Bagelsmith bringing Montreal-style bagels to downtown Winnipeg

By MYRON LOVE Budding entrepreneur Phil Klein goes full bagel within the next few weeks. The founder of Bagelsmith is optimistic as he goes against the trend of endangered restaurants in downtown Winnipeg as a result of the economic damage caused by Covid-19.
Allan Levine to launch new book October 7

By BERNIE BELLAN With everything else that’s been affected by COVID-19, launching a new book does present a new type of challenge for authors.
However, notwithstanding the probems presented by being unable to hold in-person events, the fact that so many more people are looking for ways to pass the time does present an unexpected opportunity for talented writers, including our own Allan Levine.
On October 7 Levine will be launching his latest book, titled “Details are Unprintable: Wayne Lonergan and the Sensational Café Society Murder”.
Gary Nerman’s bookstore proving especially popular during COVID

By MYRON LOVE Thirty years ago or so – when the PC revolution was still in its infancy, I interviewed a fellow who was in charge of computer education for the St. James School Division. The story was for a local education magazine.
How Elliot Rodin was inspired to create a website offering advice on when to take your Canada Pension

By BERNIE BELLAN In 2019 Elliot Rodin happened to read an article about an authoritative U.S. report that provided a detailed analysis showing that 94% of Americans pick the wrong time to begin taking Social Security benefits. Reading about that report led to a shift in Rodin’s life.
Minna Rosner essay contest winner Rosemund Ragetli

Each year the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada sponsors an essay contest named for the late Shoah survivor Mina Rosner. Mina Rosner dedicated many hours to educating people about the Shoah as well as the importance of combating racism and discrimination and upholding human rights.
A tale of two streets that proved to be very attractive for Jewish families in years gone by

By BERNIE BELLAN Any longtime reader of this paper would know that nostalgia is a recurring theme in much of what you’re going to find in the pages of The JP&N (or on this website - as the case may be). We print stories about the history of our Jewish community here on a regular basis – and those stories usually elicit a flurry of responses from readers, often telling us what we got wrong!
At one time one entire block of McAdam Ave. was almost totally Jewish

By GERRY POSNER (This story first appeared in November 2014.)
Once upon a time when life was simpler and gentler, there was a street in the north end of Winnipeg which was like all other streets in the city except in one significant way. Everyone, but for one family, living on McAdam east of Main Street was Jewish.
More than a missed opportunity for Palestinians
The Arab League’s rejection of their rejectionism should have forced them to rethink their strategy, rather than double down on it. Joe Biden should take note.

By JONATHAN TOBIN (JNS) If you had any doubt that the era in which the Arab world would continue to grant a veto over Middle East peace to the Palestinians was over, last week’s drama in Cairo put an end to it.
“The S.S. Officer’s Armchair” opens up an almost totally unknown aspect of Nazi history
“The S.S. Officer’s Armchair – Uncovering the Hidden Life of a Nazi”
By Daniel Lee Published 2020 Available on Amazon

Reviewed by BERNIE BELLAN
In 2011 a British historian by the name of Daniel Lee had just completed his PhD in history “that examined the experiences of Jews in Vichy France.”
Kevin McIntyre melds Scottish heritage, Jewish faith

By MYRON LOVE
It must have been quite a sight – a bagpiper playing the pipes on a street in Tel Aviv.
The unique event happened one fine day in 2018. Winnipeggers Kevin and Henriette Ivanans-McIntyre were in Israel to celebrate the bat-mitzvah of a cousin of hers.
Amid increasing COVID alarm, packed services held at Chabad’s Brooklyn headquarters for Slichot service

By PHILISSA CRAMER Sept. 13, 2020 (JTA) — Men packed into a late-night prayer service at Chabad’s main synagogue in Brooklyn Saturday night, Sept. 12, in violation of New York’s health rules and against the advice of local doctors.
Rachel Pauls: former Winnipegger is a renowned expert on Irritable Bowel Syndrome and foods that can help patients suffering from IBS

By GERRY POSNER It may be a long way from Winnipeg to Cincinnati, but I suggest the distance from the Ramah Hebrew School in 1985 to published author and renowned surgeon and medical researcher - not to mention also a passionate chef, is even longer. Rachel Pauls has covered all that distance and more.
Fascinating Tanzania!

