By BERNIE BELLAN Gustavo Zentner has played many roles since arriving in Winnipeg from his native Argentina in the late 1990s.
In a May 2022 article written for The Jewish Post & News by Myron Love, Love wrote this about Zentner, who had just become President of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg at the time:
“The new president of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg – who originally hails from the city of Corrientes in northeastern Argentina – notes that his great-grandfather, among the earliest Jewish immigrants to the country, was one of the founding members of the organized Jewish community and its cemetery – and his mother was the first (and thus far still the only) female to lead the community.
‘My earliest memories are of my mother always chairing meetings of the Federation,’ he recalls.
Thus, it is no surprise that Zentner threw himself into volunteering with the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg very soon after he arrived in our community – among the wave of Jews from Argentina who immigrated here 20–25 years ago.
‘I was delighted to come to Winnipeg,’ the new Federation president said. ‘I found a warm and welcoming community and was happy to contribute in any way I could.’ Zentner added, ‘This is a wonderful community, and I believe that everyone counts. Every person has a story to tell and something to contribute. Let’s make sure everyone is part of the conversation.’
As a board member, Zentner has, over the past 15 years, chaired first the Human Resources Committee, followed by the Community Planning and Allocations Committee, and most recently served as Treasurer, chairing the Finance and Audit Committees. He has volunteered with many other organizations; no doubt that experience will serve him well as he builds bridges throughout the community.
In his business career, Zentner was the president of InterPOC, an international business consultancy, and Honorary Consul of Brazil in Manitoba. Zentner places a lot of emphasis on consultation and planning.”
It was during his term as President of the Federation, in the immediate aftermath of the October 7, 2023 Hamas massacre, that Zentner played a pivotal role in rallying not only members of the Jewish community, but also members of the broader Winnipeg community, in support of Israel. Zentner headed a Manitoba government secretariat dealing with economic diplomacy and worked with many organizations developing trade and investment relations.
That year, Zentner chaired three major rallies: the first at the Asper Campus in October, when more than 2,000 individuals gathered on the campus lawn; a second at the Manitoba Legislature; and a third in the Rady JCC gym, held in memory of the late Vivian Silver.
Each time, Zentner struck just the right chord, demonstrating eloquence and a sincere passion for Israel and the Jewish community. In 2024, he developed strong lines of communication with various levels of government to raise awareness about the surge in antisemitism that followed the October 7 attack. He was especially successful in forming a strong bond with then–Winnipeg Police Service Chief Danny Smyth, along with other WPS members, to respond to and, where possible, prevent antisemitic incidents in the city.
Thus, it was no surprise that shortly after completing his term as Federation President, Zentner assumed a new role as Vice-President for Manitoba and Saskatchewan for the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA).
On September 25, Zentner spoke at the Remis Forum Luncheon, where he outlined his role with CIJA.
Zentner began by describing his firsthand experience with terrorism as a young Argentine Jew during the 1990s:
“I was there when there were two terrorist attacks – on March 17, 1992, and July 18, 1994. That forged my Jewish identity and my commitment to becoming more visible in terms of leadership in the Jewish community, while building a business or working for others or government. I understood that antisemitism shouldn’t define me; instead, it highlighted a path for my involvement in open society, celebrating the contributions of those who came before me – our leaders who built community and led countries.”
While much of his talk focused on the need for Winnipeg Jews to support Israel and engage younger generations, Zentner also explained CIJA’s mission and his particular role within the organization.
“Our main business is Canadian Jewish advocacy,” he said. “CIJA is the advocacy agent of Jewish federations across the country.”
The head office of CIJA is located in Toronto. Zentner noted that the organization’s President and CEO, Noah Shack, made his first official visit to Winnipeg shortly after assuming his new role.
“We met with Premier Kinew, Mayor Gillingham, MP Ben Carr, and with community organizations, funders, and allies,” Zentner said.
In addition to Winnipeg, CIJA has staff in Montreal, Ottawa, and Vancouver.
“Our core objective today is to combat antisemitism across Canada,” Zentner stated.
In addition, CIJA consults with other Jewish advocacy organizations worldwide in a group known as the “J7,” modeled after the G7 economic alliance.
“Canada’s is one of the seven largest Jewish communities in the world,” he explained. “Our counterparts include Argentina, Australia, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. When the Prime Minister of Australia or Great Britain is considering a policy, we engage in discussion with our counterparts so we can anticipate and respond—not only to support another Jewish community abroad, but also to understand the implications for Canada.”
Zentner also noted that CIJA represents Holocaust survivors in Canada through the Claims Conference.
When it comes to combating antisemitism, he emphasized, it cannot be left to one organization alone.
“In Canada, antisemitism has to be confronted by society at large, not exclusively by the Jewish community,” he said. “Working closely with the Jewish Federation, other organizations, volunteer groups, and individuals is the only way forward.”
“The ideal scenario is one where we identify advocacy channels, messaging, and issues, and support organizations and individuals to advance our cause—protecting Jewish life and ensuring that Jews have access to all aspects of society, free from intimidation, harassment, or hostility.”
