JewishJewish PublicPublic LibraryLibrary AnnualAnnual ReportReport 20122011 Contents

Message from the President and the Executive Director 3 Special Projects and Library Outreach 6 Technological innovations, libraries teaching students 8 The Norman Berman Children’s Library 10 The Archives of the Jewish Public Library 12 Cultural Programmes 2011-2012 14 Fundraising 18 Statistics 19 Executive, Board of Directors and Library Committees 22

2 President Alain Murad Executive Director Michael Crelinsten

Message from the President and the Executive Director

A 2010 University of Michigan study has concluded that The events hosted by the JPL this past year are too “College kids are about 40% lower in empathy than numerous to list in their entirety (over 75 events in 8 their counterparts of 20 or 30 years ago, as measured languages) but highlights include: by standard tests for this personality trait.” At the same time, a 2011 study demonstrates that • Supported by the Drimer Foundation, Tatiana de reading fiction “may improve skills of empathy and Rosnay, author of Sarah’s Key, as our Jewish Book social understanding.” Empirical research is beginning to Month Keynote. demonstrate that developing a capacity to understand • Our Evening of Russian Culture, sponsored by the other through, for example, reading fiction, en- Barbara and Ronny Kay, was a tour de force of song, hances the characteristic of empathy thus increasing the dance and theatre. potential greater community involvement. Initially, these correlations were greeted with some skepticism but, as • For the first time, the JPL Hebrew Theatre collabo- is often the case with ground-breaking research, the rated with The Segal Centre to present two sold out conclusions are now becoming mainstream and are cited performances of Goren Agmon’s play Mother in Love. in such venues as Forbes, The Harvard Business Review, • In collaboration with Concordia University the JPL and Scientific American. Turns out Libraries, performing presented a French exhibit and conference on the arts centres, museums and cultural associations are not history of Sephardic Jews in Quebec. nice frills to have – they are essential and represent a • In association with FCJA, we implemented a Yiddish strategic investment in the future of our community. cultural Programming Survey. The results were Building on this, our community’s 5 leading cultural encouraging with 81% of respondents wanting to agencies (the JPL, The Segal Centre, the Holo- attend more Yiddish programming and almost two caust Memorial Centre, La Communauté Unifiée Sepha- thirds of the sample responding that our Yiddish rade and the Jewish Community Centre) have formed a programming made them feel more connected to cultural alliance to enable closer collaboration as well as the Jewish Community and to the Jewish world. communicate the centrality of our agenda to the well- • A lecture by the renowned psychiatrist, Dr. Irvin D. being of our community and, in particular, our youth. Yalom, was more than sold out to an exceptionally diverse audience. That being said, it is clear that the role of libraries is changing, significantly and quickly. In this regard, the • Woven through all of our programing were 7 Jewish JPL is ahead of the curve. As libraries begin to stake out Genealogical Society events that bear testament a position as “third spaces” in their communities, the to our community’s abiding interest in their family JPL continues a longstanding tradition of excellence history. through innovative and compelling, world class cultural programming. 3 All of this programming can be understood as outreach We continue to work closely with the National Yiddish which is supported by our programming collaboration Book Center in Amherst, Massachusetts. They have now with over 50 schools and organizations. Our outreach digitized over 100 recorded Yiddish lectures which are, also includes receiving students from Marianopolis and or will be, available for free on the Internet Archive. The Concordia in bible classes and research methods using lectures include those by Allen Ginsberg, Isaac Bashevis Jewish texts. Singer, Leonard Cohen Saul Bellow, Chava Rosenfarb, Dora Wasserman, Rachel Korn and many others. Our renowned Norman Berman Children’s Library continues to offer a range of programmes to young- It is noteworthy that we have now established a materi- sters and their families. Among many examples, award als collection committee which has produced a policy winning author, Aubrey Davis entertained over 1600 document soon to be brought forward to our Board for students from grades 1 through 6 in 10 Jewish and ratification. secular schools. The NBCL continues to lead the way through parents and children’s programmes such as Our Archives remains a jewel in both the Jewish com- the Global Day of Jewish Learning, Girls’ Night Out, munity and beyond. We are a centre for research and this year with author Ally Carter, our Mother Daugh- learning for academics and the general public from ter Book Club and more. Our children’s library is now Montreal, Quebec , Canada and around the world. Top- graced at its entrance with beautiful artwork by inter- ics researched varied from Kristallnacht, Jewish Intern- nationally renowned artist, Marie Louise Gay. The work ees in Canada in WWII and Jewish war brides to the was commissioned by Jacob Raby to honour his wife, International Ladies’ Garment Workers, Yiddish Theatre Eva Raby, our beloved immediate past Executive Direc- in Montreal and the Saidye Bronfman Centre. tor of the JPL and the Director of the NBCL for 18 (an The Archives are supported by the Azrieli Foundation auspicious number) years. and by the introduction of support by the Alex Dwor- With the support of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation kin Foundation for Jewish Archives. A special gift from as well as Joel and Marlene King and Louis Dobrin (in Peter and Ellen Jacobs will allow the JPL-A to prepare memory for Helen and Sam Steinberg) the PJ Library several virtual exhibits, digitize specialized materials has now distributed more than 36,000 Jewish themed such as audio-visual recordings and take great leaps in books and CDs to young families in our community and the continued growth of our virtual archival presence. offers an array of family programming in Montreal and In the context of significant and continuing fund raising environs. Not atypical of the comments we have re- challenges in our community, we note that our alloca- ceived from participants in this wonderful programme tion from FCJA has diminished significantly in recent is the following: years while the JPL has sustained its level of service. The “We cannot think of a better way to bring Juda- Library’s financial resource development efforts, ism into the home. I look forward every month to therefore, are more than ever, central to ensuring our the new book and I am as eager to read them as viable future. Girl’s Night Out, Co-Chaired by Joanne my daughters are to listen to them be read. They Garfinkle and Joy Melnick, presented with great success, enable us to have conversations at a deeper and author Ally Carter to our mom’s and daughters. meaningful level, where we are both able to com- Mia Swartzman Barsheshat, in the face of significant bine personal memories, facts and traditions in challenges, led and inspired her lay and professional a way that cannot be described. Nothing is more colleagues as Chair of this year’s Gala and raised sig- important than our history and customs as Jews. The nificant funds for the library’s operations. books have helped increase our children’s passion and quest for knowledge.” Our deeply appreciated Friends, as supporters, vol- unteers and donors, continue to be a keystone of the In the context of technological change, the Library Library. has introduced innovations in the past year. The first, an on-line catalogue called Chamo, enables a much greater We benefit from a range of grants and gifts from and more engaged level of interactivity between the private donors, Foundations and government that are public and our collection. instrumental to our ability to offer the programmes for which we are known. In particular, The Alvin Segal The second involves a change in our cataloguing Family Foundation enabled us to continue to imple- procedures best understood and explained by our own ment many of the technological improvements discussed redoubtable Eddy Paul. What is still more noteworthy is in this report and the Trottier Family Foundation’s that the JPL is the first public library in the world to im- generosity continues to sustain our operations. plement this system and the second of all libraries in the the world after the Université Catholique de Louvain.

4 Plans for our 2014 100th Anniversary celebrations and Campaign are well underway. We are implementing a user survey. Our Case for Giving is nearly complete. We have a strong beginning prospect list. Our Table of Needs is near completion. Razor’s Edge develop- ment software will go live in September. The Campaign leadership has met several times as we begin to build towards 2014. All of this bodes well for our three core objectives of the 100th: fundraising, increased develop- ment capacity and increased community profile.

Finally, some heartfelt thanks to the Library’s staff and volunteers. Be it around special events like the Gala or Girls’ Night Out, day to day operations, shut in pro- grammes, Jewish Book Month and our array of cultural programmes, this Library would not exist without the ongoing work and support of a community of people who consistently go above and beyond, often in the face of daunting challenges.

As President and Executive Director of this venerable institution, we are profoundly aware that it is an ex- traordinary team that has made, and makes, this place the iconic institution that it has become over almost 100 years.

Thank you, all.

