Local News
Winnipeg Jewish community organizations take steps in reaction to spread of Coronavirus
By BERNIE BELLAN
(Posted March 13, 5:00 pm, updated March 14, 15, 16, 17) As governments, businesses, and organizations throughout the world assess just what steps are necessary to take in order to halt the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), Jewish organizations in Winnipeg have also begun to adopt new measures in reaction to the extraordinarily swift spread of the pandemic.
Posted Tuesday, March 17
2020 JFM Luncheon in support of the Women’s Endowment Fund cancelled
It is with profound disappointment that we announce the cancellation of the 2020 Jewish Foundation of Manitoba Luncheon in support of the Women’s Endowment Fund.
Due to an abundance of caution concerning the COVID-19 virus, the Foundation feels it is our responsibility to be proactive, and conscious of the safety and well being of our community during this unprecedented time.
We would like to thank all of our generous sponsors and ticket holders for your gracious support! In the coming days, JFM staff will be reaching out to everyone who has purchased tickets or given sponsorship.
48th Annual Rady JCC Ken Kronson Sports Dinner Cancelled Due to Ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic
In an effort to mitigate any potential spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) illness, the 48th Annual Rady JCC Ken Kronson Sports Dinner has been cancelled. It was scheduled to take place Tuesday, May 12, 2020, at the RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg.
“The health and safety of our supporters and our community is paramount,” said Al Greenberg, 2020 Rady JCC Sports Dinner Committee Chair. “While we are all extremely disappointed, this was a simple decision to make. We must do our part in the global fight of curbing this pandemic.”
This will mark the first time in its 48 year history the annual fundraiser will not be held.
“We will be directly contacting all of our ticket purchasers and sponsors in the coming days to let them know what their options are going forward,” said Greenberg. “For now, we ask everyone to stay safe and maintain social distancing.”
The event was to feature NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman as its keynote speaker with Carol and Neil Duboff as this year’s Sports Dinner Honourees. Title Sponsors were Paul Winestock and Brendan Rodgers of RBC Wealth Management Dominion Securities.
The annual event – the largest of its kind in Manitoba – raises funds to enable the Rady JCC to provide scholarships, camperships, and community service programs for those in the community who need them most regardless of financial situation, ability, age, or cultural background.
Posted Monday, March 16 4:30 pm:
In the latest developments the Rady JCC and the Shaarey Zedek have now shut down operations completely – except for the day care operations run by the Rady JCC. Here are emails received from Rob Berkowits, Executive Director of the Rady JCC and from the Shaarey Zedek:
I am sharing information about the ongoing status of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as it relates to all Rady JCC operations going forward. Please remember the health and safety of our Rady JCC members, stakeholders, and staff must be our top priority with every decision our Board of Directors make.
Over the last 72 hours, multiple new cases of COVID-19 have been identified throughout Canada including here in Winnipeg. The Manitoba Health Minister is suggesting that citizens do not partake in large public gatherings where the risk of COVID-19 spread can increase. We are also anticipating the provincial and federal governments to make announcements shortly calling for the closure of all non-essential services.
As of 3:00 p.m. Monday, March 16, 2020, we have shut down all Rady JCC operations for the foreseeable future. All off-site Rady JCC programming is cancelled/postponed until further notice as well.
From the Shaarey Zedek:
In consultation with staff and our Board Executive, it has been decided that as a precautionary measure we will be Closing Congregation Shaarey Zedek effective immediately for all Services and Programs scheduled to be held in our synagogue.
The building itself will remain open but operating on a limited staff basis. The reduced operating hours for the building will be 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Our Rabbis and Lay Clergy will be here for consultation and can be reached as follows:
Posted Friday, March 13:
On Thursday, March 12 the Jewish Learning Institute (of Chabad Winnipeg) issued an email announcing that an event that was to take place on Wednesday, March 18, a “Challah Bake”, was now being taken “online” instead.
