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Charlie Angus/Leah Gazan

Introduction: Earlier this month two NDP Members of Parliament, Charlie Angus and Leah Gazan, raised the hackles of many individuals by suggesting that Israel was denying the Covid vaccine to Palestinians on the West Bank. Myron Love wrote a strongly worded criticism of those two MPs, which you can read here. We also offer a letter by reader Diane Zack, who defended the two MPs:

Brenda Gorlick edited 1
Brenda Gorlick/Alex Frohlinger

By REBECA KUROPATWA

The Winnipeg Studio Theatre (WST) has been one of the first organizations to receive a “Safe at Home” grant from the province, enabling it to teach online Master Classes in Theatre Arts, with the public able to tune in for free.

Elaine Todres

By GERRY POSNER

With all the problems in Canada stemming from Covid-19, most notably in nursing homes, I suggest what is needed is a Senior Czar to oversee and deal with the issues confronting these institutions and indeed retirement residences as well. I even have a person who could take charge and do a complete overhaul of the system, someone who has experience in the field of governance, human resources, emergency response, nursing home capital requirements and leadership in a variety of areas.

Hilda Chasia Smith
“Chasia’s Enchantment –
Meditations • Poems • Inspirations”

By BERNIE BELLAN
When I was contacted recently by Hilda Smith (née Szternfeld), who told me that she had recently published a book of meditations and “inspirations” titled “Chasia’s Enchantment – Meditations • Poems • Inspirations” (Chasia being her Hebrew name – the Ch is pronounced as in Chanukah), I thought to myself: “Now Hilda, I know that you’re a very spiritual person – with quite a reputation for bringing enlightenment to others, but I’m a hard ass who is on the opposite end of the scale.”

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Reg Sherren
"That Wasn't the Plan:
A memoir by Reg Sherren"

By MARTIN ZEILIG

For “a freckle-faced, red-headed kid growing up in small-town Western Labrador,” who sort of stumbled into his profession, former CBC reporter Reg Sherren sure made a name for himself.
He ended up travelling the world and telling stores for CBC’s flagship news program, The National, as well as hosting the popular TV program, Country Canada.

1 10 20 Bobov Wedding 2048x1138By SHIRA HANAU

Jan. 19, 2021 (JTA) — When the Yiddish newspaper Der Blatt set out to explain how a massive wedding for the grandson of the Satmar grand rabbi took place despite pandemic limits on gatherings, it waited until after the event to reveal all the details.

Judah Leblang/book cover

Ed. note: I first met Judah Leblang when he appeared at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival in 2018. As it was my custom over the years to preview any show that had a Jewish performer or Jewish connection, I first previewed Judah's show, then attended in person. At the time Judah told me that he was a sometime writer. Recently he sent me an email to say that he had written a book about his relationship with an uncle. I asked Judah whether there was a review somewhere I could post to this website. What follows is that review (reprinted with the author's permission):

Rebecca (Rebbie) Victor

By BERNIE BELLAN
It was 50 years ago this month that the life of a young woman who was loved by all who knew her was cut tragically short as the result of a totally unforeseeable incident.
I didn’t know Rebecca Victor (who was commonly known as Rebbie), although it turns out we weren’t far apart in age.

Diandra Etkin/Aaron Migie

By BERNIE BELLAN
In late November we reported that the Winnipeg branch of the Canadian Associates of Ben Gurion University had made a major transition in its local leadership when longtime Winnipeg chair Sheldon Zamick handed over responsibilities to two thirty-something members of our community: Diandra Etkin and Aaron Migie.

Rob Berkowits
Executive Director,
Rady JCC

By BERNIE BELLAN
Of all the Jewish organizations that have been hit hardest by the lockdown under which we have all been living to one extent or another since March 2020, none was more adversely affected than the Rady JCC.

David Matas

Jan. 4, 2021 Winnipeg-based international human rights lawyer David Matas has been awarded the first ever Global Humanitarian Leader of the Year award by the human rights group Canadians in Support of Refugees in Dire Need (CSRDN).

Tamar Rubin

By BERNIE BELLAN
Becoming a doctor requires a tremendous amount of dedication, intelligence, and empathy – and those are just some of the attributes that one might suggest are prerequisites.
But, as I’m sure most of us have discovered over the years, practicing medicine is an art form that may often complement other artistic sides that many doctors have, but of which their patients – perhaps even their colleagues, may be unaware.

Screenshot 18The Gwen Secter Centre had an idea for a video involving some of our community's most recognizable faces.

See how many of them you might recognize in this video of a well-know Carol King song that was put together recently. https://vimeo.com/497403089/379a334e28

comics not otherwise specifiedBy ADAM SCHWARTZ

I have some very exciting news for this upcoming year. Starting in January I am joining the World’s Most Awkward Boy Band. No it has absolutely nothing to do with music, even though I tried my hand at that as well. Ariel Posen, named one of Music Radar’s top ten greatest guitar players in 2019, alongside the likes of Slash and the Black Key’s Dan Auerbach, even graced the stage with me in 2001, when we were both in grade 9.

Devon Levi

By BERNIE BELLAN
If Harvey Rosen were still writing for us, I’m sure here is how he would have introduced the following story:
“Readers of this newspaper might be surprised to learn that the stellar goalkeeper for Canada’s National Junior hockey team is a member of the Hebraic persuasion!”

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