Israel Bonds

Edith Kimelman with her grandson Ari

By MYRON LOVE
Edith Kimelman, whom I have known for many years, exudes elegance and confidence. Beneath the surface though, this child survivor of the Holocaust – in common with most Holocaust survivors – will tell you she continues to bear the scars of the trauma that she went through. And, as with many of her fellow survivors, she came here with nothing and built a life for herself as a wife, mother, grandmother, scholar and educator.

Jewish Post & News Publisher Bernie Bellan (right) hands over a cheque for $3100 to Rady JCC Executive Director Rob Berkowits

This past November, in honour of the 100th anniversary of the YMHA having received its charter, The Jewish Post & News published a special commemorative issue marking that occasion. At the time our paper made a commitment to both the Rady JCC and any advertisers who wanted to join in saluting the YMHA/Rady JCC that we would allocate a portion of the profits made from that November Lifestyles issue to the Rady JCC. We kept our word - and handed a cheque for $3100 to Rob Berkowits on Thursday, March 5. If you haven't seen that commemorative issue, click on the box on the right side of this page that says "Click here to download the November issue of Lifestyles".

Jonas Chernick (left) & Daniel Stern in a scene from "JAMES VS. HIS FUTURE SELF"

By BERNIE BELLAN
When I was contacted recently by ex-Winnipegger Jonas Chernick, who asked me whether I’d be interested in seeing a screener for a new movie he’d produced and starred in, I immediately said “yes”.
The reason is that I’ve been writing about Jonas’s career for years now – beginning with his very successful “My Awkward Sexual Adventure” (2012), about which I’ve always been fascinated by the odd fact that a Lithuaianian version of that fim known as 'Nepatyres" (or "Inexperienced") opened to the third highest box office of all time n that country – of all places.

Limmud volunteers

By MYRON LOVE
Limmud Winnipeg celebrated its tenth anniversary on the weekend of February 29/March 1 with quite possibly its best attendance to date. Close to 400 members of our community had more than three dozen sessions to choose from, with presenters from across Canada, New York and Israel joining local speakers and facilitators in providing a smorgasbord of topics both secular and religious, cultural and culinary.
As usual, this writer indulged in a representative sampling of what was on the menu, balancing local and Israeli issues with some religious study as well as delving into Jewish history. And, while each session could make for an entire feature on its own, space considerations leave me to focus on the highlights.

IAN BARUCH (right), Youth Program Director at the Rady JCC, with actor JESSE EISENBERG at BBYO International Convention

By REBECA KUROPATWA

When Ian Baruch accepted the position of Youth Program Coordinator at the Rady JCC - in charge of BBYO, back in August 2019, he was excited to be leading a program in which he himself had been a member only a few years previously.

By BERNIE BELLAN (Posted March 21)

Do you know someone who is in desperate need of some delicious - and kosher prepared meals - at reasonable prices, that can be picked up? Then Grandma Alla by Chabad may have just what you're looking for. Read more here:

Jewish FedFollowing is a message received from Elaine Goldstine, CEO of the Winnipeg Jewish Federation re closures and changes in plans for various community organizations:

Dear Community Members,

The situation relating to COVID-19 is continually changing, with many communications being issued by companies and organizations regarding cancellations, closures and postponements.

Haredi Jews defy order not to congregate

By SAM SOKOL

March 18, 2020 BEIT SHEMESH, Israel (JTA) — “Do you want trouble?” the Hasidic man asked, leaning toward me intimidatingly.
“Are you threatening me?” I asked, turning to look at the lean man in a flat black hat and long caftan.
“No. But if you stay here, everyone will come and there will be a mess,” he replied, gesturing across the street.

Dr. Gary Slutkin

By GARY SLUTKIN

CHICAGO (JTA) — I am an infectious disease epidemiologist who worked at the World Health Organization on epidemics in over 25 countries around the world.
As a physician and member of the Jewish community, I prize the Jewish teaching that places the saving of a life above all other laws and practices. It is my expert opinion that as a result of the emergence of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, the Jewish community (along with all religious and community groups) must change what we are doing immediately: We need to suspend our usual religious services and social gatherings.

Covid 191By BERNIE BELLAN

(Posted March 13, 5:00 pm, updated March 14, 15, 16, 17) As governments, businesses, and organizations throughout the world assess just what steps are necessary to take in order to halt the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), Jewish organizations in Winnipeg have also begun to adopt new measures in reaction to the extraordinarily swift spread of the pandemic.

(l-r): Kendall Hinds, Carly Kahan, Richard Pound, Samantha Kasloff

By REBECA KUROPATWA
In early February, Fling Before the Ring, geared to newly engaged and married couples, and the community as a whole, was put on by the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg.
The event was the brainchild of the Federation’s Madeline Lopez Ficher. It was held at the Audi Dealership with 14 couples in attendance.
Of Lopez Ficher, the Federation’s engagement manager, Florencia Katz, said, “She was I think inspired a bit by the Shalom Baby Shower Event that we offer twice a year for new parents who just had babies...So, based on this concept, she came up with this idea and we started thinking of how to reach out to the young adult demographic who tend to be drawn to live stage events.

Ohad Haeber (left), CEO of Water Ways; and Ronnie Jaegermann, a director of Water Ways with extensive experience in investment banking

By BERNIE BELLAN
In January of this year I was contacted by an old friend who has specialized in bringing small companies to market. I was asked whether I was aware how many small Israeli companies have been launching Initial Public Offerings on various Canadian stock exchanges, especially the Venture Exchange of the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX-V) in recent years?
I responded that I had heard from time to time of Israeli companies coming to Canada seeking investors and that I was always interested in learning more.

Adam Buchwald

By SCOTT TAYLOR

For those speed skaters who have to compete against Adam Buchwald, it’s probably worth warning them that the 14-year-old Winnipegger has come by his speed and skill quite naturally.
After all, his sisters, Rachael and Serena, were both skaters. Serena is now on a Diving Scholarship at the University of Pittsburgh while Rachael, a science student at the University of Manitoba travelled the world with competitive dance. Meanwhile, his mom, Tracy Leipsic, was a national speed skating champion who medaled in the Canada Winter Games.

Ronna Goldberg

By MYRON LOVE

The residents of the Shaftesbury Retirement Home recently participated – along with their compatriots across Canada - in the 11th annual All Seniors Care (ASC) Seniors Games. Games organizer Ronna Goldberg reports that – in total – over 4,000 seniors – living in ASC’s 31 assisted living facilities in five Canadian provinces took part in the games that are held in the first week of February.
“Every year, we choose a different theme,” says Goldberg who is the ASC national event planner and community engagement person. “This year, the theme was tradition.”

Arab Jewish Dialogue co-chairs Howard Morry (on left), and Ab Freig

By MYRON LOVE
Fourteen years ago, Egyptian-born Winnipeg businessman Ab Freig and the late Harold Buchwald found themselves to be fellow members of the board of the Arthur V. Mauro Institute for Peace and Justice at St. Paul’s College, University of Manitoba. Freig at the time was also involved in the Peace Action Network through which he had learned of a number of dialogue groups in operation, a concept he thought might be of benefit in Winnipeg as well. He approached Buchwald and proposed that they start an Arab Jewish Dialogue group in Winnipeg – with Freig recruiting the other Arab members and Buchwald bringing in Jewish representation.

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