Local News
Shaarey Zedek about to embark on $14 million reconstruction of existing building
By BERNIE BELLAN Shaarey Zedek Congregation is about to embark on the first major renovation of its building since the 1970s.
We’ve reproduced renderings that were drawn up by representatives of Number TEN Architectural Group, which is the firm that has been engaged to develop plans for the soon-to-be totally renovated Shaarey Zedek building.
Where we are at now is that, after a long process of planning and consultation which began several years ago, Shaarey Zedek Congregation will now embark upon the next stage of the process, which will involve, in the first phase: asbestos remediation, repair/replacement of the roof, and HVAC replacement, followed by the renovation and modernization of the interior of the building.
In a message to congregation members, which was signed by President Gary Hyman and Executive Director Ran Ukashi, and which was a prelude to a Zoom session on Wednesday, Oct. 14, the following background information was given:
“Several years ago, Shaarey Zedek senior leadership began discussions regarding the undertaking of a capital campaign to address building-related issues including asbestos remediation, roof repair/replacement, and HVAC replacement. Given the nature of the work required, consideration was also given to renovating and modernizing the interior space as it had not seen much in the way of a refresh since its opening in 1949.
“In 2018, the leadership consulted with an architectural firm regarding the project and conducted a limited feasibility study to determine the appetite among the membership to support a capital campaign to cover the cost of the project. Number TEN Architectural Group was engaged to develop a preliminary design concept based on the feedback received from a small committee that was formed at the time. In the years that followed there would be matters and circumstances that delayed further action on the project, but the issues regarding the building did not disappear and the project remained at the forefront of the agenda.
“At its meeting on September 1 of this year, the Shaarey Zedek Board of Directors moved to proceed with the L’Dor Va Dor (From Generation to Generation) Capital Campaign to support the project and approved a budget of $14 million in this regard.”
At the meeting on Oct. 14, which was attended by some members of the congregation in person, while others joined in via Zoom, three members of Number TEN Architectural Group: Architects Dave Lalama and Brent Bellamy, along with interior designer Ivy Bricker, showed a number of artists’ renderings that gave various options for how the sanctuary and adjoining areas might look. They also showed drawings of the lower level, including a proposed coffee bar – something that elicited a number of critical reactions from congregation members.
Prior to the visual presentation by the representatives of Number TEN Architectural Group, Chair of L’Dor Va Dor committee Neil Duboff, outlined the guiding principles that lie behind the proposed reconstruction of the synagogue.
Included among those principles is the goal to “attract new opportunities and ventures for Shaarey Zedek”. While there was no specific mention of the loss of major life cycle events, including weddings and B’nai Mitzvahs, to other venues in recent years, the proposed renovations would certainly bring the Shaarey Zedek up to a much modern level when it comes to offering a venue for social occasions.
During the Number TEN presentation, the representatives of that firm made the following observations about major concerns that members have with the existing building:
• Lack of multifunctionality
• Lack of flexibility
• 85% of the space is used 15% of the time – the existing space can be used more efficiently
They then noted the following priorities:
• Creating a space that is appealing to the next generation (l’dor va dor) through the creation of a modern, comfortable, inviting interior refresh
• Providing opportunities for joint use between the event space and sanctuary
• Creating more flexibility and functionality by providing greater connection between spaces
• Creating a solarium space that takes advantage of the natural light and river access to create a welcoming opportunity space
• Improvements to the health and quality of the building through HAZMAT (Hazardous Material Abatement Program) and improvements to the mechanical, electrical, lighting and AV systems
• Integrating suspendibility into the design
During his remarks, architect Brent Bellamy referred to the longstanding place the Shaarey Zedek has had in the annals of Winnipeg architecture, saying that it is “a masterpiece of modernist architectural design”.
However, some of the most beautiful features of the sanctuary have long been hidden as a result of renovations to the building that were undertaken in the 1970s. Architect Dave Lalama explained that “some beautiful windows (in the sanctuary) are hidden by walls. We want to have them visible.”
The reason those windows became hidden, Lalama went on to note, is that the ventilation system that was installed on the roof was “so heavy – the ceiling had to be dropped” in order to be able to build up the roof to support the added weight.
Making use of existing sunlight is one of their key goals, the architects said, along with offering views of the river from inside the building.
As far as seating goes, there will be a number of options for congregation members to consider, including having armchair seats – as opposed to the current benches, also opening up the chapel area so that there is no barrier between the chapel and the main sanctuary. (During the question and answer session, however, more than a few participants voiced objections to removing the barrier between the chapel and the sanctuary, saying that the close-knit atmosphere in the chapel is what makes it so attractive.)
