Local News
Congregation Etz Chayim transition south now well under way
By MYRON LOVE Congregation Etz Chayim’s relocation to south Winnipeg is moving along smoothly, according to the transition team’s co-chairs, Kim Hirt and Myron Schultz.
In an update emailed to synagogue members in mid-December, the pair reported on the activities of transition team members in charge of different aspects of the move to the new location at 1155 Wilkes, which has been the home of the Shriners’ Khartoum Temple.
Committee leaders include Denny and Mel Hornstein, who are in charge of honouring the past by developing ways to preserve the history of the three congregations – the former Rosh Pina, Bnay Abraham and Beth Israel synagogues – that joined together in 2002 to form Etz Chayim.
Sabrina Bokser’s committee is responsible for assessing the congregation’s functional space requirements, which will impact how the new Etz Chayim will be reconfigured for the immediate and long term future This group’s first job, noted Hirt and Schultz, “is to look at all the activities that have historically been held in the current building and the space required to accomplish these activities, as well as to consider functions and programs that we would like to host. In the end, there may be some activities that we will not be able to host when we move or will perhaps be achievable in a phased approach. These are matters to be assessed and will be determined with consultation with our membership”.
Gord Steindel and his team, they further point out, have begun the important job of inventorying Etz Chayim’s artifacts and objects to prepare for the first stage of a move.
And, as Etz Chayim is a holy space, the ritual team, led by Steven Hyman is working closely with the synagogue’s clergy, in regard to the religious requirements for the new space.
“We look forward to welcoming more congregation members who might want to volunteer to join our Transition Teams,” Hirt and Schultz wrote.
As reported earlier in The Jewish Post & News, the Etz Chayim board put out the “for sale” for the 70-year-old former Rosh Pina building on Matheson Avenue three months ago – after at least a decade of looking into a move south.
In that earlier interview, Etz Chayim president Avrom Charach noted that the great majority of the congregation now lives south and – more importantly – after 70 years, the current building needs a lot of work.
”We think it makes more sense to spend the money where most of our members are living instead of where we are now,” Charach observed.
The plan, he said, was to purchase and renovate an existing building – or rent temporarily if need be until a suitable building could be found.The goal was to find a location within a 10-minute drive of most of the shul members. That would be a location accessible to residents of River Heights, Tuxedo, Lindenwoods and Charleswood.
“We would like to be in our new home by next summer – in time for next Yom Tov.”
In a follow-up story in the Post, we reported that the congregation purchased the former Shriners headquarters on Wilkes Ave for a reported $4.75 million.
As the Shriners building is about the same size as the current synagogue’s sanctuary, Charach noted, the new synagogue will reflect the former Beth Israel building wherein the sanctuary doubled as the social hall.
In such a case, after services on Shabbat morning, the daveners would go out into the hall while the chairs inside the sanctuary would be rearranged around tables and food stations for the Kiddush.
(How the pews will be incorporated into the new building is to be determined.)
Charach also suggest that enlarging the space by pushing back the building’s western wall is under consideration.
In that earlier JP&N interview, Charach suggested that the sale of the current building might bring in $10 million. “We have had quite a bit of interest – but no solid offers yet,” he reports. “We are planning a capital campaign and are prepared to consider bridge financing if required.”
Whereas Charach noted earlier that the congregation is expecting to be in the new shul by yom tov, the ideal, he says, would be to be able to conduct services shortly after taking possession at the end of May.
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.”