Local News
BB Camp: A Legacy of Wilderness, Community, and Jewish Connection
Introduction: Readers of this website may have read stories some months back about the huge controversy in which BB Camp on Town Island in Lake of the Woods had found itself. You can read a number of different stories on this website simply by searching for BB Camp.
Those stories give a great deal of detail about what happened, beginning with a story posted on April 10 titled “BB Camp finds itself embroiled in controversy over camp co-director Jacob Brodovsky.”
Subsequently, we reported that the BB Camp board of directors had given a full vote of confidence to Brodovsky, only to find itself just a few days later ordered by the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg to reverse that decision and fire Brodovsky. (The Jewish Federation has consistently ignored requests from us to offer an explanation why it demanded the firing of Brodovsky.)
On April 27, however, we reported that the board of BB Camp had just appointed two new co-directors: Aliza Millo and Sarah Gould. You can read that story at “Well, that didn’t take long.” (We should note, however, as we did in that story posted on April 27, that Millo’s and Gould’s titles were “co-director,” not “co-executive director,” which were the titles held by their predecessors, Brodovsky and Lexie Yurman (who also happen to be married to each other). Although Jacob Brodovsky had been fired as camp co-executive director, Lexie Yurman happened to be on maternity leave at the time of Jacob’s firing. Whether she will be allowed to return as executive director next summer has not been announced by the board.
Recently, writer Jon van der Veen went out to BB Camp to see for himself how the camp had done this summer and to talk to both Millo and Gould.
Here is Jon’s report:
Nestled on Town Island in Lake of the Woods, BB Camp has been a cherished summer haven for generations of campers, counselors, and families. This year, BB welcomed back two dedicated staff members, Sarah Gould and Aliza Millo, to run the camp; their deep ties to the camp highlight its enduring magic and evolving traditions. In a heartfelt conversation, they shared their reasons for returning, the camp’s unique wilderness focus, and its vibrant Jewish programming that continues to foster community and growth.
A Homecoming Rooted in History:
Sarah’s connection to BB Camp spans decades. Starting as an eight-year-old camper, she progressed through the ranks to become a counselor, then to teaching canoeing and leading the camp’s renowned four-week AC (Advanced Camp) canoe trip. After years away—working at another camp, earning a graduate degree in anthropology, and raising a daughter—she returned this summer. “I’ve always been part of BB Camp,” Sarah said. “It held a special place in my heart, and when we heard there was an opportunity to come back, it just seemed like the right thing to do.”
Aliza, too, has deep roots at BB Camp. A former camper who completed the AC canoe trip, she later served as a counselor before moving to Toronto. Even during her time away, she stayed engaged through volunteer work and the camp’s alumni committee. “It feels like home,” Aliza shared. “It’s like a place where all Jewish people can come and feel completely safe and secure, like they belong.” Her personal milestone of meeting her husband at camp and marrying on the island underscores the lifelong bonds formed here.
The Wilderness Heart of BB Camp:
At the core of BB Camp’s identity is its wilderness program, a tradition that remains as strong today as it was decades ago. The pinnacle is the AC program, a four-week canoe trip where campers, aged 15, venture into the wilderness, covering up to 20 miles a day with multiple portages.
This year, five AC trips took approximately 50 campers into the remote reaches of Lake of the Woods, equipped with spot devices and satellite phones for safety—an update from Sarah’s era as a tripper when groups were entirely cut off from civilization.
The wilderness program starts young, with even the youngest campers, aged 11 to 12, embarking on overnight trips around the island’s conservation-protected campsites. As they grow, their adventures extend farther, culminating in the intensive AC trip. “The more skills they have, the more confident they feel,” Sarah noted, highlighting activities like knot-tying, fire-building, and canoeing that empower campers to embrace the outdoors. This skill-based learning is being revitalized this summer, with plans to bring back canoeing awards and wooden beads for achievements like sleeping under the stars—a tradition that resonates deeply with alumni.
