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Jewish Foundation of Manitoba steps up to the plate with huge infusion of assistance for Jewish organizations

John Diamond, CEO, Jewish Foundation

Originally posted May 13. Updated May 16

By BERNIE BELLAN The Jewish Foundation of Manitoba has given a major boost to many Jewish organizations that have found themselves in dire financial circumstances as a result of the restrictions placed on their operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We were first informed that the Foundation was helping many organizations when we were told that cheques had been sent out to many organizations the last week in April. We contacted several organizations to verify what we had been told had happened and were able to confirm that cheques had been sent out by the Foundation.
But, while we did attempt to gather more information about what the Foundation was doing, it took some time before we received a detailed description from the Foundation of what exactly was going on. We had emailed a series of questions to various individuals associated with the Foundation on May 3, but it wasn’t until May 7 that we received a detailed response to those questions.
That detail came in the form of an email from John Diamond, CEO of the Jewish Foundation, which was received on May 7.

Following is what John Diamond wrote. His email also includes the exact questions that I posed in my May 3 email:
“I know that Richard Yaffe (Chair of the JFM board) has spoken to you and given you some information about the JFM’s planned approach to assisting our Jewish organizations during the Covid 19 pandemic. Since that time our board has met, as has our grants committee, and I can give you some updated information as well as some background.
“Our overall approach is governed by the legislation that created the Foundation, as well as by the JFM’s mission, vision and values.  With this in mind, we saw it as our responsibility to provide at least some level of basic financial support to as many Manitoba based Jewish organizations as possible. We also want to provide further assistance to those organizations that are in particularly dire circumstances as a result of the pandemic. 
“On the recommendation of staff, the JFM board decided to defer all regular 2020 grants. In fact, many of those grants related to projects that could no longer take place as a result of the pandemic. We decided to divide the available funds into three equal parts – each about $200,000.  The funds for this were re-directed from our 2020 Jewish and Community grants.
“Recognizing that many organizations are very thinly staffed and that some are not as adept as others in applying for funds, the first funding (aggregate $200,000) was distributed, based on organizations’ operating budgets, to provide basic sustaining funding to all of the organizations. In addition, we provided an aggregate of $102,000 to four of Winnipeg’s frontline charities (Winnipeg Harvest, Siloam Mission, Agape Table, and Main Street Project). 
“Our grants committee and board are now in the process of finalizing the guidelines for the distribution of the remaining $400,000, which will be done in two parts.
 “I have compiled some points that I believe address all of the questions that you posed along with some additional insights into the process.

“1. Were you asked for assistance from certain organizations?
 “Some organizations have approached the Foundation for emergency funding.  Many have not.
 
 “2. What was the total amount of money JFM distributed to these organizations?
“In total, so far we have distributed almost $300,000 in relief funding to Jewish Community organizations and frontline charities (approximately $200,000 to the Jewish organizations from our regular grants, and approximately $100,000 from our community grants fund to the frontline community charities).
 
“3. What was the formula JFM used to distribute the money?

“To distribute to our 26 Manitoba based Jewish organizations, five levels of funding were established based on the operating budgets of each organization.
 
“4. The Foundation froze all spring grants that it was to have allocated. Can you explain why?
“Many of the projects that the spring grants were to fund were cancelled or significantly altered since the time the applications for funding were submitted. We believe it is our responsibility to take action to help sustain our Jewish organizations, whether or not they have an immediate need and whether or not they have the human and financial resources to apply for funding.
 
“5. Will the JFM also be distributing more money for the relief of organizations based on need?
 “We know this is not the end of hardships to be endured by our Jewish organizations. Therefore in the next few weeks, more information will be provided to them regarding opportunities to apply for additional relief funding from the remaining $400,000. Our Grants Committee is currently finalizing the process and criteria for organizations to apply.
 
