Candle lighting - Jewish National Fund Manitoba

The Green News
Manitoba/Saskatchewan
kislev 5775 | December 2014
manitoba.jnf.ca 204-947-0207
[email protected]
225-530 Kenaston Blvd. Winnipeg, MB R3N 1Z4
What we’ve been up to
Israel updates
Shalom Baby Shower
Rehabilitation of the Lower Jordan River
On November 4, 2014, the Jewish National Fund attended the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg’s
semi-annual Shalom Baby Shower at the Asper Jewish Community Campus to welcome
approximately 20 babies into our community.
The babies were crowned as kings and queens and received gift baskets filled with toys and
other gifts from Jewish organizations across the city. JNF gave new mothers a gift certificate for
a tree card so that they can have a tree planted for person of their choosing in Israel.
JNF would like to thank Rena Elbaze at the Jewish Federation for hosting such a lovely event
that brings our community together. The next Shalom Baby Shower will be held on June 25,
2015, and to register new mothers can contact Rena at [email protected].
An international conference on rehabilitating the Lower Jordan River included government
ministers of national infrastructure and environmental protection, the KKL-JNF World
Chairman, representatives from the UN, the EU and the Kingdom of Jordan, as well as scientists
from Israel and other countries and executives from various organizations involved in this field.
Canada Mission Inaugurates Arava Music Center
No region is further away from Israel's urban centers than the Central Arava, which is a one
and a half hour drive south of Beersheba and a two hour drive north of Eilat. To encourage
people to move here from Israel's densely populated central region, KKL-JNF is involved in all
aspects of making life possible in this harsh climate.
“Thanks to you all, the Arava is now alive with the sound of music.”
On Wednesday, October 29, the new Arava Music Center was dedicated in the presence of the
donor Mickey Rosenthal and the JNF Canada October 2014 National Mission to Israel.
Animal-Assisted Therapy Centre
A center for animal-assisted therapy is being completed at Retorno - an international Jewish
rehabilitation facility for addictions - thanks to the generous support of Friends of JNF Canada
in Toronto. Teens and adults from all over the world with all kinds of addictions come to the
center, which is located in the heart of nature on a green hill in the Judean lowland.
“We help people understand how they got to this point and what they can change in their lives,”
explained addiction therapist Shoshana Schwartz.
Left, baby is crowned; right, mothers and babies visit and make new friends.
Robyn Shapiro photos
Coming up
KKL-JNF Awards 2014 Blumberg Prize
The 2014 Blumberg Prize (formerly called the Elkeles Prize), for excellence in medical science
was awarded to Professor Ohad Birk, Director of the Genetics Institute, at a gala ceremony at
the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba.
Donor spotlight
Henry and Lynne Trachtenberg
Community
Candle lighting
Tuesday, December 16
Join us at the first night candle-lighting program for the celebration of Chanukah on December
16 at the Asper Jewish Community Campus.
This community-wide event is being organized the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, with
assistance from the Jewish National Fund and numerous other agencies and synagogues in
Winnipeg.
If you have any questions please contact Sarah Pruys, Program and Communications
Coordinator at the Jewish National Fund, at [email protected] or 204-947-0207.
Blue box
Henry and Lynne Trachtenberg have been
purchasing tree cards and tree banks from the
Jewish National Fund for over 25 years – but
their bond to Israel goes back even further
than that.
“We both grew up in homes with the blue and
white “pushke“ boxes (blue boxes), and still
contribute to them after synagogue services,”
they say, in addition to supporting the JNF
through tree cards.
“We take pride in the transformation of the Lynne and Henry at the Museum of the Irgun Tzvai
Leumi in Tel Aviv
desert through the forestation and irrigation
projects of the Jewish National Fund.”
“We have family and good friends in Israel for whom we care very much, and all
JNF activities greatly benefit them and all Israelis,” they explain.
“Changing the topography and geography of Israel into green and blue is a remarkable
accomplishment! Trees and water are essential for life on earth and for the life of Israel. All
of our family members and friends, Jewish and Christian, tell us that they are honoured to
have trees planted in their or their family members’ names.
