Features
Lifelong buddies celebrate turning 80 with fishing trip

By GERRY POSNER When you turn 80, you often start to think about items on your bucket list and your diminishing opportunities to complete your list. Thus it was five old Winnipeg friends came together to share time together doing we had never done before – at least together: fishing.
In truth, fishing was never on my bucket list and, in fact, I have reached this stage in life without ever putting a fishing rod anywhere near water. My buddies: Michael Nozick, Larry Booke, Ted Lyons and Sheldon Gilman, all had fishing experience. In fact, Nozick, Booke, and Lyons all had considerable prior exposure to this activity. Only Gilman was limited but, even so, he had at least fished at an earlier age. Three years ago Nozick hatched the plan to have us meet and drive to a lodge in Sioux Narrows for 2 1/2 days of fishing, with professional guides. He had done this with his granddaughters and was so enthralled with this experience, he suggested we ought to try it. Covid interrupted our plans, but this year, cast came to reel. Nozick promised me that even Gerry Posner would catch a fish.
And, so it came to pass that in early August five old Jewish guys who have known each other for over 70 years (in some cases – over 75), hopped into a car with Ted Lyons at the wheel and headed east for over three hours to Sioux Narrows, Ontario. With three in the back, it was a bit crowded and I can vouch for that statement as I was squeezed into the back seat with a hump in the middle of the floor. This I had not bargained for when the plans were drawn. We soon settled in and had our first meal at the lodge on a hot Thursday night in August.
After our breakfast the next morning we split up into two boats with Gilman and I going in one boat with our guide and the others in a different boat with their own guide. We were taken for over 30 minutes to known good fishing spots on Lake of the Woods. And there we were. Initially I had to get our guide to put the minnow on the hook. Yet, as the day wore on, I was actually doing this myself. Better was the fact that on that day, I caught not just one fish, but seven: six Walleye and one Perch (the guide told me that as I was unable to tell the difference). That day, as impressed as I was with my count, Nozick, Booke and Lyons eclipsed me by almost double. Gilman trailed, but I could not include him in the competition since, once he caught a couple fish, he took to suntanning on the boat. Still, I was delighted. We had what is called a shore lunch that day, with two of the fish we caught and two from the other boat. The rest were, as the expression goes, “released.”
There we were – on a remote island, called Small Island (to me they all looked either big or small). It was so peaceful and the view spectacular as we gathered around for the lunch prepared by our guides. With all of that, I was quite surprised when I called my wife in Toronto and had perfect reception. We fished in the afternoon and had a lovely meal followed by a movie which had been personally selected by Nozick. It was a great day, my best ever in fishing ( which I suppose means little, given my previous lack of fishing time).
The next day was a repeat of the first one: sunny skies, warm temps and calm winds. This day brought only five fish onto my list. Once again, I was at the bottom. But, included in the group of five fish I caught that day was a 24” Walleye. That fish it turned out was the biggest catch of the entire trip. My guide even measured it for me. This was the first time I have ever been the biggest in anything. We had still another shore lunch, better than the first day, this time on Big Island. We all gathered around and chatted about every subject, past, present and future. (We are very strong on the past.) That night Nozick gave us yet another movie, our third of the trip, and maybe the best one. We had no problems sleeping, especially since we each had our own room – plus 3 bathrooms. Roughing it we were not.
The last day was a Sunday, with only a half day scheduled for fishing, so we asked our guides not to take us far out, as we did not have much time and did not want to waste it traveling 30 minutes and back, even if the scenery and weather were terrific. Maybe the new location was a weak spot, maybe we were fished out, but the results that morning were zero for all of us. My own conclusion was that the fish were at church.
And then – the ride home with more of the tight space for my feet in the back. But we made it with stories to tell. The picture attached is the five of us, in front of the Nozick home, weary but content after some quality time together reliving our past. That past now has a new entry and the stories likely will get slightly exaggerated( at least by me: 24’’ could well increase).
Features
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.
Features
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.
Features
Norm Glass Winnipeg’s own pawn star

By MYRON LOVE Over a career spanning more than 40 years as a pawn shop operator, Norm Glass has established himself as first among equals. And the owner of Chochy’s Pawn and Swap Shop still gets a kick out of wheeling and dealing.
Certainly the mix of items that people bring in has changed considerably over the years. “When I first got into this business, I was buying furniture and jewellery,” he recalls, “but one of the biggest things was guitars. Everybody seemed to have a guitar – and musicians always seemed to be broke.”
Today, he reports, while jewellery is still a major part of the business, Chochy’s has a sizeable selection of electronic goods –such as game stations, computer screens and – especially – cell phones. “We probably have on hand about 100-120 cell phones at any given time and there is a constant demand for them.”
Chochy’s also has some sports equipment – I noticed a couple of sets of golf clubs – power tools and assorted other items.
Glass says that it was serendipity that led him to go into the pawn shop business. The son of the late Morley and Fay Glass was originally an accountant by training.
“In 1979,” he recounts, “I was working for a national car rental company as the controller. When the company ran into financial problems, I and a partner took over our Winnipeg location and we went independent.”
A couple of years later, that partnership dissolved and Glass formed a new partnership with his cousin, Arnold Lazareck. “We began looking for a new business to operate,” he continues the story. “We first considered buying a body shop as it is still auto-related, but that fell through. We then found a vacant building on the corner of Selkirk and Salter and thought that a pawn shop would a perfect fit.”
Glass admits that neither he nor Lazareck had had any experience running a pawn shop, he says. but they understood the basic principle – you lend money to people in need in return for an item as collateral and charge interest on the loan. If the customer doesn’t reclaim the item within a certain length of time, you sell the item to someone else.
The two partners – who were still running the auto rental location – brought in a third partner – a fellow by the name of Stuart Chochinov – hence the name “Chochy’s” – but that arrangement didn’t work out. So, Glass took over management of Chochy’s while Lazareck operated the car rental business. In 1985, the two partners agreed to dissolve the partnership and go their separate ways.
At the time – in the 1980s, Glass recall, there were still a goodly number of long time Jewish pawn shop owners in the city. He mentioned people such as Bill Kluner, Harvey Sawyer, George Freed, Dave Faber, Leon Dimerman and Sheldon Sturrey.
Glass eventually bought a second building – on Main Street – with a partner, James MacKay – and called it Elvis’ Pawn Shop.
While Selkirk Avenue has changed considerably from the time when it was the centre of Jewish life in Winnipeg, Glass notes that, despite the heightened level of crime in the area, he hasn’t had much problem. Once, he reports, in the late 1990s, Chochy’s was robbed – prompting Glass to install a robust security system.
He reports that while his customer base for sales is city wide, most who come in to pawn items live in a six to eight block radius of the store. “This area is a different world from that of my family and friends,” he observes. “Many people in this neighbourhood are struggling financially and pawning allows them to bridge the gap.”
For himself, he says, he can’t complain. “Life has been good. I have worked hard and been rewarded.”
Among those “rewards” are an occasional winter vacation – leaving reliable staff to run the business– and honing his golf game in spring and summer at Glendale. He has also been a long time supporter and former Rady JCC board member.