Latest news with #Manischewitz
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
In the news today: Federal rivals campaign in GTA, tariffs targeting Canada unchanged
Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed... Carney, Poilievre campaigning in the GTA today The Liberals and Conservatives will be campaigning in the Greater Toronto Area today. Liberal Leader Mark Carney is set to make an announcement in Brampton, Ont., in the morning and meet with supporters and volunteers in Hamilton, Ont., in the afternoon. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre will hold a press conference in Milton, Ont., in the morning and a rally in Woolwich, Ont., in the evening. As of 2021, the population of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area was over seven million, representing almost 20 per cent of Canada's population. Trump's tariffs on Canada unchanged The United States is still imposing tariffs on Canada after President Donald Trump on Wednesday partially pulled back some of the most devastating duties against countries around the world. Trump paused his so-called 'reciprocal' tariffs for 90 days but kept in place a 10 per cent levy on nearly all global imports. The president also increased tariffs on Chinese imports to 125 per cent. Trump's change in course triggered a surge in U.S. markets following days of massive losses — but it's not clear how the ongoing uncertainty will play out. A White House official has said duties against Canada were unchanged. Canadian companies cope with tariff 'whiplash' Todd Rutter calls himself the "most non-tech person you've ever met" but he's turning to technology and lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic to help weather the dizzying tariff policies of U.S. President Donald Trump. The Edmonton-based co-owner of A Cappella Catering Co. said inflated food costs as pandemic restrictions started lifting years ago nearly killed his 35-year-old company, and he has to do everything he can to prevent the roller-coaster of changing U.S. tariff threats from doing it this time. The company has created a spreadsheet to track the cost of the 100 most common ingredients they use in case there's a need to implement a "tariff surcharge" on customers to keep the business afloat, he said. Rutter said for his business, and many like it, margins are so thin that it doesn't take much of a cost increase to spell the end. Trade war means no Manischewitz wine for Passover A syrupy sweet Passover staple will be absent across much of Canada this year thanks to restrictions on the sale of American booze, bringing the trade war to the Seder table. Manischewitz wine is a mainstay of Jewish celebrations and ceremonies, but it's manufactured in New York so many provinces have pulled it from the shelves in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on some Canadian goods. As a knock-on effect, Manischewitz will be missing from many Canadian Passover Seders, which Rabbi Aaron Flanzraich said "seems to be becoming a symbol of the wider suffering and hurt that Canada is going through" because of the division between the two countries. Four cups of wine are traditionally drunk throughout the Seders, the ceremonial meal on the first and second night of Passover, which begins on Saturday. Flanzraich said he's "fielded a number of calls from congregants" asking him what they should use instead of Manischewitz. Why Simons, Holt Renfrew won't replace the Bay When Hudson's Bay revealed it was liquidating almost the entirety of its empire, some thought the selloff would be an opportunity for two of Canada's last standing department stores: La Maison Simons and Holt Renfrew. Because their size and product mix resemble the Bay's at first glance, the rivals might have seemed like the most logical fit for the millions of square feet the Bay and its sister businesses Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks Off 5th will leave behind, but neither appears to want to take up the ailing retailer's full mantle. Holt Renfrew spokesperson Adam Grachnik said in a statement that the luxury retailer was 'not considering' making a play for the Bay's leases but 'is committed to helping our colleagues with any opportunities we can provide.' Simons CEO Bernard Leblanc similarly said his company has 'no new announcements planned' but 'is always up for a challenge and is carefully analyzing all potential opportunities across Canadian markets.' Some Canadian schools suspend U.S. field trips There are disappointed students, anxious parents and cautious school officials in at least two Canadian school districts that have suspended or cancelled trips over political uncertainty in the United States. British Columbia's largest school district in Surrey has put all its field trips down south on hold to prevent any "negative experiences at the border," while New Brunswick's largest French school district abruptly cancelled a high school band trip as a "precautionary decision." Mark Pearmain, Surrey's district superintendent, said the city is "diverse," with many students from different backgrounds, including some who may not be Canadian citizens. Pearmain said they're suggesting teachers look for opportunities to explore "our amazing country," Canada, including "beautiful British Columbia." --- This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 10, 2025 The Canadian Press
CBC
04-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
Piece of Passover tradition lost as U.S.-made Manischewitz wine removed from liquor stores: rabbi
