Features
Jody Schloss: ParaOlympian again
By GERRY POSNER There are not a lot of Jewish equestrians in Canada, female or male, at least not at a competitive level. Some have estimated there might be under ten. Now, if you add in the element of para-equestrian, it is likely there is but one Jewish female who has reached the status of Paralympian. She is Jody Schloss, formerly of Edmonton and now of Toronto. Her story is one of drive, determination and desire.
Jody, whose parents are Barry Schloss and Gail Schloss, was born and grew up in Edmonton, Alberta and had the good fortune to be exposed to the world of horseback riding at age eight when she was able to take lessons on a weekly basis. At 13, after she moved with her mother to Toronto following her parents’ divorce, she bought her first horse and engaged in some dressage, cross country, and jumping routines. Thus began the love of horses. That love was a significant factor in a truly remarkable story.
During her days at the University of British Columbia, Jody continued to ride – sometimes four times a week. It was after graduation in 1996 when she was returing from a holiday in Central America that Jody was in California with a friend. Owing to exceptionally high winds, the car Jody was in flipped and catapulted down the highway. Her friend was instantly killed and Jody was seriously injured. After three weeks in ICU in San Bernadino, California, she was flown to Toronto and lay in a coma for four months. She also suffered from post-traumatic amnesia for six months.
Jody was sent to a rehabilitation hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania for over two and a half years. The question was: What would and could Jody do? When Jody said what she wanted most to do was ride a horse, the medical team laughed at her. After all, she could not even sit up on her own. But after returning to Toronto, she progressed to a point where she went to the Community Association for Riders With Disabilities ( CARD), a therapeutic riding facility, to ride once a week, with a hydraulic lift to get her up on the horse and with two side walkers to prevent her from falling off.
Jody had a long road to recovery, although she will never recover completely and uses a wheelchair. In addition, she suffered a severe head injury, mainly in the brain stem. The end result is that she has what is known as Ataxia and Ataxic Dysarthria, causing major difficulties speaking and in coordination. Yet, in spite of these handicaps, she was able, with the assistance of her parents and with her own determination, to continue with her involvement with horse riding.
In 2010, she participated in her first ever international show in Kentucky. She later went to Florida to train in the winter and, at that time, she brought her “wonderful horse”, Inspector Rebus, which gave her career an added impetus.
Her next stop was Ottawa, in order to work with an experienced coach. In Ottawa, Jody then did something out of the box by taking up residence in a retirement home as the facility allowed her to have a free wheelchair accessible room and to keep her cats there when she spent the winter in Florida. Suddenly, Jody had an influx of grandparents looking out for her every step and jump. They must have helped more than a little as in June 2012, Jody was selected to the Canadian Par-alympic Equestrian team on her horse, Inspector Rebus. And that was not all that the seniors at the retirement home did for Jody. They were instrumental in the establishment of the Jody Schloss Trust at an Ottawa Hospital to help, in a monetary way, individuals who suffer speech problems, as Jody does, to purchase speech assistance devices.
Jody says competing in the London games in 2012 was a huge thrill for her and she was happy with her results, but not satisfied, and her drive kept her on the path to the 2016 Paralympican games in Brazil. She had the great joy to be a torchbearer for the opening of the Pan American Games in Toronto in 2015, and even was in a play about her life chronicling her struggles to reach the level of international competition from her previous situation where she could not even sit up after the accident.
That Jody has achieved so much speaks volumes about her desire to recover. She says, “What helped me was my strong will… not letting anyone tell me what I could not do. This helped with everything. It makes me more determined to prove everyone wrong. At the beginning, I wanted to prove to them that my life would be wonderful no matter what they did to try to destroy it.”
But, life can and does play some cruel twists – as Jody well knows. After all her training and preparation, she was in fact qualified to represent Canada in the 2016 Paralympic games in Rio de Janeiro in Equestrian Dressage. But unfortunately, her horse, Inspector Rebus, developed Cushing’s Disease, and the medication needed to treat this problem was banned in competition. The result was that Jody could not go to the 2016 games after all that preparation. Although Jody was ready, her horse was not. In the equestrian world, it takes two to tango or in this case, two to trot. Still, given that for most Jews, the relationship to a horse is to bet on one in a race, or possibly own one or perhaps ride one recreationally, Jody Schloss added another and most significant dimension to the Jewish connection to horses.
Now, with all of that said, most people would abandon their Olympic dream, but not Jody Schloss. Five years later – including another delay of a year because of the pandemic, there she was, prepared to compete. The picture on this page shows Jody, age 48, on her new horse, Lieutenant Lobin, and that is the way she looked as she competed recenty in Tokyo at the Paralympic Games. To get there, Jody spent the last five years creating a strong bond with her new horse at the stables at Millgrove, Ontario, about an hour away from Toronto where Jody resides.
