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Four years after launching her dream project, Jacquie Seipp has seen “One More Candle” spread around the world

By BERNIE BELLAN
A while back I was speaking with Jacquie Seipp who, four years ago, came up with a novel and very thoughtful idea: Invite individuals and groups to participate in commemorating the memories of the “1.5 million children murdered in the Shoah”.

We’ve written before about Jacquie’s project, which became known as “One More Candle” – and Jacquie herself has produced an excellent brochure describing how One More Candle came about. As well, last year Sharon Chisvin wrote a very good article for the Free Press which you can access online titled “Non-profit remembers lost generation”.
Recently, I had a long conversation with Jacquie during which we discussed the history of the project which she had started – and how successful it’s been, but it was when Jacquie told me that she had spent the winter in Israel, I began to think that, if I were to write about One More Candle, I would also want to include a mention of what Jacquie had done in Israel this past winter as well – which really has nothing to do with One More Candle.

Here then is a brief description of what One More Candle is all about, taken from the brochure that Jacquie has put together:
“More than a decade ago at Yom Kippur High Holy Day services, while remembering the Shoah (Holocaust)…the story that 93 girls chose to take their own lives rather than allowing their bodies to be used and desecrated as sexual objects for Nazi officers…caught me in a way that I had not felt before. Their last plea was ‘all we ask is, say Kaddish for us. For all 93, say Kaddish’.”
The brochure goes on to describe how Jacquie began to formulate an idea in her mind that would involve getting people to light candles for each of the 1.5 million children who perished in the Shoah. She discussed her idea with Rabbi Green at the Shaarey Zedek, who was extremely supportive. Eventually she fleshed out the idea with members of the congregation.
Jacquie took her idea to representatives of Yad Vashem, which provided a database of names of children whose memories could be preserved through One More Candle.
Then, in the midst of planning One More Candle, as Jacquie notes: “While considering how to move forward on this, my mother (z”l) passed away.
“From sad things, good things happen,” she writes in the brochure.

In November 2015 the Manitoba Theatre Centre produced a play titled “Wiesenthal”. As Jacquie explains, attending that play “helped solidify the idea” of bringing One More Candle to fruition.
In her words, “Wiesenthal” is “about an ordinary man who acted extraordinarily to bring light to the darkness of the Holocaust. Simon Wiesenthal always had a sunflower on his desk as he searched for the murderers of six million Jews….As each show ends, as he leaves the stage, Wiesenthal takes the sunflower, and gently hands it to one person in the audience.” (Jacquie was the recipient of the sunflower the night she attended the theatre.)
“Receiving that sunflower broke me,” she write. “I knew that One More Candle was bashert (meant to be) and that I, an ordinary woman, have been divinely given an extraordinary task.
“One More Candle took form in April 2016.”

Jacquie Seipp SarelThe One More Candle brochure goes on to describe what individuals can do to help perpetuate the memory of one of those 1.5 million children murdered in the Shoah:
Contact One More Candle at www.onemorecandle.org
“Upon adopting a child of memory, light a candle on the yahrzeit (anniversary) of the child’s passing. (Reminder: add your adopted memory’s name to the yearly yahrzeit list at your synagogue.)
“Lighting a candle in honour of those who have passed is a tradition to express what we cannot communicate with words.
“With each candle, the life of a child who lives – and was murdered, is remembered and honoured.”

Although One More Candle is a registered charity, “there is no charge to adopt a memory”, the One More Candle brochure states, noting though that “donations are graciously accepted and contribute to honouring the memories of children murdered in the Shoah.”

In the fall issue of the Shaarey Zedek bulletin, known as the “Shofar”, Jacquie provided an update of how One More Candle has progressed.
Shaarey Zedek was the “first synagogue to accept the adoption of the memories of 399 children (365 + 29 – can’t forget the leap month of Adar II) who were murdered in the Shoah. Each one of their names is called daily at minyan services throughout the year.
“Since the inception of One More Candle in 2016, there are synagogues across Canada – in Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, as well as the United States, that support the project. People from around the world have also chosen to adopt the memory of a One More Candle child.
“Bar and Bat Mitzvah children have also made the commitment of adopting a memory.”
As the back of the One More Candle brochure says: “We are committed to one simple act: Remember.”

As I noted at the beginning of this story, Jacquie also spent a good part of this past winter (prior to the onset of the pandemic) in Israel, volunteering on a military base with Sarel, the organization for older volunteers who would like to contribute in some way to the Israel Defense Forces.
While on the base (Base 559, Mishmar Ha Negev, west of Be’er Sheva), Jacquie says, she was joined for two weeks by Patrick Elazar, who is well known to many Winnipeggers for the many ways in which he contributes to our community.
During their time together Jacquie and Patrick planted a tree together. I asked Jacquie if she could send me some pictures of her and Patrick, which we have included with this story.

 

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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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