Connect with us

Features

Israel is closer to us than ever before

Gustavo Zentner

By GUSTAVO ZENTNER, President, the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg  Although you may expect this article to focus solely on the promotion of the Federation Mission to Israel in February 2023, I have so much more to say about why I believe a visit to Israel can impact you.

Over the last few months, the Federation has reported on Winnipeg-Israel relations and projects that are underway. Those were just a precursor to what we have planned for the coming months. The Canadian Summit of Jewish and Israel Affairs earlier this summer positioned our community as a key destination for many Israel-based organizations.

The Federation will be welcoming several visitors, including Dr. Ronen Hoffman, Israel’s Ambassador to Canada, to build on our diplomatic and government relations and share dissertations on key issues for Israel-Canada relations. Mrs. Idit Shamir, Consul General of Israel will be in Winnipeg to advance business and government relations while meeting with the Jewish Federation leadership for an open dialogue with our community. Our community members, and especially our younger generation of professionals, are entering into a new frontier to explore projects and development in areas of health, business, investment, and education in Israel. I believe this frontier can result in more impactful, fulfilling projects that benefit participants at a personal level as well as our local community upon their return.

Jerusalem is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world and home to the spiritual centers of the Christian, Muslim, and diverse Jewish communities. Just two months ago, our community hosted Mr. Moshe Lion, Mayor of Jerusalem, and the leadership of the Jerusalem Foundation of Canada. Following their visit, I experienced firsthand the impact of the Jerusalem Foundation’s work in Jerusalem, the results of their tremendous efforts in concepts such as ‘Shared Society’ and the positive outcome of Arab-Jewish dialogue, integration, and community building.

Over the years, I have had the privilege of hearing from people of various backgrounds giving testimony of how people’s lives and identities have been challenged, strengthened, and passionately reshaped by visiting Israel. The people of Israel continue to flourish through innovation, resilience, and diversity of identity, surpassing the challenges and atrocities of the past. Our Winnipeg Jewish community is uniquely positioned to partner with the Indigenous peoples of Manitoba, focusing on shared values and the teachings from generation to generation. In practical terms, technology collaboration, water, and natural resource management, and above all, sharing of deeply personal experiences bring us closer together.

The generosity and leadership of the Federation’s Combined Jewish Appeal supporters are evident here, but also in Israel – at Canada House in Jerusalem, our sister city Be’er Sheba in the South, our Coast-to-Coast partnerships in the North, and the many programs and projects that are made possible through a portion of the Combined Jewish Appeal Campaign. This is why Mr. Alon Davidi, Mayor of Sderot, and Mrs. Hila Oren, of the Tel Aviv Foundation, included Winnipeg on their Canadian tours. They know how our Jewish community, and the community at large, present opportunities for joint initiatives and projects that enrich the lives of those involved, both in Winnipeg and in Israel.

Last month, Israel hosted the third largest sporting event in the world, the Maccabiah Games. With more than 580 delegates, Canada brought home several medals, but the real winners were the athletes, including members of our own community, who competed amongst communities representing 80 countries and 10,000 athletes. Undoubtedly, every participant returned to their homes enriched by one of the most Zionistic experiences possible. The Maccabi World Union builds opportunities catering to Jewish youth around the world and is a rich conduit to healthy living and a super-charged Jewish identity.

Coming out of the COVID pandemic, we know that Israel is the best ‘prescription for the soul’. The Federation mission is a travel experience unlike any other. Our missions are unique, and filled with a sense of purpose, delivering our participants a higher appreciation of Israel and an unmatched connection with their Jewish identity.

I believe that a Federation mission to Israel is one of the most important experiences that we can offer to members of the Jewish community. We deliver fun experiences, friendships, education, and renewed energy relating to all things Jewish. Shaping Federation-style missions and going through this experience with old and new friends is within reach. Israel is closer to you than ever before; as soon as February 2023, and I hope you will seriously consider joining us!

