About Town: Week of January 31

Friday, Feb. 1

 

DIVORCE WAR STORIES

Divorce lawyer Ian Solloway relates a few “war stories” from his profession, 10 a.m. at the Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors. Joyce, 514-342-1234, ext. 7318.

 

FIRST FRIDAY SHABBAT

“First Friday” Shabbat services dedicated to families, 5:45 p.m. at Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom. If it’s also your birthday month, you’ll also get a special birthday blessing and cake. Call 514-937-3575.

 

Saturday, Feb. 2

 

A MOTHER’S LIFE

Host Leslie Lutsky interviews Leslie Maitland of New York about her book on her mother’s life, Crossing the Border of Time, on Jewish Digest, 8:30 a.m. on Radio Centre-Ville, 102.3 FM.

 

Sunday, Feb. 3

 

SHAARE ZION SUPER BOWL!

You don’t need to be a football fan to enjoy Shaare Zion Men’s Club’s 5:30 p.m. Super Bowl Bash, with the big game on a giant HD screen, as well as a tailgate buffet, soft drinks and one beer included with admission. For tickets, call 514-481-7727, ext. 224.

 

ADATH ISRAEL SUPER BOWL!

Adath Israel-Poale Zedek synagogue holds a 5:30 p.m. Super Bowl party. 514-482-4252 to reserve.

 

JNF TREE-A-THON’s  25TH

Jewish National Fund of Montreal holds its 25th annual Tree-a-thon phone fundraiser 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Gelber Conference Centre. Michèle Richman, 514-934-0313.

Monday, Feb. 4

 

BARBARIANS DISCUSSION

Producer Maurice Podbrey and McGill University associate professor Monica Popescu follow up on their Sunday@TheSegal appearance discussing South African-related apartheid themes explored in the Segal Centre production (through Feb. 17) of J.M. Coetzee’s Waiting for the Barbarians, 7 p.m., McGill’s Arts Building, Room 160. Register at 514-739-2301.

 

CANCER DAY FORUM

Doctors Phil Gold, Eduardo Franco, and Manuel Borod discuss cancer’s myths and facts at a World Cancer Day free public forum organized by the Goodman Cancer Research Centre and Cedars Cancer Institute, 7-8:30 p.m. at the Jeanne Timmins Amphitheatre of the Montreal Neurological Institute, 3801 University St. Hosted by CJAD’s Andrew Carter and hosted by Gwendolyn Andrews Nacos and Peter Siegel. 514-398-4970.

 

FLASH SALE E-TAILER

Online success story Yona Shtern, a 2010 Promies Award-winner and CEO of Beyond the Rack, an “e-tailer,” tells his story at a Jewish Chamber of Commerce event, 6-8:30 p.m. at ALI-Proland, 1425 René-Lévesque W., Suite 183. Reserve, Elise Abecassis, 514-345-2645, ext. 2639.

 

DRAWING IS FUN

Learn the art of drawing with Susan Mott, 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Creative Social Centre, 5237 Clanranald Ave. More at 514-488-0907.

 

MOSAIC MADNESS

Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors’ West Island branch, Prime Time, holds a Mosaic Madness workshop, 7:30 p.m., 96 Roger Pilon in Dollard des Ormeaux. Ellen Tock, 514-624-5005, ext. 230.

Tuesday, Feb. 5

 

SEX THERAPIST

CJAD Passion host and sex therapist Laurie Betito leads a discussion on “The Real Truth about Adolescent Sexuality,” 7 p.m., Gelber Conference Centre, hosted by UTT/Herzliah. For tickets, call Tova Havis, 514-739-2291.

 

EATING=MITZVAH

“Conscious eating” as a mitzvah will be discussed by Rebbetzin Chana Bracha Seigelbaum, director of a women’s Torah seminary in Israel, 7:30 p.m., Jewish Russian Community Centre, 5380 Bourret St. (west of Decarie). Jill, 514-474-4723.

 

ASK BRAVELY

“Everything You Wanted to Know About Judaism, but Were Afraid to Ask,” is the topic as Temple Emanu-El Beth Sholom Rabbi Lisa Grushcow tackles any and all questions on Judaism, 7 p.m. as part of a Temple Centre for Culture and Learning event. RSVP, Rosie, 514-937-3575, ext. 213.

 

Wednesday, Feb. 6

 

RENÉ CASSIN LECTURE

Liberal MP Irwin Cotler delivers a René Cassin Series lecture on the UN Genocide Convention and Universal Declaration of Human Rights: “What have we learned?” 5:30-7:30 p.m., McGill University, Faculty of Law, Room 100, 3644 Peel St. RSVP, [email protected].

 

INTRO TO JUDAISM

Registration is on for Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom’s 6:30 p.m. “Introduction to Judaism” program Wednesdays through May 8 for interfaith couples or those considering conversion. Call Sarah Polsky, 514-937-3575, ext. 208.

 

FORGIVE & LET LIVE

Rebbetzin Chana Bracha Seigelbaum presents a “forgiveness workshop,” 7:30 p.m., 6921 Wilderton Ave. Dena Hundert, 514-739-7331.

 …Et Cetera…

 

WALLENBERG & COTLER

Liberal MP Irwin Cotler, who as head of an international commission has spent years trying to determine the final fate of Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish diplomat credited with saving 50,000 Jews from the Nazis, recently addressed Bialik High School students for Raoul Wallenberg Commemorative Day on Jan. 17 and before the opening of Sweden’s Wallenberg exhibit in Toronto. He urged Russia to open up its archives and “unlock the secrets of history.”

 

ROBOTIC CARDIAC SURGERY

The Jewish General Hospital became the first Quebec hospital to perform mitral valve repair endoscopically using a da Vinci surgical robot. Instead of a foot-long incision and breaking the rib cage, doctors Jean-François Morin and Felix Ma accessed the patient’s heart with the robot through spaces between the ribs.

 

OMETZ VOLUNTEERS

Agence Ometz at Federation CJA is recruiting volunteers for its health advocacy program, which supports clients trying to navigate the health care system or have health challenges. Call Helen Baum, 514-342-0000, ext. 3802.

EXEMPLARY RATING

Mount Sinai Hospital recently received an “exemplary rating” for a score of 770 out of 772 from Accreditation Canada. Mount Sinai was praised for its palliative care and enhancing patient flow.

 

MIRACLE PREEMIE

Jewish General Hospital recently released Quebec’s smallest-ever baby to survive. Born 14 weeks pre-term on Sept. 12 at only 13.5 ounces, almost four months later, the infant girl was a much more “hefty” 4.5 pounds. Overseeing her care was Dr. Apostolos Papageorgio of the JGH’s neonatal intensive care unit.

 

AVIATION MUSEUM

McGill University’s MacDonald College campus on the West Island has a huge stone barn that is housing a growing collection of historical aviation treasures. Among them are possessions of Canadian Beaufighter fighter pilot Sydney Shulemson and industrialist Harry Halton, who designed the  Challenger business jet.

 

CLSC & LIFELINE MEET

Earlier this month, 40 CLSC Cavendish social workers met with a seven-member Chabad Lifeline team to discuss each other’s work and exchange ideas. The meeting was deemed so successful they’re considering future partnerships.