Local News
Shalom Residences’ Executive Director Mike Goldberg looks back on 3 years in the job
By BERNIE BELLAN Three years ago – almost to the date (March 30), I reported on the retirement of of one of the longest-serving executive directors of an agency within the Jewish community: Nancy Hughes.
Nancy had been serving as executive director of Shalom Residences since 1991. The very first Shalom Residence opened in 1980, which means Shalom Residences will be celebrating its 45th anniversary this year.
Among the 12 agencies that receive funding from the Winnipeg Jewish Federation, Shalom Residences though might have one of the lowest profiles, as it serves a fairly small segment of the community – adults with special needs intellectual disabilities. As previous editor of The Jewish Post & News and, prior to that, when my late brother Matt served as editor, we always tried to give Shalom Residences due recognition. One of the reasons, as current Shalom Residences executive director Michael Goldberg explained during a recent phone conversation we had, is that there are members of our community who may not be aware of what Shalom Residences provide – and who may have children who would benefit from living in one of the residences once they reach adulthood.
It may be hard to believe, but two of the original residents in that very first Shalom Residence (on Enniskillen Avenue) still remain residents of Shalom Residences. (There are five other homes that house Shalom residents: On Hartford Avenue and Seven Oaks Place – both in West Kildonan, McAdamCathedral Avenue – in the North End, Daffodil – in Garden City; and Oxford Street, in River Heights.)
The smallest home has three residents and the largest one – five.
Twenty-nine adults live in those homes, while another nine live in supported independent living apartments, and three adults are supported in community outreach.
When Nancy Hughes retired in 2022, the effects of the Covid-19 epidemic were still being widely felt. In fact, there were two vacancies within Shalom Residences at that time, as I explained in my March 30 article: “Nancy explained, with the onset of Covid in 2020 a number of parents who might otherwise have wanted to place a child in one of the homes drew back from doing so out of fears that their loved one might contract Covid.”
Actually, the term “child” in referring to residents of Shalom Residences is a misnomer. In order to qualify for residency in one of the residences, one must be at least 18 years of age, but the fact is there has been very little turnover among residents over the years. One of the original Shalom residents, Rochelle Bronstein, just passed away in July last year. Rochelle had moved into a Shalom residence when she was in her twenties. According to Shalom Residences’ annual report, the average age of residents is now 54.
For those readers not familiar with Shalom Residences, its Mission and Vision are stated on the organization’s website:
“To support people with intellectual disabilities in the mainstream of community life so that they may conduct their lives in a meaningful dignified way.To empower adults with intellectual disabilities to live meaningful, dignified lives in community based homes in Winnipeg, enriched by Jewish values.
“Shalom envisions a community where individuals with intellectual disabilities are fully included, self-actualized, and valued in all aspects of life.
“Their values are:
“Inclusion: Shalom believes in the right of every individual to have opportunities to be an active, respected member of their community.
“Empowerment: Shalom supports adults in building capacity to achieve their individualized goals.
“Jewish Heritage: Shalom is committed to providing support that reflects the values and traditions of the Jewish community. They also support individuals to participate in the richness of their chosen religion and culture.
“Awareness & Acceptance: Shalom strives to foster understanding and acceptance of individuals with intellectual disabilities as valued members of the community.
“To enable people with intellectual disabilities to become as self-sufficient as possible.
“To create and maintain Judaic oriented programs for people with intellectual disabilities which reflect the philosophy of Shalom Residences Inc.
“To develop community awareness of, and increase community acceptance of, people with intellectual disabilities as full and equal citizens.
“To enable the persons in Shalom Residences’ programs to achieve their potential as contributing members of our community, and to become as self sufficient as possible.”
In 2022 Michael Goldberg took over as executive director of Shalom Residences. In my March 2022 article about Nancy Hughes’ retirement I noted that Michael was the son of Mark and Kathryn Goldberg, had attended Ramah Hebrew School, Gray Academy, and the University of Winnipeg Collegiate. Michael had also attended Winthrop University in South Carolina, where he had obtained a bachelors degree in Psychology. (He noted that he had actually gone to university on a golf scholarship!)
Later, Michael said, he obtained his masters degree in Gerontology in Regina.
Since 2015, he had been working at Palliative Manitoba in the Deer Lodge Centre Palliative Care.
