Ukrainian Jewish Heritage – New Feature

So little is known about Ukraine’s Jewish past, and present. For example, did you know that Ukraine is the second most sacred site on earth for Jews, second only to Israel itself? Few do. Such facts are too often lost in a sea of ignorance and mutual distrust created and cultivated by outside forces with a vested interest in keeping Jews and Ukrainians from working together to build a strong, sovereign Ukrainian state. A few years ago, in Toronto, that is exactly what I heard Meylakh Sheykhet say to a gathering of both communities. Meylakh has devoted his life to preserving what is left of Ukraine’s Jewish community, and restoring harmony between Ukrainians and Jews. Known as the “guardian of Jewish cemetaries in Ukraine,” Meylakh is the Executive Director of the Jewish Heritage Museum in Lviv, and a tireless advocate against the ongoing desecration of Jewish sacred sites in Ukraine. Here in Canada, he spoke of the devastation wreaked in Ukraine by the Nazis and the Communists. He also spoke of the affection between Jews and non-Jews in remote Ukrainian villages… genuine affection between ordinary workaday people who live side by side year in and year out and who are mutually devasted whenever a […]

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Critically acclaimed musical Strike! makes its Alberta Premiere this month

In conjunction with the Alberta Federation of Labour’s 100th Anniversary, Danny Schur & Rick Chafe’s critically-acclaimed musical Strike! makes its Alberta debut with Edmonton’s Workshop West Theatre April 24th – 28th, 2013 at the Timms Centre for the Performing Arts. Set against the nation-changing tumult of the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike, the eight-show run features an 18-person Edmonton cast under the direction of Edmonton-raised director Arne MacPherson. Danny Schur is currently in Edmonton helping with preparations for the production. We chatted by phone earlier this week about the show and his amazing career as a self-employed full-time musician and playwright. The interview will air on Nash Holos in early April. Tickets for the Edmonton performance are very reasonably priced, so if you are in the Edmonton area or plan to visit while they’re showing, make sure to book your tickets soon. They’re going fast so don’t delay and risk being disappointed. This is one show you don’t want to miss! The performance schedule is: • Wednesday, April 24th (Opening Night) – 8:00 PM • Thursday, April 25th (Student Matinee) – 1:00 PM / Thursday, April 25th – 8:00 PM • Friday, April 26th – 8:00 PM (SOLD OUT) • Saturday, […]

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