`I Feel Good`: James Brown song provides

Transcription

Plant A Tree
For All Reasons
To Remember
To Congratulate
• To Honour
• To Say “I Care”
•
•
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‘I Feel Good’: James Brown
song provides theme
for 2012 Mitzvah Day
By Ilana Belfer
Seventy-five inches of hair donated to Locks of Love. Two hundred loaves of challah braided for
the Kosher Food Bank. Four hundred hygiene kits made for patients
at CHEO and Élisabeth Bruyère
hospitals.
And that’s just a sampling of
what the Jewish community was
able to accomplish in a mere two
hours, February 12, at the Jewish
Federation of Ottawa’s sixth annual
Mitzvah Day. The Soloway Jewish
Community Centre (JCC) and Hillel Lodge buzzed with Mitzvah Day
activities.
This year, for the first time,
Mitzvah Day was affiliated officially with the United Way’s Ottawa
Kindness Week, acting as a launch
pad for the February17-24 initiative
led by Rabbi Reuven Bulka of Congregation Machzikei Hadas.
“It’s grown in terms of participants, it’s grown in number of agencies helped, and it’s grown in terms
of what we’ve actually accomplished,” said three-time event chair
Stacey Segal.
More than 1,500 good deeds
were done this year – a step up from
1,100 in 2010, said Segal. Many
were carried out by the largest cohort in the room: children.
Segal’s own daughters, Talia
Freedhoff, 7, and Leah Freedhoff, 5,
contributed to making this happen.
They donated their hair to Locks of
Love, an organization that provides
hairpieces to children suffering from
medical hair-loss.
Though donating hair is nothing
new for the girls – it was Talia’s
third time and Leah’s second – it’s
not everyday that the mayor wields
the scissors.
“This is a wonderful tradition,”
said Mayor Jim Watson after snipping the girls’ braids. “It’s a lesson
we can all learn. We have a responsibility in our society to give back
to the less fortunate, whether
they’re cancer patients or whether
they’re people suffering from unemployment or poverty.”
Kitchissippi Ward city councillor Katherine Hobbs and Ottawa
Centre MPP Yasir Naqvi also
stopped in to thank the Jewish community and show their support for
Mitzvah Day.
(Continued on page 2)
Talia (left) and Leah Freedhoff with Mayor Jim Watson and hairdresser Melvyn Fields after having their “Locks of Love” cut by the
mayor on Mitzvah Day. Fields prepared the girls for the cut and supervised the mayor as he wielded the scissors. (Photo: Peter Waiser)
MPs express support for Israel at IAC event
By Ilana Belfer
The road to Israel activism was something
that “suddenly all fell into place” for Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney.
Addressing the crowd at the fourth annual wine and cheese gathering of the Israel
Awareness Committee (IAC), February 8, at
Beth Shalom, Kenney recalled his days as a
college student in California. He had no personal stake in the Middle East conflict and a
somewhat hostile attitude toward Israel.
“When I turned on the TV, it was clear to
me who the Goliath was. It was the IDF [Is-
rael Defense Forces] tanks and David was the
underdog throwing the stones,” he said.
But, as Kenney explained, as he became
more informed about the Jewish homeland, it
became one of the most important causes in
his public life.
“It’s your responsibility to explain those
facts [to uninformed Canadians] and, if you
do, you can help educate future generations
… who will then continue this tradition of
Canada as the greatest friend of Israel in the
world today,” he said.
Liberal MP Irwin Cotler, a former minister
of justice, who had just returned from Israel
the day before, echoed the sentiment. Cotler
said every time he visits Israel, he’s struck by
how Israel and Canada share the same set of
values.
But, said Cotler, there’s one fundamental
difference. “Israel not only lives in a hostile
neighbourhood, it is exposed to a critical
mass of threat.”
Cotler noted the dangerous climate has
only become worse recently citing the capability of Hamas missiles to reach Tel Aviv,
Turkey’s transition from ally to adversary,
and the nuclear threat from Iran.
While Cotler said the delegitimization of
Israel is nothing new, it has taken on new
form by being masked, or “laundered,” under
public and human values like the United Nations, international law, the culture of human
rights and – primarily on campuses – the
struggle against racism.
“The worst thing you can do in the world
today is call somebody a racist … no further
proof is required,” he said. “It shames the real
struggle against the real racism.”
New Democratic Party MP Pat Martin
agreed.
“It’s somehow become fashionable in the
(Continued on page 2 )
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Page 2 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – March 5, 2012
Mitzvah Day:
‘Feeling good
by doing good’
(Continued from page 1)
But Segal said she hopes the
idea of Mitzvah Day spreads to
other communities in Ottawa as
well.
“I had reached out ... to about
eight different communities to try
to get them to opt in to the kindness
initiative,” she said “Unfortunately,
we didn’t get a whole lot of bites ...
it’s a work in progress, but we’re
hoping.”
Some people from outside the
Jewish community did find a way
to get involved, though.
Scott Bowes, Jacob Maxwell
and Ryan Maxwell – who range in
age from 11 to 14 – sat crafting
milk bags into chains, which will
eventually be crocheted into mats
for hospitals in Haiti.
“We’re here because the lady
teaching it is from our church,”
Jacob said. That lady is Barbara
Eade, the co-ordinator of the Milk
Bag Project in Ottawa.
Other projects included making
therapy kits to help youth cope with
mental health issues, creating birthday kits to distribute to children living in shelters, and tile and mural
painting for the tunnel that runs between the Soloway JCC and Hillel
Lodge.
High school students Sydney
Perelmutter and Josh Suey opted to
help at Hillel Lodge, where seniors
and children worked together on
arts and crafts and participated in a
sing-a-long.
“I’m volunteering just so I can
make flowers for all the people at
Hillel Lodge. They just really like
seeing young people and it’s really
good to see them smile,” Sydney
said.
“My grandfather used to live
here, so it’s nice to come back,”
added Josh.
As the morning came to a close,
and participants regrouped in the
Soloway JCC social hall to hear the
closing remarks, a flash mob dance
broke out to James Brown’s “I feel
Good,” with many members of the
community, children and adults, including Jewish Federation of Ottawa President and CEO Mitchell
Bellman, dancing.
To Segal, the song was an appropriate choice.
“I really can’t think of a better
feeling than helping someone else,”
she remarked. “I have three young
children and it’s a wonderful opportunity to teach them ... how much
they have and how easy and fun it is
to help others.”
And the fun didn’t end when the
day was done. For the first time,
Mitzvah Day continued into the
week with such offsite activities as
sandwich-making at the Ottawa
Mission, a blood drive and emergency first aid training.
“Feeling good by doing good,”
said Segal. “That’s the motto and I
see it everywhere right now.”
More on Mitzvah Day
on pages 15 and 18.
At least three, if not four, generations work together making Mitzvah Day crafts at Hillel Lodge.
(Photo: Peter Waiser)
Mitzvah Day flash mob dances to James Brown’s “I Feel Good.”
Wine and cheese
draws new friends
left, in some circles, to view terrorists blowing up pizza parlours and
school buses as freedom fighters. If
you have all this goodwill pent up
inside you ... go fight for many of
the genuine injustices in your own
backyard,” Martin said.
“There’s absolutely no contradiction to being a New Democrat
and a friend of Israel,” Martin
added.
The event, featuring an assortment of Israeli wines and Canadian
cheeses, helped draw in some new
friends for Israel. It was secondyear University of Ottawa student
Katherine Koch’s first time attend-
ing any sort of Israel-related event.
“I heard tidbits from other
sides, but this really provides a
foundation for my understanding
so far,” she said, adding she plans
to get more involved and keep
learning.
After the three MPs spoke, IAC
city-wide president Hashem
Hamdy announced he was stepping down from the position, effective the next day, to become
Eastern Canada regional co-ordinator for Hasbara Fellowships.
Former University of Ottawa
IAC president Jake Goldstein has
assumed IAC’s city-wide presidency.
(From left) Victoria Shore, Soleil Adler, Leah Labib and Jennifer Hadad at the Israel Awareness Committee wine and cheese event, February 8, at Beth Shalom.
March 5, 2012 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – Page 3
OJCS offers enriched, engaging program for high school students
By Sara-Lynne Levine
Ottawa Jewish
Community School
The Yitzhak Rabin high
school division of the Ottawa
Jewish Community School
(OJCS) provides enriching
and engaging programming
for all students from Grades
9 through 12. Our academic
program follows and exceeds
the Ontario Ministry of Education for all General Studies
courses and our small class
sizes provide individual attention and a personalized
approach to learning.
Our students develop such
essential skills as independent
learning, accountability, research, personal study habits,
self-discipline, setting shortand long-term goals, and time
management. Students are
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provided with a cross-curricular focus on literacy to
strengthen their reading, writing and oral communication
skills and have opportunities
to strengthen their questioning and critical thinking
skills, hone their abilities to
understand and interpret data,
and to identify and analyze
points-of-view and bias.
Our students learn in an
inclusive, caring and supportive community. Skilled, creative teachers work with them
focussing on problem-solving
and real-world applications.
Independent Learning Centre
(ILC) courses are available to
offer a broader selection of
subjects to students.
Each student’s academic
path is planned and tracked
from Grade 9 to 12 to ensure
the selection of credits is
appropriate to the student’s
long-term career goals.
Post-secondary applications,
grants and scholarship opportunities, and course selections are all part of our guidance services. OJCS graduates typically attend their top
choice of university. Students
OJCS high school students Noa and Ethan work on a science experiment.
who attend our school are enriched and challenged by our
trilingual program. This exposure offers them a unique,
comprehensive global learning experience.
Differentiated instruction
is a key to learning in the
high school. The learning
MEMBERS MEETING
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Jewish Federation of Ottawa
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will be held on
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7:00 – 9:00
p.m.
Wednesday,
May
2, 2012
Soloway
JCC
7:00 pm
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Social Hall A
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styles, preferences and needs
of each student are identified
and used by teachers as the
foundation for planning.
Concepts, content and skills
are addressed and presented
in a variety of ways including
classroom activities, field
trips, guest speakers, SMART
board technology, group
work, class discussions and
debates, projects and homework to practise and consolidate material and skills.
OJCS is a laptop school
where each student is assigned a laptop for his or her
academic use.
OJCS focuses on classic
Jewish study. As a community school, all practices of Ju-
daism are accepted. High
school students learn about
Jewish history, Hebrew, contemporary Israel, Jewish values, traditions and laws.
Our curriculum uses integrated technology, combining the study of ancient texts
with modern tools and resources.
The Judaic studies curriculum follows a thematic
approach to teaching at the
high school level. Issues
dealing with leadership, spirituality, ethics, science and
contemporary Jewish life are
discussed and debated.
