Local News
Jewish synagogues react to rapid spread of Omicron variant – most put temporary end to in-person services
By BERNIE BELLAN With the rapid spread of the Omicron variant it comes as no surprise that many local synagogues have taken a proactive approach to dealing with the pandemic. For the time being, however, the Rady JCC is maintaining its existing schedule, although that may change quickly depending on possible new restrictions that may be issued by the provincial government.
The Shaarey Zedek, Etz Chayim and Temple Shalom congregations have all reverted to on-line services.
Shaarey Zedek
In a bulletin issued by the Shaarey Zedek on December 29, the following information was given:
As COVID-19 Omicron variant rapidly circulates in our province, it is with a heavy heart that we have decided to close the shul once again for the safety of the congregation, clergy, and staff. The closure will affect our operations in the following ways:
Prayer Services — In-person attendance is cancelled as of December 30, 2021. We will pivot back to online services only and offer online Aliyot and honours. We will communicate plans to re-open as soon as permissible.
Life Cycle and Related Events — In-house events will not be allowed in January 2022, however, our Rabbi may be available to attend some life cycle events virtually. We will revisit this approach in the coming weeks. Funerals will continue to be held graveside with clergy attendance, and in the shul when temperatures are below -27°C. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Facility Rentals — New bookings for in-house events in the short-term will not be scheduled, including private meetings, luncheons, parties, and other facility rentals.
Social-Cultural Programs, Events, and Adult Education — For the time being, all offerings will be planned for online participation only.
Gift Shop – The store is currently closed but can be opened for purchases by appointment.
Catering – Our catering team is available for take out orders.
Etz Chayim
In an email received from Etz Chayim Executive Director Jonathan Buchwald on December 30, in response to a question about what steps Etz Chayim may also have taken to deal with the rapid spread of the virus, Jonathan wrote: “For the months of November and December we had resumed in-person services.
“They were by registration only and we were limiting attendance to 50 people. Proof of full vaccination was required to attend.
“In the last few days since Omicron has taken over we have made the unfortunate decision to cancel in-person services for the first two Shabbatot in January (1 and 8), and most likely for the entire month until we see how what will happen with the variant.
“We will continue to hold on-line Shabbat morning and daily morning/evening services as we have throughout the pandemic.
“Our office will remain open through telephone and e-mail but will remain closed to the public for in-person business.
“Our takeout catering service is also available as it has been throughout.”
Temple Shalom
In response to a similar question whether Temple Shalom had also canceled in-person services which was posed to Rabbi Allan Finkel of Temple Shalom Congregation, Rabbi Finkel wrote: “Hi Bernie, we were the first to do so, as of last Friday evening. It may interest you to know that the Wpg Council Rabbis set up a WhatsApp group quite some time ago, and we keep each other up to date on our responses to COVID and we share protocols and synagogue implementations with each other as well. As a result, there is a high degree of consistency across the community, more confidence and less guesswork as we address these challenges.”
Adas Yeshurun-Herzlia
In contrast to the three other major Winnipeg congregations, the Adas Yeshurun-Herzlia congregation issued the following information within a bulletin sent to congregation members:
“At this point we will not be closing the synagogue. We will continue to follow the government guidelines. We have done everything to create the safest possible environments. This includes: vaccination mandate, masks at all time, social distancing, shortened service, no after service gathering, hand sanitizers, and a very responsible clientele.”
The bulletin further noted that “For all services singing will be held to a minimal amount.
Regarding Torah reading, Aliyot will be given out. The person called to the Torah will have a designated place to stand, which will be distanced from the Torah and reader. They will recite the blessings from the designated spot. Upon completion of their aliyah they will return to their seats.”
In response to a query sent to Rabbi Avrohom Altein of the Jewish Learning Centre, Rabbi Altein responded: “We definitely implement careful Covid protective procedures. Attendees to shul are limited and must wash hand on entry, wear masks, sit 2 metres apart and are vaccinated. When someone feels ills they are required to isolate until they confirm with a test that they are negative.
“But at the same time, we are doing our best to continue. We have a day school, a child care program, adult classes for men and women and programs for Israeli immigrants, and daily shul services, and a very active kitchen that provides kosher meals to many, many Winnipeggers. Of course, there are challenges along the way, but just as we need to continue living, so does Jewish life have to continue.”
No other Winnipeg congregations were contacted for this report.
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First year medical student Tim Rozovsky founds new association for local Jewish medical students
By MYRON LOVE In the face of a concerning surge in antisemitism over the past nearly three years, I am happy to report a good news story in that regard. Tim Rozovsky, the founder of the new Jewish Medical Students’ Association of Manitoba, reports that he and his fellow Jewish students enrolled in the University of Manitoba’s Max Rady College of Medicine are not experiencing any significant issues involving antisemitism.
