Local News
Dr. Neil Kay: a Mayo Medical Giant
By GERRY POSNER How does a kid from the corner of Oak Street and Fleet Avenue in the south end of Winnipeg come to be one of the giants at the Mayo Clinic? Yes, that is no fiction.
Neil Kay and I grew up together in the easy days of the 1950s. We had lots of the same friends, joined the same clubs, and went to the same activities. True, our paths diverged a bit at university. He went into medicine and I entered law. But now, in the later stages of our lives, I see just how far our paths have diverged, and that feeling is even more pronounced when I read his CV. Yet, despite the differences in our careers, Neil Kay remains essentially the same guy at nearly 82 years of age whom I knew at 22.
Neil was the son of Harvey and Sima Kay, of blessed memory. He was the oldest of three Kay children (the others being his brother, the late Ian Kay, and his sister, Robin). Neil was a graduate of Kelvin High School, from which he moved on to the University of Manitoba, which is where he graduated with a BSc in 1964. Next, Neil entered the University of Manitoba Medical School and, by 1968, he was a doctor. He then did a one year internship at the then Winnipeg General Hospital.
At that point, Neil left Winnipeg for good. He moved on to the Upstate Medical Centre in Syracuse, New York, where he finished his residency. While there, he also did a fellowship in hematology. His time in Syracuse was over by 1973, followed by a move to New York City, where he did another fellowship, this time in immunohematology, at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, The years from 1964 to 1974 were the formative years for Neil, but that was just the beginning.
In the past 26 year Neil has carved out a long career as a professor of medicine and as a “Career Scientist” at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. His particular subspecialty expertise and experience has been in the field of hematology. Neil has focused his attention on the study of B- Chronic Lymphoctic Leukemia. In fact, he has worked on the precursor to that form of leukemia: Monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis. (That’s a mouthful and too complex a topic for me to hope to understand.)
Dr. Neil Kay has been a member of the Faculty of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic and the Division of Hematology since 1999. In that capacity, he has mentored several younger also talented hematology fellows who were committed to the study of CLL. In 2006, Neil received the title of Clinical Investigator at Mayo Clinic and in 2019, he was granted the title of Career Scientist.
To get to where he is, along the way, Kay held many significant positions and received a number of scientific appointments. Take a look at what Neil Kay has done since 1975 to the present: He began as an Assistant Professor within the Department of Medicine and Laboratory Medicine & Pathology at the University of Minnesota, then became an Associate Professor for six years from 1981-1987. From 1987-1990, he was a Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School and from 1991-1993, he had the same title, this time as an adjunct with the Department of Medicine at the University of California (San Diego). From 1993-1997, he was both Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/ Oncology in Lexington, Kentucky, while also working at the Veteran’s Affairs Hospital in Lexington. In 1998, Neil was appointed Clinical Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Minnesota. In 1999, right up to the present time, (yes, he is still at it), he became a consultant in the Division of Hematology and Internal Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. And, in 2001 continuing until today as you read this, he is a Professor of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. As well, from 2006-2018, he served as a Clinical Investigator at Mayo. Since 2019 to today, he was and is a Career Scientist at the Mayo College of Medicine and Science. There is more, but you can get a sense of the breadth and depth of Neil Kay’s career.
Now, to grasp the full impact Neil has had in his area of medicine, one would really have to be knowledgable about his field. His papers and studies are far too complex for a retired lawyer to understand and, I suspect, for most, if not all the readers of the Jewish Post. Just accept my word. His work has led to national and indeed international recognition of the Mayo Clinic CLL( Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia) Research Programme. Neil says that he was fortunate to work with some very talented clinicians and scientists, all of whom made progress in the field possible.
The most fascinating part of all of this for me is that Neil, although he has worked for the last 25 years at least with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, lives in Minneapolis – an hour and a half away from Rochester by car. Although he keeps an apartment in Rochester, for the most part, he commutes. As Neil puts it, “I definitely have frequent driver miles piling up as I come and go between the two cities quite often.”
He lives in Minneapolis with his wife of 14 years, Marilyn (Micky) Sue Herman Kay. When he is not working, he likes to be involved in curling and, in fact, played for Team Israel in 2016 and 2017 at the World Senior Curling Championships. He credits Terry Braunstein for instilling in him the inspiration to play competitively and for his attachment to the sport. He is also the father of two children with his first wife, the late Rhoda Goldman Kay, and has five grandchildren.
Many readers might well ask what led Neil Kay to spend his career in an area where the results are often grim? It takes a particularly dedicated and intense person and researcher to be willing to devote their career to working in the area Neil has chosen. When I posed that question to him, he said that initially, it was a question of seeking opportunities and trying to work them out so he could continue to work and study. But, as I reflect on it – that is, Neil and his devotion to this area of medicine, I suggest his total involvement with CLL is consistent with his personality, which is very caring, concerned and compassionate. As I mentioned earlier, the mould was formed at 22 – and has not changed.
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.