Local News
These days a single complaint can lead to silencing pro-Israel voices
By BERNIE BELLAN As the war in Gaza drags on Jews are finding themselves coming under regular threats in a myriad of locations around the world.
Every day seems to bring a new report – either of pro-Palestinian protesters disrupting an event or of actual clashes between pro-Palestinians and pro-Israelis.
Just this past week we heard about pro-Palestinian protesters in Toronto forcing the cancellation of a dinner on March 2 at the Art Gallery of Ontario where Prime Minister Trudeau was supposed to have hosted an event for visiting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
According to the Globe & Mail, “The event was called off abruptly after several hundred pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the venue, blocking doorways and making it difficult for guests to enter.”
Then, on the evening of March 4 – this time in Montreal, pro-Palestinian protesters blocked the main entrance to the Jewish Federation building in that city – trapping employees inside, and forcing them to escape through a back entrance.
As a result of that event, according to an article written by Judy Maltz in Haaretz, “A number of key Jewish organizations and institutions in Montreal have obtained a court injunction that prevents anti-Israel groups from holding protests outside their premises.”
Those are just two of the most recent events that followed upon other similar events where pro-Palestinian protesters have engaged in threatening behaviour.
There has been a constant flow of reports of Jewish students being harassed, often physically threatened – both on university campuses and high schools throughout the world, even in younger grades, as early as Grade Two in some cases.
Although I have written previously that Winnipeg Jews shouldn’t think that the level of danger for Jews is as high in our own community as it certainly appears to be in cities such as Toronto or Montreal, anyone following reports of Jews being harassed – and occasionally physically attacked in cities around the world, can be forgiven for wondering about the possibility of that also occurring in Winnipeg.
It’s for that reason that I chose to focus an article on the event at the University of Manitoba on February 26 that led to the banning of a pro-Israel organization known as Students Supporting Israel.
Regardless what the guest speaker at that event may have had to say about Islam, the notion that the University of Manitoba Students Union was quick to suspend that Jewish organization says volumes about where we’re at these days in terms of Jews being put on the defensive.
In my article about the event and the subsequent suspension of Students Supporting Israel by UMSU I referred to something called a “trigger warning” – without going into any detail what a trigger warning actually is. Here’s how the Oxford Dictionary defines trigger warning: “A statement at the start of a piece of writing, video, etc., alerting the reader or viewer to the fact that it contains potentially distressing material (often used to introduce a description of such content).”
While it may be totally acceptable for a Muslim student to claim that they have been upset by something said at an event – such as the event held at the U of M, the corollary certainly doesn’t hold for Jewish students.
Thus, when a group of eight University of Winnipeg teachers held that notorious hatefest on Israeli “imperialism, colonialism, and genocide” on November 24, and many individuals – both from within and without the Jewish community here, complained that holding such an event would be extremely distressing for members of the Jewish community, especially students at the U of W, did anyone from the U of W administration take steps to have that event cancelled?
Of course not. When it comes to moving to protect the rights of university students to feel safe on campuses, it’s a one-way street: A Muslim student at the U of M complained that she felt unsafe as a result of comments made on February 26 by a speaker at the university who himself was a Muslim – and UMSU took immediate steps in reaction to that complaint in what I would hold, any reasonable person would argue was a totally unjustified overreaction.
As the CBC report of what happened notes, Bassim Eid, the speaker at the event, made some critical comments about Islam, including that “When it comes to ideology, the Muslims are blind,” and the ideology of Muslims is ‘a major problem,’ saying they aren’t ready for change.”
But, “Belkis Elmoudi, a Muslim student at the university who attended the event, says she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
” ‘I knew I had to get out of there, because I did not feel safe,’ she told CBC News on Thursday” (February 29).
” ‘I mean not only were those comments made, [but] no one stood up and said anything, so it just made me feel very isolated, alone and scared.’ “
Omigod – someone says something negative about Muslims at an event sponsored by a pro-Israel organization and, whether or not those comments were justifiable, the pro-Israel organization is suspended from being allowed to be active on campus.
We know that the pendulum has swung so far in one direction that anyone saying they were offended by a comment made by someone who was pro-Israeli can expect to have their complaint acted upon almost immediately.
Yet, I am not advocating that Jewish students should also be able to suppress in advance any comments that they would regard as threatening their safety. Tolerance of ideas that we may find uncomfortable has long been an intrinsic element of what those of us who consider ourselves liberal would defend.
But, as the atmosphere surrounding discussion of Israel’s war in Gaza has become poisonous for anyone wanting to defend Israel, intimidation tactics of the type used by Belkis Elmondi – along with the strong and immediate support she received from the president of UMSU, is only likely to be repeated any time that someone tries to mount a defence of Israel on a university campus anywhere there are Muslim students.
One of the great ironies of this entire conundrum is that a great many Jews in the diaspora are themselves deeply critical of Israeli government policies, including what’s happening in Gaza, but because of the virulence – often accompanied by threats of physical violence and actual acts of physical violence, we keep the level of criticism of Israel relatively muted.
