Local News
Winnipeg congregations report largest attendances since 2019 for high holidays
By MYRON LOVE It was a frailiche Yom Tov this year. From all reports, there seems to have been a real joy for people able to once again attend services without having to deal the Covid restrictions of past years.
The final numbers are in and they tell the story. Overall, Yom Tov attendance was almost back to where it was pre-Covid restrictions. Lets start with the Shaarey Zedek, our community’s oldest and largest congregation.
Dr. Rena Secter Elbaze , the Shaarey Zedek’s executive director, reports that close to 700 worshippers attended the main service, 268 more were at the family service and just over 340 followed online. In comparison, about 200 were in attendance in person last year and that number included attendance at both services.
For this year, we decided to have only one service,” Secter Elbaze says. “It was wonderful having everyone together again. Some people were really emotional about being able to come together again.”
As noted in my pre-High Holidays report, this was the second year that the Shaarey Zedek held Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services in the gym of the Rady JCC. Regular Shabbas services have continued to be held in the Berney Theatre, with weekday services at Temple Shalom – while their long term, spiritual home is being updated and expanded. Elbaze had noted that “in an effort to show our members that we appreciate their patience and understanding during this period of construction, we offered all of our members free seating for Yom Tov for those who wanted to attend services in person, as well as congregants viewing the services on-line.”
Non-members, she added, were able to[purchase their seats and be eligible for free seating if they participated in the daily minyanim or volunteered their time to help with Shabbat minyanim.
A further incentive was the return of popular Rabbi Alan Green to join Rabbi Anibal Mass in leading the main service. Rabbi Mass also led the family service – accompanied by Grant Park High School Grade 12 student Noah Trachtenberg – in the Asper Campus Multipurpose room.
The Yom Tov experience was further enhanced for Shaarey Zedek worshippers by the participation of the popular Quartet and the 20-voice Ruach Folk Choir.
“We were very pleased with how everything turned out,” Elbaze says. “This was the best Yom Tov ever.
“And we are really looking forward to being back in our own building in time for next Yom Tov.”
The members of Congregation Etz Chayim are also looking forward to davening in their new building. Next month, the congregation is scheduled to leave their current 70-year-old location in north Winnipeg and move into the new Etz Chayim building.
Etz Chayim Congregation Executive Director Jonathan Buchwald wrote in an email: “The general feedback from congregants was that they really enjoyed services this year. It was noted, however, that there were some bittersweet feelings, as these were the final High Holy Day Services in the Matheson Avenue building. We are looking forward to holding services next year in our new home at 1155 Wilkes Avenue, formerly the Shriners headquarters, near the IKEA store in south Winnipeg.“
Buchwald reports that 500 tickets were sold in person for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, with another 70 screens watching on-line – which grew to 90 for Kol Nidre. Almost 200 people attended Ne’ilah services. He adds that about 60 people attended a special service in the junior auditorium, led by Deborah Spigelman and Nina Eilberg, which was designed for families of all ages,while 50 children of all ages attended the junior service.
“On the first day of Rosh Hashanah and on Kol Nidre,” he says, “we held a unique program designed for teens in grades 9 to 12 led by Halley Ritter,” Buchwald added.
“One of the highlights of our services occurred during Kol Nidre,” he noted. “It involved the removal of all our Sifrei Torah which were then held by various congregants for each of the three recitals of the Kol Nidre prayer. For the first recital, the Sifrei Torah were held exclusively by teenagers and young adults.”
Services were led by Rabbi Kliel Rose and Cantor Tracy Kasner – with Kelly Robinson leading the High Holy Day Choir.
The third largest gathering for the High Holidays this year was Rabbi Matthew Leibl’s brand new “Services on the River: A modern High Holidays” which were held at the scenic Gates on Roblin. “I was very pleased with the attendance,” says the rabbi, who has been in demand for weddings, funerals and other community events since he left the Shaarey Zedek four years ago. “I wasn’t sure what to expect,” added Rabbi Leibl.
He reports that 250 signed up for his Yom Tov services. “We had a good mix of ages. We had families, couples, singles, even multigeneration families.”
