Local News
Jerry Maslowsky, Inaugural Inductee – The Jerry Maslowsky Hall of Fame – Seven Oaks Performing Arts Centre
By HOLLY HARRIS Laughter and tears will flow when the Seven Oaks Performing Arts Centre (SOPAC) honours the late Jerry Maslowsky (zt”l), a prominent local business executive, supremely gifted entertainer, devoted family man, and all-around mensch, as the inaugural inductee for its newly minted “The Jerry Maslowsky Hall of Fame,” bearing the beloved Winnipegger’s name in perpetuity.
A special tribute concert co-hosted by Maslowsky’s sister Debbie Maslowsky and his daughter Tara is being held Thursday, October 20th, 7:30 p.m. in the 525-seat venue located at 711 Jefferson Avenue. The gala evening that kicks off with a 6:30 p.m. reception will be capped by the naming of the SOPAC lobby in Maslowsky’s honour, in addition to the Hall.
All ticket proceeds will go towards establishing “The Jerry Maslowsky Scholarship” through the Seven Oaks Education Foundation (SOEF), to be awarded annually to a student graduating from the division pursuing their passion in the arts. Online and in-person donations will also be gratefully accepted to help build the scholarship fund.
“Jerry would be overwhelmed with gratitude,” Debbie shares over the phone when asked how her brother might have felt being feted in such a significant way, as his formative years growing up in Winnipeg’s leafy Garden City neighbourhood essentially comes full circle.
“He’d be extremely humbled. He would thank his very dear friend, Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov, for nominating him for this honour, and his wife, Chris, and three children, Kaylee, Bobby and Tara for always supporting him, and letting him do all that he loved to do,” she adds.
Debbie gives full credit to Chochinov for getting the ball rolling back in 2020 by originally pitching the idea to Seven Oaks School Division Superintendent Brian O’Leary; followed by his formal nomination letter to the Board of Trustees now bearing rich fruit.
“It’s a wonderful occasion to recognize Jerry, and his history and career,” O’Leary affirms. “It also celebrates our arts programming at Seven Oaks, and all the opportunities we’re able to offer kids.”
Born in 1957 to Sam and Evelyn Maslowsky, Jerry first cut his performing teeth at I. L. Peretz School, later dazzling audiences in musical theatre shows at Jefferson Junior High School and Garden City Collegiate (GCC), also attended by his three siblings Kenny, Debbie and late sister Barbara. The charismatic entertainer appeared in his first Rainbow Stage production, “The King and I,” at the tender age of 12, and became a featured singer/dancer with the Sarah Sommer Chai Folk Ensemble in his teens.
He also co-wrote /co-hosted a three-part TV special “Wish Upon a Star” for CKY TV with Debbie in the early 1990s, as well as performed in “around 150” shows at the Hollow Mug Dinner Theatre, including many directed by my own father, Neil Harris, who recognized Jerry’s world-class talent and loved him like a son.
“Jerry just adored Neil Harris and was so honoured to have worked with him, and to been asked to do any of his shows. They had such a special connection and laughed all the time,” Debbie reveals of their unique bond.
Maslowsky passed away unexpectedly from an aggressive form of cancer on September 4th, 2016, with his death sending shockwaves throughout the local Jewish community and beyond. Over a thousand people, in stunned disbelief, attended his Celebration of Life at the RBC Convention Centre on September 8th; a living testament to how Maslowsky’s passion to make the world a better place through community service, and sharing his wisdom with all those who asked for advice had touched their lives.
As a brilliant businessman, his career included being appointed CEO of Variety, the Children’s Charity of Manitoba, as well as serving as Vice President of Sales and Marketing with the Winnipeg Football Club as a diehard Blue Bombers fan. And it all began with this very newspaper, with “Maz” beginning his professional life as advertising manager with The Jewish Post (prior to the merger of The Jewish Post and Western Jewish News in 1987).
He launched “Special Blend” in the early 1970s with his childhood chums, including Chochinov, as the city’s “go-to” band on the Bar Mitzvah and wedding circuit. The group performed at hotels and every synagogue in Winnipeg for hundreds of Jewish holidays and life cycle events (“He knew the kitchen staff of every shul in the city,” Debbie quips), including an anniversary bash at the Chevra Mishnayes Synagogue, co-founded by his zaida in 1908.
