Limmud Winnipeg 2019: Full Schedule

1:30pm CST

A Cappella

Pre Limmud A Cappella Workshop (Session 1)
Pre registration for this particular workshop is required either when registering online or by contacting coordinator@limmudwinnipeg.org or 204-48-7559
Provided there is a large enough group of people who participate at both Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning workshops there will be an A Cappella performance at lunch time.
Daniel’s participation at Limmud was made possible with generous support from the Covenant Foundation.

Presenters

Daniel Henkin

Daniel Henkin has conducted Jewish and secular choirs for 30 years and has produced more than a dozen albums of Jewish and secular choral music. He has directed ensembles at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, and is the recipient of the 2016 Covenant Award. As an arranger and conductor... Read More →

Saturday March 2, 2019 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST
Adas Yeshurun Herzlia Congregation

Arts & Culture

7:30pm CST

Doors Open

Saturday March 2, 2019 7:30pm - 7:45pm CST
Main Street (Asper Campus)

7:45pm CST

Havdallah

Presenters

Yona Choir

The Yona Choir is a unique choral group for kids and teens looking for a Jewish singing experience with an Israeli twist. Yona is a program of the Chai Folk Ensemble, led by Director, Sarah Sommer.

Saturday March 2, 2019 7:45pm - 8:00pm CST
Berney Theatre

Judaism

8:00pm CST

Hebrew Kirtan-A High Energy Musical Journey

Kīrtan, a Sanskrit word meaning “telling” [a story], is a call-and-response musical experience originating in India. The tempo, audience participation, and the very vibration of the instruments and the words help quiet the mind and reduce stress on your journey to bliss.
Join Rabbi Aníbal Mass and Leslie Emery of Congregation Shaarey Zedek, and a Kīrtan ensemble including traditional and western instruments, as they guide you in a Jewish spiritual musical journey blended with voice, Harmonium (Indian-Asian pump organ), Tabla (North Indian hand drum), Electric Bass Guitar, and Hand Drums to create a high energy experience.

Presenters

Anibal Mass & Leslie Emery

Rabbi Aníbal Mass, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was an active Chazzan for more than 25 years before receiving his Rabbinic Ordination from the Jewish Spiritual Learning Institute of New York in 2017. Rabbi Mass has been with Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Winnipeg, Canada since... Read More →

Saturday March 2, 2019 8:00pm - 9:00pm CST
Berney Theatre

Arts & Culture

8:00pm CST

Dissolving Our Own Story As The Path To Tikkun Olam

We all have a story. Our past is defined by what happens when we are children. How do we grow, learn, survive and hopefully thrive in the family system we were born into? I will discuss my exploration of my own family of origin system, how it shaped me and my behavior patterns and why it is so important to look inside our family and inside ourselves to understand the patterns, let them go and move on to a new life.

Presenters

Aharon Cohen

Born in Winnipeg a few years ago to David and Maurene Cohen, I went to school at Talmud Torah and JWC. At age 20 life got significantly weirder and I left Winnipeg to understand myself more. I went to Israel, San Francisco, New Orleans and back to Israel all within a few short years... Read More →

Saturday March 2, 2019 8:00pm - 9:00pm CST
Adult Lounge

Jewish Life

8:00pm CST

Mirror, Mirror in the Temple: A Tale of Love and Liberation

Why is the Bible so afraid of love? Who were the lovers who saved the Jewish People? And how do the rabbis deconstruct one of the greatest myths of their time? A reading of Midrash Tanhuma Pekudei 9, through Ovid and Maharal, the Brothers Grimm and Jacques Lacan, George Orwell and Erich Fromm.

Presenters

Gila Fine

Gila Fine is the editor in chief of Maggid Books (Koren Publishers Jerusalem). She is also a teacher of Aggada at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, exploring the stories of the Talmud through philosophy, literary criticism, psychoanalysis, and pop-culture. Gila has previously... Read More →

Saturday March 2, 2019 8:00pm - 9:00pm CST
MPR

Judaism

9:00pm CST

Reception, Schmooze and Entertainment with Ezra Lazar

Enjoy a beautiful reception and let Ezra entertain you with some fantastic juggling during the reception!

Presenters

Ezra Lazar

Rooted in the Jewish community, Ezra Lazar learned to juggle nearly 15 years ago at the Gray Academy. He has pursued the craft ever since, as Vice President of the University of Manitoba Juggling Club, and a board member (now Past President) of the Winnipeg Circus Club. You can find... Read More →

Saturday March 2, 2019 9:00pm - 10:30pm CST
Main Street (Asper Campus)

9:00am CST

'kNOw' Is a Four Letter Word - A Session on Tikkun Olam

Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, is one of the key teachings of our faith and tradition. Avrom is a serial volunteer leader and has worked on many tikkun olam projects. When he is told he should say yes less, his answer is “No is a four letter word”. The truth is that “know” has four letters. Avrom will share tips, tricks and tales to help you understand why Tikkun Olam is important and how you and your skills can help others. What is a lollipop moment, why are you a swan – this and more will be shared.

