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(Certain conditions apply) Sales Office 191 Brock Ave. S. #102 Montreal West 514-969-6929 Le Waldorf mk condobrock.com Lounge area 2 The Senior TimeS Winter 2016-2017 theseniortimes.com Judaism exists in everything we do, new rabbi says irwin block The congregation has to reach out more to people in their 20s, 30s and Openness to creativity and change even 40s, he says. “These are people is where Montreal’s only recon- who are not religious, but these are structionist Congregation will be people who have a real desire to be headed in the coming years, if its part of a cultural community. They new rabbi has his way. want spirituality, but they aren’t American-born Boris Dolin, who willing to do things the way they’ve was completing a year serving liberal always been done. They need above Jewish communities in Warsaw, all a place that is welcoming and Poland when he was hired, wants the accepting of the choices they have doors to the Hampstead congregation made.” On interfaith marriage for opened wider as it faces demographic example — when a Jew wants to marry and other challenges. someone who is not Jewish — Dolin In fact, he wants the Reconstruc- is clear that these couples should be tionist way to Judaism to reach out welcomed into the community. to Jews who live in Mile End, or “I have and will continue to downtown, and others who would officiate at weddings where the non- never think of attending formal Jewish partner does not convert, services in Hampstead, where the although they must agree to raise synagogue has been located for ar wtheir children Jewish, have a fully almost half a century. diq nJewish ceremony, and do what they Dolin had been expecting to ease A k into the job to replace Rabbi Ron Rabbi Boris sings his way into awcan to support their Jewish partner.” H Aigen, who was retiring after 40 the hearts of his congregation o: “Interfaith marriage … can actually hotstrengthen Jewish community and years, but Aigen died suddenly P help all of us reflect on what it means after a stroke. The transition for the dovetails with that of the member- portunities to expand our repertoire. to be Jewish in a changing world. membership of some 500 has been ship — “deep respect for tradition A new melody can sometimes break “I will never say to anyone that dramatic. and traditional values, but also with through to a level of spirituality the best choice for the Jewish com- “Rabbi Ron was an incredible rabbi the understanding that we have to and connectiveness that the munity is for people to intermarry,” who created an incredible commu- use these values to confront contem- traditional liturgy cannot get Dolin says, but adds that the nity,” Dolin said, seated in the study porary challenges instead of hiding to you.” Reconstructionist philosophy pos- of the building on Cleve Rd. from them.” Of the Dorshei Emet Congrega- its a different priority. Its founder, He is 38, vegan, father of three, When he leads a service, his acous- tion, he says, “I know this commu- Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, began what and was raised in Oregon where tic guitar is always by his side as he nity will not survive unless it accepts became a movement in New York he was associate rabbi of Temple injects a personal melodic touch and welcomes people who have a City almost a century ago, with the Beth Israel in Eugene for four years. to its protocols, part of his way of different idea of what it means to He was Rabbi Aigen’s choice, as well reaching for a spiritual experience be Jewish.” Continued on page 4 as that of members, seen mutually as beyond book-based conventions. a good fit, comfortable in the more “Music is the path that so many traditional wing of the Reconstruc- people have for entering Jewish life. WE BUY GOLD tionist movement. 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Founded in WE pAY CASH! 2000, our areas of expertise include divorce and separation, custody [email protected] and visitation, child and spousal support, partition of assets, Free in-home consultation by a certified appraiser international kidnapping and relocation cases, parental alienation JOHN 514-560-7720 syndrome, marriage contract and cohabitation agreements. 1310 Greene Avenue, Suite 920, Westmount 514-939-2199 7707 Shelley, Montreal (Call for appt.) theseniortimes.com Winter 2016-2017 The Senior TimeS 3 Holy Hikes part of program Continued from page 3 the only way we are going to grow principle, in Dolin’s words, of “try- and survive.” ing to reconcile the core of Jewish Rabbi Sherril Gilbert, who is tradition with the realities of living adept at the renewal style of Judaic in the contemporary Jewish world.” practice, now leads a renewal-style In his keynote speech on Rosh Ha- service there every third Friday shanah, Dolin underlined where he night. Her B’Nai Or community is feels the congregation should go in now part of Dorshei Emet. order to increase participation and “I suggested this because I felt this become more meaningful. was another way of opening our He went on to say, “We accept that doors to different ways of seeing Jews have many identities, that being Judaism, by providing a different Jewish may be only one of many kind of service,” Dolin noted. layers of who we are. We accept and On Leonard Cohen and his legacy, celebrate the diversity of our Jewish Dolin says, “he used his words to family, interfaith families, people guide us through love and some of with different gender identities, the worst pain we could feel. The TRAVELODGE political views, cultural background, final lines of Hallelujah remind us and histories.” that we live in a very screwed up 1016 Shelburne Road In our interview, he said his ap- world, but the best we could do is to South Burlington proach is to recognize and accept say Hallelujah, to continue to give