We are placing a strong emphasis on community partnerships and recently celebrated a meaningful example through the Asper Community Shabbat program. The Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre and CIJA co-hosted a special Shabbat gathering with members of Indigenous communities, including First Nations Elders, representatives from the Manitoba Métis Federation, the Inuit community, and the Southern Chiefs’ Organization.
As CIJA’s representative, Zentner described his approach to working with governments, the Winnipeg Police Service, and other law enforcement agencies:
“As the advocacy agency for the federation system, we support Jewish organizations and individuals when they need advocacy or policy change. Our work includes engaging with the City of Winnipeg and the Province of Manitoba, driving accountability and action when our community is attacked or discriminated against.”
He added that he has been direct in telling officials, particularly the police, to take concrete action against antisemitism.
“To do that, we consult and engage with law enforcement on an ongoing basis,” he said. “When it comes to defending Jewish members of the community, we look to law enforcement to do that for us. At the same time, the community can play an important role through volunteers and professional programs through the Jewish Security Network.”
Zentner clarified that asking governments to protect Jewish Canadians is not a special plea for the community:
“We’re not telling civil society to defend the Jews,” he said. “We’re saying: defend Canadian citizens, Canadian values, and minority groups under attack.”
A second objective, Zentner explained, is revitalizing partnerships with Israel so that governments can maintain “positive, healthy relationships” with the Jewish state.
“In my role, I’m responsible for ensuring that we have viable, credible, open lines of meaningful engagement with all levels of government. That is not easy. We hope that the U.S.-led peace plan will open opportunities to reimagine and strengthen Canada–Israel friendship and collaboration. A recent example was the official visit of H.E. Iddo Moed to Saskatchewan, advancing economic diplomacy, collaboration, and market diversification opportunities for both countries.”
A third component of his work, he said, is “community mobilization”—educating and activating members of the Jewish community.
“This is where I spend a lot of time speaking with members of our community—those born here and those who immigrated from elsewhere, like me. There is a large South American Jewish community that began with the Federation’s Grow Winnipeg initiative 25 years ago, as well as significant Hebrew-speaking folks from Israel and Russia. These communities bring valuable lived experience in facing antisemitism and security challenges. Working with them and mobilizing their networks gives us greater access to the broader community.”
Zentner also highlighted CIJA’s ongoing advocacy efforts:
“We advocate for Jewish life, protecting synagogues, community centres, and schools, and influencing policy,” he said, citing the federal government’s recent passage of Bill C-9, which strengthens laws against hate crimes.
Zentner also addressed the federal government’s recent decision to recognize a Palestinian state, pointing to their communication with the PMO:
“Recognition cannot come without clear conditions for Palestinian statehood,” he said. “We have been communicating with Prime Minister Carney since he first signalled that intent in July, to ensure it was not a unilateral, pre-emptive gift to Hamas. CIJA advocates not only for Israel or the Jewish community, but for upholding Canadian values.”
Another aspect of CIJA’s work, Zentner added, is providing antisemitism training and Holocaust education.
“We support organizations qualified to deliver training for all levels of government and civil society. Currently, we are working with the provincial government, the Civil Service Commission, and others to increase training opportunities and accountability, ensuring anti-racism policies are in place and enforced.”
During the Q&A, Zentner discussed CIJA’s consultations with police during Folklorama, when regular pro-Palestinian protests occurred outside the Asper Campus.
“We reached an understanding to ensure that, whether through permits or other mechanisms, such protests would not take place immediately outside the campus in the future,” he said, adding that the Winnipeg Police Service has committed to a stronger presence and more effective action next year.
To advance these advocacy projects, he emphasized, CIJA works collaboratively with the Jewish Federation, Asper Campus, Rady JCC, and community representatives who share their perspectives with police leadership.
At the close of his remarks, Zentner returned to his personal story, recalling that his family left Argentina following two terrorist attacks against Jews in 1992 and 1994.
“We must not go into a dark space,” he said. “That’s my role every day—and it’s a difficult role. But I won’t let that define who I am or how we define our community.”
He noted that collective advocacy has already produced tangible results, such as the provincial government’s appointment of a hate crimes prosecutor, commitments to hate training across public institutions, and increased financial support for Jewish organizations in Winnipeg resulting from a first time ever pre-budget consultation held with the province earlier in the year. CIJA has also worked with the City of Winnipeg on measures to protect Jewish institutions from hostile demonstrations and to ensure that publicly funded cultural organizations do not engage in antisemitic programming.
“Our community is not alone,” Zentner concluded. “We have countless allies who actively support our right to exist—here at home and in Israel. The Jewish community has played a significant role in building this country and contributing to all aspects of life. We need to continue engaging allies to stand visibly and vocally with us today.
I believe we all have a role to play in improving Jewish life in Canada and supporting the relationship between our community, Canada, and Israel. There is truly no work I could imagine more meaningful or impactful than serving our community, advancing our advocacy, strengthening government relations, and expanding our partnerships.
We are resilient, strong, and proud of our Jewish identity, and our relationship with Israel, as the homeland of the Jewish nation.”

