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Canadian Associates of Ben Gurion University hold online gala event featuring Shira Haas of “Shtisel” and “Unorthodox” fame

clockwise from top left:
Interviewer Senator Linda Frum;
Shira Haas; Aaron Migie,
co-Chair, Manitoba CABGU;
Daniel Chamovitz, President, BGU

By BERNIE BELLAN Shira Haas may be only 26 years old, but she has already become one of Israel’s best known actors, having starred as an Orthodox Jew in both “Shtisel” and “Unorthodox”. (In real life Shira is not Orthodox, by the way.)
On Wednesday, July 7th, Canadian Associates of Ben Gurion University presented a cross-Canada online event promoting brain research at Ben Gurion University, during which Senator Linda Frum, who was in Toronto, took a leaf from her late mother, Barbara Frum’s playbook, and interviewed Shira Haas, who was in Tel Aviv, in what turned out to be an enjoyable and quite interesting 40 minutes back and forth.

In introducing the event, CABGU National CEO Mark Mendelson said that the event had raised a total of $850,000 toward brain research at BGU.
Mendelson also noted that last year’s “Support our Students” campaign had also raised $1.4 million starting in the spring of 2020 – when Covid was taking an especially heavy toll in Israel. The funds raised were used to allow students at the university to remain in school rather than having to drop out due to financial constraints brought about by Covid.
“Canadian Associates of Ben Gurion University” is “the number one Israel based organization in Canada,” Mendelson said.
Proceeds from the gala event will “fund research into neuro-degenerative disease,” Mendelson explained, including Epilepsy, ALS, Alzheimer’s,

Parkinson’s, Dementia, and Stroke. Prior to Senator Frum’s interview of Haas, some 1500 audience members were given an overview of the advances various researchers at BGU have been making in the treatment of different disorders associated with the brain.
Five different researchers at BGU offered explanations of new developments in which they have been involved in each of those areas. In commenting on the challenges they face, BGU President Daniel Chamovitz quoted David Ben Gurion himself, who once said: “If an expert says it’s impossible, find another expert.”

Chamovitz, who was born in Pennsylvania and obtained his undergraduate degree from Columbia before transferring to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he obtained his Ph.D. in plant science, offered the audience some very personal reflections about the toll Covid had taken on both him and his wife.
Chamovitz noted that he had his own experience dealing with Covid, when both he and his wife, Shira, came down with Covid last September. (Chamovitz has been keeping a very interesting online journal tracking Covid at BGU, called “My Covid Year”.) He said that he’s still dealing with the effects of Covid many months later, noting that “Post Covid Syndrome” affects about 10-15% of individuals – mostly women, who have come down with Covid.
Later, however, during the portion of the evening in which Shira Haas was being interviewed, Chamovitz, who displayed a wry sense of humour whenever he appeared during the event, made a funny observation about his Hebrew-speaking ability.
It turns out that Haas’s next starring role will be as a young Golda Meir in a movie about Golda’s life, to be produced by none other than Barba Streisand, called “Lioness”. Haas was asked how she will master Golda’s American-accented Hebrew. (Golda Meir, although born in Russia, moved to Milwaukee as a young woman, which is where she learned to speak English.)

Haas said it was really just a matter of mastering an accent, to which Chamovitz added that he can readily identify with Golda Meir, whom Israelis often made fun of for her American English manner of speaking Hebrew.
In accepting the position of President of BGU, Chamovitz said, he was proud to become head of a university that has been at the forefront of so many advances within Israeli society, including its inclusion of many members of the Bedouin minority who live near Beer Sheva.
Ben Gurion University is now home to the first female Bedouin professor in Israel, he noted: Sarab Abu-Rabia-Queder, who was also the first Bedouin woman to receive a Ph.D.
When it comes to innovation, Chamovitz observed, “All the nations in the Middle East are looking to us (in Israel) for answers. We’ve been living in the desert” – no university more so than BGU.

Turning to Senator Linda Frum’s question and answer session with Shira Haas, while Frum was seated in some sort of studio, Haas was in a room in her home, which looked quite unadorned – hardly what you would expect to see in the home of a major television star. Following are excerpts from the interview:
Frum: “What’s it like to be an Israeli celebrity?”
Haas: “It’s a feeling of being a family in Israel. Everyone knows everyone. When you walk in the streets and get compliments it’s like people feel they know you.”

Frum: “How did you know you were going to be an actor?”
Haas: “I was very shy. I never thought I’d be an actor. Thanks to Facebook I auditioned for a part just before I turned 16. One of my first auditions was for ‘Shtisel’ (in which she played the part of Ruchamie). It’s hard to believe that was already 10 years ago.”

