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
Winnipeg Jewish Theatre breaks new ground with co-production with Rainbow Stage
By MYRON LOVE Winnipeg Jewish Theatre is breaking new ground with its first ever co-production with Rainbow Stage. The new partnership’s presentation of “Fiddler on the Roof” is scheduled to hit the stage at our city’s famed summer musical theatre venue in September 2026.
“We have collaborated with other theatre companies in joint productions before,” notes Dan Petrenko, the WJT’s artistic and managing director – citing previous partnerships with the Segal Centre for the Performing Arts in Montreal, the Harold Green Jewish Theatre in Toronto, Persephone Theatre in Saskatoon and Winnipeg’s own Dry Cold Productions. “Because of the times we’re living through, and particularly the growing antisemitism in our communities and across the country, I felt there is a need to tell a story that celebrates Jewish culture on the largest stage in the city – to reach as many people as possible.”
Last year, WJT approached Rainbow Stage with a proposal for the co-presentation of “Fiddler on the Roof.” Rainbow Stage management was really enthusiastic in their response, Petrenko reports.
“We are excited to be working with Winnipeg’s largest musical theatre company,” he notes. “Rainbow Stage has an audience of more than 10,000 people every season. Fiddler is a great, family-oriented story and, through our joint effort with Rainbow Stage, WJT will be able to reach out to new and younger audiences.”
“We are also working to welcome more diverse audiences from other communities, as well as newcomers – families who have moved here from Israel, Argentina and countries of the former Soviet Union.”
Helping Petrenko to achieve those goals are two relatively new and younger additions to WJT’s management team. Both Company Manager Etel Shevelev, and Head of Marketing Julia Kroft are in their 20s – as is Petrenko himself.
Kroft, who is also Gray Academy’s Associate Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations, needs little or no introduction to many readers. In addition to her work for Gray Academy and WJT, the daughter of David and Ellen Kroft has been building a second career as a singer and actor. Over the past few years, she has performed by herself or as part of a musical ensemble at Jewish community events, as well as in various professional theatre productions in the city.
Etel Shevelev is also engaged in a dual career. In addition to working full time at WJT, she is also a Fine Arts student (majoring in graphic design) at the University of Manitoba. Outside of school, she is an interdisciplinary visual artist (exhibiting her work and running workshops), so you can say the art world is no stranger to her.
(She will be partcipating in Limmud next month as a member of the Rimon Art Collective.)
Shevelev grew up in Kfar Saba (northeast of Tel Aviv). She reports that in Israel she was involved in theatre from a young age. “In 2019, I graduated from a youth theatre school, which I attended for 11 years.” In a sense, her work for WJT brings her full circle.
She arrived in Winnipeg just six years ago with her parents. “I was 19 at the time,” she says.
After just a year in Winnipeg, her family decided to relocate to Ottawa, while she chose to stay here. “I was already enrolled in university, had a long-term partner, and a job,” she explains. “I felt that I was putting down roots in Winnipeg.”
Etel expects to graduate by the end of the academic year, allowing her to focus on the arts professionally full-time.
In her role as company manager, Shevelev notes, she is responsible for communications with donors, contractors, and unions, as well as applying for various grants and funding opportunities.
In addition, her linguistic skills were put to use last spring for WJT’s production of “The Band’s Visit,” a story about an Egyptian band that was invited to perform at a cultural centre opening ceremony in the lively centre of Israel, but ended up in the wrong place – a tiny, communal town in southern Israel. Shevelev was called on to help some of the performers with the pronunciation of Hebrew words and with developing a Hebrew accent.
“I love working for WJT,” she enthuses. “Every day is different.”
Shevelev and Petrenko are also enthusiastic about WJT’s next production – coming up in April: “Ride: The Musical” debuted in London’s West End three years ago, and then went on to play at San Diego’s Old Globe theatre to rave reviews. The WJT production will be the Canadian premiere!
The play, Petrenko says, is based on the true story of Annie Londonderry, a young woman – originally from Latvia, who, in 1894, beat all odds and became the first woman to circle the world on a bicycle.
Petrenko is also happy to announce that the director and choreographer for the production will be Lisa Stevens – an Emmy Award nominee and Olivier Award winner. (The Olivier is presented annually by the Society of London Theatre to recognize excellence in professional London theatre).
“Lisa is in great demand across Canada, and the world really,” the WJT artistic director says. “I am so thrilled that we will be welcoming one of the greatest Jewish directors and choreographers of our time to Winnipeg this Spring.”
For more information about upcoming WJT shows, readers can visit wjt.ca, email the WJT office at info@wjt.ca or phone the box office at 204-477-7515.
Local News
Rising Canadian comedy star Rob Bebenek to headline JCFS’ second annual “Comedy for a Cause”
By MYRON LOVE Last year, faced with a federal government budget cut to its Older Adult Services programs, Jewish Child and Family Service launched a new fundraising initiative. “Comedy with a Cause” was held at Rumor’s Comedy club and featured veteran Canadian stand-up comic Dave Hemstad.