Alain Murad Michael Crelinsten President Executive Director

5 Special Projects and Library Outreach

In a Nutshell: The Worlds of Maurice Sendak and explained how she adapts children’s books in order The Jewish Public Library hosted the travelling exhibition to perform them for an audience. Seventeen librarians “In a Nutshell: The Worlds of Maurice Sendak,” during and early childhood educators crouched together over Jewish Book Month 2011. Popular children’s author Mau- the felt, spoons, and googly eyes to practice the tech- rice Sendak’s childhood in New York City inspired many niques described and create their own puppets for their of his most beloved books, such as Where the Wild Things storytime visitors. Are and In the Night Our community joined Oscar-nominated directors Chris Kitchen. This exhibit Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski provided the opportu- for the screening of their whimsi- nity to the JPL to reach cal short film, Higglety Pigglety and invite groups of all Pop! Or, there Must Be More to ages to visit and explore Life based on the book by Maurice the story behind Sen- Sendak. The directors opened the dak’s stories. floor to a lively Q&A following the We launched the exhibit with a family-oriented story screening. Finally, our last group of time, “Let the Wild Rumpus Start!” featuring Sendak’s students visiting the exhibit includ- works and monster crafts in the Norman Berman Chil- ed the passionate and enthusiastic dren’s Library. The JPL followed this by inviting all of the students of McGill’s Community for Lifelong Learning. grade six students from the nearby Jewish day school, This group visited the JPL for an introduction to Sendak JPPS, to tour and learn about Maurice Sendak. Students and a tour of the exhibit. answered questions to help them view and discuss the exhibit, and then were given the opportunity to rewrite The JPL’s Mega Book Sale and illustrate the ending to Where the Wild Things Are. The JPL inaugurated its first one-day mega book sale last August in the lobby of the Cummings House, raising funds In conjunction with the Quebec Library Association, to help support the purchase of new books at the Library. we celebrated Sendak’s writing during a storytelling All of the books sold were received by generous donation workshop held at the Jewish Public Library. Professional from the public. With the help of the city’s most devoted storyteller Selina Eisenberg-Smith animated the eve- group of volunteers, we sorted, priced and sold row after ning, using a felt board, puppets, and props to explore row of novels, religious works, cookbooks and more. Visi- the various ways to engage children in a story. After tors to the sale included longtime book lovers well known her artistic retelling of In the Night Kitchen, she had to the JPL as well as plenty of new faces who left their first the group participate in its own wild rumpus and then visit to the JPL with treasures under their arms. perform Pierre, a Cautionary Tale with her. She shared School visits and tours her experiences working with children of different ages 6 The JPL always opens its doors to class visits and tours of suggestions to the public. the Library. Students from Montreal’s Jewish day schools, bar and bat mitzvah programs, cégeps and universities The Jewish Public Library is proud to thank its regularly visit the JPL to benefit from our specialized many partner organizations who visited us and collection of material and learn about the library’s role collaborated with us this past year: in the community. All of the grade seven students from • Akiva School Herzliah high school came to the JPL for a session about • L’Alliance Israélite Universelle how to use the Library, and each one received a compli- • Association of Jewish Libraries mentary membership to the Library for one year. They • Ben Weider JCC were divided into teams in order to complete the ulti- • Bialik High School mate library scavenger hunt with prizes for the winning • Blue Metropolis Foundation team. Students from Dawson College visited us for their • Bnai Brith House Integrative Seminar focusing on War and Genocide, and • Bnai Brith Lecture Bureau learned about the differences between primary, second- • Bronfman Jewish Education Centre (BJEC) ary and tertiary sources. Students from TAV visited the • Canada Council library for an introduction on library materials. The JPL • Castel Royale continued its successful annual partnership with Mari- • Canadian Jewish Congress anopolis College and expanded this workshop to include • Communauté sépharade unifiée du Québec students from Concordia University, teaching students • Concordia Institute for Canadian Jewish Studies about Biblical commentaries and exegesis. • Congregation Dorshei Emet • Consulate of Montreal Museum of Fine Arts • Dawson College The Jewish Public Library is proud to have continued its • EBSI (L’École de bibliothéconomie et des sciences special partnership with the de l’information de l’Université de Montréal) Montreal Museum of Fine • Goethe-Institute Arts. As part of the Museum’s • Habait HaIsraeli outreach initiative, Shar- • Hadassah Brandeis Institute ing the Museum, the MMFA • Hampstead School offered members of the JPL • Hebrew Academy a number of free passes to • Hebrew Foundation School their running exhibit, Lyonel • Herzliah High School Feininger: from Manhattan • Hillel to the Bauhaus. This collaborative educational program • Jewish Book Council for non-profit community organizations helps to make • Jewish Communal Network the museum’s collections and exhibitions accessible to • Jewish Genealogical Society the public. The MMFA’s rich program of educational ac- • Jewish People’s and Peretz School, tivities and exhibits is a natural complement to the JPL’s • Jewish Women International Canada own mission in supporting the cultural interests of our • Marianopolis College community. • McGill University Community for Lifelong Learning • McGill University Department of Jewish Studies Afternoon Book Review Series • McGill University School of Information Studies Due to popular demand, the JPL began offering an • Merton School, afternoon series of book reviews, led by insightful and • Mission to Montreal animated members of the Montreal community. Our • Montreal Association for Independent Libraries reviews took place on a monthly basis throughout the • Montreal Holocaust Museum Centre spring, shedding new light on some of the most hotly • Montreal Museum of Fine Arts discussed books: Jodi Picoult’s House Rules, Erik Larson’s • National Yiddish Book Center In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American • Ohr Sheli Daycare, Family in Hitler’s Berlin, Howard Jacobson’s The Finkler • Quebec Library Association Question and Lucette Lagnado’s The Arrogant Years: One • Royal Vale School, Girl’s Search for her Lost Youth, from Cairo to Brooklyn. • Segal Centre for Performing Arts This new initiative was a resounding success and will be • Solomon Schechter Academy continued in the following season. • Spanish-Portuguese Synagogue • TAV Intitute Staff picks • Temple Emmanuel • United Talmud Torahs The ever popular staff picks list contin- • Westpark School

Presented ued this past year with the best books by the • Yeshiva Yavne Jewish Public Library of the year. JPL staff all helped to con- • Yeshiva Gedolah tribute to provide an array of reading 7 Technological innovations, libraries teaching students

The library ushered in two technological innovations this The second major transition was the simultaneous past year. The first, a new public interface for the online implementation of two cataloguing procedures: Re- catalogue called Chamo (short for Chameleon) that source Description and Access (RDA) and the Functional brought a number of important features to library users. Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR). RDA is The public is now able to determine a book’s availability the successor to the previous set of descriptive Anglo- much more easily, and members can contribute their American Cataloguing Rules (AACR2) and is gradually own reviews to books they’ve read that now display to being adopted by major libraries around the world the public in the catalogue, as well as create their own after years of consultation. The JPL decided to transition personalized alerts and lists of new or forthcoming titles early: RDA uses a more globalized descriptive vocabu- by their favourite authors. The catalogue has brought a lary than AACR2, and opens up a greater number of much greater degree of interactivity between our users access points and flexibility for searching and resource and the collection. discovery. FRBR is a much more radical innovation: the JPL is the first public library in the world to adopt it (a university library in Belgium and specialized business library in Brazil have also adopted it). It is a conceptual model that takes the relationship between associated works (i.e. original and translations or subsequent edi- tions, books with film or music adaptations, well-known canonical works with their associated variants, multiple recordings and versions of popular pieces of music) and depicts these relationships in a tree structure on the online catalogue. Since the JPL is a storehouse of multi- lingual works, Jewish canonical works with its centuries of Biblical, Talmudic, and halachic editions, as well as print and digital formats, FRBR has already allowed the cataloguing librarians to pull these associated works together in ways that show the ancestral pedigree and genealogy of our collections.

