CHW Montreal Centre Fall Newsbulletin 2019

45th Annual Pro-Am For Kids A huge thank you to all the players, PGA du Québec professionals, and volunteers who came out for the 45th Annual Pro-Am For Kids golf tournament on July 11 at Hillsdale Golf Club. Unfortunately, the event was rained out for the first time in recent history. The good news is that through increased sponsorship and player enrollment, the event raised over $220,000 in support of CHW youth villages and Camp Erin. We appreciate the hard work of our co-chairs Joseph Balinsky, Gary Hutman, Danny Kaufer and their committee who planned what would have been an incredible tournament. Special thanks to our top sponsors, Bell, Joseph Levitt, Reitmans, Samsung, Decarie Motors, and Sajo; our gift sponsors Wendy and Gary Wechsler, Alpen Secrets, Bad Monkey Popcorn, and Jim Wilson Financial Group; and the support of Cappino Physiotherapy and Wellness Centre, Brera Catering, and Café de Mercanti. We look forward to better weather next year!

From left: Alicia Epstein, Alana Shiveck and Lena Weinberger handed out the player gifts.

Our team of volunteers working the registration table.

CHW Walk to Support Children

The Anna Zaitchick Chapter hosted their 8th Annual CHW Walk to Support Children on May 26. This is an important fundraiser as it provides a wonderful opportunity for the Chapter to work together towards a common goal in support of CHW’s projects in Israel. This year’s event was in support of the CHW Debbie Eisenberg and Gary Levene Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Shamir Medical Centre (Assaf Harofeh) in Israel. The Walk was an outstanding success, raising close to $13,000! Many thanks to our friends, family and colleagues for their tremendous support. Kol Hakavod to all!

Co-Presidents Sarah Hutman and Maxine Sanders with members of the Anna Zaitchick Chapter, cutting the official ribbon, before commencing the walk.

Mahjong Madness Continues CHW Montreal Centre had such strong interest and participation in past Mahjong sessions that we decided to offer two additional four-week sessions in May and July.

Once again, CHW supporter Hildie Gossack donated her time to instruct the class and patiently gave our students useful strategies to master the game. Due to the popularity of these classes, Hildie has agreed to offer another session in October.

Join the Mahjong Madness and call CHW Montreal Centre at 514-933-8461 to reserve your spot.

CAMP ERIN HEALS A portion of the proceeds from the Pro-Am For Kids was donated to Camp Erin Montreal. Camp Erin Montreal brings hope into the lives of bereaved children and teens by providing a safe environment to share their story, process their grief in healthy ways, and honour the memory of the person who died. Their weekend summer camp program took place in August at YCC, with 55 campers and 41 volunteers, and left a lasting impression on their participants. One Campers healping each other deal with their loss. of the participants, Sophie, told us, “Camp Erin helped me with knowing that I’m not the only one that has lost someone. It helped me to grieve with people that also lost their dad. Camp Erin gave me new tools to help me grieve. Camp Erin gave me the chance to make new friends.” Sana, another camper, added, “It helped me by talking about what was wrong and now I know I could just talk about it. And I had lots of fun!!!”

Our most recent graduates!

Rosh Hashanah Chocolate Tins We did it again! All 550 tins of chocolate sold out! A special shout-out to our team of amazing volunteers who make this project possible and our repeat customers who anxiously await our call each year. We are grateful for their ongoing support. Over $27,000 was raised in support of CHW!

Nurses’ Health Forum: Medical Cannabis The Nurses’ Council Health Forum chose an important current topic for its annual community program: medical marijuana.

Medical Cannabis 101 featured keynote speaker Dr. Michael Dworkind, a palliative care expert and medical director of Santé Cannabis, the first medical marijuana clinic in Quebec. He offered practical information, insight and guidance in an area that is becoming mainstream. The event raised over $5,000 for CHW projects.

35th Annual CHW Tel Hai Bridge, Mahjong & Canasta Luncheon The Tel Hai Bridge, Mahjong & Canasta Luncheon was held on September 4, 2019 at The Chevra. This year, the Luncheon was dedicated in memory of Anabel M. Louis, a Past President of the Tel Hai Chapter and a longstanding dedicated supporter of CHW. A record 300 participants enjoyed a beautiful afternoon and we were happy to welcome many new players to the event.

A big thank you to co-chairs Carol Seltzer and Jackie Sheiner

A Tribute to Anabel M. Louis

An excerpt from Diane Cohen’s presentation at the Luncheon

My mother, Anabel Miller Louis, came from a family of proud female Zionists, educated and active women who had their own voice.

