Category: News and Features

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s

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By Shirley Muhlstock Brodt

Sentio, Ergo Sum *

(I feel, therefore I am)

I have no words of wisdom to comfort those whose loved one has Alzheimer’s. Of all the diseases, there is none more obscene: It’s the only disease that as it progresses, the person with the disease suffers progressively less and less, and the loved ones suffer more until their suffering becomes almost too great to endure.

Many relatives of the Alzheimer’s patient don’t visit them. It might be just too painful for them to witness the decline of the once-disease-free and functioning person. What I’ve witnessed is these patients sitting and staring at the walls or at staff passing by, but as for hand-holding or hugging or kissing or smiling, these acts of kindness have disappeared along with the patients’ memories.

My 78-year-old sister (let’s call her Rosie) is now in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s. When she was first admitted on an emergency basis to the long-term care facility seven years ago (her husband was very ill and was hospitalized on an emergency basis), Rosie was able to dress herself, walk quickly through the halls, eat on her own, use the bathroom, talk with me and with those around her, sing and play the piano (she was very gifted musically), and watch and sing along to the hundreds of music videos I had downloaded for her. Of course, she demanded of me that I bring her to her husband, which I did. Seeing her husband calmed her down, and shortly after we returned to her care facility, she pleaded with me to visit her husband (having forgotten that we had returned an hour before). A month after she was admitted, her husband died. Her five children, four of whom lived outside Canada, attended the funeral.

  (A note about destiny. Within an hour of Rosie’s arrival at the facility, her primary nurse’s aide came to introduce herself. Her name was Ann, the same name as that of my dearest younger sister who had died 19 years ago, while in in her mid-fifties, of breast cancer. Genuine warmth and good humour radiated from this nurse’s aide, and I thought, “This is without doubt destiny.” Throughout Rosie’s seven-year stay on that floor, Ann was a beacon of hope and love and laughter to Rosie and to me.)

By this time, my sister’s condition had deteriorated to the point where she no longer recognized her own children or anyone else although she was still able to talk and walk and eat on her own.

The son who lived in the suburbs of Montreal would visit her, even if only sporadically, and then his visits ceased completely. Why, I wondered? His answer: “There’s no point in going because she doesn’t even know who I am!” A bizarre reply because he had made the frightful situation about himself, with no regard for the wellbeing of his mother! It was as if his ego were at stake and needed to be protected at all costs.

So I learned firsthand one of my first significant lessons then about Alzheimer’s: When one visits an Alzheimer’s patient, leave your ego at the door. It’s not about you any longer; it’s what you can do for your loved one.

My sister was highly educated, independent and gifted in so many ways. She used to be a teacher, and at one point, she became a school principal. She composed music to songs from the prayer book and had a CD of her songs professionally produced.

Several years ago, when Rosie was still able to speak and sing, there was a pianist and singer who came once a week to the floor where Rosie lived. The pianist was late in arriving, so the staff asked Rosie to play the piano! The staff mentioned which songs she should play, and Rosie played them perfectly, with the staff and many of the residents singing along.

I had a friend many years ago who was a professor of English; specifically a Shakespeare expert. I sat in on one of his classes and could vouch for the fact that he knew most of Shakespeare’s works by heart. At one point, he found himself forgetting what he had known for decades and had to write notes. Knowing something was very wrong, he went to a specialist, who diagnosed his disease: early onset Alzheimer’s. He was institutionalized, and I visited him only once. He was sitting in a wheelchair, absolutely still and not recognizing me or even recognizing that a human being was standing near him. In his case, the disease progressed so quickly that within a year, he was dead.

Of course, not all Alzheimer’s patients are gifted. They are just “regular people,” living their lives until the dread disease alters them fundamentally. Many of these people, who in health were placid and pleasant, turn violent and abusive: another dreadful sign of the power of Alzheimer’s to destroy. Furthermore, Alzheimer’s does not discriminate. The disease strikes all races and all people, regardless of their differing political and religious values and lifestyles. It is an indiscriminate and vicious killer.

Now, Rosie can no longer speak or play the piano. About a half year ago, I brought Rosie to the piano, hoping against hope that she would still be able to play it, but she sat there motionless in front of the piano, which had now become a foreign object. My sadness was overwhelming, but I just brought her back to her room and played more music videos for her. Astonishingly, even though Rosie had ceased speaking in a language intelligible to listeners, at that time she sang each word perfectly to every video! At this stage now, Rosie doesn’t recognize the two-dimensional people on the laptop. She has stopped looking at it or showing any interest in the music or the singers. More overwhelming sadness for me, but none for Rosie. She is now like a four- or five-month-old child in a 78-year-old body.

