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Harvey Chochinov, Steven Kroft recognized with Distinguished Alumni Awards at University of Manitoba Homecoming 2024 celebrations
By MYRON LOVE Every year, as part of Homecoming Week celebrations, the University of Manitoba recognizes a group of alumni who have distinguished themselves in their life’s work. Among the honorees this year were two members of our Jewish community. In a presentation on Thursday, September 19, Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov was recognized with the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award for Academic Innovation while Steve Kroft was honoured for Lifetime Achievement.
“This is a tremendous honour,” said Kroft, the president of Conviron, a Winnipeg-based company founded by his father that makes controlled environments, providing researchers and entrepreneurs the ability to grow plants indoors. “I feel humbled.
“At the same time, I am somewhat uncomfortable. For everything that I have accomplished, I have had the help of so many other, good people.
“I am grateful, though, for this honour.”
Dr. Chochinov reiterated those same feelings. “I am humbled,” he said. “It is gratifying to be recognized by one’s peers.”
For the long-time psychiatrist, September also brought him a second highlight. A week after receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award, he was in Maastricht in the Netherlands to accept the Arthur M. Sutherland Award bestowed annually by the International Psycho-Oncology Society for lifetime achievement in the field of psycho-oncology. He is the only psychiatrist in Canadian ever to have received the Sutherland award.
The son of Dave and the late Shirley Chochinov, Harvey is a 1983 graduate of the University of Manitoba Faculty of Medicine. After finishing psychiatry residency, he went on to complete his doctoral studies in the Faculty of Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba.
It was during his training in psychiatry, he recalled, that he was drawn to the role of psychiatry in palliative care. In furthering his training in that field, he became the first Canadian to complete a Fellowship in Psychiatric Oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre in New York.
Chochinov is now a Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry at the Max Rady School of Medicine, where he has been on faculty for more than 30 years. In addition to his local teaching and research, he has given over 500 invited lectures during the course of his career, in most major academic institutions worldwide.
The first psychiatrist to be awarded a Canada Research Chair in Palliative Care, Chochinov’s focus throughout most of his career has been finding ways to help healthcare professionals preserve patients’ dignity and to acknowledge their personhood. As an example, he cited a situation with his late sister, Ellen. Ellen, he pointed out, was born with cerebral palsy. Five years before she died, he recalled, she was admitted to ICU facing acute respiratory collapse and intubation was being considered.
“The internist came up to me and asked me one question – the only question related to her personhood,” he recounted. “He asked if she read magazines. I understood that question to mean if it was worth inserting a breathing tube. Her internist could see her bent spine, her spastic limbs, her dropping blood gases; but what he couldn’t see was Ellen and the rich, full, complex life she lived. I took a deep breath and replied, ‘Yes, she can read magazines – but only when only when she is between novels.”
The danger for health care professionals is losing sight of the person, he observes. He cited a conversation with a nephrology nurse, who conceded that, after a while, she looked at patients as “kidneys on legs, not as whole persons.” Chochinov said that kind of attitude interferes with being able to empathize with patients or to feel compassion.
“Patients won’t care what you know, until they know that you care,” he continued. “Patient care must be based on whatever ailment they have, along with who they are as whole persons. Healthcare providers who can’t do that become more mechanical or robotic in their approach, and often less satisfied with their job over time, placing them at higher risk for burnout.”
He added that patients look towards healthcare providers for affirmation of themselves. “If they sense a healthcare provider can only see their illness, then patienthood will have eclipsed personhood; and that the essence of who they are as a person has fallen off the clinician’s radar.”
“We must ask patients what they want known about themselves as persons in order to provide the best care possible,” he said. “Without knowing who people are and the nature of their suffering, a commitment to person-centred care is only lip service.”
“In times of sickness and vulnerability, will all want and deserve not only health care, but health caring.”
In the speech when he accepted his Lifetime Achievement Award, 57-year-old Steve Kroft observed that he has always associated “lifetime achievement awards” with the Oscars, “when they wheel out a 96 year-old director, who is well past his prime, to recognize his work, decades after his last movie and just before he appears in the In Memoriam video segment. So, while it is incredibly humbling to be recognized in this way, and so meaningful that it is by my alma mater, I prefer to think of this as a “lifetime so far” achievement award, because I still have lots in the tank, and have lots more to do.”
A lawyer by training, the son of Senator Richard and Hillaine Kroft – following the example of his parents, has written a notable resumé for community service. Among the many organizations that he has been involved with are: the Assiniboine Park Conservancy, the United Way of Winnipeg, the Business Council of Manitoba. CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, the University of Manitoba’s Advisory Council, the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, the Asper Community Campus board, the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg and the Prairie Theatre Exchange. He is currently National Vice Chair of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, and a member of the Board of Directors of the True North Youth Foundation, where he also serves as Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee.
