Features
Howard Bogach: From Rupertsland to Richview
By GERRY POSNER From Rupertsland Avenue in Winnipeg in 1953 to Richview Avenue in Toronto in 2023, some 70 years later… that is the quick story of Howard Bogach. But in those 70 years, there is so much in between.
The only child of Frank and Anne (formerly Snyder), Howard grew up in a family that was for a long time in the sunflower seed business, in a company called Tasty Seeds. The business had been started by Howard’s grandfather and his three sons: Abe, Maurice and Frank.
Howard was a graduate of the Talmud Torah, Jefferson Junior High, Garden City Collegiate and later the University of Manitoba, where he finished with both a Bachelor of Arts in 1975 and a B.Comm (Hons).
In 1977, at the age of 24, Howard took the first step in his career when he moved to Calgary. He began at the Bay in various positions from 1977- 1980, then moved on to Touche Ross, also in Calgary, for five years, where he was a senior consultant and a supervisor regarding insolvency.
In 1985, he moved into the credit union world and that was a move that proved especially significant. Howard became the Vice President of Human Resources and Administration for the Credit Union Deposit Guarantee Corporation in Alberta. He remained with that organization for seven years before joining Capital City Savings in Edmonton. Capital City was at that time Alberta’s largest credit union.
Howard helped Capital grow even bigger before he left in June of 1994 to take on an even larger job with Metro Credit Union in Toronto. It was here that Howard really emerged as a major force in the credit union world and indeed beyond. He became the President and CEO of Metro which, at that time, was the largest credit union in the GTA (Greater Toronto area), with over 44, 000 members, 250 employees and assets of over $600 million which, back then, was a large chunk of change (even now I could handle it). Howard steered Metro for over 10 years, growing and initiating new programmes and introducing services like Internet banking. Not bad for a West Kildonan product – not bad at all. (Ed. note: Just because you’re from the south end, Gerry, doesn’t mean WK was another Chelm.)
In June 2004, and for almost the next four years, Howard became the President and CEO of Credit Union Central of Ontario (CUCO). That institution had no less than 125 employees and was a $2.2 billion wholesale financial services provider. It also acted as the industry trade association, supporting over 160 member organizations. In 2008, it merged with the BC version. All of this occurred during Howard’s tenure.
In March of 2008, Bogach took a decisive step, deciding to leave the credit union movement and become the President and CEO of Tarion Warranty Corporation. This was and is a private company established to protect the rights of new home owners, as well as regulate builders. The company administers the Ontario New Home Warranty Plan Act, which provides protection to the thousands of new home purchasers in Ontario.
Among the many achievements that occurred during Howard’s presidency was the introduction of a New Home Buyer Ombudsman to address issues of perception of fairness. Bogach continued in his role at Tarion until the end of 2019 when he left to form his own company, called the Howard Bogach Consulting/Richview Group. Thus, If you look at the long Howard Bogach career, you can tell that the tasty seed that his grandfather and father bega ultimately germinated into a full grown plant with lots of leaves along the way.
At the age of 70, Bogach, who is married to the former Shelley Dichter, also from Winnipeg, is the proud father of three children, all accomplished in their fields, including a son and a daughter who are both lawyers and a daughter who is a surgical oncologist in Hamilton. Howard and Shelley now have five grandchildren. Even though Howard has now been in Toronto for close to 30 years and gone from Winnipeg since 1977, he still has very strong feelings for his home town. As the oft-used cliché goes, “You can take the boy out of the north end, but you can’t take the north end out of the boy.” In fact, he is still a staunch supporter of the Blue Bombers and Jets.
Howard also serves on the Board of Home Ownership Alternatives, a non-profit organization focused on affordable housing (We could use more of that.), as well as on the Board of Stashower Slipia Congregation. Howard was also for many years a basketball coach for many years at the Bathurst JCC.
What intrigued me at first about Bogach was how random our meeting was in the first place. I chanced upon him in Toronto one Sunday morning recently on the Pickleball courts. One conversation led to another and before we knew it, we had much in common. Now, if his ability to play Pickleball takes off as much as did his career in business, Bogach has a bright future ahead of him on the court. Unfortunately, I told Howard that even though he indeed had a very successful work experience in so many ways, his Pickleball game has not quite achieved that same trajectory. But his game is only in the embryonic stage. Knowing Bogach as I now do, he will improve. Do not bet against him.