8 The annual visit of 2 religious studies classes from Mari- uploaded over the next two years. Among the writers anopolis College once again showcased the JPL’s man- represented in the recordings that have been uploaded date as a teaching library. Each year, students attend an so far are: Aaron Glanz-Leyeless, Aaron Zeitlin, Abra- orientation class that introduces some of Judaism’s core ham Sutzkever, Allen Ginsberg, Chava Rosenfarb, Chaim texts to young people using them for the first time. We Grade, H. Leivick, Isaac Bashevis Singer, Itzik Manger, provided a similar session to a first-year introduction to Jacob Glatstein, Kadia Molodowsky, Melech Ravitch, Jewish history class at Concordia University last fall, to Rachel Korn, Rajzel Zychlinsky, Saul Bellow, Shmerke help students navigate many of the digital and online Kaczergsinki, Yosef Kerler, Dora Wasserman, and Leon- databases relevant to their research. The library staff is ard Cohen. While the Yiddish Book Centre staff were not just active in making these texts available, it is also here collecting the audiotapes, they also conducted instrumental in teaching people how to use them and to interviews with some of the last participants in the exercise sound judgment in using secondary sources. Yiddish Talking Book series, as well as some local per- sonalities who have been instrumental in sustaining and In October 2011, 3 fellows from the National Yiddish promoting Yiddish culture in Montreal for the last half a Book Centre in Amherst, Mass, visited the library in century. These interviews have been posted on Youtube, order to borrow over 1100 of the JPL’s recorded lectures and in the autumn of 2012, the Yiddish Book Centre fel- that have taken place over the last 60 years to digitize lows will be returning to conduct additional interviews them and make the available for free on the Internet focusing on the library’s focal role as a promoter of Yid- Archive. The recordings consist of lectures by, and in- dish culture n Montreal. terviews with, writers and poets who visited the Jewish Public Library of Montreal between 1953 and 2005. The first 60 recordings have already been uploaded, and the balance is currently being processed and will be

9 The Norman Berman Children’s Library

“Balancing? Act!” and songs. He also taught them short yet memorable silly melodies, dances and riddles when they got rest- You and your family – or your friends and community? less. In fact, for days afterwards, audience members Education – or entertainment? Like their children, many re-enacted Aubrey’s “improv routines” for us, verbatim. parents and caregivers find it tough to budget the time, As his show was sold out (and then some), the Library energy and money to get the best balance out of all also deployed our resident story teller and accomplished these things. With schools facing similar challenges, story time animator, Selina Eisenberg Smith, to equally kids today may often never discover that learning can amaze another 400 children in 7 sessions at 4 different become a lifelong habit that’s both enjoyable and schools with her repertoire. relevant. This year, we at the Norman Berman Children’s Library provided a wealth of opportunities for families November heralded two remarkable NBCL events. Firstly, to do just that. 70 Montreal children and their parents celebrated the Global Day of Jewish Learning as part of our regular From Spring onwards, our classes for preschoolers and Sunday morning story time and art celebration. elementary school students were fully booked 6 days a Besides reading books on the Shema and the day/night week, based on our teachers’ well-earned reputations cycle, everyone sang, danced and decorated their own for excellence and dedication. Courses included our 30 pillow cases. minute Music and Movement class and Drop-In Story Times, 45 minute Mother Goose and Music classes Then, our 7th Girls’ and Sunday Story Time and Crafts, a 60 minute art Night Out was a and music-filled Shabbat course, and a 75 minute resounding success. Rhythm Rhyme and Story Time. Featuring a favorite Young Adult author, it Over the Summer, the last programs motivated children has become an annual to read whatever they liked as Summer Reading Club irresistible, anticipated members. On Wednesday nights, families got comfort- event for adolescent able in their pajamas and enjoyed our animator’s skills girls and their moms, as she told Summer Bedtime Stories. We also helped sisters, grandmothers visiting students from the Mack Belson Summer and aunts. Over 160 people turned up from as far away Reading Camp learn the rudiments of reading. as to hear this year’s invitee, Ally Carter, who easily won the crowd over with her warmth, wisdom October saw award-winning author, raconteur and and vivaciousness on and off stage. She particularly Jewish Book Month honoree Aubrey Davis entertain inspired younger attendees to succeed: “After all,” she nearly 1600 students from grades 1-6 from 10 Jewish said, “Look at me – an Oklahoma farm girl who’s now and secular public and private schools with his stories a best-selling author!” Ally also advised “It’s about who 10 you want to be, not about who you want to be with - so As always, our belief that ignore those outside pressures and push ahead!” it’s vitally important for children and adults alike to In Winter, we welcomed learn how to learn – and back award-winning musi- enjoy it too - is what under- cal artist Jennifer Gasoi lies all of our collections, for our December Holiday services and programs, Concert; over 525 pre- whether it’s personal read- schoolers and their parents ing, hearing an inspiring danced and sang along with author, or singing a nursery her. For January’s Family rhyme. Our “balancing act” Literacy Day, families made their own paper bag pup- remains an ongoing, en- pets as they listened to wondrous animal stories. tertaining and educational experience open to any- Our ever popular Mother Daughter Book Club let one; and we’re gratified and delighted that we helped participants discuss pertinent issues spotlighted in select- so many children and their families tip their balance ed books. For the inaugural session, Montreal’s interna- towards active participation in the world of learning. tionally renowned author/illustrator Marie Louise Gay Visit us this year - and discover that world for yourself shared the inspiration behind her stories and displayed and your children. her artwork.

All year long, our staff of experienced, professional librarians and library technicians gladly helped visitors choose suitable items from our superb Picture Book collection featuring board books for our youngest customers, and our range of Easy Readers, Fiction, Young Adult, and Non Fiction (Information) items in English, French, Hebrew and Yiddish for older children and adults. They could also linger, mingle and play with our stock of toys and puzzles, or just watch and be watched over by our mascot Shelley the Turtle.

The Children’s Librarian also managed our community’s PJ Library. Funded in Montreal by the Joel and Marlene King Family Foundation, and a Program in memory of Helen and Sam Steinberg, this initiative engages families and Jewish life with a monthly, free mailing of age ap- propriate books or CDs to registered children. The Library helped to organize and participated in local PJ Library programs that included Hudson and South Shore (Brossard) home-based Sunday morning classes, and a very successful “Purim with Puppets” show where families munched on hamantaschen while donating paja- mas destined for Montreal’s underprivileged.

11 Material in the Aline Gubbay Fonds includes portraits of British theatre and art personalities, taken during her photography career. Pictured here is actress Claire Bloom.

The Archives of the Jewish Public Library

Archives’ Greater Accessibility as audio-visual recordings and take great leaps in the The growing digital presence of the JPL Archives (JPL-A) continued growth of our virtual archival presence. played a major roll in a large increase in reference re- quests and visits by researchers. As seen by the diversity Recent Archival Donations & Transfers of topics listed here, the JPL-A continues to offer re- Handel Productions Fonds searchers from Quebec, Canada and around the world, a Norman Epelbaum/Regent Photo Studios Fonds high-level of service. Material from the JPL-A continues Dan Daniels Fonds to be referenced or featured in academic articles, books Aline Gubbay Fonds and feature-length documentaries. Yavneh Shul/Parnas Family Collection Education Resource Centre Collection There was also an increased interest in learning at Federation CJA Collection the JPL-A from graduate and college students. We YM-YWHA Fonds welcomed our annual practicum students from McGill University and John Abbott College but we also hosted Topics Researched Through the JPL Archives students from Concordia University and Collège Lionel- Saidye Bronfman Centre Groulx. Ethel Stark Jewish war brides This year also saw the JPL-A busy with several exhibits, United Jewish People’s Order including a permanent tribute wall to the Montefiore Montreal Jews in the labour movement Club (visible in the Cummings Building), the Maurice Montreal Jews and women’s rights Sendak exhibit from the American Library Association Jewish business dynasties in November/December, and assisting with the Mon- Jewish General Hospital treal Sephardic exhibit held in March. Work has already Canadian Jewish Chronicle begun on the anticipated exhibits for the JPL’s centenary United Talmud Torah in 2014. Baron Byng High School The majority of work in the JPL-A was made possible Joe Baumholz by the continued support of the Azrieli Foundation and The Main/St. Lawrence Blvd. by the introduction of support by the Alex Dworkin Yiddish folk music Foundation for Jewish Archives. The preservation and Canadian Zionism celebration of community heritage is strengthened by Yiddish women poets their commitment. A special gift was made to the JPL-A Yaakov Zipper by Peter and Ellen Jacobs. The Peter and Ellen Jacobs’ David Rome Virtual Archives fund will allow the JPL-A to prepare sev- Kristallnacht eral virtual exhibits, digitize specialized materials such A.M. Klein

