Simkin Centre dedicates memorial to the 11 residents who lost their lives to Covid last year - and unveils 5 new Chanukah menorahs
By BERNIE BELLAN It was a little more than one year ago that the Simkin Centre was hit hard by Covid for an almost two-month period. As I noted in a daily blog that I kept updating on this website, it was on December 14 that I was finally able to report that “as of today, there are no active cases of COVID-19 at the Simkin Centre. After almost two consecutive months with at least one active case every day - either among residents or staff, there is now reason to believe that the worst is over.”
No commentsMeeting Michael Averbach- and reminiscing about Bredin Drive
By GERRY POSNER There I was sitting in a restaurant, my first time in one in over a year. It was inside or face the wasps outside. And since there was no one else inside, my good friend and former Winnipegger Dan Finkleman and I sat down at What a Bagel for our once a month lunch.
The Left, Jews, and Israel
By Dr. Phillip Berger Special to The Jewish Post & News
When I was ten years old in Winnipeg, a classmate asked me, “Why don’t you leave the old man alone?” He was referring to Israel’s prosecution of Adolph Eichmann, one of the architects of the Holocaust. As a Jew, I was being held accountable for the actions of Israel.
Tarbut to present film about what it means to be Jewish in Winnipeg
By BERNIE BELLAN In the October 27 issue of the JP&N, within our preview of Tarbut, we had a blurb about a film that will be shown Sunday evening, November 14, at 7:30 pm in the Berney Theatre.
Here is what the blurb said:
"Ma Nishma Manitoba"
Hot off a highly successful premiere at Gimli Film Festival 2021 – this, playful, funny, and evocative documentary by two local Jewish filmmakers explores the history of Jews in Winnipeg –
Here's a new Chanukah song from someone with a Winnipeg connection
We received a note from someone by the name of Haley Turner, who has a Winnipeg connection and wanted to let us know that she's written a new song for Chanukah.
Read on to read what Haley wrote us (and click on the links to listen both to her Hanukkah song and the original version of the famous Adam Sandler Hanukkah Song - which inspired her to write her own Hanukkah song):
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.
Higher costs for burial for non-synagogue members continue to be the norm in western Canada
By MYRON LOVE A few weeks ago, I contacted the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on behalf of a friend to inquire as to the cost of his funeral when the time comes (which hopefully is still quite a ways off). The quote I received was $16,000. That would include the plot, the Chevra Kadishe fees (for proper Halachic preparation of the body), transportation, digging the grave and perpetual care.
The very talented Matas brothers
By GERRY POSNER With all of the families in Winnipeg that have produced remarkable children in a variety of ways, surely one family that would rank right up at the top would be the Matas family. In this particular case, I refer to the three sons of Harry and Esther Matas. (The other Matas groups have also achieved much, but I am limited in space to cover all of them). The three sons of Dr. & Mrs. Matas - David, Manny and Robert have all reached some rather lofty levels in their respective fields and in fact, still continue to do so even to this day.
Jewish Federation presents discussion of antisemitism in Canada
By BERNIE BELLAN On Wednesday, October 14, the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg presented a conversation between Rabbi Matthew Leibl and CIJA (Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs) CEO Shimon Koffler Fogel titled: “Antisemitism in Canada: Pushing back against hate”.
In introducting Fogel, Leibl made the following observation about his not having been exposed to antisemitism during the six years he spent as a radio show host prior to his becoming a rabbi at the Shaarey Zedek: “In the six years I spent on the air I never experienced anything like it (antisemitism).”
After a prolonged absence, Schmoozer’s reopens at the Campus
By BERNIE BELLAN It’s been almost a year since Schmoozer’s in the Asper Campus was closed due to the Covid pandemic and the major drop-off in traffic at the campus.
In one more sign that things are getting back to some semblance of near-normal, Schmoozer’s has now reopened, although with more limited hours than in the past – for the time being (7:30 am – 4 pm, Monday –Thursday, and 7:30 am – 3 pm Fridays).
Businessman and philanthropist Sheldon Zamick honoured with the naming of a new scholarship fund
One of Winnipeg’s top Jewish fund-raisers is being honoured by Canadian Associates of Ben-Gurion University (CABGU) for his unwavering commitment and contribution to his community. This week, the Canadian fundraising arm of Israel’s Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) announced the launch of the Sheldon & Florence Zamick Family Fund to support students attending BGU.
Adas Yeshurun - Herzlia congregation welcomes first new Torah to arrive in Winnipeg in years
In the picture here Adas Yeshurun - Herzlia President Jack Craven, who donated the new Torah to the congregation, can be sign filling in the final letter of the Torah - a “lamed” (the last letter of the last word in the Torah, “Yisrael”).
Craven donated the Torah in memory of his late parents and sister. Rabbi Yosef Benarroch says that the purchase of the Torah represents the culmination of a long search for a new Torah that led to his examining 15 different Torahs altogether.
Rembering veterans who put their lives on the line during WWII
By MYRON LOVE With Remembrance Day just a couple of weeks away, it would seem to be appropriate to pause once again and remember the sacrifices that our parents, grandparents, uncles and aunt made in those dark days of World War II to fight the scourge of Nazism – historically the greatest modern threat to the existence of the Jewish People.
Variety honours Louis Trepel with inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award
Variety, the Children’s Charity of Manitoba is set to honour Louis Trepel at Variety’s 2022 Gold Heart Gala presented by Pratts Wholesale & Food Service on May 7th, 2022.
Variety’s Lifetime Achievement Award was created to recognize an individual who is making Manitoba a better place for children living with special needs through their significant long-term commitment to Variety Manitoba and other community organizations. Variety Manitoba is excited to present Louis Trepel with our Inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award.
Conservative, Reform synagogues see continued expansion in number of online Yom Tov viewers
By MYRON LOVE In a full page ad on the back page of the August 4 issue of The Jewish Post & News, Shaarey Zedek Congregation let it be known that there would not be any in-person high holyday services come September, but all members of the community would be welcome to participate online.