For many years, I would visit Rosie daily and then return home and disintegrate emotionally. It felt as if I had nothing within me except this profound sadness. I ended up hiring a caregiver, paid through Rosie’s pension, and I began going only twice a week. Now I go once a week to feed her and hold her hand and talk to her and smile at her and brush her hair and kiss her and put cream on her arms and face. Occasionally I go another day as well, but only to feed her lunch, and I leave shortly after the caregiver arrives. The paucity of my emotional strength is, to say the least, profoundly disturbing.

At one point, I came home after having visited Rosie, and I burst out crying. Now, I am a person who rarely cries, but I was devastated; thus the outburst. I phoned 811, which is a free service, offering nursing or social work advice. I spoke for quite a while to a social worker, who referred me to a website. It happened to be an Alzheimer’s site, but I learned there that there’s a term for what I was experiencing: ambiguous grief.

People experience ambiguous grief when they have profound feelings of loss without the death of a loved one. My Rosie is “dead” in that her self-awareness and speech and other attributes have disappeared. But she is still human and, as such, is enriched by essentials, much like those that one gives to a newborn to help him or her survive: holding, touching, smiling, feeding, and speaking comforting words in a soothing voice. The words will most probably not be understood, but the calming essence of those words will be transmitted.

Rosie is now in her seventh year of living in the institution. As she has lost her mobility, she was transferred several months ago to another much larger section with many more patients and a corresponding increase in the number of staff. Unlike the staff in the first section when she was admitted, the great majority of whom were warm and caring and often funny, the great majority of the staff in the new section do not show an iota of warmth to the residents. Other than three of the staff, who show warmth and their humanity, I have yet to see any other staff person touch or smile or speak to a resident although among themselves, the staff are always engaged in talking to one another and often laughing. The residents sit in front of a wall-mounted TV, and that’s where they spend the majority of the day: They are treated as objects: a travesty and a tragedy.

What is it to be human? It’s a multifaceted experience that includes consciousness, empathy and emotional depth, among other attributes. In the case of those with Alzheimer’s, being human involves the intrinsic value and emotional capacity of the person without the cognition and memory retention of those free of the disease.

So what do we say to the relatives and friends who have ceased visiting the Alzheimer’s patient? Jane Goodall, the British anthropologist, noted that “if chimps meet after a separation, they hold hands, they embrace, they kiss….” If these actions are to be found among non-human primates, how much more so must they apply to higher-functioning humans! Yet those Alzheimer’s patients are denied their God-given humanity by what seems like hard-hearted relatives, friends or staff, the last group having no right to be working where they are.

Hillel, one of the most influential rabbis in Jewish history, who lived in the 1st century BCE, wrote in Ethics of the Fathers (Pirkei Avot in Hebrew) the following: “If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, then what am I? And if not now, when?” Words for everyone to live by, but especially for those who hesitate to visit their loved one who is being decimated by Alzheimer’s.

* The Latin “Cogito, ergo sum” (“I think, therefore I am”) is a famous principle of the 17th-century philosopher René Descartes. Even without the ability to think coherently, those with Alzheimer’s certainly still feel; thus “Sentio.”

__________________________

© Shirley Muhlstock Brodt

June  2026

Originally published in the July 2026 issue of the Alzheimer’s & Dementia International organization journal. (https://www.remedypublications.com/alzheimers-dementia-international-articles.php)

Alzheimer’s essay-Alzheimers & Dementia International journal-SMBDownload

Community gathering will bring together vegan potluck dining, Jewish wisdom, and reflection on memory, mourning, and renewal

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By Mike Cohen

Jewish Vegan Life (JVL) will host the Montreal Tikkun Circle Potluck on Monday, July 13 at 6:30 PM in Westmount, marking the community’s entrance into the Hebrew month of Av. The evening will feature Rabbi Boris Dolin from Congregation Dorshei Emet and spiritual leader of JVL Montreal. He will offer reflections drawing on the themes of the month.

The gathering is part of JVL’s Tikkun Circle model, a network of community potlucks that bring people together around shared vegan meals, Jewish learning, and conversation grounded in compassion. Tikkun Circles currently meet in Los Angeles, Montreal, and Tel Aviv, with the Montreal circle continuing to grow its presence in the community.

