Thursday, May 1
INFLUENCES ON JUDAISM
Rabbi Allan Nadler starts a three-part lecture series on “Judaism’s Debt to Other Cultures,” Congregation Beth-El, 7:30 p.m. His first topic is “The Greeks and the Jews: How Hellenism Transformed Judaism.” 514-738-4766.
ROSH CHODESH
Women’s Rosh Chodesh services for Iyar will be held at Shaare Zedek Congregation, 9 a.m. Children welcome. 514-484-1122.
STORYTELLING
Aspiring writers are invited to the Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors’ new “Tell Your Story,” a weekly program starting today, 10 a.m. to noon and continuing until June 12. Author Elizabeth Johnston will guide participants in exploring various life themes. No writing experience needed, and you work at your own pace. Registration, 514-342-1234, ext. 7318.
Friday, May 2
JEWISH MYSTICISM
A lecture on “Israeli Scholarship on Jewish Mysticism” will be given in Concordia University’s Hall building, H-1220, 10 a.m., under the auspices of the Azrieli Institute of Israel Studies. Reservations, 514-848-2424, ext. 8721.
Saturday, May 3
FOR WOMEN
Emunah Women holds its annual Shabbat Seudah Shlishit for women at Tifereth Beth David Jerusalem Congregation, 5:15 p.m. Reservations, 514-485-2397.
JUDY GARLAND TRIBUTE
The new musical Songs and Stories of Judy Garland by Roger Peace and starring Denise Rose opens at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts, 8:30 p.m., and will be reprised May 4 at 2 and 7 p.m. in the Studio. The play recalls Oct. 29, 1961, when Garland played the Montreal Forum, her only concert here. Peace was there that night and met Garland upon her arrival at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel. Rose, who has performed at such venues as Westchester’s Broadway Theatre and the Flamingo in Las Vegas, sings Garland’s memorable tunes in this Copa de Oro Production. Tickets, 514-739-7944.
Sunday, May 4
FAMILY TREE
The Jewish Genealogical Society of Montreal holds a Family Tree Workshop where beginners can get one-on-one help tracing their family history, 10 a.m. to noon. 514-484-0969.
CHILDREN’S CONCERT
Singer Fran Avni headlines a “Shtetl Baby!” concert for children aged 1 to 5 at the Jewish Public Library at 11 a.m., sponsored with Urban Shtetl. Yiddish songs are featured. All children must be accompanied by an adult. 514-345-2627, ext. 3033.
OPEN HOUSE
The Castel Royal retirement residence, 5740 Cavendish Blvd., Côte St. Luc, holds an open house 1-4 p.m. Entertainment by the Bagg Street Klezmer Band. 514-487-5664.
PALESTINIAN LIFE
Retired professor Neil Hertz, who lived in Ramallah in the West Bank and taught at Al-Quds University just outside Jerusalem, gives an illustrated lecture titled “Pastoral in Palestine” at 6767 Côte des Neiges Rd., room 602, 4:30 p.m. He’ll discuss how people on both sides deal with “the situation.” Sponsored by the Montreal Dialogue Group and Canadian Friends of Rabbis for Human Rights. [email protected].
Monday, May 5
CYBER SECURITY
Prof. Yuval Elovici, director of the Deutsche Telekom Laboratories at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, speaks on “Crossing the Cyber Pass: How Thieves Pilfer Your Sensitive Information,” at the YM-YWHA’s Kellert Hall, 7 p.m. Sponsored by the Canadian Associates of BGU. Reservations, [email protected].
KABBALAH IN SAFED
Prof. Ronit Meroz lectures on “Kabbalah in Safed: Masters, Disciples and Spiritual Practice” the Jewish Public Library at 7:30 p.m. She examines how kabbalists in this Galilean hill town reinterpreted the rituals of the Zohar. Sponsored with the Azrieli Institute of Israel Studies. Registration, 514-848-2424, ext. 8721.
Tuesday, May 6
ISRAELI MIRACLE
Frank Weinstein discusses “Israel: An Economic Miracle” at a Beth Ora Seniors meeting, 1:30 p.m. 514-342-1234, ext. 7318.
PALLIATIVE CARE
Science writer and New York Times contributor Robin Marantz Henig speaks with Sue Smith, host of CBC Radio One’s Homerun, at the 17th annual Sandra Goldberg Lecture at McGill University’s Moyse Hall at 5:30 p.m. Marantz Henig wrote a story last July about Peggy Battin, a bioethicist and professor of philosophy whose strong beliefs about physician-assisted suicide and a person’s right to die were put to the test when her husband became quadriplegic following a bicycle accident. Presented by the Council on Palliative Care. [email protected].
FLETCHER AT JPL
Martin Fletcher, former NBC Middle East correspondent, discusses his latest novel, Jacob’s Oath, at the Jewish Public Library, 7:30 p.m. Set in Germany in 1945, Jacob’s Oath tells the story of how two Holocaust survivors confront their past and begin their future. Fletcher will be introduced by Global News anchor Paola Samuel. Tickets, 514-345-6416.
…Et Cetera…
OMETZ BENEFIT SHINES
“A Chance to Shine,” a gala at Place des Arts on April 8, raised $380,000 for Agence Ometz social services benefiting children and youth and was attended by more than 1,000 guests. This was the Canadian premiere of the Silhouettes dance troupe, a runner-up on the NBC TV show America’s Got Talent. A Chance to Shine was under the patronage of Herbert Black for the third straight year and chaired by Ruth Choueke.
ART EXHIBIT
An exhibit by artist Shushana Caplan titled Raizel’s Journey continues at Congregation Dorshei Emet until May 7. Using mixed-media painting and reproductions of old photos her family kept, Caplan created “dreamscapes” exploring her experiences as a child refugee in Siberia during World War II and her family’s heritage in Poland. A retired high school art teacher, Caplan now teaches seniors at the Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors. The collection can be viewed by appointment. 514-486-9400.
COTLER HONOURED
Mount Royal MP Irwin Cotler was awarded the Roméo Dallaire Award for Human Rights Leadership at a commemoration of the 20th anniversary of Rwandan genocide, held at Concordia University on April 23. Cotler gave the keynote address at the event, sponsored by the Canadian Internation Council in partnership with the Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies.