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Annamie Paul, candidate for leadership of the Green Party, had a surprising Winnipeg connection – unknown to her until recently

By GERRY POSNER
Imagine my surprise when I picked up a very recent edition of the JP&N and I saw an article on the very woman, Annamie Paul, I had just been asked to interview by Bernie Bellan. (Bernie’s reason for his wanting me to interview Annamie – even though the paper had just published an article about her, had to do with a Winnipeg connection – about which Annamie was probably unaware.)
With this second article, you might think that the JP&N was “ pulling” for her – but, rest assured, it’s only because something in that first article about Annamie certainly caught my attention – and it wasn’t just that Annamie is both Black and Jewish!
This fall there will be an election for a new leader of the Federal Green Party. That election might not stir up much interest yet in Manitoba and beyond, but for Winnipeggers, there are two candidates who have a real connection to the city.
Firstly, most Winnipeggers will recall former mayor Glen Murray. Well, take note that Glen is indeed running hard to be elected to be the new leader.
But secondly, Annamie Paul has a Winnipeg connection through the rabbi who converted her to Judaism: the late Rabbi Jim Diamond. (Read on to find out how Annamie came to be associated with Rabbi Diamond.)
Annamie Paul is likely setting an historical record just by running. First of all, even though there have been other females in Canada run and indeed get elected to Parliament, none of these candidates was at the same time, Black and Jewish. The voter will recognize the Black part, but the Jewish aspect of Annamie is perhaps not as well known as it should be, though Annamie is far from shy about disclosing her Jewishness. In short, Annamie represents diversity, which is a policy for which she ardently advocates.
Let me be clear from the outset that Annamie is not just entering this race to be the political version of Drake or Sammy Davis Jr. This woman has, as they say in the musical world, the ‘chops” to be the leader. Take a look at her background and you have to be amazed. She is to start off a lawyer, having graduated from the University of Ottawa with a Bachelor of Laws and who has since dedicated her career for the most part to public affairs. Her work background includes time spent working for the Canadian Mission to the European Union, providing advice to the International Criminal Court and later acting as the Executive Director of the Barcelona Policy Action Plan. Moreover, she has served as a Director for a leading conflict prevention NGO in Brussels. It ought not therefore be a surprise that this woman speaks fluent English, French, Catalan and is an intermediate speaker of Spanish (also a smattering of Hebrew).
Aside from all that, Paul ran in the 2019 election as a Green candidate – against none other than the Finance Minister, Bill Morneau. She finished fourth out of a group of eight. But, she resisted the pleas of many of her supporters to pick an easier riding. The fact is that Paul is not one who is easily fazed by difficult challenges.
One of those difficult challenges was her becoming Jewish. This was not something that just happened. Annamie had long been interested in Judaism and had an early exposure to Jewish families, growing up in Toronto. She even attended Bar and Bat Mitzvah parties as a youngster. Thus, her connection to Judaism was real. When she studied at Princeton University to obtain a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs over 20 years ago, she made the decision to convert to Judaism.
It was at Princeton, over a two-year period, that Paul made a connection with a rabbi whose roots were genuine north end Winnipeg – as in Boyd, Luxton and Rupertsland Avenues. This rabbi was none other than the late Rabbi James Diamond – a man whom, I might add, was my first cousin – and a beloved cousin to be sure. Oddly, over the year of Paul’s studying under Rabbi Diamond, the fact that he was a Canadian never came up in conversation, she told me.
Rabbi Diamond was the head of the Center for Jewish Life at Princeton for close to 10 years after a career in the rabbinate with Hillel, first at Indiana University, then later at Washington University in St. Louis. Diamond had done other conversions, but this conversion was likely his first and only Black Canadian woman.
And, he did not go easy on Annamie. Even though Jim used to describe himself as a Conservative rabbi with an Orthodox bent, he tried to give to Annamie, as she wanted, a more complete Orthodox instruction which would allow her entry into the Orthodox world if she required it.
She had to appear of course in front of a Beit Din, a panel of three learned men, who quizzed her on aspects of Judaism. Of course, she completed her conversion process with her immersion in a Mikveh. Annamie did it all and she gives Rabbi Diamond total credit for instilling in her this love for Judaism. She says he was responsible for her ability to read Hebrew, her desire to keep a kosher home, and ensuring that her sons had a Jewish education.
In fact one of her sons, Malachi, now 20, was born in Princeton. Both boys celebrated their Bar Mitzvahs – Malachi in Barcelona, and Jonas, in Toronto. Her husband of 24 years, Mark Freeman, a lawyer specializing in human rights, and Annamie, have carved out a real Jewish life for themselves. For Annamie Paul, Judaism speaks to her of values that she holds dear to her, particularly the humanism of the faith and its concern for the welfare of others.
