MikeCohen.ca

Rabbi Hershel Schechter honoured by Manoire Montefiore

Rabbi Hershel Schechter was honoured on December 18 by friends, families and admirers of the  Manoir Montefiore  family. He has been the spiritual leader of the beautiful retirement residence, located at the corner of Cavendish Boulevard and Mackle Road, since it first opened for business 23 years ago.

Manoire Montefiore is part of Revera Living, which operates retirement residences across Canada and the United States. Le Waldorf on Côte Saint-Luc Road is among them.

Was this a retirement party? “Absolutely not,” Rabbi Schechter smiled, when I asked the question. “Let’s say I am semi-retired. But I still plan to be here most days.”

There was a full house in the main dining room. A singer belted out tunes from the past and staff were busy preparing a delicious looking dessert buffet. Many members of the rabbinical corps were on hand.

Newly arrived executive director Len Goose was please to tell one and hall how Rabbi Schechter (pictured with me below) has been and continues to be an integral part of this seniors’ residence.  Lifestyles Consultant Louise Salhany also could not say enough about the impact Rabbi  Schechter has with residents.

Manoir Montefiore, which is situated in Electoral District 2, has a lovely synagogue and Rabbi Schechter is always there to lead services. Two former longtime staff members of the residence, Howard Modlin and Ellen Tissenbaum, were among those on hand for the celebration.

Mourning the passing of Eva Silverman

Côte Saint-Luc has lost another one of our leaders. The dynamic Eva Silverman, former president of the Côte Saint-Luc Senior Social Club, passed away on December 15. She was 94 years young and active in the community until her final days. I always appreciated Eva's passion for our city. She loved nothing more than to chair a meeting and keep everything and everyone in order.

Born in the village of Dubova, near Uman, in the Ukraine, Eva  was the daughter of Miriam and Velvel Deutchman. In 1919, Eva and her brother were rescued after a pogrom by their maternal grandparents, Sarah and Mordecai Packer, who then immigrated to Bucharest and, in 1928, to Montreal. Here, Eva led a long and fruitful life as a bookkeeper, wife and homemaker, and latterly, for several decades as a leading member of the Cote St. Luc Senior Social Club.Eva is pictured below (bottom right) at the 2008 installation ceremony, at which time she stepped down as president and handed the duties over  to Barbara Akerman.

Funeral service from Paperman & Sons, ( 3888 Jean Talon St. W) will take place  on Sunday, December 18 at 11  a.m.   The shiva will be at her son's home, 1605 Dr. Penfield #202. Contributions in Eva’s memory may be made to the Israel Cancer Research Fund, (514) 481-2723, or to the charity of your choice.

CSL Senior Men's Club makes history with gala evening at ACC

History was made October 30 at the brand new Aquatic and Community Centre (ACC) as the Côte Saint-Luc Senior Men’s Club became the first organization to hold a formal dinner and dance there. Some 300 people were on hand for a gala evening featuring plenty of delicious hors d’oeuvres (catered by Adam), good music, dancing, speeches from dignitaries and some awards.

Sidney Margles, the charismatic president of the Men’s Club (pictured here with his wife Merle), and his committee did a wonderful job. What a pleasure it was to drive five minutes from our homes to celebrate in this magnificent facility.  I am sure that we will be very successful in booking all kinds of parties here.

Mayor Anthony Housefather, members of city council and  D’Arcy McGee Liberal MNA Lawrence Bergman were on hand.  Mayor Housefather, just off a plane after vacationing for a week in Brazil, was in splendid form on the microphone. He expressed his delight of holding such an affair at the ACC and once again thanked Mr. Bergman for the key role he played in securing one-third of the financing for us from the Quebec government.  Mr.  Bergman admitted that there was a lot of competition for those funds, but he told members of his cabinet that  Côte Saint-Luc would deliver a first class facility on time and on budget. “And that is what you did!’ he remarked.

This year’s Man of the Year was Jack Frank (pictured with me at the right), who does such an impressive job editing the Men’s Club Bulletin.  After accepting his plaque, Jack remained at the front of the room as Jacob Posel stepped to the microphone and announced a special tribute. Thirty members of the club are 90 years of age or over.  Each of these men were called up and presented with a plaque as well.  Mr. Frank was among this group.

How I admire these gentleman, who remain in such tip-top condition!