In our earlier pre-Yom Tov report, Rabbi Leibl had observed that he had a lot of people asking him what he was going to do for Yom Tov. “I perceived that there was a need for another alternative for High Holiday services,” he noted.
Services on the River: A modern High Holidays” were scheduled for the second day of Rosh Hashanah, Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur morning. “Because the shofar is not traditionally blown on Shabbat, we decided to celebrate Rosh Hashanah on the second day instead to be able to have the shofar in our service,” Rabbi Leibl pointed out in explaining why he didn’t offer services for the first day of Rosh Hashanah.
The three services were each 90 minutes in length. “My services were designed to offer moments of reflection and introspection, beautiful live music, and a celebration of the Jewish New Year, all against the pastoral backdrop of the Assiniboine River, which was also our site for Tashlich on Rosh Hashanah,” Rabbi Leibl noted.
“With the river right outside the door, there was a strong sense of serenity accompanying Tashlich,” he added.
Rabbi Leibl described “Services on the River: A modern High Holidays” as “a real team effort,” which he led in collaboration with the husband and wife cantorial team of Justin Odwak and Sarah Sommer.
Most likely, readers can look forward to a reprise of “Services on the River: A modern High Holidays” next year.
Still with the South End, both Ruth Livingston and Jack Craven, presidents respectively of Reform Congregation Temple Shalom and the Orthodox Adas Yeshurun Herzlia report good turnouts for the High Holidays this year – with new families at both their services. The Lubavitch Centre’s Rabbi Avroham Altein also reports some new families at the services this year.
Back in the North End, Rob Waldman, the president of the egalitarian Chevra Mishnayes congregation in Garden City, noted in an earlier interview that the board was not expecting much change from last year. Last year’s attendance was 90 – exceeding expectations. This year’s services, led again by Al Benarroch, also attracted about 90 people.
The venerable House of Ashkenazie, the last of our community’s older-style Orthodox congregations, was the only shul to report a bit of a decline in attendance from last year – when about 50 people came for the first day of Rosh Hashanah and over 40 for Kol Nidre. – numbers which were the best in some years.
One new option this year for frum members of our community living in the North End was the reborn Chavurat Tefila – on the corner of Hartford and McGregor – which has reopened – after being closed for three years – as the North End Orthodox Minyan. The new congregation began regular Shabbat services at the end of July. Yom Tov services attracted about 40 men and women, with Rosh Hashanah services led by Avi Posen – who came in from Israel – and Yom Kippur services by Cantor Natanel “Naty” Schlossberg from Brooklyn .
Finally, there was one more option for those seeking to attend a High Holiday service. After a two year absence, Camp Massad resumed its innovative Rosh Hashanah service last year. Daniel Sprintz, the camp’s executive director, was pleased to announce that Massad was again hosting its usual Rosh Hashanah program on the second day.
Local News
Dr. Joel Antel new Canadian Dental association president
By MYRON LOVE Dr. Joel Antel, the newly-installed president of the Canadian Dental Association, says that he approaches dentistry from a customer service perspective. That means, he explains, taking time to get to know his patients, helping them with filling out forms – for insurance claims, for example – and striving to provide a positive customer experience.
Dentistry, it seems, was always in the cards for the 45-year dental practitioner. “Growing up, I was exposed to people in a wide variety of fields,” he recalls. “Dentistry grabbed my attention. As far back as high school, I knew that I wanted to be a dentist.”
Once in practice, it was only a few years before Antel became involved in dental governance. In giving of his time to the community, as the son of the late community leaders Oscar and Bella Antel, Joel says his parents set the example for him. Prior to assuming his most recent position as presidents of the Canadian Dental Association, Joel already had a solid record of volunteering in both the Jewish and wider community.
In his younger days, he notes, he performed with the Sarah Sommer Chai Folk Ensemble – as a musician. (He also played guitar and bass for many years – in his free time – for Mandibular Black, a rock cover band). Joel represented the performers on the Chai Board and later served as Chai’s president. He remains a member of the Board of Governors of Chai to this day.