Even before coming to Shalom Residences, Michael says that he had developed a familiarity with the program, as he “was able to facilitate courses in compassionate care for Shalom Residences staff members.”
Recently, I had a chance to talk with Michael Goldberg – to ask him now that he’s had to gain some experience, how he’s found working as executive director of Shalom Residences?
Michael echoed Nancy’s observation that, as residents of Shalom residences have aged, dealing with aging residents has led to different challenges.
“We want to make sure they’re aging with dignity,” he said, “and that they’re comfortable.”
As well, Michael noted that with the closure of the Manitoba Developmental Centre in Portage and the St. Amant Centre in Winnipeg, the goal now, more than ever, is ” to integrate people (who had previously been institutionalized) “into the community” – something which has been a leading purpose of Shalom Residences since its inception.
I asked Michael how someone who has a child with an intellectual disability and that child is approaching adulthood (or is already an adult) would go through the process of having that child placed in a Shalom Residence?
Michael explained that a parent with a child under 18 who has an intellectual disability has most likely already been in touch with the Department of Families in the provincial government “because they receive funding” from that department “to support their family member.”
“So that’s the first step to make sure you’re eligible to receive funding from Community Living Disability Services, ” he said, “and once people are deemed eligible, and that process involved getting documentation from a physician or psychologist insuring that intellectual impairment was perceived prior to the age of 18, then they can gain access to resources from Shalom Residences if they’re over the age of 18. We have to make sure that they require personal care when it comes to basic needs, management of property, also they have to be Canadian citizens.”
According to its annual report, only 55% of Shalom Residents are Jewish. (Yet, just as the Simkin Centre has a very high proportion of non-Jewish residents, adherence to kashrut is considered a fundamental value of Shalom Residences. I’ll offer no further observations on how important it is for non-Jews to be forced into adhering to the rules of kashrut since I don’t want to elicit another angry letter to the editor of this paper from the Winnipeg Council of Rabbis.) The funding allocated to Shalom Residences from the Jewish Federation, by the way goes to subvent the often extraordinarily high cost of kosher food.
In fact, over 90% of Shalom Residences funding comes from the province. A good chunk of that funding goes to pay the salaries of the 83 staff who work for Shalom Residences, including both part-time and full-time staff.
One of the issues I raised with Michael is the problem raised by the aging of our own Jewish community. As parents of children who have intellectual disabilities may find it increasingly difficult to care for those children – who are now adults – within their own homes, Shalom Residences might be a viable alternative for parents who, until now, would have been reluctant to see their children leave the home.
I wondered whether there is a “wait list” then, of individuals waiting to move into a Shalom residence. I was somewhat surprised to hear from Michael that there is not a wait list.
Again – that might be more of a reflection of a general unawareness of Shalom Residences than anything else because, since Shalom Residences began with only 17 residents in 1984 and has remained constant at roughly 30 residents for several years now – what with the Jewish Federation claiming that our Jewish population has grown hugely in that past 20 years (despite census figures that would show that not to be the case), one would have expected a growth in demand for placements in Shalom Residences, commensurate with that “huge” growth in our Jewish population. (The Federation actually cites the figure of 16,000 in reporting the size of Winnipeg’s Jewish population. The 2020 Canadian census has it at no more than 12,500, but who am I to argue with the Jewish Federation when it comes to embellishing population figures?)
I wondered too whether there were Shalom residents who didn’t have any relatives who had provided care for them – perhaps because those relatives were in need of care themselves or had passed on already – and those Shalom residents were the responsibility of the Public Trustee of Manitoba?
Michael answered that not only is that the case in several instances, it has also been the case that living relatives have considered handinged over responsibility for the care of their children to the Public Trustee because they simply wanted to “relinquish” responsibility for care of a child with intellectual disabilities.
I asked whether there had been any major improvements made to any of the Shalom Homes recently? Michael noted that there had been a major renovation of the kitchen in the McAdam Avenue home – thanks to a donation from the Silver family. (In October 2022 I had reported on another addition to that home when, thanks to a donation from form the Ian and Rochelle Laing Family Foundation, the unfinished basement of that home had been transformed into a beautiful recreation centre, complete with an arts and craft table, exercise equipment, new flooring, a sink, and a chairlift.)
That led me to ask Michael whether perhaps newer members of our community who might have children who would be well served by living in a Shalom Residence are totally oblivious of what Shalom Residences have to offer?
