Local News
High holiday services for both Etz Chayim and Shaarey Zedek congregations to mark last high holidays before both congregations move into new venues
By MYRON LOVE Rosh Hashanah, which begins on the evening of Friday, September 15 and Yom Kippur, on Sunday, September 24, finds our synagogue scene in a state of flux. While this will be the last Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur for Etz Chayim congregants in their current 70-year-old location in north Winnipeg, for Shaarey Zedek members this will be the last Yom Tov outside their building on Wellington Crescent – currently undergoing renovations and an expansion.
And, under the dynamic leadership of new executive director Dr. Rena Secter Elbaze, the Shaarey Zedek is going all out to make this a Yom Tov to remember.
This is the second year that the Shaarey Zedek will have been holding Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services at the Asper Campus – with regular Shabbat services at the Berney Theatre and weekday services at Temple Shalom – and, Elbaze says, “in an effort to show our members that we appreciate their patience and understanding during this period of construction, we are offering all of our members free seating for Yom Tov for those who want to attend services in person as well as congregants viewing the services on-line.”
Non-members, she adds, can purchase their seats and will also be eligible for free seating if they participate in our daily minyanim or volunteer their time to help with Shabbat minyanim.
A further incentive will be the return of the popular Rabbi Alan Green to join Rabbi Anibal Mass to lead the main service. Rabbi Mass will also be leading the family service – accompanied by Grant Park High School Grade 12 student Noah Trachtenberg – in the Asper campus Multipurpose room.
Elbaze adds that the popular Quartet will be returning – along with the 20-voice Ruach Folk Choir to further uplift and engage participants in this year’s services.
Childcare will also be on offer.
Elbaze reports that thus far 350 have registered for in-person attendance (“We hope to have 500,” she says) along with106 for the family services and 92 for the online services.
“We have received over $21,000 in donations so far,” she notes.
As to regular Shabbat attendance, the numbers are still not back to where they were pre-pandemic restrictions. Elbaze reports that Shabbat services are averaging about 40 as compared to 175 three years ago.
“We are excited about our future prospects,” she adds. “We are making a concerted effort to attract younger people through organizing regular Shabbat dinners and havdalah parties in members’ homes.”
Meanwhile, Congregation Etz Chayim in north Winnipeg is celebrating its last Yom Tov at its current location at 123 Matheson. In November, our community’s second largest congregation will be leaving behind its 71-year-old building and moving to the former Shriners’ headquarters on Wilkes in south Winnipeg.
For this final Yom Tov on Matheson services will continue to be led by Rabbi Kliel Rose and Cantor Tracy Kasner – with Kelly Robinson leading the High Holy Day Choir. Jonathan Buchwald, Etz Chayim’s executive director, further reports that “this year, in addition to the regular adult choir, we will be incorporating youth voices as well.
“We are also offering a Family Service designed for young families led by Deborah Spigelman and Nina Eilberg. This will be a 45 minute service” and will include storytelling, games and songs.
In addition, there will be a Junior Congregation youth service for all ages and a special designated group for Kadima age children. And, on the first day of Rosh Hashanah and on Kol Nidre there will be a program designed specifically for teens in grades 9 to 12.
Services are available either in-person or online.
Rob Waldman, the president of the egalitarian Chevra Mishnayes congregation in Garden City, says that the board is not expecting much change from last year. “We hope that attendance will be a little higher this year,” he says.
Last year’s attendance was 90 – exceeding all expectations.
Once again, Al Benarroch will be leading the services.
Still with the North End, the venerable House of Ashkenazie, the last of our community’s older-style Orthodox congregations, is also, according to president Gary Minuk, expecting little change for Yom Tov from last year when about 50 were in attendance for the first day of Rosh Hashanah and over 40 for Kol Nidre – numbers which were the best in some years.
