In a move that has sent shockwaves through Winnipeg’s Jewish community, Congregation Shaarey Zedek and the Jewish Heritage Centre have appointed Premier Wab Kinew as the lead reader for the 17th annual Yom Hashoah Interfaith Commemoration. This decision comes at a time when Kinew’s recent actions—most notably his participation at an iftar hosted by CPAM and his public associations with controversial figures like Ramsey Zeid—have raised serious questions about his commitment to Jewish values and the sanctity of Holocaust remembrance.
Concerned community members reached out to Shaarey Zedek to express their alarm over Wab Kinew serving as the lead reader at an upcoming event. They pointed to his frequent appearances alongside the Zeids and other individuals known for their antisemitic views—figures who actively participate in Palestinian rallies and promote Jew hatred in Winnipeg. Many also highlighted his decision to invite Ramsey Zeid to the Leg and present him with an award, viewing these associations as a serious indication of his unsuitability for such a sacred community event and a potential safety risk.
The outrage did not stop there. Outraged community members have fired back with scathing remarks:
- “Bullshit. He [Kinew] knows what’s going on and doesn’t give a shit. Aka – on bended knee for a jihadist.”
- “Having our ‘voices’ heard doesn’t help dead Jews.”
- “They can focus on remembrance with another speaker.”
- “Wab’s party and government lean towards jihad and their extremist supporters.”
- “Why include a politician who stands with the Zeid family and Palestinians who call for intifada and death to Jews? This is shameful. He does not stand with the Jewish community. NDP stands against Israel.”
In response to these concerns, a spokesperson for Congregation Shaarey Zedek replied:
“We received many calls about this when the ad went out today. We are taking the community’s concerns very seriously. As you are probably aware our synagogue is a strong supporter of Israel and regularly includes the prayer for Israel and the IDF in our prayer services. We are planning a session with Allied Voices for Israel later this month about Zionism, Israel, and Antisemitism. We care very much and would not want to do something to offend or endanger our congregants or community. We are trying to navigate the delicate political position this has put us in. The Premier has been very supportive of the synagogue over the years and has been a regular reader at this event. We want to keep him “in the tent” if we hope to have our voices heard. I hope we will be able to find a way to resolve this peacefully so people can focus on remembrance.”
The final line—“We want to keep him ‘in the tent’ if we hope to have our voices heard”—has ignited particularly fierce backlash. Critics argue that such a rationale reduces a solemn commemoration into a political bargaining chip, sacrificing the core values of remembrance and community safety for political expediency.
For many, Premier Kinew’s visible camaraderie with figures who actively promote Jew-hatred, including his association with the Zeid family and his participation in events alongside extremist supporters, signals a dangerous alignment that undermines the integrity of the Jewish community. The decision to feature him as the lead reader is seen not only as a misstep but as an outright betrayal of the trust placed in community leaders to honor and protect the legacy of the Holocaust. The decision also risks fracturing community solidarity at a time when clear, principled leadership is most needed.
As voices of dissent grow louder, Winnipeg’s Jewish community is calling on its leadership to reconsider this decision and prioritize the sanctity of remembrance over political leverage. The current controversy serves as a stark reminder that in times of rising antisemitism and political polarization, compromising on fundamental values is a risk no community can afford.