Features
Taking a look inside the mausoleums at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery
By BERNIE BELLAN I’m sure that I’m not alone in saying that I’ve long had an abiding curiosity about the two mausoleums that are located in the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery, both of which are situated not too far from Main Street.
Recently I was invited to attend the cemetery and to see what was actually inside those two mausoleums. The occasion was supposed to be a visit to the cemetery that was to be led by Rabbi Yitchok Charytan of the Chabad Lubavitch movement. Rabbi Charytan has been conducting online classes with seven participants, the subject of which has been the study of “Tanya,” a book of the Kabbalah.The classes came about as a result of a suggestion from financial planner Royle Derbitsky, who had been visited in his office by Rabbi Charytan. When Rabbi Charytan began discussing Jewish mysticism with Royle, Royle asked him whether he would consider offering regular online classes about the subject.
Subsequently, earlier this year Rabbi Charytan did begin offering classes through Microsoft Teams. During one of the classes, according to Royle, Rabbi Charytan brought up the name of Rabbi Shmuel Twersky (also known as Avraham). Rabbi Twersky, also known as the “Makarover Rabbi,” was a leading rabbi in Winnipeg who arrived here in 1927. He was considered a great “tzaddik” (righteous man).
Rabbi Charytan’s online classes have had seven regular participants, Royle told me, of whom four showed up at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 8, to see for themselves what lay inside the mausoleum. In addition to Royle, present were: Marianne Dordick, Roz Olin, and Debbie Stern. (The other members of the class are: Elliot Saunders, Earl Ashkin, and Judy Rodkin.)
Rabbi Charytan though, was unable to attend, Royle explained to the others, as he was ill that day, but Royle did read from notes that Rabbi Charytan had prepared.
While I was able to see inside – and enter into, the Twersky mausoleum, which also contained the coffin of Rabbi Twersky’s wife, Richel, I was also able to see inside and enter into the other smaller mausoleum, which contains the coffin of another rabbi, whose name was Eliyahu Grubert.
I had many questions circulating in my mind, however, including: Why these two mausoleums and no others?
Upon returning from the cemetery I began to do some research into that particular question. Within our own Jewish Post & News archives (which are accessible on our website: jewishpostandnews.ca, and which are available to anyone free of charge), I discovered quite a few references to Rabbi Twersky.
Among the most pertinent was an article written in 2012 by Myron Love, in which Myron described a tour to the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery in October of that year that was conducted by Penny Roseman. Penny had been responsible for compiling a digital archive of all headstones in all Jewish cemeteries either in Winnipeg or nearby.
Myron’s article noted that Roseman began the tour with stops at the mausoleums (miniature houses) of Rabbis Eliyahu Grubert and Shmuel Abba Twersky (and his wife, Richel), which were erected in 1917 and 1947 respectively. Roseman noted that these are the only Jewish mausoleums in western Canada. The coffins inside are enclosed in concrete, which is acceptable, Roseman pointed out, because concrete is “of the earth”.
Yet, Myron’s use of the word “acceptable” led me to wonder: Why are there only two mausoleums at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery if mausoleums are “acceptable?” Surely, I thought, if a Jewish coffin can be housed aboveground in a mausoleum, wouldn’t others have wanted to build mausoleums for their loved ones at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery? After all, a mausoleum certainly commands attention and, since so many headstones are also designed to command attention, wouldn’t one think there would be many more mausoleums that would have been built there? (Of course, at a certain point, space limitations would have entered into the conversation, but that didn’t emerge as a problem for the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery until quite recently.)
Upon further reading, however, it seems quite clear that mausoleums are not considered acceptable by either Conservative or Reform Jews and, according to an entry on Wikipedia, Orthodox Jews allow the construction of mausoleums only under certain conditions.
Here is what the Wikipedia entry about Jewish mausoleums says: “Most mausoleums place remains above ground inside a mausoleum crypt. Because Scripture and Jewish tradition dictate burial of the deceased in the ground, mausoleums are not commonly used by the Jewish faithful. Instead, Jewish cemetery monuments are placed over the earthen deceased.
“While earth burial is traditional, the three movements of Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Judaism disagree over this sensitive issue. The Orthodox movement of Judaism allows no cremations or interments but mandates below-ground burial only (emphasis mine). They refer to various phrases of the Bible to determine their position. In Genesis 3:19, God says dust thou art and unto dust thou shalt return. Also, Ecclesiastes 12:7 states The dust returns to the dust as it was, but the spirit returns to God who gave it. To orthodox Jews, this means that they must be buried in the ground so they may return to dust.
“For this reason, the only Jewish mausoleum that Orthodox Jews allow is a mausoleum that extends underground,” (Emphasis mine) the Wikipedia article continues. “This is easier when Jewish monuments are built on a hillside, making Jewish cemetery monuments an entrance to the underground.”
In neither of the two mausoleums at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery, however, are the graves buried underground. While I suppose one can accept the rationalization that coffins enclosed in concrete are “of the earth,” then why just two mausoleums and not many more, I wonder?
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.