Frum: “Did you think you’d have a career only in Hebrew or did you want to be an international actor?”
Haas: “When we were doing ‘Shtisel’ or ‘Unorthodox’ nobody ever thought it would get to Netflix – so I never thought I would become an international actor.”

Frum: “When you choose your projects, you don’t take the easy road. Of all the difficult things you’ve done, what was the hardest?”
Haas: “Your question reminded me that a few weeks ago someone stopped me on the street and complimented me. I gave him a big smile and he said: ‘Omigod, it’s so nice to see you smile!’” (in reference to Haas’s roles in “Shtisel” and “Unorthodox” where she faced unremittingly difficult choices and hardly ever smiled.)
“My most challenging role was in ‘Asia’ (pronounced A-seea – in which Haas plays a young girl struggling with a degenerative neurological disease. It hasn’t reached Winnipeg yet.) It was very personal for me.” (Haas had kidney cancer when she was 2, and saw her growth stunted as a result of her chemotherapy treatments, according to a story we ran in our June 23 issue.)

Frum: “You are obviously secular. How did you prepare yourself for ‘Shtisel’ and ‘Unorthdox’?”
Haas: “I was very young when I started doing ‘Shtisel’. I didn’t know much about the Orthodox world. It didn’t occur to me that it’s an Orthodox story. It’s a story about people. It brings people together.”

Frum: “It’s popular because it’s unusual, but also because it humanizes a group about which we don’t know very much. Did it change the dialogue in Israel?”
Haas: “It opened people’s minds – the power of watching art. People all over were suddenly interested.”

Frum: “Did you learn Yiddish for ‘Unorthodox’?”
Haas: “I found out that the Yiddish I needed to learn was completely different from the Yiddish I learned for ‘Shtisel’. Two of my favourite words from ‘Shtisel’ were a ‘bissel’ (meaning “a little”) and ‘koach’ (pronounced “coy-ach” – meaning “strength”).
“I know there are a lot of curse words in Yiddish, but I played Orthodox characters, so I didn’t learn any Yiddish curse words.”

Frum: ‘You’re on a list of the ten hottest Israeli women. (Haas blushed.) How are you going to play Golda Meir?”
Haas: “When she was a young lady she had lovers. I’m going to tell her story. I’m not going to imitate her.”

Frum: “Golda had an American accent. How are you going to pick it up?”
Haas: “Her Hebrew was good, but not as good as her English or Yiddish. She learned Hebrew in her 20s.”

Question from Daniel Chamovitz: “Without Covid, would you be where you are today” (referring to the fact that ‘Unorthodox’ first debuted on Netflix on March 26, 2020 – just as so much of the world was going into lockdown mode)?
Haas: “The first time I knew it (‘Unorthodox’) was a big success was when I was in quarantine and I looked out my window and saw my face on so many screens. I wish circumstances were different.”

Chamovitz: “Covid opened up markets for smaller scale TV shows. Shira, I read that you said you might have been a psychologist. Is that something you’d still consider doing? We have a great psychology program at Ben Gurion University.”
Haas: “Yes, I know. My sister studied psychology at Ben Gurion for her first degree.”

Frum began reading questions sent in by audience members. The first one was: “Time Magazine named you one of the 100 most influential people in the world. How do you feel about that?”
Haas: “It’s amazing. Here I am in Tel Aviv in my pajamas. It’s hard to think of me as one of the 100 most influential people in the world!”

Question: “Are you very active on social media?”
Haas: “Not much. I have an Instagram account, but to me it is something that doesn’t come naturally.”

Chamovitz: “You said that as a child you were shy. Maybe that explains it (her not being active on social media).”
Frum: “I wonder about that – you’re being private and interior, and forcing yourself to expose yourself A lot of times actors let their acting speak for themselves rather than talking.”

Frum: “Why do you feel it’s important to do events such as these? We’re in a moment when it’s not so easy.”
Haas: “I am Jewish, I am Israeli. Even if I play Mary Magdalene, I’m still Shira. I’m very proud Ben Gurion University is where my sister studied, and where my best friend is now studying.”

Frum: “Do you feel pressure to be a voice for Israel?“
Haas: “I don’t have to be political to do what I do.”

Frum: “Are you close with the ‘Shtisel’ family? Will there be a Season 4?”
Haas: “Very close. They will forever by my ‘mishpoche’. (But), it doesn’t feel like there will be a fourth season.”