Presenters

Avrom Charach

Avrom holds a BA (major-theatre), a Certificate in Not For Profit Organizational Management, Professional Manager (P Mgr) and Chartered Manager (C Mgr) Designations and is a Fellow of Certified General Accounting (FCGA) and of Chartered Professional Accounting (FCPA). Avrom is married... Read More →

Sunday March 3, 2019 9:00am - 10:00am CST
Room 230

Am Yisrael

9:00am CST

Who Will Be For Me: Defining Your Personal Brand

A conversation that brings together modern Communications and Branding concepts with age-old Jewish teachings to provide insight on how to develop one’s personal brand through character building and personal awareness.

Presenters

Rena Secter Elbaze

Rena has been the Director of Engagement and Education at Congregation Shaarey Zedek since September 2016.Born and raised in Winnipeg. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies from the University of Manitoba and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in... Read More →

Sunday March 3, 2019 9:00am - 10:00am CST
Room 224

Am Yisrael

9:00am CST

A Brief History of Contemporary Jewish A Cappella

Learn about contemporary Jewish a cappella singing from the 1980's through today. What were the influences on early Jewish a cappella groups and how was today's vibrant scene built?
Daniel’s participation at Limmud was made possible with generous support from the Covenant Foundation.

Presenters

Daniel Henkin

Sunday March 3, 2019 9:00am - 10:00am CST
Room 222

Arts & Culture

9:00am CST

From the Yiddish Stage to Hollywood: The Remarkable Career of Actor Paul Muni

Born into a family of actors, Paul Muni became prominent in the Yiddish theatre prior to establishing himself as one of Hollywood's most admired and acclaimed performers. In addition to tracing Muni's remarkable life and career, the program will incorporate selected excerpts from Muni's films.

Presenters

Bill Tepper

Rabbi Bill S. Tepper presently serves Winnipeg’s Temple Shalom on a part-time basis. Previously, he was for eight years spiritual leader of Mizpah Congregation in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Rabbi Tepper holds B.A. B.Ed., and M.A. degrees in Drama and for fifteen years taught high school... Read More →

Sunday March 3, 2019 9:00am - 10:00am CST
Room 220

Jewish Life

9:00am CST

Chavruta One on One

Do you find Jewish sources intimidating? Do you wonder how you could ever study text? Bring a friend or meet a new friend at this session where the text is provided by expert teachers from Limmud International. Faye Rosenberg Cohen will be your guides as you choose and explore a text
from one of several options.

Presenters

Faye Rosenberg Cohen

Faye Rosenberg Cohen is a Jewish community professional whose loves favourite pastime is Jewish learning. When her children became adults, she returned to Jewish learning by participating in the first class of the Melton Adult Mini School in Winnipeg and studied Mishna weekly with... Read More →

Sunday March 3, 2019 9:00am - 10:00am CST
Room 225 (Beit Midrash)

Judaism

9:00am CST

SESSION CANCELLED “Liking” the Loving God: Is it Possible to Love God with All our Heart, All our Soul, and All our Might?

The Shema prayer directs us to love God. Is that even possible? Many of us read these words on a regular basis, but do we stop to think what it means to love God? How does one even express that love? What if I have conflicted feelings about God? Using textual sources and group discussion, this session will explore the Shema prayer and what it is really trying to tell us; about our personal relationship with God, about our spiritual history, and about ourselves.

Presenters

Steven Hyman

Steven Hyman alternates his professional time between his two loves; Law and Spiritual Care. Steven is a practicing lawyer and currently is the Director of Professional Standards for the Manitoba Real Estate Association. When Steven is wearing his Spiritual Care hat, he has served... Read More →

Sunday March 3, 2019 9:00am - 10:00am CST
Room 223

Judaism

10:15am CST

"Your Podcast is My Synagogue:" Digital Judaism in 2019

Judaism is portable. Mostly because it has needed to be. Jews have wandered, not just from Egypt to Israel, but all around the world. Sometimes seeking opportunity, and sometimes fleeing oppression. Today Jews are wandering some more. And the new addresses they are living at don't end in "Avenue" or "Street" but ".com" and ".org." In this session, we'll ask what the heck that means for the future of Judaism, and why it represents one of the most monumental opportunities, and challenges, in the history of Jewish meaning-making and community-building.