that people are falling in love and thanks for the blessings we do have, 1-802-862-6421 making choices that constitute a even with all the pain and suffering break from the past, adding, “It is we encounter.” Close to downtown Burlington shopping malls and outlets. our task to say, ‘we accept and wel- “He was a very religious man — it Enjoy a Free Full Hot Breakfast, High speed wireless internet. come you for who you are’. is rare to find someone who under- Pets welcome, $15 fee per pet. “We also hope you will become stood what it means to be Jewish, part of our community, and feel to believe in God, and to pray. He US $109 plus 10% tax for 2 nights OR obligated to learn and explore Jewish wrote liturgy, got rid of some of the US $55 plus 10% tax for 1 night. life and become part of this commu- stuff we have to wade through read- $129 for Park & Fly. Rates valid till 4/30/2017. nity in a way that feels right for you.” ing through some of the traditional Call 1-802-862-6421 for reservations. In this vein, the congregation has sources. It is rare that someone instituted a monthly chanting at a can use that religious imagery and yoga studio on Monkland Ave. and language in a way that makes sense when the weather improves he plans like that.” to lead “Holy Hikes” on Mount Leonard’s religious contemplation Valentine’s Day Special February 11th-12th, 2 days, 1 night Royal, similar to what he led while was linked to the essential issues of 1 night at Akwesasne Mohawk Resort in Oregon. our lives, Dolin notes. “So many of 11.50 food points, redeemable in 6 food “Holy Hikes are an opportunity his songs were profoundly religious venues. 10% off Bingo purchase at admission. $185 double, $290 single for learning ‘on the trail,’ and offer in a very important way because he opportunities to gather outside of connected them with reality — falling Western Caribbean Cruise February 5th to March 5th the synagogue and remember our in love, death, tragedy, sadness, and you on an electrifying musical adventure 7 days aboard the Norwegian Getaway celebrating British pop music. Ticket for wilderness roots,” Dolin says. joy, through his ability to use words Return with Air Canada. All meals on board show. Lunch at McIntosh Country Inn. $99 “In Oregon the program was to give us that sense of emotion, Inside Cabin: $1899, Outside Cabin: $2199 Balcony Cabin: $2299, Mini Suite Cabin: $2399 Atlantic City May 15th-19th especially popular among people but with this underlying core of a “America’s Favourite Playground” and one who didn’t feel as comfortable in the religious outlook. The British Invasion April 30th of the most popular gambling synagogue space, but felt that the “It doesn’t matter if he didn’t go Live Concert of Musical Hits from British Pop destinations in the United States. & Rock. Join Leisa Way and the Lonely Hearts 4 nights lodging at the Tropicana outdoors was their spiritual home. to synagogue, that’s not what makes Club Band, a sensationally talented 5-piece 4 dinner buffets “We need to show people that someone religious: it’s being able to band of singer instrumentalists, as they take $45 lot credit, $525 double, $725 single Judaism does not just exist on a translate life into an understanding Saturday morning during services, of God, meaning, and spirituality, or in this building — it exists in and that’s what he did.” everything we do in life. That is [email protected] WHY PAY MORE? MAKE YOUR PREARRANGEMENTS TODAY. $687 SIMPLE CREMATION Transportation of the deceased within 50 km, transport urn, cremation, death certificates, government formalities, remittance of ashes to the family. DinoRecine, PLAN WITH US IN FULL CONFIDENCE* Director of Sales Your money is protected and deposited in a trust account. We offer and Marketing services that reflect your perception, your wishes and your budget. IsabellePetit, plus taxes, no hidden fees *You can ask to meet one of our counselors at your home, without Director of any obligation. Operations FREE CONSULTATION Ask us about all the different funeral options that we offer. 24/7 | TOLL FREE 1-866-353-8387 514-367-8387 Visit our website serviceactuel.com 4 The Senior TimeS Winter 2016-2017 theseniortimes.com nDG Depot serves all Montrealers who need them irwin block well for themselves. For example, many do not know about applying for the guaranteed income When Kartik shanker retired from his demanding supplement for low-income recipients of Old job as an aerospace engineer, he was looking for Age Security. something useful and meaningful to do. “About one in five of new immigrants are from “Instead of sitting around at home I wanted to Iran, and a lot of others from the Middle East interact with people,” Shanker recalled, and he an- and Central America. Those from Iran often are swered a call for volunteers at the NDG Food Depot. educated professionals, but they can’t find work. That was two years ago, and since then he has Their qualifications are not immediately recog- discovered the right place for him to fulfill his nized. And first they have to get their French up twin desires to help others and socialize. y to a high level.” We talked as he was preparing coffee and ere B Six months after they come to the Depot for getting ready to serve lunch to all comers as e n the organization held an open house on Giving Kristihe“lIpt, rheaallfl yn soe rlovnesg ears na eteemd fpooorda rays smisetaasnucree., a tran- Tuesday last month to mark its 30th anniversary. o: otsition until people can get on their feet,” Soutar “I was shocked by how many people depend on Ph Bonnie Soutar shows off NDG Food Depot initiatives says. There are a lot of refugees who come for food assistance in NDG,” Shanker observed. food, and then there are the temporary homeless “You think of NDG as being middle class, a rea- to 800 people, says the director of development, and the working poor