Local News
Shalom Square winds up a very successful week…but where was the very first Israel pavilion located in 1970?
By BERNIE BELLAN It was another very successful run for the Israel pavilion – Shalom Square, during the first week of Folklorama, from Aug 6-13.
This year marked the 51st year in which audiences were able to attend Folklorama in person, with over 7,000 individuals having attended at least one of the 19 shows put on at Shalom Square from August 6-12.
Yet, something that I wrote in our August 2 issue has led me to wonder: Where was the first-ever Israel pavilion actually located – in 1970?
That question might not seem to be of earth-shaking importance, but then again, it’s the kind of question for which, so far, no one I’ve asked has come up with an unequivocal answer.
Still, I would hope the following story might lead to a resolution of somewhat of a mystery: Where was that first-ever Israel pavilion located – in 1970?
The argument was touched off by my writing in the August 2 issue that, prior to the Israel pavilion moving to the Asper Campus in 1997, its home had always been the old YMHA on Hargrave. (I simply assumed that was the case, but I hadn’t really thought to look into it prior to my writing that.)
Sure enough, one of our readers – Roz Greenfeld, sent me an email telling me that the Israel pavilion had been held in what was called “Council House” in the Golden Age Club on Pritchard and Salter (which was also the home for the National Council of Jewish Women, hence the name “Council House.”)
Here is what Roz wrote: “Good morning Bernie. As always glad to see my Jewish Post arrived this morning ! While I was reading about Shalom Square and the connection to the Jewish Post, there is one small error. Shalom Square started at the Golden Age club in 1970! It may have also been called the Council House! It was on Pritchard and Salter – a 2 floor walk up!!
“I know, because I was the representative for Shalom Square in 1971. (Ed. note: Roz would would have been Roz Bernstein back then.) Even back then, the Jewish Post had several articles and pictures about Shalom Square and Folklorama
“They did a great job !!
“Roz”
Roz’s email got me to wondering: She says that the Israel pavilion was located in the Golden Age Club in 1970, and that may well have been the case, but she also says that she didn’t represent Shalom Square until 1971. That does leave open the possibility that the very first Israel pavilion – in 1970, might have been located somewhere else altogether.
I tried to find any reference to some sort of Israel representation – of any sort, during that 1970 festival, by looking through Jewish Posts from 1970 but, unfortunately, wasn’t able to find anything.
So, I turned to two experts whose history with Folklorama goes back quite a long time: Avrom Charach, who’s served as president of Folklorama as well as having been a long-time volunteer at the Israel pavilion – also an ambassador, and who, along with his father, Barney, has been connected to Folklorama for the longest time; and Reeva Nepon, executive director of the Chai Folk Ensemble. (I figured that, since Chai has been a part of every Israel pavilion for as long as I can remember, that there might be some record of where Chai first danced in Folklorama.)
Now, here’s where the controversy really gets heated. While Reeva answered that she couldn’t find any archival material going back earlier than 1972 – and she sent me some picture from that year of Chai dancers, she did say she would try to go through her archives at a later date.
But Avrom Charach really muddied the waters, in response to the question: Where was the very first Israel pavilion? I also told Avrom that the Wikipedia article about Folklorama does not mention an Israel pavilion as being a part of that original 1970 celebration.
With regard to the question whether there was an Israel pavilion in 1970, Avrom wrote: “Folklorama certified that we were an original founding member in 1970, that Mary Kelekis and I used to speak about this, and that we had Jewish founders of the festival; the founders were all involved in pavilions.”
Avrom added: “I have spoken to some original dancers who said they performed in 1970. It was on the stage in the small gym at Hargrave – I was there but only remember Monte Hall cutting a ribbon to open the pavilion on night 1.”