The email stated that “In light of the recent developments regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19), and following recommendations from Canada.ca guidance documents, we have decided to take the Challah Bake online.
“The event will be streamed live at the original date and time, at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, March 18. Now everyone can participate from the comfort and safety of their homes. All ticket holders will receive an email on Wednesday morning with a link to the live feed.”
On Friday, March 13, the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada announced that the Kanee Lecture, which was to delivered by Daniel Gordis on May 13, has been postponed until the fall. JHCWC Executive Director Belle Jarniewski explained that Gordis is currently in Israel and, as flights from Israel have been drastically curtailed for the time being, the decision was taken to postpone the lecture.
The Jewish Federation has been in constant contact with Jewish organizations – as events have been fast moving. One of the first cancellations announced by the Federation was the March of the Living, which was scheduled to take place beginning April 21 in Poland. Elaine Goldstine, CEO of the Federation, said that she was sad to have to tell the 24 students who had signed up from Manitoba that this year’s march had to be cancelled.
In an email sent to this paper Friday morning March 13, Goldstine wrote that “We do have a plan moving forward. The campus ramped up cleaning procedures as well. We sent a email to our staff and to our beneficiary agencies about staying home if sick, wash hands more frequently, etc . Campus has provided disinfectant wipes for all offices.”
Later in the afternoon Goldstine issued an email, which said in part: “I want to assure you that we are taking proactive measures to ensure that the Asper Jewish Community Campus and the facilities contained herein are safe, clean and that there are protocols in place to ensure that they stay that way. There are currently no plans to close the facilities to visitors, however, certain programs and events may be rescheduled or canceled. Updates pertaining to community programs or events will be communicated by their respective planners.”
The Shaarey Zedek did not cancel Saturday services, although the synagogue did issue this notice:
Services
We are still planning for Shabbat Services (including our Family Service) to be held here tomorrow morning and for the immediate future. There will be some modifications during the services to reduce personal contacts including holding the services in the Sanctuary which provides for more social distancing (more room to spread out). We have created new copies of our Shabbat Siddur. We will provide brand new Kippot for those that require them and ask that you keep them for your personal use. Do not return them to the basket! Daily Minyans are still being held.
Shabbat Kiddush
Services will be followed by our traditional Kiddush as usual. However, there will be some modifications, most notably being that our serving staff will be responsible for providing the food as opposed to the usual practise of everyone helping themselves. This provides an extra layer of protection for each one of us.
The Rady JCC has canceled all cultural programming. On Friday afternoon, March 13, Rob Berkowits, Executive Director of the Rady JCC, issued the following email (abridged): Today, we have made the correct decision to postpone/cancel all events effective now until April 28, 2020. As of right now, the Fitness Centre will remain open.
The Winnipeg Jewish Theatre has postponed its next production, “Narrow Bridges”, which was scheduled to open March 28. It is now slated to run next year.
We contacted Faith Kaplan of the Adas Yeshurun-Herzlia Congregation to ask whether the Caroline Glick lecture, scheduled for May 4, has either been postponed or canceled. As of the time of writing this, no decision has been taken.
As further updates occur, we will post them to this website.
Posted March 14: We have been advised that a program planned for Sunday, March 15 celebrating the legacy of Jews & chess in Winnipeg, which was to have taken place in the Multipurpose Room of the Asper Campus has now been canceled.
In response to a query sent to a spokesperson for the WRHA asking about any measures that might have been implemented at the Simkin Centre (as well as any other PCH’s under the supervision of the WRHA, we received the following response:
Our WRHA Long Term Care program is in regular communication with all Long Term Care facilities in Winnipeg. We connect regularly to remind and reinforce with all these facilities to follow the outbreak management and influenza management protocols that are already in place as standard operating procedures in response se to COVID-19.
In addition, we have enacted Incident Command in Long Term Care which includes regular conference calls and communication with all facilities to ensure all facilities remain fully up to date on COVID-19 information, and to promote a consistent approach in their address of concerns related to COVID-19.
