Dr. Gad Friedman to be honoured at Crohn’s & Colitis Canada Gala

On March 28, 2019March 28, 2019 By thejewishstandardmagazinecanadaIn News and FeaturesLeave a comment

By Mike Cohen

As Canada grapples with some of the highest rates of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis in the world (one out of 140 people) individuals, businesses, and researchers from across Montreal will come together in a show of support for everyone impacted by these chronic diseases. The 17^th annual Gala for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada will take place on Sunday, April 14 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Grand Quai of the Port of Montreal (200 de la Commune St. W.) One Canadian is diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) every hour.

This year’s honourees will be the Dedes Family and Dr. Gad Friedman, a gastroenterologist at the Jewish General Hospital. The Que Sera Trio will provide music during the cocktail dînatoire featuring food stations from some of Montreal’s finest restaurants including, Moishes, Joe Beef, La Sirène de la Mer, Falafel St. Jacques, Java U, Burger Bar Crescent, Le Bremner, Grumman’78, Montreal Plaza, Tavern on the Square, Christinas Cuisine, Soupe Café and more. The featured performer will be circus artist Anouk Vallée-Charest. A live auction, hosted by Virgin Radio’s Lee Haberkorn and a dessert reception will follow.

Proceeds from the Gala will fund transformative research, patient programs as well as local support and education programs offered by Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Tickets are $225 per person and can be purchased online at www.crohnsandcolitis.ca/montrealgala or by calling 514-342-0666 #201 or emailing galamtl@crohnsandcolitis.ca. Last year’s event raised over $300,000, bringing the grand total to $3 million since its inception in support of research, patient programs, building awareness and advocating patient community rights.

Dr. Friedman has been a member of the Division of Gastroenterology of the Jewish General Hospital and Associate Professor at McGill University for over 20 years. He completed his Gastroenterology fellowship at McGill University and then did a fellowship in Interventional endoscopy. “As an advanced endoscopist, I am proud to have been able to introduce specialized techniques to our hospital such as the removal of large colon polyps and common bile duct stones that reduced the need for surgery,” he said. “Performing complex endoscopy was my first love, but over the years I increasingly take great pleasure in caring for a wide variety of patients. I have focused on taking care of the whole person paying attention to both their mental and physical health.”

As part of improving patient care for his IBD patients, Dr. Friedman has begun training in the use of intestinal ultrasound in IBD. He has been hoping that this will speed patient care and reduce the number of scans and colonoscopies performed.

“My true love is teaching,” said Dr. Friedman. “I teach fellows, residents, students and nurses. I created an accredited McGill-wide nurses education program in gastroenterology that is the only one of its kind in Quebec, now in its eighth year. Through this education program, the nurses’ knowledge of gastroenterology has improved tremendously ultimately leading them to have a greater positive impact on patient care. The aspect of my job I love the most is teaching my patients. My firm belief is that enhanced knowledge empowers patients to take control of their health. “

In order to help his patients, Dr. Friedman created a patient-oriented web site (www.ourdigestivehealth.com) that helps patients better understand their digestive system and some of the common symptoms they face. It helps them prepare better for their procedures and reduces their anxiety.

RonnieMofford and co-chairs — Ronnie Mofford from Java U, who consults on the culinary side of the event at the 2018 Gala with Erin Battat and Marian Sniatowsky

The Committee

The event co-chairs are Erin Battat, Adelia Bensoussan, Marian Sniatowsky and Shari Wolch. Committee Members are: Gloria Beitchman, Alexandra Brown, Nadia Canini, Parker Donaldson, Farrol Durosel, Rina Fisher, Deborah Groper, Dylan Groper, Joyce Isaac, Brooke Levis, Reesa Levis, Francesca Marzano, Marouane Ouhnana, Mona Roshke, Ashley Rotchin, Diane Roy and Emily Sheiner.

About Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are diseases that inflame the lining of the GI (gastrointestinal) tract and disrupt the body’s ability to digest food, absorb nutrition, and eliminate waste in a healthy manner. As a result, people with Crohn’s or colitis can experience abdominal pain, cramping, gas, bloating, fatigue, diarrhea (possibly bloody), and weight loss. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

JCFM Executive Director lauds iPad Program in Israel

On March 13, 2019March 14, 2019 By thejewishstandardmagazinecanadaIn News and FeaturesLeave a comment

Israel’s Athena Fund, the initiator and operator of the “iPad for Every Special Education Teacher in Israel” program, awarded a prize to a special education teacher from Jerusalem, who won first place in an inspiring story competition. The aim of the competition was to hear how the iPad helped students with special needs and disabilities that led them to extraordinary achievements.

The competition was held in memory of the late Amos Ilani of blessed memory, who was Athena Fund’s operations and logistics manager. This year’s winner was Dorit Menashe of the Kiah School for the deaf and the hard of hearing in Jerusalem. Dorit’s story was that of a student with an intellectual disability and hearing impairment. Using the iPad, the student succeeded in communicating with his surroundings and his entire life changed.

Pictured in the photo from right to left are: Dorit Menashe – First Prize-winning teacher from Kiah School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Jerusalem, Uri Ben-Ari – President and Founder of Athena Fund; Kathy Assayag – Executive Director of the Jewish Community Foundation of Montreal, Yaffa Ben David – Secretary General of Israel Teachers Union, Elka Ilani – widow of the late Amos Ilani after whom the competition was named, Jacob Shuri – CEO of Bank Massad, Gad Dei – Deputy Secretary General of Israel Teachers Union, Shlomo Yishay – Director General of Israel Teachers Union’s Professional Advancement Fund, Edna David – Chairman of the Haifa Teachers Union Branch and Deputy Secretary General of the Israel Teachers Union (Photo: Amir Alon)

Kathy Assayag, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Foundation of Montreal, attended the award ceremony held at the Israel Teachers Union headquarters in Tel Aviv. “The Athena Fund’s special education initiative, like the rest of the fund’s programs, greatly advances teaching in Israel and deserves all praise,” said Assayag. “The iPad program is particularly exciting because it is really working miracles among students with special needs.”

“I am happy that one of the most important donors to this program is from The Sylvan Adams Family Foundation” said Assayag. “I have no doubt that the Athena Fund’s programs contribute greatly to the education of Israel’s young generation, which is the key to Israel’s future and strength. This particular ‘iPad for Every Special Education’ program helps students with special needs realize their potential and integrate into society.

Menashe’s winning essay describes a student with an intellectual disability and hearing impairment, who until recently was unable to communicate with his parents or anyone else. Consequently, his frustration manifested into regular tantrums. School staff tried to give him various tools for communication, without any real success. All this changed when he and his teachers received the iPads and began to use it in the classroom. The student’s family were unsure that the iPad would allow him to communicate, but with the unflagging faith and work of the school staff, he began to communicate slowly. He found a way to communicate and share his feeling and the world opened up to him.

“The iPad creates wonders in special education, promotes and improves learning, and enables students with special needs to communicate with their surroundings, to learn and to develop,” Menashe stated at the award ceremony. “The boy I described in the story even managed to celebrate his bar mitzvah. I see special education as a calling, and I am happy that both my twin sister, my daughter and my brother have also chosen to become special education teachers.” Menashe announced that she will donate half of the prize to the school where she teaches.

The iPad for Every Special Education Teacher program was launched by the Athena Fund in November 2015, as part of a general program providing Israel’s teachers with a digital toolbox. So far, approximately 7,000 special education teachers and kindergarten teachers have received iPads, special applications, and 120 hours of training. An additional 8,000 teachers are expected to receive iPads over the next three years.

Distribution of the iPads is made possible thanks to contributions from the Athena Fund and its partners, including the Israel Teachers Union’s Professional Advancement Fund, Bank Massad, the Ministry of Education, the Ted Arison Family Foundation, the Sylvan Adams Family Foundation, UIA Canada and the local authorities where the iPads are distributed to the special education teachers.

“The competition is another step in our efforts to promote special education in Israel and help school and kindergarten teachers in this field,” said Uri Ben-Ari, president and founder of Athena Fund. “The iPad yields amazing results among students with special needs and helps them express themselves and learn. At the same time, it helps the teachers both in teaching and in communicating with students.”

