Connect with us

Local News

JNF holds successful online event – with home-delivered nosh thrown in

Danny Greaves of “The Watchmen”
was one of the performers

By MYRON LOVE
On Sunday, November 15, Jewish National Fund (JNF) chapters across Canada “hosted” “A Night of 100 Dinners” during which participants received in their homes a mix of nosherei and watched a virtual performance featuring YidLife Crisis and a host of other celebrities. David Greaves, the JNF’s executive director for Manitoba and Saskatchewan, reports that the Winnipeg response exceeded expectations.

“We had just over 100 homes and donors that participated and the feedback has been nothing but positive,” Greaves reports.
Nola Lazar, JNF President, also had much praise for Shaarey Zedek Chef Joel Lafond and his catering department, which prepared the party sandwiches and pastries for participants. “The sandwiches and pastry were delicious as always,” she says.
JNF volunteers delivered the goods, so to speak.
The amount of food and wine that each participating received was calibrated with the category of donation to the JNF for the event. Top donors – the L’chaim level or $1,800 category – received sandwiches (the nosh or forshpice), plus dessert and two bottles of wine. For the Negev ($75) and Young Adult ($54) categories, you received a delivery of sweet treats.
The 40 minute virtual performance that was part of the program across Canada included such celebrities as Martin Short; Gal Gadot (of Wonder Women Fame); the star of “Fauda”, Lior Raz; Colin Mochrie; and Howie Mandel.
Greaves notes that the last five minutes of the program were set aside for locally relevant programming. For Winnipeg participants, there was a little shticking from “YidLife Crisis” about Winnipeg. Schmoozers and the Viscount Gort received notable mentions.
The program also featured a live performance by Danny Greaves (David’s brother), who is the lead singer of the Winnipeg-based band, “The Watchmen”. Danny Greaves played an unplugged version on piano of ‘Any day now’ a hit song about Winnipeg that the band recorded many years ago.
The program closed with a “Hello Winnipeg” from David Broza and a five-minute version of ‘Yihiye Tov’ (It’ll be alright) an appropriate song for the times we are living in.
David Greaves reports that the Winnipeg portion of “Night of 100 Dinners” raised about $25,000, which will go toward JNF Winnipeg’s project in Israel – JNF Canada House of Excellence – an after-school educational enrichment centre aimed at helping high school students in Sderot and surrounding communities in the south to enhance their academic performance.
The multipurpose hall will be used for workshops, lectures, performances, film and social gatherings. The ‘house’ will also be a safe place as the 3000 plus square foot building will also be a reinforced shelter.
As a national JNF project, JNF Winnipeg is very proud that the lead gift of $1 million has come from the son of Berdie & Irvin Cohen z’l in their honour.
Greaves, however, suggests that “Night of 100 Dinners” was more about community engagement than fundraising.
“This has been a tough year,” he observes. “We had to cancel our gala and our annual High Holiday campaign. With this program, we were trying to reach out to the community in a unique and interesting way. We are trying to stay relevant.”
As for the Negev Gala, Greaves reports that the JNF staff and board are planning to reschedule last year’s gala honouring community leader Dr. Ted Lyons for the spring. “We care not sure what it will look like yet,” he says. “It may be a mixture of virtual and live parts. We have David Broza rebooked as our feature performer and he is excited about being part of the Gala – we hope in person. We want to make sure that we are able to put together a really special evening for Ted Lyons.”

 

Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Local News

Shaarey Zedek Sisterhood 60th anniversary interfaith luncheon

Shaarey Zedek Sisterhoodl 60th anniversary co-chairs (l-r); Louise Raber, Marisa Hochman, Amy Karlinsky

By MYRON LOVE On Wednesday, May 28, the Shaarey Zedek Sisterhood hosted its 60th annual interfaith luncheon – with 170 supporters on hand to break bread together, celebrate the Sisterhood’s 95th year in operation – in addition to the luncheon’s diamond anniversary, and enjoy an inspiring presentation by Indigenous business leader and consultant Lisa Lewis, who spoke about the kinship between her people and ours.
The program began with greetings from Lieutenant-Governor Anita Neville and Gail Asper, representing the Shaarey Zedek’s Board of Directors. Asper – the consummate community volunteer – spoke of the importance and benefits of the satisfaction gained from being a volunteer, as well as the important role that the Sisterhood has played in the life of our Jewish community’s oldest and largest congregation – a subject that was subsequently expanded upon by Marisa Hochman – one of the Sisterhood’s three co-presidents (along with Sandy Polanski and Louise Raber).
(Hochman and Raber also co–chaired the luncheon, along with Amy Karlinsky.)
“Our tradition teaches that it is important for us to be part of a community,” Hochman noted in her remarks.  “Our Torah teaches that, while G-d is one, it is not good for man to be alone.”
She emphasized the importance in Judaism of balance and harmony as reflected in our rituals and observances – lighting two Shabbat candles, for example, the Commandments being written on two tablets, and in bringing together the four species of plants for the celebration of Sukkot.
“The mitzvah (of the four species),” Hochmanpointed out, ‘is not complete until all four of the elements are brought together – symbolizing that it takes many kinds of people to make a world – and that each of us brings something special to the table.  It is only when all of us are working together that we are complete.”   
Hochman provided a sampling of some of the ways that the Sisterhood contributes to its members, the synagogue and the wider community: the book club, the tallit-weaving program, monetary donations to the synagogue, support for theological seminaries and other Jewish educational institutions, and Jewish Child and Family Service.
“To me,” she added, “Sisterhood is friendship, community, the power of women working together to create, build and share and the passing on of wisdom and traditions – L’dor V’dor – from generation to generation.
“It is multigenerational, with members ranging in age from 16 into their 90s.  A common thread that binds our members is that no matter their age or life circumstances, they are vibrant and engaged with the world around them.  They love to learn and help others.  They each contain a spark that illuminates.
“Like the glow of the Shabbat candles, we know that, together, we can bring more light and goodness into the world. Together, we definitely shine brighter than we do on our own.”
Following a delicious Shaarey Zedek lunch – salad, party sandwiches and dessert, keynote speaker Lisa Lewis stepped up the microphone.  The speaker is a successful business woman, having started “Beyond Excellence Creative Consulting,” which provides tailor-made training and management assistance to a wide range of organizations.
 