12 Family histories International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union J.I. Segal Jewish immigration Jewish internees in Canada during World War II Jewish Public Library Jewish schools in Montreal Keneder Adler Léa Roback Louis Rubenstein Reuben Brainin Rochl Korn Sam Gesser Shulamis Yelin Yiddish theatre in Montreal “Y” Beacon Morris Cohen Jewish children during WWII Jewish Junior Welfare League Young Men’s-Young Women’s Hebrew Association

Practicum Students Daniella Ansovini – McGill University School of Information Studies Selina Antonucci – Concordia University, Public History programme Jason Dupuis – John Abbott College, Information and Library Technologies Program Esther Édouard, Sonia Boulanger, Chantal Côté – Collège Lionel-Groulx

Volunteers Yiddish theatre productions of “Crime and Punishment” & “King Maurice Amiel Solomon” at the Globe Theatre, Montreal, 1926. Poster digitized as part of a developing virtual exhibit on the poster and artwork Kate Brothers collections of the JPL; work supported by the Peter and Ellen Jacobs Virtual Archives Fund.

Collège Lionel-Groulx students interview Mireille Galanti during their stage at JPL Archives. The students helped to digitize older taped interviews as well as collected new interviews.

13 Tatiana de Rosnay, Jewish Book Month Keynote Speaker

Cultural Programmes 2011-2012

Under the aegis of 6 cultural committees, there were Irvin D. Yalom, the first ever collaboration with The a total of 54 events and programmes in 6 different Segal Centre in presenting the JPL Hebrew Theatre, languages: English, French, Hebrew, Yiddish, Russian and premieres of international feature films, book launches Romanian. and much, much more. • 3 Theatrical plays and stage readings The Year in review • 10 Film presentations • 6 Lectures September • 4 Book launches • 4 Canada Council Readings The Jewish Genealogical Society of Montreal Sun- • 1 ”Conversations” event day Morning Family Tree Workshops, held monthly • 1 Russian event from September to May, were an opportunity for novice • 9 Jewish Genealogical Society of Montreal lectures genealogists to learn tips and methods in researching • 8 Jewish Genealogical Society of Montreal Sunday their family roots. Morning Workshops • 1 Jewish Genealogical Society of Montreal – Hebrew Theatrical Performance of An Israeli Love Annual Film Night Story, a Monodrama recounting the love story between • 2 Special events (French exhibit vernissage & lecture) a Kibbutznick and a soldier in the dangerous times of • 4 Book Review events pre-state Israel. Based on the life story of the playwright • 1 Special exhibit (Maurice Sendak) and director, and performed by .

Attendance was as follows: The Jewish Genealogical Society of Montreal pre- English events: 4,085 sented The Jews of Old – mid-1800’s to 1950: French events: 463 From Ward to Spadina Avenue, with Bill Gladstone. Hebrew events: 1,980 Yiddish events: 842 Canada Council Readings with Wine Reception Canada Council Readings with Wine Reception Richard Wright Kim Echlin Russian events: 532 “Mr. Shakespeare’s Bastard” “The Disappeared”

In a quiet manor house in Oxfordshire, an ailing housekeep- Kim Echlin will be reading from The Disappeared, which With a total attendance of: 7,902 er by the name of Aerlene Ward feels that she must now the New York Times said “captures the beauty and horror of confess the great secret that has shaped her life: she is Cambodia in equal measure...A mesmerizing ballad.” It tells the illegitimate daughter of William Shakespeare, England’s the story of a motherless Canadian girl and her lover, Serey, most famous playwright. With an insightful eye and ear for a Cambodian musician. He leaves Montreal to seek out his this rich period of history, Richard B. Wright brings to life family in the aftermath of Pol Pot’s savage revolution. After a the teeming streets of Elizabethan and the seasonal decade without word, and against all odds, Anne finds him in rhythms of rural life in Oliver Cromwell’s England. Phnom Penh, a city traumatized by the Khmer Rouge regime. Richard B. Wright is the Giller Prize-winning author of Kim Echlin is the author of three novels, Elephant Winter, Clara Callan and October. His work has been published in Dagmar’s Daughter and The Disappeared. She has also 10 countries. written : From the Myths of Ancient Sumer, and a Introduced by Paul Yachnin, Tomlinson Professor of Shake- variety of nonfiction, documentary scripts and journalism. Canada Council Readings with Wine Reception Cultural Programmes 2011-2012 speare Studies McGill University. Recent essays include a reflection on Omar Kadhr and an Books and autographs available. introduction to Alice Munro’s collection, Runaway. Echlin was an arts producer at the CBC, and currently teaches at Glen Rotchin the ’s School for Continuing Studies. The Disappeared was nominated for a Giller award, and won the Barnes and Nobel 2010 first prize award for fiction. Echlin “Halbman Steals Home” lives in Toronto, and has travelled and worked in Africa, China, Cambodia, Central America and Europe. She has lectured widely and most recently worked as a guest What happens when the childhood home of a Montreal novelist burns down? Tuesday teacher at Women and Words in Edmonton and at the Banff Well, he writes a novel about it, of course. Protagonist Mort Halbman is an in- Centre for the Arts. corrigible curmudgeon who yearns to make amends for a life of missteps. After April 17, 2012 A cultural hub, The Jewish Public Library offers excep- Books and autographs available. losing his two great loves – the Expos and his beloved home that suddenly burns to the ground under mysterious circumstances – Mort finds himself a suspect 5:30 p.m. in the arson investigation. Complicating matters, Mort’s ex-wife Mona is trying to convince him that he should participate in the rabbi-officiated wedding of Thursday Wednesday their gay son. Publisher’s Weekly says “Rotchin’s talents for character are on tional adult programming and hosts some of the fore- fine display in the darkly comical Mort Halbman...as impressively crafted as his September 22, 2011 November 23, 2011 debut The Rent Collector, Rotchin’s follow-up will entertain those searching for an uncomplicated engaging read.” 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. Glen Rotchin has published fiction, poetry, essays, and book reviews. He has won two Canadian Jewish Book Awards for co-editing poetry anthologies, while most current authors and thinkers. This year, highlight Jewish Public Library, 5151 Côte Ste-Catherine Road Kellert Hall, YM-YWHA his debut novel, The Rent Collector, was a finalist in 2005 for the Amazon.ca/ Free, registration required 5400 Westbury Books in Canada First Novel Award. 5:30 - 6:00 p.m. Wine Reception Free, registration required Introduced by Joel Yanofsky, a Montreal writer and reviewer. Advance tickets: (514) 345-6416 5:30 - 6:00 p.m. Wine Reception Books and autographs available. Jewish Public Library Info: (514) 345-2627 ext. 3017 Advance tickets: (514) 345-6416 5151 Côte Ste-Catherine Road Info: (514) 345-2627 ext. 3017 5:30 - 6:00 p.m. Wine Reception events included a sold out lecture by psychiatry guru, Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Free parking at the YM-YWHA. Free, registration required at Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Free parking at the YM-YWHA. (514) 345-6416 Info: (514) 345-2627 ext. 3017 With the assistance of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Department of Canadian With the assistance of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Department of Ca- Heritage through the Interdepartmental Partnership with Official Language Communities nadian Heritage through the Interdepartmental Partnership with Official Language (IPOLC). / Sous le parrainage du Conseil des Arts du Canada et le Partenariat intermin- Communities (IPOLC). / Sous le parrainage du Conseil des Arts du Canada et le Doors open at 5:30 p.m. istériel avec les communautés de langue officielle (PICLO). Partenariat interministériel avec les communautés de langue officielle (PICLO). Free parking at the YM-YWHA. 14 Canada Council Readings with Richard B. Wright, November the Giller Prize-winning author, who read from his novel The Marvin A. Drimer Foundation’s Jewish Book Mr. Shakespeare’s Bastard. Month Keynote Address “A Writer’s Journey Through Fact and Fiction” with Tatiana de Rosnay, October bestselling author, who shared with the audience her The Galkin Family Annual Lecture Endowment of powerful journey while creating her novels, Sarah’s Key the JPL presented Jonathan Kay, discussing his fascinat- and A Secret Kept. ing findings about the world of conspiracy theorists, in his book Among the Truthers. Staged Play Reading in Hebrew of Makolet, an emo- tional play that that depicts the immigrant Israeli-Jewish The Jewish Genealogical Society of Montreal experience with humour, pathos, and sympathy. Written presented Struggle: A Quest for Life, Love and a New and directed by Aviva Ravel. World, with Dr. Marvin Blauer. Double Book Launch of Norman Ravvin’s The Joy- Film Screening of Elle ful Child, a darkly funny novel that follows a father and s’appelait Sarah (Sarah’s son on a cross-Canada road trip, and Sarah Ferdman

