Local News
Camp Massad returns this summer with a new staff person: Camping Caring Director
By BERNIE BELLAN After a two-year hiatus from having regular sleepover camp, Camp Massad began to return to normal camping last summer.
However, with the world still in the grip of the Covid pandemic, it was no surprise that registration for Massad in the summer of 2022 was its lowest levels ever: just 90 campers in both the first and second sessions combined.
This summer though, things are looking up, with 130 campers registered so far – and with room for more if anyone is still interested in sending their kids to camp.
However, that number is still a far cry short of the 200 campers who were at Massad the summer of 2019 – the last summer before the Covid pandemic hit.
For many campers returning to camp – or attending for the very first time, can be a much more daunting experience than was the case prior to Covid. The effects of social isolation were profound for many kids and, even though it’s nice to think that “we can put Covid behind us,” it’s not such a simple matter for many in the youngest generation who spent some of the most formative years in their lives dealing not only with social isolation, but mask wearing requirements and distancing while at school and elsewhere.
As a result of those pressures – along with all the other pressures that come with growing up in a world where social media – and its often crippling effects on young minds, also plays an outsized role, particularly among adolescents –this coming summer, Camp Massad will be having a new staff person on site whose title will be “Camping Care Director.”
The person who will be filling that role will be Dorit Kosmin, who also wears the title of “Rabbanit” as the wife of Etz Chayim Congregation Rabbi Kliel Rose.
Recently I had the chance to participate in a Zoom call with Dorit, also with Ian Baruch, who will be filling the role of Camp Massad Director of Engagement and Programming for the first time; and with Danial Sprintz, who is now in his 13th year as Camp Massad Executive Director.
We began the call by discussing just what role it is that Dorit will be assuming.
Dorit said that her title in Hebrew will be “Mashgichah Ruchanit,” which she translated as “Supervisor of the Soul” in English. As well, she noted, she will also be responsible for kashrut supervision at the camp.
The funding for Dorit’s new position came about as a result of a grant from the “Foundation for Jewish Camping: Yedid Nefesh,” Dorit explained.
“Many camps across North America have had camper care for generations,” she observed. “My understanding is that Massad never had that position until now.”
For Dorit, however, serving as a care director at a summer camp is nothing new, she said. She has filled that role for years at different camps, all known as Camp Ramah, run by the United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism in the United States.
With both a BA in Family Studies (with a minor in Judaic Studies) and a Master of Social Work degree, Dorit is well equipped to serve in her new role.
Also, as the mother of five kids who have all attended summer camp at one time or another – and who all dealt with the profoundly negative effect that Covid had on young people, Dorit brings a special perspective to the role of Caring Director and “the heightened awareness that mental health plays in young people’s lives.”
The camp experience can often play a pivotal role in so many ways. It can reinforce a sense of community and of sharing and, for Jewish campers, a notion of Jewish identity that they might not otherwise have, or if they do have it, camp can strengthen that identity.
As Dorit noted, in her own home growing up, where her father was a demographer, he stressed that “the way to reinforce Jewish continuity is through Jewish summer camp.”
Not only can camp be great fun and a place where Jewish identity can be developed, it can also be a “place for healing,” Dorit observed, and “not just for the campers, but for the staff” as well, she added.
Danial Sprintz noted that this summer Camp Massad will be back to “a full staff (of 40) for the first time” in years.
He also observed that for many kids, issues revolving around “body image” and “depression,” which were not unusual for kids to have even before the Covid pandemic, were made all the worse during the pandemic.
Ian Baruch added that he can relate to another issue that many campers face at Massad. As a member himself of a family that immigrated to Winnipeg from a non-English speaking country (Argentina), although Ian grew up here and became fluent in English, many of the campers have just come to Canada in recent years. While some of the campers grew up in homes speaking Hebrew, many others have either no knowledge of Hebrew or very little.
“When I came to Canada I spoke only Spanish and Hebrew,” Ian recalled. “I learned English from other campers.”
As a matter of fact, he added, many of the camp counselors are Spanish-speaking, which should be comforting for campers with similar backgrounds.
This year some of the campers will have come here recently from Ukraine, while at least one camper is one from Brazil.
Regardless what language is spoken, however, Danial Sprintz said that what Massad wants to teach campers are “inclusivity, loyalty, and creativity.”