About the Athena Fund

Established in 2006, the Athena Fund is a non-profit organization working to promote the empowerment of teachers in Israel by providing them with tools for self-fulfillment and professional advancement. The fund was founded by several prominent business leaders under the direction of President Uri Ben-Ari (CEO of UBA Ventures and former Executive VP of Ness Technologies). The Athena Fund’s programs include: Laptop for Every Teacher in Israel (launched 2007); Laptop for Every Kindergarten Teacher (2012); Tablet for Every Science Teacher (2014); iPad for Every Special Education Teacher (2015); and Laptop for Every English Teacher (2018).

To date, the Athena Fund and its partners have provided laptops, tablets and iPads to more than 22,000 teachers across Israel, in 1,854 schools and kindergartens in 145 local authorities (municipalities, local and regional councils). Each teacher also receives 120 hours of techno-pedagogical training from professional instructors, with support from the Ministry of Education. For more information, please visit https://www.en.athenafund.org/default.aspx.

Jewish Public Library announces programming

On March 12, 2019 By thejewishstandardmagazinecanadaIn News and FeaturesLeave a comment

The Jewish Public Library announces its Spring 2019 Cultural Programmes calendar, with highlights including world-class authors Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Michael Ondaatje, Montreal film premieres of Israeli documentary Desert Wounds and Slovakian Academy Award entry The Interpreter, and a special collaboration with Bloomsday Montreal on Jews in Irish literature.

All JPL events start at 7:30 pm (unless otherwise indicated) and take place at the Jewish Public Library, 5151 Côte-Ste-Catherine Rd in Montreal. Information and ticket purchase: (514)345-6416 or www.jewishpubliclibrary.org .

Here is the line-up by month:

March

March 27 The Prince and the Dybbuk

Film in English Italian, Spanish, Polish and German with English subtitles.

Directed by Elwira Niewiera and Piotr Rosołowski (Poland/Germany, 2017, 82 min)

The film explores the life of cinematic enigma Moshe Waks, the son of a poor Jewish blacksmith from Ukraine who died as Prince Michael Waszynski in Italy, after having made over 40 films as a director and producer during Hollywood’s golden era.

April

April 3 Desert Wounds

Montreal film premiere, in English and Hebrew with English subtitles

Directed by Nili Dotan (Israel, 2018, 59 min)

Montreal premiere of an award-winning documentary that follows the journeys of two Christian women from Sudan and Eritrea fleeing war, dictatorship, and religious persecution to seek asylum in Israel. Introduced by director Nili Dotan, followed by a panel discussion with Nili Dotan, Irwin Cotler OC, David Berger and Zoë Freedman.

April 10 Simon et Théodore

Film in French with English subtitles

Directed by Mikael Buch (France, 2017, 84 min)

Simon is a troubled young man; Theodore is a difficult adolescent. A chance encounter between the two sparks a dramatic clash and ultimately heals wounds. A tough and tender film about mental illness and love, and how to live with both.

April 15 Mary Morris: Gateway to the Moon

Author event

New York Times bestselling author Mary Morris speaks about her novel, a multi-generational family saga in which she traces her family’s history from the Spanish Inquisition to modern-day New Mexico.

April 18 ‘Books & Booze’ with Bethany Ball & Spencer Wise

Author event

Our ‘Books & Booze’ series presents a lively discussion with two young American authors. Ball’s What to do about the Solomons explores the secrets and gossip-filled lives of a kibbutz community. Wise’s The Emperor of Shoes tells the story of a young Jewish American expat who assumes the helm of his family’s shoe factory in China and his relationship with a seamstress intent on inspiring dramatic political change.

May

May 2 The Interpreter

Montreal film premiere, in German and Slovak with English subtitles

Directed by Martin Šulík (Slovak Republic, Czech Republic, Austria, 2018, 114 min)

A bittersweet tragicomedy about two old men who depart on a road trip, weighed down by unresolved conflicts that have plagued their lives. The film was Slovakia’s 2019 Academy Award entry. Presented in collaboration with the Montreal Holocaust Museum.

May 5 Orly Castel-Bloom: An Egyptian Novel

*7 pm Author event in Hebrew

Israeli author Orly Castel-Bloom blends faction and fiction in this unconventional telling of her family’s migration from Egypt to Israel, expulsion from a kibbutz and life in modern-day Tel Aviv. Castel-Bloom is thrice winner of the Israeli Prime Minister’s Award.