who can’t fully support sonably well-off community, but it’s surprising Bonnie Soutar. It could not function without 70 themselves on their limited income. how many people need help,” he added. to 80 volunteers pitching in each week, especially Community meals are offered free twice a week, He started out washing dishes and ‘graduated’ to with community needs increasing. Tuesdays from 2pm to 7pm and Friday lunch two other tasks: two Mondays a month he packs “The demand is up about 50 per cent from the from 10am to 2pm. Fridays there is a fresh food groceries for delivery to people who can’t come by level of five years ago” Soutar says. She started as market, and there is a charge for it. to the depot, currently located in the basement of a volunteer and is now among 15 full-time staff, “What we offer is often based on what we have. Trinity Memorial Church on Sherbrooke W. near with 30 seasonal employees, in addition to the We have quadrupled our budget for buying fresh Marlowe. Tuesdays, he’s on duty from noon to volunteers. “It’s not surprising. There is a lot of fruits and vegetables because we know they are so 4pm serving a meal to all, no questions asked. immigration in the neighbourhood, food prices are important. We also give out eggs, milk, nutrient- “I enjoy doing it — it’s nice to be in touch with up, housing has become really tight — and no new rich foods like lentils, whole grains, proteins — people!” he says, smiling. social housing is in the borough,” Soutar notes. that’s what we try to get in the baskets.” Shanker is one of 700-800 volunteers who help About half the groceries go to families, half to “Our meals are loosely based on that.” out weekly with the 20 programs run by the depot, singles. There are a lot of older adults, and a There are “food access” and “food- which is much more than a food bank. 30-40 per cent increase in seniors needing skills programs,” offered for upper-grade Every week, the depot gives out groceries for 700 food assistance. “A lot of them do not advocate Continued on page 6 ADVENTURE CANADA ARCTIC SAFARI This voyage will be complemented by JULY 30 - AUGUST 10, 2017 ABOARD THE OCEAN ENDEAVOUR the free onboard Nikon equipment © Scott Forsyth loaner program This voyage is presented in WWF-Canada, Nikon Canada and award-winning tour operator Adventure Canada have support of partnered to present the 2017 Arctic Safari in celebration of WWF’s 50th anniversary, and WWF-Canada Canada’s 150th anniversary. Join WWF-Canada wildlife conservation experts Paul Crowley, Vice President of Arctic Programs, and Pete Ewins, Lead Species Specialist, on a journey deep into the home of iconic wildlife and the remote Inuit communities. Your journey is further enhanced by our guest experts, Inuit culturalist Lois Suluk-Locke, acclaimed National Geographic husband-and-wife photographers David Doubilet and Jennifer Hayes; award-winning writer Alanna Mitchell, author of Sea Sick: The Global Ocean in Crisis and co-author of Franklin’s Lost Ship. 1.800.363.7566 adventurecanada.com 2015 WINNER 14 Front Street South Mississauga, Ontario L5H 2C4 Canada TICO Reg# 4001400 theseniortimes.com Winter 2016-2017 The Senior TimeS 5 “We’re a community food hub” The Senior TimeS will return in march Continued from page 5 elementary and high-school students in community centres, 45+ years of service publicized in the schools. TaxiChamplain.qc.ca For seniors, the Depot sends people into low-income housing projects to cook a meal, with high- • Travel quickly, securely • Special attention school students invited to make it and comfortably to Elderly inter-generational. “We use food as a tool to bring • Airport reservation • Parcel delivery people together, solve some prob- lems around poverty, around food, WINTER 2017 advocate for good food,” Soutar Improve your language and computer skills! notes.In season, the depot runs six ck o collective gardens in the Côte-des- Bl n Neiges–Notre-dame-de-Grâce bor- wi Office hours:Monday - Friday Languages: French, English ough, with a gardening expert — a oto: Ir h 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. facilitator — who works with the 150 P Conversation courses Kartik Shanker found his niche at Depot gardeners who took part this year. We also offer courses in Photography, Level 1 to 5 - 40 hours: $260 Computers and MultiMedia, Painting, They share the harvest! December. Volunteers are always Regular or intensive format; Microsoft Word, Excel & PowerPoint, etc. evening or Saturdays “We’re a community food hub,” welcome, especially for its weekly For additional information and a complete list of our offerings, please visit our web Soutar says, with obvious pride. food drive. Cash contributions are 10% discount for 60+ site or contact us. Every Wednesday there is a com- needed to fill up bags for its healthy ATWATER Registration online available munity kitchen at the Depot where snack program for schools “so every www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/ctd people gather and cook together, child between five and 17 gets a big including efforts to have new immi- bag of apples, oranges, bananas, grants share their skills. protein bars, and yogurt, because M.Vernacchia “We had a Syrian woman recently teachers report to us that children Pointe-Claire Pharmacist-Owner who taught 48 people how to pre- are coming to school without food.” ✓ pare Syrian style meals. We actually For food donations, such basics and ❏ Senior services and products paid her an honorarium to teach — healthy foods as canned fish, pasta in ✓ possibly her first job in Canada!” sauce, legumes, canned fruits and ❏ galerieBEAUTÉ TM The Depot operates with a bud- vegetables, and hearty soups in a can • Cosmetics • Perfume • Beauty Products get of $1.75 million, 41 per cent are needed. Also needed are tooth- ✓ ❏ Food Market of which is the result of individual brushes and toothpaste, shampoos, donations, 25 per cent comes from soaps, sanitary products for women, For the flu vaccine and nursing services corporations, 15 per cent from three diapers for children and adults. Please visit: pharmaprix.ca/services/1886 levels of government, mostly munic- “If you have half a pack left over, A Merry Christmas ipal, and 9 per cent is self generated, bring them,” Soutar says. FREE DELIVERY & Happy Hanukah 8 per cent from private foundations, NDG Food Depot is located at (with prescriptions) to all our clients! 