RICHARD MORANTZ AND SHERREE WALDER MORANTZ DONATE $1 MILLION TO SHAAREY ZEDEK CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
By Rhonda Spivak, Oct 15
Shaarey Zedek Synagogue held a special breakfast on Oct 9, 2025 to mark the $1 million donation that Richard Morantz and Sherree Walder Morantz made to the synagogue's capital campaign.
Both the Morantz and Walder families have long histories with the synagogue. Richard Morantz noted that his bar mitzvah took place at the synagogue on April 29 1972. “I learned my maftir from the legendary Rabbi Berkal. We continued to celebrate here with our own children's bar and bat mitzvahs," he stated.
Sherree indicated that her mother's family were Jewish pioneers in Winnipeg. "My great-grandfather,Samuel Cohen, for whom I am named, was an original member of Shaarey Zedek Synagogue. I started coming here with my own grandfather, Sidney Cohen, when I was about two years old. I remember exactly which pew we sat in and how my grandfather helped me to follow along in the siddur during services. Shaarey Zedek has always been a place of great comfort for me and I am very grateful that we got to watch our own children shine on the bimah."
Richard pointed out that although he has never been a "religious person" and " may be more secular", he “strongly believes in the traditions of Judaism."
On the subject of antisemitism Richard stated that he had a charmed upbringing in the 60’s and 70’s in River Heights, and growing up he encountered antisemitism only on a "very minimal level."
"Post-October 7th, I found myself, for the first time in my life, having to judge every situation and every person I came across before divulging the fact that I am Jewish or discussing Israel," Richard added. “I came to the realization, during the process of considering this donation, that a primary driver for us is that this synagogue is a safe place for Jews, where we can comfortably be ourselves."
Sherree spoke about the fact that while her mother's large family were Jewish pioneers, her father was a Romanian Holocaust survivor, with almost no family after the war. "Family matters a great deal to us. In addition to strongly agreeing with Richard that the tragedy of October 7th and continuing and growing anti-Semitism are big drivers for us in making this donation, we also want to see Shaarey Zedek be a safe and special part of the lives of our now adult children and the generations that will follow them. It is very fulfilling to us that we are contributing to making that happen."
Morantz noted that he and Walder "are very proud of the recent renovations and upgrades to the synagogue.” As he stated, “This place is absolutely beautiful."
Sherree said the couple "feel privileged to have met with Rabbi Carnie Rose. We know he will be a great asset to the synagogue and all of its members for a long time to come."
Sherree also made special mention of Rena Secter Elbaze, the Executive Director of Congregation Shaarey Zedek. "Rena literally blew me away when I met her for a tour of the synagogue. Her passion and knowledge are remarkable. We believe that our synagogue is in great hands and we feel much comfort and confidence making this donation," he stated.
Sherree spoke of the couple's relationship with Gail Asper who motivated them to make their donation. "We have known Gail Asper for decades. I met her on our first day of law school in 1981 and we have been very close ever since. While we can all agree that Gail certainly knows how to talk, she also really knows how to listen. Through all of our discussions with her about making this donation, she listened hard, she came up with solid answers, and she was instrumental in leading us to the decision to donate. Shaarey Zedek is extremely lucky to have such a talented fundraiser."
Sherree added, "We would be remiss if we didn't also mention the encouragement of our old friend, and another law school classmate of mine, Neil Duboff. Neil has worked so hard for the synagogue and our community for so many years and we applaud his efforts and commitment."
Sherree concluded by saying that he and Walder "are so honoured to be here with you today and to feel that we are making a difference to this special place.
Sherree referred to the words of Eli Wiesel, “A synagogue is a house of memory as well as a house of prayer. It reminds us of who we are and where we come from.”
Senior Rabbi of Shaarey Zedek Carnie Rose spoke of wanting people at the synagogue to be not only engaged, but “truly committed.”
Richard Morantz and Sheree Walder Morantz are well known philanthropists locally, having made major contributions to the CMHR, U of M business School, Assiniboine Park Conservancy. They also gave $1 million to the Israel Emergency fund of the Jewish Federation of Wpg following the Oct 7th Hamas attacks.
Outside the synagogue on the riverside lawn of the Steinkopf Family Plaza there was a display of 1200 Israeli flags set up as a memorial to the 1200 victims of the Oct 7th Hamas attacks.
