Thursday. March 25.1993 — THE BULLETIN — 7
ABOUT TOWN
PIANIST VICTORIA SMUS will play April 20 at Templi^ Sholom in a benefit'concert.'''-
In a benefit performance pperatio;n Exodus^ Russian-bbrri pianist Victoria Smus ^yill give a concert Tuesday, April 20 at Temple Sholom, The recital begins at 7:30 p.m.
"Organizers at the Jewish Federation of Greater Van-coiiver are delighted to host this outstanding evening of music by Ravel, Mozart and Chopin," said Bella Jterezin, chairman of JFGV's Russian division.
She noted that all proceeds from ticket sales will go to Operation Exodus in aid of Russian immigrants to Israel.
Srnus came to Canacja froni St. Petersburg two years ago and joined the,, faculty of Richmond Gom-muriity M usic School. The pianist, her husband and son now live in Richniond.
The artist began piano
lessons at age six in St. Petersburg and gave her first recital at age 15. She performed with the College Symphony Orchestra and graduated with a BA in : music,
Smus continued her education at the St; Petersburg Conservatory and, in 1983, won an award at the Brahms Chamber Music Competition. '/■^ ■,: ;
After obtaining her master's in 1984, Smus began teaching, gave annual recitals, and performed as a chamber pianist at major concert halls:
Smus has given numerous concerts in Vaiicoiiyer and Richmond. S hehasalsd performed at several Jewish comniunity events,
Concert tickets are available at the Federatipn_pffice_ and Temple Sholom. For more information, call 266-8371.
By ETHAN MINOVITZ
Major Conrad Flapps-. debut cassette, World in a • Flapp, bears a strict parental advisory: "Warning: Extreme Silliness."
Known in civilian life as Stuart Nemtin, the major is a "serious" Clown. Mounting the stage in goggles, a scarf, sneakers and a red proboscis, the "airriian extraordinaire" also plays a hot fiddle in his act.
"There's a Russian saying that a clown is an artist who can do everything," the Victoria resident told The Bui-ietinin an interview. "I do a combination of vaudeville, stand-up and physical comedy. For me,;the verbal part is strong."
On April 5, Nemtin will take part in "Spotlight on the Arts," a series of children's workshops at the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver. "I'm going to take the thenie of Passover and relate it to clowning," he explained.
Nemtin, 43, didn't always
An information night for the Youth to Youth Israel Summer Experiehee (IS E) is set for 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 31 in the JCCZack Gallery. liTIhe program is 6
Bringifvg Israel to You...
By Orjt Katzov
Israel Emissary, Jewish Federation, Combined Jewish Appeal
Russia's Jewish community holds Conference
"Russian Jews are wary of the sensitive political situation in the country and are af raid of the possibility that Boris Yeltisih will fa 11 and in his place will arise leaders whose relations with the Jewish community will not be as goipd," said the Chief Rabbi of Rehovot, Rabbi Simcha Hacohen Kook. ,
Kook recently returned from a trip to Russia, where he participated in a conference organized by the Jewish community in M oscow, in which some 200 Jews, including representatives of 28 of the 35 Russian Jewish communities, took part. _
The cohferehce; which was hekLon a boat anchored in the frozenMoscow River, chose Rabbi Avraham Schaivitz as the nbw Chief Rabbi of Moscow and Rabbi Pinchas GoIdselimidt of Israel as his deputy.
Immigration rise .
Since the beginning of this year, 10,361 olim have come, to Israel, of whom 8;834 were from the former Soviet Union. ■.
Recent months have witnessed a sharp rise in immigration from Asiatic repub-lics and the Caucasus region due to tensions prevailing in these areas. As a result, the Jewish Agency has begun direct flights from the North Caucasus.
In the next few months, the number of olim from M oslem republics is expected to reach between 1,500—2,000 per month.
Canadian high school stii-dents aged 15-18..The July 28-Aug. 23 tour is sponsored by United Israel Appeal Canada, B'naiB'rith Youth Organization and Jewish community centres across Canada.