2 per cent from financial and others. 2146 Marlowe, just south of Sher- With the holidays approaching, brooke. Open Monday to Friday. Open: Mon.-Fri.: 9am-10pm • Sat.-Sun.: 9am-9pm • 514-426-1081 the Depot is collecting new toys and To volunteer, call 514-483-4680 10 Place de la Triade, Pointe-Claire (St. Jean Blvd. x-street Holiday, next to IGA) books, which are distributed mid- or email [email protected] Inatimewhenmany familiesaresufferingfromfinancialhardship,losingaloved onecanbeevenmoredevastating.Itisduringtheseuncertaintimesthatyoushould WhenYouLose seek the best value on funeral services. 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Grief Support | Veterans Benefits Collins Clarke Pointe Claire Collins Clarke Sherbrooke St. Collins Clarke St-Lambert Laurent Thériault, Verdun Centre funéraire Côte-des-Neiges Manager Peter Govers Manager Martin Allaire Manager Martin Allaire Manager Daniel Thériault Manager Danny Gallant 222 Highway 20 5610 Sherbrooke Street West 307 Riverside Drive 510 de l’Église St., Verdun 4525, Côte-des-Neiges Rd 514-483-1870 N.D.G. 514-483-1870 514-483-1870 514-769-3867 514-342-8000 6 The Senior TimeS Winter 2016-2017 theseniortimes.com Who’s responsible for those nasty winter falls? Winter is upon us and it can be ties. It was held that the property she noticed that under the thin layer Legal Ease easy to fall down. We may blame owner had to maintain the property, of snow on the ground there was a someone else for the condition of Joyce Blond as would a reasonable, prudent and sheet of ice leading from the parking their property but sometimes it diligent person taking into account area to the steps of the building. She Frank is our own fault for not wearing weather conditions. An owner is not sued the building owner who in turn appropriate footwear or not look- the insurer of those who walk on his sued the company hired to main- B.A., B.C.L., LL.M. ing where we are going. in other property nor can he foresee or pre- tain the parking area. The building words there may be contributory vent everything. The sole presence owner admitted it had an obligation negligence on our part. photos showing the damaged and of ice would not have been enough to provide a secure place for its ten- The Civil Code stipulates that uneven condition of the sidewalk. to hold an owner responsible. How- ants but argued that it had made a everyone must act in such a way so Testimony was given that, due to ever, in this particular case the thick- reasonable effort to do so by hiring as not to cause damage to another. construction in the area, the side- ness of the snow covering the ice on a company to remove snow and salt When he fails to do so he may be walks needed to be repaired but it the staircase on the day of the acci- the parking lot. The court held that ordered to make reparation for any was too soon to do so. It was admit- dent showed that the owner had not the owner also had an obligation to damage he causes, bodily, moral, or ted that some temporary improve- performed adequate maintenance. monitor the services of the company material. This also applies to mu- ment could have been attempted. There was no proof that the plain- it had hired and where necessary to nicipalities, which are governed by The judge cited the relevant sections tiff had been careless or imprudent act in order to remove any danger other legislation as well. of the Civil Code and the Cities and or had in any way contributed to her that might exist. Both the owner Under the Quebec Municipal Code Towns Act including the necessity accident. The homeowner was held of the building and the representa- and the Cities and Towns Act if you for the complainant to prove negli- solely responsible for the damages tive of the snow clearing company want to sue a municipality in dam- gence. He stated that a municipality suffered by her. should have realized that plaintiff’s ages a special notice containing de- does not have to meet a standard of In another case a woman had parking spot had not been cleaned tails of your claim must be sent in perfection but must take reasonable parking at the office building where and presented a potential danger to writing within a specified delay, and precautions to protect the security of she worked. Coming back after tenants, yet they had done nothing. legal proceedings must be instituted users of its sidewalks. In determin- the holidays, she parked, slung her In failing to remedy the situation within six months of the date the ing responsibility the weather is a purse and computer case over her the building owner had committed damage occurred. No municipality factor. The court was of the opinion head, took her briefcase in her hand, a fault. The snow cleaning company may be held liable for damage result- that the municipality had not taken closed the car door, took a step to- had an obligation to keep the park- ing from an accident, of which any reasonable precautions to protect wards the building door, slipped and ing spots free of danger and by fail- person is the victim, on the sidewalks, the security of pedestrians but the fell hitting her head on the pave- ing to do so had also committed a streets, roads, walkways or bikeways, plaintiff had contributed to the ac- ment. She lost consciousness for a fault. The plaintiff saw that there