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First-time novelist authors best-selling book that has placed it on several “Jewish” book lists – but be prepared to be shocked
By BERNIE BELLAN A while back I was looking for a book that had somewhat of a Jewish theme but wasn’t what you might typically expect to fall into any sort of a “Jewish” oeuvre.
One title grabbed my attention as I scanned various lists of titles that had made their way on to compilations of recently recommended “Jewish” books – not only because it had excellent reviews, but because various descriptions of it that I read made it seem more like a nightmarish version of modern-day Los Angeles life than anything.
The book is “All Night Pharmacy,” written by someone by the name of Ruth Madievsky who, in her day job, is actually a pharmacist (working primarily with HIV patients at UCLA Health).
The pharmacist connection proves to be of immense importance since there are descriptions of so many illicit substances in this book that it’s hard to imagine anyone who doesn’t have a detailed acquaintance with so many of them ever being able to write so knowingly about them.
The novel’s protagonist – and narrator, whose name is never given, is 18 years old at the beginning of the story and it’s not quite clear how much time elapses by the end. She comes from a family of former Soviet Union refugees. Her mother is totally paranoid, constantly thinking that she is being pursued by the KGB, while her grandmother has been traumatized having seen her own father shot back in the Soviet Union.
Yet, aside from those passing mentions of the narrator’s quite tenuous connections to her Jewish heritage there is really nothing that would lead one to suggest “All Night Pharmacy” would be recommended reading for a “Jewish” book club per se.
But don’t let that dissuade you from taking a stab at reading this novel. Ruth Madievsky, aside from being a pharmacist, is also a poet – apparently of some renown. Her prose is incendiary in how much it crackles with descriptions of a really seedy LA.
Much of the early part of the novel takes place in a bar known as Salvation, where the narrator and her sister Debbie spend most evenings (when Debbie isn’t busy working as a stripper), fraternizing with a drug-ridden group of individuals who seem to come and go, but don’t have much in the way of storylines themselves.
Along the way of her own descent into a life of debauchery the narrator does end up with a guy by the name of Ronnie, who seems half way normal, but of whom the narrator eventually tires. As her life disintegrates around her she commits one very violent act that leads to her sister Debbie’s disappearing.
By the time she has just about reached the very abyss of despair, the narrator manages to rescue herself – at least somewhat, by taking a job as a receptionist in the emergency ward of an LA hospital. Although she doesn’t really empathize with the various unfortunate individuals who find their way into the hospital, it does seem to provide her with at least enough of a solid grounding that she can begin to free herself of the many drugs that she had been ingesting on a regular basis to that point.
Into the emergency ward one night enters a beautiful, mysterious – also Jewish, young woman by the name of Sasha, who is from Moldova. Sasha claims to be a psychic and she does exhibit an extraordinary intuitiveness about many things that leaves the narrator spellbound.
One day – and by this point the two women are living together and enjoying a physical relationship, although it’s not intrinsic to what is still quite an odd coupling, Sasha invites the narrator to come with her to Moldova.
The novel takes quite a turn at that point as we are taken to Moldova and the two women settle into a strange sort of co-existence in a former Soviet republic that has fallen into quite a state of disrepair.
Eventually the narrator returns to LA and the final part of the novel is taken up with her quest to find her long-lost sister.
There are so many twists and turns throughout “All Night Pharmacy” and the narrator ingests so many illegal substances for such a long period that it’s impossible to believe that someone so young could find her way out of a life that had spiralled out of control so badly without actually entering rehab.
Still, if you can put aside your disbelief that what you are reading is at all plausible, you will be taken on an enthralling ride.
And, why would I suggest that this book might be recommended reading for a “Jewish” book club? It would be because it touches upon many aspects of life in the 21st century that would not be uncommon for many people who, even though they might have only the slightest connection to a Jewish heritage, we could still consider Jewish.
How many young people – or older people for that matter, whose Jewish identity is almost totally forgotten, struggle with drug addiction – or other addictions? And how many others among us may have a Jewish parent or grandparent but nothing else that would distinguish us from the non-Jewish public?
In that sense “All Night Pharmacy” speaks to the reality of life in the 21st century when so many aspects of our identities are not related to anything that we might describe as “Jewish,” yet we still cling to the notion that we are Jewish – if only tenuously.