Instead we talk among ourselves at how badly Israel is doing in the court of public opinion – and then react with dismay when anti-Israel demonstrators engage in the worst sort of intimidation tactics.
As diaspora Jews, we’re sort of shell shocked by what we’re seeing – and when one student’s complaint gets an entire organization suspended, we simply shake our heads and wonder what’s next when it comes to intimidating pro-Israel supporters?
Local News
Bright future for Israeli-born University of Manitoba Science student Erele Tzidon
By MYRON LOVE Erele Tzidon, a second year Science student at the University of Manitoba, seems to have a bright future ahead of her.
Rabinovich-Nikitin
The year before last, the Israeli-born graduate of Gray Academy received a University of Manitoba undergraduate research award, which allowed her to pursue research as a member of Dr. Inna Rabinovich-Nikitin’s research team at the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, (ICS) researching the link between pregnancy complications and the risk for heart disease.
The world-renowned institute, directed by Dr. Lorrie Kirshenbaum, studies heart disease and heart function with the goal of researching means to repair damaged heart cells and prevent heart failure.
This past November, Tzidon was presented with a second award – the Dr. James S. McGoey Student Award – based on the quality of her cardiovascular research at the ICS, which operates out of the St. Boniface Hospital’s Albrechchtsen Research Centre.
“We are very proud of Erele and her achievements,” says Dr. Inna Rabinovich-Nikitin. “We believe she has a promising future in medical research.”
Originally from Moshav Ginaton in central Israel, Tzidon came to Winnipeg in 2018 with her parents Ofer, formerly regional manager for a car rental agency in Israel and now an RBC branch Manager, and Sharon, an emotional therapist in Israel who is currently working as an educational assistant at Gray Academy. Tzidon also has three younger brothers.
The 19-year-od reports that it was through a connection she forged with Rabinovich-Nikitin at G ray Academy (where the latter has three children enrolled in the elementary program) that opened the door to a summer position at the ICS in 2023. She notes that she is at the ICS two days a week and at the U of M three days a week.
“I have always wanted to do research,” she says, “because I have an unlimited number of questions. And I love working with the great team at the ICS.”
One of the primary focuses at the ICS in recent years has been on women’s heart health. Three years ago Kirshenbaum created a new research program within St. Boniface Hospital specifically for the study of heart disease in women. Dr. Rabinovich-Nikitin was the first faculty member seconded to the new research program
In an earlier article I wrote about her in the Post (in 2021), I noted that she, like Erele Tzidon, is originally from Israel, having arrived in Winnipeg in 2016 with her husband Sergey, and their two children (a third child was born here) to further her scientific knowledge through working in Kirshenbaum’s lab.
Rabinovich-Nikitin is graduate of Tel Aviv University with a Ph.D. in biotechnology.
“I was always interested in science, how things work,” she notes. “I have a particular interest in women’s cardiac health.”
Four years ago she herself was presented with the Winnipeg Foundation’s Martha Donavan Leadership Development Award. The award is intended to provide leadership development opportunities for women in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba. Eligible applicants include women who are full-time or part-time academic faculty members, students of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, and students as well as post-doctoral trainees (including residents), presently enrolled in a program of study within the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences.
In 2022 Rabinovich-Nikitin, was the winner of the Louis N. and Arnold M. Katz Basic Science Research Prize for Early Career Investigators awarded by the American heart Association (AHA). This award is the highest international recognition of research excellence for an early career investigator to receive, and Rabinovich-Nikitin is the first ever Canadian scientist to receive this award.
That same year she joined the University of Manitoba Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology as an assistant professor, studying heart disease in women. Rabinovich-Nikitin observes that heart disease in women presents itself in a different way than in men. She notes that one of the new lab’s initial findings was that there is one specific gene that leads to cardiovascular issues in some pregnant women that can point to heart disease later in life, and also have negative implications for the development of their children. Those children are smaller at birth and, as adults, are prone to hypertension, diabetes and obesity,
“We are looking into how that particular gene increases the risk of heart disease.” she says.
Rabinovich-Nikitin would like to invites readers who may be interested in learning more about women’s heart health to a free program the ICS is offering on Sunday, February 23 at the Wellness Institute at 1075 Leila Avenue from 1:00-4:00. The afternoon will feature speakers, children’s activities and Zumba sessions.
“I would encourage everyone who has questions and wants to learn about women’s heart health to attend,” she says.
You can find more about the event at https://megaheartevent.com/
Local News
Videographer/photographer Jeff Gordon looking forward to sharing his expertise through series of in-person classes
By MYRON LOVE Jeff Gordon is the epitome of a visionary and the trajectory of the local videographer/photographer has just gone into overdrive.
At the beginning of the year, the founder of JAG Videos and Photography inaugurated his brand new state-of-the-art studio in a new facility he built behind his north River Heights home. And, shortly after, he launched the first session of his new school for budding photographers and videographers.
“Up until now, the only options for anyone interested in learning the art of photography or making videos has been either Red River College or the University of Winnipeg,” Gordon points out. “I recognized a niche here and my goal is to fill this gap.”