by reason of the snow or ice, unless cident by wearing indoor shoes even few minutes. Upon coming around Continued on page 8 the claimant establishes that the though the snow had started to fall accident was caused by the negligence several hours earlier. The judgment or fault of the municipality. The held both the plaintiff and the mu- court is required to take weather nicipality equally responsible for the conditions into account. The City of accident. Damages were assessed at Montreal does not require notice in $54,000 but the municipality only Enhancing the lives of everyone touched by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias the case of personal injury although had to pay $27,000. such notice is suggested. The delay It is not only municipalities that 2017 Marva Whyte Alzheimer Awareness Conference to sue is three years. must act responsibly during periods The following judgments illustrate of inclement weather but property Unravelling Dementia the laws mentioned above. The first owners as well. When a woman fell through Medicine and Science one pertains to street conditions. The on an outside staircase and broke male victim was described by police her leg while going to do housework Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at 6:00 pm as being well dressed and wearing the judge used words similar to those indoor shoes. The victim produced used in cases involving municipali- Conference Speakers THOMAS MORE INSTITUTE Over 70 years of Lifelong Learning in the Liberal Arts Winter courses begin January 9th, 2017 Spring courses beg in April 4th, 2017 • Basic Essay Writing • Canada on Screen • Dickens Looking Out and Looking In: Social Critique • Curtain Up: Scenes Dr. Serge Gauthier C.M., MD, FRCPC Dr. Joe Schwarcz and Subjectivity in the Novel • Democracy and Demagogues Director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Unit, Director of McGill University’s Office • Elena Ferrante: The Neapolitan Novels McGill University Centre for Studies in Aging for Science and Society, Renowned Author • Elena Ferrante: The Neapolitan Novels • Fiction Writing • Mystics of the Head, Mystics of the Heart: • Hamlet, Freud, and Jung: Intersections of Literature Exploring German Mysticism Hotel Ruby Foo’s, 7655 Decarie Blvd., Montreal H4P 2H2 and Psychology • Rediscovering Montreal, Part Three: Light refreshments served at 6:00 pm | Conference begins at 6:30 pm • Living in Rome in and after the Year of the Four Emperors Celebrating the 375th Anniversary • Love in a Time of Terror (offered in Pointe-Claire) Admission $20 - PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED • Sustainability as a Way of Thinking • Perspectives on Eighteen-Century Art • The Sovereignty of Canadian First Nations: • Pop Goes the World: Pop Music from the 20th Century to Now From Assimilation to Self Determination Conference in English - Question period in English and French • Reading(s) of Plato’s Republic • Women Writing Men: Stretching the Limits • Saturday Afternoon at the Opera • The Gift and the Labour of Gratitude of the Literary Imagination For more information on AGI’s conferences, lectures and support services, please call us at 514.485.7233 or email us at [email protected] Open House on Saturday, January 7th, 2017 from 12-3 pm Keep an eye on our website for information about our Seniors Program & several other events. y www.agiteam.org NAMUR theseniortimes.com Winter 2016-2017 The Senior TimeS 7 2017 Marva Whyte Awareness Conference [Senior Times].indd 1 2016-12-05 11:08 AM eDiTOriaL Generosity, not tyranny of the majority, needed in Outremont The good burghers of Outremont, feeling the secular majority feels is the heart of their author of the recently published La vie secrète challenged rather than enriched by the village of bars, restaurants, and shops, and led des Hassidim (Les Éditions XYZ) told an vitality and growth of the hasidic community to a bylaw forbidding new places of worship on interviewer: “A pathway to agreement must be that co-habits the territory, have taken the what is a mixed commercial street. The bylaw was found, (based on) common interests. The Hasidim wrong approach as they seek to suppress its approved in a referendum, to the dismay of are there to stay.” most essential need – places of worship. the Hasidic community that has to cope with Among options, community leaders are How anachronistic it must seem to the largely seriously overcrowded facilities. And the semi- considering launching a court challenge, since secular majority that for the Hasidim, who basement remained unoccupied, with to-let signs the bylaw obviously targets them — a clear constituted about 20 per cent of the borough’s dotting the avenue. manifestation of discriminatory treatment of a 22,945 population in 2011, according to Statistics Although there are ten Hasidic synagogues in religious minority. Mayor Denis Coderre has Canada, community worship has the highest neighbouring Mile End — which blend in well in offered to help, since there is an industrial/com- priority. With their burgeoning numbers, the this hippest area in the city, only three are located mercial property on a large lot on the Montreal side Hasidic community’s need to establish synagogues in the actual Outremont boundaries: the Toldos of Hutchison, north of Van Horne. On the other that are within walking distance to their Yacov Yosef of the Skver Hasidim, located in the hand, the Hasidim ask, correctly, why their residences led them to rent a semi-basement on former Beth Moishe congregation, Durocher, places of study and worship should be ghettoized Bernard, corner Champagneur, precipitating corner Lajoie, which has been there since 1953; into a corner, instead of comfortably housed on the current crisis. This spot is close to what the Machzikei Torah Tov, on Bernard near Bernard. Why not just limit the ban to