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Michael Bolton will be among the first to perform at Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls brand new theatre

casino BoltonDid you know Michael Bolton is Jewish, born Michael Bolotin? Starting December 16, Bolton will be headlining at the brand new entertainment centre at Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls.

After a long wait, the Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls is finally launching its new entertainment centre. The large and spectacular entertainment centre has a huge 5000 seat capacity. The resort is owned and operated by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG).
The OLG stage has been in development for years. It was slated to be launched in 2020 but, largely as a result of Covid, the launch was delayed. The center is now up and ready to go.

Michael Bolton has been chosen to headline the opening of the new entertainment centre. Bolton has become a regular at the Avalon Theatre in the Fallsview Casino over the years and is set to perform at the new entertainment center for the first time on December 16. Tickets start at $35. If you would like to read more about the newly revamped casino click on Fallsview Casino Resort review

Michael Bolton’s life and career
Michael Bolton was born on February 26, 1953. In his autobiography he describes himself as a “rebel Jew.” He was raised in a family that had a liberal attitude toward faith – the kind of family that celebrate dboth Hanukkah and Christmas. Often his house had both a Christmas tree and a Hanukkah menorah.
His grandparents however, ran a very strict kosher household. His original family name was Bolotin, before he Anglicized his name to Bolton. Bolton maintains some Jewish beliefs and was quoted as saying that he “wouldn’t want to get on the Creator’s wrong side.”
Like most Jewish boys, he underwent his Bar Mitzvah at 13 despite leaving Hebrew school at 12. His rabbi forbade him from returning to Jewish school unless he stopped joking around.
As of February 2019, Bolton was a grandfather to 6. He was married to Maureen McGuire from 1975 to 1990 and is a father to three girls.

Musical career
Bolton was a member of Blackjack, an American rock band active from 1979-1980. He performed using his real name, Michael Bolotin. The band released two albums in their short-lived span: Blackjack, in 1979, and Worlds Apart, in 1980.
Michael Bolton underwent a series of stylistic changes in his music and became well known for his Pop rock ballads in the 1980s. Bolton’s music is timeless and has sold more than 75 million records. He had two number one singles on the Billboard charts and eight top ten albums. Bolton has won two Grammy awards and 6 American Music Awards.

Songwriting career
Michael Bolton earned his first major hit as a songwriter when he and Laura Branigan co-wrote the hit song “How am I supposed to live without you.” Branigan’s rendition led for three weeks on the adult contemporary charts. The two also co-wrote the song “I found someone” in 1985, but the song only became a minor hit.
Cher, however, sang her own version of the song two years later. This resurrected both the song and Cher’s career. Bolton would go on to write other songs for Cher.

Singing career
Bolton’s success as a singer came through adult Contemporary/Easy Listening charts. His first major hit was his own rendition of Otis Redding’s classic “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay.” His performance was so captivating that Redding’s widow cried. His success with that song prompted him to try out other classics.
“Georgia on my mind” was also tremendously successful. In 1988 Bolton recorded his own version of “How am I supposed to live without you” which topped the Hot 100. In 1991 he released his album :Time Love & Tenderness.” His Grammy award winning cover, ‘When a man loves a woman’ was part of that album.

The OLG Schedule
The OLG Schedule has other interesting acts lined up before Michael Bolton’s show in December. The irst show in the OLG center will feature Popular 90s Rockers + LIVE+. + LIVE on October 29.
The band has a massive hit album in the 90s with “Throwing Cooper.” “Throwing Cooper” had hit songs like “Lightning Era”, “Selling the Drama” and “I alone.” The album sold 8 million copies. Ticket Prices for this show start at $40.
The OLG center will host Asian pop star Joey Yung on November 20. This will be a make-up date for her November 2020 postponed performance. Joey Yung has won a plethora of awards.
She has won JSG Most popular female Singer and Ultimate Best Female Singer- Gold Awards 9 times. She is a record breaker. Forbes China Celebrity 100 marked her number 63 in 2014. Tickets sales for the event are currently live.

stageOLG design
The OLG Centre is valued at $130 million. The main stage is connected to the Fallsview Casino via a new walkway. It was set to hold its first concerts in the spring of 2020, but the Covid pandemic hit in March of that year, forcing postponement.
Since the lockdown restrictions were lifted, all reservations made at this venue were either canceled or moved to the Avalon Center. The centre, however, is still in demand. The show “Canada Got Talent” recently announced that its next season will be filmed at the OLG stage

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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.

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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.

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Features

Rising Antisemitism: A Global Snapshot and Local Reflections

In a world that promised “Never Again,” the troubling truth is — it’s happening again. Across continents and, more painfully, across Canadian provinces, antisemitic incidents are not only increasing but also becoming more brazen.

And while global headlines speak of shocking antisemitic protests and violence, the quiet fear felt in Canadian Jewish communities is just as real — and just as dangerous.

