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Manitoba Métis Federation decisively votes down anti-Israel resolution
By MYRON LOVE On May 2, 2023, the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF), the Vickar Automotive Group and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev signed a Donor Pledge Agreement to establish a partnership for research, education and culture exchange. The partnership aims to promote cooperation and mutual understanding between the Red River Métis community and the academic community in Israel. The collaboration will focus on research in areas such as health, environment, and social issues, as well as educational and cultural programs. The partnership will also involve the sharing of resources and expertise.
On Saturday, October 19, at its Annual General Assembly, which was held at Assiniboine Downs, the 4,000 MMF delegates resoundingly beat back an anti-Israel resolution that called upon the MMF Assembly to vote to tear up the agreement with Ben Gurion University – referencing the Pope’s recent criticism of Israel and the usual laundry list of false charges against Israel – war crimes, violation of international law, genocide, apartheid, etc.
The two petitioners also charged that BGU builds the bombs that the Israeli air force is dropping on Gaza and practices “water apartheid.” They further threw in a demand that longtime MMF President David Chartrand write a letter to the Government of Israel and the Government of Canada demanding a ceasefire.
To his great credit, Chartrand answered back forcefully, even angrily at times. He spoke about his visit to BGU last year. He commented on how what once was desert is now green. He noted that the agreement with BGU stands to provide the Red River Métis with many benefits – with exchange programs, underwritten by the Vickar Group – will expose young Red River Métis to a different society and bring here BGU personnel and technical expertise of benefit to local Métis communities.
As to the resolution, the MMF president began by emphasizing that Ben Gurion University “has nothing to do with this war.”
Chartrand then pointed out that the words in the resolution that were attributed to the Pope were not accurate. He noted that this is both a land war and a religious war. While expressing sympathy for the suffering on both sides, he condemned the Palestinian terrorist groups who use women and children as human shields.
Chartrand angrily denounced the two petitioners – with their standard Palestinian clothing accessories – for not presenting the General Assembly members with all the facts. He further excoriated those “pro-Palestinian” activists who burned a Canadian flag at an anti-Israel protest in Vancouver a couple of weeks ago.
“I understand and respect where you are coming from,” Chartrand told the petitioners. ”We are prepared to help rebuild Gaza when this war is over. We are a democracy and you are free to submit this resolution. But, right now, there is nothing the Manitoba Métis Federation can do about the situation.
And, Chartrand added, “I am not going to write any letter to the Government of Canada or the Government of Israel.”
Larry Vickar and Gustavo Zentner, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs representative in Winnipeg, attended the MMF General Assembly as observers.
“I applaud David Chartrand’s leadership at the Assembly,” Zentner observed. “The resolution was one-sided and ill-founded. President Chartrand has shown a keen understanding of the concept of the Jewish People’s indigeneity to the land of Israel. In his response, he delivered a clear message to the anti-Israel activists at the General Assembly.”
Zentner reported that he and Larry Vickar attended the launch of the MMF’s AGA and participated in government presentations and networking. “The MC recognized us amongst the government, elected officials, and MMF partners,” he noted. “This was a result of Larry’s tremendous record of working with MMF and President Chartrand.”
He added that “we were briefed on the motion and were able to provide insights and a narrative to support the MMF and President Chartrand. We already have tangible actions and steps in motion which Chartrand and two of his MMF cabinet ministers are aware of.”
Zentner noted that CIJA’s outreach to the Red River Métis is part of the national Jewish organization’s ongoing efforts to build bridges with different levels of government as well as other communities.
“The Jewish people, the people of Israel and the Red River Métis have much in common,” Zentner observed. “We are both indigenous people living on our native land – with shared values. We have much we can learn from each other.”
He further spoke of planned educational and cultural exchanges between the Red River Metis and Israel’s southernmost university. “Israel is a world leader in technology in many areas,” he noted, “technology that Israel is always ready to share with partners worldwide.”
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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.”
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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.”