By BERNIE BELLAN It was a gorgeous Friday afternoon, October 3, when Lori Binder, Gray Academy Head of School (also Board of Jewish Education CEO) welcomed about 40 individuals to the opening of a brand new play structure on the Asper Campus – situated exactly where the old play structure (which had opened in 1997 with the opening of the campus) had been.
Most of the individuals who were there that day had played a role helping to see the new play structure built – either as donors, or as members of organizations that had participated in the planning and construction of the new play structure.

As Binder explained, “We wanted to call this the Friendship Garden. We wanted it to have a Hebrew name. ‘Reut’ – play, is the language of friendship and it’s also the language of learning. And so today for the very first time, as our kids were watching the structure be built – and that too was also an amazing learning tool, they began to learn to use the structure.”

Why was there a need for a new playground, some might wonder – when the old one was only 28 years old?

Binder cited several reasons for wanting a new play structure: “A lot of injuries were happening because there was pea gravel, and the pea gravel was surrounded by a border of wood. And if you did not have the ability to step over or walk through the pea gravel, you could potentially have an injury.”
She added that “pea gravel is only used in 3% of playgrounds today because you might skid and need a bandaid or have a cut.”

“But we also recognized that with the broken structure and the inability for all children in our community to play we wanted to begin to envision a new structure,” Binder added.

The actual project took shape in a relatively short period of time. Design and construction was handled by a company known as Playgrounds R Us. President of the company, Matt Lacroix, noted that “typically a playground of not even this size” would take much longer to plan and build.
“We typically work with schools probably three to five years, sometimes two. So, from start to finish, for us to start a year and a half ago to now is pretty phenomenal,” Lacroix observed.

