Features
Jack Micay: combining filmmaking with medicine
By Gerry Posner Ah yes, the Micay Family. Quite a bunch they were and are.
For readers over 50, many will have vivid memories of Athlete’s Wear owned and operated for so many years by the late Nathan ( Nonny) Micay. At its peak, this business was a very successful mail order and retail business in the team uniform and sporting goods field, employing over 100 people. I can picture it on Market Avenue. And of course, one could never forget Nathan’s brother, Archie Micay, a very well known corporate lawyer in Winnipeg and partner in the law firm of Walsh Micay. The name was, as one might suspect, not always Micay, nor McKay, but in fact Micanofsky, as in the original settlers in Winnipeg, Rachel and Morris Micanofsky. Rachel Micanofsky had her own story as she was a Lockshin, another long time well known family in Winnipeg.
Arising from the many grandchildren from Rachel and Morris was and is none other than Jack Micay, the oldest brother of three sons ( Harold and Ira) of Nonny and the late Faye Micay. Jack, in his own way, took the Micay family in directions not before explored. He grew up on Enniskillen Avenue in West Kildonan in a home later donated by his mother Faye Micay to Shalom Residences as a group home. Jack attended Talmud Torah and later Joseph Wolinsky Collegiate to the end of Grade 8. Next, he went to West Kildonan Collegiate before graduating from the then United college.
Jack Micay’s university education was not a straight path. What made the path uneven were his diverse interests and his willingness to stray from the course. What he ended up with ultimately was a BA in Philosophy and a medical degree from the University of Manitoba. But to get there, he indulged his passion for music and the arts. Upon graduation in 1969 with his BA, he went to New York and worked there for a summer as a researcher for a film company. And then, following another love, he travelled in Europe and Israel where he worked on a kibbutz. He had then a command of Hebrew and in fact is now working on rebuilding his Hebrew speaking abilities. He came home in June of 1970 and soon he was hired on at a film company operated by the late, great Douglas Letterman in Toronto as a researcher for a documentary series. One series led to another and Jack’s filmmaking experience grew quickly. Yet with all of this success, Jack was unsure as to what course to follow as he did have the science pre-requisites for Medicine. He applied and was accepted at the University of Manitoba Medical School and so he went there somewhat ambivalently, figuring that “ the system would spit me out.” He was wrong. He did take his last year at the University of Toronto.
Upon graduation, Jack interned at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Toronto. And then, in a forerunner of his future life, Jack split his life between medicine and filmmaking, with lots of travel thrown in. Jack basically would do short term locums in distant Ontario spots and in between, he did freelance shows for CBC. Find me anyone else with that background. Jack did his documentaries for “The Nature of Things” and “The Journal,” often on medical topics. Then Jack decided to upgrade his medical talents and moved for a year to New York to train at a hospital on Long Island in New York.
Now with all of that, Micay still found time to go to Nepal to visit a hospital near Mount Everest -which led to another CBC show featuring Sir Edmond Hillary. Micay thus began a 30-year friendship with Sir Edmund. You could say that Micay did not need to climb Everest, he was already doing his own ascent – just in his work. Micay even filmed in Winnipeg for his series with Sir Edmund on the Sherpas of Nepal. In fact, Micay was able to use his filming career to provide a decent income for himself. As he puts it, “I was sort of following my father’s steps, running my own mail order business selling (his films) to school boards, universities, libraries across the USA and Canada.” It all worked well until the internet destroyed this path. Mickey also was quite involved in creating what might be termed Science Musicals, which were one half hour classroom and educational TV films aimed at high school and university students with the goal to teach them basic science concepts in an entertaining way using humorous animation and songs… just part of the Micay magic.
Jack Micay was a doctor, now retired and a filmmaker, not yet retired. His educational and documentary productions have brought Micay over 45 prizes at film festivals around the world. Some of his more remarkable achievements were the science film world’s richest award as in the Grand Prize at Casa de las Ciencias in La Corona, Spain, not to mention his Grand and Gold Prizes at film festivals spanning the US, Canada, Italy the Czech and Slovak Republics and Bulgaria. This is just the tip of the iceberg insofar as the Micay accolades are concerned. Lest I forget, Jack is the father of three adult children: Nathan, Rachel and Jonathan, all of whom seem to have inherited their dad’s travel bug and one (Jonathan), who is a film maker like his father.
So, you take a kid – as in Jack Micay whose father Nathan was a well known entity in his own right, even though blind, and then have the son establish two careers, both of which he served and continues to serve with distinction (at least in filmmaking). and you have more than a remarkable story. I say it is all worthy of a Jack Micay documentary.
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.