Presenters

Lex Rofeberg

Lex Rofeberg is a Jewish educator and activist. He currently serves as the Strategic Initiatives Coordinator of the Institute for the Next Jewish Future and as co-host of its Judaism Unbound podcast. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Judaic Studies from Brown University, and... Read More →

Sunday March 3, 2019 10:15am - 11:15am CST
Room 224

Am Yisrael

10:15am CST

Ethical Wills - Sharing our Spiritual Wealth

Just as the familiar ‘Last Will & Testament” distributes our material wealth and possessions, an Ethical Will is a vehicle for clarifying and communicating the meaning in our lives to our families, loved ones and communities. What lessons and values do we want to gift? What do we want our Soul Legacy to be?
In this workshop we will explore the history of this ancient Jewish tradition, and will share some tools and techniques to get you started on crafting your own spiritual legacy.

Presenters

Rena Boroditsky

Rena Boroditsky is Executive Director of Chesed Shel Emes, our community non - profit Chevra Kadisha, or burial society. Since 1996, she has been both a student and a teacher of Jewish thought and practise at the end of life. Rena has travelled in the US and Canada training both new... Read More →

Sunday March 3, 2019 10:15am - 11:15am CST
Room 223

Am Yisrael

10:15am CST

Jews, Comic Books, and Violence

In 1933 Hitler became the chancellor of Germany. In 1933 Jewish and Italian immigrants squared off against Nazi inspired thugs in a 10,000-person race riot on the streets of Toronto. In 2019 identity politics are on the rise across the globe. Representation matters. How do we remember, curate, and teach history?
Join us for a discussion on the use of the comic book as a means of cultural intervention. Leaving behind stories of spandex tights for human rights, we’ll go on a whirlwind tour of Jewish comic book history, exploring how the comic medium can help bring important ideas to new audiences in a dynamic way.

Presenters

Jamie Michaels

Jamie is a comic book writer from Winnipeg, the greatest city in the world. He works at the intersection of politics, history, and bubbles that go POW! His latest project is a historical fiction graphic novel looking at tensions between immigrants and proto-fascists in 1930s Toronto... Read More →

Sunday March 3, 2019 10:15am - 11:15am CST
Room 230

Am Yisrael

10:15am CST

The Dylans & Cohens of the Golden Age of Spain: Hebrew Poetry of 1001 Nights & Contemporary Israeli Music

A thousand years ago, in the cosmopolitan Mediterranean world of Muslim and Christian Spain, Hebrew culture produced the greatest body of Jewish poetry since the Bible, influenced by Greek wisdom texts, Arabic love of poetry and Islamic reverence for the written word. In this urban Jewish society, radically different from the shtetl culture of Eastern Europe, stars like Shmuel HaNagid, Ibn Gvirol and Yehuda HaLevi composed Hebrew poetry of beauty, sensuality and pre-Shulkhan Aruch Judaism, and now in 21st century Israel, that poetry has been enthusiastically set to Israeli popular music. An introduction to the Golden Age of Hebrew poetry in Spain of 1000 – 1200 AD, and a listen to contemporary Israeli renditions of that poetry, a millennium later

Presenters

Benjamin Rubin

Benjamin Rubin is a Toronto lawyer by trade. Under his pen name, eBenBrandeis, he composes poetry, lyrics and YouTube video poems. He has edited and published a book of contemporary Jewish humor, translated from the Hebrew an autobiography of life in pre-war Pinsk, Poland, and was... Read More →

Sunday March 3, 2019 10:15am - 11:15am CST
Music Room

Arts & Culture

10:15am CST

We Can't Run Our Country Alone

Long years of a philanthropic relationship between this Jewish diaspora and Israel led to a relationship model of a wealthy distant uncle that supports Israel under all circumstances. Israel was built as a Jewish nation aiming to serve as a home to all world Jews and where an exemplary Jewish society would be created. Today we can say that the country is a matter that is too serious to leave in the hands of Israelis alone. In the era of a "hollow leadership" (based on David Grossman’s speech) we must create a mechanism that would provide room for expressing the positions of the Jewish world regarding events in the country.

Presenters

Shlomo Weinish

Shlomo Weinish, an independent researcher in the field of leadership, lives in Ramat Yishai. He has a PhD in Organizational Sociology from Haifa University. Shlomo works with organizations (mainly sports teams) in leadership and organizational developmentand was a Shaliach from the... Read More →

Sunday March 3, 2019 10:15am - 11:15am CST
Room 222

Israel

10:15am CST

We Are Happy To Be Here: Immigrants and Long-time Winnipeggers Share Personal Perspectives

Panel discussion, led by Carina Blumgrund, on the positive impact of immigrating to Winnipeg and of being part of a welcoming Jewish community - the benefits, what worked, what made immigrants feel welcome and how we benefit from a growing and diverse community.