Tuesday, Key), a feature film in Tauben’s Traces of the Past: Montreal’s Early Synagogues, October 11, 2011 7:30 p.m. French with English sub- a research book that that documents the development of titles. A powerful film based Montreal’s Jewish community from the 1880’s until 1945.

Mini-Series “Sarah’s Key” on the novel by Tatiana An Evening with Tatiana de Rosnay Jewish Public Library Wednesday, November 2 at 8:00 p.m. 5151 Côte Ste-Catherine Admission $12, Members*/students $8 de Rosnay, the screening Triangle Fire Centenary Memorial. A commemora- Advance tickets: (514) 345-6416 Info: (514) 345-2627 ext. 3017 * Tickets at the member rate must be purchased in advance. Students pay member rate at all was followed by a discus- tion in Yiddish and English in memory of the victims of times. Call for details. Doors open at 30 minutes prior to the event. Free parking at the YM-YWHA.

Feature film in French with English subtitles, 111 min. sion led by Audrey Licop, the fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York Sarah’S Key coordinatrice des événe- on March 25, 1911. Sponsored by the Nathan Igelfeld A film by Gilles PA quet-b renner In present-day , Julia Jarmond (Kristin Scott Thomas), an American journalist based in France for the last 20 years, is investigating the ments et communications Foundation. heart-rending events that occurred at the Vél d’Hiv during World War II. While researching the facts, Julia comes across the story of Sarah, who was 10 years old in July 1942. For Julia, what was once just another article to write becomes a personal challenge that reveals a family mystery. Sixty years apart, two destinies intertwine and expose a secret that will change the lives of Julia and her family forever. Introduced by, and Q&A session with, Audrey Licop, Communications & Events Coordinator of the Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre. du Centre commémoratif de In collaboration with l’Alliance Israélite Universelle, as part of the festivities honouring the 150th anniversary of its founding, and with the Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre. l’Holocauste à Montréal. Tribute to the life and works of Chava Rosenfarb. Presented by Goldie Morgentaler in memory of the life The Norman Berman Memorial Lecture with Lu- and works of her mother, the great Yiddish novelist cette Lagnado, award winning author of The Arrogant Chava Rosenfarb. Sponsored by the Yentl Fishman fund. Years: One Girl’s Search for Her Lost Youth, from Cairo to Brooklyn. Lagnado spoke in depth about her life story An Evening of Russian Cul- Jewish Public Library and her battle with cancer as both a teenager and a ture – “Fall in Love Again” Saturday Presented in Russian and English • Café style November 12, 2011 An Evening of Russian Culture new immigrant to the United States. Lagnado was intro- featured brilliant and stylish 8:00 p.m. duced by Maurice Elia. performances of Russian song, dance and theatre. Sponsored JEWISH BOOK MONTH – by Barbara and Ronny Kay. “Fall in Love Again” OCTOBER 29TH THROUGH NOVEMBER 20th In a Nutshell: The Worlds of Maurice Sendak. Special Book Launch in French with author André Aciman, who JBM exhibit about Maurice Sendak, popular children’s Come for an evening of entertainment that promises a unique style…passion…commitment… author of Where the Wild Things Are and In the Night discussed his journey in writing danger…excitement…heartbreak….romance Jewish Public Library · 5151, Côte Ste-Catherine Road Admission $20 • Members/students* $15 • Café style • Refreshments his book, Alibi – Vive ailleurs: Info: (514) 345-2627 English ext. 3017, Russian ext. 3002 • Advance tickets: (514) 345-6416 Doors open 30 minutes prior to the event. Free parking at the YM-YWHA. * To ensure faster entry and a better choice of seats*, JPL members who wish to avail themselves Kitchen, among many other beloved books. The exhibit, of their preferential rate, must do so prior to the event. Tickets sold at the door are at the regular rate only. Students pay the member rate at all times. which was on display until December, highlighted how exile et parallaxe. Sendak’s work was influenced by his childhood in New York in the 1930s and how his artistic journey led him The Jewish Genealogical Society of Montreal pre- deeper into his family’s history and his Jewish identity. sented Brick Wall Session with Michael Goldstein.

Film Premiere of Eichman’s End: Love, Betrayal, Canada Council Readings with Kim Echlin, former arts Death, a film in German, Spanish and Hebrew with reporter, teacher and author of three novels including English subtitles which tells the incredible story of how The Disappeared. the love affair between Eichmann’s son and the daugh- ter of a Holocaust survivor, led to his eventual capture. 7th Annual Girl’s Night Out with Ally Carter, author of the spy series Gallagher Girls. Sponsored by Adriana and Haim Kotler. If you tell anyone, we’ll have to eliminate you...

An Evening with Deborah Lipstadt. Lecture and book launch of Eichmann’s Trial. The trial of SS Lieuten- ant Colonel Adolf Eichmann in by an Israeli court electrified the world. The public debate sparked on where, how, and by whom Nazi war criminals should be Girls’ niGht out brought to justice. General admission: $25 Patron package: $150 15 Spy Series “Gallagher Girls” (incl. 2 tickets, light supper, reserved seating, private book signing with Ally + partial tax Ally Carter knows it all – and the author of the spy series receipt) will decode her secrets in an inspiring and fun filled evening Sponsorships available Tickets sold in advance only with desserts, door prizes and raffles. Limited seating Info (514) 345-2627 x 3042

Sunday, November 13 at 7:00 p.m. Jewish Public Library 5151 Côte Ste-Catherine The JBM Closing event – (More than a) Book Launch: director, Joseph Dorman. Sponsored by the Miriam Blacher Jewish Roots, Canadian Soil: Yiddish Culture in Glasrot and Josef Glasrot Endowment, the Mary Heimlich Montreal, 1905-1945. A presentation by Rebecca Mar- Cultural Endowment Fund and the Rebecca & Jacob Gross- golis on Montreal’s Yiddish community during the first man Foundation of the JPL. half of the twentieth century. Sponsored by University of Ottawa’s Vered Jewish Canadian Studies Program. Montreal Movie Premiere of the Israeli film Viva Espania: A Tale in Four Octaves, in Hebrew and English December with English subtitles, about the life and musical career The Jewish Genealogical Society of Montreal pre- of singer Hanna Ahroni, followed by a Q&A period sented DNA for Genealogy with Jay Sage. with Ahroni.

