Ron Ben-Zhion "raising the roof" with RonOvations

By REBECA KUROPATWA
The other half of the Ben-Zhion couple is also talented in his own right.

JCFS and Gwen Secter Centre continue to provide key supports during pandemic

By BERNIE BELLAN
Ever since the COVID pandemic first began to have a major impact in our community I’ve been reporting on how various agencies have been meeting the needs of those sectors of our community that have been most affected by COVID – whether that’s in the form of regular meal deliveries, grocery shopping, psychological counseling, or simply keeping in touch with isolated individuals.

Local gifted crafter Stacey Hochman Corden making her mark via virtual word of mouth

 

By REBECA KUROPATWA
With so many sad instances of people getting into dire straits since Covid-19 emerged in our community, it’s nice to know that some individuals are finding creative ways to not only stay afloat, but even succeed.

Danny Finkleman - more than just “Finkleman’s 45’s”

By GERRY POSNER
And then there is Danny Finkleman. For many of us that grew up in the 50s and 60s - when we think of the 1970s and 80s the name Dan Finkleman comes to mind as someone who carved out a career stemming from his curiosity and interest in music. I know - as I was with him for a chunk of his journey.

Canadian Jewish News to be revived in January – in a non-print format

The Canadian Jewish Record is a website that was created following the closure of the Canadian Jewish News in April. (The CJN had also closed in 2012 until it was rescued by a group of supporters.)
In a story posted to its website on Dec. 14 the Canadian Jewish Record reported that the Canadian Jewish News is about to be revived, but in quite a different format than the previous version.Here is what the Canadian Jewish Record reported:

Josh Assor, theatrical man for all seasons, adds film production to his growing resumé

By MYRON LOVE
Over the years, our Jewish community has produced quite a number of individuals who have found success in the performing arts both here at home and elsewhere. Among them is Josh Assor.

First incidence of possible COVID exposure in Kaufman Silverberg Child Care Centre at Rady JCC reported

By BERNIE BELLAN

The first incidence of possible COVID exposure in one of the two child care centres operated by the Rady JCC was reported on December 5.

Diary of the pandemic situation at Simkin Centre

(Updated each day as new reports arrive)

Dec. 14: Good news - We are glad 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. Following is a chronology of events, beginning with the first reported case of COVID-19 on Oct. 22:

It was just one year ago that Rabbi Matthew Leibl entertained a Rady JCC audience with “Oy to the World!”

This article first appeared in the Dec. 23, 2019 issue of The Jewish Post & News. It's hard to believe, but it was only a year ago that Rabbi Matthew Leibl entertained a packed room of mostly seniors in the Adult Lounge of the Asper Campus with a medley of famous xmas songs - all written by Jewish composers.
By BERNIE BELLAN
Rabbi Matthew Leibl is not your usual rabbi – but he sure can command a room.

Sioux Lookout doctor creates unique Chanukah experience

 

By BERNIE BELLAN

Sioux Lookout is a small community in northwestern Ontario with a population around 5,000. There aren’t many Jews in Sioux Lookout, although there are three Jewish doctors there – and a few other doctors who have some Jewish blood, according to Dr. Benji Goldstein, who is a family physician in Sioux Lookout.

Made in Israel Sonovia facemasks are now available in Canada

By BRAD CHENKIS

My father, Boris Chenkis, is owner of After Five Fashions in Vancouver. He has always been fascinated by retail news from other countries. One day, while watching Israel Daily TV, he saw an interview with Liat Goldhammer, the chief technology officer of an Israeli startup called Sonovia. Goldhammer was being interviewed about new fabric finishing technology for textile manufacturing that had been developed at Bar-Ilan University. She explained how the newly developed technology would repel and kill bacteria located on clothing.

Freda Steel pays homage to her parents’ role in leading her to law career

By GERRY POSNER

Perhaps one of the most remarkable stories about a child of Holocaust survivors who began with humble origins and then rose to a level even she could never have dreamed, is that of Freda Steel, or more properly Madam Justice Freda Steel.

Astonishingly good debut novel by former Winnipegger Sandy Shefrin Rabin

By BERNIE BELLAN
One of the great joys of being in the position of editor of a Jewish newspaper is being on the receiving end of what seem to be a never-ending series of well-written books, either by current Winnipeggers or former Winnipeggers.

