About Town: Week of Jan. 5

Friday, Jan. 6

 

CROSS COUNTRY

The Cummings Centre has a Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe Club whose first outing is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. today. Possible destinations this season include Gailuron, Domaine St. Bernard, and Ste. Agathe des Monts. Contact Annette at 514-342-1234, ext. 7305.

 

Sunday, Jan. 8

 

TREE WORKSHOP

The Jewish Genealogical Society stages its regular Family Tree Workshop, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Jewish Public Library. Call Roxana Brauns at 514-345-2627, or e-mail [email protected].

 

Monday, Jan. 9

 

GLAUCOMA CLINIC

The first of seven monthly  Monday English-language clinics on glaucoma (and five others in French), 4 p.m., the Samuel S. Cohen Auditorium (room A-102) of the Jewish General Hospital, led by JGH ophthalmic technicians Marc Renaud, ophthalmic nurse Carole Desharnais, and Dr. Oscar Kasner, director of the JGH’s glaucoma service. To register or for details, 514-340-8222, ext. 4954.

 

JGS FILM

The Jewish Genealogical Society hosts its ninth annual free film night featuring two surprise films, 7 p.m., the Jewish Public Library. Call the JGS hotline at 514-484-0969, or visit www.jgsmontreal.org.

 

WINTER COURSES

Registration for winter programs and courses at Prime Time, the West Island division of the Cummings Centre, 96 Roger Pilon in Dollard des Ormeaux, is 10 a.m.-6 p.m. For details or to register, call Ellen at 514-624-5005, ext. 230.

 

ÉTUDES D’ALEPH

A French-language seminar titled “Atelier talmudique sure le traité ‘Berachot’ (Bénédictions),” runs 7-8:30 p.m. at 1 Cummings Square, sponsored by Aleph – Centre d’Études Contemporaines. Call Claudia Win at 514-733-4998, ext. 3186, or e-mail, [email protected].

 

…Et Cetera…

 

JEWISH COMMUNITY PROS

Fifteen fledgling Jewish community professionals from across Canada – including six from Montreal – gathered recently at Federation CJA for a ceremony as first Canadian recipients of master’s degrees in Jewish professional studies from Jewish Federations Canada-UIA and Chicago’s Spertus Institute. Participants included the UIA’s Linda Kislowicz; Chicago community leader Barbara Bank, who received an honorary doctorate, and Spertus CEO Hal Lewis. The other Canadian graduates were Sarah Atkins, who delivered  remarks on behalf of all the graduates, Sabrina Bercovitch, Shauna Bornstein, Jeff Bradshaw, Lior Cyngiser, Mindy Eklove, Leesa Fox, Hava Goldberg, Stuart Guttman, Alana Kayfetz, Tamar Krauss, Michele Pepin, Beverley Shimansky, Orly Shapiro Fayer, and Shira Webber.

 

JPL’S 5TH ISRAELI FILM FEST

The Jewish Public Library’s fifth Israeli Film Festival screens its third film (of four in all), Jan. 14, 8 p.m. (in Hebrew with English subtitles) at Concordia University Loyola Campus’ F.C. Smith Auditorium, 7141 Sherbrooke St. W. The film is Joseph Madmony’s Restoration, the story of an elderly furniture restorer trying to preserve his way of life. The film has won several awards, including for screenwriting at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. Tickets, 514-345-6416, or 514-345-2627, ext. 3017.

FULL ACCREDITATION

The Jewish Eldercare Centre recently received certification for a full three years from Accreditation Canada. The process allowed both parties to evaluate service according to national standards.

 

SINHA DANSE

On Jan. 14, 8 p.m., Sinha Danse, a 20-year-old dance company created by Roger Sinha, gives a preview performance of a work in progress at the Segal Centre, followed by a discussion, as part of the centre’s choreographer-in-residence program. Call 514-739-7944, or visit, www.segalcentre.org.

 

EMUNAH ZUMBA

Emunah Women of Montreal holds a fundraising evening Jan. 15 called “Zumba with Emunah,” at Beth Israel Beth Aaron Congregation. For women 15 and older only. Registration is at 6:30 p.m., with a 7-8 p.m. session for beginner and advanced levels, and a second 8:30-9:30 p.m. session for zumba and yoga (with Karen Gozlan). Participants can register for one or both sessions. Call 514-485-2397, e-mail, [email protected], or visit www. facebook.com/emunahmontreal.

 

JNF BALL HOCKEY

At Bialik High School on Jan. 15, 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m., the Jewish National Fund is holding a ball hockey tournament to purchase outdoor gym equipment for the Iris Village autism centre in Be’er Sheva. JNF is looking for players aged 18+, with each arranging for $150 in pledges or $1,500 per team. Call Lorne at 514-934-0313, ext. 225, e-mail, [email protected], or register or donate through www.jnfballhockey.com.

 

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT

Hope & Cope offers a free, eight-week bereavement support group program in English for individuals experiencing recent loss. The group meets the first and third Tuesday of every month, beginning Jan. 24 and ending April 17, with afternoon sessions 2-3:30 p.m. and evening sessions 7-8:30 p.m. Register with Anna Feindel at 514-340-8222, ext. 3985, or call 514-340-3616 and leave a message for Robyn Wilkenfeld.

 

PARAPROFESSIONAL WINTER

The Donald Berman Maimonides Geriatric Centre is recruiting volunteers for its 2012 paraprofessional volunteer program that starts at the end of January. It’s intended for recent retirees and/or “empty nesters” who can lend their expertise by working alongside professional staff in social services, therapeutic recreation, nutrition services, rehab services, infection control, research, or the day hospital. The program includes orientation and training through lectures and workshops, and volunteers are expected to commit one half-day per week. An information meeting takes place Jan. 23. Call Roz Friend at 514-483-2121, ext. 2204, or e-mail, [email protected].

 

MP PRESENTS AWARD

Last month, Mount Royal MP Irwin Cotler personally bestowed veteran Bialik High School educator Marcy Stein with a Prime Minister’s Teaching Excellence Award at an assembly at the school, where Stein has taught English, math, and drama in innovative and inspiring ways for more than 30 years. Stein was one of 84 educators from across Canada to receive the award. The assembly, held during Chanukah, included a performance by the Bialik Yiddish Choir and a reception.

 

MAN OF GREASE

Man of Grease, documentary filmmaker Ezra Soiferman’s offbeat profile of Tony Koulakis, the now-retired chef at the Cosmos Snack Bar, an 11-seat greasy spoon institution in NDG, had its launch on DVD last month at a special event at the Segal Centre’s CinemaSpace, 11 years after its was first released to critical acclaim. The DVD, which was screened at the event, includes two hours of bonus features. The event included the participation of Soiferman and editor Mika Goodfriend. The event was hosted by Perpetuum Productions, which produced the film.

 

KINNERET-BILUIM

Israeli consul-general Joel Lion was a guest at the recent board of directors meeting of Camp Kinneret – Biluim, with participants including director Guy Korngold, president Lisa Winston, and secretary Denise Goldman. On June 12, at the Segal Centre, the camp will celebrate its 60th anniversary with an evening honouring a longtime supporter, developer and philanthropist  David Azrieli.