By MARTIN ZEILIG Our small motorized mangrove and mahogany canvas covered boat bounced along the choppy turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean as the captain and owner, Ahmed, manoeuvred the outboard engine towards Changuu Island, a small island about six kilometres northwest of Stone Town, Unguja Zanzibar.
Lubavitch Centre introducing new outreach program for Israelis in Winnipeg

By MYRON LOVE
The Chabad-Lubavitch Jewish Learning Centre is reaching out to Israelis living in Winnipeg with programming to be delivered in Hebrew. In mid-September, Rabbi Mendel and Dvora Altein - newly-arrived Chabad Shluchim most recently from New York - are going to be starting “Ligdol” (meaning “to grow” in Hebrew), a Sunday morning learning program for children – aged 6-10 – of Hebrew-speaking parents.
Gray Academy has made elaborate preparations in advance of school reopening September 8
By BERNIE BELLAN
With schools in Manitoba set to reopen on September 8, it goes without saying that there is an enormous amount of apprehension among both parents and students as to what will happen once students are back in class.
Gray Academy, however, has gone to unprecedented lengths to plan for the coming school year. The school prepared a 36-page “Framework for Reopening” pdf that touches upon almost every conceivable concern that parents and students might have. (The pdf is available for viewing on Gray Academy’s website.)
Earl Barish “Pays it Forward” with Salisbury House
By BERNIE BELLAN
Earl Barish is a man who seems to thrive on taking on challenges – whether it’s resurrecting a troubled business or finding a way to fill the void in charitable donations to four of Winnipeg’s hospitals that is one of the byproducts of the current pandemic
With his “Pay it Forward” campaign involving Barish’s Salisbury House chain, he has come up with a thoroughly imaginative way that provides a real incentive for Sals customers to help out hospitals here (as well as individuals living in DASCH community homes) at the same time as they can still enjoy a meal from Sals.
New wall mural encapsulates history of Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre
By MYRON LOVE
It has been said that a picture paints a thousand words and that is certainly true of the new wall mural on the south side of the Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre at Syd Glow Place.
Danielle Tabacznik is the Senior Concierge for the Winnipeg Jewish Community

By BERNIE BELLAN
When we last checked in with Danielle Tabacznik, she had just recently moved to Winnipeg in late 2016 to begin working as the program director at the Gwen Secter Centre.
At the time we reported that Danielle told us that the she had “a background in social work – in health…specifically working with older adults.” (Danielle noted at that time that she had a Bachelors in Social Work.)
Sidura Ludwig’s lifelong love of writing has taken many different forms

By GERRY POSNER
Winnipeg has been an enormous contributor to the world of arts - provincially, nationally and even beyond. You name the field and you will find Winnipeggers, many of them Jewish, living or dead, residents or not, who have made their mark in the arts, be it in dance, music, art, theatre or literature.
Winnipegger Raffie Rosenberg realizing her dream in New York City

By MYRON LOVE
As far back as she can re-member, Raffaela (Raffie) Rosenberg has had her sights squarely set on a career in the theatre. Now, following a year studying theatre at the University of Miami and graduating from the Ivey School of Business, the daughter of Lewis Rosenberg and the late Dr. Fran Steinberg has landed in the Big Apple, the centre of all things theatrical – New York City.
Unique Holocaust autograph book resurfaces in Victoria, BC...artifact to become permanent part of CMHR