I doubt that anyone reading this book would suggest that it would have made more sense for the protagonist to find her way back to a fuller life had she attempted to put herself in touch with her Jewish roots. That wouldn’t have been authentic.
Further, it probably wouldn’t have made much difference had the author decided not to have any mention of anything Jewish in the novel at all. Yet, reading “All Night Pharmacy” says so much about Ruth Madieveky’s own background that it certainly opens one’s eyes to how someone Jewish who has experienced life in the former Soviet Union and who has a strong background in pharmaceuticals is able to integrate all those elements into a very compelling story.
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How To Earn Money with Cryptocurrency From Home
If you’re looking for new ways to make money from home, there’s a modern way to do it. Cryptocurrency has opened up new opportunities for making money online. With the right approach, you can generate income without leaving your house. Whether you want to invest, trade, or earn through other methods, there are various ways to profit from digital currencies. For instance, Canadian poker players take advantage of crypto-friendly platforms to play from home and cash out in Bitcoin or other digital currencies. These platforms provide customers various benefits and attractions that make online gambling a great way to earn money from home, while also having fun.
Understanding Cryptocurrency
Before diving into ways to make money, it is important to understand what cryptocurrency is. It is a digital form of money that operates on blockchain technology.
Unlike traditional currencies, it is decentralized and not controlled by any government or central bank. The most well-known cryptocurrency is Bitcoin, but there are thousands of others, including Ethereum, Litecoin, and Solana, and even plenty of meme coins to choose from.
Trading Cryptocurrency
One of the most popular ways to earn money with cryptocurrency is through trading. This involves buying and selling digital coins to take advantage of price changes.
Day Trading
Day trading is for those who want to make quick profits by buying and selling cryptocurrencies within the same day. It requires monitoring price charts and market trends. Since prices can be volatile, traders must act quickly to capitalize on short-term price movements.
Swing Trading
Unlike day trading, swing trading focuses on medium-term price trends. Traders hold onto their assets for days or even weeks, waiting for a better price before selling. This method requires patience and a good understanding of market trends.
Holding
HODLing is a long-term investment strategy. Investors buy cryptocurrencies and keep them for an extended period, expecting the value to rise over time. This method is ideal for those who believe in the long-term potential of digital currencies and prefer a hands-off approach.
Earning Through Staking
Staking allows cryptocurrency holders to earn passive income by participating in the network of a blockchain. By holding certain cryptocurrencies in digital wallets, users help validate transactions and secure the network. In return, they receive rewards in the form of additional coins. Some popular staking coins include Ethereum, Cardano, and Polkadot.
Mining Cryptocurrency
Mining is another way to generate income from home. It involves using computer power to validate transactions and add new blocks to the blockchain. Miners are rewarded with cryptocurrency for their efforts.
While Bitcoin mining requires expensive equipment and high electricity costs, other cryptocurrencies like Litecoin and Monero can still be mined using regular computers. Some mining pools allow individuals to combine their computing power with others to increase their chances of earning rewards.
Earning Through Airdrops and Forks
Airdrops occur when cryptocurrency projects distribute free tokens to wallet holders as part of a promotion. These giveaways help new projects attract attention. To receive airdrops, users often need to hold a specific cryptocurrency or complete simple tasks like signing up for a newsletter or following a project on social media.
Forks happen when a blockchain splits into two. If you hold a cryptocurrency that undergoes a fork, you may receive new coins based on the amount you already own. This provides an opportunity to make money without additional investment.
Participating in Play-to-Earn Games
The rise of blockchain gaming has created new opportunities for earning cryptocurrency from home, while also having a little fun. Some online games reward players with digital assets for completing tasks, winning battles, or progressing through levels. These assets can be sold or traded for real money.
Many play-to-earn games operate using NFTs, which allow players to own and trade in-game items. Popular games in this space include Axie Infinity, The Sandbox, and Gods Unchained.
Creating and Selling NFTs
Non-fungible tokens have created new earning possibilities for digital artists, musicians, and content creators. NFTs are unique digital assets stored on the blockchain, representing ownership of artwork, music, videos, and virtual collectibles.
