The Avrum Rosensweig Show

Episode 10: Bernie Farber - Open a Mouth

Bernie Farber is a well known human rights activist, a writer and Jewish leader. He has courageously challenged white supremacists and worked along side Native Canadians through his partnership with philanthropist, Michael Dan. Bernie's motivation to: chair Ve'ahavta: The Canadian Jewish Humanitarian & Relief Committee, teach local police ways and means of dealing with hate crimes, work at Canadian Jewish Congress from 1984-2011, and ultimately become its CEO, and so much more, stems from a lessons in life he was taught by his father Max RIP, a Holocaust survivor and only remaining Jew from his village. His Dad, who owned a food store minutes away from Parliament in Ottawa, told Bernie, if he wanted to change things in this world, fix it, he'd have to "open a mouth". Open a mouth Bernie did.

His opinions and thoughts about fighting anti-Semitism can be read in articles he's penned for The New York Times, Toronto Star, Huffington Post, NOW Magazine, Canadian Jewish News and many more publications. He has acted as an expert witness in cases against Holocaust deniers and led the Paloma Foundation, an organization that worked with youth and homeless shelters and ran for the Liberal party in 2011 . Bernie's accomplishments go on and on. 

Listen to episode 10 of Hatradio! and learn about Bernie's awesome recipe for chicken. Hear about his friendship and work with Larry Tenenbaum and former Canadian prime minister, Paul Martin. Hear Bernie sing a song about peace originally sung by Joan Baez. Discover the hit-list Bernie was on and how he was ultimately saved by a CSIS mole. And be privy to his feelings about his beautiful wife, kids and family, some of whom perished in the Holocaust. "Open a Mouth" is one of those podcasts you don't want to miss. It's about one of Canada's leading Jewish leaders who just never keeps quiet. 

Hatradio!  The show that schmoozes. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Episode 9: Joan Ruzsa: Justice, Therapy & Climbing Rocks

I was sitting in a club, about ten years ago, where my friend David, was playing guitar with a fellow musician, Lynda, whom he had recently met. Lynda's friend came along, Joan, and over the loud rhythmic noises emanating from the stage, she and I struck up a conversation. It was difficult to hear her - "what", i kept saying -  but I was able to catch her very dry vermouth-like humor, recognize Joan's smarts and the way she kind of forced me to respond with wise quips.

And I liked her tattoos.

I had never really schmoozed with a woman like that. We ultimately fell in love and dated for seven years. That's my shelf life, and pretty much her's for relationships. But that's not the point really. What is? Well it's the fact I'd met someone who is a 'warrior'. And we became friends.

Joan Ruzsa is focused. She is tunnel-vision focus so much so that if a boulder or a person gets in her way she goes around them, or through them. Joan is unbend-able, until she decides she wants to bend. Seven years of therapy school, ultimately graduating as a therapist helped her with that. But mostly, this 46 year-old purveyor of truth is the only person I had ever met whom I wanted to write a script about. I never did but that's not because her light has faded in my eyes. No, not at all, but simply because I come up with a zillion ideas and only implement one or two of them.

What would the script be about? It would include an entire scene with dim lighting showing Joan on the phone in her office at Rittenhouse (where she is the CEO), a non-profit mandated to help guys on the 'inside' - in jail, and educate the public on the cruel reality of incarceration and the possibility of alternative forms of justice. She would be talking with a 'lifer' in a penitentiary somewhere in Ontario. She would be counselling him on how to deal with his depression, or ways and means she could help gather documentation to use for his next trial, or what to say to his mom when she calls him again and cries the entire phone call.

Joan is an activist. She is the same decent, loving, curious, funny, serious person I met at that club whom I could barely here, who fights the fight with bare fists and does so graciously, with class and charisma. She climbs walls in her spare time and is now learning how to use her bread maker and make vegan donuts. Joan is bubbling over with growth and she gives an enormous shit about our world and the most vulnerable.

Have a listen, and learn, and grow yourself. There is much to see here, much to hear. Joan Ruzsa, on Hatradio! the show that schmoozes. 

Episode 8: Aaron Bensoussan The Little Sephardic boy Turned World-class Ashkanazi Cantor

Aaron Bensoussan was born into a most prestigious Moroccan family with roots going back to Maimonides, a 12th century leading Jewish sage.  At the tender age of 14 years old, his parents sent him to New York City to learn, with the possibility of becoming a rabbi. There he was exposed to an Ashkanazi (Eastern European) way of life and a dramatically different culture. The young man had to get used to his new freedoms, the ways of Americans and a different menu which included the previously unknown "and strange' cereal called porridge for breakfast versus his back-home morning meal of croissants and cafe au lait. Things had changed for young Aaron, a lot!

