Local News
For first time ever, a Manitoban is elected as International Teen President of BBYO
By BERNIE BELLAN History was made at the recent BBYO International Convention, which was a combination of in-person and virtual gatherings held over a four-day period, from February 11-15, when Winnipegger Emma Zentner was elected International N’siah (President) of BBYO.
Zentner, a 17-year-old student at Gray Academy, will be serving on a 12-person board, consisting of six boys and six girls.
The landmark election of Emma to one of two top posts in an organization that now has representation in 54 different countries (there is also a male counterpart in AZA, the young men’s division of BBYO, known as a “Gadol”), is an achievement that should not be minimized.
In a conversation I had with her following announcement of her election as n’siah of BBYO, Emma told me that her election marks only the sixth time in its history that a Canadian has been elected to that position.
In a press release announcing Emma’s election as N’siah, it was noted that “BBYO’s network of Jewish teens, alumni, parents, volunteers and philanthropists serves as the Jewish community’s most valuable platform for delivering to the post Bar/Bat Mitzvah audience fun, meaningful and affordable experiences. With year-round activities in hundreds of local communities and inspiring world-wide travel experiences, BBYO’s broad program menu enables teens to explore areas of leadership, service, civic engagement, Israel education and Jewish values.”
In speaking with Emma, I asked her to describe the path she had taken in being elected to the top post of an organization that is represented in so many different countries and that currently has over 80,000 members.
Emma is the daughter of Gustavo and Fanny Zentner, both of whom emigrated to Winnipeg from their native Argentina over 20 years ago. Her father has a long history of involvement in the Jewish community, having served on the Jewish Federation board for many years, as well as many other community organizations.
Emma’s first involvement with BBYO came when she was in Grade 9, she told me, when she first joined the organization. Each year since she has held increasingly important positions, beginning with her election as vice-president of her chapter, Chaverim, in Grade 10, continuing as president of her chapter in Grade 11, culminating with her election as regional president this current school year.
Red River Region currently encompasses Manitoba and Nunavut, Emma explained – which might seem like somewhat of an oddity, but when you take a look at the map, it does make some sense geographically. (Nunavut lies directly north and west of Manitoba.)
There are currently six BBYO chapters in Manitoba, Emma noted – three girls’ and three boys’. The girls’ chapters are: Bat Sheva, Gabriels, and the aforementioned Chaverim. The boys’ chapters are: Chadda, Alaphim, and Dynasty. (Dynasty is the name for a chapter that used to have another name, Emma explained, but the name was changed in keeping with the move to erase names that are offensive to certain groups.)
Given the current pandemic situation, however, I was curious to know how BBYO has been able to sustain interest in its activities what with all the restrictions on personal contact.
Emma noted that there had been a total shutdown of all BBYO activities for a six-month period beginning in March of last year and continuing through this past September.
“With the Rady (JCC) closing (last April), it was very difficult to mount any type of programs,” Emma said. “We were always operating out of the Rady,” she added.
And, even though there was a resumption of activities – this time all online, beginning in October, Emma acknowledged that there was some difficulty in reawakening interest among some older members at that point.
However, she noted that applications for new members have just been opened once again – and there has been a tremendous interest shown among students here to join BBYO, with over 50 new applications having been received in a very short time.
At the same time, there have been a number of activities held here that have also drawn a very positive response from members – despite the lack of personal contact.
“We had a virtual games night in October that had 100 people participating,” Emma said – all on Zoom.
Then, in November and December, members here were part of a ‘Global Shabbat’ program, with Rabbi Matthew Leibl helping to conduct services online, Emma added.
As well, each chapter applied for grants to mount different types of programs. “One girls’ chapter did a Havdallah program,” Emma said, while another chapter held a “pajama night”.
“The guys got together (virtually) to watch an NBA game – which was hugely popular,” Emma added.
And, as was already noted at the beginning of this article, just this past February, BBYO held a very successful international convention, with 31 teens from Red River Region participating.
Something else that I found quite interesting, which Emma told me, is that while BBYO here encompasses kids with a wide variety of backgrounds – which is reflective of the diversity of the Winnipeg Jewish community these days, “half of the members on the regional board are Argentinean” by background – as is the regional director of BBYO, Ian Baruch (pronounced “Yan”, according to Emma).
What intrigued me as much as anything though, was how a girl from Winnipeg, of all places, could have been elected to the top position of as big an organization as BBYO. After all, we all know how disdainfully Winnipeg is thought of in so many other parts of the world. How could someone from “Winterpeg” have beaten out all other candidates to be elected International BBYO president? I wondered.
“It was a ten-step process, beginning in December,” Emma explained. “There were two other girls competing for the position.”
After a winnowing-out process, however, Emma was elected by delegates who had been chosen from their regions.
Her actual role as “n’siah”, however, doesn’t begin until June. By then, if the current pace of vaccinations continues, there is a good chance that Emma will be able to take on her new role by physically visiting other chapters outside of Winnipeg. If not, then she will carry on her role virtually.
