Let’s welcome Dr. Rena Secter Elbaze to the OJC. Dr. Elbaze serves as Executive Director of Winnipeg’s most historic synagogue, Shaarey Zedek, where she is also a member of the lay leadership team. Cultivating her expertise in Israel, Canada, and the French Riviera (ahhhh….), she is excited to step onto the OJC bimah and to connect with our congregation.
Join Dr. Elbaze as she leads us in inspiring and joyous services on Friday night and Saturday morning, during which she’ll share her insights about how ancient Jewish wisdom can inform modern-day decisions.
As ever, we’ll come together for a community potluck dinner before the service (6pm) on Friday evening and we’ll share a potluck Kiddush luncheon after the service on Saturday. We encourage attendees to bring a dairy or pareve side dish to share at each meal.
We look forward to celebrating with you!
This weekend’s Shabbaton kiddush is generously sponsored by Shirley Schneider, in memory of her husband, Aubrey Schneider, z”l, on the occasion of his first yahrzeit.
Friday, April 12
6:00 pm – Potluck Shabbat dinner
7:00 pm – Kabbalat Shabbat service
Saturday, April 13
10:00 am – Shabbat morning service
12:00 pm (ish) – Potluck Kiddush luncheon
7:00pm – Philosoper’s Kaffeehaus: An emotional and informative evening led by Dr. Elbaze and the OJC’s Harley Kushmier. The evening’s program will include a little bissel of kibbitzing and a lot of thoughtful discussion about recent events, and how and why the media controls Israel’s public image.
Dr. Elbaze Bio:
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Rena earned her bachelor’s degree in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies from the University of Manitoba and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1985.
In the fall of 1986, Rena went to work and study in France. While living in Nice, she met her husband and started a family. She spent over 20 years on the French Riviera teaching in institutions of higher learning – among other things, Marketing and Business – while working on her doctorate. Dr. Elbaze graduated in 1999 from the University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis, France, with a Doctoral degree in Communications, dealing with Israel’s Image in the Media.
Along with her husband and three daughters, Rena, returned to Canada in January 2007 to work in the field of Economic Development and Branding.
Before she was appointed as Congregation’s Shaarey Zedek’s Executive Director, she was the Director of Engagement and Education. She previously worked for the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg and Jewish Child and Family Services. In addition to her full-time commitments, Dr. Elbaze has taught Business, Marketing, and Communications courses through the University of Manitoba.