Ms. Khan,
We are writing as the official body representing Winnipeg’s rabbis and their congregations. It has come to our attention that the museum intends to display an exhibit entitled “Palestine Uprooted: The Nakba Past and Present.”
Recent reports regarding this controversial exhibit have heightened our concerns, particularly because our community has not been consulted. We are concerned that the exhibit, as currently framed, presents a one-sided narrative that risks turning the museum into a platform for political messaging and anti-Israel sentiment. The establishment of the State of Israel and the events referred to as the “Nakba” are complex and multifaceted. Portraying this history through a single lens is hurtful to the Jewish community and inconsistent with the museum’s mandate to uphold balance, accuracy, and inclusivity.
This framing also overlooks the experiences of hundreds of thousands of Jews displaced from across the Middle East who returned to their ancestral homeland—an essential part of the historical context.
We therefore expect the museum to ensure a balanced presentation by engaging experts representing the full range of perspectives, including Jewish scholars and community voices. We would welcome the opportunity to meet with you at your earliest convenience to discuss this matter in person and help support a fair and inclusive portrayal of this history.
Winnipeg Council of Rabbis
Rabbi Yosef Benarroch (Adas Yeshurun Herzlia), Rabbi Kliel Rose (Congregation Etz Chayim)
Rabbi Carnie Rose & Rabbi Anibal Mass (Congregation Shaarey Zedek)
Rabbi Myriam Saitman (Temple Shalom) Rabbi Matthew Leibl (The Simkin Centre)
