About 175 – 200 people, of all ages attended Shaarey Zedek Synagogue’s Friday evening General Monash Rememberance Service on November 5, 2010 honouring those who served in the Canadian Forces in World War II including the more than 17,000 Jews.

We at the Jewish National Fund are proud to present: "Precious Life", a film by Shlomi Eldar that was named "one of the most moving films of the past several years".

The Winnipeg Jewish community will participate in the Global Day of Jewish Learning, the first worldwide, trans-denominational and nondenominational event devoted to Jewish learning. 

“Kristallnacht until today: Is antisemitism still a threat?”

On the night of November 9, 1938, rampaging mobs throughout Germany, Austria and Sudetenland freely attacked Jews in the street, in their homes and at their places of work and worship.

Over 50 people crowded into Shaarey Zedek Synagogue’s sukkah on Saturday September 25, 2010 for the first in a series of programs that are part of the first ever Nachmanifest, which  celebrates the  life and teachings of  Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, on the year of his 200th yarzheit.

Salisbury House is thrilled and proud to announce we have moved and are now open at our new 24 hour location at 787 Leila Avenue.

Mayor Sam Katz, who has just been re-elected on October 27 spoke to the Winnipeg Jewish Review to outline some of the issues he believed voters ought to have considered  before casting their vote.

The Chabad Jewish Learning Centre opened its doors to the public for the first time on Sunday, October 17, 2010, giving visitors a sneak peak at the new facility. Sitting on land once crossed by train tracks at 1845 Mathers Avenue, it was designed by Lanny L.M. Silver Architect.

The Winnipeg based firm of Lazer Grant  Chartered accountants and is planning an eight day Trade Mission to Israel exclusively for its clients and friends that will take place near the end of February/beginning of  March, 2011. 

Beyond Borders, a non-profit dedicated to fighting child sexual exploitation, will hold its eighth annual Media Awards on November 19, 2010, at the Fort Garry Hotel in Winnipeg. The ceremony will be hosted by Rick Campanelli (ET Canada) and Danielle Ouimet (Quebec actress).

Medicine and Morals, like all of JLI’s courses, is designed for people at all levels of Jewish knowledge. Participants without any prior experience or background in Jewish learning can attend and enjoy this course. All JLI courses are open to the public, and attendees need not to be a member of any particular synagogue or temple.

The Jewish National Fund announced on  October 18, 2010 in the Hula Valley in Israel that  Christine Melnick is the  JNF Honouree for the 2011  Negev Gala.

On Sunday, October 24th, the Winnipeg chapter of the Canadian friends of the Hebrew University will be presenting a series of lectures on a variety of topics with some of the university’s world renowned professors. 

The Jewish notion that alcoholism is a gentile problem is an old baba’s mysseh. We can’t make the problem go away by turning our backs on it. To quote Virginia Satir, a pioneer in the field of family therapy who was internationally acclaimed as a therapist, educator and author, it’s necessary “to see and hear what is here, instead of what should be, was, or will be.”  

Those who claim Israel is an “apartheid state” and advocate the campaign of  boycott, divestment and sanctions [BDS]against Israel have been criticizing Premier Selinger and Manitoba government for  deepening ties with Israel through a series of agreements in  the areas of  transfer technology, agriculture, and water issues, and ecotourism that were recently signed in a ceremony in the Knesset in Jerusalem.

Israel and Manitoba concluded agreements on commercial business development, agriculture, water and ecotourism, which was highlighted by a signing ceremony at the Knesset led by Premier Greg Selinger and Israeli Vice-Prime Minister Silvan Shalom on October 13, 2010.

When David Kaufman passed away on August 1, 200 at age 83, I was in Israel and didn’t have the the full opportunity to properly reflect on the great loss to the Jewish community of Winnipeg and to consider the full length and breadth of his legacy.

The Freeman Family Foundation Holocaust Education Centre of the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada is currently interested in hearing from

On October 19, 2010,  Jewish students are welcome to  hear Dr. Henri Rothschild, who will be the Keynote speaker at  the inaugural event of the Winnipeg chapter of the  Jewish Business Network [JBN]  This event  ( which is just for students)will be held at the Fairmont Hotel at 7:00 pm, free of charge .

Steve Szego (‘Zay-go), a 44 year-old, married father of two daughters, spent 25 years at Air Canada, the last 5 as Customer Service Manager. Inspired by the service of long time councillor Bill Clement, Steve Szego will seek the opportunity to represent Charleswood/Tuxedo/Whyte Ridge in the upcoming Municipal Election. 

Dr. Victor  Chernov, who was born in  the Former Soviet  Union, and then moved to Israel will be speaking about his personal story and his research at the  Technion Institute in Haifa, Israel.

Paula Havixbeck is one of seven candidates running in the Charleswood-Tuxedo-Whyte Ridge ward in th eupcoming civic elections.

She describes herself as having an "mix of business, government, and community building experience,"  qualities which are necessary for an elected official.

