Montreal cultural groups urge Ottawa to act quickly on its pledge to fight antisemitism
A growing number of cultural community leaders are urging the federal government to act quickly against antisemitism, which they say has reached a disturbing level in Canada. Over 25 Montreal organizations, predominantly representing racialized minorities, signed on to a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his antisemitism envoy Irwin Cotler urging the government to […]
Amateur genealogists can now contribute to Holocaust records thanks to Stanley Diamond’s JRI-Poland working with Yad Vashem
Yad Vashem—the World Holocaust Remembrance Centre in Jerusalem—and Jewish Records Indexing-Poland (JRI), a non-profit organization co-founded and headed by Stanley Diamond of Montreal, announced a landmark agreement to partner through technology. The partnership recognizes the importance of amateur genealogists in advancing Yad Vashem’s mission when their contribution is supported by hard data and does not […]
Architects worldwide are being invited to design a new Montreal Holocaust Museum
An international architectural competition has been launched by the Montreal Holocaust Museum (MHM) for the design of its new building downtown, projected to open in 2025. The MHM is looking for submissions that “creatively address the importance of Holocaust remembrance sites and the education of future generations about the dangers of hatred, antisemitism and racism.” […]
Ronen Hoffman, the new Israeli ambassador to Canada, is set to arrive in time for Hanukkah 2021
After more than two years without a new ambassador at 50 O’Connor St. in Ottawa, Israel’s new ambassador to Canada is about to start his new job. Embassy officials say Ronen Hoffman arrives in Canada this Sunday, and presents his credentials to Canada’s Governor General Mary Simon in December at Rideau Hall. Hoffman, 58, is […]
The beloved song ‘Hava Nagila’ has come to life in a children’s book by an author from Montreal
She is a Jewish woman who wears a traditional Indian sari, but was born in a Ukrainian shtetl. And although she is now almost two centuries old, she still dances across the globe bringing the same delight she always has to Jewish people, whether they are celebrating or enduring hardship. Her name is Hava Nagila […]
Montreal’s YM-YWHA is rebuilding after a long COVID closure
After being shuttered for 15 months, the Sylvan Adams YM-YWHA in Montreal is on the path to resuming full operations and a renewed sense of purpose, its officials reported at the organization’s 111th annual general meeting on Nov. 17. The Y, like all gyms, was forced to close in March 2020 under the Quebec government’s […]
Sonny Moroz is the only Jewish Montreal councillor after Lionel Perez lost in a close race in the municipal election
Sonny Moroz will be the sole Jewish member of Montreal’s 65-seat city council, following the stunning loss by veteran councillor and official opposition leader Lionel Perez, who did not contest his election results by the Nov. 11 deadline. “It’s a dream come true,” said Moroz, 31, who has been involved with politics since his teens. […]
‘Incredible experience’ to complete his NYC Marathon: Montrealer raised $7,547 for Holocaust survivors
Overcame physical and extremely challenging mental strain to complete the world’s largest marathon.
IHRA definition of antisemitism and language laws are issues in a close Montreal mayoralty race
Ahead of the City of Montreal election Nov. 6-7, former mayor Denis Coderre is banking on the affection he engendered in the Jewish community during his single 2013-2017 term. By contrast, incumbent mayor Valérie Plante, who upset Coderre four years ago, did not garner such popularity nor seek it with the determination her main rival […]
Montreal council’s ‘dean’ Marvin Rotrand tapped to run B’nai Brith Canada’s League for Human Rights
In the early 1980s, an unassuming young Jewish teacher found himself taking on the autocratic administration of Montreal mayor Jean Drapeau. The grievance was the arbitrary cancellation of a bus route in the Snowdon district providing a vital link from the West End to downtown. Marvin Rotrand spearheaded a petition that collected 10,000 names and […]