Artists can create NFTs and sell them on marketplaces making them a great way to raise your income from home. Some NFTs have sold for thousands or even millions of dollars, making this a profitable option for those with creative skills.
Earning Crypto Through Affiliate Programs
Affiliate programs allow individuals to earn cryptocurrency by promoting products and services. Many crypto exchanges, wallets, and investment platforms offer referral programs where users receive rewards for bringing in new customers.
By sharing referral links on social media, blogs, or YouTube channels, users can generate a steady income stream. The more people who sign up using their link, the more they earn.
Crypto Lending and Yield Farming
Crypto lending allows investors to earn interest by lending their digital assets to others, of course, you will need to have a crypto to lend in the first place to make money through this method.
Yield farming is another way to earn passive income. It involves providing liquidity to decentralized finance platforms and earning rewards in return. This method can be profitable but carries risks, including market fluctuations and smart contract vulnerabilities.
Freelancing for Crypto Payments
Many online platforms and businesses pay freelancers in cryptocurrency for their work. Writers, developers, graphic designers, and marketers can find gigs that offer digital currency as payment.
There are plenty of websites out there that can help connect freelancers with clients who prefer paying in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies.
By offering services in exchange for cryptocurrency, freelancers can avoid traditional banking fees and receive payments faster.
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Understanding different payment methods in online casinos
Payment methods have been a hot topic of conversation in the casino gaming world since the inception of online casinos. Before the internet changed the entire fabric of this industry, there were a relatively small number of ways to deposit money in a casino. Many land-based casinos have ATMs, others accept cheque payments as withdrawals and deposits, and others pay out larger amounts in cash or bank transfers.
Of course, Visa and Mastercard have been widely accepted in land-based and digital casinos for decades. But compared to the way the market is now, with a whole range of e-wallets and digital payment options, the number of possibilities has soared.
Today, we’ll review the popular payment methods, some of which experts believe could disrupt the industry, and other options that have started to connect with casino gaming audiences in Canada and further afield.
Prepayment vouchers
In the modern casino market, digital wallets and internet-based payment services have become dominant forces in casino gaming. Prepayment services have exploded in popularity over the last 25 years, and services and platforms such as Neosurf have been able to carve out a slice of this market for themselves.
As the Canadian market expands, prepayment options such as Skrill and Paysafecard have emerged as deposit options for gamers looking to deposit first and pay later. Neosurf is widely used in casino gaming, offering e-wallet and account functionality. Knowing where you can find the best Neosurf casinos is a good move, as dozens of highly reputable providers provide a facility for Neosurf customers to play casino games.
However, in a vast and competitive casino gaming market, casinos that simply focus on one type of payment method face an uphill challenge in an industry where scope of choice is becoming more of a selling point.
E-wallet payment options
While PayPal and Neteller might have been the first companies to highlight the potential for e-wallets to exist as payment methods in the online casino business, they have morphed into an entirely different market to that of 20 years ago.
Options such as Apple Pay and Google Pay have surged in popularity. While they work similarly to PayPal and Neteller, for the tens of millions of people who have added their debit card to their phone wallet, it’s a simple case of selecting either Apple Pay, Android or Google Pay, depending on the type of mobile device you use. Your card information syncs immediately to the site, and you can deposit within seconds.
It’s faster than entering your card details. It integrates the biometric face ID or your passcode, depending on which one you use on your mobile device. If you experience any issues, you can immediately freeze your Apple Pay card, meaning nobody can withdraw any funds.
Traditional methods
Millions of online casino gamers opt for traditional payment options. We’ve touched on some of these, including PayPal and Visa. However, despite the rise of e-wallet payment options and more contemporary types of payments such as cryptocurrency, there’s still a vast, dominant market for Visa and Mastercard – which are two of the oldest and most traditional payment methods still available in the casino gaming industry, both online and land-based.
Of all the key tips to use the internet safely, several high-profile anti-fraud campaigns focus on traditional payment options. While entering your card details, CVV number and expiry date into the wrong site can be disastrous, many stopgaps are in place, including suspicious transaction flagging from both Visa and your bank, which can stop criminals dead in their tracks.
