Book about history of Manitoba Jewish physicians to be launched November 3

By BERNIE BELLAN
Two and a half years ago, the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada, in conjunction with Medical Heritage Manitoba – a branch of the University of Manitoba’s medical school, embarked on a very ambitious project: the production of a book devoted to chronicling the history of Jewish physicians in Manitoba. The project was titled “A Century of Manitoba Jewish Physicians” (CMJP for short).

Leah Gazan - a proud Lakota, Asian, and Jewish woman is now the Member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre

By BERNIE BELLAN

Posted Oct. 22, 2019 This story was originally posted in July. We offer it again to give readers a better idea just how intriguing Leah Gazan's background is - and how she is also proud of her Jewish identity.
Have you heard of Julian Edelman? He’s a receiver for the New England Patriots and was voted this year’s Super Bowl Most Outstanding Player.
He is also commonly referred to as the best “Jewish” football player in the National Football League. On top of all that, Edelman is not afraid to hide the fact he’s Jewish. He wears a Star of David and always refers to himself as Jewish.

Manitoba Native and Israeli dog training centres to cooperate to provide companion therapy dogs for Israeli veterans with PTSD

By BERNIE BELLAN
Arie Lavy is a former Israeli who was a Prisoner of War in 1973 during the Yom Kippur War. Arie was captured by Egyptians at the Suez Canal and for 42 days he was held prisoner and subjected to periodic torture.
As a result of that experience, Arie now suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Brian Pauls has a way with female Supreme Court Justices

By BERNIE BELLAN

I often have the pleasure of seeing Brian Pauls at meetings of the Remis Speakers’ Forum. Recently Brian told me a terrific story how he had wanted to obtain press credentials to attend the recent convening of the Supreme Court here, but was unable to convince the Free Press, for whom he writes a regular Bridge column, to give him those credentials.
It turns out that Brian is on kissing terms with two of the female judges on the Supreme Court: Sheilah Martin and Rosie Abella. Lucky guy!

How the Asper Campus came about (Part 1 of a 3-part story)

A meeting with a New York consultant proves to be a key turning point

By BERNIE BELLAN
As we approach the series of events which the Rady JCC will be conducting that will mark the 100th anniversary of the YMHA’s being granted a charter in Winnipeg, we thought it appropriate to look back at how the Rady JCC came about.

Young entrepreneurs bringing tire services to your garage door

By MYRON LOVE

As happens with many a successful entrepreneur, an entrepreneur often starts with a hobby – a passion – which then evolves into a successful business venture. This is the route that Ethan Matras has followed.

Bob Freedman tells a funny story about meeting with some representatives of the Ashkenazie Synagogue

In the late 1980s Bob Freedman and Marjorie Blankstein were the two key individuals who spearheaded an effort to revitalize the Jewish community in Winnipeg. In our Oct. 16 issue we'll have a full-length story about that effort, but in the meantime you can watch an excerpt from an interview we did with Bob Freedman where he recounts a very funny story about one particular meeting he & Marjorie had. Watch the video at https://jewishpostandnews.ca/categories-media/71-local/247-bob-freedman-interview-clip

Rabbi Norman Fredman was here for only eight years - from 1958-66, but left a huge impression

Introduction: From 1958-1966 Rabbi Norman Fredman, along with his wife Micheline and four children - Aryeh, Yonah, Batsheva, and Tova, lived in Winnipeg. Though here only for eight years, Rabbi Fredman left an indelible impression on many Winnipeggers - especially among students at the former Joseph Wolinsky Collegiate, where Rabbi Fredman was assistant principal.

How the Royal Winnipeg Rifles managed to enlist a stateless Jew into their ranks while fighting in the Netherlands

By BERNIE BELLAN
Recently, we were contacted by reader Gerry Finkle, who asked me whether I would be interested in meeting him at the Minto Armory – which is the home of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles militia.
Gerry said to me that inside the Armory there was a museum documenting the history of the Rifles. He also told me that the curator of the museum had assembled a special temporary exhibit about one particular man whose life happened to intersect with the lives of many soldiers in the Royal Winnipeg Rifles during World War II.

Benji’s Village

Submitted by the Children's Hospital Foundation

Persistent mouth sores at age three. At age eight severe nausea started. And when their youngest son Benji was 12, the bleeding began. As each symptom showed up, they were given seemingly sound reasons such as a stomach virus or puberty, but local parents Jessica and Joel Cogan were naturally left worried.

For first time in years, Gray Academy shows a major increase in enrolment

By BERNIE BELLAN
After seven years of almost steady declines in enrolment at Gray Academy, the school has reversed that trend this year, with the total number of students now standing at 494 – as opposed to last year’s figure (at year’s end) of 470 students.

Nancy Spielberg produces fascinating film about Israeli photographer

Watch a video trailer of  “PICTURE OF HIS LIFE” (Directors: Yonatan Nir and Dani Menkin Hey Jude Productions Playmount Productions– Executive Producer: Nancy Spielberg 2019) here: https://jewishpostandnews.ca/categories-media/74-global/246-picture-of-his-life-trailer-2019
Review/Interview By Martin Zeilig
At one point in this remarkable and awe-inspiring documentary film, world renowned Israeli wildlife photographer Amos Nachoum is interviewed while sitting on a rock on the barren shores of Baker Lake, Nunavut.