When his kids were in school, Joel was a member of the Joseph Wolinsky Collegiate parent council and the Board of Jewish Education. He further pursued his interest in promoting education through his long-time involvement with the Stevenson Britannia Adult Learning Centre, which caters to adults of all ages who want to complete their high school degrees or take additional high school courses needed to qualify for post-secondary programs.
Joel’s entry into leadership within the dental profession began in 1991 when he was invited to join the Manitoba Dental Association’s Communications Committee. “I expected that my participation in the association would be short-term,” he says. “But I found it rewarding being involved.”
Joel soon became a board member, then, in 2011, became president (a one-year-term). In 2017, he became the MDA’s representative on the board of the Canadian Dental Association. Two years ago, he was asked to take on the office of vice-president – becoming president-elect one year later and is now beginning his term as president.
The CDA’s activities are multi-faceted, the new president points out. These activities include: position statements on matters of import to the profession, a regular publication – as well as social media platforms – keeping dentists and other oral healthcare staff up to date on new developments in the field, and providing answers to questions that members may have, co-operation with provincial and territorial dental associations, media relations and liaison with government.
The major focus currently is implementation of the Federal Government’s newly-announced national dental care program.
“This is a very ambitious project,” Joel says. “And we at the CDA are working closely with the government to bring it to fruition. Arrangements with three provinces have already been finalized and we are confident that the other provinces will soon sign on, too.”
Naturally, as president of the CDA, there will be much travel for Joel over the coming year. He estimates that he will be in the air every six weeks or so. “I am thankful for modern technology,” he observes. “In addition to the travel, I am on Zoom across the country at least once or twice a week.
“I am thankful that I have a supportive wife (Bonnie) and staff.”
In recognition of his tireless efforts on behalf of both the MDA and the CDA – as well as the hours he has put in teaching at the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry and continuing education programs for dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants, Joel Antel has been honoured with the MDA President’s Appreciation Award (1998), the MDA’s Award of Merit (2003), and the CDI College Assisting Dental Program Practicum Partnership Award (2009). He has also been recipient of Fellowships from the International College of Dentists, the Academy of Dentistry International, and the Pierre Fouchard Academy.
For Joel Antel, what makes all of his volunteer efforts on behalf of his fellow professionals worth it is the opportunities he has had to connect with so many people across Canada.
“I am energized by my constant association with so many in my professions,” he says, “not only fellow dentists, but also by the support staff and students I have also had the opportunity to get to know.”
Local News
Rady JCC 50th anniversary Ken Kronson Sports Dinner to honour long-time supporters Lana and Gregg Maidment
By MYRON LOVE On Tuesday, May 28, the Rady JCC is hosting its annual Ken Kronson Sports Dinner – celebrating its 50th anniversary. This year’s honourees are a special couple – Lana and Gregg Maidment, who, for more than 25 years, have been an integral part of the dinner’s success.
“We are really excited,” says Lana Maidment. “The Rady JCC – and its predecessor, the YMHA Jewish Community Centre – have held a very special place in my family’s life ever since we came to Canada almost 50 years ago.
“We feel particularly humbled that Gregg and I are being honoured in conjunction with the dinner’s 50th anniversary.”
“This is a milestone year for us,” says Al Greenberg, Sports Dinner Committee Chair in a Rady JCC press release. “Lana and Gregg are the perfect fit for this celebration and we are so happy they are humbly allowing us to do them this honour. “
Lana, who is the President and CEO of Komana Financial Inc. (a business originally founded by her father, the late Mike Kogan), has been heavily involved in the Rady JCC Sports Dinner for years as a committee member, leading the way to securing countless sponsorships, prizes, and donations.
As long as 35 years ago, Lana was already involved with what was then the YMHA as a fitness instructor at the old Y on Hargrave.
Her parents, Mike and Adel, were members of the Rady JCC from day one and could be seen at the same table every day at Shmoozer’s.
