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Child cancer survivor Ari Kay shares bar mitzvah money with Dream Factory
By MYRON LOVE
Ari Kay is a normal, active 13-year-old. He works hard at school, enjoys playing basketball; he is a member of two Gray Academy teams and one community centre team – and likes swimming.
On December 14, Ari celebrated his bar mitzvah at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue. He carried the Torah and read most of the parsha as well as the haftorah. And, as has been the practice in recent years of bnai mitzvoth, Ari designated 25% of the money he received as gifts to a charitable cause. His choice of charity – as was the choice for his sister, Sydney, after her bat mitzvah on November 18, 2017 – was the Dream Factory – reflecting the long and harrowing path that he Ari, Sydney, and their parents have traveled over the past eight years to reach this point in their lives and continue the tradition of support their parents have shown them.
The Dream Factory came into being in 1983 when two local women founded The Rainbow Society – as a not-for-profit charity dedicated to bringing happiness and hope to children facing life-threatening illnesses by helping them to realize their dreams. Renamed The Dream Factory in 2011, the organization has helped more than 700 dreams come true for kids in Manitoba battling life-threatening illnesses.
Ari Kay was just five years old when he was diagnosed with leukemia. “Soon after we received Ari’s diagnosis, doctors and nurses told us Ari could have a wish and let us know about the different organizations and what they do for kids with life threatening illnesses,” recalls Ari’s dad, Benjamin. “What we liked about The Dream Factory is that it is based solely in Manitoba.”
Ari chose a trip to Orlando, Florida to go to Disney World and Universal Studios for his wish. Treated for leukemia over three-and-a-half years, he and his family undertook the trip after his second year of treatment.
“It was a wonderful trip, fantastic, amazing,” Benjamin Kay recalls. “Ari talked throughout the trip.”
“We had a great time,” Sydney remembers. “It was a lot of fun. We got to do a lot of things and, most importantly, we did them as a family.”
During the time they were in Florida, the family stayed for one week at “Give Kids the World” Village, a resort for critically ill children and their families. Ari simply says, “it’s awesome!” and Benjamin notes every family stays in their own townhouse.
Alisa Kay reports that no effort is spared to pamper the children. “You can have ice cream for breakfast and there is 24-hour pizza delivery,” Ari says.
“There is a different theme every night – Christmas or Halloween, a princess party or a pirate-themed activity”, adds Sydney. “And everything is wheelchair accessible, even the pool with specially designed wheelchairs.”
So, after more than three years of treatment – just when it seemed that Ari was out of the woods, the family received some devastating news. In a very rare occurrence, a side effect of Ari’s treatment was the development of a more serious form of cancer for which the only hope was a bone marrow or stem cell transplant.
With the future looking bleak, the family made a hastily planned return trip to Florida and Disney World – in December 2015, just a couple of weeks before the transplant.
“We came back rejuvenated and ready to face the trial ahead,” Alisa says.
Ari received the transplant in early February 2015 and was in isolation in hospital for 28 days. The treatment was successful and, although he wasn’t able to return to school until September, his parents made sure that he didn’t miss a beat. Benjamin kept Ari up with his math and he received daily work and support from his teachers. And his parents arranged for his guitar and piano teachers to continue his music lessons while in the hospital.
“We arranged to have a combination rollaway cot/sofa/bed put into the hospital room to make the room feel more at home for Ari and Sydney and for one of us to sleep on every night,” Alisa says.
With brighter days ahead to look forward to, Ari and Sydney both say that they are leaning toward a career in paediatric oncology.
The Kays would like to encourage readers to consider donations to The Dream Factory or any of the wonderful organizations that help sick kids.
“It’s important to give back to the best of your ability and not only to children’s charities,” Benjamin says. “There are many worthy causes that all need our support.”
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.