That evening was so successful that – by popular demand – JCFS is doing an encore. “We were blown away by the support from the community,” says Al Benarroch, JCFS’s president and CEO.
“This is really a great way to support JCFS by being together and having fun,” he says.
“Last year, JCFS was able to sell-out the 170 tickets it was allotted by Rumor’s,” adds Alexis Wenzowski, JCFS’s COO. “There were also general public attendees at the event last year. Participants enjoyed a fun evening, complete with a 50/50 draw and raffle. We were incredibly grateful for those who turned out, the donors for the raffle baskets, and of course, Rumor’s Comedy Club.
“Feedback was very positive about it being an initiative that encouraged people to have fun for a good cause: our Older Adult Services Team.”
This year’s “Comedy for a Cause” evening is scheduled for Wednesday, February 25. Wenzowski reports that this year’s featured performer, Rob Bebenek, first made a splash on the Canadian comedy scene at the 2018 Winnipeg Comedy festival. He has toured extensively throughout North America, appearing in theatres, clubs and festivals. He has also made several appearances on MTV as well as opening shows for more established comics, such as Gerry Dee and the late Bob Saget.
For the 2026 show, Wenzowski notes, Rumors’ is allotting JCFS 200 tickets. As with last year, there will also be some raffle baskets and a 50/50 draw.
“Our presenting sponsors for the evening,” she reports, “are the Vickar Automotive Group and Kay Four Properties Incorporated.”
The funds raised from this year’s comedy evening are being designated for the JCFS Settlement and Integration Services Department. “JCFS chose to do this because of our reduction in funding last year by the federal government to this department,” Wenzowski points out.
“Last year alone,” she reports, “our Settlement and Integration Services team settled 118 newcomer families – from places like Israel, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina. Each year, our program supports even more newcomer families with things like case management, supportive counselling, employment coaching, workshops, programming for newcomer seniors, and more.”
“We hope to raise more than $15,000 through this event for our Settlement and Integration Program,” Al Benarroch adds. “The team does fantastic work, and we know that our newcomer Jewish families need the supports from JCFS. I want to thank our sponsors, Rumor’s Comedy Club, and attendees for supporting us.”
Tickets for the show cost $40 and are available to purchase by calling JCFS (204-477-7430) or by visiting here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/jcfs-comedy-for-a-cause. Sponsorships are still available.
Local News
Ninth Shabbat Unplugged highlight of busy year for Winnipeg Hillel
By MYRON LOVE Lindsay Kerr, Winnipeg’s Hillel director, is happy to report that this year’s ninth Shabbat UnPlugged, held on the weekend of January 9-11, attracted approximately 90 students from 11 different universities, including 20 students who were from out of town.
Shabbat UnPlugged was started in 2016 by (now-retired) Dr. Sheppy Coodin, who was a science teacher at Gray Academy, along with fellow Gray Academy teacher Avi Posen (who made aliyah in 2019) – building on the Shabbatons that Gray Academy had been organizing for the school’s high school students for many years.
The inaugural Shabbat UnPlugged was so successful that Coodin and Posen did it again in 2017 and took things one step further by combining their Shabbat UnPlugged with Hillel’s annual Shabbat Shabang Shabbaton that brings together Jewish university students from Winnipeg and other Jewish university students from Western Canada.
As in the past, this year’s Shabbat UnPlugged weekend was held at Lakeview’s Hecla Resort. “What we like about Hecla,” Kerr notes, “is that they let us bring in our own kosher food, it is out of the city and close to nature for those who want to enjoy the outdoors.”
The weekend retreat traditionally begins with a candle lighting, kiddush and a traditional Shabbat supper. Unlike previous Shabbats UnPlugged, Kerr points out, there were no outside featured speakers this year. All religious services and activities were led by students or national program partners.
The weekend was funded in part by grants from CJPAC and StandWithUs Canada, along with the primary gift from The Asper Foundation.
Kerr reports that the activities began with 18 of our local Jewish university students participating in a new student Shabbaton – inspired by Shabbat Unplugged, titled “Roots & Rising.”
In addition to Shabbat Unplugged, Hillel further partnered with Chabad for a Sukkot program in the fall, as well as with Shaarey Zedek Congregation and StandWithUs Canada for a Chanukah program. Hillell also featured a commemoration of October 7, an evening of laser tag and, in January, a Hillel-led afternoon of ice skating.
Coming up this month will be a visit to an Escape Room – and a traditional Shabbat dinner in March.
Kerr estimates that there are about 300 Jewish students at the University of Manitoba and 100 at the University of Winnipeg.
“Our goal is to attract more Jewish students to take part in our programs and connect with our community,” she comments.