“Through tree cards, we are very happy to continue to support the many and varied
extraordinary endeavors of the JNF!”
collection
Mission to Israel 2014
Drop off your blue box
David and Nessie Greenberg have been to Israel four times – in 1976, 1988, 2009 and finally in
2014 on a Mission to Israel with the Jewish National Fund of Canada.
And pick up a new one at one of our drop off events
Is your blue box filled with $18 or more? Drop it off
at one of our drop off events listed below or at the
Winnipeg JNF office and get a tax receipt for 2014.
We are open 9am-5pm Monday-Thursday and 9am-3pm on Friday at our Winnipeg
location at 225-530 Kenaston; or you can call us to arrange pick up if our event dates
don’t work for you!
*Blue boxes must be received by December 31, 2014 to be eligible for a tax receipt this year.
David and Nessie Greenberg
“It was the first time we have been on a mission,” explains Nessie. “We wanted to go to Israel
and we were interested in some of the places that the tour was going to be going to. It really
wasn't a very thought out plan on our part. We looked at the trip and decided we were going to
go. We also liked that we were going with people we didn't know.”
The risk paid off, and not only did the Greenberg’s not have to worry about planning a trip but
they also got to meet like-minded people from across Canada.
“I thought the tour was wonderful. Sharon Lehrer (Marketing Director, JNF Canada) seemed
to have thought of every little detail,” she continues. “It seemed that nothing was left to chance.
“Our guide was really fantastic. He framed everything we saw and connected all the dots in
political and historical terms. He has been the JNF guide for many years and had a connection
to everything we saw and did.
We are proud to support the following organizations
and their Chanukah events this December, and look
forward to more collaborations in the future.
Going green
CHANUKAH FAMILY CELEBRATION
Sunday, December 7 @ 12:00 pm
JNF Canada Mission group at Neot Kedumim. Tania Susskind photo
Nessie says one of the highlights of the trip was at the Ramon Crater.
“We went to an officer training facility. They were rehearsing for their graduation the following
day. It was very emotional to see them in the parade and then to speak to them over lunch. I
think there weren't any dry eyes in our group. It was a privilege to be able to be there.
“The other highlight for me was the Central Arava. We were at an opening of the Arava Music
Center, and the students who performed were excellent.”
The Central Arava is located the furthest region from Israel’s urban centres, and KKL-JNF is
committed to making the “desert bloom both literally and figuratively,” as Nessie explains.
“It was an interesting contrast to the hard environment and isolation that the people of this area
have to cope with. There was excitement in the air and you really felt how valuable this centre
was going to be in quality of lives for these families.
Gray Academy
“The most surprising part of the tour was all the diverse programs that JNF supports,” she says,
adding that the tour exposed them all of the different complexities that make up Israel.
Tuesday, December 16 @ 1:15 pm
“JNF seems to have been involved with Israel before other organizations. As I look
at the blue box on my desk, I realize that I always associated JNF with forestry,
environment and water. I don't think I ever saw the community development,
education and research and development piece of JNF before this trip. I now have a
different perspective of JNF as a larger more diverse organization,” she finishes.
Chanukah Concert
Nessie continued that for her and David, the JNF has always been visible in their lives through
the blue box program.
To find out more about upcoming Missions to Israel please contact Sharon Lehrer at
[email protected].
Annual
Chanukah Celebration
Thursday, December 18 @ 6:00 pm
Meet and Greet
Julie Nielsen, Office Administrator
I have been working for the JNF for three years. I started as
temporary part-time help that evolved into my current position
as office administrator (encompassing a wide variety of duties:
accounting, database updates and tree cards just to name a few).
Arava Music Center Tania Susskind photo
2015 Negev gala
Bob Freedman, Honouree
Over the past years there have been many highlights. I would say
it’s about the people first and foremost – the board and advisory
members that I have grown not only to respect but to genuinely like
and the donors that have shared moments of their lives with me
which I do not take lightly. I sincerely appreciate every single one!