Michael said that, “in fact, we’ve just welcomed a new resident” whose family is from Russia.
“We got in touch with them. There was a vacancy in one of our homes and he actually just moved in.”
Partly in reaction to the unawareness though that exists within many members of our Jewish community about Shalom Residences, Shalom Residences will be “doing a community outreach information night program on Wednesday, April 9, at the Asper Campus in the Kroft Boardroom at 7pm,” Michael said.
Shalom Residences used to hold an annual lottery as well – but it no longer does that. There will be a donor appreciation evening though on May 27 at the Adas-Yeshurun Herzlia Synagogue.
Local News
Third annual JFest Winnipeg will be offering programs for all ages
By MYRON LOVE JFest Winnipeg is back with a good variety of musical performances, a book launch, popular Jewish-themed films, children’s activities, and a family-oriented Shabbat dinner.
“JFest,” observes Laura Marjovsky, the Rady JCC Director of Programming, “is an opportunity for our community to experience Jewish art and culture. With our range of JFest events, we are trying to reach out beyond what has been our base audience and appeal to all ages. We have a commitment to bring top notch Israeli performers to share the highest caliber of Israeli entertainment with our audiences.”
The week-long festival (November 14-21) kicks off with a performance by top-ranked Israeli singer-songwriter Harel Skaat. The popular Israeli star began singing as a child. He shot to fame when he finished second in the second season of “Kochav Nolad” – Israel’s version of “American Idol.” His first album was released in 2006 and achieved Platinum status – with one of the songs being ranked as “song of the year.” He followed that up in 2009 with a second album that reached Gold status. In 2010, he represented Israel at the Eurovision competition.
Skaat’s performance is scheduled for the Seven Oaks Performing Arts Centre (which is attached to Garden City Collegiate) beginning at 8:00 P.M. on Saturday, November 14. Patrons will have the opportunity to purchase an enhanced ticket to attend a meet and greet with Harel.
All other JFest programs and activities will be at the Rady JCC.
Music Producer Karla Berbrayer says Ben Caplan’s performance on Saturday, November 21 will also be another highlight. “Ben Caplan redefines what it means to be a modern folk artist,” Berbrayer says. “His music and stories are matched by his larger-than-life stage presence. This concert focuses on how his Jewish upbringing has influenced his entire performance career.”
“Flatland Famous” is returning by popular demand. This quintet, known for its performances at Winnipeg Jets games, will be presenting its concert, “Jewish Soul of Rock and Roll,” on Wednesday, November 18, at 7:30 pm. This year’s show will feature songs by Amy Winehouse, Neil Diamond, Barbra Streisand, Simon and Garfinkel, and other famous Jewish icons.
On Tuesday, November 17, local author Deborah Schnitzer will be taking centre stage with the launch of her new book, “The Woman Who Swallowed West Hawk Lake.” The University of Winnipeg English Professor Emeritus’s new novel explores intergenerational trauma related to Nazi breeding programs. Joining Schnitzer on stage will be a panel of professionals who have experience working with children who have experienced trauma.
And of course, “Best of the Fest” is back. Films to be presented will include“The Floaters” and “We Met at Grossingers,” two wildly popular movies at last spring’s Winnipeg International Jewish Film Festival.
“The Floaters,” to be screened on Monday , November 16 at 7:00 pm is a funny and bang-on depiction of Jewish summer camp culture.
“We Met at Grossingers” is a loving look back at the Borscht Belt in New York’s Catskills, where generations of young Jewish performers earned their dues and developed their acts. The film will be screened on Thursday, November 19 at 7:00 P.M.
On Friday November 20, JFest will host a Family Shabbat dinner featuring Anat Kriger, an Israeli-born, Toronto-based musician, actor, and children’s performer, who has made several appearances in Winnipeg at major communal events.
Kidfest on Sunday, November 15, will be a day-long potpourri of programming that will include live performances, workshops, bouncy castles, games and crafts, and much more.
Readers seeking more information about JFest can contact Laura Marjovsky at 204 477-7539 or lmarjovsky@radyjcc/com
Local News
Hen Mazzig, leading Israeli advocate, makes first Winnipeg appearance
By MYRON LOVE On Tuesday, October 6, a large number of members of our community packed the chapel at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, eager to welcome Hen Mazzig in his first appearance in our community.
