Local News
The Jewish population in Winnipeg is far more spread out than used to be the case, according to 2021 census
By BERNIE BELLAN The latest census data shows that the Jewish population in Winnipeg is now far more spread out than used to be the case years ago, when the vast majority of the Jewish population was divided between the north and south ends of the city.
Now, according to information that was released in November 2022 by statcan, Jews can be found in almost all areas of the city.
We’ve been analyzing data from the 2021 census ever since statcan released a trove of data about the ethnic and religious composition of Canada in November.
The 2021 census is the most accurate census we’ve had in Canada since the National Household Survey in 2011. In our November 23rd issue we showed how the Jewish population of Winnipeg could not be more than 14,270 and was very likely much smaller than that. What we did is take the number of respondents to the 2021 census who said that one of their ethnic origins was “Jewish”, and compared that with the number who said their religion was “Jewish.”
As we noted then, the number of respondents who said their religion was “Jewish” was 11,170, while the number that gave at least one of their ethnic origins as “Jewish” was 10,700. It might be complicated to understand, but we showed that, while many of the individuals gave one of their ethnic origins as “Jewish,” they also reported a different religion than “Jewish.” As a result, we concluded, the maximum possible number of individuals in Winnipeg who could be Jewish was 14,270 – although we also showed that the true number was likely much smaller than that.
Following our initial foray into an analysis of the 2021 census we kept up a correspondence with a statistician from statcan (which is now the name for what was formerly Statistics Canada), asking whether it would be possible to produce figures for where Jews live in Winnipeg. Subsequently, we were sent a table that listed Jewish population according to religion within the many census tracts in Winnipeg, also a map showing census tracts in the city.
By cross-referencing the table that was sent to us with the map that was also sent we were able to produce our own set of figures showing where Jews live in the city. Some of the figures that resulted might come as a great surprise to readers, including the huge drop in the Jewish population of West Kildonan (down to 205) and the very substantial increase in the number of Jews that live east of the Red River. (There are now almost as many Jews in East Kildonan – 175, as West Kildonan! And, when you add in Jews living in other parts of the city east of the Red River, you realize that approximately 10% of the Jewish population in Winnipeg now lives east of the Red River.)
We were also surprised to learn that Tuxedo has almost overtaken River Heights as the area with the largest concentration of Jewish population in Winnipeg, with the area known as Crescentwood coming in third.
In producing our own map and corresponding table we were able to show how areas in the extreme south end of the city, including south St. Vital and Bridgewater, have become home to very large Jewish populations. (That map can be seen on our website: jewishpostandnews.ca.)
In fact though, our Jewish population is now so spread out in so many different areas of the city that it would be difficult to say, as had been the case for many years, that our Jewish population is concentrated in the “south end” of the city. Traditionally, when we thought of the “south end,” we tended to think of River Heights and Tuxedo, also – in more recent times, Lindenwoods and Whyte Ridge.
As it turns out, however, there are now Jewish populations in suburban areas in almost all parts of the city, also a fairly large concentration in Wolseley and what is referred to as the West End, both of which are much closer to the centre of Winnipeg.
The continued decline in the number of Jews living in what was the traditional “North End” would probably come as no surprise to most readers, but the fact that there are now only 80 Jews living south of Smithfield, all the way to the CPR tracks, is but one more indication how much Jews have abandoned the traditional North End.
We’re not quite sure why, but the statcan list of census tracts for Winnipeg also included areas that would never be considered part of Winnipeg, such as St. Francois Xavier, Taché, Birds Hill, Lorette, East of Hwy. 59, and St. Clement. We’ve included them here because they form part of the total of 11,165 respondents who declared “Jewish” as their religion in the 2021 census and were considered part of Winnipeg (for some reason) by statcan.
There were also two census tracts that we were unable to identify on the map. They had a total of 20 Jewish residents. We’ve been somewhat arbitrary in identifying certain areas, such as south Fort Garry – not knowing which area would be considered south Ft. Garry and which, north Ft. Garry. The same applies for St. Vital. We’ve also given names to various neighbourhoods where possible, but that was simply not possible in many cases. Tuxedo, for instance, is identified as one census tract on the statcan map, while River Heights is made up of five different census tracts. As a result we were able to distinguish north River Heights (north of Corydon) from south River Heights.
