Local News
Dr. Joel Antel new Canadian Dental association president

By MYRON LOVE Dr. Joel Antel, the newly-installed president of the Canadian Dental Association, says that he approaches dentistry from a customer service perspective. That means, he explains, taking time to get to know his patients, helping them with filling out forms – for insurance claims, for example – and striving to provide a positive customer experience.
Dentistry, it seems, was always in the cards for the 45-year dental practitioner. “Growing up, I was exposed to people in a wide variety of fields,” he recalls. “Dentistry grabbed my attention. As far back as high school, I knew that I wanted to be a dentist.”
Once in practice, it was only a few years before Antel became involved in dental governance. In giving of his time to the community, as the son of the late community leaders Oscar and Bella Antel, Joel says his parents set the example for him. Prior to assuming his most recent position as presidents of the Canadian Dental Association, Joel already had a solid record of volunteering in both the Jewish and wider community.
In his younger days, he notes, he performed with the Sarah Sommer Chai Folk Ensemble – as a musician. (He also played guitar and bass for many years – in his free time – for Mandibular Black, a rock cover band). Joel represented the performers on the Chai Board and later served as Chai’s president. He remains a member of the Board of Governors of Chai to this day.
When his kids were in school, Joel was a member of the Joseph Wolinsky Collegiate parent council and the Board of Jewish Education. He further pursued his interest in promoting education through his long-time involvement with the Stevenson Britannia Adult Learning Centre, which caters to adults of all ages who want to complete their high school degrees or take additional high school courses needed to qualify for post-secondary programs.
Joel’s entry into leadership within the dental profession began in 1991 when he was invited to join the Manitoba Dental Association’s Communications Committee. “I expected that my participation in the association would be short-term,” he says. “But I found it rewarding being involved.”
Joel soon became a board member, then, in 2011, became president (a one-year-term). In 2017, he became the MDA’s representative on the board of the Canadian Dental Association. Two years ago, he was asked to take on the office of vice-president – becoming president-elect one year later and is now beginning his term as president.
The CDA’s activities are multi-faceted, the new president points out. These activities include: position statements on matters of import to the profession, a regular publication – as well as social media platforms – keeping dentists and other oral healthcare staff up to date on new developments in the field, and providing answers to questions that members may have, co-operation with provincial and territorial dental associations, media relations and liaison with government.
The major focus currently is implementation of the Federal Government’s newly-announced national dental care program.
“This is a very ambitious project,” Joel says. “And we at the CDA are working closely with the government to bring it to fruition. Arrangements with three provinces have already been finalized and we are confident that the other provinces will soon sign on, too.”
Naturally, as president of the CDA, there will be much travel for Joel over the coming year. He estimates that he will be in the air every six weeks or so. “I am thankful for modern technology,” he observes. “In addition to the travel, I am on Zoom across the country at least once or twice a week.
“I am thankful that I have a supportive wife (Bonnie) and staff.”
In recognition of his tireless efforts on behalf of both the MDA and the CDA – as well as the hours he has put in teaching at the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry and continuing education programs for dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants, Joel Antel has been honoured with the MDA President’s Appreciation Award (1998), the MDA’s Award of Merit (2003), and the CDI College Assisting Dental Program Practicum Partnership Award (2009). He has also been recipient of Fellowships from the International College of Dentists, the Academy of Dentistry International, and the Pierre Fouchard Academy.
For Joel Antel, what makes all of his volunteer efforts on behalf of his fellow professionals worth it is the opportunities he has had to connect with so many people across Canada.
“I am energized by my constant association with so many in my professions,” he says, “not only fellow dentists, but also by the support staff and students I have also had the opportunity to get to know.”
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.”