Over the past few years, the Israeli-born Mazzig – who was appearing at the invitation of our Jewish Federation and Combined Jewish Appeal team – has become one of Israel’s and the Jewish people’s leading advocates on the international stage. His online platforms reach as many 100 million viewers a month with a regular following of almost 1 million. He has been interviewed by numerous leading media outlets and has given addresses at close to 500 universities in recent years.
Mazzig’s presentation in Winnipeg (which was funded by the Asper Family and the Asper Foundation) took the form of a question and answer format with Sarah Mali, the Director General of JFC-UIA (Jewish Federations-United Jewish Appeal) Canada in Israel, asking the questions.
Mali , who was visiting Winnipeg for the third time in the past three years, began by expressing how honoured she felt about having the opportunity to converse with Mazzig – referring to Jewish Federation of Winnipeg President Carrie Shenkarow’s comments regarding Mazzig’s “devotion to Israel and the Jewish people”, his “deep sense of purpose, moral clarity” and “willingness to enter some of the most difficult spaces and conversations.”
The first question that Mali posed to Mazzig was related to his visit to the Canadian Museum of Human Rights and its controversial and one-sided take on the longstanding and ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She referred to a comment that Mazzig had made on X the day after visiting the museum, in which he wrote that while he “has no problem with people learning about Palestinian history,” he wished that “Palestine Uprooted” didn’t “distort the regional events, including the displacement of 800,000 people just like my grandmother, Hela, who became a refugee when Iraq turned on its Jewish community” post-1948.
“History can only lead to reconciliation when it is told honestly,” he observed. “Otherwise, it is just fuelilng an agenda.”
What most disturbed him about the exhibit, Mazzig told his audience, is that it erased his own family’s history. Expanding upon his family’s roots, he noted that his father’s family came to Israel from Tunisia and his mother’s side from Iraq. He spoke in particular about his maternal grandmother, Hela, who left behind “a beautiful civilization” – Jews had been living and thriving in Iraq since before the Roman destruction of Jerusalem 2000 years ago – to a new land (Israel), where she had to learn a new language (Hebrew) and rebuild her life.
Mazzig added that his grandmother is his anchor in life and the inspiration for all that he has accomplished.
Mali asked Mazzig about his ability to empathize with Palestinians. It was difficult to do, he answered. He got to know Palestinians, he recalled, during the Covid epidemic when he was serving as a medic with the Israel Defense Force and found himself responsible for helping Palestinians through that difficult time and transporting sick Palestinians to Israeli hospitals.
“Even though I fight so hard for Israel,” he observed, it doesn’t mean that I can’t feel empathy for anyone else.”
Mali asked Mazzig how October 7, 2023, changed him.
“I chose not to become a victim,” he said, “but rather to engage more with the world, bear witness, share our stories and talk about genocide. While I was actively advocating for Israel before October 7, I have been much more in demand since. I have become a lot more visible.
”I have found that a lot of people support us,” he continued. “They see what is happening and are on our side.”
On the other hand, he added, a lot of people don’t know anything about Israel. “It is a matter of education,” he said. “I encourage people to go to Israel and talk to Israelis.”
Mali’s last question was what Mazzig means when he writes that “I promise to love being Jewish ten times more than anyone hates me for it.” What does it mean to him to love and find joy and happiness in being Jewish”, she added?
It means cherishing our rich history, Mazzig responded, enjoying Shabbat dinners with family and friends, celebrating all of our holidays and traditions.
“The Jewish People have been through so much over the past 2000 years,” he said. “Many people have tried to destroy us, but we have survived. We are arisen from the ashes numerous time and continued to move forward. Not only are we still here but we have returned as an independent people living again in our ancestral homeland.”
Also addressing the audience at the Shaarey Zedek was Steven Shulman, the president and CEO of the Jewish Federations of Canada. Shulman heaped much praise on our Jewish community in Winnipeg.
“Winnipeg is special,” he noted, “not just in Canada but worldwide. Your CJA campaign continues to be the most successful in North America. You have an outstanding CEO (of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg) in Jeff Lieberman, who is universally respected.”
He further praised Gray Academy and our community’s highly successful GrowWinnipeg campaign – which has attracted thousands of new families to our community over the past 25 years.
He noted that he was particularly impressed with how our community has come together to protest the biased Nakba exhibit at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
He also spoke of the many supporters that we have among non-Jewish Canadians – singling out, as an example, the police officer in Belleville who put his own life on the line protecting the city’s only Jewish congregation from a terrorist attack during yom tov services.