Now, I had a couple of issues with Avrom’s response. First, why would the very first Israel pavilion have been at the Y – in 1970, only to move to the Golden Age Club (a much smaller venue) in 1971? Second, in an article in The Jewish Post in 1971, it was noted that Chai was to perform only one night during Folklorama in 1971. (The entertainment on the first night of Folklorama in 1971 was provided by none other than Rabbi Zalman Schachter as a raconteur and someone named Ted Nyder as a singer.) Chai performed only on the Monday night of the festival that year. Also, there were different entertainers every night of the festival, with none performing more than one evening. So, the notion that dancers from Chai remembered dancing at the Y in 1970 might also be attributable to foggy memories from whomever it was that Avrom contacted.
Yet, Avrom added this in a later email: “I will concede that as a four-year-old my memory could be of the NCJW building on Pritchard, but I do strongly remember being on my father’s shoulders and looking at a permanent raised stage. If Pritchard had that type of stage the location in my mind could be wrong.”
Thus, the issue where the first Israel pavilion was located remains unresolved. Also, while we’re pretty sure the Israel pavilion moved to the Y for the next 25 years in 1972, we’re not absolutely sure of that. If anyone could shed some light on the questions raised here, you can either email me at jewishp@mymts.net or call me at 204-694-3332.
Post script: Since this article first appeared in the August 16 issue of The Jewish Post & News, and thanks to responses from some readers of the paper, I was able to determine conclusively, not only where the Israel pavilion was held the first year of Folklorama – in 1970, also where it was held every year thereafter.
But, if you’ve read this far you’re going to have to wait until after the August 30 issue of the paper is published for answers. I owe it to readers of the paper to give them first dibs on the resolution of the mystery.
Local News
Arthur V. Mauro Institute for Peace & Justice at St. Paul’s College to offer series of lectures
The Mauro Institute is very pleased to be offering the first two events in a new series – The Hersh and Arna Shefrin Dialogues on Peace and Conflict Resolution.
Dialogue #1 – Wednesday, September 17 | 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm | Hanley Hall (Room 220) St. Paul’s College (reception to follow)
The Hersh and Arna Shefrin Dialogues on Peace and Conflict Resolution
Resisting the Perceived Limits of Dialogue
Middle powers such as Canada depend on the power of dialogue to create institutions and agreements with dispute settlement mechanisms designed to level the playing field with big powers. The post-war architecture of multilateralism that depended on American leadership and involvement and the willingness to underwrite the global operating system is fractured with President Donald Trump’s premise to “make America great again”. This presentation by former Canadian diplomat, Colin Robertson and roundtable discussion will consider if it can be put back together or how it should change, and what forms of dialogue that would entail.
Panelists will include Dr. Ursula Lehmkuhl and Dr. Manuel Fröhlich of Trier University, and Dr. James Fergusson and Dr. Stephan Jaeger of the University of Manitoba. The roundtable discussion will be moderated by Dr. Andrea Charron, Director, Centre for Defence and Security Studies, and Professor, International Relations University of Manitoba
Reserve your free tickets to the lecture 7:00 pm, in-person at St. Paul’s College
Livestream on the Mauro Institute YouTube channel.
Dialogue #2 – Thursday, September 25 | 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm | Fr. Jensen SJ Theatre (Room 100) St. Paul’s College
The Hersh and Arna Shefrin Dialogues on Peace and Conflict Resolution
Leading With Compassion Amid Conflict and Violence
Deep human connection and providing service from a place of compassion is increasingly difficult in our complex and polarizing world. In our quest for peace and justice, is compassion simply a pollyannish illusion? Come, hear, and have a conversation with our panelists who have strived to bring compassion into their work in different ways. Hear their challenges and triumphs as they dared to lead with compassion in times of conflict and violence.
Panelists will include Dr. Bob Chrismas, Team Lead, Winnipeg Community Safety Team, Dr. Shauna Labman, Executive Director, Global College and Associate Professor, University of Winnipeg, and Devon Clunis, Former Chief of Police, Winnipeg Police Service, Author, and International Consultant. The roundtable discussion will be moderated by Dr. Melanie Soderstrom, Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba
The Hersh and Arna Shefrin Dialogues on Peace and Conflict Resolution are free and open to all. The dialogues are both in-person and available to be streamed on the Mauro Institute’s YouTube channel.
