Welcome to The Shpiel on Hamilton
 

A podcast series produced by the Hamilton Jewish News and generously sponsored by the Allen and Milli Gould Family Foundation

 

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Guest host Ilana Zackon interviews both long-time Jewish Hamiltonians and newcomers to the community to find out everything there is to know about Jewish Hamilton. 

Episode 2: THE WAR IN UKRAINE

The Shpiel on Hamilton speaks with four Jewish Hamiltonians from the Former Soviet Union about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Hamilton Jewish Federation CEO Gustavo Rymberg about the overwhelming community response to Federation’s emergency campaign for Ukraine.

Episode 3: THE TIES THAT BIND

Cantor Gideon Zelermyer from Montreal Congregation Shaar HaShomayim shares memories of his friend and collaborator Boris Brott.

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Episode 4: MCMASTER'S LEONARD COHEN MANUSCRIPT

McMaster archivist Chris Long's unearthing of a Leonard Cohen manuscript in McMaster University's McLelland and Stewart Archive becomes the a central feature of Canadian Israeli journalist Matti Friedman's book Who by Fire: Leonard Cohen in the Sinai.  

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Episode 5: A CONVERSATION WITH ISRAELI FILMMAKER YAIR QEDAR

Israeli filmmaker Yair Qedar, discusses his acclaimed documentary, The Fourth Window, an unflinching and multi-layered portrait of Amos Oz, Israel’s most prolific and internationally read author.
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Episode 6: OLD STOCK, A REFUGEE LOVE STORY, COMES TO HAMILTON

This year's Annual Community Campaign Launch coincides with an outstanding theatrical event on Tuesday, July 26 at Theatre Aquarius, when Ben Caplan, a Hamilton born and bred musician, performance artist extraordinaire and klezmer folk sensation stars in the inaugural Hamilton performance of Old Stock, A Refugee Love Story
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Episode 7: INTRODUCING "IMPACT MAKERS" WITH TODAY'S GUEST LAURA WOLFSON

it can be difficult to believe that one person can make a difference, but The Shpiel on Hamilton's new series, Impact Makers, will profile many individuals in our community who are doing just that. Meet today's guest Laura Wolfson, who is spearheading efforts to grow Hamilton's Jewish community.
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Episode 8: JEWISH HAMILTON'S IMPACT MAKERS FEATURING AMANDA KATZ

The Shpiel on Hamilton speaks with Amanda Katz, the 27 year old executive director of Homeless Cars, a charity that’s dedicated to helping fund and eliminate homelessness and food insecurity in Hamilton. In the following conversation, Amanda reflects on how the values instilled in her growing up in Hamilton influenced the life choices she has made.
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Episode 9: JEWISH HAMILTON'S IMPACT MAKERS WITH DR. SAMANTHA WINEMAKER

Dr. Samantha Winemaker, a palliative care physician in Hamilton, is on a mission to change the way our health care system treats patients facing terminal illness. Since she and a colleague launched their groundbreaking podcast The Waiting Room Revolution last year, Winemaker continues to be a strong and passionate voice on social media.
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Episode 10: BETH JACOB SYNAGOGUE: THE END OF AN ERA AND A NEW BEGINNING

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Nearly seven decades after moving from its humble, first home on Hunter Street to an elegant and impressive facility on 375 Aberdeen Ave., Beth Jacob Synagogue has sold its building in a “best-case scenario” arrangement that’s allowed the synagogue to maintain use of its beloved Richter Chapel. 
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EPISODE 11: JEWISH HAMILTON'S IMPACT MAKERS FEATURING ROBIN ZEE

As a mother, counsellor, artist and active member of Hamilton’s Jewish community, Robin is a living example that a troubled past doesn’t have to define the future. Ultimately, she is a story-teller, sharing her life experiences for the sake of dissolving the stigma that surrounds mental illness and emotional trauma. 
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EPISODE 12: FATHER AND DAUGHTER IMPACT MAKERS DAN AND JOANNE LEVY

The Shpiel on Hamilton's interview with Joanne Levy, who recently won a Canadian Jewish Literary Award for her book Sorry for Your Loss about a young girl whose family runs a Jewish funeral home. Levy’s book was inspired by her father, Dan Levy, president of the United Hebrew Memorial Chapel of Hamilton. to her father and to the work that he does. 
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EPISODE 13: SCOTT BALINSON'S FINAL FAREWELL TO THE QUEEN

Scott Balinson, a long-time member of Hamilton’s Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, marched in the Queen's funeral last September. In this Shpiel on Hamilton episode, he recounts his family's long-time attachment to the Royal Family and the excitement of taking part in the largest state funeral in British history.
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EPISODE 14: JEWISH ROOTS AND UNIVERSAL THEMES: THE HAMILTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL

The Shpiel on Hamilton and special guests walk you through the upcoming Hamilton Jewish Film Festival, which takes place at The Westdale theatre from Feb. 26 to 28. Find out why this year's festival is not to be missed. 
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EPISODE 15: THE SHPIEL ON THE LOEWITH FAMILY DAIRY FARM

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For three generations, the Loewith family dairy farm has built its success on bold dreams and visionary leadership. In this episode of the Shpiel on Hamilton, Ben Loewith and Jennifer Howe share the exciting news and background story behind their farm's soon to be opened on-site dairy. 
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EPISODE 16; LIBRARY EXHIBIT SHOWCASES HOLOCAUST RECOLLECTIONS

The Shpiel on Hamilton's interview with Kaye Prince-Hollenberg about the Hamilton Public Library exhibit showcasing the recollections of 10 Hamilton Holocaust survivors.
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Episode 17: THE SHPIEL ON ANTISEMITISM AT THE UPCOMING GOLDBLATT LECTURE

The Shpiel's interview with Professor Dov Waxman, who will be the featured speaker at the upcoming Goldblatt Lecture on the topic How to Think about Antsemitism: Anti-Jewish Racism?” 
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