Obituaries
RABBI JOSPEH PERETZ WEIZMAN (1920-2020)
Rabbi Joseph Peretz Weizman, devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and pillar of the Winnipeg Jewish community for over 50 years, died on April 21, 2020, Yom Hashoah. He was 99 years old.
He was predeceased by his parents, 5 siblings all of whom were murdered in the Holocaust and by his wife Riva. He is survived by his children Sam (Agi) Weizman and Tzila (Yacov) Schneid, 6 grandchildren; David (Debra), Amy (Micah), Adam (Joanna), Aliza (Mark), Adina (Ryan), Elana (Shane), and 15 great-grandchildren.
Peretz was born in Lodz, Poland in November 1920. He had a happy childhood with a tight knit extended family, successful family business in pharmaceutical wholesale, and a strong faith as followers of the Ger Rabbi. However, this life was destroyed in 1939 and his entire family was murdered by the Nazis during the Holocaust. He was the sole survivor. He returned to Lodz after the war and rebuilt a new life. He met Riva and they married in 1946. They had their first child, Sam, in 1947 in Poland. They moved to Israel and in 1952 had Tzila. Following the advice of his wife’s cousin, the family immigrated to Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1953. Arriving with nothing but his family, brilliant mind, and excellent oratory and people skills, he initially worked as a teacher at the local Jewish day school and then completed his rabbinical studies. In 1960 he became the Rabbi of Bnai Abraham Synagogue. This would be his pulpit for over 50 years as the synagogue grew to become one of Western Canada’s largest congregations. He participated in the life events of most of Winnipeg’s Jewish Community and became a prominent figure not only among Canada’s Jewish community but also among clergy of other Faiths as well as government leaders. He was a published author and the subject an exhibit at the Marion and Ed Vickar Jewish Museum of Western Canada. He also served briefly as the Rabbi at Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue in Toronto. In 2009, he relocated to Toronto, Ontario to be closer to his children. Although he no longer had a congregation of his own, he continued his rabbinical duties to the end, providing support and wisdom to his new community. He was a devoted husband to his beloved wife Riva, particularly in her last years when she was ill. He was a doting grandfather and great-grandfather and his close relationship with his great grandchildren brought him tremendous joy. Despite all the hardships he endured in life, his sense of humor and quick wit never left him and there was not a scenario for which Peretz could not apply a joke or anecdote. He touched countless lives and his memory will live on forever.
The family would like to express its thanks to the staff of Kensington Place, the staff of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and to Rabbi Morrison of Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue. Funeral services were held at Pardes Shalom Cemetery on April 23, 2020. Memorial donations can be made to the Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre, the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada, or a charity of your choice.
Obituaries
BARBARA ELAINE WINESTOCK
Barbara Elaine Winestock, maiden name Block, was born on the 27th of May 1951 to parents, Hymie and Gertie Block. She grew up in Hodgson, Manitoba and then Winnipeg’s north end with her parents and younger sister Ava. In short, Barbara was chaos.
In 1980, she married Larry Winestock, who she had met only months prior. When they remembered their plane tickets, the two traveled around the world and when they remembered their luggage, they did so with clothing. They were chronically late, habitually unprepared and perpetually entertaining. Their love was sincere and their fights were like cats and dogs with rabies. Their family would be completed after years of trying to adopt, when they got the “once in a lifetime” opportunity twice, adopting Gabriel in 1989 and Bailey in 1992.
Barbara was so many things to so many people. She did so much throughout her life. She sold advertising spots for CKRC, she taught at the Rady Centre, she sewed, she gardened, she painted and so much more. She was loud, outgoing and made friends everywhere she went.
In 2019 she was diagnosed with brain cancer and given a prognosis of 11 months. This impending date was however not enough to overwhelm her aforementioned chronic lateness. She wouldn’t make this appointment for another six years. She beat it for so long.
Barbara passed away on September 21, 2025. Due to the impending holidays the funeral was held on the 22nd of September at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. We miss you Bobs.
Obituaries
KEVIN ROSEN
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Kevin Rosen, aged 54, on Thursday, December 18, 2025, following a determined and courageous battle with ALS. Kevin was the beloved son of Harvey Rosen (z”l) and Judy Goodman, loving husband of Judi Price-Rosen, devoted father of Emery, cherished brother of Pam, and special brother-in-law of Barbi and Jared Green. He was also the proud uncle of Stella, Jakob, Miranda and Micah, a treasured cousin, and a loyal friend to so many.