Visitor restrictions are in place as per Public Health direction. Group recreation activities are also being limited in accordance with the social distancing guidelines. Staff screening continues to take place through our regional occupation health officers.
Staff are being reminded to follow standard infection prevention and control protocol (such as regular hand washing, and staying away from work when sick) to promote the safety and health of the residents we serve.
Updated Sunday, March 15: We just received an email from Laurie Cerqueti, CEO of the Simkin Centre, asking me to let readers know they do not want visitors there.
The Gwen Secter Centre had originally planned to remain open and continue offering programming – to members only. But, on Sunday, March 15, we received the following email from Gwen Secter Becky Chisick, informing us of a change in plans: “
n response to COVID-19, Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre will be cancelling all programming. The Wednesday program will be cancelled until after Passover. All exercise programs, concerts and social programs are cancelled until April 6 (for now). We will reassess and provide updates as we have them Operating hours will be reduced in order to limit traffic and third party services. At Gwen Secter we are talking all necessary precautions to ensure everyone’s health and safety.
“The kitchen will continue operations. Kosher Meals on Wheels will run and we will continue to accept your Passover catering orders.
“Our staff will still be in the building and available to answer questions.
“Thank you & be well!”
Updated March 16
The Winnipeg Jewish Theatre announced that its upcoming production, “Narrow Bridge”, which was slated to open March 28, has been postponed until next year. Here is a portion of the WJT announcement:
“In order to contribute to public health efforts, we have decided to cancel the upcoming run of Narrow Bridge by Daniel Thau-Eleff and move its world premiere into our 2020-2021 season. Narrow Bridge will replace the previously announced production of Trayf by Lindsay Joelle from March 4 – 14, 2021.
“During this time our administrative operations will continue, with staff working from home where possible. We will continue to check our office voicemail and email on a daily basis Monday – Friday. The box office will be contacting all ticket holders for Narrow Bridge to ensure that they are aware of the cancellation.”
Sunday, March 15, Gray Academy issued the following notice on its Facebook page: “Monday, March 16, will be our last day of in-class learning until Passover Break.
“Tuesday, March 17 and Wednesday, March 18 will be In-Service days. Teachers and staff will use this time to put plans and processes into action for remote learning for all grades.
“Remote learning will begin on Thursday, March 19 for all grades.”
Local News
Long-time Winnipeg doctor and Israeli colleague make medical app available to general public

By MYRON LOVE Seven years ago, Dr. Gerald Minuk, Canada’s first hepatologist (liver specialist), partnered with Israeli computer science student Daniel Iluz-Freundlich in founding Refuah Solutions Ltd (RSL). Their goal was to create an app – which they called PI-enroll (“PI” stands for “Principal Investigator”), which was designed to be used by clinical trial investigators that would save them time and effort so they could be more personally involved in seeing their trial patients.
Last month, they released their second app, this time for patients. The app, called Patient-empower, informs patients about clinical trials underway for their condition and helps them make an informed decision as to which trial best meets their specific needs and preferences.
“I was approaching retirement,” recalls Minuk, now Rady School of Medicine Professor Emeritus, who has been in practice in Winnipeg since 1987, and “I couldn’t see myself filling my days doing crossword puzzles or Sudoku. I wanted to be able to continue contributing to medical research and patient care.”
It just so happened that, at the time, Minuk was introduced to an Israeli student, Daniel Iluz-Freundlich, who had just finished studying Computer Sciences at the University of Winnipeg. (Minuk notes that Iluz-Freundlich – on graduating – received the Gold Medal in Computer Science.)
“Daniel is an exceptionally talented young man,” Minuk says. “So I tapped his computer programming skills to create our PI-enroll and subsequently, our Patient-empower apps.”
The friendship continued after Iluz-Freundlich returned to Israel in 2020 to begin medical school on a Phil and Elle Kives Scholarship, where he earned numerous honors. Iluz-Freundlich is currently an intensivist anesthesiologist at the Beilinson Hospital in Israel. Despite his new professional responsibilities, including caring for IDF forces wounded in Gaza– he has remained active with Refuah – as vice-president of the company.