Studies are complemented
and made relevant by visits
to Hillel Lodge and joint pro-
gramming with residents.
Parshat Hashavuah is studied each week in depth and
made relevant within a modern context.
A multi-track Hebrewlanguage program is offered
at a base level, intensive
level, as well as a new program for students who have
not previously attended Jewish day school.
Ontario Ministry credits
are given for both Judaic
study and Hebrew language.
Our students gain a valuable
global perspective by participating in Project ROPE (a
philanthropy and education
program) and Moot Beit Din
(a program that enables students from Jewish high
schools to delve into issues
of Jewish law through creative engagement with contemporary situations).
Throughout the school
year, students have opportunities to participate in a variety of different activities including students’ council,
winter fun day, a Cappies
drama production, leadership
events, trips to Washington
and other destinations, attending Ottawa Senators
games, coaching and mentoring younger students, and
planning and participating in
celebrations for many different calendar events.
To learn more about
OJCS, or to arrange a tour of
the school, contact SaraLynne Levine at 613-7220020 or [email protected].
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Torah Academy to honour Bram and Chani Bregman
By Zev Singer
for Torah Academy
of Ottawa
Torah Academy of Ottawa has
announced it will honour Bram
and Chani Bregman at a major
event to be held Wednesday,
March 21, at The Palace, 156
Cleopatra Drive.
Something many people don’t
know about Bram Bregman is that
he holds an MBA from Queen’s
University. That helps explain
how, eight years ago, he was able
to scoop up a vacant lot and turn it
into one of the hottest corners in
Jewish Ottawa. That neglected bit
of turf was NCSY Ottawa.
In 2004, Bram was a young engineer making his way as a management consultant at a major
firm – but his heart was in Jewish
leadership. He saw that Ottawa’s NCSY branch had been
shut down and knew that if he
switched careers he could do big
things with it. Has he ever.
With about 95 per cent of Jewish teens in Ottawa in the public
high school system, that is where
Bram set up his NCSY tent, and
the kids have flocked to it in numbers no one could have predicted.
Since he began, more than 700
educational program that they
want to go to.”
Never turning kids away, Bram
also works hard to find scholarships for all in need.
As a sign of just how successful NCSY Ottawa has become, NCSY International awarded Bram its Best of the Best Leadership Award in 2009 for creating
what has become a model to
other NCSY branches across
North America.
Of course, that is only half the
story. Enter Chani Pfeiffer. Educated at Bais Yaakov of Montreal
and Michlala in Jerusalem, she
was halfway through a doctorate
in political science at McGill University, when she came to Ottawa
to work for the federal government
on
foreign
affairs
and defence policy, and more recently to be chief of staff to an associate deputy minister.
Since marrying Bram, Chani
has
also provided NCSY with unChani and Bram Bregman will be honoured for their dedicated work
countable
hours of unpaid labour
on behalf of Ottawa’s Jewish teenagers.
helping a constant flow of teens.
Beyond NCSY, Bram and
Jewish teenagers have participated gram for which students earn high
Chani also find time for many
in such programs as the Jew- school credits.
ish Culture Clubs Bram started
His secret, he says, is to design other institutions, including Conin various public high schools, and programs that are “attractive to the gregation Machzikei Hadas, the
Torah High, an after-school pro- teens themselves, so it is a Jewish Ottawa Torah Institute, and the
city’s mikveh.
Even with the best of shoehorns, it wouldn’t be possible to
stuff everything Bram and Chani
do into this story. Suffice it to say,
they have become a force on
which Ottawa’s Jewish community has come greatly to depend.
And that’s why Torah Academy
of Ottawa is very proud to present
this major event in their honour on
March 21.
Shimon Fogel, CEO of the
Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, will be the keynote speaker.
Fogel will speak on “Messages
and Messengers: The Real Challenge Confronting Pro-Israel Advocacy.”
Torah Academy of Ottawa
works hard to be a “mensch factory” with its combined focus on
traditional Jewish learning, a
strong general studies program
and an emphasis on ethics and values.
Tickets for the evening honouring Bram and Chani Bregman are
$100 (including buffet dinner at
6:00 pm) or $36 (main event and
dessert reception beginning at
7:30 pm).
For tickets, call Torah Academy at 613-274-0110.
Times of vulnerability remind us of the importance of community
I struggle to write this Federation Report for the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin as it
has been just three weeks since my mother
passed away and I am feeling particularly
contemplative and introspective. I would
rather not draw attention to my personal
loss, but, at the same time, want to share
some of what I am going through and what
is on my mind.
It is at times of vulnerability that one is
reminded how important community can
be, and how we are so capable of supporting one another in times of need. I am reminded of how blessed and proud I am to
be a Jew at this time, and in this place, and
to have been given the opportunity to take
on such a prominent and honoured leadership position in our Ottawa Jewish community. I also know how proud my mother
was of me, filing away every picture, article and speech I have ever written, and
how much I looked forward to sharing my
challenges and achievements with her on a
regular basis. I am also acutely aware that
I would never be where I am today without
her guidance, love and courageous actions.
As I contemplate what makes me so
proud to be a Jew, I realize those same values are what the Jewish Federation of Ottawa believes and demonstrates, and are
Federation
Report
Debbie
Halton-Weiss
Chair
what inspires me to do what I can to promote these same values in our community.
So, here are the top 10 reasons I have
identified as to why I am proud to be Jewish, and chair of the Jewish Federation of
Ottawa.
1. We are one large family. We have
our different personalities, perspectives and
practices, but we are devoted to one another and strive to find our common interests
and values.
2. We know how to support one another in challenging times, including personal
mourning and existential crises.
3. We share a common history that is a
constant reminder of the length and depth
of our survival as a people.
4. We have a democratic and complicated homeland that provides passion, inspiration, meaning and challenges to our
lives in the Diaspora.
We are cognizant
of handing down
our teachings, our values
and our beliefs,
from our grandparents,
to our parents,
to our children,
maintaining the cycle of life
and the continuity
of our Jewish community.
5. We have our own language, which
has lived on for millennia, is read from the
Torah, is used in prayer, is taught to our
children and is commonly spoken.
6. We value tikkun olam, making this
world a better place, which we demonstrate time and time again as individuals
who take on prominent leadership positions in philanthropic and hands-on endeavours in the community-at-large.
7. We recognize building community
as essential to our survival, and struggle to
continuously redefine and revaluate what is
meaningful and important to maintain our
engagement and connection as Jewish people.
8. We view education as our highest
priority, and we have been willing to sacrifice other material benefits to ensure our
children have the best possible learning opportunities to go forward in life with the
tools needed to lead productive and meaningful lives.
9. We love Jewish geography. Maybe,
on the surface, it’s a little trite and insignificant, but it is why a Jew can enter a foreign place, large or small, and, if seated in
close proximity to another ‘member of the
tribe,’ can usually delve into a game of
Jewish geography, that finds one engaged
and often feeling closely connected to
someone who might otherwise be a total
stranger.
10. We created, demonstrate and embrace the concept of L’Dor V’Dor (From
Generation to Generation). At our ceremonies, life cycle events and fundraising
endeavours, we are cognizant of handing
down our teachings, our values and our beliefs, from our grandparents, to our parents, to our children, maintaining the cycle
of life and the continuity of our Jewish
community.
Ron joins me in wishing you and your
family a Purim filled with joy, happiness
and good health. Chag Sameach.
Take a moment ‘to think about the miracle of Purim’
This edition of the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin is being published during the week of
our joyous Purim festival when we will be
reading the story of the holiday from
Megilat Esther (The Scroll of Esther).
There is something strange about the
Book of Esther. As Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov of Chabad of Northwest Indiana
noted, it is the only book of the Tanach “in
which God’s name does not appear even
once.” (tinyurl.com/Zalmanov-Purim)
Another anomaly we find in reading the
story from this scroll is that, it makes the
victory celebrated on Purim sound very
different from other celebrated victories,
such as Passover or Chanukah. As we read
through the story, we find that very little of
it sounds miraculous. In fact, most of it
seems to be coincidental. It seems like the
work of a great author, with all loose ends
eventually coming together beautifully.
Let’s have a look.
As Rabbi Zalmanov noted, Queen
Vashti dies and King Achashverosh chooses Esther as his new wife. Mordechai overhears a plot to murder the king and foils it,
and Haman rises to power. Haman plans to
annihilate the Jews, and the king discovers
that Esther is in fact Jewish “and that
Haman’s plan would have included her.”
“All the events leading up to Purim
seem to fit right into an almost natural
course, and not once do we read about any
great miracles, such as the sea splitting or
manna falling from heaven. All we have is
one coincidental occurrence after another.”
From the
pulpit
Rabbi
Menachem Blum
OTC Chabad
Don’t get me wrong, it is a great celebration that Haman’s plot was nullified,
“but there were no supernatural miracles,”
no splitting of the sea, no miraculous victory of a few over the many.
Friends, this is exactly “what makes the
story of Purim so special.” Because it
speaks to the way we experience our
world. “Take a look around you; everything seems so ‘normal.’ The sun rises
every morning in the east, and sets in the
west at dusk. Trees and plants grow when
they are properly tended to, and will wither and die when neglected. Fire rages and
grows when in contact with anything flammable, but will be extinguished when in
contact with water.
“All this, and much more, is what we’ve
come to know as nature,” wrote Rabbi Zalmanov.
Think about it though, “nature, too, was
created by God. Nature is God’s most incredible miracle. We are living a constant
miracle. By waking up every morning, we
experience this most miraculous event –
life. Even though we don’t feel the Godliness or the miracle in it all, it is there.”
As mentioned above, the name of the
scroll is Megilat Esther. “The name ‘Esther’ translates as ‘hidden.’ The true miracle of Purim, as well as that of our daily
lives, remains hidden. But we know that
God, although His name is not mentioned
in Megillah, was in fact behind all that
had transpired, just as He is behind all
that happens in the world,” wrote Rabbi
Zalmanov.
This is a powerful message that Purim
has for us. That “just as the Jews of that
time believed and trusted in God that He
will save them from Haman’s … decree, so
must we … have faith in God that He is the
one who ultimately controls our destiny.”
The Purim story will be read this year
on Wednesday night, March 7, and again
on Thursday morning, March 8. Join a
Purim party or go to a synagogue to listen
to it. Take a moment, as Rabbi Zalmanov
suggested, “to think about the miracle of
Purim,” and about the relevant message
that it shares.
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Norman Finkelstein rips the BDS movement to shreds
It’s that time of year again.
Israel Apartheid Week (IAW) is scheduled to take place from March 5 to 9 at
several Canadian campuses, including the
University of Ottawa and Carleton University.
