WINNIPEG — Although Ariel Karabelnicoff, executive director of Israel Bonds in Winnipeg, left the organization at the end of August, the traditional Rosh Hashanah appeal for bonds purchases will take place as usual, Bonds officials say.

Karabelnicoff worked for Israel Bonds for two years, and during that time, the total value of bond purchases in the city climbed significantly, reaching $3 million.

Yona Gazit, Bonds’ national executive vice-president, said that Israel Bonds wishes Karabelnicoff “the best of luck in his new position [with Oreck Canada]. It’s our intention to look for a replacement for him. In the meantime, we will ensure that there will be someone to administer the [annual Rosh Hashanah] campaign. I can’t tell you who, because I don’t know yet.”

Although he acknowledged that “the situation is not ideal,” Gazit emphasized that “sales in Winnipeg are going on and are clients are being served.”

He added that “clients can reach us through our 1-800 number or through our website, and service will be given.”

Gazit said Bonds has not decided whether it will hire a part-time or full-time employee for its Winnipeg office. He noted that prior to Karabelnicoff being hired, the office was staffed for many years on a part-time basis.

Gazit noted that although Bonds doesn’t have a staff person or offices in Saskatoon, Regina, or Edmonton, “clients are doing business with us and being served.”

“Currently, there is a part-time administrator in our offices in Calgary. We have not had a director in Calgary since our former director retired about a year ago,” Gazit said.

Israel Bonds briefly considered merging the Calgary and Winnipeg offices, “but we decided against it as we didn’t think our clients could effectively be served,” Gazit added.

“Although in the United States, quite a few offices of Israel Bonds have merged or closed, it is not on our agenda to do this in Winnipeg,” he said.