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In surprise move – Jeff Lieberman to become Jewish Federation CEO

By BERNIE BELLAN

July 8, 2023 In an email sent out by Jewish Federation of Winnipeg President Gustavo Zentner on Thursday, July 6, Zenter announced that the next CEO of the Federation will be Jeff Lieberman.

Long active in Jewish community affairs – also with a stellar background of volunteer service in a number of general community organizations, including a stint as Chair of the Board of Governors of the University of Manitoba, the choice of Lieberman comes as something of a surprise. The reason I say that is, unlike every other past CEO of the Federation, Lieberman comes from the private sector.

We will have a full report on Jeff Lieberman’s ascendancy to the throne of the Federation in our July 19 issue, also full details on the expected coronation ceremony.

In the meantime, here is what Gustavo Zentner wrote in his announcement of the decision:

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, I am pleased to announce the selection of Jeff Lieberman as the new Chief Executive Officer of our organization. Jeff will assume the position from our current CEO Elaine Goldstine, who will be retiring at the end of August after a long and distinguished career.

Jeff’s lifelong commitment to volunteerism in Winnipeg’s Jewish and general communities, combined with his extensive leadership and not-for-profit experience, makes him an excellent fit for this role. As a previous Board member of the Federation and long-time Board member of the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, Jeff has acquired a keen understanding of how our community’s institutions work, and what it takes to make them thrive. His past presidency of the Rady JCC Board of Directors and his direct involvement in community initiatives like Folklorama further demonstrate his understanding of the interconnectedness of our Jewish Community.

Jeff is highly regarded in the Winnipeg community, having made significant contributions through his work at the University of Manitoba, where he served in a variety of roles, including as Chair of the University’s Board of Governors. For his extensive volunteer work, Jeff was awarded the William Norrie Outstanding Community Leader Award.

In addition to his community involvement, Jeff has had a successful career in the promotional products industry, running a successful business and as a member of the industry’s national association.

Jeff’s appointment follows the recent launch of the Federation’s new strategic plan and presents an exciting opportunity to align our vision and goals with Jeff’s expertise and fresh perspective. We look forward to working with Jeff and our community partners to shape the future of our Jewish Federation.

The Federation’s Board of Directors is excited to begin working with Jeff as he brings his collective experience to the organization. With a reputation as a collaborator, listener, and relationship builder, we look forward to continuing to build a vibrant, engaged, connected, and secure Winnipeg Jewish Community under his leadership.

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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.”

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Gray Academy to Represent Manitoba at National Reach for the Top Competition

Gray Academy staff (l-r): Daniele Miller, Lindsey Leipsic, Nick Maier

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.”

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