Local News
Winnipeg Police Service members receive angry reception at Jewish Federation event meant to give advice on personal safety
By BERNIE BELLAN (Posted Nov. 9) The Multipurpose Room in the Asper Campus was supposed to have been filled last night by members of the community wanting to hear from representatives of the Winnipeg Police Service in an event billed as “Responding to Hate: Safety and Security Presentation.”
But there were many empty chairs. Attendees had been required to register in advance – and registration was cut off at 200. Apparently many of those 200 who had registered decided not to come – which was a terrible shame, since many others who had wanted to attend had been told there was no room for them.
What ensued Wednesday evening beginning at 7:10 pm, Wednesday evening, November 8, in the Multipurpose Room of the Campus was a somewhat disorganized series of presentations by various members of the WPS, followed by what became at times a quite heated, often emotional question and answer session.
Here are the major takeaways from the event:
Jewish Federation President Gustavo Zentner introduced eight different members of the WPS to the audience. He said that “this is a community dedicated to the rule of law. We are extremely concerned when we see people burning Israeli flags and when we see police standing by them when they are chanting “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”
Dave Dalal, Superintendent, Uniform Operations, WPS, told the audience that, on October 26, the WPS had asked representatives from both the pro-Palestine and pro-Israel communities not to hold counter protests when the other side was holding a rally. Since that date, both sides had respected the WPS’s request, Dalal said.
Dalal asked that anyone who has information or a complaint about what might be considered a hate crime should call the police non-emergency line: 204-986-6222, and press 8 on the dial pad.
In addition to information given by Dalal, there was also interesting information given by Gord Perrier, Director of Campus Security at the University of Manitoba.
Responses that Dalal and Perrier gave to questions from the audience provided greater insight into the thinking of senior police officers than one might have expected. Dalal especially was quite defensive when he was accused of allowing hate speech to occur at various pro-Palestinian rallies that have taken place in recent weeks. When Dalal (and other members of the WPS who were present) claimed that nothing that had been heard at any of those rallies would have constituted a “hate crime,” local pro-Israel organizer Ron East challenged members of the WPS, asking them whether they had anyone on the force who spoke Arabic?
East claimed that some of what had been said at some of those rallies – in Arabic – would have qualified as hate speech. In response, Dalal did say that the WPS does have members on the force who speak Arabic. He also said that there are Jewish members in the WPS.
Another audience member said he has audio evidence of hate speech in Arabic that was said at one of those rallies. Dalal asked that audience member to give that evidence to the WPS.
Another WPS representative, Bonnie Emerson (Community Engagement) gave a fairly lengthy presentation on how hate speech is defined in the criminal code.
In response to a question why pro-Palestinian protesters were allowed to block off Portage and Main, Emerson said, “It’s complex – and we’re dealing with a crowd environment. We have to be deliberate and careful when we take action.”
With reference to whether something is “hate speech,” Emerson said “It’s not clear what is hate speech. For the Jewish community it may be hate speech, but to other communities it may not be. The criminal code is not specific. Unless there is case law backing up that it’s hate speech, it’s not illegal.”
In response, Gustavo Zentner suggested that “part of the (angry) reaction from the back (where some people had been interrupting Emerson’s remarks) is people take it as an endorsement by inaction.”
Gord Perrier, Director of Campus Security (who was also a 25-year veteran of the WPS) was not at the front of the room when the eight members of the WPS gave various presentations to the audience. Dalal referred to his presence, however and, in response to a direct question from a member of the audience who said they were concerned about the safety of Jewish students at the University of Manitoba, Dalal asked Perrier whether he could answer the question.
Perrier spoke about a “vigil” that was held by pro-Palestinian students at the U of M on October 13. He said there had been consultation with organizers of the vigil prior to the event. The organizers were told there could be “no chanting” and “no flags on staffs.” (According to Perrier, flag staffs could be considered weapons.)
When chanting did begin, one of the organizers attempted to have the chanting stopped, Perrier said, but he was ignored to start with. Also, a flagstaff did appear.
Perrier also addressed the question of hate speech – and why no one has been charged with a hate crime yet in Manitoba since October 7. (To provide some context, many members of the audience were angry that pro-Palestinian demonstrators are continually allowed to chant “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”)
Perrier explained that a charge of hate speech has to be approved by the attorney general of the province in which the hate speech has allegedly occurred.