Features
BOOK REVIEW: “Fighting the Hate: A Handbook for Jews Under Siege”
Reviewed by MURRAY BENDER “Thinking on your feet”—quickly defending a position in a coherent, persuasive manner—is a situation that many people find challenging and stressful. “If only I had said this.” or “Why didn’t I say that?” Hindsight is always 20-20.
Following the Hamas atrocities of October 7, 2023, it has become increasingly necessary for diaspora Jews to “think on their feet” as they unwittingly face a barrage of tough, sometimes hateful, questions about Jews and their Israeli homeland.
Why is Israel committing genocide in Gaza? Why doesn’t Israel return the land it has stolen from Palestinians? Why are Israeli settlers attacking Palestinian farmers? How is Israel different from apartheid South Africa? Why can’t I criticize Israel without being called antisemitic? Is it true that Jews control the world? The list of potential questions is nearly endless.
Engage or hide? This is the difficult choice that confronts Jews as they look to deal with anti-Jewish and anti-Israeli behaviour. Fortunately, author and journalist Melanie Phillips comes to the rescue with her practical and insightful book, Fighting the Hate: A Handbook for Jews Under Siege.
According to Phillips, the dilemma has no single answer. “People need to decide how to behave in accordance not just with the specific circumstances but also with their own attributes and limitations.”
Some regard engagement with their opponents as a sacred duty. “They believe it is a betrayal of the Jewish people not to uphold Israel’s case.” Ohers may be uncomfortable with such a direct approach, but “those who decide to keep their heads down and avoid any altercation may well find that this leaves them with a permanent sense of regret and even failure,” she says.
As a result, it’s probably a good idea to adopt some sort of balance. And that’s where Phillips’ 150-page handbook comes in.
She starts by providing context around the “crisis of legitimacy and acceptance” from which Jews are reeling post-October 7. On the basis of extensive conversations with Jews from across the U.S., Britain and Australia, the author found that many “were near stupefied by the terrifying hatred and irrationality that was unfolding around them.” Again and again, they asked: “What should we do? What can we do?”
In response, Phillips offers a pragmatic approach to help prepare for the inevitable conversations, including a number of key principles:
- Get smart rather than emotional
- Stop playing defence
- Find common ground
- Be positive and confident
- Keep physically safe
Based on these overarching criteria, she provides an extensive list of quick and clever retorts to a range of different situations, emphasizing that “it’s our duty to our children and grandchildren to fight for truth and justice.”
So, the next time it is necessary to “think on their feet,” diaspora Jews will be able to respond quickly and confidently to those difficult questions about themselves and Israel. And they can thank Melanie Phillips for coming to the rescue.
Fighting the Hate: A Handbook for Jews Under Siege by Melanie Phillips is available online from Amazon and Indigo.
Features
ESports Meets Casinos: Overview of Bet Sport Gaming
ESports has become part of the interactive entertainment of online casinos. In fact, many fans already have the opportunity to use Dragonia Casino Bet Sport options while watching the matches of their favorite teams. The hybrid entertainment model opens up many possibilities and increases audience engagement. When video games intersect with betting, it creates a unique collaboration where participants have the opportunity to get a completely new experience right in their own home. At the same time, you can continue to enjoy the usual viewing of familiar tournaments and competitions.
How ESports and Casinos Interconnect
ESports has become a multi-billion-dollar industry that attracts spectators. Traditional casinos are focused on luck. But now they are introducing additional methods of encouraging their customers. Among such options, eSports events deserve special attention. Such bet sport offers combine the usual excitement with an element of competition. The structure of the casino entertainment provides participants with the opportunity to test their skills and reveal their own hidden talents. There are several forms of integration of eSports mechanics into the structure of a classic online casino:
- Competitive betting. Online casinos provide the opportunity to bet on eSports tournaments, which is similar to the usual sports betting. In addition, the possibilities are significantly expanded compared to simple viewing platforms.