Av holds a distinct place in the Jewish calendar as a month of memory and mourning, commemorating the destruction of the Temple. Yet the month also carries within it the seeds of comfort and renewal, moving from communal grief toward Shabbat Nachamu and the day of love known as Tu BAv. The Montreal Tikkun Circle Potluck will invite attendees to sit with that full arc together, over a shared meal.

“Our Tikkun Circles exist to give people a place to bring their whole selves, their questions, their grief, and their hope, and to do it around a table with good food and good company,” said Michael Gribov, Head of Movement Building at Jewish Vegan Life. “Entering Av is one of the most meaningful moments in the Jewish year to do that work together, and we are grateful to have Rabbi Boris Dolin joining us to guide that reflection.”

Rabbi Dolin has served at Congregation Dorshei Emet since 2016. He holds an M.A. in Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary, where he focused on informal and community education. He previously helped rebuild Jewish life in Poland as Rabbi of Beit Polska in Warsaw and has served communities in the United States and Europe.

The potluck is open to the public and free to attend, with donations encouraged to help sustain JVL’s ongoing programming. Attendees are asked to bring a vegan dish to share, and registration is required to receive the exact address in Westmount. Those interested in hosting future potlucks or helping plan upcoming Tikkun Circle events in Montreal are invited to indicate their interest during registration, which is available here: https://jewishveganlife.org/events/montreal-tikkun-circle-potluck-av

Jewish Vegan Life is a non-profit movement dedicated to connecting the worlds of Jewish tradition and plant based living. Positioned as the Jewish voice of the vegan movement, JVL draws on Torah and Talmud to build its work around four pillars: compassion, health, environment, and spirituality. JVL brings together thought leaders, activists, and Jewish communities across the United States, Canada, and Israel to advance a vision of a vegan world enriched by Jewish wisdom, leading to a kinder, healthier, and more sustainable planet.

Judy Batalion’s The Last Woman of Warsaw follows two very different Jewish women in pursuit of a common goal

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By Mike Cohen

Native Montrealer Judy Batalion, the critically acclaimed author of several non-fiction books, most recently the New York Times bestseller The Light of Days, has published a powerful debut novel called The Last Woman of Warsaw. While writing The Light of Days, the story of Jewish women who fought the Nazis from the ghettos in Poland, Batalion became obsessed with the cosmopolitan society that had created these extraordinary young women. Her novel shines a light on the rarely explored world of inter-war Warsaw, a city filled with theaters, cabaret, and nightclubs with revolving dance floors. It follows two very different Jewish women in the vibrant, stylish city (the “Paris of the North”) in the late 1930s, as they unexpectedly come together in their search for love, meaning, and a sense of home—while grappling with the storm clouds gathering around them.

Batalion grew up in Montreal. She studied the history of science at Harvard before moving to London, where she did a PhD at the Courtauld Institute of Art and worked as a curator by day and a comedian by night. She is now an author and essayist, and lives with her husband and daughters in New York City. Her brother is Eli Batalion, one half of the YidLife Crisis comedy duo,.


This book is real page turner, cleverly switching each chapter between the man characters Zosia and Fanny.

Fanny Zelshinsky is a sophisticated daughter of the city’s Jewish elite who wants nothing more than to be recognized as a legitimate artist by her family, her radical professor whom she idolizes, and the world at large. She is engaged to a decent man, but she fears marriage will stymie her artistic pursuits and debates whether she’ll go through with the wedding. Meanwhile, Zosia Dror has left behind her small northeastern shtetl and religious family in the wake of violence. She is part of a budding youth movement that believes in social equality and creating a Jewish homeland, but she must resist the city’s many distractions—the glitz, the hubbub, and the keen eyes of a tall, handsome comrad

Judy Batalion Photograph © Beowulf Sheehan

The two young women are thrown together when legendary artist Wanda Petrovsky—a member of Zosia’s movement leadership and Fanny’s beloved photography professor—goes missing. As they search for the elusive firebrand, questions arise: is Wanda simply hiding, or is her disappearance connected to the rise in antisemitic laws and university practices? Fanny and Zosia are unlikely allies, but they must bridge their differences to help someone they both care for—and dodge the danger mounting around them in the process.

