Tuesday, Dec. 31
DIAMOND DANCE
Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors stages a New Year’s Eve “Diamonds are Forever” dinner-dance, 7 p.m. at the Spanish & Portuguese Synagogue, featuring an open bar, cocktails, and dinner, with music by Lahit Baroch. Reserve by calling Claude Elbaz at 514-342-1234, ext. 7325.
Thursday, Jan. 2
WOMEN’S ROSH CHODESH
Women and children are invited to attend a Women’s Rosh Chodesh for the month of Shvat, 9 a.m. at Shaare Zedek Congregation. For more details call 514-484-1122.
Wednesday, Jan. 8
SSA HOCKEY
Solomon Schechter Academy (SSA) has its first hockey team ever this year. Coached by Warren Garfield, it’s playing against McCaig elementary school at 3:45 p.m. in Rosemere in an exhibition game outside the 10-game season that pits the SSA Bears against other elementary schools, including Selwyn House, Kuper Academy, Royal Vale, LCC, and Stanislas. For details, call Valerie Blum at 514-485-0866, ext. 119.
…Et Cetera…
JPPS 100TH!
Jewish People and Peretz Schools and Bialik High School are gearing up for a special 100th anniversary year of celebrations and activities in 2014. If you ever attended the schools, email Amy Finkelstein, [email protected].
SKIING SNOWSHOEING
On Jan. 10, weather and ski conditions permitting, the Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors begins a Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. cross-country skiing and snowshoeing club, with destinations that include Ste. Agathe, Mont St. Bruno, and Val David. Must be a CJCS member to take part. Contact Annette Vézina at 514-342-1234, ext. 7305.
EPICHORUS
The acclaimed six-piece Epichorus musical ensemble, featuring Rabbi Zach Fredman and Alsarah, performs at the annual Shabbat Shirah concert at Congregation Dorshei Emet, Jan. 11, 8 p.m. Call 514-486-9400 or visit www.dorsheiemet.com.
EYAL GOLAN!
On Jan. 14, 8 p.m., one of Israel’s best-known entertainers, Eyal Golan, is back in Montreal for a concert at L’Olympia, 1004 Ste. Catherine St. E., presented by le Cercle of the Communauté Sepharade Unifiée du Québec (CSUQ). Golan is one of Israel’s most popular figures, as a singer of “Mizrachi” music, a one-time soccer player and reality show star. For tickets, call 514-733-4998, ext. 3120, or visit www.eyalgolan.ca.
CIJR HOSTS BARBARA KAY
Always articulate and provocative National Post columnist Barbara Kay discusses Israeli advocacy on campus, Jan. 15, 5:30 p.m. at the Canadian Institute for Jewish Research, 1396 St. Catherine St. W., Suite 218. Free admission. Register at 514-486-5544, email [email protected], or visit www.isranet.org.
FASCINATING GENETICS
The Centre for Culture and Learning of Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom presents “Explorations,” a fascinating discussion about the science of genetics, “its advancements, and societal implications,” 7 p.m. Details, 514-937-3575, ext. 212.
JPL’S ISRAELI FILM FESTIVAL
Five films (with English subtitles) will be screened at the Dollar Cinema at Decarie Square as part of the Jewish Public Library’s 2014 Israeli Film Festival. The first , Jan. 18 , 8 p.m., is Lorraine Lévy’s 2013 Israel-France co-production, The Other Son, about an 18-year-old who reports for military service only to discover that he’s not his parents’ biological son. The film won best director and best film honours at the 2012 Tokyo International Film Festival and will be introduced by Dr. Hananel Holzer, medical director of the MUHC Reproductive Centre. Other films will be screened Jan. 25, Feb. 1, Feb. 8, and Feb. 15. Tickets, 514-345-6416, or www.jewishpubliclibrary.org.
CJCS WINTER COURSES
Registration continues for winter courses and programs at the Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors. Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., and Fridays, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Programs are also offered at CJCS’s satellite branches in Chomedey, Westmount, the West Island and even Florida. Call 514-3432-1234, ext. 7209, or visit www.cummingscentre.org.
CHABAD LIFELINE
Chabad Lifeline, a non-sectarian organization for anyone dealing with addictions, has a new drama therapy workshop, Thursdays, 3 p.m. It’s a closed group, and pre-registration is required. Call Ruth Weinberg, 514-738-7700.
NEW EXERCISE CLASS
Beginning in January, the Creative Social Centre at 5237 Clanranald Ave. has a new exercise class tailored for each student, with emphasis on the lower back, hip and knee and designed to restore strength and flexibility. Call 514-488-0907.
UNREVEALED BEAUTY
Unrevealed Beauty, a photo exhibit by Duby Tal of Dead Sea landscapes sponsored by Concordia University’s Azrieli Institute of Israel Studies, continues at the Bronfman Building, 1590 Dr. Penfield Ave., through Jan. 17 (Monday through Fridays, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., but closed Jan. 1). Produced by Albatross Aerial Photography. Details, 5143-848-2424, ext. 8721.
NEW PHOTO BLOG SITE
Federation CJA recently launched InMontreal.com, a photo blog site featuring, “a rich collection of candid photos and unique testimonials to show that together, we create a strong tapestry of individuals that is proud, vibrant, and unique.” According to federation CEO Deborah Corber, “with this project, we want to engage the community in an innovative way about who we are. The Montreal Jewish community is far more diverse than many of us realize. It is up to us to showcase this and provide new entry points into community and Jewish life.” The site builds on the popularity of photo-based blog sites and gives a “glimpse of our community as we go about our daily lives.”
NEW COOKBOOK IMPRINT
A Treasure for My Daughter, Canadian Hadassah-WIZO’s classic cookbook, has had its 14th printing with many updates and improvements, including revised “blessings” chapter, an updated 25-year calendar, and much more. Call 514-933-8461.
Social worker Lenore Vosberg recently received the Miriam Foundation’s 2013 Hero Award for work in helping people with developmental disabilities. Vosberg is founder and executive director of the Centre for the Arts in Human Development and a social worker at the West Montreal Readaptation Centre… In the seventh annual Maclean’s and L’actualité magazines’ Parliamentarian of the Year Awards, Liberal MP Irwin Cotler was named runner-up as the hardest working MP, behind Green party chief Elizabeth May. The votes were tallied by the Ipsos-Reid polling firm… Montreal-born actor Jack Westelman, known professional as Danny Wells, died recently in Toronto at age 72. Wells played Charlie the bartender on The Jeffersons, as well as Luigi on the Super Mario Bros. Super Show!, in addition to many other roles over his career.