No kids are ever turned away from Massad, he added, whether for reasons of financial hardship or perhaps because of physical or intellectual disability. Danial noted that for many parents finding the money to send their kids to camp can be a real challenge and they might not even want to consider doing that because there are so many other financial obligations that they would prioritize ahead of camp. He would like to assure those parents that Massad will find a way of making it possible for them to send their kids to camp if that is what they want. All they have to do is contact him and he’ll invite them to come down to the office where they can discuss their particular situation.
As well, Dorit noted that children on the autism spectrum will also be made to feel welcome at Massad. In her role as Caring Director, she said, she will be responsible for having a “sensory space for kids who need a quiet space.”
If you’re at all interested in finding out more about Camp Massad, whether it’s for your kids or, bearing in mind that the readership of this paper skews older – for your grandkids, there is still time to contact Danial at the Massad office here. The number is 204-477-7487. Or visit online at campmassad.ca
Local News
The Jewish Post Ltd. launches new website for food lovers
By BERNIE BELLAN Three months ago I wrote a story about something my daughter, Shira, had started doing on social media that had proved to be wildly successful – much to her own surprise. That story was titled: Local foodie finds fame by trying foods on Facebook Marketplace
What Shira was doing was going on to Facebook Marketplace and trying different foods that she was able to buy from local vendors. She often didn’t know what the heck it was she was ordering, but each time she would get a new food she would film herself reacting to that food.
The results have been consistently entertaining – often hilarious, to the point where Shira now has over 10,300 followers on Instagram, as well as on Facebook, TikTok, and Youtube. (You can find her Instagram page at Winnipeg Marketplace Food Finds.)
I suggested to Shira that she ought to parlay the success she’s found by posting on social media into a further venture: creating a website that would give wider exposure to the food vendors whose food Shira liked the most.
As a result, Shira and I teamed up with the marvellous web designer whose name is Mario Lacunza who is responsible for the design of jewishpostandnews.ca -to create a brand new website called Winnipeg Marketplace Food Finds.
On that website you will find pictures of some of the most popular foods Shira has tried from Marketplace, along with links to the original Instagram posts where she reviewed those foods – and links that will take you directly to the vendors’ Facebook pages.
There are so many brilliantly creative people selling food on Marketplace and Shira’s social media posts have brought many of them a lot of new business. Our hope is that our new website will bring them even more business.
The website will also offer stories about food from a variety of sources. So, take a look at the new site and be amazed at the originality of the foods being produced on Facebook Marketplace.
Local News
UNVEILING for the headstone of Dr. Velimir Kon (Sept. 18, 1950-June 27, 2025)
A true mensch and person of many talents and profoundness, Dr. Velimir (Shlomo) Kon is deeply missed and loved by his family and friends.
Known for his warmth, kindness, integrity and love of learning and teaching, Velimir continues to inspire all who knew him and his memory warms our hearts and souls. Velimir is deeply missed.
You are invited to helps us remember and honour our beloved husband and father who passed away almost a year ago.
We, Branka, Deborah and Lea Kon, wish to inform our relatives and friends of the unveiling of a headstone dedicated to his loving memory on FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2026 at 11:00am at the HEBREW SICK CEMETERY (2605 McPhillips Street) followed by lunch at the Chabad Lubavitch of Winnipeg – Jewish Learning Centre (1845 Mathers Avenue). Please come say a l’chaim in his honour.
In Memoriam
1st Yahrzeit
In loving memory of Dr. Velimir (Shlomo) Kon who passed away June 27, 2025, 12 Days in Tammuz.
⁃ Forever and deeply loved and missed by his wife of over 50 years, Branka, and daughters Deborah and Lea Kon. Velimir brought joy to our lives with his boundless kindness and gentleness, irrepressible humour, great intellect and love of people, tikun olam and Judaism.
Not a day goes by that we do not mention Velimir and feel his presence with us. Our lives are not the same without him and we deeply miss and cherish him. We can never forget his presence that was larger than life, yet also his humility and thoughtfulness.
A gentleman to the very core, Velimir was respected as a scientist, academic, professor, researcher, and later as a teacher and mentor. He always endeavoured to make every place he worked and lived at better and was able to bridge many cultures. He was Abraham of his generation and made many personal sacrifices; giving up status, position and privilege in order for his family to have a better and peaceful future.
May his memory always be a blessing. He left us at only 74 years young and we wish we had had more time together. Indeed, to know him was to love him.
Local News
Younger Jewish talents continue to shine in their respective categories at annual Winnipeg Music Festival
By MYRON LOVE A number of younger members of our community were repeat stars at the most recent (108th annual) Winnipeg Music Festival – which takes place annually in March. Among the repeat Jewish singers and musicians in the ranks of high achievers this year were” Yale Rayburn-Vander Hout, Gregory Hyman, Alex Schaeffer, Juliet Eskin, Noah Kravetsky, and Lyla Chisick.
