Features
Jewish Federation GrowWinnipeg director Dalia Szpiro revels in opportunity to meet other new immigrants, experience different cultures
By MYRON LOVE “One of the things I most enjoy about my work is getting to know families from different countries and cultures,” observes Dalia Szpiro, the director of our Jewish Federation’s GrowWinnipeg initiative. “Having all of these new families here really adds to the vibrancy of our community.”
It was just over 20 years ago that the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg established the GrowWinnipeg initiative to try to stabilize and increase our city’s declining Jewish population. While the initiative also focused on keeping young Jews in Winnipeg and persuading former Winnipeggers to return, the program has seen its greatest success in attracting new immigrants.
And who better to lead such a program and smooth the way for newcomers here than Szpiro herself who, with her husband, Eduardo Borovich, arrived here from their home in Montevideo, Uruguay. They were among the first newcomers to respond to the GrowWinnipeg initiative.
“We weren’t planning on leaving Uruguay,” Szpiro recalls. “But, at the time, we were dealing with a troubled economy in the region. Eduardo learned about the Winnipeg Jewish community’s efforts to recruit new families.”
Dalia and Eduardo and their first-born, Yael (Vanessa, their younger daughter, was born here) arrived in what was to become their new home in September 2002. “When we got off the plane,” Szpiro recounts, “we were all bundled up for the cold. Much to our surprise, people were wearing T-shirts and shorts. It was 20 degrees.”
She recalls the unknown situation that the family initially encountered. “This was before Google and Facebook,” Szpiro observes. “Families who are coming now are much better informed. But the community embraced us and we soon felt right at home.”
Both Dalia and Eduardo quickly found jobs here – he as an accountant working for RBC, and she as assistant to Evelyn Hecht, GrowWinnipeg’s original director.
“Evelyn was a joy to work with,” Szpiro says. “I learned through her the generosity, openness and welcoming spirit that our Jewish community has. Her door was always open. Evelyn is an inspiring role model for me. We remain close friends.”
When Hecht retired in 2006, Szpiro ( who was trained as a psychologist) became her obvious successor.
As Szpiro notes, while the initial thrust in the program was aimed at attracting Jewish families from South America – specifically Argentina, in recent years, the majority of Jewish families have come from Israel. As well, it makes sense that many of the Israeli families that have come here have recent Eastern European ancestry since they are already familiar with life in a winter climate.
In more recent years though families from Brazil, Mexico, and Turkey have applied through the GrownWinnipeg initiative and became part of our community.
“What we offer as a community to newcomers is unique,” Szpiro points out. “One of the requirements to apply for permanent residency is an exploratory visit to Manitoba. We have a great number of volunteers who connect with the exploratory visitors and their families. We work to build contacts between prospective newcomers and members of the community. We try to match new families with people with similar backgrounds. They start to build their network before moving here, so when they move here they feel at home. Candidates are connected to all our organizations and services, including JCFS, Rady JCC, Gray Academy, synagogues, professional regulatory bodies, and other relevant contacts.”
Naturally, the pandemic lockdowns put a pause on immigration due to the restrictions on travellign to Canada. “We worked hard during that time to keep up contacts with prospective immigrants,” Szpiro says. “We arranged all of our meetings online. But the number of exploratory visits really decreased.”
While the numbers are increasing again, she further reports, “we understand all the efforts that a candidate must make to come in an exploratory visit to Manitoba. The cost of flights is up and the provincial government requirements are more demanding. Applicants are required to pass English-language tests. It costs more money and takes longer to prepare”.
More documentation is also required – which also costs more money.
Further, priority is given to those applicants who qualify for an occupation where workers are in demand.
Szpiro reports that GrowWinnipeg’s goal this year is to receive 40 exploratory visitors, then increase to 60 and to 75 the following two years. “We hope to continue increasing the number of candidates that are able to come on exploratory visits,” Szpiro says. “While most of our new families continue to be coming from Israel, we are also getting a lot of inquiries from Mexico, Brazil Argentina, Turkey, Hungary, South Africa, Colombia, Ukraine and Russia.”
As for her and her family, Dalia and Eduardo are satisfied that they made the right move. Vanessa is now a student at Gray Academy while (Gray Academy graduate) Yael is now working for Scotia Bank after earning a business degree from the Asper School of Business.
