Thursday, Nov. 10
ELON GOLD STARS
The “Half Jewish, Half Very Jewish”American comedian Elon Gold is the headliner of a gala in support of the Chaya Mushka Seminary at Congregation Shaar Hashomayim at 5 p.m. The honorees are Mary and Norton Segal, who have established the Florence Segal Scholarship at the seminary, a Chabad teacher-training institution for women. Tickets, Sara,733-2221, ext. 236.
FOR MUSIC LOVERS
The Ensemble QAT presents 1938, a concert recalling Europe on the brink of war, narrated by a Jewish music critic, through classical, jazz and klezmer compositions, at the Côte St. Luc public library at 7 p.m. 485-6900.
A recording of a live performance of Puccini’s opera Turandot, conducted by Zubin Mehta, will be presented at Congregation Beth-El at 7:30 p.m. 738-4766.
Pianist Jascha Nemtsov performs music of eastern European Jewish heritage, at McGill University’s Redpath Hall. 398-6543.
MEMORY LOSS PROGRAM
People with memory loss, accompanied by a relative, are being offered a course called “Preserving Your Memories through Creative Arts” at the Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Thursdays to Dec. 15. Registration, 342-1234,ext. 3189.
Friday, Nov. 11
FAMILY DISCOVERY
Psychologist Jack Hirschberg recounts his recent discovery of relatives still living in a shtetl in the Zaglembie area of Poland, at the Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors at 10 a.m. 342-1234, ext. 7318.
MATURE SINGLES
Singles aged 45 and over are invited to a Shabbaton at Congregation Chevra Kadisha, starting with a 5 p.m. cocktail, followed by dinner. Reservations, 482-3366.
Saturday, Nov. 12
RUSSIAN EVENING
“An Evening of Russian Culture: Fall in Love Again,” including singing, dancing and acting in Russian and English, will be held at the Jewish Public Library, 8 p.m. Tickets, 345-6416.
MIDEAST ANALYSIS
Barry Rubin, director of the Global Research in International Affairs Centre in Israel, speaks on the Middle East, noon at the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue.
Sunday, Nov. 13
MYSTERIES OF JUDAISM
Pesach Nussbaum begins a six-part course on “Fascinating Facts: Exploring the Myths and Mysteries of Judaism,” 7:30 p.m. at Chabad Queen Mary. Such issues as the Jewish view of Satan, whether angels have wings, and why pork is considered the quintessential non-kosher food will be addressed. No Jewish background is needed to take these educational and entertaining classes. Registration, www.JLImontreal.com.
BEDSIDE MANNER
Abraham Fuks, professor of medicine and former dean at McGill University, discusses “The Art of Listening in Medicine,” at a Leisure Institute lunch, at Congregation Shaar Hashomayim at noon. Reservations, 937-9471, ext. 139.
Monday, Nov. 14
DAWSON’S MERCHANT
Dawson College’s Professional Theatre Program performs The Merchant of Venice, directed by Jude Beny “with sensitivity, panache and humour” at the Dawson Theatre. Previews tonight and Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m., regular run Nov. 16-19 and Nov. 24-26. Tickets, 931-5000.
CHEMISTRY EXPLAINED
McGill University chemists David Harpp and Joe Schwarcz relate “Stories to Electrify, Terrify and Edify” at a meeting of the Maimonides Society, Combined Jewish Appeal’s health and academia division, at 7 p.m. at Pharmascience Inc. Tickets, 345-2645,ext. 3660.
Tuesday, Nov. 15
BOOK REVIEW
Dr. Stephanie King reviews The Midwife of Venice, about midwifery in the 16th century, at a Shaare Zedek Sisterhood meeting, 7:30 p.m. 484-1122, ext. 101.
PARKINSON’S DISEASE
The Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors hosts a symposium on “Women and Parkinson’s Disease” from 12:30-4:30 p.m. at the Gelber centre. Keynote speaker nurse clinician Lucie Lachance of the McGill University Health Centre Movement Disorder Program discusses “What You Should Know About Sexuality and Depression.” Exhibition booths and workshops are also on the program. Registration, 342-1234, ext. 7201.
KURTZER ON MIDEAST
Daniel Kurtzer, former U.S. ambassador to Israel, lectures on “The Middle East: Ongoing Efforts Towards Peace,” 7:30 p.m. at Congregation Shaar Hashomayim. Registration, 937-9471, ext. 139.
Wednesday, Nov.16
SEGAL FETED
Philanthropist Alvin Segal will be honoured at the Jewish General Hospital Segal Cancer Centre black-tie gala at Windsor Station, 5:45 p.m. 340-8222, ext. 6778.
JOURNEY TO JUDAISM
Former African-American Baptist minister Ahuvah Gray reveals her “SpiritualJourney to Judaism” in the Elizabeth Shuchat Schwartz Memorial Lecture at Congregation Shaar Hashomayim at 8:15 p.m.
THEATRE MATINEE
The Chomedey Seniors offers a trip to the Segal Centre for Performing Arts to see The Play’s the Thing. Transportation leaves the Young Israel Synagogue at 1 p.m. Reservations, 450-978-7056.
Thursday, Nov. 17
TECHNION GALA
High-tech Blueslice Network founder and president Stephan Ouaknine is the honoree of the Canadian Technion Society gala dinner at Congregation Shaar Hashomayim at 5:30 p.m. Israeli singer and peace activist Liel Kolet, 22, entertains. Tickets, 735-5541.
FESTIVAL SEFARAD
The Festival Séfarad de Montréal opens with a concert/lecture by the Montreal orchestra OktoEcho, which blends Middle Eastern and Western music, at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts at 8 p.m. Under the baton of Katia Makdissi-Warren, the 12 musicians and three soloist interpret the sacred music of the three monotheistic religions. Tickets, 733-4998.
The Segal’s ArtLounge is the venue for standup comedy MCed by Keith Waterfield at 10:30 p.m. Tickets, 739-7944.
PLAY ABOUT CONFLICT
The Poster, an English translation by Shelley Tepperman of Montrealer Philippe Ducros’s play about the Arab-Israeli conflict, premieres at Bain St. Michel and runs until Dec. 4. Produced by Teesri Duniya Theatre, the play is about a Palestinian printer who makes the customary posters of “martyrs” of the conflict. One day, he has to make one for his own son killed by an Israeli soldier. The original French version, L’Affiche (reprising Nov. 10 at Espace libre),was named play of the year in 2009 by the Association québécoise des critiques de théâtre. Ducros hopes his play encourages dialogue, and has received a Cole Foundation grant to that end.