Local News
Jewish Federation of Winnipeg reports a surplus for the 2022-23 fiscal year
By BERNIE BELLAN At its Annual General Meeting, held December 6, the Jewish Federation reported a surplus of $110,916 for the 2022-23 fiscal year (which ended August 31). That compares with a deficit of $257,145 for the previous fiscal year.
However, a major factor in the Federation’s showing a surplus was a major reduction in the total amount allocated to the Federation’s beneficiary agencies – down almost $300,000 from 2021-22 to 2022-23.
A second major factor in the Federation’s showing a healthy surplus this past fiscal year was the much higher return received on investments – up from $98,253 in 2021-22 to $193,265 in 2022-23.
According to outgoing JFW President Gustavo Zentner, the surplus money will be used to offset some of the costs resulting from the recent emergency funding campaign for Israel (which is still ongoing).
In his remarks to the audience, Zentner noted specific areas in which the Federation had accomplished a great deal, including:
- • increased relationships with government agencies and other communities in Winnipeg
- • a better definition of our community’s relationship with Israel
- • more support for youth
- • a strengthening of relationships from within – including beneficiary agencies and Federation staff
- • the development of a strategic planning initiative under the stewardship of Carol Duboff, which began in 2022, and which has given the Federation a framework for the next 6 years
- • rededication of efforts to strengthen the Jewish community
- • a new vision for the Federation
- • streamlining of the allocations process (to beneficiary agencies)
- • the creation by the Province of Jewish Heritage Month
In addition to those accomplishments, Zenter also noted that the total cost of the Federation’s Combined Jewish Appeal’2022-23 campaign came to only 11% of the total amount raised – which was well below the industry average of 20%.
Further accomplishments
• PJ Library delivered its one hundred thousandth book in Winnipeg to a reader in 2023.
• March of the Living was back – after a three-year hiatus. Thirty-one students from Winnipeg participated, as well as Winnipeg Police Services Chief Danny Smyth (who later told me that not only did he participate in this year’s March of the Living, he took along several other Chiefs of Police from other cities in Canada as well). The Federation subvented the cost for each student by $2,000US.
• The CJA raised more than $200,000 for Ukraine in 2022-23.
In his own remarks, Federation CEO Jeff Lieberman acknowledged the presence of WPS Chief Smyth, along with Superintendent Dave Dalal, who were in attendance at the AGM.
Lieberman said: “We extend our gratitude to Danny Smyth and Dave Dalal for their dedication and support and for insuring the safety of our community. Your officers have been here at the building (the Asper Campus) day and night.”
Chief Smyth said: “We don’t get into places where people want us to be there…It’s been a very difficult time…I was taken aback by the amount of antisemitism I’ve observed – in the world and right here…The challenge for us is we really saw a lot of hateful things, but our hate crime laws are not sufficient; they’re just too narrowly focused…One of the things we try to do is just be there…We recognize the real fear and anxiety that’s going on in the (Jewish) community…We’ve always had a strong relationship with the Jewish community. We’re here to serve and protect you.
“I had the opportunity this year to participate in the March of the Living. I happened to be in Tel Aviv when Israel celebrated its 75th anniversary. We’re here for you now and in the future.”
Two final pieces of business included the recognition of Federation staff who had achieved milestones in terms of years of service and the installation of Paula Parks as incoming president for the Federation.
Local News
Thank you to the community from the Chesed Shel Emes
We’re delighted to share a major milestone in our Capital Campaign, “Building on our Tradition.” Launched in November 2018, this campaign aimed to replace our outdated facility with a modern space tailored to our unique needs. Our new building is designed with ritual at its core, featuring ample preparation space, Shomer space, and storage, creating a warm and welcoming environment for our community during times of need.
We’re grateful to the nearly 1,000 generous donors who contributed over $4 million towards our new facility. A $750,000 mortgage will be retired in November 2025, completing this monumental project in just seven years.
We’re also thrilled to announce that our Chesed Shel Emes Endowment Fund has grown tenfold, from $15,000 to $150,000, thanks to you, the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba’s FundMatch program, and Million Dollar Match initiative in 2024. Our fund helps ensure that everyone can have a dignified Jewish funeral regardless of financial need.
As we look to the future, our goal remains to ensure the Chevra Kadisha continues to serve our community for generations to come. Our focus now shifts to replenishing our savings account and growing our JFM Endowment fund.
We’re deeply grateful for your support over the past several years.
It’s our privilege to serve our community with care and compassion.
With sincere appreciation,
Campaign cabinet: Hillel Kravetsky, Gerry Pritchard, Stuart Pudavick,
Jack Solomon, and Rena Boroditsky
Murray S. Greenfield, President
Local News
Winnipeg Beach Synagogue about to celebrate 75th anniversary
By BERNIE BELLAN (July 13) In 1950 a group of cottage owners at Winnipeg Beach took it upon themselves to relocate a one-room schoolhouse that was in the Beausejour area to Winnipeg Beach where it became the beach synagogue at the corner of Hazel and Grove.
There it stayed until 1998 when it was moved to its current location at Camp Massad.
On August 2nd members of the synagogue will be holding a 75th anniversary celebration.
As part of the celebration anyone who is a descendant or relative of any of the original members of the first executive committee (as seen in the photo here) is invited to attend the synagogue that morning.
If you are a relative please contact Abe Borzykowski at wpgbeachshule@shaw.ca or aborzykowski@shaw.ca to let Abe know you might be attending or for more information about the 75th anniversary celebration.
We will soon be publishing a story about the history of the beach synagogue, which is something I’ve been writing about for over 25 years.
Local News
Vickar Family cuts ribbon on new Tova Vickar and Family Childcare Centre
By MYRON LOVE In the words of Larry Vickar, the Shaarey Zedek’s successful Dor V’ Dor Campaign “is not only a renewal of the synagogue but truly a renewal movement of Jewish life in our community.”An integral part of that renewal movement was the creation of a daycare centre within the expanded synagogue. On Monday, June 23, Larry and Tova Vickar cut the ribbon, thereby officially opening the Tova Vickar and Family Childcare Centre in the presence of 100 of their family members, friends and other supporters of the project.
The short program preceding the morning ribbon-cutting began with a continental breakfast followed by a welcome by both Fanny Levy, Shaarey Zedek’s Board President, and Executive Director Dr. Rena Secter Elbaze. In Elbaze’s remarks, she noted that Larry and Tova wanted their family (including son Stephen and family, who flew in from Florida) and friends at the event to celebrate the opening of the Tova Vickar and Family Childcare Centre, “not because of the accolades, but because, as Larry put it, he hopes that their investment in the congregation will inspire others to do the same.”
“When Larry and I spoke about what this gift meant to him and the message he wanted people to take away,” she continued, “I couldn’t help but connect it to the teachings of Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi whose book – Age-ing to Sage-ing – changes the whole way we look at the concept of ageing and basing it on our ancestral teachings.”
She explained that his concept of “Sage-ing” is based on three key ideas – Discover your meaning and purpose; accept our mortality and think about the legacy you want to leave.
“Larry spoke about these exact concepts when we met,” she said.
Elbaze also noted the presence of Shaarey Zedek’s newly-arrived senior Rabbi Carnie Rose, former Rabbi Alan Green, and area MLAs Mike Moroz and Carla Compton.
Larry Vickar expressed his great appreciation for all those in attendance. “Tova and I are deeply moved to stand here with you today for this important milestone in our community”, he said. “We are grateful to be surrounded by all of you, the people we care about, our family and friends… you who have touched our lives and played some part in our journey.”