YM-YWHA Ben Weider JCC

 announces

 

FITNESS PIONEERS JOE AND BEN WEIDER AND

LEGENDARY HABS COACH CECIL HART AMONG NEW INDUCTEES

TO MONTREAL YM-YWHA’S JEWISH SPORTS HALL OF FAME

 

MONTREAL, March 1, 2006  Legendary hockey coach Cecil Hart, who guided the Montreal Canadiens to Stanley Cup championships in 1930 and 1931, fitness pioneers Joe and Ben Weider, soccer star Dave Kaplan, and the 1949-50 YMHA Blues Canadian Senior Basketball championship team have been selected for induction into the YM-YWHA Alex Dworkin Montreal Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

 

The induction ceremony, which is open to the public, will take place at 7 pm, Monday, May 8 at the Ben Weider Jewish Community Centre on Westbury Avenue.  A gala reception for inductees, patrons and gold ticket holders will precede the ceremony in the Hall of Honour, with proceeds designated for the YM-YWHA Youth Fitness program, which includes scholarships for needy youth.  Harry Hus is chair of the Hall of Fame, with Doreen Green chairing the event. Ronald Corey, former president of the Montreal Canadiens, is honorary chair of the event.

 

The Weider brothers, Dave Kaplan, and the surviving members of the basketball team, Irving Kott, Ben Lands, Joey Richman, Ben Tissenbaum, Sol Tolchinsky, Erie Ulrich, and Murray Waxman are expected to attend the event.   Cecil Hart will be inducted posthumously, as will the deceased members of the basketball team, Doodie Bloomfield, Jack Golfman, Mendy Morein, Johnny Share, Moe Spiegel, and Sam Stein.

 

The Montreal Jewish Sports Hall of Fame is dedicated to Montreal athletes and teams that have recorded outstanding accomplishments, as well as builders and benefactors whose contribution to sports is acknowledged in Canada and internationally.

 

A direct descendent of Aaron Hart, the first Jewish settler in Canada, Cecil Hart (1883 – 1940) was an all-around sportsman who pioneered amateur hockey in Canada. He moved to professional hockey in 1921, when he helped negotiate the sale of the Montreal Canadiens.  Hart coached the Montreal Maroons in the 1924-25 season, but returned to the Canadiens in 1926 when the team moved to the hallowed Forum.

 

 In eight seasons coaching the Canadiens, between 1926 and 1932 and 1936 and 1939, his teams never missed the playoffs, winning Stanley Cups in 1930 and 1931, the first time the Habs won back-to-back titles. Overall, Hart posted a career NHL coaching record of 196-125-73. Emphasizing speed, which guides the team to this day, he helped lay the groundwork that made the Canadiens one of sport's most dominant franchises.

 

A tough competitor, he was respected as a true sportsman by players and opponents alike. The Hart Memorial Trophy for the NHL’s most valuable player is named after him.  The original Hart Trophy, donated to the NHL by his father in 1923, was retired to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1960 and was replaced by the Hart Memorial Trophy.

 

Born into a poor Montreal family, the Weider brothers decided to get fit at a young age in order to protect themselves from neighborhood bullies. From these humble beginnings, Joe and Ben became the world leaders in promoting the benefits of exercise and fitness, changing the face of bodybuilding and creating an empire based on fitness publications, bodybuilding equipment and nutritional supplements.

 

Joe, who was born in 1922, launched the Weider magazine business in Montreal in 1940, and was joined by his brother Ben, who was born in 1924. Ben served in the Canadian Army and is now an Honorary Colonel of the 62^nd Field Artillery Regiment of Shawinigan.  On his discharge in 1945, the brothers founded Weider Sports Equipment and Weider Health and Fitness, the first step on the road to the development of their multi-million dollar fitness and bodybuilding business.  Their products are sold all over the world.

 

While involved in all aspects of the business, Ben concentrated on building the International Federation of Body Builders (IFBB), which he founded in 1945. He is still president of the federation, which currently has 173 national affiliates, making it one of the world’s largest sporting associations.  In 1998, the International Olympic Committee granted provisional recognition to the IFFB, probably the most important of Ben’s accomplishments after 52 years of determination and persistence.  Although in their 80s, Joe and Ben continue to travel the globe, promoting fitness and strength-conditioning as key factors in the collective health of citizens the world over.

 

Dave Kaplan, a longtime Montrealer, was an outstanding athlete in soccer, football, hockey, baseball, track & field and tennis, but earned a national reputation as a goalkeeper with the Montreal Hakoah soccer team from 1948 until 1955.

 

Born in Winnipeg in 1923, Kaplan played football in college and with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He also played hockey with several Winnipeg teams, including the RCAF team after he became an airman during the war. The war over, he moved to Montreal in 1946, playing various sports. He joined the Hakoah Soccer Club on its formation in 1948 and was named its MVP in 1949.  In 1950, he was selected as goalkeeper for the Montreal All Stars in a pair of international soccer games against Manchester United and the national team from England. He was game MVP against Manchester United.

 

The “Y” Blues team was a major factor in Canadian basketball for several years. After winning the eastern championship, the 1949-50 team won the national title by beating the University of Manitoba in a best of five series in Montreal.

 

Further information about the event or ticket reservations for the reception can be had by calling or writing Elsa Beker at 514-737-8628, Extension 595 or ebeker@ymywha.com.