Following the presentation by Number TEN, two representatives of Akman Construction, Jared Akman and Marshall Weinstein, spoke about the remediation and renovation of the building which Akman will undertake. The remediation process is about to begin sometime in the spring of 2022, Akman said. (Akman Construction has been involved in the planning process for four years, according to Weinstein, who is the project manager.)
Weinstein explained that the renovation in the 1970s “covered up asbestos”. As a result, he said, “the whole ceiling has to come out”.
During the remediation process, “everyone will have to come out of the building,” Weinstein added.
The components of the remediation process will include:
• Removal of the interior ceiling and replacement of the entire roof
• Removal of tiles
• Replacement of mechanical systems. As Marshall Weinstein explained, “All piping has asbestos that will have to be removed.”
Following the remediation process, which Weinstein said will last from six to seven months, the renovation and construction process, which is expected to last another 20-22 months, will commence.
During the period of remediation and renovation the Shaarey Zedek is planning on making its temporary home in the Masonic Lounge, which is situated at Confusion Corner, Neil Duboff said.
Local News
First year medical student Tim Rozovsky founds new association for local Jewish medical students
By MYRON LOVE In the face of a concerning surge in antisemitism over the past nearly three years, I am happy to report a good news story in that regard. Tim Rozovsky, the founder of the new Jewish Medical Students’ Association of Manitoba, reports that he and his fellow Jewish students enrolled in the University of Manitoba’s Max Rady College of Medicine are not experiencing any significant issues involving antisemitism.
Hopefully, the matter of the notorious Med school Valedictorian who used his podium to attack Israel was a one-off.
“My goal in forming the Jewish Medical Students’ Association of Manitoba,” says the first year medical student, “was to create a safe, supportive environment for my fellow Jewish medical students.”
He reports that the current first year class at the school has eight Jewish students – an increase over more recent years – with maybe a dozen more in the other years.
For a new medical student, Rozovsky already has an impressive resume. He was born in Russia and grew up in Israel. After the completion of his army service in 2018, the then-22-year-old rejoined his parents, Dr. Katya and Alexander, who had moved to Winnipeg a few years before.
Prior to coming to Winnipeg, Rozovsky had completed a personal trainer program out of The Academic College at Wingate in Jerusalem. Some readers may know the young man from his work as a Master Personal Trainer at the Rady JCC.
Shortly after arriving here, he enrolled in a kinesiology program at the University of Winnipeg. He graduated with a BKin Honours in 2023 and did post graduate work at the University of Manitoba. Last fall, he received his MSc in Physiology and Pathophysiology – earning two gold medals, along with 32 awards and scholarships in the process.
Rozovsky says that it was his mother who inspired him to pursue a career in medicine. Dr. Katya Rozovsky is an associate professor at the University of Manitoba and an attending radiologist, specializing in pediatric diagnostic imaging.
(Tim also adds that his wife, Irina Gelzin, whom he married about a year ago, is training to be a nurse.)
Insofar as the Jewish Medical Students’ Association of Manitoba is concerned, Rozovky reports that the group gets together multiple times a year. One of its programs was a joint Chanukah celebration with the Jewish Physicians Association of Manitoba.
There was also a joint program with the Christian Medical and Dental Students’ Association of Manitoba.
“More recently, we have been helping prospective Jewish medical students with their applications,” he says. “Hopefully we will be able to get together over the summer with the incoming Jewish students.”
As to his own future plans, Rozovsky notes that it is too early for him to be deciding on a specialty. “My goal,” he says, “is to work hard and get good grades and become the best doctor that I can be.”
Local News
Gray Academy to Represent Manitoba at National Reach for the Top Competition
By NOAH STRAUSS Posted June 6) Gray Academy’s Reach for the Top team is headed to Moncton, New Brunswick, to represent Manitoba at the National Reach for the Top tournament.
Reach for the Top is a Canadian school league that quizzes teenagers on a variety of different topics, from science and history to pop culture. Reach started out in 1961 in Vancouver, where a local CBC station broadcasted the new show; it eventually became a national broadcast starting in 1966. Alex Trebek, who famously hosted Jeopardy!, started out by hosting Reach for the Top.
Gray Academy’s very own team, made up of Grade 7 and 8 students, will travel to Moncton, New Brunswick, to compete as Team Manitoba. By winning the provincial Reach tournament, they secured their spot in the national competition.
Faculty members at Gray Academy are very supportive of the program. The Jewish Post spoke with three different staff members at the school. Coach and high school teacher Danielle Miller says she is excited for the trip; although she will not be accompanying the team herself, shehas coached them all year.
