By MYRON LOVE Despite the impression given by certain biased media, Canadian Jewry has many friends from outside our community. On the one hand, there are the Christian Zionist friends of Israel and the Jewish people – groups such as Bridges for Peace and Christian Friends of Israel (see accompanying article), and individuals such as John and Irene Plantz and Rudy and Gina Fidel, who contribute their moral and financial support to Israel and our local Jewish community.  There is also Kevin Klein, publisher and editor of the Winnipeg Sun, whose newspaper is a whole-hearted supporter of Israel and the Jewish People and strong fighter against antisemitism.
Then there is Dave Hill, a prominent local lawyer – a partner in the law firm Hill Sokalski – who has  been in practice for more than 50 years.  On Sunday, November 2, Hill was one of eight new signatories to enter their names and life stories into the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba’s Endowment Book of Life.
Hill reports that he has been making donations to the Foundation for the past ten years.  “I believe in giving back to the community,” he says, noting that he is also a supporter of the Winnipeg Foundation and several medical institutions.  “I have always had a great deal of compassion for the Jewish People who have suffered over 2000 years of persecution.”
The 2025 signers – in addition to Hill – were Jack and Belva London, Jeff and Sarah Morry, Moe Levy, Becky Kaufmann (a former JFM board member who flew in from Toronto), and Stewart Fay – in memory of his late wife, Patricia.
As explained on the Foundation website, the Endowment Book of Life program – which was started in 1998 – “is a planned program that offers participants an opportunity to leave both a financial and historical legacy to the community.”
Donors promise to leave a bequest to the Foundation,  in return for which their family story is inscribed in the Book of Life.
The annual official unveiling of new stories this year was held on Sunday, November 2, at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and included brunch, some musical entertainment featuring a talented quartet of singers: Julia Kroft, Alyssa Crockett, Tyler Leighton and Nathanial Muir.
Speaking on behalf of his fellow signers,  Jack London noted that, “In Jewish thought, giving tzedakah is not just charity – it’s a moral obligation. An endowment gift is a powerful expression of this duty. It reflects the Jewish principle of tikkun olam. It can be a spiritual act, fulfilling commandments, and enhancing the donor’s connections to their faith.”
The former dean of the University of Manitoba Faculty of Law had words of praise for “the wonderful purpose and mechanisms of the Jewish Foundation and its truly extraordinary staff.”
He noted that the Foundation was established in 1964 by “a group of visionary leaders and has been a beacon of hope and opportunity for decades.”  He further pointed out that “its endowment funds have empowered countless initiatives, from supporting education and cultural programs to ensuring the wellbeing of our most vulnerable. Through the Foundation, we see the power of collective generosity, and we remember that when we come together, we can achieve extraordinary things.”
“Giving isn’t just about money,” London observed. It’s also about its impact. Every contribution, no matter how small, has the potential to change and better lives. Every gift by way of endowment results in an endless rate of return from investment which can be employed year after year to support our institutions and assist individuals in need to survive more comfortably and our community to flourish.    
“Think of it like planting seeds. You may not see the tree grow overnight, but one day someone will sit in its shade benefitting from the kindness you showed today. In fact, l’dor v’dor, (from generation to generation) is another core Jewish concept. Endowments embody it by supporting those future generations. It is a way for donors to leave not only the currency, but the legacy of Tzedakah (charitable giving), a mitzvah deeply rooted in Jewish ethics.
“So, let’s put some leaves on the ‘tree” of giving’.
“Today’s signers,” London concluded,”have added our familial names, our memories and our promises in support of the Foundation’s good deeds. May good triumph and may peace prevail.”

 In his own remarks, John Diamond, the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba’s CEO, described the Endowment Book of Life program as one of the Foundation’s “most meaningful and most successful initiatives”. 
“By entering their and their families’ life stories in our book,” he said, “our donors both honour those who came before and inspire those who will come after us.”
In his closing remarks, the JFM’s chair Dan Blankstein reported that the Endowment Book of Life book currently contains over 800 stories.  Echoing John Diamond, Blankstein observed that “Our Endowment Book of Life is both a living history of Jewish life in Manitoba and a guide to the future”.

By MYRON LOVE In “Casablanca”, one of my favourite movies, the hero – after sending off to safety the woman he loves with another man and killing the bad guy Nazi major is last seen walking into the mist with the police chief  – en route to their both joining the Free French forces – and uttering these immortal words to the police chief: “this is the beginning of as beautiful friendship”.
One could say the same about the close ties between the Winnipeg chapters of Canadian Magen David Adom (CMDA) and Christian Friends of Israel.  On Thursday, October 23, the Christian Zionist group held its second Stand With Israel evening (see accompanying story). Among those in attendance were Israeli-born Sharon Fraiman, the Calgary-based CMDA director for Western Canada and her CMDA Winnipg team members, who were on hand to accept a cheque for $30,000 from the international Christian Zionist organization.