Kevin was born in Winnipeg and grew up in Garden City where he attended Talmud Torah, Jefferson Junior High and Garden City Collegiate. He graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1996 with an Honours degree in Commerce and soon after, headed to Toronto. It was there that he met the love of his life, Judi, and they married in 2000. Soon after their wedding, the newlyweds returned to Winnipeg to start their new life together. For 25 years, their love for each other remained unwavering and strong. Kevin’s calm demeanor and his remarkable ability to find humour in any situation helped them weather life’s challenges together.
In 2006, Judi and Kevin became a family with the birth of their son, Emery. Kevin’s greatest joy was being a dad and fatherhood came naturally to him. He parented with patience, empathy and gentle guidance. Whether it was watching cartoons and funny TikTok clips together, or a surprise trip to Toronto to take in a Blue Jays game, Kevin always made “father-son time” a priority.
Kevin had a long and successful career in marketing and communications that began in Toronto, and continued in Winnipeg at Gateway Publishing. Most of his employment experience was in higher education. He was hired as Marketing Manager at Red River College in 2004, and in 2012, reached the pinnacle of his career as Executive Director of Marketing and Communications at the University of Winnipeg. Kevin led with integrity and humility and genuinely cared about the people he supervised. He was respected and well-liked by his colleagues and many remained in close touch after his early retirement.
Kevin was also an avid runner who completed seven full marathons. For years, he had trained his body and mind to push through that last gruelling mile with tenacity and intense focus. Like his favorite movie hero Rocky Balboa, Kevin was built for an epic fight. Little did he know that in his case, the stakes would be so much higher. The fight of Kevin’s life – and for his life – began with a diagnosis of ALS just months before he turned 50.
ALS may have changed his life, but Kevin never let it define him. He remained fiercely independent, continued to nurture relationships with family and friends, and welcomed visitors with a playful smile, a joke, and incredible patience. Even after he lost the ability to speak, Kevin’s quirky sense of humor remained, shining through via text, his computerized surrogate voice, and that signature glint in his eyes.
He was kindness personified. A wonderful listener. Loyal. Thoughtful. Humble. A true mensch.
To paraphrase his late father, we all won the lottery of life for having had the privilege of knowing and loving Kevin Rosen.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the many doctors, nurses and specialists involved in Kevin’s care: the staff at the Motor Neuron Clinic, his WRHA Palliative Care Team, Diana at the ALS Society of Manitoba, “Smoky” Lisa and Brenda. Sincere appreciation to Harsh, Maggie, Avya and Harleen who honoured Kevin’s dignity and provided companionship at the most difficult stage of his illness.
Donations in Kevin’s memory can be made to the ALS Society of Manitoba or the University of Winnipeg.
A Celebration of Life is planned for the spring of 2026.
Obituaries
ALAN LEVY
On January 6, Alan Levy, age 71, died at Grace Hospital with his wife and daughters by his side.
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Alan spent his childhood in the North End and later moved to River Heights, where his family settled on Brock Street.
After studying in Winnipeg and Tel Aviv, Alan moved to Toronto, where he lived for over 30 years. It was in Toronto where he raised a family with his first wife, Sylvia Bashevkin, worked in public sector human resources and fell in love with Chinese food.
In 2017, after brief stints as an academic in Regina and Brandon, Alan moved back home to the Peg, where he spent many fulfilling years with his devoted wife of 20 years, Cheryl Karlinsky, and their loving dogs. In his later career, he was appointed to the Labour Relations Board of Canada where he served as a skilled adjudicator and proud Canadian.
Alan was endlessly proud of his family, daughters Dalia Levy and Aviva Levy (Adam Walman) of Toronto, and two grandsons, Jonah and Ethan.
Predeceased by his parents Sheldon and Audrey Levy (nee Myers) of Winnipeg, Alan was a dedicated news junkie with a sharp sense of humour. He thrived most when discussing current events, cracking jokes and debating geopolitical crises. Much to his family’s frustration, he would stay up all night glued to the news, and they’d wake up to endless articles he’d shared the night before.
Alan had an exceptionally strong spirit of generosity and focus on ‘tikkun olam’ – repairing the world, which lives on in his children and grandchildren. His family is grateful to the staff at Simkin for providing him with a phenomenal level of care over the last few years, especially Dr. Chung and Sara Reid, Assistant Director of Care. Special thanks to Paul, Victor and Almaze, his kind and patient caregivers.
The funeral took place at Chesed Shel Emes on January 8.
Donations in his memory can be made to The Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre https://www.simkincentre.ca.