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The Canadian Jewish Shmooze is the blog of The Canadian Jewish News. It is a forum for discussion and home to lighter news material and interest pieces.
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Celebrate all that love 6 Jun 2012 6:44 AM (12 years ago)

Dear Ella, I’m getting married in October and my guest list is a bit unusual. In attendance will be my two mothers and three fathers. This happy bunch is the result of my mom’s three marriages and my dad’s two marriages. Let me explain. My mom, Linda, and dad, Paul, divorced when I was five years old. My mom remarried, and I was primarily raised by her and my stepfather, Brian. Three

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Emmanuelle Chriqui on genre series work 31 May 2012 8:08 AM (12 years ago)

Canadian actress Emmanuelle Chriqui is immersing herself in yet another groundbreaking series. While known most notably for her role as Sloan on Entourage – that series was a fictional look at the life of an emerging Hollywood star and his friends – Chriqui has been cast alongside top performers in an all-new animated offering from Disney. Tron Uprising, premiering June 7 and running for

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When all has been said about Shavuot 24 May 2012 10:18 AM (12 years ago)

Compared to most other holidays on the Jewish calendar, Shavuot is perhaps one of the dullest ritually speaking. Consuming dairy products, hardly stacks up against the symbols and rituals associated with the High Holidays, such as blowing the shofar and listening to the familiar strains of Kol Nidre, or Passover, when we recall the Exodus from Eqypt and spend eight days eating matzah. Last

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Shatner guest stars on ABC summer hit 17 May 2012 9:25 AM (12 years ago)

One of the most anticipated shows returning to this summer's TV schedule is ABC's Rookie Blue. The fictional cop drama with an almost all-Canadian cast, kicks off its third season with rookie Andy McNally (played by B.C.'s Missy Peregrym's) return from suspension. Among his many roles, William Shatner, who portrayed police sergeant T.J. Hooker on the series of the same name from 1982 to 1986,

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Cohabitation vs. marriage 10 May 2012 6:31 AM (12 years ago)

Dear Ella, My granddaughter Megan, a bright and beautiful 25-year-old, has been dating Carey for the past year. They have recently finished school and have started new careers. They are ready to move on to Phase 2 of their relationship: cohabitation. Now that they both have an income, they can move out of their parents’ homes and afford to rent something modest. When I asked Megan why

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Getting design ideas reading No Place Like Home 3 May 2012 12:29 PM (12 years ago)

Our annual residential lifestyle supplement No Place Like Home arrives in next week's pages of The CJN and will also be posted online to cjnews.com. In it you'll find new and fresh ideas for lighting, kitchen renovations, furnishings and trends for 2012 in high-rise, mid-rise and retirement living. If it'll be your first time flipping through, take a look at last year's edition by clicking

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HOOPS 4 ISRAEL "H4I" expands its reach 25 Apr 2012 10:20 AM (12 years ago)

One of the most anticipated annual Jewish sporting events in Toronto is the basketball charity tournament Hoops 4 Israel or "H4I". A volunteer initiative administered by the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto's young adult engagement division, Community Connect,  H4I has raised more than $500,000 over the past six years for programs in Israel that support at-risk youths. The

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Remembering Rabbi Jonathan V. Plaut 19 Apr 2012 8:08 AM (13 years ago)

The Jewish communities of Windsor, Ont., and Jackson, Mich. are mourning the loss of Rabbi Jonathan V. Plaut, who held many civic and religious posts throughout his illustrious career. He died April 17 after a long battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He was 69. His family was of the utmost importance to him. He was a devoted son to both his mother, the late Elizabeth Strauss Plaut, and

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Mend fences: Life's too short 11 Apr 2012 10:00 AM (13 years ago)

Dear Ella,At every major holiday or family event, I encounter the same problem, and this Passover was no exception. My two nieces don’t speak to one another.I have not taken sides in their feud, but have expressed my opinion about it. Although I agreed with Deborah, the younger of the two sisters, that the events that started this feud were handled improperly, I said I would not exclude Daliah,

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Urging Canada's HOC to stamp out antisemitism 5 Apr 2012 9:15 AM (13 years ago)

In a parliamentary meeting this week preparing for the annual Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) observance, York Centre Conservative MP Mark Adler and Mount Royal Liberal MP Irwin Cotler both rose in the House of Commons to spur their fellow parliamentarians into taking action against all forms of antisemitism.Irwin CotlerMark AdlerBelow is a transcripts of their remarks in the

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Getting ready to greet Passover once more 29 Mar 2012 5:47 AM (13 years ago)

Winter has officially left us, spring is beginning to bloom around us, and, amazingly, a year has passed, Passover is back. Families will come together in the coming week for their annual seders and retell the story of our Exodus from Egypt. Before Erev Pesach rolls in next Friday, be sure to check out our Literary/Greetings supplement in next week's paper. It's a collection of fiction and

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SDM bringing Tel Aviv heat to Toronto! 22 Mar 2012 11:03 AM (13 years ago)

Size Doesn't Matter, the web campaign highlighting Israeli nightlife, pop culture, art, innovation and more is aiming to capture the attention of young professionals from across Toronto right after Passover. For those who have yet to experience the Holy Land, the exotic flavour of Tel Aviv, considered by some to be a cultural mecca, will be on display in Toronto at the first annual TLV to the