Special to The Jewish Post & News
An autograph book that reflects an artist’s life in the Theresienstadt ghetto and transit camp, once belonging to Holocaust survivor and Danish violinist Mænni Ruben, has reemerged in Victoria, BC.
Ruben’s unique perspective on the Holocaust is chronicled in his autograph book as the war is ending and survivors are being liberated.
Many Orthodox Jews support President Trump. I’m one of them — here’s why:

By BINYAMIN ROSE
August 28, 2020 JERUSALEM (JTA)
Only 6% of voters who cast ballots for Barack Obama in 2008 voted for Donald Trump in 2016. I’m one of them.
Political affiliation played no role in my decision. I’m a registered Democrat who often votes Republican. I was raised in an Orthodox Jewish family in North Jersey. We cried when Richard Nixon defeated Hubert Humphrey in 1968 and exulted when Ronald Reagan routed Jimmy Carter in 1980.
This year poses a fresh dilemma.
Cancercare Manitoba Foundation Challenge for Life adapts to changed circumstances
By MYRON LOVE
The 13th annual Cancercare Manitoba Foundation Challenge for Life 20KM walk (or 200-minute workout) has a new look this year – as a result of COVID 19 – with a smaller number of participants and lower expectations.
How former Gray Academy instructor Avi Posen came to take a central role in offering online education for Jewish schools

By BERNIE BELLAN
Elsewhere on this website we have a story about an interesting new partner-school program developed by an organization called OpenDor Media. The name of the program is “Unpacked for Educators”. To review what was in that story – in case you didn’t see it, the aim of the program “is to strengthen Israel education in Jewish schools around the world.
Cancercare Manitoba Foundation Chair Steven Kroft - a leader in the boardroom - and in the field

By MYRON LOVE
Steven Kroft is an individual who believes in leading by example. Thus, the newly-anointed Chair of the Board of the Cancercare Manitoba Foundation (as of June) has for the past couple of weeks been furiously working the pedals on his Peloton exercise bike raising money for the Foundation as a participant in its 13th annual Challenge for Life event.
Kamala Harris and her fluid identity

By BERNIE BELLAN
The announcement that Joe Biden has chosen Kamala Harris as his running mate immediately set off a torrent of applause from many Jews who, if they weren’t aware before that Harris is married to a Jewish man, Doug Emhoff, are certainly aware now.
Canadian Museum for Human Rights’ Manitoba 150 project inspired by Sarasota exhibit

By MYRON LOVE
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights’ current outdoor exhibit – “ARTiculate Our Rights” – celebrating Manitoba’s150th anniversary as a province, was inspired by a similar longstanding project called “Embracing Our Differences” in Sarasota, Florida.
Judaic Studies at the U of M to go online this fall - and anyone can audit any of the courses from the comfort of their own home

We received a note from the University of Manitoba’s Judaic Studies coordinator, Haskel Greenfield, asking whether we would help publicize the Judaic Studies program which, like all university programs, has had to completely revamp how its courses will be offered this fall.
Sharon Graham winner of the 2020 Switzer-Cooperstock Prize in Western Canadian Jewish History

By MARTIN ZEILIG
The Winnipeg Jewish Orphanage housed children from 1917 until 1948, and for a long portion of its existence it was served by an untrained social worker, Pearl Finkelstein (later Silver), Sharon Graham, PhD, writes in her paper, “Pearl Finkelstein, Unknown Hero: the Winnipeg Jewish Orphanage and Social Work in the Winnipeg Jewish community in the 1930s”.
Former Winnipeger Blair Kaplan Venables publishes book on entrepreneurship

We received this email from Blair Kaplan Venables, about whom we wrote in our June 26, 2019 issue when Blair was the guest speaker at the Jewish Child & Family Service AGM:
“My name is Blair Kaplan Venables, born and raised in the Winnipeg Jewish community, and I recently published & launched a book during the pandemic.
“The book is about entrepreneurship and it's called Pulsing Through My Veins: Raw And Real Stories From An Entrepreneur. When I launched I became a #1 best seller in a few categories on Amazon such as Entrepreneurship and Hot New Releases in Women In Business.”