Jewish Federation COVID-19 Updates
MARCH 20
Dear Community Members,
Today I made the difficult decision to close the Federation offices to help ensure the health and safety of our staff.
The Federation’s staff will continue their important work remotely and we welcome you to reach out to any of us through email or phone.
We are saddened to learn of more and more people greatly impacted by the pandemic and are meeting (virtually to practice social distancing) with numerous organizations to form a collaborative plan to provide information, guidance, and resources when they are available, as the collective voice and representative body of the Winnipeg Jewish community.
In times such as these, it is important that we continue to be there for each other to lend a helping hand – and the Federation will do its best to continue to be here for you when you need us.
We are all in this together and will get through this together. Until then, I wish you and your families good health and I will continue to be in touch.
Shabbat Shalom,
Elaine Goldstine
Chief Executive Officer
MARCH 18
Dear Community Members,
The situation relating to COVID-19 is continually changing, with many communications being issued by companies and organizations regarding cancellations, closures and postponements.
All Federation events and programs including Yom Ha’atzmaut, PJ Library programs, PJ Our Way programs, Birthright’s May 2020 trip, March of the Living's April 2020 trip, and Shoah Week (Holocaust Awareness Week) programs scheduled to take place from April 19-26 are cancelled. The annual Kavod Evening, scheduled for May 5, has been postponed until Thursday, September 10. Our office remains open Monday-Friday from 8:30 am-4:30 pm, however some staff will be working from home. All contact will be by appointment only.
We reached out to all the Winnipeg Jewish community organizations and asked them to provide us with status updates. As not all organizations replied to our request, this list may not be complete.
Asper Foundation
The May 2020 Asper International Program on Israeli Law & Society (Mishpatim) has been cancelled.
Asper Jewish Community Campus
Building hours have been amended to be 7:00 am-6:00 pm Monday through Friday and the building will be closed on weekends. Schmoozer’s will be operating during the week from 8:00 am-3:30 pm Monday-Thursday, and from 8:00 am-2:00 pm on Fridays.
Camp Massad
Camp Massad’s camper reunion booked for March 22 has been postponed.
Congregation Etz Chayim
The physical premises of Congregation Etz Chayim will be closed as of 5:00 pm today for at least the next two weeks, through Tuesday, March 31. This includes the cancellation of Shabbat and daily services as well as Wednesday services at Simkin Centre. Services at Simkin centre will not take place until further notice. Please note that Etz Chayim staff will remain accessible by phone and email on an ongoing basis.
Congregation Shaarey Zedek
Congregation Shaarey Zedek is closed for all services and programs. The reduced operating hours for the building will be 7:30 am-6:30 pm. Rabbis and lay clergy will be on-site for consultation. The general office will be open from 9:00 am-5:00 pm and Fridays to 3:00 pm. The Interfaith Yom Ha’shoah commemoration on April 19 has also been cancelled.
Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre
Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre has cancelled all programming until mid-May. Operating hours will be reduced in order to limit traffic and third-party services. They will be available by phone or email between 9 am-2 pm Monday-Friday. Meals on Wheels and catering are still available.
Gray Academy of Jewish Education
Gray Academy of Jewish Education is closed to students. Teaching and learning will now take place through distance education – “Gray Away”.
Jewish Child and Family Service
JCFS is open from 9:00 am-5:00 pm, Monday to Friday. All workshops and groups are postponed. All contact will be by appointment only. They will not be seeing walk-ins but are still reachable by phone and electronically.
Jewish Foundation of Manitoba
The 2020 Jewish Foundation of Manitoba Luncheon in support of the Women’s Endowment Fund originally scheduled for Thursday, May 7 has been cancelled.
Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada
The JHCWC AGM on April 2 is cancelled. The May 13 Kanee Lecture has been postponed.
Jewish National Fund
The 2020 Negev Gala originally scheduled to take place on May 26 has been postponed to October 27.
Rady JCC
The Rady JCC has closed its fitness facility for the foreseeable future. All memberships and ongoing payments will be frozen at no cost to our members. The facility will remain closed until a time that is deemed safe to reopen their doors. All programs and events have been cancelled until April 30.
The 48th Annual Rady JCC Ken Kronson Sports Dinner originally scheduled to take place Tuesday, May 12 has been cancelled.
Simkin Centre
The Simkin Puzzle Race on Sunday, April 26 and Simkin Brunch on Sunday, May 3 are both cancelled. Winnipeg Jewish Theatre WJT’s production of Narrow Bridge from March 26-April 5 has been cancelled.
If there are any events that are not part of this list that you have questions about, please contact the event organizer for an update as it may have been affected based on current circumstances.
Sincerely,
Elaine Goldstine
Chief Executive Officer
MARCH 13
Dear Community Members,
With growing concerns around the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, I wanted to provide you with an update on what we are doing to keep our community safe and share information that can help navigate through the current uncertainty.
First and foremost, your health and well-being are our top priority and we are following the lead of Canadian public health authorities. While the Public Health Agency of Canada has assessed the current public health risk associated with coronavirus as low, we continue to monitor for developments very closely and will continue to advise as necessary.
I want to assure you that we are taking proactive measures to ensure that the Asper Jewish Community Campus and the facilities contained herein are safe, clean and that there are protocols in place to ensure that they stay that way. There are currently no plans to close the facilities to visitors, however, certain programs and events may be rescheduled or canceled. Updates pertaining to community programs or events will be communicated by their respective planners.
What are we doing?
The Asper Jewish Community Campus has introduced enhanced cleaning protocols throughout the building’s facilities, with a focus on high traffic and high contact areas. We are also going to increase communication with our community regarding the coronavirus and provide updates as they happen.
What can you do?
To protect yourself and those around you, we ask that if you are feeling unwell, that you refrain from visiting the Campus or attending public gatherings so that we can continue to ensure a safe environment for those of all ages who use our community’s facilities. That includes a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath, if you have traveled (irrespective of global location) or have been in contact with someone who has in the last 14 days.
Now more than ever, personal hygiene is of the utmost importance and close contact with others should be avoided. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, going to the bathroom, and before eating or preparing food. This is particularly important if you are in close contact with someone who is immunocompromised.
We encourage you to stay up-to-date through the Province of Manitoba and Government of Canada Public Health website. If you have any questions or concerns relating to your personal health, please speak to a Health Links - Info Santé registered nurse at 204.788.8200 or toll-free at 1.888.315.9257.
Wishing you good health and Shabbat Shalom,
Elaine Goldstine
Chief Executive Officer