Local News
How did an English performance poet develop such a keen interest in Jewish nuclear physicists?
By BERNIE BELLAN Readers of this website may have read an earlier story I posted about a Fringe play titled “THE KID WAS A SPY,” by well-known Fringe writer and performer Jem Rolls. (You can read that story at https://jewishpostandnews.ca/faqs/rokmicronews-fp-1/fringe-show-asks-was-giving-the-secret-to-the-atomic-bomb-to-the-russians-morally-justifiable/)
I was so intrigued by the notion that Rolls had written, not one, but three entire Fringe plays centering around the lives of individuals he described as “Jewish nuclear physicists no one has ever heard of” that I wanted to find out from Rolls what led to his interest in the subject.
We were supposed to have met for an interview while the Winnipeg Fringe Festival was still occurring but, as events transpired, Rolls got caught up with other things that required his attention, and wasn’t able to meet with me.
Still, he contacted me to apologize for not having been able to sit down for a conversation and said he would still very much like to engage with me about his interest in “little-known Jewish nuclear physicists.”
As it was, Rolls recently found himself with more time on his hands when he was in Saskatoon, getting ready for that city’s fringe festival which, he described in an email to me as “the quiet bit after and before the madhouses,” i.e., the Winnipeg and Edmonton fringe festivals.
A little information about Jem Rolls: He’s one of the veteran of the fringe festival circuit. His performing at the Saskatoon Fringe Festival was to be his 150th different fringe festival appearance.
Born in Surrey, England, “from 1996 Jem ran the only successful poetry cabaret in Edinburgh in decades and in 2001 he moved there and set up a very successful fortnightly cabaret, while running Scotland’s first Poetry Slams.
“In 2001 he did the Toronto fringe and nothing was ever the same again. Confronted by the possibilities and demands of the hour show, Jem gleefully exploded into the freedom of it. The Fringe circuit has very few rules and can provide the artists a complete liberation. Jem has been making a living creating a new hour show every year since 2003.”
I also found out from Rolls that in recent years he has been spending his winters in India. Quite the vagabond, he suggested that “all I need is a passport, a laptop, and a bank card.”
We did end up talking over Messenger on Thursday, July 31. I began our conversation by asking Rolls what led him to develop his particular interest in “little-known Jewish nuclear physicists?”
He explained that several years ago he “was stuck in Dauphin with not very much to read.
“I discovered a book about Nazi scientists,” he said.
That book happened to mention a Jewish physicist by the name of Lise Meitner. Rolls was sufficiently intrigued by Meitner’s story that he determined to find out more about her.
Later that year he found himself spending the winter in Edmonton. Rolls said he went to the University of Alberta to do some research on Meitner and came across another book that proved to be instrumental to his developing what would subsequently turn into three separate fringe shows. The book was titled “The Making of the Atomic Bomb,” by Richard Rhodes.
That book, which was first published in 1987, went on to win a Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. It is described as the “definitive history of nuclear weapons—from the turn-of-the-century discovery of nuclear energy to J. Robert Oppenheimer and the Manhattan Project—this epic work details the science, the people, and the sociopolitical realities that led to the development of the atomic bomb.”
Rolls’ initial interest in Meitner subsequently led to an interest in the life of Leo Szilard, who became one of five Hungarian-born Jewish physicists – nicknamed “the Martians,” who were all eventually to play key roles in the Manhattan Project and, ultimately, the development of the atomic bomb. The others were: Theodore von Kármán, John von Neumann, Edward Teller, and Eugene Wigner. Apparently a running joke among their Western colleagues in scientific circles at the time was that “Martians had landed in Hungary sometime around 1900 but soon departed after finding the planet unsuitable. However, these higher beings stayed just long enough to leave behind offspring, which turned into exceptionally brainy scientists, later nicknamed ‘The Martians.’ “
Without going into detail about the scientific work undertaken both by Meitner and Szilard in this story, suffice to say that Rolls was able to mine their stories sufficiently to create two separate shows about them: The first was “THE INVENTOR OF ALL THINGS, “about Leo Szilard, which Rolls first performed in 2015 (and then again in 2017).
In 2019 Rolls created a show about Meitner titled “THE WALK IN THE SNOW,” which he also performed in 2022.
(I should note that Rolls, who has now appeared at 150 different fringe festivals, performs a particular show repeatedly on the fringe festival circuit in any given year. As he explained, “the hard work is done three months before” a show is premiered, as he writes the material and rehearses it on his own prior to taking it before a live audience.)
Both those previous shows proved enormously successful for Rolls, garnering “multiple sellouts and five star reviews.”
Winnipeg audiences, however, have mostly come to know Rolls as a “performance poet,” something, as noted previously, he first brought to Canada at the Toronto Fringe Festival in 2001.
Putting on a show in Winnipeg, however, has always been an especially pleasurable experience for Rolls because, as he put it, “Winnipeg is an excellent place where to find out how good a show is.”
Still, ever curious to try to develop new material, Rolls said that he doesn’t like to bring back shows from the past once he says to himself that he is done with them.
Thus, as he has now been performing his latest show, the aforementioned “THE KID WAS A SPY,” in front of audiences across North America this year, Rolls observed that he “may do this show again in another two years,” but then he’ll be done with it.
In my story about “THE KID WAS A SPY,” I noted how controversial much of the show was, having to do as it was with the fact that the protagonist of the show, Ted Hall, turned out to be a spy for the Russians. Hall did end up giving the Russians vital information about the development of the atomic bomb – and was never arrested even though both the FBI and MI6 in Britain had their suspicions about him.
During the course of the show, Rolls attempts to create a balance in the minds of audience members between the conflicting moral decisions that led to Hall’s actions. He was determined to help the effort to create the atomic bomb before Nazi German scientists would succeed in doing so, but he also wanted to keep America from having a monopoly on owning the secret to the atomic bomb – which led to his approaching the KGB and offering to hand over to them the keys to the bomb.
I asked Rolls whether he honestly thought that the Americans and the Russians could be put on the same moral plane – which is something he posited during his play? I also wondered about the very sympathetic treatment he gives to Ted Hall.
Rolls suggested that for him, “Ted Hall was a very likeable and sympathetic guy.”
But, I argued, when he asked audience members to vote on whether Hall was justified in doing what he did, the results were bound to be skewed heavily in favour of voting in Hall’s favour by the mere fact that fringe festival audiences are probably so much more left-wing than the general population.
Rolls noted, however, that the audience make-up for this particular show has leaned heavily older, and that a good portion of audiences would certainly have enough knowledge of history to be able to come to reasoned determinations about the relative moral culpability of America and the Soviet Union over the years. He also observed that Hall was not atypical among young American Jews in the 1930s. “There were an awful lot of radical left-wing Jews” around that time, he suggested.
“I spend 57 minutes trying to give an accounting that weighs the zeitgeist of the time,” he said, against our current thinking about the historical record of America and the Soviet Union.
“This show was quite a bit more difficult to do than his other shows,” Rolls said – especially his performance poetry shows which, he noted, “were funny.”
Even his earlier show about Leo Szilard, Rolls observed, had quite a bit of humour in it.
Given the heavily Jewish theme of each of Rolls’ shows about Jewish nuclear physicists, I asked Rolls whether he’s ever been approached to put on any of the shows by a Jewish theatre company. So far, he hasn’t, he answered, but he’s certainly open to the idea.
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.