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Sidura Ludwig’s lifelong love of writing has taken many different forms

Sidura Ludwig

By GERRY POSNER
Winnipeg has been an enormous contributor to the world of arts – provincially, nationally and even beyond. You name the field and you will find Winnipeggers, many of them Jewish, living or dead, residents or not, who have made their mark in the arts, be it in dance, music, art, theatre or literature.

The field of the written word has, I would suggest, been especially productive for Jewish female Winnipeggers. Four women whose names leap to mind are: Adele Wiseman, Miriam Waddington, Fredelle Maynard Bruser, and Carol Matas. No doubt there are others. Over a period of several years now, that list has been added to by Sidura Ludwig. Sidura is, by the way (in case you were wondering), no relation to another Winnipeg author, the late Jack Ludwig.

Sidura Ludwig is a product of the south end of Winnipeg, the eldest child of Rael and Maylene (Donen) Ludwig. A graduate of Ramah Hebrew School and later Grant Park High School, Sidura’s first successful foray into writing began when she was 18 years old – and she won her very first award for writing a short story.
Ever since she was a youngster, she loved storytelling and was always a voracious reader. Sidura clearly knew the path she wanted to take as she went straight from high school to York University in Toronto to study English and creative writing. She continued her studies with a Masters in Journalism from Carleton University in Ottawa. At about that point Sidura began producing what might be considered a massive volume of writing in a very short time period.

Sidura has written short stories and full novels and her works have been published in books, literary magazines and other journals. Her very first novel, in 2007, was published in three countries: Canada, the USA and the UK. Now, that is what I call the trifecta – no small accomplishment. That novel was titled “Holding My Breath”.  It was so well received that Sidura was on the shortlist for the Carol Shields Winnipeg Book award. She was also a finalist for the CBC Cross Canada Bookshelf – not a bad way to begin a career.

Sidura’s short fiction work can be found in magazines like Pretext, Light and Dark, Chaleur and Jewish Fiction.Net. Her work has appeared in the Globe and Mail, the Winnipeg Free Press, and on CBC radio. Her most recent piece of writing was published this year, with her adult short story collection: “You Are Not What We Expected”, about the clash of secular and religious Jewish families – an intimate examination of the Jewish community which is, I would suggest, very timely in the Jewish world of 2020.

Sidura is currently in the middle of a Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults program. At the same time she is involved in other projects, including picture books, a young adult novel and a historical grade novel. Beyond her writing, Sidura Ludwig is a teacher to both children and adults in what would be termed creative writing – which is something she’s also been involved with since she was only 18, in places ranging from Winnipeg to the UK. Teaching complements her constant pursuit of learning as she recently embarked on the aforesaid Masters at Vermont College while also serveing on the faculty of an online creative writing school known as  the Sarah Selecky Writing School.

Outside of her career as an author, she has worked as a communications specialist for non-profits. Sidura, who lives in Thornhill, Ontario with her husband, Jason Shron, is also the mother of three children: Boaz, Dalya and Isaac.
She is one busy lady. With all this in mind, when one reflects on the literary career of Sidura Ludwig, the easy response as to how she did it is that her name sums it all up. Sidura is connected to the Hebrew word “Sidur”, a Hebrew prayer book. It seems so obvious that she would be connected to a book, does it not? In addition, the word Sidura has in it the root letters which form what we know from Passover as the word Seder, which means order. Sidura’s life and her books show a sense of order and purpose. On top of that her middle name is Chaiya. Put the two names together and you realize that Sidura Chaiya Ludwig is attempting to reflect an order in life and based on her works to date, she is right on target.

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Features

Technology and innovation: how online casinos are adapting to players

There has currently been a significant increase in demand for online casinos in Canada due to the convenience and ease of access offered to players. With recurring technological advances and the constant search for innovation, online casino operators are striving to meet players’ growing expectations. Below, we’ll explore how online casinos in Canada are aligning themselves with technology and innovation, from the variety of games to attractive offers such as welcome bonuses and promotions to constantly adjusting to players’ needs.

