← North Star with Ellin Bessner2 Oct · 28 min

Honourable Menschen: The King of Kensington’s creator, a Holocaust historian, an Elvis-loving philanthropist and two rabbis

Honourable Menschen: The King of Kensington’s creator, a Holocaust historian, an Elvis-loving philanthropist and two rabbis2 Oct28 min

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Television producer Perry Rosemond, who died Sept. 11 in Las Vegas, helped create some of the most iconic Canadian television of his generation, especially The King of Kensington, but also brought Mr. Dressup and Hockey Night in Canada to the small screen. The kid from Winnipeg’s North End went on to make it big in Toronto and Hollywood over a 50-year career, helping launch the careers of Martin Short, Howie Mandel and other Canadian comedians.

Rosemond is one of five notable Jewish Canadians who recently died and whose lives we profile in the High Holidays Yizkor episode of Honourable Menschen, a recurring series on The CJN’s North Star podcast.

We also pay tribute to another Winnipegger, philanthropist Tova Vickar, the daughter of Holocaust survivors who left her beloved adopted country of Israel for what she thought would be a short adventure in Manitoba. Her devotion to helping others—including Winnipeg’s Filipino community—was matched by her love of Elvis Presley’s music.

Canadian Holocaust historian and author Franklin Bialystok received a new liver, that extended his life by nearly 30 years. During that time, he became an expert on the experiences of Holocaust survivors after they arrived in Canada.

We also remember two Montreal rabbis. Rabbi Leigh Lerner, a social justice pioneer, served at Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom for nearly a quarter-century, fighting human trafficking and advocating for the inclusion of LGBTQ+ Jews and interfaith couples in the Reform congregation. About five kilometres away, Conservative Rabbi Ronnie Cahana led Congregation Beth-El until a devastating stroke left him quadriplegic. He continued teaching and creating from his bed in long-term care for another 15 years.

On today’s episode, The CJN’s obituary columnist, Heather Ringel, joins host Ellin Bessner with audio and anecdotes about these five memorable Canadians.