“While writing The Light of Days, the true story of young Jewish women who fought the Nazis from the ghettos in Poland, I came across countless examples of confident, bright lipstick-wearing Jewish women,” Batalion said. “I became obsessed with 1930s Poland, and especially with Warsaw, an exhilarating locus of cultural florescence that’s been eclipsed by what came after. The Last Woman of Warsaw is in many ways a fictional prequel to The Light of Days and tells the story of an unlikely friendship between two 22 year -old Jewish women, each from a different walk of life, showcasing the diversity of Polish Jewry in a thriving, sophisticated Warsaw in the late 1930s.”

Before Vegas, Batalion notes that Warsaw was the capital of neons! “One-third of the population, including my grandparents, was Jewish, and shared in a golden age of poetry, film, and comedy. Jews were multilingual,” she explained. “ Jewish political parties abounded. There were 180 Jewish newspapers in the capital alone! Moreover, it was a progressive era for women, who gained the vote in 1918. Education was mandatory for girls; women attended university, married late, and worked, comprising nearly half the Jewish labor force. Even their clothes favored comfort and movement. Young Jewish women, some of the first not to be match-made and pursuing love relationships, were learning to make their way in the modern world, fueled by neat haircuts, fitted blazers, and shorter skirts. These women were ready to soar—figuratively, and literally.”

Batalion goes on to say that this was also a time of growing nationalism and antisemitism, both social and institutional. “Riots and boycotts abounded, and anti-ethnic laws were passed; notes of doom seeped in from neighboring Germany,” she said. “ Still, Poland’s Jews went on; they’d spent 10 centuries finding their place in a country where they were “othered,” but also, tolerated, emancipated, and thrived. They had no idea their lives straddled the precipice of hell. This is not the story about how Jews died in Poland, but rather a story about how they lived there. These characters are aware of political conditions that shape their lives, but primarily, they are experimenting with being modern women. They grapple with friendships and romance, with the meaning of art and identity, and with their feelings about their Jewish heritage and their future, all as they try to figure out what lives they want to lead in a future that remains bright. This is a novel about friendship, and how small decisions can have great consequences. We readers understand the cataclysmic context in a way the characters do not. When I first drafted this novel in 2021, I aimed to bring to life “Golden Warsaw,” to resurrect the art world that was annihilated alongside its artists and audiences. In the dark years since, with increasingly rampant extremism, nationalism, terrorism, barbarism, and antisemitism, this exhilarating and terrifying period is only more relevant. It is crucial that we understand what a vibrant and sophisticated place Warsaw was, because only then we can understand that “they” are like “us,” and what happened to their vibrant, sophisticated world can so easily happen to ours.”

For more details click here

Broadway Pizza on Decarie across from the Hilton Midtown is Montreal’s newest kosher hotspot

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By Mike Cohen

Broadway Pizza is the latest kosher restaurant to open in Montreal, directly across the street from the Hilton Gardens/Homewood Suites Midtown  at the Westbury project.

My friend Julia (a.k.a noted mobile hairdresser JuJuChezVouz) and I recently enjoyed a splendid lunch at the new location, which made its debut last summer. Friends Avi Gardyn and Mordy Aisenstark  are the owners. Avi recently resided in Monsey, New York, where he met his wife. Upon his return here he and Mordy thought that the city could use a kosher pizza parlor with a New York vibe.

Avi and Mordy display the macaroni and cheese pizza.

A large storefront across from the Hilton was available. They grabbed it.  The place presently has tables that can seat 42 people. However, there is plenty of space to add more.

The menu features pizza pies and slices, pastas, salad, poutine, sides, calzones and drinks. You can have a seat in the dining room after making your selections at the counter, do  take-out or order online. Ariel’s Ice Cream will become part of the operation soon.

JuJu strikes a pose as our poutine arrives at the table.

Julia and I shared what was among the most unique pizza pies, the thin-crust macaroni and cheese. This was indeed our first experience with such a topping and we liked it.  We also tried the crispy mozarellla sticks with marinara sauce, some delicious penne pasta topped with cheese and a very generous portion of poutine.  During the time we were there, I saw a number of people I know.

“I feel like we have filled a need,”  Avi told me .

Mordy added that the outpouring of support from the community has already been overwhelming. “We are getting lots of positive feedback,” he said.

Broadway Pizza is located at 6965 Decarie. For more details and to order log on to Log on to www.broadwaypizza.ca or call  (438) 814-7789. Opening Hours are Sunday to Thursday from 11 am to 9 pm , Fridays from 11 am to 3 pm and Saturdays one after Shabbat until 1 am.   

See my interview with the owners from Instagram below.