At that point, various representatives of CABGU came on screen to thank Shira Haas and Linda Frum. And, even though it was the middle of the night in Israel, Shira said she had enjoyed herself so much she would have liked to continue. (There’s an idea for some other Winnipeg organizations.) It was a truly delightful evening. There’s something to be said for a well-planned online event. Congratulations to the organizers.

 

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Features

Revisiting Boris Birshtein’s Efforts to Save a Holy Torah

Boris Birshtein had not been previously associated with saving Torah scrolls. He was a businessman. However this story will show an amazing tale that must be read in order to be believed.

The Torah, known as the five books of Moses, is the holiest object in Judaism. But in the case of the Torah scrolls found in a ravaged synagogue in Chișinău, Moldova, there is an added layer of significance due to their incredible survival story. And Boris Birshtein provided a helping hand.

Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum recalls the emotional moment when he first encountered these sacred scrolls shortly after Moldova’s independence from the Soviet Union. “When we arrived at the devastated synagogue in Chișinău, we discovered about thirty Torah scrolls, some inscribed with messages that spoke of their miraculous survival during the Holocaust.”

The scrolls, eventually saved by businessman Boris Birshtein, were inscribed with symbols of faith, echoed the resilience of the Jewish people. Rabbi Greenbaum describes one scroll bearing the message, “Joy is the happiness of the soul,” symbolizing the enduring joy of the Torah even amid unimaginable adversity.

For the Chișinău Jewish community, the discovery was bittersweet. The scrolls were found, but their condition revealed the toll of years of neglect. Recognizing the need for a large-scale restoration, the community knew who could help. Enter a Jewish businessman known as Boris Birshtein.

The Role of Boris Birshtein

They turned to Boris Joseph Birshtein, a Jewish-Lithuanian philanthropist and respected business leader in Moldova, to help bring these scrolls to safety. He played a critical role in securing permission from the Moldovan government, enabling the scrolls to be transported from Chișinău to Tel Aviv for restoration.

Reflecting on this mission, Birshtein stated, “The Nazis sought to destroy the very existence of the Torah, and everything it stood for. When I learned of the scrolls in the deserted Chișinău synagogue, restoring them was an opportunity to stand up to the attempt to eradicate Jewish life from the heart of Moldova.”

He envisioned the restoration as a chance to honor the joyous occasions once celebrated around each Torah scroll, representing not only preservation but also a revival of Jewish history and tradition.

Celebrating the Completion of Restoration

After years of meticulous work, the restoration project was completed in December 1996, culminating in an emotional ceremony held at the Nehora Yeshiva, “Lev Ya’akov,” in Mevaseret Zion.

This amazing event, filled with reverence and pride, attracted many, including respected rabbis and public figures. Birshtein had the honor of presenting one of these precious scrolls to the yeshiva, a gift that symbolized the dedication of many to safeguarding Jewish heritage.

In his speech accepting the Torah, Rabbi Greenbaum praised the partnership between people like Birshtein, who support the Torah, and the Chișinău community.

He likened this partnership to the biblical figures Zebulun and Issachar, expressing deep gratitude for Birshtein’s involvement. Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, former Chief Rabbi of Israel and a survivor of Buchenwald, also spoke, emphasizing the significance of the mitzvah “Write this song for yourselves,” which resonates deeply with the yeshiva’s students.

This momentous occasion at Nehora Yeshiva marked not only a new chapter in the life of the institution but also a tribute to the Jewish communities that had originally cherished these scrolls.

Birshtein reflected, saying, “I am honored to have played a small role in bringing the sacred Torah scrolls from Chișinău to Tel Aviv for restoration, and delighted that one of them will now be cherished at the Nehora Yeshiva. Indeed, joy is in the happiness of the soul, and my soul is filled with happiness at this moment.”

The journey of these Torah scrolls—from war-torn Europe to restoration in Tel Aviv—highlights the enduring power of faith and community and the unbreakable link between the Torah and the Jewish people.

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Features

The Impact of Casino Bonuses: How to Maximize Free Spins, Match Bonuses, and More

Casino bonuses have become a significant feature in the online gambling industry, giving players the chance to extend their gameplay and improve their winning potential. And given the fact that Apple Pay casinos are quite popular in Canada, it’s easier than ever for players to access bonuses like free spins, match offers, and no-deposit rewards. Understanding these offers and how to use them effectively can truly elevate the gaming experience, putting you in control of your gaming journey.

