Local News
The accidental killing of hostage Alon Shamriz resonated with me in an unexpected way
By BERNIE BELLAN As we near year’s end we are still living through what is arguably the most difficult period in Israel’s history since the War of Independence in 1948. Israelis are caught in between two competing – and probably incompatible goals: to free the remaining hostages held by Hamas and to eliminate Hamas permanently as a threat.
The mistaken killing of three Israeli hostages by the IDF brought home the incredibly difficult task the IDF faces in trying to wage war while at the same time finding and rescuing the remaining hostages.
When I heard the names of the three hostages who were mistakenly tragically shot by a member of the IDF this past week, one of the names immediately caught my attention: Alon Shamriz. Just a week prior, on December 7, I had received a phone call from David Horowitz, editor of the Times of Israel, about Shamriz.
What Horowitz told me was that our website, jewishpostandnews.ca, had posted a story about Alon Shamriz which, Horowitz said, had to come down immediately. I should explain that our website receives news stories from a number of other websites, which offer news feeds that are aggregated into our own site on a continuing basis – without me actually screening those stories beforehand.
The story about Shamriz, Horowitz explained, had to be removed because it posed a danger to Shamriz, should his Hamas captors happen to see it. The story was headlined: “Taken captive, Along Shamriz eliminated a terrorist before capture.” Shamriz’s family was rightly concerned that, if Hamas were to see that story they would exact revenge upon Shamriz – and kill him.
To be honest, I hadn’t noticed that story in our news feed and it wasn’t on our home page but, as Horowitz further explained, if anyone were to do a Google search for Alon Shamriz that story would appear in the Google search results.
Naturally, I acceded to Horowitz’s request immediately, but I noticed, when I did my own search for Alon Shamriz, that the same story appeared on a number of other websites. (I suppose Horowitz spent some time that day trying to contact every other website that also had the story on their site.) In addition, the next morning I received an email from Horowitz thanking me for removing the story from our site, but also asking me whether I could “scrub” it from Google. His email explained that even though the story was gone, if one did a Google search, the headline for the story would still show up in the search results. So, I set out “scrubbing” the story from Google. (Needless to say, I had to educate myself on that process.)
What all this did is bring home for me in a way that I never expected how intertwined we all are as a result of the internet. To think: A terrorist in Gaza might see something on the jewishpostandnews.ca website and want to kill a hostage as a result. That was quite unnerving. No matter how inadvertent and unlikely the possibility of that happening might have been, I acted as quickly as I could – and kept my mouth shut about what had happened. And then – word emerged that Alon Shamriz, whose name had just been brought to my attention, was dead – not at the hands of Hamas, which is what I feared might happen as a result of that story, but through the gross negligence of an Israeli soldier who completely disregarded the IDF’s rules of engagement.
Which brings me to the issue of the hostages – and what Israel can – and should do, to free them.
In our October 25 issue I wrote that “revenge is not a good military strategy.” As much as Netanyahu and his war cabinet still seem bent on “eradicating” Hamas, the closest scenario that bears some resemblance to what the IDF is attempting to accomplish in Gaza occurred in Mosul, Iraq, from November 2016 to July 2017 when a number of different forces made up primarily of Iraqis, but also a large number of Kurds, engaged in urban warfare with members of ISIS similar to what is now happening with the IDF and Hamas.
Of course, the Iraqi forces were nothing like what the IDF has. Many of them were poorly trained and overall, they were lacking coordination. The Iraqis and their Kurdish allies took over 10,000 casualties – and here’s something else that’s of tremendous significance: There were over 10,000 civilian casualties in Mosul, as ISIS used civilians as human shields – just as Hamas has always done and is doing as I write this.
And yet, with the war in Gaza now in its third month, and with Israel’s Defense Minister Yosi Gallant saying the war will continue until at least until February, one has to ask: At what cost?
