Introduction: The following story is an excerpt from a longer story in Zev Cohen’s new novel titled “Are You Still Alive?”
As Zev wrote to us recently, “this is Chapter One of my novel, "Are You Still Alive?" It is partially based on events recounted to me by my late father Moshe. The story, beyond being one of the countless tales of Jewish survival against all odds during the Holocaust, is also an allegory for the indomitable human spirit intertwined with Rabbi Akiva's maxim ‘V’havta l’raecha kamocha’. I hope to have the complete novel published soon.
Zev’s writing has appeared several times in the past in this paper. His collection of short stories, titled “Twilight in Saigon,” was published in 2021.
Born in Israel, Zev lived in Winnipeg until he was 17, when he returned to Israel with his parents. He now spends half the year in Israel and half the year in Calgary, where his two sons live.
By BERNIE BELLAN I’m not much for reading autobiographies; I prefer to read someone else’s account of a person’s life because I figure you’re much more likely to find out what someone’s life was truly like when it was written by someone else - warts and all.
However, when I was asked whether I might like to receive an advance copy of the memoir of Rosalie Sharp whose name, to be honest, was unfamiliar to me - but who, I was informed, was the wife of Four Seasons Hotel founder Isadore Sharp - I thought: Sure, it’s always interesting to read of the lives of the rich and famous – and when they’re Jewish and Canadian to boot, let’s go for it.
By MARTIN ZEILIG Palm oil has been criticized by many, including scientists, activists and organizations such as Greenpeace and the Palm Oil Investigations, notes online information.
In a report published by the BBC, environmentalists argue that the farming of oil palm trees is having damaging effects on the environment.
By MYRON LOVE Ian MacArton and Ben Blankstein are first cousins who share a passion for hockey – a passion which has led to leadership roles in amateur hockey in Winnipeg and Manitoba respectively.
By BERNIE BELLAN For Robyn Braha, dance has been an integral part of her life for over 40 years. A former dance director with the Chai Folk Ensemble, which she joined when she was 16, in 1997 Robyn also started her own dance company, known as “Beyachad, Robyn Braha School of Dance.”
A couple of weeks back we received an email from another ageless senior, former sprinter Lou Billinkoff.
Lou didn’t actually start running until he was 89 years old - and after he had suffered a mild heart attack.His doctor recommended that he go through a rehab program at the Reh-Fit Centre.
By BERNIE BELLAN We were recently contacted by Allan Novak, who is the son of Anne Novak. Anne is one of four Fink siblings – the others being sisters Sally Singer and Ruth Zimmer, while their lone brother is Sol Fink.
By BERNIE BELLAN Faye Rosenberg-Cohen is one of the longest serving staff members at the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg. She actually got her start at the forerunner of the Federation, the Winnipeg Jewish Community Council. (During the course of our interview, she was able to find the date of her first day of employment at the WJCC: May 18, 1994.)
American sports are some of the biggest and best-loved on the planet. And while the sports are huge, it’s often the players who generate the interest and passion from fans. At present, and over the years, there have been some megastars gracing the scene, and many of them have gone on to become global icons.