Chochinov, who needs no introduction as a world renowned psychiatrist and distinguished Officer of the Order of Canada, revered for his empathic research in palliative care, recalls playing violin and wailing on guitar licks with Maslowsky as the band’s nattily attired lead singer throughout the mid-1980s. But their bond went much deeper than that.
“Jerry was like a brother to me. He was family,” Chochinov shares of his lifelong pal, whom he first met at age 13, and kept in touch with over the years despite divergent career paths. “We were both auditioning for our Jefferson Junior High musical, ‘Annie Get Your Gun,’ and I remember thinking, ‘I may have enthusiasm, but this man has real talent.’
“Jerry had this incredible sense of humour and an amazing kind of comedic timing. He could read a room and bring the house down with gales of laughter, but at the same time, had no ego about it. It was always about bringing joy to the lives of people,” he continues.
“Jerry was an extraordinary friend and he was an extraordinary man, and a real role model for young people today in how he lived his life. While we all miss him terribly, we’re just so delighted that we have an opportunity to honour him in this very special way.”
The long defunct band, comprised of Michael Ryczak (accordion/ keyboards); Tim Feduniw (saxophone); Craig Doering (the group’s original drummer, eventually replaced by Jeff Dolovitch), poignantly joined by Maslowsky’s daughter, Tara, are notably coming together again to belt out several numbers at the October show – certain to bring the house down just as Jerry would want.
The program also includes Chai Folk Ensemble Alumni, popular vocalists Tracy Kasner Greaves and Arthur Liffmann with David Vamos on keyboard, world-class soprano Tracy Dahl and Winnipeg Jets anthem singer and longtime vocal jazz instructor at GCC, Stacey Nattrass.
The evening rounds out with R. F. Morrison School’s high-octane Ukrainian dance ensemble, vocal jazz group Garden City Groove led by Nattrass, as well as excerpts from GCC’s recent production of hit musical comedy “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”
“This is going to be a deeply emotional night for our family, but it also just affirms that while Jerry might be gone, he will never be forgotten,” Debbie says of her cherished, dearly missed brother.
“Jerry’s legacy will continue to live on through his family and friends, and all the many people whose lives he’s touched, and is now being recognized with this honour. It would mean the absolute world to him.”
For tickets ($30) or further information, visit: www.7oaks.org/resources/soef
Holly Harris has served as the classical music/opera/dance reviewer for the Winnipeg Free Press since 2004. She feels privileged to have known Jerry Maslowsky, and recalls his electrifying performances at the Hollow Mug and beyond, throughout the years.
Local News
Fringe Festival star Melanie Gall to appear at Gwen Secter Centre July 16
By BERNIE BELLAN A veteran performer at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival, Melanie Gall, will be making a special guest appearance at the Gwen Secter Centre on Thursday, July 16.
Melanie will be the featured speaker (and entertainer) for the Remis Speakers’ Series that day. The Remis Speakers’ Series is held every Thursday starting at noon and ending at 1:30. This year’s series began May 7 and will continue through the end of October. This year it has been attracting increasingly large audiences – ranging from 40-60 people, as it offers attendees the opportunity to enjoy a delicious – and kosher lunch, while listening to a very diverse variety of speakers – all the way from Gail Asper talking about returning the Ten Commandments to Assiniboine Park to Rabbi Matthew Leibl performing Christmas songs that were written by Jewish songwriters. At the same time it provides those attending a chance to make new acquaintances – or perhaps bump into old friends they haven’t seen in a long time.
Melanie Gall’s own story is sure to be riveting. I’ve written about Melanie in the past, but the past two summers had been especially nerve wracking for Melanie, as she was subjected to a torrent of antisemitic abuse over her support for the State of Israel.
You can read my story about what Melanie went through during the Winnipeg Fringe Festival – both in 2024 and again last year, at Melanie Gall subjected to antisemitic abuse.
Melanie, who will be entering her 13th year of performing at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival, will be peforming in only one show this year – a departure from her past practice of performing in multiple shows (as many as three different shows) during the Fringe Festival.
Elsewhere on this website we’ll be offering a preview of Melanie’s show (which is called “The Ballad of Isobel Gunn” and which is based on an incredible, but true story), along with previews of several other shows.
In the meantime, if you’re not already a member of the Remis Speakers’ Series group, but would ike to attend this coming Thursday, simply email us at jewishp@mymts.net and we’ll reserve a spot for you. The cost for the lunch is only $20.