“To ensure we are implementing processes that will achieve the most impact, the JFM is in constant contact with our Jewish organizations. This includes the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg. As both organizations endeavor to serve the community during this time of need, it will be through our shared information and consistent communication that support is administered where it is needed most.
“Thank you again for helping us communicate our ambition to support our community during this difficult time.”

As a post script to this article, which ran in the May 13 issue of the JP&N, we asked the Jewish Foundation whether they will supply a complete list of Jewish organizations that have received emergency funding from the Foundation and how much each organization has received.

Added May 16: We have now received a complete list of organizations that received help from the Jewish Foundation:

1 Adas Yeshurun Herzlia Congregation
2 Aleph Bet Child Life Enrichment Program Inc.
3 Asper Jewish Community Campus of Winnipeg
4 B’nai Brith Canada – Midwest Region
5 B’nai Brith Jewish Community Camp
6 Camp Massad Manitoba
7 Canadian Institute for the Study of Antisemitism
8 Chabad-Lubavitch of Winnipeg
9 Chai Folk Arts Council Inc.
10 Chavurat Tefilah
11 Chesed Shel Emes
12 Chevra Mishnayes Synagogue
13 Congregation Etz Chayim
14 Congregation Shaarey Zedek
15 Gray Academy of Jewish Education
16 Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre
17 Hebrew Congregation of Winnipeg Beach
18 House of Ashkenazie
19 Jewish Child and Family Service
20 Jewish Federation of Winnipeg
21 Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada
22 National Council of Jewish Women of Canada-Winnipeg Section
23 Rady Jewish Community Centre
24 Saul & Claribel Simkin Centre
25 Shalom Residences Inc.
26 Talmud Torah Beth Jacob Synagogue
27 Temple Shalom Manitoba Inc.
28 Winnipeg Jewish Theatre Inc.

 

 

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Canadian survivor of Supernova Music Festival massacre Shye Klein recounts his story to Winnipeg audience

By MYRON LOVE Growing up in democratic countries in Western society, we are fortunate to be able to go about our lives oblivious to potential danger. We go to sporting events, concerts, folk festivals confident that there is nothing to worry about and we can have a good time.
Such was the thinking for about 3,500 young Israelis who converged on Kibbutz Re’im, near the border with Gaza, on Saturday, October 7, for the Supernova Music Festival. In the early morning hours, their idyll was shattered by an onslaught of Hamas and other Palestinian terrorists that resulted in the worst terrorist attack in Israel’s history.
The number of victims who were murdered was more than 350. Among those who survived was young Canadian photographer Shye Klein – who was in Winnipeg on Monday, March 11as part of a speaking tour of Canada and the United States – to give eye-witness testimony of what he experienced and share his photos and videos of hat horrific day.
Klein’s presentation – in the Rady JCC gym – in front of about 300 people – was sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg,  Hillel, and the Asper Foundation. 
Prior to Klein’s testimony, those in attendance heard introductory remarks by Federation CEO Jeff Lieberman and Federation President Paula Parks, as well as StandWithUs Canada University of Manitoba representative Benjamin Margulets.   The speaker was introduced by University of Manitoba student Matthew Morry.
Originally from Toronto, the 26-year-old Klein made aliyah last April.  He noted that, initially, when his cousin Mordechai told him about the upcoming festival a few week s in advance, the idea of going didn’t appeal to him.
“Just thinking of the people crowding around the stage, the garbage, I wasn’t interested,” he recalled.
Mordechai asked hm again the day before though, and he changed his mind.  “I didn’t know many people in Israel, yet,” he said. “I thought this might be a good way to meet people.”
Klein’s small party of eight arrived at the location around 1:00 A.M. on the morning of the festival, and set up their tent.  “I had no idea how close we were to the Gaza border,” he noted.
 