Continue Reading

Features

Why Fitness Routines Fall Apart — and How to Rebuild Yours

image from pexels.com

Every spring, gyms see a flood of hopeful faces. New shoes, fresh playlists, unwavering intentions, by mid-summer? Half of them vanish into the fog of abandoned routines. The story repeats year after year until it starts to feel almost scripted. Why does enthusiasm evaporate? The easy answer involves willpower but that explanation misses the point. Habits don’t fail because people are weak. Life stress, boredom, and monotony ruin routines. Timely lever pulls can change narratives. The hardest part is persevering when motivation wanes.

Mistaking Motivation for Momentum

Most chase that opening surge, the lightning strike of motivation, but then stop searching once enthusiasm fizzles. A scroll through sites like PUR Pharma (pur-pharma.is/) or a glimpse of an influencer’s progress triggers a burst of action: new workout gear ordered, plans scribbled in planners destined for dusty drawers. Yet momentum fades when small setbacks pop up (a late meeting here, rainy weather there). Real progress comes from building systems stronger than any fleeting pep talk. Those who frame fitness as something owed to motivation end up back at square one every time life interrupts, which it always does.

Overcomplicating Everything

It’s tempting to turn wellness into a science fair project with spreadsheets and specialized equipment lined up on day one. This is the allure of complexity disguised as seriousness, a new diet paired with seven types of supplements and four color-coded bottles. Simplicity gets lost in the noise almost instantly. Most successful routines rely on two principles: keep it simple and keep showing up even when everything else is chaos outside those gym walls. Anyone insisting that perfection is required before taking step one has already constructed an excuse not to begin at all.

Forgetting Fun Completely

Who decided exercise must hurt or look like punishment? Somewhere along the line, fun got swapped out for grind culture and “no pain, no gain.” That isn’t just unappealing, it’s unsustainable over months or years. If sessions feel like torture devices borrowed from medieval times, nobody should be surprised when commitment falters fast. Seek activities that actually spark some joy or curiosity, a dance class instead of yet another treadmill session, maybe, or play a pickup game rather than slogging through solo circuits again and again.

Ignoring Recovery (and Reality)

Sleep deprivation, disguised as discipline, fools anyone, except perhaps uncritical Instagram followers. Ignoring recovery turns ambition into tiredness faster than any missed session. Because bodies break without rest, routines must breathe with owners. Cycling, real leisure, and honest self-checks regarding weekly goals build endurance, not continual pushing.

Conclusion

Change rarely arrives by force alone but usually grows quietly from patterns repeated imperfectly over time, even if last month looked nothing like this week so far. Drop the hunt for nonstop inspiration. Instead of breaking behaviors at the first hint of stress or boredom, build habits that last. People who rebuild methodically after every stumble or detour make progress, not those who peak and then fall.

Continue Reading

Features

How DIY Auto Repairs Can Help You Cut Costs—Safely

Image from Pexels.com

Regular maintenance and minor repairs are the greatest approach for many car drivers to save money without sacrificing dependability. DIY repairs can save you a lot of money over the life of your car since most of the expense is in the labour. DIY helps you learn how things work and notice tiny issues before they become costly ones. Every work requires planning, patience, and safety. 

Test Your Talents with Safe Limits 

DIY solutions succeed when one is honest about their talents. Wiper blades, air filters, and occupant filters are beginner-friendly. With the correct equipment, intermediate owners can replace brake pads, spark plugs, coolant, and brake fluid. Pressurized fuel, high-voltage hybrids, airbags, and timing components are risky. Only professionals should manage them. Limitations protect you and your car. Drivers trust sources like Parts Avenue to find, install, and schedule manufacturer-approved work.

Set Up a Reliable Workspace and Tools 

Good tools pay for themselves quickly. Ratchets, torque wrenches, combination wrenches, heavy jack stands, and wheel chocks are essential. It is advisable to engage specialists for specific tasks. A clean, flat, well-lit, and open space is essential. Please take your time. While working, keep a charged phone nearby to read repair instructions or write torque patterns. 