One new option this year for frum members of our community living in the North End may be the former Chavurat Tefila – on the corner of Hartford and McGregor – which has reopened – after being closed for three years – as the North End Orthodox Minyan. The new congregation began regular Shabbat services at the end of July and is planning to be open for all Yom Tovim throughout the year – but the situation for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is still to be determined.
South Winnipeg also has a new Yom Tov option this year in the form of services being offered by Rabbi Matthew Leibl at the Gates on Roblin. “Last year, I had a lots of people ask me what I was going to do for Yom Tov,” says Leibl, who has been in demand for weddings, funerals and other community events since he left the Shaarey Zedek four years ago. “I perceived that there was a need for another alternative for High Holiday services.”
“Services on the River: A modern High Holidays” are scheduled for the second day of Rosh Hashanah, Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur morning. “Because the Shofar is not traditionally blown on Shabbat, we decided to celebrate Rosh Hashanah on the second day instead to be able to have the shofar in our service, ” Rabbi Leibl explains.
“ ‘Services on the River’ will be three services designed to offer moments of reflection and introspection, beautiful live music, and a celebration of the Jewish New Year, all against the pastoral backdrop of the Assiniboine River, which will also be our site for Tashlich on Rosh Hashanah. Rabbi Leibl adds.
He notes that he will be blending his trademark Torah commentary, relevant explanations, and some humour with a mix of traditional and contemporary liturgy, to deliver a High Holy Day experience that will feel both familiar and modern. He adds that he will be working with the husband and wife cantorial team of Justin Odwak and Sarah Sommer. All services will run 90 minutes. While families are encouraged to attend, there are no programs designed specifically for children.
Rabbi Leibl reports that the venue can accommodate up to 400 and that, thus far, he has commitments from about 150.
Both Ruth Livingston and Jack Craven, presidents respectively of Reform Congregation Temple Shalom and the Orthodox Adas Yeshurun Herzlia in south Winnipeg are reporting that it is business as usual this year. Both are hoping to see some growth in the numbers in attendance though, as fears of Covid continue to recede.
The Lubavitch Centre will also be business as usual. Capacity for the south Winnipeg institution is about 250-300. There is no charge for those wishing to attend services.
And, after a three-year absence, the Simkin Centre will again be holding Yom Tov services that are open to the general public. The services, which will begin at 10:00 A.M. on all three days of Yom Tov, will be led by Steven Hyman with the choir being led by Bonnie Antel.
Caitlin Liewicki, the manager of Resident Experience, is asking that anyone who may be planning on attending the service from the public to RSVP either by email (caitlin.liewicki@simkincentre.ca) or telephone (204- 589-9008), so that she knows how many to plan for.
Finally for those who enjoy the alternative – and, by now traditional services in their own way – at Camp Massad, there remains one more option for those seeking to attend a High Holiday service. After two years absence, Camp Massad is resuming its innovative Rosh Hashanah service. Daniel Sprintz, the camp’s executive director, is pleased to announce that Massad will again be hosting its usual Rosh Hashonah program on the second day.
“We offer a creative and interactive service that combines some traditional prayers with contemporary readings, folk music and our usual Camp massad Shtick,” Sprintz says. “Our services will be followed by a kosher lunch and Tashlich at the Lake.”
The service, this year, he notes, is being led by Rabbanit Dorit Kosmin. In pre-Covid times, Sprintz reports, Rosh Hashanah at Massad attracted as many as 150 participants. Last year, 90 attended. He is hoping to have a somewhat larger number this year.
The Registration deadline (massad.ca) is September 15.
Yom Tov this year begins on Friday, September 15, in the evening.
Wishing all readers a sweet new year.
Local News
First year medical student Tim Rozovsky founds new association for local Jewish medical students
By MYRON LOVE In the face of a concerning surge in antisemitism over the past nearly three years, I am happy to report a good news story in that regard. Tim Rozovsky, the founder of the new Jewish Medical Students’ Association of Manitoba, reports that he and his fellow Jewish students enrolled in the University of Manitoba’s Max Rady College of Medicine are not experiencing any significant issues involving antisemitism.
