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New poll suggests Canadians have mixed feelings about Israel

By BERNIE BELLAN A new poll conducted by the Leger Marketing Group for Postmdedia reveals not only that most Canadians don’t pay attention to news about Israel, only slightly more Canadians have a favorable impression of Israel than an unfavorable one.
The poll was conducted from April 14-16, 2023, and surveyed 1549 Canadians. According to Leger, “Using data from the 2021 Census, results were weighted according to region, age and gender within Canada, as well as by education and presence of children in the household in order to ensure a representative sample of the population.
“For comparison purposes, a probability sample of 1549 respondents would have a margin of error of ±2.5%,19 times out of 20.”
Here are some of the key findings of the survey:

  • Most Canadians do not follow and keep up to date with news about Israel – just 23% do, and only 6% follow very closely.
  • Men are significantly more likely to follow news about Israel than women, as are Canadians who identify as BIPoC (vs. Caucasian.)
  • Canadians have decidedly mixed impressions of Israel: 33% have a favourable impression while 28% see the country in an unfavourable light. Almost 4 in 10 (38%) are unsure how they feel about the country.
  • Men (vs. women) are significantly more likely to have a favourable impression of Israel. Canadians who follow news about Israel closely are more likely to have an impression (positive or negative) compared to those who don’t follow the news. Albertans are least likely to have an unfavourable impression of Israel compared to the rest of Canada.
  • The Arab-Israeli Conflict / regional instability and tensions are top of mind for older Canadians (aged 55+) and those with an unfavourable impression of the country. Historic sites in the region are identified often by Canadians with a positive impression of the country. Military/defense is mentioned more often by men, those who follow Israeli news closely, and those who have an unfavourable impression of Israel
  • Canadian opinion is somewhat ambivalent toward the UN’s creation of Israel in 1948. More than one-third feel that establishing the state of Israel in 1948 was the right thing to do; 20% say it was not and 44% are uncertain.
  • Men and those who follow news about Israel are more likely to have an opinion (pro or con) about establishing Israel in 1948. Canadians aged 55+ and those with a favourable impression of the country feel establishing the state of Israel was the correct thing to do. Eastern Canadians (vs. those in the West) and those with an unfavourable impression believe it was not the right thing to do.
  • Over 4 in 10 Canadians (44%) feel their government should continue to support the existence of Israel. Two in 10 feel the Canadian Government should stop supporting Israel.
  • Over four-in-ten Canadians (44%) support the Government of Canada taking deliberate efforts to strengthen its relationship with Israel; 24% are in opposition. One-third of respondents don’t know.
  • 5% of Canadians in our survey have been to Israel, but two-in-ten hope to visit one day.
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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

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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.

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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.”

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