Here then is a list of all areas of the city that have any number of Jewish residents, in order from largest to smallest:
River Heights (south of Corydon) 1460
River Heights (north of Corydon) 530
Total River Heights 1990
Tuxedo 1955
Crescentwood (including Wellington Crescent
& area west of Osborne) 735
Charleswood 660
Lindenwoods 655
Garden City 560
Fort Rouge 410
South Ft. Garry (not including Bridgewater) 360
South St. Vital 355
Whyte Ridge 335
Wolseley 270
Bridgewater 265
Fort Garry (not including Bridgewater or south Ft. Garry) 225
West Kildonan 205
East Kildonan 175
St. Vital (not including south St. Vital) 170
The Maples 165
Transcona 150
St. Boniface 110
North Kildonan 100
Sage Creek 95
Westwood 90
West End (west of Balmoral, north of Portage, east of Polo Park) 85
North End (south of Smithfield, to the CPR tracks) 80
Osborne Village (east of Osborne) 70
Downtown (Portage south to the river)) 60
Island Lakes 60
East St. Paul 45
St. James 45
East of Hwy. 59 45
Birds Hill 40
Silver Heights 35
Riverview 35
Concordia 35
Downtown (east of Balmoral, west of
Main Street, north of Portage, south of Ellice) 25
North-west (between Mollard Road and Selkirk Ave.) 25
Exchange district 25
Headingley 25
Elmwood 20
Waterfront 20
St. Francois Xavier 20
Taché 20
Lorette 20
West St. Paul 15
St. Clement 15
Wildewood 10
Pritchard Farm 10
Armstrong’s Point 10
Local News
Shaarey Zedek Sisterhood 60th anniversary interfaith luncheon
By MYRON LOVE On Wednesday, May 28, the Shaarey Zedek Sisterhood hosted its 60th annual interfaith luncheon – with 170 supporters on hand to break bread together, celebrate the Sisterhood’s 95th year in operation – in addition to the luncheon’s diamond anniversary, and enjoy an inspiring presentation by Indigenous business leader and consultant Lisa Lewis, who spoke about the kinship between her people and ours.
The program began with greetings from Lieutenant-Governor Anita Neville and Gail Asper, representing the Shaarey Zedek’s Board of Directors. Asper – the consummate community volunteer – spoke of the importance and benefits of the satisfaction gained from being a volunteer, as well as the important role that the Sisterhood has played in the life of our Jewish community’s oldest and largest congregation – a subject that was subsequently expanded upon by Marisa Hochman – one of the Sisterhood’s three co-presidents (along with Sandy Polanski and Louise Raber).
(Hochman and Raber also co–chaired the luncheon, along with Amy Karlinsky.)
“Our tradition teaches that it is important for us to be part of a community,” Hochman noted in her remarks. “Our Torah teaches that, while G-d is one, it is not good for man to be alone.”
She emphasized the importance in Judaism of balance and harmony as reflected in our rituals and observances – lighting two Shabbat candles, for example, the Commandments being written on two tablets, and in bringing together the four species of plants for the celebration of Sukkot.
“The mitzvah (of the four species),” Hochmanpointed out, ‘is not complete until all four of the elements are brought together – symbolizing that it takes many kinds of people to make a world – and that each of us brings something special to the table. It is only when all of us are working together that we are complete.”
Hochman provided a sampling of some of the ways that the Sisterhood contributes to its members, the synagogue and the wider community: the book club, the tallit-weaving program, monetary donations to the synagogue, support for theological seminaries and other Jewish educational institutions, and Jewish Child and Family Service.
“To me,” she added, “Sisterhood is friendship, community, the power of women working together to create, build and share and the passing on of wisdom and traditions – L’dor V’dor – from generation to generation.
“It is multigenerational, with members ranging in age from 16 into their 90s. A common thread that binds our members is that no matter their age or life circumstances, they are vibrant and engaged with the world around them. They love to learn and help others. They each contain a spark that illuminates.
“Like the glow of the Shabbat candles, we know that, together, we can bring more light and goodness into the world. Together, we definitely shine brighter than we do on our own.”
Following a delicious Shaarey Zedek lunch – salad, party sandwiches and dessert, keynote speaker Lisa Lewis stepped up the microphone. The speaker is a successful business woman, having started “Beyond Excellence Creative Consulting,” which provides tailor-made training and management assistance to a wide range of organizations.
Local News
Shindico celebrates 50th anniversary
(June 11, 2025) Shindico, one of Canada’s leading real estate firms, celebrated its 50th anniversary in typically understated style today. Instead of a lavish banquet in a swank hotel, over 200 Winnipeggers of different stripes gathered in a huge warehouse in St. Boniface to enjoy a variety of different foods served from different food trucks that had been brought onto the parking lot for the occasion in a carnival like atmosphere.
