12 - The Jewish Tribune -June 2, 2011 www.jewishtribune.ca FEATURES > STORIES BY MIKE COHEN: ANNIVERSARY > MUSIC > HONOURS

MONTREAL – When St. George’s. They have been so standup comic Ryan Wilner George’s School of Montreal supportive of me ever since (class of 1995), who held its 80th anniversary I started singing. They are brought the house down gala evening at the L’Astral JAZZ SENSATION the best school ever.” with his clever routine. Nul- Theatre recently, the fact High-profile Hollywood man recalled that he first that this standout private NIKKI YANOFSKY film director Shawn Levy, heard about Wilner from his primary and second institu- the man behind such hits as sons, who claimed that tion has been a favourite HEADLINES Night at the Museum, The there was a really funny choice of the Jewish com- Pink Panther, Date Night camp counselor itching for a munity was abundantly and Cheaper By the Dozen, spot in the Just For Laughs clear. was the evening’s honouree. lineup. As it turned out, More than 300 people Officer announced that the Wilner did indeed make it to were on hand for the bene- Strong Jewish school is establishing the the big event. fit, proceeds of which Shawn Levy Junior Film- Yet another Jewish alum- went to the school’s presence as St. maker Award. ni, Shira Lazar, enrichment opportunities Levy graduated in 1985 CBSNews.com social and bursary programs. and credit’s the school with trends and pop culture School Head James Officer George’s School giving him the necessary expert, brought greetings announced that this had tools to succeed in his cho- via a taped message on the culminated in a successful of Montreal sen profession. big screen. There were year, during which more “To me this is such an also performances by the than $500,000 was taken inspiring place,” he St. George’s Glee competi- in as part of fundraising celebrates 80th remarked. “St. George’s so tion team, 8 of 10 of whom efforts. much respects the value of are Jewish, and the 80th In every aspect of the anniversary the individual. The teachers anniversary gala band fea- evening’s entertainment, from St. George’s remain turing two Jewish mem- Jewish personalities were galvanizing people in my bers front and centre. Jazz sensa- life.” Parent Colleen Wicha tion Nikki Yanofsky, 17, The emcee for the evening chaired the event and was who now performs around PHOTO: HEIDI HOLLINGER was Andy Nulman, the Jew- crowned ‘Lady Gala,’ com- the world and has more Nikki Yanofsky performs at a benefit for her school, St. George’s. ish head of the popular Just plete with a Lady Gaga dis- than 10,000 Twitter follow- will graduate in June. Ironi- “I’m so happy to be part of before the show as part of a For Laughs Festival. He sent guise on the big screen dis- ers, was the star attraction. cally, this mark the first this school and being able St. George’s TV red carpet his two sons to St. George’s. play. She has attended St. time she had ever done a to support it,” Yanofsky told interview. “I’m never going He was proud to introduce For more about the school log George’s since Grade 4 and show for her own school. student Brandon Adam to forget being in St. another alumni, Jewish on to www.stgeorges.qc.ca. Retired music Cunninghams don’t hide their teacher Jewish identities Botwinik to have Yiddish

Retired educator and choir director David Botwinik, 90, has written concert in scores of Yiddish songs. He will be honoured on June 17. chords. worked on translating the his honour “I hope some of my former song lyrics together with students are able to attend my wife Naomi Cohen and MONTREAL – In his 35 the event,” Botwinik told my brother Leybl. Since the years as a music teacher the Jewish Tribune. “I know book came out last sum- The Cunninghams, known as the ‘first family of rock’ will perform at the hard Rock Café at Yonge and choir director at Mon- a lot of them may have mer, I have continued to be and Dundas in Toronto as part of the North by North East (NXNE) Film and Music Festival. wondered what happened to involved with publicity, treal Jewish day schools, MONTREAL – With a Canada Mazda Muzik Tour organizers as up and com- me. Well I am doing fine arranging quite a few inter- Vilna-born David Botwinik name like the Cunning- Contest, which gave them ing artists. and anxious to show them.” views and concerts devoted taught more than 30,000 hams, this rock/alterna- the opportunity to open for “In terms of exposure Lou Burko, the retired to my father’s music.” students. He has also writ- tive/high-class rock and legendary Canadian rocker this is huge,” said Wein- music director at Shaare David Botwinik came