Local News
Calvin Gutkin: more than just a family doc
By GERRY POSNER It staggers me often when I look at the careers of various people. Calvin Gutkin’s story is more than staggering. From West Kildonan to the pinnacle of family doctors in Canada, here’s a guy who has made a huge difference for many people. You wouldn’t know it to talk to him, but truth will out.
Calvin’s life began at 215 Rupertsland Avenue. Son of the late Danny and Dorothy Gutkin, Calvin, who recently became an octogenarian, was a graduate of West Kildonan Collegiate (home to so many illustrious Winnipeggers).
Even from his earliest school years, you had to know Gutkin would go far. At age 13, he won an oratorical contest sponsored by the Winnipeg Optimist Club. He then competed as the youngest of 200 entrants in the International Optimist Clubs Oratorical Competition for boys 13-16 and won the Bronze Medal.
That speaking ability continued at the University of Manitoba. During his third year of medical school, he became the first ever medical student to be selected as a member of of the University of Manitoba’s inter- university debating team, which consisted of three law school students and Calvin. Not surprisingly, they defeated the teams from the other western Canadian universities and won the debating competition in which they were entered.
Even though he then had offers to pursue a law career, Calvin continued with his medical education. He received his MD from the University of Manitoba in 1969 and then did his post- grad training at the Toronto Western Hospital/University of Toronto. In 1974, he earned his certification in Family Medicine (CCFP), awarded by the College of Family Physicians of Canada.
In 1982, he successfully achieved a second certification, this time in Emergency Medicine- this time becoming a CCFP again but with the added letters “EM”.
In 1984, Gutkin was awarded a fellowship in the College of Physicians of Canada. That was barely the beginning. Why do I say that? you might ask. Reflect on this list of positions Calvin has held over a period of years and you can get a glimmer of what he’s all about.
From 1973-1985 he both worked and taught at Toronto Western Hospital
Throughout that time, he was an Assistant Professor in the University of Toronto Department of Family and Community Medicine, as well as Director and Head of the U of T’s Emergency Medicine Residency Programme
From 1985- 1995 he was Chief of Emergency, Deputy Chief of Family Medicine and Occupational Health Physician at the Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga
From 1991-1995 he was Chief of the Medical Staff and Chair of the Medical advisory Committee at Credit Valley.
From 996-2012 he was Executive Director and CEO of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) as well as its Research and Education Foundation.
One has to appreciate just what this last title means. In essence, Cal Gutkin was the head honcho for over 35,000 family physicians across Canada for 17 years. No small job I say. During his tenure at the helm, he was in large part responsible for the evolution of the College’s annual scientific assembly into the Family Medicine Forum – the largest annual medical conference in Canada. He was also responsible for the establishment of the National Physician Survey, the launch of the Triple C Competency Based Curriculum for training family medicine residents and the introduction of the Patient’s Medical Home, an innovative new team-based model for family practice. To put his contributions to Family Medicine in a context that sports fans might relate to, you could say Gutkin was the MVP (Most Valuable Physician) in his specialty.
Along the way, Gutkin found time to be a physician for the Canadian Special Olympics, the Toronto Argonauts, and the Toronto Youth Athletic Club – which helps wayward boys. Moreover, he was a National Board Director of the Michelle Jean Foundation and currently serves on the board of the Writers’ collective of Canada, a charity that reaches out to disadvantaged individuals and populations.
In 2012, Gutkin was recognized by the Government of Canada when he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth 11 Diamond Jubilee Medal for his outstanding service to family medicine in Canada and abroad. In 2015, he received another honour, the W. Victor Johnston Award, named for the very first executive director of CFPC. This award recognizes Canadian or international family physicians who have made an outstanding leadership contributions to family medicine or abroad. He was, not so surprisingly, the first Jewish boy from the north end of Winnipeg to reach this lofty status.
