OUR NEWS
OUR EVENTS
OUR PROGRAMS
For the past 46 years, Chai has been the place where the Jewish community turns to celebrate its cultural diversity. Since its
inception in 1964, Chai has provided an outlet for Jewish youth and young adults to maintain their connection to Judaism
through the arts. Comprised of volunteer performers, board members and committee members, Chai is an organization
worthy of our community’s pride and support.
President’s Message
This past winter, Chai was again fortunate to return to the recording studio to produce its fifth album. The inaugural release
is scheduled for May 9, 2010 and the CD will be available in local outlets throughout the city as well as through the Chai
office. Want a sample? Just visit our website at http://www.chai.mb.ca/ and have a listen (coming soon).
Of course, this undertaking would not be possible without the hard work of a number of key individuals. On behalf of Chai, I
would like thank CD Producer and Musical Director Ariel Posen; as well as Tracy Kasner Greaves, Arthur Liffmann and Kinzey
Posen for their expertise. They were fortunate to be working with a group of dedicated and extremely talented musicians
and singers. Just listen to a few tracks and you’ll feel the music come alive.
Last year, I invited you to experience Chai “up close and personal.” As a result we designed our upcoming shows this year at
more intimate venues such as the Gates (May 9th) the Park Theatre (May 27th) and Folklorama (the second week in August
at Shalom Square). It is my hope that Chai will continue to be accessible at events such as these throughout the year.
Chai could not do any of these things without the ongoing support of our community. As Chai looks forward to the future,
our 50th anniversary is only 4 short years away. As we plan for the future, we will continue to need your support. To make
our golden anniversary a reality, I invite our alumni to help lead the way. Chai needs your input by serving on our board and
committees to help plan our next four years and to spearhead our fund raising efforts.
On behalf of the Sommer family, and Chai’s founder, Sarah Sommer, thank you for keeping the dream of Chai alive.
Hillel Sommer
President
Board of Di
rectors:
Hillel
Sommer, Pres
ident
Rietta Floom,
Vice Presiden
t
Lori Binder, Pa
st President
Sadira Garfinke
l
Hart Greenbe
rg
Paul Leinburd
Lisa Odwak
Nadine Short
Board of Gove
rnors:
Jo
el Antel
Gerald Arron
Tamar Barr
Hartley Gale
Shirley Goltsman
Sid Halpern
Max Reich
Sid Ritter
Alex Sommer
Hillel Sommer
Lorne Weiss
Te a m o f D i r e c t
ors:
Artistic
Tracy Kasner Grea
ves
Dance
Elan Marchinko &
Beth Usiskin
Music
Ariel Posen
Vocal
Arthur Liffmann
Assistant to the Vo
ca
Director: Melissa l
Hart
Production
Ian Kirk
Administrative
Reeva Nepon
b.
ch
ai
.m
531 Notre Dame Avenue
Phone: 774-1660
w.
C147-123 Doncaster Street
Winnipeg , MB R3N 2B2
Phone: 204-477-7497
Email: info@chai.mb.ca
Fax: 204-477-7516
Cell: 204-955-0069
w
Sarah Sommer Chai Folk
Ensemble/Chai Folk Arts
Council Inc.
