Chief Executive Officer of Simkin Centre Laurie Cerqueti assesses how things have changed more than six months into the pandemic

By BERNIE BELLAN As part of our continued commitment to reporting on how various agencies within the Jewish community are functioning during these exceptionally difficult times, from time to time we’ve been speaking with the heads of agencies that are directly involved with the senior population of our community.
Michael Posner - the King Of Cohen

By GERRY POSNER I am breaking a cardinal rule - not just mine. Ever since I started writing these so called items of interest (at least to me), I have tried to avoid involving my own family - probably because no one is interested. (Ed. note: That’s not true, Gerry.) Well, I am breaking that rule with this article because in my view this subject has a value to it that supersedes any feeling of advancement of a family member.
Bagelsmith bringing Montreal-style bagels to downtown Winnipeg

By MYRON LOVE Budding entrepreneur Phil Klein goes full bagel within the next few weeks. The founder of Bagelsmith is optimistic as he goes against the trend of endangered restaurants in downtown Winnipeg as a result of the economic damage caused by Covid-19.
Allan Levine to launch new book October 7

By BERNIE BELLAN With everything else that’s been affected by COVID-19, launching a new book does present a new type of challenge for authors.
However, notwithstanding the probems presented by being unable to hold in-person events, the fact that so many more people are looking for ways to pass the time does present an unexpected opportunity for talented writers, including our own Allan Levine.
On October 7 Levine will be launching his latest book, titled “Details are Unprintable: Wayne Lonergan and the Sensational Café Society Murder”.
Gary Nerman’s bookstore proving especially popular during COVID

By MYRON LOVE Thirty years ago or so – when the PC revolution was still in its infancy, I interviewed a fellow who was in charge of computer education for the St. James School Division. The story was for a local education magazine.
How Elliot Rodin was inspired to create a website offering advice on when to take your Canada Pension

By BERNIE BELLAN In 2019 Elliot Rodin happened to read an article about an authoritative U.S. report that provided a detailed analysis showing that 94% of Americans pick the wrong time to begin taking Social Security benefits. Reading about that report led to a shift in Rodin’s life.
Minna Rosner essay contest winner Rosemund Ragetli

Each year the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada sponsors an essay contest named for the late Shoah survivor Mina Rosner. Mina Rosner dedicated many hours to educating people about the Shoah as well as the importance of combating racism and discrimination and upholding human rights.
A tale of two streets that proved to be very attractive for Jewish families in years gone by

By BERNIE BELLAN Any longtime reader of this paper would know that nostalgia is a recurring theme in much of what you’re going to find in the pages of The JP&N (or on this website - as the case may be). We print stories about the history of our Jewish community here on a regular basis – and those stories usually elicit a flurry of responses from readers, often telling us what we got wrong!
At one time one entire block of McAdam Ave. was almost totally Jewish

By GERRY POSNER (This story first appeared in November 2014.)
Once upon a time when life was simpler and gentler, there was a street in the north end of Winnipeg which was like all other streets in the city except in one significant way. Everyone, but for one family, living on McAdam east of Main Street was Jewish.
More than a missed opportunity for Palestinians
The Arab League’s rejection of their rejectionism should have forced them to rethink their strategy, rather than double down on it. Joe Biden should take note.

By JONATHAN TOBIN (JNS) If you had any doubt that the era in which the Arab world would continue to grant a veto over Middle East peace to the Palestinians was over, last week’s drama in Cairo put an end to it.
“The S.S. Officer’s Armchair” opens up an almost totally unknown aspect of Nazi history
“The S.S. Officer’s Armchair – Uncovering the Hidden Life of a Nazi”
By Daniel Lee Published 2020 Available on Amazon

Reviewed by BERNIE BELLAN
In 2011 a British historian by the name of Daniel Lee had just completed his PhD in history “that examined the experiences of Jews in Vichy France.”
Kevin McIntyre melds Scottish heritage, Jewish faith

By MYRON LOVE
It must have been quite a sight – a bagpiper playing the pipes on a street in Tel Aviv.
The unique event happened one fine day in 2018. Winnipeggers Kevin and Henriette Ivanans-McIntyre were in Israel to celebrate the bat-mitzvah of a cousin of hers.
Amid increasing COVID alarm, packed services held at Chabad’s Brooklyn headquarters for Slichot service

By PHILISSA CRAMER Sept. 13, 2020 (JTA) — Men packed into a late-night prayer service at Chabad’s main synagogue in Brooklyn Saturday night, Sept. 12, in violation of New York’s health rules and against the advice of local doctors.
Rachel Pauls: former Winnipegger is a renowned expert on Irritable Bowel Syndrome and foods that can help patients suffering from IBS

By GERRY POSNER It may be a long way from Winnipeg to Cincinnati, but I suggest the distance from the Ramah Hebrew School in 1985 to published author and renowned surgeon and medical researcher - not to mention also a passionate chef, is even longer. Rachel Pauls has covered all that distance and more.
Fascinating Tanzania!

By MARTIN ZEILIG Our small motorized mangrove and mahogany canvas covered boat bounced along the choppy turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean as the captain and owner, Ahmed, manoeuvred the outboard engine towards Changuu Island, a small island about six kilometres northwest of Stone Town, Unguja Zanzibar.