So, while his cousin and friends were chilling and enjoying the scene, Klein grabbed his camera and began to mingle.   At this point in the presentation, he showed on screen all of the concert-goers whose photos he took throughout the night and early morning – talking a little bit about each one.
He also described the layout, small stages and main stage and the “marketplace”.
He added that, typical of such raves, the smell of drugs was omnipresent.
It was about daybreak – about 7:30 in the morning – when, he noted, people began getting messages on their cell phones about incoming missiles aimed at Tel Aviv, Petah Tikvah and elsewhere.

“The music was so loud that it muffled the sounds of explosions,” he recounted.  “While some people began packing up, the consensus still seemed to be that we were safe. There were no strategic targets anywhere around us.
“Then we start hearing gunfire. It didn’t sound like it was coming from the IDF (Israel Defense Forces). Then explosions.  There was a lot of commotion.”
Klein’s party quickly got to their car. “Of the eight of us, only three were in shape to drive,” he recalled.  “Mordechai drove while I started videotaping what was happening.”
He recalled that there was pandemonium – with people fleeing – in their cars or on foot – in every direction.  Standing in front of a screen showing his video of his group’s frantic efforts to escape,  he described  bypassing a long line of cars and trucks by driving around through a farm field, when they approached an IDF checkpoint where they were advised to go no further in the direction they were driving and to stay in their car no matter what.
His videos showed cars along the side of the road to Tel Aviv pocked with bullet holes. Klein added that there were bodies in some of the cars and along the road.
“We were freaking out,” he said.  “At one point, we were approaching three guys dressed in black and wearing masks. We drove right by them. Thank goodness,. they didn’t shoot.
“As we were driving, we could see smoke from burning houses.”
The group made it safely to Tel Aviv by about 9:45.
“While we were safe, I didn’t know what happened to all the people I had met and taken pictures of at the music festival,” he noted.  “I had exchanged contact information with them so, over the next few weeks, I went about contacting them.”
Happily, he was able to report that almost all of them were safe.  As he had done earlier – showing the photos of his new friends and acquaintances from the festival, he again posted their pictures on the screen and briefly told their stories.  One young woman, for example, had found herself on one of the kibbutzim under attack and hid in a fridge for several hours until she was rescued. Others found safety in the nearby JNF forest until rescued by the IDF.
Five and a half months after that horrendous day, Klein observed, “many people in Israel aren’t doing so well, but we are doing the best we can. No one is alone.  There is also a greater sense of togetherness than there was before the war.”
He also reported that his friends in Israel encouraged him to share his photos and video with the world. As a result, he is currently on a speaking tour of North American Jewish communities.
He said that he is scheduled to return to Tel Aviv on May1.

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Local News

Congregants give new Etz Chayim building two thumbs up

By MYRON LOVE To borrow from the late movie reviewers Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel, long time members are giving the new Etz Chayim building the two-thumbs up seal of approval.
“It’s beautiful,” says Brenda Keller who has been an Etz Chayim member – and the Rosh Pina before it – since 1990. “I love it,” the Garden City resident continues. I especially like what we did with the stained glass windows. The building has a nice, haimishe feel.”


Gary Jacobson concurs.   He also really likes how the stained glass windows from the old building have been incorporated into the new.  “The sanctuary is very nice,” observes the St. Vital resident, who has been a member  of the congregation since 2002 when the former Rosh Pina merged with the North End Beth Israel and Bnay Abraham congregation to form Etz Chayim.  “The acoustics and the lighting are both very good.”


