Local News
BB Camp: A Legacy of Wilderness, Community, and Jewish Connection
Introduction: Readers of this website may have read stories some months back about the huge controversy in which BB Camp on Town Island in Lake of the Woods had found itself. You can read a number of different stories on this website simply by searching for BB Camp.
Those stories give a great deal of detail about what happened, beginning with a story posted on April 10 titled “BB Camp finds itself embroiled in controversy over camp co-director Jacob Brodovsky.”
Subsequently, we reported that the BB Camp board of directors had given a full vote of confidence to Brodovsky, only to find itself just a few days later ordered by the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg to reverse that decision and fire Brodovsky. (The Jewish Federation has consistently ignored requests from us to offer an explanation why it demanded the firing of Brodovsky.)
On April 27, however, we reported that the board of BB Camp had just appointed two new co-directors: Aliza Millo and Sarah Gould. You can read that story at “Well, that didn’t take long.” (We should note, however, as we did in that story posted on April 27, that Millo’s and Gould’s titles were “co-director,” not “co-executive director,” which were the titles held by their predecessors, Brodovsky and Lexie Yurman (who also happen to be married to each other). Although Jacob Brodovsky had been fired as camp co-executive director, Lexie Yurman happened to be on maternity leave at the time of Jacob’s firing. Whether she will be allowed to return as executive director next summer has not been announced by the board.
Recently, writer Jon van der Veen went out to BB Camp to see for himself how the camp had done this summer and to talk to both Millo and Gould.
Here is Jon’s report:
Nestled on Town Island in Lake of the Woods, BB Camp has been a cherished summer haven for generations of campers, counselors, and families. This year, BB welcomed back two dedicated staff members, Sarah Gould and Aliza Millo, to run the camp; their deep ties to the camp highlight its enduring magic and evolving traditions. In a heartfelt conversation, they shared their reasons for returning, the camp’s unique wilderness focus, and its vibrant Jewish programming that continues to foster community and growth.
A Homecoming Rooted in History:
Sarah’s connection to BB Camp spans decades. Starting as an eight-year-old camper, she progressed through the ranks to become a counselor, then to teaching canoeing and leading the camp’s renowned four-week AC (Advanced Camp) canoe trip. After years away—working at another camp, earning a graduate degree in anthropology, and raising a daughter—she returned this summer. “I’ve always been part of BB Camp,” Sarah said. “It held a special place in my heart, and when we heard there was an opportunity to come back, it just seemed like the right thing to do.”
Aliza, too, has deep roots at BB Camp. A former camper who completed the AC canoe trip, she later served as a counselor before moving to Toronto. Even during her time away, she stayed engaged through volunteer work and the camp’s alumni committee. “It feels like home,” Aliza shared. “It’s like a place where all Jewish people can come and feel completely safe and secure, like they belong.” Her personal milestone of meeting her husband at camp and marrying on the island underscores the lifelong bonds formed here.
The Wilderness Heart of BB Camp:
At the core of BB Camp’s identity is its wilderness program, a tradition that remains as strong today as it was decades ago. The pinnacle is the AC program, a four-week canoe trip where campers, aged 15, venture into the wilderness, covering up to 20 miles a day with multiple portages.
This year, five AC trips took approximately 50 campers into the remote reaches of Lake of the Woods, equipped with spot devices and satellite phones for safety—an update from Sarah’s era as a tripper when groups were entirely cut off from civilization.
The wilderness program starts young, with even the youngest campers, aged 11 to 12, embarking on overnight trips around the island’s conservation-protected campsites. As they grow, their adventures extend farther, culminating in the intensive AC trip. “The more skills they have, the more confident they feel,” Sarah noted, highlighting activities like knot-tying, fire-building, and canoeing that empower campers to embrace the outdoors. This skill-based learning is being revitalized this summer, with plans to bring back canoeing awards and wooden beads for achievements like sleeping under the stars—a tradition that resonates deeply with alumni.
A Vibrant Jewish Identity:
BB Camp’s commitment to Jewish culture is equally robust, thanks to the efforts of the “J-Crew,” a group of staff who have spearheaded a revival of Judaic programming. Aliza explained their grassroots initiative is inteded to amplify Jewish identity- something she says, was in already in motion before she and Sarah returned as camp directors.
A standout event is Israel Day, a camp-wide celebration that transforms the island into a vibrant tribute to Israeli culture. This year, campers “climbed Masada” at the ropes course, relaxed at a “Dead Sea spa” with oatmeal and cucumber slices, and enjoyed a “Tel Aviv beach party” with kayaking and canoe races. Falafel and Bissli snacks added authentic flavor, while decorations like Israeli flags and red thread bracelets created an immersive experience. “One kid said, ‘Israel Day is heaven,’” Aliza said – a testament to the program’s success. Aliza noted that the staff set up Israel Day at night, so that when the campers woke up it was a big surprise to see the camp transformed!