Studio
w
Office
ca
CONTACT US
DANCERS:
Becky Antel
Davina Eisenstat
Avie Erdile
Andrew Francis
Jona Frohlich
Gadi Glogowski
Gabriela Gonzalez
Stevi Golden-Plotnik
Elan Marchinko
Taylor McMillan
Illana Minuk
Hillary Nepon
Julie Pawlychka
Jeffrey Schachter
Alex Serebnitski
Hadera Short
Marla Simcoff
Beth Usiskin
Leandro Zylberman
Melina Zylberman
MUSICIANS:
SINGERS:
Arun Chaturvedi - Keyboards
Jeff Gordon - Drums
Jon Lemer – Percussion
Kristjanna Oleson - Violin
Ariel Posen - Guitar
Kinzey Posen - Bass
Christopher Wolf - Clarinet
David Greaves
Melissa Hart
Tracy Kasner Greaves
Managing Artistic Director – Tracy Kasner Greaves
Arthur Liffmann
Musical Director & Album Producer – Ariel Posen
Justin Odwak
Vocal
Director – Arthur Liffmann
Beth Schachter
Assistant to the Vocal Director – Melissa Hart
Sarah Sommer
Dance
Directors – Elan Marchinko & Beth Usiskin
Rachel Steindel
Director of Production – Ian Kirk
Jacqui Usiskin
Administrative
Director – Reeva Nepon
David Vamos
Vocal Coach: Lina Streltsov
Front of House Sound – Kevin Davis
Official Photographer: Keith Levit
Did you know that Chai will soon be offering its
donors a secure online method to donate to our campaign?
Our website will have this feature for those who
prefer this option.
Condolences
The Sarah Sommer Chai Folk Ensemble extends
condolences to the families of the late David
Pesochin and Erna Kimmel. Both Erna and David
dedicated many years to Chai. Not only did they
sit on the Board of Directors, but they both played vital
roles by providing their guidance and efforts to make
ensure that the quality of our performers’ costumes
complimented the choreography. Their
contribution to Chai is immeasurable and
their presence will be sadly missed.
Folklorama 2010
Chai is excited to be performing again this year at all 19 shows at
Shalom Square, Folklorama’s Israel Pavilion between Sunday, August
8 and Saturday, August 14 in the Asper Jewish Community Campus,
123 Doncaster Street.
50 th
Anniversary
in 2014 !
Are you interested in getting involved in planning for
Chai’s 50th anniversary celebrations? We are forming committees
and are looking for alumni or others who would like to
work with us on:
• Gala dinner
• Museum exhibit
• Commemorative book
• Updating alumni contacts
Let us know how you would like to participate.
Thank you... We are truly grateful to the following
CORPORATE SPONSORS
Crown Cap
Gateway Industries
Joanne & Sam Katz, Kay Four Properties
Richlu Manufacturing
Hillel Sommer
DONORS
$1,000
Advance Electronics
Ruthy & Hartley Gale
Maureen Jay & Michael Sheps
Alex & Elaine Sommer
Todah Holdings
$500 to $999
Akman Companies
Cheryl & Earl Barish & Family
Morley & Marjorie Blankstein
Drs. David Eisenstat & Janice Richman-Eisenstat
Tracy Kasner Greaves & David Greaves,
Nesya & Aaron
Ivy Kopstein & Murray Palay & Family
Stephen, Corky & Lana Rosenfield
Fay & Max Reich; Cal Reich & Samantha Lapedus
Sid Robinovitch
Serebnitski Family
Shindleman Family
Vickar Community Chevrolet, Vickar Mitsubishi,
Waverley Mitsubishi, Vickar
Autobody & Glass
Western Scrap Metals Inc.