That said, handing out such information is still not a good idea. This is why you should always research a casino before you use it. Once you ensure they have a watertight security system and have not been subjected to a data breach, you can deposit your funds with greater confidence. It also pays to keep updated with the latest cybersecurity news, including sophisticated phish-free phishing attacks, one of the latest emerging threats.
The future of payment methods in online casino gaming
Cryptocurrency and blockchain systems are the latest methods that have become popular in the online casino world, although they might not have the visibility or the same level of mass adoption that we have seen with other payment options over the last few years.
It does feel like there’s room for Bitcoin and altcoins to become players in the future. Not only do they have the appeal to branch into a broader market, but by utilizing and leveraging the power of the blockchain, users can deposit and withdraw their funds directly to their crypto wallet without having to enter their card details.
In the event of a cyberattack, a cryptocurrency casino’s main wallet is often targeted for funds, but criminals rarely try to extract databases of information.
The added convenience and potential security could be the two main pillars that bring cryptocurrency alongside some payment systems that have been present in the casino gaming world for decades. There are still other variables to consider here – most crucially, regulation. However, if these obstacles can be overcome, crypto could spearhead the growth of online casinos into the 2030s.
Final thoughts
You could find platforms with two dozen payment options, depending on the casino site you use. Many of the large providers offer as many payment options as possible. Other sites, such as niche casinos that don’t have the same market share, will only focus on cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP.
However, regardless of the payment options you encounter in an online casino, they will often fall into three categories: e-wallets, traditional payment systems or niche digital-specific payment options, such as cryptocurrency. We wouldn’t recommend seeking the niche options if you do not understand how they work.
Understand the mechanics of these payment systems and what drives the market. Once you know the payment option, whether cryptocurrency or Apple Pay, you can test the waters and experience how it works in the broader online casino gaming industry.
Features
Young Jewish Voices: How Gen Z Is Redefining Jewish Identity in Canada
Let’s be honest: if you ask five Jewish Gen Zers what being Jewish means to them, you’ll probably get five different answers — and maybe a TikTok link or two.
Welcome to Jewish identity in the 2020s: nuanced, layered, and often proudly paradoxical. For Canada’s youngest Jewish generation — born roughly between 1997 and 2012 — identity is less about rigid boxes and more about building bridges between heritage, values, and the world around them.
Gone are the days when being Jewish in Canada meant synagogue every Saturday, kugel on Sunday, and Hebrew school on Wednesday. Today’s Jewish youth are reshaping the narrative in their own voice — one meme, protest sign, and cultural remix at a time.
“Our obligation is not only to remember history, but to shape the future.”
— Jonathan Sacks
Let’s explore how Canada’s Gen Z Jews are doing exactly that — reshaping Jewish life, one fresh perspective at a time.
A Quick Look in the Rearview Mirror
To understand the shift, it helps to know what came before.
Jewish life in 20th-century Canada was often defined by close-knit communities, shared rituals, and survival stories passed from immigrant grandparents to their grandchildren. Synagogues were not just houses of worship but social hubs, schools, and safety nets. Identity was communal, tangible, and — in many ways — inherited.
Fast forward to today, and the landscape looks a little different. Synagogue membership among younger Jews is declining. According to a 2021 Environics study on Canadian Jewish demographics, only 32% of Jewish Canadians aged 18–29 say they attend synagogue even once a month. For many, spirituality has taken on new forms, and belonging doesn’t always come with a membership fee.
So, Who Exactly Is Gen Z?
Gen Z is the first generation to grow up entirely online — swiping before they could spell, livestreaming before they could drive.
In Canada, this cohort is incredibly diverse. According to Statistics Canada, 27.2% of Gen Z Canadians identify as visible minorities, and over half say religion plays a limited role in their daily life. And yet, paradoxically, Gen Z reports higher levels of personal spirituality and interest in social justice causes than older millennials.
For Jewish Gen Zers, that means Jewish identity might show up less in formal prayer and more in values: tikkun olam (repairing the world), social activism, or showing solidarity with marginalized groups.
Just ask Maya, a 21-year-old student at UBC, who says, “I feel the most Jewish when I’m volunteering at refugee clinics or showing up at climate marches. That’s what Judaism taught me — to speak up.”