Presenters

Sheppy Coodin

Sheppy Coodin was born and raised in Winnipeg. After a few years away for university, he and his wife, Naomi, decided to return home to Winnipeg to raise a family. Today, Sheppy is a teacher (Biology, Judaics, and juggling!) at Gray Academy of Jewish Education and is active at Adas... Read More →

Javier Schwersensky

Javier Schwersensky immigrated to Manitoba from Buenos Aires Argentina in 2001. His initial interactions with Canadian immigration officials included a conversation about the fact that with no Canadian work experience and credential recognition, the only realistic option was to work... Read More →

Uriel Jelin

Uriel arrived to Winnipeg in 2015, with a background in Non For Profit and Market Research. He started working for the World Indigenous Business Forum in 2016, working with Indigenous people and organisations from Canada, US, Chile, Guatemala, Namibia, Australia, New Zealand and other... Read More →

Mila Mirkin

Mila was born in Ukraine and moved to Canada from Israel five years ago. Mila lives in Winnipeg with her husband and two children. She enjoys spending free time in volunteering at various organizations and events sharing the Jewish culture.

Carina Blumgrund

Carina Blumgrund has been a Limmud volunteer from the very beginnings, and is a passionate advocate for ‘everything community’. As one of the many who now call Winnipeg her home, Carina is delighted to have the opportunity to facilitate this panel discussion on what “Welcoming... Read More →

Sunday March 3, 2019 10:15am - 11:15am CST
Room 220

Jewish Life

10:15am CST

Spiritual Journeys: Towards a Meaningful Life

In this session, we will look at Rav Soloveichik’s Lonely Man of Faith as a springboard to understanding the human condition. The class will also closely explore passages in the Book of Genesis to unravel meaning as seen in the Torah Session.

Presenters

Yosef Benarroch

Rabbi of Adas Yeshurun Herzelia Synagogue. Graduate of Joseph Wolinsky Collegiate, University of Manitoba, Touro College Masters in Jewish History, and Mercaz Harav Yeshiva in Israel. Served as Rabbi of Congregation Beth Hamidrash Vancouver, Rabbi of Sephardic Educational Center in... Read More →

Sunday March 3, 2019 10:15am - 11:15am CST
Room 225 (Beit Midrash)

Judaism

11:30am CST

Instant A Cappella!

Jump into the world of contemporary Jewish a cappella singing and create an instant choir with your Limmud friends! Teens and adults welcome! Some singing experience is recommended and it is helpful if you are able to sight-read music, although neither is required.
Daniel’s participation at Limmud was made possible with generous support from the Covenant Foundation.

Presenters

Daniel Henkin

Sunday March 3, 2019 11:30am - 12:30pm CST
Music Room

11:30am CST

The Tragedy of Heruta: The Madonna who Became a Whore

Presenters

Gila Fine

Sunday March 3, 2019 11:30am - 12:30pm CST
Room 225 (Beit Midrash)

11:30am CST

Ner Tamid Honouring the Legacy of Holocaust Survivors

More than 70 years since the end of the holocaust, how do we honour the experiences of holocaust survivors?
Adeena Lungen and Sonja iserloh, social workers providing support services to holocaust survivors at Jewish Child and Family Service, will describe the range of services available to survivors through the agency.
Beyond “Never Forget”, what actions can we take to give meaning and validation to the legacy of holocaust survivors for future generations?
This session will incorporate the voices and messages recounted to us by survivors in our community. As we move forward, what do survivors have to teach us about the value of life and living?

Presenters

Adeena Lungen

Adeena Lungen is a registered Social Worker who has been in the field for over 30 years. She has practiced in Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg, working in a variety of settings. For the last 18 years, she has been providing support services to Holocaust survivors at Jewish Child and... Read More →

Sonja Iserloh

Sonja Iserloh is a graduate of the Masters of Social Work program at the University of Manitoba. Prior to this, she worked in child care for 15 years, first as an ECE and then as the Director of a Child Care Program. Sonja is now working as a Social Worker at Jewish Child and Family... Read More →

Sunday March 3, 2019 11:30am - 12:30pm CST
Room 230

Am Yisrael

11:30am CST

Bringing Jewish Into Your Home

A workshop for parents or grandparents or anyone who is raising a Jewish child. We will introduce Jewish values and lifestyle customs which can be implemented into the daily and weekly routine of families.
Theoretically we recognize that each child is created B’tselem Elohim, in the image of God. That means every kid is valued as equal, special and worthy. Our goal as Jews is to mirror God’s behavior. Just as God has clothed the naked, feed the hungry, attend to the needs of those who are most marginalized, so too, we as parents of Jewish children, teach inclusion. We do so by welcoming and embracing those who are like us and those who are unlike