“They love it here,” says Szpiro of her daughters. Both are involved in our community and in the general community.
“Winnipeg not only offers a lot for families but also to young adults. There are so many opportunities for them.”
Szpiro adds with pride that both daughters enjoy being involved. Yael is already playing a leading role in the community as a board member and Chair of the Federation’s Genesis YWG, a training ground for future community leaders. Vanessa has been a volunteer for different initiatives, including community events and CJA, where she is part of the executive committee for TAP (Teens and Philanthropy). She is also active in BBYO.
Features
BOOK REVIEW: “Fighting the Hate: A Handbook for Jews Under Siege”
Reviewed by MURRAY BENDER “Thinking on your feet”—quickly defending a position in a coherent, persuasive manner—is a situation that many people find challenging and stressful. “If only I had said this.” or “Why didn’t I say that?” Hindsight is always 20-20.
Following the Hamas atrocities of October 7, 2023, it has become increasingly necessary for diaspora Jews to “think on their feet” as they unwittingly face a barrage of tough, sometimes hateful, questions about Jews and their Israeli homeland.
Why is Israel committing genocide in Gaza? Why doesn’t Israel return the land it has stolen from Palestinians? Why are Israeli settlers attacking Palestinian farmers? How is Israel different from apartheid South Africa? Why can’t I criticize Israel without being called antisemitic? Is it true that Jews control the world? The list of potential questions is nearly endless.
Engage or hide? This is the difficult choice that confronts Jews as they look to deal with anti-Jewish and anti-Israeli behaviour. Fortunately, author and journalist Melanie Phillips comes to the rescue with her practical and insightful book, Fighting the Hate: A Handbook for Jews Under Siege.
According to Phillips, the dilemma has no single answer. “People need to decide how to behave in accordance not just with the specific circumstances but also with their own attributes and limitations.”
Some regard engagement with their opponents as a sacred duty. “They believe it is a betrayal of the Jewish people not to uphold Israel’s case.” Ohers may be uncomfortable with such a direct approach, but “those who decide to keep their heads down and avoid any altercation may well find that this leaves them with a permanent sense of regret and even failure,” she says.
As a result, it’s probably a good idea to adopt some sort of balance. And that’s where Phillips’ 150-page handbook comes in.
She starts by providing context around the “crisis of legitimacy and acceptance” from which Jews are reeling post-October 7. On the basis of extensive conversations with Jews from across the U.S., Britain and Australia, the author found that many “were near stupefied by the terrifying hatred and irrationality that was unfolding around them.” Again and again, they asked: “What should we do? What can we do?”
In response, Phillips offers a pragmatic approach to help prepare for the inevitable conversations, including a number of key principles:
- Get smart rather than emotional
- Stop playing defence
- Find common ground
- Be positive and confident
- Keep physically safe
Based on these overarching criteria, she provides an extensive list of quick and clever retorts to a range of different situations, emphasizing that “it’s our duty to our children and grandchildren to fight for truth and justice.”
So, the next time it is necessary to “think on their feet,” diaspora Jews will be able to respond quickly and confidently to those difficult questions about themselves and Israel. And they can thank Melanie Phillips for coming to the rescue.
Fighting the Hate: A Handbook for Jews Under Siege by Melanie Phillips is available online from Amazon and Indigo.
Features
ESports Meets Casinos: Overview of Bet Sport Gaming
ESports has become part of the interactive entertainment of online casinos. In fact, many fans already have the opportunity to use Dragonia Casino Bet Sport options while watching the matches of their favorite teams. The hybrid entertainment model opens up many possibilities and increases audience engagement. When video games intersect with betting, it creates a unique collaboration where participants have the opportunity to get a completely new experience right in their own home. At the same time, you can continue to enjoy the usual viewing of familiar tournaments and competitions.
How ESports and Casinos Interconnect
ESports has become a multi-billion-dollar industry that attracts spectators. Traditional casinos are focused on luck. But now they are introducing additional methods of encouraging their customers. Among such options, eSports events deserve special attention. Such bet sport offers combine the usual excitement with an element of competition. The structure of the casino entertainment provides participants with the opportunity to test their skills and reveal their own hidden talents. There are several forms of integration of eSports mechanics into the structure of a classic online casino:
- Competitive betting. Online casinos provide the opportunity to bet on eSports tournaments, which is similar to the usual sports betting. In addition, the possibilities are significantly expanded compared to simple viewing platforms.