On Tuesday, November 4, the emcee for CMDA Winnipeg’s second annual fundraising gala was none other than Jared Esser,  FOI’s newly-appointed director for Manitoba, with several other FOI supporters also on hand, including a few who are also CMDA volunteers.
It clearly is a “beautiful friendship” between Israeli/Jewish and Christian Zionist charities.
This second CMDA evening – hosted by the Lubavitch Centre – was a gala evening that outdid last year’s event. The chairs and tables were covered in white linen – with an attractive floral arrangement on each table. The meals were first class. There were multiple servers to deliver said meals efficiently. And an outstanding violinist imported from Calgary serenaded the estimated 200 guests/supporters throughout the reception prior to and throughout supper.
The evening’s entertainment was provided by 21-year- old Nevo Abutbul, who has been acclaimed as the world’s youngest professional mentalist, who was flown in from Israel.
Notable among the guests were: Conservative Party MLAs Kevin Goertzen and Wayne Ewasko; Markus Chambers, Winnipeg’s Deputy Mayor; Sidney Benizri, CMDA’s national executive director; Uri Shacham, Chief of Staff to the Director General of CMDA;  Raphael Herbst, MDA Deputy Director of Fundraising & International Relationship Department);  and Chaim Dagan, MDA Executive Board Deputy Chairman and Head of Volunteering in Yarkon Region.
For readers who may be unfamiliar with MDA, the organization doubles as both Israel’s Red Cross and the country’s blood services organization. The MDA was founded on June 7, 1930 and acquired its first ambulance a year later.  The MDA has over 4,000 staff and has on its roster 34,000 volunteers representing a cross section of Israel’s religious communities and people of all ages.  The organization operates over 2,000 ambulances, first responder scooters, helicopters and life-saving boats.
The really remarkable fact is that the MDA operates without any financial support from the Government of Israel. That is why it is so important that donors such as those at the gala have to step up.  The goal of the evening, according to Ami Bakerman, the Winnipeg chapter president, was to raise $150,000. As of the time of writing this, the local group has raised a bit over $$100,000 toward the $140,000 cost of one ambulance.
In his remarks, Uri Shacham described the MDA as “the heartbeat of Israel.” 
“What we have had to deal with over the past five years has been unprecedented, “ he noted.   “First there was Covid, then October 7.  The MDA spearheaded Israel’s emergency response efforts.  While the Israel Defense Force is responsible for protecting our nation’s borders, MDA is responsible for saving lives.”
On October 7, Shacham recalled,  MDA volunteers rushed into the danger zones – despite the terrorists purposely targeting their ambulances.
And, during the brief, 12-day war with Iran in June, MDA volunteers responded to the shell-shocked and the wounded who had been hit by Iranian missile strikes.  At one point, Shacham recounted, MDA was required to provide special buses to move patients from Beersheva’s  Soroka Hospital after it was hit by a missile.
But, it is not only in conditions of war where the MDA shines. During the period of time in the summer when wildfires were devastating northern Israel and forcing large scale evacuations, MDA was on the scene.
“We at MDA have the best emergency response times and best technology n the world,” Shacham noted.
As to the current situation, he cautioned that the ceasefires with Hezbollah in Lebanon and in Gaza do not mean that the fighting is over – as reports indicate that, despite strong IDF pressure, the terrorists continue to try to rebuild their forces and armaments.
“If you are asking what you can do for our Jewish homeland,” he noted, “continue to donate to the MDA and allow us to bring about more happy endings.”
To finish the evening, Sharon Faiman recognized major local MDA donors Ida Alpern, Larry and Tova Vickar and Ruth Ann Borenstein, as well as Candice Tenenbein. Fraiman also had special praise for Linda Filbert, the Lubavitch Centre’s administrator, who played a major role in ensuring that the gala was a success.
“The men and women of the MDA are our heroes,” Fraiman concluded.  “But they can’t do what they do alone. We need your continued support.  There is nothing more important than saving lives.” 

By MYRON LOVE In these stressful times – where levels of antisemitism in words and deeds have – since October 7, 2023 – reached levels that most of us have never before experienced, it is good to know that many of our fellow Canadians still stand with Israel and the Jewish People.  Among the staunchest of our non-Jewish supporters are the Friends of Israel Gospel Ministries Canada (FOI).
On the evening of Thursday, October 23, the Christian Zionist organization hosted its second annual “Stand With Israel Night,” the highlight of which was the presentation of $30,000 cheques to three Israel-based charities.
The event, which was held in the Multipurpose room at the Asper Campus, attracted about 100 people – comprising both members of our Jewish community and Christian supporters of Friends of Israel. Jared Esser, FOI’s newly-appointed director for Manitoba, the emcee for the evening, bade welcome and thanked those in attendance for coming together to show their support for Israel and the Jewish People.
The evening began with music by Myron Schultz and his Klezmer Trio.
