Local News
Some major changes in allocations to beneficiary agencies of the Jewish Federation as of Sept. 1 – Gray Academy to receive $26,000 less than last year
By BERNIE BELLAN The Jewish Federation will be allocating exactly the same total amount of money to its beneficiary agencies in the 2022/23 fiscal year (beginning September 1) as it did in 2021/22: $3,003,000. But – the distribution of those funds will be markedly different this coming year than it was in the fiscal year that will end August 31.
That is the major takeaway from this year’s report of the Federation’s Budget & Allocations Committee.
Of its 12 beneficiary agencies, moreover, two will not be operating at all this coming year and are, therefore, not being funded: The Irma Penn School of Jewish Learning (“which lost their newly recruited teacher just before the school year began and was not able to find a replacement mid-year”) and the Jewish Learning Institute (which “is finishing the current season with remote programming but will have to resolve staffing before establishing what the program will look like going forward.”)
Of the remaining ten agencies, the most notable changes will be occurring in: funding for the Gray Academy, which will see a drop of $26,000 in its allocation; a $10,000 drop in allocation for the Simkin Centre; a $5,000 increase for the Gwen Secter Centre (along with the transfer of the “senior concierge” position to Gwen Secter from Jewish Child & Family Service); and a $20,000 increase in allocation for JCFS.
The continued effects of the Covid pandemic have made planning much more difficult for many of the agencies.
In a section of the report titled “Beneficiary Agencies Highlights and Needs,” the Allocations Committee enumerated the many challenges facing the agencies in general:
“Pandemic Recoveries and Overall Trends: The Winnipeg Jewish community benefits from strong Beneficiaries that found creative ways to serve their constituencies in the face of restrictions on service, safety and health concerns. They are all budgeting and planning for more ‘normal’ years of service in the next year. However, each agency has a Plan A and a Plan B and a variety of scenarios that are on their radar, having learned to expect uncertainty. Every agency expressed cautious optimism about the year to come as well as concerns:
• Concern about inflation and rising supply costs, specifically food, gas, and biodegradable packaging;
• Each agency is coming into the next year in a good financial position, some with significant surpluses because of government subsidies and foundation grants during the pandemic, fortunate but not likely to repeat;
• There continue to be some additional costs associated with fewer people allowed in the same spaces, hybrid/online service costs, heightened attention to cleaning, etc.;
• Several agencies mentioned wanting to use surpluses to build their reserves as they look forward to leaner years with expected reductions in membership and fee revenues, while they re-build programming and fundraising revenues;
• There is concern around the pace of resumption of in-person participation and attendance, and willingness to pay at pre-pandemic levels as in-person programming resumes, all affecting overall revenue;
• There is a general concern about bringing back families, students, campers, members that have not been vaccinated and who may feel alienated. And a similar concern about those who feel vulnerable and may choose to stay away from in-person activities once mask and vaccine mandates are lifted in community venues;
• They are opening back up for in-person programs and field trips etc. but with lots of alternative plans;
• Teen mental health is a (sic.) emergent concern everywhere;
• Providing competitive wages to recruit and retain staff is a concern in most agencies; and
• Those awaiting government funding from MB starting April 1, 2022 have not received confirmation from relevant government departments.”
We sent an inquiry to Faye Rosenberg Cohen, Chief Planning and Allocations Officer for the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, asking her about the relatively large cut in the allocations to Gray Academy and the Simkin Centre. It should be made clear though, that the allocation to the Simkin Centre is for two specific purposes that are separate and apart from the day to day operation of a personal care home: “The allocation funds High Holiday services and kashrut supervision to support the Jewish character of the home.”
Rather than refer specifically to the cuts to Gray Academy and the Simkin Centre though, Faye Rosenberg Cohen responded that “The changes from last year are based on expressed needs, financial health of the beneficiary organizations and the need to balance. The decreases only reflect the need to rebalance for current needs. We try to approach each year with fresh eyes, not with a focus on last year. We are grateful to have strong agencies with good balance sheets and blessed with a strong campaign to support those agencies.”
We should note, however, that this is the first time in seven years that Gray Academy’s allocation from the Federation has been less than what it had received in the previous year.
I asked Gray Academy Head of School Lori Binder how the reduced allocation might affect Gray Academy this coming school year.
Lori responded: “We will certainly feel the impact from the reduction, especially given inflation and cost increases today. That said, we will mitigate any substantial impact by seeking cost savings across several expense lines. There will be no cuts to faculty or programming. We are grateful for the allocation we receive annually as it goes directly to supporting the school’s bursary assistance program and ensuring that a Jewish day school education remains accessible.”