The annual IAW events were first organized eight years ago in support of the
BDS (boycott, divestment, sanctions)
movement against Israel. The claim
that Israel is an apartheid society is a
cornerstone of the BDS movement – and
one that has been refuted often. See, for
example, a Huffington Post column
by Harvard law professor Alan
Dershowitz for a cogent analysis.
tinyurl.com/dershowitz-IAW
This year, the BDS movement is in a
late-breaking uproar because American
political science professor Norman G.
Finkelstein sat down, February 9, with a
pro-BDS interviewer at Imperial College
in London and ripped the BDS movement
to shreds.
Make no mistake: Finkelstein is no
friend of the State of Israel. For the better
part of three decades, Finkelstein has been
the most prominent Jewish anti-Israel activist – with the possible exception of his
mentor Noam Chomsky.
Denied tenure at DePaul University in
2007, Finkelstein has made a career of
lecturing on behalf of anti-Israel groups
around the world and by writing a string
Editor
Michael
Regenstreif
of anti-Israel books. A son of Holocaust
survivors, Finkelstein’s best-known book
is The Holocaust Industry: Reflections
on the Exploitation of Jewish Suffering,
in which he claims that Israel has exploited the Holocaust in achieving its
aims.
In this surprising video – which you
can see in its 31-minute entirety at
vimeo.com/36854424 – Finkelstein exposes the BDS movement, which he repeatedly refers to as a “cult,” for its “silliness,
childishness, and a lot of leftist posturing”
that seeks to obfuscate its true goal: the
elimination of the State of Israel.
According to Finkelstein, the BDS
movement does not come out and state its
true goal because it knows the public will
not buy into a movement seeking the dismantling of Israel.
“No Israel. That’s what it’s really
about. And you think you’re fooling anybody? You think you’re so clever that
people can’t figure that out for themselves?
“No, they understand the arithmetic
perfectly well. Are you going to reach a
broad public which is going to hear the
Israeli side [say] ‘They want to destroy
us?’ No you’re not. And, frankly, you
know what, you shouldn’t. You shouldn’t
reach a broad public because you’re dishonest. And I wouldn’t trust those people
if I had to live in this state. I wouldn’t.
It’s dishonesty.”
Finkelstein also rips the BDS movement for taking its marching orders and
following the lead of “Palestinian civil
society.”
Recalling earlier movements he’s been
part of, Finkelstein said the anti-Vietnam
War movement did not take its marching
orders from Hanoi, and Latin American
solidarity movements (in the Reagan era)
did not take their orders from Nicaragua.
They acted, he said, on their own initiative.
He went on to describe “Palestinian
civil society” as a collection of mostly
one-person NGOs in Ramallah completely
incapable of mobilizing more than a few
hundred Palestinians.
Toward the end of the interview,
Finkelstein suggests that a solution to the
conflict is possible. A solution, he said,
that would not be perfect, but which
would satisfy most Israelis and most
Palestinians. Although he does not explicitly say so, the obvious conclusion is the
two-state solution.
And that flies in the face of what IAW
and the BDS movement are all about.
Jewish Heritage Month
The Ontario Legislature has passed a
private member’s bill presented by Liberal
MPP Mike Colle, and co-sponsored by
Progressive Conservative MPP Peter
Shurman and New Democratic Party MPP
Cheri DiNovo, establishing the month of
May as Jewish Heritage Month in Ontario. The act, Bill 17, passed with strong
support from members of all three parties.
Irving Layton centenary
Irving Layton, born Israel Pincu
Lazarovitch on March 12, 1912 in Romania, was one of Canada’s greatest and
most influential poets. The centenary of
his birth – Layton died in Montreal in
2006 – is being marked this month by literary celebrations all across the country.
The Ottawa celebration, hosted by
Professor Seymour Mayne and sponsored
by the University of Ottawa’s Vered
Jewish Canadian Studies Program and
the Department of English, takes place
Sunday, March 11, 2:30 pm, at uOttawa,
Room 129, Simard Hall. Among the participants will be MP Irwin Cotler, who
was Layton’s student at Herzliah High
School in Montreal.
Happy Purim to all!
There are no slam dunks in the world of international diplomacy
I never liked being a wimp when I sit
down to write and I don’t want to start
now. Yet, I must admit the subject I am
about to embark on scares me because
every nerve ending in my body tells me I
may not be understood.
The general subject area is Israel. The
specific subject matter is the Conservative
government’s unequivocal support of Israel.
As a Jew, and as a parent with two
daughters living in Israel, and a third
daughter working for Israel at the United
Nations, I have more than a passing interest in geopolitical affairs as they relate to
Israel. I am obviously appreciative that we
have a government in Canada that does
not join the chorus of countries that are always quick on the draw to condemn Israel. But I also spent years covering politics in this country and hope that gives me
some legitimacy in questioning certain aspects of the government’s approach.
Last spring, I attended a Chabad Shabbat supper in Ottawa. Foreign Minister
John Baird was the guest speaker. While I
knew he was part of a government that
fully supported Israel, the reporter in me
knew that if I were writing a story that
night, my lead would be how the foreign
minister was not just fully supportive of
Jason
Moscovitz
Israel, but how he was, in fact, overwhelmingly supportive. I was surprised at
how he saw Israel as champions of everything good and the “other side” as everything bad.
I had no doubt he really believed that,
and thought, maybe, he can easily say
things like that in front of a Jewish audience.
Now, almost a year later, there are
abundant comments, interviews and
speeches, as well as an election campaign,
which prove the message that Shabbat
night was not tailored for a Jewish audience. The prime minister and several of
his cabinet ministers deliver the same
overwhelmingly supportive message for
Israel everywhere they go. Give them full
marks for consistency.
There is no better example of that than
Baird’s recent trip to Israel and the West
Bank. Baird went to visit Palestinian Au-
thority officials and bluntly told them they
were mistaken in believing recognition of
statehood through the United Nations was
a worthy enterprise. He also, again, in
blunt terms, told them they should return to
the peace talks table with no preconditions.
Baird was so supportive of the Netanyahu government’s position that Israeli
Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz was
prompted to say, “I think the Canadian
government is better friends with Israel
than we are sometimes with ourselves.”
The point is, over a wide spectrum,
there is debate within Israel on many aspects of the peace process, as well as on
all the specifics, like the thorny issue of
continuing to build settlements in disputed
territory.
Outside Israel, throughout the world,
there is a view that there are two sides to
this age-old problem, and, unfortunately
for Israel and its supporters, the pendulum
runs against Israel. Canada is truly one of
the exceptions.
While I am proud and pleased the
Canadian government doesn’t blow with
the wind, I worry that having an overwhelmingly one-sided position could
carry its own risks down the road. When I
say one-sided, let me qualify that by saying what I find one-sided is the Conserva-
tive government’s apparent inability to acknowledge there is another side to this debate. There is another side to all these difficult issues.
While I think that in foreign affairs you
can nuance yourself to death with prudent
utterances that become meaningless, there
are times when nuance is an integral part
of conducting foreign affairs. It is a fine
line between making statements that are
meaningless and making statements that
have value-added credibility. Seasoned
diplomats, particularly those who are effective, know the difference.
In any debate, simply recognizing the
arguments of the other side doesn’t legitimize them. Surely, there is a way to respect and acknowledge there is another
point of view, which is often based on another interpretation of history, as much as
one might disagree. There is more to it
than just right and wrong. There is more
to it than just black and white. There is always that grey zone in the middle. As the
Americans learned to their eternal regret
in Iraq, there are no slam dunks in the
world of international diplomacy.
The risk here is that in a real crunch,
when Israel needs every friend it can find,
will Canada be perceived as too one-sided
to advocate in Israel’s favour.
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Rabbi Plaut
On behalf of the citizens of Ontario, the premier, cabinet
and the government, I would like to express our sincere condolences on the passing of Rabbi W. Gunther Plaut.
Rabbi Plaut was held in high regard by the people of Ontario. Through his tireless work as vice-chair of the Ontario
Human Rights Commission, he was well known, especially
for his sensitivity and understanding of minority issues.
When it came to human dignity, Rabbi Plaut was a fearless
advocate.
Having barely escaped the Nazis as a young man, he saw
the brutality of hatred first hand. He vowed “Never Again”
and he delivered on that promise through his words and actions. His was a world view in which the dignity of all humankind was paramount, no matter the colour of one’s skin,
their sexual orientation or the God of their faith.
Ontario is a better place today thanks to the tireless efforts
of Rabbi Gunther Plaut. We are all proud of the rabbi’s work
and his legacy. It is also a reflection of the value Jewish Canadians have put on human rights and civil liberties. Rabbi Plaut
understood this well. He will be missed. His memory and
legacy of caring for people and his community will live on for
generations to come.
With deepest sympathy,
Charles Sousa
Minister of Citizenship
OPIRG fee
I write this letter in respectful disagreement with Ilana
Belfer’s Campus Life column (Jewish peer pressure to opt out
of OPIRG fee, February 20).
As a student, I was actively involved in the campaign to
opt out of OPIRG fees, locally, through Hillel Ottawa, and nationally, through the Canadian Federation of Jewish students.
In the 1970s when the PIRGs (Public Interest Research
Groups) were created, it was with a commendable social justice mission. However, over the years, they have become radicalized to the point that they are a polarizing figure on campuses across Canada. Many would agree they have played a
central role in the breakdown in academic discourse. A role
that has left pro-Israel students on campus feeling marginalized and, in some cases, bullied.
At Carleton, OPIRG (Ontario Public Interest Research
Group) is funded by an automatic levy. This means it is fund-
[email protected]
ed by all students on campus, with or without their knowledge. Other groups on campus, such as religious organizations, including Hillel Ottawa, and clubs such as Lifeline and
the Firearms Association, must go through the process of applying for funding and are only allotted whatever amount the
student union deems appropriate.
I would like to remind the community of the incident three
years ago in which OPIRG refused to partner with Hillel Ottawa on an event focused on interfaith co-operation, sustainable living practices, and perseverance with limited resources
– issues that are addressed in OPIRG’s overall priorities and
mandate.
Why then did OPIRG refuse to partner with Hillel? It justified its decision by citing what it called Hillel’s “Zionist ideology,” which “does not fit within OPIRG’s mandate of
human rights and social justice.”
This stance clearly showed the uninformed and ideologically motivated nature of OPIRG’s decision-making structures. At the heart of OPIRG’s objection was its conclusion
that Zionism is antithetical. This outrageous position flows
from the insidious strategy set out during the infamous Durban Conferences and is reminiscent of the sentiments expressed at them.