The last word went to Jeff Lieberman, who thanked all the members of our community who have contributed to the CJA campaign this year, as well as our many non-Jewish friends who continue to stand with Israel and the Jewish community.
Local News
Enrolment in videographer/photographer Jeff Gordon’s education programs growing exponentially
By MYRON LOVE When last I spoke with local videographer/photographer Jeff Gordon early last year, he had just launched his new training program for budding photographers and videographers. Now, about 20 months later, he is happy to report that his new course has grown well beyond his original expectations.
“My program has already graduated more than 100 students – with another four sessions beginning in September,” says the founder of JAG Videos and Photography. “I have recently introduced a new training program geared to organizations and businesses and have digitized my courses so that they can be accessed from anywhere in the world.”
What is unique about what Gordon is doing in that this is the only educational program that combines photography and video. “Up until now, the only options for anyone interested in learning the art of photography or making videos has been either Red River College or the University of Winnipeg,” Gordon pointed out in that earlier Post interview. “I recognized a niche here and my goal is to fill this gap.”
He launched his educational initiative in mid-January in his new studio behind his north River Heights home with three classes a week – one strictly for teenagers – over 16 weeks.
“The response exceeded my expectations,” he said in that earlier interview. “We sold out quickly and I have a waiting list. I am teaching the students everything I know about photographer and videography. The curriculum is easy to follow.”
Gordon’s interest in photography and videography – and teaching, he recalled, came about through his previous career as a musician. The graduate of the Hebrew Bilingual program at Brock Corydon Elementary School, and later, Shaftesbury High School – began playing drums in high school.
After high school, he enrolled at the Los Angeles Music Academy. In 2006, he graduated from the jazz program at Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton. His professional credits include 16 years as a drummer with the Sarah Sommer Chai Folk Ensemble, and five years as a member of a touring band called “Driver.”
It was while performing with “Driver” that he began doing videography. “I have always been fascinated by technology,” Gordon said. “While on tour, I began making videos of our live concerts. I would set up four or five cameras to record the shows.”
In 2014, Gordon took the plunge and dove into photography and videography full time with the founding of JAG Videos and Photography. He started with weddings and gradually started to develop a commercial and corporate clientele. He reported that he does a lot of head shots for businesses. He has also done a number of TV spots for Global and Corus.
Gordon’s curriculum is his own creation, based on his experience and a previous training manual he wrote years ago for an entirely different group of students: drummers.
“I used to have as many as 40 students at a time,” he recalled. “I really enjoy teaching. I love expounding on subjects I am passionate about.”
Gordon’s first foray into teaching had a focus on helping businesses and organizations, government departments and agencies enhance their online presence.
“Increasingly, we are in a digital world,” he points out. “Businesses need staff who are adept at making videos and taking photographs. Companies need staff who are able to create videos for them to promote the business online. I can customize my training programs to the needs of my clients to create their own social media and marketing materials.”
Gordon notes that this outreach wasn’t initially part of his expansion plans. “I had people coming to me for this training because there is no one else providing this kind of education,” he observes.
Gordon’s major new development this fall is that he has built and launched a full digital version of his course – which he calls The JAG Creator Academy. “Going digital has opened the training up beyond Winnipeg and makes it available to people globally,” he points out.
“I developed a website, filmed all my tutorials and recorded the video,” he says.
“I even have a sponsor for it,” he adds. (That would be Evoto – an AI-powered photo editing software built specifically for professional photographers.)
The program is only available in English but, Gordon reports, there has been a lot of interest so far.
The next stage in the evolution and growth of Gordon’s move into education will be a program which will coach businesses on SEO (Search Engine Optimization) – and which will involve helping businesses access Google and get their name at the top of search results.
“SEO is what has helped my business stay at the top of Google (searches) and in demand all these years,” Gordon notes. “I am running ads for my new SEO programming on Facebook and Instagram. I am anticipating that I will draw clients from across Canada and the United States.”
While he is still in demand locally as a photographer and videographer, he notes, the education side has also become a full-blown business of its own and, he reports, he is looking to hire additional staff.
As well, he is continually adding new topics and courses to his offerings.
Readers who may be interested in contacting Jeff can find him through his website, which is www.jagvideos.com.