Interestingly, the two agencies that received the largest increases in funding, JCFS and the Gwen Secter Centre, were both cited for the tremendous work they both have been doing in serving the needs of less fortunate members of our community, which have been even more acute as a result of the pandemic.
Here is what the report had to say about JCFS: “They currently serve about 5000 people each year. Federation funds work not supported by other sources include the rapidly growing caseload of seniors, addiction recovery supports, mental health services and a new and growing crisis in teen mental health. Having this robust agency that MB mandated for child welfare, and Federally supported for immigrant resettlement allows them to adapt to current needs.”
As for the Gwen Secter Centre, isn’t it ironic to consider that just a few years ago the very existence of the Gwen Secter Centre was seriously in question, as it appeared quite certain that it was about to be evicted from its home on Main Street and was desperately searching for a new location – until an “angel” came along and provided the funding for Gwen Secter to buy its building outright?
Here is what the Allocations Committee Report had to say about the Gwen Secter Centre: “The Winnipeg Jewish community has a large and growing proportion of seniors of ‘Baby Boomers’ age, individuals who may experience increasing isolation after they retire and as their families and friends diminish in number and scatter around the world. The agency addresses isolation of seniors with programming that include the key components of kosher food and Jewish culture that create connection with Jewish community. They now use online platforms as well as in-person offerings and run transportation programs to bring seniors to programs as a new medical transportation program in partnership with JCFS. The success of this program fills a pent up need predating the pandemic.
“Kosher Meals on Wheels: Now in house for the first time, KMOW reaches seniors in their homes with healthy, kosher food at an attainable price, social contact with the volunteers who deliver, and information that comes with the tray. By bringing it in house they are able to serve more people at lower cost and better match food choices to tastes.
“GSCLC pivoted to deliver 35,000 meals in one year during the pandemic. With a proven capacity for 600 meals per week they are now over 560 KMOW in December and growing.
“Senior Concierge: This pilot program moves to GSCLC to provide community wide outreach and referrals to reduce isolation of this growing number of seniors as well as coordinating transportation programs e.g. the Taxi Voucher Program for winter rides (previously housed at the Rady JCC) with Medical transportation rides.”
With so much uncertainty about how individuals will respond to the continually variating pressures exerted by a pandemic that, much as many would like to completely dislodge from their minds, it is clear from the Budget & Allocations Committee report that those concerns are still dominating the planning of many of our agencies.
Local News
March of the Living 2023 participants form Taste of Hope project to help honour the memory of Holocaust survivor Alex Buckman
By BERNIE BELLAN The March of the Living is an annual two-week international educational program that brings thousands of students and adults to Poland and Israel to study the Holocaust, Jewish history, and the rise of the State of Israel. Founded in 1988, it features a 3-kilometer silent walk from Auschwitz to Birkenau on Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day).
Attendees on the march are accompanied by adults, some of whom themselves have been Holocaust survivors.
Following the week in Poland, participants travel to Israel to observe Yom HaZikaron (Israel’s Memorial Day) and celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day), marking a journey from darkness to life.
For many years the coordinator of the march in Winnipeg was Roberta Malam, working on behalf of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg. More recently Abby Flackman filled that role, and now the person in charge is Lindsey Kerr.
Since its inception 37 years ago the March of the Living has become a rite of passage for many young Winnipeg Jews who have been able to participate as an organized group from Winnipeg and combine visits to the death camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland with the subsequent trip to Israel.
Then – the Covid pandemic hit – in 2020, and the March of the Living was put on hold for two years – in 2020 and 2021.
In 2022, the March of the Living resumed, but there was no organized contingent from Winnipeg participating. (There may have been some Winnipeggers who did go on the march that year, but if there were any they would have been part of a general Canadian group since there was no Winnipeg coordinator that year.)
In 2023, however, once again a very large contingent of young Canadian Jews – 51 altogether, of whom approximately two-thirds were from Winnipeg, went on that year’s March of the Living. That particular march was memorable for many reasons, including the fact it was the last full march since 2019 and was to remain the last march to have an organized Winnipeg contingent in the past six years as the years 2024 and 2025 were interrupted by the war in Gaza. (There were smaller marches held in 2024 and 2025, but again there was no organized contingent from Winnipeg.)
Recently, we were contacted by one of the participants of that 2023 march, Ethan Levene, who asked us whether we’d be interested in running what turned out be a very poignant story about one particular aspect of that 2023 March of the Living.