Gregg is originally from southern Ontario. He came to our community in 1987 to serve as managing partner at the Canadian Auction Group’s Winnipeg location. After ADESA Canada bought out the Canadian auto auction group, Gregg was appointed ADESA’ s General Manager and Vice-president of Operations for Western Canada. In 2005, he was promoted to Senior Vice-president, Canadian Operations.
About a year ago, ADESA merged with TradeRev and now operates as Openlane Canada – KAR on the New York Stock Exchange.
“It was Larry Vickar who first invited me to help with the Sports Dinner auction,” Gregg recalls. “That was over 25 years ago and we have sponsored the live auction ever since.
“If you’ve ever been to our dinner, then you know Gregg’s voice and know firsthand what he does for us,” says Greenberg. “The way he and his team have elevated our live auction over the years has been life changing for so many.”
It is not only the Sports Dinner where Lana, Gregg and their auction team have volunteered their services. More than 50 charities have benefitted from their efforts – raising upwards of $200 million dollars over the years for various charities and non-profits including:All the hospital foundation, CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Pan Am Clinic Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, Habitat for Humanity, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Variety Children’s Charity, Bruce Oake Foundation, Fort Whyte Centre, True North Foundation, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Manitoba Harvest, Teen Adult Challenge, the Sons and Daughters of Italy, Dream Factory, Winnipeg Humane Society, Royal Canadian Aviation Museum, Mainstreet Project, all private high schools (including Gray Academy, St. Paul’s, St. Mary’s, Balmoral Hall, Saint John’s Ravenscourt) and all major educational institutions.
“Together, Lana and Gregg have built an incredible legacy for their family, structured on the principles of love, hard work, and philanthropy,” Greenberg adds.. “Adel and Mike would be so proud of Lana. I am sure that they would have been the first people to raise a glass, raise a paddle and be so proud of what their daughter Lana and son-in-law Gregg have accomplished in life and community.”
Every dollar from the Rady JCC Ken Kronson Sports Dinner directly supports the Rady JCC’s variety of recreational, cultural, and fitness programs for all age groups to meet the diverse needs of the community-at-large. Through its programs and camps, the Rady reaches thousands of children a year – of all abilities – helping them to stay active and develop leadership skills.
“People from throughout North Americas are coming for this special 50th anniversary dinner,” Lana reports. “Upwards of 2,000 business leaders and community members are expected to attend, including representatives of the charities that we and the community support.”
“These dinners are always magical,” adds Greenberg. “And through sharing Lana and Gregg’s story and honouring their entire family this year, we are in for something even bigger than we’ve ever seen before.”
For tickets, readers can contact Zach Minuk at 204 480-6562 or email zminuk@radyjcc.com
Local News
Jewish participants once again among Cancercare Manitoba Foundation Challenge for Life top fundraisers
By MYRON LOVE “It seems like every time I blink, I hear about someone else I know of who has cancer,” observes Louise Raber. “I just found out that the 40-year-old daughter of a friend of mine is receiving treatment for cancer. While there is not a lot I can do about it, one thing I can do is raise money through participating in CancerCare Manitoba Foundation’s Challenge for Life.”
The 17th annual Cancercare Manitoba Foundation Challenge for Life 20KM walk (or 200-minute workout) is scheduled this year for Sunday, June 1, at Assiniboine Park and Raber and her Nancy’s Nightingale team– including long time teammates Joanne Katz, Rhonda Youell, Connie Botelho and Harriet Lyons – one of the original teams – are back for another go.
“We are just getting started,” Raber reports. “While a couple of us will be doing the entire 20km walk on June 1st, the others will be doing 100-15 km during the week before and 5 km on June 1.
“We are getting older,” she observes.
The Nightingales – named after a nurse – a cancer survivor who is a friend of Louise Raber – have been among the top fundraisers among participating teams since the Challenge for Life’s inception.
“Our goal, as always, is to raise at least one dollar more than last year,” Raber says.
The Nightingales are one of several predominantly Jewish teams that has been taking part in the challenge annually.
The top fundraiser among these teams continues to be Team Schvesters.
The “Shvesters” are the Greenfeld sisters – Lesly Katz, Debby Lewis and Benji Harvey – the daughters of Lil and the late Ike Greenfeld – along with friend Kim Gray – and new team member (this year) Susan Fennell.