the ground Querbes, which has been there for decades; and floor of these buildings on Bernard, as suggested the Ahavath Israel of the Viznitz Hasidim, at the by borough councilor Mindy Pollak, who is part corner of Van Horne and Durocher. of the Viznitz community? Since new places of worship have already been Either way, Outremont city council has banned on Laurier and Van Horne, and much used the tyranny of the majority to restrict the of the rest of the borough is residentially zoned, Hasidic community in its most essential needs, the ban on Bernard sends a blunt message: If you rather than seeking to look for compromise in an can’t cope with the current arrangement, move accommodating spirit. For this, Outremont out. This, the Hasidim will not do. As Université council deserves the most severe condemnation. de Montréal sociologist Sandrine Malarde, Fair deal for forgotten thalidomide survivors $$ INCOME TAX $$ Last year, the Conservative government offered cal records from that time, and are in a Catch- to compensate Canadians for a grave government 22: They have all the symptoms of a thalidomide AWAN BUSINESS CONSULTANTS INC. error that crippled them: one-time, tax-free victim but cannot provide documentary evidence. CHARTERED PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS (CPA) compensation packages of $125,000 for thalid- The administrators of the program say that Professional Accounting, Tax, Business Advisory Services, omide victims, along with yearly payments of some deformities resemble those associated & Commissioner of Oaths $25,000 to $100,00, depending on the case. with thalidomide, but could be unrelated to 514 227 8765 A total of 92 survivors have been accepted in the drug, since a number or children are born 6900 Decarie Blvd. Suite 3250 the payment program, but most remain forgot- with spontaneous or what the administra- (Decarie Square) Montreal, QC H3X 2T8 ten. Thalidomide was a medication, developed in tors calls otherwise unrelated malformations. [email protected] Germany, prescribed for morning sickness from Obviously, some of the claims will fall into a gray 1959 to 1962. It was approved for use, but never area and require a judgment, based on incom- tested properly and caused babies to be born with plete information. The physical condition of the disfigured and missing limbs and other disabilities. applicant should be given maximum weight. Some victims simply are unable to access medi- Health Canada says it is committed to “providing an opportunity and a process to assess un- confirmed individuals” and determine their THE SENIOR TIMES eligibility for compensation. We urge the authorities to err on the side of compassion to help inadvertent victims of our government’s Publisher & Editor Production & Design failure in this compelling tragedy. Barbara Moser Hawk Andiqwar Assistant Editor Albert Cormier have a safe winter Kristine Berey Sales Manager Business Manager Jacquie Soloway-Cons Continued from page 7 Chad Ronalds Advertising was snow in the parking lot and should have Journalists Jodie Alter, suspected it could be slippery especially after the Kristine Berey, Irwin Block Gloria Beigleman, Editorial Assistants Shirley Cohen, holidays yet she walked in a narrow space without Morgan Buell, Sandra Schachter taking any special precautions thereby commit- Rachel Swabey Cover photo ting an act of fault contributing to her damages. Office Manager Hawk Andiqwar The plaintiff was held responsible for 50 per cent Thelma Gearey Printing of her damages. Hebdo Litho So be careful, be prudent, be observant, wear theseniortimes.com [email protected] proper boots, and have a safe winter. Happy Holidays! 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Call Sylvia at 514-999-1265 8 The Senior TimeS Winter 2016-2017 theseniortimes.com auberge shalom director succeeded in bridging communities harvey shepherd most of the residents of the shelter see the kashrut of the home (the in 21 years as executive director of were Jewish at the time she retired. regulations regarding kosher food). the auberge shalom pour femmes, Sasson said there is a strongly All food at the shelter, for residents Diane sasson did much to transform observant counsellor on the staff whether they are Jewish or not, is the mission of the centre and public who pays special attention to issues kosher. He also is available for resi- understanding of conjugal violence facing Jewish clients, including those dents and other clients interested from a narrow focus on physical with strong religious commitment. in obtaining a “get,” the religiously violence to something broader and The counsellor works to build required consent of the husband to deeper. sasson retired early this year. trust with rabbis and other orthodox divorce required if a woman is to Auberge Shalom was founded in community leaders, who are often remarry within Orthodox Judaism. 1989 by the Montreal section of the inclined to think family difficulties Sasson’s term as executive director National Council of Jewish Women should be ironed out within the com- was also marked by the development in the aftermath of the killing in munity. Sasson said this is something of counselling services for the chil- Dollard-des-Ormeaux of Donna traditional Jewish communities have dren of shelter residents, to ward off Kertzer Rose, whose commitment to in common with other traditional the danger that what they had seen traditional Jewish values is thought religious and ethnic communities, could lead to the girls’ becoming n a to have deterred her from seeking malso represented among the women victims and the boys’ becoming z help from existing agencies. warserved by the centre. abusers in later life. h For her efforts and those of the Sc But she said the actual abuse In her last message in the Auberge n centre on behalf of abused women vereported by Jewish