Her grandmother, Meryl Levy of Toronto, belonged to CHW Toronto Centre. She also helped found the first Jewish eldercare residence in Toronto, which later became Baycrest. Her mother, Sarah Levy Miller, was the treasurer of the Young Ladies Zionist Chapter in Montreal. Her aunt, Belle James, was a Past President of CHW Toronto Centre and a graduate of U of T. Her sister-in-law, Bessie Greenblatt, was a member of the Herman Abramowitz Chapter. Bessie’s sister-in-law, the late Lottie Riven, was a Past President of CHW Montreal Centre. It seems my mother was predestined to be a member of Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW).

During World War II, my uncle, Max Louis was overseas in the engineering division of the Canadian Army and my parents heard about the plight of Jews in Europe from him. In 1948, the State of Israel was created and thousands of Jewish people left for their new homeland and Anabel and her group of young friends in Montreal joined the Tel Hai Chapter of Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW).

These women cared about the challenges facing young Jewish women and children who had escaped the Holocaust in Europe, arriving in Israel with neither shelter nor means of supporting themselves.

The needs were urgent and CHW was one of the first organizations that took charge of helping women and children. The Acco Children’s Village, my mother’s favorite project, took in children who were orphaned or destitute and gave them food, shelter and an education.

In 1954, my mother accepted a two-year term as President of Tel Hai Chapter. For both my parents, helping the State of Israel and its people was not an option, it was a necessity. I remember those years well because, almost every night, the phone rang at dinner time and my dad would say, “Why do these ladies always telephone when I am having my dinner?” My mother would reply, “Ben, it’s for Hadassah.”

My mother took on her new job with determination and energy, giving it the same meticulous attention that she gave to her personal life. Her home was always perfect. Her hair was never out of place and her clothes always fit her flawlessly. She gave the same level of attention to detail when running Tel Hai Chapter meetings, organizing bazaars, and selling raffle tickets.

Beauty School 101

Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW) Montreal Centre

CHW invites you to a fun night of makeup tutorials and skin consultations at the beautiful Annie Young Boutique and Spa in Westmount.

The evening includes makeup tips by Annie Young Estheticians, personalized skin consultations with Dermalogica, refreshments, prizes, and so much more.

Tickets are $36 and include a partial tax receipt. Register today! www.chw.ca/beauty2019

Newsbulletin

Fall 2019

Y Country Camp CITs playing with children at the CHW Clara Balinsky (Montreal) Daycare in Israel

SAVE THE DATE! CHW ANNUAL ART AUCTION

The CHW Annual Art Auction is taking place at Kandy Gallery on Tuesday, November 5. We are excited to honour the talented John Barkley at this year’s event. This highly anticipated evening always offers a variety of artwork varying from trendy street art to eye-catching, colourful still-life. The artwork is carefully selected by our dedicated Art Committee, including the event coordinator, Sarah Hutman, Norma Bassal, Yaelle Benhamou, Claudia Chokron, Alicia Epstein, Marla Goodwin-Zipper, Cara Itzkovitz, Sheila Levine, Alison Miller, Lianne Routtenberg, Joelle Sacksner, Marcy Segall, Alana Shiveck, Cheryl Sokoloff, Wendy Weiner-Gold, and Sigal Weizmann. This year’s auction will feature a group of emerging artists for our art collectors and enthusiasts to appreciate. We look forward to having the talented Neil Howrowitz as our host auctioneer for the evening.

For information about sponsorship or advertising opportunities, please call CHW Montreal Centre at 514-933-8461.

CHW is proud to recognize John Barkley In his own words, Barkley describes himself an experimental painter: “I have been working on my craft since 1996. I start work with a conceptual point of entry and then work intuitively, in dialogue with the work. The art-making process largely determines the completion of the piece, and one work often then leads to another. My experience within the studio is a catalyst for my departure from a mode of modern secular monophasic consciousness into an experience of interconnected consciousness with nature and all living things. My environmental concerns, existential questions, and my academic interests influence the starting point.”

Barkley is very well-known for his textured landscapes and bold abstract paintings. He has had numerous exhibitions in Canada and participated in many international art fairs. His paintings are held in many collections including Air Canada, the Department of External Affairs and Washington Bank.

She also let my brother and I know just how fortunate we were. She told us stories of the children being helped at the Acco Children’s Village and other facilities. It is no accident that my brother chose to practice architecture in Jerusalem after graduating from McGill.

Neither of my parents tried to discourage him from leaving.

My mother loved her golf games at Hillsdale and she enjoyed duplicate bridge. It is very fitting that she is being honored at a bridge luncheon. My family and I wish to thank the executive, staff members, and donors for honouring my Mother today. I know that she would be very proud of this recognition in what would have been her 100th year. Thank you!