$360
Barbara & Abe Anhang
Sophie Milman & Casey Chisick
Ben & Simone Cohen
East Kildonan Dental Group
Michelle Glass & Roni Estein
Jerry & Rietta Floom & Family
Arnie, Janet, Jona & Brynne Frohlich
Rhonda, Zvi, Jeffrey & Jason Gordon
Sid & Margaret Kasner
Fay-Lynn & Philip Katz & Family
Mayor Sam Katz
Paul Knight & Family
Karla Berbrayer & Allen Kraut
Herb Liffmann
Israel & Maylene Ludwig
Jeff Itzkow & Cathy Moser
Matthew & Mira Narvey
Reeva & Allan Nepon, Jordan & Hillary
Joel & Susan Remis
Roslyn & Mickey Rosenberg & Family
Joyce & Sid Rosenhek
Chuck & Fern Rubin & Family
Morley & Shirley Rypp
Adrienne Lawder & Harley Schachter
Sean Shapiro, Kera Borodkin & Family
Dr. David Short
Nadine, Hadera & Jeremy Short
Joel, Judi, Baillie & Samuel Shuster
Naomi Sommer & Family
Kathy Cobor & Gordon Steindel, Rachel & Maury,
& Marissa
Richard & Gemma Swyston
Robyn Rypp, Arnie, Beth & Jacqueline Usiskin
Lorne, Paulette, Allison & Richard Weiss
Noah & Myrna Weiszner
$180 to $300
Tamar Barr
Ruth Bellan
Kenton Smith & Lori Binder
Booke & Partners
France Adams, Stephen Brodovsky & Family
Jennifer Blumenthal & Daniel Bubis
Ruth & Barney Charach
Baillie Klein & Daniel Chisick
Dr. Harvey & Michelle Chochinov
Zivy & Dolly Chudnow
Brownie & Harold Fleishman
Charles and Beverley Golden
Faigie Greaves
Roberta & Larry Hurtig
Mel & Karyn Lazareck
Laurie Shapiro & Rick Lee
Sherri Walsh & Louis Ludwig
Judy & Bill Mahon
Howard & Hope Morry and Family
Rory & Barb Paul
Gail Thau and Reuben Potash
Robert & Glory Pudavick
Gordon Pullan
Beverly Reisman & Ed Rosenblat
Robert Rosenblat
Susan & Gerald Rosenby
Marie Barrett, Jeffrey, Daniel and Beth Schachter
Shelley Shearer School of Dance
Shinewald Family
Sam & Carol Simkin & Family
Frank & Gail Spivak
Fay Swartz
Brenlee Carrington Trepel & Brent Trepel
Michael & Jean Usiskin
Irv & Toby Vinsky
$100 to $150
Art Upholstery
Louise Sloane & Aaron Berg
Michelle & David Berkowits
Mark & Sharon Berkowitz & Family
Dr. & Mrs. Barry Bermack
Keevin & Faren Bernstein
Shelley & Ben Blum
Mimi and Ariel Breitman
Shirley & Larry Brown & Family
Linda & Ed Calnitsky & Family
Avrom & Fayanne Charach
Mr. & Mrs. Jack Cohen
Shalom & Terry Coodin
Hennie & Rick Corrin
Dr. & Mrs. Mitch Cosman
Michael Werier & Lainey Danzker
Ethel & Zvi Dil
Economy Furniture
Joe & Bernice Elfenbaum
Morley Bernstein & Terri Erlichman
Dr. Sidney Fleisher
Robert & Shirley Freedman
Robert & Miral Gabor
Merle & Marvin Garfinkel & Family
Shael Glesby
Dr. & Mrs. Ben Goldberg
Beth & Bobby Goldberg & Family
David & Nessie Greenberg
Justice Robert Carr & Justice Shawn Greenberg
Evelyn and Larry Hecht
Sue & Frank Hechter
Sara Israels
Penny & Gerald Kalef
Esther Katz
Dr. Robert & Terri Kaufmann
Jean & Bob Kopstein
Sheldon Laveman
Dr. P. Bedder & Mr. W. Leach
Ellen & Stewart Leibl & Family
Dr. Gary Levine
Yetta & Jack Levit
Dr. & Mrs. Jack Lipkin, Marissa & Hailey
Barb Hutcheson & Jeff Marantz
Bonnie Berry & Randy Marchinko
Elaine & Neil Margolis
Marv & Ruth Meltzer
Sam Miller
Martin & Mavis Minuck
Marla Shragge & Howie Nerman
Lisa Odwak & Justin
Paula Gardner & Terry Parsonage
Sylvia & Earl Pitch
Stephen Plotkin
Norman & Sheila Portnoy
Sherna & Gerry Posner
Reider Insurance Services
Sid & Hinda Ritter
Harriet & Elliot Rodin
Sheryl Rosenberg
Dr. Les & Lara Rykiss & Family
Meyer Rypp & Associates
Dr. Rochelle Schwartz
Betty and Sam Searle
Joseph & Diane Silverberg
Faith and Marvin Slutchuk
Rob & Dawn Soloway
Merrill & Shayna Shulman
Kitty Silver
Norman & Heather Silver
Mr. & Mrs. Sam Simcoff & Family
Shelley Werner & Saul Simmonds
Evita & Lyle Smordin
people who have generously supported us this past year.