On Sunday, October 24th, the Winnipeg chapter of Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University will be hosting an event called Best of Hebrew U. The event will bring in four world-renowned professors from Hebrew University to run a day of seminars open to the public.

On Tuesday October 5, 2010, business and community leader Mel Lazareck received a very special and historic appointment on Tuesday October 5, 2010 from the Government of Manitoba—he has just been named Special Representative for Manitoba to Israel for Economic and Community Relations.

On Sunday September 26, the Asper campus was full of activity designed to make our community more environmentally conscious as part of Eco-Shift, put on by The Jewish Federation’s J-PEG, Next Generation Leadership Division.

The event, chaired by Dov Secter and Sarah Allentuck Secter featured a very large green vendor’s showcase, with green friendly products.

Jerusalem is my favorite place in the entire world. But on this coming Tuesday afternoon, on Tisha B’Av at Minchah we’ll say “Nachem.” We’ll add the following words to the blessing of Jerusalem in the afternoon Amidah:

On Wednesday evening September 27th  a rally  was held for Mayor Sam Katz at the Caboto Centre on Wilkes Avenue.

What exactly is a Shabbaton?

The Shabbaton is a spirited and uplifting weekend retreat filled with interactive workshops, exciting children’s programs and delicious Shabbat meals, designed to capture the beauty and spirit of Shabbat. Together we will learn, grow, forge new friendships and create wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. Get ready for a magical weekend of spiritual rejuvenation, inspiration and community!

The CJA Kick off Dance party was a well attended successful event, that featured not only some snazzy dance music, (which my children enjoyed), booths where  CJA beneficiaries could hand out brochures and the like,  but also a complimentary  kid friendly lunch of barbequed hotdogs (veggie dogs as well) with fresh buns and bagged chips.

Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) will be performing in Israel and Jordan this month. The RWB is also partnering with The Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, which purposely planned its Mission to Israel trip 2010 to coincide with the RWB’s tour to the country.

Shaul Magid will speak at Shaarey Zedek synagogue, 561 Willington Crescent, at 7 pm on  October 14: "The Life of Rebbe Nachman’s Grave: Two Hundred Years of Pilgrimage" All are welcome Professor  Magid will also  deliver a lecture entitled "Charisma and the Holy Man: Uniqueness, Incarnation, and Sacred Language (Lashon Ha-Kodesh) in Nachman of Bratslav’s Self-Fashioning,"  pn October 14  from 3p.m-4pm/. at 409 Tier building 8.

In the aftermath of the most recent UN resolution and the targeted economic sanctions subsequently adopted by the US, the EU, Canada, and Australia against Iran,  the Honourable Irwin Cotler , Liberal Member of Parliament and Former Federal Minister of  Justice outlined  a ten-point action plan, on how to further deal with the  fourfold threat posed by Iran. [ the nuclear threat, the genocidal incitement threat, the theat of  state-sponsored terrorism, and the systematic and widespread  human rights violations of the Iranian people.]

A young offender who was arrested in Winnipeg last march has pled guilty recently to multiple charges-including willful promotion of hatred being responsible arising out of a series of anti-Semetic graffiti attacks on Jewish institution sand private property last fall in Calgary.

What kind of shoes does one wear to stand in a large vat and crush grapes ? The Winnipeg Jewish Review posed this question to  Gail Asper at the  at  Mona Lisa Restaurant’s Stomping For Human Rights Wine Festival on September 16.

As Maxine Fromkin says of her brother Jay:” My brother Jay lived at home until he was 25 years old, and then moved into the first Shalom Residence on Cathedral Avenue almost 30 years ago.  At home the household revolved around Jay, and admittedly he was spoiled.  We did not know how he would react

As many North American synagogues report dwindling attendance at High Holiday services, Camp Massad’s annual second day on-site Rosh Hashanah service seems to grow year after year.

Camp Massad is a Hebrew immersion Zionist camp located 90 kilometers north of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Founded in 1953, it has always prided itself on its sense of community and celebration of Judaism, two concepts perfectly embodied by its New Year’s service.

Faith Kaplan is the new incoming President of the Winnipeg Chapter of Canadian Friends of  Hebrew University.

Faith, who is a popular columnist for the Winnipeg Jewish Review, says she has “had a soft spot” for Hebrew University since she spent a year there in 1979. “I loved living in Jerusalem. I didn’t want to come home,” she recalls with a smile.  “My year there was a life-changing experience.”

As an Editor of a Jewish community publication, I can’t tell you how much I applaud the action of the Board of Directors of Herzlia–Adas Yeshurun Synagogue to remove all plaques that...

Constable Natalie Aitkins of the Winnipeg Police  told th eWinnipeg Jewish Review yesterday  that  investigations regarding a number of instances of swastikas in River Heights over the last few months are ongoing.  "These have been flagged  to the Hate Crimes Department."

Some four hundred people attended the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev’s tribute luncheon on Thursday, August 26, in honour of Nobel Peace Prize Nominee, Winnipeg’s David Matas, an internationally renowned human rights lawyer.

The funds raised at the luncheon will go toward the establishment of the Harry and Esther Matas Medical Research lab at the University in honour of Matas’s parents.