CHW Montreal Centre, 6900 Decarie Boulevard, Suite 3405 Montreal QC H3X 2T8

514-933-8461 info@montreal.chw.ca www.chw.ca/montreal www.facebook.com/CanadianHadassahWIZO

What’s Inside...

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Interview with YCC trip leader Tayla Strulovitch Your Donations at Work: Hadassim is Home CHW Montreal Centre Activities Upcoming events

CHW Passionately Supports Programs and Services for Children, Healthcare, and Women in Israel and Canada

President’s Message Over the past six months, our Centre has been very busy with programming events and community outreach.

In May, CHW Montreal Centre hosted a Major Supporters event in conjunction with the 2019 Annual Campaign. The evening was a true success, from the warm welcome of our hosts Sarah and Gary Hutman, to our very special guest speaker, Galia Alef, the Director of CHW Nahalal Youth Village. She is a class act who charmed us all that evening. I know that the children of this youth village are in very capable hands with Galia at the helm. The evening was topped off with a dedication to Roslyn Joseph for her very generous gift to the CHW Neri Bloomfield Academy of Design.

Cover Story:

CHW and YCC Connect in Israel CHW was delighted to host the Y Country Camp (YCC) Junior CITs at the CHW Clara Balinsky (Montreal) Daycare Centre in Israel. The Daycare provides a safe and nurturing environment for a diverse group of Jewish and Arab babies, toddlers and pre-school children.

In what is becoming an annual tradition, YCC Junior CITs took time out of their busy schedule to spend an afternoon volunteering at the Daycare. The Junior CITs had a memorable experience, singing and playing with the children and saw, firsthand, the positive impact of CHW’s fundraising endeavours on the lives of Israeli children. At the end of their visit, the campers were presented with a hamsa painted by the children.

The amazing women from the Anna Zaitchick Chapter hosted their 8th Annual CHW Walk to Support Children on May 26.

They took part in three of my favorite activities: walking, eating, and raising funds for CHW. Great work!!

In July, Mother Nature could not rain on our parade. Even though the weather did not cooperate for the 45th Annual Pro-Am For Kids golf tournament, the outcome was a success for both CHW and Camp Erin. Joseph Balinsky, Gary Hutman, and Danny Kaufer once again did an outstanding job as co-chairs.

Our goal of connecting CHW with youth in Montreal was realized when the Y Country Camp Junior CITs visited CHW’s Clara Balinsky (Montreal) Daycare in Israel this summer. The CITs were able to see, first-hand, how CHW volunteer efforts and fundraising impact our projects in Israel.

The CHW Tel Hai Bridge, Mahjong & Canasta Luncheon had a record attendance of 300 people. The dynamic event co-chairs, Carol Seltzer and Jackie Sheiner, were joined this year by Alana Shiveck and Lianne Routtenberg who did an excellent job bringing in new Mahjong participants.

We are so excited about our fall fundraisers including the Rosh Hashanah Chocolate Tins which were a sold out success, the Nurses’ Council members who put together an amazing program on Medical Cannabis, and Beauty School 101, spearheaded by Naomi Berkovic Kincler and Julie Marcus.

Finally, we look forward to our fabulous Annual Art Auction with this year’s honoree, John Barkley.

May this be a year of peace, health, and prosperity.

Wishing you all a Shana Tovah Umetukah – A Good and Sweet New Year.

The CITs had a great afternoon interacting with the children.

Reflections from Tayla Strulovitch, YCC Trip Supervisor CHW met up with Tayla this past summer at the Clara Balinsky (Montreal) Daycare. As the supervisor of the YCC Junior CITs, Tayla was busy travelling across Israel with an energetic group of teenagers.

Tayla felt that it was important to prepare the CITs ahead of the visit. “I knew some of the CITs were nervous about volunteering at the daycare centre. They felt they weren’t good with kids and would struggle with the language barrier. But by the end of the visit nobody wanted to leave! They loved spending time with the children, and language wasn’t an issue at all. I loved how the CITs interacted with the children as I observed them playing with bubbles and making puzzles. They even had a chance to celebrate a little girl’s birthday. The Daycare is truly a special place, as the staff is very hands-on and the learning is very interactive. You can feel all the love, the warmth and positive energy. I felt it the second I walked in and saw all the smiles.

“Visiting CHW’s Clara Balinsky (Montreal) Daycare was definitely a highlight and an important stop during our trip. It opened our eyes to what Montreal and Israel have together. I don’t think many young people realize that there was such a strong connection before. They loved spending time with the children and still talk about it today!” Junior CITs Jamie and Nathaniel enthusiastically summed up the experience on behalf of the group: “The children are so adorable! This has been such a fun and great experience!”