Presenters

Kliel Rose

Rabbi Kliel is the spiritual leader of Congregation Etz Chayim. He was ordained in 2004 at the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS). As a senior rabbinical student, Kliel received the prestigious Rabbi Marshal T. Meyer Rabbinic Fellowship at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun. In 2014 he... Read More →

Sunday March 3, 2019 11:30am - 12:30pm CST
Room 220

Jewish Life

11:30am CST

It’s Playtime! Sharing Everything I’ve Learned About Theatre During the Past 47 Years

Presenters

Steven Schipper

Artistic Director, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre 1989-Present; Selected Directing Credits: It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play, Billy Elliot the Musical, The Glass Menagerie, The Drowsy Chaperone Fiddler on the Roof; World premieres of Maureen Hunter’s Atlantis and Sarah Ballenden... Read More →

Sunday March 3, 2019 11:30am - 12:30pm CST
Room 223

Jewish Life

11:30am CST

Judaism Abroad

Living abroad can present challenges in maintaining a Jewish lifestyle, and these challenges can vary depending on where you are staying. Living abroad can also enhance one’s connection to Judaism and bring meaningful and unique experiences. For example, celebrating Passover in Eastern Europe was an experience that both of us will treasure for the rest of our lives. Finding ways to keep up your own traditions as well as discover new ones are important lessons that we learned when living abroad, and we hope that sharing these experiences with our peers will encourage others to experience Judaism in all corners of the world.

Presenters

Dafna Schultz & Alexa Smith

Alexa Smith and Dafna Schultz are both graduates of Gray Academy’s class of 2015. Alexa is currently in her first year of Law School at the University of Manitoba, and Dafna is in her fourth year of an honours degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Manitoba. Both Alexa... Read More →

Sunday March 3, 2019 11:30am - 12:30pm CST
Room 224

Jewish Life

1:15pm CST

A Cappella Performance

A Cappella Performance at lunch time led by Daniel Henkin
Daniel’s participation at Limmud was made possible with generous support from the Covenant Foundation.

Presenters

Daniel Henkin

Sunday March 3, 2019 1:15pm - 1:30pm CST
MPR

1:30pm CST

"All You Need is Love”: Four Steps to Great Relationships

A study of Jewish sources developing life lessons to loving relationships. The class will look at sources, stories, mix in some humor and guide participants in understanding their own personality and how to relate to others.

Presenters

Yosef Benarroch

Sunday March 3, 2019 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST
Room 225 (Beit Midrash)

1:30pm CST

Ensuring a Lifetime of Health Equity for Individuals with Genetic Disorders- Challenges for Us All

The past twenty years has seen an incredible revolution in medical genetics. Efforts are rapidly proceeding to determine in our genome (the collection of all the DNA in a cell) what is normal DNA variation between individuals (eg hair colour) and which DNA variants (misprints) are the actual cause of a genetic disorder. Technological advances have dramatically reduced the time and the expense to sequence the entire genome of any individual so that we are now in a new era where genomic information of the patient is routinely used to diagnose a disease and to select the most appropriate treatment. This is what is known as precision medicine. In this talk we talk about the challenges to ensure all individuals, regardless of age or cultural background, no matter how rare or how common their diseases are, have access to the same new state-of-the art diagnostic tools and access to the most appropriate therapies. This is what ensuring health equity is all about.

Presenters

Cheryl Rockman Greenberg

Dr. Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg obtained her M.D., C.M. from McGill University in Montreal in 1974 and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Pediatrics in 1979 and in Medical Genetics in 1996. Since 1979 to the present she has worked in Winnipeg... Read More →

Sunday March 3, 2019 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST
Room 220

Am Yisrael

1:30pm CST

From Family Home to Jewish Museum – A Story of Escape and Survival

In 2012, a museum called Humberghaus (named after the Humberg family) was opened in the former home of my mother’s grandparents in a small town in Germany.
Through this special project, we learned intricate details of my mother’s parents’ escape from Germany around the time of her birth, just one week after Kristallnacht. We learned how integrated the Humberg family had been in their community, despite being the only Jewish family in town. We met with many local families who had helped the Humberg family in their greatest time of need, and learned about the lives of the 10 Humberg family members who perished in concentration camps

Presenters

Ruth Muscovitch & Susan Muscovitch

Ruth Muscovitch (Humberg) is an active member and volunteer at Etz Chaim Synagogue. She was born in Germany and grew up on a farm in Quebec before moving to Winnipeg, where she worked for many years as a legal secretary. She is the mother of two daughters and the proud grandmother... Read More →

Sunday March 3, 2019 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST
Room 230

Am Yisrael

1:30pm CST

Gaining Resources Our Way G.R.O.W. A Person-Centered Approach

A brief History of Special Needs in the Jewish Community, the inception of G.R.O.W. A – person centered approach - Teaching Independent Life Skills by focusing on individual goals and using person-centred strategies, G.R.OW. offers individuals a unique and rich opportunity to strive for new heights. Through participation in the program young adults gain a higher level of independence, positioning them for more independent decision-making and employment opportunities.