The Chevra Proudly Presents an Unforgettable Evening with Shulem LemmerThursday, September 18 · Montreal · First Time Ever!

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The Chevra is thrilled to welcome world-renowned Jewish tenor Shulem Lemmer to Montreal for the very first time on Thursday, September 18.

Shulem Lemmer

Recognized as one of the most gifted and inspiring Jewish vocalists of our time, Shulem Lemmer’s powerful and emotive voice transcends genres — from traditional Jewish liturgy to Broadway, from Israeli classics to operatic pop. Whether performing Psalms or timeless hits, his music resonates with heart, hope, and soul.

As the first Chassidic singer signed to a major record label (Universal Music Group’s Decca Gold), Shulem has performed on iconic stages across the globe and recently shared the spotlight with the legendary Andrea Bocelli.

Ticket Options:

  • VIP – $360: Includes a meet & greet, cocktail dînatoire, and vip seating
  • Preferred Seating – $150
  • General Admission – $54

This is a rare and extraordinary opportunity to experience the brilliance of Shulem Lemmer live in concert.

This event is sponsored Roslyn Margles
For tickets and information, call the chevra at 514-482-3366 or https://www.tickettailor.com/events/chevrakadisha/1775818

Kosher beef jerky making positive waves on retail scene

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By Mike Cohen

Freddie’s Premium Jerky is a proudly family run Montreal brand that’s redefining what beef jerky can be. Freddies is a  Montreal made Jerky shaking up the snack and health food aisles. 

I sat down with  Founder Zack Steinlauf, who grew up in Hampstead and is an active member of Tifereth Beth David Jerusalem  Congregation in Côte Saint-Luc.

Zack Steinlauf out and about promoting his brand.

It was actually  Zack’s younger brother Matthew who came up with the idea. “He had travelled to Los Angeles and came across kosher beef jerky,” Zack recalls. ‘One day during the pandemic he decided to explore the concept on his own. He bought a dehydrator, went on YouTube and experimented. Our dad became his taster. He liked it and believed we could sell it. He was right.”

Matthew proceeded to become a lawyer, leaving Zack in charge.. He named the brand Freddie’s after his grandfather. “He was a man who loved food”  he said.

I did a tasting and yes I was impressed. This is being promoted as a  a “better-for-you” beef jerky: 100 percent Canadian beef, clean ingredients, gluten free, low in sodium, and Kosher certified. “ We have one perfected flavor so far with more to come,” Zack explained. “ You can enjoy Freddie’s in three size formats, and zero compromises on taste. Our product is simple:  just meat and spices that taste delicious. Our mission is simple: to shake up the jerky market with something that tastes great and is good for you. When you’re sitting in traffic bumper to bumper you’ve got no fear since a bag of Freddie’s is near.”

Freddie’s is currently sold in 45 retailers across Quebec, including major banners like IGA and Provigo, plus a growing list of incredible independent grocers, specialty shops, and gyms around the city, and they are just getting started.

Log on to: www.freddiespj.ca

Watch my interview with Zack on Instagram

Pizza Pita Prime is under new ownership

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By Mike Cohen

The Pizza Pit Prime a kosher restaurant is under new management.  Brothers Chaim and Tzvi Shpigel sold the business last year to Uri Peretz.

The Shpigels remained on board  until this past Passover, at which time Peretz assumed full responsibility. My friend Glenn and I dropped by for lunch with Uri to see the changes he has in mind coming into play.

Uri Peretz loves his new challenge.

Uri grew up in Germany and moved to Montreal at the age of 21  with a backpack and a sleeping bag. He started off by working for his uncle’s clothing store and was about to leave town. But then he met Sandra Amar, who would become his wife and the mother of their four children. Uri, who had worked in hotel management in Germany, eventually became a property manager here. Owning a restaurant, let alone an iconic kosher dining spot. Originally located on Decarie Blvd. in a full serve eatery, they moved to the former Pizza Hut location at the corner of Decarie and Vezina in 2020 and became more of a take-out and delivery restaurant, big on catering as well. They did open seasonal outdoor seating.

When Uri was told that Pizza Pita was on the market, he could hardly believe it. “This was like being told I could buy Walmart,” Uri said. “ I mean anyone from the Jewish community here knows about Pizza Pita. It really has an international reputation.”

Moments after Uri told me this story, a gentleman who follows me on Instagram introduced himself. He is a cantor in Portland, Oregon, who left Montreal 22 years ago. On each visit here he stops at Pizza Pita.

