Thursday, May 14,1987 — THE BULLETIN — 3
Biochemist honored wit Weizmann memorial fun
By SHARONzDRACHE
Irving Layton never ceases to amaze and stimulate. At 75 (he recently celebrated his
ture of passion and celebration, a poet not exempt from enjoying the pleasures of the people he may or may not-castigate.
JWB reviewer of Jewish Canadiana last month attended the Ottawa premiere of the National Film Board's Poe^: Irving Layton Observed At the Museum of Civilization.
ton tells interviewer Dino Siotis (poet and Press Counsellor for the Embassy of Greece) that the poef s role is to root out the poiiutants of civilizatioTi, to make way for the work of man's soul. Lay-ton admits he has always managed to do what is tnost important to him: "to write poems, to make love and to ■ teach.'^::/
, W^lking^^^^^^t^ of Greece amid ruiiis, he explains: "Sight is my strongest
IRVING LAYTON is seen af Ottawa premiere with Greek poet DIno Siotis (left) who Interviewed the Canadian poet In the National Film Board movie.
birthday March 12), he is still restless and curious, a man who lives to write.
His celebration of life in his poetry and prose is best described by him as "words dancing on the page." For Irving Layton the dance is essential. His craft is one of rewriting until the words take on the life he wishes to give them. Often these words in their intensity will diefy ,d||th itself. ;^ ^
The iconoclasticj j>rotean bard was ori^haind to speak to an enthusiastic ^dience of about 200 at th« Museum of Civilization last month for an evening hosted by the Parnassus Cultural Society celebrating his poetry and the National Film' Board's 52-minutp film. Poet: Irving Lay-ton Observed, directed by Donald Winkler.
The film, set in Montreal and Greece, provides a glimpse of Layton that his readers don't always see. Greece as backdrop, portrays him as an intriguing admix-
CJC to examine
itself at June 7 Toronto forum
JWB Staff
Three local Canadian Jewish Congress officials will next month take part in a "national officer structure review workshop" in Toronto.
Erwin Nest, CJC's executive-director (Pacific Region), told. JWB last week he will take part in the June 7 forum along with CJC president Dr. Robert Krell and Sidney Zack. _
Nestsaid it has become vital for Congressto evaluate its position in the Jewish com^ munity in relation to other groups — B'nai B'rithand the proliferation of Federations across Canada — who represent, in some way, the Jewish communities tlfcy serve.
The forumVwill seek to 'clarify the rhl^ Congress should play vis a vis other groups," Nest said.
sense:"- Before our eyes he transforms his visual images into lively poetry. We watch him dance with his yoiing wiife, Anna Poitier, and his gratitude for the gift of love reflects vividly from the joy in his face. We see Layton lecturing to spellbound studehtis at the University of Greece on the demons that infect mod-em civilization, and on Canadian poetry.
Layton is an inspired teacher. When he confronts students with the evil of man in this century, they shudder _ with revelation. The word 'Holocaust' bouncing off his tongue explains a perspective of misguided power that only a truly great poet can impart.
For Layton, Canadian poetry uniquely explores much of man's contemporary arsenal. He calls it, the double hook: the beauty and the terror; essentially, the lessons of the 20th century and the laws of nature. Why man gets out of control or what a man will do to make himself a king is only part of what Irving Layton writes about. He has a highly developed sixth sense, a poet's yearning for the soul of man which he must vouchsafe for himself as he strives for a place in the sun.
Layton has gained his place in the sun. In the process his legacy of words are images that will help others do the same, with dignity and pride, and perhaps the combined humility atijd vanity of the poet. Happy 75th, Irving Layton.
OTTAWA —-Friends and colleagues of the late Dr. Bert Migicovsky have undertaken
animal research unity in 1959. That same year he made headlines when the scientific
DR. MIGICOVSKY ... passed away last June
a campaign to establish a permanent scholarship in his name at the Weizmann Institute of Science in-Rehovot, Israel.
Bert Baruch Migicovsky, leading biochemist with the federal government for 34 years died in Ottawa on June 14,1986.
Born in Winnipeg, Dr. Migicovsky graduated from the Univerisity of Manitoba. He joined the government's agriculture research depairtment in 1940 and was appointed chiief of biochemistry of the
research team he was heading discovered an inexpensive way to remove radioactive material from milk.
In 1975, Migicovsky was appointed deputy minister in charge of research at Agriculture -Canada, a position he^ held until his retirement in 1977.
In recognition of his distinguished career and outstanding contributions to the support and promotion of scientific research in Canada, he received many honours including the Montreal
Meda 1, honorary degrees from several universities, and he was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.
One of Dr. Migicovsky's interests was promotion of the research talents of the generation following him. The Canadian Society for the Weiz^ manri Institute of Science was a particular enthusiasm since it reflected both his interest in science and in the international basis of scientific interactions.
For additional information, contact the Ottawa office of the Society at 56 Sparks Street, Suite 706, Ottawa Kl P 5A9(613) 236-3391.
Lawyer Christie is suing over remarl(s
CALGARY — The lawyer for Ernst Zundel and Jim Keegstra maysoon be in court defending accusations he too is a "bigot, racist and hatemonger.''
Victoria lawyer Doug Christie recently filed legal documents alleging lawyer Sheldon Chumir made de^ famatory statements at a public meeting.
Christie contends he has been "greatly injured in his credit, character and reputation as a practicing lawyer and subjected to hatred, ridicule and contempt," as a result of Chumir's remarks.
Christie seeks $30,000 in daniages and an injunction stopping Chumir from making similar statements.
E
lach year thousands of children become victims of accidents in and around the home. You can reduce your child's risk of injury by ensuring a safe environment.
The federal government passed stringent new safety standards for cribs last fall. Make sure you select a crib that meets all safety standards, and keep it in good condition.
Remember that children's sleep-wear and clothing can bum easily and that your child should not play near fireplaces, stoves or heaters. Polo-style pyjamas are safer than loose fitting nightgowns.
Provide close supervision if your child uses a walker, especially near stoves and electric cords, anq ensure thatstairways are closed off.
For more information on how you can protect your child, please contact the nearest office of Consumer and Corporate Affairs Canada. _
1^
Consumer & Corporate Affairs Canada
Harvie Andre, Minister
Consommation et Corporations Canada
Canada