Local News
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:
Following is a review of what has happened at the Simkin Centre in chronological order:
In our October 28 issue we reported that on October 22 the Simkin Centre reported its first case of COVID-19 in a resident.
Since then, Laurie Cerqueti, CEO has provided regular updates on the situation at the Simkin Centre. Following is a chronological review of those updates:
Oct. 23 – one more resident tests positive for COVID
Oct. 24 – death reported of the first resident who tested positive for COVID
Oct. 29 – 3rd resident tests positive
Oct. 31 – 2nd death of a resident from COVID reported
Nov. 2 – a nurse working in the COVID unit tests positive
Nov. 2 – another staff member (on Weinberg 2) tests positive
Nov. 2 – a staff member (on Weinberg 3) tests positive
Nov. 3 – a staff member (on Weinberg 3) tests positive
Nov. 4 – all residents on Weinberg 2 & 3 had proactive asymptomatic COVID swabs taken on Nov 2. In total, Weinberg 2 has 5 asymptomatic positive test results.
Nov. 6 – staff member on Simkin 1 tests positive
Nov. 9 – family members who are willing and able to provide care to residents are asked to volunteer
Nov 11 – 2 residents from Weinberg 2 test positive
Nov. 12 – 2 staff members test positive, 1 from Simkin 1, 1 from Simkin 2
Nov. 13 – resident from Weinberg 2 tests positive
Nov. 14 – resident from Simkin 1 tests positive
Nov. 15 – 3rd death of a resident reported
Nov. 15 – 4th death of a resident reported
Nov. 16 – staff member who worked on Weinberg 1 and Simkin 2 tests positive
Nov. 18 – staff member from Weinberg 1 tests positive
Nov. 18 – resident from Weinberg 2 tests positive
Nov. 19 – staff member who worked on Weinberg 2 and Simkin 2 tests positive
Nov. 19 – resident from Simkin 1 tests positive
Nov. 22 – 3 residents from Weinberg 1 test positive
Nov. 23 – staff member who worked on Weinberg 2 and Simkin 2 tests positive
Nov. 24 – 5th death of a resident reported
Nov. 25 – 6th & 7th deaths of residents reported; 3 more residents test positive – 1 from Simkin 1, 1 from Weinberg 1, and 1 from Simkin 2
Nov. 26 – staff member tests positive but did not work during period of communicability. 8th death of resident
Nov. 30 – 2 staff from Weinberg 1 test positive; 1 more staff member tested positive but did not work at the Centre during period of communicability
Dec. 1 – 2 residents from Weinberg 1 and 2 residents from Simkin 1 test positive
Dec 2 – 1 resident discharged from Covid Recovery Unit; 3 more to be discharged Dec. 3
Dec. 4 – 1 resident discharged from Covid Recovery Unit; 1 resident from Weinberg 1 tests positive
Dec. 9 – 9th death of a resident reported
Dec. 11 – 10 death of a resident reported; 2 residents discharged from Covid Recovery Unit
Dec. 14 – resident who was hospitablized passes away; remaining resident in Covid Recovery Unit discharged
As of Dec. 11
Total number of staff to test positive – 21
Total number of residents to test positive: 29
Total number of deaths of residents – 11
Total number of active cases of residents -0
Total number of recovered residents – 18
On Nov. 20 the Simkin Centre issued a call for volunteers:
Volunteers Needed
We are in need of training a team of volunteers to feed our residents, both during lunch (11:45 am-1:00 pm) and supper (4:45 pm -6:00 pm).
The Simkin Centre has positive cases of Covid-19. By volunteering you acknowledge and understand the risks involved in entering the Centre. We understand that this might be a difficult decision for you. However, based on previous outbreaks in other provincial jurisdictions, we’ve learned that a lack of staffing can contribute to issues with the proper feeding of Residents in Personal Care Homes. This extra assistance is required immediately and our goal is to ensure that our Residents are cared for.
Please contact me if you are interested in participating in a 2 hour orientation on feeding/swallowing. The orientation will take place at The Simkin Centre on Tuesday, November 24th at 10:30 am and 3:30 pm. Personal Protective Equipment will be provided. Please note – part of the orientation will include hands on experience in feeding a Resident, hand hygiene, and donning and doffing.
Thank you for your commitment to our Residents.