Uri is grateful for the legacy the  Shpigels left him. Now he plans to move things up a notch. For starters, some indoor seating is being added. There are more delivery apps to choose from, including one that is directly operated by the restaurant which results in lower costs.  Their famous pizza is now available in the frozen section of Esposito Market in St. Laurent.

Three of the pizzas we tried.

Uri has a staff of 35 people. He gave me a thorough tour of the operation and it was impressive. For Glenn and I he brought us three pizzas to taste: the thick margarita, a gluten free thin crust with veggies, and a Hawaiian thin crust with fake pepperoni. In addition, we sampled  chicken Caesar salad  and fish burgers,  thinly cut fries resembling the McDonald’s model, poutine, and some absolutely delicious pizza eggroll. Coming soon will be a spaghetti carbonaro.

While we were there, clients approached Uri with suggestions for menu additions. He took note of it all.

The pizza eggrolls.

There is everything from meatless burgers, wraps, shawarma, hotdogs, falafel, poutines, subs, pasta, salads and sides like onion rings and fries. They also have some decadent cookies, cakes and of course ice cream.

Pizza Pita Prime is open Sunday to Thursday for breakfast, lunch and supper, as well as Friday for breakfast and lunch and Saturday after Shabbat. Log on to www.pizzapita.com.

Exploring Israel: A Journey of Heritage and Discovery with Aufgang Travel

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A Legacy of Trusted Travel

There are not many travel companies today that can boast a 75 plus year history, but for Aufgang Travel, a Toronto-based agency, serving the Jewish community since 1949, this milestone is a great source of pride. Specializing in Jewish heritage tours around the world with meaningful, customized experiences, the company has been a trusted partner for generations of travelers exploring Israel and beyond.

Tailored Experiences for Every Traveler

Israel is more than just a destination—it’s a journey through time, faith, and culture. Whether it’s a multi-generational family exploring their ancestral roots, a Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration, or a heritage tour, each itinerary is designed to provide a seamless, enriching experience.

The company also offers accessible travel services and multi-lingual tours to Israel, ensuring that all travelers can embark on these meaningful journeys.

“We specialize in crafting unique, customized experiences,” says Vicky Zaltsman, Executive Vice President. “Along with our Israel tours, we offer Jewish interest trips worldwide, including private genealogical tours. These journeys help travelers explore their heritage, trace family roots, and visit ancestral towns for a truly meaningful experience.”

Beyond Sightseeing: Immersive Travel in Israel

Israel tours go beyond the typical sightseeing itinerary, offering exclusive access to historical and cultural experiences. Walk through the ancient streets of Jerusalem’s Old City, float in the Dead Sea, explore Tel Aviv’s vibrant culinary scene, and participate in immersive educational programs. Travelers can even enjoy hands-on experiences, such as archaeological digs or meetings with local artisans.

For families celebrating a Bar or Bat Mitzvah in Israel, the team ensures every detail is taken care of, making the ceremony as special as the occasion itself. From selecting the perfect venue—be it the Western Wall, Masada, or another meaningful location—to connecting families with local Rabbis and securing services of photographers, hairdressers and kippot.

A Commitment to Meaningful Travel

Those seeking a deeper connection to their heritage can embark on customized tours, visiting significant historical and cultural sites that hold deep meaning. With extensive experience, the company ensures that these journeys are both educational and personally enriching.

As a member of Virtuoso, a network of the world’s finest travel advisors and suppliers, clients enjoy exclusive access to premium hotel accommodations, cruise enhancements, and special travel offers. With strong relationships across Israel, travelers benefit from top-tier accommodations, seamless logistics, and one-of-a-kind experiences. Dedication to quality and personalized service continues to set this team apart in an ever-changing travel landscape.

Plan Your Unforgettable Israel Experience

For those ready to embark on an unforgettable journey—whether to celebrate, explore, or reconnect with their heritage—this trusted travel partner is here to help.

For more information or to get a quote, contact Janice at 905-771-7800 Ext. 729 or janice@aufgangtravel.com
7851 Dufferin St. #204, Toronto
www.aufgangtravel.com

Donald Berman Chai Lifeline Canada Rebuilding Dreams Gala had it all

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By Mike Cohen

The Donald Berman Chai Lifeline Canada supports children and parents who are facing life-threatening or life-long illness by providing services that foster resilience and hope for the whole family. They lead with dedication and integrity and bring empathy, respect, and humility to the families and community they serve.

