Features
The Judith Weisz Woodsworth way with words
By GERRY POSNER Winnipeg has turned out some remarkable people, particularly in the arts, and nowhere is that statement more accurate than in the case of Judith Weisz Woodsworth. This woman, a product of Winnipeg’s famous north end, just recently was the recipient of the 2022 Governor General’s Literary Award for French to English translation for her work on the book “History of The Jews in Quebec.” This was a major achievement and in so many ways, reaching this status boggles the mind.
Judith’s mother’s family is from Budapest while her father’s family comes from eastern Hungary, close to the area where prominent Hasidim reigned. The Weisz side of the family produced 11 children and a couple of them, including Judith’s uncle, Eugene Weis, later sponsored Judith’s family’s immigration to Canada.
Baby Judith arrived in Canada with her family in 1949. She grew up at first on Manitoba Avenue near Salter. Does it get more north end than that? She initially attended the Sholem Aleichem kindergarten and then a public school nearby. Her memories are rich with her time spent at the then Tiferes Israel Synagogue.
The Weisz family eventually made their way to Garden City where Judith graduated from Garden City Collegiate. At that school, Judith was inspired by the principal, Robert ( Bobby) Bend, to broaden her horizon and apply to McGill University. And with that push, off she went at age 17. Although her parents were devastated to see her leave, they were very supportive, as were her close friends, former Winnipeggers, Carol Novak (now Sevitt) and Nelson Wiseman, who were on hand to say goodbye at the CNR train station.
Judith attributes her growing up in the multilingual and multicultural north end of Winnipeg as being a significant influence in her life and the direction she ended up taking. Born in Paris, she explains she also had a romanticized view of France, where her parents had spent a few years prior to coming to Canada.
Thus, moving to Montreal seemed both exciting and natural. At McGill, she enrolled in literature and philosophy, soon specializing in French literature. She graduated with a BA and then spent a year studying in France – which led to further studies in foreign languages and cultures. She became a translator by chance, taking on contracts when she was a graduate student. It was not long before she was hired by the Canadian government to work as a translator for National Defence headquarters in Ottawa.
With a PhD in hand, combined with her track record with the government, Judith was hired to teach translation at Montreal’s Concordia University. It was there that JWW had a long and extensive career teaching, writing and then serving in a variety of administrative positions. Her administrative duties landed her a job as a Vice -President at Mount St. Vincent University in Halifax. While in Halifax, Judith was asked to be on the board of Pier 21 and, during her tenure on that board, she was part of the official opening of the immigration museum in June, 1999, precisely 50 years after her very own family first set foot in Canada in Halifax. My best guess is that there are few people who can make that claim.
After her stint in Nova Scotia, Judith worked for six years as president of Laurentian University in Sudbury, in Northern Ontario. Following that gig came an even bigger assignment, as she was invited to become the president of Concordia University in Montreal. That was quite a journey from her modest beginnings and departure from the Winnipeg train station. And then, to round out her life work, she returned to her position as a professor in the French department at Concordia where she spent her final 10 years until retirement in May,2022. Now, that’s a career!
In the course of her work, JWW travelled to nearly 50 countries and she developed friendships around the world in diverse circles. She was married to the late Patrick Woodsworth and for those who wonder, yes, Patrick was the grand-nephew of the famous J.S. Woodsworth. Judith is now married to another former Winnipegger, Lindsay Crysler, originally from Saskatchewan, who came to Winnipeg to work as a journalist for the Winnipeg Tribune.
But surely the crowning moment for Judith Weisz Woodsworth might well have been her monumental effort to translate a book so closely connected to her heritage, the 400-year-old story of the Jews in Quebec. This was a 500-page book and she worked at it feverishly for several hours each day for around a year. The joy in the completion of that work was huge, but the cherry on the sundae was being a recipient of the very prestigious Governor General Literary Award.
These awards celebrate literature and inspire the public to read books by Canadian creators. I quote the comment made by the peer assessment committee. “ Her flawless translation […] replicates the engaging style of the original with enthusiasm and rigor. Weisz Woodsworth fully captures the scholarly but compelling prose of the essential overview. Her translation of the extensive documentation is equally masterful.” All this, from a girl whose family arrived here with very little and who came from the depths of Winnipeg’s north end, speaks volumes about Judith Weisz Woodsworth and that sentence needs no translation.