Presenters

Sandy Sheegl

As executive Director Sandy oversees the G.R.O.W. in Gimli Program, G.R.O.W. Day Program, Outreach Program and the Supported Independent Living Program. Sandy started as the Special Needs co-ordinator at the Rady JCC in 2008 and was instrumental in the expansion of the G.R.O.W. Programs... Read More →

Sunday March 3, 2019 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST
Room 223

Am Yisrael

1:30pm CST

Jewish Culture Through Its Architecture

We will discuss the Development of Jewish Architecture from ancient days to the Present days. We will embark in a journey through the centuries to tap into the influences and characteristics that made Jewish Architecture what it is today. Starting with the description of The Temple in the Torah; exploring the architecture of ancient temples though history up to the works of notable Jewish Architects like Khan, Neutra, Meier, Libeskind Safdie and Frank Gehry. We will discover the evolution of Jewish Architecture and it’s impact in Jewish life as well as a testament of Jewish culture expansion through the times. “Architecture enables us to see and understand the slow processes of history”. “Buildings and cities are museums of time.” Architect Juhani Pallasmaa

Presenters

Patricia Marion Lempert

Patricia Lempert is an Architect graduated from University of Buenos Aires (UBA) in Argentina. She moved to Winnipeg in 2002. She has worked both in Argentina and Canada in Architectural firms as Project Architect. Likewise, she worked both in the U of Manitoba and UBA teaching in... Read More →

Sunday March 3, 2019 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST
Room 224

Am Yisrael

1:30pm CST

Partnership 2Gether - The Program Changing Lives for Young Jews That You’ve Never Heard About

Please join students from the Gray Academy who have participated in the P2G program over the last few years. The program has changed the lives of almost 150 students who have had the opportunity to visit Gray Academy’s sister school, Danciger High School located in the northern town of Kiryat Shemona, Israel. The program focuses on building the Jewish people through personal relationships and has revolutionized Gray Academy students’ relationship with Israel.

Presenters

Avi Posen

The session will be led by multiple grade 11 and 12 Gray Academy students who have participated in the Partnership 2gether program, supported by their teacher/mentor Avi Posen.

Sunday March 3, 2019 1:30pm - 2:30pm CST
Room 222

Am Yisrael

1:30pm CST

The Hamsa Hand – A Creative Process

This class is for those interested in the creative clay process of hand building. Open to all levels from beginner to advanced, students will explore methods of working and constructing with clay to build a Hamsa, a decorative plaque to protect your home against the ‘evil eye’ and all negative energies or feelings. Workshops participants will make one piece using clay, and will experiment with coloured slips & underglazes to alter the surface & colour. The final product will be dried & fired with a clear glaze, and available for pick up two to three weeks after the workshop.

Presenters

Marim Daien Zipursky

Marim has maintained a clay studio practice for over ten years. She has studied at the University of Manitoba Ceramic Department, and participated in workshops and classes in Winnipeg, Toronto, Victoria and Prince Edward Island. She is best known for her smoke fired vessel forms... Read More →

Sunday March 3, 2019 1:30pm - 3:45pm CST
Art Room

Hands on Workshop

2:45pm CST

Operation Ezra: Welcoming Yazidis to Winnipeg

In a somewhat informal format, 3 different Yazidi teens, new to Winnipeg, tell their stories of their journey to Canada as well as their largest challenges following arrival and greatest achievements or sources of pride since arriving. The format will allow for the attendees to ask many questions with plenty of time for responses.

Presenters

Diyar, Aida, Madleen & Ameen

Diyar, Aida, Madleen and Ameen are all originally from Sinjar, Iraq. When ISIS invaded their village in August of 2014 their families fled, eventually ending up in Turkish refugee camps for years awaiting sponsorship. All are now resettled here in Winnipeg after being privately... Read More →

Megan Sodomsky

Megan Sodomsky is a member of the Jewish community in Winnipeg who became involved with Operation Ezra during her conversion. Megan volunteers with the group assisting with housing, food projects, planning and EAL.

