Thursday, Nov.24
AIR CANADA BOSS FETED
Calin Rovinescu, Air Canada’s president and CEO, will receive the B’nai Brith Canada 2011 Award of Merit at an evening gala to be held at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel. Stanley Hartt, former chief of staff to Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, is MC. 6 p.m. Tickets, 733-5377.
BOOK LAUNCH
American-born Israeli journalist Gershom Gorenberg launches his book The Unmaking of Israel at the Gelber Conference Centre at 7:30 p.m. This critical examination of Israeli democracy is presented by the Canadian Friends of Peace Now and the Labour Zionist History Circle. 481-8492.
Friday, Nov. 25
CSL MAYOR AT CJCS
Côte St. Luc Mayor Anthony Housefather speaks at the Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors, 10 a.m. Call Joyce, 342-1234, ext. 7318.
Saturday, Nov. 26
COMEDY FOR A CAUSE
New York comedian Modi headlines a benefit evening for Larger than Life Canada, at the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, 7:30 p.m. Larger than Life makes life a little brighter for children in Israel suffering from cancer, regardless of their ethnic background. Tickets, Linda Balass, 953-5717.
BUSY NIGHT AT SEGAL
Les Aventures de Madame Merveille, described as “a live comic book opera,” will be staged in the Segal Centre for Performing Arts’ Studio at 8 p.m., under the direction of Véronique Lacroix. It’s free.
In the main theatre at 8 p.m., soprano Sharon Azrieli sings jazz as part of the Festival Séfarad de Montréal. Tickets, 733-4998.
At 11 p.m in the ArtLounge, Pat Dussault hosts an improv night.
Sunday, Nov. 27
CHEVRA GALA
Congregation Chevra Kadisha honours Rev. Benjamin Even-Hen and lay leaders Lois and Danny Miller, and Pearl and Jack Rothenberg at a gala dinner, 7 p.m. Reservations, 482-3366.
MUSICAL PROGRAMS
Musica Camerat Montreal presents “Yours to Discover,” Canadian premieres of works by the Russian Anton Arensky and the Hungarian Karl Goldmark at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts’ Studio at 2:30 p.m.
At 8 p.m., the Power Jazz Series continues with vocalist Kerry-Ann Kutz and her septet performing Kurt Weil favourites. Tickets, 739-7944.
BEN HUR RETURNS
The classic movie Ben Hur, in which a Jewish prince (Charlton Heston) is freed from slavery and avenges the betrayal of a Roman friend, is being shown at select Cineplex theatres at 12:30 p.m. www.cineplex.com/events. The movie won 11 Oscars.
Y OPEN HOUSE
The Ben Weider YM-YWHA holds a free wellness fair from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Mini-fitness classes and massage are open to adults, and kids can try activities in the pool and gym. The McGill Cardiovascular Health Improvement program provides information, with guest speaker Dr. Steven Grover. 737-6551.
Monday, Nov. 28
FOR INTERFAITH COUPLES
Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom presents “Chanukah and Christmas: Fond Memories, New Traditions,” a forum for interfaith couples grappling with how to spend the holiday season, 7:30 p.m. Guest speaker is Marion Usher, who has 16 years of experience leading such workshops in the United States. Reservations, [email protected].
MINI MOOD
A Mini Mood, a condensed version of the day-long event Le Mood held in June and aimed a young adults, is scheduled for the Segal Centre for Performing Arts at 7 p.m., sponsored with Federation CJA. On the agenda are a fusion of Jewish themes with Quebec separatism, an intercultural comedy battle, Punk Jews and other unconventional fare. Tickets, [email protected].
Tuesday,Nov. 29
ISRAELI DEMOCRACY
Concordia University political science professor Gershom Nikolenyi speaks on “Understanding Israeli Democracy,” at a Spanish and Portuguese Sisterhood event, 7:30 p.m.
OSCAR NOMINEES
Academy Award nominees Montrealers Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski present the short film Higglety Pigglety Pop! or There Must be More to Life, at the Jewish Public Library, 7:30 p.m. It’s based on a book of the same name by American children’s author Maurice Sendak, who is the subject of a current exhibit at the library. 345-2627.
Wednesday,Nov. 30
THE POSTER DIALOGUE
The Montreal Dialogue Group holds a discussion on the play The Poster, about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, now being presented by the Teesri Duniya troupe. The discussion takes place at the Canadian Centre for Ecumenism, 7 p.m. [email protected].
CANTORS IN POLAND
The documentary 100 Voices: A Journey Home, about a delegation of cantors touring Poland, will be screened at Mount Sinai Hospital by the Auxiliary, 7 p.m. It will be introduced by Cantor Heather Batchelor of Congregation Dorshei Emet. Reservations, 369-2222, ext. 1337.
LECTURE ON THE WEST BANK
“Is the ‘West Bank’ Occupied Territory?” is Hoshea Allen’s topic at Beth Zion Congregation, 7:30 p.m., presented with Howard Grief and the Office for Israeli Constitutional Law. 489-8411.
SISTERHOOD CELEBRATES
Shaare Zedek Sisterhood celebrates its Diamond Jubilee Year with a pre-Chanukah high tea and entertainment, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Reservations, 484-1122, ext. 101.
…Et Cetera…
Sheila Barshay Goldbloom, retired McGill University social work professor and dedicated volunteer, received an honorary doctor of laws from McGill this week. “A tireless community activist whose work has improved the lives of many” is how McGill describes her…
Poet, editor and playwright Endre Farkas received the 2011 Quebec Writers’ Federation Community Award for his contribution over 30 years to the development of English-language literature in Quebec. CJN readers may recall his 2009 play about A.M. Klein, titled Haunted House, and his poetic meditation on the Arab-Israeli conflict Blood is Blood, penned last year with Carolyn Marie Souaid… The closing film of the recent Montreal Greek Film Festival was the Greek-Israeli co-production My Sweet Canary, a biography of singer Roza Eskenazy (1895-1980), revered as the foremost interpreter of traditional Greek rebetiko folk music. Born in Constantinople, she was of Sephardi Jewish origin. This was the documentary’s North American premiere. Attending the festive evening at the Rialto Theatre were Israeli Consul General Joel Lion and Greek Consul General Thanos Kafopoulos, who underlined the friendship between their two countries.