Local News
David Matas delves into the UN’s history of being controlled by authoritarian states and its anti-Israel bent
By BERNIE BELLAN David Matas, expert on human rights and counsel to B’nai Brith Canada, spoke at the Gwen Secter Centre on Thursday, July 11, to 25 members of the Remis speaker series group.
In his talk, Matas focused on the question how the rise of authoritarianism throughout the world in recent years, especially in such countries as China and Russia, also countries in Africa and Asia, is affecting the United Nations.
Matas also gave a comprehensive history how UNWRA (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) came into being, how its existence has served as an impediment to Palestinians becoming self-sufficient, and how it has served the interests of Hamas.
He also delved into the histories of the UN Commission on Human Rights, and the UN Human Rights Council – both of which have a legacy of being anti-Israel.
I videoed Matas’s presentation. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoidOBNM8Ig
Apologies for the way the video first appears – where the image is sideways. (After a few seconds of recording Matas’s speech, I realized I needed to change the orientation of my camera to get a better result.)
Also, following Matas’s remarks, he agreed to answer a question about the story that was just in the news on Thursday about the forced resignation of Dr. Matthew Bzura as president of the Professional Association of Residents and Interns of Manitoba (PARIM). Matas agreed to go on the record with a response. He wanted to make it clear though that anything he had to say at this point was not being said on behalf of B’nai Brith Canada; rather, it was his own personal opinion.
Matas suggested that Bruza should have been told of the concerns that the board of PARIM had about his social media post in which he criticized Dr. Gem Newman. He (Bruza) should have been “given an opportunity to respond and then the decision made after that, but that didn’t happen. The people who were making the decision (to ask Dr. Bruza to resign) made the decision before (they voiced) any expression of concern (to Bruza).”
Matas went on to say that, “in substance there was nothing wrong with what he (Dr. Bruza) had to say about Newman.”
“The remark he (Dr. Bruza) made, as far as I can tell, was not made on behalf of the association. This organization has a policy that they will not take a stand on geopolitical issues, but Bruza said, quite rightly I would say, that this was not just a geopolitical issue, this was Newman basically criticizing his (Bruza’s) and other associations for not agreeing with what Newman said. So, it wasn’t just a comment on a geopolitical issue, it was a reaction to something said that affected the organization with which he (Bruza) was involved.”
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.”