A Vibrant Jewish Identity:
BB Camp’s commitment to Jewish culture is equally robust, thanks to the efforts of the “J-Crew,” a group of staff who have spearheaded a revival of Judaic programming. Aliza explained their grassroots initiative is inteded to amplify Jewish identity- something she says, was in already in motion before she and Sarah returned as camp directors.
A standout event is Israel Day, a camp-wide celebration that transforms the island into a vibrant tribute to Israeli culture. This year, campers “climbed Masada” at the ropes course, relaxed at a “Dead Sea spa” with oatmeal and cucumber slices, and enjoyed a “Tel Aviv beach party” with kayaking and canoe races. Falafel and Bissli snacks added authentic flavor, while decorations like Israeli flags and red thread bracelets created an immersive experience. “One kid said, ‘Israel Day is heaven,’” Aliza said – a testament to the program’s success. Aliza noted that the staff set up Israel Day at night, so that when the campers woke up it was a big surprise to see the camp transformed!
Beyond Israel Day, the camp weaves Jewish values into daily life, using Hebrew words like “chadar” for the dining hall. Shabbat programming offers flexibility, with counselors designing activities like book clubs or arts and crafts, ensuring every camper finds their place. “It’s about being intentional,” Aliza said, noting the camp’s efforts to foster a shared Jewish language and sense of belonging.
Aliza also informed me that BB camp had two Israeli staff members this year. Although not a new phenomenon, their continued incorporation into camp life provides a valuable cross-cultural exchange and helps enhance the Jewish identity.
Continuity and Change
Despite the passage of time, much of BB Camp feels unchanged. The swim docks, the energy of kids running down camp trails, and the closing tradition of the “burning B’s”—a raft with the camp’s initials set alight on the final night—evoke nostalgia for Sarah and Aliza. “The energy hasn’t changed,” Aliza said, reflecting on the familiar giggles and excitement that define camp life. Yet, modern touches like printed emails from parents and safety devices for wilderness trips reflect thoughtful evolution. However, BB Camp isn’t in a rush to adopt all the trappings of modern life, wary of ruining the wilderness experience. “We want them to experience the wilderness without distractions,” Sarah explained, emphasizing that the camp’s no-phone policy offers kids a rare chance to disconnect from a technology dominated world.
The camp’s generational continuity is striking. Sarah noted, saying that she would see the children of former counselors and campers, with families from Toronto, Vancouver, and beyond sending their kids to experience BB Camp’s magic. Kids like to find the names of their parents and other relatives on the canoe trip paddles – dating back to 1968, that line the dining hall walls. “There’s a real generational continuity here,” she said. “It’s a place that’s special in people’s hearts.”
This generational continuity is something Sarah experienced first-hand this summer, as she brought along her young daughter when she took the job at camp. “ She loves it,” Sarah remarked. “We live in Toronto now, but I wanted her to be part of the BB camp family.”
A Place of Growth and Connection:
With 117 campers and 28 leaders-in-training this session, BB Camp buzzes with activity. From the competitive Maccabi Games to canoe trips, the schedule is packed yet purposeful, with a balance between the arts and the outdoors.
The camp’s small cabins, ranging from seven to twelve campers, ensure personalized attention, with counselors, while staff-in-training fosters a supportive environment.
For Sarah and Aliza, BB Camp is more than a summer getaway—it’s a transformative space where kids grow through challenges, whether conquering a ropes course, paddling a canoe, or simply sleeping away from home. “Kids find their thing here,” Sarah said. “From that challenge comes growth.” The camp’s pristine wilderness – free from the distractions of modern life, amplifies this impact, offering a rare opportunity for decompression and self-discovery.
As Sarah and Aliza walked through the camp, pointing out the tripper track—a relic from the island’s days as a 1950s army base—and sharing stories of their own camp days, their passion was palpable. “There’s nowhere else like Lake of the Woods,” Sarah said, reflecting on the solitude and beauty of the AC trips. “It’s a true wilderness experience.”