Now, the Green Party has had its share of critics, as do all political parties. One area of concern for Jews is the attitude of the party re Israel. Annamie was clear to me that the Green Party in no way is a supporter of the BDS movement. Where the Green Party stands with respect to the settlements is uncertain, but clearly Paul is cognizant of the issues involved. What Paul is not afraid to do is to be a critic even of her own party if she thinks it has strayed off its platform. She is trying to push both her own party and indeed the whole country to reflect a more diverse and inclusive character.
On the one hand you would have to say that Annamie Paul is a long shot to be elected leader and yet, when you consider her path from nowhere to the present, her determination to embrace her Judaism and the causes that she has pursued with passion, I suggest that Canada would be well served with Annamie Paul as the head of the Green Party. My cousin Jim Diamond would be behind her all the way.
Features
The Types Of Gaming That Are Popular Across North America
Gaming in North America covers almost every style imaginable. Consoles remain a huge part of the culture that changes all the time. Older gaming hobbies like board games still fill living rooms and hobby stores.
People can always find a way to play that suits their interests and preferences. That could be online or offline.
That variety is part of what makes the region so interesting from a gaming point of view. There is no single dominant style. A lot of people prefer quick mobile games that they can play on the go. There are also superfans that sink hundreds of hours into console adventures. It isn’t all about high tech; plenty still enjoy games that have been around for generations.
The common theme is choice. North American players now have more ways to play than ever before.
Classic Casino Games Have Found New Life Online
Casino games have been popular across North America for a long time. The way they are played has changed dramatically in recent decades and brought them to new audiences.
Traditional games such as blackjack and roulette are still easy to recognize. The rules remain familiar to a lot of the population. The technology surrounding them has moved forward at a breakneck speed.
Roulette shows this change. The experience once meant gathering around a physical wheel and watching the ball bounce between the numbered pockets. That same basic format now works online in several different ways.
Digital roulette recreates the wheel through software. Live dealer versions stream a real wheel from a studio using high-definition cameras. Players can follow the action on a laptop or smartphone without losing the simple appeal that made roulette popular in the first place. People who want to play roulette varieties online even have a lot of choice for how they do so.
Slot games have changed even more.
Modern online versions can include detailed animations and new mechanics that would be difficult to reproduce on an old mechanical machine. Newer styles such as crash games have also grown alongside more traditional casino titles.
Casino gaming has essentially become another branch of digital entertainment. People have so much choice that they may turn to ‘games of the week’ as recommendations for a new game to try out.
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Board Games Are Still Going Strong
Board games remain extremely popular across North America. There are even festivals in the area celebrating the choice in board games.
Part of their appeal is social.
A board game creates a reason for people to gather around the same table for competition. They usually debate at least one rule before the night is over!
Classic games still have huge audiences. Chess and Monopoly are instantly familiar. The modern board game scene has become much broader.
Games such as Ticket to Ride and Wingspan helped introduce more people to strategy-heavy tabletop games without making them feel impossible to learn.
Hobby gaming has also become a culture of its own.
Dedicated stores host game nights and board game cafes have turned tabletop gaming into an evening out rather than something that only happens at home.
In an age of screens, cardboard is doing surprisingly well.
Console Gaming Remains A Giant
Console gaming is still one of the biggest parts of North American entertainment.
Living-room consoles have become far more than machines for playing one game at a time. They now act as entertainment hubs for multiplayer gaming and detailed worlds.
Sports games remain popular. Action games and open-world adventure games also draw huge numbers of players.
The appeal is easy to understand.
Console gaming offers impressive graphics and deep experiences without requiring the same level of setup that can come with a gaming PC.
Controllers have evolved too. They have added better feedback and more precise inputs. Online multiplayer has become standard and easier for most players.
PC Gaming Has Its Own Massive Audience
PC gaming occupies a slightly different space. It tends to attract players who like flexibility.
Hardware can be upgraded over time. Digital stores offer enormous libraries ranging from blockbuster releases to tiny experimental projects made by one person.
Strategy games and simulation titles have especially strong roots on PC.
MMORPGs also remain closely linked to the platform. Large communities spend years inside these imagined online worlds.
Competitive gaming has helped keep PC gaming at the center of esports too.
Genres such as tactical shooters and real-time strategy games continue to attract players who enjoy fast competition and highly skill-based play.
Social And Multiplayer Games Keep Growing
You might assume that the online world is isolating gamers. But it is actually fair to say that gaming has become much more social over the last decade in many ways.
People increasingly play with friends who may live hundreds or even thousands of miles away. Cross-platform technology has helped with being able to connect players reliably.
A group no longer always needs identical hardware to play the same title together. Console and PC communities can sometimes mix. Voice chat keeps everyone connected during a session.
The conversation happening during the game becomes just as important as the game itself.
There is no single type of gaming that defines North America. A serious mix is probably the clearest trend of all.
Gaming has stopped being tied to one device or even one kind of player. It now covers everything from a quick game on a smartphone to an all-night board game session or a huge online adventure with friends.