Reserve your free tickets to the lecture 7:00 pm, in-person at St. Paul’s College (free pre-lecture reception from 6:30 pm)
Livestream on the Mauro Institute YouTube channel.
[ALSO: Save the Date – the 2025 Sol Kanee Lecture on Peace and Justice is Monday, November 3, 7:00 pm at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights]
The Hersh and Arna Shefrin Dialogues on Peace and Conflict Resolution are generously supported by a gift from Dr. Hersh [BSc(Hons)/70] and Arna Shefrin [DipDHyg/70; BA/71]. The Shefrin Dialogues were established to invite two (or more) leading thinkers / speakers with different views of a specific conflict to present and exchange perspectives on topical issues related to peace, justice, and conflict resolution.
The Hersh and Arna Shefrin Dialogues on Peace and Conflict Resolution are free and open to all. The dialogues are both in-person and available to be streamed on the Mauro Institute’s YouTube channel.
Local News
Winnipeg Friends of Israel to present 2 interesting talks
Winnipeg Friends of Israel are thrilled to welcome Dr. Ted Rosenberg on Sunday, September 14 at 7:00 PM for a presentation that promises to be powerful, timely, and deeply moving.
Dr. Rosenberg will share insights from his new book, Ayekha (Where Are You?), and speak about his experiences at the University of British Columbia — where he made national headlines after resigning from the medical school in protest of its failure to address antisemitism. His story is both courageous and inspiring, and it calls on each of us to consider: Where are we when our community is under attack?
The evening will be moderated by Dr. Bryan Shwartz, and will include time for Q&A with Dr. Rosenberg.
📖 About the Book
Ayekha draws from Torah, the October 7 Hamas massacre, and today’s alarming rise in antisemitism. It challenges Jews and allies to confront hate with clarity, action, and moral responsibility. All book sales support the first Jewish day school in Victoria, BC, founded on October 7, 2024.
Copies are available on Amazon, and thanks to Dr. Cathy Moser, you can also pre-order directly (email: cathy.g.moser@gmail.com). Dr. Rosenberg will gladly autograph your copy after the event.
📅 Date: Sunday, September 14
🕖 Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Shared upon registration
👉 Register here: https://tinyurl.com/mv8tvwhv
📰 Dr. Rosenberg was recently featured in the Canadian Jewish News. You can read more here: CJN article
Don’t miss this inspiring and thought-provoking evening — one that speaks to our moment in history and to the responsibility each of us carries.
We are also invited to attend another timely and exciting event and hope you could join us.
The Druze of Syria and Israel: A New Chapter
Join us for a rare and intimate fireside chat with Carlos Matni and Adham Tayfour — both members of the Syrian Druze community now living in Manitoba.
🌿 Discover the untold struggles, resilience, and hopes of the Druze community in Sweida, Syria.
🤝 Learn how Israel is stepping in during a time of crisis.
🌍 Explore the possibilities for collaboration between the Druze and Jewish communities — a conversation of unity, survival, and shared future.
📅 Thursday, September 18
🕢 7:30 PM
📍 Location provided upon registration
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insight, ask questions, and be part of an important dialogue that bridges cultures and communities.
👉 Register now to reserve your spot:
https://shorturl.fm/SoWuv
Local News
Long-time Winnipeg doctor and Israeli colleague make medical app available to general public
By MYRON LOVE Seven years ago, Dr. Gerald Minuk, Canada’s first hepatologist (liver specialist), partnered with Israeli computer science student Daniel Iluz-Freundlich in founding Refuah Solutions Ltd (RSL). Their goal was to create an app – which they called PI-enroll (“PI” stands for “Principal Investigator”), which was designed to be used by clinical trial investigators that would save them time and effort so they could be more personally involved in seeing their trial patients.
Last month, they released their second app, this time for patients. The app, called Patient-empower, informs patients about clinical trials underway for their condition and helps them make an informed decision as to which trial best meets their specific needs and preferences.
