FOOD DRIVE
The Mada Community Centre launches its annual food drive to supply its food bank, two cafeterias and mobile cafeteria that serve needy community members without charge – five million pounds of food a year. Until May 16, food may be dropped off at 23 synagogues, community organizations and other locations. Jewish and other schools are also collecting food. www.fooddrive.madacenter.com.
ELEGANT TABLES
L’Art de la Table, an exhibition of elegantly set tables that’s an annual fundraiser for Congregation Shaar Hashomayim’s Meals-on-Wheels program, is open to the public at the synagogue 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Organized by the sisterhood, the 14th edition features the imaginative creations of some of Montreal’s leading interior designers, from the traditional to the whimsical. The event includes a boutique section and English tea room. Volunteers deliver 5,000 kosher meals a year, cooked at the synagogue, to homebound seniors. 937-9471, ext. 145.
SEX AFTER CANCER
A two-part workshop on “Recovering Your Sex, Dating and Couple Life After Cancer” for people age 18 to 30 begins at the Jewish General Hospital Hope & Cope Wellness Centre, 6-7:30 p.m. Led by psychologist Sylvie Aubin, the workshop continues May 20. Registration, 340-8222, ext. 6865.
IN SHERBROOKE
A “Family Evening of Sephardi and Ashkenazi Storytelling and Song” is held at the Jewish Community Centre of the Eastern Townships in Sherbrooke at 6:30 p.m. Program includes Vermont singer Lewis Franco and a Shabbat potluck supper. 819-812-3118.
YOM YERUSHALAYIM
Celebrate Yom Yerushalayim at Beth Zion Congregation with a special “Shakin’ Up Shabbat” at 8:45 a.m. Following services, participants may choose from three topics, including “Is Jerusalem as a Divided Capital a Legitimate Road to Peace?” led by Lawrence Rosenberg. 489-8411.
SAVE A CHILD
A fashion show in support of the Save a Child’s Heart Foundation, an Israeli-based international humanitarian project, takes place at Théâtre Telus at 8 p.m., featuring local designers. The foundation works to improve pediatric cardiac care for kids in developing countries. For tickets, Daniel Davis, 984-4238.
END OF WAR REMEMBERED
A commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II is organized by the Montreal organization of World War II Russian-speaking veterans at the YM-YWHA Grover auditorium at 2 p.m. Reservations at [email protected].
JEWISH HUMOUR
Columbia University professor Jeremy Dauber talks about “The Power of Jewish Humour” and some classic Jewish comedians. At the YM-YWHA Grover auditorium at 8 p.m. Dessert follows. Tickets, 737-6551, ext. 454.
FEATURE FILM
The Israeli/German movie Pour mon père, about a young Arab terrorist whose abortive attempt at a suicide bombing forces him to spend a weekend among the Israelis he wants to kill, is shown at the Jewish Public Library with French subtitles at 7:30 p.m. Presented with the Alliance Israélite Universelle, the film is followed by a discussion. Tickets, 345-6416.
SENIOR LIFESTYLES
Sheila Goldbloom, a retired McGill University social work professor, speaks at Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom on issues related to being a senior in Montreal, 5-7 p.m.
AVOIDING FRAUD
The RCMP sponsors a session on “How to Avoid Being a Victim of Fraud,” at the Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors, 10:30 a.m. 342-1234, ext. 7207.
BINGO NIGHT
CJAD radio host Dan Laxer is the caller at a bingo night at Congregation Beth-El at 7 p.m. Prizes, auction and refreshments included. Proceeds support youth and education programs at the synagogue. For tickets, call 738-4766.
FLYING SOLO
Flying Solo, a program for active singles aged 55 and up, is launched by the West Island division of the Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors. [email protected].
BOOK LAUNCH
The book Escape, Evasion and Revenge by Marc H. Stevens is launched at the Jewish Public Library at 7:30 p.m., with an introduction by Ethel Roskies. This is the story of Stevens’ late father, a German Jew born George Hein, who, under the name Peter Stevens, became an RAF pilot bombing his native Berlin and a prisoner of war escapee. After the war, he moved to Montreal and married a French-Canadian. Marc and his brother were raised as Catholics. When he started researching this book in 1996, he discovered his Jewish roots, along with his father’s story, much of which has been in secret British government files until now. For tickets, 345-6416.
CELEBRATING JERUSALEM
Yom Yerushalayim is celebrated at Congregation Shaar Hashomayim with “From Jerusalem with Love,” a concert in the Paperman Lobby featuring Cantor Gideon Zelermyer with the synagogue choir under the direction of Stephen Glass, at 7:45 p.m. For tickets, 937-9471.
IN IAN’S MEMORY
The youthful Enigma Dance Productions performs in a theatrical presentation at the Corona Theatre to benefit the Jewish General Hospital. Proceeds go to Vision of Hope, which was created by the family of the late Ian Samberg, who lost his battle with cancer in 2007. It raises funds for improvements to the rooms and equipment on the seventh floor of the JGH’s northwest oncology wing. The original production features talented young dancers from Montreal, Toronto and New York. Enigma’s first fundraiser last year raised $50,000. For tickets, Melanie Weinstein, 378-9190.
Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin’s Minus One is performed by Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal, May 6-8 and 13-15 at Place des Arts’s Théâtre Maisonneuve. Naharin created the work for Les Grands in 2002, and it has become a staple of its repertoire.
Black Bus, a documentary by Israeli director Anat Yuta Zuria, is playing at the Cinéma du Parc. The film follow two young chassidic women’s struggle for greater respect in their community. Black Bus was in the official selection at this year’s Berlin Film Festival.
The fifth Festival du Cinéma Israélien de Montréal continues until May 12 at Cinéma du Parc, the Segal Centre for Performing Arts and the Maison de la Culture Sépharade. The 32 screenings are mainly with French subtitles, but some at the Segal are with English subtitles. www.fcim.ca.
A bus trip to Niagara Falls, including accommodation and tours, is offered by the Chomedey chapter of Jewish Women International of Canada May 11-13. Reservations, Rosalee, 450-681-5335.
Mel Hoppenheim, who has been in the film equipment and studio business for 45 years, received the Academy Achievement Award at the Genie Awards last month.
Businesswoman and philanthropist Joelle Berdugo-Adler is the first recipient of the Laurie Normand-Starr Humanitarian Award at the recent Table of Hope event that raises funds to fight childhood hunger. Berdugo-Adler, who heads the Diesel designer jeans company, created the ONEXONE Foundation in 2005, which provides breakfast to 2,200 children in needy aboriginal communities.