Online gaming offers

Offering a wide range of games to suit players’ preferences is one of the main focuses of online casinos in Canada. In other words, operators are always looking to expand their collection of games to ensure a variety that caters to everyone, from the classics like backjack and roulette to slot releases and live casino games. What’s more, many online casinos are teaming up with famous game developers to offer high-quality, immersive experiences.

The commitment to providing an extensive selection of games tailored to diverse player preferences is a cornerstone of online casinos in Canada. This commitment manifests in continual efforts to expand the game library, ensuring a comprehensive assortment that appeals to a broad spectrum of players. Collaborations with renowned game developers further enhance the gaming experience, offering players access to high-quality, immersive gameplay across various genres, from classic favorites like blackjack and roulette to cutting-edge slot releases and live casino offerings.

Attractive bonuses and promotions

Online casinos in Canada often offer generous welcome bonuses to attract new players and reward existing ones. Bonuses can usually include free spins and extra cash, giving players the opportunity to explore casino games without using their own money at first. In addition, casinos can also give extra bonuses on subsequent deposits, loyalty programs and temporary promotions to keep players engaged.

A hallmark of online casinos in Canada is the generous incentives they offer to both new and existing players. Welcome bonuses, comprising complimentary spins and bonus cash, serve as enticing invitations for newcomers to explore the diverse offerings without financial risk. Moreover, ongoing bonuses on subsequent deposits, loyalty programs, and temporary promotions serve to maintain player engagement and reward loyalty within the platform’s ecosystem.

Gaming experience on mobile devices

Withthe increasing use of mobile devices, online casinos in Canada understand the importance of providing an optimized mobile gaming experience. Many operators use specific apps for iOS and Android devices, enabling players to access their favorite games anytime, anywhere. Online casinos are looking to adapt responsive designs on their websites to ensure an increasingly personalized usability experience on smartphones and tablets, without compromising the features and quality of the games.

Player security and privacy

Certainly one of the priorities for online casinos in Canada is player security and privacy. Operators implement and optimize increasingly robust security measures, such as SSL encryption and advanced firewalls, to guarantee the protection of players’ personal and financial data. Online casinos in Canada operate under regulated licenses, which guarantees compliance with the strictest security and integrity standards.

High-quality entertainment

Online casinos in Canada have often strived through the use of technology and innovation to adapt to the needs of players in a very competitive and constantly evolving market.

Providing a wide variety of games, good attractions and guaranteeing high security standards. Operators are definitely providing players with a fully personalized and immersive experience in the world of online casinos, as well as improving the experience for mobile devices and the convenience of playing at any time.

Online casinos in Canada continue to thrive and attract players looking for high-quality entertainment as well as exciting opportunities to win.

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Features

How to Protect Your Finances When Playing in Online Casinos 

Online casinos are a thrilling form of entertainment that a lot of adults enjoy in their free time. While it can be a great way to kick back and relax, it’s also important that you’re safeguarding your finances too. From the risk of gambling to cyber attacks and scams, here are some simple guidelines to follow that can help to ensure the safety of your money, so you can fully enjoy your favourite casino games. 

Choose Good Quality Casinos

This is the only way you can fully safeguard your finances. Choosing a reputable online casino that is fully licensed and regulated is crucial. Not only does this ensure that the casino is running legally and adhering to strict standards, but also the protection of your personal and financial information. Reading online reviews can be a great way to decipher the quality of a casino. Previous customers can tell you about any issues they’ve experienced, as well as providing insight into other aspects, such as customer service or the user-friendliness of the platform. 

A good quality casino will also have an impact on your experience. Be sure to look out for a wide variety of games and check out the different promotions and bonuses that a casino offers. With some bonuses, you can get spins on your favourite games. Taking advantage of bonuses and promotions can be a great way to safeguard your finances too. Instead of using your own money, you can use promotional funds to try out new games and experiment with different strategies. Just be aware that most promotions and bonuses come with wagering requirements, so make sure to read the terms and conditions before signing up. 

