Features
Meeting Michael Averbach- and reminiscing about Bredin Drive
By GERRY POSNER There I was sitting in a restaurant, my first time in one in over a year. It was inside or face the wasps outside. And since there was no one else inside, my good friend and former Winnipegger Dan Finkleman and I sat down at What a Bagel for our once a month lunch.
It is at these lunches where we both retreat to the glory years of the past and reflect on how sad it is that our grandkids will never know the kind of joy that came from growing up in the 50s and 60s in Winnipeg. We had just settled in when I spotted a guy who looked familiar to me. I immediately eliminated that thought as I could not imagine his being in Toronto, let alone this restaurant. Yet, he noticed me and fortunately (my mask was now off) he recognized me and he came over to the table. Finkleman remembered him vaguely ( there is a four-year age gap) and of course, his family. For the next 30 minutes, our visitor, Michael Averbach, chatted with us on all things Winnipeg. Now understand, he stood throughout the entire time, no doubt being careful not to get too close to us. I can imagine what our waitress was thinking as she, well – had to wait.
Now, that was a great visit. We covered a whole lot of ground in that conversation, ranging from where the clubhouse at Glendale was located to other matters relating to girls Dan knew or wanted to know, some of whom were related to Averbach and, in fact, ranging to why Averbach was in Toronto in the first place. You get the picture. I wondered who enjoyed this encounter the most, Finkleman, Averbach or me. Suffice to say that seeing Michael made me wonder about several things. The whole meeting with him was really a chance connection since, not only did Dan and I have to be at the same place at the same time as Michael, but we chose on this day to eat inside, as is our usual custom. Had we eaten outside, the likelihood of his seeing us would have been extremely low, because we would have been on the side of the restaurant and not visible to him.
Of course, one topic for discussion was the fact that Averbach was part of the Jewish Bredin Drive families in East Kildonan, There were, in fact more than a few families, but the names of Biillinkoff, Swartz, Freed, Bellan, Glesby, Snaper, Wolchock and Gobuty jump out at me. As well, we discussed Michael’s career, about which Dan was not fully up to date.
Averbach is a retired Chartered Accountant, something he did for over 45 years. Moreover, he is, I told Dan, a top golfer and one who must surely rank as one of the best Jewish golfers of all time in Manitoba (although I admit there is no such award for this category and neither do I know what the qualifications are to be included in the ranking. Just call it the Gerry Posner off the top of his head decision desk for Manitoba Jewish golfing greats.) What is a fact is that he is one of two people who served both on the board of Glendale and who also became President of the Manitoba Golf Association (the other being Manny Bricker). It was during this discussion on golf that we argued about the location of the original clubhouse at Glendale. However, if you think our conversation had little depth to it, you would be wrong, as we did canvass the federal election results and that subject gave way to some very definite opinions.
As Finkleman, Averbach and I concluded our time together, one certainty emerged from our long chat. We all agreed without hesitation that we were privileged to have grown up when and where we did. We had it easier than our children and far easier than it is for our grandkids, irrespective of being in Winnipeg or Toronto or Calgary. We lamented the path ahead for our grandkids today. (Among the three of us, we have 13). We also reached a clear consensus that Winnipeg was the better place to live. And, on that subject, we agreed to continue the conversation when Averbach is next in Toronto.
Later, I wondered where the various descendants of the Bredin Drive group enclave have gone? In fact, what I asked to nobody in particular was the reason why the families that moved to Bredin Drive settled in East Kildonan in the first place, an unlikely place for Jewish families to move to unless it was a desire to be closer to Jerusalem (somehow I think that was not the motivation)? Maybe it was the attempt to populate the area at that time with Jewish families. Or maybe it was the attraction of being close to the Red River. It certainly was not a need to be close to a synagogue since there was none in East Kildonan. And lest I forget, Bredin Drive was not the only street with Jews living in East Kildonan. I recall Glenwood Crescent and Roosevelt Place could round up a minyan. By the way, that information about the names of people and their residences is available to anyone who looks up Henderson’s Directory ( and where has that gone) for the 1950s and the personal information of each family and the address is set out in bold print. Alas, not possible today. What is possible is to go online and find this information without leaving your chair. Still, I took a shortcut and looked at an earlier article in this paper on the street wherein Shael Glesby (whose family lived on the street) listed many of the homes occupied by Jewish families in the 1950s. Here is the list Shael provided:
255 – Ratner (Max and Helen)
265 – Glesby (Bert & Silvia) original owners were Billinkoffs (Ben & Yetta)
275 – Billinkoff (Joe & Ann)
285 – Gobuty (James & Rae)
210 – Snaper (Mark & Ethel)
250 – Brownstein (Vicki)
260 – Wolchock (Bill & Rose)
300 – Freed (Max & Marion)
310 – Billinkoff (Ben & Yetta) after selling 265.
320 – Bellan (Sam & Marjorie)
There were three more Jewish families just north of 320, but I don’t know which houses were owned by which.
Swartz
Averbach
Jacobson
As I examined these names, I returned to my original question as to what ever happened to all of the descendants of the street, that is the kids from my time? I invite the readers to weigh in on the whereabouts of the Bredin Drive children (now, likely grandparents). There is a reunion waiting to happen. And to think all this was triggered by meeting Michael Averbach at a lunch in Toronto.
Ed. note: If you’d like to read my original article about Bredin Drive, which Gerry references and which appeared in our Sept. 16, 2020 issue, you can find it elsewhere on this website at http://jewishpostandnews.ca/8-features/561-a-tale-of-two-streets-that-proved-to-be-very-attractive-for-jewish-families-in-years-gone-by. By the way, that story quotes from a 1949 story in The Jewish Post that explained how Bredin Drive came to be and how so many Jewish families ended up there.
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.