Beyond Israel Day, the camp weaves Jewish values into daily life, using Hebrew words like “chadar” for the dining hall. Shabbat programming offers flexibility, with counselors designing activities like book clubs or arts and crafts, ensuring every camper finds their place. “It’s about being intentional,” Aliza said, noting the camp’s efforts to foster a shared Jewish language and sense of belonging.
Aliza also informed me that BB camp had two Israeli staff members this year. Although not a new phenomenon, their continued incorporation into camp life provides a valuable cross-cultural exchange and helps enhance the Jewish identity.
Continuity and Change
Despite the passage of time, much of BB Camp feels unchanged. The swim docks, the energy of kids running down camp trails, and the closing tradition of the “burning B’s”—a raft with the camp’s initials set alight on the final night—evoke nostalgia for Sarah and Aliza. “The energy hasn’t changed,” Aliza said, reflecting on the familiar giggles and excitement that define camp life. Yet, modern touches like printed emails from parents and safety devices for wilderness trips reflect thoughtful evolution. However, BB Camp isn’t in a rush to adopt all the trappings of modern life, wary of ruining the wilderness experience. “We want them to experience the wilderness without distractions,” Sarah explained, emphasizing that the camp’s no-phone policy offers kids a rare chance to disconnect from a technology dominated world.
The camp’s generational continuity is striking. Sarah noted, saying that she would see the children of former counselors and campers, with families from Toronto, Vancouver, and beyond sending their kids to experience BB Camp’s magic. Kids like to find the names of their parents and other relatives on the canoe trip paddles – dating back to 1968, that line the dining hall walls. “There’s a real generational continuity here,” she said. “It’s a place that’s special in people’s hearts.”
This generational continuity is something Sarah experienced first-hand this summer, as she brought along her young daughter when she took the job at camp. “ She loves it,” Sarah remarked. “We live in Toronto now, but I wanted her to be part of the BB camp family.”
A Place of Growth and Connection:
With 117 campers and 28 leaders-in-training this session, BB Camp buzzes with activity. From the competitive Maccabi Games to canoe trips, the schedule is packed yet purposeful, with a balance between the arts and the outdoors.
The camp’s small cabins, ranging from seven to twelve campers, ensure personalized attention, with counselors, while staff-in-training fosters a supportive environment.
For Sarah and Aliza, BB Camp is more than a summer getaway—it’s a transformative space where kids grow through challenges, whether conquering a ropes course, paddling a canoe, or simply sleeping away from home. “Kids find their thing here,” Sarah said. “From that challenge comes growth.” The camp’s pristine wilderness – free from the distractions of modern life, amplifies this impact, offering a rare opportunity for decompression and self-discovery.
As Sarah and Aliza walked through the camp, pointing out the tripper track—a relic from the island’s days as a 1950s army base—and sharing stories of their own camp days, their passion was palpable. “There’s nowhere else like Lake of the Woods,” Sarah said, reflecting on the solitude and beauty of the AC trips. “It’s a true wilderness experience.”
After a successful grassroots campaign to save Towne Island from development in 2021, BB Camp now partners with the Nature Conservancy of Canada as stewards of Towne Island. Protecting and caring for the environment, its pristine forests and wildlife, is a key value instilled in camp life.
A Community United:
This year, BB Camp has seen an outpouring of support from the broader camp community, including partnerships with other Jewish camps like Camp Massad. “There’s no need for rivalry,” Aliza said, noting the collaborative spirit that strengthens Winnipeg’s Jewish camping scene. With only about 14,000 Jews in the city, the existence of two such nearby camps is a remarkable asset.
As each summer comes and goes, BB Camp remains a beacon of tradition, growth, and community. For Sarah, Aliza, and countless others, it’s a place where memories are made, skills are honed, and Jewish identity is celebrated—a true home away from home on the picturesque shores of Town Island.
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
New GrowWinnipeg “Grow Together” highlights diverse origins of our growing Jewish community
By MYRON LOVE On Monday, June 11, about 120 younger Jewish Winnipeggers from diverse backgrounds came together at the Asper Campus for an evening of food and music, games and prizes and, most important, the opportunity to socialize with their peers from a growing community that reflects the long term success of our community’s 26-year-old GrowWinnipeg initiative.
“We are gathered here to celebrate your and your parents’ decisions to come to Winnipeg, build families and raise families here,” noted Dalia Szpiro, GrowWinnipeg’s director, in addressing the young adults in attendance.
