JFM focus THE POWER OF PHILANTHROPY KISLEV 5780 | FALL 2019 Enhancing Connection

NEW JFM BOARD CHAIR SHARES A VISION OF INCLUSION

“You shall not oppress a stranger, for Yaffe believes that these lessons have guided Theatre Centre and the Canadian you know the feelings of a stranger having him through his life, and were paramount in his Friends of the Museum. yourselves been strangers in the land of decision to become involved with the JFM. He Egypt.” It’s the passage from the Haggadah takes particular pride in the fact that the JFM He is well known in the community as a that resonates deeply for Richard Yaffe every supports organizations that help Manitobans singer, cantor, and choir director. year when he leads the Seder. For him, it is of all backgrounds. In the short term for the JFM, Yaffe hopes to a powerful direction that our communities see a new CEO in place very soon. At the time must include and connect with everyone, “I think we can do a better job of making our community aware of what the Jewish of writing, a comprehensive search process particularly with those who may be, or was entering its final stages. consider themselves to be, marginalized. Foundation is and what it does,” says Yaffe “In today’s world there is no justification for when asked about his goals as Board Chair. “It’s important that we recognize and anyone to be isolated.” “I am a strong believer in reaching out to respect the past while planning for the future,” and embracing the most modest givers, our he says. “Change is inevitable, but continuity is For Yaffe, who was confirmed as Chair of major donors, and everyone in between. The essential. Together with vision and foresight, the JFM in June, the passion for inclusion responsibility of investing in the future, as they are the keys to our stability and growth.” and community service runs deep. He was well as the joy and satisfaction that comes inspired by his parents, the late Pearl and with it, can be shared by all. After all, we Philip Yaffe. “We were an upper middle class are one community and we are creating the family. Our parents made a conscious decision foundation for our future generations.” to stay in the North End, and for us to attend public schools enhanced by evening classes at Yaffe, who is a partner at the law firm the I.L. Peretz Folk School. We were immersed Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP, was in education and culture, and we were recently honoured with a Queen’s Counsel surrounded by people far less fortunate than designation by the Province of Manitoba. we were,” says Yaffe. “My parents cautioned Outside of his law practice and chairing the my brothers and me never to approach life JFM, Yaffe is a past Chair of the WAG Board with any sense of entitlement. Above all, they and currently serves as Chair of the taught us the fundamental importance of Art Gallery Foundation and leads the Legacy education and compassion, and of extending Campaign as part of the WAG’s overall capital a helping hand to anyone in need. And they campaign for the Inuit Art Centre. He is also led by example.” a member of both the Boards of the Royal

New Officers and Board Members Announced Mr. Richard L. Yaffe, Q.C. was confirmed as Dr. Sharon Goszer-Tritt, Dr. Alex Serebnitski, the new Chair of the Jewish Foundation of and Yael Silver were elected to the Board of Manitoba at the Annual General Meeting in Directors while Josh Blatt (Ex-Officio) was June. Yaffe is joined on the Executive Com- appointed the Board representative of the mittee by Dr. Bonnie Cham (Vice-Chair); Dan Jewish Federation of Winnipeg. Blankstein (Treasurer); and Jeff Lieberman (Member-at-Large). JFM focus | FALL ISSUE 2019 The Path to Inclusion

ANONYMOUS DONORS MAKES MORE ACCESSIBLE

“I feel stronger.”

When Camp Massad Executive Director Danial Sprintz heard those words this past summer from a camper who uses a wheelchair, he knew that the installation of rubberized paths around the camp was worth the effort. He also knew that, once again, the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba had changed a life. One of the many new paths that are found “In previous years, this camper needed to throughout the grounds at Camp Massad. be pushed in the wheelchair. The terrain made it impossible for anyone using a wheelchair to get around on their own,” explains Sprintz. “Now with the paths, this camper can be more Sprintz expects that other families with “The Jewish Foundation and their donors independent.” children who use wheelchairs or walkers have taken us closer to our goal and have The paths, made from recycled tires, will now consider Camp Massad as a viable helped us make the camp more inclusive.” were installed just before Day. The summer option. says Sprintz. “Over the years, the Jewish ambitious project was made possible by Foundation has helped make the camp Additionally, the paths make Camp Massad more comfortable and safer. Now they have anonymous JFM donors who designated the more attractive to prospective rental groups income earned by their fund to the project. made the camp more accessible and we are like the March of Dimes and SpeechWorks, grateful.” Fundholder distributions of $40,000 covered which rented the camp for its brain aphasia most of the cost. program in September.