Since her duties as n’siah are bound to occupy so much of her time, however, Emma says that, rather than attending university next September, which she would otherwise have chosen to do, she will be taking a “gap year” to attend to her duties.
I asked her though, whether she had formulated any plans for what would follow her year as president?
“I’m planning on going to the University of Winnipeg,” Emma answered. Ultimately, her goal is to get into Medicine, she said.
I said to her that, given that the Faculty of Medicine now places a much higher emphasis on applicants’ backgrounds other than simply their academic achievements, having served as president of an 80,000 member organization is likely going to have a huge impression on members of the Medicine selection committee – but let’s worry about that when the time comes.
In the meantime we can all bask in the glow of Emma Zenter’s having attained quite a remarkable achievement – the first Manitoban to be so recognized.
Local News
Is It Alberta’s Turn to Regulate Online Gambling? Looking at the Possibilities
Online gambling and betting in Canada is booming, with each province allowed to regulate its own space. Ontario, Canada’s most populated province, turned two this year after leading the way in April 2022. In what should motivate Alberta and other provinces, Ontario is already reaping the rewards, generating $100 million annually in gambling revenue. Will the local administration in Alberta do what is needed?
Talks have been rife that Alberta is considering going the Ontario way by having an open-licensing system. In July 2023, the minister for Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, Dale Nally, issued a mandate to make this province a hub of online sports betting and gambling.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith recently asked Nally to cooperate with indigenous partners and other stakeholders to develop an online gaming strategy. The main focus will be on revenue generation and responsible gambling. In light of this, Nally said Alberta’s primary focus is becoming a “leading hub for iGaming” with streamlined regulations and low corporate taxes. Such conditions should position Alberta to become a leading iGaming destination.
A few weeks ago, the minister attended the ICE international gaming conference held in London. Together with Ontario’s Attorney General, Doug Downey, and other stakeholders, Nally participated in a roundtable discussion regarding the status of iGaming in Canada. CDC Gaming Reports also revealed that the discussion highlighted the success of iGaming in Ontario and how Alberta can emulate this success story.
Looking into the Alberta Budget 2024, it’s evident that state monopoly could soon give way to Canadian casinos to thrive in the province. Alberta took the first baby steps towards a more liberal gambling sector after setting aside $1 million for gambling. This budget will support the looming review of the Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Act and supporting Regulation. The idea is to review the entire regulatory framework to find more funding ways for Alberta charities and community projects.
Major operators like BetMGM, PointsBet, and PokerStars have since hired lobbyists to ensure commercial operators become a reality in Alberta. Speaking to investors and industry analysts in March this year, PointsBet CEO Sam Swanell tipped Alberta and British Columbia to legalize online betting soon. He noted that this could provide the much-needed expansion of that TAM.
Alberta is yet to take full advantage of online gambling despite being the country’s fourth-largest province, with around 4.3 million people. Smaller markets in North America, such as West Virginia and Connecticut, are already benefiting from commercialized online gambling. The good news is that noises about legal online gambling are getting louder in Alberta. It’s just a matter of when the government will make the announcement.
What Next for Online Gambling and Betting in Alberta?
Including a $1 million gambling review budget is definitely a step in the right direction. However, there’s still much to do to end Alberta’s long-standing gambling status quo. But at least the budget opens the door for further discussions and reforms regarding iGaming in Alberta. That discussion has been underway, although the momentum has increased in the last year or so.
As it stands, PlayAlberta.ca is the only regulated online gaming platform in Alberta. It’s a government-run website operated by the AGLC (Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis). Besides casino games, this website provides sports betting and lottery-style gaming experiences. The legal sign-up age on PlayAlberta.ca is 18 years.
For Albertans who prefer more gambling freedom, the government doesn’t restrict anyone from joining offshore operators. Most gaming sites operating in Alberta are licensed in Curacao, the UK, and Malta. Compared to PlayAlberta.ca, these websites provide a more extensive variety of games, rewards, and general experience.
In conclusion, it’s just a matter of when Alberta will introduce an open-licensing market. This approach has proved to be a success elsewhere, especially in Ontario. A recent Ipsos report in Ontario revealed that only 13.6% of the residents prefer to gamble on offshore websites. Alberta could soon follow this path, although there’s much work to do to realize this dream.
Local News
Winnipeg-born Elliot Lazar to star as Paul Simon in “The Simon & Garfunkel Story” at Centennial Concert Hall
By BERNIE BELLAN Elliot Lazar’s career has long been chronicled in the pages of The Jewish Post & News. Do a search for his name in our “Search Archives” button and you will find a multitude of stories about Elliot from the time he was five years old.
A talented singer, musician, and musical arranger, also a graduate of Gray Academy, the University of Manitoba’s Desautels Faculty of Music, and the Boston Conservatory, Elliot has appeared many times in Winnipeg, including most recently last summer in Rainbow Stage’s production of “Rent.”
He’s been constantly busy – as a review of some of his past acting credits reveals. Last season alone, in addition to his performing in “Rent,” Elliot also appeared in the National Tour of “Fiddler on the Roof,” and “The Band’s Visit” (Huntington/Speakeasy Stage).
