‘Architect of Montreal’s Jewish community’ dies at 101
MONTREAL — Manuel (Manny) Batshaw, the first Jew to earn an honorary doctoral degree from McGill University and a leader of Montreal’s Jewish community, died at the age of 101.
Batshaw, who died on July 18, was considered “the architect of Montreal’s Jewish community” for his work, from 1968 on, in structuring some of the community’s main institutions and was known as a discreet community “fixer.”
The institutions Batshaw worked with include the Jewish Federation-CJA and its network of social service agencies, where he served for 12 years as executive director, and Jewish schools.
A social worker by training, in 1975 Batshaw issued an exhaustive report on child abuse that set the stage for Quebec to establish such institutions as the Batshaw Youth and Family Services Centre and legislation including the Youth Protection Act.
For years Batshaw served as adviser to his friend, community leader and Seagram’s liquor magnate Charles Bronfman. After retiring from official community life, Batshaw became Bronfman’s director of Jewish affairs.
Batshaw continued performing volunteer community work as a fundraiser well into his 90s.
—JTA News and Features
Jewish woman dies of injuries sustained in Nice attack
An elderly Jewish woman who was badly injured in the terror attack in Nice, France, has died of her injuries.
Raymonde Mamane, 77, died July 17 at a local hospital, the French Jewish newspaper Actualite Juive reported Monday.
At press time, her sister, Clara Bensimon, 80, remained unconscious in the same hospital, where both of her legs reportedly were amputated.
Mamane is reported to be the first Jewish fatality in the attack.
The women were on the Promenade des Anglais watching the July 14 fireworks in a Bastille Day celebration when they were mowed down by a truck driven by French-Tunisian citizen, Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel. At least 85 people were killed and more than 300 injured. The Islamic State terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack and said Bouhlel was its operative. Bouhlel, who was shot dead by police, had a criminal record involving violence but not terrorism.
At least five local Jews were injured in the attack, according to the local Chabad-Lubavitch emissary, Yossef Yitzschok Pinson.
—JTA News and Features
Kenneth Kramm
Kenneth Kramm of Washington, D.C., died July 12. He was the beloved husband of Shelley Kramm; devoted father of Sarah (Bryan) Spund and Hadley Kramm; cherished son of Harold and Judith Kramm; loving brother of Harriett Pitler. Contributions may be made to Best Buddies of Maryland or the Washington Animal Rescue League.
Arrangements by Sagel Bloomfield Danzansky Goldberg Funeral Care Inc.