To summarize, the GrowWinnipeg Initiative arose when our past community’s leadership recognized that our Jewish population was an aging and shrinking community with aging infrastructure.
The first stage was the planning and construction of the Asper Campus, which brought our major institutions and organizations under one roof in an attractive new building.
The next challenge was to attract more people to our community. GrowWinnipeg was created to take on the challenge. The initiative, which was officially launched in 2000, is unique in its efforts to reach out to young Jewish families throughout the Western world.
The first outreach efforts were directed at Argentina’s sizeable Jewish community at a time when the South American country’s economy was going through a very difficult period. Several of our community leaders visited the Jewish community in Buenos Aires and a website was established. Arrangements were made for local families to host Jewish Argentinians here on exploratory visits and the community helped the prospective immigrants navigate the then new Provincial Nominee Program, find jobs and establish themselves here.
Since then, many young families – from Argentina, as well as a great number of other countries – have chosen to make Winnipeg their new home. The young people at the recent GrowWinnipeg evening were reflective of the diversity of our growing community. During the course of the evening, I had the opportunity to speak with not only Israeli-born participants, also young people from Russia and Ukraine, Turkey and Uruguay – and a young lady who grew up in Ottawa.
Naomi Kirshenblatt Palansky originally came here from Ottawa to go to university. She met and married local entrepreneur Noah Palansky in 2023. (We wrote about Noah in the December 19, 2025 issue). That same year, the former competitive swimmer who competed in the Maccabiah Games in 2009 and 2013 served as manager of the Canadian Junior swimming team participating in the games. She is currently the director of operations and strategy for a company called CoinFlip.
Although born in Montevideo, Uruguay, Yael Borovich grew up in Winnipeg. She is the daughter of Dalia Szpiro and Eduardo Borovich (and younger sister of Vanessa) all of whom moved here in 2002. She is a graduate of the Asper School of Business and works as a senior client relationship manager for Scotia Bank’s commercial branch.
Siblings Igal and Edem Avimelek arrived here from Turkey six years ago with their parents, Etel and Moris. Edem is in her second year at the University of Manitoba while Igal is studying engineering at UBC.
They report that their father, Moris, has established the Upperwear Textile Agency – marketing textile products online – while their mother Etel, is senior IT Director, software development and data analytics and enterprise architecture at Standard Aero.
“Our parents were looking to move to a new country and came across the GrowWinnipeg webpage,” Edem says. “GrowWinnipeg has been really supportive of us in helping us move here and become established.”
More recent arrivals Alex Tsmokaliuk and Jane Hin are from Ukraine and Russia respectively and have been together since 2022. “We were looking for a peaceful place to start a family,”: Alex says. “We heard about GrowWinnpeg and here we are.”
Alex is a fitness trainer while Jane is working for WRE Development as a property manager.
Dora Bronstein, who is originally from Beersheva, is also a recent arrival to our community. “I came to Winnipeg because I wanted to get away from war – and I heard about GrowWinnipeg,” she says.
She is currently working for L.C. Taylor Licensed Insolvency Trustee as an estate manager.
Erele Tzidon and Daniel Mejnov
Last October, GrowWinnipeg introduced its new Youth Ambassadors program.
“Since October, we have been working to create an organized system and opportunities to help young newcomers find their people within our community,” wrote Youth Ambassador Erele Tzidon on Facebook.
“Our mission is to help young immigrants find a sense of home in Winnipeg and support a smooth and welcoming transition.
We are excited to help bring our young Jewish community together.
As reported in the Jewish Post about 18 months ago, Tzidon is originally from Moshav Ginaton in central Israel. She came to Winnipeg in 2018 with her parents Ofer – formerly regional manager for a car rental agency in Israel and now an RBC branch manager – and Sharon – an emotional therapist in Israel who is currently working as an educational assistant at Gray Academy – and three younger brothers.
The 20-year Gray Academy graduate has recently completed her third year in Science at the University of Manitoba. For the past three years, she has also been a member of Dr. Inna Rabinovich-Nikitin’s research team at the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (ICS), researching the link between pregnancy complications and the risk for heart disease.
In November, 2024, Tzidon was presented with the Dr. James S. McGoey Student Award – based on the quality of her cardiovascular research at the ICS, which operates out of the St. Boniface Hospital campus’s Albrechchtsen Research Centre.
Tzidon’s fellow Youth Ambassador is Daniel Mejnov. He was born in Beersheva but moved to Winnipeg with his parents, Dennis and Victoria (and younger brother Alon) 14 years ago. He is currently enrolled in an IT program at the University of Winnipeg.
Mejnov welcomed all those in attendance at the celebration and thanked the volunteers who helped him and Tzidon organize the event.