A Global Rise in Hate: What the Numbers Say

Across the globe, antisemitism has re-emerged with disturbing force. In the U.S., the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reported over 3,600 antisemitic incidents in 2023 — a 34% increase over the previous year. In Europe, Jewish communities are grappling with political extremism, desecrated cemeteries, and conspiracy-fueled hate speech, both online and off.

Why the spike? Experts point to a complex mix of factors: political polarization, the normalization of hate speech on social media, and international conflicts reigniting age-old prejudices.

“The hatred of Jews is the most long-standing and persistent form of hatred the world has known.” – Elie Wiesel

This quote feels less like a reflection of the past and more like a warning we’ve failed to heed.

Canada’s Alarming Trend: The Data Speaks

Canada is not immune. In fact, it’s deeply affected. According to B’nai Brith Canada’s 2023 Annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, there were over 3,100 reported cases of antisemitism across the country — the highest number ever recorded in the audit’s 40+ year history.

Let’s break that down:

  • Ontario and Quebec led in reported cases, but Manitoba — including Winnipeg — saw a noticeable spike.
  • The most common form was online hate speech, followed by vandalism, verbal harassment, and assaults.
  • Jewish students on Canadian campuses reported feeling unsafe expressing their identity.
  • Synagogues have increased their private security measures, often at great financial cost.

This isn’t just a big-city issue either. A Winnipeg high school teacher — who preferred to remain anonymous — shared that during Holocaust education week, several students laughed during a survivor’s video testimony. “I’ve been teaching 15 years. That had never happened before.”

“We must not tolerate antisemitism any more than we would any other form of hate. An attack on one is an attack on all.” – Justin Trudeau

Local Stories: Winnipeg’s Jewish Community Responds

In Winnipeg’s North End, where Jewish immigrants once built vibrant lives and communities, echoes of the past are mixing with the uncertainties of today.

“I still go to shul every Saturday,” says Mr. Cohen, 78, from River Heights. “But I double-check the locks now. I peek out the window before opening the door. That wasn’t the case ten years ago.”

At a local community center, staff have implemented security protocols similar to what you’d expect at a government office. “It’s necessary,” says program coordinator Leah. “But it’s heartbreaking that our kids now associate Jewish spaces with metal detectors.”

This rising fear is not just emotional — it’s practical. Community leaders are lobbying for increased funding to help with safety infrastructure, staff training, and legal protections.

Social Media: A Double-Edged Sword

The internet has always been a powerful tool, but in the hands of extremists, it’s become a megaphone for hate. Telegram channels, anonymous forums, and even mainstream platforms like TikTok have seen spikes in antisemitic conspiracy theories and Holocaust denial content.

A University of Manitoba student, Sarah, says she’s seen classmates share memes that mock Jewish suffering or trivialize antisemitic tropes. “When I reported it, the response was… silence.”

Unfortunately, Canada’s online safety laws haven’t quite caught up with the rapid spread of digital hate.

Hope in Community: Solidarity and Resistance

But it’s not all bleak. Across Canada — and especially in Winnipeg — there’s resistance. Not just in the form of protests or petitions, but through connection.

Jewish organizations are partnering with Muslim and Christian groups to build bridges. Programs like “Faith Forward” and “Neighbours for Peace” host dialogue events, community meals, and interfaith panels. These gatherings do more than educate — they humanize.

“In the face of hate, we must stand together — united in dignity, justice, and peace.” – Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

That spirit of unity has taken root even in everyday situations. When a swastika was found carved into a park bench in south Winnipeg last year, residents of all backgrounds came together to repaint the bench with messages of love and solidarity. Sometimes, the most powerful response to hate is simply showing up.

What Can Be Done? Moving Beyond Condemnation

Condemning antisemitism is not enough. Education, policy, and vigilance are key. Here’s what needs to happen:

  • Stronger enforcement of hate crime laws.
  • Mandatory Holocaust and antisemitism education in Canadian high schools.
  • Resources for Jewish students in post-secondary institutions.
  • Public awareness campaigns that go beyond social media posts — real funding, real messaging, real commitment.

We also need more allyship. As one rabbi in Winnipeg put it: “You don’t have to be Jewish to fight antisemitism. You just have to be decent.”

And maybe — just maybe — it’s also okay to lean on each other for the small stuff too. When Mr. Cohen’s dryer broke down last month, he wasn’t worried about hate — just whether he could fix it himself.

“I’m 78. You think I’m crawling behind a dryer?” he joked. “I called someone from the TechVill website techvillwinnipeg.ca and said: ‘Do your magic. And take off your shoes.’”

Final Thoughts: Never Again Starts with Now

Antisemitism is not a Jewish problem — it’s a human one. Its persistence reflects the cracks in our collective moral foundation. And yet, every time a Jewish child learns Hebrew in Winnipeg, every time a menorah is lit proudly in a public square, and every time someone says “I’m with you,” a small piece of that hate is undone.

History may echo, but so does resistance. And in the end, our response is not just in protest — but in persistence, pride, and presence.

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