women is Shalom annual report, Sasson said the e of diverse cultures and religions, y Stsimilar to that reported by other centre had set out some priorities in- b Sasson was one of seven people or o women. She said the same is true cluding adjusting clinical services to ot groups whom the YMCAs of Quebec Phof Muslim women. But religious serve more diverse needs, such as a Violence takes many forms, Sasson says honoured with Peace Medals on traditions in general have no new support group for adults who wit- September 21, an International Day of centre themselves, perhaps with the monopoly on abuse; the stories of nessed conjugal violence as children. Peace, as “exceptional people who are help of its website aubergeshalom. secular women abused by secular “We have dreamt of where we making our society more peaceful.” org or hotline 514-731-0833. Fifteen partners can also be harrowing. want to go and of what we want to In the words of the YMCA: “For of the women eventually went back Rabbi Michael Whitman of the accomplish with the ultimate goal of the last 21 years, Diane Sasson has to the men they fled, while five were Hampstead Orthodox synagogue offering our support and care to all been at the helm of the Auberge still in the Auberge on March 31. The Adath Israel advises the centre women and children who have made Shalom as it transitioned from a other 38 found alternative housing. on questions regarding Judaism. the courageous choice to end the shelter for women who are victims “Violence can be emotional, physi- Among other things, he helps over- violence in their lives,” Sasson said. of domestic violence to a centre of- cal, psychological, sexual, financial. fering a range of programs that aim A victim can be put down, isolated, to stop the intergenerational cycle insulted and trapped,” Sasson said. of abuse and to heal wounds that “Over 20 years we have developed violence has inflicted on children, different services to help women go women, families and communities. ahead from being put down with no Diane Sasson has also worked closely self-esteem. At first they just need with governments, public and para- justice but farther down the road they public agencies, the police force, need to move to a new concept.” media, religious communities and The newer focus is reflected by many other groups and organiza- a counselling centre, with four tions to raise awareness and educate counsellors, that opened at its people about the impact of domestic confidential location in 2002, seven violence on women and children.” years after Sasson arrived. In the year The centre keeps the location of its ended last March it counselled 106 shelter and an associated counsel- women and 23 children, including ling centre confidential. The postal 21 women and seven children who address is a box in the Snowdon post had been in the shelter. Forty-seven office. The website has a special icon of the women were born outside you can click to exit quickly if your Canada in any of 26 countries, abuser is about to enter the room. although by the time they came to The shelter helps arrange other the counselling service all but about resources for women who live nearby, 20 were among the 85 Canadian considering a chance encounter with citizens counselled over the year. an acquaintance or even an abuser Ninety-three of those counselled to be too high a risk. were Anglophones and five Fran- The shelter and its four counselling cophones and the other eight had staff remain a key part of the Auberge other first languages. Shalom. The shelter, which takes in The origins of Auberge Shalom about 80 women and their children and its roots in the Jewish commu- a year (67 women and 43 children in nity have a big, but subtle, effect on the year ended last March 31). The it, even though only a minority of average stay is 36 days. those who seek its help are Jewish. Most of the the women were Jewish women represent 20 per referred by SOS Violence Conjugal, cent of the residents of the shelter an umbrella hotline, or other agencies. and 40 per cent of the clients for Nine women last year found the counselling, Sasson said, although theseniortimes.com Winter 2016-2017 The Senior TimeS 9 William shakespeare: the man for all ages 2016 marks the 400th anniversary of the death of cause it had no fixed rules and he “drew beauty and perhaps the most immortal of all writers. it is power from its imperfections.” The Word Nerd fitting that the phrase “We all make his praise” Many words were created by the addition of is an anagram of William shakespeare. Howard Richler prefixes and suffixes. Arouse first appears in Moreover, the “all” in the phrase refers not only Henry VI, Part II; premeditated was first used in to native speakers of English but to all literate peo- A Midsummer Night’s Dream; and uncomfort- ple on the planet. Shakespeare’s works have been able in Romeo and Juliet. Lonely first appears translated into more than 100 languages and it out rhyme or reason.” If you are “in a pickle” in Coriolanus and reclusive makes its debut in has been calculated that almost half of the world’s because you’ve been “eaten out of house and Much Ado About Nothing. Amazement, first students have studied parts of his œuvre. Ben home” by your own “flesh and blood,” or by a found in Titus Andronicus, is one of the first uses Jonson’s comment about Shakespeare in the Preface “stone-hearted” “blinking idiot” or by “strange of the suffix-ment to form a noun from a Teu- to the First Folio in 1623, “He was not of an age, bedfellows,” you are quoting Shakespeare. Small tonic verb. As a language with deep Germanic but for all time” has been vindicated by time. wonder you’ve been “hoodwinked” and are “play- roots, English had a long tradition of creating Literary critic Harold Bloom titled his tome ing fast and loose” and haven’t “slept a wink” and new words through