Local News
Rady JCC to restart cultural programming after long hiatus
By BERNIE BELLAN
Of all the Jewish organizations that have been hit hardest by the lockdown under which we have all been living to one extent or another since March 2020, none was more adversely affected than the Rady JCC.
While fitness programs continued to be offered, although on a much reduced scale and under careful monitoring provisions, all cultural programming was eliminated from the Rady JCC’s schedule quite early on.
Then, when the provincial government ordered increased lockdown measures for fitness facilities, first under Code Orange, then even more stringently under Code Red – when all fitness facilities were ordered to close completely, the Rady JCC found itself having to pare its staff to the bone, with the exception of its child care operations, which the provincial government ordered to remain open – even under Code Red.
However, other JCCs across North America had responded to the pandemic in a variety of ways, including a host of different online programs, so we were somewhat puzzled by the Rady JCC’s not offering any programs at all, beyond some online fitness programs.
Recently, the Rady JCC announced though that it will be returning with an enhanced series of online cultural program beginning this month, including a brand new Music ‘n Mavens series, a jazz series, some sort of collaboration with the Gwen Secter Centre on a speakers series, and an international Jewish film festival.
Although dates have not been established yet for all programs, according to Rob Berkowits, executive director of the Rady JCC, details are about to be announced imminently (perhaps even by the time you read this).
We spoke with Rob about some of the challenges with which he’s had to deal – especially financial ones. He noted that the Asper Foundation has now played a crucial role in helping to restart cultural programming – something that until quite recently, Rob said, he wasn’t sure could be offered at all for the foreseeable future.
“We operate like a business,” Rob explained. When pressure started to be put on the Rady JCC to begin offering some sort of online programming, “it wasn’t as simple as simply setting up a camera” and begin filming various cultural events.
The financing had to be in place first, he noted. And, while other JCCs, such as Vancouver’s, have continued to offer a wide range of online programming, throughout the pandemic, “Vancouver kept charging members” without any freeze on memberships – unlike Winnipeg, where all memberships have been frozen since the end of August,” Rob explained. (Members at the Rady JCC have been asked instead to consider donating their membership fees to the Rady JCC, for which they would receive charitable tax receipts and Rob did note that many members have done exactly that.)
While the Rady JCC did find that, as a result of the pandemic, it had $700,000 less in revenue by the end of September than it had budgeted, Rob did acknowledge that financial assistance from the federal government in the form of a $700,000 grant did manage to offset that financial hole. In fact, the year end financial report of the Rady JCC did show a surplus of $40,000 in revenues over expenditures, but it was clear that some major cutbacks were needed in order to be avoid going severely into debt – with no prospect of digging out of that hole.
As a result, in the fall there were major layoffs across the board, including every staff member except for childcare staff, and only four other staff: Rob himself, Zach Minuk, Director of Development, Partnerships & Communications, and two members of the finance department, Barry Miller and Victoria Morton.
One of the major challenges the Rady JCC has had to deal with has simply been being able to continue paying its monthly rent to the Asper Campus. As one can well imagine, just keeping the Rady JCC open incurs major operating costs.
And, while the Rady JCC has received financial assistance from the Jewish Foundation (in the form of $92,000 in emergency allocations, which were part of the three-phased rollout of emergency funding the Foundation has provided to a huge number of local Jewish organizations), the loss of revenue from such sources as the annual sports dinner has had a huge negative impact, in addition to the loss of membership revenue.
Rob, though, did acknowledge help that’s been given by individuals within the community, saying “We have been receiving some very kind donations”.
In his email to members announcing the new cultural programs that are about to begin starting with Music ‘n Mavens (Tuesdays and Thursday) this month, Rob wrote:
“Finally, to our members, our partners, and our community: please know your ongoing love, outpouring of support, and constant generosity allows us to continue to push forward and work tirelessly, ensuring that when we can reopen our doors, we will be ready to welcome you home.”
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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.”
Local News
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.”