“The paths also made it possible for the Camp Massad made a commitment to Interested in establishing a donor-directed camper to participate more completely in becoming as accessible as possible nine years fund? Contact Laurel Hogan, programs,” says Sprintz. “When I saw the ago when they started to build ramps on some Donor Development Associate, by telephone camper in the chair on one of the new paths cabins, the chadar ochel (dining hall), and at 204.477.7462 or toll-free from the competing in our Maccabia races alongside other buildings. The new paths connect these U.S./Canada at 1.855.284.1918 or by email the other kids, my heart was bounding.” ramps and also extend to the camp’s pool, at [email protected]. which is wheelchair accessible as well.

For Will Hechter, supporting the Jewish Hechter also has a deep interest in film. Foundation of Manitoba is “just a natural While at the , he thing to do”, even though he moved away opened Cinema 3 with a couple of friends and, from Winnipeg in the early 1970s. more recently, he made two documentaries: A.K.A. Doc Pomus, a film about a legendary “My Winnipeg connection is a source of songwriter; and and Baseball: An pride for me as it is for many others in my A TASTE OF American Love Story, narrated by Dustin generation,” says Hechter, who was born in Hoffman. 1947. “There is something magical about the attachment so many people feel.” He credits his good fortune, in part, and his philanthropy to his Winnipeg upbringing: “We Hechter lives in Toronto with his wife, Linda. were taught that education was important They have two children and six grandchildren, and we were raised to understand that giving all in Toronto as well. Hechter enjoys his THERE’S NO SUCH THING is joyful.” AS A FORMER WINNIPEGGER daily game of tennis, spending time with his grandchildren, and travelling, including an annual visit to his summer home in Clear Lake, Manitoba.

When he reflects on his Winnipeg Jewish roots, Hechter speaks with joy about his BBYO chapter (Kadima) and about the enduring friendships he formed. William He also speaks with pride about how the Jewish community was always on the front lines in the battle for social justice, pointing to such activists as , , and Sid Green. “We always had people who fought for the underdog,” says Hechter. “That Hechter might be what inspired me to go into criminal law.”

THE ENDOWMENT Toronto, ON Indeed, Hechter worked as a criminal lawyer BOOK OF LIFE in Toronto for 20 years. Earlier, he served as a clerk for the late Justice Samuel Freedman and taught law in Minnesota. He later left Will Hechter is a supporter of the Jewish law to open an investment fund with fellow Foundation of Manitoba. His Endowment Winnipegger, Marty Weinberg. Book of Life story is available at www.jewishfoundation.org.

JFM focus | FALL ISSUE 2019 “Of course, Hershele!” CLASS OF ’72 HOLDS REUNION WITH HELP FROM JFM