Sunday March 3, 2019 2:45pm - 3:45pm CST
Room 222

2:45pm CST

Winnipeg Jets or Winnipeg Jews? How Sports and Religion are Really the Same Thing

Only one word separates "Jets" from "Jews." Is that a coincidence? Probably. Is it still worth exploring? Definitely. In this interactive conversation, we will take a look at the many ways in which sports and religion overlap. We will especially examine the idea of "tribe" as embody in both Jewish peoplehood and sports fandom, identifying ways in which forms of collective identity can simultaneously be a danger and a blessing. We will also share our own sports stories and memories!

Presenters

Lex Rofeberg

Sunday March 3, 2019 2:45pm - 3:45pm CST
Room 230

Am Yisrael

2:45pm CST

Israeli Childhood Through A Literary Lens

This session draws on vignettes by contemporary Israeli writer, Etgar Keret, to examine some ‘impossible’ aspects of childhood and growing up Israeli. Keret, master of the extremely short short-story, is keenly attuned to his inner-adolescent and is rediscovering the world of childhood through the eyes of his young son Lev. After a look at his artist’s statement, called “Asthma,” we’ll begin with a story featuring Lev called “Pastrami” in the author’s 2015 memoir-in-progress, The Seven Good Years, and move on to several of his brief works of fiction whose first-person narrators are youngsters, youth and grown inner-children.

Presenters

Laura Wiseman

Laura Wiseman just cannot resist a good story or poem and looks forward to sharing some contemporary Israeli ones at Limmud. She is a professor at York University in Education and Humanities. Her favourite days include listening to students analyze how and why literature is a carrier... Read More →

Sunday March 3, 2019 2:45pm - 3:45pm CST
Room 220

Arts & Culture

2:45pm CST

The Steep Slope of Israeli Leadership Since Rabin’s Assassination

Rabin’s assassination in 1995 was a formative event in Israel’s history. It appears that the main aspect is the decline of Israeli leadership that has a great impact on many life aspects. Through academic and theoretic lenses I try to analyze the process and try to predict the directions and future of the Israeli leadership and its impact on the state and society.

Presenters

Shlomo Weinish

Sunday March 3, 2019 2:45pm - 3:45pm CST
Room 225 (Beit Midrash)

Israel

2:45pm CST

You, Your Kids, and Your Phones in the Parsha

Digital Citizenship isn't an expression often heard outside of school. The ways in which it's discussed in mainstream media are quite different from how it's discussed in schools. Most often the popular press shares sensational negative stories how kids use the internet and their phones to hurt each other.
How do we have open and honest conversations about how things can and have gone wrong and what we can do to make things better in the aftermath of things like cyberbullying, online harassment, or sexting? It's a far more powerful message to talk to kids and parents about how engendering empathy helps us understand each other so we choose not to hurt each other. It's also important to share stories and ideas how our modern mobile technologies empower us to effect positive change in the world around us in ways that weren't possible not long ago.
What does this week’s parsha, written long ago, have to teach us about the power of our digital devices today, and using them more thoughtfully?
Kids need more models of empathy and empowerment. Parents do too.

Presenters

Darren Kuropatwa

Darren Kuropatwa is a teacher and teacher educator. His unique skill set – an in-depth knowledge of pedagogy, leading edge technology skills and boundless creativity – make him a strong change agent in 21st century education. Darren is well known for his innovative use of visuals... Read More →

Sunday March 3, 2019 2:45pm - 3:45pm CST
Room 224

Jewish Life

2:45pm CST

Am Israel High? What Does Judaism Say About The Use of Marihuana

With the legalization of recreational Marihuana in Canada many Jews have reached their Rabbis to ask what does Judaism say about it. Although there is no one and definitive answer, the wisdom of our Jewish Tradition has much to contribute to this discussion. During the presentation we will explore together different Jewish texts, from possible references to Cannabis in the Torah to the views of contemporary authorities, in order to find guidance from our tradition in the context of this new reality.

Presenters

Claudio Jodorkovsky

Claudio Jodorkovsky is the Rabbi of Congregation Agudas Israel in Saskatoon. Born in Santiago, Chile, he studied at the Seminario Rabinico Latinoamericano in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he received his Smicha (rabbinic ordination) in 2002. Rabbi Claudio has a Masters degree in... Read More →

Sunday March 3, 2019 2:45pm - 3:45pm CST
Room 223

Judaism

4:00pm CST

Hamentashen Baking Workshop

Limited Capacity seats available

Come learn how to make Hamentashen from experienced baker Marsha palansky

Presenters

Marsha Palansky

A retired Volunteer and Program Coordinator, Marsha spent the last 15 years of her career supporting literacy and life skills for newcomers at the Immigrant Centre in Winnipeg.Two years ago she was lured out of retirement to take on the role of Synagogue Coordinator for Adas Yeshurun... Read More →

Sunday March 3, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm CST
MPR

4:00pm CST

A History of Winnipeg's Jewish Denominations: What? Where's Reform???