Israel’s image in the world, as a result of thousands of Palestinian casualties, has been tarnished to the point where it has lost support from governments that had previously jumped to Israel’s defense, including our own Canadian government.
But, even worse, what of the ongoing psychological – and physical toll, that this prolonged war, is having on Israelis themselves? As psychologist Orly Dreman writes so eloquently – and passionately, in a piece in this issue, the trauma inflicted on Israelis, which is continuing every day, is immense. As Orly writes: “People are getting chest pain, stomach aches, headaches, back pains all stemming from stress. They obsessively check ten times that the door is locked and sleep with the lights on. We all have a sense of existential threat and that we feel powerless. The whole country was exposed to what happened either directly or indirectly. We are traumatized but being partners to the same fate we desperately cling together for support.”
But, with a failed Prime Minister at the helm who seems to be concerned more with his own political survival than anything else, and who, for weeks on end, avoided meeting with the families of hostages, Israel is faced with an intractable situation: Either continue a war, but with one hand tied behind its back as American pressure to reduce civilian casualties means that the IDF is bound to start taking more casualties of its own, or accept calls for at least a long-lasting truce that could lead to the eventual freeing of all the hostages.
In the meantime, we here in the diaspora are continuing to see the fallout from the displacement and deaths of so many Palestinian civilians. The metaphorical battleground here has been primarily on university campuses and, as we’ve noted in many articles within these pages over the past two and a half months, the hypocrisy of both students and professors in assailing Israel while completely ignoring the barbarity of Hamas is unconscionable.
We were recently sent a link to a Youtube video of comedian – and social commentator, Bill Maher’s most recent “New rules” segment of his weekly show (which aired December 15). In the segment (which we have elsewhere on this website at https://jewishpostandnews.ca/uncategorized/bill-maher-tells-it-like-it-is-when-it-comes-to-what-the-river-to-the-sea-really-means/, Maher offers devastatingly wittingly commentary on the abject ignorance of left wing critics of Israel. Maher is fearless in cutting through the phoniness of dogma, whether it’s coming from the right or, as we’ve seen so continually lately, the left, when it comes to heaping scorn on Israel. In this particular segment, which is about eight minutes long, one by one, Maher points out the intellectual weaknesses of the usual arguments being trotted out to justify condemnation of Israel on the world stage. In one particular clip he hones in on the phrase “from the river to the sea” and asks just where are the Jews in Israel supposed to go? (His suggested answer is quite hilarious, but I’ll leave it to you to watch the entire segment. Just go to Youtube and enter: “Bill Maher: From the River to the Sea.”)
One final note: As I note in another story on this site about the Jewish Federation’s recently held Annual General Meeting (https://jewishpostandnews.ca/faqs/rokmicronews-fp-1/jewish-federation-of-winnipeg-reports-a-surplus-for-the-2022-23-fiscal-year/), this past month saw the completion of Gustavo Zentner’s term as Federation President. Our community has been most fortunate to have had Gustavo in that position, not only for the tremendous contribution he has made to streamlining so much of the Federation’s operations and putting it on a very stable path going forward, but in particular, for his having stepped forward to lead this community these past two months in what has been a most difficult period. Gustavo’s eloquence, which has often been put to the test at a series of rallies called to bring us together since October 7, has been inspirational. When events called for a leader, Gustavo Zentner stepped up and we are all in his debt. Thank you Gustavo.
Local News
Shalom Residences Foundation to host third annual donor appreciation evening
By MYRON LOVE On Tuesday, June 16, Shalom Residences Foundation Inc (SRFI) will be hosting its third annual Donor Appreciation evening. Donors and other Shalom Residences supporters can look forward to chilling to the music of local singer/songwriter David Grenon (aka Soul Bear), who will be performing songs by Billy Joel, Elton John and other well-known artists.
For readers who are not yet familiar with Shalom Residences, the organization was originally created to care for intellectually challenged Jewish young adults. The vision was to provide them with a Jewish environment – strictly kosher group homes where all the Jewish holidays are observed and celebrated.