Dr. Cal Gutkin has remained active as a board director at CarePoint Health – a new patient-centred team- based primary care centre in Mississauga – as well as on the Mississauga Health Team, which is the Ontario government’s model responsible for the oversight and integration of health care services in each community.
With all of these awards and honours accorded Gutkin, what really hit home for me was the fact that, in 2013, the CFPC created a special award, called the Calvin L. Gutkin Family Medicine Ambassador Award. This award, presented annually, recognizes a dynamic leader in Canadian Family Medicine who, by virtue of his or her vision, innovation and relationship building, has positively impacted the role of family physicians and the care provided by them for the people of Canada. You usually have to die before you get a medal or award named after you, but happily, Gutkin is an exception here. I would suggest that Rupertsland Avenue has never had such an esteemed alumnus.
Gutkin still traces his career and the many awards that it has brought to him as being in large part attributable to his growing up years in Winnipeg with a strong and nurturing support system from his parents and his younger sister Cheryl, whom Calvin says has now been married to three life partners: Dickie Dee, Salisbury House, and Earl Barish. He was also blessed with a network of great life-long Winnipeg friends with whom he grew up up, including Dane Hershberg, now in Toronto, along with David Stuart, Howard Malchy, and Lawrie Halparin, all now in Vancouver.
Most of all, Calvin is quick to point out that much of his good fortune was because of a happy and long marriage of nearly 50 years to his wife, the former Mary Waddell, who sadly passed in April 2025. Plus, he has three wonderful daughters: Michelle, Maia and Leah; their life partners, Cory, Andy and Matt; and four magnificent grandkids- Maddie, Declan, Jane and William.
I wondered aloud as to what Gutkin had to say about the state of family medicine today. In fact, he has a lot to say and The Jewish Post could devote a whole page to just that topic. But what Calvin Gutkin emphasized to me was that if you want to have a healthy population, it is essential to have access to a family physician and good primary/first line care. Cal states emphatically that “if our governments and health care systems hope to create better health outcomes, the best place to focus their resources is in primary care and family practice.”
Local News
Winnipeg Jewish Theatre breaks new ground with co-production with Rainbow Stage
By MYRON LOVE Winnipeg Jewish Theatre is breaking new ground with its first ever co-production with Rainbow Stage. The new partnership’s presentation of “Fiddler on the Roof” is scheduled to hit the stage at our city’s famed summer musical theatre venue in September 2026.
“We have collaborated with other theatre companies in joint productions before,” notes Dan Petrenko, the WJT’s artistic and managing director – citing previous partnerships with the Segal Centre for the Performing Arts in Montreal, the Harold Green Jewish Theatre in Toronto, Persephone Theatre in Saskatoon and Winnipeg’s own Dry Cold Productions. “Because of the times we’re living through, and particularly the growing antisemitism in our communities and across the country, I felt there is a need to tell a story that celebrates Jewish culture on the largest stage in the city – to reach as many people as possible.”
Last year, WJT approached Rainbow Stage with a proposal for the co-presentation of “Fiddler on the Roof.” Rainbow Stage management was really enthusiastic in their response, Petrenko reports.
“We are excited to be working with Winnipeg’s largest musical theatre company,” he notes. “Rainbow Stage has an audience of more than 10,000 people every season. Fiddler is a great, family-oriented story and, through our joint effort with Rainbow Stage, WJT will be able to reach out to new and younger audiences.”
“We are also working to welcome more diverse audiences from other communities, as well as newcomers – families who have moved here from Israel, Argentina and countries of the former Soviet Union.”
Helping Petrenko to achieve those goals are two relatively new and younger additions to WJT’s management team. Both Company Manager Etel Shevelev, and Head of Marketing Julia Kroft are in their 20s – as is Petrenko himself.
Kroft, who is also Gray Academy’s Associate Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations, needs little or no introduction to many readers. In addition to her work for Gray Academy and WJT, the daughter of David and Ellen Kroft has been building a second career as a singer and actor. Over the past few years, she has performed by herself or as part of a musical ensemble at Jewish community events, as well as in various professional theatre productions in the city.