Protect Yourself

Another important factor of protecting your finances when playing in online casinos is learning how to protect yourself. This is essential for any online activity. When creating any online account, make sure to use strong and unique passwords. It’s also essential to never share this information with anyone else. Be aware and learn how to identify scams. Usually, if an offer is too good to be true, it usually is. In particular, be aware of phishing attempts and scams landing in your email inbox. It’s all about protecting yourself, like you would take supplements to aid your fitness, in this case, you apply yourself with knowledge to protect yourself and keep safe online. 

When depositing and withdrawing money, make sure to only use secure payment methods, this could include cryptocurrency, credit/debit cards or Apple Pay for example. You should use casinos that offer encrypted transactions. These precautions are essential when it comes to reducing the risk of your financial information falling into the wrong hands.

Gamble Responsibly

And finally, it’s not just about protecting yourself through security measures, it’s also important to be sensible with your money too. Gambling responsibly is essential when it comes to safeguarding your finances. A good way to do this is by setting limits and creating a budget for yourself. This will help to prevent you from overspending. 

Set limits for yourself in terms of how much money you are willing to spend and stick to these limits. Avoid chasing losses and never gamble with money that you can’t afford to lose. Make use of the deposit limit feature that most online casinos offer. If you ever find that you’re struggling, then it’s important to seek help and support. A lot of online casinos will be able to offer support and links to organisations that can help you. Gambling should always be a fun activity and nothing else. It’s definitely not a way to make money or solve financial problems.

In summary, these simple guidelines can help you to safeguard your finances when playing online. Remember that it’s not just about security, it’s also about being responsible with your money too. However, by choosing good quality casinos, learning how to protect yourself and gambling responsibly, you can enjoy your experience, all while ensuring your money stays safe. 

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Features

Kosher agencies make no bones about ‘flawed’ Canadian slaughter laws

oung Jewish children watch the Kaparot ceremony before Yom Kippur in September 2010 in Ashdod, Israel. Credit: ChameleonsEye/Shutterstock.

“When the Jewish community is being treated differently than other communities in Canada because of our religious beliefs, that is discrimination,” said Richard Rabkin, managing director of the Kashruth Council of Canada.

By DAVE GORDON (March 15, 2024 / JNS) Two kosher certifying agencies and two meat processors have a big beef with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, which suddenly changed the rules and made kosher slaughter a longer and more burdensome procedure.

CFIA has begun in recent months to enforce regulations it enacted in 2018 “with vigor,” Rabbi Saul Emanuel, executive director of Montreal Kosher, told JNS. It appears to be doing so “on a whim,” the rabbi said.

The government agency’s actions have already resulted in a 60% drop in domestic kosher meat production, facility closures, higher prices and larger shipments of imported meats from other countries, according to Emanuel.

An independent organization that oversees Canadian slaughter procedures, CFIA mandates that cows be shot in the head with a bolt gun, to avoid causing pain to the animal. Kashrut laws require that an animal be killed with a single, rapid motion with a sharp knife that instantly kills the animal by severing the primary blood supply to the brain. Kosher laws preclude the use of bolts, as Canadian law requires. 

CFIA requires that Jewish ritual slaughterers conduct a series of bodily checks in between each shechita to ensure that the animal is “insensible,” which means that slaughter houses must wait up to three minutes rather than 15 seconds between each slaughter. At an industrial scale, the three minutes add up.

Emanuel’s employer MK, the Kashruth Council of Canada in Toronto—known as COR—and the country’s two largest kosher meat producers, Shefa Meats and Mehadrin Meats, sued CFIA on March 8.

The plaintiffs allege that the government agency infringes on the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees freedom of religious practice, according to Richard Rabkin, managing director of the Kashruth Council.

“I don’t want to speculate about the motivations of the CFIA and we have no indications that antisemitism is at play here, but when the Jewish community is being treated differently than other communities in Canada because of our religious beliefs, that is discrimination,” Rabkin told JNS.

‘Discrimination by effect’

Rabkin told JNS that the ideal would be a negotiated solution, and the four entities opted to sue only as a last resort and because the agency is independent and unbeholden to elected officials.

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