We were delighted that Leonard was able to accept our invitation as guest speaker for our Tu B'Shevat breakfast. Members have missed his knowledgeable commentaries at our Saturday morning services. Beryl Tovim, our President, initiated the breakfast with a poem and a short explanation of Tu B'Shevat, which was then given in French by VP Alain Assor. Leonard spoke in both French and English, offering valuable insight into the guidelines provided by the Jewish religion that can help us with important financial concerns in our lives. Following his interesting talk, members asked him many questions.

We were honoured to welcome several guests from the Planning and Allocations Committee at FEDERATION CJA - Randi Gitnick (Co-Chair), Carole Tenenbaum, and Gerry and Annie Schendelman. FCJA is the umbrella organization that funds most major Jewish organizations in Greater Montreal, including the SSJC. Ms. Gitnick remarked that the SSJC has now become a well-established, well-organized community, and has obviously moved well beyond being an infant organization. The Board wishes to thank all those members who shopped for the delicious breakfast, including bagels fresh from the oven that morning, and those who helped serve the food and clear up afterwards in the kitchen.

Herbie Rolbin remembered at Rosh Chodesh Service A Rosh Chodesh service was held on Saturday, January 28, led exceptionally by Leonard Cohen. As usual, our members enjoyed his insightful comments. A special prayer was said for Herbie Rolbin, a member of the SSJC who, sadly, passed away on January 13th after a long and brave battle with complications from heart disease. The funeral was held at Paperman's on January 16th. Member Gerry Stein, who was a close friend, shared some of his memories of Herbie with the congregation in a touching eulogy. On behalf of the community, we would like to extend our sincere condolences to his wife, Victoria, and children. Following the service, members were treated to a hot kiddush and enjoyed a traditional cholent served with rice, salads and deserts. Thanks go to Leo Wertheim, for bringing the cholent from La Margarite in Montreal to the centre on Friday morning, and to Marie Knafo for organizing this marvelous kiddush. Herbie Rolbin   Cribbage, Rummy and other games! It is becoming an SSJC tradition. Once a month, we open the Centre on a Sunday afternoon for members who enjoy playing various card games, Scrabble or just socializing over a cup of tea and cookies. Our latest games afternoon was held on January 15th and featured Domino Rummy and Cribbage. Some members played, others watched and learned, and then joined in the fun. Our next Sunday social afternoon will take place on February 26th. Peter Smolesh will teach us some new hora dances. Be there Sunday, March 12, 2 p.m. - PURIM! We are planning to hold a wonderful celebration of Purim once again this year and we hope that you will all join us at our community centre on March 12th, at 2 p.m. Gerry Stein will be clowning for the kids and performing his magic show - another great SSJC tradition. Some adults are going to act out the story of Purim and will bring along some costumes to make it more fun. Children are also encouraged to dress up and win some prizes. After the play, member Jerry Mintzberg and his Jazzmen will be playing Klezmer music, along with some other old favourites. We will serve light refreshments, cakes and, of course, hamentaschen. Entrance is $5.00 for adults, children free. Saturday, March 18 - "Va, vis et deviens" In 1984, thousands of Africans from 26 countries suffered a famine and ended up in camps in the Soudan. On an initiative led by Israel and the US, hundreds of Ethiopean Jews were taken to Israel. A Christian mother pushed her son forward, declaring him a Jew, to save him from famine and certain death. He was adopted by a Sephardic family in Tel-Aviv. Neither Jewish nor an orphan, he discovers Judaism, western culture, and love, but also war and racism in the occupied territories. The SSJC is organizing a group to go and see this moving film at the Jewish Public Library. It is being screened at 8 p.m. Please let Beryl know if you wish to join us. The cost is $5 for members of the JPL and $8 for the public.

Sunday, February 26 and March 26, 2 p.m. Hora dancing with Peter Smolesh Winter weekends can be pretty dull so we thought we would brighten up your weekend and give you some good exercise with Hora dancing. Our favourite teacher, Peter Smolesh, will be leading the dances and teaching us as we go along. We invite all of you to join in this fun activity. The cost is $6 per person.

Planting a tree in Israel The SSJC will plant a tree in Israel in memory of Herbie Rolbin. This can be done simply by sending a cheque for $18 to the Jewish National Fund in Montreal. Getting ready for Passover The SSJC will hold a Passover Seder at the community centre (Place La Citière, 50 Blvd. Taschereau, La Prairie) once again this year on the second night of Passover, Thursday, April 13th, 2006, starting at 6 p.m. The Seder will be led by members of the community and we would like everyone to participate. Kosher Cravings will cater the Seder and deliver the food to our premises before Passover. It will be re-heated and served by professional waiters provided by Kosher Cravings. The menu will include appetizers: chopped liver, eggplant, gefilte fish, horseradish, cole slaw and cucumber salad. The appetizers will be followed by matzo ball soup, and then the main dishes: roast chicken breasts with olives, and roast veal, served with vegetables and green salad. The main dishes will be followed by assorted cake squares, macaroons, coffee and tea. Please reserve early using the form at the bottom of the page and mail your cheque to our P.O. Box. Seder plates needed for our Passover Seder In the past, Seder plates have been prepared by Kosher Cravings, on a styrofoam platter. This year, we would like to prepare our own seder plates, on proper Seder plates loaned by members of the community. If you have a Seder plate you can bring to the Seder, please call Beryl Tovim. We need one for each table (6-8 plates). P$$T! Membership fees are due now! If you have not already sent in your cheque for your membership fees, we urge you to do so as soon as possible. If you need more time, please call Rosalie (450-462-7870). If you have already mailed in your cheque, your promptness is much appreciated. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SEDER DE PÉSSAH (2ième NUIT) PASSOVER SEDER (2nd NIGHT) NOM DE FAMILLE/FAMILY NAME : __________________________________________________________ ADRESSE / ADDRESS : ___________________________________________________________________ EMAIL: _________________________________________ TEL: ____________________________________ ( ) ADULTES / ADULTS @ $26.00 _____________________________ ( ) ADOLESCENTS (13-17) @ $20.00 _____________________________ ( ) ENFANTS / CHILDREN (6-13) @ $10.00 _____________________________ CHÈQUE CI-INCLUS / CHEQUE ENCLOSED _____________________________

COMMUNITY COLUMN Happy Birthday February 2006 Danielle Sadoun 5 Belle Velbis 10 Sarah Taylor 14 Richard d'Amours 15 Adam Cader 17 Mélisse Azoulay 18 Alexis Morin 23 Dina Cohen 25 Alfred Arenstein 28 Happy Birthday March 2006 Alex Goldring 1 Charles Benabou 1 Jason Clement 1 Margaret Goldring 2 Daniel Baer 2 Sylvie Canizaries-Gold 3 Joella Neron 6 Marc-Olivier Benchétrit 10 Monica Howard-Denham 13 Roberta Mintzberg 13 Adelia Sadoun 19 Philip Gross 20 Katherine Gross 21 David Bornstein 24 Vicki Meyouhas 25 Daphnée Azoulay 31 Happy Anniversary February 2006 David Green & Hélène Joly 20 March Annette & Max Benchétrit 13 Sincere Condolences To Victoria Rolbin and family, on the loss of Herbie Rolbin, who passed away on January 13, 2006. Get well soon! Art Sandman, who is recovering from hip surgery. Welcome! New Members 2006 Bébert & Esther Sebbag Lionel Liquornik Elisabeth Boushira Bijouterie Marise Eric Walfish