Thursday, Nov. 21
ZOLTAK MEMOIR
Child Holocaust survivor Sidney Zoltak launches his memoir My Silent Pledge: A Journey of Struggle, Survival and Remembrance (Guernica Editions) at the Eleanor London Côte St. Luc Public Library at 7:30 p.m., in conjunction with the Jewish Public Library. Born in Poland, Zoltak was eight when World War II broke out. His family survived in hiding, finally in a hole in the ground provided by farmers. 514-485-6900.
KLODAWSKY PREMIERE
Montreal filmmaker Helene Klodawsky’s Come Worry With Us! a backstage look at life in the experimental rock band Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra, has its world premiere at the Montreal International Documentary Festival at Excentris at 6:45 p.m. (shown again Nov. 24 at Cinéma du Parc.) Klodawsky offers an intimate look at how the Montreal-based band’s leaders, violinst Jessica Moss and singer/guitarist Efrim Menuck, balance touring and parenthood. www.ridm.qc.ca.
Friday, Nov. 22
JEWS AND HUMOUR
Alan Zweig’s documentary When Jews Were Funny, crowned best Canadian feature at the Toronto International Film Festival, opens at Cinéma du Parc. It examines the impact of Jews on American showbiz and pop culture, and on a Jewish boy growing up in Canada in the 1950s and ’60s. Comics such as Shecky Greene, David Brenner and Judy Gold are interviewed. www.whenjewswerefunny.com
Saturday, Nov. 23
SPANISH JEWRY
McGill University professor Yael Halevi-Wise, raised in Mexico, lectures on “Sephardism: Spanish Jewish History and the Modern Literary Imagination” at Congregation Dorshei Emet at 10 a.m. 514-486-9400.
On Nov. 24, the congregation’s members visit a Sikh temple on the West Island, where Rabbi Ron Aigen speaks on Judaism, reciprocating a visit by the Sikh community to the synagogue.
Sunday, Nov. 24
HOLIDAY CONCERT
Two-time Juno nominee Jennifer Gasoi and her band give a holiday family concert at the Jewish Public Library at 11 a.m. Children under seven must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets, 514-345-2627, ext. 3012.
Monday, Nov. 25
YIDDISH DANCE PARTY
A free Yiddish Dance Party will be held at the Ukrainian National Federation, 405 Fairmont Ave., by KlezKanada with the Mile End Chavurah at 8 p.m. Dance instructor Steve Weintraub of Philadelphia, accompanied by the Rachel Lemisch Band, leads the dancing, for novices and the experienced. Robin Mader, 514-933-3739.
FOR CAREGIVERS
A free workshop will be presented by the Council on Palliative Care, Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom, 6-8 p.m. Nurse Joan Foster and social worker Zelda Freitas discuss “Communications: Tips for Caregivers.” 514-845-0795.
MUSEUM EXHIBIT
A guide from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts talks about its current exhibition “Splendore a Venezia” at the Jewish Public Library at 7:30 p.m. Sponsored by the N.E. Mendelson Endowment. Tickets, 514-345-6416.
YIDDISH READING
A staged reading of the Sholem Aleichem comedy The Lottery or Dos Groyse Gevins is given at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts, 8 p.m. (repeated Nov. 26). Directed by Rachelle Glait, this story of a simple tailor in Czarist Russia who wins 200,000 rubles will be presented in Yiddish with English supertitles by members, past and present, of the Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre. Tickets,514-739-7944.
Tuesday, Nov. 26
BLOOD CANCERS
The Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre offers a public forum on “Lymphoma, Leukemia and Other Hematological Cancers,” 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the McIntyre Medical Sciences Building. 1200 Pine Ave. W. Reservations, [email protected].
Wednesday, Nov. 27
BACK TO THE ’60S
The Rock ‘n’ Soul Choir of the Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors presents their “I’m a Believer” concert of music from the 1960s and ’70s, Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom, 7 p.m. Michelle Lander, 514-342-1234, ext. 7216.
Thursday, Nov. 28
GATEKEEPERS DIRECTOR
Dror Moreh, director of the Academy Award-nominated Israeli documentary The Gatekeepers, speaks at McGill University’s Bronfman Building, 1001 Sherbrooke St. W., at 7:30 p.m., sponsored by Canadian Friends of Peace Now. He discusses the reaction to this film, which features candid interviews with six former Shin Bet directors who now oppose the occupation of Palestinian territories.
…Et Cetera…
EDUCATIONAL GRANTS
Federation CJA’s Creating Access: Promoting Success (CAPS) program, designed to make Jewish education more affordable for middle-income families, is accepting applications from parents for the 2014-2015 school year. Grants of $1,800 are being offered for students entering kindergarten and Secondary I. In addition, the program caps the annual tuition from kindergarten through Secondary V. Currently, more than 450 children are benefiting from CAPS, with more then 100 of them receiving the $1,800 grant. The deadline for applications is March 3 at noon. Visit www.generationsfund.ca.
DESJARDINS GIVES $1M
Desjardins Group was the principal sponsor of the Jewish General Hospital’s annual gala held Nov. 18 at the Arsenal. The financial institution is committed to contributing $1 million to the JGH, earmarked for research at the Lady Davis Institute. The dinner honoured former premier Jean Charest and his wife Michelle Dionne.
Harvey Levine is the new director of B’nai Brith Canada, Quebec region. A 30-year member, he has worked professionally in marketing and advertising , mainly in the pharmaceutical and health-care industries… Oren Safdie won the $2,000 runner-up prize in Infinitheatre’s annual Write-on-Q! playwriting competition for new works by Quebecers. Safdie’s Boycott This! connects the present-day boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel with events in Poland during World War II, as well as with Israel’s future. The play will receive its first public Canadian reading on Dec. 7 at Infinitheatre at Bain St. Michel, 5300 St. Dominique St. at 7 p.m. www.infinitheatre.com/infin-pipeline1.html… Conductor Boris Brott, artistic director of the McGill Chamber Orchestra, received an honorary doctorate from the university recognizing his 50-plus years encouraging musical talent and appreciation.