Features
Larry & Evelyn Hecht have been devoted members of our community
By GERRY POSNER
Recently I was at a synagogue in Toronto to hear the former rabbi of the Tree of Life Temple in Pittsburgh recount the events of the tragedy at his former shul when, as the Torah was carried around the synagogue, who should appear in the aisle across from me, but Evelyn and Larry Hecht.
Now, surprises like that I welcome. We both did a double take. I then reflected on the time when Evelyn and I sat on the rabbi search committee at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and we were charged with the task of going to New Jersey to scout out a potential rabbi for the synagogue. That job was but one of only a few that Evelyn and her husband Larry undertook (and in fact still undertake) as active members of the Winnipeg Jewish community. The fact is that Hecht is a name synonymous with strong participation in communal life.
And why not? The name Hecht means spears or arms. It is like a sharp weapon that pierces the enemy – just as Larry and Evelyn have pierced through the wall of passivity and changed so many organizations in a positive way.
The team of Larry Hecht and the former Evelyn Malian was married in Winnipeg in 1961. They are now approaching their diamond anniversary. Even with three grown children and numerous grandchildren, they were never too busy to contribute to the community and continue to this day to those organizations that are so meaningful to them.
Just take a look at the groups that have benefited from the involvement of Evelyn Hecht over these past 60 years. It began with the CJA Young Leadership, Hadassah and Ramah Hebrew School. She was just warming up. Evelyn co-chaired the Town Hall Lecture Series at the YMHA and, in 1978, she was awarded the Max Nathanson Young Leadership Award (which makes me wonder: When do they give out the Old Leadership Award?).
Evelyn also became active in the NCJW and their Opportunity Store. Perhaps one of her most significant contributions to the Winnipeg Jewish community was her tenure as the first female president of the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, where she pursued an egalitarian agenda still so very visible at that synagogue today.
She even served as Chair of the Manitoba Community Services Council. As well, for those whose memories are long, you might recall Evelyn as the host of the “Jewish Connection” cable TV show for many years. All of these volunteer roles ultimately led to Evelyn assuming the job as the Director of Community Relations for the Winnipeg Jewish Community Council, as it then was called. Thus, for a multitude of years, Winnipeg, and in particular the Jewish community of Winnipeg, have been beneficiaries of the Evelyn Hecht persona.
Husband Larry was right by her side along the way. Larry developed J. Hecht & Son into an international large fur manufacturing business whose products were sold throughout North America and Europe. He also was a huge contributor as a volunteer for many organizations in Winnipeg. He is one of a handful of third generation members of the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and of the YMHA/ Rady JCC. Larry followed the model set by his father and grandfather when he became active in the Masonic Order.
Larry’s first stint as chair of an organization came when he served as Chair of the Talmud Torah Men’s Dinner in 1969. For years Larry was a willing canvasser for the Combined Jewish Appeal and even now serves as the Chair of the Redemption Committee, a difficult job for sure. And of course, Larry was a long term board member of the YMHA and was its president from 1993/94. He also served on the Va’ad Ha’ir. Moreover, Larry was Chair of the Safety Committee for the Downtown Biz for many years as well.
The Hechts might attribute their strong commitment to the general and Jewish community to the principles of Tzedakah, Chesed, and Derech Eretz first exemplified for them by their parents. I personally lament that there are not more Hecht types around today who exemplify these noble principles.
With all of that said, I wonder if Evelyn might well agree that the toughest assignment she had in her volunteer years was the hiring and firing of rabbis for the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue. What she does say was that the most important work in her professional career was the facilitating of the immigration into Winnipeg of so many Argentinians, beginning in 1998, as well as many newcomers from Israel. Even though Evelyn retired in 2006, her connection to these newcomers remains strong and the positive impact of these immigrants in our community continues to this day. It was for this contribution that caused Evelyn to be recipient of the Larry Hurtig Professional Leadership Award in 2019.
When it is all said and done, the Winnipeg Jewish community can be grateful for the time and effort that Larry and Evelyn have given to it. It has been a “ Hecht” of a run for them and happily, they keep running.
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.
Features
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.