There are many new innovations included in Gan Reut, including the resilient rubber foundation, the handicap accessible play structures (that can even accommodate children in wheelchairs) and, on an unexpectedly hot October day – something that proved to be most welcome: shade everywhere you went.

Getting the project done required cooperation among Gray Academy, the Rady JCC, and the Asper Campus. When Binder first approached the Jewish Foundation for funding assistance, however, she said that initially, “we got denied.” However, rather than that being an impediment to moving forward, Binder said “it turned out to be a blessing.”

The reason, she explained, is the Jewish Foundation “plays such an integral role in matching us with potential donors, helping us bring something to light or getting something started.”
In the case of the playground project, it was the Rich family, led by Gavin Rich, who stepped up as lead donors. There were many other donors as well. (You can see all the donors’ names in the accompanying photo.) Also, the Jewish Foundation did come through with a grant – for the rubber foundation.

Binder spoke of the important role that play serves in children’s development: “Diane Ackerman states that play is the brain’s favourite way of learning. And if you go into the daycare or into any of our early childhood classrooms, you will see that they learn through play. Dr. Stewart Brown notes that nothing lights up a child’s brain-like play. And I bet some of you will want to also play because even at as adults, we like to play.”

The blue and white colour of the playground was also a deliberate choice, Binder noted. “Blue and white,” she suggested, was “very purposely chosen to match the colour of the Israeli flag and give us a reminder every day of coming to this amazing Jewish community campus.”

When it came to planning what would go into the playground, Binder thanked Rob Berkowits from the Rady JCC and Curtis Martin from the Asper Jewish Community Campus, “who were along for the journey…We also have many of our educators, an occupational therapist, early childhood specialists, elementary specialists, student life coordinators, all coming together with all of the different ideas.”

“I have to say it is overwhelming,” Binder added. “I’ve not really been involved in such a renovation project; it’s hard to make decisions. You can have a million different kinds of playgrounds.”

Not only will the playground, however, serve as a major enhancement to be enjoyed by students at Gray Academy and the Rady JCC daycare during weekdays, it will be open to everyone in the community 24/7, Binder noted.

Following Binder’s remarks, attendees heard from Rob Berkowits, CEO of the Rady JCC, who acknowledged the key role Binder had played in bringing the project to fruition: “I want to extend a heartfelt thanks to Lori Binder, Head of School at Gray Academy, for unwavering leadership in bringing this vision to life.”

Finally, Jill Winograd, who was representing the Asper Jewish Community Campus, offered remarks: “Spaces like this are more than slides or swings. They’re about belonging, imagination, and giving kids a safe place to grow together. So this project wasn’t about starting fresh, but renewal, taking something well used.

“So what makes this playground matter isn’t just the newer equipment or the safer surfaces, but the thoughtfulness behind it. Accessible roots, quiet corners. And spaces that welcome kids, parents and grandparents together. It’s built for inclusion and community. And I think grandparents is such a key word here because it’s really so lovely to see from our sponsors how many are in memory of grandparents and how special that time is at the playground for them.”

And, with that – and a ceremonial ribbon cutting by Gavin Rich and Marni Slonim, Grade 2 students from Gray Academy descended upon the structure – many with parents in tow, to demonstrate all the many features of the beautiful new playground.

By MYRON LOVE Lori Binder, Gray Academy’s Head of School and CEO of the Winnipeg Board of Jewish Education, is happy to report that this year’s enrolment stands at 517 – the highest back-to-school number since 2013-2014.  “We have had to add a second Junior Kindergarten class and, for the second consecutive year, a third kindergarten class,” she says.
Gray Academy students speak of feeling safe and being able to connect with their roots.  As Binder points out, many of the students have parents and even grandparents who attended Gray Academy or its founding high school, Joseph Wolinsky Collegiate. In addition, 25% of the staff are Gray Academy alumni. 
 