Hopefully, the matter of the notorious Med school Valedictorian who used his podium to attack Israel was a one-off.
“My goal in forming the Jewish Medical Students’ Association of Manitoba,” says the first year medical student, “was to create a safe, supportive environment for my fellow Jewish medical students.”
He reports that the current first year class at the school has eight Jewish students – an increase over more recent years – with maybe a dozen more in the other years.
For a new medical student, Rozovsky already has an impressive resume. He was born in Russia and grew up in Israel. After the completion of his army service in 2018, the then-22-year-old rejoined his parents, Dr. Katya and Alexander, who had moved to Winnipeg a few years before.
Prior to coming to Winnipeg, Rozovsky had completed a personal trainer program out of The Academic College at Wingate in Jerusalem. Some readers may know the young man from his work as a Master Personal Trainer at the Rady JCC.
Shortly after arriving here, he enrolled in a kinesiology program at the University of Winnipeg. He graduated with a BKin Honours in 2023 and did post graduate work at the University of Manitoba. Last fall, he received his MSc in Physiology and Pathophysiology – earning two gold medals, along with 32 awards and scholarships in the process.
Rozovsky says that it was his mother who inspired him to pursue a career in medicine. Dr. Katya Rozovsky is an associate professor at the University of Manitoba and an attending radiologist, specializing in pediatric diagnostic imaging.
(Tim also adds that his wife, Irina Gelzin, whom he married about a year ago, is training to be a nurse.)
Insofar as the Jewish Medical Students’ Association of Manitoba is concerned, Rozovky reports that the group gets together multiple times a year. One of its programs was a joint Chanukah celebration with the Jewish Physicians Association of Manitoba.
There was also a joint program with the Christian Medical and Dental Students’ Association of Manitoba.
“More recently, we have been helping prospective Jewish medical students with their applications,” he says. “Hopefully we will be able to get together over the summer with the incoming Jewish students.”
As to his own future plans, Rozovsky notes that it is too early for him to be deciding on a specialty. “My goal,” he says, “is to work hard and get good grades and become the best doctor that I can be.”
Local News
Gray Academy to Represent Manitoba at National Reach for the Top Competition
By NOAH STRAUSS Posted June 6) Gray Academy’s Reach for the Top team is headed to Moncton, New Brunswick, to represent Manitoba at the National Reach for the Top tournament.
Reach for the Top is a Canadian school league that quizzes teenagers on a variety of different topics, from science and history to pop culture. Reach started out in 1961 in Vancouver, where a local CBC station broadcasted the new show; it eventually became a national broadcast starting in 1966. Alex Trebek, who famously hosted Jeopardy!, started out by hosting Reach for the Top.
Gray Academy’s very own team, made up of Grade 7 and 8 students, will travel to Moncton, New Brunswick, to compete as Team Manitoba. By winning the provincial Reach tournament, they secured their spot in the national competition.
Faculty members at Gray Academy are very supportive of the program. The Jewish Post spoke with three different staff members at the school. Coach and high school teacher Danielle Miller says she is excited for the trip; although she will not be accompanying the team herself, shehas coached them all year.
“This year we had over 20 students come to the club to join us, they practice twice a cycle at lunch,” Miller said. Due to the large turnout this year, two teams had to be formed. At lunch practices, students split into two teams of four where each player has a buzzer. The two teams compete to see who can answer the most questions correctly.
One of the two teams did exceptionally well at various tournaments throughout the year and will be traveling to nationals as the sole team representing Manitoba.
Co-coach Micah Doerksen described Reach as a great academic competition where young minds are tested on various topics through quick,fast-paced questions.
High school guidance counselor Lindsey Leipsic said, “We have athletes, non-athletes, we have students who are really involved and students who are not as involved at school, and we have quiet leaders, and we’ve seen friendships be built in Reach.” Some of her favorite memories of Reach involve seeing students from across Winnipeg come to Gray Academy and bond with one another. Lev Chisick, who is competing at nationals, agreed, saying, “Moncton is going to strengthen our school spirit and make us a better team.”
As the junior team makes their way to Moncton, the senior team will head to provincials. Later this week, students from the senior team will travel to Virden, Manitoba, to compete at the provincial level. The team qualified after placing high enough at their most recent tournament, which took place at St. Paul’s.
Confidence is high as the school heads into these final tournaments. When Nath Goldenberg, who is also competing at nationals, was asked what he is most looking forward to, his answer was short and sweet:“Winning.”