There were no long speeches marking the event. Instead Shindico staff mingled with guests and even the top bosses stood in line to order Philly steaks, french fries, cotton candy, popcorn, drinks, and sundry other food items. And, instead of the kind of swag typically given out at fancy celebrations guests were given simple hats saying “Shindico 50th anniversary.”
That’s the Shindico style we’ve come to expect of Shindico’s founders, Sandy & Robert Shindleman, who are known for understatement in their style of clothing – jeans and work shirts being what they are best known for wearing!
And, if you haven’t already read our story about how Sandy Shindleman came to found Shindico with his brother, Robert, you can read it here: The Sandy Shindleman story.
Local News
Cathy Moser organizing information program and beach party at Camp Massad as part of campaign to raise funds for pioneering Israeli treatment using psychedelic drugs and psychotherapy to treat PTSD
By MYRON LOVE When it comes to fundraising for worthy causes, Dr. Cathy Moser is one of the most creative and innovative people I know.
For over a dozen years, she was the annual Cancercare Manitoba Foundation Challenge for Life entrant Serratus Superstars team leader. Over that time period, Moser and her team raised over $450,000.00 – not only through walking but also through donations from garage sales and bake sales she and her friends organized and concerts organized in their homes.
A few months back, the Jewish Post ran a story about Cathy and her husband Jeff’s newest cause – a campaign to raise money for the Jerusalem Foundation’s new Resilience Centre, a novel treatment center for Israelis suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Aided in fundraising by long time Talmud Torah classmates and friends Donna Weinstein and Gina Chodirker, the Winnipeg couple are pledging to double every dollar donated to the Centre up to $100,000.
As part of that initiative, Moser and her friends are inviting readers to a special event – “Jerusalem at the Lake” on Sunday, June 22, at Camp Massad. The day’s activities will begin at 11:00 with brunch and presentations by Jerusalem Resilience Center directors Dr. Sinai Oren, psychiatrist and psychotherapist, and Pinni Baumol, a social worker who has been working in the area for decades.
That will be followed by a family-friendly beach party from 3:00 to 7:00 featuring activities for all ages. Moser reports that there will be dinner, a live band, Israeli dancing, sports, a heated pool and arts and crafts for the kids. She adds that she, Gina Chodirker and Donna Weinstein recruited several other Talmud Torah/JWC alumni – including Miriam Kohn, Avis Raber, Jackie Winestock, Deborah Fleishman and Gail Thau – to help out.
Moser points out that, according to the Jerusalem Foundation, estimates suggest that over half a million Israelis are suffering from PTSD, as well as other psychological issues, since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and ensuing war.
“It is not only Israeli soldiers who have been traumatized,” Moser observed in that earlier interview. “Everybody in Israel knows someone who was affected by the attack on October 7. This past year has triggered trauma from past wars as well as intergenerational trauma from the Holocaust.”
In response to this tsunami of trauma that has hit Israelis, the Jerusalem Foundation, soon after the October attack, founded the Resilience Centre – operating out of the Shaare Zedek Hospital. The Resilience Centre utilizes a range of treatments for trauma therapy – including the pioneering use of the drug ketamine, in combination with psychotherapy.
Cathy Moser has been treating patients for the past 40 years. During that time, she says, she has treated victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse and other horrific life events. Conventional tools and treatments can successfully treat trauma, but some (traumas) are so barbaric and complex that no matter how skilled a clinician is, “we cannot restore one’s lifeforce,’ ” she points out.
Moser initially approached the Jerusalem Resilience Center because of her work in psychedelic medicine. “Last summer, I visited the Reslience Centre,” she says. “I witnessed their treatment efficacy. There are less than a handful of legal psychedelic treatment centers in Israel, and this is a main one.”
Moser notes that readers who are interested in attending this special event and becoming sponsors can contact her at 204 295-3214, Donna Weinstein – 204 540-9869, or Gina Chodirker – 204 218-4803 or email friendsofJRC@gmail.com.
Registration deadline is June 14.
We owe it to our Israeli brothers and sisters to show them that we care about the mental health sacrifices that they are making to defend our homeland. While we happily offer donations for forest and building restoration, this gift will help to restore the ability of those that are traumatized to enjoy life again.
“We are hoping to raise at least $250,000.00 for the Jerusalem Resilience Centre,” Moser says. “That’s a lot of gelt…. but I think we can do it!
It is definitely a worthy cause.”
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