Local News
Limmud speaker Maria Givner to present over view of life of King Saul in novel format
By MYRON LOVE When I was growing up, I first discovered many of the classics of Western literature through the pages of the Classic comic book series. On Sunday, March 12, Maria Givner will be using a similar format to tell the story of King Saul – a tale she is looking forward to introducing to Winnipeggers attending this year’s Limmud Winnipeg event.
Givner, a long-established artist, illustrator and editor who arrived in Winnipeg with her family last spring from Israel, published her telling of the King Saul story – in the form of a graphic novel – in London two years ago.
For readers unfamiliar with the life of Saul – or those who may have forgotten – Saul was one of the most controversial and charismatic heroes of the Torah – the first Jewish king. Anointed by the prophet Samuel, Saul was the founder of the original Jewish state and established the first permanent army.
Givner’s graphic novel describes the dramatic events of Saul’s life – a continuous war with external enemies, confrontations with the prophet Samuel – and the story of love and betrayal with David – the future king of Israel.
“My novel is based on real historical research materials and archaeological findings,” the author notes, “but also deals a lot with psychological aspects of human behavior. My main aims were to concentrate on the characters and their relationships as well as the complicated political background of this period. I try to show them as real, contemporary people with the same life goals, problems and passions as we have, rather than simply mythical heroes of the Bible. The story deals with such timeless subjects as ambition, forbidden love, betrayal, political machinations and responsibility. The true historical decorations help us to understand the reasons behind the characters’ behavior and their evolution and degradation while answering the big question: ‘Ehy?’”
Over the last few years, Givner has been occupied with this large historical series from Old Testament days. She says that she is fascinated by such strong characters as King Saul and Samson as well as Jewish warrior Berber Queen Dachia El Kachina who led the northwest African Berber tribes against the invading Muslims in the 8th century.
“I want to popularize, through comics, Jewish superheroes,” she comments.
Working on the series, she adds, is not only her way of connection with her historical roots, but also an attempt to explain past events from the modern point of view and to show the ancient heroes as contemporary people with all their passions, desires and ambitions.
Local News
Winnipeg Fringe performer Melanie Gall subjected to antisemitic attack – for second year in a row
By BERNIE BELLAN (July 20, 2025)
Melanie Gall is a talented performer who is a veteran of the Winnipeg Fringe Festival – having appeared here many times.
Last year Melanie found herself being subjected to antisemitic attacks that were initiated by a site supervisor for the Winnipeg Fringe Festival, someone by the name of Eric Rae.
As I wrote on my story about Melanie’s experience, “…on the third day (of the Fringe Festival), she said, ‘the site supervisor (Rae) came and was wearing a pro-Palestinian symbol’ and told Melanie that he was wearing that deliberately because he was coming to Melanie’s venue.
“He told her, ‘that stance you’re taking (on social media) is a political symbol.
Rae also posted on social media: “We have a Zionist in our midst harassing pro-Palestinians.”
There was a concerted effort on social media last summer to boycott Melanie’s shows (She had three different shows altogether.)
As Melanie said during a phone conversation we had last summer about what happened to her, “This is so ridiculous. I’m being harassed and bullied because I’m Jewish…it’s not about Israel.”
Eric Rae was relieved from his duties after Melanie complained to the Fringe office staff, Melanie noted during our conversation.
Melanie was also the target of an organized campaign on pro-Palestine social media calling for her shows to be boycotted.
(You can read the full story about what happened to Melanie, also to her mother during last year’s Edmonton Fringe Festival, at Melanie Gall.)
Just today we received another email from Melanie informing us that the same individual who targeted her last summer is targeting her again during this year’s Fringe Festival.
Melanie wrote: “Hi! Thanks so much for the mention in the preview article! I just wanted to let you know that Eric Rae is at it again.”
Attached to that email was a picture taken from Rae’s Instagram account.
As of the writing of this post, Melanie said that she is out of town for three days and is not aware whether any of her posters have been defaced – the way they were last summer.
She did add, however, that “I assume by ‘make her feel unwelcome’ (which is what is written on one of the pictures on Rae’s Instagram account) he is planning something. Ugh.”
Melanie also said that “The one post is too close to a threat to ignore. I’m filing a police report tomorrow.”
In a subsequent email Melanie also sent a screenshot of an exchange that took place on Rae’s Instagram account between him and someone who goes by the handle “Kat Cat.”
If we hear more about what’s been happening to Melanie we’ll update this article.
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.