Message from the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg March 2020

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Message from the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg March 2020

posted here March 8, 2020

Dear Community Members,

In early March we will celebrate the holiday of Purim. Although it is a fun and lighthearted holiday filled with numerous community celebrations and festive treats, it carries with it an important message. It reminds us of our past oppression, and that antisemitism unfortunately persists. However, it also reminds us that like Mordechai and Esther, we must stand up and speak out against racism and prejudice wherever it occurs.

Last night, an audience of 400 people heard about the life and experiences of Angela Orosz-Richt, a Holocaust survivor who was born in Auschwitz in 1944. Her mother was just three months pregnant when she arrived in Auschwitz and fell victim to the monstrous SS doctor Josef Mengele who performed cruel experiments on her. When Angela was born, she weighed only one kilo – but her frailty would ultimately end up saving her life. Since she was unable to cry, her mother was able to successfully hide her from the Nazis.

What resonated most from Angela’s talk was the importance of education. She spoke of her profound sense of responsibility to share her experiences with the next generation, and educate them about the consequences of hatred left unchecked. To that end, I am pleased to share that we have 25 participants from Winnipeg going on March of the Living this year.

As we inch ever-nearer to our campaign goal, we are asking you to help put us over the edge! As you may have heard, the Combined Jewish Appeal (CJA) has launched its $100,000 challenge to help us reach our campaign goal of $6 million. The CJA provides essential funding for our twelve local beneficiary agencies and other programs and initiatives around the globe, in all areas of Jewish life - including social services, education, and culture. These funds help our beneficiaries address the ever-growing, ever-evolving needs of our community. Please consider joining us in the challenge today. Every gift counts!

I would like to invite you to be a part of the first ever J•Ed 2020, beginning tomorrow, and featuring 15 days of educational highlights throughout Jewish Winnipeg! Click here to find out about all the classes, informal education, and intensive Jewish experiences that will be held in the first two weeks of March. There is something for everyone, no matter your age or area of interest.

On Sunday, March 29, please join Dr. David Breakstone in a discussion of Beta Israel Communities of Ethiopian Jewry and the growing phenomenon of emerging Jewish communities in Africa and the Amazons. Dr. Breakstone serves as the Executive of the Jewish Agency for Israel and as a member of the executives of the World Zionist Organization, JNF, and Keren Hayesod. He is a regular columnist at The Jerusalem Post and blogs for the Times of Israel, primarily addressing contemporary issues in Israeli society and Jewish life worldwide. To join us for this free lecture, please register online as seating is limited.

On behalf of all of us at the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, I would like to wish you a Chag Purim Sameach and Shabbat Shalom!