Local News
Jewish organizations struggling with realities of dealing with unprecedented situation

By BERNIE BELLAN
The impact that COVID-19 has had on Jewish organizations in Winnipeg has taken many forms.
Arguably the most immediate impact was felt by staff at the Rady JCC when all activities came to a crashing halt there in the middle of March. Over 160 staff were laid off as a result, although 30 members of the day care staff were rehired when the Province ordered the Rady JCC to reopen the Kaufman Early Years Centre, which the Rady JCC operates at the Asper Campus.
When I spoke with Rady JCC Executive Director Rob Berkowits the third week in March he told me that he and staff who work in the finance department has just finished processing 1900 refunds of various sorts, including tickets for the sports dinner and registration payments for various programs – all of which had been canceled.
I asked Rob whether the “financial hit that the Rady was taking could be measured in the hundreds of thousands of dollars” and he agreed that was the case.
The news hasn’t got much better, although when I spoke with Rob again recently he did tell me that the provincial government has given permission for the summer day camp program to go ahead, but with tight restrictions involving social distancing. (There will be no swimming in the pool, for instance – which has always been a highlight for most of the kids in the day camps.)
As far as operating the day camp program goes, Rob said that “We’re pleased to offer a service to the community – and not just the Jewish community.”
When asked how many campers attended the day camp last summer, Rob said it was from 800-900, but since many of the kids were enrolled in more than one session, he wasn’t able to say how many individual kids were enrolled in the day camp altogether.
What he did say though, was that losing the sports dinner would deal a huge blow to the day camp program, since one of the principal benefits of the dinner was that much of the profit has flowed into camperships for families that otherwise might not be able to send their kids to camp.
Turning to the day care program, Rob was glad to report that the daycare at the Campus had once again reached its maximum capacity of 50 and, as a result, the David and Ruth Asper Early Learning Centre on Grosvenor had now also reopened (on Monday, May 4). At the time that I spoke with Rob (which was on May 7), he said there were now 10 kids at the day care on Grosvenor.
As far as any other programming at the Rady JCC goes, like just about everything else, it’s all up in the air. “We are planning our programming for the fall,” Rob said, but whether it will proceed as planned, of course, is totally unknown.
While the Rady JCC has seen an almost total shutdown of all activities, the Gwen Secter Centre has found itself in a situation where it is being called upon to serve an unexpectedly vital role in the Jewish community.
As I noted in our April 15 issue (which was our last printed issue), “the Gwen Secter Centre has stepped up to fill a void left by the inability of Meals on Wheels to take on any new applicants.
“Gwen Secter Executive Director Becky Chisick told me that the kitchen staff (which consists of only two women, Galina Melenevska and Cathy Koltowski) had been busy all week the week of March 30-April 3 preparing some 60 meals for seniors who had been unable to register for Meals on Wheels.”
When I contacted Becky again on May 5 to ask her whether the kitchen staff was turning out as many meals as it had been when I last spoke with her, she sent me the following email response:
This week we are sending out 194 meals (emphasis mine, Ed.) – a huge increase from the first week of 6 meals. When I started organizing this initiative I figured that we would eventually get to around 120 meals weekly. The recipients of the meals are beyond grateful. I get regular phone calls expressing appreciation not only for the meals but the friendly wave (and smile if someone isn’t in a mask) from outside their windows. We are so happy to be a part of something so special during these unpredictable times.
Currently it is still Cathy & Galina in the kitchen. The numbers have increased so rapidly that we are considering a part-time kitchen assistant.
“We did receive support from JFM and we are very grateful. Additional support is coming from:
The Azrieli Foundation
The Winnipeg Foundation
Seniors Can!
Foodrescue
“Starting this week we are including challahs every Friday so everyone will have the opportunity to celebrate Shabbat in their homes.”
And, although I did ask the directors of every Jewish organization that is a beneficiary agency of the Jewish Federation to send me a brief description what the major impact has been upon their organization as a result of COVID-19, I received only one response from the director of a Jewish organization, who asked that their response not be quoted.