Event Chairs Laura Sonego Assor and Michelle Cola Hasen, with Yohay Sponder.


On April 1, 2025 more than 500 people packed the Shaar Hashomayim Congregation in Westmount for the Rebuilding Dreams 2025 Gala.

When a child is born or diagnosed with a serious illness, Chai Lifeline knows that the illness impacts not just the person who is sick, but their entire family. Its programs and services take care of everything from the mundane, like help getting to doctors’ appointments and hot meals when children are hospitalized, to the extraordinary, like medically supervised overnight camps that give children confidence, courage, and life skills they need to fight dreaded illnesses. All programs and services are free of charge


Among those honored were Montreal Genetic Disorder Fund Chair Julie Kristof as Parent of the Year; real estate power couple and Young Leadership Award recipients Brittney Rozenblat and Jacob Strich; and Montreal Children’s Hospital Senior Advisor for Patient Experience Jordana Saada, receiving the Health Impact Award. One other honoree asked that their name not be published.


Outstanding Israeli standup comic Yohay Sponder was the featured performer. The evening began with cocktails and a vast buffet followed by the program, expertly organized by Morty Silber’s Mad Strategies and event planner Angela Lehrer. It was a well-oiled machine, flowing beautifully. The format rotated between video presentations about the winners and the important work the organization does to words of inspiration from Montreal Director Yaacov Blanshay and Founder Rabbi Simcha Scholar. At the end of the program it was time to eat again with a decadent sweet table. Sponder had everyone in stitches, sharing how so many of his shows have been cancelled in Europe because of antisemitism. He joked that the ensuing media coverage merely resulted in him selling out his other engagements. One of his best lines of the night was how Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. “And we have had the same Prime Minister for 20 years,” he said in reference to Benjamin Netanyahu.


Sponder stuck around after the show, posing for selfies and talking to fans. Watch my chat with him here from my Instagram account.


Here is some more about the award winners:


Julie Kristof

Julie Kristof gets her award from case manager Raisy Weisemann.


Julie has been married to Murray Yazer for almost 25 years and has two children, Alex,20, and Mimi, 17, who is affected by Familial Dysautonomia. Julie holds a BSC, an MBA and works in marketing research professionally. She sits on the board of JEM, Nellie Foundation, and is chair of the Montreal Genetic Disorder Fund raising awareness of genetic disease and increasing access to testing. She is involved in many community organizations and sits on multiple committees in the English Montreal School Board, including as Parent Commissioner of Special Education services. Julie is an advocate and believes we have to use our voices, skills, luck and education to make the world better. Julie has supported Chai Lifeline Canada for many years in so many ways including riding in the Tour de Simcha event and fundraising, attending events with her family or sitting on our Montreal leadership team. She gets inspired when witnessing a child feel seen not for their illness but for who they are, like they do at Camp Simcha where her daughter Mimi has been for several summers. Her wishes are that Chai Lifeline Canada continues to bring hope and light to darkness in our community.


Brittney Rozenblat & Jacob Strich

Brittney Rozenblat (left) and husband Jacob Strich (right) accept their award.

Brittney and Jacob are parents of three beautiful boys and have a private family real estate office. Brittney has also written a children’s book, The ABCs of Finance. Becoming parents has been the most rewarding aspect of their lives deepening their sense of empathy and their desire to make a positive impact in the world. They take inspiration from the strength and resilience they see in the families that Chai Lifeline Canada supports and from the Jewish community, its unity, commitment and dedication especially in times of hardship. Chai Lifeline Canada holds a very special place in their heart as it was the beginning of their philanthropic journey and has grown into something deeply personal and meaningful to them. For more than six years they have been sponsoring and delivering holiday packages for Chai Lifeline Canada and spreading happiness and comfort. When they deliver a package and see the joy it brings, it fuels their passion to keep doing more. Their hope is that Chai Lifeline Canada will continue to receive the support it needs to expand its programs, bring comfort and happiness to the families so they don’t have to navigate illness alone.


Jordana Saada

Regional Director Yaakov Blanshay, Jordana Saada and Emcee Jonah Kachani.


Jordana is a Registered Nurse by training and has worked in a wide variety of healthcare settings, in the pharmaceutical industry, and at McGill University. She currently works at the Montreal Children’s Hospital as Senior Advisor, Patient Experience. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master’s in Holocaust and Genocide Studies, and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Holocaust studies. Jordana has become an integral partner with Chai Lifeline Canada by providing valuable guidance, developing inter-organizational relationships with key personnel, and spearheading personalized initiatives. Her dedication and efforts create an environment of collaborated care and support for Chai Lifeline Canada children and their families.


