Local News
Ashkenazie Synagogue seeks to repurpose itself into a synagogue/museum
By BERNIE BELLAN The Ashkenazie Synagogue at the corner of Burrows and Charles is Winnipeg’s oldest synagogue and the last remaining of 18 synagogues which once dotted Winnipeg’s North End. Now, like all the other synagogues that once existed contemporaneously with the House of Ashkenazie, it finds itself in a precarious position.
Unable to sustain a regular minyan and with a membership that is a mere fraction of what it once had, the few remaining members of the Ashkenazie are faced with a difficult choice: Either find a new use for the building or close it as a house of worship.
As a result, a group dedicated to finding a new purpose for this historic building has come up with an imaginative proposal that would see the Ashkenazie retain a core area for services, while reconfiguring the rest of the building into a “living” museum of Winnipeg’s Jewish North End.
First, a little history (taken largely from a Free Press article published in 2014 and written by Religion reporter Cheryl Girard): “The Ashkenazy synagogue was founded in 1921 by a group of immigrants from Lithuania. It took over an old Baptist church on the northwest corner of Burrows Avenue and Charles Street.
“A fire destroyed the Orthodox synagogue in April 1945, but it was rebuilt by its members three years later on the same site. The current red brick building is now said to be the oldest synagogue in Winnipeg.
” ‘This is the only synagogue that has a separation between the men and women, ‘ Gary Minuk (who was synagogue president at the time the article was written, and who remains in that position) says. A traditional Orthodox synagogue, it features a balcony that once provided seating for women. Today, there is a simple partition off to one side on the main floor separating women from men during prayers.
“One of the most well-known members was Joseph Wolinsky. A successful businessman, he founded the Joseph Wolinsky Collegiate in 1959 and was associated with many charities, philanthropic and educational institutions around the world.
The Free Press story also noted that during the period between the wars, the synagogue was Winnipeg’s “prestige synagogue, graced by the presence of the city’s chief rabbi, Israel Kahanovitch.”
“The word Ashkenaz means Germany. It refers to Jews who are descendants of the Jewish people of Germany, central Europe and eastern Europe, including Poland and Russia. Ashkenaz also refers to a mode or custom of prayer.”
With that glorious history in mind, as noted, a committee has been struck with the intention of saving the Ashkenazie.
Following are excerpts from a proposal that was sent to the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada, which was written by Dr. Gerald (Yossi) Minuk, and which outlines the proposal developed by the steering committee dedicated to preserving the Ashkenazie Synagogue:
“As outlined at the meeting, the Ashkenazie is the last of 18 synagogues built in Winnipeg’s North-End at the turn of the 19th and early 20th century that still offers services at its original site. Unfortunately, the ability to continue those services is no longer tenable and rather than have the building sold or demolished as was the case with the previous 17 synagogues, the idea has been developed to reconfigure the Ashkenazie into a museum that commemorates all the previous synagogues and at the same time, continues to offer services to its regular attendees, museum visitors and staff.
“That the Ashkenazie will be celebrating its 100th year anniversary this coming 2022 is fortuitous in that it offers the ideal time for the synagogue to repurpose and continue to meet the Jewish community’s needs but in the proposed iteration, as a ‘living’ museum that captures and displays Winnipeg’s rich and famous Jewish North-End history, for the upcoming century.
“Essentially, our ‘vision’ entails the following: the main body of the synagogue would remain intact for daily and/or holiday services. However, the flanking pews would be converted into cubicles that contain narratives, photos and 3 dimensional items recovered from previous synagogues in the area, largely drawing upon collections and exhibits previously displayed by the Jewish Heritage Centre. If the memorabilia exceeds the space available, the flanking pews of the upstairs ladies gallery could be utilized for the same purpose.
“Certain cubicles would also feature former North-Enders who went on to national or international acclaim (ex. Monty Hall, David Steinberg, Sydney Halter, etc.) and computer stations that would enable visitors to look up old relatives and friends who were amongst the first immigrants to the North-End. Similar information would be offered for Jewish owned North-End businesses that helped contribute to the area’s economy.