Two years ago, he was awarded the Sol Kanee Distinguished Community Service Medal, the highest honour bestowed on a member of Manitoba’s Jewish Community.
In his speech to students, alumni, professors and community leaders on September 19, Kroft courageously tackled the curse of cancel culture at many universities over the past few years.
“One of the things on my list of possibilities since we sold our business two years ago,” he noted, “was to enrol in a university class or two. But I have wondered whether today’s university campus is one on which I could flourish, or even feel completely comfortable. And it’s this issue that I’d like to spend my last few minutes at the podium speaking about this evening.”
He reminisced about his university days when students and faculty would debate all kinds of issues. “Our classes were as diverse then as they are now,” he remembered. “We would take our best crack at making our case, and then listen to others make their arguments, and try to convince them why they were wrong. Quite often we would each move a little in our thinking, but when we didn’t, we would agree to disagree and then we’d go – often together – for a beer. Discourse was civil and respectful. And perhaps most importantly, we felt free to say what we wanted to say without fear of being ostracized – or as one would say today – of being cancelled.
“Somewhere along the way,” he pointed out. “Campuses across North America have come to be made up of not a collection of independent thinking individuals, but rather a collection of groups by which individuals identify themselves and by which they identify others. These groups are often based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, but also on things like the perceived haves and have nots. Too often today, positions are presented, or worse yet, assumed, as group positions, and there is little or no interest in discussion or debate. If one is not part of the group, their views are just deemed to be wrong, or out of touch, with little or no exchange of dialogue or ideas. And worse yet, in too many cases, the declaration is not merely that one position is without merit, but that those who hold that different viewpoint are being hurtful or offensive.”
He noted that he has spent a significant part of his life working with others to help people from diverse backgrounds in their quests to make their lives a little better. “I have the utmost respect for those whose instincts are to protect individuals who have traditionally been misrepresented, under-represented or mistreated,” he said.
“But, at the same time, we have to recognize that this “groupification,” and the over-implementation of policies to guard against potential discomfort caused to any group can and is having unintended consequences, and this is especially the case on university campuses. Well-meaning people have become reluctant or outright scared to ask questions, challenge opinions or even use the wrong word, for fear of being cancelled or worse. Being criticized by one individual is one thing, but to be under intense fire from an entire group is quite another.
“We need to restore an environment in which competing ideas can be debated openly and respectfully but, at the same time, I want to be clear that under no circumstances is there a place for hate or intimidation on campus.”
We need to restore an environment in which competing ideas can be debated openly and respectfully, but at the same time I want to be clear that under no circumstances is there a place for hate or intimidation on campus. I am a strong believer in freedom of speech and academic freedom. And it is on university campuses where such speech rightly belongs. However, when people occupy a space without permission or hijack an event to denigrate, threaten or denounce a group because of their race, religion or sexual orientation – whether that be at a university quad or during a valedictory address, university administrators must act and perpetrators must be held to account. The distinction between free speech based on facts, and hateful and intimidating speech based on lies, is not as blurry as some make it out to be. It is incumbent on our administrators and our security services to make those distinctions quickly and decisively. A university campus should be a place where we can challenge ideas and policies without attacking people for who they are.”
In concluding, he asked his audience to take his message as a positive one, “I truly believe,” he stated, “that we are uniquely positioned at the University of Manitoba – because of the diversity within our province -to lead other universities in finding the right balance between open dialogue and respect. We are Winnipeggers and Manitobans after all. Every successful project we have taken on in this city and province, has succeeded because we have tackled it together. Whether it’s a museum, a university capital campaign, a new concert hall on campus; or a new cancer research institute, an addictions centre or a camp for underserved youth, we are always determined to do it better than anyone else has done it, anywhere. Our greatest achievements have come by bringing people of different backgrounds and circumstances together toward a common goal.”
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Manitoba Métis Federation decisively votes down anti-Israel resolution
By MYRON LOVE On May 2, 2023, the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF), the Vickar Automotive Group and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev signed a Donor Pledge Agreement to establish a partnership for research, education and culture exchange. The partnership aims to promote cooperation and mutual understanding between the Red River Métis community and the academic community in Israel. The collaboration will focus on research in areas such as health, environment, and social issues, as well as educational and cultural programs. The partnership will also involve the sharing of resources and expertise.