 

YM-YWHA West Island JCC

**New dates for this workshop**

 

5-part series starts Monday, March 13Kabbalah - What Madonna Doesn’t Know About Kabballah

 

Unleashing the Power Within. Come and get a taste of the exciting world of Kabbalah. Unravel some of the secrets into how the metaphysical world is structured and how this knowledge can improve your life.

Whatever your level of knowledge, you will find treasures of thought in this series that will connect you to a deeper understandings of reality that will inspire you for years to come.

About Rabbi Karmi David Ingber
Rabbi Karmi David Ingber trained in Israel for 20 years with leading sages and kabbalists. He is a renowned lecturer, with a dynamic lecturing style, who has now moved to Montreal to share his unique insights with the Montreal community. In addition, Rabbi Ingber has a master’s degree in counseling psychology and is an experienced therapist, which helps him translate deep and lofty concepts into life improving attitudes.

To register call: Jacqueline 624-6750 ext: 35

 

YM-YWHA Ben Weider JCC

SCUBA Extravaganza

Sunday, March 26, 11:30am-1:00pm

 

Back by popular demand…Underwater SCUBA extravaganza
Experience the joys of SCUBA, play water polo, pool games and relay races. 
Children (8 yrs. +) and adults can try their hand at SCUBA diving. 
Fun activities offered for those who don't want to try SCUBA. 
Lots of prizes to be won including pool programs, health club services, gift certificates to Café Dizengoff, swim equipment and toys.
$5.00 to participate and get in on the door prizes.

 

YM-YWHA Ben Weider JCC

5400 Wesbury Ave., Montreal

Run by the YM-YWHA Aquatics department in conjunction with Action SCUBA and AQUAM.

 

For more information contact:

Mitch Katz Zeitlin

Director, Aquatic Services

737-6551 Ext. 520

 

YM-YWHA West Island JCC offers

Three fabulous NEW programs for your baby this spring

along with other creative programming

 

February 2006 – The WIJCC Early Childhood facility is a warm and caring environment where you will "discover the difference". Each child is treated as a unique and special person in these Parent and Tot programs that offer important connections to your new baby.  Registration starts March 17 and spaces are limited. Programs start the week of March 27.

For information and to register please call Heather at 624-6750

 

Mondays         

New program: Twist and Shout 3 months and up                          

A half hour in the gym followed by a half hour of music; children build muscle strength and coordination as well as develop body awareness and rhythm.

Cost: $145/10 sessions (Y members pay $135)

 

New program: Mini Mini Sports Mix 20 months and up

Activities introduce your toddler to a variety of sports while strengthening the parent/child bond. Sports include mini ball, basketball, parachute and football.

Cost: $150/10 sessions (Y Members pay $140) 

 

Tuesdays

Wee Explorers 5-12 months

One hour of playtime in a thoughtfully designed classroom featuring fingerplays, toys and musical activities for this exciting time for moms and tots.

Cost: $145/10 sessions (Y Members pay $135)

 

Creative Movement 20 months plus

This parent and tot program for boys and girls will have you both up and dancing.

Instructor: Andrea Michelle Damanski from Arabesque School of Ballet

Cost: $150 (Y Members pay $140)

 

Wednesdays   

Little Explorers 12 months plus

Get ready for lots of singing and swinging along with creative art activities, movement and storytime.

Cost: $160 (Y Members pay $150)

 

Thursdays       

Storybook Cooks and Crafts 16 months plus

Each storytime will be followed by a cooking or art experience that follows the theme of the story. Kids love sampling their edible creations.

Cost: $155 (Y Members pay $145)

 

New Program: Parent and Baby Yoga birth until crawling

This class is a beautiful way to relax and bond with your baby while stretching and strengthening. Learn yoga poses for parents that incorporate your baby in games and activities as well as soothing massage.

Instructor: Kate Hutson

Cost: $160

 

Fridays

Shabbat Shalom 16 months plus

Join us for an exciting Shabbat program accompanied by “music with Marlene”, challah, grape juice and more.

Cost: $170 (Y Members pay $160)

 

Programs take place at the YM-YWHA West Island JCC

13101 Gouin Blvd, Pierrefonds

 

For information and to register please call: Heather at 624-6750 hingberg@ymywha.com

 

YM-YWHA JCC

Ben Weider and West Island branches

 

Brand new course, back by popular demand…

Spring Sushi Making Workshops with Joddy Cozocaru

 

A diverse choice of recreation and leisure activities are always offered at the YM-YWHA. These courses propose a range of tastes and budgets, offering something for everyone. Don’t miss this upcoming sushi-making course. Registration is on now.

 

SPRING SUSHI MAKING
Ben Weider: Monday, March 20 and March 27, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

West Island: Tuesday, March 21 and March 28, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

This workshop will be in two parts. The first will be an introduction on how to make your own basic, delicious sushi. Each participant will have their own bamboo mat at their table with a plate filled with fish, vegetables and rice. Students will also take home information about the California roll, salmon roll and vegetarian roll that they just made. The workshop will also touch upon delicious fruit combinations in sushi.

 

In the second class, students will learn more complicated rolls. The focus will be on hand rolls, rolling sushi without a mat, as well as nigiri sushi. 

 

Instructor: Joddy Cozocaru, local kosher sushi caterer

Space is limited

 

YM-YWHA Ben Weider JCC                YM-YWHA West Island JCC

5400 Westbury, Montreal                       13101 Gouin Blvd. West, Pierrefonds

To register please call:                            To register please call:

Olga Freiman 737-6551 ext. 240               Jacqueline Cohen Saraga 624-6750 ext. 35

olga@ymywha.com                                    jcohen@ymywha.com

 

www.ymywha.com