It is unfortunate that Ilana felt she was being pressured to
opt out of the OPIRG fee. However, I can assure her the goal
was not to pressure, but to educate our students about
OPIRG’s agenda and stance on Israel.
As we head into Israel Apartheid Week, I would point out
this divisive event is heavily funded by the OPIRG levy. Personally, I never wanted a cent of my money going towards an
organization that has left me and many others feeling personally targeted for our beliefs.
Ariella Kimmel
Letters welcome
Letters to the Editor are welcome if they are brief, signed,
timely and of interest to our readership.
The Bulletin reserves the right to refuse, edit or condense
letters.
The Mailbag column will be published as space permits.
Send your letters to Michael Regenstreif, Ottawa Jewish
Bulletin, 21 Nadolny Sachs Private, Ottawa, Ontario
K2A 1R9; or by e-mail to [email protected].
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Ottawa
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Contact
Barry
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613-7984696,
ext. 256
More than trees
613.798.2411
Oliver Javanpour
president
JNF volunteers are on the job
On a daily basis you can plant
trees for all occasions. An attractive card is sent to the recipient.
To order, call the JNF office
(613.798.2411).
By Aaron Sarna
Ottawa Torah Institute
Ruinous business competition and ignoring the
best interests of consumers
can undermine the ethical
foundations of a free market
economy, said Rabbi Eliezer Ben-Porat.
The dean of the Ottawa
Torah Institute High School
for Boys (OTI) and Machon
Sarah High School for Girls
was speaking, February 6,
at the Soloway Jewish
Community Centre, during
the schools’ eighth annual
Adina Ben-Porat Memorial
Lecture on Jewish Ethics.
“A balance must be
struck between a person’s
right to earn a livelihood
and benefits to consumers,”
he said.
Rabbi Ben-Porat’s topic
was fair competition in the
free enterprise system and
he drew on Judaic law rulings from the Talmud,
poskim and current dayanim.
Rabbi Ben-Porat noted
there was a consensus that
corporate predatory pricing
policies entailing sales
below the cost of production are prohibited.
“The Gemara, in tractates
Sanhedrin
and
Makkot, forbids destroying
a person’s livelihood,” he
said.
Similarly, brazen market
positioning through opening business operations in
proximity to an established
competitor would be considered an infringement of
the livelihood of the owner
and his employees. Judaic
case law cites the interdiction of a new market entrant
setting up shop at the entrance to a cul-de-sac when
a similar store exists at the
end of the street. And, for
that matter, opportunist
fishers seeking to set their
nets in an area already exploited by another operator
would be ultra vires.
Other damaging business
conduct includes stealing a
competitor’s non-Jewish
clients by undercutting the
former’s lending rates or illegally acquiring his client
list. These are considered
immoral acts in Judaism.
Nonetheless, Rabbi BenPorat emphasized that Jewish courts have avoided “one size fits all” rulings.
In what he termed the
OTI Dean Rabbi Eliezer Ben-Porat speaks, February 6,
at the school’s annual Adina Ben-Porat Memorial Lecture on Jewish Ethics.
(Photo: Issie Scarowsky)
“Chicago compromise,”
two bagel bakeries in close
proximity agreed that one
would exclusively produce
bagels while the other
would drop bagels and concentrate on pizza, cake and
pastry. In Israel, the Egged
Bus Company is granted a
monopoly for the benefit of
the public since it also services not profitable intercity lines.
Moreover, the Israeli
dayan, Rabbi Asher Zelig
Weiss, has said the Talmud
does not cover the impact of
technological change on
business. Thus, it would be
absurd for today’s society
to insist that production of
typewriters should be pro-
tected against the advent of
computers or that animal
transport be favoured over
the motor vehicle. Such
competition is not deemed
unfair.
“We have to take into account the benefits to consumers. We cannot be held
hostage to protecting livelihoods engaged in selling outmoded or inferior
products,” Rabbi Ben-Porat
said.
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JNF Ottawa was delighted to support Hillel Ottawa’s
Shabbat dinner on February 10. Thanks to JNF financial
support, Hillel and its executive director, Ross Diamond, were able to host over 60 students who listened
to Noam Dolgin speak on Jewish environmental values
and climate change. The dinner provided a welcome opportunity for JNF to reach out to students, both Jewish
and non-Jewish, from both universities.
KKL-JNF never misses Tu B’Shevat. Even though
its Israeli offices were closed for five days in solidarity
with the general strike declared by the Histadrut union
in support of Israel’s contract workers, the annual Tu B’Shevat tree planting ceremonies went ahead as planned.
Here in Ottawa, our Tree-a-thon also went ahead. With
the support of our many hardworking volunteers and
staff, we raised money to pay for the Carmel Terrace rehabilitation. In other parts of Canada, people contributed to the Adopt an Acacia program. The Ark of the
Tabernacle was made of acacia, a species native to Israel’s desert areas and oft-mentioned in the Torah. Acacias are now being planted in the Negev’s Arava Valley
to enhance agriculture, offset damage caused by human
habitation and provide food and shade for animals.
I would also like to share some of the Tu B’Shevat
tree planting ceremonies in Israel with you because it is
worth noting that JNF doesn’t just go out and plant trees
by stealth at night – we involve local communities and
use the occasions to remember why trees are important
to Israelis.
One of this year’s most moving ceremonies was at
Biq’at HaNezirim near Ben Shemen Forest. Balloons of
Hope involved almost 1,000 young Magen David Adom
volunteers, Israel Police sappers, children with disabilities, and members of the Krembo Wings youth movement.
The children, aided by volunteers, planted saplings,
which will grow and provide shade in this special accessible recreation area. Toward the end of the ceremony, to the accompaniment of blasts from the ram’s horn,
large bunches of red and white balloons were released
into the sky. It takes time for trees to grow, but the balloons were a visible sign of the energy of the children
and the soaring spirits of the group.
More than 300 students from the local ORT high
school planted trees and herbs to stop erosion and flooding in the Switzerland Forest. The forest, situated on the
steep slope descending from the Poriah Heights to
Tiberius and the Sea of Galilee, covers once-barren
slopes on which 34 people were killed at the beginning
of the 20th century when erosion and flooding caused
the slopes to give way. The trees planted by the students
will help hold the soil down and prevent such disasters
from reoccurring.
All of these projects extend the livable space in a
very small country and make the most of the resources
Israel has. The trees we donate are gifts to Israel that
will give for many years to come.
Rabbi Ben-Porat addresses
business issues
at annual
ethics lecture
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Latin American group Colores Andinos performs for AJA 50+ in a program presented in partnership with MASC.
SUBSCRIPTION LAPSING?
Call in to renew TODAY!
613-798-4696, ext. 256 or 242
Temple Israel
Friday Kabbalat Shabbat Services
6:15 pm
Saturday Shabbat Services
10:15 am
Purim: Wednesday, March 7
Family party, 6:00 pm; Adult, 8:00 pm
Thursday, March 8, 7:30 to 9:30 pm
Film viewing and discussion
for International Women’s Day
Friday evening, March 9
bring your own dinner
at 7:00 pm following Services
For more info please go to
www.templeisraelottawa.ca
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AJA 50+ group benefits
from partnership with MASC
By Dena Speevak
AJA 50+
It takes a dedicated team
of volunteers to plan and execute the more than 100 programs provided annually by
AJA (Active Jewish Adults)
50+. Our programming is diverse and well attended – the
total number of participants
for events this past fall was
more than 2,300. According
to Program Chairs Sophie
Kohn-Kaminsky and Marcia
Aronson, the Program Committee continually assesses
participation data to help tailor programs to the needs of
the membership.
Musical and artistic performances are programs
that are consistently well attended. AJA 50+ works
with partners to secure high
quality programming at affordable cost. One such
partner is MASC (Multicultural Arts for Schools and
Communities).
MASC is a charitable organization that brings arts
and culture to schools and
seniors’ groups.
“At all ages and stages in
life, productive experiences
in the arts build a healthy
outlook,” states Audrey
Churgin, MASC executive
director. “MASC artists
offer unique programming
to suit the needs and creativity of seniors and older
adults who wish to have
their imagination engaged,
arts awareness deepened,
and who wish to learn about
different cultures. MASC
can help make any day
wondrous and meaningful.”
Through this partnership, facilitated by generous
subsidies from an anonymous donor, AJA 50+ is
able to offer a varied selection of performers and musicians of diverse cultural
traditions at a very affordable cost.
Over the past three years,
there have been more than a
dozen MASC-subsidized
programs offered through
AJA 50+. They have included Colores Andinos, who
play modern and traditional
music of Latin America;
Galitcha, a group that plays
music from India; Philippe
Gélinas, who plays music
and instruments of the Middle Ages; storytelling by
Daniel Richer; and Aboriginal dance and storytelling
with Aboriginal Experi-
ences. Programming in May
will include Junkyard Symphony with its special kind
of percussion instruments,
and, in June, Boris Sichon
from Vancouver will be
doing a program on Jewish
music.
For more information on
current AJA 50+ programming, visit our new website
at aja50plus.ca.
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Vered Israel offers varied cultural programs
Soloway Jewish Community
Centre (JCC).
Originally from Baghdad, Dalal’s music has Iraqi,
Jewish and Bedouin roots.
The Vered Israel Program
will screen Iraq N’ Roll, a
Hebrew and Arabic documentary with English subtitles, in partnership with the
Free Thinking Film Society
on Thursday, March 22, 7:30
pm, at the Soloway JCC.
The movie follows popular contemporary Israeli
rock musician Dudu Tassa as
he embarks on a deeply personal journey to reconnect
with the musical legacy of
his grandfather, Daud alKuwaity.
With the support of Barbara Crook, season three of
Israel’s hit TV series
Srugim, returns to the
Soloway JCC in April with a
special appearance from one
of the cast members. Applauded for its true-to-life
portrayal of the modern-Orthodox community in Israel,
Srugim follows five single
friends looking for love in
Katamon, a part of
Jerusalem known as “the
Swamp,” while adhering to
By Pamela Rosenberg
Soloway JCC
For more than 10 years,
the Vered Israel Cultural &
Educational Program has
been showing Ottawans a
different side of Israel than
the one they see on the
news.
By teaming with other organizations to import musicians, films, and even TV
shows, the Vered Israel Program showcases great Israeli
talent, and puts the spotlight
on the artistic and creative
strength of the country.
“It’s important to let people see there is another side
of Israel, with lots of great
artists in many different
fields who appeal to a large
audience, not just Jewish
people,” said Israeli native
Penni Namer, the Vered Israel Program manager.
