Latest news with #CongregationShaareyZedek
Winnipeg Free Press
12-07-2025
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
Congregation Shaarey Zedek welcomes new senior rabbi
After decades of living and working in the U.S., Israel, Japan and Europe, Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose has come back home. Rose, who was raised in Winnipeg's North End, took up his new responsibilities as senior rabbi at Congregation Shaarey Zedek on July 1. 'Winnipeg's a wonderful place to grow up,' said Rose, who was born in the U.S. in 1966 and moved to the city in 1967 from New York with his parents, Rabbi Neal Rose and his wife, Carol, so his father could take a position in Judaic Studies and religion at the University of Manitoba. Supplied Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose and Paulie Zimnavoda Rose Rose, 59, has fond memories of family life on Matheson Avenue with his four siblings — a sister and three brothers, including Rabbi Kliel Rose of Winnipeg's Congregation Etz Chayim. This included his time studying at the former Talmud Torah Hebrew school at the intersection of Charles Street and Flora Avenue. He graduated from the University of Winnipeg in 1984 and then headed to California to study at American Jewish University in Los Angeles. He was ordained by the Rabbinical School of the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York and went on to serve in various roles before becoming senior rabbi for 18 years at Congregation B'nai Amoona in St. Louis. In 2023, he left there to become president and CEO of the Mandel Jewish Community Centre in Cleveland, Ohio — a place much like Winnipeg's Asper Jewish Community Campus, although much bigger to serve the large Jewish community of 85,000 in that city. Rose, who has four children with his wife, Paulie Zimnavoda Rose, enjoyed his time at the centre. But he found his heart was really in congregational life and leadership. 'I wanted to go back to teaching in a synagogue,' he said. 'I realized I was more of a pastor, teacher and preacher, not an administrator. I missed those things.' For Rose, serving at a synagogue means an opportunity to pass on the tenets of Judaism to members of Shaarey Zedek. 'Judaism is a 4,000-year-old tradition that still has something to say to the world today,' he said, noting he wants to help the synagogue continue to be a place 'where people can come to learn and develop deep roots in Judaism and in the Jewish community.' In particular, Rose wants to help people see that Judaism 'is about more than laws, it is about love of self, love of others, of the community, of the world … it's about wanting to live into the image of the divine.' 'I want to invite people into the deep mystery of God, to see Judaism as a tradition that has something to say about how to live with a partner, with children, with parents, neighbours, others and the world.' Rose's own approach to Judaism grows out of the Conservative tradition to which he and Shaarey Zedek belong — an approach that seeks to conserve and honour traditional Jewish practices and beliefs while incorporating modern perspectives to the scriptures. 'We have respect for tradition but we are open to innovation,' said Rose, noting that Conservative Judaism is a middle way between the Orthodox tradition — which emphasizes stricter adherence to Jewish law and traditional practices — and the Reform tradition, which seeks to more actively adapt Judaism to modern life. This means 'not losing the past for the sake of the future, but also not losing the future for the sake of the past,' Rose said, adding that 'some beliefs in the past worked well in the past, but they may not work so well now.' One example of this is that Rose, like Shaarey Zedek, is welcoming and affirming of LGBTTQ+ people. 'We want to be present and welcoming of all,' he said. Rose also wants to be engaged in interfaith work in the city. 'I look forward to working together with other faith leaders,' he said, adding 'I want to have deep roots in my community and also learn from other communities. There is beauty in all traditions that should be shared.' This will include looking for things different faith traditions hold in common so they can 'work together for the good of the whole community,' he said, adding he also wants to build trust between the groups 'so we can have difficult conversations and still have respect and love for each other.' Such conversations are important at a time of growing polarization and division, along with rising antisemitism and Islamophobia, he said. Supplied After spending most of his career in the U.S., Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose returned to the town where he was raised to become senior rabbi at Congregation Shaarey Zedek. 