- Skill-based casino games. Games inspired by eSports encourage players to actively participate in what is happening on the screen. The games reward the player’s results with certain prizes.
- Interactive arenas. Some casinos broadcast eSports events in real time. This allows players to follow the games directly online, which creates a feeling of real participation in familiar entertainment.
- Cross-platform interaction. Online casinos are introducing eSports-style leaderboards and achievements to attract more participants.
Such innovations appeal to new participants. Cultural changes are part of the development of the infrastructure of the classic casino, and eSports fans find a new environment for entertainment and communication.
Growth of ESports Betting
Global eSports revenue in 2025 exceeded $1.5 billion. Each bet sport option has made a significant contribution to the development. Surveys show that over 60% of players will express interest in betting on eSports, which reflects the demand and the need to develop an updated infrastructure for participation.
ESports events attract 15-20% more new participants compared to conventional casinos. The eSports betting market will exceed $20 billion by 2027, according to analysts’ forecasts, which encourages new participants to more actively watch tournaments and participate in various types of activity.
Why Fans Choose ESports
Bet sport gambling is gaining popularity. This is due to several reasons. For example, large casinos in Las Vegas and Macau now host full-fledged eSports tournaments alongside traditional entertainment. Venues are also experimenting with separate fan zones where sports betting and classic gambling are available.
Some of the most popular eSports disciplines are League of Legends and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Some online casinos even introduce eSports mechanics into slots so that players can try something new.
In short, the intersection of eSports and casinos is a natural development of the industry. Competitive play and an optimized betting system create a comfortable environment for true fans who want to diversify their leisure time.
Features
Card Game Traditions: Complete Review from Casino Online Lolajack Experts
Card games have been around for centuries. They are constantly evolving and improving. For example, there are now many different formats of online games available. On sites like casino online Lolajack https://Lolajack.com/ca/, you can choose a title according to your preferences and skills. The traditions of card games date back to ancient times. To better show yourself, it is worth familiarizing yourself with these features. This way, you will gain experience, have a good time, and get acquainted with something completely new.
Roots of Card Games
Card games directly reflect cultural identity. They have a unique mathematical structure and thoughtful moves that make even professionals think. Depending on the tradition, the rules differ, but the basic principles always remain similar. Each game has a unique origin:
- Poker. It originated in the USA back in the 19th century. During its existence, many variations of gameplay have appeared. It combines risk, strategy, and psychology; therefore, it requires high skill from each player.
- Baccarat. This game has ancient origins. It appeared in the 15th century in Italy, after which it spread throughout Europe. Now it is the basis of any operator like casino online Lolajack.
- Rimmy and bridge. Card games require the cooperation of participants, so coordinated communication is important here.
- Blackjack. This is the perfect combination of skill and chance. The player needs to learn to make decisions quickly and monitor the circumstances.
Card games have their own origins and characteristics. Currently, they are an integral part of any online casino, offering a wide range of opportunities for participants.
Why Card Games Are So Popular
Experts from casino online Lolajack emphasize the importance of card games in many cultures. For example, poker remains the leader for a reason. There are more than 100 million active players worldwide who compete and work on their skills. Blackjack also does not lag behind the trends. The level of participation exceeds 40% of regular online casino users.
Every year, the level of online card games grows by 10%. This is possible due to digitalization and increased player awareness. In addition, seasonal events also increase the involvement of participants during peak periods.
Traditions of Card Games
Unique events attract the attention of fans. For example, the World Series of Poker attracts not only participants but also millions of viewers around the world. Sites such as casino online Lolajack also give participants the opportunity to try their hand and compete with professionals.
Baccarat is associated with high stakes. This is especially noticeable among the Asian audience, who like to put probability theory into practice. Blackjack also has an appeal among math lovers. The probabilities of the model and observations directly affect the decisions of players. Online casinos strive to ensure that participants have the opportunity to communicate and find an activity option according to their own preferences.
As a result, card games remain the true leaders of the gambling market. They not only entertain, but also develop attention, perseverance, and social skills. A large selection of various variations of classic games allows you to choose the version that suits your preferences. Developers do not lag behind trends and do everything possible to surprise fans.