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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“The Volunteer: One Man, An Underground Army, And The Secret Mission To Destroy Auschwitz” by Jack Fairweather
Review/Interview by Martin Zeilig
“When God created the human being, God had in mind that we should all be like Captain Witold Pilecki, of blessed memory.” Poland’s Chief Rabbi Michael Schudrich.
“Witold Pilecki volunteered to be imprisoned in Auschwitz,” writes author Jack Fairweather in the introduction to “The Volunteer”.
By JOSEFIN DOLSTEN (JTA) – As votes were counted following last week’s election in Israel, many saw the results as a loss for longtime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
After all, Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud Party won fewer seats than the Blue and White party of his main competitor Benny Gantz.
By MYRON LOVE
Although relatively new to Winnipeg, Winnipeg Free Press cannabis specialist Solomon Israel has deep family roots in our community. While he was born and raised in Boston, both of his parents - Linda Matchan and the late Dr. David Israel, were originally from our community.
On Tuesday, Sept. 24, a book launch was held at the Berney Theatre of the Asper Campus, for a publication entitled “OPERATION EZRA: Winnipeg’s Jewish Community-led Interfaith Response to the Survivors of the Yazidi Genocide”. About 100 men, women and children attended the event, which was sponsored by Operation Ezra and the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada.
By BERNIE BELLAN
Recently the Province of Manitoba appointed 15 Manitoba lawyers as Queen’s counsel.
In making the announcement, it was noted that the Queen’s counsel designation is reserved for long-serving members of the legal profession who have demonstrated outstanding practice, fostered excellence in the profession, and who have conducted themselves with integrity and leadership throughout their careers.
This is the first time since 2001 that the Province of Manitoba has announced Queen’s counsel appointments.
By MYRON LOVE
Ed. note: This story about Danielle Margolis was first posted to our website this past February. Danielle Margolis could still use some support in her effort to raise funds for her impending trek across the Sahara Desert in support of Bravestone Inc., an organization dedicated to providing women and children suffering from abusive relationships with safe homes.
Here is the original story:
On November 19, when Danielle Margolis begins her ten-day, 100-kilometre trek across the Sahara Desert in Morocco, her mother-in-law, the late Rae Margolis, will be uppermost in her mind.
By BERNIE BELLAN
Sid Green, born in 1929, was only eight years old when he started attending the YMHA at 91 Albert Street. Over the years the Y became a second home for Sid, and as he grew older, he played a variety of roles in that cherished institution.
Recently I sat down with Sid in his Westgate home and asked him to reminisce about his years at both the Albert Street Y and the YMHA on Hargrave.
By BERNIE BELLAN
Ed. note: The following is taken from a 1983 special supplement to The Jewish Post celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Maple Leaf Curling Club:
In the early 30’s two “Curling Buffs,” Dave and Harry Ditlove, cajoled enough friends to form two Jewish rinks - hoping against hope that enough spectators would become participants to organize a Curling Club. Their ambitions were soon rewarded as the originals - Max and Major Margolis, Louis Goldstein, Frank Atnikov. Jack Abrams and ‘Kelly’ Cohen were augmented by four additional rinks to formally launch the Maple Leaf Curling Club in the 1933-34 season. By 1941, they were renting ten sheets of ice at the St. Johns Curling Club; and by 1945 they had enrolled enough members to use fifteen sheets of ice.