Jeopardy!’ just had a Yiddish category with words like ‘schlep’ and ‘nosh’

By LIOR ZALTZMAN
This article originally appeared in Kveller.
“Jeopardy!” fans have been hard hit by the loss of Alex Trebek, who died of cancer on Nov. 8 at age 80. But because the show films in advance — and Trebek kept filming until a week before his passing — the beloved longtime host is still with us until Jan. 4 with new episodes airing on weeknights.

B'nai Brith supporters Earl Barish & Eddie Rice receive B'nai Brith's highest award

B’nai Brith Canada wishes a hearty mazel tov to two of its great supporters, Earl Barish and Eddie Rice, on receiving high honours at B’nai B’rith International’s 2020 International Leadership Forum.

Martin Scorsese’s ‘Casino’ is 25 years old. Here’s a primer on its Jewish protagonist and Hollywood’s other Jewish gangsters.

By STEPHEN SILVER
(JTA) — “Casino,” Martin Scorsese’s examination of the mob’s control of Las Vegas in the 1960s and 70s, debuted in theaters on Nov. 22, 1995 — 25 years ago.

Gail Singer- covering the arts spectrum

By GERRY POSNER
I have often written in this paper about the huge contribution that Winnipeg Jews have made to the arts. To tackle this topic and omit Gail Singer would be a major omission.

New book by noted art expert Celia Rabinovitch explores many themes

By SIMONE COHEN SCOTT
I first began to write this piece as a review of Celia Rabinovitch’s recently launched book “Duchamp’s Pipe, A Chess Romance”, but it turned out to be much more than a book review.

Light and the time of year

By SUSAN TURNER
In November, we left Daylight Saving time behind to return to Standard time. We had already been experiencing increasing darkness each day, which had started with the Autumn Equinox in late September, and that is continuing until the Winter Solstice in late December, shortly after Chanukah and just before Christmas.

Smash Israeli series "Valley of Tears" to premiere in Canada Dec. 19

The biggest budget Israeli TV series of all time, Valley of Tears comes to Hollywood Suite following the smashing success of its debut in its home country and on HBO Max in the US. Hollywood Suite is proud to be the exclusive Canadian home of the all-new HBO Max Original 10-part war drama, Valley of Tears, launching Saturday, December 19 at 9pm ET. VIEW THE TRAILER HERE

Gray Academy has gone eight months with not one single case of COVID

over 675 cases in other Manitoba schools

By BERNIE BELLAN
While Manitobans can rightfully be said to be in a state of shock over how this province has gone from having one of the best records anywhere at keeping COVID at bay to now having one of the worst in Canada, the focus has very much been on the tragic situations in many personal care homes.

JNF holds successful online event - with home-delivered nosh thrown in

By MYRON LOVE
On Sunday, November 15, Jewish National Fund (JNF) chapters across Canada “hosted” “A Night of 100 Dinners” during which participants received in their homes a mix of nosherei and watched a virtual performance featuring YidLife Crisis and a host of other celebrities. David Greaves, the JNF’s executive director for Manitoba and Saskatchewan, reports that the Winnipeg response exceeded expectations.

Leipsics - father Peter, son Jonathon, lead annual campaigns in Winnipeg & Vancouver

 

By REBECA KUROPATWA

Father and son, Peter Leipsic and Jonathon Leipsic, are chairing the Jewish Federation annual campaigns in their respective hometowns. Peter is co-chair, with Neil Duboff, of the Winnipeg fundraising effort, while Jonathon is in his third consecutive year of leading the fundraising here in Vancouver.

Canadian Associates of Ben Gurion University announce two new co-chairs

The Winnipeg Chapter of Canadian Associates of Ben Gurion University of the Negev (CABGU) is delighted to announce the appointments of two new co-chairs: Diandra Etkin and Aaron Migie.

“Artist” is latest incarnation for Winnipeg entrepreneur Jerry Rubin

 

By MYRON LOVE
Jerry Rubin has reinvented himself many times during the course of his life. At various times, he has been an elementary school teacher (35 years working in the Seven Oaks School Division), owned an ice cream parlour, had a food manufacturing business, ran a concession at the Red River Ex, manufactured decorative shelving, owned a national jewelry import and distribution company with 1,700 retail outlets in Canada, did home renovations, ran an online marketing company, and been a marketing consultant for a division of K-Tel.

Montreal Jewish nursing home hit hard by COVID infections in 2nd wave