Interested in getting involved? Join us!

CHW Montreal Centre is always looking for volunteers interested in getting involved in one (or more) of our fundraising activities.

Do you want to help plan an event or suggest some new ideas?

We’d love to hear from you! Call CHW Montreal Centre at 514-933-8461 or send an email to Alanna Elias at alanna@montreal.chw.ca.

Tayla playing with the kids at the daycare centre.

Your Donations At Work:

Hadassim is Home - The Na’aleh Program CHW Hadassim Children and Youth Village was established in 1947

by CHW, to provide a home to orphaned children following World War II. Over the years, CHW Hadassim has grown and evolved into a safe haven for children in need.

With the rise of antisemitism throughout several regions of the world, Hadassim has seen increased enrollment in the Na’aleh program from children who are escaping prejudice, persecution and violence. These Jewish youth fear going about their daily routines such as attending school and synagogue, and visiting community centres, as these activities have sadly become risky endeavors. The Na’aleh program at CHW Hadassim Children and Youth Village was created to provide a safe and vibrant environment to help these displaced children feel more at home. They can then focus on their studies and plan for a brighter future.

Each year, more than 20 new students arrive at CHW Hadassim in need of the support provided through the Na’aleh Program. This includes Jewish students like Miras, who was born in Kazakhstan.

With the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990’s, the region became quite unstable and Miras’ world suddenly changed.

Life became very difficult, as his father, a trained physician, had to find alternative sources of income due to low government salaries.

These difficulties forced the family to move often so that Issa’s parents could find employment in safe communities. Seventy percent of the Kazakhstan’s population is Muslim. Many communities that had small synagogues and a limited Jewish population were not considered safe. Miras believes “there are good people in Kazakhstan, but it’s common to make jokes about Jews.”

Miras made Aliyah at age 15 with a group of 20 other youth from Kazakhstan. Issa shared that he “didn’t know much about Israel, and Jerusalem seemed to be a mythical place. Throughout my journey, I never actually felt alone. I was met with supportive and caring people every step of the way. It’s been two years since I’ve arrived, but I still remember the moment I landed and came off the airplane. We received such a warm welcome. It felt great to be greeted by staff that had also come to Israel from the former Soviet Union. It really helped that they could speak our language and relate to us.

“With all the changes in my life, I found comfort in music and enjoyed the incredible music program offered at Hadassim.

The teachers here are so supportive and encouraging and have equipped my dorm room with a keyboard piano. I’ve really improved over the past two years and I now perform in the school band at official ceremonies and celebrations.

“It feels good to be here in Israel. I feel free and safe. I’m fortunate that I can pursue my dreams, play music and I’ve even had the chance to visit the ‘mythical’ city of Jerusalem!”

CHW Hadassim gives teenagers freedom. Freedom to learn.

Freedom to be Jewish. Freedom to live.

CHW Hadassim gives teenagers a home again.

Your generous support of CHW helps to make a stronger impact at our projects and in the lives of those who receive our support. Please consider making a gift today!

Hadassim student, Miras

Join the growing list of Sustainers

Major Supporters Evening

Sustainers are the heartbeat of CHW, enabling change and improving lives. Your Sustainer’s gift will lead the way and provide significant support to our many outstanding essential social services.

CHW Sustainers pledge a an annual gift of $1,000 or more in perpetuity (only $83.50 monthly). Every Sustainer receives an attractive sterling silver pin (made in Israel) and recognition in CHW publications. Help us answer the growing needs for all who depend on our collective help, showing them just how much we care. Your generosity makes all the difference!

In May, CHW Montreal Centre hosted a Major Supporters event in conjunction with the 2019 Annual Campaign. Our guest speaker was Galia Alef, Director of CHW Nahalal Youth Village. She shared updates about the positive impact CHW Nahalal is having on the lives of its students, including at-risk children. She highlighted the amazing strides being made, most notably in the agricultural program. A highlight of the evening was the announcement of a major gift by Roslyn Joseph, CHW National Director and Past President of CHW Montreal Centre (see featured story below). Many thanks to Sarah and Gary Hutman, who graciously welcomed us into their home and treated us to a scrumptious dessert reception.

