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Christian Zionist churches raise funds for seniors’ program in Israel in celebration of Winnipeg Holocaust survivor’s 100th birthday

100-year-old  Rita Chabelski

By MYRON LOVE
On June 20, Rita Chabelski celebrated her 100th birthday. To commemorate the momentous occasion, the members of Faith Temple, a Christian Zionist congregation in Winnipeg led by Pastor Rudy Fidel, raised more than $1,000 from church members to help support Emunah Women Israel’s Maayan Rivka Goldene Age Restaurant in Petach Tikva.

The restaurant provides social engagement opportunities for elderly individuals – many of whom came to Israel as refugees and Holocaust survivors – who are often widowed and isolated, with no family or loved ones to care for them. The program was set-up as a “Restaurant”- instead of a “Soup Kitchen,” specifically to assure a level of independence and dignity for the participants. If they are able to, diners pay a token cost for their meals and any social activity in which they participate– a policy which allows for a sense of independence and pride among the seniors.
Some readers may remember Rita Chabelski by another name. For most of her more than 35 years as the balabus at the Chesed Shel Emes, our community’s non-profit Jewish funeral chapel, she was known as Rita Eryk. Her successor and current executive director, Rena Boroditsky, remembers her as very well-organized and a meticulous office manager.
As with so many Holocaust survivors who came to Winnipeg after the war, Rita Chabelski’s life story began in Warsaw. Her daughter, Lucy Manusovich Lipari, relates that her mother walked out of the Warsaw Ghetto with a friend in 1940 – at the urging of her mother and sister, heading east. Rita walked over 1,000 miles, eventually coming to Siberia, where she spent the last couple of years of the war in a labour camp.
“She never talked much about the war,” says Lipari. “She probably wanted to forget.”
After the war, an organization helping refugees sent her back to Poland, where she met her first husband (and Lucy Lipari’s father), Jacob Manusovich. Finding no other family members still alive in Poland, the couple moved on to Germany and Duppel Centre, the largest displaced persons camp in the American Zone in Berlin. That was where their daughter was born.
The family came to Winnipeg in 1948. Both Jacob and Rita had family already here. Rita’s cousins were the Perlovs – also Holocaust survivors – while Jacob’s relatives were the Warkov and Tauber Families.
The family arrived here in December. Lucy Lipari recalls her mother commenting that the temperature in Halifax when they got off the boat felt colder than Siberia.
Rita and Jacob struggled for the first few years in Winnipeg until they were hired to work at the Chesed Shel Emes some time in the 1950s. “We lived upstairs while I was growing up,” Lipari recounts. “When I was old enough to start dating, we moved to Garden City.”
Jacob died in 1968 at the age of 61. “He suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, a result of what he went through in the war,” Lucy says.
Rita became Mrs. Eryk (the name by which I first knew her) after marrying a fellow by the name of Boris Eryk. That marriage was short-lived – ending in divorce.
In 1983, she married for the third time. Michael Chabelski was also from Poland. For many years, he operated a small coin and stamp store on Donald next to the Metropolitan theatre. From what Lucy Lipari describes, they had a happy marriage. She travelled quite a bit after she retired from the Chesed in the mid-1990s.
After Michael’s passing in 2003, Rita remained in their home on Rupertsland Blvd. Lipari and family moved Rita to the Middlechurch Home ten years ago.
“We tried to move her to the Simkin Centre,” Lipari says, “but she wanted to stay where she was. She is comfortable at Middle-church. A number of the staff speak Polish and her Polish now is better than her English.”
Rudy and Gina Fidel got to know Rita and Michael Chabelski through mutual friends and have stayed in touch with Rita. The Fidels have led numerous trips to Israel over the years. In 2003, Rita went with them to Israel.
“That was the first time that she had been to Israel,” Rudy says. “Rita was the most active person in our group. She wanted to see everything.”
Lucy notes that her own search of the Yad Vashem website about 15 years ago found one of her mother’s cousins living in California. “She last saw this cousin in 1939,” Lucy notes.
“My mother loved to walk. She walked everywhere.
“She also liked trying new recipes.”
Lipari herself left Winnipeg after high school for Harvard and New York University. About 25 years ago, she and her husband Rick, moved to Florida.
Until recently, Rita would spend every winter with her daughter and family, and Lucy and Rick would visit Rita in Winnipeg in the summers. Because of Covid restrictions, the family is unable to be with Rita to celebrate her 100th birthday but, Lipari notes, Middlechurch staff arranged for mother and daughter to spend some face time on line on mother’s day.
And Rudy and Gina Fidel were scheduled to pay Rita a visit the day before her birthday.