Early in August, Howard “We were so happy and grateful that our Morry approached his grade community’s institutions stepped up to three teacher, Betty Warshawsky— help,” said Morry. “It made for a much better now 102—and gently asked: “Do you remember experience.” me, Mrs. Warshawsky?” The weekend included the barbecue, a *photo courtesy of Keith Levit “Of course, Hershele!,” she replied lovingly, special Kiddush on Shabbat at Gray Academy, using Morry’s name. It was a short and VIP treatment at the Shalom Square Israel Members of Peretz School’s class of ’72 (with conversation, but one that resonated deeply. Pavilion during Folklorama at the Rady Jewish pictures of themselves from 1972 captioned Community Centre. The Sarah Sommer Chai The encounter took place at Morry’s home with their first initial and surname in Yiddish) Folk Ensemble even reached into its Yiddish where he and his wife, Hope, hosted a barbecue repertoire in honour of their special guests. Back row (left-right): Keith Levit, Ken Pollock, as part of a weekend of festivities for the I.L. Lorne Stoller, Eric Zipman, Chuck Blanaru, Peretz School Class of 1972 reunion that Morry “The Jewish Foundation of Manitoba helped Jeff Minuk, Howard Morry co-chaired with Eric Zipman and Keith Levit. The make the magic happen,” says Morry. “Their reunion attracted 18 of 24 students along with support was seamless and made the whole Front row (left-right): Leslie Assor, spouses and significant others. Guests came experience much better.” Anna Gail Goldfeld, Lori Ainemer, Pamela from Florida, Arizona, Toronto, and Victoria. Weinroth, Tami Katz, Carla Rubenfeld, Betty Warshawsky was joined by former fellow The Foundation organized invitations, Harriet Kraut, Fay-Lynn Katz teacher, Arnice Pollock. registration, RSVPs, and other correspondence using the online Eventbrite platform. And the “The whole thing started off as a plan to go Foundation set up an endowment fund for on an Arizona golf trip to celebrate our 60th the class of ’72 in honour of David Polskyz"l and To contribute online to the I.L. Peretz School birthdays,” says Morry. “We changed it to a golf Marshall Shusterz"l, classmates who passed Class of 1972 Endowment Fund in memory of event in Winnipeg, and then the guest list and away in 2019. Income earned by the fund will David Polsky and Marshall Shuster, please visit the vision grew. It turned into a class reunion.” support at Gray Academy in www.jewishfoundation.org/classof72 perpetuity. Zipman, Levit, and Morry told the Gray If you attended a Winnipeg Jewish school Academy of Jewish Education of their plans For Morry and his classmates, the elementary and want help organizing a reunion and and were advised that the Jewish Foundation school reunion was a heartwarming and establishing an endowment fund, contact of Manitoba had a template in place to help powerful exercise: “Not only did we reconnect Zac Minuk, JFM’s Director of Marketing and alumni of Winnipeg’s Jewish schools put with old friends, we reconnected with our Communications, at 204.477.7523 or toll-free reunions together and establish endowment younger selves. We’re so grateful to the Jewish from Canada and the U.S., 1.855.284.1918. funds. Foundation, Gray Academy, and the Rady JCC.”

Driven to

Make a After Arielle passed away, Marve and to raise awareness of eating disorders and Harriet Kraut and their entire family decided to enrich the discussion about making more that they wanted to do something special in services available. At the time Arielle was her honour. Kraut’s younger brother, Myles, diagnosed, appropriate services were scarce stepped forward with the idea of hosting the and she ended up in a program that wasn’t a Difference “Race for Arielle”. good fit for her. “We’ve always been a car family and Myles She moved back and forth between Toronto RACE FOR ARIELLE RAISES usually books the track a few times a year,” and Winnipeg, trying to get her life and FUNDS FOR BULIMIA CARE explains Kraut. “He made one of his dates health in order. She ultimately moved back to available and we got to work getting people Winnipeg two weeks before she passed away. to sign up and donate to the fund we set up at It was a stunning July day at Gimli the Jewish Foundation.” “Arielle was kind, smart, and very artistic, Motorsports Park when Marve Kraut got but her eating disorder made her life very behind the wheel of his family’s Corvette and Jessica Kraut, Myles’s wife, organized the hard,” says Kraut. “It’s my hope that what whipped around the track at speeds of 100 event, while the Kraut brothers rallied their we’re doing will make people more aware of miles per hour. He drove for fun. He drove for friends. Marve Kraut, owner of an automotive the impact of eating disorders. Even if what the exhilaration. But above all, he drove in business—Canadian Super Shop—reached we’re doing helps one young woman or man, memory of his daughter, Arielle, who died of out to his customers, too. the effort will have been worth it. It would be bulimia this past January at the age of 29. a fitting legacy for our daughter.” “In the end we had about 60 drivers and “Arielle started showing signs of bulimia at 100 guests,” says Kraut. “We’ve raised over To contribute to the Arielle Kraut the age of 16 and lived with the disease for $25,000 so far. The income the fund earns Endowment Fund, please call the Jewish 13 years,” says Kraut of the debilitating eating will help provide services for people battling Foundation of Manitoba office at disorder. “There weren’t adequate supports eating disorders.” 204.477.7520 or toll-free from Canada for her in Winnipeg.” and the U.S., 1.855.284.1918 While Kraut is pleased with the effort to raise funds, it is similarly important for him JFM focus | FALL ISSUE 2019 2020 JEWISH FOUNDATION OF MANITOBA Featuring Special LUNCHEON Guest Speaker in support of the Women’s Endowment Fund th