Together with the Embassy of Israel and the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish
Studies at Carleton University, the Vered Israel Program is bringing composer,
violinist, oud player and
singer Yair Dalal to Ottawa
for a concert on Sunday
March 18, 7:30 pm, at the
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Yair Dalal performs March 18 at the Soloway JCC.
their religious lifestyle.
We commemorate Israel’s constant struggle for
security with the Yom
Hazikaron memorial ceremony on Tuesday, April 24.
Then, on Thursday, April 26,
we celebrate the State of Israel’s independence on Yom
Ha’Atzmaut with a flag-raising ceremony and the
biggest community party of
the year at its new location,
the CE Centre.
“We are really excited
about celebrating Yom
Ha’Atzmaut at the CE Centre this year,” said Penni.
“Thanks to the efforts of our
chair, Penny Torontow, it’s
going to be a great party and
we are hoping that the entire
community will help us celebrate this special day.”
Reuven Shiloah: The
Mossad’s First, a film about
What’s happening at
Congregation Beth Shalom
Every Sunday
Rabbi’s Lecture Series
9:30-10:30 am
Rashi on the Torah
First Sunday each Month Rabbi’s Lecture Series
10:30-11:30 am
Critical Thinkers of the Conservative Movement
Wednesday, March 7
5:30-8:30 pm
Purim Megillah Reading
& Children's Purim Carnival
Friday, March 9
Shabbat Dinner
WatchWatch
forformore
upcoming events
more upcoming events
6:00 pm
Everyone is
is Welcome!
Everyone
Welcome!
For more information, please contact the synagogue
at 613-789-3501 or [email protected]
www.bethshalom.ca
the man considered to be the
father of Israel’s intelligence
services comes to the
Soloway JCC on Sunday,
May 6. Shiloah’s son Dov
will be on hand to discuss
the film.
The Israeli Film Festival,
which unspools for its ninth
season in June, is a collaboration of Vered Israel, the Is-
raeli Embassy, the Canada
Israel Cultural Foundation,
the Jewish Federation of Ottawa and the Canadian
Friends of Hebrew University.
“Israeli films are being
recognized and are winning
awards all over the world.
The quality of the films has
changed over the years we
have been hosting the film
festival and the audience reflects that,” Penni said. “The
films screened at the festival
are playing to packed houses.” (Schedule and locations
TBA)
Acclaimed Israeli writer,
social and cultural commentator Sayed Kashua will
make an appearance at the
Ottawa International Writers
Festival on Sunday, April
22. Kashua writes about the
problems faced by the Arab
Israelis today. He wrote the
popular Israeli TV series
Arab Labor and writes satirical columns for Ha’aretz
and Kol Ha’ir. (Time and location TBA)
Israel’s Boom Pam unleashes its tunes at the Ottawa Jazz Festival on Thursday, June 28 and the Israeli
Chamber Project plays the
Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival on Tuesday, August 7.
For more information on
all of these programs, visit
jccottawa.com or contact
Penni Namer at 613-7989818, ext. 243.
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Na’amat holds annual kosher-for-Passover wine sale
By Deana Schildkraut
Aviva Chapter
Na’amat Canada
Aviva Chapter of Na’amat Canada Ottawa will help you prepare for
Passover with our annual kosherfor-Passover wine sale. We have a
large selection of wines available
from a variety of countries including
Israel, Australia, Italy, and Chile.
This year, we are collaborating
with Canadian Hadassah-WIZO Ottawa Centre and Congregation Beit
Tikvah in hosting a Passover Fair
where you will be able to pick up
your wine order and buy handcrafted Passover items such as wine
bags, seder matzo covers, matzothemed aprons and many other
items suitable as Passover gifts.
is a registered Canadian charity and raelis experiencing hardships is inpart of a worldwide progressive creasing greatly and many people
women’s organization dedicated to turn to Na’amat for help. Some of
improving the quality of life for the services Na’amat funds include
women, children and families in Is- daycare centres, vocational and agricultural high schools, single-parent
rael and around the world.
Na’amat is a Hebrew acronym support services, legal aid centres,
for Nashim Ovdot Umitnadvot and a facility for abused women.
Locally, Na’amat Canada Ot(Movement of Working Women and
Volunteers). We believe that every tawa is involved in the School Supcitizen is entitled to respect and ply for Kids project. Every fall, we
equal opportunity within a just soci- supply hundreds of backpacks filled
ety. Generations of Na’amat women with supplies to children living with
have been making a difference their mothers in shelters for abused
women. The generous support of
since 1925.
Na’amat Canada helps support a the Ottawa community over the
brating the victory of good over vast network of social and educa- years has allowed us to continue
evil. The event will incorporate all tional services. The number of Is- funding this project.
the important customs associated
• Mazal Tov • Mazal Tov • Mazal Tov • Mazal Tov • Mazal Tov • Mazal Tov •
with the fun and exciting holiday.
Every child will be given his or
Getting married,
her own gragger to shut out the
celebrating a special birthday
evil Haman’s name during the
Megillah reading.
or anniversary,
Children and adults are encourjust had a Bar or Bat Mitzvah?
aged to come in costume and will
receive a gift. There will also be a
Share your good news (photo too)!
grand masquerade with prizes for
the child in the most creative cosTo advertise call Barry Silverman
tume.
613-798-4696, ext. 256
The event takes place Thursday, March 8, 5:00 to 8:00 pm.
Email: [email protected]
Fun Haven is at 1050 Baxter Road
next to the new IKEA.
• Mazal Tov • Mazal Tov • Mazal Tov • Mazal Tov • Mazal Tov • Mazal Tov •
The Passover Fair will be held
Sunday, March 25, 10:30 am to
4:00 pm at Beit Tikvah Synagogue,
15 Chartwell Avenue.
Contact Deana Schildkraut at
613-726-9595
or
[email protected] to
receive the list of available wines or
to place an order.
Na’amat Canada (naamat.com)
opportunity to celebrate and interact with each other in a fun and relaxed environment.
The $20 entrance fee will include unlimited access to all Fun
Haven’s attractions including a
20-foot climbing wall, a multilevel jungle gym with blasters and
vacuum cannons propelling and
dumping thousands of foam balls,
a high-tech interactive laser shooting game, mini-bowling and
bumper cars.
There will also be a delicious,
hot, catered buffet feast in the
party room with lively Jewish
music playing.
Purim is a Jewish festival cele-
• Mazal Tov • Mazal Tov • Mazal Tov •
By Matthew Monson
for Chabad of Centrepointe
Chabad of Centrepointe has invited the Jewish community to
participate in our annual Purim extravaganza being held this year at
Fun Haven, Ottawa’s newest entertainment centre.
“It is exciting to be able to team
up with Fun Haven to be able to
provide Purim fun,” said Rabbi
Chaim Mendelsohn, director of
Chabad of Centrepointe.
“Chabad always looks for
novel ways to bring the community together.”
The event will give our community, particularly children, an
• Mazal Tov • Mazal Tov • Mazal Tov •
Chabad of Centrepointe heads
to Fun Haven for Purim party
Jewish Community
Service Awards
Members of the Jewish community
are invited to nominate individuals
to receive the following community awards
at the Annual General Meeting of the Federation in early June.
Gilbert Greenberg Distinguished Service Award
The Gilbert Greenberg Distinguished Service Award is the highest tribute
that the Ottawa Jewish Community can bestow on an individual
for exceptional service over the course of many years.
Initiated in 1980, it bears the name of the late Past President
of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, Gilbert Greenberg,
who exemplified the qualities of leadership,
which the award endeavours to recognize.
Freiman Family Young Leadership Award
The Freiman Family Young Leadership Award
recognizes an individual or an organization
within the Jewish community, under the age of 40,
who has contributed actively to the Jewish community
in the two or more years following his/her participation
in the Young Leadership Development Program,
or as a young leader rendered exceptional service
to the Jewish community.
The Shem Tov Community Volunteer Award
presented by the Ottawa Citizen
“There are three crowns: the crown of Torah, the crown of priesthood,
and the crown of kingship; but the crown of a good name excels them all.”
- Rabbi Shimon
The Shem Tov Community Volunteer Award was created
to recognize an outstanding and active volunteer
with the Jewish community who, through many years of service,
has contributed to the enrichment of Jewish life in Ottawa.
Address Recommendations by March 31, 2012 to:
Chair of the Community Award Selection Committee
Jewish Federation of Ottawa
21 Nadolny Sachs Private, Ottawa, Ontario K2A 1R9
or email: [email protected]
For more information, please visit www.jewishottawa.com
NOMINATION FORM (Please attach another page to tell us more)
❏ Gilbert Greenberg Distinguished Service Award
❏ Freiman Family Young Leadership Award
❏ Shem Tov Community Volunteer Award
ABOUT YOU
________________________
Nominator name
________________________
Daytime Phone
________________________
E-mail Address
ABOUT NOMINEE
___________________________
Nominee
___________________________
Agency or Organization
___________________________
E-mail Address
Detail community involvement and special contributions
Opinion
BDS and IAW are not
campaigns for peace
By Jake Goldstein, president
Israel Awareness Committee
In recent years, many North American
universities – including the University of Ottawa and Carleton – have witnessed the involvement of radical students with the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel and their support for the
so-called Israel Apartheid Week (IAW).
The BDS and IAW campaigns call for
the divestment of university funds from
companies that invest and do business in Israel.
While universities are places for the cultivation of ideas, freedom of speech and
open debate, the sole purpose of the BDS
and IAW campaigns is the exclusion and
delegitimization of the democratic state of
Israel.
There is a silver lining however. ProIsrael students on our university campuses
have mobilized in response to this campaign of delegitimization. Through our hard
work, dedication and passions for freedom
and democracy, we have made it extremely
difficult for the BDS and IAW campaigns to
gain momentum as we call for the support
of a more just and civil environment on
campus, the antithesis of BDS and IAW.
BDS is not a campaign for peace. Not
once in its literature is the word “peace”
even mentioned. Its objectives are actually
antithetical to justice and human rights, the
core values of Canadian society.
IAW attempts to paint Israel as an
apartheid state – an obviously false and
hateful claim. Arabs comprise 20 per cent
of Israel’s population, hold positions of significant power and have equality under the
law. Among the most prominent Israeli
Arabs are Supreme Court Justice Salim
Joubran and soccer star Walid Badir.
Israel is a nation of peace and democracy. BDS and IAW are simply messages of
hatred towards the Jewish state that we
must stand against.
CHW Ottawa tea
to honour Dave Smith
By Anna Bilsky
Ottawa Centre CHW
Hold the date! The incomparable Dave
Smith, philanthropist, entrepreneur and
fundraiser extraordinaire, will be the honouree when the Amit, Mollie Betcherman,
and Ina McCarthy chapters of Canadian
Hadassah-WIZO (CHW) Ottawa Centre
hold our annual tea on Sunday, June 10 at
the home of Ricki and Barry Baker.
