Are we going to be divided into two groups in society based on whose jobs are protected and whose not?

By BERNIE BELLAN

As if the fear that any of us might contract COVID-19 isn't bad enough, we're rapidly devolving into a society that has two groups of workers: Those who have either been laid off entirely or taken cuts in pay or hours; and those whose jobs are fully protected, either by collective agreements or organizations that do not want to cut staffs. Recently, however, the Rady JCC was forced to lay off an astounding 160 employees - not including contract workers such as aerobics or yoga instructors. Is it fair that some workers in society in general, and within certain Jewish organizations specifically, are being spared any financial hardship while others are being so severely impacted?

Canadian Jewish News - Canada's flagship Jewish newspaper, announces it's folding

By BERNIE BELLAN

This story is one that I had been dreading to see. The Canadian Jewish News has been a hallmark of superior journalism for years. It was the model for all other Jewish newspapers in Canada.

April 3, 2020

MONTREAL (JTA) — Canada’s flagship national Jewish newspaper, the Canadian Jewish News, became a coronavirus casualty after it announced that its April 9 issue would be its last after 60 years in business.

Was a Nazi war criminal living in St. James forced to hang himself by a Jewish “avenger” in 1960?

By BERNIE BELLAN
The story of an alleged Nazi war criminal by the name of Alexander Laak, who was found hanging in his St. James garage in 1960, is one that has been revisited in this newspaper several times.
In October 1987, the late Gene Telpner first broached the story in our pages in one of his columns, when he wrote the following:

These children of Jewish mobsters were kept well shielded from their fathers’ affairs

By BERNIE BELLAN
What’s it like growing up the child of a mobster – and a Jewish mobster to boot?
The idea of stringing together various stories about children of Jewish mobsters came to me as I started to read a terrific new book that was sent to our office, totally unexpectedly.

Comedian Sarah London takes her comedy show to Instagram

By ADAM SCHWARTZ

What do all great women have in common? They just won’t take no for an answer. When someone puts an obstacle in their path they just power right through it. Neither will Sarah London.

Talented Jewish singers, musicians shine at abbreviated 2020 Winnipeg Music Festival

By MYRON LOVE

As per usual, the 2020 Winnipeg Music Festival – even though suspended after just one week (as compared to the normal four weeks due to the Coronavirus – did produce some winning performances by several younger members of our Jewish community.

Jewish Child and Family Service stepping up to meet the needs of the neediest members of our community in this extraordinarily difficult time

By BERNIE BELLAN
With the Corona virus enveloping the entire world, and with seniors being among the most vulnerable members of our community, the agency whose mandate it is to provide social services to seniors in our community has been thrust into the role as the primary source of contact for many seniors - and others who rely upon social support.
Rather than being able to provide in person counseling and other services to its clientele, however, the Jewish Child and Family Service is front and centre among Jewish organizations in this city that have had to improvise how it provides its normal services.

For Jewish law authorities, the coronavirus has caused an unprecedented flurry of questions

By BEN HARRIS April 3, 2020 (JTA) — As the coronavirus pandemic forces Jews around the world to contemplate a Passover holiday in which large family gatherings will be all but impossible, an unusual question posed to a group of Israeli rabbis led to an extraordinary answer.
The question was whether it might be permissible for families to use internet-enabled videoconferencing to celebrate the Passover seder together even as they are sequestered in separate homes. Orthodox Jewish practice normally prohibits the use of electronics on the Sabbath and Jewish festivals, but might the unprecedented restrictions suddenly thrust upon billions of people permit an exception?

Winnipeg’s own Jonas Chernick discusses how he made his latest movie, “JAMES VS. HIS FUTURE SELF”

By BERNIE BELLAN
Elsewhere on this website we have an article about a new movie, titled “JAMES VS. HIS FUTURE SELF”, which was slated to receive its Winnipeg premiere April 3.
As events have overtaken the original plan, filmmaker Jonas Chernick, who wrote, produced, and starred in the movie explained that the Canadian distributors of the film have changed how the movie will now roll out.
Instead of being shown in theatres, the movie will now go straight to video on April 3, including digital release on iTunes and Video on Demand through such providers as Shaw, Bell MTS, and Rogers.

