Local News
New documentary about David Matas chronicles his long career as a tireless advocate for human rights
By BERNIE BELLAN David Matas has achieved world-wide recognition for his life-long work advocating on behalf of repressed minorities throughout the world. Yet, as the same time as he is probably one of the most famous – and successful individuals working in the area of human rights, his unassuming and low key style would often belie the success he has achieved.
Now, in a new documentary film, titled “The Justice Hunter,” written and produced by Israeli-born Winnipegger Yolanda Papini-Pollock (who, many readers may also know is the founder and driving force behind the advocacy group, Winnipeg Friends of Israel), viewers are given the opportunity to see Matas’s life chronicled in a very interesting – and often revealing manner.
Papini-Pollock has produced other films centering around the subject of human rights, including “Never Again: A Broken Promise,” which drew upon the experiences of survivors of four different genocides (the Holocaust, Rwandan, Indigenous and Yazidi genocides); “Get Over It: A Path to Healing,” about the health crisis facing Canada’s Indigenous communities; and ‘Painful Truth: The Falun Gong Genocide,” which tells the story of the Chinese government’s horrible record of persecution – and often, execution of practitioners of Falun Gong. Stemming from Papini-Pollock’s documentary about the persecution of practitioners of Falun Gong, she developed a particular interest in telling David Mata’s story in some detail, since no one has done more to fight antisemitism and to bring to light China’s abysmal record of persecution of the Falun Gong than David Matas.
“The Justice Hunter,” however, conveys Papini-Pollock’s growth as a documentary movie-maker. Whereas “A Broken Promise” relied primarily upon interviews with four different subjects, “The Justice Hunter” uses a much faster-paced style of movie-making. Interspersing short snippets of interviews with such individuals whose lives have become interconnected with David Matas over the years, such as lawyer and former Canadian Minister of External Affairs Irwin Cotler, the film also features the voice of David Matas himself offering observations about various aspects of his career. As well, the film also includes footage showing in some detail how the Chinese government have been complicit in the persecution of the Falun Gong, along with an interesting segment explaining how Israelis had become prime recipients of organs harvested from executed Falun Gong members until that practice was exposed by Matas and he late David Kilgour, former Member of Parliament, in a book titled “Bloody Harvest,” which was published in 2005.
The film is narrated by Leah Ross, a former lawyer and student of Matas’s herself – now a music educator with the Winnipeg School Division. Ross offers her own observations about Matas’s career and how inspiring he has been to law students such as herself. In one touching scene, a group of friends gather to celebrate Matas’s 80th birthday. As the attendees at the party sing “Happy birthday,” Matas recalls the famous opening line of Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities”: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” which, he suggests, is a fitting description of his career fighting for human rights around the world.
One especially interesting insight that Matas offers at one point is how he has been able to remain somewhat detached from all the many legal battles in which he has been immersed. He notes, for instance, that while he was subject to occasional antisemitism growing up in north end Winnipeg, his family did not experience the Holocaust, and thus, he did not carry any personal baggage when he began to invest time into dealing with others who had been undergoing persecution.
In addition to focusing on Matas’s long battle of behalf of Falun Gong practitioners, in which he worked together with David Kilgour, to expose the horrible Chinese government practice of executing Falon Gong prisoners so that their organs could be harvested, the film also depicts other battles Matas has waged, on behalf of Wiegers in China (who are Muslim), and Tamils (in Sri Lanka).
Late in the film, we meet Hannah Taylor, another young Winnipeg lawyer, who has also been inspired to work with Matas, helping him to research and prepare briefs for various international bodies around the world. (Although the film doesn’t mention it, Taylor herself achieved quite some renown when, as a very young girl here, she started something called “The Ladybug Foundation,” to help Winnipeggers experiencing homelessness.)
But perhaps as well known as Matas’ work on behalf of repressed minorities in all areas of the globe has been Matas’s efforts to combat antisemitism. As legal counsel for B’nai Brith Canada, Matas’s work investigating Nazi war criminals in Canada is also explored in the film. Snippets of interviews with Michael Mostyn, Chief Executive Officer of B’nai Brith Canada, and Alan Yusim, former Midwest Regional Representative for B’nai Brith Canada, reveal just how extraordinary Matas’s contribution to fighting antisemitism in Canada has been for many years now.
