Local News
Jewish Federation launches new program: “TAP” (Teens and Philanthropy) – to give teens a voice in fundraising
By BERNIE BELLAN When Sam Slutchuk was still a student at Gray Academy – five years ago, he developed a keen interest in working with the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg.
As he told me in a recent phone interview, “I’ve been connected to the Federation since high school. I began as an intern, then when I started university, I was asked to work for the Federation part-time.”
In the five years since he first began an internship with the Federation, Sam, now 22, has taken on increasingly important roles.
“I was first involved in community outreach,” Sam says. “Then I started working with Dalia Szpiro” (the Federation’s GrowWinnipeg Director, who helps to introduce new families into the community).
Sam also worked with Madeline Lopez Ficher, the Federation’s Creative Director, helping to design the Federation’s revamped website, “jewishwinnipeg.org”, nearly two years ago. Sam was also responsible for managing the “Community Connects” initiative during the early stages of the pandemic, which offered check-in calls to over 4000 Jewish households.
More recently though, Sam has moved into a different role – as a “Development Associate” for the Federation, a role in which he is directly involved in fundraising for the Combined Jewish Appeal.
In addition to working for the Federation, Sam is a student at the University of Manitoba.
How Sam came to be involved in fundraising is itself an interesting story.
“I’ve always been interested in fundraising,” he says. “I enjoy my days spent at the Federation because I am helping raise funds for an organization I care deeply about.”
Part of Sam’s new role involves educating young people, in this case high school students, about the importance of the Jewish Federation to the Jewish community, and concomitantly, the importance of the Combined Jewish Appeal.
As Sam says, “I’m emotionally connected to the CJA and the Federation.”
Now, while many young people have volunteered at one time or another with various beneficiary agencies of the Federation, it’s Sam’s job to prepare young people for future roles with the Federation and the community at large.
As such, Sam has been tasked with running a program called “Teens and Philanthropy”.
A little while ago the Federation sent out a marketing campaign to 500 families of teenagers in the community. The email promoted the TAP program to the teenagers to see whether they might be interested in serving on a committee comprised of 14-17 year-olds that would meet once a month for two hours, and whose members would become educated in the important role that philanthropy plays in the community.
Altogether, nearly 40 students expressed interest in serving on the TAP committee through the CJA. As Sam says, “I am thrilled with the response of our teens and excited to get this project off the ground.”
The students come from a variety of different schools, including Gray Academy, Grant Park High School, Garden City Collegiate, and the University of Winnipeg Collegiate.
I asked Sam whether there was one common denominator that he could identify among the students on the committee, other than their ages? He thought about it for a moment, then said that they almost all had been involved with PJ Library at one time or another – which. by the way, shows how successful PJ Library has been at integrating families into the community.
So, what is it that the students will be asked to do when they’re on the TAP committee?
Sam explains that the committee will be given $3600 to work with. Over the course of the next few months, the committee will research the beneficiary agencies that receive funding from the Jewish Federation. The members of the committee will be asked to allocate that $3600 in a similar way that the Allocations Committee of the Jewish Federation distributes funds to the various agencies.
As Sam notes in an email he also sent to me following our interview, “The purpose of the creation of TAP is for the younger generation of our community to have a hands-on experience in philanthropy, no better way than with real-time and money. I felt it was crucial to begin recruiting members now; teens are looking to make a difference, need to fulfill volunteer hours, and what better way than to form a committee.”
I wondered though, whether the students might have an inherent predisposition to favour agencies with which they might have a greater familiarity, such as Gray Academy or the two sleepover camps, Massad and BB Camp?
Sam says that many of the students might have familiarity with other agencies as well, such as the Simkin Centre, because they have a grandparent there, or perhaps Jewish Child & Family Service, or they will learn of new agencies that may hit close to home.
Regardless, the overall purpose of giving the students the $3600 to allocate is to educate them in the process of decision-making.
“These students will be asked to voice their thoughts and opinions,” he notes.
“We need to bring younger people into the process,” Sam says, in explaining what the objective of the program is. “We want our future generation of the community to feel they have a voice.”
Given the Covid situation, however, the first meeting of the committee, which will take place toward the end of January, will, of necessity, be held online.
Sam says though that the hope is to be able to have meetings in February and March held in person.
“Down the road,” he also says, “I would like the students to sit in on focus groups, potentially work as canvassers on Super Sunday,” and to be given roles that until now would have been reserved for adults.
Once they’ve served on the TAP committee this year, each student will be given a letter of reference which should prove valuable down the road both in terms of applying to post-secondary education after high school or in seeking a job.
“We’ll be testing the waters at this point,” Sam says. But, by asking high school students to familiarize themselves with much of the process that’s involved in the work of the Jewish Federation at this relatively early stage of their lives, the hope is that the end result will be to help prepare future leaders of tomorrow for important roles in the community.
“As Sam says, “we need to bring younger people into the process. We wouldn’t have a community without the CJA.”
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.