OUR MISSION
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
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.
CLERGY
STAFF
Robert Hopkins
CEMETERY FOREMAN
Yan Bletnitsky
MAINTENANCE STAFF
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Alex Zlatopolsky
MAINTENANCE STAFF
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Marvin Samphir
IMMEDIATE PAST-PRESIDENT​
Sima Yakir Feuer
MEMBER​
Carlos Benesdra
TREASURER​
Jerry Rubin
MEMBER​
Mia Elfenbaum
SECRETARY​
Adeena Lungen
MEMBER​
Avrom Charach
VICE PRESIDENT​
Steven Hyman
MEMBER​
Myron Schultz
PRESIDENT​
Grant Goldberg
MEMBER​
Gail Hechter
MEMBER*
Brenda Keller
MEMBER
Sean Shore
MEMBER​
Mary Ann Rosenbloom
MEMBER​
* Denotes ex-officio member of the Board​
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Steven Feldgaier
Barbara Hirt
Dina Granove
Jack Litvack
Henry Trachtenberg
Norman Freedman
Kim Hirt
Howard Kideckel
Larry Rice
Dina Granove
Denny Hornstein
Les Litman
Merrill Shulman
Myron Schultz
PRESIDENT​
Grant Golberg
MEMBER​
Gail Hechter
EX-OFFICIO​
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.