He admitted though, that despite the campus police at the U of M having “increased physical security on campus… a lot of the staff don’t have historical knowledge” of what’s led up to the heated atmosphere between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel students. “There’s a lot of training going on,” Perrier noted.
“We reach out to every organizer of a rally telling them it has to be respectful and safe,” he suggested.
Another audience member referred to what is apparently a very tense situation at St. Johns Ravenscourt school, saying “I have kids at SJR and we’re seeing a lot of conflict between Arab and Jewish kids.”
That person said his kid had been told “We’re going to finish you.”
At one point Gustavo Zentner referred to something that is being planned for “November 13,” but he didn’t immediately explain what he was talking about. It was only after a while that he said there is some sort of walkout being planned for high schools in Winnipeg that day. (We contacted Ruth Ashrafi, Regional Director, B’nai Brith Canada, to ask whether she knew what Gustavo was talking about. Ruth sent us a picture of a poster that’s circulating on social media by a group known as “Queers for Palestine,” which in itself is a ridiculous name as queers are persecuted in Palestinian areas – often killed – thrown off rooftops by Hamas, for instance, and often flee to Israel where they’re safe, but let’s leave aside one of the many contradictions associated with pro-Palestinian groups.)
An audience member asked Superintendent Dalal, “What would you do if it was your family being threatened?”
Dalal responded: “We are bound by the rule of law. We have Jewish officers. We also have officers who wish and hope that their neighbours don’t know they’re police officers.”
Someone else asked: “How do we make our kids feel safe when they’re in a school where they know other kids hate them?”
Part of the answer that was given was “There are many people in the MIddle Eastern community here who are opposed to antisemitism.”
To Israelis in the audience – Gustavo Zentner had this to say: “Everyone of us who was either born in Israel or moved there – we are mindful of your concerns.”
And, in addressing the often heated criticism levelled at the WPS during what turned into a very emotional evening for some members of the audience, Jewish Federation President Jeff Lieberman said, “We’ve been in constant touch with the WPS since October 7 and we appreciate that the moment we asked you (WPS) whether you would come out and meet with us tonight – you agreed.”
Local News
Brian Glow: magician on a mission
By MYRON LOVE Anyone who has been to a sporting event in recent years is sure to be familiar with the hot dog and t-shirt launchers that propel hot dogs and t-shirts into crowds. What you probably don‘t know is that the launcher was invented right here in Winnipeg – by Brian Glow.
“I have always been an inventor,” says the son of Freda and the late Syd Glow. “I came up with the concept for the launcher in the early 1980s. It has many other uses in addition to sporting events. It can be used to spew out streamers or confetti. It can shoot out a guide rope from a ship to tie the vessel to a dock and fire out life-saving vests to swimmers or boaters in trouble.”
While few probably know about Glow’s avocation as an inventor, people all over the world will know him from his “day job” as one of North America’s most in-demand magicians.
Brian Glow has been making magic for almost all of his life. His resumé includes more than 10,000 corporate shows under his belt, including sales meetings, trade shows, banquets, annual general meetings, and award ceremonies. He has also performed and produced shows for the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics and the Pan American Games.
Glow’s multi-award winning one-man “Comedy, Magic and Mindreading” production has become one of the favourite touring magical shows in North America. He has entertained in casinos, on television and film, and for corporate events and public spectacles in over 45 countries worldwide.
In a recent interview with Glow in his West St. Paul home, he recalled his first performance. “I was the entertainer for my eighth birthday party,” he recounts. “I have been in demand ever since.”
It was from the old Ed Sullivan show – which those of us of a certain age will well remember – that Glow was introduced to magic. “My family and I never missed an Ed Sullivan broadcast,” he says. “It was like a religion.”
As a magician, Glow was self-taught. “I learned my first magic tricks from reading books at the West Kildonan Library,” he recalls. “There were two books about magic at the library. One was called ‘Magic of the World,’ which was published in 1965. The other was Houdini’s ‘Biography of Magic for Kids.’ Those books were amazing teachers. I still use some of those same tricks today.”
“In our corporate shows,” he continues, ”we incorporate our sponsors’ products in the production. For example, if we are doing a show for an auto dealership or manufacturer, I make a car magically appear.”
Glow points out that while many people can do simple magic tricks, the key to taking it to the next level is the presentation.”That takes skill,” he says. “The presentation is what makes an act magical, amazing, fun.”