One of Shalom Residences’ objectives has always been to develop a community in which individuals with intellectual disabilities are fully included, self-actualized, and valued in all aspects of life.
The concept has been a remarkable success.
Shalom Residences was founded in 1980 by six far-sighted couples, including Thelma and Ernie Bronstein, Dolly and Zivey Chudnow, Min and Joe Fromkin, Roberta and Larry Hurtig, Elaine and Bobby Paul,
and Sybil and Frank Steele. The original Shalom Home was a converted house on Cathedral Avenue.
“Thelma Bronstein’s determination and dynamism contributed to making it happen,” says Elaine Paul, currently Shalom Residences’ treasurer (and for the past 20 years, the organization’s leading fundraiser).
I remember the home’s official opening. This was shortly after I started writing for the Jewish Post. Rabbi Charles Grysman affixed the mezzuzah to the door frame.
Today, the organization operates six group homes housing 19 residents as well as 12 residents in supported independent living arrangements.
While the operations today are largely funded by the provincial government – which means that the residences have to be open to accepting non-Jewish clients as well (just over half of the residents are Jewish) – the Shalom Residences Foundation funding supplements the government contribution – providing financial support for increasing staffing levels when needed, as well as extraordinary expenditures and contingencies. The Foundation has also provided the down payment for the purchase of new housing when necessary. .
The necessity of fundraising was evident right from the beginning. Elaine Paul recalls that the first Manitoba Marathon – in which all the founding parents were involved – provided the funding for the mortgage at 175 Cathedral Ave.
“We worked with Helen Steinkopf and John Robertson to develop the marathon,” Paul remembers. ”For several years, Hy Kravetsky and I worked handing out water to the runners.”
Paul relates that it was Zivey Chudnow who was instrumental in starting up Shalom Residences’ annual fundraising. “Three of Zivey’s friends,:Norman Tatleman, Sam Ostrove, and Gary Levinson, asked how they could help,” she recalls. “Their idea was to have a fundraising dinner. We combined the dinner with a lottery. We sold 60 tickets at $1,000 a piece and paid out $15,000 to the winning ticket and lesser amounts to other lucky winners.”
The organization also held annual well attended fundraising teas.
Paul reports that, for years, Chudnow was Shalom Residences’ best fundraiser – with honourable mention to Avrum Katz, Frank Steele, and the late Joe Elfenbaum. Paul took over the role 10 years ago – again with honourable mention to SRFI board members, Dr. Allen Kraut, Peter Leipsic, Donna Chudnow, Jon Feldman, and Mickey Rosenberg.
In addition, the goal was, and remains empowering adults with intellectual disabilities to live meaningful, dignified lives in community-based homes in Winnipeg, enriched by Jewish values.
Charles Tax, the SRFI’s long time president, notes that in 2017, the organization created an endowment fund with the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba. “At the time, we transferred more than half of our assets to the JFM,” he says. “We continue to make contributions to our fund.”
He notes that the annual dinners came to an end with the 20230 Covid lockdowns. The donor appreciation evenings were started in 2023.
“One of our goals is to acquire one or two more houses in the south end,” Tax adds.
Readers who may be interested in attending the donor appreciation evening or otherwise supporting SRFI can contact the office at 204 582-7064 or via email (admin@shalomresidences.com).
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Local News
Debbie Maslowsky playing lead role in upcoming Dry Cold Productions musical
By MYRON LOVE For the past 40 years Debbie Maslowsky has been entertaining Winnipeg audiences – both Jewish and non-Jewish, with her acting and singing. Arguably Winnipeg’s queen of musical theatre is returning to the stage on May 13 in a lead role in Dry Cold Productions’ upcoming “Kimberly Akimbo”.