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Tackle problems together 15 Mar 2012 5:05 AM (13 years ago)

Ask Ella By Ella Burakowski Dear Ella, Michelle and I have been together for a long time. We’ve discussed marriage and at this point, we just assume we will always be together, but I can’t bring myself to pop the question just yet. Michelle is very close to her family as I am with mine, but there is a big difference: she shares everything with them. Last week, her mom approached me to

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Scapegoats through the ages and the Purim parallel 8 Mar 2012 10:51 AM (13 years ago)

The concept of Tikkun Olam, Hebrew for "repairing the world", is an important mission. To prevent or resolve  social chaos wherever and whenever it presents itself should be the goal of all people, regardless of ethnicity or religion. In a piece for the Huffington Post Canada's religion blog, Toronto-raised Rabbi Rachel Kahn-Troste, director of North American programs for Rabbis for Human

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Better Place works toward a better world for all 29 Feb 2012 11:12 AM (13 years ago)

In these difficult economic times, vacationers are increasingly choosing "stay-cations" as an option to help save on the traditional costs of air travel and the like. This leads to an increased reliance on our cars for vacation travel. Making that choice, our four-wheelers still cost us a fair bit in gas and oil expenses, which in turn contributes to a greater release of toxins and pollutants

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Canadian shines on The Voice Israel 23 Feb 2012 11:04 AM (13 years ago)

We're well into the competition now on The Voice Israel (essentially the Hebrew arm of NBC's The Voice), and Canadian olah Kathleen Reiter, continues to impress the judges. On the program's debut episode, Reiter soulfully covered Adele's Rolling in the Deep and in this clip, she brought her powerful vocal register to Katy Perry's monster hit I Kissed a Girl. The audience clearly liked it.

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‘Thank you’ is mandatory 15 Feb 2012 11:18 AM (13 years ago)

Dear Ella, About six months ago my grandson Adam had a bar mitzvah. It was small and took place on a long weekend. Invitations were sent out, and I knew some people wouldn’t be attending, since they had already made other commitments for the holiday weekend. Some of the invited were relatives, and knowing my relations, I knew they would still send a gift anyway. I told my son and daughter-in-law

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Drake and Deadmau5 among those vying for top honours 13 Feb 2012 8:09 AM (13 years ago)

When the careers of celebrities take them all around the world, they often come to appreciate adoration from hometown fans most of all. Last month we applauded two artists for their Grammy Award nominations, Hip-Hop  & rap sensation Drake, and DJ/producer Deadmau5, each up for three award nods, to be presented Sunday on CBS. Announced February 7th, a plethora of the Canadian music

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John Baird tells PA to drop unilateral statehood bid 2 Feb 2012 10:18 AM (13 years ago)

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and Finance Minister Jim Flaherty are in Israel this week. And they've been proclaiming Canada's everlasting friendship and support for Israel. Not surprising considering Canada's enhanced position vis-a-vis the Jewish state since the Stephen Harper government came to power. But Baird also just told Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas

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Spirituality vs. Religion at The House 26 Jan 2012 7:53 AM (13 years ago)

For those who could not make it out to The House in Toronto last night, a bold topic was explored. Is religion killing Judaism? The guest speaker was Rabbi Michael Skobac, education director and senior counselor for Jews for Judaism. The meat and potatoes of his answer was more a combination of responses on the two sub-topics of why people prefer spirituality over religion and why religion is

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Canadians to root for at the Grammys 19 Jan 2012 8:03 AM (13 years ago)

The 2012 award season is in full swing. The Golden Globes were presented last week, and on deck the Screen Actors Guild will offer up their top honours in Film and Television on January 29. The 54th annual Grammy Awards, then showcases the best in music Feb12, before the Oscars are handed out Feb 26. Once again, as in year's past, Canada will be well represented at the Grammy's. In late November,

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Can't stay silent 12 Jan 2012 7:36 AM (13 years ago)

Dear Ella, I’m not sure how much longer I can stay quiet. My daughter is falling apart and I’m standing by watching helplessly. Sandi and Allen seemed to have a healthy marriage. They both worked hard and had a good mix of independence and togetherness. It appeared to all that they had everything. Throughout her pregnancy, Allen treated Sandi like a princess. She had a rough few months, and

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Tzedakah through life saving missions 5 Jan 2012 11:33 AM (13 years ago)

When communities around the world are hurting, Israel, Canada and the Canadian Jewish community are among those first to respond with organized aid missions. Over the last 26 years, IDF (Israeli Defense Force) aid missions have sent 15 delegations to countries afflicted by various natural disasters. As you can see from the video below, IDF doctors in field hospitals dispense medical care to

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In case you missed it... PM Spins dreidel with aplomb! 29 Dec 2011 8:36 AM (13 years ago)

Over the Hannukah holiday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper took time out to engage with the Jewish community on a serious matter... the famous dreidel spin. Yes, the PM and his wife, Laureen, spent a few moments with kids at the Calgary Jewish Community Centre on the third night of Hannukah to play a game of dreidel. No word on how much money he put down on the famous Jewish game of chance, but

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The Rocky Hora Chanukah Song 22 Dec 2011 11:15 AM (13 years ago)

For this year's Festival of Lights, the team at The Canadian Jewish Shmooze is sharing the Shlomones' new holiday parody track.

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