Thursday, Nov. 1
EPIC SEARCH
The New York Times’ Leslie Maitland reads from her book on her quest to reunite her Jewish mother and Catholic father separated by war, Crossing the Borders of Time: A True Story of War, Exile, and Love Reclaimed, 7:30 p.m., Jewish Public Library. 514-345-6416.
INTERVENTION REFLECTION
As part of Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre’s Holocaust Education Series, Béatrice Vaugrante and Jean-Baptists Jeangené lead a French talk on human rights intervention, 7 p.m. at Café-resto L’inter-mission, 7595 Blvd. St. Laurent. Call 514-345-2605.
CHEVRA REVIEW
Rabbi Asher Jacobson reviews The Life of Baruch Spinoza, 7:30 p.m. at the Chevra (Kadisha B’nai Jacob). Tickets, 514-482-3366.
CHANSONS JUIVES
Trio Hélène Engel, Mélanie Bergeron and Marie-Neige Lavigne perform “Chansons juives du monde… et même de France,” 9 p.m., Club Balattou, 4372 Blvd. St. Laurent. Tickets, 514-546-8857.
HOFESH SHECHTER
As part of Danse Danse, Israeli-born choreographer-musician Hofesh Shechter’s company performs his work Political Mother today until Nov. 3, 8 p.m., Théâtre Maisonneuve. Tickets, 514-842-2112.
Friday, Nov. 2
SHABBAT RENEWAL
Congregation B’nai Or holds a joyous Shabbat service of renewal, 7:30 p.m. at YM-YWHA Ben Weider JCC’s Kellert Hall. Rabbi Sherrill Gilbert, [email protected].
Saturday, Nov. 3
LEAH GOLDBERG’S POEMS
The Jewish Public Library devotes an evening to Israeli poet Leah Goldberg, with readings and a documentary on her, 8 p.m. Reserve at 514-345-6416.
CARLEBACH TRIBUTE
The Russian Jewish Community Centre, 5380 Bourret Ave., stages a “soulful evening of singing and dancing” at an 18th yahrzeit tribute to Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, 8 p.m. Call 514-737-5438.
Sunday, Nov. 4
HOLOCAUST SERIES EVENTS
Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre’s Holocaust Education Series concludes with two events: its 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Witness to History testimony by survivors, and a 5 p.m. musical evening with the Simons Popa Alexandrov Klezmer Trio and awards ceremony at the Segal Centre. The centre also has an open house and free tours 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 514-345-2605.
KABBALAH OF YOU
Chabad of the Town, 4054 Jean Talon W., offers six Sunday-morning session, starting today, 10-11:15 a.m., on “The Kabbalah of You.” More at 514-342-1770.
RENOWNED SINGERS
Renowned singers Abderahim Souiri of Morocco and Sharon Azrieli are two of four Jews and non-Jews performing at an evening of Arabo-Andalusian and Jewish music organized by Mémoires & Dialogue, 7 p.m. at the Rialto Theatre, 5734 Ave. du Parc. Visit www.memoiresetdialogue.com.
PRÉ-FESTIVAL COLLOQUE
Sonia Sarah Lipsyc’s ALEPH Centre d’études juives contemporaine holds a pre-Festival Sefarad colloquium on women in Judaism in the modern world, with roundtables, films. etc, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and 6-8:30 p.m., Gelber Centre. Visit www.sefarad.ca, or call 514-733-4998, ext. 3441.
Monday, Nov. 5
BOOK MONTH’S KEYNOTE
Simon Sebag Montefiore, internationally bestselling author of 2011’s Jerusalem: The Biography, is Jewish Book Month’s keynote speaker, 8 p.m., Jewish Public Library. Reserve at 514-345-6416.
COMEDYCURES TALK
Cancer survivor Saranne Rothberg, founder-CEO of the ComedyCures Foundation, which brings humour to the ill and disabled, delivers the free Elizabeth Shuchat Schwartz Memorial Lecture, 8:15 p.m. at Congregation Shaar Hashomayim. Call 514-937-9471.
Tuesday, Nov. 6
MY 100 CHILDREN
My 100 Children, a documentary on Shoah survivor Lena Kuchlar’s quest to heal orphaned Jewish children in Poland after 1945, will be screened 8:30 p.m. at Congregation Shaar Hashomayim as part of its Tuesday Night Learning series. At 7:30 p.m., the choices are Rabbi Mark Fishman on Rabbi Akiva; Prof. Eugene Orenstein on Moses Hess’ Rome and Jerusalem; and Prof. Nitza Perry on Ephraim Kishon. Call 514-937-9471.
FINDING ISRAELI FAMILY
Michael Goldstein gives tips on finding relatives in Israel, at a Jewish Genealogical Society lecture meeting, 7:30 p.m., the Jewish Public Library. 514-484-0969.
CUMMINGS CENTRE EVENTS
The Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors continues its Crafts in Motion sale, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (Rivka Fenster, 514-342-1234, ext. 7269), and its West Island Prime Time division holds a 7-9 p.m. vernissage of West Island women’s artworks (continuing 1-9 p.m. Nov. 7) at 96 Roger Pilon in Dollard des Ormeaux (514-624-5005, ext. 230).
MEDICAL ETHICS
Rabbi Sidney Shoham discusses medical ethics, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Zion Congregation. Call 514-489-8411, ext. 24.
Wednesday, Nov. 7
ETHAN BORTNICK@GALA
Chaya Mushka Seminary’s 2012 Gala showcases musical prodigy Ethan Bortnick, 11, in concert, 5:30 p.m. at Congregation Shaar Hashomayim. The event honours Cristina and Maurice Supino. Bortnick has been interviewed on The Tonight Show and by Oprah Winfrey and shared the stage with the likes of Barbra Streisand, Justin Bieber, Tony Bennett, and Celine Dion. Call 514-733-2221.
FIFTY SHADES OF GREY?
McGill University psychologist/sexolologist Irving Binik asks if “grey really comes in 50 shades,” at a Na’amat Canada Montreal event, 7:30 p.m. at the Cote. St. Luc Aquatic & Community Centre, 5794 Parkhaven. Call 514-484-0252.
INTERFAITH FORUM
Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom holds a 7:30-9 p.m. Jewish Interfaith Family Forum for grandparents in interfaith families, led by Rabbi Lisa Grushcow, RSVP with Valerie, 514-937-3575, ext. 212.
POPULAR PUNDIT
Popular Quebec pundit and former MP Jean Lapierre speaks 7:30 p.m., Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors, MCed by The Gazette’s Henry Aubin. Reserve, Carole, 514-342-1234, ext. 7207.
THYROID CANCER
Hope & Cope and Jewish General Hospital’s head and neck surgery and endoctrinology departments hold an info session on thyroid cancer, 5:30-7 p.m., Block Amphitheatre (B-106). 514-840-8255.
THE WIDOW SCHWARTZ
The Widow Schwartz, Donna Byrne’s two-act comedy about an eccentric Jewish therapist and widow, premieres today through Nov. 11 at the Village Theatre in Hudson. Tickets at 450-490-1472.
…Et Cetera…
ONLINE TV
The Jewish General Hospital recently launched JGH TV on its website, an online TV service showcasing hospital news and events. See it at jgh.ca/en/jghtv.
ART AUCTION SUCCESS
Canadian Hadassah-WIZO’s art auction honouring Roy Heenan of Heenan Blaikie topped last year’s event with a record $200,000 raised for children, health care and women in Israel and Canada.