Maslowsky is enthusiastic about the Tony-winning production, which debuted on Broadway in November 2022. “It’s a gem of a musical,” she says of the production crafted by the musical team of composer Jeanine Tesori and lyricist David Lindsay-Abaire.
The subject itself is not – on the surface – uplifting. As Maslowsky describes it, “Kimberly Akimbo” is the story of a teenager suffering from a very rare condition – progeria – also known as the aging disease. The genetic condition causes children to age at an accelerated rate causing them to die of old age while still in their teens. For those readers who may recall Rabbi Harold Kushner’s book, “Why Bad Things Happen to Good People” – written years ago, Kushner was responding to the death of his own son from progeria.
In the hands of Tesori and Lindsay-Abaire though, Maslowsky notes, the show is about mindfulness and living day by day. In the production, Maslowsky explains, “Kimberly is trying to live as normal a life as she can despite her illness. Her life is further complicated by a dysfunctional family. Her parents are dealing with their own issues. Then there is the madcap aunt who develops a complicated and hilarious plan to make money for a family road trip, raise funds for choir costumes – with some left over for herself.
“The play is very funny,” Maslowsky comments, “but also poignant. Kimberly knows that she most likely won’t live much beyond 16. Therefore, she wants to live every day to the fullest. She wants to live every day in the now. At the same time, she doesn’t want to hide from reality. She doesn’t want special treatment. She also doesn’t want people – such as her parents – trying to pretend that everything will be okay.”
Maslowsky last appeared on stage in Winnipeg Jewish Theatre’s one-woman production of “A Pickle” in the spring of 2023. That was the true story of a Jewish pickle maker living in Minnesota who had to fight to get her pickles included in the state fair pickle competition, which tried to disqualify her because her pickles were made the Jewish way through a brining process that the non-Jewish judges refused to accept.
In the interim, Maslowsky has been focusing on her longstanding business as a trade show, conference and event manage,r as well as picking up some singing gigs. She reports that she began winding down her business last fall.
She speaks highly of her younger cast mates. “They are an amazing group of young people,” she says. “For some of them, this is their first show. I myself am still learning new things after all these years.”
Maslowsky will next be appearing in the joint Winnipeg Jewish Theatre-Rainbow Stage production of “Fiddler on the Roof” in September. “I played one of the daughters years ago in an earlier Fiddler production,” she recalls. “I feel like I am coming full circle.”
Dry Cold Productions was founded by Donna Fletcher and Reid Harrison (now retired) more than 25 years ago. The company stages a yearly musical theatre production – sometimes edgy – which has played on Broadway and is new to Winnipeg audiences.
The Dry Cold website cautions that “Kimberly Akimbo” contains “strong language (with frequent profanity), mature humour, and references to sexual activity”.
“Kimberly Akimbo” is scheduled to run May 13–17, 2026 at the Prairie Theatre Exchange. Tickets can be purchased by contacting Dry Cold productions online.
Local News
The second Bar Mitzvah: Better than the first
By GERRY POSNER As we pass down the corridor of life, there are certainly times we can identify as moments we will never forget. I had such a moment on April 11 at my second Bar Mitzvah, at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, shared with Dr. Ted Lyons, or E. A. as I called him over the years. We were celebrating this life cycle event at the very same synagogue as the first one, that is – the Shaarey Zede. For me, it was some 70 years ago or 25,557 days – from April 21, 1956 to April 11, 2026. The notion of returning to the original place of Bar Mitzvah 1.0 was too powerful a force, causing me to abandon my plan to do this in Toronto where my wife, Sherna and I have lived for the last 13 plus years.
It was quite the weekend. We started just before Erev Shabbat with photos of our two families on the bimah. Ted had his whole family there, including his daughter Mara, her husband Sheldon, and their two daughters, as well as his son Sami, his wife Rose, and their three kids, all of whom live In Calgary, not to forget his sister Ellen and her husband Howard Goldstein, from Toronto. Our three kids: Ari, Rami and Amira, all of whom live in Toronto, along with two of my grandchildren, as well as my brother Michael from Toronto were also present.