Social Sharing A popular brand of kosher wine that has become a staple at Passover will be missing from the Seder tables of many Manitoba families this year, with the U.S.-made Manischewitz pulled from shelves in Manitoba's liquor stores in response to the ongoing trade war. Manitoba removed American-made alcohol from the shelves of its provincially run Liquor Marts in early March, after the first round of tariffs imposed by the U.S. administration on some imported Canadian goods. That included Manischewitz kosher wine, a New York state-made beverage that has become a staple in Jewish religious celebrations passed from one generation to the next, said Allan Finkel, rabbi at Winnipeg's Temple Shalom. "It's really sweet, syrupy — it's like cough syrup, but it's still … very much tied to the Passover Seder experience," Finkel said, referring to the ceremonial dinner that marks the start of Passover. Not having it this year will be "a loss of a piece of tradition," he said. Passover, which begins on April 12 this year, is an eight-day celebration that marks the liberation of the Jews from slavery and their exodus from ancient Egypt. During Passover Seder, four cups of wine are drunk at different stages during the meal. Request to bring Manischewitz back Ahead of Passover, Jeff Lieberman, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, wrote to the province requesting an exemption to bring Manischewitz back to Liquor Marts, given its importance to the Jewish community. "Time is running short," he said Thursday. "I'm hoping that the wine will be back, certainly with enough time for people to buy it." Others said they hope so too. Wine is "one of the most important" parts of the Passover meal, said Winnipegger Laura Marjovsky. "It's a staple of the Seder, and it should be available," said Shayla Fink, another Winnipeg resident. But speaking to reporters about U.S. tariffs on Thursday, Premier Wab Kinew said American alcohol, including Manischewitz, will stay off Manitoba's shelves. "That's gotten attention south of the border," the premier said. He also described the action as an "act of solidarity" with other provinces that have taken similar measures. "I apologize if that causes disappointment, but from what I understand, there are substitutes," Kinew said. WATCH | Passover staple may be missing in Manitoba this year due to U.S. booze boycott: Passover staple may be missing in Manitoba this year due to U.S. booze boycott 2 hours ago Duration 2:11 A wine popular at Passover may be absent from the holiday for Manitobans this year. Manischewitz kosher wine is made in the U.S., and Manitoba, along with many other provinces, has pulled U.S. liquor from shelves amid ongoing tariffs. Jews looking for kosher wine might still find some Israeli wine in government-operated liquor stores. Manitoba Liquor Marts offer three kosher wines, both red and white, from the Galil Mountain Winery, a spokesperson said. However, about a half dozen liquor stores CBC spoke with — both private and provincial — said they didn't have kosher wines in stock at the moment. Another replacement is kosher grape juice, said Rabbi Finkel, already in use by families who don't drink liquor. "It's about the blessing of the fruit of the vine. It's actually not about a fermented or an alcoholic drink necessarily," he said. "The tradition disappears, but in no way are we changing the real ritual experience."
CBC
03-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
Passover staple may be missing in Manitoba this year due to U.S. booze boycott
A wine popular at Passover may be absent from the holiday for Manitobans this year. Manischewitz kosher wine is made in the U.S., and Manitoba, along with many other provinces, has pulled U.S. liquor from shelves amid ongoing tariffs.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Manischewitz wine in trade crossfire as Canadian Jews prepare for Passover
By Ed White and Leah Douglas WINNIPEG, Manitoba (Reuters) - For Jews in Canada, much like their American counterparts, Manischewitz kosher wine has become a staple of Passover and other religious celebrations. But now many are struggling to find the New York state-made drink for the wine-heavy spring holiday as Canadian government retailers and wholesale monopolies pull American-made products from shelves in protest of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and annexation threats. The missing wine illustrates how Trump's instigation of a trade war with Canada and his bellicose talk is causing pain for Canadian consumers and U.S. beverage companies like Manischewitz owner E & J Gallo Winery, as well as potential opportunities for Canadian competitors. Many Canadian consumers are embracing a "Buy Canadian" movement and avoiding U.S.-made goods, but for some specialized products like sweet and fruity Manischewitz kosher wine, there is no true alternative, kosher goods retailers and consumers say. Canada's provincial governments control liquor sales and wholesaling, and since early March have all banned U.S. alcohol imports as well as most distribution and sales, including Manischewitz wine and Jack Daniels bourbon whiskey. Existing stocks have been yanked from shelves across the sprawling nation. Private stores, allowed to sell existing supplies, told Reuters their Manischewitz bottles were snapped up by shoppers soon after the provincial governments' bans were announced. "People are freaking out," said Louise Waldman, a Winnipeg Jew who associates the particular taste of Manischewitz wine with a lifetime of Passover meals. Manischewitz and Gallo did not respond to requests for comment. During Passover, which begins on April 12, Jews