Vocalist Yale Rayburn-Vander Hout, the oldest of this year’s group of Jewish repeat winners, was competing in his fifth straight festival, where he continued to build on his accomplishments in previous festivals. This year, the 20-year-old son of Samantha and Peter finished first in two musical theatre categories – songs from musical theatre productions between 1965 and 1999, and shows from the past 26 years. Yale sang “I’m Allergic to Cats,” from the 2016 musical “The Theory of Relativity,” and “Suppertime,” from the 1967 musical, “You’re a Good man, Charlie Brown.”
The former Gray Academy student is currently enrolled at the University of Manitoba’s Desautels Faculty of Music in the Choral program. Yale says that he is hoping to get into the performance track in the fall with the goal of earning a degree in Classical Voice Performance en route to pursuing a career in musical theatre.
As reported previously, Gregory Hyman is a multi-faceted artist who can do it all. The 18-year-old son of Hartley and Rishona Hyman is a singer/songwriter/musician (guitar) who records and performs under the stage name, GMH. His versatility shone through once again in his eighth Music Festival, in which he registered first-place finishes for vocal performances in both “Popular and Contemporary Music” and “TV and Movie Music “categories.
Gregory notes that he was also recommended to compete in the provincial finals in June. The St. John’s-Ravenscourt student (and soon-to be) graduate continues to be busy on stage. In January, he headlined a sold out solo show at Sidestage on Osborne featuring some of his new material. In March, he released an album of his newest songs. Readers can check out his latest compositions on any of the music streaming platforms as well as his own social media (thegmh) on Instagram.
Gregory also continues to host his own podcast: “Talk and Rock with GMH – now in its fifth season – in which he interviews various people in the music business across Canada.
While Gregory says that a musical career is his “dream,” he reports that he is hedging his bets and considering different potential career opportunities. Come September, he will be enrolled at the University of Manitoba in a University One program, which will allow him to select from a variety of courses that can count toward a degree.
Sixteen-year-old Alex Schaeffer won first place this year in the “Musicals Prior to 1965, 16 Years and Under” category with “Try Me” from “She Loves Me,” and was runner-up in the “Musicals 1965 to 1999, 16 Years and Under” category with “On My Own,” from “Les Misérables.” For the son of Marc Schaeffer and Kae Sasaki, this was his fifth year competing in the festival.
The Grant Park High School student made his big stage debut three years ago as Kurt von Trapp in “The Sound of Music,” followed by playing Michael Hobbs in “Elf the Musical” this past winter at the Royal MTC.
Alex recently performed in Grant Park High School’s production of “Something Rotten!” This summer Schaeffer can be seen again at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival, where he will be appearing in a production staged by Rem Lezar Theatre.
Rounding out the voice winners is Lyla Chisick. The daughter of Daniel and Baillee was competing in her second music festival. This year, she scored Gold performances in the “Vocal Solo,” “Manitoba Composers,” and “TV/Movie Musical, 12 and under” categories.
Lyla reports that she began taking voice lessons from Jessica Kos-Whicher three years ago. She says she regularly takes part in the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue Family Service and has sung at several community events. Lyla adds that she is already looking forward to next year’s music festival.
Nate Kravetsky and Juliet Eskin competed in the festival as musicians rather than singers. Juliet, 16, plays the viola, and is also is the violist in the Assiniboine String Quartet. In this, her fifth go-round at the festival, Juliet, the daughter of the musically talented Kelly Robinon and Josh Eskin, had first place finishes in the “Viola Solo, level 8,” “Baroque or Classical Concerto,” and “Romantic Composers” categories.
Juliet originally took up the violin – adding the viola a couple of years after. She also just finished performing in the Grant Park High School production of “Something Rotten!”
Nate Kravetsky is currently in Grade 5 level piano. He studies with Erica Schultz and has been taking lessons from her since age 5.
Nate competed in three categories at the Winnipeg music festival: “Baroque,” “Sonata,” and “Contemporary/own choice.”
His own choice selection was the theme from his favourite video game, “Hollow Knight.”
Nate, who is in Grade 7 at Gray Academy, is also preoccupied preparing for his upcoming bar mitzvah.
We look forward to the continued musical success off Yale, Gregory, Alex, Nate, Juliet and Lyla, and what new talent may be unveiled at next year’s Winnipeg Music festival.
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