On a beautiful sunny day atop Mount Scopus in Jerusalem, at the heart of the Hebrew University Campus, overlooking the old city of Jerusalem, the late Lola Roadburg‘s name was engraved on the Wall of Benefactors. The poignant ceremony brought together relatives and friends of Lola Roadburg, as well as esteemed Hebrew University executives, including President Prof. Asher Cohen, Chancellor Prof. Menahem Ben Sasson, Vice President for External Affairs Yossi Gal, and Dean of the Medical School Prof. Dina Ben Yehuda. During the ceremony, David Bogdonov shared with the audience the inspiring story of Lola’s life.
Lola Hershberg was born in Winnipeg around 1924 to a modest immigrant family. She was one of seven siblings, with three brothers and three sisters. Despite the challenges posed by the Great Depression, Lola found solace in the support of her extended family within Winnipeg’s Jewish community. During this time, Winnipeg served as the “Gateway to the West” and the Canadian railhead.
In 1950, following a significant flood, Lola moved from Winnipeg to stay with her mother’s brother, Joe Ludman, in Calgary, as well as with family friends in Vancouver. It was in Vancouver that she would meet Al Roadburg, a Vancouver native born in 1913. Al had served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II and went on to establish Richmond Steel Recycling. Over time, his company grew into one of the largest recycling enterprises on the west coast, operating the biggest automobile shredder in British Columbia. Al’s work extended beyond automobiles to include recycling pulp mills, mines, ships, and locomotives. In the 1950s, he embarked on a venture to build multipurpose warehouses, office buildings, and rental apartments, ultimately creating Broadway Properties Ltd.
Al and Lola were married and had three children in Vancouver. After Al passed away in his 90s, Lola maintained their property management company, which formed the foundation for her own estate. The Roadburg family has been an active member of the Vancouver Jewish community and a successful business family. Through their estates, they have established a legacy that benefits the city and the community they called home for many years. More recently, they expanded their support to medical research at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Lola passed away on October 1, 2011, leaving behind a legacy of generosity and community impact.
