About Town: Week of September 18

Saturday, Sept. 21

 

SHTETL CRAWL

Once Shabbat comes to an end, try out Federation CJA YAD West Island’s Shtetl Crawl Goes West, 8 p.m. at 96 Roger Pilon in Dollard des Ormeaux. Contact Albinna Abitan at 514-624-5005, ext. 221.

 

TENTACLE TRIBE

At the Segal Centre Studio at 8 p.m., the centre’s and Danse Danse’s choreographer-in-residence program presents Tentacle Tribe, a work-in-progress dance creation made through the collaboration of Emmanuelle Le Phan and Elon Hoglund, using conceptual hip hop and other influences. Tickets at 514-739-7944.

 

HATORAH SCHOOL,  SUKKAH

Temple Emanu-El Beth Sholom’s junior Torah school for kids ages four and five gets underway 10 a.m.-noon, “a unique introduction to Judaism for young children using stories, introductory Hebrew, song, dance, and art.” Also today, 10 a.m.-noon, the temple stages a Sukkot party in its sukkah, followed by the second annual Sukkot Family Mitzvah Project, which involves making food baskets for the MADA food kitchen. Call 514-937-3575.

 

BAR/BAT MITZVAH

Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom begins a two-year bar/bat mitzvah program at the main synagogue, 9 a.m.-12:15 p.m., and Sept. 23 (Mondays) at the West Island branch, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

 

Sunday, Sept. 22

 

SPECIAL NEEDS CYCLOTHON

The YM-YWHA Montreal Jewish Community Centre stages its annual Y Cycle for Special Needs at the Hillsdale Golf and Country Club, to enrich the lives of special-needs individuals. Organizers said the event “raises awareness of this often misunderstood population and contributes much-needed funds that support new and ongoing recreational programs for those with mental or physical disabilities.” If you wish to participate, contact Lara Goldenberg at 514-737-6551, ext. 228, or email [email protected].

 

FAMILY FUNDAY

The Miriam Foundation is staging a free Family Fun Day, 1-4 p.m. at Pierre Elliott Trudeau Park and will be celebrating its 50th anniversary year with sports, carnival activities, family yoga, and tons of fun for all. Contact Elysa Ben Sabat at 514-345-1300, ext. 312, or email [email protected].

 

OLIVER JONES TRIO

The famed Oliver Jones Trio performs at 8 p.m. in the Segal Centre Studio as it launches the centre’s sixth Power Jazz series. Tickets at 514-739-7944.

 

APPLE PICKING

Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom goes apple picking, 10 a.m.-noon at Le Verger Labonté. Contact Rosie, 514-937-3575, ext. 213, or email [email protected].

 

Monday, Sept. 23

 

JEWISH, DEMOCRATIC STATE

The New Israel Fund of Canada organizes a free symposium on, “Meeting the Challenge: Israel as a Jewish and Democratic State,” 7-10 p.m., Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom. Register at www.nifcan.org, or call 855-781-45322.

 

MOM-DAUGHTER BOOKS

The Jewish Public Library’s (JPL) Norman Berman Children’s Library (NBCL) is the venue for the opening mother-daughter book discussion group meeting of the season. The meetings will discuss the “new season of exciting books and hot topics… in a fun and animated group setting,” 7-8 p.m. at the JPL. The program is open to girls in grades 5 and up and is led by NBCL head Penny Fransblow. For details or to register, call 514-345-2627, ext. 3028 or 3012, or visit www.jewishpubliclibrary.org.

 

CAMPAGNE SEPHARADE

The Campagne Sepharade of Combined Jewish Appeal holds a telethon open to the public, 6-8 p.m., Federation CJA. Contact Nina Assedo at 514-345-2645, ext. 2660. or email [email protected].

 

…Et Cetera…

 

MOUNT SINAI CAR RALLY

Organizers declared Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation’s recent ninth annual Sinai Car Rally – co-chaired by Laura Borsellino, her husband Danny DiSchiavi, and Danny Steinberg – a rousing success, with a record 70 cars participating. The day of travelling the undisclosed 165-km route included a master team (ages 36 and over) and a challenger team for those younger and concluded at the final destination and closing dinner at the St. Raphael Golf Course. The dinner paid special tribute to Dr. Rubin Becker, the hospital’s longtime director of professional services.

 

MADA ANNIVERSARY

The MADA Community Centre is marking 20 years as the city’s “central address for fighting hunger, poverty and loneliness” in the community. The kosher soup kitchen serves 500 meals a day, provides 53,000 food boxes from its food bank, and home delivers 22,000 meals annually. Over Rosh Hashanah, MADA elicited sponsors and organized seven holiday meals across the city. Call 514-342-4969.

 

VITAMIN C AND DISTRESS

The level of measurable psychological distress in 52 patients in medical and surgical units at the Jewish General Hospital (JGH) “rapidly decreased” by about 50 per cent after being given vitamin C, according to a randomized clinical trial published recently in  the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The study said that patients whose low vitamin C levels were corrected experienced a “rapid and pronounced lessening” of psychological distress, while no similar effect was seen in patients using vitamin D, according to study author Dr. John Hoffer of the JGH’s Lady Davis Institute. “Out study was relatively small, but the results are potentially extremely pertinent to good in-hospital care,” he said. “We have shown that it is easy to correct deficient vitamin C status with simple supplementation. Correction of vitamin C deficiency can dramatically improve patients’ ability to tolerate the serious psychological stresses associated with an acute hospital admission.”

 

@CHABAD QUEEN MARY

Simcha Fine leads weekly Shabbat Women’s Torah classes at Chabad Queen Mary, 11:15 a.m., while Rabbi Ronnie Fine leads the Tanya Class, every Shabbat at 2:30 p.m. Call 514-738-3434.

 

‘BOYS OF ESPLANADE’ GUEST

The “Boys of Esplanade,” an informal group of guys who grew up the area around Esplanade and Mount Royal avenues and were then the focus of a video relating their tale, assembled at a local Dunn’s restaurant recently, Esplanader Nick Pfefer related, to listen to Donald Cuccioletta, speak about his late friend Martin Lubin, a key figure of the group who has passed away since being a key figure in the making of the video. A screening of the film earlier at the Cote St. Luc Men’s Club drew more than 350 people and went “exceptionally well,” Pfefer said.

 

CO-DEPENDENCY

Chabad Lifeline, the non-sectarian organization for anyone affected by addiction, is offering a women’s 12-step co-dependency workshop focusing on relational and esteem issues, every Wednesday, 1-2:30 p.m. For more details or to register, contact Karen Bresinger at 514-738-7700.

 

BREEZING BACK TO SCHOOL

How to make the transition back to school a “breeze” for kids? According to Jewish General Hospital child psychiatrist Dr. Jaswant Guzder, have the kids look at things as a “fresh start,” be full of enthusiasm, and have them get back to their regular sleep habits. These will all help deal with the anxiety of going back to class and to cope better.