I’m sure, like many of you though, you received an email from a synagogue describing the difficulties that synagogue is now facing. Here is an excerpt from an email sent out by the Shaarey Zedek to its members:
“Over the last number of weeks, we have been working to mitigate as much as possible the impact on our congregants and community during this pandemic. The need to still be your synagogue during these times was paramount in all our decision making. Our Executive was very mindful in terms of the financial impact this was and continues to be on the well-being of our institution. Obviously, our revenue streams have been affected in many areas. With the closure of the building many events scheduled to take place in our synagogue have either been postponed to later dates or cancelled outright. All Bar / Bat Mitzvahs for May & June have been postponed. Rabbi Leibl, the head of our B’nai Mitzvah program has been working directly with the families impacted by this decision, to reschedule to a more suitable date. Major Dinners, Galas and celebrations scheduled to take place at the shul have been postponed. This includes the Gray Academy Graduation Dinner and Dance, which we were all looking forward to hosting. All the above translates into significant reduced revenues to our Catering department.
“Some of our other revenue streams, such as Membership Dues, Donations, Programming Registrations, etc., have all been drastically reduced with the shutdown of the building.
“To offset a great deal of this loss in revenues, we have significantly reduced many of our ongoing expenses. It was decided and agreed that rather than layoff some staff with uncertainties as to their expected return, for the short term all staff would have their salaries drastically reduced. We will also be applying to the CEWS (Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy) which should help retain our staff, at least until Mid-June. We have created new, albeit reduced, revenue streams through our catering department. Joel Lafond and staff prepared and supplied significant Passover meals to many of our congregants. After this, he developed a Takeout Menu with Friday pickups, which has been greatly received by many. Thank you to all who are supporting us in this initiative. I encourage you to check out our Takeout Menu on our website if you have not already done so.
“Our cemetery operations have not been affected as much by Covid19, as we are still able to perform funerals. However, with the coming of spring it remains to be seen as to how we maintain our cemetery over the summer due to reduced resources. All major projects at the cemetery, which include maintenance and repair of concrete stripping and borders, and headstone repairs are done in the summer months when warm weather better allows for the work. Also, the main tasks of cutting the grass and removal of weeds and diseased trees account for much of the labour expense incurred over the summer. An area yet to be determined will be the planting of flowers on our graves, as this requires a significant amount of money, time and manpower. The Board of Directors in conjunction with the Cemetery committee will need to determine whether this should be a consideration for this year.
“With the closing of our building to the public, our expenses have dropped significantly. We want you to know that overall, we are doing okay and are preparing for the safe return to activities in our synagogue and community. Our Executive Committee and senior staff have been working on scenarios and preparing various budgets based upon when and how we emerge from these most unusual times. We are beginning to plan for scheduled B’nai Mitzvahs in the Fall and Spring and have rescheduled many of the earlier events that were postponed. We are now in the planning stages for our upcoming High Holy Days and want you to know that we will do everything possible to ensure we are able to celebrate together in a healthy, safe environment.”
In an email sent out by Congregation Etz Chayim to members, much the same sentiment as was expressed in the Shaarey Zedek email was present:
“…And so, we adapt, we learn, and we serve our congregation—our community—in unconventional ways. Unfortunately, our new reality—though temporary—has put us in a precarious situation financially. Many of our programs and events have been cancelled or postponed, including B’nai Mitzvah, community events, the annual golf tournament, and other catered functions that typically generate substantial revenue. To be blunt, there is very little money coming in.
“We have already made some tough decisions to adjust our staffing and cut other expenses, and we continue to look for additional savings. We have applied for funding from government and community programs, but there is still uncertainty around the nature and timing of this possible funding.
“We will emerge from this challenging period a stronger, healthier, and more tightly knit community deeply committed to enriching Jewish life. Imagine the joy we will all experience the first time we gather in person at Etz Chayim for a simcha or for Shabbat. And imagine the comfort we will bring to each other in times of sorrow when we can meet face-to-face in our sanctuary.
“These days will come, but we need your help to weather the storm until we can start generating new revenue again.”
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.”