Congratulations to Sid and his team for another classy affair!

Another outstanding CSL Seniors Golf Open

Councillor Sam Goldbloom and I co-chaired the 32nd annual Côte Saint-Luc Seniors Golf Open at Meadowbrook on July 12. Close to 100 people took part.

I was part of foursome which included  CSL Senior Men's Club President Sidney Margles and the two top men from Police Station 9 - Commander Sylvain Bissonnette and  Lieutenant Jean-Pierre Theoret. What a pleasure it was to spend three hours on the course with these gentlemen as we battled the heat through the back nine holes of the course.

Golfing is not a sport I get a lot of practice at. In fact, this outing marks the only time  I take out the clubs all year.

We were fortunate to have beautiful weather, despite a forecast for possible showers. I started off slow, but when Sid Margles gave me his sensational driver to use my game started to turn around. In fact, I got the closest to the pin (four feet seven inches). Because I was not a registered senior, my achievement did not count in the books. But it sure did give me a lift.

After the game everyone gathered at the Senior Centre, located on the second floor of the CSL Shopping Centre, for the banquet luncheon.  In a very short period of time all of our seniors activities will be shifted to the new Aquatic and Community Centre on Parkhaven Avenue.

We welcomed Christopher Parent from Planex, this year's Golf Open sponsor. The youthful looking landscape architect is a father of two, with twins on the way.

 

 

 

Sam Pictured (left to right) are Police Station 9 Lt. JP Theoret,  Senior Men's Club President Sidney Margles, Commander Sylvain Bissonnette, Councillor Goldbloom and myself.

Councilllor Goldbloom and I emceed the affair, handing out some terrific door prizes event coordinator Loretta Anisef obtained and a series of trophies. Councillors Allan J. Levine, Ruth Kovac, Steven Erdelyi and Mitchell Brownstein were also on hand.

The closest to the pin  (16th hole) winners were Morty Zafran and Patti Heller, with Izik Feidman and Fran Schaffer the runnersup. Winning the longest drive (17th hole) were Lou Miller and Patti Heller, with Commander Bissonnette and  Judy Weber as runnersup.

It was a wonderful day and I can't wait to do it all over again next July.

 

Quebec Finance Minister charms CSL Senior Men's Club

As the chairman of the provincial Liberal government caucus and a long time D’Arcy McGee Member of the National Assembly, Lawrence Bergman continues to demonstrate the valuable influence he has. Last week he arranged for Premier Jean Charest to attend and speak at the annual Yom Hashoah commemoration at Tifereth Beth David Jerusalem Congregation in Côte Saint-Luc. On May 9, he brought Minister of Finance and Revenue Raymond Bachand to address a packed room of the Côte Saint-Luc Senior Men’s Club.

I had the good fortune of spending some time and chatting with Bachand a few weeks ago when we met at the Centaur Theatre for a showing of Schwartz’s The Musical.  I joined Mayor Anthony Housefather, Bergman and Senior Men’s Club President Sidney Margles in welcoming Bachand when he arrived at the Côte Saint-Luc Shopping Centre.

“I sent a few friends of mine to see Schwartz’s” he told me.

Bachand is  one smart cookie.  A lawyer by profession, he also has a doctorate of administration from  the Université de Montréal and an MBA from Harvard University.

An assistant professor at École des hautes études commerciales de Montréal (1972-1977), he entered the world of politics as the chief of staff for the Minister of Labour and Manpower (1977-1979), then as special secretary in the Office of Premier René Lévesque (1979-1981). In the early 1980s, he embarked upon his business career, first as vice-president of Métro-Richelieu (1981-1989), then as vice-president of Culinar (1990-1993), first vice-president (1994-1997) and president and CEO (1997-2001) of the Fonds de solidarité de la FTQ and president and CEO of Secor Conseil (2002-2005). Throughout this period, he sat on numerous boards of directors.
Despite his many professional activities,   Bachand finds the time for community and cultural involvement, working with organizations such as  Fondation Jules et Paul-Émile-Léger, Fondation de la Tolérance, Fondation Charles-Bruneau and Oxfam-Québec. He chairs Carbone 14 (Usine C) and the advisory group on Montréal’s first cultural policy.