Features
New Opportunities for XRP in the Trump Era: How XRP Holders Can Earn $7,899 Daily in Passive Income Through FTMINING Cloud Mining in 2026
If you’ve always believed that XRP can only be held long-term and wait for its value to appreciate, then FTMINING cloud mining might bring a completely new way to utilize this asset. Today, there is no need to purchase expensive mining machines or master complex mining techniques. You can quickly participate in digital asset mining through cloud computing platforms, giving idle XRP more application value. FTMINING’s cloud mining service, with its convenient operation process, 24/7 computing power service and flexible product solutions, has attracted the attention of many digital asset users, providing a new option for XRP holders who want to obtain continuous mining rewards. The launched cloud computing service supports the participation of various mainstream digital assets such as XRP, helping users to access the digital asset ecosystem in a more convenient way. Users can generate a passive income of up to $7,899 per day.
From holding assets to participating in cloud mining
Traditional mining often requires a significant investment in specialized mining equipment, along with costs for electricity, site access, and maintenance. For ordinary investors, this model presents a high technical and financial barrier to entry. FTMINING adopts a cloud computing power model, which centralizes the operation of mining farms, equipment management, computing power allocation and maintenance, etc., and allows users to choose different cloud computing power products according to their own needs and complete the participation process online, reducing the complexity of operation while still being able to participate.
Features of FTMINING:
● Zero-barrier entry: No need to purchase mining rigs or build a mining farm; even beginners can easily get started.
● Automated mining: The system runs 24/7, with daily automatic settlement of profits.
● Flexible asset management: Profits can be withdrawn or reinvested at any time, supporting multiple mainstream cryptocurrencies.
● Low correlation with price fluctuations: Even during short-term market downturns, cash flow remains stable.
FTMINING: Safe, Transparent, and Trustworthy Investment
FTMINING was founded in 2021 and is headquartered in the UK. It is an innovative platform focusing on digital asset management and cloud computing services. Its operations comply with the regulatory frameworks of the UK and EU. The platform follows the principles of compliance, security and transparency, and is regularly subject to financial and security audits by third-party agencies.
At the technical level, the platform adopts multiple security mechanisms, including bank-level firewalls, cloud security certification, multi-signature cold wallets and asset isolation systems, to provide multi-layer protection for user funds.
Its security infrastructure includes:
●Platform operations comply with the European MiCA and MiFID II regulatory frameworks
● Annual financial and security audit conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
● Digital asset custody insurance provided by Lloyd’s of London
How to participate in FTMINING
Step 1: Register an Account
Visit the official FT MINING website: https://ftmining.com
Create an account by entering your email address and password. Receive a $15 sign-up bonus and a $0.75 daily login bonus.
Step 2: Deposit Cryptocurrency Assets
The platform supports a wide range of cryptocurrencies—including BTC, ETH, LTC, USDT, USDC, XRP, SOL, DOGE, and BCH—eliminating the need for cumbersome currency conversions and making deposits and withdrawals convenient.
Step 3: Select and Purchase a Mining Contract
FT MINING offers various contracts to suit different budgets and goals. Whether you are seeking short-term gains or long-term returns, FT MINING has the right option for you:
Examples of popular contracts:
Starter Contract: $100 — 2-day term — Total profit approx. $108
Stable Contract: $1,000 — 10-day term — Total profit approx. $1,136
Professional Contract: $5,000 — 20-day term — Total profit approx. $6,500
Premium Contract: $25,000 — 30-day term — Total profit approx. $39,250
(Please visit the official website for more contract details.)
Contracts take effect immediately upon purchase, with earnings settled daily.
Real User Feedback
Michael, an XRP holder from Texas, USA:
“I’ve held XRP for years, but for the most part, it just sat there. Since using FTMINING, I’ve been generating steady monthly returns—with daily earnings consistently reaching as high as $7,899—so I no longer worry much about short-term price fluctuations.”
Thomas, an XRP investor from New York:
“The entire process is virtually hands-off, making it ideal for long-term investors. I prioritize regulatory compliance and automation; I joined FTMINING nearly a year ago, and the returns have been excellent.”
Industry Perspectives
Industry observers point out that the attention FTMINING cloud mining model has garnered reflects investors’ growing demand for “stable returns” and “automated asset management.” With the continuous improvement of compliance, security and automation technologies, the FTMINING cloud mining model provides cryptocurrency holders with a new asset management approach and makes “passive income” a realistic and feasible goal.
Conclusion
XRP holders are entering a new phase of digital asset application, moving from simply holding assets to participating in the blockchain ecosystem. FTMINING cloud mining provides users with a more convenient path to explore value. With the help of cloud computing power, users can participate in mining services without purchasing professional mining machines or undertaking complex operation and maintenance processes, allowing idle XRP to play a greater role. With the continuous development of blockchain technology, cloud mining is becoming an increasingly important focus for digital asset users, enabling XRP holders to manage their assets more flexibly and efficiently, and helping them explore new opportunities in the digital economy era.
If you wish to explore more revenue opportunities while holding XRP, the FTMINING cloud mining model is worth further understanding and attention.
Official Website: https://ftmining.com
app: https://ftmining.com
Customer Support Email: info@ftmining.com
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