Features
Former Winnipegger Isaac Raber using his expertise to restore sight to young people in Rwanda
By MYRON LOVE At the end of this month, Philadelphia-based Dr. Irving (Isaac) Raber is stepping away from his 45-year career as a leading cornea disease specialist.
“I am 75,” notes the former Winnipegger. “I still feel great but I think it best to quit when I am still at the top of my game.”
However, although he is retiring from his practice, he is not putting down the tools of his trade entirely just yet.
On November 27, Raber will be boarding a plane for the 24-hour trip to Rwanda – his fourth visit to the small central African country –where he will once again be bringing with him the gift of sight to sightless young people.
A lot of young people in Rwanda suffer from an eye condition called keratoconus. he explains, an eye condition in which your cornea — the clear, dome-shaped front of your eye — gets thinner and gradually bulges outward into a cone shape. A cone-shaped cornea causes blurred vision may cause sensitivity to light and glare. Keratoconus usually affects both eyes – meaning people who have the condition can be considered legally blind.
In Rwanda, Raber works out of an eye hospital in a place called Kabgayi, which is about two hours away from Kigali, the capital.. T he hospital, operated by the Catholic Church, treats hundreds of patients from the surrounding countryside, Raber points out. While there is one full time ophthalmologist on staff, he notes, there is a long list of people who need corneal transplants.
Raber is the son of the late Edie and Sunny Raber. A Peretz School and St. John’s High School graduate, he did his basic medical degree at the University of Manitoba. After graduation in 1971, he did an internship at Toronto General Hospital followed by a residency in internal medicine at the Health Sciences Centre.
In 1975, he and his wife Donna left Winnipeg once again for Toronto, where he did a Residency in Ophthalmology at the University of Toronto, followed by a Fellowship in Corneal and External Diseases at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia from 1978-1979.
Raber recalls that his interest in Ophthalmology was piqued by the eye problems that his beloved zaida, Avram Raber, was experiencing at that time. “I wanted to be able to help people see again,” he says.
From 1979-86, Raber was Chief of the Cornea Service at Scheie Eye Institute (University of Pennsylvania Department of Ophthalmology), after which, he went into private practice. He was an Attending Surgeon on the Cornea Service at Wills Eye Institute and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Thomas Jefferson University.
Seven years ago, he notes, he got to thinking that, considering that he was getting older and that his daughters, Rebecca and Leah, were finished college and out of the house, it was time he gave back.
So, in 2016, he contacted the head of Global Ophthalmology at Wills Eye Hospital about volunteering through the organization’s program and found his way to the eye hospital in Kabgayi.
“The people I have worked with and treated in Kabgayi have been wonderful,” he says. “Everyone has been appreciative and thankful.”
He describes Rwanda as a beautiful country and, despite the horrors of the past, a peaceful and safe place.
On each of his visits – in 2016, 2017 and 2019 – Raber has spent a week at the eye clinic putting in 12-hour days doing corneal transplants – and this upcoming trip will follow the same routine.
And he doesn’t just bring his skills with him. He also brings with him 25 corneas for transplant. “Each cornea costs $4,000-$5,000,” he points out. “For a non-profit hospital like the eye hospital in Kabgayi, that is a lot of money. I am able to get corneas donated by the eye bank in Philadelphia.”
How much longer Raber can continue to do the work in Rwanda is open to question. “Putting in 12-hour days at my age is difficult both mentally and physically,” he comments. “I don’t know how much longer I can do this.”
His reward, he says, is seeing the smiles on patients’ faces when they can see again. “I recently received an email from one girl I treated a few years ago,” he reports. “I am happy to say that she is in high school now and is looking forward to going to university. It is nice to know that I am making a difference.”
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.
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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.