Monday; April 5 is the deadline to apply for scholarships, which are available from BBYO and Federation offices for those in financial need. '::'.[,'[.''.''-■'■/:
During ISE Vancouver teens will visit Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Masada, the Dead Sea, Eilat, and Galilee. They will also live and dp volunteer work, in Kfar Yona. a Project Renewal com-munity.
For information or application forms for ISE, call Dale Read or Debra Lazer at the JCC, 266-9111.
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hide behind a red nose and greasepaint. Born in Belle-yille, OntaTio, he grew up in TxentPn vk'here his father Bpris had /a" men's"wear store. In high school, he
and
took pre-rnediciiie science courses.
Nemtin grew up with a well-nourished fuhnybone. "There was a strong liiie of comedy in my family. My uncle,.Chuck Madison, was a burlesque comedian in Toronto and niy aunt Becky used to be an animatPr at social gatherings":
After attending Young ; Judaea summer camps in Ontario, he moved west at age 17 to be a counsellor at Gamp Hatikvah in the Okanagan. Later, he took part in a machon (youth leadership) program in Jerusalem and on a kibbutz. He returned to Canada to study theatre in B.C.
"I had no idea comedy was going to be my bread and butter," Nemtin confessed. But in 1978, while studying in Vancpuyer, he donned his nom de clown: "Majpr^ becaiise I was always saluting, and Flapps, because my 'wings' were like flaps."
He began to perform as Major Flapps ijji Canadian festivals and showcases, and was soon discovered by several B.C, producers. Numerous international Pffers fpllowed.
Nemtin has appeared in the United States, i/across Canada, Africa, the Mediterranean, .New Zealand, Fiji and Scotland. He has been on Sharon, Lois and Bram's Elephant Show arid The Paul Hdnn Show.
He now portrays Major Flapps in Take Off, a series which has aired on Family , Channel and will move to
YTV.      --/^v'---■
The performer views his
MAJOR Conrad Flapps in action; (inset) Stuart Nemtin in "plaln-clothes."
own antics as "childlike, not childish," adding: "I'm taking a number of ideas and sending them up, making fun of authority and even of of rny Pwri narcis-
sism.
's visible in a skit Ay here he burlesques health fpod faddists, by doing comparative tests of matzah and brown rice crackers. And as "A Rushin' Russian," he embellishes the stereotype made famous by Danny Kaye and Theodore Bikel.
He first met Sally, his wife of nearly 10 years, during a modelling shoot in Victoria. They met again in 1979 in Nova Scotia and travelled around Europe -— Stuart clowning and fiddling arid Sally playing the spoons.
Currently a counseHing psychologist, she gives vyorkshops on humor, merriment and empowerment.
Son Benny, 9, and daughter Emma, 6, graduated from Congregation Emahu-El's pre-school, where Dad was the maintenance man.
The Nemtin clan's, talent extends to Stiiart's three brothers. Biil produces documentaries while Howard, a former ro5/i of Camp Hatikvah, used to write comedy for CBC Radio with Jeff GrPberman. Steve lives on Galiano Island, where he teaches and is also involved in music and clowning.
Nemtin participated in Or Shalom's first annual fundraising gala last year at the Vancouver Art Gallery. He'li perform again in June at the South Vancouver Children's Festival.
According to the riiajor, Jewishness and clownish-ness mix well. "The strength of J udaism is oiir ability «o/ to take ourselves seriously. That's what saved us." :■,
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Enjoy Passover This Year!
Let Susan look after all the things that you don't want to do.
Carrot Apple Tzirnmis Potato Latkes or Pudding GefilteFish       , ^ \(egetarian Matzolx Lasagna Brisket uJitH Potato and Carrots Crispy Potato Chicken
Chocolate Mousse Meringue Chocolate Coconut Maccaroons Fudge Brownies Kommish
Lemon Meringue Torte ^