January S. An-sky and the Dybbuk: Art, Revolution, Destruc- tion. Gabriella Safran gave a presentation on the life and The Jewish Genealogical Society of Montreal pre- best known literary work of Shloyme Zanvl Rappoport, sented its annual feature film night. known by his pseudonym S. An-sky, and author of The Dybbuk, the most famous Yiddish play. Gabriella Safran Film screening: Mame-Loshn, Kinder-Loshn. A film in wrote the first biography ever published on An-Sky. Spon- Hebrew and Yiddish, with English subtitles. A look into the sored by the Lashinsky Epstein Endowment Fund. story of the writers, poets, editors and Yiddish lovers who are trying to revive the Yiddish language in Israel. French Exhibit and Conference entitled Juifs sépha- rades au Quebec, entre histoire et mémoire, a month- Jewish Public Library long exhibit in the lobby of the Cummings building Israeli Film Festival 2011-12 about the history of Sephardic Jews in Quebec. A Funded by the Chaim & Clara Spilberg Endowment of the JPL vernissage was held to open the exhibit and later that

F.C. Smith Auditorium month, a panel discussion was held with several experts 7141 Sherbrooke St. West Admission per movie: in the field discussing their research. In collaboration $10 JPL members/students, $15 non-members with the “Histoire de vies Montréal” project of Concor- Movie Pass (4 movies): $35 JPL members/students, $50 non-members dia University et le Centre consultatif des relations juives tickets: (514) 345-6416 Info: (514) 345-2627 ext. 3017 et israéliennes. Montreal English Premiere SatuRDay, DeceMbeR 3, 2011 8:00 p.m. Chaim and Clara Spilberg Endowment Fund pre- “Je t’aime, i love you terminal” (israel, 2010) The Afternoon Book Review Series launched its first English and Hebrew with English subtitles, 80 min. A film byDani Menkin sented the 5th JPL Israeli Film Festival (December event of the season where Joel Yanofsky reviewed On his way from Israel to join his fiancé in New York, Ben misses his flight in Prague. and January.) FourThere, feature he encounters the films flirtatious, were outrageous, presented and utterly original Emma. includ Over the- course of 24 hours, they contemplate life and love, forcing Ben to reconsider his future. House Rules, a novel by Jodi Picoult. The main charac- ing Je t’aime, I loveIt won you the Israel Terminal Film Center Distribution, an Awardaward at the 2010 winning Haifa International film Film Festival. ter of House Rules is a teenage boy who has Asperger’s in English and HebrewIntroduced bywith Janie Respitz English, lecturer, translator, subtitles; entertainer andBrothers past-president of, the JPL. syndrome, and the novel looks at what it means to be an eye-opening film about the clash between secular and different in our society, how autism affects a family, and religious Montreal Premiere Israeli JewsSatu inRD ay,Hebrew DeceMbeR with10, 2011 English 8:00 p.m. subtitles; how the legal system works well for people who com- Restoration, about the complex relationship between a “Brothers” (israel, 2008) municate a certain way, and fails for those who don’t. Hebrew with English subtitles, 116 min. A film byIgaal Niddam father, son and daughter-in-lawBrothers reflects on the clash between and the seculara mysterious and the religious in Israeli ap society.- Dan- iel lives on a while his brother, Aaron, studies Torah in Jerusalem. They have vastly prentice in Hebrewdifferent with ideas aboutEnglish what it is to subtitles;be Jewish and Israeli. andTheir relationship Dusk brings, four to light April the debate over the separation of state and religion, one of the most divisive facing Israeli separate stories thatsociety. come Distributed bytogether 7th Art Releasing. one evening at dusk Introduced by Rabbi Reuben J. Poupko, Congregation Beth Israel Beth Aharon. The Joseph Kegedan Kage in Hebrew and Spanish with English subtitles. “The Gift to Stalin” byby RustemRustem AbdrashevAbdrashev (Kazakhstan,(Kazakhstan, 2008)2008) Cultural Endowment Fund Montreal Premiere SatuRDay, JaNuaRy 14, 2012 8:00 p.m. of the JPL presented a February “restoration” (israel, 2011) Hebrew with English subtitles, 105 min. A film byJoseph Madmony Screening of The Gift to Sta- Yiddish Café presentedWinner of the Dramatic Love Screenwriting Café Award, an at the evening2011 Sundance Film ofFestival, Yiddish Grand Jury lin, a powerful Russian film Prize at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, and an Official Selection of the 2011 Monday love songs and poems.Toronto International Sponsored Film Festival, Restoration by the tells theAugenfeld story of a complex relationship Fam - April 2, 2012 between a father, his son, his pregnant daughter-in-law, and his mysterious apprentice. Set 7:30 p.m. with English subtitles, about largely in the workshop where the old man restores fine furniture, it subtly explores his ily Endowment. The Joseph Kagedan Kage Cultural Endowment Fund of the JPL presents a efforts to preserve his way of life while everything around him is in flux. a young boy who prepares Introduced by David Razon, cinema aficionado and actor. Movie in Russian with English subtitles, 107 minutes This film takes place in 1949 Kazakhstan, a time when the and rescuing them. Together with the old man, Sasha enters a USSR celebrated the 70th birthday of Stalin by testing the first nationwide contest to prepare a birthday present for Stalin that a birthday gift for Stalin in nuclear bomb and a new wave of repression, execution and he hopes will lead him to his parents. exile was being felt throughout the USSR. Sasha, a young Introduced by Delores Rosen, JPL English Cultural Committee Jewish boy left for dead amongst a pile of bodies, is saved by member and cinema aficionado. M arch Montreal Premiere SatuRDay, JaNuaRy 21, 2012 8:00 p.m. an old Kazakh railroad worker and brought to live with him in Sponsored by the Joseph Kagedan Kage Cultural Endowment a remote village. Sasha dreams of finding his parents one day Fund of the JPL. the hopes of being reunited “Dusk” (israel, 2010) The Jewish GenealogicalHebrew and Spanish with English Society subtitles, 90 min. A filmof by Montreala lon Zingman pre- with his parents. Introduced sented How to useThe thefilm offers new four human Canadian stories that come together Jewish in one day. TheHeritage title of the film, Dusk , by Delores Rosen, JPL English refers to that moment of the day, when the day is ending and the evening is beginning. All of these four vignettes, a collection of situations on the background of deceit, come together at Jewish Public Library :: 5151 Côte Ste-Catherine Admission $15 :: Members*/students $10 Cultural Committee member Network website duskand in a local what hospital. A thisjourney down new the path resource of Israeli reality through contains the story of ordinary Advance tickets: (514) 345-6416 :: Info: (514) 345-2627 ext. 3017 * Tickets at the member rate must be purchased in advance. Students pay member rate at all people, and an exploration of relationships, forgiveness and acceptance between parents and times. Call for details. Doors open 30 minutes prior to the event. Free parking at the YM-YWHA. their children.for Dusk researchers won the Best Debut at the with2010 Haifa International Janice Film RosenFestival. and cinema aficionado. Movie premiere in English & Yiddish with English subtitles, 93 min. Introduced by Mia Swartzman barsheshat, cinema aficionado and JPL of the Board. “Sholem Aleichem: Laughing in the Darkness” and Shannon Hodge. by Joseph Dorman (USA, 2011) The Jewish Genealogical Society of Montreal Movie Premiere of Sholem presented Out of Uman: A Tale of Family Reconnection,

Thursday, March 15, 2012 Aleichem: Laughing in the Darkness, Discovery, and Sharing with Bill Saslow. 7:30 p.m. Jewish Public Library 5151 Côte Ste-Catherine Admission $15 Members*/students $10 a fascinating documentary on the life Info: (514) 345-2627 ext. 3017 + 3006 Advance tickets: (514) 345-6416 of Sholem Aleichem, followed by a A riveting portrait of the great Yiddish writer, which tells the tale of the rebellious genius who created an entirely new literature. Award winning writer, producer and director Joseph Dorman will introduce the movie and take Q&A. He has created a wide variety of pro- Q&A period with writer, producer and gramming for PBS, CBS, Discovery Channel and CNN. Sponsored by the Miriam Blacher Glasrot and Josef Glasrot Endowment, the Mary Heimlich Cultural En- dowment Fund and the Rebecca & Jacob Grossman 16 Foundation of the JPL. Canada Council Reading with Glen Rotchin, noted Alfred Rosenberg. The lecture was a sold-out success Montreal author and essayist who read from his second that attracted a diverse crowd. Introduced by Sarah novel, Halbman Steals Home. Introduced by writer and Reingewirz. reviewer Joel Yanofsky. The Afternoon Book Review Series continued its Legacy for Learning Series, in cooperation with successful presentations with Elaine Kalman Naves the Hadassah Brandeis Institute presented Conversa- reviewing The Finkler Question by Howard Jacobson. tions – A Jewish Woman’s Literary Circle with Alyson The novel was the winner of the prestigious Man Richman, who used the intimate setting to discuss her Booker Prize in 2010. book, The Lost Wife. A public lecture with Richman fol- lowed, with an introduction by Monique Polak. Spon- JUNE sored by the Helen Bassel Endowment. THE SEGAL CENTRE PRESENTS The Hebrew Theatre of the A JEWISH PUBLIC LIBRARY HEBREW THEATRE PRODUCTION Jewish Public Library under The Afternoon Book Review Series presented its the chairmanship of Nitza second event of the season. Eva Raby reviewed In the Parry for the first time in Mother in Love by Goren Agmon Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family Directed by Rachelle Glait collaboration with The Segal Under the chairmanship of Nitza Parry in Hitler’s Berlin, by Erik Larson. The author documented Centre for Performing Arts, the efforts of first American ambassador to Hitler’s Ger- presented two sold-out per- may, William E. Dodd, to acclimate to a residence in an formances of Mother in Love. increasingly violent city. SATURDAY, JUNE 2 AT 9:30 P.M. Written by Goren Agmon and AND SUNDAY, JUNE 3 AT 7:30 P.M. SEGAL CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS directed by Rachelle Glait 5170, CHEMIN DE LA CÔTE-STE-CATHERINE May and presented in Hebrew with