Minuk adds that a dozen other senior professors of medicine also contributed to Refuah’s software design. “Together,” he reports, “the company represents 400+ years of clinical trial experience. That experience is being applied to identifying and addressing the major challenges investigators and patients face when conducting or participating in clinical trials.”`
He adds that Refuah Solutions has established a truly global network with company personnel in San Diego, São Paulo, Mexico City, London, Barcelona, Nairobi and Delhi thus far.
According to Minuk, the company has enjoyed worldwide success – with over 2,000 doctors in 40 countries and 50 drug companies signed on for the PI-enroll app. He attributes this success to the app’s impressive results. In a recent global clinical trial, Minuk reports, within 3-6 months of implementing PI-enroll, investigator personal involvement increased by 60% and with that, patient enrolment increased by 80%, patient drop-outs decreased by 50% and there were 20% fewer protocol deviations (mistakes made). In addition, 90% of PIs rated the App 8 out of 10 in terms of usefulness.
He adds that one site that had not enrolled any patients for 12 months, subsequently became the trial’s leading enrolment site.
Regarding the newly released Patient-empower app, Minuk notes that despite the many benefits patients derive from clinical trials including free and early access to new and often safer and more effective treatments, fewer than 10% of patients who would qualify for a clinical trial are ever invited to consider that option. “The problem,” he explains, “is that most Health Care Providers are either unaware of what clinical trials are underway in their area or if they are aware, don’t have the time to discuss the trials with their patients.”
Therefore, Minuk, Iluz-Freundlich and their team designed and recently released their second app – Patient-empower – which informs patients of what clinical trials are underway for their condition and empowers them to select the trial that prioritizes their needs over those of industry.
The platform, he explains, uses AI to generate concise, easy-to-understand summaries of clinical trials tailored to the patient’s location—city, state, country, or globally, depending on their preference. Each summary includes clear explanations of the patient eligibility criteria and key practical details, such as the likelihood of patients receiving a placebo, the number of required site visits, and other important practical considerations. It also suggests questions that patients should consider asking the investigator before they consent to enrolling. The trial information is presented in a shareable format to facilitate discussions with family, friends, and local healthcare providers—supporting both patient confidence and continuity of care.
Once a trial is selected, Minuk continues, Patient-empower provides the contact information for the trial investigator closest to the patient’s location, the trial’s sponsor and, where available, the world’s experts in the field.
The feature Minuk is most enthusiastic about is the “Recent Findings” page which keeps patients up to date on newly published clinical trial results and discoveries relevant to their condition.
“Patient-empower is available to patients from internet venues (App Store or Google Play) or through NFP organizations, associations, societies and patient support group web-sites,” he adds. “Although only recently released, we have already attracted interest from the American Diabetes Association, the Alzheimer’s Society of America, the Canadian Liver Foundation, Colorectal Cancer Canada, the American Myasthenia Gravis Society and many others.”
“Overall, Patient-empower informs patients, and more informed patients benefit everyone involved. After all, it’s the patient’s health; their voice should be heard,” Minuk concludes.
Local News
The South Seas come to the Asper Campus

By MYRON LOVE On Thursday, July 24, about 150 members of our Jewish community got a chance to sample the dance and music of the South Pacific. The event was billed as “Beyachad Together – Celebrating Indigeneity, land, culture and identity.”

The program featured both the Sarah Sommer Chai Folk Ensemble dancers and Steinbach-based Island Breeze Manitoba – which describes itself as “a high energy live band & Pacific Island dance team featuring authentic outfits and dances from the islands of Hawaii, Tahiti, Fiji, Samoa and New Zealand.”
According to Dr. Ruth Ashrafi, Regional Director of B’nai Brith Canada in Manitoba, the evening’s performance was connected to an Indigenous Peoples Conference that was held in Steinbach under the auspices of Island Breeze with participants from Canada, the United States (specifically Hawaii), Antigua and Bermuda in the Caribbean, South Africa, the Philippines, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific island countries of Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, the Solomon Islands and Tonga.