Dave is well known in Ottawa. He has
raised more than $150 million for local, national and international causes. He has received numerous awards, including honorary doctorates from both the University
of Ottawa (2001) and Carleton University
(2006).
Not bad for the son of a Russian-Jewish
immigrant who ran a shoe repair shop on St.
Patrick Street. Dave was born in Ottawa
and grew up with his 13 brothers and sisters. His father kept a pot of soup going at
the back of the shop, so it appears Dave
learned about catering from birth.
In 1959, Dave opened Nate’s Deli on
Rideau Street. In 1960, he branched into
catering and opened The Place Next Door, a
steak and seafood restaurant. Over the
years, he spread the Nate’s brand to California, Florida and the Macdonald-Cartier
International Airport in Ottawa. And, a year
after closing the Rideau Street deli in 2010,
he and a business partner opened Nate’s
Deli Family Kitchen on Merivale Road.
Dave has helped numerous charities all
over the world. He listens to all requests
and rarely refuses. He is a treasure we
CHW Ottawa will honour legendary
fundraiser and deli owner Dave Smith at
annual tea, June 10.
(Photo: Jacqueline Shabsove)
should all cherish and be proud of.
So, join us for tea on June 10 as we celebrate this wonderful man. Funds raised by
the tea will support the CHW Netanya
Technological High School in Netanya,
Israel.
For more information, e-mail Lynn Gillman at [email protected] or call
Anna Bilsky at 613-728-4202.
‘I like to do mitzvahs
because it helps people’
By Ilana Belfer
Two days before their ninth
birthday, Max and Talia Gottfred
were at the Soloway JCC, participating in Mitzvah Day, making and
packing birthday loot for kits that
will be distributed to children living in shelters.
Wearing tie-dye shirts they
made especially for Mitzvah Day
at the Temple Israel Religious
School, the twins know why they
were at the Soloway JCC volunteering.
“I like to do mitzvahs because it
helps people,” Talia said. “It’s
going to people who don’t have
parties and people that don’t really
get birthdays.”
Her brother agreed.
“I am going to tell my friends to
maybe do this next time,” Max
says.
Their mother, Michelle Lajzerowicz, said she wanted to bring
her kids to Mitzvah Day to see the
greater Jewish community because
otherwise they don’t get to see too
many other Jewish children.
The family lives in Chelsea,
Quebec, and there are no other
Twins Max (left) and Talia Gottfred with mother, Michelle Lajzerowicz, prepare birthday kits for kids living in shelters on Mitzvah Day.
(Photo: Ilana Belfer)
Jewish children in their neighbourhood or at their school.
“It’s particularly important ...
[for them] to see the Jewish community working together on something,” Lajzerowicz said.
Mitzvah
Day
Gift
of Life
By Ilana Belfer
Hildy Lesh sat in the Soloway
Jewish Community Centre on
Mitzvah Day filling out a registration form for the Gift of Life Bone
Marrow Foundation.
She then used what looked like
oversized Q-Tips to painlessly
swab the inside of her cheek.
If she’s a match for someone in
need, she can donate bone marrow
and potentially save a life – much
like her husband’s eyesight was
saved when he received a cornea
transplant about 20 years ago.
Even before Mitzvah Day,
though, Lesh was part of the bone
marrow registry.
She re-registered as a sort of
renewal for the sake of assurance
because she originally registered
more than 15 years ago.
“It’s one thing you can do to
help somebody else’s life that is
so easy,” she said. “It’s such a
Hildy Lesh registers for the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation on
Mitzvah Day.
(Photo: Ilana Belfer)
non-issue.”
Lesh said she lives her life
doing mitzvahs for others and that
it’s something she works hard to
teach her children.
“This is something we do in our
family. It’s not an option,” she said.
In the past, her 11-year-old twin
daughters, Dahlia and Maya, have
donated hair and raised money for
Angel Hair for Kids, and volunteered at Hillel Lodge, among
other mitzvahs.
“I think it should be school-
wide. I think it should be boardwide,” Lesh said about Mitzvah
Day, mentioning that her daughters’ public school does nothing in
particular for Ottawa Kindness
Week. “But they should.”
Based on their experiences,
Lesh and her family know the
value of helping people in nonmaterial ways.
“What a great feeling that is to
be able to help somebody [when]
that’s not something you can buy,”
she said.
Janet Kaiman donated her braid, cut 40 years ago, to Locks of Love
on Mitzvah day.
A mitzvah 40 years
in the making
By Ilana Belfer
Janet Kaiman came to Mitzvah
Day with a mission: donate a
braid of her hair to Locks of Love,
the organization that uses donated
hair to create hairpieces for children suffering from medical hair
loss.
While most of the hair donated
on Mitzvah Day was freshly cut
then and there, Kaiman had kept
her braid in a box for 40 years.
“I was 17, it was the 70s, the
layered look was in. So it was perfect. He held up the braid, cut and
I had perfect layers,” she said.
At the time, Kaiman said, she
was simply looking to cut her long
hair. But she decided to keep the
braid as a souvenir of her youth,
one of two braids, that is.
She gave the other to her
boyfriend at the time.
“I thought it was special,” she
said. But her boyfriend’s mother
threw it out.
Kaiman didn’t think of donating the hair back then. It wasn’t
common practice until a few years
ago. But, when she heard of other
people doing it, Kaiman said she
wanted to contribute.
“I just never got around to it so
I thought today, Mitzvah Day,
would be the perfect opportunity
to donate,” she said. “It wasn’t as
convenient as it is today. I just
didn’t know how or where ... I’ve
been waiting all year to do this.”
Kaiman, who is principal of the
Ottawa Modern Jewish School,
said her students, friends and family members had mixed reactions
about the gesture.
“They think it’s funny. Some
people think it’s creepy. Some
people think it’s cool,” she said,
noting she herself doesn’t find it
creepy at all.
Locks of Love spokesperson
Lauren Kukkamaa said that hair
doesn’t go bad and, as long as it’s
in a braid or ponytail, stored in a
clean, dry place, it’s still acceptable.
“We do hear of situations like
that from time to time. Sometimes
it’s family hair that’s been passed
down through generations,”
Kukkamaa said.
Kaiman’s braid meets Locks of
Love’s length requirements. “It’s
still soft,” she said.
“I don’t think I’ll have my hair
long enough again to donate it, so
this is my gift.”
Death of a
Salesman
High school students at the
Ottawa Jewish Community School
presented a sold-out run, February
14 to 16, of the Arthur Miller classic, Death of a Salesman. The production was the school’s entry in
Canada’s Capital Cappies program
for high school theatre.
Photos by Howard Sandler
Willy (Itzy Kamil) cavorts with a woman in Boston (Cassandra Starosta)
The boss Howard (Raphael Sandler) boasts to Willy (Itzy Kamil)
Willy (Itzy Kamil) talks to his brother Ben (Jonathan Roytenberg) while wife Linda (Michaela
Sadinsky) and sons Biff (Yona Steinman) and Happy (Ethan Sabourin) look on.
Miss Forsythe (Jasmine Segal) in the restaurant
In the cemetery left to right: Happy (Ethan Sabourin), Biff (Yona Steinman), Linda (Michaela
Sadinsky), Charley (Hartley Melamed), Bernard (Jacob Landau).
Painting the tunnel
OJCS and Hulse students work together on mitzvah
Students brighten the tunnel between the Soloway JCC and Hillel
Lodge by painting tiles and a mural.
Mitzvah Day continued, February 16, when Grade 6 students from the Ottawa Jewish Community
School and Charles H. Hulse Public School got together in the Soloway JCC gym to make sleeping mats from recycled milk bags to be sent to people in Haiti still in need of mats in the aftermath
of the devastating earthquake in 2010.
(Photos: Michael Regenstreif)
(From left)
Rabbi Howard
Finkelstein,
of the Ottawa
Jewish
Community
School (OJCS),
Imam Sami
Metwally of the
Ottawa Muslim
Association and
Mitchell Bellman
of the Jewish
Federation of
Ottawa joined
OJCS and Charles
H. Hulse Public
School students at
the Soloway JCC
for their Mitzvah
Day project.
Ottawa Jewish Community School basketball
The Ottawa Jewish Community School boys’ basketball team is all smiles after an undefeated
5-0 season. The team includes students from Grades 7 and 8.
Mitzvah Day challah
Students display a tray of braided challahs prepared for the Ottawa
Kosher Food Bank on Mitzvah Day.
Israel
advocacy
workshop
Jordan Kerbel, deputy
director, communications and training, of
the Centre for Israel
and Jewish Affairs
(CIJA), led a workshop,
Israel Advocacy in 5
Minutes: How to Create
Effective Messages for
all Media, attended by
more than 50 people,
February 15, at the
Soloway JCC.
During the interactive workshop, Kerbel
provided guidance to
community activists interested in advocating
for Israel at the grassroots level.
The workshop was organized by JET with support from
CIJA and the Jewish Federation of Ottawa.
(Photo: Michael Regenstreif)
Growing ranks of Orthodox musicians
in mainstream pop music
By Lisa Alcalay Klug
(JTA) – With his yarmulke, ritual fringes
and lyrics occasionally borrowed from ancient texts, Grammy-nominated reggae star
Matisyahu may be the most publicly Jewish
performer in the mainstream music scene.
But he’s not the only one.
Growing ranks of Jewishly committed
performers are finding success on the international stage. These independent artists share
more with Matisyahu than keeping the Sabbath. They, too, are attracting audiences with
compositions informed by their spiritual
lives: building connection, meaning and
hope.
“The fuel that keeps us going is the feedback we get all the time that says, ‘Your
music inspires me,’” said Yehuda Solomon,
who, with his band Moshav has opened repeatedly for Matisyahu. “People tell us all the
time, ‘I don’t listen to Jewish music, but you
guys break all the stereotypes.’”
Solomon is the cantor for the Orthodox
Happy Minyan in Los Angeles, dedicated to
the lively, liturgical compositions of the late
Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. As Moshav’s lead
vocalist, Solomon performs original world
music, folk and rock in Hebrew and English,
as well as “Shlomo tunes.”
For mainstream musicians hoping to make
it big, Friday night gigs help build successful
careers. Without that option, licensing material and composing produce vital income for
some Orthodox musicians.
Some artists moonlight behind the scenes,
which led to a Grammy Award for guitarist C
Lanzbom of Pomona, N.Y.
Although Lanzbom loves performing, he
received a Grammy last year for mixing the
album Tomorrow’s Children by Pete Seeger
and the Rivertown Kids. The album was the
Grammy winner as “best musical album for
children” of 2010.