Elected MNA for Outremont in a by-election in December 2005, he was re-elected in the general elections of 2007 and 2008. He headed the ministère du Développement économique, de l'Innovation et de l'Exportation from February 2006 to June 2009, and the ministère du Tourisme from April  2007 to December 2008. In April 2009, the Ppremier appointed him Minister of  Finance, a position he still occupies. In August 2010, he was also entrusted with the ministère du Revenu.

As Bachand made his way to our second floor headquarters for Seniors (soon to be moved to our new Aquatic and Community Centre), he came upon 90 year Bill Taylor (left). It seems the elevator leading to the room was broken and Bill can no longer climb stairs.  Bachand stopped to talk to Bill and answer a few of his questions. He also stopped to talk to Tamar Lewis (below) , who had a personal photo to present

Bergman referred to Margles as a close friend of his for more than  50 years now. He then presented Margles with a $1,000 cheque from the Quebec government for the Men’s Club. “We will not use this for the elevator,” Margles quipped,  noting that we are a tenant in the Centre.

Bergman then introduced Bachand, whom he credited with assisting on three important files in the riding: the saving of our Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program; the millions of dollars of support from the government for the Aquatic Community Centre which is being funded by the Quebec and Canadian governments and Côte Saint-Luc;  and another substantial contribution to the construction of Pavillion K of the Jewish General Hospital which will focus on patients requiring emergency treatment, surgery, or intensive, coronary, or neonatal intensive care.

“For Pavillion K I was originally told I had a half hour to discuss our role with the premier,” Bergman recalled. “When  I walked into his office, who was sitting there but my good friend Raymond Bachand. Now I  knew I would be successful. And I was.”

Bergman also recalls going to Israel with Bachand and sharing in the experience of visiting the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum. “I can only describe with one word and that is a mensch,” Bergman said, referring to the Yiddish translation for  “a person of integrity and honour.

Bachand captivated the audience with a power point presentation on the Quebec economy and left time to answer questions. “Our five-year financial framework will stay in place,” he commented.  “We are going back to a balanced budget, we are going to control our debt. But we are doing so while protecting health and education. That’s a choice we’ve made in Quebec,”

In March Bachand tabled  a "stay the course" budget, meaning he intends to keep on the path toward eliminating the provincial deficit by 2013-2014. “The  Quebec economy is going well,” he assured us. “During the recession we were very active in providing financial support to good companies and stepped in with guaranteed bank loans. As a result we created an additional 60,000 jobs. If we had done nothing, by 2013-2014 we would have had a $12 billion deficit.”

If Charest were to retire before the end of his mandate, many are touting Bachand as a possible successor to lead the Liberal Party and the province.

CSL resident Ros Schneidman to be honoured

As the longtime national executive vice-president of Emunah Women of Canada, the local branch of the world’s  largest women’s Zionist organization, Roslyn Schneidman knows the importance of an annual gala fundraiser. In fact, one of her main tasks over the years has been to seek out honourees from coast to coast.

It was therefore a bit of role reversal last summer when  Rena Schondorf and  Bayla Aspler entered her Côte Saint-Luc office and  requested that she be the 2010 honouree.

“There was a time when  I convinced both Rena and Bayla to be honourees so they knew I could not refuse them,” Schneidman said. “This basically completed the circle. I may be working for the organization, but Emnuah is really in my blood and I truly only accepted because of where the proceeds will be directed."

The tribute evening in honour of Schneidman and her 33 years with Emunah will take place on Monday evening November 8  at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (6600 Cote de Liesse). Proceeds will go towards   supporting  the expansion of the Orfus-Sinai Dormitory for Teenage Girls at Risk at Neve Michael Children’s Village in Hadara, Israel, located  half way between Tel Aviv and Haifa.

“It is a cause so very close to my heart,” said Schneidman. “Neve Michael is a safe haven for Israeli children at risk whose biological parents can no longer care for them. It provides sustenance, education, and a warm and caring environment to needy children from the ages of  three to 18 years old. Together with the devoted membership of Emunah, we realized the creation of the Canada Pavillion  Crisis Centre for Children at Risk and the David Shock Synagogue at Neve Michael.”

Schneidman estimates that she has been to Israel in her Emunah capacity at least 60 times. “I remember being at the airport in Israel when these teenagers from Ethiopia came off the plane barefoot,” she recalls. “We settled them at Neve Michael and watched them grow. We see them now having served in the army, with families of their own  and as proud Israelis.”

