JNF Negev Gala Honouring Gail Asper , O.C.,O.M., LL.D. AND Dr. Michael Paterson will support climate solutions prize

This year’s Jewish National Fund Negev Gala honourees, Gail Asper, O.C.,O.M.,LL.D. and Dr. Michael Paterson, have had an enormous impact on our local Jewish community, the general community, and Israel through their countless hours of volunteering and through their extensive generosity. There isn’t a Winnipegger that hasn’t been impacted by the work of Gail and Michael and the Asper family.

This year is unique in that the ‘project’ is in fact an initiative and not a typical project as in past years. As David Greaves, Executive Director of JNF Winnipeg explains," The Climate Solutions Prize , powered by JNF Canada, aims to curb the climate crisis by channeling the creative ingenuity of Israel, with a $1-million annual prize to go to the winning researchers for the best and most impactful climate solutions."

As Gail Asper told the Winnipeg Jewish Review " Mike and I are deeply honoured to be this year’s Negev Gala honourees. When we look at all the many incredible community and business leaders who have been recognized in the past, we are humbled to be included with this illustrious group. As strong Zionists, we believe in the importance of strengthening Eretz Israel and that is exactly what the Jewish National Fund is all about. When we were asked to be this year’s honourees, we were introduced to the Jewish National Fund’s new mission of combating climate change and thereby upholding the goal of Tikkun Olam. This is something that is an important cause for us. The Climate Solutions Prize is a very exciting initiative being spearheaded by the Jewish National Fund with a goal of providing prizes to researchers in Israeli institutions to come up with innovative ways to address climate change. We have no doubt that the research supported by the Climate Solutions Prize will have a positive impact on the entire world and we find this very inspiring."

Gail adds, "I have always enjoyed going to the Negev Galas at the Manitoba Centennial Concert Hall and really look forward to being able to come together with the entire community next year. In the meantime, we hope that everyone enjoys the virtual Gala that the Jewish National Fund is putting on and we hope that everybody will support the Climate Solutions Prize."

As David Greaves explains, "The Climate Solutions Prize (CSP) is a natural extension of JNF’s core environmental mission rooted in afforestation, water management and green Research and Development, as well as a reaffirmation of its guiding principle of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). Partners in execution include Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL) who is providing matching funds, as well as Start-Up Nation Central (SNC) and the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation (PCPI). Applications will be vetted down to a small group of finalists by teams from KKL, JNF and PCPI and the finalists will be chosen by a high-profile international judging panel. Winners will be announced during a gala ceremony as part of a Green Mission in Israel, which will include a Climate Innovation Festival showcasing Israeli and global ideas and innovations."

He indicates that "This Climate Solutions Prize is a natural extension of JNF’s core environmental mission rooted in afforestation, water management and green Research and Development, as well as a reaffirmation of its guiding principle of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). Partners in execution include Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL) who is providing matching funds, as well as Start-Up Nation Central (SNC) and the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation (PCPI). Applications will be vetted down to a small group of finalists by teams from KKL, JNF and PCPI and the finalists will be chosen by a high-profile international judging panel. Winners will be announced during a gala ceremony as part of a Green Mission in Israel, which will include a Climate Innovation Festival showcasing Israeli and global ideas and innovations."

Greaves notes that "As the CSP focus is on climate solutions and the science behind it and because of the work Michael is involved with as the Senior Research Scientist at The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Experimental Lakes Area, a cornerstone of freshwater science in Canada and abroad as well as Gail’s efforts in completing her father Izzy’s dream to build the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, here in Winnipeg, JNF felt CSP would be a wonderful connection for this year’s honourees. The gala will be the first in Canada that will have a direct link to some of the relevant sciences of climate change and human rights, believing that clean water among many other things is a basic human right and for this we are very proud."

Greaves also points out that "a portion of the funds raised by the Negev Gala this year will benefit two organizations that are near and dear to Gail and Michael -- the World’s Jewish Museum in Tel Aviv and Jewish Child and Family Service here in Winnipeg. The World’s Jewish Museum will explore and celebrate Judaism’s and the Jewish people’s remarkable impact on civilization and Jewish Child and Family Service will help families in need ensure their children can experience the joy of encounters with nature at overnight camp."

It's worth noting that Michael began volunteering with the Jewish Child and Family Service in 1996, serving as board chair from 2003-2006 and a board member over the past 18 years.

Greaves also says that "We learned from Gail and Mike that this is the first time they've ever been jointly honoured, which makes it special for them."

As for the entertainment at this year's virtual Negev Gala, there will be a spectacular musical showcase. As Greaves says, " The evening of entertainment includes homegrown singers, dancers and musicians performing Broadway Showtunes, Classic Rock & original material highlighting our honourees. Kayla Gordon and Brenda Gorlick of Winnipeg Studio Theatre have assembled an incredible cast of players backed by the Chai Folk Ensemble band. You are in for a special treat!"