President's Message

		Dear Chaverot, Many of you are lifelong members of Na'amat, or longer. You were born into it and it has been a part of your families for several generations. My involvement took a more circuitous route. My parents were Bundists in Poland before the Second World War. They survived the war in Poland and fought courageously in the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. After living briefly in Sweden they arrived in Canada in 1949. I was born in Montreal in 1951. Fast forward to the year 2000 when our beloved member, Gail Flicker z”l, asked my mother to be one of the honourees at the Na'amat Women's Seder. My mother accepted the honour but ultimately was unable to attend due to failing health; I was there and witnessed a moving and beautiful event. I knew from that moment that Na'amat was where I could feel at home. I joined the Seder Committee about two years later and have been a part of this vibrant and important organization ever since.
And now that I have retired from a long teaching career I am ready to assume the presidency of our local organization. I only hope that I can live up to the trust that you have placed in me. With your help, I will try. The women of Israel need us, especially now during these trying times. We must not let them down. Thank you and shalom, Mindy Spiegel

Events Calendar:

City Highlights

Holiday Boutique Fair Date: Sunday, December 4, 2011 Time: 2:00-5:00 pm Location & Address: Irving L. Adessky Community Centre, 30 Lyncroft Road, Hampstead Ticket Fee: Free Contact Name & Tel: Lisa 514-484-0252 One-stop shopping for all your holiday needs! Boutiques will be selling jewellery, stationery, giftware, children's books, Avon products, baby items, clothing, refreshments and so much more.

Baby Blanket Campaign Date: Ongoing to April 2012 Contact Name & Tel: Lisa Kasner 514-484-0252 Join us as we bring the community together to knit baby blankets for children in Na'amat Daycare Centres in Israel. Blankets must be made with acrylic yarn and can be of any pattern. Finished blankets will be collected at the Na'amat Montreal office and will be shipped to Israel at the end of April 2012. Help keep the children warm and give them the security they deserve!

Book Review Series for 2011-2012 Time: 7:30 pm Ticket Fee: $10 per evening Contact Name & Tel: Lisa Kasner 514-484-0252 November 8, 2011 - The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton reviewed by Evadne Anderson. March 19, 2012 – A Tale of Love and Darkness by Amoz Oz reviewed by Professor Eugene Orenstein. May 8, 2012 – The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid reviewed by Larry Weller. Reservations are required as space is limited.

Giant Bingo Wednesday, March 28, 2012 6:30pm Boutiques open, 7:30pm Bingo begins Beth Ora Synagogue, 2600 Badeaux, Ville St.Laurent Tickets: $25.00 Join us for an evening full of prizes, shopping, snacks and fun galore! Don't miss what everyone calls "the best Bingo in town!" For more information or to register, contact the Na'amat Canada Montreal Office: 514-484-0252 or info@naamat-mtl.ca.

Bouncing Back, Na'amat Montreal's anti-bullying program runs from September to May and includes interactive sessions with Grade 2 and 3 students. Any Montreal area school can request this free program that delivers messages of inclusion and tolerance. Our volunteer facilitators help children identify a bully and equip them with methods to stop schoolyard bullying. Click here for more information or contact Harriet Krakower at the Na'amat Office 514.484.0252.