Here is what Ethan wrote:
“In April 2023, the Coast to Coast Canadian delegation of March of the Living was privileged to travel with Holocaust survivor Alex Buckman (z”l). March of the Living is a Holocaust education trip that allows participants to visit and bear witness to the sites of the Holocaust. Unfortunately, while sharing his story in Poland, Alex passed away. However, the impact he left on us students was immeasurable.
“While speaking to us in Warsaw, Alex told us the story of his Aunt Becky’s gâteau à l’orange (orange cake). While in Ravensbruck concentration camp, his aunt managed to write down this recipe. After his parents’ murder, his Aunt Becky went on to raise Alex after surviving. In addition to sharing his story, Alex tasked us with baking the cake with family and friends.
“Out of this, a group of alumni from our trip have created this project: ‘A Taste of Hope.’ On February 1st, university students from over 5 universities across Canada will come together to bake the gâteau à l’orange and hear Alex’s story. Proceeds from the event and this fundraising page will support the World Federation of Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Descendants. Alex was heavily involved with this organization, whose mission is to both create community for Holocaust survivors and their descendants and educate about the Holocaust to help fight against antisemitism and all forms of bigotry and hate.
“Here is information from our fundraising page for the event – ‘A Taste of Hope’: Fundraising for A Taste of Hope.
Ethan added that “it’s completely student led, all by alumni from our 2023 trip attending university at these various locations across Canada; Winnipeg, London, Kingston, Montreal.”
He also added: “Follow us on instagram@tastehope.“
Here is a link to a CBC story about Alex Buckman: Alex Buckman story
In a subsequent email Ethan gave the names of Winnipeggers who are involved in A Taste of Hope: Ethan Levene (studies at McGill), Zahra Slutchuk, Alex Stoller (studies at Queens), Coby Samphir, Izzy Silver (studies at Waterloo).
He also added names of others who are involved in the project: Jessie Ages, Anneke Goodwin, Lilah Silver, Ella Pertman, Ellie Vogel, and Talia Cherun.
To find out more about March of the Living in Winnipeg go to: March of the Living
Local News
Young Researcher Eryn Kirshenbaum 2025 recipient of the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences prestigious Dr. T. Edward Cuddy Award
By MYRON LOVE Fifth year University of Manitoba Faculty of Sciences Microbiology student Eryn Kirshenbaum is this year’s recipient of the Dr. T. Edward Cuddy Student Award in recognition of her excellence in research under the supervision of Dr. Inna Rabinovich-Nikitin, Assistant Professor of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba and Principle Investigator in Women’s Heart Health Research at the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences at the St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre.
When asked for her reaction to learning she was the 2025 recipient of the student award, Kirshenbaum says “I was so honoured, humbled and excited to have been nominated and then chosen as the recipient out of many well deserving students.”
Rabinovich-Nikitin, Kirshenbaum’s mentor, says “This is Eryn’s third year working in my lab and I am incredibly proud of her for winning the Dr. T. Edward Cuddy Research Award.” She adds: “It is a truly deserved honour. Since joining my laboratory in 2023, Eryn has shown an exceptional combination of technical skill, intellectual curiosity, and professional maturity, becoming an integral contributor to our research on women’s heart health, an area of growing scientific importance that demands both rigorous methodology and a strong understanding of sex-based differences in heart disease.
“Not only has Eryn provided invaluable experimental support, but she has also taken on a leadership role in training new students and has demonstrated a strong commitment to collaboration and mentorship.”
In return, Kirshenbaum notes that she has “learned a lot from Dr. Rabinovich-Nikitin. She is a great mentor and I look forward to learning and growing even more under her leadership”.
The T. Edward Cuddy Award is one of 12 awards presented annually by the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences in partnership with the University of Manitoba.
The 27th Annual Institute of Cardiovascular Naranjan Dhalla Awards were held on December 2nd and 3rd as part of a two-day conference comprised of a scientific forum and awards ceremony. The awards celebrate the leadership of individuals who have profoundly influenced the advancement of cardiovascular research, medicine and health education, including, in previous years, Nobel Prize winners and Gairdner Award Scholars. The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences Gold Medal was awarded to Dr. Stanley Nattel, Director of the Montreal Heart Institute for his outstanding contributions to advancements in cardiac arrythmias and patient care.
Eryn Kirshenbaum, the daughter of Barry and Kim Kirshenbaum, says she was always interested in understanding the functioning’s of the human body, in particular the heart, which has fit with her desire to pursue a career in medicine and possibly continued heart health research.