Etel Shevelev is also engaged in a dual career. In addition to working full time at WJT, she is also a Fine Arts student (majoring in graphic design) at the University of Manitoba. Outside of school, she is an interdisciplinary visual artist (exhibiting her work and running workshops), so you can say the art world is no stranger to her.
(She will be partcipating in Limmud next month as a member of the Rimon Art Collective.)
Shevelev grew up in Kfar Saba (northeast of Tel Aviv). She reports that in Israel she was involved in theatre from a young age. “In 2019, I graduated from a youth theatre school, which I attended for 11 years.” In a sense, her work for WJT brings her full circle.
She arrived in Winnipeg just six years ago with her parents. “I was 19 at the time,” she says.
After just a year in Winnipeg, her family decided to relocate to Ottawa, while she chose to stay here. “I was already enrolled in university, had a long-term partner, and a job,” she explains. “I felt that I was putting down roots in Winnipeg.”
Etel expects to graduate by the end of the academic year, allowing her to focus on the arts professionally full-time.
In her role as company manager, Shevelev notes, she is responsible for communications with donors, contractors, and unions, as well as applying for various grants and funding opportunities.
In addition, her linguistic skills were put to use last spring for WJT’s production of “The Band’s Visit,” a story about an Egyptian band that was invited to perform at a cultural centre opening ceremony in the lively centre of Israel, but ended up in the wrong place – a tiny, communal town in southern Israel. Shevelev was called on to help some of the performers with the pronunciation of Hebrew words and with developing a Hebrew accent.
“I love working for WJT,” she enthuses. “Every day is different.”
Shevelev and Petrenko are also enthusiastic about WJT’s next production – coming up in April: “Ride: The Musical” debuted in London’s West End three years ago, and then went on to play at San Diego’s Old Globe theatre to rave reviews. The WJT production will be the Canadian premiere!
The play, Petrenko says, is based on the true story of Annie Londonderry, a young woman – originally from Latvia, who, in 1894, beat all odds and became the first woman to circle the world on a bicycle.
Petrenko is also happy to announce that the director and choreographer for the production will be Lisa Stevens – an Emmy Award nominee and Olivier Award winner. (The Olivier is presented annually by the Society of London Theatre to recognize excellence in professional London theatre).
“Lisa is in great demand across Canada, and the world really,” the WJT artistic director says. “I am so thrilled that we will be welcoming one of the greatest Jewish directors and choreographers of our time to Winnipeg this Spring.”
For more information about upcoming WJT shows, readers can visit wjt.ca, email the WJT office at info@wjt.ca or phone the box office at 204-477-7515.
Local News
Rising Canadian comedy star Rob Bebenek to headline JCFS’ second annual “Comedy for a Cause”
By MYRON LOVE Last year, faced with a federal government budget cut to its Older Adult Services programs, Jewish Child and Family Service launched a new fundraising initiative. “Comedy with a Cause” was held at Rumor’s Comedy club and featured veteran Canadian stand-up comic Dave Hemstad.
That evening was so successful that – by popular demand – JCFS is doing an encore. “We were blown away by the support from the community,” says Al Benarroch, JCFS’s president and CEO.
“This is really a great way to support JCFS by being together and having fun,” he says.
“Last year, JCFS was able to sell-out the 170 tickets it was allotted by Rumor’s,” adds Alexis Wenzowski, JCFS’s COO. “There were also general public attendees at the event last year. Participants enjoyed a fun evening, complete with a 50/50 draw and raffle. We were incredibly grateful for those who turned out, the donors for the raffle baskets, and of course, Rumor’s Comedy Club.
“Feedback was very positive about it being an initiative that encouraged people to have fun for a good cause: our Older Adult Services Team.”