You don’t need Zoom or Skype to say Kaddish without a minyan. Here’s a healthier option for the community.

By Rabbi SETH WINBERG

March 25, 2020 WALTHAM, Mass. (JTA) — Like so many others, I am feeling the spiritual loss and pain of our current inability to learn Torah and pray together in person. Many mourners are devoted to the customary recitation of Kaddish for a deceased close relative and struggling with how to do so in the absence of a minyan.
Some rabbis are encouraging internet-based solutions to hold us over until this crisis abates. I’m concerned that those solutions come with a significant cost.

Coronavirus: Is there a Silver Lining?

By Rabbi YOSEF BENARROCH, Adas-Yeshurun Herzlia Congregation

These have been trying times. The coronavirus has changed our lives in a way we never imagined. But there is an upside to all of this. As our society gradually turns inward and shuts down, religion is turning outwards and revving up. That may sound strange but think of the following. Online prayers services and classes are booming on Zoom and other programs. People around the world are logging on in unprecedented numbers to pray and to study Torah together. Case in point, our synagogue as is the case with all others in Winnipeg, is closed. That is our building is closed, but our activities are far from closed. We are broadcasting Shacharit, Mincha and Maariv every day. All our weekly classes are available on Zoom. This past Motzai Shabbat we had a communal Havdalah service and over forty people participated. The coronavirus may be shutting down our society but it cannot shut down our spirits. With that said I would like to share a Dvar Torah with all of you a coronavirus silver lining so to speak.

Looking for something different while you're cooped up? Here are some services being offered by different people

By BERNIE BELLAN (Posted March 21)

Do you know someone who is in desperate need of some delicious - and kosher prepared meals - at reasonable prices, that can be picked up? Then Grandma Alla by Chabad may have just what you're looking for. Read more here:

Former Winnipegger Jonas Chernick scores with his latest film: “JAMES VS. HIS FUTURE SELF”

By BERNIE BELLAN
When I was contacted recently by ex-Winnipegger Jonas Chernick, who asked me whether I’d be interested in seeing a screener for a new movie he’d produced and starred in, I immediately said “yes”.
The reason is that I’ve been writing about Jonas’s career for years now – beginning with his very successful “My Awkward Sexual Adventure” (2012), about which I’ve always been fascinated by the odd fact that a Lithuaianian version of that fim known as 'Nepatyres" (or "Inexperienced") opened to the third highest box office of all time n that country – of all places.

Holocaust survivor Edith Kimelman keynote speaker at the Jewish Heritage Centre’s 19th annual Holocaust and Human Rights Symposium

By MYRON LOVE
Edith Kimelman, whom I have known for many years, exudes elegance and confidence. Beneath the surface though, this child survivor of the Holocaust – in common with most Holocaust survivors – will tell you she continues to bear the scars of the trauma that she went through. And, as with many of her fellow survivors, she came here with nothing and built a life for herself as a wife, mother, grandmother, scholar and educator.

Jewish Post & News donates profits from its YMHA 100th anniversary commemorative publication to Rady JCC

This past November, in honour of the 100th anniversary of the YMHA having received its charter, The Jewish Post & News published a special commemorative issue marking that occasion. At the time our paper made a commitment to both the Rady JCC and any advertisers who wanted to join in saluting the YMHA/Rady JCC that we would allocate a portion of the profits made from that November Lifestyles issue to the Rady JCC. We kept our word - and handed a cheque for $3100 to Rob Berkowits on Thursday, March 5. If you haven't seen that commemorative issue, click on the box on the right side of this page that says "Click here to download the November issue of Lifestyles".