Gert Solnik Rogers z”l
It is with profound sadness that we advise our members and friends of the death of Gert Solnik Rogers z”l on Tuesday, 21 April 2026, in Toronto.
Gert had been a member of JGS Toronto since almost the very beginning, joining in November 1987. She served on the executive committee for many years, including chairing the cemetery project from 1989 through 1992, serving as secretary-treasurer and vice president from 1994 through 1997, and as president from 1998 through June 2001. Following the conclusion of her term as president, Gert served as conference chair for the 22nd Annual International Conference on Jewish Genealogy, hosted by JGS Toronto in August 2002. Thereafter, she continued to serve the society and remained active in the cemetery project.
Neil Richler recalls being welcomed by Gert at a JGS Toronto beginner’s workshop in April 1992, when he was a teenaged genealogy novice. “In our genealogy research we may uncover long lost family, but as part of the genealogy society, I and many others gained a wonderful friend in Gert,” Neil says.
A question from Gert in fall 2025 led to uncovering the mystery behind one of her family photos and culminated in Neil collaborating on an article in the December 2025 Shem Tov. Neil says “I’m so glad we were able to complete this together one last time.”
David Price said that Gert was his inspiration to learn Cyrillic. He says “I will miss her as I am sure many members of JGS Toronto will, too. I remember when she was president. She was so practical and a role model for me.”
A graveside funeral service will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, 24 April 2026 in the United Jewish People’s Order section of Bathurst Lawn Memorial Park with shiva following immediately thereafter; see the Benjamin’s Park Memorial Chapel website for more details.
We extend our condolences to Gert’s family, friends, and genealogical colleagues. May her memory always be for a blessing.
A selection of photos of Gert from the JGS Toronto archives appears below. Additional photos can be found at https://photos.app.goo.gl/xRTK4xcSmh3ExvQq8
We invite you to share recollections of Gert in the comments below.
Donations to JGS Toronto in Gert’s memory will be gratefully acknowledged to her family.
2 Comments
Like my Mother, Selma, Gert was a member from the early years of the society.
In 1991, when my Dad passed, Gert and Dr. Rolf Lederer paid a Shiva call.That was a kind respect to my Mother.I don’t forget gestures like that. When i joined the society, Gert asked “How’s your Mother?” everytime she saw me. That touched me deeply.
Gert was a lovely lady. My deepest condolences to her family.May her memory be for a blessing.
Sincerely
Deborah Sacrob
I am deeply sorry to learn of Gert’s passing. She was a pillar of the society in her service on the executive for many years, as president and in her other roles, as well as being always interested in what others were doing in their genealogy research. I spent a lovely day with her in Warsaw at the 2018 conference when we visited the Jewish Historical Institute together.
My deepest condolences to her family.
Sincerely,
Toba Ajzenstat