While Brian Glow truly is an amazing magician, what really separates him from his brethren is that he is also a man on a mission. That mission is to build his magic act as a framework around which he teaches children and teenagers how to counter bullying. And, over the past 40 years, he has brought his anti-bullying training to tens of thousands of children primarily living in remote – largely Indigenous – communities across the north – from Nunavut to Alaska, also northern Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Northwestern Ontario.
Why does he focus on those regions? He explains that in larger, more easily accessible centres, there are professionals – doctors, psychologists, social workers – who can provide counselilng for individuals who are being victimized by bullies. That help is simply not available in large swaths of our country.
When it comes to surviving bullying, Brian Glow speaks from his own personal experiences growing up. He notes that he has lost some friends to suicide because of the torments they suffered from bullies.
In his shows focusing around countering bullying, he intersperses magic with his own stories about experiencing bullying. Glow tries to provide strategies for standing down bullies and working on creating more positive self-images for victims of bullying, that include calling up audience members to engage in role playing among other techniques.
“Bullying involves an imbalance of power,” he explains. “One of the more effective ways of disarming a bully is to refuse to react to the insults. You have to try to keep calm and respond in an even voice. The bully wants to humiliate you. If he can’t, he will lose interest.”
Glow concedes that is not easy when someone is telling you that you are fat or ugly. “You have to keep at it to a make a difference,” he says.
He further points out that the exponential growth in social media over the past 25 years has made the bullying problem much worse. Social media can amplify your public humiliation,” Glow observes. “You can be left with a sense of worthlessness and really spiral down.”
He notes that he continues to stay abreast of the latest research related to bullying and learn new techniques in countering this pernicious practice.
Brian Glow may now be past what is still generally considered retirement age, but he has no intention currently of slowing down. In fact, he recently left on another two-month round of anti-bullying performances in the north – starting with northern Saskatchewan.
“I am a lucky man,” he concludes. “I have been able to spend my life doing what I love, also using magic to help others. And, I am still learning.”
One can certainly say that Brian Glow has lived a magical life.
Local News
Group of crocheters create a sea of anemones as part of third annual community commemoration of October 7
By MYRON LOVE On Wednesday, October 7, we will be commemorating the third anniversary of the horrific events of October 7, 2023 – when an estimated 1,200 of our Israeli brothers and sisters were slaughtered in a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel – with the third annual Walk for Israel.
The estimated 50-minute walk is scheduled to start at 5:30.
“Last year, we had about 2,000 members of the community and supporters turn out,” reports Judi Shuster, one of the walk organizers. “We would like to see as many or more people this year. It is such as empowering feeling, participating in this walk.”
She notes that the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews is contributing a large number of Israeli flags.
Shuster is also one of a group of 17 women who are adding something new to the commemoration. Over the past few months, the group members – including -Vanesa Harari, Tanya Chanas, Florencia Katz, Francyn Martini, Gail and Clara Garland, Claudia Griner, Faye Rosenberg Cohen, Judi Shuster, Patricia Lempert, Adriana Josebachvili, Valeria Senderowich, Tali Hassan, Orit Reuter, Kristin Gislason, Karyn Glass, and Michaela Kaplan – have crocheted 1,400 anemones (the original goal was 1,200) – to attach to a creative display that will be displayed throughout the month of October at the entrance to the Asper Campus.
Why anemones (kalaniot in Hebrew)? Florencia Katz, a member of the commemoration organizing committee, explains that kalaniot grow extensively throughout southern Israel and are the country’s national flower. During her visit to the site of the ill-fated Nova Festival in May, 2024, Katz notes that pictures of the victims with kalaniot in the background had been put up in the field.
Katz points out that it was Judi Shuster’s idea for the banner. Shuster had also seen the pictures at the Nova festival location.
“I contacted Florencia about this idea for crocheting the Kalaniot for the display and she was enthusiastic about it,” she says. “Originally, eight of us got together to plan this. We recruited a cross section of crocheters – Jewish and non-Jewish.”
“We had our first creative meeting on February 5,” Katz reports..
“We had the help of some other creative people with the background and design.”
She further points out that the October 7 date was ironed onto the piece of art.
The commemoration will conclude with a short gathering with anthems and prayers.
Readers who may want to participate in the Walk for Israel can register at www.jewishwinnipeg.org/october7.