I asked Yolanda Papini-Pollock what led her to want to make a film about David Matas’s career?
She answered: “The idea for this film came from Professor Emeritus Maria Cheung, with whom I previously collaborated on Painful Truth: The Falun Gong Genocide. In that project, we interviewed David Matas about his groundbreaking research into the forced organ harvesting of Falun Gong practitioners in China. The Falun Gong community deeply appreciated David’s tireless efforts to expose these atrocities and wanted to create a tribute to honour him. Professor Cheung along with JadeRose Film and TV productions approached me with the idea, and I was delighted to take it on, as I greatly value David’s work in human rights and his contributions to not only the Jewish but also to communities across Canada and around the world.”
Papini-Pollock says it took her about a year to make the film.
I asked her though, where it might be seen?
She says “B’nai Brith Canada is planning a screening on December 17 in Winnipeg to honor David Matas’ contributions as their senior legal counsel. They also intend to host a screening in Ottawa in February.” The film can also be viewed at https://www.ntdfilms.com/the-justice-hunter/
(I would think “The Justice Hunter” would fit well into the program schedule of a network such as Vision TV, which I’ve contacted to suggest it ought to consider airing the film).
In addition to the film, “The Justice Hunter,” Papini-Pollock has also produced a picture book by the same name, intended for grade school children. She explains that “The idea for the book came to me during the production of the film. As I learned more about David, I felt it was important to share his story with young children as well. David expressed a desire for the film to inspire others to take up human rights work, and I realized that introducing his story to children could be impactful. The challenge, however, was to present his work in an age-appropriate way—something that could inspire without overwhelming or frightening young readers. Crafting a story that balanced these elements was both a struggle and a rewarding experience.”
Papini-Pollock adds that “The book is now available for purchase on various digital platforms, including Amazon, Indigo, and Barnes & Noble, in both soft cover and digital formats. Christine Melnick from Sharing the Magic of Literacy has shown interest in distributing it to schools and remote communities.”
Local News
JNF Canada says a new charity called “Friends of JNF Canada” will be able to issue tax receipts to donors – but the actual situation is clear as mud
By BERNIE BELLAN (Sept. 11, 2025) It’s a complicated – and very confusing story – and it goes back to an earth-shaking decision issued by the Canada Revenue Agency on August 10, 2024. That decision, which was published in the Canada Gazette (which is where an announcenment about any charity whose charitable status has been revoked is published) was to revoke the Jewish National Fund Canada’s charitable status.
To give you an idea how important charitable donations have been to JNF Canada, according to the most recent audited financial statements that are available, “In 2023, JNF Canada received $20.2 million in donations and had a total revenue of $22.2 million.”
We’ve written numerous times about what led up to CRA’s decision to revoke JNF Canada’s charitable status and the resulting aftermath – in which JNF Canada was thrown into disarray.
Much of the reporting on this story was done by Ellen Bessner, writing for the Canadian Jewish News. Bessner was stolid in her research and although a good portion of what she wrote laid the blame for what happened to JNF Canada at the feet of JNF Canada itself, she provided exhausting detail about what lay behind CRA’s decision. If you want to read past articles that follow the chronology of events following that August 10, 2024 decision by CRA, you can simply enter JNF in the search engine on jewishpostandnews.ca, and you’ll find a great many stories about not only what led up to CRA’s decision to remove JNF Canada’s charitable status, but what steps JNF Canada took subsequent to that momentous decision.
During the past 13 months though, JNF Canada has been embroiled in a legal battle against CRA on different levels – in two different courts: The Federal Court and the Federal Court of Canada. You’ll have to read an article posted on June 17 this year on jewishpostandnews.ca to understand the difference between the two courts. For the purpose of this article, however, it is only important to note that JNF Canada’s appeal to the Federal Court was turned down by that court – for technical reasons, i.e., the Federal Court ruled that it was not the proper court to hear the particular matter that JNF Canada had brought forward; however, the appeal to the Federal Court of Canada is still underway. It may take quite some time before that court issues a decision and, if it also goes against JNF Canada, there is a strong likelihood JNF Canada will take its case all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada. The upshot is that it may be years before the legal battle JNF Canada has been waging with CRA may be resolved.
