Written By: Bev Mitelman Lyman
Canada School of Public Service | École de la fonction publique du Canada
February 29, 2012
Montreal’s own renowned artist, fashion designer and real estate agent, Anita Benabou Rozenblat appreciates the “art” of giving.
“It is my honour this year to donate one of my hand-made Judaic sculptures to JPPS-Bialik for their annual Gala fundraising soiree,” says Anita. “I love the idea of giving back to our community!”
Well known in Hampstead and Cote-Saint-Luc for her thriving real estate business, it is a poorly kept secret that Anita is also a talented artist who has successfully showcased her work at various galleries in Montreal and in the United States. She has been commissioned to create her sculptures for many art lovers and private collectors of Jewish art. With more than 30 of her art sculptures sold in Las Vegas during an evening showcase, Anita and her family purchased and donated an authentic Sefer Torah (hand written Torah on parchment) to the Congregation Shomrim Laboker, in Montreal.
Her sculptures are one-of-a-kind unique creations, each with a distinct personality and story to tell. Often working in the late hours of the night, she meticulously crafts the fine details of each piece using mystique clay, her fingers, and tiny toothpicks. She calls this a “labour of love” and proudly dedicates each work of art to her late brother Moshe Benabou, whom she refers to as a “man of great mitzvah”.
Once completed, she mounts her work on to a base of granite and Jerusalem stone and prominently displays the “name” of each piece. “The piece I will be creating for JPPS-Bialik will be called Chochem. I am envisioning lots of books and a strong personality,” says Anita.
The literal translation of the word Chochem from both Yiddish and Hebrew is a “genius” or a “very clever person”, inspired in this case by the academic achievements of her own two daughters, one already graduated from Bialik, and the other currently enrolled as a grade nine student.
Anita has generously offered to donate her sculpture to JPPS-Bialik for auction at this year’s fundraising Gala on March 25. A long standing tradition in our community, the JPPS-Bialik Gala serves as the major annual fundraiser for the School while simultaneously showcasing the talents of the Bialik theatre students in a beautiful cocktail party setting.
This year, marking the 55th anniversary of the JPPS-Bialik Gala, the students will be performing songs from their production of Moulin Rouge, as 350 guests fill Bialik’s Helen and Sam Steinberg’s Gymnasium and mingle in the lounge setting, enjoy plentiful food and open wine bar, and place their bids at the silent auction.
“My pieces have sold for more than $4000 in the past. We’ll start the opening auction bid at $1500 and go from there,” says Anita. “I am just trying to help raise money for the School. Hopefully someone will fall in love with my sculpture and make a generous donation. It’s all for a very good cause.”
Tickets for the JPPS-Bialik Gala event on March 25 can be purchased on the School website at www.jppsbialik.ca, or by calling Amy Finkelstein at 514-731-2944 x 263.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Anita Benabou Rozenblat -More Than an agent....She's a Trusted Brand
People have different opinions on how a real estate salesperson should represent their client, but honesty and integrity should go without saying.
I am a firm believer in exceeding expectations and enhancing your quality of life. To me, being a Real Estate Broker means more than just selling homes. It's about you, your hopes and your dreams.
It's about a relationship based on trust, knowledge and expertise.
You can be sure I will go that extra mile to give you the best possible experience when buying or selling real estate.
I love my job and my performance reflects that.
I am a firm believer in exceeding expectations and enhancing your quality of life. To me, being a Real Estate Broker means more than just selling homes. It's about you, your hopes and your dreams.
It's about a relationship based on trust, knowledge and expertise.
You can be sure I will go that extra mile to give you the best possible experience when buying or selling real estate.
I love my job and my performance reflects that.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Anita Benabou Rozenblat "Will you be my Curb Appeal"?
Love At First Sight
“Will you be my Curb Appeal”?
Anita’s 8 Countdown’s on Curb Appeal
First impressions
1) Curb appeal' literally begins and starts with the curb! How clean and presentable is your curb? Does it need to have sand, dirt or pebbles swept clean? Does it need to have leaves, cigarette butts or other debris cleaned up? Are there weeds or grass growing in the cracks and crevices of your curbs and sidewalks? Concrete curbs (sidewalks, driveways, etc.) that are badly cracked or broken should be replaced. You'll be amazed at how other things in your yard start taking on a much more attractive look.
2) Wash down the exterior of your house. You don't necessarily need to rent a power washer. A hose and broom and some dishwashing cleanser work great. ... Look for cobwebs and hornets nests weekly. Beg, borrow or steal a lawn edger if you don't use one regularly. Trim back all grass at every edge, including the street. Sweep the street gutters! You may have to do the neighbors on both sides, too (I did), to make sure your section of the street looks really tidy and well-kept.