After the Shabbat service, we stayed on in the building for our Shabbat dinner. There were 23 of us, including Michael’s partner, Ruth Grubert, (formerly Mozersky), also a former Winnipegger, as well as Rabbi Mass,his son Ranan, Rabbi Carnie Rose and his wife Pauline. It was a warm group and the dinner was gobbled up and appreciated by all of us. We were all surprised when independently, the respective grandchildren of the Bar Mitzvah “bochers” presented both of us with a kind of tribute – funny and sincere in their affection for their Zaidas.
Then came the big day. It lived up to and even exceeded my expectations. It was a sell-out crowd. I was overwhelmed just at that fact. The only thing missing from the building was the electronic ark. The respective families all participated with aliyahs and indeed Torah readings by Sami Lyons and the 83-year-old Bar Mitzvah boy Ted Lyons. Now, “leyning” from the Torah was not something Ted had done at the first go-round 70 years ago. (In fact, almost all of us were deficient in that area).
One particular moment during the service was especially meaningful for Sherna and me. In the first part of the service, there is a prayer called “Mi Chamocha.” My son Ari had written music for that prayer several years ago and now he was at Shaarey Zedek, where he had his Bar Mitzvah long ago. This time though the clergy had arranged to use his music and to sing his melody. (It had been used many times previously, but without Ari. ) Not only that, he was invited to play his composition at the service as Cantor Leslie Emery sang it. Those few moments – as we watched and listened, at this – my second Bar Mitzvah, at a place where my parents had been members for years and whose names are on the memorial plaque in the chapel, well, that was powerful, to put it mildly.
Ted and his family had various honours as did my family. I was given the Haftorah to chant. Now, I have few talents, but I can chant a Haftroah (not the most marketable skill), so that was not that much of an obstacle for me. In fact, I rather enjoyed doing this part of the service. Rabbi Rose had also given me permission to deliver a D’var Torah on the portion of the week, “Shemini”, and to discuss the meaning of this, my second Bar Mitzvah. Once I had the mic and the stage, I was ready to go in spite of my wife’s protestations that it was too long. And, in fact, as I rolled along into my Haftorah, after about 10 minutes, my parter in the double Bar, Ted, came up from behind me where he was sitting, and nudged me gently, or to put it more accurately, gave me the hook, announcing that it was time to wrap up. It was kind of comical, in fact. I got a large charge from that sudden intervention. To top it off, as I had been speaking, I noticed a congregant on my left near the front who had apparently passed out. It was alarming to me at first, but the medics came and were able to revive this person. I was told later that other first words out of the mouth were “Has he finally finished?”
We concluded the day with a rather large kiddish luncheon highlighted at least for me by traditional party sandwiches, which were a staple of the kiddishes of my youth. I met with so many people of my past, which was a treat and a half for me. I was so into the moment that It was hard to get me out of the building.
As I reflect on the day and the service, I recognized that for all of us, we have times in our lives, whether it be an hour, a day or a week, that we will never forget. This day was for me one such moment. It is etched in my memory to be relived through the Youtube video now in my possession. The gift that keeps on giving, I say.
My first Bar Mitzvah was good, for sure. This one was far better. I knew what I was doing.
Post script (After Gerry had sent us his story, he sent us something else that he said should have been included in the story): True, Ted and I had the Bar Mitzvah no 2. But we only had it because there was one person who did the real work and yet received no credit. She made all the arrangements with the synagogue for both the Friday night Shabbat dinner and the kiddish lunch after the service. She dealt with various people in the synagogue and basically took charge of our simcha. I speak, of course, of Harriet Lyons. That I failed to mention her was due to my excess focus on the eating of the party sandwiches and not enough on the reason we had them in the first place. Harriet teaches the weaving of tallits, but she stands tall in the arranging of Bar Mitzvahs.