The school also plays an integral role in helping families moving to Winnipeg from Israel, Argentina, Brazil and other countries to adapt to their new homes.  Over the past two years, the EAL (English as an additional language) program has expanded significantly to accommodate growing needs.
Gray Academy is one of the only JK-12 Jewish day schools in Canada. The school remains committed to academic excellence, along with programming that builds community and connection. Gray Academy was the first Jewish day school in Canada to receive accreditation from Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS), a community of independent schools that meet and exceed rigorous national standards that inspire excellence and ongoing school improvement.
 
New this year, Binder notes, is the just-built AJCC Gan Re’ut (Friendship Garden), a fully accessible playground that children of all ages and abilities can use and enjoy. A new rubber foundation and accessible equipment make the new playground safer and more accessible for everyone.
She further reports that the four-year-old Gray Academy-Tough Duck Community Ice Rink, located on Danzker Field, has been enhanced with an asphalt base so that the facility can be used year-round for a wider variety of activities.
The school has also expanded its after-school music programs this year. In addition to traditional band and drumline programs, students can also take part in jazz, rock and vocal ensembles.
 
Binder notes that parents and grandparents of children are welcome to engage with the school.  “Last year we launched a new “Grandpals” program for grandparents,” she says.  “We offer several different ways for grandparents or any special seniors in students’ lives to engage with the school while being able to see their grandchildren.”
 
And did I mention that, over the years, Gray Academy’s outstanding debating program has been placing very well in national and international competitions?
In terms of tefillah and spirituality, Binder reports that the school is building on past informal connections with local clergy to allow more student interaction with our community’s rabbis and cantors.  Throughout the year, clergy from various congregations will be coming in to the school in a more formal way.
 
A very important part of Gray Academy’s mission is fostering a love of Israel.  Over the years, quite a few Gray Academy graduates have made Aliyah.
 
An important part of Israel education has been the nearly 30-year-long Jewish Federation of Winnipeg P2G (Partnership 2Gether) student and teacher exchange programs linking Gray Academy high school students with their counterparts at Danciger High School in the northern Israeli community of Kiryat Shmona and Nachshonei Hachula Elementary School in Yesod Hamala in the Hula Valley. For many years, Gray Academy would send groups of six to eight Grade 10 and 11 students to visit Danciger. Likewise, Danciger would send students to visit Gray Academy. 
In fact, a group of Danciger students and faculty happened to be in Winnipeg on October 7, 2023. When the group was forced unexpectedly to extend their stay in Winnipeg until flights to Israel could resume, Danciger students and staff participated in our community’s subsequent show of support for our brothers and sisters in Israel.
 
While the program has been paused since then, Binder reports that she was in Israel in July and visited both schools.  “With many Israelis having been able to return to their homes in the north after nearly 18 months of displacement, we are hoping to restart the exchange programs in the spring,” she says. 
 
Binder adds that two young Israelis volunteering with Shaarey Zedek Congregation in something called the “ShinShinim program” (which is a year of service in the Diaspora prior to serving in the IDF) have recently arrived in Winnipeg and will be paying weekly visits to the school. The Jewish Agency for Israel’s ShinShinim program sends Israeli Grade 12 graduates to Jewish communities in the diaspora to enhance the teaching of Hebrew and love for Israel. 
 
To commemorate October 7, the school – for the third year in a row – will be holding “Havdallah for Hope,”  a memorial program for high school students, followed by Havdalah for the entire student body and community guests.
Binder points out that the school has a strong focus on affordability.  “It is very important to us that no child is turned away because a family can’t afford to pay,” she says.
 
She notes that Manitoba is one of only a few Canadian provinces that fund independent schools such as Gray Academy, with the school receiving approximately 50% of comparable public school funding per student.  Binder adds that the school offers a robust Bursary Assistance program, strongly supported by funding from the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg’s Combined Jewish Appeal. “Over 60% of our families receive some level of bursary support,” she reports.  “We work with every family to ensure that no child is ever turned away because of inability to cover the full parental contribution.”
 
Just weeks into the new school year, Gray Academy is already looking ahead to enrolment for next September. 
 
For more information about what Gray Academy has to offer and application dates, phone 204 477-7425 or email admissions@grayacademy.ca.