Features
The Allure of Cherry Scents in Modern Fragrance Trends
Cherry-scented perfumes have become the new darling of the fragrance world. Thanks to their fruity notes and unique ability to bring out sophistication and warmth, cherry perfumes are an emerging trend in the modern world of scents.
One of the most famous perfumes of the generation is the Tom Ford Lost Cherry and the well-loved fragrance is simply unbeatable. They’re so developed, deep, and warm. For customers looking for a more affordable option, perfumes like Ambery Cherry have found a nice middle between luxury and attainability.
Why Cherry Scents Are Having a Moment
Cherry fragrances offer sophistication, freshness, and complexity. These perfumes strike a perfect balance between sweetness and adulthood, making them suitable for any occasion and mood. Cherries are a symbol of indulgence, delectability, and nostalgia. There are several fragrance users who want more than just a nice and simple scent; they’re looking for a story too.
For this reason, a lot of perfumers have gotten extra inventive with their cherry notes, including other notes that establish a unique story. Almond notes, tonka bean, smoky undertones – anything that can place wearers directly on a unique pedestal in an olfactory universe. With this newfound creativity, cherry-scented perfumes have become a genre of their own in the world of luxury perfumes.
Cherry Fragrances and the Senses
Just imagine the moment when someone with cherry fragrance sprays it on their skin. The first notes that blossom through are of tangy, sweet cherry juice. You are then transported to an orchard bathed in sunlight. That is the kind of sensory experience you get with a cherry fragrance.
They’re the right mix of elegant and playful and warm and bold. Again, the likes of Tom Ford Lost Cherry have raised the bar when it comes to making a perfect fragrance. This has, in turn, resulted in the likes of Ambery Cherry becoming easily available to the masses.
Cherry Scents as Personal Statements
Fragrances are not just some additional accessory but an extension to your personality. Cherry fragrances, with their warmth and alluring nature, allow the wearer to make some pretty unforgettable, striking statements everywhere they go. The kind of people who stop and give them a try are people who enjoy timeless elegance while remaining modern and fresh! There is something about cherry fragrances that intrigues you. You just can’t pinpoint what it is but they smell divine.
Finding the Perfect Cherry Fragrance
Given that cherry fragrances are so hot right now, you might find yourself doing a double take as you try to navigate your next move. The best way to decide is to choose one that aligns with your personal style. If your tastes run to the daring and complex, Tom Ford Lost Cherry might tickle your fancy.
If you are after a comparable experience at a more appropriate price tag, there are options like Ambery Cherry as alternatives. They make cherry perfumes accessible to everyone, no matter how deep their pockets are. This will only mean that more of us will experience and fall in love with this note.
Embrace the Cherry Trend
Cherry perfumes are for everyone but many already know this, especially now that there are affordable alternatives. For those who are regular shoppers at luxury perfume counters, don’t let this amazing scent escape your growing collection. Welcome to the beautiful world of cherry perfumes. Now that there are pocket-friendly yet luxurious editions, what is stopping you from considering them?
Features
Exploring the Technology Behind CrazyVegas’s Seamless Gameplay
With the fastest load speeds, the smoothest play, the most reliable form of security and so many more exciting extras, going with this CrazyVegas online casino really is like magic. But what’s behind all these, you ask? What are the crazy ins and outs of the system that continually delivers the fun and excitement to you, the player?
Advanced Servers for Lightning-Fast Performance
Nothing ruins an awesome gaming experience quite like lag — or bugs. Overheated servers, not enough server-pressure points, and even the choice of a hard drive over a solid-state drive because if the host is lagging, you’re lagging. And at CrazyVegas, we don’t do “lagging,” or its little brother, downtime.
Because as cool as all of the above is and more, we are focused on keeping the good times rolling with as little interruption on your desktop, tablet, or mobile and hassle-free infrastructure.
Cutting-edge Graphics Powered by HTML5
The design makes or breaks the online casino. Some even say it’s as important as games. With HTML5 used in CrazyVegas, there’s nothing to worry about. The game design and graphics look and act just about the part. All modes can be played on any size screen without a clumsy or confusing transition.
From playing that latest slot to getting into that poker final and anything in between. There’s a clear view of all the visuals and there are no visual bugs that make it painful on the eyes. All thanks to magical HTML5.
AI and Machine Learning for Personalized Experiences
Beneath the system, the AI and machine learning algorithms are creating a uniquely designed gaming world for each player. CrazyVegas uses AI to analyze players’ input and then provide real-time gameplay and promotional offers depending on this player’s preferences.