After hearing the great Ashkenazi singer, Yossele Rosenblatt, Aaron fell in love with chazanute, Eastern European Jewish cantorial song.  With the odds stacked against him, Aaron was accepted into Jewish schools of higher learning where he studied under world-class  composers and cantors. One of his greatest mentors and teachers was the great David Koussevitzky.  Aaron graduated and over time this unique cantor accepted synagogue gigs in New York and later on in Toronto. 

One Shabbat morning Aaron fused together the kvetch (the cry) of Ashkenazi music with that of Sephardic liturgical music creating a refreshingly new Jewish cantorial motif.  He was worried he’d be fired but in fact the congregants loved it.  Aaron’s career was established and it skyrocketed. He was asked to sing around the world with many of the greats in places like  Australia, Israel and behind the Iron Curtain.

Today Aaron Benssousan is a composer, a teacher, a student of Talmud, a spouse and a father. His work is appreciated across the planet with today's cantorial stars in concerts and services. Aaron uses his gift of singing for much good and an extension of his kindness. 

Listen to the interview and learn about this most talented and soulful man and  the many musical and personal challenges he has overcome. HAT RADIO! The Show that Schmoozes.

To learn more about Aaron click on his website: 

www.aaronbensoussan.com/

 

 

 

Episode 7: Chavi Rosenzweig: My Sister. A Survivor of Tragedy. A Student of Love & Joy!

We coddle our kids nowadays rarely letting them out of our site. But Chavi Rosenzweig (born Chavi Rosensweig) the second daughter of a Rabbi and Rebbetzin and a "homebody",  left her home in a small city at 14 years of age to attend school in the big city, Toronto. She and her four siblings, 17 and under, shared an apartment together. Imagine! The first part of this interview deals with Chavi’s early years, her memories of the magical environment in her parents home, her love of Judaism and the independence she had to develop. And it’s good she did.

Later on in life Chavi met David Rosenzweig (Rosenzweig with a “z”) her husband to be. He was her soulmate. She was his. They had six children. One evening, following Shabbat David was called to help one of their children with a flat tire. Waiting for a tow-truck, an angry, erratic and dangerous man on a mission to buy drugs, killed David just like that. David was in the wrong place at the wrong time. At that very moment Chavi’s life changed “never to be the same”. Listen to this compelling part of the interview and be privy to what Chavi did to stay standing, to survive, to build a sound, beautiful life for she and her children. Hear her appreciation for so many people who were part of her village and helped ensure their joy today. 

Chavi Rosenzweig's story is inspiring and life-changing. Take some quiet time to learn and grow through this episode of Hat Radio! Its worth it.

Hat Radio! The show that schmoozes.

“The deeper the darkness the more you need to open your eyes to your blessings.”   - Chavi Rosenzweig

 

Episode 6: Roz Gelade -- Rescue Me! Rescue Me! I rescued myself!

Roz Gelade was eight years old when she and her family moved away from their place of birth, England, to Montreal. The wee little lass suffered terribly from separation anxiety and wanted so badly to be rescued and returned to that place where she felt safe. It was not to be. Later on in life, after a move to Toronto, her parents decided it would be wise to send Roz to secretarial school. She missed the first six weeks. Again, Roz like many, sought rescue to a life whereby she could embrace her passion whatever that might be. One day, driving up to Steve's Restaurant, Roz spotted a cat with her kittens. Instinctively, she sprung up. Roz fed them. Roz gave them shelter. Roz adopted them out. She rescued them. And so launched the genesis of this diminutive English girl's (turned highly impressive woman) career as a professional in the cat field. Soon enough Roz launched a non-profit using her own paradigm for rescue, care of cats and bringing joy to humankind. To this day she can regularly be found on the streets of Toronto ensuring the safety of Toronto's felines. While Roz's career-trajectory has not gone straight up she is on fire. Her has inspired many and her deep deep love of all God's creations has changed the lives of many. Finally Roz was rescued and the rescuer was herself. 

HAT RADIO! THE SHOW THAT SCHMOOZES.    

(Special thanks to David Nefesh for his original song, 'Hat Radio' and to Howard Pasternack, our technical guy. The two bring a lot to HAT RADIO!)

Episode 5: Eli Rubenstein: A Good Man, A Vigilant Jew, A Powerful Activist

Eli Rubenstein and I have been friends for forty years. Close friends. It is therefore from the vantage point of familiarity I was compelled to do this interview with him. I know his stories and I know how riveting and from his heart they are. I knew Eli would be open to challenging questions. 

So the fifth episode of HAT RADIO! is a recorded schmooze between Eli and I in his living room, for a couple of hours. What i was intent upon finding out was: how the transition was from being a right-wing Orthodox Jew to a humanistic Jew. He told me. He said it was freeing. He lamented, it was difficult because in many ways he has left the community he knew as a boy. But he was not afraid to show his secret side. His words were intimate.

I wanted to know from Eli what drew him to Holocaust Survivors so much so he became the spiritual leader at Congregation Habonim, a synagogue started by Survivors. His response was they were courage; they are brave; they are Jews who danced at the bar mitzvah of their grandchildren after going through the hell we call Auschwitz. 