Hopefully, the matter of the notorious Med school Valedictorian who used his podium to attack Israel was a one-off.
“My goal in forming the Jewish Medical Students’ Association of Manitoba,” says the first year medical student, “was to create a safe, supportive environment for my fellow Jewish medical students.”
He reports that the current first year class at the school has eight Jewish students – an increase over more recent years – with maybe a dozen more in the other years.
For a new medical student, Rozovsky already has an impressive resume. He was born in Russia and grew up in Israel. After the completion of his army service in 2018, the then-22-year-old rejoined his parents, Dr. Katya and Alexander, who had moved to Winnipeg a few years before.
Prior to coming to Winnipeg, Rozovsky had completed a personal trainer program out of The Academic College at Wingate in Jerusalem. Some readers may know the young man from his work as a Master Personal Trainer at the Rady JCC.
Shortly after arriving here, he enrolled in a kinesiology program at the University of Winnipeg. He graduated with a BKin Honours in 2023 and did post graduate work at the University of Manitoba. Last fall, he received his MSc in Physiology and Pathophysiology – earning two gold medals, along with 32 awards and scholarships in the process.
Rozovsky says that it was his mother who inspired him to pursue a career in medicine. Dr. Katya Rozovsky is an associate professor at the University of Manitoba and an attending radiologist, specializing in pediatric diagnostic imaging.
(Tim also adds that his wife, Irina Gelzin, whom he married about a year ago, is training to be a nurse.)
Insofar as the Jewish Medical Students’ Association of Manitoba is concerned, Rozovky reports that the group gets together multiple times a year. One of its programs was a joint Chanukah celebration with the Jewish Physicians Association of Manitoba.
There was also a joint program with the Christian Medical and Dental Students’ Association of Manitoba.
“More recently, we have been helping prospective Jewish medical students with their applications,” he says. “Hopefully we will be able to get together over the summer with the incoming Jewish students.”
As to his own future plans, Rozovsky notes that it is too early for him to be deciding on a specialty. “My goal,” he says, “is to work hard and get good grades and become the best doctor that I can be.”
Local News
Gray Academy to Represent Manitoba at National Reach for the Top Competition
By NOAH STRAUSS Posted June 6) Gray Academy’s Reach for the Top team is headed to Moncton, New Brunswick, to represent Manitoba at the National Reach for the Top tournament.
Reach for the Top is a Canadian school league that quizzes teenagers on a variety of different topics, from science and history to pop culture. Reach started out in 1961 in Vancouver, where a local CBC station broadcasted the new show; it eventually became a national broadcast starting in 1966. Alex Trebek, who famously hosted Jeopardy!, started out by hosting Reach for the Top.
Gray Academy’s very own team, made up of Grade 7 and 8 students, will travel to Moncton, New Brunswick, to compete as Team Manitoba. By winning the provincial Reach tournament, they secured their spot in the national competition.
Faculty members at Gray Academy are very supportive of the program. The Jewish Post spoke with three different staff members at the school. Coach and high school teacher Danielle Miller says she is excited for the trip; although she will not be accompanying the team herself, shehas coached them all year.
“This year we had over 20 students come to the club to join us, they practice twice a cycle at lunch,” Miller said. Due to the large turnout this year, two teams had to be formed. At lunch practices, students split into two teams of four where each player has a buzzer. The two teams compete to see who can answer the most questions correctly.
One of the two teams did exceptionally well at various tournaments throughout the year and will be traveling to nationals as the sole team representing Manitoba.
Co-coach Micah Doerksen described Reach as a great academic competition where young minds are tested on various topics through quick,fast-paced questions.