Local News
Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada Executive Director Belle Jarniewski takes Holocaust education professional development to Turtle Mountain School Division
By MYRON LOVE Last November, our provincial government announced a mandatory Holocaust education curriculum for all Grade 6, Grade 9 and Grade 11 Social Studies students in Manitoba. But, as the saying goes, the devil is in the details – as in where do teachers find additional resources to help them teach the curriculum?
The answer was to be found at the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada (JHCWC) which, in addition to its mandate to preserve and highlight the history of Jewish life in Western Canada, has long been a leader in Holocaust education in our province. For nearly 30 years, students have come to the Holocaust Education Centre at the Asper JCC for presentations on the Holocaust and antisemitism. As well, for the past 25 years, the JHCWC has organized an annual Holocaust and Human Rights symposium, which was previously held at the University of Winnipeg’s Duckworth Centre and is now held online, drawing up to 3000 to 5000 students annually from grades 6-12 from throughout the province. Thus, the JHCWC was a natural fit in partnering with the government in introducing the new Holocaust Education curriculum.
Last March, reports Belle Jarniewski, the JHCWC’s executive director, 200 Winnipeg teachers attended a Holocaust education training program – led by Jarniewski and Dr. Sharon Graham (who is Community Planning and Allocations Lead for the Jewish Federation), as well as Toronto experts from the Azrieli Holocaust Survivor Memoirs program, also from a program called “Facing History and Ourselves” – at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue. Another 85 teachers participated in a similar program the following day in Brandon.
“One of the teachers from the Turtle Mountain School Division who had attended the session in Brandon reached out to us,” Jarniewski recounts. “He hoped we could come to Killarney so that more teachers in his school division could receive professional development on the new curriculum.”
Thus, on Tuesday, September 8, Belle Jarniewski and Sharon Graham travelled to Killarney in the southwest corner of Manitoba to lead a morning workshop for some 125 teachers working in the Turtle Mountain School Division. (The division offices are located in Killarney.)
“It was the first day back for teachers and we were given a half day of their day-long in-service,” Jarniewski notes.
“In this way, we could reach more teachers in the area than if they had to travel to Winnipeg and find substitutes for their classes. It is a lovely school,” she adds, “and we received a really warm and positive response.”
Dr. Sharon Graham’s role, she notes, was to present on Jews and Judaism, Jewish history in general as well as Jewish life in Manitoba, from the earliest days of immigration until now. She also gave examples of the rich diversity of Jewish life. “The response to Sharon was very positive.”
“Teaching about Jews and Judaism as well as about the millennia old history of antisemitism is an important and integral part of the new curriculum. Many of the people in rural areas may have likely not met a Jew before,” Jarniewski suggests.
“My role,” she continues, “was to provide an overview of the curriculum itself and to offer many pedagogical resources that are available to help teachers feel comfortable in teaching this complex subject. We also recommended a number of books and films that teachers can access as well as the Azrieli Holocaust Survivor Memoirs Series, which offers books in both English and French to teachers at no cost whatsoever. On our Jewish Heritage Centre website, we have a comprehensive list of books and films which are useful for teaching the Holocaust, as well as many resources from Canada and around the world.”
Jarniewski also mentioned the importance of digital literacy so that students are able to identify appropriate resources.
One book that she specifically advised the teachers to avoid is a popular work of fiction – in both book and film form, titled “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.” The plot purports to show a friendship that develops between a young concentration camp prisoner and the young son of the camp commandant.
“It’s really problematic,” Jarniewski points out. “Both historians and educators have pointed out the many historical inaccuracies throughout the narrative which promote dangerous misconceptions and misplaced sympathy regarding the Holocaust.”
While Israel-Palestine history is not part of the curriculum, many educators in Canada have noted that children bring up the current conflict in the classroom. It is difficult to find materials that are accessible for children, and which are historically accurate, Jarniewski says.
“We are aware that this topic can engender difficult conversations in the classroom,” she notes. “We encourage educators to create a safe and respectful space in their classrooms and to prioritizes dialogue over debate.”
One film that she did recommend on this subject is a 9-minute animated video called “Once Upon A Time In Palestine: Israel-Palestine Explained For Kids” through the lives of childhood friends – one Jewish and the other Arab – from their childhood in the last days of the Ottoman Empire to the present time.
Jarniewski notes that the JHCWC welcomes invitations from school divisions across the province in the near future.