Laura Sonego Assor and Michelle Cola Hasen chaired the program, with Reitzu Iczkovits as event lead.

For more about this wonderful organization go here: https://chailifelinecanada.org/

Upstart  Nöam Restaurant  has gained a loyal following on Decarie

On By thejewishstandardmagazinecanadaIn News and FeaturesLeave a comment

By Mike Cohen

In 1987 Howard Szalavetz and his late father Dave purchased a property at the corner of Decarie and Vezina which housed an auto mechanics garage and a car wash. Over the years  Howard tried to add a culinary mix to the building, first with a coffee shop and then a REAL Bagel franchise. Neither succeeded.

Now, with a growing empire of some 100 buildings under his company’s wing it is safe to say that the food component on Decarie was hardly top of mind. Then last spring the telephone rang. Brothers-in-law Meir Azerad and Ynon Cohen  wanted to open a polished sit-down kosher restaurant there. Howard had to think long and hard, trying to figure out how a business model like that could succeed in what was essentially the waiting room for people as their cars were being washed. Meyer and Ynon were convincing and he agreed to a lease. The duo proceeded to create a model from scratch, dubbing it Nöam Restaurant in the memory of a family member who had passed away a number of years ago, and undertaking significant renovations.

Partners Ynon and Meir.

Interestingly, a wood oven remained from the REAL Bagel experiment. Meir and Ynon were able to repurpose it to make pizza at up to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit in two minutes. The place opened last summer. I must admit I only found out about it recently while chatting with Howard, who encouraged me to come by. I did and what I found was one of the trendiest new spots in Montreal. Yes, this is a kosher restaurant. But the menu here is for everyone, regardless of whether you are kosher or even Jewish.

The busy restaurant.

The place is open every night except Friday, as well as Sunday for brunch. There are only 60 seats and reservations are strongly recommended. You can do so via Open Table, where Nöam Restaurant has already been listed on their top 100 list in Canada. The night I went there people were still coming in the door after 9 pm. This was a  Wednesday and it was snowing heavily out. There are effectively three sittings here. Immediately upon opening and then two and four hours later.

If anything this place is overstaffed, so service is quick and excellent. You constantly have a server at your table. Since the garage and car wash are closed during most restaurant hours, there are some 30 parking spots available and plenty more on Decarie and side streets. Meir and Ynon are already in discussions with Howard to add a party room at the upstairs level of the building.

Delicious pasta.

The menu here has many options:  soups, salads, appetizers, pasta, pizza, fish, decadent desserts and  a full liquor and wine menu as well as smoothies and milkshakes. If it is your birthday be prepared to be serenaded as loud Israeli music plays and the servers bring over a yummy dessert with sparklers in it. There were three such occasions the night I was there.

Howard was my dining partner and we had an opportunity to share many items on the menu.

An appetizing pizza.

Ynon was particularly proud to showcase the Beet Carpaccio made from roasted beets with feta cheese, balsamic reduction and topped with glazed nut mix and the fried olives.

For the main course I went for the pan-seared tuna steak, beautifully cooked with side orders of potatoes and risotto. Howard ordered  one of their amazing  pasta dishes and a Napoletano pizza, piping hot out of their special oven. Of course I tried a few pieces and Howard insisted I take back what was left.

For dessert we shared their homemade chocolate lava cake, which came with some vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce.

Mozzarella sticks appetizer.

There are plenty of other selections I will have to try another time:  cod tacos, grilled salmon,   fish and chips, European bass, Baladi eggplant, mushroom hummus,   soups, fresh salads and smoothies.

Ynon came into this venture with experience as the owner of  Coco Pralin, a  kosher bakery and caterer based in Dollard des Ormeaux. Meir meanwhile, has worked as a deejay and knows how to market a product.  “We are working very hard the both of us to make something different in the city and a big, big vibe,” said Meir . “That is really what we are focusing on.”

Nöam Restaurant is open Monday to Thursday from 5 pm to 11:30 pm,  Saturday from 9:30 pm to 2 pm and Sunday for brunch from Noon to 3 pm and then 5 pm to 11 pm. It is  located at 6647 Blvd. Décarie. You can call 514-564-6626 or log on to www.noamrestaurant.com for the menu and delivery options.