Friday, Jan. 24
ISRAELI HORROR FILM
The Israeli horror movie Big Bad Wolves opens at Cinéma du Parc. Directors Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado spin a chilling tale of the father of a murdered girl, the latest victim in a series of unsolved brutal slayings, who takes justice into his own hands with the help of a rogue police detective. The main suspect is a religious studies teacher who the police arrested, but released by mistake. Big Bad Wolves won the best film and best screenplay awards at the 2013 Fantasia Film Festival in Montreal. The Hollywood Reporter hailed it as “mesmerizing from start to finish.”
MUSICAL DIVERSITY
Trio Populaire, who play a blend of Jewish melodies, North African darbuka and flamenco guitar, reflecting their different Mediterranean heritages, gives a concert at MAI (Montréal, arts interculturels), 3680 Jeanne Mance St., at 8 p.m., and again tomorrow. The trio, formed in 2010, was the winner of MAI’s Diversity Award last year. Tickets, 514-982-3386.
Saturday, Jan. 25
FILM PREMIERE
The Israeli movie Zaytoun by Eran Riklis, about an Israeli fighter pilot shot down over Beirut and captured by the PLO during the 1982 Lebanon War, is being screened at the Dollar Cinema in Décarie Square at 8 p.m. The Montreal premiere is part of the Israeli Film Festival, sponsored by the Jewish Public Library. This fictional story about the unlikely camaraderie that develops between the pilot and a 12-year-old Palestinian refugee will be introduced by Assaf Drori. Tickets, 514-345-6416.
Sunday, Jan. 26
LENINGRAD SIEGE
The 70th anniversary of the liberation of the besieged city of Leningrad will be commemorated by the United Community of Russian-Speaking Jews of Quebec at the Jewish Russian Community Centre, 5380 Bourret Ave., at 5 p.m. World War II veterans and survivors of the 900-day blockade will be present. Reservations, 514-573-7282.
Monday, Jan. 27
SPEAKING TO GOD
“How to Speak to God” is the name of a five-part Monday night adult education program being held at Congregation Tifereth Beth David Jerusalem, 8 p.m. The series explains how to make individual prayer more meaningful. Remaining sessions are on Feb. 3, 10 and 17. The class will be preceded by a 15-minute “Mini-Lesson: A Siddur GPS,” an introduction to the use of the daily prayerbook. 514-489-3841.
DARK LULLABIES REDUX
Irene Angelico’s ground-breaking 1985 documentary Dark Lullabies will be shown at Cinéma du Parc at 7 p.m., and continuing until Jan. 30, in commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The film explores the impact of the Holocaust on the next generations of both Jews and Germans.
Tuesday, Jan. 28
YIDDISH CLASSES
An eight-session intermediate Yiddish language class begins at the Jewish Public Library, given by Sheila Witt, 7-8:45 p.m. An advanced class, taught by Lorna Smith, starts Feb. 10 for 12 sessions. Participants are expected to have a knowledge of grammar, reading and writing for both classes. Registration, 514-345-2627, ext. 3006.
Wednesday, Jan. 29
TALMUDIC WORKSHOP
A Talmudic workshop in French titled “Self-defence: How is it Defined in the Talmud?” is being led by Daniel Glassman at Cummings House, 7-9 p.m. Open to everyone, the workshop is sponsored by ALEPH-Centre d’Études Juives Contemporaines. Registration, 514-733-4998, ext. 3160.
TOXIC COSMETICS
“The Beast of Beauty: Toxic Ingredients in Cosmetics” is the topic at a meeting of the FAB (Fifty and Beyond) Group of Act to End Violence Against Women at the Loblaws party room on St. Jacques Street. Reservations, 514-487-2330.
Thursday, Jan. 30
CHALLAH BAKING
Sara Bernath leads a challah baking workshop at Chabad of NDG, 4020 Hingston Ave., at 10:30 a.m. or 7:30 p.m. Children are welcome at this hands-on class. Registration, 514-686-6770.
…Et Cetera…
JGH TRAFFIC
Changes have been made to the traffic flow around the Jewish General Hospital while construction on its expansion continues. Légaré Street has re-opened to two-way traffic between Côte Ste. Catherine Road and de la Peltrie Street. The section north of de la Peltrie remains a one-way southbound street. Eastbound traffic on Côte Ste. Catherine can now make left-hand turns onto Légaré. The Côte des Neiges-Notre Dame de Grace borough says it will install an advance green light at that intersection.
Bourret Street is now a one-way westbound street between Légaré and Lavoie Street. The section of Bourret west of Lavoie remains a one-way eastbound street.
STUDENTS BUILD HOME
Fifteen Hillel Montreal students and two of their leaders spent a week during the break helping build a Habitat for Humanity home in Boynton Beach, Fla. A Christian-based non-profit organization, Habitat builds modest housing for low-income people around the world. The local Jewish community welcomed the young Montrealers, provided them with kosher meals and hosted them at various get-togethers. Hillel Montreal leader Caroline Levine, 24, said the project put into action the Jewish value of tikkun olam, repairing the world.
ENDING VIOLENCE
Act to End Violence Against Women (formerly Jewish Women International of Canada) is expanding its board of directors and is looking for women who have a knowledge of the issue and possibly also fundraising, legal or financial experience. The organization works to raise awareness about the issue of violence against women. Resumés may be sent to executive director Penny Krowitz at [email protected].
INTERCULTURAL LEADERS
Luciano del Negro, Quebec vice-president of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and a volunteer in many charitable groups, and businessperson and activist/philanthropist Monette Malewski were named among the 20 Plus Grandes Personnalités de la Diversité de l’Année by the Agence de presse Médiamosaique for their promotion of pluralism and intercultural harmony.
SEAGULL AT SEGAL
A new comic and bittersweet adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull by Canadian director/playwright Peter Hinton runs at the Segal Centre from Feb. 2 to 16. This modern take on a classic stars Canadian stage veterans Lucy Peacock and Diane D’Aquila. Tickets, 514-739-7944. Hinton, former artistic director of the National Art Centre’s English theatre, speaks about the play at 11 a.m. on Feb. 2, before the opening.