About 130 people attended Shaarey Zedek synagogue's Channukah event last Saturday evening, Dec 12, including grandparents and grand children, young families, and many new immigrants to the city.

The program began with a ma'ariv service, havdallah, and lighting of the channukiah in the sanctuary.  Sarah Sommer, Justin Odwak, and Micki Lanchuske assisted Rabbi Green in leading the service, and were accompanied by Cantor Mass on piano.

After a Channukah dinner (which of course had latkes and sufganiot), young children gathered near the stage, sang Channukah songs, and danced.  Adults and children also danced horahs together.

Leslie Emery, the new program director for the synagogue said "This was my first programs" in her new position, and was pleased with the turnout and the "warm and friendly atmosphere."

Emery told the Winnipeg Jewish Review, that "There were definitely a lot of new immigrants at the program. More and more of our congregants and people participating in our programs are immigrants to the city from South America--Argentina, Uruguay.  You can feel the South American presence."

Emery added that she has been "involved in Shaarey Zedek for over ten years, and   teaches bar/bat mitzvah classes, and has led family services and assisted Rabbi Pinsker in leading the alternative high  holiday service."

Emery also noted that the synagogue sponsored three new immigrant families to attend the event in co-ordination with the Jewish Child and Family Services.

Alberto Mold, was at the event with his wife Katy, and their one year old son Elias Benjamin.  Mold told the Winnipeg Jewish Review, "We just arrived here one month ago."

Mold, is originally from Mexico City and moved to Israel, where he met Katy, who had immigrated to Israel from the former Soviet Union.

"Our son is hearing four languages," Mold said. "I speak to him in Spanish. Katy speaks to him in Russian, but Katy and I speak to each other in Hebrew.  And now, he will hear English."

Mold, who has worked in the area of sales and marketing, said that both he and his wife are currently searching for employment.