Individually, Harvey is the star – consistently finishing in the top five individual fundraisers. As of April 30, she was in fourth place, having raised $10,685 toward a goal of $12,000. Kim Gray was in sixth place overall, having raised just over $8,000.
The team as a whole had raised $20, 670 – good for second place overall.
“While Kim and I will be walking 10km on June 1, all of our other team members have chosen to do the optional workout,” Harvey reports.
The workout consists of 200 minutes during the week preceding June 1 doing a variety of activities, including boot camp, climbing, ballet, zumba, and yoga.
In tenth place among individual Challenge participants is Jason Gisser – having raised $2,860 towards a target of $7,000 as of April 30. His team, Jason’s Journey, including Wendy Martin-White, Matt Maruca, Nora Fien, Jessica Horton, Rebecca Parkinson (and others expected to be joining soon) sits in fifth place overall, having raised $,3.700 towards a goal of $13,000.
The still relatively young lawyer and son of David Gisser and Judge Freda Steel has experienced a more intimate and longer-lasting relationship with cancer than many of the other Challenge for Life participants. He was first diagnosed with cancer when he was 18. “I am a proud cancer fighter, having lived and battled a chronic cancer diagnosis for the last 21 years,” he says. “I participate in the Challenge for Life not only to give back for the care and treatment which I have and continue to receive through CancerCare Manitoba, but to ensure that others do not have to endure the journey which I have endured.”
This is Gisser’s seventh year taking up the Challenge For Life and fourth as captain of his team, Jason’s Journey. Last year, he reports, Team Jason’s Journey raised $10,093 towards lifesaving research and treatment provided by CancerCare Manitoba, finishing 14th out of 125 community and corporate teams.
“My individual fundraising last year efforts,” he adds, “placed me 18th of over 900 participants. Since beginning my participation in the Challenge of Life (including my team’s fundraising), we have raised nearly $40,000.
“I have once again committed to raise money for the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation in the fight against cancer, and to walk 20 kms, which I will do all in one day on June 1 in the walk beginning and ending at Assiniboine Park. I continue to be humbled by the incredible support which has been provided to me in my efforts to raise money for life-saving research, programs, and treatment provided by CancerCare Manitoba to cancer fighters all over the province.”
The oldest participant in the Challenge once again is 90-year-old Pearl Rosenberg who, with her daughters, , Cindy Yusim and Brenda Dahle – also joined this year by her granddaughter, Cara Dahle, and Cara’s friend, Crystal Schintz – comprise “Sister Act”.
Rosenberg lost two daughters to cancer within about a year of each other. Naomi Palansky passed away in 2010 and Michelle Moyer in 2011.
“I started taking part in the Challenge for Life on Team Chai in 2008,” Dahle says. “My mom, my sister Cindy, and I walk in memory of our sisters whose love, strength, and courage continue to inspire us.”
Dahle reports that her mother’s walk will be incorporated into her daily walks in Kildonan Park – doing the 20km in increments of 3-5 km a day. Dahle is training at the Wellness Centre and in her neighbourhood while Yusim, who is working out at the Altea Gym, will be doing some biking.
“Our team goal this year is $5000,” Dahle says. “My personal goal is $2,000.
“If anyone else would like to join us, we would welcome them.”
Perennial fundraising dynamo Cathy Moser is also back for her 17th campaign. The founder of Serratus Superstars says she started accepting the Challenge for Life when it was 60 km over two days – in honor of her mother who passed away from Pancreatic Cancer.
“I saw the ‘good’ that the Cancercare Foundation did when I took my mother there in 2006.” she says. “The Cancercare Foundation does make a difference in our lives – and we have all been ‘touched’ by cancer. The Foundation ameliorates the trauma by providing coffee, cookies and entertainment to people anxiously awaiting blood test results in the Foundation Waiting Room. It cuts down our waiting time for some procedures by purchasing equipment, and it keeps us in the loop of new research and drug trials.”
Readers can make donations to their preferred team by click on Challengeforlife.ca.
