Local News
Simkin Centre receives positive review from WRHA following unannounced inspection
By BERNIE BELLAN As a result of the many problems associated with personal care homes in Winnipeg, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority has been conducting unannounced inspections of personal care homes throughout the city.
On May 26 a team of five, including three representatives from Manitoba Health and two from the WRHA, visited the Simkin Centre.
Their report was released July 5.
The team assessed the Simkin Centre in 15 different areas. In conducting the review, the team members spoke with 10 different residents of the centre along with 24 staff members. In addition, 17 different family members also responded to questions posed by the team. The report does not make clear the process by which respondents were chosen to respond to questions.
Respondents were asked to answer questions with one of six possible responses:
Always; Usually; Neutral; Rarely; Never; No comment.
When it came to residents’ responses to questions, they were generally quite positive. For instance, when asked “Do you find this home to be clean and comfortable?” five residents responded “Always,” while five said “Usually.”
When asked, “Do you feel safe in this home?” nine answered “Always,” while one answered “Usually.”
There were 10 questions posed to residents altogether. The one question that elicited only one response of “Always” and only two responses of “Usually”, but six “Neutral” responses was this: “Do you like the food here?”
In follow-up comments the review noted that residents were asked, “If you could change three things about this home, what would you change?”
The one area that received the most responses had to do with food. The review noted that “Four of the ten residents interviewed identified food and the menu as something they would change such as: more resident preferences, variety in menu, food familiar to this generation, better food and more diverse menu that reflects the diverse population.” (emphasis mine).
Readers of this paper might recall that a few months back we delved into the question whether having to serve only kosher food at the Simkin Centre was having an effect on the overall quality of the food served to residents. At the time we noted that many privately run Jewish personal care homes in the United States had begun offering both kosher and non-kosher meals to residents.
At the same time we wondered just how many residents of the Simkin Centre were not Jewish. We had written that anecdotally we had been told by some residents that there was a much higher proportion of non-Jewish residents at the centre than had previously been the case.
In response, Gerry Kaplan, Chair of the Simkin Centre Board of Directors, wrote: “Regarding the ratio of Jewish to non-Jewish residents, over the years approximately 60% to 65% of our residents have been Jewish. As Laurie Cerqueti (CEO of the Simkin Centre) noted when you contacted her, the numbers vary over time.”
In response to an email I had sent to Laurie Cerqueti on July 13, asking her how many of the residents at the Simkin Centre currently are not Jewish, Laurie wrote back (on July 18): “We currently have 90 non Jewish Residents living at the Centre” (emphasis mine).
(Ed. note: That figure equates to 45% of the residents at the centre, if the centre is at maximum capacity). Laurie added: “ We continue to be the home of choice for Jews and non-Jews that require personal care home services. As I have mentioned previously, people from the Jewish community are priorized for admission to Simkin and are admitted pretty much immediately.”
With regard to the quality and diversity of food, however, Rabbi Yosef Benarroch, Spiritual Leader of the Adas Yeshurun-Herzlia Congregation, also head of the Vaad Hakashrut of Winnipeg, objected to my contention that the quality of food at the Simkin Centre was not as good as it could be if the Simkin Centre were not required to remain fully kosher. Rabbi Benarroch wrote in a January email: “I was quite surprised to read your piece on the Simkin advocating for the facility to go non kosher and provide packaged meals for those who want kosher. In the seven years that I have been overseeing Kashrut at the Simkin there has not been a single such request. Not from the administration, not from residents and not from families including the non Jewish residents. The quality of the food is excellent and I can say this first hand with my mother being a resident.”
The responses from residents to other questions were unilaterally positive; however, one should bear in mind that the sample size (10 residents out of a total population that could be up to 200 depending on the number of vacancies at any given time) of residents was quite small. Also, one might bear in mind that many of the residents are not in a position to be able to respond in a cogent manner to questions of the sort that the review team posed.
Still, when it came to responses from family members (of whom there were 17 who gave responses), again the responses were generally quite positive, ranging from 15 out of 17 responding “Always” to two questions about whether the staff treats family members respectfully, to does the staff take time to talk to you and answer your questions?
