June 2015 - JNF Canada

The Green News
Manitoba/Saskatchewan
sivan 5775 | June 2015
jnfwinnipeg.ca 204-947-0207
winnipeg@jnf.ca
225-530 Kenaston Blvd. Winnipeg, MB R3N 1Z4
Coming up
Israel updates
Purchase your tickets today by calling 204-947-0207 or by visiting our website by
clicking here.
Opening Dinner at the Western Wall Tunnels
Negev Gala 2015
Click on story to read full article
The JNF Canada delegation to the KKL-JNF Solidarity Mission launched its tour in Israel with
a festive opening dinner on Wednesday, May 13, at a restored Crusader hall located in the
Western Wall Tunnels complex. Honored guests included Canadian government officials and
senior KKL-JNF representatives.
Canadian Delegation Tours Ancient Jerusalem
On Thursday, May 14, the Canadian delegation to the KKL-JNF Solidarity Mission toured the
City of David, which is the site of ancient Jerusalem, and met with Israel Police spokesman
Mickey Rosenfeld.
International Solidarity Mission Says Goodbye
The closing event that marked the conclusion of the Solidarity Delegation’s visit to Israel
brought the hundreds of representatives from all over the world together in Jerusalem for
an exciting festive reunion that concluded a week of tours the length and breadth of Israel,
including visits to ground-breaking projects established by KKL-JNF with the help of its
Friends worldwide. Former IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Benny Gantz was the guest
of honor, and Opposition Leader Yitzhak Herzog and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat were among
the speakers.
JEWISH NATIONAL FUND
OF MANITOBA/SASKATCHEWAN
What we’ve been up to
NEGEV GALA 2015
Lag Bo’Amer
Colin Mochrie&
brad sherwood
Meet & Greet
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F EATURING
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TALENTS OF
WED. JUNE 17, 2015 | 7:30PM
C
L U B R E G E N T E V E N T C E N T R E
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A ND
H O N O U R IN G - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Robert “bob” freedman
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The Project - Green Open Classrooms
Funds
by Jewish
National
Fund of Canada
Manitoba/Saskatchewan’s annual fundraiser,
Forraised
tickets,
tribute
& sponsorship
opportunities:
thewinnipeg@Jnf.ca
Negev Gala, will go|towards
building|jnfwinnipeg.ca
Green Open Classrooms. The classrooms are
204.947.0207
constructed in schoolyards throughout Israel as venues for peer educators to lead experiential
ecological education sessions and communicate KKL-JNF’s special values: water, soil,
afforestation, ecology and Zionism.
“Like many families, Jewish education is of the highest priority for me and Shirley,” this year’s
honouree Robert “Bob” Freedman explained when asked why he choose this project. “Both
of our daughters graduated from Jewish day school and I was the first chair of the Winnipeg
Board of Jewish Education. Therefore it is an honour to have our names attached to an
educational project throughout Israel.”
School councils are chosen to receive the sturdy wooden structures based on their past
demonstration of environmental leadership, such as by adopting a nearby KKL-JNF park or
forest, participating annually in Tu Bi’Shevat plantings or developing school-wide recycling
programs.
“Through supporting this project, we are directly impacting youth who will become our next
generation of environmental and societal leaders in Israel and around the world,” said Rob
Berkowits, Executive Director. “Shaping these young minds to care for our world ensures Israel
will continue to overcome adversity in the future.”
The community came together on Sunday, May 17 to celebrate an Israeli-Style Lag BaOmer &
Yom Yerushalayim at Six Pines Farm. While a storm raged outside, inside families enjoyed
kosher snacks and a BBQ, live Israeli music with Shayla Fink and Kinzy Posen, Camp Massad
Maccabiah Games, a drum circle and a PJ Library StoryWalk.
Larry Vickar, Board Member
Larry Vickar is not only an outstanding community leader (his car
dealership, Vickar Community Chevrolet was just named the No. 1
GM dealership in all of Canada for the second time in three years)
but is also an outstanding board member for the Jewish National
Fund Manitoba/Saskatchewan.
“The Jewish National Fund is an organization that was before it’s
time, formed in 1901. It was green before it was the thing to be green.
JNF has done good work in Israel, the many projects that I have seen,
observed and been a part of are terrific!”
Some of the projects Larry and his wife Tova have been involved in
are The Vickar Observation Point at the Hefer Valley Reservoir (the project they supported
when they were the Negev Gala honourees in 2010) and the Tova Vickar Education and Life
Skills Centre at the Megiddo High School.
Mel Lazareck, Board Member
Mel Lazareck has been an active member of the Jewish National
Fund of Manitoba/Saskatchewan board for many years and a
community leader in strengthening relations between Manitoba,
Canada and Israel through his position as Manitoba’s special
representative to Israel.
He served as president of the board for six years, and continues to
take on a large role in helping plan for the annual Negev Gala, which
is taking place on June 17 this year.
Lazareck is also a past honouree of the Gala - in 2002 along with his
wife, Karyn, they supported the Nes Harim Special Needs Children’s
Program.
“The Jewish National Fund, as many people know, is an organization that is largely responsible
for the creation of our country of Israel. It’s over 100 years old,” said Lazareck proudly.
Donor spotlight
Zivy Chudnow
Like many others, Zivy Chudnow grew up with the blue boxes in his home, an early and
important reminder of the importance of the Jewish National Fund.
Now that is he retired, he spends his time volunteering at several charities, including the JNF.
He is an awesome volunteer, and is always willing to lend a helping hand.
“I’m the guy that picks up the blue boxes for JNF. It’s a good cause and I think they need some
help,” he explained.
The Venue - Club Regent Event Centre
The Jewish National Fund of Canada Manitoba/Saskatchewan Regional Branch is excited to
announce that this year’s Negev Gala will be held at the new state-of-the-art Club Regent Event
Centre on Wednesday, June 17, 2015.
“I like the work that JNF has done is Israel. I’ve been to Israel 10 times, and I’ve even visited
forests [that the JNF has planted]. I also donate and canvas for events [such as the Tu Bi’Shevat
Telethon and the Negev Gala]. We want to keep the forests alive and the JNF has done a lot of
good work over the years.”
Getting to Club Regent Event Centre
“Club Regent Event Centre is an outstanding venue well-suited to host our annual Negev Gala,”
said Executive Director Rob Berkowits. “We expect to sell out, and so we encourage you to call
our office now at 204-947-0207 to order your tickets.”
The flexible, 14,000-square-foot venue seats 1,400 and features a stunning entrance which
opens to a large atrium complete with a cash bar, coat check and many other amenities. Before
the show, the atrium will be transformed to hold a VIP reception for patrons with Benefactor
tickets ($250), while patrons with Concert tickets ($125) will be seated for the show’s start at
7:30 PM. Following the event, the atrium will be opened up for all patrons to enjoy a lavish
dessert reception. Outside, ample free parking (including nearly two dozen disability parking
stalls located close to the entrance) is available.
Inside the theater, performance lighting and sound will support the hilarious comedic improv
duo Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood as they entertain the audience.
The facility has received rave reviews since its opening in November 2014.
“It absolutely blows their minds,” says Jenn Klindtworth, Director of Sales at Manitoba Liquor
& Lotteries. “It’s a really great opportunity for an entire evening out.”
Rob Berkowits, Executive Director rob.berkowits@jnf.ca Julie Nielsen, Office Administrator julie.nielsen@jnf.ca
1425 Regent Avenue West
Sarah Pruys, Program and Communications Coordinator sarah.pruys@jnf.ca
Zach Ostrove, Negev Gala Coordinator zach.ostrove@jnf.ca