“The conference organizers contacted B’nai Brith Canada,” Ashrafi reported. “They wanted to bring greetings to the Jewish community, as the indigenous people of the Land of Israel, and celebrate indigeneity together through dance and music.
“Their support in these difficult times is heartwarming.”
In her opening remarks as emcee for the evening, Ashrafi noted that “it is a great honour for the Jewish community to welcome so many indigenous guests from all over the world.”
She then related the story and miracle of Chanukah and connected it to the experience shared by many indigenous nations around the world.
“They have been told that their religion is wrong, their traditions are not sophisticated,” she pointed out, “just as the Jews of that time were told by the Greek rulers that our religion was wrong and our traditions were outdated.
“Here in Canada, the First Nations were forced into Residential Schools to learn Canadian ways. The manner in which they were taught in these schools was abusive and horrific. Many children died, and many more were scarred for life.
“As with the Maccabbees,” she continued, “courageous individuals have stood up and fought for rights of their indigenous brothers and sisters. They had to overcome a lot of resistance and other obstacles. Indigenous peoples are still over-represented in the Canadian prison system and social services.
“The story of Chanukah tells us that it is okay to be different from the majority culture,” she said, and “that special and unique traditions are important and worth preserving.
“The story of Chanukah also teaches us that fighting for our rights is not easy,” Ashrafi added. “We may be a tiny minority and the other side may be much more numerous, better organized and equipped. But if we take the first step, like deciding to use that little jar of oil (that burned in the Temple for weight days even though there was only a day’s supply), we will be helped along the way.”
“We put the Menorah in our front window,” she noted, “so that the light is shining into the dark winter nights. We want to share the story of the Chanukah miracle and we want to bring light into a world that has still so much darkness in it.”
Ashrafi’s words were followed by greetings from David Harper, a former Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief who spoke glowingly of his visit to Israel in 2014.
“Our faith teaches us that the People of Israel are the people of the Bible and we must bless them and pray for them,” he said. “My people have a lot to learn from the people of Israel about healing the land.”
Next, Ashrafi introduced Pastor Roger Armbruster whom, she described, as the man behind the vision for the evening. Armbruster, a strong Christian Zionist supporter of Israel, is the founder of Canada Awakening Ministries.
She said of Armbruster that “it is a privilege to be his friend. I have learned so much from you.”
According to Armbruster’s bio on the Canada Awakening Ministries website, “his life has been dedicated to a ministry of reconciliation, and of building bridges between cultures, nations, denominations and generations. He sees cross-cultural reconciliation as a key to making disciples of all nations, and in seeing God’s House become a House of Prayer for all nations.
“As director of Canada Awakening Ministries, he is a leader in facilitating Native-Non-native reconciliation, and in restoring the indigenous peoples of the land to reflect that part of God’s image that He has deposited in them in their sounds, songs, praise and dances.”
Armbruster attended the Inaugural World Christian Gathering of Indigenous People in New Zealand in November 1996 as well as gatherings in Rapid City, South Dakota, in 1998, northern Sweden in 2005, and Israel in 2008. In his remarks, he noted that he has visited Israel numerous times over the years – often leading tour groups representing Canadian Inuit, Greenlandic Inuit and Manitoba First Nations at the northern ends of the earth, along with Maori, Fijians and Samoans from the southern ends of the earth – back to the City of Jerusalem from where the original gospel message first came.
“In Israel,” Armbruster said, “these Indigenous People have shared their language, their culture and their faith with both Jewish and Palestinian audiences alike. In one Israeli community, they even shared a message that brought hope to a joint audience of some 500 people that included both Jews and Arabs coming together.”
The dance part of the program was emceed by Isi Masi of Island Breezes. The musical program included several Hawaiian dances, including a rousing foot-stomping number,followed by performances featuring Hawaiian song and gentle movement. The final part of the island dances concluded with a brief Maori war chant.