Following are some comments from family members:
“The following statements are from my Mom, when asked what do you feel about her unit. ‘Everything is so clean’, ‘I feel safe’, ‘very well trained’, ‘I enjoy the activities’, ‘the food is good’, ‘caring and kind’, ‘you’re funny’, ‘I love their smiling eyes’, ‘staff are good natured’, ‘patient’, ‘fast response’, ‘loving’ and ‘I feel cared for’. I feel so blessed and comforted that my Mom is at Simkin. The communication is outstanding! The nurses and doctors and entire team treat my Mom like their own. Her above comments tell our story. I am so impressed with the safety protocols, meal delivery, personal protective equipment supplies, housekeeping and medical care. Simkin was our first choice at paneling and it still is our first choice after six months.”
“Some patients need more fluids so they should be encouraged to drink more.”
“I am grateful to all staff. COVID has been awful but staff have been heroic.”
When it comes to staff responses to questions, while the general attitude was quite positive, the one area that jumps out has to do with staffing, where six out of the 24 respondents answered either “Neutral” or “Rarely” in response to the question: “Do you feel there is adequate staffing in your department to complete all work required?”
However, when it came to assessing the Simkin Centre’s response to dealing with infection control and prevention during Covid, the responses were overwhelmingly positive, with 24 respondents saying the centre “Always” or “Usually” responded well.
Many of the staff added comments about working at Simkin. The issue of wanting higher wages surfaced several times. Here are all the comments received from staff:
“It has been 5 years since our contract was renewed. I am considered an essential worker but they can’t give me a cost of living raise.
“Simkin Centre has a strong sense of teamwork. Management builds strength in their team by assigning responsibilities and training for the job they are trained to do. When things are not going well, nursing management has an open door policy to take forward any issues, concerns and frustrations. Problem solving is key at Simkin. We meet as a team and work quickly to problem solve, educate, train or adapt to the situation in front of us. The slogan Simkin strong / Simkin cares. It has built morale with all departments.
“I am quite happy with management. They do try and provide what we need.
“PCH’s need more funding to hire more staff to increase the resident’s quality of life and to decrease staff burn out, both physically and mentally. The pandemic has proved that we need to do better for PCHs, now more than ever.
“An amazing facility! I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else. The care at the home is second to none!
“I have worked her (sic.) at Simkin for over 25 years. And have always enjoyed it for the opportunity of having a full time job and doing something that helps others.
“There are always things that can be improved BUT overall, Simkin is a good facility to work at. Recreation is a priority and has a healthy budget.
“Barely functioning on my department due to lack of staffing. People are stressed out and overworked. Almost always have to expect to work short and extra hours. Long time casuals and part timers don’t like to pick up hours because work environment is not enjoyable or feel it’s worth it.
“We need additional staffing for housekeeping and we need increase for
Local News
A local vocal extravaganza
By Dr. RAY SINGER I just experienced a revelatory weekend of superb vocal music, about which I wanted to share.
First, on attending Shaarey Zedek for Shabbat morning services I was pleasantly amazed at what was transpiring: Marlaina Sommer was beautifully singing her way through her own Bat Mitzvah service. Having married into a famous local musical family, I was not surprised also to hear her daughter and son-in-law, Sarah Sommer and Justin Odwak, sing – with their ethereal voices flowing over the congregants. Spouse and father Hillel provided percussion.
That was just for starters. My wife and I then attended the first concert in the Asper Jazz Series to hear the New York Voices in their Grand Finale concert tour, Winnipeg being the only Canadian stop on their tour.
Singing as a quartet for 38 years, their jazz singing was superb – with intricate harmonies, scat solos and amazing jazz vocals in the style of Lambert, Hendricks and Ross. They displayed exquisite control, and also interacted well with the audience.
Our final vocal musical experience was most revelatory and meaningful. This event was held on Sunday in the Laudamus theatre on the C.M. U. campus
It was organized by the Women’s Music Club of Winnipeg. Little did I know that club has been bringing in musicians of world stature for 130 years. If not for the kindness of our neighbours, Professors Harry and Mary Lynn Duckworth, we would not have known of this concert, entitled: “In a Dark Blue Night.” The title was written in both English and Yiddish in the program notes.
The music was performed by two wondrous musicians: Isabelle David, pianist and Sara Schabas, solo soprano. They performed a song cycle by the Pulitzer Prize-nominated, N.Y.C.-based Jewish composer Alex Weiser.
