qualify as a kosher deli, operators must have at least one Jewish person on the premises at all times. Kosher foods are those that conform to Jewish dietary rules.

“Working normally in the store, you think nobody appreciates anything,” Ivor said. “But then everyone rushes to help, it was totally unbelievable.”

The Kavins are Orthodox Jews and have been running the deli since September 2005.

Both Kavins returned to work in early February. They say they are amazed by the help and won’t soon forget the community’s solidarity.

“There are no words to describe it,” Ivor said.

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