Over 750 people attended the JNF Dinner honouring Moe Levy, a dinner which raised over $ 800, 000 dollars, the largest amount in the history of the JNF Manitoba and Saskatchewan Region. In fact, the evening’s MC, Gail Asper sang a song to the tune of Do-Rae-Me to ask the crowd to raise even more, and more has been raised, such that the total amount raised at the time of this writing is almost 850K. As Ofakim is a city in the Gaza Envelope, KKL is also matching dollars by 25% amplifying the funds raised even more.

While there were a few dozen pro-Palestinian protesters (including  members of  United Jewish People's Order and Independent Jewish Voices) outside the RBC Convention Centre where the event was held, they were far enough away that no one inside noticed them. The raising of the highest amount of  money ever for the JNF is a testament to the fact that the vast majority of Jews in the city identify with the need for a Jewish homeland and have stepped up to the plate to help Israel in her time of need.

The evening began with a moving  rendition of  “Bring them Home ” sung by Julia Kroft with the faces of the Israeli  hostages still  held captive in Gaza since Oct 7  projected on large screens. Later in the evening there was a moving tribute to the Winnipeggers serving bravely in the Israel Defence Forces, with their childhood photos projected on the screens and then photos of them in uniform. The crowd applauded each soldier, some of whom are in combat, with the knowledge that this war was forced on Israel. Asper, who is the mother of two sons, and has been to Israel twice recently, spoke with emotion of  the sacrifice being made by those in the IDF, including reservists, who are facing danger fighting Hamas, and having to put their lives on the line to defend their country.

In her opening remarks, Asper said who was proud to say she was a Zionist said, “If Hamas laid down its arms,” the war would end but “if Israel laid down its arms, there would be no Israel.” She noted “Israel fits into the size of Lake Winnipeg.”

Moe Levy’s three children, Sarah, Adam and Sam spoke gave a fitting tribute to their father. Sam said his father is a “man of direct action” and “you deliver on your word. They all spoke of how Moe was s wonderful father. Sarah Levy, said that her mother, Barabra who passed away ” embodied tenacity and strength.”

Moe Levy then came to the stage with the country music Western song, "Lord it’s hard to be humble” playing in the background. Gail spoke of the fact that after her Izzy father died, Moe, the long- time executive director of the Asper Foundation did the “heavy lifting” to turn the idea of  a Canadian Human Rights Museum into a reality.

Moe, who was born and raised in India, spoke of how he went to a Roman Catholic school and was “subjected to antisemitism.” He noted that his mother Sarah, who helped Jews go to the State of Israel, was a role model, and a 'feminist", even though the word feminism wasn’t in use at the time. He spoke of philanthropy, his devotion to human rights, and his work at UM as part of a progam to encourage, innovation and entrepereneurship, and of the journey towards the creation of the CMHR.   

Proceeds from the Negev Dinner go towards the Ethiopian Women's Empowerment Centre which will  provide vocational training, computer and communications support and will include a Parent and Family Centre to uphold the traditions of the Ethiopian community in Beit Shemesh and assist in enabling Ethiopian school children to be on track for success. Proceeds will also go towards expanding The Israel Asper Community Action Centre The Centre serves thousands of youth every year, and among other things, runs scouting and volunteer programs, has two choir groups, two theatre groups, self-empowerment programming and leadership programs. The Centre is home to Ofakim’s Big Brother/Big Sister program and an afternoon program for girls at-risk. The Centre hosts art programs, performances, stand-up comedy and night cafes during holidays and vacations.

Mayim Bialik,a popular actor, mother, scientist, a product of Jewish scholarships, a mental health advocate delivered an fascinating, down to earth talk about her life, and her pro-Israel advocacy, and afterwards Gail Asper did a Q and A with her. Mayim was amongst the first A-list celebrities to speak out following Oct 7.

Bialik, whose first language is Yiddish, received much applause when she said  of the pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses and ” if the Ayatollahs of Iran and Hezbollah are praising what you’ve done, then you know you’re on the wrong side of history.” she added, “we are in an ideological struggle” and “need to stand up for what is right.” Bialik, who said she certainly does not always agree with the Israeli government, referred to herself as a Zionist ( a belief that Jews, like other people have a right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland). “I won’t back down from using this word, I won’t let them take it from me.” She pushed back on the accusation that Jews are “white colonialists,” noting that half of Jews currently living in Israel are from Arab lands—not white, and not from Europe. She noted that her mother’s older sister immigrated to Israel, after the Yom Kippur war.

In her conversation with Bialik, Gail Asper, mentioned that her mother Babs said that when assessing if someone was a good friend, the question was “if they would hide you from the Nazis?” Gail also added that her father Izzy used to say we as Jews “should not fall in love with bricks and mortar “as Jews historically have “had to run.”

Bialik’s parents were “first generation Americans,” who taught her that her Jewishness was intertwined with justice. “I wasn’t raised with money”, and was “the product of Federation scholarships. I got a scholarship for [Jewish summer] camp.” Her parents thought she looked like “Bette Midler and Barbra Streisand.”

Bialik, whose parents were both public school teachers and were “very strict”, were not religious themselves but did have remnants of orthodoxy in their house, including two sets of dishes. Bialik who enjoyed Jewish learning thought of becoming a Rabbi at one point. Bialik chose to leave academia to be at home with her kids.

Bialik spoke a lot about her mother’s mother, born on the border between Czechoslovakia and Hungary in a village that did not have running water. She was a tailor who worked in a sweat shop, and most of her siblings were killed in the Holocaust. She was a major influence on Bialik, and had a strong disposition. Bialik said her grandmother reminded her of her “otherness” as a Jew, telling her not to get “too comfortable” or complacent.” She said “My grandmother never recovered from the Holocaust,” adding “she would never speak about her family” and “she would weep.” She “would sigh a lot.”

Bialik had the crowd laughing when she mentioned that there was plastic on all of the floors of her grandmother’s house so they couldn’t get dirty.

Bialik said her mother was a blonde green eyes “lefty” “feminist” who believed in social Justice. “She was raised in a tenement house in the South Bronx. “She taught me to be humble and be proud.”

About a month after Oct 7, Bialik was released from Jeopardy. (In a video published the day before Bialik announced her departure from the syndicated show, Bialik said “You might be an antisemite if you think that the solution to what is going on in the Middle East is that the Jews should just go back to where they came from,” Bialik said. “The Jews are the indigenous people of the land of Israel,”Noa Tishby added as Bialik nodded beside her, “so there’s nowhere to go back to.” According to the Ringer, Sony official said that while the studio was aware of the videos, they had no impact on the decision not to retain Bialik on the syndicated show. htttps://www.theringer.com/tv/2023/12/27/24015707/mayim-bialik-jeopardy-main-host-history-ken-jennings-writers-strike)

Bialik emphasized that Judaism values debate.

David Greaves, Exec Director of JNF MB, also noted that he and his brother were also a product of Jewish scholarships/bursaries to attend Ramah Hebrew School and summer camps. Greaves closed off the night thanking all involved in planning the very successful dinner, including, of course, Michael Silver, President of JNF MB/Sask Region.