The first half of the concert consisted of Leiders by Viennese composers of the early to mid-20th century, all of whom were Jewish or in relationships with other Jewish composers. The composers included: Arnold Schoenberg, Alma Mahler, Erich Korngold, and others. Sara’s rendering of their songs and poems set to music was transcendent and emotive.
The narrator of theevent, Nolan Kehler, himself a musician and music radio host, was excellent in detailing the Zeitgeist around those Viennese composers and how they had to flee Vienna in the late ’30s. At least two were murdered in the Holocaust.
The second half of the concert was even more amazing. Alex Weiser composed music to accompany selected poems written by Jewish immigrants to New York early in the 20th century. Sara, having sung most of the songs in the first half in German, and one in English, then sang those poems beautifully – this time in Yiddish. Then, as a finale she sang a Gershwin medley. To add icing to this note-worthy cake, the pianist played the most challenging dramatic part of “Rhapsody in Blue,” knocking it out of the park
Thus, in one weekend I heard a Sarah and a Sara, and am grateful for our musical riches, especially brought to Winnipeg by both the Mennonite and Jewish communities. I am no music reviewer, but can appreciate the talent and artistry displayed by both Isabelle’s David and by Sara Schabas And, great news: Sara, who is from Montreal has landed a job teaching in the Desautels Faculty of Music. Hopefully many more of us will get a chance to hear her.
Local News
Jewish Foundation Endowment Book Of Life program Sunday, November 1st
By BERNIE BELLAN The Jewish Foundation of Manitoba first launched its Endowment Book of Life legacy programme in 1998.
This charitable initiative allows donors to promise a future bequest to the foundation in exchange for having their personal history, family experiences, and philanthropic values permanently inscribed in a physical and digital archive.
On Sunday morning, November 1, the Jewish Foundation held its most recent Endowment Book of Life event followed by a brunch at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue. There were five new entries into the Book of Life, from: Brownie Fleishman – in memory of her parents, Beryl and Esther Pierce; Marilyn Goldberg – in memory of her husband, Dr. Norman Goldberg; Melissa Rice – in memory of her husband, Richard Rice; Sharon Wolchock, in memory of her husband, Sid Wolchock; and Anna and Lyle Silverman.
The signers were introduced by Jewish Foundation CEO John Diamond, who, in addressing the signers, said: “Your stories, your generosity, and your commitment to the future of our community will continue to inspire others for generations to come. Thank you for making this meaningful commitment.”
Diamond read excerpts from what the signers had written in the Book of Life or described what had led some of them to be motivated to want to be part of the Book of Life.
From Brownie Fleishman’s inscription about her parents, Beryl and Esther Pierce, Diamond read: “The story of the Pierce family began in Winnipeg in the early 20th century, when Beryl and Esther Pierce came to Canada to establish a new life for themselves and their children.
“Beryl Benjamin Pierce was born in 1883 in Poltova, then part of the Russian Empire, and now Ukraine. He immigrated to Canada in 1912 and settled in Winnipeg, where he became a pioneer in the fur industry. A skilled designer and cutter, he established Pierce Fur Company in the Exchange District. The building that housed that business was later designated a municipal historic building.”
From Marilyn Goldberg’s inscription about her late husband, Norman: “Norman had a deep connection to Judaism and to the Jewish community. He attended synagogue regularly and served on the boards of both the Rosh Pina and the Shaarey Zedek synagogues. He was a leader in the efforts to change the Shaarey Zedek cemetery rules to allow interfaith couples to be buried together. His commitment to Tikun Olam extended to reaching out to the larger world. He helped lead the community’s efforts to settle refugees from Darfur.
“Our children characterized his faith this way: ‘His was a Judaism that was not orthodox in practice, but deeply rooted in Jewish values, tradition, and faith. This led him to good deeds, good words, a good life.’ “
From Melissa Rice’s inscription about her late husband, Richard: “Richard was immensely proud of his Jewish faith and heritage. He celebrated his bar mitzvah, participated in Kadima and AZA, and formed friendships that would last a lifetime.
“His close friend circle included and many who shared countless adventures, misadventures, and laughs over the years. Their friendships endured because Richard understood something important. Relationships require time, loyalty, and commitment.”
John Diamond spoke about Anna and Lyle Silverman’s long commitment to the Jewish community: “Both Anna and Lyle have always been strong philanthropic supporters of the local Jewish community, of Israel, and of Holocaust education.
