Local News
Talented Jewish singers, musicians shine at abbreviated 2020 Winnipeg Music Festival
By MYRON LOVE
As per usual, the 2020 Winnipeg Music Festival – even though suspended after just one week (as compared to the normal four weeks due to the Coronavirus – did produce some winning performances by several younger members of our Jewish community.
The duo of Rachel Kraut and Greg Hyman, for example, finished first in the CLASS 1662 VOCAL DUET, MUSICAL THEATRE, 14 YEARS AND UNDER. They sang “The Doctor is In” from the musical “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”.
For 14-year-old Grant Park High school student Rachel – the daughter of Uri and Jane Kraut – this was her second year in the annual competition. Last year, she earned a gold medal and two Silver medals in the Vocal Solo, TV and movie musicals, Girls 14 and under category. She says that she started taking singing lessons a couple of years ago because of her interest in musical theatre. Earlier this year, she appeared in the role of Irmgard in her high school’s production of “Hello Dolly”.
Grade 6 St. John’s Ravenscourt School student Greg Hyman last competed in the musical festival two years ago in violin in which he won two Gold medals– one for CLASS 4153 CLASSICAL GUITAR SOLO, CLASSICAL COMPOSERS, GRADE/LEVEL 1 and CLASS 3055 VIOLIN SOLO, OWN CHOICE, GRADE/LEVEL 2. About a year ago, he switched to musical theatre and guitar.
“I got to know Rachel through Kelly Robinson who teaches both of us,” says the son of Hartley and Rishona Hyman. (Robinson teaches singing and voice both privately and on staff at Ravenscourt and Canadian Mennonite University.) “She thought that Rachel and I would work well together.”
He was also slated to compete in classical guitar at the Festival – but it was not in the cards for this year.
Kelly Robinson also united her student Hannah Schaeffer with sister students Eva Gould and Alessandra Pellegrino in a trio competing in the CLASS 1702 VOCAL TRIO, MUSICAL THEATRE, 16 YEARS AND UNDER category at the Festival. The threesome finished second with their performance of “How D’ye Do and Shake Hands” as sung by Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum.
Last year, the daughter of Marc Schaeffer and Kai Sasake won gold in the Vocal Solo, TV and movie musicals at the Girls 12 and under category. She also scored a first place finish as part of a trio in the Musical Theatre Grade B level and was the recipient of a Winnipeg Music Festival scholarship.
The Grade 7 Grant Student program student has been taking singing lessons for four years. Earlier this year, she played the role of young Anna in her high school’s staging of “Frozen” – the Junior version).
She says that she is looking forward to next year’s festival.
Julia Kroft has been participating in the music festival for about ten years. This year, the Asper School of Business student – who will be graduating in a few weeks – finished second in CLASS 1357A VOCAL SOLO, MUSICAL THEATRE, UP TEMPO, FEMALE, GRADE B – out of a field of eight – with her interpretation of “No One Else” from the musical, “The Great Comet of 1812”. She also sang “I’m Not Alone” from the musical adaptation of “Carrie”.
The daughter of David and Ellen Kroft has also performed with a musical theatre ensemble at the University of Manitoba and done some Fringe Festival work. After graduation, she says that she is interested in pursuing a career in marketing while also continuing to do some musical theatre.
For pianist Seth Broder, this was his second year in the Music Festival and the first time that he came close to the winner’s circle. He scored a second in the CLASS 2254 PIANO SOLO, 20TH/21ST CENTURY COMPOSERS, GRADE/LEVEL 5 category with Sonata in C Major by Spindler.
“I loved performing in the Music Festival says the Gray Academy Grade 8 student and son of Ellery and Libby Broder. “It is too bad that the Festival had to be cut short.”
Local News
Thank you to the community from the Chesed Shel Emes
We’re delighted to share a major milestone in our Capital Campaign, “Building on our Tradition.” Launched in November 2018, this campaign aimed to replace our outdated facility with a modern space tailored to our unique needs. Our new building is designed with ritual at its core, featuring ample preparation space, Shomer space, and storage, creating a warm and welcoming environment for our community during times of need.