to ten scores of Yiddish songs, roll band sure does not Sam Roberts to a packed berg. Zion Congregation in Mon- Canada in 1956 with his which have been circulated sound like one where all of Opera House in Toronto. As for the name the Cun- treal, calls Botwinik’s book wife Silvana, who had been around the world. its members are Jewish. The band has several ninghams and its complete a “formidable opus” and “a hidden in a church with Now 90, Botwinik will be Yet Regibald, Clapsury, times taken the coveted lack of a Jewish connec- musical biography of David other Italian Jews during the honoured on Friday, June 17 Pierce and Nigel Cunning- Edge 102’s street-front stu- tion, Abrams notes “this Botwinik’s life,” German occupation of Italy. (2 p.m.) at the second annu- ham are indeed Jewish dios stage as part of its has turned out to be a Botwinik retired in 1991 The couple still live in the al International Yiddish The- and in real life they are not Steamwhistle indie music marketable name that we after a career at the Jewish same home in suburban atre Festival at the Segal at all related nor are these nights and are a regular at use on stage, but none of People’s and Peretz Schools Côte Saint-Luc where they Centre of the Performing the identies on their birth some of Toronto’s most us hide the fact we are (JPPS) and United Talmud raised their daughter and Arts. For the first time he certificates. legendary venues such as Jewish. Look at the Torahs. But working closely three sons. will witness a concert fea- The Cunninghams actu- the Horseshoe Tavern and Ramones, the Beastie with Alexander, one of his Botwinik said he is not fin- turing his very own music ally include Mike Almoss El Mocambo. Boys, Fish and even Bob three sons, who is now a ished yet. He plans to start performed by internationally (Regibald), Zachary Wein- In November 2008, the Dylan. These are all Jew- Yiddish teacher at the Uni- working on a book about acclaimed soprano Lisa Wil- berg (Clapsbury), Mike band released its debut ish artists, who did not use versity of Pennsylvania in the Holocaust, including son, pianist Elena Berman Levine (Pierce) and Justin album, That Oughtta Hold their original names.” Philadelphia, he has kept stories his own family may and special guest Philip Abrams (Nigel). Recently ’Em, to critical acclaim. The Cunninghams hope busy writing music and, of have not yet heard. Goldig. the group put out a call for They are currently writing to tour in the fall. While course, his book. He does The Jewish Public Library, This concert celebrates a fifth member, with no a full-length album for each of the members hold not use a computer, so he in partnership with the Mon- Botwinik’s new book, From preference stated regarding release next fall and a new actual day jobs, they do writes everything by hand treal International Yiddish Holocaust to Life (Fun ethnicity. It just so hap- single will be unveiled indeed hope that success and sends it by mail to Theatre Festival at the Segal khurbn tsum lebn),now in pens that the winning can- shortly. might one day turn this Alexander. Centre for Performing Arts, its second printing. The didate, Heather Kobyliwker The band will perform at into a permanent musical “I transcribed his hand- presents From Holocaust to book, which will be avail- (now Virginia Cunning- the Hard Rock Café, at gig. written scores onto the Life on Friday, June 17 ( 2 able for purchase, contains ham) is Jewish as well. Yonge and Dundas, on Fri- For more about the group computer using music p.m.) at The Studio, Segal a collection of 56 original Recognized in Toronto as day, June 17 (11 p.m.) as log on to their splash page engraving software and Centre for Performing Arts musical compositions. “the first family of rock,” part of the North by at www.thecunninghams- painstakingly added the (5170 Cote Ste-Catherine Rd.). These are new Yiddish the Cunninghams came North East (NXNE) Film band.com, where you can lyrics under the notes in General admission is $15. To songs and solo and choral together in 2007 and and Music Festival. Some follow them on Facebook, both Yiddish and transliter- reserve tickets, call (514) 739- works, with lyrics by vari- clicked immediately. In 600 bands are participating Twitter and other social ation,” Alexander 7944. Info: www.jewishpubli- ous Yiddish poets, complete April of 2008, they were and each one of them have media. A revamped site is explained. “I also did the clibrary.org. or with English translations, the winners of the cross- been handpicked by the under construction. piano accompaniments and book design and layout and www.botwinikmusic.com.