“A commitment that was reinforced a few years ago after they had participated in an emotionally draining and unforgettable March of the Living trip that took them to the gates of Auschwitz. Their ongoing support of the Jewish community is also inspired by Anna’s memory of the tremendous help that her family received from the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society when they landed in Montreal as refugees. Their story goes on to say they have been lucky in love and in business, and now as they continue to enjoy a long, comfortable, and well deserved retirement, they are eager to share their good fortune with others. ‘We have a wonderful life and couldn’t ask for anything more,’ Lyle says, ‘so now it is time to give back.’
“Through hard work, a commitment to education, and a strong connection to their Jewish community, they built a family whose succeeding generations continue to benefit from the opportunities they created.”
Diamond said this about Sharon Wolchock’s inscription about her late husband, Sid: “Sid was Sharon’s biggest supporter. Her volunteer work with the National Council of Jewish Women and the Jewish Federation mattered as much to him as his own legal career, and he backed it fully. He wanted Sharon and their daughters rooted in the Jewish community in whatever way suited each of them. In 1983, on Sid and Sharon’s first trip to Israel, Sid’s lifelong connection with the Jewish state was born.
“Sid’s love of aviation and history and his pride in being a Jew emerged during that trip. He became a passionate supporter of Israel’s soldiers and donated club rooms on two Air Force bases named for his brothers Harvey and Bernie so that the hardworking and often underappreciated technical crews had somewhere pleasant to relax.”
Following the ceremonial signing ceremony, guests in attendance were treated to entertainment by a quartet of talented singers: Julia Kroft, Josh Bellan, Alyssa Crockett, and Vinnie Alberto.
Closing out the day’s programme, current Jewish Foundation Board Chair Dafna Shore paid tribute to this year’s signers – and to the more than 800 signers of the Book of Life who had preceded them:
Shore said: “What makes this program so extraordinary and why it continues to resonate with so many people is the opportunity it gives us to share the stories that shape who we are, stories that might not otherwise have been told.
“Through the Endowment Book of Life, these stories are given a permanent home. Together, they form a living history of Jewish life in Manitoba, one filled with resilience, compassion, humor, and hope. These stories are more than a record of the past. They offer lessons for the future, showing generations to come, what it means to belong, to give, and to take responsibility for the strength of our community. Thank you for adding your voice and your vision.
“To this collection and for making a legacy commitment to the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, your generation helps ensure that the programs, schools, and organizations that sustain Jewish life here will continue to thrive for generations to come.
“One of the great privileges of serving as chair is helping advance the Foundation’s mission, securing our community’s future while supporting its growth today. The Endowment Book of Life embodies that mission beautifully. It reminds us that each of us in our own way has the power to make a lasting difference.
“As we reflect on the importance of leaving a lasting legacy, I’d also like to take a moment to remember two valued members of the Jewish Foundation and Manitoba family who we lost this past year, Sheldon Berney and Lillian Neaman.
“Both served as governors of the Foundation, demonstrating their commitment to our community through their leadership and service. We are grateful for their contributions and the role they played in helping strengthen the foundation. Their memories remind us that a lasting legacy is built through the generosity, dedication, and commitment of those that came before us. May their memories be a blessing.
“As long as members of our community continue to invest in tomorrow, through their generosity, their readership, and their willingness to share their stories, Jewish life in Manitoba will continue to flourish. Thank you all for being part of that story.”
Local News
Application filed by two former members of Etz Chayim Congregation against the congregation to have their memberships restored dismissed by judge
The following is taken from the Canadian Jewish News website: “Manitoba’s Court of King’s Bench has dismissed Hadass Eviatar and David Hoult’s application challenging the termination of their membership at Congregation Etz Chayim. In his decision, Justice Vic Toews noted that, although Hoult’s letter describing a hypothetical attack on the synagogue may have lacked sensitivity given the political climate, he did not intend to threaten violence against congregants. However, the judge ruled that the court did not have jurisdiction to intervene in the membership dispute under Manitoba’s Corporations Act, finding that the couple had no financial, proprietary or economic interest that would entitle them to the remedies they sought. The judge concluded that religious organizations are generally free to determine their own membership rules and ordered each side to bear its own legal costs.”
If you would like to read the original article that broke the story about the battle between Hadaass Eviatar and David Hoult with Etz Chayim Congregation you can go to Epic Court Battle.”