May 6 Denise Bombardier: “Une vie sans peur et sans regret”

Author interview with journalist Elias Levy, in French

Prominent Quebec journalist, novelist and essayist, Denise Bombardier will discuss her life and decades-long career. In collaboration with the Cummings Centre.

May 13 Ayaan Hirsi Ali: “Islam, Muslims and National Security”

Author event

The controversial human rights activist, former politician and author of Infidel states that it is important to understand the distinction between Islam, a set of ideas and principles, and Muslims, the diverse individuals that constitute one fifth of humanity. In recent decades Muslims have, at one point or another, been discussed as a threat to national security. Hirsi Ali will give her perspective on this incredibly thorny topic.

May 16 Georgia Hunter: We Were the Lucky Ones

Author event

When New York Times bestselling author Georgia Hunter was 15 years old, she discovered that she came from a family of Holocaust survivors. We Were the Lucky Ones follows her family as they scatter across continents, determined to survive and to reunite. Her book has been translated into 13 languages.

May 23 Yiddish Café

Music and storytelling event

Our annual evening of stories and songs in Yiddish and English by a group of talented Montrealers honouring Yiddish author and playwright Sholem Aleichem’s wish for his name to be recalled with laughter”. The musical Fiddler on the Roof was based on the stories of Sholem Aleichem, known as the “Jewish Mark Twain”.

May 30 Pól Ó Dochartaigh: “Hyphenated Identities: Irish-Jewish Autobiographies”

Lecture and exhibition in collaboration with Bloomsday Montreal

Irish scholar Pól Ó Dochartaigh explores questions of identity, Irish and Jewish, through six twentieth-century autobiographies by Irish Jews. The touring exhibition Representations of Jews in Irish Literature will be presented in the main lobby of the Federation CJA building (just outside the entrance to the Jewish Public Library) from May 27 to June 17, 2019.

June

June 11 Michael Ondaatje: Warlight

Author event

One of Canada’s most renowned living authors, Michael Ondaatje will be in conversation with Joseph Rosen about his mesmerizing new novel, set in the decade after World War II. Ondaatje’s previous work has been awarded the Booker Prize, the Golden Man Booker Prize, the Giller Prize, the Irish Times International Fiction Prize and the Prix Médicis.

And our courses, workshops and literary clubs:

Yiddish for Beginners: starts March 26

Intermediate Yiddish: starts March 26

Advanced Yiddish: starts March 25

Russian for Beginners: starts March 7

American Sign Language: starts March 4

Genre Writing Workshops with author Michelle Franklin: starts March 6

Jewish Genealogical Society Lecture Meetings: March 11, April 1, May 6, June 3, Aug 12

Sunday Morning Family Tree Workshops (Jewish Genealogical Society): March 3, April 14, May 12, June 2, Sept. 8

Russian Literary Club: Sunday March 17, April 28 and May 19

Hebrew Literary Club: on Tuesdays

Jewish Montreal-centric stage production Daughters of Mile End to premiere

On March 8, 2019March 10, 2019 By thejewishstandardmagazinecanadaIn News and FeaturesLeave a comment

By Mike Cohen, with files from Barbara Ford

Both Claudia Litvak Polachek and Pearl Lottner Rothenberg are children of Jewish immigrants from two very different parts of the world, who came to Montreal under very different circumstances. These two ladies are behind an upcoming Labyrinth Stage Productions presentation called Daughters of Mile End (April 3 to 6 ) at the DB Clarke Theatre (1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West) of Concordia University

Inspired by true stories, this is a Jewish Montreal-centric creation. Lottner Rothenberg, lived in Mile End as a girl and one of the play’s characters and experiences are loosely based on her and her family. It sounds like a great story, given the strong ties to a local Jewish neighbourhood, children of Holocaust survivors and a look at the immigrant experience which is such a hot topic in the news these days.

Pearl&ClaudiaPhoto_Playwrights'Notes — **Claudia and Pearl.**

Litvak Polachek is a co-founder and the Artistic Director of Labyrinth Stage Productions. Previously, she started the Akiva Players and spent seven years delighting Akiva students and parents with musical productions. She has also worked at the Segal Centre, done voice-over work and acting, has degrees from McGill University (Political Science), Concordia University (Creative Writing), the Institute of Children’s Literature, and is a Wexner graduate.