After a successful grassroots campaign to save Towne Island from development in 2021, BB Camp now partners with the Nature Conservancy of Canada as stewards of Towne Island. Protecting and caring for the environment, its pristine forests and wildlife, is a key value instilled in camp life.
A Community United:
This year, BB Camp has seen an outpouring of support from the broader camp community, including partnerships with other Jewish camps like Camp Massad. “There’s no need for rivalry,” Aliza said, noting the collaborative spirit that strengthens Winnipeg’s Jewish camping scene. With only about 14,000 Jews in the city, the existence of two such nearby camps is a remarkable asset.
As each summer comes and goes, BB Camp remains a beacon of tradition, growth, and community. For Sarah, Aliza, and countless others, it’s a place where memories are made, skills are honed, and Jewish identity is celebrated—a true home away from home on the picturesque shores of Town Island.
Local News
UNVEILING for the headstone of Dr. Velimir Kon (Sept. 18, 1950-June 27, 2025)
A true mensch and person of many talents and profoundness, Dr. Velimir (Shlomo) Kon is deeply missed and loved by his family and friends.
Known for his warmth, kindness, integrity and love of learning and teaching, Velimir continues to inspire all who knew him and his memory warms our hearts and souls. Velimir is deeply missed.
You are invited to helps us remember and honour our beloved husband and father who passed away almost a year ago.
We, Branka, Deborah and Lea Kon, wish to inform our relatives and friends of the unveiling of a headstone dedicated to his loving memory on FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2026 at 11:00am at the HEBREW SICK CEMETERY (2605 McPhillips Street) followed by lunch at the Chabad Lubavitch of Winnipeg – Jewish Learning Centre (1845 Mathers Avenue). Please come say a l’chaim in his honour.
In Memoriam
1st Yahrzeit
In loving memory of Dr. Velimir (Shlomo) Kon who passed away June 27, 2025, 12 Days in Tammuz.
⁃ Forever and deeply loved and missed by his wife of over 50 years, Branka, and daughters Deborah and Lea Kon. Velimir brought joy to our lives with his boundless kindness and gentleness, irrepressible humour, great intellect and love of people, tikun olam and Judaism.
Not a day goes by that we do not mention Velimir and feel his presence with us. Our lives are not the same without him and we deeply miss and cherish him. We can never forget his presence that was larger than life, yet also his humility and thoughtfulness.
A gentleman to the very core, Velimir was respected as a scientist, academic, professor, researcher, and later as a teacher and mentor. He always endeavoured to make every place he worked and lived at better and was able to bridge many cultures. He was Abraham of his generation and made many personal sacrifices; giving up status, position and privilege in order for his family to have a better and peaceful future.
May his memory always be a blessing. He left us at only 74 years young and we wish we had had more time together. Indeed, to know him was to love him.
Local News
Younger Jewish talents continue to shine in their respective categories at annual Winnipeg Music Festival
By MYRON LOVE A number of younger members of our community were repeat stars at the most recent (108th annual) Winnipeg Music Festival – which takes place annually in March. Among the repeat Jewish singers and musicians in the ranks of high achievers this year were” Yale Rayburn-Vander Hout, Gregory Hyman, Alex Schaeffer, Juliet Eskin, Noah Kravetsky, and Lyla Chisick.
Vocalist Yale Rayburn-Vander Hout, the oldest of this year’s group of Jewish repeat winners, was competing in his fifth straight festival, where he continued to build on his accomplishments in previous festivals. This year, the 20-year-old son of Samantha and Peter finished first in two musical theatre categories – songs from musical theatre productions between 1965 and 1999, and shows from the past 26 years. Yale sang “I’m Allergic to Cats,” from the 2016 musical “The Theory of Relativity,” and “Suppertime,” from the 1967 musical, “You’re a Good man, Charlie Brown.”