3) Curb appeal is huge, especially in the winter season when sidewalks are icy and snow-covered. If you take time to shovel and salt your sidewalks, the home looks like it's been taken care of even when the buyers can't see the lawn under the foot of snow covering it. In the spring and summer, lawn ornaments are a no-no, and a quick driveway resealing is inexpensive and works wonders for the drive-by appearance of your house.
4) Being a real-estate broker myself, I come across many things that help sell a home. The most obvious is landscaping. Good landscaping makes a home look 100% better. Even if it's just some shrub and tree/shrub trimming along with some fresh mulch, do something to spruce up the outside appearance.
5) Make sure the areas around your furnace and hot-water heater are clean, neat and spacious. The components themselves should not be covered with dust, cobwebs, rust spots, etc. Even if they're old, they should look shiny and well-maintained. Change the filters often to help with dusty smells. … Take everything out of the garage, vacuum all floors, walls and ceilings, then paint it bright white. If there are shelves and brackets, paint them bright white too. Then bring back only a little of what once dwelled there.
6) Certainly you can decorate your house however you like, but once you are selling, you have to keep in mind what buyers are looking for. If you want to know what they like, go look at popular model homes in the area that are selling hot. However they are decorated should be how you do it. No pink bathrooms or green walls. Paint it all a soft white!
7) Does your home smell bad? Place a plug in scent in the wall, light a scented candle, bake an apple pie. A home that smells good is very inviting.
8) The loveliest home doesn't have a chance with the poor photography I see in a huge portion of Internet listings, which are the first impression of your home for many buyers. With so many listings posted in some areas, trying to make out details in dark, blurry photos when there are a lot of other listings to look at could have a very negative effect. I always think that if I were trying to sell in this market, I'd be furious with my Realtor if I had a stylish, attractive home represented by a fuzzy, dark rectangle! Let your agent know how you feel about the presentation of your home!
The Right Agent Makes All The Difference!
Happy Valentine!
Love Always,
Anita
“Will you be my Curb Appeal”?
Anita’s 8 Countdown’s on Curb Appeal
First impressions
1) Curb appeal' literally begins and starts with the curb! How clean and presentable is your curb? Does it need to have sand, dirt or pebbles swept clean? Does it need to have leaves, cigarette butts or other debris cleaned up? Are there weeds or grass growing in the cracks and crevices of your curbs and sidewalks? Concrete curbs (sidewalks, driveways, etc.) that are badly cracked or broken should be replaced. You'll be amazed at how other things in your yard start taking on a much more attractive look.
2) Wash down the exterior of your house. You don't necessarily need to rent a power washer. A hose and broom and some dishwashing cleanser work great. ... Look for cobwebs and hornets nests weekly. Beg, borrow or steal a lawn edger if you don't use one regularly. Trim back all grass at every edge, including the street. Sweep the street gutters! You may have to do the neighbors on both sides, too (I did), to make sure your section of the street looks really tidy and well-kept.
3) Curb appeal is huge, especially in the winter season when sidewalks are icy and snow-covered. If you take time to shovel and salt your sidewalks, the home looks like it's been taken care of even when the buyers can't see the lawn under the foot of snow covering it. In the spring and summer, lawn ornaments are a no-no, and a quick driveway resealing is inexpensive and works wonders for the drive-by appearance of your house.
4) Being a real-estate broker myself, I come across many things that help sell a home. The most obvious is landscaping. Good landscaping makes a home look 100% better. Even if it's just some shrub and tree/shrub trimming along with some fresh mulch, do something to spruce up the outside appearance.
5) Make sure the areas around your furnace and hot-water heater are clean, neat and spacious. The components themselves should not be covered with dust, cobwebs, rust spots, etc. Even if they're old, they should look shiny and well-maintained. Change the filters often to help with dusty smells. … Take everything out of the garage, vacuum all floors, walls and ceilings, then paint it bright white. If there are shelves and brackets, paint them bright white too. Then bring back only a little of what once dwelled there.
6) Certainly you can decorate your house however you like, but once you are selling, you have to keep in mind what buyers are looking for. If you want to know what they like, go look at popular model homes in the area that are selling hot. However they are decorated should be how you do it. No pink bathrooms or green walls. Paint it all a soft white!
7) Does your home smell bad? Place a plug in scent in the wall, light a scented candle, bake an apple pie. A home that smells good is very inviting.
8) The loveliest home doesn't have a chance with the poor photography I see in a huge portion of Internet listings, which are the first impression of your home for many buyers. With so many listings posted in some areas, trying to make out details in dark, blurry photos when there are a lot of other listings to look at could have a very negative effect. I always think that if I were trying to sell in this market, I'd be furious with my Realtor if I had a stylish, attractive home represented by a fuzzy, dark rectangle! Let your agent know how you feel about the presentation of your home!
The Right Agent Makes All The Difference!
Happy Valentine!
Love Always,
Anita
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg)