In the meantime though, JNF Canada had been working to come up with a solution to the challenge of its having been deregistered by CRA as a charity able to issue tax receipts.
On September 2, JNF Canada sent out an email to its supporters in which it gave a preview of what was about to happen. That email noted: “This past year has been challenging for JNF Canada and for Jewish communities across the country.
“Even without charitable status and amid an ongoing legal dispute with the CRA JNF Canada has remained committed to its mission… The absence of our charitable status has limited our ability to operate effectively and our supporters have told us they want their donations to have the full impact, including the ability to receive charitable receipts… In response wonderful friends stepped forward to dedicate their charity to caring out similar work and have appropriately renamed it “Friends of JNF Canada” (emphasis mine).
What did that mean? I wondered. The email also noted that “JNF Canada will continue to operate as it fights its legal battle against the CRA, for its right to fair treatment.”
So, JNF Canada is still alive as an organization called JNF Canada – but it has now managed to find a way to issue tax receipts to its supporters. The September 2 email didn’t go into any detail as to what “Friends of JNF Canada” was – and how it had come about.
But, in a story issued by the CJN on September 4, it was noted that “JNF Canada, whose charitable tax status was revoked by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in 2024, has created a new charitable entity linked to the organization. The new charity, Friends of JNF Canada, officially launches on Sept. 8.”
“A new charitable entity?” I wondered. What did that mean?
The CJN story, written by Jonathan Rothman, went on to note that “Friends of JNF Canada will have the ability to issue charitable tax receipts, (Nathan) Disenhouse (National President, JNF Canada) told the National Post in an interview, saying the new organization’s fundraising for Israel would be done ‘in a similar way that JNF Canada did, but with the ability to issue tax receipts.’
My reaction upon reading Rothman’s story was: “What? This sounds just like JNF Canada, but with a new name. Isn’t this really an end-around that would allow JNF Canada to circumvent CRA’s removal of JNF Canada’s charitable status?”
So, on September 5, I wrote to CRA, asking this question: “Can you confirm that ‘Friends of JNF Canada’ is now a registered charity, able to issue tax receipts?”
I received a response that same day saying that someone would get back to me with an answer.
The answer arrived September 10: “The public may consult the CRA’s List of charities and certain other qualified donees to confirm whether an organization is a registered charity or other qualified donee. For clarity, the public may also confirm in the same registry: the registration number, the current status of the charity, the date since the status has been valid, the type of qualified donee, the designation, and the website of a specific charity. We can confirm that Friends of JNF was registered as a public foundation effective September 22, 2022. Note that the governing documents in our records reflect a legal name change from ‘The Benzimra Foundation’ to ‘Friends of JNF’ effective August 14, 2025.”
Note that the email from CRA referred twice to the charity as “Friends of JNF,” not “Friends of JNF Canada.” Was that just a typing error or was it more significant? I again wondered.
On September 11, I asked CRA to clarify whether “Friends of JNF” and “Friends of JNF Canada” are one and the same.
But – I discovered upon a search of CRA’s list of charities that there already was a charity known as “Friends of JNF” – and which had been established in 2022. From information available on the CRA website, it seems that “Friends of JNF” is a tiny charity, having received only $1,800 in donations in 2024. In further information about Friends of JNF on CRA’s website, it says the charity’s purpose is “PROMOTION OF ISRAEL’S LEGAL RIGHTS THROUGH PUBLICATION AND WORKING WITH OTHER REGISTERED CHARITIES AND QUALIFIED DONEES.”
I was unable to find any contact information for Friends of JNF beyond a physical address in Toronto: 701-10 Prue Avenue. Looking at that address on Google Streetview it appears to be an address for a residential apartment building.
Adding to the confusion, JNF Canada issued another email on September 10, in which it said, in part, that …wonderful friends stepped forward to dedicate their charity to carrying out similar work (to what JNF Canada had been doing) and have appropriately renamed it Friends of JNF Canada. With our Board of Director’s (sic.) full endorsement this organization will continue supporting the kinds of projects that have always defined JNF Canada’s mission: serving Israelis in need through charitable projects that help the vulnerable, enhance environmental sustainability, and support the mental & physical health of Israelis in need.”
That email did not name the Benzimra Foundation as the charity that had agreed to change its name to Friends of JNF Canada but, as you can see in the email from CRA, CRA disclosed that information.