Emunah, notes Schneidman, means faith.   Her granddaughter, Emily Lawrence, recently became a fourth generation Emunah family member when she rallied her classmates at Hebrew  Academy to raise money for Neve Michael. “She did a powerpoint, showed it to her class and brought  in over $400,” said a proud Schneidman.

Schneidman was raised  in Outremont and lived there most of her life until a decade ago when she and husband Leonard sold their home and bought a condo in Ditsrict 2 of  Côte Saint-Luc.  Her first vocation was that of a public school teacher at  the primary level. When she got married and her wedding day fell in September she was told that she could not have the necessary time off. That propelled her into community work for a number of organizations, ultimately leading to her present post at Emunah.

Emunah Women of Montreal has a local membership of 600 active participants. Their 13 chapters meet regulary. Some of the projects supported by Emunah Women in Israel include: day care centers, children’s residential homes, high schools for girls, golden age clubs, Jewish studies groups, family and marital counselling services as well as training volunteers to aid newly-arrived immigrants in adapting to life in Israel. 
 
Now 75 years young, Schneidman realizes that retirement will come sooner than later. “Not just yet,” warns the woman better known as “Mrs. Emnunah.”

For more information about the gala call (514) 485-2397.

I am proud to be her city councillor.

 

Fun-Tastica - The annual Senior Men's Club Dance

It was my pleasure to once again attend the annual  Côte Saint-Luc Senior Men’s  Club  dinner/dance at Le Crystal  in St. Laurent on October 14. The theme was “Fun-Tastica” and the hundreds on hand enjoyed wine, hor d’oeuvres, a full course dinner  and party animator extraordinaire George Thomas who really got everyone out dancing and singing. Mayor Anthony Housefather gave his usual upbeat speech while Liberal Member of the National Assembly for D’Arcy McGee Lawrence Bergman and Men’s Club President Sidney Margles also had some nice words to share. 

 Joel Sourkes was honoured as “Man of the Year”  for his 12 years of dedication to the group. He and his wife of an incredible 68 years, Rose, sat proudly at the head table. We hope that within the next year or two events like this will be held at our new Multipurpose Facility now under construction on Parkhaven Avenue.

                                            Pictured above (left to right) with George Nashen and Esther and Aaron Spector at the Men's Club Dance.

Below (left) , David Taveroff shares a laugh with George Thomas while  (right) Glenn  J. Nashen, his wife Judy and Sam Goldbloom dance up a storm.

All Smiles at Seniors Garden Party

It is always a pleasure for me to participate in the annual Côte Saint-Luc Seniors Garden Party. Located off the parking lot of Cavendish Mall, just next to the Kellert Avenue entrance, this is one wonderful piece of green space.  Chuck Schwartz was outfitted in his chef’s attire to serve up a wide array of barbeque delicacies, as well as pizza, desserts and beverages. There was music and lots of banter. The skies threatened, but nothing could really rain on this parade.   Pictured to the right (left to right) are Stephen Segal, Chuck Schwartz, Councillor Cohen and Sam Rappaport.

Congrats to Martha and  Club President Sava Todorovic who organize the affair. A number of members of city council were on hand. So was Liberal Member of Parliament for Mount Royal Irwin Cotler. Why do members love this place so much? Listen to Dr. Paul Weinstein, the highly respected West End dentist (adored by all of his patients): “When my wife and moved from our own home to a condominium four years ago, I really missed having my own garden. Being able to come here is just fantastic!” 

 

Sava Todorovic and Councillor Allan J. Levine

Stephen Segal and Sam Rappaport, a couple of other condo dwellers, echo those sentiments. The Garden Club will soon have some company when a brand new housing development goes up on the Mall property. Said one member: “That is fine with us. We are just grateful we do not have to move."

Seniors Golf Open

It was my privilege once again to co-chair (with Sam Goldbloom) the annual Côte Saint-Luc Seniors Golf Open (formerly Golf Outing) at Meadowbrook Golf Course on July 13. I go back more than 20 years with this event, originally as the emcee for the banquet. And it has never been rained out. Well on this morning there was reason to be pessimistic. The sky was dark and as I arrived to join my foursome of Jack Kadaner, Mike Rabinovitch and Sam Rappaport, the rain began to fall.