- Skill-based casino games. Games inspired by eSports encourage players to actively participate in what is happening on the screen. The games reward the player’s results with certain prizes.
- Interactive arenas. Some casinos broadcast eSports events in real time. This allows players to follow the games directly online, which creates a feeling of real participation in familiar entertainment.
- Cross-platform interaction. Online casinos are introducing eSports-style leaderboards and achievements to attract more participants.
Such innovations appeal to new participants. Cultural changes are part of the development of the infrastructure of the classic casino, and eSports fans find a new environment for entertainment and communication.
Growth of ESports Betting
Global eSports revenue in 2025 exceeded $1.5 billion. Each bet sport option has made a significant contribution to the development. Surveys show that over 60% of players will express interest in betting on eSports, which reflects the demand and the need to develop an updated infrastructure for participation.
ESports events attract 15-20% more new participants compared to conventional casinos. The eSports betting market will exceed $20 billion by 2027, according to analysts’ forecasts, which encourages new participants to more actively watch tournaments and participate in various types of activity.
Why Fans Choose ESports
Bet sport gambling is gaining popularity. This is due to several reasons. For example, large casinos in Las Vegas and Macau now host full-fledged eSports tournaments alongside traditional entertainment. Venues are also experimenting with separate fan zones where sports betting and classic gambling are available.
Some of the most popular eSports disciplines are League of Legends and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Some online casinos even introduce eSports mechanics into slots so that players can try something new.
In short, the intersection of eSports and casinos is a natural development of the industry. Competitive play and an optimized betting system create a comfortable environment for true fans who want to diversify their leisure time.
Features
Card Game Traditions: Complete Review from Casino Online Lolajack Experts
Card games have been around for centuries. They are constantly evolving and improving. For example, there are now many different formats of online games available. On sites like casino online Lolajack https://Lolajack.com/ca/, you can choose a title according to your preferences and skills. The traditions of card games date back to ancient times. To better show yourself, it is worth familiarizing yourself with these features. This way, you will gain experience, have a good time, and get acquainted with something completely new.
Roots of Card Games
Card games directly reflect cultural identity. They have a unique mathematical structure and thoughtful moves that make even professionals think. Depending on the tradition, the rules differ, but the basic principles always remain similar. Each game has a unique origin:
- Poker. It originated in the USA back in the 19th century. During its existence, many variations of gameplay have appeared. It combines risk, strategy, and psychology; therefore, it requires high skill from each player.
- Baccarat. This game has ancient origins. It appeared in the 15th century in Italy, after which it spread throughout Europe. Now it is the basis of any operator like casino online Lolajack.
- Rimmy and bridge. Card games require the cooperation of participants, so coordinated communication is important here.
- Blackjack. This is the perfect combination of skill and chance. The player needs to learn to make decisions quickly and monitor the circumstances.
Card games have their own origins and characteristics. Currently, they are an integral part of any online casino, offering a wide range of opportunities for participants.
Why Card Games Are So Popular
Experts from casino online Lolajack emphasize the importance of card games in many cultures. For example, poker remains the leader for a reason. There are more than 100 million active players worldwide who compete and work on their skills. Blackjack also does not lag behind the trends. The level of participation exceeds 40% of regular online casino users.
Every year, the level of online card games grows by 10%. This is possible due to digitalization and increased player awareness. In addition, seasonal events also increase the involvement of participants during peak periods.
Traditions of Card Games
Unique events attract the attention of fans. For example, the World Series of Poker attracts not only participants but also millions of viewers around the world. Sites such as casino online Lolajack also give participants the opportunity to try their hand and compete with professionals.
Baccarat is associated with high stakes. This is especially noticeable among the Asian audience, who like to put probability theory into practice. Blackjack also has an appeal among math lovers. The probabilities of the model and observations directly affect the decisions of players. Online casinos strive to ensure that participants have the opportunity to communicate and find an activity option according to their own preferences.
As a result, card games remain the true leaders of the gambling market. They not only entertain, but also develop attention, perseverance, and social skills. A large selection of various variations of classic games allows you to choose the version that suits your preferences. Developers do not lag behind trends and do everything possible to surprise fans.