The Gwen Secter Centre is located at 1588 Main Street (corner of Smithfield). There is parking available on a lot behind the centre or on the street.
Local News
Folk Festival Report
(Posted July 10) During this year’s Winnipeg Folk Festival we’re going to be running an ongoing blog report – with photos and blurbs from the festival, sent to us by our Folk Fest correspondent Heather Silbert.
Here’s Heather’s first entry (sent Friday at 3:33 pm): “It’s a hot hot day at the 51st Winnipeg Folk Festival! Lots of people; lots of good vibes; and an abundance of awesome music!!”
“We just moved to spruce hollow. Nice and shady. listening to Jacob Brodovsky.”
4:21 pm: “Jacob just announced that he lost his job and received a lot of vitriol from the Jewish Community because he’s a Jewish person who believes that Palestinian and Jewish lives are intertwined, and he is against genocide. He is very deeply feeling, and expresses all these big feelings through his songs. I want to give him a hug, but it’s so hot outside!”
5:33 pm: The inscription in the plaque below begins with some lines from a Bruce Cockburn song called “Joy Will Find a Way (A Song About Dying)”: and continues with: “Memory Lane honours those who are no longer with us but whose presence lives on in the music, memories and moments we share here…”
7:06 pm “Gorgeous hand made polymer clay jewelry! Amanda Greisman makes gorgeous pieces that can be worn across many occasions! And she’s so so nice!” (See her booth called “Blue Sky Jewelry.”)
(Posted July 11, 4:20 pm) “Would you drive your bike to BHP for FF in this weather? I would drive here, but not sure if I’d have enough steam to bike home!”
“There’s aren’t any flower/leaf art installations this year(that I’ve found!) but loving the fairy village!!”
“It’s another sweltering day. Bright blue sky and a light Breeze. Cat Clyde is rocking it out at Bur Oakbank!! Loving it!!”
8:04 pm: “Snacktime! Excellent energy, good time! We’re sitting 2 tarp rows in front of the frog to the left of the Canadian flag. (Total FF directions! LOL!)”
Local News
New GrowWinnipeg “Grow Together” highlights diverse origins of our growing Jewish community
By MYRON LOVE On Monday, June 11, about 120 younger Jewish Winnipeggers from diverse backgrounds came together at the Asper Campus for an evening of food and music, games and prizes and, most important, the opportunity to socialize with their peers from a growing community that reflects the long term success of our community’s 26-year-old GrowWinnipeg initiative.
“We are gathered here to celebrate your and your parents’ decisions to come to Winnipeg, build families and raise families here,” noted Dalia Szpiro, GrowWinnipeg’s director, in addressing the young adults in attendance.
To summarize, the GrowWinnipeg Initiative arose when our past community’s leadership recognized that our Jewish population was an aging and shrinking community with aging infrastructure.
The first stage was the planning and construction of the Asper Campus, which brought our major institutions and organizations under one roof in an attractive new building.
The next challenge was to attract more people to our community. GrowWinnipeg was created to take on the challenge. The initiative, which was officially launched in 2000, is unique in its efforts to reach out to young Jewish families throughout the Western world.
The first outreach efforts were directed at Argentina’s sizeable Jewish community at a time when the South American country’s economy was going through a very difficult period. Several of our community leaders visited the Jewish community in Buenos Aires and a website was established. Arrangements were made for local families to host Jewish Argentinians here on exploratory visits and the community helped the prospective immigrants navigate the then new Provincial Nominee Program, find jobs and establish themselves here.
Since then, many young families – from Argentina, as well as a great number of other countries – have chosen to make Winnipeg their new home. The young people at the recent GrowWinnipeg evening were reflective of the diversity of our growing community. During the course of the evening, I had the opportunity to speak with not only Israeli-born participants, also young people from Russia and Ukraine, Turkey and Uruguay – and a young lady who grew up in Ottawa.
Naomi Kirshenblatt Palansky originally came here from Ottawa to go to university. She met and married local entrepreneur Noah Palansky in 2023. (We wrote about Noah in the December 19, 2025 issue). That same year, the former competitive swimmer who competed in the Maccabiah Games in 2009 and 2013 served as manager of the Canadian Junior swimming team participating in the games. She is currently the director of operations and strategy for a company called CoinFlip.