gather for traditional meals, called seders, and eat specific foods including horseradish, parsley and eggs. Traditionally, each participant drinks four glasses of wine throughout the meal. Aaron Bernstein of family-owned Bernstein's Delicatessen, a Jewish food store and restaurant in Winnipeg in Western Canada, said he has had to tell patriotic Canadian shoppers that there are not domestically made versions of some kosher products. "There's no other product like Manischewitz wine," he said. MADE KOSHER IN CANADA Canadian Jews seeking kosher wine to fulfill the ceremonial obligation might still find some Israeli wine in some government-operated liquor stores. Manitoba Liquor Marts offer three kosher wines, such as both red and white from the Galil Mountain Winery, a spokesperson said. But for some kosher foods producers in Canada, the upsurge in patriotic pride and the desire for "Made in Canada" goods is a chance to expand business. Ritesh Patel, the director of operations for Elman's Food Products, a Winnipeg kosher foods processor since 1938, hopes to capture more of the domestic kosher market. The company is in talks with major national chains about carrying their pickled products like sauerkraut, eggs and horseradish, he said. To replace some American products, Bernstein said his deli has been ordering more products from Israel, but imports take longer to arrive because of the extended supply chain. For some Canadian Jews who keep kosher, the concern goes beyond missing holiday foods and extends to the risk of tariffs and higher prices on other staple products making groceries unaffordable. "We're very concerned in general. The price of food is astronomical and the price of kosher food is even more concerning," said Richard Rabkin, the managing director of the Kashruth Council of Canada, the country's largest kosher certification agency.
Reuters
02-04-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Manischewitz wine in trade crossfire as Canadian Jews prepare for Passover
WINNIPEG, Manitoba, April 2 (Reuters) - For Jews in Canada, much like their American counterparts, Manischewitz kosher wine has become a staple of Passover and other religious celebrations. But now many are struggling to find the New York state-made drink for the wine-heavy spring holiday as Canadian government retailers and wholesale monopolies pull American-made products from shelves in protest of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and annexation threats. The missing wine illustrates how Trump's instigation of a trade war with Canada and his bellicose talk is causing pain for Canadian consumers and U.S. beverage companies like Manischewitz owner E & J Gallo Winery, as well as potential opportunities for Canadian competitors. Many Canadian consumers are embracing a "Buy Canadian" movement and avoiding U.S.-made goods, but for some specialized products like sweet and fruity Manischewitz kosher wine, there is no true alternative, kosher goods retailers and consumers say. Canada's provincial governments control liquor sales and wholesaling, and since early March have all banned U.S. alcohol imports as well as most distribution and sales, including Manischewitz wine and Jack Daniels bourbon whiskey. Existing stocks have been yanked from shelves across the sprawling nation. Private stores, allowed to sell existing supplies, told Reuters their Manischewitz bottles were snapped up by shoppers soon after the provincial governments' bans were announced. "People are freaking out," said Louise Waldman, a Winnipeg Jew who associates the particular taste of Manischewitz wine with a lifetime of Passover meals. Manischewitz and Gallo did not respond to requests for comment. During Passover, which begins on April 12, Jews gather for traditional meals, called seders, and eat specific foods including horseradish, parsley and eggs. Traditionally, each participant drinks four glasses of wine throughout the meal. Aaron Bernstein of family-owned Bernstein's Delicatessen, a Jewish food store and restaurant in Winnipeg in Western Canada, said he has had to tell patriotic Canadian shoppers that there are not domestically made versions of some kosher products. "There's no other product like Manischewitz wine," he said. MADE KOSHER IN CANADA Canadian Jews seeking kosher wine to fulfill the ceremonial obligation might still find some Israeli wine in some government-operated liquor stores. Manitoba Liquor Marts offer three kosher wines, such as both red and white from the Galil Mountain Winery, a spokesperson said. But for some kosher foods producers in Canada, the upsurge in patriotic pride and the desire for "Made in Canada" goods is a chance to expand business. Ritesh Patel, the director of operations for Elman's Food Products, a Winnipeg kosher foods processor since 1938, hopes to capture more of the domestic kosher market. The company is in talks with major national chains about carrying their pickled products like sauerkraut, eggs and horseradish, he said. To replace some American products, Bernstein said his deli has been ordering more products from Israel, but imports take longer to arrive because of the extended supply chain. For some Canadian Jews who keep kosher, the concern goes beyond missing holiday foods and extends to the risk of tariffs and higher prices on other staple products making groceries unaffordable. "We're very concerned in general. The price of food is astronomical and the price of kosher food is even more concerning," said Richard Rabkin, the managing director of the Kashruth Council of Canada, the country's largest kosher certification agency.