CAST: RAN LEVY, SHIRLEY RAVID AMOR, DUDU RAZON, AVI REITER, OREL SHUKER, NAOMI SPITZER. Michal, a successful lawyer and divorced mother of two, finds herself on her own when her two grown sons leave Film screening of Le père fantôme, a Romanian film English supertitles, this play home. She falls in love with Mati, a veterinarian and animal rights advocate who exposes Michal to a whole new life. When one of Michal’s sons returns home after travelling abroad, he does not approve of his mother’s new lifestyle. The clash that follows raises the question: How far must a parent go for his or her child? A hit at the Beit Lessin Theatre in Tel-Aviv! - Hebrew with English supertitles ADMISSION $20, JPL MEMBERS*/ STUDENTS $15 with French subtitles, about an American Professor’s raises the question: how far must aTICKETS: parent SEGAL CENTRE BOX OFFICE: 514.739.7944 go / SEGALCENTRE.ORG for OR JPL 514.345-6416, his INFO: 514.345.2627 orEXT. 3017 * TICKETS AT THE MEMBER RATE MUST BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE. STUDENTS PAY THE MEMBER RATE AT ALL TIMES. CALL FOR DETAILS. sabbatical year spent researching his past. Followed by a her grown child? debate led by Maurice Elia. The Jewish Genealogical Society of Montreal pre- The Jewish Genealogical Society of Montreal pre- sented Three Presenters Program with Jo Ann Goldwa- sented Reading Hebrew and Yiddish Tombstones with ter, David Kimmel and David Reich. Hymie Reichstein and John Diener. The Afternoon Book Review Series had its clos- Yiddish Café presented An Evening in Honour of ing event of the season where Vivianne M. Silver Sholem Aleichem, a popular annual event to commem- reviewed The Arrogant Years: One Girl’s Search for her orate the life of the great Yiddish writer in stories and Lost Youth, from Cairo to Brooklyn, by Lucette Lagnado. songs. Sponsored by the Chana Gonshor and the Etta This book was the much anticipated follow-up memoir Michtom Miransky Endowments. of the award-winning The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit. Canada Council Reading with Roberta Rich, who spoke of her creative process in writing her novel, The August Midwife of Venice. Introduced by Dr. Trudis Goldsmith- Jewish Genealogical Society of Montreal presented Reber. Lecture meeting: Research Resources in Montreal, Quebec and Canada with Alan Greenberg. The Miriam Schachter Vineberg Foundation of the JPL presented Nancy

© Dorothy Elias Richler lecturing on her The Miriam Schachter Vineberg Foundation of the JPL presents “The Imposter Bride” newest novel The Imposter by and with Nancy Richler

Nancy Richler will launch and discuss her new novel, The Imposter Bride. This Thursday Bride, about a woman’s quest novel is about a young enigmatic, woman who arrives in post-war Montreal from Poland by way of Palestine for the purposes of marriage. It soon becomes ap- May 17, 2012 parent, however, that she is not who she claims to be. Her attempt to build a new life shatters when she disappears, leaving a new husband and baby daughter 7:30 p.m. and a host of unanswered questions. Who is she really, and what happened to to discover the secrets of the the young woman whose identity she has stolen? Why has she left and where did she go? It is left to the daughter she abandoned to find the answers to these questions as she searches for the mother she may never find or truly know. The discussion will focus on the characters and story of the novel, and also on mother that abandoned her the process of writing the book, the challenges and discoveries Richler made while writing it. Nancy Richler (nancyrichler.com) is the author of numerous short stories and two novels, Throwaway Angels and Your Mouth is Lovely, winner of the Canadian as a child. Introduced by Nor- Book Award. The Imposter Bride is her third novel. Nancy has recently returned to her hometown, Montreal, after living many years in Vancouver. Introduced by Norman Ravvin, writer, critic and teacher. Jewish Public Library Books and autographs available. 5151 Côte Ste-Catherine Road Sponsored by the The Miriam Schachter Vineberg Foundation. man Ravvin, writer, critic and Admission free, but registration required Max 4 tickets per person Limited seating Reservation: (514) 345-6416 Info: (514) 345-2627 ext. 3017 teacher. Doors open 30 minutes prior the the event. Free parking at the YM-YWHA.

Max Margles Fund of the JPL presented Irvin D. Yalom, renowned psychiatrist and author discussing his latest book The Spinoza Problem, that touches on the thin psychological line separating Spinoza and Nazi

17 Gala Committee 2012: Front l-t-r: Pearl Lighter, Mia Swartzman Barsheshat, Freda Browns. Back l-t-r: Cindy Davis, Helen Segal, Susan Schiffman, Marnie Dresher, Michael Crelinsten, Delores Rosen. Absent: Ronit Amsel Jacobson, Roxana Brauns, Joanne Garfinkle, Fundraising Rosalind Goodman, Robin Mader, Alain Murad, Gerald Soiferman, Stephanie Steinman, Liane Taran.

The Library enjoyed another fruitful year of fundraising our key events and programmes. They donate generous- and stewardship activities. Preparations for the 100th ly to these events and attend enthusiastically. Through Anniversary Capital Endowment Campaign gained mo- their membership contributions, Friends provide funds mentum throughout the year. The JPL staff and board for the purchase of Judaic materials, as well as funds for members are now well positioned to launch a major technology to support research and reference services. capital campaign. We deeply appreciate our Friends.

In November, the Norman Berman Children’s Library We were fortunate, this year, to receive gifts from the hosted its 7th annual Girls’ Night Out event. Popular Marvin A. Drimer Foundation, the Morris and Beverly young adult novelist Ally Carter, author of the Gallagher Baker Foundation, Barbara and Ronny Kay, Adriana and Girls and Heist Society series spoke to a sold-out audi- Haim Kotler, Assaf Drori, and the Montreal Holocaust ence of mothers, daughters, aspiring authors and avid Memorial Centre in support of Jewish Book Month and readers. Proceeds from Girls’ Night Out admissions will other cultural programming initiatives. be used to enhance the Library’s Young Adult Collection. We are grateful to the Borough of Côte-des-Neiges – The theme of this year’s Annual Gala Fundraiser, held Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, for its grant in support of collec- in June, was “Celebrating Our Children, Building our tions and services; Service Canada Centre for two sum- Future.” The event featured talented young singers, mer student grants; the EJLB Foundation for a grant in performing “Shake-spirited Songs” as well as a theatrical support of additional books and supplies for the Norman production of “Oh What a Piece of Work -- Shakespeare Berman Children’s Library and to the Azrieli Founda- at Work” by Paul Hopkins, Artistic Director of Reper- tion, the Alex Dworkin Foundation for Jewish Archives, cussion Theatre and Paul Yachnin, McGill’s Tomlinson and Peter and Ellen Jacobs for gifts in support of the JPL Professor of Shakespeare Studies. This year’s Fall/Winter Archives. We extend a special thanks to Alvin Segal for his Programme book will include an advertising insert, in generous gift in support of technology improvements at support of the Gala. Though the JPL. Our sincerest thanks, also, to the Trottier Fam- the Gala faced a number ily Foundation for its generous gift in support of Library of challenges this year, the operations. event was nonetheless suc- cessful in raising substantial Again this year, the JPL was fortunate to have many, funding for the NBCL and many loyal supporters, who remembered us on impor- other Library operations. tant occasions – both sad and joyful – making dona- tions to purchase books, name bookshelves and endow The Friends of the JPL continue to be among our most programs in the names of friends and loved ones. Our vital supporters. As volunteers, they work tirelessly on special thanks to those families who made bequests and planned gifts to ensure the future of the Library. 18 Statistics

In 2011 the Library counted 5,009 members that were The following charts represent the division of these by composed of the following membership categories. format, language and genre and circulated items.