And I asked my friend Eli about his close relationship with Native Canadians and his leadership within Israel's seeing-eye dog community and his passion for music and love of all peoples. And he answered mostly in stories, because Eli Rubenstein is a prolific storyteller.

Listen to episode 5. Then listen again, and perhaps another time. It is the type of interview  you will learn from, more and more as you go...about life, humility, love and a powerful drive of one person to bring joy and comfort to all people. And that is Eli. We are dear friends.

HAT RADIO!   A show that schmoozes. 

 

 

 

 

Episode 4: Alexa Gilmour - The Real Deal

Over time I have become aware there are very gentle, loving souls in our world whose capacity to care and to help is huge, greater than most. They are the ones we can emulate, not necessarily match. They are our role models. 

My parents of blessed memory were like that.  

Alexa Gilmour, our guest for this episode is like that.

Alexa is the one who became a minister after a vision quest, in place of a successful acting career. She is the leader who successfully encouraged her church to hide a Roma family, Dad, Mom and 6-year old child, and give them sanctuary when other churches said no.  Alexa is the woman who adopted 3 children, siblings, with her husband as part of their life-long plan. 

Alexa is the real deal.  

Please listen and let us know what you think. Comment. Share the link There is much to learn from Alexa Gilmour about kindness and love. And you can only do that if you listen.   

HAT RADIO! A schmooze about life. 

Episode 3a - Bernie (Kitty's Daughter) - Bonus Interview

Bernie Riley is lucky at her stage of life to have a mother. But guess what? Her Mom is 106 years old and she is here to tell us about her - Kitty Cohen - in this BONUS INTERVIEW. Listen to this 10 minute interview and learn about her Mom's very refreshing view on life and her  unique ability to become a better person, even at 106 years old. Bernie, a loyal and caring daughter also tells us about Kitty's life-long love of dancing including her parents dancing outings in the 20's and 30's. Enjoy! This is quite a story!    

Episode 3: Kitty Cohen - The Unbelievable Spirit of a 106 Year Old

She was 106 when I interviewed Kitty RIP. Her full name was Kitty “Leah” Cohen and she practiced Yoga regularly. Kitty played the bongo drums and she said she would have loved to date a good man, and would have gone as low as 60 years-old. I loved that about her.  

I was blown away by my interview with Kitty and deeply honored to speak with her as I had never met anyone her age, and few people as delightful as she is! 

Kitty was a very vibrant woman with a twinkle in her eye. She was constantly strengthening herself to become a better person and hoped to live for many more years. This centarian-plus used to bemoan those in her senior home who hung their head in despair and depression. Kitty told me she was the exact opposite and couldn't wait to approach every day with song and dance and the chance to learn new things about our planet and her life. 

Some might describe Kitty Cohen's longevity as a miracle. Others may state her length of days was an anomaly.  Either way, here is our schmooze, the last one of length with Kitty. I will never forget our brilliant time together and hope that this interview acts as sort of a legacy for her life.

Just as we are mesmerized by the purity and the clear canvass of a new born, so too will you be fascinated by the wisdom, experiences and shear positivity of a 106 year-old - Kitty “Leah” Cohen.   

You know, I’m certain there must be a blessing to say upon meeting a woman like Kitty! I'm saying one now. Rest in peace dear woman, and as David Nefesh wrote (the man who wrote the Hatradio! song) 'thank you for coming our way'! 

SPECIAL BONUS INTERVIEW: Please listen to a 10-minute interview following 106 YEARS YOUNG with Kitty's daugher, Bernie, who told her Mom how she felt about her and how lucky she was to have a mother like her. Click here for this bonus interview  https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-whjqx-a2ff13

 

Episode 2: Karen Goldenberg -- Positivity Defined

Episode 2 of HAT RADIO is an interview with KAREN GOLDENBERG, a most loving and passion  human being. The title of the show is POSITIVITY DEFINED. I have chosen this title because, as you will learn, Karen is a person who has gone through great trials in her life including the suicide of her first husband and the early death of her sisters, and despite all of this she is cheerful, buoyant and industrious person. Listen to episode 2 and discover the compassionate parents Karen was blessed to have, two accountants who were committed to helping others through an open-door policy and giving of their own resources. Discover Karen's romances, first with a very intelligent doctor (she likes smart men), and later to Sid, a student of the Talmud who ended up adopting Karen's two children. Listen to Karen discuss her career as an occupational therapist and then the founder and director of a number of different non-profit organizations. Her insight into mental illness is profound but mostly her love for humankind jumps out of the computer. You can feel it! Therein is the reason this interview is called POSITIVITY DEFINED. Learn from her. Please feel free to comment and share the link. 

HAT RADIO, a schmooze-fest with some very loving, kind and special people.