Local News
New honour puts chazan/scientist Michael Eskin in elite company
By MYRON LOVE
In a career rich in accomplishments, Michael Eskin has climbed another pinnacle. In early May, he was notified that he is this year’s recipient of the Supelco AOCS (American Oil Chemists Society) Research Award.
This – the AOCS’s most prestigious award – recognizes outstanding original research in fats, oils, lipid chemistry and biochemistry.
“While he has received several awards in recent years (including several other AOC awards as well as being inducted into the Order of Canada), “I never visualized this award,” he says. “I am overwhelmed to be in the company of Nobel laureates (three of whom are previous recipients of the award over the past 56 years).”
“My mother always used to say that you should never retire and she was right,” he adds. “If I had retired at 65, I am not sure if all the recognition that I have received would have happened. This is incredible.”
Eskin is just the fifth Canadian scientist to receive this particular award, which has been presented to scientists in many different disciplines, including organic chemistry, physical chemistry, biochemistry and nutrition. The honour comes with a plaque and a substantive cash prize, and opportunity to present an award lecture.
Now in his 53rd year, Michael Eskin (who is originally from Birmingham, England and who is also a chazan) is the longest serving member on the faculty of the University of Manitoba Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, where he has served as department chair and associate dean. In 2017, he was selected by the students in his faculty as Professor of the Year.
The centerpiece of Eskin’s career has been his work on the development of edible oils; he played a key role in the successful development of canola oil. He has published over 250 research articles, book chapters, monographs, abstracts and several patents. He has published 15 books – including two on canola – with a 16th book in the works.
He has been an active member of the AOCS for many years, having served as chair of the AOCS Lipid Oxidation and Quality Division and was the first chair of the AOCS Division Council. In addition to serving as an associate editor of JAOCS, he was co-editor of Lipid Technology for seven years and is associate editor of education for the AOCS Lipid Library.
While the Supelco Award is traditionally presented at the AOCS yearly conference, that will not be the case this year due to Covid-19 restrictions. “We will be having a virtual conference in May and I will be delivering a virtual lecture,” Eskin reports. “I expect that I will officially be presented with the award at next year’s conference.”
Naturally, he will be teaching his course online in the fall. “I had 250 students enrolled in my last class and expect about 200 in my fall class,” he says. “I hope that things get back to normal soon. You can’t really develop relationships with students this way.”
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.
Local News
Vickar Family cuts ribbon on new Tova Vickar and Family Childcare Centre
By MYRON LOVE In the words of Larry Vickar, the Shaarey Zedek’s successful Dor V’ Dor Campaign “is not only a renewal of the synagogue but truly a renewal movement of Jewish life in our community.”An integral part of that renewal movement was the creation of a daycare centre within the expanded synagogue. On Monday, June 23, Larry and Tova Vickar cut the ribbon, thereby officially opening the Tova Vickar and Family Childcare Centre in the presence of 100 of their family members, friends and other supporters of the project.
The short program preceding the morning ribbon-cutting began with a continental breakfast followed by a welcome by both Fanny Levy, Shaarey Zedek’s Board President, and Executive Director Dr. Rena Secter Elbaze. In Elbaze’s remarks, she noted that Larry and Tova wanted their family (including son Stephen and family, who flew in from Florida) and friends at the event to celebrate the opening of the Tova Vickar and Family Childcare Centre, “not because of the accolades, but because, as Larry put it, he hopes that their investment in the congregation will inspire others to do the same.”
“When Larry and I spoke about what this gift meant to him and the message he wanted people to take away,” she continued, “I couldn’t help but connect it to the teachings of Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi whose book – Age-ing to Sage-ing – changes the whole way we look at the concept of ageing and basing it on our ancestral teachings.”
She explained that his concept of “Sage-ing” is based on three key ideas – Discover your meaning and purpose; accept our mortality and think about the legacy you want to leave.
“Larry spoke about these exact concepts when we met,” she said.
Elbaze also noted the presence of Shaarey Zedek’s newly-arrived senior Rabbi Carnie Rose, former Rabbi Alan Green, and area MLAs Mike Moroz and Carla Compton.
Larry Vickar expressed his great appreciation for all those in attendance. “Tova and I are deeply moved to stand here with you today for this important milestone in our community”, he said. “We are grateful to be surrounded by all of you, the people we care about, our family and friends… you who have touched our lives and played some part in our journey.”