It certainly did a number on my friend Sam, who called to say he was not prepared to risk his game of golf fgiven the forecast of thundershowers. As I got my gear together the rain stopped and our game began. The sun came out and as we moved through the nine holes it was baking hot,

I am not a golfer. In fact I only play the game once a year - at this event. Thankfully my golfmates Jack and Mike did not tally my score.Nonetheless,  I had a lot of fun getting to know these two gentlemen. Jack is 84 years young and in sensational shape. He is the dad of the lovely Reesa Kadaner, who makes kippas and other items for simchas.  Mike is a retired software manufacturer,  whose wife Carol is an acclaimed artist. We are pictured below, in a nice shot taken by ace photographer Rami Negev.

After the game everyone returned to the Seniors Centre at the CSL Shopping Centre for the banquet, which is always a blast. There were sandwiches and danish from the Snowdon Deli and lots of doorprizes, Bell Canada served as our official sponsor. They were represented by Pascal Harvey, a sharp looking 41 year old afather of four who was actually celebrating his birthday.  In order to be eligible for a prize I played Let's Make Deal to get a few candidates up front. Sam and Mayor Anthony Housefather then asked some tough questions to deterimine the winner.

As for the trophies, Carol Foster was closest to the pin for the women, with Patricia McWilliams as runnerup.  Israel Gossak and Jack Nutkevitch finished one, two in the men's category. For longest drive, Judith Weber took the ladies category, with Helen Zafran second.  Morris Seidman was top's in men, followed by Laurence Gossak. Councillor Goldbloom and I are pictured below with Pascal Harvey, Foster and McWilliams.

 

Councillor Allan J. Levine, who is responsible for seniors, golfed. Mayor Housefather and Councillors Mitchell  erownstein, Glenn J. Nashen, Dida Berku, Ruth Kovac and Steven Erdelyi were at the banquet. Steven brought his absolutely adorable six month old baby girl Bailey, who was very well behaved.  Police Station 9 Commander Sylvain Bissonnette was there with one of his lieutenants, So was our public security chief Michel Martel, City Manager Ken Lerner, Director of Parks and Recreation David Taveroff and of course longtime organizer Loretta Anisef. Senior Men's Club President Sidney Margles golfed and said a few words.

Sidney Margles installed as CSL Senior Men's Club President

I had the good fortune, along with Mayor Anthony Housefather and a number of members of city council, to be in attendance  May 27 at the formal installation of Sidney Margles as the new president of the Côte Saint-Luc Senior Men’s Club.

This was a breakfast affair and the room was packed to capacity as Ted Baker passed the top job on to Sidney, a resident of District 2 and well known for his distinguished career as a radio announcer for the former Standard Broadcasting Company. This included time at CJAD, where he gained notice for his coverage of the October Crisis in 1970 when  two cells of the Front de Libération du Québec (FLQ), a revolutionary organization promoting an independent and socialist Quebec, kidnapped British Trade Commissioner James Cross and Quebec Justice Minister Pierre Laporte. Armed forces were sent into Quebec to help the police and the federal government invoked the War Measures Act, temporarily suspending civil liberties.  Laporte was killed.

Sidney eventually moved on to become an executive for Standard. While living in Town of Mount Royal he served as an elected councillor. His wife Merle was then executive assistant for many years for the late Sheila Finestone, Member of Parliament for the Mount Royal riding.

 

  The Senior Men’s Club is a wonderful organization. Besides their weekly Thursday morning meetings with guest speakers, they organize many outings and excursions.  Sidney has announced that on Tuesday afternoons a camera club will soon debut. And how about this? Seniors who do not know how to navigate a computer and the internet can now gain  access to beginner’s lessons at the Eleanor London Côte Saint-Luc Public Library. Six 90-minute lessons will cost only $45. Email and the internet are easy to learn, but intimidating for some. This is a fabulous opportunity and something I have been advocating for years. Please note this special offer is for Men's Club members only. The regular library price is $90.

Mayor Housefather formally installed Sidney and his board into office and stated that at the next such meeting in two years, when the next president is appointed, this event will take place in our brand new Aquatic and Intergenerational Centre. As we plan for this exceptional facility, the Senior Men’s Club and the ladies Senior Social Club are being consulted every step of the way. This will be their new home, a significant upgrade from the quarters we presently rent on the second floor of the Côte Saint-Luc Shopping Centre. The new activity room will be about 4,000 square feet.

Good luck Sidney!