Dr. Michael Thomas & Dr. Reena Sommer
& Family
Donnie and Allan Stern
Mia Elfenbaum and Marshall Stitz
Susan Riley and David Thompson
Marcia Knight, Ira Udow, Sean & Sara Udow
Linda Waldman
Sharon & Barry Weinstein, Marshall & Courtney
Mira, Ken, Leah & Anna Zaifman
Ken & Magda Zelickson
Under $100
Allan & Leslie Abosh
Reeva Abrams
Tom & Helen Aldor
Rosa, Karen & Danielle Appel
Donald & Beverly Aronovitch
Reesa & Michael Averbach
Robert & Allison Axelrod & Family
Sharna & Ken Baron
Baruch Family
Allan & Lynne Becker
Dick & Minnie Bell
Lorne & Marilyn Billinkoff & Family
Susan & Errol Billinkoff, Jordan & Asher
Dr. & Mrs. B. Binder
Jodi, Israel, Gilad & Oren Binnun
June Black
Jeanette & Sam Block
Shirley Book
Ruth & Myron Borden
Avrian Boroditsky
Carol Matas & Per Brask
In Memory of Lucille & Irving Bricker
Debby & Bob Brown
Morris & Eleanor Burke
Sheri Winters & Bruce Caplan
Myra Wolch & Saul Cherniack
Sherry & Ben Chochinov
Syd & Linda Cohen
Naomi & Sheppy Coodin
Arnie Cooper
Cheryl, Joel, Adeena & Joshua Cooperband
Dr. Gary Hyman & Miriam Corne
Eileen Curtis
Deborah Fleishman & Sid Dashefsky
Jerry & Darlene Davis
Dale Lynn Dawydiuk
Dempsey Family
Heather Leonoff & David Deutscher
Leslie Malkin & Jeff Diamond
Lisa Diamond-Burchuk
Chana Thau & Dr. Michael Eleff
Mr. & Mrs. Zivey Feldman
Judy Elliott, Allan Fineblit & Family
Manuel & Pearl Fink
Trudy & Larry Flynn
David Freedman
Norman & Leona Freedman & Family
Joan & Greg Friesen
Chuck & Lil Frohlich
Morgan & Tracie Ganetsky
Esther Gardner
Nikki Kagan & Elliot Garfinkel & Family
Brian & Marni Gertenstein, Doheny Securities
Heather Gillman
Jerrold & Beth Goldenberg
Bernie Goldstein & Family
Shirley Goltsman
Bruce & Dina Granove
Barb, Coleman & Jonathan Green
Hart Greenberg & Family
Rose Greenberg
Gunn’s Bakery
Dr. & Mrs. Donald Gutkin
Mayer & Toby Gutwilik
Ted & Gail Hechter
Joel & Kathy Hershfield
Lil & Ben Hirt
Morley & Debbie Hoffman
Sandy & Murray Hyman
Lanny & Marni Jacob
Howard, Sharon, Matthew, Ryan
& Michael Jesierski
Mrs. Helen Kahane
Barbara Kaplan
Gary Karp
Jack & Lesly Katz
Melvyn & Betty Katz
Sheila & Don Katz
Glenna & Michael Kay
Howard Kideckel
Zel Kimelman
Sheldon & Jacki Koven
Hy & Simma Kraitberg
Cara & Jonathan Kroft
Benson & Sharon Labinsky
Rissa Lang
Jack & Zina Lazareck
Kerry Halprin & Richard Leipsic
Evelyn & Michael Lemer
Gerald Levin
Debbie & Easton Lexier
Sam & Sandi Malamud
In Memory of Allan Mandel
Rita & Sheldon Margolis, Shelley, Josh,
Simone & Leon
Philip & Miriam Maltz
Sylvia Meyers
Faye Parks Micay
Irv & Susan Micflikier
Ricki & Gary Miles & family
Joe & Rose Mindell
Tannis, Sheldon & Drew Mindell
Sharon, Lewis, Illana & Alexie Minuk
Ara & Jeff Morris
Gertie Nepon
Mel Neuman