Board of Directors MAY 7 2020 Officers/Executive RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg Richard L. Yaffe, Q.C. CHAIR 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Admission $200 Dr. Bonnie Cham Charitable receipt issued | Dietary laws observed VICE-CHAIR Dan Blankstein Tickets on sale now at www.jewishfoundation.org TREASURER Jeff Lieberman MEMBER-AT-LARGE

Directors Thanks to fundholders like you, the Josh Blatt, Ex-Officio Jewish Foundation of Manitoba helps Dr. Sharon Goszer-Tritt Steven Hyman organizations deliver programs and services Becky Kaufmann Your Generosity at Work that make a difference in people’s lives. Caroline Kiva JFM GRANTS Uri Kraut Jeff Norton Dr. Alex Serebnitski In September 2019, the Board of Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre ($8,000) | Temple Shalom Manitoba Inc. ($6,275) | to Sean Shore Directors of the Jewish Foundation of to replace the windows on the north side of the purchase digital equipment to be used to stream Yael Silver Centre. weekly prayer services and lifecycle events. Justice Freda Steel Manitoba approved the following grants: Dr. Eric Winograd, Past-Chair Jewish Federation of Winnipeg ($10,000) | The Saul & Claribel Simkin Centre ($35,153) | to Governors Adas Yeshurun Herzlia Congregation to fund the PJ Library program which provides purchase specialty chairs for residents living with Sheldon Berney ($11,140) | to replace the dishwasher in the Winnipeg Jewish children and their families with dementia and to purchase blanket warmers. Marjorie Blankstein, C.M. O.M. synagogue’s dairy kitchen. free Jewish books and music to promote Jewish Yhetta M. Gold, C.M. O.M. literacy. Sarasvàti Dramatic Theatre Productions and Hon. Guy J. Kroft Hon. Richard H. Kroft, C.M. Artists in Health Care Manitoba ($4,000) | Repertory Inc. ($2,000) | to support ‘Seven to paint the industrial tunnel that takes psychiatric Lillian Neaman Jewish Federation of Winnipeg ($12,000) | to Sacred Teachings – Reconciliation Through Theatre,’ Gordon M. Pullan, Q.C. patients from the St. Boniface Hospital Emergency support the Hillel Leadership Retreat which creates a project that will use theatre and the arts to Harvey L. Secter, O.M. to the McEwan Psych Health Centre. a unique environment for young Jews and allies counter racism, explore historical truth, and pursue Abe Simkin, Q.C. to openly engage in all discussion about issues reconciliation. Joseph J. Wilder, Q.C. ArtsJunktion ($3,140) |to increase the relevant in Judaism. Jewish Foundation of Manitoba organization’s programming and organizational SSCOPE, Inc. ($5,000) | to support their USA, Inc. capacity. Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada Hoarding Action Response Team (HART), a Directors ($32,000) | to redevelop their website to better partnership between SSCOPE and JCFS that Joel J. Dudeck B'nai Brith Jewish Community Camp display their collections and connect with a broader provides coordinated community responses to Jacqueline Simkin Dr. Eric Winograd ($200,000) | to support the camp’s ‘Growth Can audience. those impacted by hoarding. Happen Overnight’ capital campaign. Richard L. Yaffe, Q.C. Kaufman Silverberg Community Library St. Boniface Hospital Foundation Inc. Staff CancerCare Manitoba Foundation ($1,620) | ($11,920) | to purchase computers that will ($25,000) | to support their mental health Ian Barnes, CPA, CGA CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER to support their ‘Mindfulness Practice Training’ support the professional success of newcomers and campaign in order to renovate the inpatient unit Marla Aronovitch session and to purchase material to give to newly library patrons. and outpatient therapy rooms in the Mental Health diagnosed