Find the Problem before Replacing the Parts

It may cost more to replace something without diagnosing it. Instead of ideas, start with symptoms. OBD-II readers detect leaks, sounds, and DTCs. Simple tests like voltage, smoke indicating vacuum leaks, pad thickness, and rotor runout might reveal failure. A good analysis saves components, protects surrounding parts, and fosters future trust. 

Maintenance That Pays off is Most Crucial 

Jobs compensate for time and tools differently. Prioritize returns and maintenance. Change the oil and filter, rotate the tires, evaluate the air pressure, replace low brake fluid, clean the coolant with the right chemicals, and replace belts and filters before they fail. These items extend automotive life, stabilize fuel efficiency, and reduce roadside towing issues that can take months to resolve.

Do as Instructed, Utilize Quality Parts, and Follow Torque Requirements 

Understand the service. Set the jacking points, tighten the screws in the appropriate order, and use threadlocker or anti-seize as suggested by the maker. Rotor wear can cause leaks, distortions, or broken threads. Choose components that meet or exceed OEM requirements and fit your car’s VIN, engine code, and manufacturing date. Cheap parts that break easily cost extra. 

Test, Record, and Discard Carefully 

Safely test the system before patching. Check under the car for drops, bleed the brakes again, and check fluid levels after a short drive. Note torques, parts, miles, and repair date. Photo and document storage for car sales. Properly dispose of oil, filters, coolant, and brake fluid. Controlling hazards protects your community and workplace.

Know When to Seek Professional Help 

Self-employed individuals recognize their constraints. If a task is challenging, requires special instruments, or involves safety, consult an expert. Collaboration makes cars safer, cheaper, and more efficient. Selecting, planning, and implementing processes properly improves performance, lowers costs, and ensures safety.

Continue Reading

Features

What It Means for Ontario to Be the Most Open iGaming Market in Canada

Ontario is the most open commercial iGaming market in Canada, having been the first province to open up to commercial actors in the online casino and betting space since 2022.

Since gambling laws in Canada are managed on a provincial level, each province has its own legislation. 

Before April 4th, 2022, Ontario was similar to any other Canadian province in the iGaming space. The only gaming site regulated in the province was run by government-owned Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, also known as OLG. However, when the market opened up, numerous high-quality gambling companies established themselves in the province, quickly generating substantial revenue. As the largest online gambling market in Canada, it’s now, three years later, also one of the biggest in North America.

The fully regulated commercial market is run under iGaming Ontario and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. These licensed casinos and online sportsbooks are thus fully legal and safe for players to play at, while at the same time, the open market allows companies to compete and offer different products and platforms as long as they all fit within the requirements set up by the state of Ontario.

This means that Ontarians have a wide choice of licensed sites, whether they’re interested in sports betting, live dealer games, or slots – all with strict consumer-protection rules that keep them safe while exploring the many options. (Source: https://esportsinsider.com/ca/gambling/online-casinos-canada)

There are many benefits to online gaming, especially in a country that’s as sparsely populated as Canada, leaving physical venues often few and far between for those living outside the biggest cities.

Even before Ontario launched its own gambling sites, online gambling had been common among Ontarians. Regulating the market and offering alternatives regulated by the province has often added safer and more controlled options.

Since 85% of Ontarians now play at regulated sites, the initiative of opening up the market seems a clear win in more than one way.

Despite the huge success of the Ontario market, most provinces in Canada haven’t changed much in the iGaming sector in the past few years. Some provinces keep Crown-run monopolies, while others limit activity to a single government-run platform. This often leads Canadians to seek offshore alternatives instead, since the options are so few in their own province.

But 2025 marks an important change. The provinces seem to have noticed that Ontario picked a winning strategy, and Alberta has clearly been taking notes. 

While the province of Alberta has previously opted for controlled gambling through one government website, the province is now opening up the commercial online gambling market. The Alberta iGaming Corporation will be in charge of licensing and inspecting actors that operate in the province. This will mean many more options for players, coupled with consumer protection and a high level of safety.

Meanwhile, the Ontario iGaming market continues to prosper, grow, and develop. Now that a second province is following in its footsteps, it seems more likely that other provinces will also start following the trend.

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2017 - 2023 Jewish Post & News