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Famous Gambling Scandals and Controversies: Allyspin Casino Opinion

The gambling industry is full of scandals and controversies. There are various cases of fraud and manipulation schemes. That is why it is very important to pay attention to reliable gambling sites like Allyspin online casino, which follows the rules of responsible and safe gambling for its fans. Research shows that more than one trillion dollars are bet worldwide every year. That is why it is very important to be able to distinguish safe and reliable sites from fraudulent ones.
Casino Fraud and Money Laundering
Honest and secure gambling websites like Allyspin casino are careful not to fall victim to scammers. However, many sites are often targets for money laundering and fraud. Due to the large volume of transactions and cash flow, it is difficult to track all the directions of the flow of funds.
Among the largest scandals, the Crown Resorts in Australia stands out. An investigation showed that the casino was used to launder millions. Macau casino networks have also been involved in high-profile scandals. Thus, the region has faced close attention due to allegations of organized crime and laundering billions of dollars through betting. In addition, there are many money laundering cases in Las Vegas casinos.
There are many different methods of money laundering in online casinos. For example, fraudsters use chip dumping, cashing out winnings. Also, structuring is used by entering small amounts that are difficult to track over time.
Gambling Industry Reforms after Scandals
Sites like Allyspin casino do everything possible to prevent such scandals. Thus, the latest security measures and solutions are actively implemented:
Advanced fraud detection based on artificial intelligence. With the help of modern algorithms, monitoring of suspicious behavior when placing bets is simplified.
Strict identity verification protocols. Users need to confirm their identity before being able to withdraw funds.
Secure data using blockchain. Modern online casinos use cryptocurrency payments and blockchain in order to reduce the risks of unauthorized access to transactions.
Responsible gaming programs are also actively implemented. Online casinos offer the option of self-exclusion, as well as provide full support to players. All this allows you to minimize possible risks in the process of gambling and ensure the transparency of payment transactions.
The Future of Casino Security and Fraud Prevention
Large sites like Allyspin casino continue to expand, introducing enhanced security and fraud prevention tools. In the near future, such unique features will be available:
Fraud detection systems based on artificial intelligence and machine learning. Automation of processes helps to detect any fraudulent facts much faster compared to traditional methods.
Blockchain technology and cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency payments help not only simplify payments for users, but also reduce the risks of unauthorized transactions.
Biometric and multi-factor authentication. Thus, users undergo unambiguous identification, which reduces the risk of account use by fraudsters.
Cybersecurity plays an important role in online casino gambling. Modern sites implement the latest mechanisms to combat fraud, ensure fair gaming process and fully protect honest players.

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Canada Is Failing Its Students on Holocaust Education — Here’s What Must Change

By EMILY (surname withheld by request) We received the following article from a third-year Health Sciences student at Western University, who wrote that as “a Jewish student, I have seen firsthand how Holocaust education in Canada is falling short and how that failure is contributing to fear, misinformation, and rising antisemitism on campuses like mine.”

Despite curriculum requirements, Holocaust education in Canada is alarmingly inadequate. A recent survey found that nearly one in five young Canadians believe the Holocaust has been exaggerated. This highlights a dangerous gap in historical understanding, leaving students vulnerable to misinformation, denial, and rising antisemitism. If Canada is serious about combating hate, it must take Holocaust education far more seriously.

When asked whether Holocaust education in Canada is lacking, Professor Hernan Tessler-Mabe, historian and coordinator of Jewish Studies at Huron University, did not hesitate: “You are 100 percent correct.”

While most provinces claim to include Holocaust education in their curricula, the programming and implementation of curriculum tends to be inconsistent and inadequate. A student’s understanding of one of history’s greatest atrocities depends heavily on where they go to school, which teacher they have, and whether their school offers substantive instruction. The result is misinformation, denial, and rising antisemitism.

Avoiding Holocaust education allows dangerous myths and conspiracy theories to spread unchecked. Without an understanding of the Holocaust and the centuries of antisemitism that preceded it, students are ill-equipped to identify modern antisemitism in the world around them. This antisemitism manifests into everyday conversation, online spaces, and political discourse.

To address this crisis, Canada must act with urgency in three key areas. These include consulting experts, confronting difficult material, and properly training educators.

First, schools and provincial governments must consult those who specialize in Holocaust history and education. “It is the most important thing,” Dr. Tesler-Mabé, Associate Professor and Coordinator of Jewish Studies at Huron University says. He points out, “You cannot just throw it into a general history class and assume it will be taught well. You need people who understand both the history and how to teach it.”

Second, we must accept that the subject is deeply disturbing and cannot be made comfortable. Dr. Tesler-Mabé iterates, “We have to accept that parts of this will be traumatic or triggering.” “Obviously it depends on grade level, but if students do not feel disturbed by it, they will not understand it. That discomfort is part of the learning.”

Third, teachers must be prepared. Many educators may feel unequipped to teach this material and either gloss over it or skip it altogether. Training programs and partnerships are essential. In Ottawa, the Centre for Holocaust Education and Scholarship (CHES) works to connect schools with survivor testimonies and support resources, but broader reach and investment are needed.

