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Dr. Keith Meloff: a remarkable medical career

Dr. Keith Meloff

By GERRY POSNER I’ve been writing a lot about Jewish psychiatrists of late (you can call me out for that), but the Jews of Winnipeg have also been a force in Neurology. It is just that not many people know it. One such luminary is Winnipeg born and bred neurologist, Dr. Keith Meloff, now of Toronto.

Meloff, a product of East Kildonan and both the north and south ends of Winnipeg, son of Jack and Ada Meloff, and brother to Leslie Meloff Levant, now of Calgary, was in fact connected to the Max Nathanson family in that he was a godson to them arising out of his mother’s employment at Nathanson’s business, Quality Bed and Spring, as office manager, bookkeeper and general do it all person. When he was four, his family moved from E. Kildonan to Lansdowne Avenue. Keith attended The Peretz Shul, Luxton, St. John’s High School and then in Grade 11, his family moved south to Campbell Street and he finished his schooling at Kelvin High School.
Meloff had an illustrious group of friends whose names many readers will recognize as in: Sam Sarbit, Ken Goldstein, Raymond Kives, Gerry Schwartz, Howard Book, Norm Frolich, David Klass, Marshall Rothstein (later Mr. Justice Rothstein of the Supreme Court of Canada), Brent Schachter, Arthur Sheps, Baillie Klass, Phillip Olin, Annette Finkel and many others. At Kelvin, Meloff pulled his grades up and after three years at the University of Manitoba, he was accepted into the Faculty of Medicine in 1961.

Meloff admits he lacked the work ethic and maturity for the rigours of a dense curriculum and he was required to repeat his first year of Medicine. (Does repeating a grade ever happen anymore?) Yet, in 1966 Meloff graduated with an MD (Honours). Meloff says he benefited from the influence of Drs. Sidney Israels, Harry Medovy, Martin Brotman, Reuben Cherniack, Arnold Naimark, Alvin Zipursky and Lyonel Israels.
Meloff moved to the Twin Cities from 1966-1972, where he trained in Pediatrics, Adult and Child Neurology at, what he says, were the best programs in the USA. In this respect he owes an enormous debt of gratitude to the superb education and remarkable generosity of the University of Minnesota. Meloff’s course study was an unusual combination of pursuits that allowed him to succeed in the difficult specialty examinations in both Pediatrics and Neurology for the Royal College of Physicians and later, to pass his oral exams again in both disciplines. Meloff then practiced both pediatric and adult neurology in Toronto, Miami, all of Northern Ontario, New Jersey and London, Ontario. He calls himself a medical dilettante plus a workaholic. If you read his work history, you get a glimpse of the breadth and depth of Keith’s career.

His resumé is long and varied. He is, for starters, a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada in both Pediatrics and Neurology. Just his professional experience from 1992 to the present is staggering. From 1992- 95, Keith was the Associate Medical Director to Ciba-Geigy (Novartis) and, in 1994, was also a consultant to Medtronic. From 1996-98, he served as a Medical Advisor and Director of Glaxo Canada (a name in the news these days). From 1999-2002 Meloff was the Medical Director and Chief Medical Officer of Wyeth Canada. Later, he was also a consultant to Sanofi Canada – now known as Aurinia.
In short, Meloff has had his hand in many medical companies. From 2003-4, Meloff was the Consultant Neurologist to the MS Clinic at the Baycrest Centre in Toronto. Moreover, from 2008-19, he was a Peer Assessor to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario in both Pediatric and Adult Neurology. On top of all of this, Meloff has had considerable experience in medical administration, having served as the Medical Director of Easter Seals in Toronto, President of the Medical Staff at Holland-Bloorview Hospital, Director of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine for the Grant Centre Hospital in Miami, and as Professor and Director of Pediatric Neurology at the New Jersey Neuroscience Institute in Edison, New Jersey. The list goes on, but you get the gist of Meloff’s career. And, Meloff is still very active as he closes in on his 80th birthday next year. He remains a consultant Neurologist to the University Health Network in Toronto, also a Medical Advisor in Neurology for the Ministry of Transportation Ontario.

With all of this work history, Meloff, husband to Suzette, father to son Richard. and grandfather to three grandkids, is a big fan of the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba. He also remains close to his roots, hoping to celebrate the 55th reunion of his medical class later this year, hopefully in Winnipeg. His memories of his years in Winnipeg are very strong, his ties to the community very meaningful, and he recalls with great fondness all of his Winnipeg pals. His past relationships, combined with a very deep work ethic, have given Dr. Keith Meloff a remarkable career.

