Mila Kanevsky
Actor
Please tell us a little about your background and career.
I was born in Kiev and grew up there. I studied Engineering and obtained a degree, however, my Passion since childhood was singing and acting. In the evenings, I attended music college where I studied singing while attending engineering during the day. Shortly afterwards we left for Canada. In Canada, I established my own band and we performed at live concerts, weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, conventions, golf clubs and many other venues. I am also an actress and host of the popular Russian Canadian broadcasting TV program in Toronto called Mix Tv. In my professional work in Canada as an actress I have gathered over 50 acting credits and made frequent guest appearances on Canadian and American TV series as well as roles in Canadian and US feature films as well as numerous TV and Radio commercials. In my work for Mix TV, for the last 26 years I have been conducting interviews on the Red Carpet during the Toronto International Film Festivals with Hollywood and international movie stars promoting their films at the Festival. I also attend and review popular theater productions in Toronto.
When did you arrive in Canada, and where did you settle?
My family came to Winnipeg, Canada in December 1977. The Jewish Community embraced us and helped us to adjust to living in a new country after the Soviet regime. I was fortunate to act in my first movie there and the first song I performed in public was in Yiddish. It was a song I had heard from my Father in my childhood. As I have a gift for languages, I was able to learn songs in fourteen other languages, had my show performing on CBC radio and TV, as well as performing concerts all over Canada.
When did you move to Ontario?
We came to Toronto in 1980 and since that time I have lived in North York. We chose this area because it was the place where most Jewish immigrants settled. At that time Rabbi Yoseph Zaltzman had just established the JRCC, helping new immigrants from the former Soviet Union. I love North York and still live here. My two sons live in midtown and downtown, but I chose to stay in North York.
Tell us a little about your family background.
My paternal grandparents were religious people . They were born in a little shtetel near Kiev, and later moved to Kiev. They had thirteen children, but many of them did not survive. My grandparents were killed during the Second World War while their children fought in the war as soldiers and nurses. My father shared many fascinating stories about them as I was growing up. My father was an engineer. He had a good position in the Soviet Union. He instilled in me and my brother our Jewish traditions. My mother was a medical doctor, a neurosurgeon. Unfortunately, she passed away at the age of forty-two, when I was very little. I remember my father telling me that despite her high position in the hospital, at that time Jewish people were trying to hide their heritage and assimilate because of the fear of the system. Nevertheless, she was always proud to be Jewish. My father later remarried, and many of the Jewish traditions continued. I recall that despite risking his safety, my father would bring home special matzah for Passover, and of course hamantaschen for Purim and latkes for Hanukkah were always present in our house.
If you could meet any person, past or present, to share a l’chaim, who would you choose, and why?
If I could have an opportunity to have a L’chaim with somebody, I would choose Steven Spielberg. Even though I may not agree with his political views, I respect him. He is very proud of his roots and when he was a teenager, he took a revenge on anti-Semites in his neighborhood while growing up. I admire his talents as one of the most popular directors and producers in film history, having one two Oscars among other awards. In my work with Mix TV, I had the privilege of interviewing such Jewish Hollywood stars as Natalie Portman, Adam Sandler, John Goodman, Mila Kunis, Scarlet Johansson, and others. It would be an honor to interview Steven Spielberg, and I’m sure we would have many interesting topics to discuss.
What do you do in your free time? Do you have any hobbies?
My hobbies, besides my two year old twin grandsons who I obviously adore, include learning about alternative and naturopathic medicine for treatments of illnesses and proper nutrition for a healthy lifestyle. I read many articles and books on these topics by acclaimed medical and naturopathic doctors and nutritionists. I also watch podcasts and other programs to widen my knowledge. I guess my mother's gene of loving medicine brought me to this path of learning… and of course, I love music, theatre and movies.
What is your impression of the JRCC and its programs?
I think that JRCC is doing an absolutely terrific job helping the our most vulnerable population, our seniors at this unprecedented terrible time of COVID-19, by delivering them groceries so they do not have to jeopardize their health by going shopping… real mitzvas. Kudos to JRCC for doing that. I read and enjoy the Exodus magazine’s profound and thought-provoking articles.
What are your plans for the future?
My plans for the future are to stay strong and healthy and enjoy life. I wish to see the success of my two sons… to continue loving them and having fun with my twin grandsons and watch them grow up happy and healthy and become “menschen.” I plan to continue my work with Mix TV, and, of course, continue going for auditions and getting as many acting jobs as may come my way. Although we are experiencing challenges during COVID-19 times, many of which may be with us for a while, we, as Jews, know there is always a hope.