“In addition, the Chedar-shaynee (anteroom to the main synagogue) would be repurposed as a small café, gift shop and washrooms. Depending on public feedback, the kosher kitchen and undeveloped downstairs area would be renovated and used for either hosting exhibits/seminars/events/dinners.
“In terms of moving forward, it should be noted that the executive board of the Ashkenazie Synagogue is completely supportive of this initiative (personal communication from its President Gary Minuk) and a steering committee (whose members have been cc’d) has been struck.
“As advised at last week’s meeting, proposed next steps would include approaching the Jewish Foundation, Winnipeg Foundation and Thomas Steel Foundation for seed money to hire an engineering firm, and if the building is deemed structurally sound, a museum designer and archivist to develop a formal budget. Thereafter, the Jewish community will be invited via the ‘Jewish Post & News’ publication to visit a website (tentatively entitled “An ASK About the ASH” ) in order to ascertain the level of community support; information on memorabilia whereabouts; suggestions as to which North-Enders and businesses might be profiled and opportunities for involvement/volunteering.
“Finally, regarding long term support, Heritage Winnipeg and the Jewish Foundation will be approached to supplement museum revenues, donations and private fund raising efforts.”
As part of the committee’s effort to repurpose the Ashkenazie, Dr. Minuk contacted The Jewish Post & News and asked, not only that we publicize the committee’s plan, but also include a link to a questionnaire whose purpose would be to gauge potential support for the plan to convert part of the Ashkenazie into a museum.
The questionnaire asks eight questions altogether, along with a final part that allows for comments of a general nature.
Here is a link to the questionnaire: tinyurl.com/4hpd4hky
Local News
Nakba exhbit at CMHR – you can see it right here and make your own assessment
By BERNIE BELLAN (Posted June 26, updated July 19) The Nakba exhibit at the Canadian Exhibit for Human Rights opened to the public June 27. The morning before the exhibit was set to open to the public, (it had a private opening for invited guests the evening of June 26) we received a press release from the CMHR. That press release gave a very detailed description of what was in the exhibit, along with photos (supplied by Annie Kierans of the CMHR).
There is also a link right at the beginning of the press release that will allow you to watch the same videos that anyone attending the exhibit can watch. We reprinted what was sent to us without making one edit. We leave it to you to form your own opinion as to whether the exhibit is fair in its presentation, and whether it is lacking “context” – which is an accusation that has been levelled at the exhibit’s organizers by some representatives of Jewish organizations.
We have received many emails in reaction to the exhibit. If you have an opinion and would like to see it published on this website, you can send it to jewishp@mymts.net, but please indicate whether you would be willing to have it published on this website.
Here is what we received the morning of June 26:
Winnipeg, MB — June 26, 2026 — The Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) will open a new exhibit tomorrow that explores human rights violations related to the ongoing forced displacement of Palestinian Canadians.
Palestine Uprooted: Nakba Past and Present will be on display in the Rights Today gallery on Level 5 until 2028. Featuring personal stories told through artifacts and video testimonies, the exhibit presents Palestinian Canadians reflecting on their ongoing struggle for human rights. The small exhibit reveals enduring patterns of loss and resilience, helping visitors understand more about this contemporary human rights story.
Palestinian Canadian stories are now included alongside many other stories of forced displacement and human rights violations featured in the Museum’s galleries. Each of these stories contribute to our visitors understanding of human rights and help the Museum fulfill its mandate to foster reflection and dialogue.
Exhibition highlights
Personal stories and artifacts: Experience firsthand accounts from Palestinian Canadians sharing their journeys of displacement and memory through a series of five artifacts. Cases display artifacts like property deeds, house keys, and a traditional Palestinian embroidered dress, accompanied by short videos that deepen understanding of the impacts of displacement.
Powerful artworks: In her painting Bound Together in Gaza, Malak Mattar, a Gazan artist, captures the struggles and resilience of her generation shaped by conflict. Her work pays homage to Guernica, Picasso’s powerful masterpiece depicting civilian suffering during war.
