Local News
Jewish Federation to increase allocations to beneficiary agencies by considerable amount
By BERNIE BELLAN The Allocations Committee of the Jewish Federation has submitted its report to the Federation. The committee is recommending a total of $3,523,098 in allocations to the 12 beneficiary agencies of the Federation for the 2021/22 fiscal year, which begins Sept. 1, 2021.
That amount represents an increase of $163,000 in allocations over the previous year, and will be the single largest increase in allocations year over year in the history of the Federation. As we reported in our April 28 issue, the Combined Jewish Appeal did raise a record amount in 2020 – $6,439,994 (which has actually increased to $6,451,061 as of the time of writing), which is the reason the Federation is able to increase its funding of agencies by such a large amount. There were, however, some one-time donations that were earmarked for specific organizations and which were already allocated during the 2020/21 fiscal year.
Nonetheless, as Allocations Committee Chair Marcelo Aprosoff noted in the committee’s report, “The Committee was excited to have more money to allocate than ever before…They are conscious of the fact that some donations in this year were singular and will not be repeated. They would like to caution Beneficiaries not to expect or rely on continuing increases in the next few years, even as we remain hopeful about the future.”
Here are some highlights from the report:
Every single one of the beneficiary agencies will either receive an increase in allocations over the 2020/21 year or will at least receive the same (except for the Kaufman Silverberg Library, which is not actually a separate beneficiary of the Federation; it is lumped in with Gray Academy). In addition, if you read on you will see that additional funds that have come in the form of designated donations to various agencies will also mean that some agencies will be receiving considerably more in funding from the Federation than they had requested.
In the case of one agency, Jewish Child & Family Service, the amount the Allocations Committee recommended that agency will receive is actually $40 more than JCFS requested – $880,600, which represents an increase of $65,300 over the 2020/21 allocation.
The next highest increased allocation will go to BB Camp: $80,000, which represents a $20,000 increase over the previous year.
Gray Academy also received a $16,000 increase, while the Simkin Centre received a $15,000 increase.
Other notable aspects of the Allocations Committee’s report included an increase in allocation to the Jewish Learning Institute from $1,800 to $10,000. No other agency had suffered as dramatic a cutback in allocations in 2020/21 as the Jewish Learning Institute – from $5,642 in 2019/20 to $1,800 in 2020/21.
Other than noting that “The Jewish Learning Institute is reaching many more students virtually than they could in person”, there was no explanation given for the large increase in funding for the JLI.
The Committee did make specific reference to some specific challenges that agencies faced as a result of the pandemic:
“Despite almost endless challenges and disappointments, community leadership proved resilient, flexible, creative, adaptable and compassionate.
• Loss of life at the Simkin Centre was heartbreaking.
• Closures at the Rady JCC left huge gaps in social opportunities for every demographic group.
• Fundraisers were cancelled or scaled back, limiting the capacity of some organizations.
• The community has become accustomed to programs online that are free.
• Some individuals don’t do well in the virtual world and are even more isolated in a world of isolation.”
The table on this page offers readers the chance to compare allocations to agencies over the past seven years. In the meantime, here is a list of the increased allocations each agency will receive (in comparison with what they received last year), as recommended in the Allocations Committee report:
Aleph Bet Child Life Enrichment $3,000
BB Camp $20,000
Camp Massad $10,000
Gray Academy $16,000
Kaufman Silverberg Library* $1,500
Gwen Secter Centre $10,000
Kosher Meals on Wheels $5,000
Irma Penn School $2,400
Jewish Child & Family Service $65,300
Jewish Heritage Centre $2,600
Jewish Learning Institute $8,200
Rady JCC no change
Shalom Residences $4,000
Simkin Centre $15,000
*While Kaufman Silverberg Library’s allocation is listed as a separate item, it is part of Gray Academy’s allocation
**While Kosher Meals on Wheels is also a separate line item, it is run out of the Gwen Secter Centre and is part of Gwen Secter’s allocation
As mentioned, in addition to the allocations from the Jewish Federation given on the table on this page, the Federation will also be allocating funds to certain agencies that have come from donors who have designated that their donations go to those agencies. (Donors who have given at least $18,000 the previous year and donate at least as much in the current year are able to “designate” which agency will receive their donation.)
The total of those designated funds came to $520,098, bringing the total amount to be received by the beneficiary agencies to $3,523,098. Interestingly, of all the agencies, the only ones that will not be receiving at least as much as thay had requested are Aleph Bet Child Life Enrichment ($50,000 less than requested) and the Kaufman Silverberg Library (which will receive $20,000 less than requested).
Here is how much more some agencies will receive than their requested allocations:
Gray Academy $25,250
Gwen Secter Centre $30,091
Jewish Child & Family Service $256,681
Jewish Heritage Centre $66,100
Jewish Learning Institute $5,000
Rady JCC $110,650
On top of the allocations to beneficiary agencies the Jewish Federation will be allocating another $2,918,693 to various programs, including $269,900 to the following:
Birthright Israel
GrowWinnipeg
Hillel Winnipeg
March of the Living
PJ Library & PJ Our Way
Young Adult Division
Other funds
A further $1,052,732 in designated funds will be given, some to the programs just listed.
As well, $525,000 will be sent outside Winnipeg to such organizations as The Centre for Israel & Jewish Affairs.
Finally, the Federation operates a number of initiatives, such as government relations, combating anti-Semitism, 50+ programs, and many more. The total for those initiatives plus operations of the Federation comes to $667,472.
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.”
