Thursday, Jan. 3

BUTT OUT

The Jewish General Hospital’s Cancer Prevention Centre begins a free smoking-cessation program in either English or French over eight sessions. Call Joseph Erban, 514-340-8222, ext. 3870.

Friday, Jan. 4

MEET THE IMPRESSIONISTS

Meet the Impressionists with educators from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, 10 a.m., Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors. Joyce, 514-342-1234, ext. 7318.

FIRST FRIDAYS & POTLUCK

Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom holds its “First Fridays” (of the month) casual Shabbat program for families, with services at 5:45 p.m. followed by an oneg Shabbat. If your birthday is in January, you get a birthday blessing and cake. That’s followed by a Next Dor vegetarian potluck dinner geared to young adults in their 20s and 30s. RSVP, Jenny Chukhovich, 514-866-6411, or email [email protected].

Monday, Jan. 7

PRIME TIME REGISTRATION

Prime Time, Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors’ West Island division, opens registration for its winter programs, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at 96 Roger Pilon Blvd. in Dollard des Ormeaux. For listings or to register, call Ellen, 514-624-5005, ext. 230, or visit www.cummingscentre.org.

Thursday, Jan. 10

MELT METHOD

Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors presents the “MELT Method” for reducing chronic pain and helping people stay active, over four Thursdays, 10:15-11:15 a.m. Annette, 514-342-1234.

…Et Cetera…

JPL ISRAELI FILM FESTIVAL

Jewish Public Library librarian and film buff Sonia Smith helps to launch the 2013 edition of the JPL’s Israeli Film Festival with Jorge Weller’s 2011 romantic comedy Salsa Tel Aviv, Jan. 12, 8 p.m. at the Segal Centre’s 150-seat CinemaSpace. The story involves a romance between a Mexican salsa dancer and a young scientist. The theatre is small, so advance tickets are recommended, 514-739-7944. The other three films run Jan. 19, Feb. 16, and Feb. 23.

NAUGHTY CHILDREN TALES

As part of Segal Centre’s effort to make dance accessible, theatre, music, dance and song are blended in Tales for Naughty Children, Jan. 14-18, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the centre, no charge. The PPS Danse co-production with Chartier Danse is an adaptation of eight tales by French poet Jacques Prévert. 514-739-2301.

10TH JGS FILM NIGHT

The Jewish Genealogical Society’s 10th annual Film Night features a surprise film, Jan. 14, 7 p.m. at the Jewish Public Library. Call the JGS hotline, 514-484-0969.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT

Hope & Cope has a seven-week Bereavement Support Group starting Jan. 16. Call Robyn Wilkenfeld to register, 514-340-8222, ext. 85635, or 514-973-2254.

RESERVE JAN. 27 NOW!

Israeli comedian Zeev Revah is the draw at a Montreal Israeli Theatre event (in Hebrew), Jan. 27, 8 p.m. at Concordia University Loyola Campus’ Oscar Peterson Hall. Milli Raviv, 514-941-4450.

NEXT ENBRIDGE BIKE RIDE

The date for the fifth edition of the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer will be July 6-7, 2013. The two-day, 200-km bike ride between Montreal and Quebec City brings together riders, survivors and supporters with the common goal of ending cancer. The annual event has raised more than $26 million for research, treatment, and care at the Jewish General Hospital. Visit www.conquercancer.ca, or call 1-855-996-8356.

LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM

YAD (Young Adult Division) Montreal of Federation CJA hosted a National Young Leadership Symposium last month, a weekend spent networking, honing leadership skills and hearing discussion panels and seminars. Guests included Israel’s consul general in Los Angeles, Jacob Dayan.

EVERY PENNY COUNTS!

Last month at the Jewish General Hospital (JGH), 450 Grade 9 students from College Regina Assumpta helped launch Every Penny Counts, a drive to amass as many pennies as possible for JGH Hope & Cope’s Compassionate Fund for cancer families in need. The campaign was launched by Sybil Fleming with the collaboration of Scotiabank after the Royal Canadian Mint’s decision to halt production of the penny. Until the end of March, all pennies, collected or hoarded, can be dropped off at JGH’s main entrance. You can also donate online at jghpennydrive.org and at 514-340-8251.

ONE ENCHANTED EVENING

Generations Foundations’ Adrian and Natalie Bercovici were the honorees at Jewish Eldercare Centre (JEC) Auxiliary’s fundraising gala last fall. The “One Enchanted Evening” event, chaired by Barbara London and hosted by CJAD’s Sharman Yarnell, was declared a “phenomenal success” by organizers, with proceeds going to JEC medical equipment and resident educational and recreational activities. Guests included interim Mayor Michael Applebaum, D’Arcy McGee MNA Lawrence Bergman, and JEC president Arlene Adler.

NEW MOUNT SINAI WEBSITE

Mount Sinai Hospital recently launched a redesigned and bilingual website – www.sinaimontreal.ca – as part of its strategic objective to “better communicate with key audiences about its expertise, services, and unique approach to patient care.” Patients can now book appointments online and use many other new user-friendly features, executive director Michel Amar said.

COOKING FROM THE HEART

Last month, the MADA Community Centre/food bank hosted its first-ever Cookies From the Heart event, thanks to Hebrew Academy students Miriam and Arielle Gelerman, who with their mother, Leslie Perez, thought of the idea of students baking, decorating and donating cookies to the needy. More than 50 students baked and gift-wrapped 1,000 cookies for 370 families. A similar event coinciding with Purim is planned for March.

GOOD DEEDS DAY

Federation CJA West Island held its annual Family Mitzvah Day last month for families to perform mitzvot, among them welcoming immigrant families to the Jewish community. The event drew some 300 people and included activities such as putting artistic touches on Judaica items that were then donated to immigrant families.

ACCREDITATION  MARKS

Accreditation Canada, a non-profit body that assesses quality of services, gave the Jewish General Hospital (JGH) top marks following a recent review. It said the JGH fulfilled more than 96 per cent of its criteria. The JGH also got a perfect score for its emergency department and the review highlighted JGH employees’ pride in their institution.

CHOIR OPENINGS

The Creative Social Centre choir has openings for singers, with rehearsals Thursdays, 1-3 p.m. The centre also has stone sculpturing Wednesdays, 9:30-11:30 a.m., and jewelry making starting in February. Call 514-488-0907.