Overview of common casino bonuses

Casino bonuses vary widely, with each type catering to different kinds of players and gaming preferences. Here are the most popular types:

Welcome bonuses

Welcome bonuses are more than just introductory offers provided to new players when they register with a casino. They are a gateway to a thrilling gaming experience. Typically, these bonuses are a combination of match bonuses (where the casino matches a percentage of the player’s first deposit) and free spins. For instance, a 100% match bonus of up to $500 plus 50 free spins on a popular slot game. Welcome bonuses offer substantial value and are designed to give new players an enticing start, igniting the excitement of your gaming journey.
No-deposit bonuses

No-deposit bonuses allow players to try games without putting their own money on the line. Players receive a small amount of money or free spins simply for registering. These bonuses are ideal for beginners who want to test a platform without financial commitment. However, they usually have higher wagering requirements.

Free spins

Free spins give players a certain number of free reel rotations on specific slot games. They’re often part of welcome bonuses but are also available as standalone offers for promotions or loyalty rewards. They let players enjoy slots without risking their own money, potentially leading to real cash wins.

Reload bonuses

Reload bonuses are designed for returning players, offering a match bonus on deposits after the initial one. These bonuses aim to keep players engaged over the long term, reward loyalty and are ideal for players who continue to deposit and play regularly.

Each of these bonuses has unique advantages and conditions, so understanding their structure can help players choose the ones that best suit their playing style and budget.

How to read and understand bonus terms and conditions

Casino bonus terms can be complex, often filled with fine print that can be easy to overlook but is essential to understand. Knowing what each clause means is crucial for maximizing bonuses.

Key terms to look for

  1. Wagering requirements
    • Definition: Wagering requirements are a key factor in understanding and maximizing bonuses. This term refers to the number of times you must play through the bonus amount before you can withdraw any winnings.
    • Example: A $100 bonus with a 30x wagering requirement means you must wager $3,000 before withdrawal.
    • Importance: Higher wagering requirements make it more challenging to access any real winnings from the bonus, so lower requirements are generally better.
  2. Eligible games
    • Definition: Not all games contribute equally towards meeting wagering requirements. Slots typically contribute 100%, but table games like blackjack and roulette may contribute less or be excluded.
    • Example: A casino may state that only slot games contribute to the wagering requirement, while table games contribute 20%.
    • Importance: Understanding which games qualify can help players make smart decisions about where to spend their bonus funds.
  3. Expiration dates
    • Definition: Many bonuses come with an expiration period, meaning they must be used within a set timeframe.
    • Example: A bonus may expire after 7 days if not fully used or wagered.
    • Importance: Players need to plan how they will use their bonuses to avoid losing them due to expiration.
  4. Max bet limits
    • Definition: Casinos may limit the maximum amount you can bet per spin or hand when using bonus funds.
    • Example: A casino might have a $5 maximum bet when using bonus money.
    • Importance: Exceeding this limit could void any winnings from the bonus, so it’s essential to stick to the set maximum.

Strategies for making the most of bonuses without falling into common traps

While bonuses offer excellent opportunities, there are also pitfalls that can undermine their value. Here are some strategies to maximize casino bonuses effectively:

  • Focus on lower wagering requirements: Bonuses with lower wagering requirements are easier to convert to cash winnings. Avoid bonuses with excessive requirements (e.g., 50x or higher), as they are challenging to fulfill.
  • Play eligible games: Since some games contribute more towards wagering requirements, prioritize those that offer the highest contribution (often slots) if your goal is to meet the wagering criteria quickly.
  • Mind the expiration date: Plan your play sessions to ensure you use the bonus before it expires. Many players miss out simply by not keeping track of this deadline.
  • Use bonuses strategically: Don’t rush to use all bonus funds in a single session. Taking a measured approach to your gameplay can extend your enjoyment and potentially improve your chances of winning.

How to compare bonuses across different casinos to find the best deals

With hundreds of casinos and bonus structures, finding the best deal requires a bit of research. Here’s a list of criteria to consider when comparing bonuses:

  1. Wagering requirements: Lower is better. Look for casinos that offer bonuses with 10x-30x wagering requirements over those with higher thresholds.
  2. Bonus value: Consider the percentage and maximum amount. A 100% match up to $500 might be better than a 50% match up to $1,000, depending on your bankroll.
  3. Game restrictions: Check if your favourite games are eligible and if they contribute fully to wagering requirements.
  4. Customer reviews: Look at reviews from other players to see if the casino is known for timely payouts and fair bonus terms.

By analyzing bonuses in this way, players can select a casino that best matches their playing style and budget.