The new Congregation Etz Chayim shul – at 1155 Wilkes in the south end – opened its doors at the beginning of March, culminating years of discussions about following our Jewish community’s demographic trends and moving south. Discussions even predating the 2002 merger of the three North end synagogues have been ongoing for several years about a move south.  The issue came to a head about 18 months ago.  Faced with a declining membership, a 70-plus year old (former Rosh Pina) building that needed a lot of work and had become too large for the existing membership combined with the fact that 70% of the members and 80% of the younger members lived south – the decision was finally made to take action.
“We just felt that it made more sense to put our money into buying a smaller, pre-existing building south and renovating it,” said Etz Chayim’s president, Avrom Charach, in an earlier interview.  “We were looking for a location within a ten minute drive from most of our members,” Charach reported.
The congregation was able to purchase just a building – a facility that had been the Khartum Shriners’ headquarters.   Etz Chayim sold their former building to an Eritrean Christian congregation.
The reconfigured new location – designed by leading architect and congregation member Ed Calnitsky – was originally supposed to have been re-opened in early December.  But, as often happens with construction projects and renovations, the best-laid plans rarely go off without some hiccups.
“Our new building feels very comfortable,” Charach says today. “And our acoustics are much better.”


The sanctuary can accommodate up to 350 people – about the same number as could be seated comfortable in the old building.  In the former building the sanctuary though could be doubled in size by removing the barrier that separated it from the auditorium. The 1155 Wilkes location doesn’t have an auditorium – but it does have a kiddush room large enough for 100 people. After Shabbat services, if necessary, the sanctuary can be rearranged for  additional  tables and food stations for Kiddush.
The kitchen, Charach points out, is smaller than the kitchen at 123 Matheson.  “We can still prepare kiddushes and provide for smaller functions with our caterer,” Charach notes.  “For larger simchas and programs,  we have an arrangement with our caterer, Lisa Odwak, who can prepare in a kosher kitchen and bring the food to the shul.”
Overall, Charach observes, the smaller facility is less expensive and easier to operate.
Outside, there is parking for up to 170 vehicles.
The synagogue membership stands at around 400 families, Charach reports.  “We have had a few more join over the past three months,” he says.    
He is happy to report that, for the first Shabbat, more than 200 were in attendance and, while the number was down considerably for the second Shabbat, it was still substantial.
“I think that we can look forward to about 100 daveners on Shabbat going forward,” Charach says.
He reports that two grand openings are in the plans – the first a Chanukat Habayit in early April where the new building will be officially dedicated – and a public opening later with government representatives and other dignitaries in attendance.  

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Local News

2024 Sol and Florence Kanee Lecture with Mike Fegelman of Honest Reporting

The Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada is pleased to announce that our 2024 Sol and Florence Kanee Lecturer will be Mike Fegelman, Executive Director and Editor-in-Chief of Honest Reporting Canada. The lecture will be held at 7 pm on Sunday, April 7, 2024 at Adas-Yeshurun Herzlia Synagogue.

Our speaker, Mike Fegelman, is a seventeen-year veteran of the Canadian journalism industry, Mike is the Editor-in-Chief of HRC and is responsible for the day to day running of the organization, its financial management and project development. Mike’s focus is on delivering efficiency and professionalism as HRC moves into new technological and geographical spheres that include the expansion of Honest Reporting’s  media monitoring services to French Canada with the launch of a Montreal office.

Mike was a former editor-in-chief, reporter, and anchor of various news programs and publications. A graduate of Carleton University’s renowned journalism program, Mike specialized in broadcasting and international reporting. Mike brings a marketing savvy to HRC having been a project manager for the market research firm Canmark Technologies for over six years.

Mike has testified before parliamentary committees and has given testimony to the Standing Senate Committee for Transport and Communications to express HRC’s concerns about the CBC’s reporting of Israel and the Middle East. Mike’s opinions and views are widely sought out for by Canada’s media and political elite. Mike’s work has been published in the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, National Post, La Presse, Montreal Gazette, Ottawa Citizen and many more. Mike is a columnist for Huffington Post Canada and the Times of Israel.

In 2013, Shalom Life listed Mike as one of their Top 20 Under 40 due to his dedication and significant contributions to Israel advocacy. Mike is also the immediate past President of the Village Shul and Aish Hatorah Learning Centre.

The annual Sol and Florence Kanee Distinguished Lecture is the Jewish Heritage Centre’s only fundraising event. Tickets are $50 and are available at Eventbrite.ca

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