The first of the 16-week sessions in his new studio began in mid-January. He reports that he is running three classes a week- one strictly for teenagers.
“The course exceeded my expectations. We sold out quickly and I have a waiting list,” he notes. “I have 16 students divided among the three classes. I am teaching the students everything I know about photographer and videography. The curriculum is easy to follow.
Increasingly, we are in a digital world,” he adds. “Businesses need staff who are adept at making videos and taking photographs. Companies need staff who are able to create videos for them to promote the business online.”
He envisages offering the program three times a year – with future sessions beginning in May and September.
Gordon’s curriculum is his own creation, based on his experience and a previous training manual he wrote years ago for an entirely different group of students – drummers.
Before Jeff Gordon discovered his passion for photography and videography, he was a musician – a drummer to be specific. The graduate of the Hebrew Bilingual program at Brock Corydon Elementary School and later, Shaftesbury High School, began playing drums in high school and started teaching others to play shortly after.
“I used to have as many as 40 students at a time,” he recalls.
Following graduation from Shaftesbury, he enrolled at the Los Angeles Music Academy. In 2006 he graduated from the jazz program at Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton. His professional credits include 16 years as a drummer with the Sarah Sommer Chai Folk Ensemble and five years as a member of a touring band called “Driver.”
It was while performing with “Driver” that he began doing videography. “I have always been fascinated by technology,” he says. “While on tour, I began making videos of our live concerts. I would set up four or five cameras to record the shows.”
In 2014 Gordon took the plunge and dove into photography and videography full time with the founding of JAG Videos and Photography. “I started with weddings and gradually started to develop a commercial and corporate clientele,” he says. “I do a lot of head shots for businesses. I have also done a number of TV spots for Global and Corus.”
In his new studio he has also been recording a weekly podcast for a client, he reports. “I have a chesterfield for the podcaster and her guests and provide a coffee table and coffee.”
And while the Covid lockdown proved to be disastrous for many, for Gordon it turned out to be very good for his business. “I was really busy,” he says. “Because of the lockdown, there was an increased demand from corporations and companies for videos.”
Previous to building his own studio, Gordon notes, he was renting space in the Exchange District. “I got the idea for building my own home studio while having renovations done in our kitchen,” he recounts. “It took about a year to build. It’s great having the studio. It feels like an extension of my home.”
(He adds that he is still going out on location when required.)
“I really enjoy teaching,” he says. “I love expounding on subjects I am passionate about.”
Jeff Gordon has bold plans for his school and curriculum. “I hope to be able to expand the number of students to the point where I need a larger space,” he says. “I envisage hiring other teachers and running multiple classes at the same time. I hope to create a digital version of the course and sell it widely online. I would also like to be able to license my program and sell it to schools and universities.”
Gordon feels that he is truly blessed to have been able to turn a hobby into a full time business.
As the same time, he hasn’t entirely given up the drums. “I still have my drum set in my basement,” he notes.”I am enjoying teaching my two daughters (both Brock Corydon students incidentally) to play the drums.”
Jeff Gordon’s website address is www.jagvideos.com.
Local News
Winnipegger featured in Apple commercial highlighting new adaptive technology
By MYRON LOVE The year just past has been a memorable one for Melissa Shapiro. In recent weeks she and her boyfriend moved into their new home in East Kildonan and – in September, the daughter of Cory and Goldelyn Shapiro – was one of the featured guests at Apple Headquarters in Las Vegas for the premiere of an advertisement – produced by the tech company – highlighting Apple’s newly developed adaptive technology.
“I was flown out to California by Apple’s PR team,” recalls the 26-year-old policy analyst with the Education and Early Childhood Learning Department. “The event was held at Apple Park. It was really exciting seeing all the newest products and features.”
Shapiro, who was born missing her left arm, came to the attention of Apple as a result of Instagram videos she made demonstrating her ability to work out as an adaptive athlete. Last May, Shapiro reviewed the Apple watch’s accessibility features in a video, and it caught Apple’s attention.
“I was contacted by a casting agency in July,” she reports. “Next thing I know, we are filming in Toronto in August. I was the only Canadian involved in filming the commercial.”
Shapiro has never let her disability define her life- thanks in part both to her parents and the War Amps of Canada Child Amputee program, which reached out to her family three weeks after she was born.
“We received a lot of support – financial, recreational and emotional – from the War Amps,” she says. “Through the program, my family was able to connect with other families with similar challenges.
As well, the War Amps helped me to integrate in school and participate in sports while I was growing up by providing me with different prosthetics paid for by donations to the program.
Over the years, Shapiro ha been able to give back to the non-profit organization by appearing in War Amps public service spots highlighting such tips as playing safe in order to avoid accidents that could result in amputations. She has also been featured n War Amps-organized seminars and media appearances promoting the work of the War Amps in helping to improve the quality of life for children like Shapiro who were born missing a limb or those who lost limbs due to an accident.
“I still enjoy doing ‘playsafe’ presentations and public events for the war Amps,” she says.
Readers who may be interested in supporting this worthwhile program can donate by phone (1800 250-3030) or go online (waramps.ca).
You must be logged in to post a comment Login