Equitas

The EQUITAS is a Montreal-born human right organization, and runs a program called International Human Rights Training Program to train and educate human rights workers

from around the world.

In 2009 the closing convention was held in June 21. Amy Cooper was the main organizer with

the help of Emanuelle and Bruni from the Montreal Holocaust

Memorial Centre. They came from 57 different countries, and very

different cultures. Many of them from French speaking countries.

This year I have the following activist:
Claudia Kravetz from Chile
Marie Christian from Canada
Ana Zarraga of Venezuela (the picture on the right)
Tharwat Aalama from Egypt
Sao Sotheary came from Sri Lanka

George Gabisonia from Georgia

Esther Njomo Oman from Cameroon (in the picture in the middle).

I gave my testimony around the table during lunch and we

have a long discussion, questions before the closing speeches,

and than some of the activist told how they educate and fight for human right in their own country.

It was a very important and successful day.

In the foot note: last year I was talking to activist from Tanzania, Indonesia, Pakistan, Thailand, Ecuador and Uganda.

Voulnteers in the MHMC

May 12, 2009 the Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre honored all the volunteers with wine and some food. Alice welcomed all the volunteers and said a big "THANK YOU" for the important work they do to educate the general public, mostly students from different schools . " The volunteers are the heart of the Centre.

The dedicated and hard working staff, every one of them, doing a great job to help the volunteers.

The new MHMC new website was introduced by the charming and active Manuella, and explained how to use it, how to inform everybody about the website. It is very important not only for the students, but the teachers too. With the help of Juli, Bruni and Laurel the event was very interesting and succesful.

Florida 2009

Winter in Florida 2009.

We spent 3 months in Hallandale Beach, in the Parker Plaza to have warm weather, sun and fun, and beach, and lots of walk. We had lots of sun, but with lots of wind too, and many cold days to heat the apartment. Yes, we did lots of walk in the Waterway (see pictures) and in the Aventure shopping Mall (see pictures). Swimming in the pool? Leslie five times, Vera only once. In the ocean? Yes, Leslie did for 15 minutes in the LAST day before going home. Shopping was easy, the prices were good for shoes, pants, grocery and gasoline. The best part was when George and Joanie with Alex came for a few days and later Jaclyn too. We had a good few hours with them, see the picture in the restaurant. They did lots of shopping, besige George was sick the whole time. It was a short, but nice visit.

When went to see a few good movies, and had a good time with our very good friends Marianne and Jim Carr. We walk with them, eat with them in the good restaurant and in their home.

Nothing changed in Vera's condition, beside we eat well, but the wind, or the humidity was not very good for her.

One thing for sure, we had better time in Florida, than being in the cold, snowy, windy Montreal.

Is it cost too much? Yes, we spent a few dollars there.

Wedding of Deborah Veltri and Justin Omanoff

Lily Carr the flowergirl Stephanie and Jeffry

A beutiful wedding not outside, but under the roof.

The new Mr. and Mrs. Omanoff just driving into the future.

In the HALF MOON SEASIDE RESORT, Jamaica the day of November 15, 2008 was a very important day for Debbie Veltri and his parents Marianne and Jim: Debbie, the only and beutiful daughter will have her wedding day. Justin Omanoff and his parents were ther to share their handsom son Justin happiness. Their relatives and friends from both side were there to listen Justin and Debbie composition and all the promises they make to each other.

The wedding dresses, the flower arrangment were outstanding. All the food, the music and the non-stop dancing was the evening big attraction.

An evening before the Resort gave a big and BBQ party with plenty of food, music and local show. Debbie was the main dancer. Sunday breakfast close to the ocean was tasty and many guests were going home.

This was a family affair and everybody will remember for this special wedding and the long and hard organization of Marianne.

OUR VERY BEST WISHES TO THE NEW COUPLE!

Birthday parties

BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR VERA AND FOR LESLIE 85.

Joanie and George invuted close to 50 people, relatives and good friends came to celebrate in the Chatea Vaudreaul Sunday brunch November 2nd, 2008.

George said: History was made in 1924 and in 1928 when my parents were born, than in 1952 when they were married and a very important day was in 1955 when I was born.My parents had a bumpy road, but with hard work, determination they made it.My mother was working as a dressmaker, than in the office of Magnasonic/Sanyo. My father was and is a hard working person, but he is a bad credit risk. He never bought anything on credit, or loan, or mortgage.

After I finished ny nedical education and married Joanie we moved to Toronto and raised three wonderful children. Gregory, the oldest son and Jaclyn our only daughter were not able to come today, they have very important test in their schools, outside Toronto. I am happy to tell, that Alex, our youngest son is here.

Leslie said: Thank you Joanie and George for this memorable celebration, for your succesful organization, to invite our loved and cherished guests. We are veru happy to see you all here, in this happy occasion, to see all the smiling faces.

Thank you Eva Kertesz, Georgie and Tibor Lebi to travel from Toronto. Thank you Gabe Neiser and Vee Ennan to travel from Long Island, USA.

Thank you all for your donations, your gifts and for your your love for a long time.

Than Leslie read the list of well wishers from out-of-country, out-of city:

Barbara Scwartz sister, Petach Tiqva, Israel

Rosalie Karalekas Winkler cousin and her family, Salem Oregon, USA

Marianne and Jim Carr from Aventure, Florida, USA

Luly and Gladys Amestoy from Montevideo, Uruguay

Tatiana Rother from Ottawa, Ontario.

Duci said: We are all gathered around our dear Vera to express our best wishes on this wonderful occasion of her birthday. We all know about her origin and the hardship she suffered from childhood, and trough her life. How she met Prince Charming and than immigrated to Canada with baby George, to begin a new life here.

Than she explained the suggestion of Annie Benko to send them to a nice hotel and have some "spending" money for this double occasion. Kati Egett did a good job collecting and Joe Gyulai took on the artistic presentation and he made "THE LIST".

Duci: In the end we decided to send Vera and Leslie to their favourite spot in Ottawa, or other city, for a theatre, and/or to have a romantic supper. We made also a nice donation to the Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors, Leslie's favourite cause. We trust their imagination to make a very enjoyable time to remember!

2008 Rosh Hashana

In October, 2008 we were in Toronto, celebrating the Jewish New Year in the beutiful home of Joanie and George. They invited family members and their best friends. "Only" 20 people were aroung the table, which was well decorated and covered with lots of good food. Jaclyn and Alex were happy to be part of the celebration, Gregory was not able to leave the school this time.

"Soup or wine" Joanie ask en the beginning. Mostly we ask for the very good soup. In two hours most of the food and wine was gone, but the discussions were ended much later.

This was a very happy time and hope the New Year will be good for everybody.

Volunteer recognition party 2008

The CUMMINGS JEWISH CENTER FOR SENIORS made again a "Volunteer Regcognition Party in June 5th, 2008. After serving a good lunch by the staff members, we were listening for the many "THANKS" for our volunteer work, the important time and dedication the volunteers give to all the members of the CJCS. Than came the entertainment by the excellent group of "THE ABSOLUTS" with lots of fun and dancing.

I was very happy, like all of us to hear the speakers, to enjoy a few hours and get ready for the next day to help our seniors.