How bonuses can significantly extend your playtime or boost winnings

Using casino bonuses effectively can dramatically extend your playtime and boost your potential winnings:

  1. Extended playtime with free spins: A player who receives 100 free spins on a slot game can enjoy extended playtime without spending additional money. If the player wins during these spins, those winnings can then be used on other games, allowing for further gameplay.
  2. Enhanced winnings with match bonuses: For instance, a player who deposits $100 and receives a 100% match bonus has $200 to play with. This doubles the initial bankroll, allowing the player to place larger bets or play longer, both of which increase the potential for higher returns.

In summary, casino bonuses provide valuable opportunities for players to extend gameplay and increase their chances of winning. By understanding the terms and conditions, choosing bonuses that match their preferences, and using strategies to maximize these offers, players can enjoy a more rewarding and engaging casino experience.

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The greatest escape

Bernard Pinsky

Author’s father survived Holocaust with grace, joy intact

By MARTIN ZEILIG Former Winnipegger Bernard Pinsky grew up listening to his father Rubin Pinsky’s stories of his childhood in Poland and his time spent living in the forest, where he survived the Holocaust after fleeing a Nazi work camp in 1942.

“My father’s stories didn’t make the Holocaust scary for me as a child,” Pinsky says.

“He told me about scavenging for food in the forest, learning what berries and roots he could eat, making baskets and other things from birch bark and twigs, learning the animal sounds, etc.”

Pinsky, who lives in Vancouver, will speak at the Winnipeg launch of his book,Ordinary, Extraordinary — My Father’s Life (Behind the Book), on Sunday — the anniversary of Kristallnacht — in honour of International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

The program will feature a conversation between Pinsky and Belle Jarniewski, executive director of the Jewish Heritage Centre. The event is presented by the centre in partnership with Jewish Child and Family Service and the philanthropic Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation, for which Pinsky, a retired lawyer and community leader, is the chairman.

Of his father, a former yeshiva student, Pinsky says, “He was not a particularly successful businessman in Canada, although we didn’t feel poor; we had what we needed. I saw how hard he worked, how positive he was, how he provided for his family despite not knowing any English or French when he came to Canada in his 20s.

“Despite his being an ordinary man, I realized that his life had taken an extraordinarily difficult route, which he overcame to create a normal, ordinary life for himself and his family.”

Pinsky wanted to honour his father, so for his 72nd birthday in 1996, he wrote a manuscript about his life as a gift.

“He was very happy to get it, but by then he had some mini-strokes (TIAs) and I doubt he ever read the whole manuscript,” Pinsky says via email.

He also sent the manuscript to some relatives, including Melvin Fenson, a Winnipegger and former partner of Walsh Micay law firm, who had made Aliyah (immigration of Jews from the diaspora to Israel) in the 1970s.

“Melvin read the manuscript and said that it contained some good information about the Holocaust and Yad Vashem (Israel’s official memorial museum to the victims of the Holocaust) might accept it for their archives,” Pinsky says.

The manuscript was submitted in 1997 and Yad Vashem said it would be included in its catalogue, but nothing happened for a decade.

Then, in 2007, Pinsky received a letter from a history teacher in Djatlovo, Belarus, who was hoping to translate the manuscript into Russian.

It turned out to be the same town as Pinsky’s father grew up in — prewar Gzetl, Poland.

“I went to Djatlovo in 2012 and saw both the incredible work that the teacher, a Russian Orthodox woman, and others like her were doing to create memorials to the Jewish community that perished in the Holocaust, and I saw the small museum in that teacher’s high school that she had created based on my work.

“She said she did it because she is religious and preserving the memory of the Jews, who were now all gone, was the right thing to do.”

At the time, Pinsky was a lawyer with a busy practice and planned to finish the book when he retired. However, at 67, he moved on to a new job at a charitable foundation that also left him little free time.

Finally, his wife pointed out that, since it seemed likely he would work long hours for the rest of his life, the time to finish the book was “now or never.”

He spent evenings and weekends in 2023 finishing the book, had it edited and self-published it.

Ordinary, Extraordinary is the survival story of Rubin Pinsky and some of Rubin’s immediate family,” he says. “But it is also the story of what Rubin did with his life after the Holocaust, his attitude towards life and his ability to pick himself up and to live life fully after every one of life’s blows, mostly with determination and with joy.

“His life could be an example of what people can endure in life and still be fulfilled and happy.”

Pinsky will offer one copy of the book to each family attending the event at the Berney Theatre. Register at 204-478-8590 or jewishheritage@jhcwc.org

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