compounding, as German Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human because are probably “breathing your last.” Methinks still does. Some of the Bard’s contributions here Shakespeare “went beyond all precedents (even you’ve been “more sinned against than sinning.” are barefaced, hot-blooded, lacklustre, foregone, Chaucer) and invented the human as we know While it may be “cold comfort,” it’s also a “fore- still-born, and skim-milk. it.” Bloom argues that the Bard can be singularly gone conclusion” you are quoting Shakespeare. But if English lacked a word that could enhance credited for creating the modern person not only The story is told (probably apocryphal) of an ad- his writing, Shakespeare invented it, invariably in the Western word but throughout all cultures, olescent’s response upon seeing a performance of with a Latin root. Because many of these words and he views the Shakespearean characters Hamlet Hamlet stating that the play is “merely a collection were polysyllabic with a proclivity to sounding and Falstaff as representing “the inauguration of of clichés.” Of course when Shakespeare coined mellifluous, Shakespeare employed them to en- personality as we have come to recognize it.” expressions such as “brevity is the soul of wit,” hance rhythm. For example, frugal comes from Shakespeare’s contribution to our phraseology “primrose path,” “dog will have its day,” “the lady the Latin frugalis and is first seen in The Merry is ubiquitous. Observe: We all cite him “with- doth protest too much,” “sweets for the sweet” and Wives of Windsor: “I was then frugall in my “cruel to be kind,” they were newly minted gems. worth.” Castigate derives from the Latin castigare We sometimes forget because of Shakespeare’s (to correct) and makes its stage entry in Titus An- Women Needed transcendent phraseology that he may also rate as dronicus: “If thou didst put this sour cold habit the greatest word creator of all time. To wit, the on to castigate thy pride, ‘twere well.” Courtship OED shows that the first evidence of a word is is first seen in Love’s Labour’s Lost with the sense The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) is recruiting women for a study on muscle found in his works 1504 times and the first sense of of the behaviour befitting the court: “Trim Gal- mass and strength a word appears in his works on 7698 occasions. Ex- lants, full of Courtship and of state.” Besmirch is amples of the latter are the verbal use of elbow and first seen in Hamlet: “And now no soyle… doth cow to mean “jostle” and “intimidate” respectively besmirch the virtue of his will.” Shakespeare also and admired to mean “praiseworthy” (especially as borrowed from other Romance languages. Exam- previously it had meant “wondered about”). The ples here are bandit crafted from Italian bandito total of the above two categories exceeds his near- and torture fashioned from the French torturer. est competitor Chaucer by almost 2000. George Professor Victor Margolin summed up Shake- Gordon, In Shakespeare’s English congratulates speare’s linguistic genius succinctly with this pun: Elizabethan writers for their willingness to use “Shakespeare was great shakes and without peer.” “every form of verbal wealth.” Shakespeare was Last month’s solutions were in last month’s fortunate to live in an era when the language was Kathryn Jacob at issue (by mistake). very fluid. Gordon explains that Shakespeare was This month’s solutions are on page 29. able to do what he liked with English grammar be- Let's Go A-Wassailing 8 Played a Halloween trick 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 9 Leopard spots, e.g. ACROSS Adrian Powell 10 "Holy jumpin' catfish!" 14 15 16 1 Crowd in Cannes? might dock 11 Giraffe's little, 6 Mrs. Bono, once 52 When King Wenceslas half-striped cousin 10 Stir-fry utensils glanced out the window, 12 Nureyev's old company 17 18 19 14 US civil rights gp. in music 13 Like a fleabag hotel 15 Danish building 57 Benedict necessity 18 More than merely stun 20 21 22 23 block name 58 Perrier, par exemple 22 Tightwad 16 Great Depression migrant 59 Traditional Mexican 24 Phone answerer's word 24 25 26 27 17 Those who bore gifts stew pot 25 Built-out bay window from afar, in song 60 Opera phantom's name 26 Stirling rejection 28 29 30 19 Pottery piece 62 He had no fit gift, 27 Sit down and have dinner 20 60’s "The Flim-___ Man" according to the 28 "Pronto," briefly 21 Old Common Mkt. initials Christmas song 32 Repeat from memory 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 23 Orca grouping 67 Wooded valley 34 Benign tumours, usually 24 Two trees which are, 68 Actor Stone of "The 35 Give the slip to 38 39 40 41 42 apparently, no comparison, Aldrich Family" 36 Subway payment musically speaking 69 Ballerina's rail 37 Dash of panache 43 44 45 46 47 28 Kit Kat rival, maybe 70 Carnation holder 40 Added some ammo 29 Root crop grown in Peru 71 Bear cubs’ birth places 44 Influential contacts 48 49 50 51 30 Oolong, for one 72 Sound of derision 45 Flyer contents 31 More conniving 47 Like most of Mali 33 Private chat DOWN 50 Ship's wheel 52 53 54 55 56 38 "Rover's Return" offering 1 Cognac, cointreau and 52 Prevents from starving 39 Soft silk produced absinthe drink 53 Heron's white cousin 57 58 59 in Assam 2 Pep rally syllable 54 Supple 41 Psychic's talent, briefly 3 Ben-Hur was chained 55 Gorse 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 42 TV remote button to one 56 The common folk 43 Cruiser 4 Chip off the old block? 61 Letters on a Dutch 767 67 68 69 46 Kyoto neighbour 5 Wizard's incantation 63 Jug's much larger brother 48 Unusual CFL score 6 Like the penultimate 64 Buddy from the 'hood 49 Dash, to a Morse expert scene in a movie, often 65 Bruin great Bobby 70 71 72 51 Where ships in the gulf 7 Lobster matriarch 66 Until now 10 The Senior TimeS Winter 2016-2017 theseniortimes.com