Anonymous Azrieli Family Foundation Susan Balinsky Renna Bassal Carol Berall Eleonora Berku (honouring her great-grandchildren, Adam, Eva, Raina and Kiren) Bernice Brownstein Clarice Brownstein Kolomeir Gloria Burnett Marion Caplan Diane Cohen Leba & Jack Cooperstone Mollie Corber Shirley Croll Rhoda Dubin Frieda Dym Bina Ellen Naomi & Arnold Garber Leo & Shirley Goldfarb Foundation Sue Green Saryl Gross Lynda Grossman Sarah Hutman

Roslyn Joseph Judy Katsof Shirley Konigsberg Sonja Langburt Elizabeth Laxer Sheila Nemtin Levine Charlotte Lubin Florence Rozen and Sheldon Miller Luba Miller Anita Morris Joan Morris Vita E. Novick Sarah Pomerantz Marsha Ptack Dorothy Reitman Dundi & Lyon Sachs Bea Schachter Evelyn Bloomfield Schachter Marcy Segall Jackie Sheiner Harriet Star Dr. Mireille Steinberg Beverly Suliteanu Fowler Maidy Teitelbaum Susan Wainberg

Monthly Giving Changes Lives TODAY The Circle of Chai is an affordable and effective way of supporting the Annual Campaign by contributing a minimum monthly gift of $18. Monthly giving makes a big difference a little at a time – and offers a continuous and reliable source of funding for CHW projects and programs. Call CHW Montreal Centre at 514-933-8461 and stand proudly in the Circle.

CHW Montreal Centre Circle of Chai Members: Anonymous Susan Abramowitz Carrie Bogante Rhona Samsonovitch Rhonda Schwartz Sandra Sterling

FOR SALE! Cards and Certificates for All Occasions

Share your milestones and holidays with CHW cards and certificates. They are available for all occasions, including birthdays, anniversaries, births, condolences, and more. To place an order, call CHW Montreal Centre at 514-933-8461.

BAR MITZ VAH

Artist Cards

From left: Rima Rozen, Sarah Hutman, Perla Rosen Florence Rozen, and Alicia Epstein

From left: Harriet Star, Marcy Segall, Rhoda Dubin, Sarah Hutman, Susan Balinsky, and Susan Wainberg

From left: Renna Bassal, Susan Wainberg, guest speaker Galia Alef and her husband Elie, Sarah Hutman, Marla Goodwin Zipper, and Rhonda Schwartz

From left: Sarah Hutman and Evelyn Bloomfield Schachter

Major Gift: CHW Neri Bloomfield Academy of Design Creating Advanced Learning Environments CHW Montreal Centre is proud to announce that Roslyn Joseph, CHW National Director and Past President of the CHW Montreal Centre, recently made a major gift to the CHW Neri Bloomfield Academy of Design in Haifa. The CHW Neri Bloomfield is Sarah Hutman presented a star to Roslyn Joseph that will appear on the one of the leading institutions in the Neri J. Bloomfield Wall of Honour fields of Architecture, Graphic Design and Visual Communication, Photography, and Fashion Design. Roslyn’s gift will contribute to building the new Roslyn Joseph Auditorium. This 105-seat auditorium will provide an interdisciplinary learning space for students to effectively collaborate and faculty to professionally present their research in a seminar setting.

This new auditorium is part of the school’s transition to a modern and up-to-date educational institution adapted to this century’s learning and teaching expectations. At the Major Donor’s evening held in May, Roslyn was presented with a new star that will be displayed on CHW Montreal Centre’s Neri J. Bloomfield Wall of Honour in recognition of her impactful contribution.

CHW Montreal Centre is selling beautiful card packages with original artwork by Montreal artists Peter Krausz, Michael Litvack, Dina Podolsky, Lynda Schneider Granatstein, and CHW Past Montreal Centre President, Sheila Nemtin Levine.

The packages of 10 cards are presented in an organza bag for only $15. A great gift idea! To order your cards, contact CHW Montreal Centre at 514-933-8461.

14th Printing of A Treasure For My Daughter This updated “handbook for the Jewish home” features a comprehensive blessings chapter, traditional recipes, and explanations of the Jewish holidays. $36 per copy. To order your book, contact CHW Montreal Centre at 514-933-8461 or order online at www.chw.ca/montreal.

Honour your connection to CHW by joining the Legacy CirclE The CHW Legacy Circle honours those who have included CHW in their estate plans. A gift in your will today will help build a better tomorrow.

As a member of the CHW Legacy Circle, you will receive a Legacy Circle pin and your name will appear in CHW publications. Should you require further information, or if you have already provided for CHW in your will and would like to be included in the CHW Legacy Circle, please contact CHW Montreal Centre (514-933-8461).

Anonymous Gloria Burnett Shirley Croll Cynthia Flower Sharon Flower

Helen Greenfeld Roslyn Joseph Bea Krupp z’l Anabel Louis z’l Bea Schachter

Jackie Sheiner Melissa Singer (in memory of Phyllis G. & Leo Singer)