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OUR MISSION
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To harness the power of community and the strength of our roots to enhance Jewish life and spirituality through prayer, learning, ritual, tikkun olam, meaningful social connections, and engaging Jewish experiences; to become increasingly relevant in the lives of our congregants, and to become increasingly integral to the well-being of the Jewish community.

OUR VISION
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A caring, welcoming, vibrant, engaged, and informed, egalitarian congregation sharing the joy of Torah and Jewish life with each other and from generation to generation. Consistent with the principles of Conservative Judaism, we honour Jewish values and practice; we help our congregants advance and celebrate their Jewish identity; and we enhance life for the entire Jewish community of Winnipeg. We help people find value in Jewish living – in the synagogue and beyond.

Congregation Etz Chayim
DEDICATION PLAQUES

Donations for the creation and installation of a plaque are made for a number of reasons including to honour a loved one or to recognize a special event. In the move to a more modestly sized building, space for all these plaques is limited. In order to maintain the history of these commemorations from 123 Matheson Avenue, a photographic catalogue can be found below. Clicking on each area will take you to a listing of these plaques.

CLERGY
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Rabbi Kliel Rose

Spiritual Leader

Rabbi Kliel Rose was born in Israel and grew up in Winnipeg. After being away for 26 years, he returned home with his family to become the spiritual leader of CEC in the summer of 2018. 

 Rabbi Kliel was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2004. From 2003-2005 he served as The Rabbi Marshal T. Meyer Rabbinic Fellow at B’nai Jeshurun, one of North America’s largest congregations.   

Rabbi Kliel Rose has many interests and has brought his passion to CEC as it relates to social justice, multi-faith dialogue, and justice as well as Indigenous rights. 

 

In his brief time with CEC, he has helped to innovate increased participation in the areas of adult education and social action. 

 

Rabbi Kliel is a member of the Rabbinical Assembly (RA), the coalition of rabbis serving the Conservative Movement/Masorti.

He serves as a co-leader of a RA affinity group for progressive Zionists; a board member of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg and a board member of Mercaz Canada.

In the fall of 2022, Kliel received a certificate in Spiritual Counseling from Beit Teshuvah at the Beit Teshuvah Center in Los Angeles, California.

 

Rabbi Kliel is married to Rabbinit Dorit Kosmin—a social worker, chaplain & musician. Together they are the proud parents of five beautiful children, a gorgeous cat named Tuxie, and Elulla, their adorable Golden Doodle.

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204.589.6305 ext 102

rabbikliel@etzchayim.ca

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Tracy Kasner

Cantor

Tracy is entering her 18th year as Cantor at Congregation Etz Chayim.  She studied voice extensively at the Conservatory of Music and Arts with the noted vocal instructor Diane Berger, and is an alumna of The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, Musical Theatre Senior Performance Group.

 

Tracy's role as cantor at Etz Chayim has more than one branch. While spreading the music at daily services, she also teaches the "whys" and the "hows" of it- education that frequently begins with Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation. Tracy keeps community and spirituality alive through minyan coordination.

 

Tracy truly creates spiritual experiences for everyone joining in, regardless of their religious background and practices, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

She says "A lot of thought goes into how we use music at Etz Chayim. It's beautifully arranged, carefully designed. Learning the how, when, and why of a song for prayer brings a level of understanding to the music, which makes everything more spiritual" 

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204.589.6305 ext 101

tkasner@etzchayim.ca

Robert Hopkins

CEMETERY FOREMAN

Alex Zlatopolsky

MAINTENANCE STAFF

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Vanessa Kadobiansky
LIFE CYCLE COORDINATOR
204.589.6305 (Ext 107)
vkadobiansky@etzchayim.ca

Margo Carr
FUNERAL COORDINATOR

204.589.6305 (Ext 103)
mcarr@etzchayim.ca

Marina Zolotarevsky
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
204.589.6305 (Ext 105)
marinaz@etzchayim.ca

Marina Kory
ACCOUNTANT
204.589.6305 (Ext 106)
mkory@etzchayim.ca

Linda Waldman
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
204.589.6305 (Ext 104)
lwaldman@etzchayim.ca

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Avrom Charach

PRESIDENT​

Mark Binder
TREASURER​

Sabrina Bokser

VICE PRESIDENT​

Joel Samphir
MEMBER​

Gail Hechter
CEMETERY CHAIR

Steven Hyman

MEMBER​

Myron Schultz 

IMMEDIATE PAST-PRESIDENT​

Brenda Keller

MEMBER​

Allan Cogan
MEMBER​

Sharon Goldenberg
MEMBER​

Evan Roitenberg
MEMBER​

Ronald Reider

MEMBER

Paul Shur

MEMBER​

Sima Yakir Feuer

MEMBER​

Larry Rice

Jonathan Buchwald
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
204.589.6305 (Ext 100)
jbuchwald@etzchayim.ca

Claudia Griner
PROGRAM
AND ENGAGEMEN
T DIRECTOR
204.589.6305 (Ext 108)
claudiag@etzchayim.ca

STAFF
BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Steven Feldgaier

Barbara Hirt

Howard Kideckel

Marvin Samphir

Henry Trachtenberg

Norman Freedman Z"L

Kim Hirt

Myron Schultz

Mel Hornstein

Les Litman

Denny Hornstein

Merrill Shulman

HISTORY

Congregation Etz Chayim was born in August 2002 when Beth Israel, Bnay Abraham, and Rosh Pina synagogues joined together to form a new, vibrant home for the observance of Conservative Judaism in Winnipeg.

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After two years of planning and negotiation under the leadership of Jack London, CM, QC, the Province of Manitoba passed

The Congregation Etz Chayim Amalgamation Act. It was seen as less of a merger and more of a marriage as three remarkable congregations came together to enhance the synagogue landscape in Winnipeg.

While still a new congregation, Etz Chayim rests on a foundation of more than three centuries of combined history of its three legacy synagogues.

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Beth Israel started as the Hebrew Sick Benefit Association in 1906. It opened a cemetery in 1911; the city’s first apartment complex for Jewish seniors in 1970; and the synagogue itself on Sinclair Street in 1976 following a merger with Tiferes Israel Synagogue. Bnay Abraham was born in 1916 as a free loan and sick benefit society. It opened its cemetery a few years later and then built its synagogue on Enniskillen Avenue in 1958. The building was expanded in 1970 and in 1973, there was a merger with Ateres Israel Synagogue. Later, the congregation built an adjoining seniors’ apartment complex. Rosh Pina originally opened its doors at Martha and Henry in 1893. It also established its own sick benefit program and cemetery. Rosh Pina re-opened in 1952 at 123 Matheson Avenue East and later built a housing complex for seniors.

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Today, Congregation Etz Chayim is making its own history, one anchored by a strong sense of joy, community, goodness, and a celebration of Jewish life.

MEMBERSHIP

By joining Congregation Etz Chayim, you are joining a community of engaged people who are eager to sustain a warm, exciting shul for people of all ages. Your membership at Congregation Etz Chayim also allows you access to the facility and its services for your family’s weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, and other celebrations.

Members also enjoy early access to High Holiday seating as well as preferred pricing.

For more information, contact our Executive Director, Jonathan Buchwald by email or by phone at 204.589.6305.

CONTACT US
Contact Congregation Etz Chayim

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