Not Just Religion — A Whole Vibe
Jewish identity has never been just about religion — it’s a culture, a history, a humour, a challah on a Friday night. But Gen Z is pushing that even further.
Many describe their Jewishness more in terms of music playlists, Yiddish memes, tattoos with Hebrew phrases, or even stand-up comedy. They embrace Jewishness as an evolving identity, not a fixed checklist.
Take Noah, a 19-year-old from Montreal who grew up secular but started baking his own challah during the pandemic. “It started as a quarantine hobby,” he laughs. “Now it’s my Friday thing. I put on klezmer music, and it just feels… grounding. My way of being Jewish.”
Digital Judaism: From Torah to TikTok
The digital world has become a surprisingly fertile ground for Jewish connection. While older generations may raise an eyebrow, Jewish Gen Zers are flocking to podcasts, Instagram creators, and even TikTok rabbis for spiritual and cultural nourishment.
Pages like @HeyAlma or @JewishGirlTherapy have become gathering spaces for Jewish Gen Zers exploring identity with humour, self-reflection, and often a healthy dose of irreverence.
It’s a far cry from Hebrew school, but it’s real, meaningful connection. And isn’t that the point?
“Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.”
— Nora Ephron
In an era when antisemitism has risen both globally and here at home, Jewish Gen Z isn’t shrinking. They’re storytelling, organizing, posting, and showing up.
Speaking of Antisemitism…
Let’s not sugar-coat it. In 2022, B’nai Brith Canada reported over 2,700 antisemitic incidents — the second-highest year on record. The majority happened online, where Gen Z spends most of their time.
For many young Jews, this means navigating identity with both pride and caution. Some keep things quiet at school or work. Others wear Magen David necklaces with intention, not just style.
Zara, a 22-year-old Jewish student in Toronto, puts it plainly: “It’s weird — I’ve never felt more proud to be Jewish and also more aware that it could make me a target.”
And yet, this generation isn’t backing down. From student-led Holocaust education campaigns to Jewish queer collectives, they’re building communities of resilience and connection.
Jewish, Queer, Mixed, and… Still Jewish
Another big shift? Gen Z’s embrace of intersectionality. This generation includes Jews of colour, converts, interfaith backgrounds, and LGBTQ+ identities — all claiming space and refusing to be boxed in.
Where older generations may have debated “Who is a Jew?”, Gen Z seems to ask, “Who isn’t?”
This openness doesn’t always land easily in traditional spaces. But it’s driving a conversation — and, in some communities, a transformation.
Jewish summer camps now offer gender-neutral cabins. Some synagogues are led by queer rabbis. And no one bats an eye when a Friday night dinner includes gluten-free matzah and someone Zooming in from another province.
Even Appliance Repair Needs a Makeover
Now, if you’ve made it this far, you might be wondering — where’s the part about appliances?
Bear with me.
Just like a fridge that starts acting up when it’s overloaded, identity can get confusing when we try to fit it all in without regular maintenance. That’s why companies like TechVill website techvilledmonton.ca matter — not just because they fix your oven when it refuses to bake your Shabbat kugel, but because they remind us that traditions, like appliances, need care, updates, and sometimes a bit of rewiring to keep working.
(See? Told you we’d get there.)
So, Where Are We Headed?
Jewish Gen Z in Canada isn’t abandoning identity — they’re reimagining it. They’re flipping the script, remixing the old with the new, and holding onto what matters most.
They may not show up for services every week, but they show up for each other. For justice. For joy. For the world they want to build.
“What hurts the victim most is not the cruelty of the oppressor, but the silence of the bystander.”
— Elie Wiesel
This generation refuses to be silent — about antisemitism, injustice, or what it means to be Jewish today. And honestly? That’s something worth celebrating.
Final Thought
Being Jewish in 2025 doesn’t look like it did in 1925 — and thank G-d for that. Change isn’t loss; it’s life.
So whether it’s baking challah on a Friday night, reposting a powerful quote on Instagram, or just telling your story — Gen Z is proving that Jewish identity in Canada is alive, diverse, and deeply, beautifully human.
And that, dear reader, is something even your bubbe would kvell about.