'We need religious leaders to step forward boldly, to set an example,' he said, adding he thinks this will be easier in Winnipeg than other places since 'we can draw on reservoirs of trust built up over the years.' He credits his parents for his broad interfaith outlook. 'They taught us the importance of serving not just the Jewish community, but the whole community,' said, adding they took the family to visit churches, mosques and sweat lodges. 'I learned about the world in my parent's home,' he said. 'They exposed us to other religions and traditions.' Rose also credits his parents for passing on a love for Judaism — so much so that all four sons became rabbis. 'It was a clean sweep,' said Rose, adding that his sister married a rabbi. And yet, his parents never pushed their sons to serve in that way. 'They just lived as their authentic selves, not just through words but by living out their faith,' he said. For Kliel, having his older brother in Winnipeg is exciting and a blessing. 'It's been over 30 years since I lived in the same place with a sibling,' he said. 'It will be great for my children to have their uncle and aunt here.' His brother's coming to Winnipeg will 'be great for Shaarey Zedek and also for the whole Jewish community,' he said. 'They found a great rabbi to lead them.' Sundays Kevin Rollason's Sunday newsletter honouring and remembering lives well-lived in Manitoba. In an e-mail to the congregation announcing Rose's appointment, congregation president Fanny Levy said Rose was a leader who 'embodies the values, vision and spirit that reflect the heart of our community.' Along with that, Rose's 'commitment to Jewish learning' deeply resonates with the congregation and his approach and values 'align most closely with the direction we aspire to take as a community.' Levy went on to praise Rose's 'deep respect for tradition, paired with a creative approach to leadership that encourages innovation and inclusivity.' Of Rose, Rena Secter Elbaze, the congregation's executive director, said that he is 'very personable, super charismatic, all about teaching,' someone who can 'lead us into the future. We are so fortunate to have him.' faith@ The Free Press is committed to covering faith in Manitoba. If you appreciate that coverage, help us do more! Your contribution of $10, $25 or more will allow us to deepen our reporting about faith in the province. Thanks! BECOME A FAITH JOURNALISM SUPPORTER John LonghurstFaith reporter John Longhurst has been writing for Winnipeg's faith pages since 2003. He also writes for Religion News Service in the U.S., and blogs about the media, marketing and communications at Making the News. Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
09-06-2025
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
Asper donates $3M for Shaarey Zedek upgrades
Gail Asper has announced a $3-million donation to the capital campaign for Congregation Shaarey Zedek, which she likened to Grand Central Station for Winnipeg's Jewish community. Asper said in her remarks at a ceremony where she announced the gift that the decision to support the synagogue 'was the easiest and fastest to make' because generations of her family have benefited from its services. 'If we have benefited so much from something, we have a responsibility to be there for it,' she said, adding her family wanted to do its 'fair share' to support the synagogue. The Asper Foundation is giving $2 million, and the Gail Asper Family Foundation is giving $1 million. The campaign to renovate the synagogue will cost nearly $18 million. The Jewish community has raised $8.4 million, including the donation from the Aspers. Another $3 million was from the synagogue's reserve fund, while the Manitoba government is contributing another $3 million. About $3.8 million must be raised. The donation will enable Shaarey Zedek to 'meet the needs of a changing congregation,' Asper said, adding she is 'confident it will be able to do so for generations to come.' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Shaarey Zedek executive director Rena Secter Elbaze said the donation will enable the 'beloved building to be transformed' for the community. Congregation Shaarey Zedek was closed from 2022 until last fall for the renovation project, which included floor-to-ceiling windows in the auditorium, pews and carpeting in the sanctuary, modern conference rooms, accessible and gender-neutral washrooms, a child-care centre and upgrades to the audio-visual system. Asbestos was removed, and security features were enhanced, including the addition of shatter-proof windows, 32 CCTV cameras and a pass card-entry system. Secter Elbaze said the building is a 'welcoming space' for all and is used by non-Jewish groups as well. faith@ John LonghurstFaith reporter John Longhurst has been writing for Winnipeg's faith pages since 2003. He also writes for Religion News Service in the U.S., and blogs about the media, marketing and communications at Making the News. Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New Detroit archbishop becomes head of archdiocese: I see 'Christ in you'