We’re excited to announce that Elliot will be appearing in Winnipeg for one night only, May 21, starring as Paul Simon in “The Simon & Garfunkel Story.”
Here’s Elliot’s own story about his growing up in Winnipeg:
“I grew up in Garden City, attended Gray Academy (K-12) and majored in vocal performance at the University of Manitoba’s Desautels Faculty of Music. I lived in Winnipeg until I was 22, so I’m pretty connected with the arts scene there still. The venue we’re playing, the Centennial Concert Hall, I was last seen in Guys and Dolls in concert with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and Rainbow Stage (2019), and before that I sang with the Manitoba Opera Chorus in 3 productions there. My last performance in Winnipeg was in Rent with Rainbow Stage this past summer. Other local performing arts companies I have a history with there are Winnipeg Jewish Theatre, Winnipeg Studio Theatre, Dry Cold Productions, Manitoba Theatre for Young People, Manitoba Underground Opera, Little Opera Company, and the Winnipeg Fringe Festival. I grew up going to see shows at the Concert Hall, so it’s a wonderful full circle moment for me.”
About “The Simon & Garfunkel Story”:
Nostalgia-inducing unforgettable hits! The internationally-acclaimed hit theater show The Simon & Garfunkel Story (www.thesimonandgarfunkelstory.com) returns to the road in 2024 with a North American tour to more than 25 cities. Kicking off in Richmond, Kentucky on January 28, 2024, the immersive concert-style tribute show will recreate the magic and authenticity of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel on stage and chronicles the amazing journey shared by the iconic, GRAMMY-award winning folk-rock duo. It tells the story from their humble beginnings as Tom & Jerry, to their incredible success as one of the best-selling music groups of the ‘60s, and to their dramatic split in 1970. The Simon & Garfunkel Story culminates with the pair’s famous “The Concert in Central Park” reunion in 1981 which had more than half a million fans in attendance. Tickets are on sale now.
The show features a set list of nearly 30 songs and uses state-of-the-art video projection, photos and original film footage. A full live band will perform all of the hits including “Mrs. Robinson,” “Cecilia,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Homeward Bound” and many more complete with the unmistakably perfect harmonies that will transport audiences down memory lane.
With more than 100 million album sales since 1965, Simon & Garfunkel’s unforgettable songs and poetic lyrics poignantly captured the times made them one of the most successful folk-rock duos of all time. Over the years, they won 10 GRAMMY Awards and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. In 1977, the Brit Awards honored their “Bridge Over Troubled Water” album with Best International Album. In 2003, Simon & Garfunkel were awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and the following year saw their “The Sound of Silence” awarded a Grammy Hall of Fame Award.
Local News
Ida and the late Saul Alpern have donated 2 ambulances and a scooter to Magen David Adom in past 4 years
By BERNIE BELLAN Saul Alpern passed away in 2022, but before he died he and his wife Ida had decided to make Magen David Adom a major recipient of their generosity.
As Myron Love noted in an October 2020 article the Alperns had been contributing small amounts to the Canadian Magen David Adom for some time, but it was in that year they decided to donate $160,000 for the purchase of a Mobile Intensive Care Unit for Israel’s Magen David Adom.
As Myron wrote in that 2020 article, an MICUA (which is larger than an ambulance, is staffed by paramedics, and responds only to the most medically serious cases) was donated “to the people of Israel in memory of Saul Alpern’s parents and siblings who perished in the Holocaust.
“It is an expression of my love for my family and my love of Israel,” Saul Alpern said at the time.
In early 2022 the Alperns donated yet another $170,000 for the purchase of a second MICU for Magen David Adom.
Saul Alpern passed away in November 2022, but Ida Alpern has now continued the legacy of giving to Canadian Magen David Adom that she and Saul had begun several years before. Just recently Ida contributed $39,000 toward the purchase of an emergency medical scooter. According to the CMDA website, “the scooter, which is driven by a paramedic, can get through traffic faster than the Standard Ambulance or MICU and provide pre-hospital care. It contains life-saving equipment, including a defibrillator, an oxygen tank, and other essential medical equipment.”
I asked Ida whether she wanted to say anything about the motivation for her and her late husband’s support for CMDA. She wrote, “Having survived the Holocaust, and being a Zionist, Saul felt that supporting Israel was of the utmost importance.”
On May 7, CMDA will be honouring Ida and Saul z”l Alpern at a dinner and show at the Centro Caboto Centre. Another highlight that evening will be the announcement of the purchase of an ambulance for CMDA by another Winnipegger, Ruth Ann Borenstein. That ambulance will be in honour of Ruth’s late parents, Gertrude and Harry Mitchell. The evening will also commemorate the late Yoram East (aka Hamizrachi), who was a well-known figure both in Israel and here in Winnipeg.
For more information about the May 7 event go to https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/canadian-magen-david-adom-for-israel/events/cmda-winnipeg-an-evening-of-appreciation/ or to purchase tickets phone 587-435-5808 or email sfraiman@cmdai.org
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