Lanzbom, the son of Holocaust survivors,
began his foray into music at age seven. Like
Solomon, he was heavily influenced by Rabbi
Carlebach.
Although Rabbi Carlebach was never as
mainstream as Matisyahu, his iconic singing
career spanned more than 40 years. Constantly touring, Carlebach performed at Carnegie
Hall, the Berkeley Folk Festival and a range
of international venues, from coffeehouses to
synagogue basements. It was Rabbi Carlebach who paid for Lanzbom’s first flight to
Israel and introduced him to meaningful religious practice.
After Rabbi Carlebach died in 1994 from
a heart attack aboard an airplane, Lanzbom
dedicated his first solo album to him, covering his songs. The album, Beyond This
World,” propelled Lanzbom into the Jewish
Notice of
Annual
General
Meeting
The Jewish Federation
of Ottawa
will hold its
78th Annual General Meeting
on Wednesday
June 6, 2012 at 7:00 pm
in the Social Hall
of the
Joseph and Rose Ages Family Building.
The entire Jewish community
of Ottawa is invited to attend.
For more information contact Dawn Paterson
613-798-4696, ext 236 or [email protected]
The Moshav band performs original world music, folk and rock in Hebrew and English, as well as “Shlomo tunes” of the late Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach.
music market.
“It might look like I chose to limit myself,” he said. “But it also gave me an identity.”
Lanzbom works with some household
names, recently mixing a Seeger track featuring Bruce Springsteen. But he is best
known to Jewish audiences as part of the
folk-rock band Soulfarm, which he cofounded with Solomon’s brother, Noah, a
gifted vocalist and mandolin player. Together they record original compositions, Car-
lebach songs and Breslov Chassidic tunes.
The Solomons grew up in Israel next door
to Rabbi Carlebach on the moshav Mevo
Modi’im. The religious, musical village
Rabbi Carlebach founded in 1976 has
spawned numerous bands, including Moshav,
which performs worldwide on Jewish and
mainstream stages. Its next album, Light the
Way, will be released this spring.
Even when the music of these artists
boasts wide appeal, the spiritual under(Continued on page 20)
Some Orthodox musicians find
success licensing songs for TV
Irving Layton:
A Centenary Celebration
Poets and Members of Parliament
celebrate Layton’s legacy
Sunday, March 11, 2012, 2:30 p.m.
University of Ottawa
Room 129, Simard Hall
60 University Street, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5
The Vered Jewish Canadian Studies Program
and the Department of English at the University of Ottawa
welcome you to a celebration of the writings and legacy
of Irving Layton (1912-2006),
with readings from his works by Ottawa poets
and brief reminiscences from friends and associates who knew him.
Participants will also include Members of Parliament
Irwin Cotler and Mauril Bélanger.
The Centenary Celebration will be hosted by Professor Seymour Mayne.
Reception to follow. Admission to the event is free.
For further information: Professor Seymour Mayne,
[email protected] or 613-562-5800, ext. 1148
pinnings often resonate as uniquely Jewish.
Perhaps the most extreme example is the Matisyahu hit “One Day,” which speaks of a
messianic era. NBC aired the song in promos
for its Winter Olympics coverage. Songs
from his forthcoming album recently performed in San Francisco suggest more inspirational material ahead.
The same applies to singer and guitarist
Dov Rosenblatt, who with Talia Osteen, his
non-Orthodox band mate in The Wellspring
folk-pop duo, has opened for headline rockers
Pete Yorn and Ben Kweller.
While Yorn and Kweller do not keep
Shabbat, they delayed Saturday night shows
to accommodate Rosenblatt, who grew up
modern Orthodox, attended Yeshiva University and recorded three albums with his previous rock band, Blue Fringe – an allusion to
ritual fringes.
After marrying into a Lubavitch family in
Los Angeles, Rosenblatt jokes that he is now
“modern Lubavodox.”
But, it’s licensing fees that have generated
anywhere from one to a few hundred thousand dollars for Rosenblatt. His compositions, co-written with Lanzbom or Osteen,
have appeared on several television shows including The Real World, The Kardashians
and Cougar Town. When The Wellspring’s
cover of Big Star’s “Ballad of El Goodo” was
featured on House, a tweet from House costar Olivia Wilde triggered massive interest in
new licensing deals.
Rosenblatt’s L.A. colleagues, Yael Meyer
and Cathy Heller, each have a long list of licensing credits, including “Beautiful People,”
which they co-wrote. ABC aired it in network
promos. Just as Matisyahu’s gold single,
“King Without a Crown,” resembles a contemporary psalm, their songs, too, often are
spiritual meditations.
When Heller learned that Arab terrorists
had murdered five members of the Fogel family in the Itamar massacre in March 2011, she
felt helpless and overwhelmed.
“I realized the only thing I have control
over is my own happiness, so that’s what I
need to get busy working on,” she said.
The result is her ukulele-driven pop song,
“Gonna Be Happy,” a call to “Turn your inside out/Let it shine.” The song will air on the
March 28 series finale of One Tree Hill.
Meyer, whose compositions “write themselves,” watched her song “Shed Their Fear”
emerge as a prayer: “Grant me strength to dissipate the dark that haunts and pierces deeply
like a spear.” The song was heard on Private
Practice.
For Meyer and Heller, who attend Orthodox synagogues, performing for mixed audiences of men and women once may have
raised concerns over kol isha, the religious restriction on hearing a women’s voice.
That’s what happened to Rabbi Carlebach’s daughter.
As a teenager, Neshama Carlebach per-
The folk-pop duo Wellspring features the
Modern Orthodox performer Dov Rosenblatt and his non-Orthodox band mate
Talia Osteen.
formed on her father’s last tour. He would announce that she was heading on stage to sing
one song, “B’Shem Hashem (In God’s
Name).”
“He would say if anyone has a problem
with that, go out for five minutes and then
come back,” she recalled.
After Rabbi Carlebach’s death, Neshama
continued his tour. At times she has encountered intense condemnation from the same
audiences attending her concerts and buying
her eight albums. Her father’s mission, to
“heal, uplift and transform the world,” has
profoundly impacted Neshama, who identifies as modern Orthodox.
“My response to kol isha was so passionate because I believe I was born to this man to
continue the work he began that is so needed
in this world,” she said.
Her perspective on kol isha was echoed recently by Orthodox Rabbi Dov Linzer, dean
of the Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical
School in New York.
“As the Talmud plainly puts it,” Rabbi
Linzer wrote in a New York Times opinion
piece, “the responsibility is on a man, not a
woman.”
These days, Neshama anticipates performing in Soul Doctor, the Broadway-bound,
full-length musical she co-created which celebrates her father’s life. She also is touring
solo and performing her father’s compositions together with a charismatic Baptist
gospel choir.
She said ongoing criticism won’t stop her.
“I put interfaith and kol isha in the same
category: defined by fear,” Neshama said. “I
will walk where I walk and people will say
what they say. I pray that they find their own
healing.”
Visit our web site: www.hillellodge.ca
LL
ife at the
odge
From here on in: Wonderful days to come
By Stephen Schneiderman
Executive Director Hillel Lodge
The promise of 21 new beds was the
longest enduring agenda item in the history
of Hillel Lodge. For six years, we talked
about it at virtually every Board of Directors
meeting. Now, it has finally come true! Interestingly, such an accomplishment is not the
end, but rather the beginning of many wonderful days to come. This is especially true
for the 21 new residents who can now call
Hillel Lodge their home.
While everyone can easily appreciate the
time it takes to get the new residents settled,
it is hard for most outsiders to understand
the major adjustments required by the newcomers as well as residents who have been at
the Lodge for a number of years. The recent
influx of so many people involves more than
just newcomers getting their bearings or
learning about all the programs and services
that the Lodge has to offer. For the 21 arrivals, they are starting to share their lives
and their home with many whom they have
just met.
While all of this is taking place, the staff
and volunteers are not bystanders. Our job is
to cultivate relationships, make connections,
and sensitize residents to what it is like to be
“the new kids on the block”. For the residents, this is not an easy or automatic adjustment. For those who support them, this is
not an easy task.
It begins with the resident’s bedroom with
pictures on the wall and tchachkas adorning
the shelves, which reflect the resident’s individuality and lifetime of achievement.
It continues with the design of a recreation
and therapeutic program that devotes itself
to all the aspects of a full and fulfilling schedule, including all the dimensions of cultural,
spiritual and physical activities.
Next, it involves the sights and smells of
home cooking and holiday celebrations that
bring people together to do more than “just
break bread,” but rather congregate and
interact like family.
Finally, there are the nurses and social
workers who surround the residents with a
“security blanket” of being available around
the clock.
Luckily, for all, when we say “welcome to
Hillel Lodge,” we really mean it. Aside from
offering our residents the finest in fixtures
and furnishings that long-term care has to
offer, the emphasis is placed on creating an
atmosphere that feels like home. We live it
every day at Hillel Lodge and everyone is
the beneficiary because of it.
Watercolour Art Class
Ottawa Jewish Community School – High School Visit
Oneg Shabbat Celebration
If you want to make a difference in people’s lives (including your own), give volunteering at Hillel Lodge a try. The time commitment
can range from a few hours per month to regular weekly or bi-weekly visits. To become a volunteer, please contact Marilyn Adler, our
Manager of Recreation and Volunteer Programs.
Hillel Lodge is proud of the quality care we provide to our residents. Donations to the Lodge can be made
in several ways: by going to our web site at www.hillellodge.ca; contacting the Long-Term Care
Foundation at (613) 728-3900 extension 111; or e-mailing us at [email protected]
In support
of the Bess and Moe
Greenberg Family
Hillel Lodge
In the Joseph
and Inez Zelikovitz
Long Term Care Centre
Card Donations
Card donations go a long way to improving
the quality of life for our residents. Thank you
for considering their needs and contributing to
their well-being.
On behalf of the residents and their families,
we extend sincere appreciation to the following
individuals and families who made card donations to the Hillel Lodge Long-Term Care Foundation between February 1 and 15, 2012 inclusive.
HONOUR FUNDS
Unlike a bequest or gift of life insurance,
which are realized some time in the future, a
named Honour Fund (i.e., endowment fund) is
established during your lifetime.
By making a contribution of $1,000 or more,
you can create a permanent remembrance for a
loved one, honour a family member, declare what
the Lodge has meant to you and/or support a
cause that you believe in.
A Hillel Lodge Honour Fund is a permanent
pool of capital that earns interest or income each
year. This income then supports the priorities
designated by you, the donor.