The Jewish National Fund of Canada Manitoba/Saskatchewan
Regional Branch is excited to honour Robert “Bob” Freedman at
the 2015 Negev Gala.
Widely regarded as a visionary leader of the Winnipeg Jewish
community, Freedman served as CEO of the Jewish Federation
of Winnipeg from 1986-2014. Before joining the Federation,
Freedman served as the executive director of Legal Aid Manitoba
(1979-86). Freedman has an extensive record of national and
local community service, including leadership positions with
B’nai Brith Central Canadian Council, Winnipeg Board of Jewish
Education, Winnipeg Jewish Community Council and Main
Street Project as well as board member duties with Manitoba
Immigration Council, St. Boniface General Hospital and the
Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.
The second biggest highlight, and it’s a big one, was the opportunity
to go on a staff mission to Israel. It was a place that was not on my
bucket list, but surpassed any preconceived ideas I had about the
land that I was raising funds to support. I discovered a beautiful, historical and thriving tiny
country with resilient people. It was a magical and spiritual experience which caught me a little
off guard. The entire experience was extraordinary and Israel now has a very special place in my
heart. The mission gave me a huge sense of pride and a renewed sense of importance for the job
I am doing for Israel and its citizens. Thanks to everyone for allowing me into your lives!
I spend a lot of time with my grandchildren, Abbigail & Jace. They both turned 3 recently and
although they are tiny people they already have huge personalities. They are my joy.
I enjoy summers at the lake, BBQs with family, hiking, being outdoors, photography, Pina
coladas, walking in the rain and a really good joke!
PS – Israel is definitely on my bucket list for the future.
Sid Halpern, Advisory Council
Sid Halpern joined the Jewish National Fund Manitoba/
Saskatchewan board in 1979, and like many other board members
has served as president in the past. He also served as president of
the national board from 1995-1997.
“Our family supports JNF because it is the only organization which
enables us to develop a close relationship with the people of Israel
through funds we send for developing Israel’s future,” he comments.
Sid is a chartered accountant and spent 40 years in the apparel
industry.
He has been married to his wife, Esther, for over 55 years, and
together they have four children and five grandchildren.
“I am truly humbled to be included among the outstanding leaders of our
community who have been honoured by JNF over the years,” remarked Freedman.
“My family and I wish to thank everyone in our outstanding community for their
support and encouragement. We very much look forward to the event next year.”
Mr. Freedman’s considerable achievements include the Harry Silverberg Young Leadership
Award (1981) and the UIA/Federations Canada “Chai” Award (2003) in recognition of his
dedication and commitment to strengthen Jewish life and Jewish identity in Canada, Israel
and throughout the world. In 1997, the Asper Jewish Community Campus recognized his
significant involvement in the conception, planning, implementation and capital campaign,
which helped bring the Campus into being.
“Our branch is extremely pleased that Bob will be our honouree for the 2015 Negev Gala,”
stated Regional President Karla Berbrayer. “He has done so much to foster a strong and united
community in order to provide for the culture, continuity, spirituality, survival and welfare of
Jewish life.”
The Negev Gala has honoured outstanding leaders within the Winnipeg community since 1953.
This gala is the JNF’s most important fundraising event of the year. All proceeds generated are
directed to environmental research and development projects in the State of Israel.
Stay tuned for entertainment and date annoucements!
Happy Birthday Jewish National Fund
On December 23, we Turn 113. You don’t need to send us a birthday card, but you
can send a tree card to your family and friends to honour their milestones and have a tree
planted in Israel.
Anniversaries | Birthdays | Business | Condolences
Congratulations | Get Well | Graduations | Weddings
To purchase contact:
Jewish National Fund of Manitoba/Saskatchewan
225-530 Kenaston Blvd. Winnipeg, MB R3N 1Z4
204.947.0207 | [email protected] | manitoba.jnf.ca
Rob Berkowits, Executive Director [email protected] | Sarah Pruys, Program and Communications Coordinator [email protected] | Julie Nielsen, Office Administrator [email protected]