SPRING/SUMMER 2019
LEGACIES
A Community of Leaders T ake a look at the leaders of Winnipeg’s Jewish community and you’ll notice many of them have something in common: an education from Gray Academy. Back in the days of founding school Joseph Wolinsky Collegiate ( JWC) and now at Gray, students are given tremendous opportunities to hone their leadership skills and influence change within their school environment. Once they graduate, they’re ready to do the same for the community at large. Throughout Winnipeg’s Jewish organizations, our alumni have led our community to thrive by developing and sustaining our cultural identity and institutions. It’s no coincidence, says Al Benarroch (’82), the executive director of Jewish Child and Family Service. “A deep, rich Jewish education is an important piece of the formula in nurturing Jewish leaders,” he says. “I didn’t see myself as a leader in high school, but the foundation was laid, and it helped guide me to where I am today.” “There are many factors that have shaped who I am, and JWC is a key piece of that puzzle,” says his brother, Rabbi Yosef Benarroch (’76) of the Adas Yeshurun Herzlia Synagogue. The student body is intricately tied to the rest of Winnipeg’s Jewish community—including charities and cultural organizations—giving them exposure to the important work going on around them and encouraging participation and support. “In school I learned to be a leader, but I also learned to be a mensch,” says Tamar Barr (’83), the interim executive director of the Rady Jewish Community Centre. “I use the Jewish values I learned at JWC every single day.”
“I never questioned who I was, and giving back became important to me,” says Marla Aronovitch (née Adelberg) (’84), Jewish Foundation of Manitoba’s director of operations and grants. “That strong identity is why I remain committed to making this community better each and every day through my work.” “The school gave each of us opportunities to shine in our own way,” says Rena Boroditsky (’80), the executive director of Chesed Shel Emes, the Jewish community burial society. For her, that meant editing the yearbook, being the prop-master for school plays, and participating on student council. Tracy Kasner Greaves (’94)—president of the Chai Folk Arts Council Inc., past president of the Winnipeg Board of Jewish Education, and cantor at Congregation Etz Chayim—believes the opportunities she was given in high school gave her the courage to create positive change after graduation. “Leadership is being willing to put yourself out there and do what you can to make the world a better place, and to take responsibility for all those around you,” she says. “That is at the heart of a Gray Academy education.” There are also many other alumni leading Jewish community organizations, including Rabbi Matthew Leibl (’03) of Congregation Shaarey Zedek, Jonathan Buchwald (’86), executive director of Congregation Etz Chayim, and Ran Ukashi (’01), national director of B’nai Brith's League for Human Rights. But you don’t have to look much farther than the current head of school and CEO of Gray Academy, Lori Binder (’91). “My education set me up for a life of leadership,” she says. “I’m proud to say that this tradition is still strong at Gray, and I know we’ll see today’s students become the leaders of tomorrow.” •
(L to R) Al Benarroch (’82), Tracy Kasner Greaves (’94), Lori Binder (’91), Marla Aronovitch (née Adelberg) (’84), Tamar Barr (’83), Rabbi Yosef Benarroch (’76)