If the AI detects this player has a preference for games that require more strategy (e.g. BlackJack) then this could result in higher table games or even more game tips to help you play and win. This has made the system create an experience built for the people who play it. But decentralized at the same time.
Secure Transactions with Blockchain Integration
Security is paramount in any online casino, and CrazyVegas doesn’t disappoint. By utilizing blockchain technology, this online casino can provide an unprecedented level of security (and transparency) online — beyond anything else in the industry. With blockchain, user funds are safe and games are fairer.
Any transaction (e.g., deposit, withdrawal) is encrypted and transmitted securely, channeled onto a decentralized contract ledger that ensures your money plus data are safe from any kind of hack.
Mobile Optimization
With the days we live in now, online gaming is a form of relaxation and this casino is just as good as its competition. It is mobile-friendly, meaning a customer can play whenever, wherever!
Thanks to the design and discomfort of cookies, this online casino is for any player. It doesn’t matter if you are at home or just about anywhere, you can definitely play your favorite games on your mobile.
Fair Play with RNG Technology
One of the most important aspects of online gaming is fairness. CrazyVegas has this well covered and uses Random Number Generator (RNG) technology throughout its games to ensure that all game outcomes are entirely random.
Third-party independent testing ensures this remains the case, and our users can be certain they are all in with a fair and equal chance. And with us, the gameplay really is a play that can be trusted!
The Future of Gaming at CrazyVegas
As technologies evolve, we evolve too. CrazyVegas always follows the edge of the possible and even more, providing all the incredible tech pieces to give you more depth and more awesomeness in your gambling. Imagine walking into your VR casino, chatting with other players and a dealer in real time, or using AR to make your gambling appear right on your dinner table! All the tech pieces are endless, and we will take it all to provide the best new experiences to our players.
Features
Remembrance of Things Present
By BILL MARANTZ When I woke up, on Monday, November 11, I forgot it was Remembrance Day. Or, as the “Chosen People” call it, Groundhog Day. Aka: “today.” True, as usual, I had pinned on a fake poppy (that, as usual, had fallen off) but that is the extent of my involvement in this memorial holiday. You don’t have to be reminded of something you can’t forget.
Take the Holocaust.
Please. As far as Velvel Marantz is concerned, Yom Hashoah is redundant. An annual guilt trip I’ve been on since the age of ten, shortly after Donald Trump’s previous incarnation made an ash of himself, and his “Final Solution” was revealed. To atone for the sin of being born in Canada, and being too young to be forced to risk my life on a European battlefield, I would lie awake, in bed, and torture myself with fantasies of being tossed into a roaring fire, kicking and screaming, as the iron door shut behind me. In my innocence, I didn’t realize it was not my European brothers and sisters that were fuel for Adolph Hitler’s “ovens,” but their lifeless remains.
When I learned the true details of their martyrdom, I had a slightly less harrowing nightmare to conjure up. One that involved “shower rooms” that dispensed Cyclone B, rather than H2O. This may seem like a rather morbid turn of mind but I am not an exception, but the rule. That’s what Judaism is all about. Remembrance of things present. Every morning, the first thing we do, is count our blessings. Recite fourteen prayers of thanks that can be summed up in a single prayer: “Thank you, ha’Shem for letting me wake up.” And every Saturday, and Jewish holiday, we recite a passage from the same book we’ve been reading for several thousand years. Lest we forget where we came from, and where we don’t want to go.
Again.
It’s like a joke my late friend Ron Brooker, who worked for Fox films, used to tell. The Jolson Story and Jolson Sing Again were such big hits that they were thinking of making another sequel: Jolson Sings Again and Again.
Jews dominate the movie industry but we don’t all go to the synagogue. Or “Temple,” as my New York cousins say. Not all Jews are created equal. There are secular Jews, self-hating Jews and assimilated Jews, who don’t “identify” as Jews (to use the current jargon). But there’s no escape. It’s like the Mafia. “Just when I think I’m out, they pull me back in!” Judaism is not a choice; it’s “bashert.” A blessing and a curse. Like winning a Gold Medal in the women’s 100 meter butterfly and still having to pee, standing up. To paraphrase my favorite author, Isaac Bashevis Singer: “If you ever forget you’re a Jew, don’t worry, there will always be a Gentile around to remind you.”
Which is why I don’t bother to celebrate Remembrance Day.