Holding a tall shepherd's staff in his left hand, Archbishop of Detroit Allen Vigneron stood in front of Bishop Edward Weisenburger in the sanctuary of the seat of the Catholic Church in Detroit. Weisenburger grasped the staff with his right hand and then sat down into a chair with a high back known as a cathedra. With that symoblic move, the 64-year-old priest became the new Catholic archbishop of Detroit as the crowd of nearly 900 people applauded inside the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, the smell of incense in the air. The scene inside the house of worship on Woodward Avenue featured ceremonies that Catholics have held for centuries, filled with detailed rituals that symbolized the transfer of power and authority among the leaders of the largest religious group in metro Detroit. Weisenburger now leads more than 900,000 Catholics in a six-county region that has seen membership declines, but still has a committed faithful dedicated to ensuring the Church has a vital presence in Detroit. During his homily, Weisenburger spoke about the importance of love, describing the dialogue between Christ and Peter. "Jesus, three times, asked Peter, three times: 'Do you love me? Do you love me? Do you love me?' " Weisenburger said in his 20-minute remarks that described different translations of the word love, such as "agape" and "philos." "I find myself standing before you today and seeing Christ in you," he said. "I feel as though I owe you my response, no less than Peter. I, too, am a sinner with plenty of failings, foolish mistakes and errors in my history, no less than Peter ... my love for Jesus is probably still a little imperfect, but if we are to begin a new twist or turn in this journey of discipleship together, then I invite you to come along with me, and I will promise to come along with you." Weisenburger, who has been outspoken in support of immigrants during his time as bishop in southern Arizona, avoided political and social issues in his remarks, but suggested that love and compassion will be a central part of his mission in Michigan. "The great question: 'Do you love me?' " he said. "Perhaps the only question in the end that really matters, and the ... response in our lives will make all the difference. May the best of answers well up from within us with a powerful affirmative: Yes, Lord, you know that I love you and I will feed your sheep." New archbishop of Detroit: We have to 'see Christ' in immigrants The event included Catholic leaders from across Michigan and the U.S, as well as Protestant, Orthodox Christian, and Jewish leaders, including Rabbi Joseph Krakoff, the former religious leader at Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield, the largest Conservative synagogue in Michigan. Weisenburger greeted them as they walked onto the sanctuary, briefly conversing with them and others during the two-hour ceremony called the Mass of Installation. Two speakers gave brief remarks in Spanish. Weisenburger began his homily by praising Pope Francis, who selected him last month to lead the Detroit archdiocese and was hospitalized recently. "His prophetic and profoundly loving witness to Jesus Christ and his gospel inspires me daily," Weisenburger said of Pope Francis. "I have found that committed Catholics, people of other faiths and people of no faith, look at him and almost universally conclude he's the real thing. ... His personal witness of what a disciple can be, has moved the hearts and minds of millions around the world. I'm so delighted his health is improving, and I pray that his voice and witness will continue to bless our world for many years to come." Michael Hovey, the former coordinator for ecumenical and interfaith relations for the Detroit archdiocese, was moved by Weisenburger's remarks. "He brought tears to my eyes," Hovey told the Free Press after the Mass. "It was so profound, and yet he said it so simply. He said it in words that we can understand. I think he's going to be really wonderful for the diocese." Vigneron, 76, who received sustained applause when Weisenburger praised his work, now has the title of archbishop emeritus and will live at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. Vigneron "was a good person to work with, but he's very different," Hovey said. "He's an academic. It's very intellectual, and that's fine. There are gifts with that. But I think our new Archbishop is going to have such an open heart that it's going to be wonderful for people. I think people are going to fall in love with him." Contact Niraj Warikoo: nwarikoo@ or X @nwarikoo. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Edward Weisenburger, new archbishop of Detroit, assumes power in Mass
