Features
Nathan Stall: a credit to the name
By GERRY POSNER
With all the devastating fallout from the COVID- 19 nightmare which has taken over all our lives on this planet over the last five months, there is an upside ( for me at least) to it all. Anyone who watches TV and the news of the pandemic has frequently seen two figures cross the screen in interviews.
These two doctors are both a kind of Winnipeg by-product as in Dr. Isaac Bogoch and Dr. Nathan Stall. (The Bogoch story will have to wait until the next issue.)
The name Nathan Stall, individuals who are very 70 will likely remember, was a very prominent Winnipeg businessman heading the well known clothing establishment S. Stall & Son for many years. It is likely the case that some readers purchased clothing from that business in the Peck Building.
Well, that Nathan Stall died sadly in 1986, but his grandson and namesake Dr. Nathan Stall has brought to the Stall family a similar laudable distinction. He is one of the go to experts for issues relating to the elderly. COVID-19 struck hard at the elderly and in particular to those in nursing homes. Likely few were acquainted with these issues better than Dr. Stall.
Stall comes by his medical degree honestly as he has the right pedigree shall we say. For starters, his father is Dr. Richard Stall, a psychiatrist (Why not – as Winnipeg has turned out Jewish psychiatrists by the bushel-load it seems.) and his mother is Dr. Lisa Berger, a public health physician. Both of Nathan Stall’s parents grew up in Winnipeg, Stall in the north end and Berger in the south. Lisa’s father was none other than Dr. Shimmy Berger, a long time dermatologist who worked in the Boyd Building. Given that history, you could say that medicine was in the Nathan Stall gene pool.
Stall graduated medicine from Western University and then completed his residency in Internal Medicine and his fellowship training in Geriatric Medicine at the University of Toronto. It is a fact that not many young doctors are attracted to the field of geriatrics and you have to think that Stall’s father, Richard, as a psychiatrist dealing with the elderly, had some influence on Nathan. But Stall is clear as to the reasons why he chose geriatrics.
First, he says he enjoys the complexity of geriatrics and the fact that geriatrics combines elements of internal medicine, psychiatry and neurology.
Second, Stall has a deep affection for the patient population (a key element to success in any field).
Third, Stall appreciates that his voice is heard and valued in conversations about health policy.
Finally, Stall recognizes that there is a great deal of ageism in society in general and within the health care system in particular. He says he finds fulfilment in his ability to advocate for older adults.
Stall is at present a research fellow at Women’s College Research Institute at the Women’s College Hospital. He is also is on the path to completing a PhD in clinical epidemiology and health care research.
And what is Stall’s doctoral research all about? In a general way, it is to study the health impacts of caregiving for individuals with dementia. How timely is that, given the bulging aging population in the Boomer generation, whose numbers will no doubt affect the rates of dementia in a dramatic way as the years go by?
Stall clearly has the credentials to embark upon his study in this field as he is receiving support from the University of Toronto Department of Medicine’s Eliot Phipson Clinician- Scientist Training Program (that title alone would deter me) and the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship program. Moreover, he has been a staff geriatrician at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto since 2017. His clinical work deals with acute care geriatrics. In short, when you talk old age, this young doctor, Nathan Stall, is your man.
Nathan Stall was quite clear about his love for Winnipeg – where he was born and lived until the age two. He says that he has visited Winnipeg over 25 times and spent many summers at Falcon Lake. He recalls fondly his frequent visits to his grandmother Gert Stall’s apartment in Winnipeg at Hampton Green, also the BDI, VJ’s and of course the ease of getting about in Winnipeg. But most of all, what is clear to me is that the Stall and Berger families had a positive effect on Nathan.
So, I say to all of the readers, like me, who are closer to the end than the beginning, let’s take some solace in the fact that there are young doctors like Nathan Stall to whom we can turn for help.
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.