Thursday, April 3
PRESIDENT FOR LIFE
Eric Bissell will become B’nai Brith Canada’s first honorary national president for life at a cocktail reception this evening at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Bissell, a Montreal businessman, has been involved with B’nai Brith for a half-century and is completing a three-year presidency. Andy Nulman is MC and the honorary event co-chairs are Robert Cutler, Avram Fishman and Jacques Maurice. Tickets, 514-733-5377, ext. 127.
DETECTING CANCER
Nurse Danielle Morin speaks on early detection of breast and prostate cancer at a Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors meeting, 96 Roger Pilon St., Dollard des Ormeaux, 1 p.m. 514-624-5005, ext. 230.
Friday, April 4
MUSICAL SHABBATON
Hankus Nefsky, a leader among the first generation of klezmer revivalists, is the “Musical Revolutionary and Cultural Powerhouse” at a Shabbaton at Congregation Dorshei Emet. At a 6:30 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat, he recreates Shabbat in a Czechoslovakian shetl, followed by a vegetarian potluck dinner. Reservations, admin@dorshei-emet. org. On April 5 at 10 a.m., Nefsky speaks during services on “Reconnecting With Our Musical Roots in Eastern Europe.” 514-486-9400.
Sunday, April 6
FAMILY TREE WORKSHOP
The Jewish Genealogical Society of Montreal holds a family tree workshop at the Jewish Public Library from 10 a.m. to noon, where beginners can get one-on-one help with family history research. www.jgs-montreal.org.
BLOOD DRIVE
Shaare Zion Congregation, in collaboration with Héma-Québec, holds a blood drive, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The goal is 65 donors. Most healthy adults over 18 can donate. www.hema-quebec.qc.ca.
YIDDISH COMEDY
Back by popular demand at the Segal Centre Studio is Di Komedyantn, starring Sam Stein, Aron Gonshor and other members of the Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre, at 8 p.m. This is a staged reading of Miriam Hoffman’s Yiddish adaptation of the play The Sunshine Boys by Neil Simon (with English subtitles). Reprised on April 7. Tickets, 514-739-7944.
Monday, April 7
BEAD EXCHANGE
A bead exchange and jewelry demonstration will be held at the Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors craft centre from 1-3 p.m. 514-342-1234, ext. 7365.
Tuesday, April 8
FACES OF ZIONISM
Religion professors Claire English and Ming Hui Pan speak on “The Faces of Zionism: A Historical Perspective” at Concordia University’s Azrieli Institute of Israel Studies, 1590 Docteur Penfield Ave., at noon. 514-848-2424, ext. 8721.
ANCESTRY SEARCH
Webmaster Alan Greenberg talks about how to find “invisible” records of your ancestors at a Jewish Genealogical Society of Montreal meeting at the Jewish Public Library, 7:30 p.m. 514-484-0969.
HELPING KIDS
Agence Ometz holds a fundraising event called “A Chance to Shine” at Place des Arts’ Théâtre Maisonneuve at 7:30 p.m. featuring The Silhouettes, first runners-up on America’s Got Talent. Proceeds will go toward helping children living in poverty, children with learning disabilities or kids who have been abused. Tickets, [email protected].
QUEBEC VALUES
Victor Goldbloom, community leader, interfaith dialogue pioneer former and provincial cabinet minister, discusses Quebec values at a Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors event at the Hampton Inn and Suites, 1900 TransCanada Highway, at 7:30 p.m. Ellen Tock, 514-624-5005, ext. 230.
AFTERMATH AT SHAAR
The award-winning but controversial Polish movie Aftermath makes its Montreal premiere at Congregation Shaar Hashomayim at 7:30 p.m. Based on true events, it’s the story of two brothers who uncover a dark secret that forces them to confront their hometown – and family’s – history. 514-937-9471.
Wednesday, April 9
AUTHOR READING
Linda Spalding reads from her novel The Purchase at a wine reception at the Jewish Public Library at 5:30 p.m., sponsored with the Canada Council. Winner of the 2012 Governor General’s Award for Fiction, The Purchase is inspired by Spalding’s Quaker ancestors’ experience with slavery. She’ll be introduced by Trudis Goldsmith-Reber. Reservations, 514-345-6416.
…Et Cetera…
RICHLER & SNOOKER
The inaugural Richler Cup Snooker Tournament, which pays tribute to the late writer Mordecai Richler’s love of the game, takes place during the first Montreal International Snooker Festival April 26-27 at Le Skratch West Island. The writer’s eldest son, Daniel Richler, is scheduled to come in from London to present the trophy. One of Richler’s last books was On Snooker, a paean to a game that fascinated him from the time he played truant in poolrooms from Baron Byng High School. Sanctioned by Snooker Canada, the tournament will see players from across the country compete for a total prize fund of $20,000, said organizer Patrick Guigui. The action will be streamed online through the International Snooker Federation, and a documentary film on the history of snooker is being made. [email protected].
NEW THERAPY PROGRAM
The Jewish General Hospital and McGill University’s social work school are partnering to offer a new master’s degree program in couple and family therapy this fall, the first of its kind in Quebec. The two-year, interdisciplinary program will combine academic training with practical experience. The JGH’s Institute of Community and Family Psychiatry has long experience in clinical training in this field in association with McGill. Graduates will leave not only with a master of science degree, but two professional permits: one as a couple and family therapist and another as a psychotherapist.
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
Congregation Dorshei Emet (the Reconstructionist Synagogue) is the first Canadian congregation to join Guess Who’s Coming to Shabbat?, a North American-wide effort to encourage stronger relationships among congregants. They are matched and host each other in their homes for a Shabbat dinner. It’s inspired by Rabbi Ron Wolfson’s book Relational Judaism. Congregants can choose their guests, but the idea is to get acquainted with people they don’t know so well in order that new friends can be made. The ultimate goal is to have every family invited to another’s home by the end of the year. Host families are supplied with handmade Shabbat candles, blessing sheets and even table conversation starters, and volunteers co-ordinate the dinner pairings.