But, in an October 2024 article in CJN, it was noted that another Canadian charity known as the Ne’eman Foundation had also had its charitable status revoked in August 2024. Subsequently, that same article reported, “the organization, which distributes funds to various causes in Israel, began instructing prospective donors to contribute through another recently formed Canadian charity (emphasis mine).
“Six weeks later, Canadian officials imposed a one-year suspension on that charity, called the Emunim Fund, according to its listing on the Canada Revenue Agency website.
“CRA regulators had previously raised concerns about particular Ne’eman Foundation projects in Israel, and a volunteer with Jewish pro-Palestinian group had alleged to the agency that the Ne’eman Foundation was using the Emunim Fund to skirt the revocation (emphasis mine).
“The agency has not publicly disclosed why it suspended the Emunim Fund, and said in a statement that it is barred by law from commenting on individual cases.”
Thus, there are three questions for which we’re awaiting answers: Is the name of the charity which JNF Canada now says will be able to issue tax receipts to donors who might previously have donated to JNF Canada “Friends of JNF” (as the CRA email said was the name) or is it “Friends of JNF Canada,” which was what the emails from JNF Canada says it its name?
Second, is there another charity called “Friends of JNF’ that is separate and distinct from “Friends of JNF Canada?”
Third, although the CRA email would seem to indicate that it has granted registration to this new charity – whether its name is Friends of JNF or perhaps Friends of JNF Canada, given CRA’s previous revocation of the registration of a charity linked to Israel when it changed its name from the Ne’eman Foundation to the Ne’eman Fund, will CRA follow suit and suspend the new charity whose name closely resembles JNF Canada’s name?
As I wrote – this is all so confusing. Even though spokespersons for both CRA and JNF Canada have been quick to respond to emails from me in which I’ve been asking questions trying to sort out exactly what has been going on, it seems that each email leads me to ask yet more questions.
If I receive more information from either CRA or JNF Canada that helps to clarify the questions I’ve asked, I’ll update this story – so keep checking back.
Local News
From Broadway to Berney: Winnipeg Jewish Theatre Opens Season with Razor-Sharp Thriller
By MARTIN ZEILIG The Winnipeg Jewish Theatre (WJT) launches its 2025–26 season with a bold and timely production: JOB The Play, a psychological thriller that probes the fragile boundaries between truth, technology, and identity.
Written by Jewish American playwright Max Wolf Friedlich, the play arrives in Winnipeg fresh off its Broadway run, bringing with it a reputation for intellectual grit and emotional intensity.
Running from September 11 to 21 at the Berney Theatre, JOB is a two-hander that unfolds in the aftermath of a viral workplace incident. Jane, a high-strung tech employee, f inds herself on mandatory leave. Her return hinges on therapy sessions with Loyd, a calm but enigmatic practitioner who suspects her job may be more harmful than helpful. What follows is a taut, 80-minute battle of wits and wills—no intermission, no easy answers.
For WJT Artistic Director Dan Petrenko, the decision to open the season with JOB was immediate and instinctive.
“I came across this play as it was finishing its Broadway run, and I was immediately struck by how of-the-moment it feels,” Petrenko said. He and the play’s director, Jack Grinhaus, agreed to an email interview.
“It’s a play about work, technology, and the way we always question truth in this hyper-connected world,” Petrenko continued. “As a Jewish theatre, we are always looking for plays that ask big moral and ethical questions, and JOB does exactly that. It’s sharp, unsettling, and even funny at times.”
The production stars Jada Rifkin and Dov Mickelson, two actors Petrenko describes as “incredible talents.” Mickelson, originally from Edmonton and now based in Toronto, was last seen on a Winnipeg stage in Royal MTC’s Indecent. Rifkin, also Toronto-based, recently performed in The Thanksgiving Play at Mirvish Productions.
“JOB is a two-hander, so the entire play rests on their performances,” Petrenko noted.
“Both bring immense precision and depth to these roles. After seeing them in rehearsal this week, I can already tell this is going to be an electrifying performance.”
Grinhaus is Artistic Director of Calgary’s Vertigo Theatre— Canada’s national theatre of mystery and intrigue. He is no stranger to Winnipeg, having directed a show for Prairie Theatre Exchange just five months ago.
