2- The Jewish Tribune - January 17, 2013 Jewishtribune.ca News

Toronto McGill student thinks of what could Subway scammer: ‘The have been with Wizard of Oz fact he was Israeli made Mike Cohen weeks and 16 episodes for the a really big impact’ show. Correspondent SCAMMER cont. from page 1. One Jewish Montrealer who The North American premiere cracked the Top 100 was Bia- pay you back.’ Then he would provide them with a fake name of ’s lik High School graduate Mi- and address back home in Israel. It seems like the common new stage adaptation of The randa Tuwaig. amount was usually between $300 and $400.” Wizard of Oz (www.wizardo- “I did end up watching the The man would break the ice by asking for directions and ex- fozthemusical.com), now play- show and I really liked it,” she plaining that he was from Israel. A positive response from the ing at ’s Ed Mirvish said. “The winner, Danielle, woman opened the way for conversation about his life back Theatre, could have had a Jew- was the girl I thought should home and hers in Toronto. He wrote his name and contact in- ish Dorothy. win. She has a great personal- formation down and gave it to each woman to back up his offers Danielle Wade, 20, captured ity and a powerful voice. I’m of help and hospitality either the next time they visited or when the title of Canada’s Top very happy with the outcome.” they made aliyah. Dorothy in CBC TV’s Over The Tuwaig recalls how after she In all three cases, the women allowed the man to accompany Rainbow reality series last fall got her ticket to Oz last June them to a bank machine so they could withdraw the amount he after enduring a gruelling eight she travelled to Toronto for said he needed. “The fact that he was Israeli made a really big impact. As soon as you hear Israel, it’s like, okay, where should I send the cheque,” said Meredith Halpern. “We talked about familiar places and peo- ple from Israel who we would know... He seemed very sweet, very talkative, wanted to tell me his whole life story.” Miranda Tuwaig displays her ticket to Oz during the auditions (Photo: Mike Cohen) Early in their discussion, Halpern said, he said his parents had three days. for an extended run, with been killed in the war, which she assumed meant the Holocaust. “The first night Mirvish pro- plans to eventually tour in the Chaya (Carol) Taub said she still can’t grasp why he was able to ductions sent all of the girls to United States. At a recent Sun- manipulate her so easily. see War Horse the play,” she day matinee, the audience was “To be honest, I don’t understand how it happened, I can’t ex- said. “The next day though we full of families with young plain,” said Taub. “The only thing I can think of is the conversa- got down to business. We had children, many of the little tion was barely about money. So money wasn’t the focus; you vocal coaching by a renowned girls dressed as Dorothy. . don’t feel this guy is tugging at your wallet.” voice teacher, Jeannie Wyse, Developed from the ever- After establishing a rapport, he told Taub “maybe it’s a blessing and then each of us performed popular MGM screenplay, this that G-d put you here on the subway; maybe you can help me” songs we were given to prac- new production contains all and launched into his tale of woe. tise for call backs in front of the songs from the Oscar-win- Sarah believed the man’s story, too. The Worldwide Jewish Business Network the panel of judges. Overall it ning movie score, all the “He’s an Israeli; I didn’t think that he’d lie to me,” said Sarah. was a great experience. All of favourite characters and iconic “We went to the bank; I pulled some money out of the machine. New search-engine for businesses around the the girls chosen for call backs moments, plus a few surprises I asked him how much money he needed, he told me and I gave world that are owned and operated by people were very talented. In the end along the way, including new it to him. Then he had the chutzpah to say, well, the taxi, I’ll the 20 picked got to meet An- songs by and Lloyd need so much more.” of the Jewish faith. 1-888-333-8756 drew Lloyd Weber and go to Webber. Halpern added, “There was a real camaraderie between the Dorothy Farm.” The show runs from Tues- mitzvah issue, helping someone in need, and helping someone Tuwaig hopes to see the day to Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; who you have a bond with. You go to Israel and you don’t feel show in person. But these days and Wednesday, Saturday and like a stranger; it’s familiar. So I wanted him to feel like he was- Enter JEWISH BUSINESSES in Google's she is busy studying at McGill Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at the Ed n’t a stranger here.” University, where she intends Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria As soon as she realized she’d been duped, Sarah called the TTC search engine. GoYid.com currently to apply to medical school. St. Tickets range from $35 to and the police, to let them know the encounter should have been There may be no need to $130. For more information captured by TTC video cameras. shows up #1 in the search results! rush and buy tickets. Mirvish call Ticketking: (416) 872- Israel Aharonovitz, 63, was arrested last week and charged with Entertainment officials note 1212 or 1-800-461-333 or four counts of fraud under $5,000. that the musical is scheduled visit www.mirvish.com. “He’s here illegally,” said Turnbull. “We had a picture of him from TTC surveillance so we went on the subway [Wednesday] morning and, sure enough, caught him doing it.” Reports of the subway scammer in Toronto go back to Decem- Kathleen Wynne, MPP ber 2011, Turnbull said. However, this isn’t the first time that Aharonovitz has been con- Don Valley West nected with the same type of scam, police said. According to police reports, Aharonovitz stood trial twice in 2008 and was convicted both times of defrauding people on the subway system in England. He was sentenced to 12 HaHappyppy NNewewY YeYear!eear! months and 18 months which were to be served concur- YouYYoou aarerein invitedvited to the DoDonn VValleyalley WestWest rently. All PoliticiansPoliticians TToTownown HHallall The Jewish Chronicle nicknamed Aharonovitz the “Tube shekel scammer.” Thursday,Thursday, FFebruaryebruary7, 7, 2202013,13, 7pm to 99pmpm At press time, Aharonovitz was in custody pending a bail hear- TToTorontooronto Botanical Garden, Gardeen, GardenGardenH Hallall ing. 777 LLawrenceawrence AAvenuevenue East To TToronto,oronto, OONNM M3C3C 1P1P22 Police are encouraging anyone who encountered the subway scammer to call them at (416) 808-1370. Turnbull said he also wants to hear from anyone who has made a report about the man 416-425-6777 | www.kathleenwynne.onmpp.ca in the past but has not heard back from police.