On Saturday, October 19, at its Annual General Assembly, which was held at Assiniboine Downs, the 4,000 MMF delegates resoundingly beat back an anti-Israel resolution that called upon the MMF Assembly to vote to tear up the agreement with Ben Gurion University – referencing the Pope’s recent criticism of Israel and the usual laundry list of false charges against Israel – war crimes, violation of international law, genocide, apartheid, etc.
The two petitioners also charged that BGU builds the bombs that the Israeli air force is dropping on Gaza and practices “water apartheid.” They further threw in a demand that longtime MMF President David Chartrand write a letter to the Government of Israel and the Government of Canada demanding a ceasefire.
To his great credit, Chartrand answered back forcefully, even angrily at times. He spoke about his visit to BGU last year. He commented on how what once was desert is now green. He noted that the agreement with BGU stands to provide the Red River Métis with many benefits – with exchange programs, underwritten by the Vickar Group – will expose young Red River Métis to a different society and bring here BGU personnel and technical expertise of benefit to local Métis communities.
As to the resolution, the MMF president began by emphasizing that Ben Gurion University “has nothing to do with this war.”
Chartrand then pointed out that the words in the resolution that were attributed to the Pope were not accurate. He noted that this is both a land war and a religious war. While expressing sympathy for the suffering on both sides, he condemned the Palestinian terrorist groups who use women and children as human shields.
Chartrand angrily denounced the two petitioners – with their standard Palestinian clothing accessories – for not presenting the General Assembly members with all the facts. He further excoriated those “pro-Palestinian” activists who burned a Canadian flag at an anti-Israel protest in Vancouver a couple of weeks ago.
“I understand and respect where you are coming from,” Chartrand told the petitioners. ”We are prepared to help rebuild Gaza when this war is over. We are a democracy and you are free to submit this resolution. But, right now, there is nothing the Manitoba Métis Federation can do about the situation.
And, Chartrand added, “I am not going to write any letter to the Government of Canada or the Government of Israel.”
Larry Vickar and Gustavo Zentner, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs representative in Winnipeg, attended the MMF General Assembly as observers.
“I applaud David Chartrand’s leadership at the Assembly,” Zentner observed. “The resolution was one-sided and ill-founded. President Chartrand has shown a keen understanding of the concept of the Jewish People’s indigeneity to the land of Israel. In his response, he delivered a clear message to the anti-Israel activists at the General Assembly.”
Zentner reported that he and Larry Vickar attended the launch of the MMF’s AGA and participated in government presentations and networking. “The MC recognized us amongst the government, elected officials, and MMF partners,” he noted. “This was a result of Larry’s tremendous record of working with MMF and President Chartrand.”
He added that “we were briefed on the motion and were able to provide insights and a narrative to support the MMF and President Chartrand. We already have tangible actions and steps in motion which Chartrand and two of his MMF cabinet ministers are aware of.”
Zentner noted that CIJA’s outreach to the Red River Métis is part of the national Jewish organization’s ongoing efforts to build bridges with different levels of government as well as other communities.
“The Jewish people, the people of Israel and the Red River Métis have much in common,” Zentner observed. “We are both indigenous people living on our native land – with shared values. We have much we can learn from each other.”
He further spoke of planned educational and cultural exchanges between the Red River Metis and Israel’s southernmost university. “Israel is a world leader in technology in many areas,” he noted, “technology that Israel is always ready to share with partners worldwide.”
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Sean Berman working to make Winnipeg buses safer for drivers and passengers
By MYRON LOVE I have to admit that it has been years – even decades – sine I last took a bus. In my younger days, it was a different story. I would bus home from school (St. John’s) on cold winter days, go downtown frequently, or to our grocery store in St. Boniface and to the University of Manitoba.
Back in those halcyon days half a century ago, I could read in peace on the bus and nap on longer trips. At rush hour, buses from downtown were standing room only. And I don’t recall ever witnessing any violence.
But, times have changed. From what I have read in the papers, for several years now, abusive behavior and even violence on the buses happen far too often.
Sean Berman is working to change that reality. The still relatively young Winnipegger is one of two supervisors who are part of a City of Winnipeg initiative to make the buses safer for both passengers and drivers.
Early this year, the City introduced a Community Safety Team to patrol streets downtown and buses to help people experiencing homelessness, addictions, and mental health issues.
“Our team members have backgrounds in security, social work and education,” Berman reports. “We have been trained to de-escalate potentially violent situations and direct people in distress to the appropriate social service agencies.
“Especially since the Covid lockdowns, we have been seeing a lot more cases of people suffering from addictions, trauma or mental illness. Our community safety officers are getting a lot of positive feedback for our efforts. We are seeing a significant difference after just nine months.”