Dr. Tesler-Mabé explains, “We have to teach the teachers, especially now that we are losing survivors. That raises a whole new concern. How do you teach something this heavy, this complex, without first hand testimony? Educators need the tools, the background, and the sensitivity to do it well.”

Some may argue that Canada already does enough in this area. After all, Holocaust education is present in some curricula, and many students visit Holocaust museums or hear from survivors. But occasional exposure is not enough. The widespread prevalence of Holocaust denial and the proliferation of antisemitic conspiracy theories underscore significant shortcomings in current systems designed to combat such misinformation. A 2022 report by UNESCO and the United Nations, in collaboration with the World Jewish Congress, found that 16.2% of Holocaust-related content on major social media platforms either denied or distorted fundamental facts about the Holocaust. A standardized, rigorous, and mandatory approach is the only way forward.

Holocaust education is not just about history, it is about safeguarding the future and combating antisemitism in modern manifestations. When students understand how propaganda, scapegoating, and dehumanization led to one of history’s darkest chapters, they are better equipped to recognize and reject hatred in all its forms. Without a solid foundation in Holocaust education, antisemitism continues to fester, not just in online spaces, but within universities, workplaces, and public discourse. We are already seeing the consequences of unchecked Holocaust denial and rising antisemitism, from bias in professional spaces to hostility on university campuses. As a Jewish student at Western University, I have seen fear take hold among my peers. Friends who once wore Stars of David or spoke openly about their heritage now hesitate to do so. I have also begun to question whether it is safe to express my identity. With the last generation of Holocaust survivors passing, the responsibility to preserve their stories and the lessons they teach rests with all of us. If we do not confront this crisis at its root, we risk allowing history to repeat itself in new and dangerous ways.

Canada is failing its students. In doing so, it is failing the promise of Never Again. The question is not whether we should strengthen Holocaust education, but why we have not already.

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Anna Kaplan one of Winnipeg’s youngest personal trainers

By MYRON LOVE It is always uplifting to read (or, from my perspective, to write) about people who have been able to reinvent themselves – and even more so when such an individual can use her own transformation to inspire others.  Such is the case with Anna Kaplan, a young (21) personal trainer whose passion for physical fitness grew out of personal troubles as a teenager.
“I had a feeling of being excluded,” says the daughter of Kevin and Roxanne Kaplan. “I was afraid that I was missing out. I was losing friends.  I had developed some bad habits and was at a real low point in my life – at rock bottom.”
At 18, Kaplan determined to change her life. She began working with a personal trainer and going to the gym. She also changed her dietary habits.
“Before long, I was feeling better mentally and physically,” she recalls.
Two years ago, wanting to help others struggling to improve their lives, Kaplan opened A Plus Fitness. On her Facebook page, she notes that “When you sign up for online training with A Plus Fitness, you’re not just getting a workout plan — you’re getting full access to our all-in-one training app designed to support your transformation every step of the way.”
Kaplan started A Plus Fitness strictly as an online business for which she developed her own app.  “I started building my client base initially by contacting friends and acquaintances via a social media platform to see what interest there might be out there,” she says.
With demand for her services growing, about a year ago she began working with clients in person out of a gym on Portage Avenue.  In just two years, she reports, business has grown to the point where she has had to hire a second trainer.
“I work with people ranging from 18 to 65 plus,” she says.  “The number of clients has tripled in the last year and I have been able to help over 100 clients to get into shape and change their lives.”
The reviews have been outstanding with many giving the young fitness trainer a 5 out of 5 rating.  Says one client: ”I’ve been training with Anna for a while now, and it’s been an amazing experience! She really takes the time to understand my goals and pushes me in the best way possible. Since working with her, I feel stronger, more motivated, and more confident in my workouts.”
Adds another: “Over the past year, A Plus Fitness has completely transformed my approach to working out, helping me tone my body and build strength in ways I never thought possible. Anna’s guidance and personalized training plans have made a huge difference in my progress, pushing me to achieve results faster than I expected.”
 
Kaplan feels good that among those she has been able to help have been her own mother, Roxanne Kaplan, who says that ”I’ve always had some sort of fitness routine in my life. I followed along with the fitness videos with the weights that were recommended – I’d go through phases but never stuck to it. With Anna’s coaching and sticking to her program, I see muscle definition that I’ve never had before. I feel better, more confident, and well rested.”
 
Kaplan further points out that, in additions to helping people through her business, she is also community minded.  “I have helped with several fundraising events in the Jewish community,” she reports.
 
Most recently, she helped raise money for the Reid Bricker Mental Wellness Fund in memory of a relatively young member of our community who struggled with mental health for several years before committing suicide 10 years ago. The fund aims “to increase the availability of mental health supports and education across the province while ensuring that individuals and families facing mental health challenges receive the support they need when they need it the most.”
 
Next for Anna Kaplan and A Plus Fitness is to open her own location at some point in the next few years.
 
Readers can contact Anna at 204 391-5832 or mail her at admin@aplusfit.ca

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