Asper Community Shabbat Program

In April 2024, The Asper Foundation established the Asper Community Shabbat (Sabbath) Program which is delivered in collaboration with the Rady Jewish Community Centre. The inaugural Shabbat was hosted by the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada and invited guests from the Bear Clan Patrol which led a very moving smudging ceremony in an outdoor courtyard. The second Shabbat was held in September 2024 and hosted by the Jewish Child and Family Service with invited guests from the General Child and Family Services Authority.  It included a powerful presentation by a young Winnipeg lawyer who discussed how Jewish Child and Family Service helped him through a very challenging childhood.  The third Shabbat was held in November 2024 and hosted by the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg  https://www.jewishwinnipeg.org/  with invited guests from Winnipeg’s Filipino community.   It included incredible entertainment from the Filipino and Jewish communities.  A highlight of the evening was guests of both groups joining in a stirring rendition of Leonard Cohen’s song Hallelujah. The fourth Shabbat was held in January 2025 and hosted by the Congregation Etz Chayim with invited guests from the Gurudwara Winnipeg South Sikh Centre.  It was an extraordinary evening of joy and unity where both groups shared in their diverse traditions which were embraced and celebrated by all.

These special events are held periodically on Fridays at the Asper Jewish Community Campus in Winnipeg and bring together host Jewish organizations and invited community groups to foster cross-cultural understanding and reflection.

The evenings including a delicious traditional Shabbat dinner are attended by approximately 50 people equally divided by the hosts and invited organizations with both participating in the Shabbat by contributing educational programming on their cultural/religious traditions and practices. The Shabbats help with community-building, reflection and cross-cultural education. Through the Asper Community Shabbat Program, we aim to deepen our understanding of one another and create a more connected and inclusive society.