The former Gray Academy student is currently enrolled at the University of Manitoba’s Desautels Faculty of Music in the Choral program. Yale says that he is hoping to get into the performance track in the fall with the goal of earning a degree in Classical Voice Performance en route to pursuing a career in musical theatre.
As reported previously, Gregory Hyman is a multi-faceted artist who can do it all. The 18-year-old son of Hartley and Rishona Hyman is a singer/songwriter/musician (guitar) who records and performs under the stage name, GMH. His versatility shone through once again in his eighth Music Festival, in which he registered first-place finishes for vocal performances in both “Popular and Contemporary Music” and “TV and Movie Music “categories.
Gregory notes that he was also recommended to compete in the provincial finals in June. The St. John’s-Ravenscourt student (and soon-to be) graduate continues to be busy on stage. In January, he headlined a sold out solo show at Sidestage on Osborne featuring some of his new material. In March, he released an album of his newest songs. Readers can check out his latest compositions on any of the music streaming platforms as well as his own social media (thegmh) on Instagram.
Gregory also continues to host his own podcast: “Talk and Rock with GMH – now in its fifth season – in which he interviews various people in the music business across Canada.
While Gregory says that a musical career is his “dream,” he reports that he is hedging his bets and considering different potential career opportunities. Come September, he will be enrolled at the University of Manitoba in a University One program, which will allow him to select from a variety of courses that can count toward a degree.
Sixteen-year-old Alex Schaeffer won first place this year in the “Musicals Prior to 1965, 16 Years and Under” category with “Try Me” from “She Loves Me,” and was runner-up in the “Musicals 1965 to 1999, 16 Years and Under” category with “On My Own,” from “Les Misérables.” For the son of Marc Schaeffer and Kae Sasaki, this was his fifth year competing in the festival.
The Grant Park High School student made his big stage debut three years ago as Kurt von Trapp in “The Sound of Music,” followed by playing Michael Hobbs in “Elf the Musical” this past winter at the Royal MTC.
Alex recently performed in Grant Park High School’s production of “Something Rotten!” This summer Schaeffer can be seen again at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival, where he will be appearing in a production staged by Rem Lezar Theatre.
Rounding out the voice winners is Lyla Chisick. The daughter of Daniel and Baillee was competing in her second music festival. This year, she scored Gold performances in the “Vocal Solo,” “Manitoba Composers,” and “TV/Movie Musical, 12 and under” categories.
Lyla reports that she began taking voice lessons from Jessica Kos-Whicher three years ago. She says she regularly takes part in the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue Family Service and has sung at several community events. Lyla adds that she is already looking forward to next year’s music festival.
Nate Kravetsky and Juliet Eskin competed in the festival as musicians rather than singers. Juliet, 16, plays the viola, and is also is the violist in the Assiniboine String Quartet. In this, her fifth go-round at the festival, Juliet, the daughter of the musically talented Kelly Robinon and Josh Eskin, had first place finishes in the “Viola Solo, level 8,” “Baroque or Classical Concerto,” and “Romantic Composers” categories.
Juliet originally took up the violin – adding the viola a couple of years after. She also just finished performing in the Grant Park High School production of “Something Rotten!”
Nate Kravetsky is currently in Grade 5 level piano. He studies with Erica Schultz and has been taking lessons from her since age 5.
Nate competed in three categories at the Winnipeg music festival: “Baroque,” “Sonata,” and “Contemporary/own choice.”
His own choice selection was the theme from his favourite video game, “Hollow Knight.”
Nate, who is in Grade 7 at Gray Academy, is also preoccupied preparing for his upcoming bar mitzvah.
We look forward to the continued musical success off Yale, Gregory, Alex, Nate, Juliet and Lyla, and what new talent may be unveiled at next year’s Winnipeg Music festival.