Although born in Montevideo, Uruguay, Yael Borovich grew up in Winnipeg. She is the daughter of Dalia Szpiro and Eduardo Borovich (and younger sister of Vanessa) all of whom moved here in 2002. She is a graduate of the Asper School of Business and works as a senior client relationship manager for Scotia Bank’s commercial branch.
Siblings Igal and Edem Avimelek arrived here from Turkey six years ago with their parents, Etel and Moris. Edem is in her second year at the University of Manitoba while Igal is studying engineering at UBC.
They report that their father, Moris, has established the Upperwear Textile Agency – marketing textile products online – while their mother Etel, is senior IT Director, software development and data analytics and enterprise architecture at Standard Aero.
“Our parents were looking to move to a new country and came across the GrowWinnipeg webpage,” Edem says. “GrowWinnipeg has been really supportive of us in helping us move here and become established.”
More recent arrivals Alex Tsmokaliuk and Jane Hin are from Ukraine and Russia respectively and have been together since 2022. “We were looking for a peaceful place to start a family,”: Alex says. “We heard about GrowWinnpeg and here we are.”
Alex is a fitness trainer while Jane is working for WRE Development as a property manager.
Dora Bronstein, who is originally from Beersheva, is also a recent arrival to our community. “I came to Winnipeg because I wanted to get away from war – and I heard about GrowWinnipeg,” she says.
She is currently working for L.C. Taylor Licensed Insolvency Trustee as an estate manager.
Erele Tzidon and Daniel Mejnov
Last October, GrowWinnipeg introduced its new Youth Ambassadors program.
“Since October, we have been working to create an organized system and opportunities to help young newcomers find their people within our community,” wrote Youth Ambassador Erele Tzidon on Facebook.
“Our mission is to help young immigrants find a sense of home in Winnipeg and support a smooth and welcoming transition.
We are excited to help bring our young Jewish community together.
As reported in the Jewish Post about 18 months ago, Tzidon is originally from Moshav Ginaton in central Israel. She came to Winnipeg in 2018 with her parents Ofer – formerly regional manager for a car rental agency in Israel and now an RBC branch manager – and Sharon – an emotional therapist in Israel who is currently working as an educational assistant at Gray Academy – and three younger brothers.
The 20-year Gray Academy graduate has recently completed her third year in Science at the University of Manitoba. For the past three years, she has also been a member of Dr. Inna Rabinovich-Nikitin’s research team at the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (ICS), researching the link between pregnancy complications and the risk for heart disease.
In November, 2024, Tzidon was presented with the Dr. James S. McGoey Student Award – based on the quality of her cardiovascular research at the ICS, which operates out of the St. Boniface Hospital campus’s Albrechchtsen Research Centre.
Tzidon’s fellow Youth Ambassador is Daniel Mejnov. He was born in Beersheva but moved to Winnipeg with his parents, Dennis and Victoria (and younger brother Alon) 14 years ago. He is currently enrolled in an IT program at the University of Winnipeg.
Mejnov welcomed all those in attendance at the celebration and thanked the volunteers who helped him and Tzidon organize the event.
“It has been great being able to bring so many people together,” he said. “This is a good way to unite our community.
Two other individuals of particular note that I spoke with at the event were Orit Agabayev and Alina Plis, partners in three year old A and O Event Décor, who provided the balloon arches and walls, table settings and centre pieces for the evening.
Agabayev is originally from Netanya and Plis is from Yeruham (in southern Israel). The latter has been here for 18 years and operates a daycare. The former came 16 years. Her principal career is working in the field of animal nutrition.
In an Instagram PosI from four years ago, Plis noted that “I have always been passionate about planning parties and events. I started out with planning big surprise birthday parties for my kids. Eventually I began planning and decorating events for family and friends. Now I am taking the next step with my friend, Orit, who shares the same level enthusiasm as me. What drives me to go above and beyond is simply the excitement my creations bring to those who see my work.
On Facebook, Agabayev added that “Alina and I are so excited to start A&O event decor. We both love decorating and planning different events. We hope that you can put your trust in us to create or decorate an event for you. We do Birthday parties, anniversaries, bachelor/bachelorette parties, proposals, weddings and more..
“Message us with your ideas to get a free quote and you’re one step closer to having an unforgettable event.”