Miriam & Ralph Neuman
Jack & Sarah Offman
Steve & Lindsey Offman
Harvey & Shelley Oman
Henny & Abraham Paritsky
Ruby Pauley
Marvin & Shirley Pearlman
David & Rona Perlov & Family
Shirley & David Permack
Rochelle Pincovich
Michael, Kathy, Leah & Adam Pinx
Max Polinsky
Bradley & Yolanda Pollock
Toby & Gordon Pollock
Sam & Marcia Potter
Cheryl Rayter & Jerry Pritchard
Daniel Putter & Family
Judith Putter
Rochelle Putter
David & Sheila Rabb
Ross & Carrie Ransby
Barry & Lorraine Reiner
Robyn Gertenstein & James Richardson
Ron, Dawn Rittberg & Family
Clara & Barry Roy
Jerry Rubin & Kim Hirt
Harvey & Toby Sawyer
Rebecca & Alan Schacter
Bert & Elaine Schaffer
Sharon Shell
Rana & Morris Shenkarow
Jack & Laurie Solomon
Noel & Andy Solomon
Rena & Ryan Solomon
Shayla Solomon
Phyllis Spigelman
Judy Steele
G & P Stemler
Archie & Shirley Stone
Martin & Arla Strauss
Val & Jeff Thompson & Family
Dr. & Mrs. H. Tregobov
Gnessie Vickar
Carol Leszcz & Rob Waldman
Bella & Danny Weinberg
Denah & Frank Weinfeld
In Loving Memory of our Parents,
Philip & Gertrude Weiss
Jono & Lisa Werier
Marshall & Phyllis Wilder
Larry, Barbara, Gabriel & Bailey Winestock
Paul, Jackie, Josh & Benji Winestock
Eric & Francie Winograd
Susan Wolch
Bev Werbuk, Randy Wolfe & Family
Brenda Yakir
Anita Wortzman & Ron Yurman
Fraydel Yamron
Paul & Fraya Zaidman & Family
Israel & Minnie Zalik
Alex & Harriet Zimmer & Family
Linda Rumberg & Jeanette Zimmer
We apologize for any errors or omissions
Auditions
T h a n k Yo u
for Chai
DANCERS: Auditions are being held on
SUNDAY, MAY 30 for male and female
dancers. Applicants must be 16 years of
age or older and have a passion for jazz,
ballet or modern dance & world music.
Call to receive an application form and
to sign up.
SINGERS & MUSICIANS: These
auditions are held by appointment
only. Contact us to set up your
audition – 477-7497.
Sincere thanks to the following who
have been so generous to Chai with
their time over the past year:
Zack Antel
Cheryl & Earl Barish
Marie Barrett
Maxim Berent
Rob Berkowits
Lori Binder
Ray Blumenfeld
Bryan Buchalter
Neil Cameron
Arun Chaturvedi
Rietta Floom
Janet Frohlich
Arnie Frohlich
Sadira Garfinkel
Eva Golden
Deborah Kasner
Margaret Kasner
Fay-Lynn Katz
Paul Leinburd
Keith Levit
Laurie Mainster
Manitoba Theatre
Centre
Jordan Nepon
Allan Nepon
Lisa Odwak
Kristjanna Oleson
Kinzey Posen
Joel Remis
Stephen Rosenfield
Alex Serebnitski
Nadine Short
David Short
Tatyana Smolyaninov
Sarah Sommer
Gordon Steindel
Lina Streltsov
Gemma Swyston
David Vamos
CHAI SINGERS & MUSICIANS IN CONCERT
Join us at the Park Theatre for another CD release celebration! This live
performance by our singers and musicians will take place at 8:00 pm. Limited
seating!