Curfews and Closures, by Rajie Cook, bears witness to life under military occupation during the 2000–2005 Palestinian uprising, when curfews and closures were expanded and further limited basic rights and freedoms.
Cultural heritage: Discover traditional Palestinian embroidery called tatreez. Tatreez motifs and colours are tied to place, family history and regional identity. Patterns are associated with particular towns, villages or areas of Palestine. In this way, tatreez is a form of storytelling: a way of preserving memory, sustaining identity and expressing resilience across displacement and exile.
Poetry and reflection: Engage with Mahmoud Darwish’s evocative verses, inspiring personal reflection on exile, voice, and responsibility. Visitors can take a card containing Darwish’s poem and add a personal note, fostering ongoing dialogue beyond the exhibit.
Contemporary context: Witness striking images of current events in Gaza and the West Bank, connecting past displacement to ongoing struggles.
Quotes:
“No force can silence the truth we carry. Growing up in Canada, my children lived the Nakba through our stories. And now we watch it happen again, live, on our phones. When I see the images coming out of Gaza, I am not watching the news. I am watching my history repeat itself.” -Fouad Sahyoun, a Palestinian Canadian featured in the exhibit
“We developed this exhibit with a clear awareness that Palestinian Canadian voices have too often been marginalized, silenced or spoken over — and that anti-Palestinian racism affects whose stories are heard and whose suffering is recognized. That is why we intentionally centred Palestinian Canadian voices throughout the exhibit.” -Isabelle Masson, Curator of Palestine Uprooted
“Human rights matter precisely when they are inconvenient, when the question of who deserves the dignity of having their rights recognized is genuinely contested. These are the moments where having a national museum for human rights is most important.
There are people who believe this exhibit should not exist in its current form. There are people who believe it should have existed sooner. There are people who will visit this exhibit and feel that it does not say enough, and others who will feel it says too much.
We have listened to every one of these voices. We have reflected. And we have renewed our resolve to continue the difficult, sometimes contested, and often controversial work of building understanding about human rights. We are a museum grounded in Canada’s human rights framework, whose mandate requires us to bear witness to the full complexity of the human story. We are proud to open this exhibit because the story it tells will help achieve that mandate, and because this story belongs in the collective memory of Canadians.”
- – Isha Khan, CEO
Local News
A photo that’s being circulated on the internet about me
For those of you not familiar with nutjob Michael Kalo – the psycho who created the notorious “$hitler’s List” years ago and the same psycho who went after Ben Carr, well – now he’s obviously taken a strong disliking to the stance I’ve taken on the Nakba exhibit at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. (You can read elsewhere on this website how I simply posted the entire exhibit as it is – and asked readers to form their own opinions.)
Kalo likes to send out emails to various individual using phony names – such as Frank Ostrowski. When people ask me (or asked Ben Carr) why we don’t take action against him, my answer is: What’s the use? He only basks in the attention.
So Michael – enjoy the attention you’re receiving. I know how much of an embarrassment you are to your wonderfully talented daughters.
Local News
Ami Hassan returning as owner of Falafel Place
By BERNIE BELLAN In a surprise move – and after more than a six-year absence as owner of Falafel Place (Corydon at Wilton) the legendary Ami Hassan has decided to return as owner of one of Winnipeg’s most famous eateries.
Long known for his sometimes irreverent attitude to his customers, e.g., “If you’re finished, get out!”, Ami decided to return to running Falafel Place after having retired years ago (or so he thought) from running the Corydon Avenue restaurant.
We asked Ami whether he’ll be sending a special invitation to Julia Roberts to come visit him at Falafel Place. He asked again: “Who’s Julia Roberts?” (Just kidding – he really does know how Julia Roberts is.) Read the story how Ami told her to leave the restaurant and come back later at Julia Roberts turned away from Falafel Place
Ami did note that when customers saw him inside the restaurant one recent day as he was getting it ready for the reopening Monday, August 10, over 20 of them came in asking him if he was open already.
We asked Ami whether the menu will be the same as it was when he last ran the place and he said everything will be the same.
Falafel Place will be open 7 days a week from 7 am – 2 pm. Remember, if you’re finished – get out!