This determination to succeed against huge obstacles is really a remarkable story. It is true her grandfather Al Schloss, who grew up in Winnipeg, had to overcome great odds as a youngster when, at age 12, his mother died, he was sent off to live with an aunt, and had to fend for himself at an early age. Maybe his spirit is a part of Jory’s unyielding will to overcome real handicaps. Her father, Barry Schloss of Edmonton, quotes Jody’s coach, Karis Van Essen, who stated unreservedly that Jody “is the most determined person she has ever met and she has made immense progress in her development, both in terms of her continued physical recovery from her accident and as a rider.”
By the time this article appears, the games will have ended. However Jody Schloss will have done in her dressage events, I say that she has won gold, silver and bronze.
Features
Football: Which team from Israel could we see in the European Cup next year?
With Europe’s club competitions heading into another summer of drama, Israeli football is on the table. The domestic season is done, trophies picked up and now a new batch of clubs can now try their luck against continental competition.
What are the prospects of these teams in Europe next year and who are they? It all starts with Hapoel Be’er Sheva’s title, Maccabi Tel Aviv’s cup win and the competition of the best Israel football teams against each other, as fans look to Champions League on Wincomparator to see what teams are in contention.
How Israel’s clubs qualify for Europe: The 2026-2027 spots
Qualification to join the European elite hinges on the 2025-26 Israeli Premier League table and the Israel State Cup. Israel will have one Champions League spot, one Europa League spot, and two Europa Conference League spots in 2026-27.
That means the league winner gets into the Champions League, the State Cup winner goes on to Europa League qualifying. The next eligible league’s finishers take the Conference League slots. It’s a good model as it provides a tangible reward for consistency at home, while at the same time demonstrating the importance of each playoff game. A top three finish can help a club’s summer, bring in better players and provide fans with a European tour before the next season’s start.
The Champion’s quest: Israel’s hope for the Champions League
Meet the 2025-26 Premier League winner: Hapoel Be’er Sheva
Hapoel Be’er Sheva have qualified for Israel’s Champions League after their Israeli Premier League title win with 79 points scored in 36 games. Ran Kozuch’s side closed the gap on the three-point lead but also showed significant strength in the attacking phase to secure a win in a crucial championship round with Beitar Jerusalem.
Their challenge also comes as their reward. Hapoel Be’er Sheva are only expected to begin in the second round of the Champions League, not the league round. To get to the main competition they need to pass through the first round of the other national champions in two-legged ties, and their seeding, fitness and sharpness in early-season competition could be a game breaker.
While the club has experience in Europe and a rabid Turner Stadium following, the path is tough. It takes one bad outing to wipe out a year’s worth of work. However, as long as the bedrock remains the same and they are able to put some depth into the team, the champions have the balance to fight.
Battling in the Conference League: Israel’s other European contenders
The State Cup winner and league runners-up
Maccabi Tel Aviv go to Europe after the Israel State Cup final 2-1 win against Hapoel Be’er Sheva at Teddy Stadium, Jerusalem. That win denied Be’er Sheva a home double, and also meant that Maccabi got into the Europa League qualifying, where they were put in the second qualifying round thanks to access-list rebalancing.
The Conference League qualifiers are Beitar Jerusalem who finished second in the league with 76 points, and Hapoel Tel Aviv who finished fourth with 60 points. The importance of Maccabi Tel Aviv’s cup victory lies in the fact that it unlocked the rest of the way in the league. Beitar’s season was particularly impressive as they scored 78 goals and lost just four matches. On the other hand, Hapoel Tel Aviv managed to remain above Maccabi Haifa in the final table standing, earning them a well-deserved European berth.
The Europa Conference League is no consolation prize for these clubs. It’s a realistic platform. Although there are still a few hurdles to navigate, Israeli sides consider this competition to be the most realistic one for European football in the autumn.
A look at past successes and future hopes
This group has reason for belief, based on recent history. Israeli teams can make significant nights in Europe, and Maccabi Haifa did just that, when they made it into the Champions League group stage in 2022-23, and then impressively took out Juventus 2-0 in Haifa.
There is significant monetary and sporting worth in qualification. A UEFA cup can make a difference to a club, as can better attendance, TV coverage and recruitment opportunities. The early storylines will be the draw for Hapoel Be’er Sheva in the Champions League, as well as Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa league and the two Conference League routes — Beitar Jerusalem and Hapoel Tel Aviv. They all have tricky paths to follow, but all four provide Israeli football with a realistic European presence next summer.
Features
At one time one entire block of McAdam Ave. was almost totally Jewish
This story originally appeared in a November 2014 issue of The Jewish Post & News:
1994 McAdam Ave. reunion (names inside story)By GERRY POSNER (This story first appeared in November 2014.)
Once upon a time when life was simpler and gentler, there was a street in the north end of Winnipeg which was like all other streets in the city except in one significant way. Everyone, but for one family, living on McAdam east of Main Street was Jewish.
Features
Cheap Weed In Canada: A Smart Shopper’s Guide
Since legalisation, cannabis has settled into Canadian life as an ordinary, regulated purchase. And like groceries or gas, the price can vary a surprising amount from one shop to the next once you start comparing.