The son of Michael and Val Berman and grandson of the late Hy Berman has taken a non-traditional path – for a member of our Jewish community – to his present situation. The Garden City Collegiate graduate recalls that he has always enjoyed physical labour – with a particular interest in the building trades. After working for Sturgeon Tire for a couple of years post-high school, he enrolled at Red River College Institute.
“I took an apprenticeship course in masonry,” he says. “I have always liked stone building and working with stone.”
While he did enjoy being a mason, after a few years he realized that the frequent lay-offs that go with the trade were not conducive to a stable financial future.
In 2008, he got on with the City of Winnipeg. Initially, he worked in construction for the city. After a year though, he became a bus driver and, within a short time, he was promoted to a supervisor position in Winnipeg Transport.
“We had 1100—1200 bus drivers,” he reports. “Each transit supervisor oversaw approximately 200 drivers. In my role as a supervisor, I interacted with the police, the WCB (Workers Compensation Board) and MPI (Mantoba Public Insurance).
Berman started in his new role in mid-January when training began for the 21 members of the newly-established Community Safety Team. He credits Bob Christmas, Community Safety Team Lead, for developing the new program.
“Bob spent 34 years as a police officer,” Berman points out. “He has worked with a lot of troubled people and has a good sense of what is needed. He laid out a plan and the city is following his lead.”
Chrismas holds a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies (University of Manitoba, 2017), and Masters Degree in Public Administration. He is the author of numerous publications on justice related issues and wrote the textbook on police leadership across Canada and abroad.
“Our mandate,” Berman notes, is to try to defuse potential problems peacefully and direct troubled individuals to the proper resources.”
The group, he reports, starts each morning with a sharing circle and a briefing – followed by a debriefing at the end of their eight-hour shifts. The community safety officers are deployed in pairs.
One drawback to the system, he points out, is that a pair of safety officers may end up spending an entire day dealing with helping just one troubled individual.
“We can use double the number of officers,” Berman says.
Nonetheless, he is confident that the Community Safety Team is making a difference – in the views of drivers and passengers. “There have been no major issues. We have received quite a bit of positive feedback,” he reports.
He adds that this is the first such program in Canada. “We have already had inquiries from interested parties in Toronto and Calgary asking for more information about our program.”
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Former Chai dance studio transformed into new B’nai Brith thrift store
By MYRON LOVE After a year’s effort, the former Dickie Dee building turned Chai Folk Ensemble rehearsal space at 531 Notre Dame Avenue has been transformed into Kavod, B’nai Brith Canada’s new thrift store.
“We opened our doors for a soft opening on September 8th,” reports Aviva Tabac, Manitoba Community Engagement Manager for B’nai Brith. “We are stocking new and gently used men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, footwear, accessories and select houseware items.”
Readers may remember B’nai Brith’s big blue boxes at different locations for people to drop off clothing they no longer needed. The main issue with the bins, Tabac points out, is that “People were vandalizing them by tipping them over and trying to retrieve the items inside.”
All donations can be dropped off at Kavod during business hours.
In bringing Kavod to fruition, it truly took a village. Tabac gives much credit to Michael Mostyn, B’nai Brith’s CEO; Judy Foldes, Chief Operating Officer; and staff across Canada, in assisting with various tasks and projects. As well, gratitude and credit goes to Winnipeg philanthropists.
“Earl and Cheryl Barish were instrumental in supporting us with the location, permits, renovations, and in getting us up and running,” she says. “We are grateful to our donors for their support and commitment to our mission.”
The new Kavod thrift store measures about 2,000 square feet and includes a large retail space for product, sorting and pricing; a meeting and staff room for volunteers; and an area for storage and preparing food hampers.
Tabac reports that B’nai Brith provides between 10 and 20 kosher-food hampers to those in need weekly – each containing a donated assortment of fruit and vegetables, and a variety of nonperishable goods. The hampers will be packed at Kavod.
Tabac explains that Kavod will be rolling out several community programs over the next year. Every month, select agencies will refer a pre-determined number of clients to Kavod to shop in the store free of charge, with a certain amount of store credit per household. Clients can shop with dignity and choose items that they need instead of being handed what we think they need.
Kavod aims to be an enjoyable shopping experience for individuals and families while taking some of the financial burden off them during challenging times.
Currently, Kavod has 15 volunteers. Tabac says B’nai Brith has partnered with Volunteer Manitoba and Opportunities for Employment to add manpower.
A Customer Grand Opening is scheduled for Nov. 10. The store will be open five days a week – Sunday through Thursday.
Readers can drop off donations for Kavod at the front entrance during business hours, from 10am-5pm.
For more information, please contact Aviva Tabac at avivat@bnaibrith.ca.