Thursday, March 29
YANOFSKY RULES
Award-winning author and book reviewer Joel Yanofsky gives his take on Jodi Picoult’s novel, House Rules, 2 p.m. at the Jewish Public Library. Tickets and details, 514-345-2627, ext. 3006.
PROMISING FUTURE
Luc Villeneuve, head of Samson Bélair/Deloitte & Touche financial planners, speaks about “The Will of a Promising Future” at a Segal Centre Young Leaders-Jewish Chamber of Commerce event, 5-7 p.m. at the Segal Centre. The evening includes options (at additional cost) of a 7:30 p.m. concert by opera soprano Natalie Choquette, followed by the play Vigil, 8 p.m. Reserve with Emilie Hervieux, 514-739-2301, ext. 8365.
PASSOVER SAMPLERS
At the Eleanor London Public Library at 7 p.m., chef Elliott Cohen demonstrates three “simple and delicious” Passover appetizers to sample. 514-485-6900.
Friday, March 30
WOMEN’S SHABBATON
As part of its annual Jewish Women’s History Week, Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom holds a special History Week Shabbaton today and tomorrow (March 31) organized by its history week committee and highlighted by a women-led Friday night service and luncheon the next day. The committee and the shul’s museum committee will also hold a Saturday-afternoon museum tour. Reserve for lunch at 514-937-3575.
RENEWAL SHUL
B’nai Or Montreal Community Shul, the city’s egalitarian “Jewish renewal congregation,” invites the public to a 7-10 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat at Kellert Hall in the YM-YWHA Ben Weider JCC. E-mail Rabbi Sherrill Gilbert at [email protected].
BIRD MIGRATION
Sheldon Harvey explains the spring migration of birds, 10 a.m., Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors. Call Joyce, 514-342-1234, ext. 7318.
Saturday, March 31
MOCK SEDER
Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom’s Torah School and the Jewish Interfaith Family Forum stage a “Mock Family Passover Seder” for those tired of the “same old” seder, as well as converts, and interfaith couples. Things start with a 9:15 a.m. “Plague Making Workshop,” followed by the seder 10 a.m.-noon. Advance registration required. Melanie, 514-937-3575.
GUEST RABBI
Rabbi Efrem Reis, a native of Flint, Mich., with a diverse history of rabbinic activities from youth to seniors, is guest rabbi at Shabbat services at Congregation Beth-El. Call 514-738-4766.
BBYO FIRE ’N ICE
B’nai Brith Youth Organization holds a Fire ’n Ice dance party, 9 p.m. at the YM-YWHA Ben Weider JCC’s Grover Auditorium. Call Caryl Gold for tickets, 514-212-0812, or Carolyn Booth, 514-622-8586.
Sunday, April 1
FAMILY MITZVAH DAY
Federation CJA holds a Passover Family Mitzvah Day, with activities for the whole family (babies included), 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Gelber Conference Centre, featuring Passover art, a sports carnival, face painting, music, and dancing. “Cover charge” is a gift certificate, household item, or Passover goods for gift baskets for families in need. Register with Fabienne Salem, 514-345-2645, ext. 6402.
ON JEWISH WOMEN
Author and speaker Lori Palatnik discusses “The Impact of the Jewish Woman,” 7:30 p.m., Beth Zion Synagogue. 514-489-8411.
POWER JAZZ
Vocalist Angela Galupo and the St. Ange Jazz Ensemble perform at the Segal Centre’s Le Studio, 8 p.m. Tickets at 514-739-7944.
Monday, April 2
D’ARCY NOMINATION
The nomination meeting for D’Arcy McGee Liberal MNA Lawrence Bergman takes place 7 p.m. at Adath-Israel Poale Zedek synagogue, 223 Harrow Cr. in Hampstead. If re-elected in a coming vote, it would be the sixth term for Bergman, who first took office in 1994. Health Minister Yves Bolduc is also expected to attend.
GIFT TO STALIN
The Kazakh film The Gift to Stalin by Rustem Abdrashev, about a Jewish boy who enters a contest to make a birthday present for Joseph Stalin in the hope of finding his parents, screens 7:30 p.m. at the Jewish Public Library with co-producer Aliya Uvalzhanova present. Tickets, 514-345-6416.
Tuesday, April 3
PALESTINIAN CIVIL SOCIETY
Under the auspices of the McGill Middle East Program in Civil Society and Peace Building founded by James Torczyner, the International Community Action Network (ICAN) presents, “Fifteen Years Creating Engaged Citizenry in Palestine,” a public talk with ICAN’s Varsen Aghabekian and Sami Al-Kilani, 6 p.m. in Leacock 232. Call 514-398-6717.
…Et Cetera…
2ND SINAI SIX IN THE CITY
April 23 is the date set for Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation’s second annual “Sinai Six in the City,” a “fashion-fuelled fundraiser” that lets participants enjoy exclusive discount shopping at venues all over the city with their own shopping guide and schedule in hand. Participants must register their cars online at www.sinaisixinthecity.org.
HUMAN RIGHTS SEDER
Canadian Friends of Rabbis for Human Rights and the Montreal Dialogue Group hold a Human Rights Seder, April 11, using an interpretative Haggadah by Liliana Trodler. Reserve at 514-744-3995.
PASSOVER GIFT BASKETS
Canadian Hadassah-WIZO’s Shoshanim and Chaverot chapters are selling a limited number of Passover gift baskets filled with holiday goodies, including scrolls with the names of family members – even pets! Call 514-933-8461.
IPOD @JGH ICU
The Jewish General Hospital has introduced the iPod Touch into its intensive care unit as part of a pilot project and resource for 40 ICU nurses there. The devices link the nurses to medical applications specifically selected to serve the project. Nurses using the iPods can get a wide range of data about various illnesses and conditions to help their clinical decision-making.
BUST A MOVE NO BUST
The Jewish General Hospital Foundation’s inaugural Bust a Move for Breast Health event was definitely no bust. The day-long fitness and fundraising event at the YM-YWHA Ben Weider JCC raised “significant funds” for the JGH’s Breast Centre, the hospital said. Funds will go toward expanding the centre and purchasing an additional ultrasound machine.
HARD OF HEARING $ CINEMA
Bernie Furberg, owner of the Dollar Cinema in Decarie Square, is screening English-language films with English subtitles for all dialogue once a day on Mondays and Wednesdays, in order to help seniors and others with hearing difficulties who can’t discern dialogue well enough from the speakers. Furberg said he’s heard seniors complain about the headphones they have to don elsewhere to hear cinema sound and said he would increase the screenings at his theatre if he gets positive feedback and if numbers warrant. His number is 514-739-0536.