This year’s “Comedy for a Cause” evening is scheduled for Wednesday, February 25. Wenzowski reports that this year’s featured performer, Rob Bebenek, first made a splash on the Canadian comedy scene at the 2018 Winnipeg Comedy festival. He has toured extensively throughout North America, appearing in theatres, clubs and festivals. He has also made several appearances on MTV as well as opening shows for more established comics, such as Gerry Dee and the late Bob Saget.
For the 2026 show, Wenzowski notes, Rumors’ is allotting JCFS 200 tickets. As with last year, there will also be some raffle baskets and a 50/50 draw.
“Our presenting sponsors for the evening,” she reports, “are the Vickar Automotive Group and Kay Four Properties Incorporated.”
The funds raised from this year’s comedy evening are being designated for the JCFS Settlement and Integration Services Department. “JCFS chose to do this because of our reduction in funding last year by the federal government to this department,” Wenzowski points out.
“Last year alone,” she reports, “our Settlement and Integration Services team settled 118 newcomer families – from places like Israel, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina. Each year, our program supports even more newcomer families with things like case management, supportive counselling, employment coaching, workshops, programming for newcomer seniors, and more.”
“We hope to raise more than $15,000 through this event for our Settlement and Integration Program,” Al Benarroch adds. “The team does fantastic work, and we know that our newcomer Jewish families need the supports from JCFS. I want to thank our sponsors, Rumor’s Comedy Club, and attendees for supporting us.”
Tickets for the show cost $40 and are available to purchase by calling JCFS (204-477-7430) or by visiting here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/jcfs-comedy-for-a-cause. Sponsorships are still available.
Local News
Ninth Shabbat Unplugged highlight of busy year for Winnipeg Hillel
By MYRON LOVE Lindsay Kerr, Winnipeg’s Hillel director, is happy to report that this year’s ninth Shabbat UnPlugged, held on the weekend of January 9-11, attracted approximately 90 students from 11 different universities, including 20 students who were from out of town.
Shabbat UnPlugged was started in 2016 by (now-retired) Dr. Sheppy Coodin, who was a science teacher at Gray Academy, along with fellow Gray Academy teacher Avi Posen (who made aliyah in 2019) – building on the Shabbatons that Gray Academy had been organizing for the school’s high school students for many years.
The inaugural Shabbat UnPlugged was so successful that Coodin and Posen did it again in 2017 and took things one step further by combining their Shabbat UnPlugged with Hillel’s annual Shabbat Shabang Shabbaton that brings together Jewish university students from Winnipeg and other Jewish university students from Western Canada.
As in the past, this year’s Shabbat UnPlugged weekend was held at Lakeview’s Hecla Resort. “What we like about Hecla,” Kerr notes, “is that they let us bring in our own kosher food, it is out of the city and close to nature for those who want to enjoy the outdoors.”
The weekend retreat traditionally begins with a candle lighting, kiddush and a traditional Shabbat supper. Unlike previous Shabbats UnPlugged, Kerr points out, there were no outside featured speakers this year. All religious services and activities were led by students or national program partners.
The weekend was funded in part by grants from CJPAC and StandWithUs Canada, along with the primary gift from The Asper Foundation.
Kerr reports that the activities began with 18 of our local Jewish university students participating in a new student Shabbaton – inspired by Shabbat Unplugged, titled “Roots & Rising.”
In addition to Shabbat Unplugged, Hillel further partnered with Chabad for a Sukkot program in the fall, as well as with Shaarey Zedek Congregation and StandWithUs Canada for a Chanukah program. Hillell also featured a commemoration of October 7, an evening of laser tag and, in January, a Hillel-led afternoon of ice skating.
Coming up this month will be a visit to an Escape Room – and a traditional Shabbat dinner in March.
Kerr estimates that there are about 300 Jewish students at the University of Manitoba and 100 at the University of Winnipeg.
“Our goal is to attract more Jewish students to take part in our programs and connect with our community,” she comments.