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Features

Technology and innovation: how online casinos are adapting to players

There has currently been a significant increase in demand for online casinos in Canada due to the convenience and ease of access offered to players. With recurring technological advances and the constant search for innovation, online casino operators are striving to meet players’ growing expectations. Below, we’ll explore how online casinos in Canada are aligning themselves with technology and innovation, from the variety of games to attractive offers such as welcome bonuses and promotions to constantly adjusting to players’ needs.

Online gaming offers

Offering a wide range of games to suit players’ preferences is one of the main focuses of online casinos in Canada. In other words, operators are always looking to expand their collection of games to ensure a variety that caters to everyone, from the classics like backjack and roulette to slot releases and live casino games. What’s more, many online casinos are teaming up with famous game developers to offer high-quality, immersive experiences.

The commitment to providing an extensive selection of games tailored to diverse player preferences is a cornerstone of online casinos in Canada. This commitment manifests in continual efforts to expand the game library, ensuring a comprehensive assortment that appeals to a broad spectrum of players. Collaborations with renowned game developers further enhance the gaming experience, offering players access to high-quality, immersive gameplay across various genres, from classic favorites like blackjack and roulette to cutting-edge slot releases and live casino offerings.

Attractive bonuses and promotions

Online casinos in Canada often offer generous welcome bonuses to attract new players and reward existing ones. Bonuses can usually include free spins and extra cash, giving players the opportunity to explore casino games without using their own money at first. In addition, casinos can also give extra bonuses on subsequent deposits, loyalty programs and temporary promotions to keep players engaged.

A hallmark of online casinos in Canada is the generous incentives they offer to both new and existing players. Welcome bonuses, comprising complimentary spins and bonus cash, serve as enticing invitations for newcomers to explore the diverse offerings without financial risk. Moreover, ongoing bonuses on subsequent deposits, loyalty programs, and temporary promotions serve to maintain player engagement and reward loyalty within the platform’s ecosystem.

Gaming experience on mobile devices

Withthe increasing use of mobile devices, online casinos in Canada understand the importance of providing an optimized mobile gaming experience. Many operators use specific apps for iOS and Android devices, enabling players to access their favorite games anytime, anywhere. Online casinos are looking to adapt responsive designs on their websites to ensure an increasingly personalized usability experience on smartphones and tablets, without compromising the features and quality of the games.

Player security and privacy

Certainly one of the priorities for online casinos in Canada is player security and privacy. Operators implement and optimize increasingly robust security measures, such as SSL encryption and advanced firewalls, to guarantee the protection of players’ personal and financial data. Online casinos in Canada operate under regulated licenses, which guarantees compliance with the strictest security and integrity standards.

High-quality entertainment

Online casinos in Canada have often strived through the use of technology and innovation to adapt to the needs of players in a very competitive and constantly evolving market.

Providing a wide variety of games, good attractions and guaranteeing high security standards. Operators are definitely providing players with a fully personalized and immersive experience in the world of online casinos, as well as improving the experience for mobile devices and the convenience of playing at any time.

Online casinos in Canada continue to thrive and attract players looking for high-quality entertainment as well as exciting opportunities to win.

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Features

How to Protect Your Finances When Playing in Online Casinos 

Online casinos are a thrilling form of entertainment that a lot of adults enjoy in their free time. While it can be a great way to kick back and relax, it’s also important that you’re safeguarding your finances too. From the risk of gambling to cyber attacks and scams, here are some simple guidelines to follow that can help to ensure the safety of your money, so you can fully enjoy your favourite casino games. 

Choose Good Quality Casinos

This is the only way you can fully safeguard your finances. Choosing a reputable online casino that is fully licensed and regulated is crucial. Not only does this ensure that the casino is running legally and adhering to strict standards, but also the protection of your personal and financial information. Reading online reviews can be a great way to decipher the quality of a casino. Previous customers can tell you about any issues they’ve experienced, as well as providing insight into other aspects, such as customer service or the user-friendliness of the platform. 

