Local News
Ben Carr hoping to follow in his late father Jim Carr’s footsteps
By MYRON LOVE Ben Carr, the son of the late Jim Carr, has thrown his hat into the ring to become the next Liberal Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre.
And, he is well aware that he has big shoes to fill. The riding became vacant with the passing of his father, Jim Carr, on December 12, at the age of 71. Jim Carr had been a Liberal MP since 2016, during which time he served in several Cabinet positions. Jim’s resumé also featured time as an MLA, a member of the editorial board of the Free Press, executive director of external relations for the University of Winnipeg, and founding president and CEO of the Business Council of Manitoba – just to list the highlights.
Ben Carr’s own record of achievement to date is also quite impressive. Early in his career, Ben was Brand Coordinator for the United Nations Association in Canada (Manitoba), and a research associate at the Institute of Urban Studies at the University of Winnipeg.
As an educator, he has been a teacher at both Robert H. Smith Elementary School’s French immersion program and at Kelvin High School (his alma mater) – where he was also the head coach of the Kelvin Clippers JV football team. In more recent years, he has served as a principal in the Seven Oak School Division, most recently as principal of the nationally award-winning Maples Met High School.
He is currently the Vice-President of Indigenous Strategy Alliance.
This would be Carr’s second attempt to win political office. Three years ago, he campaigned for a seat as a trustee for the Winnipeg School Board’s Ward 3. He notes the election was cancelled due to the Covid lockdowns.
Now, Ben Carr is no political neophyte. As he pointed out on his webpage, “the Liberal Party of Canada has always been a place where I have felt at home. It has been a second family to me for over 30 years. Early on, he served as president of the Young Liberals of Canada (Manitoba branch).
He has also had an extensive career behind the scenes in politics, including serving as Manitoba campaign manager for former Federal Liberal Party leadership aspirants Scott Brison and Bob Rae, Parliamentary Assistant to Reg Alcock, and Director of Parliamentary Affairs in Ottawa under former Minister of Cultural Heritage Melanie Joly. He had also been a part of his father’s campaign team as a senior adviser.
“I couldn’t have had a better mentor politically or in life,” he says of his father. “I learned from him the importance of building relationships, really listening to what people have to say and trying to understand what is important to people. I also learned to think carefully before speaking.”
Although Carr did not receive a formal Jewish education growing up, he notes that his Jewish identity was strengthened by experiences such as being part of the first all-Jewish group of Grade 9 students to visit the Holocaust Museum in Washington under the auspices of the Asper Foundation, and later going on Birthright to Auschwitz and Israel.
“Fighting anti-Semitism is very important to me – both here at home and abroad,” he comments.
Also important to Carr is working toward reconciliation with Canada’s Indigenous Peoples. – and human rights in general.
“My whole life has been about working to make a difference right here in this community – one that has given me so much,” he notes on his website. “I see this by-election as an opportunity to further my contributions.”
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.”