Lottner Rothenberg’s love of challenges has resulted in her having several careers in her 70 years. From the age of 12 she knew her life’s mission was to become a psychologist. In the journey through her own labyrinth, she first became a wife to Jack and then mother to Robert and Kimberly. Along the way she did Interior Design, opened a financial company with her husband, and finally went back to school to fulfill her dream of becoming a clinical psychologist. She accomplished her goal at the age of 40 and practiced her beloved profession for 28 years. Due to an auspicious meeting with Litvak Polachek the door to her love of writing and theatre/arts opened and another career was born.

The play is about four Mile End girls and the diverse paths their lives take as they grow into adulthood and beyond. The all-female multi-generational cast of 13 is under the direction of Rachelle Glait, with set and costume designs by the multi-award winning John Dinning and Louise Bourret respectively.

With humour, poignancy, and insight, Daughters of Mile End illustrates that despite traumatic family histories, the girls’ shared childhood memories and experiences lead them to a better understanding of their mothers—and themselves—enabling them to live and love more fully.

MIRIAM: “Just because I speak with an accent doesn’t mean I think with an accent.”

“Relationships—with our parents, other family members, our friends and lovers—are the medium through which we develop the tools to meet life’s challenges,” said Lottner Rothenberg. “As a psychologist, I think that a big issue, not only for these women but for all of us, is whether we end up repeating or repairing the traumas of our past. This often keeps us from becoming authentic, well-functioning individuals. In order to not repeat our traumas with others, we need to develop a conscious awareness and understanding of what took place and why. This is not easy to do when there are often so many secrets … a major theme of this play. How different the characters are, despite their seemingly common background. As they mature and their lives become busier and more complex, they still manage to stay connected.”

“Using the specific to explore the universal is where this play excels,”,added Litvak Polachek. “Each woman travels a different road but their combined stories touch on major human dilemmas that we all face at one time or another, from generation to generation. The audience, as silent witnesses, walks away feeling as if they’ve known these women for decades, not just a couple of hours … and in a way they have. Rachelle Glait’s direction, especially the scene transitions, is masterful, and Mike Sinnott’s dreamlike lighting for the memory sequences of the characters as young girls takes the play to a whole new level of awesome!”

Glait also had a personal connection to the story and its locale, one of the reasons she was at the top of the list of prospective directors for the new play. “It’s rare to have the opportunity to direct a production that mirrors one’s own life experiences. Daughters of Mile End examines very familiar territory: women whose mothers, like my own, survived the milchume (Holocaust) and grew up in Montreal neighbourhoods that have their own unique and extraordinary history,” she said. “Audiences will recognize themselves in the characters as they journey through more than fifty years of engrossing reunions. With this wonderful all-female cast, including four remarkable young girls, the production travels well beyond the borders of reminiscence and nostalgia.”

For more information call 1-800-838-3006 or purchase your tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4048627.

Young breakout artists to perform Sunday

On March 6, 2019 By thejewishstandardmagazinecanadaIn News and FeaturesLeave a comment

Local pop singer, songwriter, rapper, producer composer and artist management man about town Yo Natan is preparing for a big event this Sunday, March 10 (7 pm) at the Dollar Cinema at Decarie Square

Yo Natan

Yo Natan has pegged this unprecedented event as the first ever MTL Breakout Artists Extravaganza. Local, unsigned artists, musicians and dj’s will be collaborating for a night of hip hop, pop and rock music. ” Our goal is to introduce local Montreal communities to emerging talents from multiple backgrounds, burrows and ethnicity,” says Yo Natan, whom I first saw perform in the Sukkah of Chabad CSL Rabbi Mendel Raskin a few years back.

The event will feature a cash bar ($4 Cocktails), coat check as well as seating and standing areas for the show.

The Jewish Standard Magazine

Month: March 2019

Dr. Gad Friedman to be honoured at Crohn’s & Colitis Canada Gala

JCFM Executive Director lauds iPad Program in Israel

Jewish Public Library announces programming

Jewish Montreal-centric stage production Daughters of Mile End to premiere

Young breakout artists to perform Sunday