For a lot of buyers, that has turned the focus to value. Affordable options like cheap weed prove a lower price and a tested, quality product can go together. This guide explains how to shop smart in Canada without cutting corners.
Why Has Affordable Cannabis Become So Popular?
Because the novelty has worn off, and buyers now shop like they do for anything else. In the early days, people paid whatever the new legal stores asked. That has changed.
A few things drove that shift:
- A maturing market, with more retailers competing on price.
- Online sellers, whose lower overhead keeps costs down.
- Savvier buyers, who now compare rather than grab the first option.
- A wider range of formats and budget-friendly bulk sizes.
The result is a real focus on getting value for money. Crowdsourced figures put the early average near $6.85 a gram, and cannabis price data from Statistics Canada shows how legal and illegal prices have differed since 2018.
That gap is exactly why shopping around pays off. A careful buyer can pay noticeably less than a careless one for a comparable product. The sticker price is only where the comparison starts.
How Do Canadians Shop for Cheaper Weed?
With the same care they bring to any regular expense. A handful of habits make the biggest difference. These are the ones worth adopting:
- Compare the per-gram price. It is the only fair way to weigh two options.
- Buy larger formats. Bigger quantities almost always lower the unit cost.
- Skip premium markups. Plain flower beats pricey pre-rolls for value.
- Watch for sales. Online retailers run them often, especially on holidays.
- Match potency to the plan. A stronger product means you use less each time.
None of these involve settling for a worse product. They simply put your money to better use, the same way you would stretch your money on any other purchase. The cheapest sticker is rarely the best value, and the priciest is seldom worth it.
The same logic applies whether you shop in person or online in Canada. Read the label, weigh the cost per gram, and let the numbers guide you rather than the branding.
Is There a Catch With Low-Priced Cannabis?
Not in the legal market, which is the part newcomers miss. In Canada, every legal product is tested and labelled to the same standard, whatever it costs.
That means a budget option from a licensed seller has cleared the same checks as a premium one. It is screened for contaminants, and its potency is verified. Price reflects branding, packaging, and store margins far more than basic safety.
The genuine differences are in the finer points. Premium flower might offer a better aroma or a richer flavour, and some formats simply cost more to make. For everyday use, though, a well-priced choice usually performs just fine.
The real catch is buying outside the legal system. Health Canada’s overview of the Cannabis Act is a sensible read on what legal really means. Buying legal protects you, not buying expensive.
What Makes a Cheap Purchase a Smart One?
A couple of quick checks, mostly. A real bargain holds up to a second look, while a false one does not. The table below shows what to weigh.
| Check | Why It Matters |
| Is the seller licensed? | Only legal retailers guarantee tested product |
| What is the per-gram cost? | The headline price can hide a weak deal |
| Is potency on the label? | Higher strength can stretch your money |
| Are there bulk or sale deals? | These usually beat single-unit pricing |
| What does delivery cost? | Shipping can erase an online saving |
Any shaky answer there is a reason to pause. A licensed seller with clear pricing and labelling is the safe choice, while a suspiciously cheap unlicensed source is not. The legal age applies regardless, at 18 or 19 depending on the province.
Treat cannabis like any other considered purchase. Compare, check the details, and let value rather than habit lead the decision. That is how modest savings add up across a whole year.
Before You Buy
- Cannabis prices vary widely by retailer, format, and store overhead.
- Comparing the per-gram cost is the fairest way to judge value.
- All legal Canadian cannabis is tested, so cheaper is not unsafe.
- Bulk buys, sales, and plain formats keep spending down.
- Always buy from a licensed source, and factor in delivery fees.
Photo by Jakub Zerdzicki on Pexels
Alt text: A shopper comparing prices online at home
Smart Savings, No Compromise
Buying affordable cannabis in Canada is not about chasing the lowest number you can find. It is about understanding what shapes the price and shopping with a little intention. Stick to licensed, tested products, compare the real cost per gram, and lean on bulk deals and online pricing. Do that, and an affordable choice stays a smart one, purchase after purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cheap Weed Safe to Buy In Canada?
Yes, provided it comes from a licensed retailer. All legal cannabis in Canada is tested for contaminants and labelled for potency, regardless of price. A lower cost usually reflects branding and overhead rather than weaker safety, so a budget option from a legal seller is still a safe one.
How Do I Find the Best Cannabis Deals?
Compare the per-gram price, buy larger formats, and watch for sales from online retailers. Checking potency against price helps too, since a stronger product can mean you use less. The key is shopping deliberately instead of defaulting to the same brand or store each time.
Why Is Cannabis Cheaper Online?
Online sellers usually carry lower overhead than physical stores, and they run sales and bulk deals more often. That lets them price competitively while still selling tested, legal product. Just remember to factor in shipping, which can offset the saving on a small order.
Does Paying More Mean Better Cannabis?
Not necessarily. Price reflects branding, format, and store margins as much as quality, and all legal product meets the same testing standards. Premium options may offer a better aroma or appearance, but a well-priced choice often works just as well day to day.