A graduate of the Hebrew Bilingual program at Brock Corydon Elementary School, Ecole River Heights, and Kelvin High School French Immersion, Eryn says that she has always been interested in science, particularly cardiology. She reports that she has assisted as co-author on 5 research papers, including one where she was the primary author, focusing on women’s heart health and how heart disease affects women differently than men. That paper also investigated the connection between disrupted circadian rhythms and heart disease, specifically related to individuals with irregular sleep patterns, such as shift workers.
Eryn notes that, in addition to her university studies and research activities, she works part time as a Medical First Responder with St. John Ambulance – an activity which complements her medical research. “With St. John Ambulance, I have had calls dealing with the early stages of heart attacks and strokes as well as basic first aid,” she notes.
Readers might also run into Eryn at many Jewish celebrations such as Yom Ha’atzmaut, where she helps her dad with the family entertainment business.
While her ultimate goal, she says, is to practice medicine, she adds that she is really enjoying doing research.
Local News
Young entrepreneur Noah Palansky and partner Jordan Davis are the first Winnipeggers to crack Forbes Magazine’s “top 30 Under 30” list
By MYRON LOVE From a very young age, Noah Palansky has demonstrated initiative and leadership. I first met and interviewed Palansky in 2011 at a low point in his life. His mother, Naomi Palansky, had sadly passed away at a young age. The then 12-year-old channeled his mourning into action. With his younger sister, Lexi, by his side – and the support of his father, Bruce – the preteen entered a team in the annual CancerCare Manitoba Foundation Challenge for Life. For the next few years, Palansky’s teams – under the banner, “Kids Count” – raised thousands of dollars for cancer researched.
Fast forward to 2019. Palansky was by then a young adult with a new initiative. The year before, he and a couple of friends had entered a potential business proposal in a competition sponsored by Winnipeg-based North Forge, Canada’s only start up incubator and fabrication lab, and won the top prize.
In that 2019 story, the young entrepreneur recalled how he came up with idea for his new business – TAIV (the AI stands for artificial intelligence). In the spring of 2018, he recounted, at the height of the Winnipeg Jets playoff run, he and his girlfriend were watching the game on a big screen while having drinks in a restaurant when an ad appeared onscreen promoting a rival restaurant and advertising the same drink he was imbibing – at a lower price.
“That ad gave me the germ of an idea,” he said in that earlier interview. “I immediately spoke to the restaurant manager and asked how he felt about the ad,” he recalls. “He was not pleased.”
That germ of an idea has developed into a highly successful new business venture. The idea that was put into practice has landed Palansky and his partner, Jordan Davis, on Forbes Magazine’s 30 Under 30 list in the Marketing and Advertising category. The duo are the first Winnipeg-based entrepreneurs to have received this honour.
“It came as a complete surprise,” Palansky responds. “We had no advance notice that we were even being considered for this recognition.”
Since TAIV officially launched in 2021, the company – still based in Winnipeg – has grown to a workforce of about 80 – most of whom are based here. Palansky notes that TAIV also has sales offices in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.
In the past four years, TAIV has built a presence in nearly 5,000 venues across the United States. The company works with brands like Coke, Pepsi, Netflix, T-Mobile, FanDuel, Fox, and United Airlines.
“The way this works,” Palansky explained to this writer in 2019, “ is that if you are in Boston Pizza, for example, watching a Jets game and a commercial comes on, our software will switch the commercial to an ad for Boston Pizza.
“We make a little box that sits between your cable box and the TV. Our box can detect when a commercial is coming on and switch the ad out for one promoting the restaurant or store the box is in.”
For larger enterprises, Palansky notes, TAIV produces a web app that allows the company to switch its own in-house ads for the ads that would be appearing on screen.
In a statement by North Force celebrating Palansky and Davis’ achievement, Palansky is quoted as saying that “the Forbes achievement offered a rare moment to pause and reflect.
“There are very few moments where a third party reaches out and says, ‘We’ve noticed what you did, and we think it’s awesome.’ This felt like one of those rare moments.”
The North Forge report also sees the recognition as a win for the community.
“I wish we had more Winnipeg entrepreneurs on the global stage because it’s really good for the local ecosystem,” Palansky is quoted as saying. “I’m trying to do what I can to help others get off the ground.”
Palansky and Davis are looking forward to going to Phoenix in April for the official presentation.
He adds that TAIV continues expanding across North America, strengthening partnerships, and onboarding advertisers as the network grows. For local venues or businesses interested in installing TAIV or exploring advertising opportunities, the company welcomes inquiries at hello@taiv.tv.