Membership by category

19 119,741 items were circulated in 2011. The chart shows the split by language.

This chart demon- strates the circulating items by medium in 2011.

The items circulated in 2011 by category (does not include music or DVDs).

20 Top 25 borrowed books of 2011 Top 5 borrowed DVDs of 2011 1. The girl who kicked the hornet’s nest by Stieg Larsson 1. Uncle Moishy and the Mitzvah men 2. Secret daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda 2. Mrs. Doubtfire 3. The Finkler question by Howard Jacobsen 3. The king’s speech 4. The help by Kathryn Stockett 4. Despicable me 5. The tenth song by Naomi Ragen 5. Mao’s last dancer 6. Sing you home by Jodi Picoult 7. Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix by J.k. Rowling 8. The confession by John Grisham 9. Zelenyi Shater by Liudmila Ulitskaya 10. Lichnye motive by Alexandra Marinina 11. The sixth man by David Baldacci 12. Cutting for stone by Abraham verghese 13. The Jewish husband byLiana Levi 14. Little bee by Chris Cleave 15. Shikufitzky 5 by Shifra Glick 16. Fall of giants by Ken Follett 17. Room by Emma Donoghue 18. Chasing fire by Nora Roberts 19. 44 Charles Street by Danielle Steel 20. Oasis by Sarah Kisner 21. The glass room by Simon Mawer 22. Freedom by Jonathan Franzen 23. Let’s go to the farm by Rikki Benenfield 24. The Paris wife by Paula McLean 25. Foreign bodies by Cynthia Ozick

21 Executive, Board of Directors and Library Committees 2011-12

Officers Presidents’ Council Alain Murad, President/Président Aaron Ain Gerald Soiferman, Joanne Garfinkle Immediate Past-President/Président sortante Bryna Garmaise Adriana Kotler, Anna Gonshor First Vice President/Première vice-présidente Aron Gonshor Rivka Augenfeld, Vice President/Vice-présidente Peter Jacobs Claire Berger Fagen, Vice President/Vice-présidente Emmanuel Kalles Jason Yudcovitch, CA, Treasurer/Trésorier Barbara Kay Mia Swartzman Barsheshat, Secretary/Secrétaire Lilian Laks Ronit Amsel Jacobson, Officer at Large/Sans attribution Alice Lehrer Alice Lehrer, Officer at Large/Sans attribution Daniel Lighter Murray Lippman Directors Irwin Litvack Talia Bensoussan Janie Respitz Jeff Bicher Ira Robinson Robert Bohbot Gerald Soiferman Andre Elbaz Jennifer Gold Honorary Directors Lynda Gold Liba Augenfeld Rita Guindi Rachel Cohen Sophie Jama Norma Cummings Janis Levine Rosalind Goodman Robin Mader Pearl Lighter Marilyn Nayer Hillel Rosen Nitza Parry Howard Schneider Danielle Pollack Mrs. David M. Stewart Trudis Reber Goldsmith Ernest Strolovitch Jewel Sarna Murray Yudin Stephanie Steinman Bernard Stern Nominating Committee Alice Lehrer, Chair/Présidente Ombudsman Oscar Respitz, Q.C.

22 Cultural Committees Library Staff 2011-12 Cultural Coordinating Committe Janice Steinberg, Chair Michael Crelinsten English Cultural Committee Executive Director Trudis Reber Goldsmith, Jewel Sarna, Co-Chairs Adult Library French Cultural Committee Sophie Jama, Chair Karen Biskin Head of Library Services & Community Outreach Hebrew Cultural Committee Nitza Parry, Chair Shannon Hodge Archivist J.I. Segal Awards Ira Robinson, Chair Eddie Paul Head of Bibliographic and Information Services Yiddish Cultural Committee Eugene Orenstein, Rivka Augenfeld, Co-Chairs Valentina Rojinskaia Cataloging Assistant Budget and Investment committee Eleanor Steinberg Jason Yudcovitch, CA, Chair Head of Circulation Eddie Stone governance (By-laws ad-hoc) Committee Cataloging Assistant Rivka Augenfeld, Chair

100th Anniversary Coordinating Committee Programming, Marketing & Fundraising Adriana Kotler, Chair Roxana Brauns Director of Programming 100th Anniversary Development Committee Leo Hubermann Joanne Garfinkle, Chair Director of Marketing & Communications Development Advisory Committee Jennifer Solomon (until February 2012) Peter Jacobs, Gerald Soiferman, Co-Chairs Financial Development Officer Susan Schiffman (as of March 2012) Gala Fundraising Committee Director of Development Mia Swartzman Barsheshat, Chair Cindy Davis Girls’ Night Out Committee Public Relations Coordinator Joanne Garfinkle, Joy Melnick, Co-Chairs norman berman Children’s Library Marketing Committee Penny Fransblow Danielle Pollack, Chair Head of the Children’s Library Debby Mayman Membership Committee Cataloging Assistant; Marketing + Programming Marilyn Nayer, Chair Janice Cohen Volunteer Committee Cataloging Assistant; Programs & Technical Services Suzanne Herscovitch, Helen Segal, Co-Chairs Sonia Silva Reference and Cataloging Assistant Nominating Committee 2012 Gerald Soiferman, Chair Administration

PJ library Advisory committee Allan J. Oberman Ronit Amsel, Chair Director of Operations Angelina Spilberg Secretary Sheilah Rovniak Accounting-Membership

23 Thank you to our Volunteers

The Jewish Public Library exists only with the support of Children’s Library the community and the hard work and determination Laurence Herscu of its many volunteers and layperson committee mem- Malca Hubner bers. In addition to the many exceptional individuals Diane Israel who work on our library committees, we have an army Allan Reuben of volunteers who bring their skills and dedication to Ariella Reuben support library services and programmes in all sorts of Phyllis Rudin ways. Some of these tasks include shelving, delivery of Natalia Tiutiun books to our frail elderly, data entry, and book process- Mona Wu ing. They contribute hours and hours of their time each week. This contribution is greatly appreciated PJ Library

We would like to thank the following: Adrienne Berman Ian Levitt Melissa Stieger Main Library Natalia Tiutiun Connie Abramovitch Sid Abramovitch Olena Dembovska Student Volunteers Haim Derai Pietro Camalleri Roslyn Dorenfeld Mukulika Dey Diane Ellen Mondira Dhar Miri Flakowicz Theodor Dumitru Mireille Gallanti Alison Greenspoon Victoria Galperin Jackie Greenspoon Eiran Harris Geoff Greenspoon Suzanne Herscovitch Jeremy Kadoch Laurence Herscu Eli Levitas Malca Hubner Sarah Rose Mestel Esther Levy Nataniel Nezry Ian Levitt Jonathan Novack Anne Ortenberg Lior Soudry Linda Pasquale My-Tran Tang Carlo Pinotti Maxwell Wiltzer Beryl Tovim Kermit Zeto Mona Wu Archives Cultural Programming Maurice Amiel Miri Flakowicz Selina Antonucci Malca Hubner Kate Brothers Ian Levitt Carlo Pinotti

Student Intern from the McGill School of Information Studies Amber Laude

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