Continue Reading

Local News

Shindico celebrates 50th anniversary

(l-r): Robert, Sandy, Diane Shindleman, Shindico COO Alex Akman & C&T Rentals owner Doug Pinder

(June 11, 2025) Shindico, one of Canada’s leading real estate firms, celebrated its 50th anniversary in typically understated style today. Instead of a lavish banquet in a swank hotel, over 200 Winnipeggers of different stripes gathered in a huge warehouse in St. Boniface to enjoy a variety of different foods served from different food trucks that had been brought onto the parking lot for the occasion in a carnival like atmosphere.

Some of the more than 200 guests & Shindico staff gathered inside a St. Boniface warehouse to celebrate Shindico’s 50th anniversary

There were no long speeches marking the event. Instead Shindico staff mingled with guests and even the top bosses stood in line to order Philly steaks, french fries, cotton candy, popcorn, drinks, and sundry other food items. And, instead of the kind of swag typically given out at fancy celebrations guests were given simple hats saying “Shindico 50th anniversary.”

That’s the Shindico style we’ve come to expect of Shindico’s founders, Sandy & Robert Shindleman, who are known for understatement in their style of clothing – jeans and work shirts being what they are best known for wearing!

And, if you haven’t already read our story about how Sandy Shindleman came to found Shindico with his brother, Robert, you can read it here: The Sandy Shindleman story.

Continue Reading

Local News

Cathy Moser organizing information program and beach party at Camp Massad as part of campaign to raise funds for pioneering Israeli treatment using  psychedelic drugs and psychotherapy to treat PTSD

By MYRON LOVE When it comes to fundraising for worthy causes, Dr. Cathy Moser is one of the most creative and innovative people I know. 
For over a dozen years, she was the annual Cancercare Manitoba Foundation Challenge for Life entrant Serratus Superstars team leader.  Over that time period, Moser and her team raised over $450,000.00 – not only through walking but also through donations from garage sales and bake sales she and her friends organized and concerts organized in their homes.
A few months back, the Jewish Post ran a story about Cathy and her husband Jeff’s newest cause – a campaign to raise money for the Jerusalem Foundation’s new Resilience Centre, a novel treatment center for Israelis suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Aided in fundraising by long time Talmud Torah classmates and friends Donna Weinstein and Gina Chodirker, the Winnipeg couple are pledging to double every dollar donated to the Centre up to $100,000.
As part of that initiative, Moser and her friends are inviting readers to a special event – “Jerusalem at the Lake”  on Sunday, June 22, at Camp Massad. The day’s activities will begin at 11:00 with brunch and presentations by Jerusalem Resilience Center directors Dr. Sinai Oren, psychiatrist and psychotherapist, and Pinni Baumol,  a social worker who has been working in the area for decades.  
That will be followed by a family-friendly beach party from 3:00 to 7:00 featuring activities for all ages.  Moser reports that there will be dinner, a live band,  Israeli dancing, sports, a heated pool and arts and crafts for the kids. She adds  that she, Gina Chodirker and Donna Weinstein recruited several other Talmud Torah/JWC alumni – including Miriam Kohn, Avis Raber, Jackie Winestock, Deborah Fleishman and Gail Thau – to help out.
Moser points out that, according to the Jerusalem Foundation, estimates suggest that over half  a million Israelis are suffering from PTSD, as well as other psychological issues, since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and ensuing war. 
“It is not only Israeli soldiers who have been traumatized,” Moser observed in that earlier interview.  “Everybody in Israel knows someone who was affected by the attack on October 7.  This past year has triggered trauma from past wars as well as intergenerational trauma from the Holocaust.”
In response to this tsunami of trauma that has hit Israelis, the Jerusalem Foundation, soon after the October attack, founded the Resilience Centre – operating out of the Shaare Zedek Hospital.  The Resilience Centre utilizes a range of treatments for trauma therapy – including the pioneering use of the drug ketamine, in combination with psychotherapy.
Cathy Moser has been treating patients for the past 40 years. During that time, she says, she has treated victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse and other horrific life events.  Conventional tools and treatments can successfully treat trauma, but some (traumas) are so barbaric and complex that no matter how skilled a clinician is, “we cannot restore one’s lifeforce,’ ” she points out.
 
Moser initially approached the Jerusalem Resilience Center because of her work in psychedelic medicine.  “Last summer, I visited the Reslience Centre,” she says.  “I witnessed their treatment efficacy.   There are less than a handful of legal psychedelic treatment centers in Israel, and this is a main one.” 
Moser notes that readers who are interested in attending this special event and becoming sponsors can contact her at 204 295-3214, Donna Weinstein – 204 540-9869, or Gina Chodirker – 204 218-4803 or email friendsofJRC@gmail.com.
Registration deadline is June 14.

We owe it to our Israeli brothers and sisters to show them that we care about the mental health sacrifices that they are making to defend our homeland.  While we happily offer donations for forest and building restoration, this gift will help to restore the ability of those that are traumatized to enjoy life again.

“We are hoping to raise at least $250,000.00 for the Jerusalem Resilience Centre,” Moser says.  “That’s a lot of gelt…. but I think we can do it!
It is definitely a worthy cause.”

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2017 - 2023 Jewish Post & News