While Reform Judaism is by far the largest Jewish denomination in North America, it has only a tiny presence in Winnipeg, surprising given the size of Winnipeg's Jewish community and its 140 year history. This presentation focuses on the origins of the City of Winnipeg, the immigration patterns that built the Jewish community here, and the unique geographic and evolving cultural issues that have shaped the religious practices of Winnipeg's Jewish community to this day.
This presentation will build on previously published histories on Winnipeg's Jewish community, but with a specific focus on the intra-community dynamics that lead to our current map, with a peek ahead to what the future might look like.

Presenters

Allan Finkel

Allan Finkel is a lifelong Winnipegger, raised in the North End and a graduate of Joseph Wolinsky Collegiate in 1972. He grew up at the Talmud Torah Synagogue where he was a junior chazzan and a member of Cantor Brownstone's Shabbat and High Holiday choirs. He later wandered through... Read More →

Sunday March 3, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm CST
Room 222

Am Yisrael

4:00pm CST

Embodying Torah Through Meditation

Brief discussion on meditation, both Jewish and other paths.
I will discuss my path away from and back into Judaism and how meditation played a key role. We will do a couple guided Jewish meditations and will all leave feeling much better.

Presenters

Aharon Cohen

Sunday March 3, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm CST
Room 230

Am Yisrael

4:00pm CST

Science and Judaism – Conflict or Coexistence?

Since modern science began 500 years ago, its conflict with religion has been dramatic and the effects increasingly widespread. No longer burnt at the stake, scientists dismiss the Bible while fundamentalists assert that science has erred. Modern fallout includes anti-intellectualism, aggressive atheism and a retreat from Judaism into culturalism, with falling synagogue membership and rising assimilation. Responsibility is shared: we scientists fail to communicate our rationales and vocabulary while theology can be enveloped in ancient thought modes and language that many find impenetrable and irrelevant. I'll aim therefore to: give a lay explanation of scientific methods and explain how aggressive scepticism drives scientific progress; acknowledge our need for meaning beyond scientific rationality; suggest that Judaism, not science, addresses that need.

Presenters

David Hoult

David Hoult is a physicist, musician and observant Jew. Following his doctorate at Oxford University, he spent his career developing from its inception magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – at Oxford, at the N.I.H., the University of Utrecht and finally, at the National Research Council... Read More →

Sunday March 3, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm CST
Room 224

Am Yisrael

4:00pm CST

Hamentashen Baking Workshop

Sunday March 3, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm CST
MPR

Hands on Workshop

4:00pm CST

SESSION CANCELLED - Making Space: Interfaith Marriage in 2019

Ohhhh, he’s NOT converting!? Despite the growing openness of our Jewish community, an unspoken expectation of same-faith marriage still exists among us. Bubbies heed warnings in the form of advice that a healthy interfaith marriage requires compromise. Well, the dictionary defines compromise as being “the settlement of dispute that is reached by each side making concessions; or the acceptance of standards that are lower than what is desirable.” Will and Carli Rossall, an interfaith couple now living in Winnipeg, didn’t like the sounds of that when they exchanged vows in 2017, letting go of the single life and holding on to their faiths respectively. So instead of making compromises, they’ve chosen to make space. Using a combination of communication tools and creative problem solving, Will and Carli will share on their strategies of space-making, synergism, and confronting conflict in a presentation-style discussion for couples, singles, and families from all walks of life.

Presenters

Carli & Will Rossal

Will and Carli, newly-ish married and living in Winnipeg, are both 31-years old. Carli works for Jewish Child and Family Service of Winnipeg as a substance use counsellor, and Will holds the title of Director of Leasing for a commercial real-estate developer. Will received an MBA... Read More →

Sunday March 3, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm CST
Room 225 (Beit Midrash)

Jewish Life

4:00pm CST

#Metoo Meets Torah - Exploring Jewish Texts About Objectification, Sexual Assault, Coercion and Victim-Blaming.

Sexual assault and harassment have been at the center of our conversations, especially since the grow of the #Metoo movement in 2017. On this presentation we will search in our tradition for sources that can contribute to our questions and hopes, studying biblical texts on sexual assault, coercion and victim-blaming, and their interpretation in the rabbinical literature. We will explore traditional and modern readings of ancient texts, thinking on the role that Judaism and Jewish institutions can have in healing and prevention

Presenters

Claudio Jodorkovsky

Sunday March 3, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm CST
Room 223

Judaism