Elaine Golstine CEO of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg reports that the CJA campaign is off to a promising start in reaching its goal of $5.75 million dollars (which is the same goal as last year). "We are running at a 4% increase card for card and we are ahead of last year's pace. We have shortened the campaign this year such that it will end by Dec 31, 2018, as opposed to March 31, 2019."

Some 300 people, a capacity crowd, attended the Campaign kick off October 10 event at the Metropolitan Entertainment Centre titled "Footprints: Celebrate the Past, March to the Future.

The main sponsors for the very successful event were the Asper Foundation and the Michael Nozick Family Foundation, with general sponsors Myers LLP and Mark and Sharon Berkowitz.

The Jewish Federation of Winnipeg President Laurel Malkin and Combined Jewish Appeal (CJA) Chair Steve Kroft welcomed everyone to the event. The audience was then treated to live music by the band "Those Guys." Kroft told the Winnipeg Jewish Review that "I am continually inspired by the generosity of the Winnipeg Jewish Community and the dedication of the vollunteers who make our annual campaign possible." 

At the event some members of the community shared stories of how the Federation or one of its beneficiary agencies has positively impacted them.

Evelyn Hecht spoke of  being a volunteer member of the Shoebox brigade. "I raised $365 by the end of the first year. Who knew that would be the start of Women’s Philanthropy." Evelyn later became the Director of Community Relations for the Federation. "That changed my life!...In the late 90’s I worked with the Manitoba Government to pilot the Manitoba Nominee Program, to identify and attract new immigrants to our Jewish community. I traveled to Buenos Aires several times to meet with and encourage those who had expressed the desire to join us here....And come they did… with great courage and determination to succeed…."


Josh Malam spoke of being a Jewish gay man. He went on March of the Living in 2000. "Before I went I felt alone, I felt I didn’t have a place in the community." He spoke of later becoming "a member of the LGBT community helping with charities, raising money for kids who like me needed to feel like they belong."
Josh is one of the Founding members of Anachnu, The Jewish Gay and Lesbian group. "I also volunteer with SOMS a local drag charity that sends young LGBT kids to camp. I am proud to say it is through these programs that I too learned to give back to help my own community..." 

Mira Buchwald said that "Growing up I watched my father work as director for the CJA campaign for many, many years.  It was only natural for me to become involved.  At about age 25 I started volunteering and after more than 50 years...so many projects...sitting on the women's campaign board, co-chairing Super Sunday 3 times and co-chairing women's campaign from 2002-2004...It was so much a part of me and I'm very proud of all the work..."


Carrie Shenkarow spoke about how "My days at camp taught me so much about who I am." Carrie went to Balmoral Hall for High school "so one of my only connections to being Jewish was my summers at camp. I had my first kiss between cabins 9 and 10..." Camp was Carrie's second home.

"The impact it had on me as an adult is huge. As a board mem