“I was approaching retirement,” recalls Minuk, now Rady School of Medicine Professor Emeritus, who has been in practice in Winnipeg since 1987, and “I couldn’t see myself filling my days doing crossword puzzles or Sudoku. I wanted to be able to continue contributing to medical research and patient care.”
It just so happened that, at the time, Minuk was introduced to an Israeli student, Daniel Iluz-Freundlich, who had just finished studying Computer Sciences at the University of Winnipeg. (Minuk notes that Iluz-Freundlich – on graduating – received the Gold Medal in Computer Science.)
“Daniel is an exceptionally talented young man,” Minuk says. “So I tapped his computer programming skills to create our PI-enroll and subsequently, our Patient-empower apps.”
The friendship continued after Iluz-Freundlich returned to Israel in 2020 to begin medical school on a Phil and Elle Kives Scholarship, where he earned numerous honors. Iluz-Freundlich is currently an intensivist anesthesiologist at the Beilinson Hospital in Israel. Despite his new professional responsibilities, including caring for IDF forces wounded in Gaza– he has remained active with Refuah – as vice-president of the company.
Minuk adds that a dozen other senior professors of medicine also contributed to Refuah’s software design. “Together,” he reports, “the company represents 400+ years of clinical trial experience. That experience is being applied to identifying and addressing the major challenges investigators and patients face when conducting or participating in clinical trials.”`
He adds that Refuah Solutions has established a truly global network with company personnel in San Diego, São Paulo, Mexico City, London, Barcelona, Nairobi and Delhi thus far.
According to Minuk, the company has enjoyed worldwide success – with over 2,000 doctors in 40 countries and 50 drug companies signed on for the PI-enroll app. He attributes this success to the app’s impressive results. In a recent global clinical trial, Minuk reports, within 3-6 months of implementing PI-enroll, investigator personal involvement increased by 60% and with that, patient enrolment increased by 80%, patient drop-outs decreased by 50% and there were 20% fewer protocol deviations (mistakes made). In addition, 90% of PIs rated the App 8 out of 10 in terms of usefulness.
He adds that one site that had not enrolled any patients for 12 months, subsequently became the trial’s leading enrolment site.
Regarding the newly released Patient-empower app, Minuk notes that despite the many benefits patients derive from clinical trials including free and early access to new and often safer and more effective treatments, fewer than 10% of patients who would qualify for a clinical trial are ever invited to consider that option. “The problem,” he explains, “is that most Health Care Providers are either unaware of what clinical trials are underway in their area or if they are aware, don’t have the time to discuss the trials with their patients.”
Therefore, Minuk, Iluz-Freundlich and their team designed and recently released their second app – Patient-empower – which informs patients of what clinical trials are underway for their condition and empowers them to select the trial that prioritizes their needs over those of industry.
The platform, he explains, uses AI to generate concise, easy-to-understand summaries of clinical trials tailored to the patient’s location—city, state, country, or globally, depending on their preference. Each summary includes clear explanations of the patient eligibility criteria and key practical details, such as the likelihood of patients receiving a placebo, the number of required site visits, and other important practical considerations. It also suggests questions that patients should consider asking the investigator before they consent to enrolling. The trial information is presented in a shareable format to facilitate discussions with family, friends, and local healthcare providers—supporting both patient confidence and continuity of care.
Once a trial is selected, Minuk continues, Patient-empower provides the contact information for the trial investigator closest to the patient’s location, the trial’s sponsor and, where available, the world’s experts in the field.
The feature Minuk is most enthusiastic about is the “Recent Findings” page which keeps patients up to date on newly published clinical trial results and discoveries relevant to their condition.
“Patient-empower is available to patients from internet venues (App Store or Google Play) or through NFP organizations, associations, societies and patient support group web-sites,” he adds. “Although only recently released, we have already attracted interest from the American Diabetes Association, the Alzheimer’s Society of America, the Canadian Liver Foundation, Colorectal Cancer Canada, the American Myasthenia Gravis Society and many others.”
“Overall, Patient-empower informs patients, and more informed patients benefit everyone involved. After all, it’s the patient’s health; their voice should be heard,” Minuk concludes.