(The Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand.)
The final part of the program included several high octave dances by our own – always outstanding – Sarah Sommer Chai Folk Ensemble, with all the performers singing “We Shall Overcome” and the audience invited to join in a round of Israel dancing.
Local News
Israeli-born realtor believes in paying it forward

By MYRON LOVE When Hofit Yanev and her husband, Stefan, first arrived in Winnipeg in May 2013, they knew no one here.
“We were looking for a safer environment in which to raise our children,” she recalls. “We thought that would be Canada, and Winnipeg seemed to be the most welcoming Jewish community.”
Despite not knowing anybody, on their first morning in our community they found that someone had left a challah on their doorstep. That was a small kindness that she has never forgotten. She is a strong believer in paying it forward. Ever since then, she notes, she has made sure to greet newcomers in our community with a challah.
Helping others – whether to buy and sell their homes or manage their money – is a principal focus of the thriving career she has built up here as a real estate agent and insurance adviser.
Sales has always been Hofit Yanev’s strong suit. Originally from Holon (near Tel Aviv), she began her sales career right after her army duty. Her first venture was selling Dead Sea and hair care products. (Some readers may remember the kiosks that used to be set up at some Winnipeg shopping centres some years back.) She worked a year in Chicago and four years in Miami before returning to Israel, where she met and married Stefan.
Soon after settling in Winnipeg, Hofit found work in sales, initially for an HVAC company (while Stefan became a long-distance truck driver and now operates Excellence Fences and Decks). “As I was doing very well in sales for this company,” she recounts, “after taking time following the birth of our third child, I decided to try selling houses.”
She secured her real estate license and went to work. After 18 months of trying, she was still struggling to make a go of it.
“I lacked experience,” she recalls. “I reached a point where I was ready to give up and go back to selling HVAC products.”
However, on what she thought would be her last day, she received two calls that revitalized her hopes. In quick succession, she recounts, she got a call from a former customer who wanted her to sell his house and a new customer who wanted her help in selling his house and buying another.
“I took it as a sign from God,” she says.
Today, eight years later, Yanev, working under the eXp Realty banner, oversees an operation with over 20 agents—nine of whom are on her team and the others working under her in the eXp umbrella.
“I achieved my dream,” she notes, “and I want to help others – either those looking to buy a home or fellow realtors starting out – to realize their dreams as well.”
She notes that she strives to understand what her clients’ needs are and provide the right homes for them. She reports that 70% of her real estate clients are members of our Jewish community. She deals with commercial as well as residential properties and adds that she also helps clients with long- and short-term rentals as well as car rentals.
About a year ago, she notes, she added another entry to her resumé – that of insurance adviser. “As a realtor, I could see how some people are struggling financially,” she says. “I wanted to help.”
As an insurance adviser, she works with single mothers, seniors, and others plagued by financial difficulty. “I advise clients on how to get out of financial trouble, how to save 10% of their net income, and build their savings.”
She makes it clear that she keeps a distinct separation between her real estate clients and her insurance clients.
Now, you would think that an individual working two careers – with five kids to raise (all of whom are enrolled in Jewish educational programs) – would have her hands full. Nonetheless, Yanev has a third avocation – that of a social events planner for fellow Israelis in Winnipeg and other Hebrew speakers.
“For the past six years,” she reports, “I have been producing five programs a year in our community for Hebrew speakers. No one else was doing it, and I felt that it was important for Israelis here to be able to connect with each other.”
She adds that the family-oriented programs have been “super successful.” “We have had as many as 300 people at some of our programs.”
Yanev believes that her success story can inspire other newcomers to Winnipeg. “If you are prepared to work hard, you can achieve your dream,” she says.
She also expresses gratitude to our Jewish community. “We have found the community here to be welcoming and supportive,” she says. “It is thanks to you that we have been successful. This really is friendly Manitoba.”