Please contact Alissa Minaker
(Acting Volunteer/Companion Coordinator) at 204-589-9008 or
Alissa.minaker@simkincentre.ca
Local News
Thank you to the community from the Chesed Shel Emes
We’re delighted to share a major milestone in our Capital Campaign, “Building on our Tradition.” Launched in November 2018, this campaign aimed to replace our outdated facility with a modern space tailored to our unique needs. Our new building is designed with ritual at its core, featuring ample preparation space, Shomer space, and storage, creating a warm and welcoming environment for our community during times of need.
We’re grateful to the nearly 1,000 generous donors who contributed over $4 million towards our new facility. A $750,000 mortgage will be retired in November 2025, completing this monumental project in just seven years.
We’re also thrilled to announce that our Chesed Shel Emes Endowment Fund has grown tenfold, from $15,000 to $150,000, thanks to you, the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba’s FundMatch program, and Million Dollar Match initiative in 2024. Our fund helps ensure that everyone can have a dignified Jewish funeral regardless of financial need.
As we look to the future, our goal remains to ensure the Chevra Kadisha continues to serve our community for generations to come. Our focus now shifts to replenishing our savings account and growing our JFM Endowment fund.
We’re deeply grateful for your support over the past several years.
It’s our privilege to serve our community with care and compassion.
With sincere appreciation,
Campaign cabinet: Hillel Kravetsky, Gerry Pritchard, Stuart Pudavick,
Jack Solomon, and Rena Boroditsky
Murray S. Greenfield, President
Local News
Winnipeg Beach Synagogue about to celebrate 75th anniversary
By BERNIE BELLAN (July 13) In 1950 a group of cottage owners at Winnipeg Beach took it upon themselves to relocate a one-room schoolhouse that was in the Beausejour area to Winnipeg Beach where it became the beach synagogue at the corner of Hazel and Grove.
There it stayed until 1998 when it was moved to its current location at Camp Massad.
On August 2nd members of the synagogue will be holding a 75th anniversary celebration.
As part of the celebration anyone who is a descendant or relative of any of the original members of the first executive committee (as seen in the photo here) is invited to attend the synagogue that morning.
If you are a relative please contact Abe Borzykowski at wpgbeachshule@shaw.ca or aborzykowski@shaw.ca to let Abe know you might be attending or for more information about the 75th anniversary celebration.
We will soon be publishing a story about the history of the beach synagogue, which is something I’ve been writing about for over 25 years.
Local News
Vickar Family cuts ribbon on new Tova Vickar and Family Childcare Centre
By MYRON LOVE In the words of Larry Vickar, the Shaarey Zedek’s successful Dor V’ Dor Campaign “is not only a renewal of the synagogue but truly a renewal movement of Jewish life in our community.”An integral part of that renewal movement was the creation of a daycare centre within the expanded synagogue. On Monday, June 23, Larry and Tova Vickar cut the ribbon, thereby officially opening the Tova Vickar and Family Childcare Centre in the presence of 100 of their family members, friends and other supporters of the project.
The short program preceding the morning ribbon-cutting began with a continental breakfast followed by a welcome by both Fanny Levy, Shaarey Zedek’s Board President, and Executive Director Dr. Rena Secter Elbaze. In Elbaze’s remarks, she noted that Larry and Tova wanted their family (including son Stephen and family, who flew in from Florida) and friends at the event to celebrate the opening of the Tova Vickar and Family Childcare Centre, “not because of the accolades, but because, as Larry put it, he hopes that their investment in the congregation will inspire others to do the same.”
“When Larry and I spoke about what this gift meant to him and the message he wanted people to take away,” she continued, “I couldn’t help but connect it to the teachings of Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi whose book – Age-ing to Sage-ing – changes the whole way we look at the concept of ageing and basing it on our ancestral teachings.”
She explained that his concept of “Sage-ing” is based on three key ideas – Discover your meaning and purpose; accept our mortality and think about the legacy you want to leave.
“Larry spoke about these exact concepts when we met,” she said.
Elbaze also noted the presence of Shaarey Zedek’s newly-arrived senior Rabbi Carnie Rose, former Rabbi Alan Green, and area MLAs Mike Moroz and Carla Compton.
Larry Vickar expressed his great appreciation for all those in attendance. “Tova and I are deeply moved to stand here with you today for this important milestone in our community”, he said. “We are grateful to be surrounded by all of you, the people we care about, our family and friends… you who have touched our lives and played some part in our journey.”