“This year we had over 20 students come to the club to join us, they practice twice a cycle at lunch,” Miller said. Due to the large turnout this year, two teams had to be formed. At lunch practices, students split into two teams of four where each player has a buzzer. The two teams compete to see who can answer the most questions correctly.
One of the two teams did exceptionally well at various tournaments throughout the year and will be traveling to nationals as the sole team representing Manitoba.
Co-coach Micah Doerksen described Reach as a great academic competition where young minds are tested on various topics through quick,fast-paced questions.
High school guidance counselor Lindsey Leipsic said, “We have athletes, non-athletes, we have students who are really involved and students who are not as involved at school, and we have quiet leaders, and we’ve seen friendships be built in Reach.” Some of her favorite memories of Reach involve seeing students from across Winnipeg come to Gray Academy and bond with one another. Lev Chisick, who is competing at nationals, agreed, saying, “Moncton is going to strengthen our school spirit and make us a better team.”
As the junior team makes their way to Moncton, the senior team will head to provincials. Later this week, students from the senior team will travel to Virden, Manitoba, to compete at the provincial level. The team qualified after placing high enough at their most recent tournament, which took place at St. Paul’s.
Confidence is high as the school heads into these final tournaments. When Nath Goldenberg, who is also competing at nationals, was asked what he is most looking forward to, his answer was short and sweet:“Winning.”
Local News
Team Schvesters teammates Benji Harvey, Kim Gray once again among top ten fundraisers in this year’s CancerCare Manitoba Foundation Challenge for Life event
By MYRON LOVE This year’s annual CancerCare Manitoba Foundation’s Challenge for Life walk at Assiniboine Park is scheduled for Sunday, June 13 – and, once again, in terms of fundraising, Team Schvesters is sitting in second place overall – having raised just over $30,500 as of May 26 – which is $5,000 more than the team members had raised by the same time last year.
As well, team members Benji Harvey and Kim Gray are once again in the top ten among individual fundraisers. Harvey this year sits in fifth place, having raised a little over $16,000 as of May 17 – while Gray has raised just above $8,000 – putting her in seventh place.
Harvey reports that, -over the past 18, years participating in CancerCare Manitoba Foundation’s Challenge for Life, she has personally raised $180,000 for cancer research, while her team as a whole has brought in $367,000. In discussing her success as a fundraiser, Harvey says that she has made a lot of friends over the years and believes in giving back to the community.
The “Schvesters” are the Greenfeld sisters: Harvey and sisters Lesly Katz and Debra Lewis – the daughters of Lil and the late Ike Greenfeld. Two of the sisters are cancer survivors.
There is one other team member – in addition to Kim Gray. Judge Rocky Pollack first joined Team Schvesters in 2023. After a year away in 2024, he returned last year. Pollack lost his wife, Sharon, to cancer in 2014 after a multi-year struggle.
Nancy’s Nightingales has been a top 10 community fundraising team for Cancercare Manitoba and the Challenge for Life since its inception in 2008. As a team, they have walked together since 2006 when they walked 60 km in two days in the Weekend to End Breast Cancer.
Last year, the team – including Louise Raber, Joanne Katz, Rhonda Youell, Connie Botelho and Harriet Lyons – finished fifth in fundraising. So far this year, the team is again sitting in fifth place –having raised just under $12,500 (as of May 26) – a couple of thousand dollars more than last year, and just about $300 behind the fourth place team.
The Nightingales are named after a nurse who is a cancer survivor- and a friend of Louise Raber, Nancy’s Nightingales team leader.
“Our goal, as always, is to raise at least one dollar more than last year,” says Raber.
Team Jason’s Journey team leader Jason Gisser has experienced a more intimate and longer-lasting relationship with cancer than many of the other Challenge for Life participants. He was first diagnosed with cancer when he was 18. “I am a proud cancer fighter, having lived and battled a chronic cancer diagnosis for the last 23 years,” he said in an earlier interview. “I participate in the Challenge for Life not only to give back for the care and treatment which I have and continue to receive through CancerCare Manitoba, but to ensure that others do not have to endure the journey which I have endured.”
This is the ninth year that Gisser has taken up the Challenge for Life. His teammates are returnee Nora Fien, as well as friends Danial Sprintz, Wendy Martin White and Jason Roberts, also his mother, Judge Freda Steele. He has personally raised about $5,500 this year, while the team as a whole has raised just over $7,000.
“The Challenge for Life is great opportunity to raise valuable dollars for cancer research and treatment,” Gisser notes.
Readers can make donations to their preferred team by going online to CancerCarefdn.mb.ca and click on Challengeforlife.ca.