“Feels like I didn’t actually leave,” he joked. “Winnipeg has an incredible theatre community and audience base. It’s an honour and pleasure to be here.”
Grinhaus was immediately drawn to the play’s complexity.
“I was amazed at how both intellectual and visceral the piece was,” he wrote. engagement and offers poetry and honesty without being instructive. It lays out its argument for audiences to puzzle over, asking the questions but leaving the answers for each viewer to determine.”
The emotional and psychological journey of the characters is central to the production’s impact.
“I saw this as a battle for truth between two very opposing perspectives, positions, and generations,” Grinhaus explained. “There’s not one line in it where the characters can agree on a single ‘right’ Jack Grinhaus, Director JOB answer. They are often as right as the moral and ethical positions the audiences bring with them.”
Grinhaus hopes audiences leave the theatre questioning their own relationship with the digital world.
“The digital sphere is a double edged sword,” he said. “The promise of it being a place where the world is united and connected has, somehow, also created one where we are more divided and isolated. The long-term implications of this tech life are still to be figured out.”
Petrenko sees JOB as more than just a provocative opener—it’s a signal of what’s to come.
“There are so many things to be excited about in our upcoming season,” he said. “Beyond JOB, we’re bringing you a range of productions and theatrical events that celebrate Jewish stories while opening doors to broader conversations with the community at large.”
Highlights include a staged reading this fall of local playwright Alex Poch-Goldin’s comedy-drama The Right Road to Pontypool, and the Canadian premiere of Ride The Musical in April 2026. The latter tells the story of Annie Londonderry, the first woman to travel around the world on a bicycle—a Jewish icon whose adventures captivated audiences in London’s West End and San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre.
“I am so thrilled to be bringing this story to our stage,” Petrenko said.
The season will conclude in May 2026 with another family musical rooted in Jewish storytelling—details to be announced soon.
“The best way to get in on all the fun this year is to subscribe to our season,” Petrenko added, noting that special promotion packages are available until September 21.
For Grinhaus, JOB is more than a play—it’s a mirror.
“This is a very theatrical piece of theatre,” he said. “It’s pure theatre, highly engaging and entertaining while also challenging our own views on modern society. Our hope is that audiences are drawn deep into this world and, only once it is done, begin the conversation the story and its themes bring up.”
With JOB, the Winnipeg Jewish Theatre sets the tone for a season of bold storytelling, ethical inquiry, and cultural resonance. From Broadway to Berney, this is theatre that doesn’t just entertain—it interrogates and enlightens.
Local News
New Jewish Heritage centre archivist has travelled an eclectic path
By MYRON LOVE The Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada’s new archivist has come to her position from Rosser, Manitoba, by way of Israel.
Ava Garfinkel – the daughter of Harvey and Lee Garfinkel (and granddaughter of the late Irv and Shirley Garfinkel) – grew up on the family cattle farm just outside Winnipeg. “My family also raises horses and chickens,” she says. “I had a pony when I was little. I did my share of chores growing up.”
After attending rural schools in Rosser and Warren, Garfinkel moved on to the University of Manitoba, where she earned a B.A. in Art History. Her life journey then led he to Israel and Tel Aviv University, where she earned a Masters Degree in Archaeology.
She reports that she worked two summers on a site called Tel Azekah – an ancient community strategically located roughly half way between Jerusalem and Jaffa.
“Two years ago – in 2023 – Israel experienced its hottest summer in decades,” Garfinkel recalls. “The sun was unbearable. I realized that I preferred the paperwork, the research, and the documentation, rather than the digging.”
While Garfinkel says that she loved Israel – and had a job lined up at Tel Aviv University, fate – in the form of the terrorist attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023 – intervened. It happened that she was home visiting her family when the attack occurred.
“I also love my family and my life here,” she says. “I found that I missed my family.”
Garfinkel finished her M.A. studies – with a particular emphasis on textiles in the ancient Levant – back in Winnipeg, and took up her new position at the JHCWC at the beginning of May.
“I am doing what I enjoy – preservation and documentation,” she says. “We are preserving Winnipeg’s – and Western Canada’s, Jewish history. “I am learning so much about our community’s rich history and cultural traditions.
“My colleagues and our volunteers are great. There is a lot to do. I couldn’t be happier.”