Friday, Feb. 22
AISH HATORAH RABBI
Rabbi Motty Berger from Aish HaTorah speaks tonight at Adath Israel Congregation and again tomorrow morning, afternoon and night, after the Megillah reading. www.adath.ca.
ISRAEL’S FOUNDING
Sherry Steinberg discusses “The Founding of Israel and the 1948 War,” at the Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors, 10 a.m. Joyce, 514-342-1234, ext. 7318.
Saturday, Feb. 23
ISRAELI FILM
The Israeli movie By Summer’s End by Noah Haroni will be screened, with English subtitles, at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts at 8 p.m., by the Jewish Public Library. Karen Gazith, formal education director at the Bronfman Jewish Education Centre, will introduce the film, set in 1978 following the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt. Tickets available online at www.segalcentre.org.
PURIM CRAWL
Those in their 20s and 30s are invited to a Purim Crawl by Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom’s Next Dor. Starting at 9 p.m., revellers will visit parties around the city dressed in costume, which can be provided. Reservations, [email protected].
Sunday, Feb. 24
PURIM FESTIVITIES
Free Hebrew for Juniors holds a carnival with brunch, drum circle, art workshop, DJ and Megillah reading, 10 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at the Karnak Shriners, 3350 des Sources Rd., Dollard des Ormeaux. 514-735-2259.
Italy will be the theme of the party at Congregation Zichron Kedoshim, which includes a buffet featuring that country’s cuisine, at 11:30 a.m. 514-735-2113.
A Megillah reading for women by women will be held at the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue at noon. Costumes encouraged, children welcome. Shelley, 514-489-9094.
Chabad Queen Mary throws a ’60s-themed “groovy” feast, with games, skit and music by Shmelvis, at 5:30 p.m. Reservations, 514-738-3434, ext. 21.
The Chevra synagogue is holding a children’s carnival at 3 p.m., followed by dinner and an evening of entertainment for adults. Tickets, 514-482-3366.
A family Megillah reading takes place at Adath Israel Congregation at 8:15 a.m., followed by brunch and a costume contest. 514-482-4252.
In the Eastern Townships, the holiday will be celebrated in Sutton at the John Sleeth Community Centre at 4:30 p.m. It’s organized by the Jews of Brome County and Chabad of Sherbrooke, led by Rabbi Moishe Notik and his wife, Miriam. “Weekenders” are welcome at this Megillah reading, banging of Haman with graggers and buffet. [email protected].
Monday, Feb. 25
INTERFAITH FAMILIES
A forum on “Grandparenting in an Interfaith Family” will be held at Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom from 7-9 p.m., led by Rabbi Lisa Grushcow. Reservations, 514-937-3575, ext. 213.
BOOK DISCUSSION
The novel The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan will be the focus of the Mother-Daughter Book Discussion Group at the Jewish Public Library at 7 p.m. This event, led by librarian Penny Fransblow, is open to girls in Grade 5 and up and their moms. Registration, 514-345-2627, ext. 3028.
Tuesday, Feb. 26
ON ANTISEMITISM
Shalem Coulibaly, philosophy professor and secretary general of the Université de Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso, lectures on “Sub-Saharan Africa, Globalization and Antisemitism” at McGill University, Leacock 738, 5:30 p.m. It’s part of an Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy series. www.isgap.org.
REFORM JUDAISM
Rabbi Lisa Grushcow discusses “Reform Judaism: Present and Future” 12-1:30 p.m. at Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom. Bring a dairy lunch. Reservations, Rosie, 514-937-3575, ext. 213.
TALMUDIC LESSON
The Aleph Centre d’études juives contemporaines, directed by Sonia Sarah Lipsyc, presents “Une leçon talmudique pour toutes et tous” from 7-8:30 p.m. at its Beth Hamidrash in Cummings House. Teacher David Glassman explores the divergence of opinions in the Talmud. http://soniasarahlipsyc.canalblog.com.
Wednesday, Feb. 27
COOKING CLASS
Prime Time, the Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors’ West Island division, presents “Cooking with Shawna” for Passover, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., at Loblaws in Dollard des Ormeaux. Tickets, 514-624-5005, ext. 230.
Cummings also offers music appreciation with Robert Markow, 1-3 p.m. at the main centre. Tickets, 514-342-1234, ext. 7348.
MOVIE MAVEN
Gazette columnist Bill Brownstein talks about the Oscars, Golden Globes and other movie news at a meeting of the FAB (Fifty and Beyond) Group of Act to End Violence Against Women, 1:30 p.m. at Loblaws, 6600 St. Jacques St. W. Reservations, 514-487-2330.
LIFE AND DEATH
Rabbi Allan Nadler begins a four-part series at Congregation Beth-El on “Jewish Perspectives on Matters of Life and Death,” 8 p.m. The first session is on “Birth Control and Abortion: When Does Human Life Begin?” Registration, 514-738-4766.
ISRAEL’S HISTORY
McGill University history professor Harold Waller speaks on “From the Balfour Declaration to the Six Day War (1917-1967)” at a session of the Canadian Institute for Jewish Research’s Student Israel Advocacy Program at 5:30 p.m. Reservations, [email protected].
Thursday, Feb. 28
LET’S DANCE
Israeli choreographers Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar bring their contemporary dance Corps de Walk to Canada for the first time at Place des Arts’ Théâtre Maisonneuve at 8 p.m., and again March 1 and 2. The work is performed by 13 members of the Norwegian company Carte Blanche. Eyal is the resident choreographer with Israel’s Batsheva Dance Company. Tickets, laplacedesarts.com.
AT THE SEGAL
Folksinger Chloé Sainte-Marie will be in concert at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts Studio at 8 p.m. She’ll pay tribute to the music of the aboriginal Innu people. Tickets, 514-739-7944.
At 10 p.m., in the Segal’s ArtLounge, Keith Waterfield and Lise Vigneault co-host The Laugh Pack Late Show, featuring local comics.
…Et Cetera…
McGill University’s International Community Action Network (ICAN) opened its newest centre in the Middle East: the Sderot Social Rights Centre in the disadvantaged Israeli town near the Gaza border. This is ICAN’s 11th centre in Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian territories.