“It has been great being able to bring so many people together,” he said. “This is a good way to unite our community.
Two other individuals of particular note that I spoke with at the event were Orit Agabayev and Alina Plis, partners in three year old A and O Event Décor, who provided the balloon arches and walls, table settings and centre pieces for the evening.
Agabayev is originally from Netanya and Plis is from Yeruham (in southern Israel). The latter has been here for 18 years and operates a daycare. The former came 16 years. Her principal career is working in the field of animal nutrition.
In an Instagram PosI from four years ago, Plis noted that “I have always been passionate about planning parties and events. I started out with planning big surprise birthday parties for my kids. Eventually I began planning and decorating events for family and friends. Now I am taking the next step with my friend, Orit, who shares the same level enthusiasm as me. What drives me to go above and beyond is simply the excitement my creations bring to those who see my work.
On Facebook, Agabayev added that “Alina and I are so excited to start A&O event decor. We both love decorating and planning different events. We hope that you can put your trust in us to create or decorate an event for you. We do Birthday parties, anniversaries, bachelor/bachelorette parties, proposals, weddings and more..
“Message us with your ideas to get a free quote and you’re one step closer to having an unforgettable event.”
Local News
Hungarian Holocaust survivor focus of new documentary co-produced by Winnipeggers Liam Karp and Jamie Michaels
By MYRON LOVE “I Draw Things the Best I Can,” a new documentary co-produced by Winnipegger Liam Karp and former Winnipegger Jamie Michaels premiered June 8 at the Toronto Jewish Film Festival.
The 40-minute film focuses on the life of Hungarian-born Holocaust survivor Adam Policzer from his childhood hiding with neighbours in Miskolc in 1944, his postwar immigration to Chile to reunite with his father (who came to Chile just before the war but was unable to bring his family out), his imprisonment in Chile for over a year under the dictatorship of General Augusto Pinoche following the coup in 1972, his subsequent immigration with his wife and family to Vancouver, and his successful career as an architect.
Earlier this year, Policzer unveiled a new side of himself. He wrote and drew all the illustrations for “The House Across the Street,” the story of his struggle for survival – a memorial he had published in the form of a graphic novel. The book was published by Jamie Michaels’ “Dirty Water Comics” in June.
According to its webpage, Dirty Water Comics is “a boutique publishing house that specializes in literary comics that showcase a unique voice and a talent for storytelling. We publish a selective catalogue, create immersive readings, and pride ourselves on championing the work we curate”.
Michaels co-founded the company in 2016 in order to publish his own first graphic comic –an account of his ambitious journey some years before – along with a couple of high school friends – to travel by canoe down the Red and Mississippi Rivers to the Gulf of Mexico. The launch of that graphic novel was reported in a story that previously appeared in The Jewish Post & News.
The son of John Michaels and Karen Stern then published a second graphic novel recounting the 1933 Christie Pitts riot, which pitted younger members of Toronto’s Jewish community and their supporters against Nazi-inspired thugs.
“The House across the Street” is Dirty Water Comics’ fourth publication. (“The Harrowing Tales of La Coriveau” – the third publication – “is a graphic novel retelling the legend and history of Marie-Josephte Corriveau, a Quebecois woman whom the English executed in 1763 for the murder of her second husband. Following her death, Corriveau was hanged from a tree outside of Quebec City in an iron cage. In the centuries that followed, her story was transformed. She became a caged witch who haunted lone travellers, a reviled murderess, and a victim of circumstance”.)
“I first met Adam Policzer a couple of years ago when he approached me about his book,” recalls Michaels, who recently earned his Ph.D from the University of Calgary, where he currently teaches. (His dissertation was on the evolution of Jewish and Arab nationalism during World War I.) “I reached out to Liam and he and I both thought it was a beautiful story and thAt we should make a documentary about Adam.”
Karp and Michaels have been friends since high school (Grant Park). Over the past ten years, the son of Marcia and Morris Karp has built a successful career as the go-to guy for visual effects for movies and television series being shot in and around Winnipeg. He is currently providing his expertise for the remake of the popualtr TV series “Little House on the Prairie,” which is being shot in and around Winnipeg.
In filming the documentary, Karp and Michaels spent time with Policzer and his family in Vancouver. They also filmed on location in Budapest and visited Miskolc to interview members of the family that hid him during the Holocaust.
Karp and Michaels express their appreciation to the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba and Manitoba Film and Music, which provided funding for the project.
Michaels reports that the partners have secured several screenings of the documentary throughout North America. “We hope to show Adam’s story at the Winnipeg Jewish Film Festival next year,” he says.
While Karp and Michaels don’t currently have any plans to collaborate again as yet, they both say that they would like to work together again.