We’re grateful to the nearly 1,000 generous donors who contributed over $4 million towards our new facility. A $750,000 mortgage will be retired in November 2025, completing this monumental project in just seven years.
We’re also thrilled to announce that our Chesed Shel Emes Endowment Fund has grown tenfold, from $15,000 to $150,000, thanks to you, the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba’s FundMatch program, and Million Dollar Match initiative in 2024. Our fund helps ensure that everyone can have a dignified Jewish funeral regardless of financial need.
As we look to the future, our goal remains to ensure the Chevra Kadisha continues to serve our community for generations to come. Our focus now shifts to replenishing our savings account and growing our JFM Endowment fund.
We’re deeply grateful for your support over the past several years.
It’s our privilege to serve our community with care and compassion.
With sincere appreciation,
Campaign cabinet: Hillel Kravetsky, Gerry Pritchard, Stuart Pudavick,
Jack Solomon, and Rena Boroditsky
Murray S. Greenfield, President
Local News
Winnipeg Beach Synagogue about to celebrate 75th anniversary
By BERNIE BELLAN (July 13) In 1950 a group of cottage owners at Winnipeg Beach took it upon themselves to relocate a one-room schoolhouse that was in the Beausejour area to Winnipeg Beach where it became the beach synagogue at the corner of Hazel and Grove.
There it stayed until 1998 when it was moved to its current location at Camp Massad.
On August 2nd members of the synagogue will be holding a 75th anniversary celebration.
As part of the celebration anyone who is a descendant or relative of any of the original members of the first executive committee (as seen in the photo here) is invited to attend the synagogue that morning.
If you are a relative please contact Abe Borzykowski at wpgbeachshule@shaw.ca or aborzykowski@shaw.ca to let Abe know you might be attending or for more information about the 75th anniversary celebration.
We will soon be publishing a story about the history of the beach synagogue, which is something I’ve been writing about for over 25 years.
Local News
Vickar Family cuts ribbon on new Tova Vickar and Family Childcare Centre
By MYRON LOVE In the words of Larry Vickar, the Shaarey Zedek’s successful Dor V’ Dor Campaign “is not only a renewal of the synagogue but truly a renewal movement of Jewish life in our community.”An integral part of that renewal movement was the creation of a daycare centre within the expanded synagogue. On Monday, June 23, Larry and Tova Vickar cut the ribbon, thereby officially opening the Tova Vickar and Family Childcare Centre in the presence of 100 of their family members, friends and other supporters of the project.
The short program preceding the morning ribbon-cutting began with a continental breakfast followed by a welcome by both Fanny Levy, Shaarey Zedek’s Board President, and Executive Director Dr. Rena Secter Elbaze. In Elbaze’s remarks, she noted that Larry and Tova wanted their family (including son Stephen and family, who flew in from Florida) and friends at the event to celebrate the opening of the Tova Vickar and Family Childcare Centre, “not because of the accolades, but because, as Larry put it, he hopes that their investment in the congregation will inspire others to do the same.”
“When Larry and I spoke about what this gift meant to him and the message he wanted people to take away,” she continued, “I couldn’t help but connect it to the teachings of Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi whose book – Age-ing to Sage-ing – changes the whole way we look at the concept of ageing and basing it on our ancestral teachings.”
She explained that his concept of “Sage-ing” is based on three key ideas – Discover your meaning and purpose; accept our mortality and think about the legacy you want to leave.
“Larry spoke about these exact concepts when we met,” she said.
Elbaze also noted the presence of Shaarey Zedek’s newly-arrived senior Rabbi Carnie Rose, former Rabbi Alan Green, and area MLAs Mike Moroz and Carla Compton.
Larry Vickar expressed his great appreciation for all those in attendance. “Tova and I are deeply moved to stand here with you today for this important milestone in our community”, he said. “We are grateful to be surrounded by all of you, the people we care about, our family and friends… you who have touched our lives and played some part in our journey.”