Kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh (“All Israel are responsible one for another”
The Jewish National Fund of Manitoba & Saskatchewan (JNF, MB/SK) and Israel Magen Fund of Canada (IMFoC) hosted the 2025 Negev Gala on May 6 at the RBC Winnipeg Convention Centre. Rabbi Yosef (Yossi) Benarroch, Congregation Adas Yeshurun Herzlia, and Al Benarroch, CEO and President of Jewish Child and Family Service, were honoured for their invaluable contributions to the Jewish community and beyond. Along with moving tributes to the worthy recipients and their heart-felt acceptance speeches, there was a wildly hilarious performance by Modi, popular Israeli-American stand-up comic. These expressions of both the power of humanity and humour to redeem reinforced this year’s gala’s theme, Kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh (“All Israel are responsible one for another”).
In doing so, the gala provided a much-needed restorative reprieve from the heavy burden many are carrying in the aftermath of October 7. As Modi commented, he felt a lot of “Moschiach energy” in the room, referring to the energy of Jews coming together in common purpose, perhaps hastening the return of the messiah and a time of peace.
A remarkable 710 attended the gala, obviously eager to celebrate the honourees but also to support both hosts of the evening for their extraordinary efforts in the aftermath of October 7, assisting and providing aid to affected communities. Since October 7, JNF has been “working tirelessly to rebuild communities, schools, and infrastructure, standing shoulder to shoulder with Israelis during our darkest hours” while IMFoC has “mobilized to support vital search and rescue efforts, mental and physical health, and social services for impacted communities.”
The desperate desire of many in the Jewish community, and beyond, to do whatever possible to help the astonishingly and unjustly beleaguered State of Israel in the aftermath of October 7 was surely cause to attend this year’s gala event. As was the necessary and laudable Negev Dinner Project it supported: The Family Therapy Suite at the Sderot Resilience Centre.
And now with the devastating wildfires having destroyed 5,000 acres of land, out of which some 3,000 acres are forest—the living legacy of JNF—the need to support JNF has become even more critical.
The evening opened with a short film on JNF’s myriad building projects, “Building Israel Together,” showing the impressive history of JNF: from its laying the foundation for the establishment of the State of Israel—turning swamps and deserts into gardens—to its many environmental, educational, and social programs today.
Emcee for the evening, radio host Cam Poitras spoke of the importance of the gala’s theme of Kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh. The need for every Jew to be accountable for the welfare of all fellow Jews is more acute than ever in this time of war in Israel and surging antisemitism here at home and worldwide. And the kind of “comfort, counsel, and advocacy” exemplified in Yossi and Al provide excellent models for this; as Poitras said, “their kindness and caring are an example to all of us.” Poitras, who is a convert to Judaism, recounted how both Yossi and Al were present at his conversion, and how when he was struggling with his father's passing, Yossi’s words of comfort made him feel “I could lean into my tradition to get through my pain,” and he did so by recalling “the radiant power he felt walking out of the mikveh.”
Poitras also commended JNF for being “a remediator of the land” since 1901 and for “building infrastructure and lives” to the present day. He reminded the audience: “You are a builder, too, by being here today.”
After Poitras’ thanking the many special guests, Southern Chief Jerry Fontaine gave the land acknowledgement; Sara Sommer and Justin Odwak led the singing of “O Canada”; Yossi’s children Tzippi Amit, Mordechai Cohen, and Chananel and Miriam Noach, who had traveled from Israel, recited and the Prayers for Israel and for Peace; and the Benarrochs’ 93-year-old uncle, Mojluf Benarroch, who had also traveled from Israel, recited the Prayer for the IDF.
Michael Silver, Regional President of the Board of JNF; Jeff Lieberman, President and CEO of Jewish Federation of Winnipeg; and Nathan Diesenhouse, President, JNF Canada, gave greetings.
Jesica Cogan, 2025 Negev Chair, was awarded the Blumberg Medal for her 16 years’ service to JNF. Cogan has served in the following roles: Board Member, Vice-President, President, Past-President, and Negev Co-Chair.
Cam Poitras and Michael Silver honoured Yossi and Al, acknowledging their dedication to the Jewish community and their “unparalleled” love for Israel. They also spoke of JNF’s current initiative, the Family Therapy Suite at the Sderot Resilience Centre, which answers the call of Kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh in its serving the needs of 10’s of 1000’s in the Sderot area in need of trauma therapy. Sderot has suffered almost 10,000 rocket attacks between 2001 and 2015, and 74 direct rocket hits on homes during Hamas’ October 7 invasion and over the next 10 days. As residents of Sderot have admitted, they do not experience Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome as they are still in an ongoing state of trauma.
A touching video of Yossi and Al in conversation followed in which they discussed their past, emphasizing above all their gratitude to their parents for instilling in them the values and virtues that have sustained them throughout their lives, which are epitomized in Kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh: love and respect for others, love of Judaism, community, Israel, and above all service. “This honour is all theirs.” Coming from humble beginnings to such prominence in the Jewish community as leaders in their respective roles, both Yossi and Al exhibit an admirable humility along with their defining compassion, caring, light-heartedness and light, and a charming sense of humour.
The value of humour was clear in Israeli-American comedian, writer, actor, and singer Modi Rosenfeld’s performance, as the power of laughter to unite the Jewish community and its allies was clearly on display. Modi’s lightening quick riffs and sharp wit on all things Jewish had the audience laughing raucously, his energy inspiring the “moschiach energy” he felt in the room.
Like truth, to which humour is intimately connected, according to N. S. Lyons in “Humor and Humanity: On the Power and Grace of Laughter in Trying Times,” humour punctures humanity’s follies and failings and binds humans together regardless of differences. As Douglas Murray has commented: the only societies worth living in are those in which it is possible to tread upon others’ most cherished values. A society that forbids the satirizing of others’ gods, including one’s own, is not one he would choose to live in.
And nothing is sacrosanct for Modi. Ashkenazi Jews and Sephardic Jews and non-Jews alike all find themselves targets of his brilliantly incisive satire and all are drawn together in laughter. He even dared make fun of the many missions from the West going to help in the aftermath of the October 7 massacre. And he ended on “a lighter note,” defining antisemitism as “hating Jews a little more than you’re allowed.” That hilarity, not offence, was the response to this stunning insight indicates humour’s social benefit.
As Peter Berger noted in Redeeming Laughter, “The sparkle of laughter is a sign of a healthy human, a well-ordered society.” And as Saul Alinsky commented, “ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.” Jews have historically known this. “Jewish humor has always been a defiant middle finger to despair,” according to Bret Primack in his Jewish Humour: A Legacy of Resilience, Adaptation, and Laughter from the Catskills to Tik Tok. Humour has actually helped Jews survive the worst of tragedies.
And so, from laughter to hope. Modi, who sings in his local synagogue, appropriately led the singing of Hatikva.
David Greaves, Executive Director, JNF, MB/SK, gave concluding remarks, commenting on the essential connection between compassion and comedy. “When we feel pain, we joke, and when we celebrate, we remember present and past tragedies.” He asked Hashem for hope, healing, and resilience for the 59 hostages remaining in captivity in Gaza. “Never stop saying, ‘Bring Them home.’” He called on the audience to be united as a community, and he promised JNF’s commitment to “caring for forests and people, to building safe spaces for healing and thriving, and to building communities and spirits” will continue. “We will not stop caring for Kol Israel. Am Israel Chai.”
Thanks to the generosity of Gold Donors, the Knight Family / Marcie and Paul / Mid-West Quilting Company, Ltd., I was privileged to attend this inspiring event as their guest.
