Week of November 28

Thursday, Nov. 28

 

LAUGH PACK

The Segal Centre ArtLounge has an evening of stand-up comedy, 10:30 p.m. Tickets, 514-739-7944.

 

Saturday, Nov. 30

 

FILL THE VOID

Chabad of Westmount screens Rama Burshtein’s Fill the Void, a critically praised feature film set in Tel Aviv, about haredi life, 7:30 p.m. RSVP at 514-937-4772.

 

Sunday, Dec. 1

 

TREE AT LAST

The regular Family Tree Workshop of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Montreal is 10 a.m.-noon at the Jewish Public Library. Call the  JGS hotline, 514-484-0969.

 

MUSIC@THE SEGAL

At 2 p.m., the Juno Award-winning Balkan Gypsy Band’s Luba and Kaba Horo get into the groove at the Segal Centre in the launch of this year’s Bravo series. At 8 p.m., the Cameron Wallis Quartet pays tribute to ’50s and ’60s jazz as part of the centre’s Power Jazz Series. Tickets, 514-739-7944.

 

FAMILY MITZVOT

There’s a Hands-On Family Mitzvah day 10 a.m.-noon at Federation CJA West Island, 96 Roger Pilon. Call 514-624-5005.

 

Monday, Dec. 2

 

RABBIS IN LOVE

Marilyn Bronstein and Philip Belove speak about their book Rabbis in Love, poignant stories about the real relationships between rabbis and their spouses, 7:30 p.m. at the Spanish & Portuguese Synagogue. Call 514-737-3695.

ANTI-SEMITISM

Political Science Prof. Salim Mansur of the University of Western Ontario analyzes Arab and Muslim anti-Semitism as part of the seminar series on “Anti-Semitism in Comparative Perspective” co-sponsored by the Institute for the Study of Global anti-Semitism and Policy and McGill University, 5:30-8 p.m. at the Leacock Building, Room 738.

 

MOM-DAUGHTER BOOK

The book to be discussed at the Norman Berman Children’s Library’s 7 p.m. Mother-Daughter Book Discussion Group (for girls in Grade 5 and up) led by Penny Fransblow is Shannon Hale’s Book of a Thousand Days. For details or to register, call 514-345-2627.

 

Wednesday, Dec. 4

CITY & SPORT

Cote St. Luc Mayor Anthony Housefather talks about competing at the last Maccabiah Games and  civic politics, the Act to End Violence Against Women’s FAB group, 1:30 p.m. at CSL’s Aquatic Centre, 5794 Parkhaven. Reserve, 514-487-2330.

 

WELCOME TEVET

Women and children are welcome to a Women’s Rosh Chodesh prayer service for Tevet, 8:30 a.m. at Congregation Shaar Hashomayim. Call Judy, 514-484-7862.

 

Thursday, Dec. 5

 

COCKTAIL CONFERENCE

Come discover what goes on behind the scenes at the Segal Centre, about the “Business of Festivals,” and consider joining the centre’s Young Leaders group at a 6:30-9 p.m. cocktail conference. Call 514-739-2301.

 

HOLIDAY BOUTIQUES

The Jewish General Hospital Auxiliary showcases holiday boutiques, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in the main lobby, featuring, toys, jewelry, handbags, gloves, hats, novelties, clothing and digital device accessories. Call 514-340-8216.

OH CHANUKAH!

 

The first Chanukah candle was lit last night (Nov. 27), and here are Chanukah events in the coming week sent to About Town in time for publication:

• Nov. 29, 7:45 p.m., Temple Emanu-El Beth Sholom hosts A Chanukah service and Oneg Shabbat and welcomes new members (514-937-3575, ext. 213).

• From 6:30-8:30 p.m. Nov. 30, there is a Chanukah pajama party organized by YM-YWHA West Island JCC (Sophie Katz-Milo, [email protected]).

• Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m. Living Legacy, The Friendship Circle, and Chai Lifeline hold a Chanukah concert at Shagai Community Hall, 6501 Kildare Rd. (David Weinbaum, 514-344-2424,ext. 27).

• At Shaare Zion Congregation, also Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m., a Chanukah dance is on with live music by Shimon and Lia Radu and Damien Nissenson, with dance demos and coaching. Reserve early (Debbie, 514-481-7727, ext. 224, or [email protected]).

• Dec. 1, 10 a.m., Chabad NDG, 4020 Hingston Ave., hosts a family Chanukah party with story readings, menorah lighting, face painting, etc. (Suzie, 514-467-3892).

• Dec. 1, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Congregation Beth-El’s Chanukah party features pizza, latkes, games, etc. (Susan Greenberg, 514-738-4766).

• At Shtetl, Baby (a division of Urban Shtetl) Dec. 1, 2-3 p.m., Congregation Dorshei Emet hosts children’s performer Fran Avni singing Chanukah songs in three languages (tickets at www.tinyurl.com/franavniconcert).

• At 4 p.m. Dec. 1, the Dorval Jewish Centre hosts a Chanukah family celebration with latkes, doughnuts, menorah, kids activities, at Best Western Plus Montreal Airport Hotel, 13000 Cote de Liesse Rd. (RSVP 514-791-3770).

• At 5:30 p.m. Dec. 1, be at Shaare Zedek Congregation for its Chanukah party with performer Janie Respitz, with latkes, doughnuts, Chanukah gelt. (514-484-1122, exts. 101 and 104).

• The Vaad Ha’ir is co-operating to have a table with Chanukah menorahs and goodies set up at the Jean Talon St. Walmart on Dec. 1.

• Dec. 3, 1-3 p.m., Canadian Hadassah-WIZO stages its Chanukah party at the Cote St. Luc Aquatic Centre, 5794 Parkhaven, Salon C, with guest speaker Kathleen Murphy of Organizing Options (reserve at 514-933-8461).

* At 1 p.m. Dec. 3, Beth Ora Seniors stage their Chanukah party with the Cummings Centre choir (514-342-1234, ext. 7318).

• Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m., United Communities of Russian-speaking Jews stages a Gala Concert for Cha­nu­kah, showcasing Russian folk music, at école de musique Vincent-d’Indy, 628 Cote Ste. Catherine Rd. (RSVP, 514-573-7282).

 

…Et Cetera…

 

COTLER ON IRAN AT GA

At the recent Jewish Federations of North America General Assembly in Jerusalem and at meetings at the European Parliament in Brussels, Liberal justice and human rights critic Irwin Cotler marked the first 100 days of new Iranian president Hassan Rouhani by reminding of his “appalling” human rights record. He cited as being of special concern the increased rate of executions in Iran under Rouhani, as well as torture, the treatment of political prisoners and the persecution of the Baha’i religious community. In Israel, Cotler met with former Soviet prisoner of conscience Yuli Edelstein, now Knesset Speaker, as well as Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat and Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon.

 

HOLOCAUST SYMPOSIUM

Vanier College’s 21st Symposium of the Holocaust and Genocide, Nov. 11-15, used the theme of “From Tolerance to Acceptance” and saw the participation of survivors, filmmakers, social workers and writers, including filmmaker Gina Roitman, video producer Heidi Berger, social worker Corrie Sirota, the Azrieli Foundation’s Tim MacKay, Vanier anthropologist Jacky Valée. It also held a Kristallnacht commemoration with cantor Sharon Azrieli and  featured Vanier students who had visited Holocaust sites in Europe and a 3-D exhibit on Kristallnacht.

 

HFS SAFETY

Lisa Dixon Wells of Calgary’s award-winning Dare to Care anti-bullying program recently visited Hebrew Foundation School as part of its anti-bullying agenda under Bill 56. Hebrew Foundation  is adopting Dare to Care as part of a process to “de-escalate” school aggression and violence.