David Greaves, who has been Associate Campaign Director for the Combined Jewish Appeal for the last five years  will be leaving his position and going to work for the  Jewish  Foundation of Manitoba.

Greaves will be the Director of Fund Development and Marketing for the Foundation. The Foundation began an employment search, which was publicized in the Winnipeg Free Press and elsewhere after Marjorie Wiebe, the Director of  Development and Marketing for the  Foundation announced she was leaving. Her last work day was at the end of April.
According to Bob Freedman, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, Greaves will be starting his new position at the Jewish Foundation “on June 15.”

When asked to comment, Freedman wrote in an email “ He [Greaves] saw this as a career opportunity. We will be working very closely with him and the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba. Nothing negative about this.”

When asked whether the Federation will be looking for a replacement immediately, Freedman said “ We are looking at our staffing options now.”

Elaine Goldstine, Director, Financial Resource Development for the Federation added  “We wish him [Greaves] all the best.”

Greaves was not available for comment at this time.

Greaves, 42, was one of the founding members of the first ever Israeli bobsled team.

As Greaves,  told the Winnipeg Jewish Review earlier this year about his involvement in the founding of the Israeli bobsled team , he and his pioneering team mates had “a dream to represent Israel in a positive light and to promote the sport of bobsledding in Israel.”

In 2002, Greaves joined San Francisco residents Aaron Zeff and John Frank  and Aussie coach Ross Dominikovich to form a team to represent Israel on bobsled tracks around the world, even though they had no previous experience.

In Calgary in 2002 Greaves prepared for his first competitive run down the bobsled track, with “tears in my eyes.”  His teammate Frank turned to him and said the Shema Hebrew prayer just before they pushed off. 

Although they did not qualify for the Winter Olympics in 2006, the team did compete in two World Championships and accomplished more than anyone ever thought they could.

As Greaves, who made aliyah in order to be on the Israeli bobsled team told the Winnipeg Jewish Review earlier this year, “Although we were not successful in our Olympic quest…we did succeed in overcoming many obstacles. We were triumphant in promoting the sport of bobsledding and displaying our strong devotion for Israel.”

Greaves also reminisced about how the team participated in the 2004 World Championship races in Konigssee, Germany with a heightened sense of accomplishment and pride.

“To think that 65 years ago there were no Jews left in Germany, there was no State of Israel and no Israeli Olympic team and then in 2004, three Jews on the Israeli bobsled team competed in Germany within view of Eagle’s Nest, Hitler’s secret retreat. All our hard work was worth it just to see the Israeli flag fly over German soil,” Greaves said.

Greaves is married to Tracey Greaves, Cantor at Etz Chaim Synagogue and they have two children, Nesya (age five) and Aaron (age 2).