B’nai Brith Canada announces winners of “Diverse Minds” writing contest

We received the following communication from Adriana Glikman, National Program Coordinator of B’nai Brith Canada:
We had a wonderful evening, September 15, celebrating all the finalists in Manitoba who created beautiful books for our “Diverse Minds” creative writing contest.
As you know, “Diverse Minds” is a creative writing contest designed to promote the vital values of diversity and inclusion in Canada through storytelling and illustration.

Former Liberal candidate Lesley Hughes pens her version of what happened to her in 2008 when she was accused of being an antisemite

By BERNIE BELLAN How many times are we going to revisit a story that has already received more than ample coverage within the pages of this newspaper – especially a story which one might have thought had been put to rest long ago?

Accolades continue to mount for longest serving University of Manitoba prof

By MYRON LOVE In a career filled with accomplishments and awards matched by few in terms of longevity, the accolades keep coming in for Michael Eskin, the longest-serving member of the University of Manitoba`s Department of  Food and Human Nutritional Sciences (where he has also served as Department Chair and Associate Dean).

New book tells story of incredible courage shown by two Dutch Jewish sisters during World War II

Reviewed by BERNIE BELLAN In early August we received an email from a publicist for HarperCollins by the name of Rebecca Silver, who’s sent us interesting books to consider reviewing in the past.
Here’s how Rebecca’s email read:

David Genser: Art is both a love of his as well as a business for him

By GERRY POSNER I am betting that many readers will remember the big furniture store on Portage Avenue - Genser’s. That store and indeed there was more than one of them at certain times, was well known in the Winnipeg for several decades.

Coin dealers Rochelle and Ian Laing giving back to community through family foundation

By MYRON LOVE When Rochelle Klasser first met Ian Laing in the early 1970s, she had just begun her career as a registered nurse and he was buying and selling coins to help pay for his university education.  In 1975, after graduation, Ian turned his sideline into a fulltime business and, after a few years nursing, he was joined in business by his bride, Rochelle.  

The Top 3 Most Popular Apps in Israel

JCFS report: Older adult, addictions cases continue to add heavily to JCFS workload

By BERNIE BELLAN Since the first lockdown as a result of Covid was imposed on Manitobans in March 2020 I’ve been reporting on how various organizations within our community have been adjusting to the new demands placed upon them both by clients and governmental authorities that monitor their activities.

Zoom allows personal trainer Mara Seipp-Katz to help clients get through pandemic shutdowns

By MYRON LOVE It was one of the lowest points in Mara Seipp-Katz’s life.
The date was March 12, 2020. The personal trainer had just returned with her family from a visit to Israel only to learn that the gym she was contracting out of in Calgary was closed until further notice due to the Covid outbreak.

Jody Schloss: ParaOlympian again

By GERRY POSNER There are not a lot of Jewish equestrians in Canada, female or male, at least not at a competitive level. Some have estimated there might be under ten. Now, if you add in the element of para-equestrian, it is likely there is but one Jewish female who has reached the status of Paralympian. She is Jody Schloss, formerly of Edmonton and now of Toronto. Her story is one of drive, determination and desire.

Jewish Heritage Centre to present talk on Western Canadian Jewish anarchists, including Feivel Simkin

By BERNIE BELLAN Maria Tarasova-Chomard is a young (24 year old) student, originally from Russia, now living in Paris, who will be presenting a talk on Western Canadian Jewish anarchists for the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada on Sunday, October 3rd.

Rady JCC holds first in-person program in more than 20 months: Challahliscious

On September 2nd the Rady JCC held its first in-person program in more than 20 months in the MPR Room with close to 50 participants in the Challaliscious program as a way to kick start Rosh Hashanah.
 Each participant went home with their own challah to bake, a Rady apron and many memories.

Rady JCC Golf Tournament raises $200,000

Over 150 golfers participated in the Rady JCC golf tournament, held August 10 at the Glendale Golf & Country Club.

Among the golfers was former NHL hockey great Bernie Nicholls.

BB Camp undertakes fundraising campaign to raise $2.85 million by August 2022 to buy back part of Town Island from City of Kenora on behalf of the Nature Conservancy of Canada

Introduction: Readers may recall past reports in this paper about the precarious situation existing with regard to Town Island - home of BB Camp.
While we reported in early 2020 that the City of Kenora had agreed to sell the part of the island that does not already belong to BB Camp to an organization known as the Nature Conservancy of Canada, there is now a deadline for the Nature Conservancy to come up with $2.85 million by August next year or else Kenora will once again look for private developers to buy either all or parts of the island.

A replica jersey from a 1930s Jewish boys club in Winnipeg evokes fond memories for one of the members of that club

By BERNIE BELLAN In September 2020 I wrote a story about a long-ago Jewish club that went by the name “The Rollickers”. That story was prompted by my reading the minute book of the club, which had been in the hands of Rona Perlov, whose father, Eli Weinberg, was a founding member of the club. (By the way you can read that story on this website. Simply enter the name “The Rollickers” in our search engine.)

Gray Academy sets the pace for all other schools in Manitoba by instituting vaccine requirement for all students 12 and up

By BERNIE BELLAN I had intended to speak with Lori Binder, Head of School at Gray Academy at a pre-arranged time on Wednesday, August 25 when, on Tuesday afternoon I received an email from Lori informing me that she wanted to share with me a communication that had just gone out to all parents.
Following are excerpts from that communication:

Daniel Greaves: music and more

By GERRY POSNER Is it nature or nurture or both - a question that has been asked thousands of times relating to all sorts of different people. Well, I suggest in Daniel Greaves, the answer is easy. He had the nature and he had the nurture and the result was and is very impressive. Music oozes out of this guy and it always did.

Community member Abe Posen turns a hundred

By KINZEY POSEN I phoned my dad Abe Posen, who lives at the Portsmouth Retirement Residence, and asked him how his day was. “Not bad,” he answered. A phrase my father often uses when things are ok. “I worked out in the gym with the weights and went for a walk.” Not unusual of course, except my dad was days away from his 100th birthday.

Harold and Harry - a friendship that spanned seven decades

Ed. note: It’s been quite some time since we had run a piece by Harry Warren in the print edition of the JP&N. Harry's often whimsical musings were regular features in the paper for many years. So, when I happened to call Harry not too long ago, I was more than  a little concerned that I might find out there was something seriously wrong that had prevented him from sending us any more contributions.

Former Winnipegger Chuck Lazer looks back on satisfying career in television production

By MYRON LOVE It was French filmmaker Francois Truffaut’s 1973 film, “Day for Night”, that inspired former Winnipegger Chuck Lazer to pursue a career in show business.
“The movie was about a film producer making a movie,” the older brother of current Jewish Federation of Winnipeg President Joel Lazer recalls. “After watching that film, I determined that was what I wanted to do.”