Sunday, Sept. 8
FAMILY TREE WORKSHOP
The Jewish Genealogical Society of Montreal presents a family tree workshop, 10 a.m. to noon at the Jewish Public Library. It’s an opportunity for beginners to get one-on-one help with researching their Jewish family history. Subsequent workshops are scheduled for Oct. 6, Nov. 2, Dec. 1, Jan. 12 and Feb. 2. Visit www.jgs-montreal.org or call the society’s 24-hour hotline at 514-484-0969.
Monday, Sept. 9
JPL ANNUAL MEETING
The Jewish Public Library (JPL) holds its 99th annual general meeting at 7:30 p.m. A new president will be installed, and a concert of Renaissance and Baroque music will be given by Les Idées heureuses. The JPL holds the largest public collection of Judaica in North America, in English, French, Hebrew, Yiddish and Russian. 514-343-2627, ext. 3017.
Tuesday, Sept. 10
YIDDISH CLASSES
A new beginners’ class in Yiddish taught by Sheila Witt starts at the Jewish Public Library, 7-8:45 p.m. Subsequent sessions are Sept. 17 and 24 and Oct. 1. This class is preparation for the intermediate class starting Oct. 8, which requires a basic comprehension of grammar, reading and writing.
An advanced Yiddish class also starts Sept. 10, 7-8:45 p.m. for 12 sessions. This course includes conversation skills and Yiddish literature study. Registration, 514-345-2627, ext. 3006.
Wednesday, Sept. 11
FINANCIAL LITERACY
Terri Allister speaks on financial literacy at a meeting of the FAB (Fifty and Beyond) group of Act to End Violence Against Women (formerly Jewish Women International), noon at Eggsfrutti, 6710 St. Jacques Blvd. W. Reservations, 514-487-2330.
BRIDGE LUNCHEON
Canadian Hadassah-WIZO Montreal holds its Tel Hai Bridge and Mah-jong Luncheon at the Elm Ridge Country Club. Reservations, 514-933-8461.
…Et Cetera…
HIKING CLUB
Hiking trips to various regional parks leave the Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors Fridays at 8 a.m. 514-342-1234, ext. 7305.
The centre’s book store is in need of used paperbacks in good condition. They can be dropped off at 5700 Westbury Ave.
FALL CJCS PROGRAMS
Registration is on for fall programs at the Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors, Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Courses for people over 50 include bridge, global affairs, languages, computers. There are also book and film clubs, fine arts and crafts, and a wellness centre. Programs are also available in Chomedey, Westmount, St. Laurent and the West Island. 514-342-1234, ext. 7209, www.cummingscentre.org.
FOR KIDS
The Norman Berman Children’s Library of the Jewish Public Library offers fall and winter programs for kids of all ages. They include Mostly Music with Linda Kravitz on Wednesdays, two sessions of Rhythm, Rhyme & Story Time on Mondays and Tuesdays, Mother Goose & Music, Drop-in Story Time, Music & Movement, and Shabbat and Me, all on weekdays. There’s also a Sunday story time that’s free and requires no registration, although library membership is needed. 514-345-2627, ext. 3012, 3016 or 3398.
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT
A seven-week bereavement support group is being offered by the Jewish General Hospital’s Hope & Cope cancer support program starting this month. Registration, Robyn Wilkenfeld, 514-340-8222, ext. 8535, or 514-973-2254.
ADDICTION HELP
A number of support programs for those affected by addictions, either personally or a family member, commence this month at Chabad Lifeline, 4615 Côte Ste. Catherine Rd. The non-profit, non-sectarian organization is introducing a drama therapy workshop on Thursdays at 3 p.m. under the motto “Set the stage to rehearse for your new life.” Participants are free to play any role they want, to try out new behaviours and face their fears. Registration, Ruth Weinberger, 514-738-7700.
Chabad Lifeline also offers an eight-week, therapist-facilitated outpatient group for partners of sex addicts. Registration, Jennifer Koty, 514-738-7700. There’s also an eight-week sex addiction and compulsivity group for men, focusing on recovery. Contact Koty.
Chabad Lifeline is looking for volunteers for its reception area.
CATARACT SURGERY
The Jewish General Hospital is hoping to reduce wait times for cataract surgery by better managing its resources. It recently conducted an analysis of its operations using an approach developed by the Harvard Business School and found that it could make improvements that would increase its capacity for cataract surgery by as much as 50 per cent.
The investigation determined that, in routine cataract surgery, considerable variation exists in surgical techniques and in the way that resources are used by different surgeons, said Dr. Lawrence Rosenberg, director of transformational change and chief of surgical services.
By identifying and standardizing seemingly minor changes in procedure, the JGH can save time and money, ensuring that the procedure is performed more cost effectively, all the while shortening waiting lists to the benefit of patients, he said.
Experts from the JGH and McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management collaborated in this analysis.
NULMAN THE COLLECTOR
Andy Nulman, longtime executive with the Montreal Just for Laughs Festival (JFL), will be honoured by Canadian Hadassah-WIZO at its annual art auction Oct. 16 at Espace Reunion. Nulman, who is currently JFL’s president for festival and television, is an avid art collector. The evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail dinatoire and preview of the works by more than 40 local and international artists up for bids, in collaboration with Galerie de Bellefeuille. The professional auctioneer is Neil Horowitz. The event, co-chaired by Sarah Hutman and Lianne Routtenberg, benefits children, women and health care in Israel and Canada. Tickets, [email protected].
ANNE FRANK SIBLING
Eve Schloss, stepsister of Anne Frank, will be the special guest at the annual gala fundraising dinner for the Chaya Mushka Seminary on Oct. 10 at Congregation Shaar Hashomayim. Schloss, who lives in London, is a trustee of the Anne Frank Educational Trust. Like Frank, she went into hiding in Holland, was betrayed and sent to Auschwitz. Schloss is the subject of James Still’s play And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank.
The gala’s honorees, Charna and Larry Wexler, will receive the Chai Award for their dedication to children’s education. Reservations, 514-733-2221, ext. 236.