High school guidance counselor Lindsey Leipsic said, “We have athletes, non-athletes, we have students who are really involved and students who are not as involved at school, and we have quiet leaders, and we’ve seen friendships be built in Reach.” Some of her favorite memories of Reach involve seeing students from across Winnipeg come to Gray Academy and bond with one another. Lev Chisick, who is competing at nationals, agreed, saying, “Moncton is going to strengthen our school spirit and make us a better team.”
As the junior team makes their way to Moncton, the senior team will head to provincials. Later this week, students from the senior team will travel to Virden, Manitoba, to compete at the provincial level. The team qualified after placing high enough at their most recent tournament, which took place at St. Paul’s.
Confidence is high as the school heads into these final tournaments. When Nath Goldenberg, who is also competing at nationals, was asked what he is most looking forward to, his answer was short and sweet:“Winning.”
Local News
Team Schvesters teammates Benji Harvey, Kim Gray once again among top ten fundraisers in this year’s CancerCare Manitoba Foundation Challenge for Life event
By MYRON LOVE This year’s annual CancerCare Manitoba Foundation’s Challenge for Life walk at Assiniboine Park is scheduled for Sunday, June 13 – and, once again, in terms of fundraising, Team Schvesters is sitting in second place overall – having raised just over $30,500 as of May 26 – which is $5,000 more than the team members had raised by the same time last year.
As well, team members Benji Harvey and Kim Gray are once again in the top ten among individual fundraisers. Harvey this year sits in fifth place, having raised a little over $16,000 as of May 17 – while Gray has raised just above $8,000 – putting her in seventh place.
Harvey reports that, -over the past 18, years participating in CancerCare Manitoba Foundation’s Challenge for Life, she has personally raised $180,000 for cancer research, while her team as a whole has brought in $367,000. In discussing her success as a fundraiser, Harvey says that she has made a lot of friends over the years and believes in giving back to the community.
The “Schvesters” are the Greenfeld sisters: Harvey and sisters Lesly Katz and Debra Lewis – the daughters of Lil and the late Ike Greenfeld. Two of the sisters are cancer survivors.
There is one other team member – in addition to Kim Gray. Judge Rocky Pollack first joined Team Schvesters in 2023. After a year away in 2024, he returned last year. Pollack lost his wife, Sharon, to cancer in 2014 after a multi-year struggle.
Nancy’s Nightingales has been a top 10 community fundraising team for Cancercare Manitoba and the Challenge for Life since its inception in 2008. As a team, they have walked together since 2006 when they walked 60 km in two days in the Weekend to End Breast Cancer.
Last year, the team – including Louise Raber, Joanne Katz, Rhonda Youell, Connie Botelho and Harriet Lyons – finished fifth in fundraising. So far this year, the team is again sitting in fifth place –having raised just under $12,500 (as of May 26) – a couple of thousand dollars more than last year, and just about $300 behind the fourth place team.
The Nightingales are named after a nurse who is a cancer survivor- and a friend of Louise Raber, Nancy’s Nightingales team leader.
“Our goal, as always, is to raise at least one dollar more than last year,” says Raber.
Team Jason’s Journey team leader Jason Gisser has experienced a more intimate and longer-lasting relationship with cancer than many of the other Challenge for Life participants. He was first diagnosed with cancer when he was 18. “I am a proud cancer fighter, having lived and battled a chronic cancer diagnosis for the last 23 years,” he said in an earlier interview. “I participate in the Challenge for Life not only to give back for the care and treatment which I have and continue to receive through CancerCare Manitoba, but to ensure that others do not have to endure the journey which I have endured.”
This is the ninth year that Gisser has taken up the Challenge for Life. His teammates are returnee Nora Fien, as well as friends Danial Sprintz, Wendy Martin White and Jason Roberts, also his mother, Judge Freda Steele. He has personally raised about $5,500 this year, while the team as a whole has raised just over $7,000.
“The Challenge for Life is great opportunity to raise valuable dollars for cancer research and treatment,” Gisser notes.
Readers can make donations to their preferred team by going online to CancerCarefdn.mb.ca and click on Challengeforlife.ca.
