you wmteJ
to attend the assemblies being held at Vancouver Talmud Torah School during the month of April:
Learn yoga with a Jewish twist
New co-ordinator of JCC Seniors wants to establish warm atmosphere.
ALEX KUNER SOCIAL COLUMNIST
B;
CC cing a part of building a Jewish community ... sanctuary, conununi-ty centre, consecrating a cemetery, learning how to prepare a body for burial, was for me the ultimate Jewish learning experience." Linda-yael Iny summing up her life in Kelowna, B.C., after being raised in a not-so-Jewishly-focused Canadian Armed Forces base in Alberta. Her dad was a career military man.
Although Jewish life in Kelowna was steadily growing during the 1980s and '90s, Linda-yael and family moved to Vancouver in 1996 in search of "a more intense, every day Jewish life. We wanted to be sur-roxmded," she said.
Settling near tlie Jewish Com-mimity Centre of Greater Vancouver (JCC), she "immediately" volunteered at Shalom BC. Soon she was ofTered a job as JCC receptionist. Also worked in the pro shop. A certified yoga instructor, she began teaching JCC yoga classes "with a Jewish twist." Holding a degree in education and sociology, Linda-yael these days is the new JCC Seniors program co-ordinator. Her goal... "to establish an atmosphere where our seniors can come for a guaranteed hug, a smile and a listening ear." Just like I get from Elaine!
★★★
In conjunction with Yom Hashoah and the Vancouver Public Librar^s Voices of Coimige speaker series, local author Sally Rogow reads from hcrhookFaces of Courage-Young Heroes of World War II at the H-brary Monday, April 19, 7:30 p.m. The occasion marks the "official launch" of Sally's book. ★★★
One of the world's two leading manufacturers and distributors of generic drugs, and Israel's "most successful com-pany" ... that's Teva. Directly markets its products in 20 countries (including Canada) and sells them through agents in some 70 more. Recently bought Sicor, a California generics manufacturer, for $3.4 billion ... a "bold, record-breaking" purchase. Can "lift [Teva] to the very top of the world pharma-
Linda-yael Iny
ceutical league." Not a bitter pill to swallow, eh?
Royal City Musical Theatre Company celebrates its 15th year with a production of Rodgers' and Hammerstein's Carousel, both in New Westminster's Massey Theatre, April 8 to 24, and Surrey's Bell Performing Arts Centre, April 28 to May 2. Featured in the cast, community member Deborah AUman in the "witty" role of Mrs. Mullin. Details, 604-522-4306.
Hard to behove! Comic Billy Crystal is 56 years old. What's more, he's recently become a grandfather. And... he was "so excited fh)m the minute I heard my daughter, Jenny, was pregnant," that he wrote a children's book I Already Know I Love You.
★★★
One of Asia's "biggest musical superstars," Yundi Li caused a "mass ticket buying frenzy" in Shanghai recenfly. "Darned excited" about Yundi's local debut, Vancouver Redtal Society artistic director Leila Getz expects "not exactly frenzied, but certainly enthusiastic" ticket sales. "VRS audiences prefer mild manners over mayhem," laughs Leila. Yundi performs... decorum guaranteed ... at the Orpheum Sunday, April 17,8 p.m. Details, 604-602-0363.
★★★
The 2004 Artists in Our Midst dedicates its Open Studios event "to the message of peace." Weekend open studios: Dunbar/Ker-risdale, Aprill7-18; West Point Grey, April 24-25; Kitsilano, May 1-2. Friday evening pre-
views: D/K, St. Phihps Anglican Church, April 16; WPG, West Point Grey Community Centre, April 23; Kits, Vancouver Museum, April 30.
Jewish artists involved: in D/K, Mandy Cohen, Ben Kopelow, Bertha Lewis, Bessie Luteyn, Estelle Silver; in WPG, Diana Zoe Coop, Pnina Granirer, Karen Hol-lowell Scliwadel, Rina Lederer-Vizer, Alice Piiilips; in Kits, Suzy Birstein. Details, www.artistsinour-midst.com. •
German sculptor Gunter Demnig has a "unique way" to commemorate Holocaust victims. He literally makes his "compatriots" stumble over some 3,000 brass stumbling blocks he has laid (with local council's permission) on streets around his country. Lots more are planned. Each four-by-four-inch block carries a victim's name, birthdate, date of arrest or deportation and date and place of death.
Now at the Waterfront Theatre vmtil April 24 is the stage adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's timeless classic "for the young and yoimg at heart," Treasure Island. Community members featured in the cast... Josh Drebit, Derek Metz.
This past February, Israeli retail fashion chain Castro Td-Aviv (80-plus stores) opened a large store on the city's busiest comer, DizengofT and King George streets. Although the "lifestyle store" is "clearly" aimed at tiie "younger market," many customers are "clearly in the older age bracket" Many reasons to revisit Israel, says Elaine. That's one of them!
And speaking of Tel-Aviv fashion ... Tel-Aviv designer Yosef Peretz, at 30, has become "the couturier of dioice" for many Israeli women... celebrities and non alike. In just over four years, liis "free-flowing designs" have "conquered" the fashion-conscious females visiting his Yosef Boutique. Aha! Yet another compelling reason to re^ visit Israel, insists Elaine. □
Alex Kliner lias a varied background in tlicatrc, education and community service.
YOM HASHOAH
Grades4-12 Thursday, April 22,2004 • 10:15 A.M.
YOM HAZIKARON
Monday, April 26,2004 • 10:15 A.IVI.
YOM HA'ATZMAUT
Tuesday, April 27,2004 • 1 P.M.^ P.M. It is important to cmflim your attendance by calling the ofllce
VANCOUVER TALMUD TORAH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Call 604-736-7307or visit ww.taImudtoraIi.com
COLDUieiX
PREMIER REALTY
604 266-1364
SHEILA STERN Cel. 604788-0882
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GREAT MOVES DONT JUST HAPPEN. THEY TAKE TEAM WORK
6272 East Boulevard Vancouver, BC V6M3V7 colclwellbanker@telus.net www.premierrealtybc.com
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