Tickets are $10 each if purchased by May 24th or $15 each if
purchased after May 24th or at the door (if still available).
Call the Chai office 477-7497 to get yours now.
Mazal Tov
Sarah and Chai
With Love,
Hillel, Marlaina, Jordana & Micah Sommer
ANNUAL
SALE
S U N D AY – J U N E 1 3 t h
Delicious brand name ice cream at greatly reduced
prices! Get ready for summer! Order forms available
from our website www.chai.mb.ca, the Chai office
477-7497 or the Gray Academy. Pre-order and pick
up your ice cream from the Asper Campus or delivery
available in some areas.
DID YOU KNOW
THAT YOU CAN
NOW DONATE
SHARES ?
Chai is now set up with TD
Waterhouse to be able to accept
marketable securities. Donating
publicly traded securities and
mutual funds that have appreciated
in price can be very advantageous.
When you choose this option, there is
no capital gains tax as opposed to tax
on 50% of the capital gains if you sold
or redeemed the securities and donated
the cash. Call us for more information or
to be put in touch with Jason Macdonald,
Investment Advisor at TD Waterhouse.
Wanderings
by
Tr a c y K a s n e r G r e a v e s ,
Artistic Director
When you open up your album and remove your CD from the spot inside its cover, you
will notice a special tribute inside; it was thoughtfully placed so it quietly emerges.
I suspect I know the author of these exact words and its sentiment. I know I’ve said
something like this and the directors before me have said something like it too. In fact,
this is almost the exact same tribute that appeared on the inside of the album we
released over 13 year ago.
“Very special thanks to all our families and friends and to 46 years of
dancers, singers, musicians, technical and costume crews, board members and volunteers,
without whose love for and devotion to Chai we would not be here today. Most of all thank you
to our audiences in Winnipeg and throughout North America who have given us the inspiration to
reach new heights year after year.”
For 46 years we’ve all been creating music together - literally. What a wonderful thing to be doing; and
the most infectious way to celebrate being alive. And that’s who we are – Chai - the not so little
group from Winnipeg who has travelled the world bringing the presentations we’ve
crafted, inspired by the original composers of Israeli and Jewish music from all over
the world. Our mission to bring joy and the lessons of our culture is delivered
time after time with great sincerity and pride.
The music on this album thoughtfully wanders through twists and turns. The
sounds are new and old; the harmonies and arrangements have been carefully
sculpted by the people who have in some way experienced all the journeys of
Chai over the last 46 years, and our nation over several centuries. And
speaking of those people specifically - they deserve special mention for
their vision and dedication to this project. Ariel Posen and Kinzey Posen,
together with Arthur Liffmann, Melissa Hart, Lina Streltsov and David
Vamos, are tremendous individuals and outstanding musical talents.
Special thanks also go to Neil Cameron of Private Ear Recording
Studios. Together, and in their own ways, they considered
every note and nuance of every sound we made. It is their
vision that will lead the next generation of Chai to
is Chai’s 5th album. It is available from the
include the same tribute in the next album.
“WANDERINGS”
Chai office, McNally Robinson Bookstore
in Grant Park and will be soon
available on our website.
A special thank you to the I.L. Peretz Folk School Endowment
Trust for their continued support of Yiddish music.
© Design by MAXIM BERENT and some photographs by KEITH LEVIT PHOTOGRAPHY
And everywhere we’ve been we learn
more; every experience from Kenora to Mexico,
Disney to California, the Sugar Shack to Jerusalem, has
taught us something new. We’ve sung and danced on
busses and airplanes, in parking lots and big gymnasiums, in
beautiful concert halls and in old warehouses. We’ve performed in honour
of soldiers and countries and communities.