A good quality casino will also have an impact on your experience. Be sure to look out for a wide variety of games and check out the different promotions and bonuses that a casino offers. With some bonuses, you can get spins on your favourite games. Taking advantage of bonuses and promotions can be a great way to safeguard your finances too. Instead of using your own money, you can use promotional funds to try out new games and experiment with different strategies. Just be aware that most promotions and bonuses come with wagering requirements, so make sure to read the terms and conditions before signing up. 

Protect Yourself

Another important factor of protecting your finances when playing in online casinos is learning how to protect yourself. This is essential for any online activity. When creating any online account, make sure to use strong and unique passwords. It’s also essential to never share this information with anyone else. Be aware and learn how to identify scams. Usually, if an offer is too good to be true, it usually is. In particular, be aware of phishing attempts and scams landing in your email inbox. It’s all about protecting yourself, like you would take supplements to aid your fitness, in this case, you apply yourself with knowledge to protect yourself and keep safe online. 

When depositing and withdrawing money, make sure to only use secure payment methods, this could include cryptocurrency, credit/debit cards or Apple Pay for example. You should use casinos that offer encrypted transactions. These precautions are essential when it comes to reducing the risk of your financial information falling into the wrong hands.

Gamble Responsibly

And finally, it’s not just about protecting yourself through security measures, it’s also important to be sensible with your money too. Gambling responsibly is essential when it comes to safeguarding your finances. A good way to do this is by setting limits and creating a budget for yourself. This will help to prevent you from overspending. 

Set limits for yourself in terms of how much money you are willing to spend and stick to these limits. Avoid chasing losses and never gamble with money that you can’t afford to lose. Make use of the deposit limit feature that most online casinos offer. If you ever find that you’re struggling, then it’s important to seek help and support. A lot of online casinos will be able to offer support and links to organisations that can help you. Gambling should always be a fun activity and nothing else. It’s definitely not a way to make money or solve financial problems.

In summary, these simple guidelines can help you to safeguard your finances when playing online. Remember that it’s not just about security, it’s also about being responsible with your money too. However, by choosing good quality casinos, learning how to protect yourself and gambling responsibly, you can enjoy your experience, all while ensuring your money stays safe. 

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Features

Kosher agencies make no bones about ‘flawed’ Canadian slaughter laws

oung Jewish children watch the Kaparot ceremony before Yom Kippur in September 2010 in Ashdod, Israel. Credit: ChameleonsEye/Shutterstock.

“When the Jewish community is being treated differently than other communities in Canada because of our religious beliefs, that is discrimination,” said Richard Rabkin, managing director of the Kashruth Council of Canada.

By DAVE GORDON (March 15, 2024 / JNS) Two kosher certifying agencies and two meat processors have a big beef with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, which suddenly changed the rules and made kosher slaughter a longer and more burdensome procedure.

CFIA has begun in recent months to enforce regulations it enacted in 2018 “with vigor,” Rabbi Saul Emanuel, executive director of Montreal Kosher, told JNS. It appears to be doing so “on a whim,” the rabbi said.

The government agency’s actions have already resulted in a 60% drop in domestic kosher meat production, facility closures, higher prices and larger shipments of imported meats from other countries, according to Emanuel.

An independent organization that oversees Canadian slaughter procedures, CFIA mandates that cows be shot in the head with a bolt gun, to avoid causing pain to the animal. Kashrut laws require that an animal be killed with a single, rapid motion with a sharp knife that instantly kills the animal by severing the primary blood supply to the brain. Kosher laws preclude the use of bolts, as Canadian law requires. 

CFIA requires that Jewish ritual slaughterers conduct a series of bodily checks in between each shechita to ensure that the animal is “insensible,” which means that slaughter houses must wait up to three minutes rather than 15 seconds between each slaughter. At an industrial scale, the three minutes add up.

Emanuel’s employer MK, the Kashruth Council of Canada in Toronto—known as COR—and the country’s two largest kosher meat producers, Shefa Meats and Mehadrin Meats, sued CFIA on March 8.

The plaintiffs allege that the government agency infringes on the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees freedom of religious practice, according to Richard Rabkin, managing director of the Kashruth Council.

“I don’t want to speculate about the motivations of the CFIA and we have no indications that antisemitism is at play here, but when the Jewish community is being treated differently than other communities in Canada because of our religious beliefs, that is discrimination,” Rabkin told JNS.

‘Discrimination by effect’

Rabkin told JNS that the ideal would be a negotiated solution, and the four entities opted to sue only as a last resort and because the agency is independent and unbeholden to elected officials.

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