Esser began the evening’s program by introducing Robert Gottselig, FOI’s Canadian director.  Gottselig, who lives in Regina, pointed out that FOI was founded in 1938, fully ten years before the establishment of the Jewish State, in response to the plight of the Jews of Europe.
“At the outset,” Gottselig noted, ”FOI formed a relief committee to raise funds for food, clothing and shelter for Europe’s endangered Jews. We also worked to provide passports for those who wanted to escape.
“We believe that God has kept his covenant with the Jewish People and brought his chosen people back to their ancestral land,” he said.  “The land of Israel and the Jewish People are inseparable. As Christian Zionists, we stand unequivocally with the Jewish People.”
He added that those who accuse Israel of such “sins” as “colonialism” and oppression of the Palestinians are lying.  “Those who fight Israel are fighting God,” he stated.
Following a  break for refreshments, Esser introduced one by one the recipients of the $30,000 donations.  The first was the Canadian Magen David Adom, Israel’s world leading and largely volunteer driven, national  emergency medical, disaster, ambulance and blood bank service.
Accepting the cheque on behalf of Canadian Magen David Adom Canada was Israeli-born Sharon Fraiman, the Calgary-based CMDA director for Western Canada.
“The Magen David Adom’s history reflects the history of Israel,” she commented.  “Every dollar CMDA raises counts.
”Our organization in Israel has the support of 34,000 volunteers who are available 24 hours a day every day,” she reported. “We treat over one million Israelis a year in peace and war.  It’s who we are and what we do. Our volunteers are our heroes. “
Fraiman added that, since October 7, 2023, the number of Israelis with mental health issues that MDA has responded to has grown exponentially.
She noted that CMDA raises money in Canada to buy ambulances, medical equipment, supplies and blood testing kits to support the life saving efforts of MDA in Israel.   She singled out Ida Alpern, a member of the board of CMDA Winnipeg who, with her late husband, Saul, contributed funding to pay for two new ambulances and one scooter.  She further praised Ami Bakerman for his leadership of local CMDA efforts.
The second recipient of a donation from FOI was Christian Friends of Leket Israel, which raises money in support of Leket Israel – an organization which has been feeding the hungry in Israel since 2003. In a video appearance, Ray MacDonald, the director of Christian Friends of Leket Israel, expressed his appreciation for FOI’s donation and spoke about the organization’s work on behalf of disadvantaged Israelis.
“We provide about 175,000 needy Israelis weekly with nutritious food and meals,” he reported.  “We supply over 300 non-profit partners that feed the poor.”
MacDonald added  that 20% of Israelis live below the poverty line, that one-third of Israeli children go to school hungry – and that the situation has worsened over the past two years due to the war.
He described Leket Israel as a “food rescue” organization that gathers its food from a variety of sources.  “We work with over 500 farmers that share their crops with us,” MacDonald said. “We also source food from hotel and resorts.”
According to the Leket website, “millions of tons of healthy, fresh food are wasted or destroyed because of excess quantity, minor imperfections, or financial cost. 
“Food waste has severe consequences for society, the environment, and the economy. Food rescue addresses these problems by productively using surplus food instead of destroying it.  With Leket’s fleet of 27 refrigerated trucks and vans, our staff and volunteers transport thousands of tons of rescued food throughout the country.
“All rescued produce is brought to the logistics center or other cold storage facilities, where it is sorted, stored, and prepared for delivery to one of our 330 nonprofit partners.
“All rescued cooked food is either brought directly from where it was cooked to a recipient nonprofit partner, or brought to one of our regional hubs to be stored overnight and reheated the following morning for timely service of a hot lunch. The food rescued by Leket Israel is distributed to 296 nonprofit organizations, including homeless shelters, soup kitchens, elderly centers, battered women’s centers, community help organizations, and schools for at-risk youth.”
The final recipient of the FOI’s largesse was Operation Lifeshield, whose mission is to provide bomb shelters for threatened Israeli communities.  Rabbi Shmuel Bowman, the organization’s executive director, was also one of the founders of Operation Lifeshield. Winnipeg pediatrician Dr. Matthew Lazar, a cousin of Bowman’s, is president of Operation Lifeshield Canada.
Operation Lifeshield was formed in 2006  by a small group of American olim and Israelis who were visiting the Galilee during the second Lebanon war in 2006 and found themselves under rocket attack – along with thousands of others – with no place to go.  They decided to take action.
In a presentation that Bowman made last year – while in Winnipeg to accept a donation from FOI last year, he noted that “our shelter construction design and manufacturing processes conform with the strictest guidelines and approval of the Israel Defense Force Home Front command.  Several types of shelters are available in order to best protect schools, kindergartens, synagogues, parks, sidewalks, bus shelters and senior centres.”
Lazar reported that Operation Lifeshield, over the years, has built or updated more than 1,000 shelters – making sure that they all have up to date fire fighting and communications equipment, that the shelters are water-proofed, and the walls fortified.
Jared Esser is looking forward  to next year’s Stand With Israel evening.