WISHING THE COMMUNITY AND K’LAL ISRAEL A HAPPY, HEALTHY, AND SWEET NEW YEAR—SHANA TOVA -5771

In conventional medicine, doctors evaluate your medical needs, write you a prescription and send you to a pharmacy. This route from doctor to pharmacist for dispensing medicine allows the doctor to focus on providing the sick with imperative service and knowledge with efficient use of their time and effort.

“I’m optimistic because probably from here things can only get better,” Israel’s Consul General from Toronto Amir Gissin said of the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians while in Winnipeg last week.

I recently read a passage from the Book of Ruth, and the words “inclusiveness” and “chesed” (loving-kindness) came to mind. Although one of the messages of the book is acceptance of converts to Judaism by the Israelites, it also exemplifies acceptance in general, and the need to take care of others.

Avi Posen,  who graduated from the University of Winnipeg in December 2009 with  a BA in Psychology  begins his new full time position as  the Jewish Federation’s Jewish Engagement Co-ordinator.

Once upon a time, many years ago, when I was a student at both the University of Winnipeg and University of Manitoba, (though not simultaneously) I kept my distance from the Jewish Students Association.  As a Joseph Wolinsky Collegiate graduate and Camp Massad, BBYO and YMHA clubs alumnus, there was no need for me to “belong” to a Jewish students group.

Distinguished Technion Professor Dr. Daniel Weihs  told an audience of over 110 people at the Berney Theatre here on August 25  that the Technion has been involved in developing robots that are being used by the Israeli military to do many tasks, such as determine the location of landmines, enable planes to fly unmanned and in the future  these systems may even be able to evacuate wounded from combat zones.

[reprinted with the permission of  the Jewish Light]

Like most rabbinic contracts, the one just signed by Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose has an option for renegotiated renewal at the end. But the rabbi has a little time to consider his options.

The Jewish Federation has hired Hart Jacobs to become the new Director of Jewish Campus Life, after Samantha Loxton has become the Director of Leadership Development.

When I was small, our family went to the Ashkenazie Shul because Grandpa Izzy’s father and grandfather had been founding members. I knew this to be true because my dad, uncle, and grandpa had fine seats in the front row by the bimah, where I squeezed in beside my dad.

I am going to Los Angeles to take part in the 20th World Conference of GBLT Jews August 12th – 15th 2010.  The conference in being held at the Hillel House on the UCLA Campus and is being presented by The World Congress of GBLT Jews.

“I am feeling very confident that I have made the right move from the Jewish Federation to the Jewish Foundation,” says David Greaves, a recent Cyril Marantz Manitoba Jewish Athlete honouree, who became the Foundation’s Director of Fund Development and Marketing  on  June 21, 2010.

Ian Rabb, a member of Winnipeg’s Jewish community  announced on July 14, 2010 that  he is seeking the Fort Rouge-East Garry Council Seat in this October’s municipal election. The ward is currently held by incumbent Jenny Gerbasi.

Michael Kowalson announced this week that he will seek the River Heights – Fort Garry Council seat against incumbent John Orlikow in the upcoming municipal election on October 27.  Orlikow won the seat in a by-election in March 2009.

[Reprinted with Permission]  A Queens rabbi who has been dogged by allegations of sexual abuse against children, but never charged with a crime, has reached a negotiated agreement to leave the Rabbinical Board of Queens in the fall, The Jewish Week has learned.

Elliot Leven presents his opinion below  and the  Editor of the Winnipeg Jewish Review Rhonda Spivak responds

NULL All in all, Mr. Speaker, this resolution is not an attempt to limit free speech; rather, I am using my right of free speech to express my views and those of my constituents on this important...

Ignatieff’s One on One with the Winnipeg Jewish Review The following are questions given to Michael Ignatieff, the leader of Canada’s Liberal Party who was in Winnipeg during an...

NULL CANADA ELECTS TO FUND PA JUSTICE SYSTEM The Jerusalem Post, Jan. 13, 2010 By Rhonda Spivak Canada has reduced its direct support for UNWRA, the UN agency that runs Palestinian refugee camps in...

NULL House Business Mr. Gerald Hawranik (Official Opposition House Leader): Mr. Speaker, on House business. On this side of the House, we're in favour of this resolution and I would ask that you...

NULL Hon. Gord Mackintosh (Minister of Family Services and Consumer Affairs): Mr. Speaker, it's important, through this debate, to both stand up against any manifestation of anti-Semitism and, in...

Subtitled: If This Title Does Not Evoke Phlegm in Your Throat, You Are Saying It Wrong

I was recently interviewed by Kevin Prokosh of the Winnipeg Free Press about the inclusion of Caryl Churchil’s play Seven Jewish Children as part of the upcoming MTC Master Playwright Festival.   I remarked that, as a Jew, I felt it was well within my right to call the piece anti-Semitic. 

For what appears to be the first time in Canadian history, elections are taking place this year on a Jewish holiday, the first day of Succot, on October 14, 2008.