children and their families. DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS & GRANTS Program at St. Boniface Hospital. Patti Boorman KidThink ($2,500) | to fund the ‘Friends’ CanU Canada ($3,000) | to fund various CanU DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION & Resiliency Program’ which teaches best practices West Broadway Development Corporation TECHNOLOGY ‘Explore Experiences’ which introduce a variety of for the prevention and treatment of anxiety and ($6,000) | to fund a snow removal project that Stephanie Casar post-secondary opportunities to their participants. depression in children 12 and under. will give ten young residents training, identification, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT / DEVELOPMENT bank accounts, and their first access to the ASSOCIATE, WOMEN’S ENDOWMENT FUND Chabad-Lubavitch of Winnipeg ($16,696) | to Lions Foundation of Manitoba & labour market in a community where youth Marsha Cowan replace the existing carpet with carpet tile on the STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST Northwestern Ontario Inc. ($4,500) | to unemployment is high and first jobs are difficult to second floor of the Centre. Jocelyn Dyson purchase additional cameras for KidSight, a free secure. ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATE vision screening program for young children. Laurel Hogan Chabad-Lubavitch of Winnipeg ($10,000) | To learn more about JFM grants to support ‘The Mega Challah Bake,’ an annual DONOR DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE Manitoba Riding for the Disabled Association and the application process, visit Lynda Joyal community event. Inc. ($1,500) | to fund the CanTRA certification www.jewishfoundation.org or contact ACCOUNTANT required for its volunteer instructors. Marla Aronovitch, Pam Minuk Chai Folk Arts Council Inc. ($5,000) | to Director of Operations & Grants, DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE Zachary R. Minuk support the production of a new album reflecting at [email protected] or the sounds and movement of Chai. NorWest Co-op Community Health Centre DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & ($5,000) | to provide healthy meals twice a week 204.480.7557 or toll-free from the COMMUNICATIONS U.S./Canada at 1.855.284.1918. Gray Academy of Jewish Education ($40,000) |to for 71 low income seniors at BlueBird Lodge. Drew Unger support a new strategic planning initiative focused MARKETING & EVENTS ASSOCIATE on development and advancement. Rady Jewish Community Centre ($8,000) | Jennifer Wood to purchase equipment for the Centre’s various DATABASE MANAGER children and family programs. JFM Focus Newsletter Zachary R. Minuk EDITOR The Board and Sta say Stu Slayen SENIOR WRITER Drew Unger DESIGN / LAYOUT

Jewish Foundation of Manitoba Suite C400, 123 Doncaster Street Winnipeg, Manitoba R3N 2B2 Phone: 204.477.7520 U.S./Canada toll-free: 1.855.284.1918 Donation Line: 204.477.7525 on being named the [email protected] OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL www.jewishfoundation.org FUNDRAISER FOR 2019 by the Manitoba Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. @JFM_MB @jewishfoundationmb Through her 13 years as Chief Executive O cer and today as a Questions or comments about JFM Focus? Contact Zachary R. Minuk, Director of Marketing & Communications. facebook.com/ Strategic Development Specialist, Marsha has rallied donors, volunteers, jewishfoundationmb/ [email protected] | 204.477.7520 | toll-free U.S./Canada 1.855.284.1918 and sta in common cause—to enhance life in the Jewish community and to make a dierence for Manitobans of all backgrounds.

THANK YOU, Marsha, for your inspiration. Congratulations on this much deserved award.