Features
Sarah Secter go-to expert for all art-related matters
By MYRON LOVE When Dov Secter proposed to Sarah Allentuck 16 years ago at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, he couldn’t have chosen a more appropriate venue. That is because Sarah Secter’s life and career have been immersed in the world of art.
And although the Secters are partners in both life and business – Sarah manages the business side of Secter Architecture + Design, including marketing and financial matters – over the past 12 years, she has quietly established her own Secter Art Consulting as the go-to address in Winnipeg for all matters art-related.
“There is no other art consultant in Winnipeg that offers the range of services that I can provide,” she points out.
The professionally trained appraiser and member of the International Society of Appraisers – the largest professional appraisal association in North America – works with a growing number of domestic and corporate clients. She appraises art for insurance purposes, for example, charitable donations and estates. The main focus of her practice however, is sourcing and brokering art for her varied clients.
Among her larger recent assignments was sourcing the artwork for the walls of the law firm Taylor McCaffrey’s new suite of offices – a project that involved over 80 pieces of art.
Another challenging project was the major renovations to the old Norwood Hotel in St. Boniface in 2019. “I worked closely with the design and rebranding team to ensure that the art pieces fit their budget and brand identity – with a strong focus on Manitoba artists,” she reports. “It was a great collection that we put together and we received positive feedback from a lot of people who have seen it.”
That positive feedback includes a testimonial from Norwood Hotel CEO Ben Sparrow stating that the family’s “partnership with Sarah was a huge success. “She helped repurpose old mural and carvings – as well as select new and old art and commissioned pieces,” he continued. “She managed the install of all of our art throughout our 10,000 square foot space.”
Secter notes that she is currently working on an appraisal of a 400-year-old painting from the court of the British King Charles II. “As part of that assignment,” she says, “I researched its provenance and the biography of the subject in the portrait. I also worked with a conservator to view the painting under an ultraviolet light to determine the extent of restoration the painting has had over the past few centuries.”
While Secter notes that she has had an interest in art from a young age – she does have a BA from the University of Winnipeg in Art History, pursuing a career as an art consultant was not on her radar early on. She did work for a short time for the Mayberry Gallery in Winnipeg as well as an art gallery in Toronto. She also had a career as a teacher for seven years prior to devoting herself full time to the art business
“Initially, I didn’t think it was possible to earn a living in Winnipeg as an art consultant,” she recalls. “I started by advising family and friends and business grew from there entirely by word of mouth.”
With each client, she notes, she has to determine their needs, their budget, their taste in art and what their purpose is in collecting whether for decoration or amassing a collection – after which she will propose the different options.
For smaller assignments, she notes, she can work alone. For more complex installations, she says, she has a crew she can call on for help.
As to what clients are looking for these days, she reports that – not only in Winnipeg but across the country collectors are asking for more artwork by BIPOC, Indigenous, women and minority artists that represent the growingly diverse population that is today’s Canada.
In her work and life, Secter points out, she has conflicting demands on her time. In addition to her Secter Art Consulting there are her Secter Architecture responsibilities and two daughters whose needs have to be attended to.
“It is a challenge,” she says. “I try to set reasonable expectations for my clients.”
And, despite the demands of family and work, Secter finds time for volunteer activities. Her zaida, the late Ben Raber, her mother, Sharon Allentuck, and her aunts, Elaine Goldstine (who is soon retiring as Jewish Federation CEO) and Marilyn Raber, have been positive role models for her. She recalls that, from a young age, she was helping with the annual CJA campaign and, for a time, she was involved with the International Council of Jewish Women – an organization in which her mother and aunts had leadership roles.
Currently, Secter is a board member of the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada. As well, she is co-chair of the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue’s Housing and Building Committee as our community’s largest and oldest congregation is in the process of a major expansion.
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.