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Local News
Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada’s Archivist and Curator Stan Carbone retires
By MYRON LOVE Stan Carbone, a long-time friend of our Jewish community and fixture at the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada (JHCWC) for the past 25 years, retired last week. His last day of work was May 13.
Most recently, he was the JHCWC’s Director of Programs and Exhibits.
“For the past 25 years, the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada has been an integral part of my life,” Carbone said. “I have made a lot of friends in the Jewish community, and I hope to maintain those friendships.”
Carbone’s own history reflects the immigrant experience. He arrived in Canada in 1960 as a three-year-old with his mother and sister, from San Giovanni in Fiore, Calabria in southern Italy. His father had come a few months earlier. Initially, the family settled in Fort Rouge which, at that time, had a substantial Italian community. Within a couple of years, they had relocated to East Kildonan to be closer to where his father’s two sisters and their families lived.
He earned a BA Double Honours in History and Political Studies at the University of Winnipeg, followed by an MA in History at the University of Manitoba, from where he graduated in 1981.
In 1993, he was hired at the Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature (as it was then called) as Curator of Multicultural Studies.
“I always enjoyed doing research,” he said.
His first project for the JHCWC came in 2000, the year after the organization was formed through the amalgamation of the Jewish Historical Society, the Ed and Marion Vickar Jewish Museum of Western Canada and the Freeman Family Foundation Holocaust Education Centre.
Marim Zipursky had approached the Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature looking for a curator to organize a JHCWC exhibit featuring Jewish music and musicians in Winnipeg,” Carbone recalled. “I didn’t know much about Jewish music and musicians, but I was familiar with the Jewish Historical Society – which preceded the JHCWC. I was really impressed by its extensive archives, and I was intrigued by the Jewish community’s history and the wide range of subject materials in the archives.”
The next year, when a position opened at the JHCWC, Carbone applied.
“I have been here ever since,” he said.
Over the past quarter century, Carbone has been involved in bringing to fruition several interesting exhibits. He mentions the synagogues display, a history of the YMHA, and the current exhibit highlighting the important role of women’s organizations. The exhibit that was closest to his heart though was “A Stitch in Time,” a look at how Jews contributed to the development of the garment trade in Winnipeg. Both of his parents worked in the garment industry.
The exhibits though are just one facet of the JHCWC’s focus, Carbone noted. He mentioned how the organization contributed to the publication of Allan Levine’s “Coming of Age: A History of the Jewish People of Manitoba.”
There have also been several compilations over the years of talks that the JHCWC has organized. These are known as the “Jewish Life and Times,” consisting to date of ten volumes.
Carbone further pointed out the organization’s commitment to Holocaust education and the numerous initiatives that have brought that subject to greater public attention.
The organization’s genealogical component, he reported, draws numerous queries from people all over the world.
One particularly interesting project that Carbone spoke about is an ongoing cooperative partnership with Gray Academy. For the past 10 years, the JHCWC has been loaning photos from the archives to the school’s art program, allowing the students to make drawings based on the photos.
“It has been a wonderful program which has given the students a better understanding of local Jewish history,” he said.
“During my time here, we have worked with numerous Jewish and non-Jewish organizations,” Carbone added. “It helps to build bridges between the Jewish and other communities.”
In retirement, Carbone is looking forward to doing more travelling with Anna, his wife of 40 years. They were scheduled to leave for southern Italy on May 16.
He will also continue to be busy in his role as Italy’s vice-consul here, helping fellow Italians and others in Winnipeg.
And he is excited about having more time to spend on his own genealogical and historical research. He has already published two books: “Italians in Winnipeg: an Illustrated History,” and “The Streets Were Not Paved With Gold: A Social History of Italians in Winnipeg”.
A future project which he is seriously considering is a study of the history of Jewish life in Calabria.
He is also working on a family tree.
“I may be retired,” he said, “but I will still be available from time to time to help out if needed.”