Lina Streltsov, Program Director at Etz Chayim synagogue, lights up a room when she speaks of her passion for music. This relatively recent immigrant from the Ukraine via Israel has the ability to come up with ideas, to create and build innovative programs, to enrich the lives of others with her musical knowledge and music therapy all while glowing with positive energy.

“Lina is so happy, outgoing, energetic, and yet modest of her talents and accomplishments. She has an amazing way with people. She is able to entice the best out of people. We are very lucky to have her in Winnipeg. She is world class,” observes Tracy Kasner Greaves, Etz Chayim Cantor.

Born in the Ukraine, Streltsov began her musical studies early at the age of 7. She continued on to college learning to perfect her conducting skills. After, she entered the Music Academy in Kiev and in Donetsk where she studied to be a vocalist and a conductor for 5 years.
In 1998, she and her family went to Netanya in Israel. What started out as a two week vacation turned into nine years of living there. Streltsov speaks proudly of her work in Israel. She worked as a conductor for a women’s choir at the cultural centre in Netanya, was a voice teacher at the Music Conservatory, and formed an adult and children’s choir in an area outside Netanya. She is most proud of her work as Music Director at the Beit Elazraki Children’s Home where she was responsible for initiating original programs for the children. One of her projects that resulted in bettering the children’s lives was a specialized choir that performed at many fundraising events for the Home often with well known Israeli singers, like David D’Or or Achinoam Nini, or with internationally acclaimed composer Michel Legrand. This children’s choir became well known and well loved throughout Israel. Streltsov also worked for 3 years with newly arrived immigrants to form a musical theatre group which performed around Israel.

Streltsov brings her education, experience and enthusiasm to the position of Program Director at Etz Chayim synagogue. Kasner Greaves describes Lina as “an asset to the synagogue and the community as a whole. Lina has a fresh perspective and many new ideas for Etz Chayim. Her visions include creating a children’s choir, establishing a musical theatre group, and putting together musical performances for Jewish holidays.”

Kasner Greaves adds, “Lina will also help us make the immigrant community feel more welcome and comfortable here at the synagogue. She will use music and programming to unite the congregation and make everyone feel like family.”

Streltsov, the mother of Pavel, 25, and Sasha (Alex), 13, is charismatic, dynamic and inspiring. She says, “God has given me a gift to be able to connect with people. The ones I have met so far have helped me get further ahead in my life and I want to be able to do that and help as many people as I can.”

Rhonda Prepes is an engineer, educator, mother, and writer in Winnipeg.