JEWISH COMEDY FEST
A Jewish Comedy Fest to benefit Chabad’s Jewish Monkland Centre for young adults takes place at Oscar Peterson Hall. Doors open 6:30 p.m. Comedy Central’s Orny Adams, Ari Teman of New York, and Montreal’s Ryan Wilner are featured. Tickets, ww.jewishcomedyfest.com.
FOR SINGLES
A soirée for Jewish singles aged 25-35 will be held at Beth Zion Congregation, in conjunction with B’nai Brith. Live DJ, speed dating and refreshments. Reservations only, Rhona, 489-8411, ext. 35.
BOTWINIK’S MUSIC
Original Yiddish music by David Botwinik, who taught in Montreal Jewish schools for many years, will be presented in a concert titled “From Holocaust to Life” at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts, in association with the Jewish Public Library, 2 p.m. The music will be performed by soprano Lisa Wilson, pianist Elena Berman and guest Philip Goldig. Vilna-born Botwinik and son Alexander have published a book of the same name with his compositions. Tickets, 739-7944.
BERGMAN AT CUMMINGS
MNA Lawrence Bergman speaks on “The Quebec of Tomorrow” 10 a.m., Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors. Joyce, 342-1234, ext. 7318.
ISRAELI AID TO HAITI
The photography exhibit Israeli Heroes in Haiti is on view at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts, in collaboration with the Israeli Consulate. Photojournalist Joe Shalmoni captured Israel’s relief efforts soon after the January 2010 earthquake. The exhibit is in conjunction with Woumble/Farbrengen, a show by Haitian and Jewish artists during the Montreal International Yiddish Theatre Festival.
HEFTER AT SHUL
CJAD sportscaster Abe Hefter is guest speaker at Shaare Zedek Men’s Club Father’s Day breakfast, 9:30 a.m. Reservations, 484-1122.
YIDDISH PLAY
Israel’s sole Yiddish theatre, Yiddishpiel, opens The Megillah of Itzik Manger at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts, with English and French supertitles. The musical comedy, based on the beloved poet’s work, retells the biblical story of Esther through the eyes of a group of tailors and seamstresses. It continues until July 3. Tickets, 739-7944.
POLISH JEWISH HERITAGE
Artist Rita Briansky discusses “The Unexpected Guest: Paintings and Music, Portraying the Polish Jewish Heritage,” at a Beth Ora Seniors meeting, 1:30 p.m. 342-1234, ext. 7318.
SPEED DATING
Speed dating for Jewish singles 35-50, Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom, 7:30 p.m. Register, Heidi, 937-3575, ext. 217.
FOR SINGLES 50 PLUS
Ruth Budovitch speaks on “The Mind-Body Connection: Anti-Stress Strategies” at an evening for Jewish singles over 50 at Beth Zion Congregation. Reservations, Rhona, 489-8411, ext. 35.
DIALOGUE GROUP
The Montreal Dialogue Group holds its annual general meeting There are executive openings for those interested in Jewish-Arab relations. For venue, contact Deena Roskies, 483-5763.
SOCIAL MEDIA WORKSHOP
A workshop on the basics of social networking will be given by Tammy Halpern, Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom, 7-9 p.m. Bring your own laptop computer. Register, [email protected].
JWIC ENDS SEASON
The Chomedey Chapter of Jewish Women International of Canada holds its closing dinner of the season, 7 p.m., Manhattan Steak House. Featuring singer/musician Greg Innes. 450-688-0026.
Yoav Talmi, the popular Israeli artistic director of the Orchestre Symphonique de Québec, has conducted his final concert. He’s stepping down after leading the orchestra since 1998. Two years ago, he was made an officer of the National Order of Quebec…
Dan Handel, a PhD candidate in architecture at Israel’s Technion, has been chosen the 2011 Young Curator by the Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA). He was selected from some 250 applicants from around the world for the program. A graduate of Jerusalem’s Bezalel Academy of Art and Harvard’s graduate school of design, Handel was picked for his project about modern forestry’s relationship to architecture and landscape design. He’ll develop an exhibit at the CCA next year on his wish to see forests taken into account in design. He’ll be in residence at the CCA for three months…
Toronto-based financier Lawrence Bloomberg and Manulife Financial have created an annual $50,000 academic prize at McGill University to promote research into healthy lifestyles. It was established with two $1-million donations, one from Bloomberg, who graduated with an MBA from McGill in 1965, and the other from Manulife. The prize will reward a researcher at a North American university studying factors that contribute to well-being… Actor William Shatner and singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen have made the shortlist of 20 for “The Greatest McGillian of All Time.” Some 700 nominations came in from around the world, and a committee whittled them down. Voting is taking place online and will continue through the summer, with the winner named in September as part of McGill’s 190th anniversary. Visit www.mcgill.ca/aoc/ greatest-mcgillians… Montreal-born U.S. real estate and media magnate Mortimer Zuckerman received an honorary doctorate from McGill, his alma mater.
Cecile Klein celebrated her 104th birthday at the final session of the season of the Jewish General Hospital (JGH) Mini-Med School June 1. Klein was the oldest “graduate” of the lecture series, now in its ninth season. The topic of the final lecture, by Dr. Cleve Ziegler, was “Private Parts: An Update in Gynecology and Women’s Health”… Dr. Philip Gordon, director of colon and rectal surgery at the JGH and a McGill professor, received the Masters in Colorectal Surgery Award from the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons in recognition of his contributions to the specialty. He’s only the second recipient, and the only non-American to have been president of the society…
Christina Gold was invested as an honorary colonel of the 51st Ambulance de campagne regiment of the Canadian Forces at a ceremony in Montreal. She retired last year as president and chief executive officer of the Western Union Company, based in Englewood, Colo. Many Montrealers remember when she was president of Avon North America. She has since been repeatedly recognized by Fortune magazine as among America’s 50 Most Powerful Women in Business… Comedian Robby Hoffman, a hit at the recent Le Mood Alternative Jewish Festival, performs her one-woman show Robby Hoffman: Autobiography at the Montreal Fringe Festival, June 17-9 at Café Campus. As the seventh child of a hearing-impaired Jewish mother of 10, a lesbian and an ex-accountant, she’s had plenty of material…
Fifteen current and future leaders in the Montreal Jewish day school system, are taking part in a 2-1/2-year McGill University educational leadership certificate program. It’s funded by the Jewish Community Foundation Leadership Institute. A recent speaker was Gail Baker, head of the Toronto Heschel School.