Ruth and Irving Aaron Family Fund
In Memory of:
Joe Lieff by Ruth and Irving Aaron
Bill and Leona Adler Memorial Fund
In Memory of:
Rhoda Abbey by Marilyn Adler
Kurt Brewer by Marilyn Adler
Peter MacNeil by Marilyn Adler
Anita Dubinsky by Marilyn Adler
Shirley Winer by Marilyn Adler
Abe and Bea Dubinsky
Endowment Fund
In Memory of:
Geety Freedman by Bonnie and Robbie
Cape and family
Nell Gluck Memorial Fund
In Honour of:
Zvi Nix In honour of your 75th birthday
with love by Julia Gluck, Ted Overton and Jess
Mr. and Mrs. Mordechai Bendat Mazal
tov on the birth of your granddaughter, Orli Ella
by Julia Gluck and Ted Overton
Adele and Geoff Sidney Mazal tov on the
birth of your granddaughter by Julia Gluck and
Ted Overton
In Memory of:
Anita Dubinsky by Henry and Maureen
Molot
Shirley Winer by Henry and Maureen
Molot
Gunner Family Fund
In Memory of:
Anita Dubinsky by Sol and Estelle Gunner
Shirley Winer by Sol and Estelle Gunner
Jack Baylin by Stephen and Debra
Schneiderman and family
Norman Beiles by Stephen and Debbie
Schneiderman
Milton and Mary (Terry) Viner
Family Fund
In Observance of the Yahrzeit of:
Doris Schaenfield beloved sister by Millie
Schaenfield and family
Fanny Belfer beloved mother-in-law by
Millie Schaenfield and family
Jake Belfer beloved stepfather by Millie
Schaenfield and family
Eric Weiner and Arlene Godfrey
Family Fund
In Memory of:
Anita Dubinsky by Miriam Weiner; and by
Carol and Larry Gradus
Toby and Joel Yan Family Fund
In Memory of:
Sylvia Shapransky by Toby and Joel Yan
Anita Dubinsky by Toby and Joel Yan
Shirley Winer by Toby and Joel Yan
R’fuah Shlema:
David Binder by Toby and Joel Yan
Howard Strauss by Toby and Joel Yan
**************
David, Harvey and Victor Kardish
Family Fund
In Memory of:
Anita Dubinsky by Sheryl, Harvey,
Mallory and Ryan Kardish
Nordau and Roslyn Kanigsberg
Family Fund
In Memory of:
Anita Dubinsky by Nordau and Roz
Kanigsberg and family
Geety Freedman by Nordau and Roz
Kanigsberg and family
Dorothy and Maurie Karp
Endowment Fund
In Memory of:
Arthur Max by Dorothy Karp and family
Vera and Leslie Klein
Family Fund
In Honour of:
Vera Klein Mazal tov on your special birthday by Irma Sachs
Friedberg and Dale Families Fund
In Memory of:
Jack Baylin Elaine Friedberg and Bob Dale
Shelley and Sidney Rothman
Family Fund
In Memory of:
Anita Dubinsky by Shelley Rothman and
family
Malcolm and Vera Glube
Endowment Fund
In Honour of:
Arlene Glube Best wishes on your special
birthday by Malcolm and Vera Glube
Stephen and Debra Schneiderman
Family Fund
In Memory of:
Anita Dubinsky by Stephen and Debra
Schneiderman
Feeding Program
In Memory of:
Anita Dubinsky by Harold and Lisa
Sandell; and by Heidi and Steve Polowin
Therapeutics Fund
In Memory of:
Guenter Krebs by Ira and Joanna Abrams
and family
Kurt Brewer by Joanna Abrams; and by
Sally, Mariel and Shala
Anita Dubinsky by Linda and Michael
Senzilet
IN HONOUR OF:
Arlene Glube Best wishes on your special
birthday by Janet and Norman Ironstone; and
by Anna and Ronnie Cantor
Inna Royz by Jessica Firestone
Sunny and Sheldon Shaffer Best wishes on
your special anniversary with love by Ingrid
Shapiro
Sandy Granatstein Happy 70th birthday by
Roz and Stan Labow
IN MEMORY OF:
Bernice Mark by Elaine Hauptman
Frances Rothman by Lou Lalonde; by
Barbara Fine; and by Arlene and Gary Bonn
and family
Rhoda Abbey by Anna Bilsky; by Esther
and Ron Paritzky; and by Larry Weisz
Husband of Alana Goldberg by Annette
Millstone
Dorval Lahaie by Annette Millstone
Evelyn Oberman by Libby and Leo Ratner
Beatrice Lesser by Marian Vexler
Grandfather of Carla Bolling by the
Residents, Board and Staff of Hillel Lodge
Peter MacNeil by the Residents, Board and
Staff of Hillel Lodge
Geety Freedman by Anna and Ronnie
Cantor
Eliezer (Leo) Lipnowski by Steve and Roz
Fremeth; and by Arlene and Norman Glube
Anita Dubinsky by the Residents, Board
and Staff of Hillel Lodge; by Bev and Bryan
Glube; by Steve and Doris Rauch; by Leona
Freeman; by Gabrielle and Yonatan Lew; by
Debra and Howard Krebs; by Sarah, Jack,
David and Lev Silverstein; by Annette Albert;
by Arlene and Norman Glube; by Danny and
Rhonda Levine; by the Ben-Israel family; by
Cheryl Leyton and Manuel Glimcher; by Janet
and Marty Shimkofsky; by Harvey and Beverly
Silverstone; by Cathy and Dan Sigler and family; by Steve and Roz Fremeth; by Frayda and
Charlie Wiseman, Yossi, Julia and Michael
Bokhaut; by Roslyn and Arnie Kimmel; by Lily
Feig; by Shelley and Morris Schachnow; by
Warren and Linda Melamed; by Don and
Pauline Irving; by Etta Martin and Gail Chernin
and Judy and Arnie Budovitch; by Louisa Garib
and Ruben Benmergui; by Gail Krochmalnek;
by Betty and Ed Rose; by Felice and Jeff Pleet;
by Gail and Irwin Prince; by Howard and
Cheryl Bogomolny; by Susan, Jonathan and
David Heisel and Sye Mincoff; by the PascoeBriggs family; by Sandi and Rod Della Vedova;
by Beverley and Abe Feinstein; and by David
Rubin
Jack Baylin by Danny and Rhonda Levine
and family; by Steve and Roz Fremeth; by
Arlene and Norman Glube; and by Etta Karp
Shirley Winer by the Residents, Board and
Staff of Hillel Lodge; by Anna Bilsky; and by
Sheila Bahar
Arthur Max by Etta Karp
Kurt Brewer by Dena and Herb Gosewich
Father of Phea Meas by the Residents,
Board and Staff of Hillel Lodge; and by
Elizabeth Richard
Father of Sunn Meas by the Residents,
Board and Staff of Hillel Lodge; and by
Elizabeth Richard
Grandfather of Sophoeun Soun by the
Residents, Board and Staff of Hillel Lodge
Rose Kardash by Arlene and Gary Bonn
and family
R’FUAH SHLEMA:
Rabbi Levy Teitlebaum by Robin Mader
Irving Taylor by Alvin and Monica Stein
Anne Mozersky by Alvin and Monica Stein
THE LODGE EXPRESSES ITS SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR YOUR KIND SUPPORT
AND APOLOGIZES FOR ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS. DUE TO SPACE LIMITATIONS, THE WORDING APPEARING
IN THE BULLETIN IS NOT NECESSARILY THE WORDING WHICH APPEARED ON THE CARD.
GIVING IS RECEIVING – ATTRACTIVE CARDS AVAILABLE FOR ALL OCCASIONS
Here’s a good opportunity to recognize an event or convey the appropriate sentiment to someone important to you and at the same time support the Lodge. Card orders may be
given to Bev at 728-3900, extension 111, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday. You may also e-mail your orders to [email protected] or online donations can be made through CanadaHelps.org. All orders must include name, address, postal code, and any message to person receiving the card; and, amount of donation,
name, address and postal code of the person making the donation. Cards may be paid for by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Cheque or Cash. Contributions are tax deductible.
In Japan, Israelis bring trauma expertise
to tsunami victims
By Boaz Arad
Sendai, Japan (JTA) – Tears
run down the face of Kohata Yuriko
as she recalls the events of March
11 last year, when a massive 9.0
magnitude earthquake struck off the
coast of eastern Japan in the early
afternoon.
Shopping for groceries in the
small fishing town of Iwanuma, she
heard the tsunami sirens.
Realizing she had little time,
Yuriko collected her son and 93year-old father and fled. As her foot
hit the gas pedal, she could hear the
horrible noise of the wave as it
came crashing through the neighbourhood.
Later that day, Yuriko learned
that a grandmother and her grandson, a good friend of her son’s, perished in the neighbouring house as
the tsunami smashed into it. Upon
hearing the news, her son started to
cry.
“Thank you Mom,” he said
again and again. “Thank you for
coming back for me.”
Through an interpreter, Yuriko
says she still cries all the time when
she’s alone.
“I’m so stressed and nervous
that I can hardly breathe,” she says.
But, with the assistance of volunteers and post-trauma experts from
the Israeli non-governmental organization IsraAID, she is beginning to
learn to cope with the tragedy.
Yuriko is sitting on the floor of a
caravan converted into a community centre in one of the temporary
housing sites built to accommodate
the tens of thousands of tsunami
survivors who lost their homes to
the wave. Helped by the aid workers, she dances, bangs on drums,
laughs and smiles – and then, asked
to choose from a pile of special
cards used as psychotherapeutic
tools, she begins to cry.
It is the first time since the disaster that she has cried in front of
someone, and Yuriko is apologetic.
She has been unemployed for nearly a year, shares a cramped temporary housing unit with her father,
husband and son, and constantly
feels like she is about to faint from
anxiety.
“It’s OK to cry,” says Judy Spanglet, an Orthodox Israeli social
worker and family therapist who
For information call 613-274-0110
or email [email protected]
Yotam Polizer, IsraAID’s Japan project manager, plays guitar for residents of a temporary housing site
for tsunami survivors in Ishinomaki as part of a music therapy session run by post-trauma experts from
(Photo: Boaz Arad)
the Israeli NGO.
has worked with trauma victims all
over the world. “It’s perfectly normal. Let it out. You have been so
busy worrying for and taking care
of other people that you have forgotten to think of yourself.”
Yuriko lets out a big smile; sud-
denly she seems relieved.
“Thank you for listening,” she
says, sighing. “Until now, I didn’t
really have anyone I could speak
to.”
The Japanese government has
worked to clean up the material
damage from the tsunami and find
housing for those it left homeless.
The government has been less
determined in providing survivors
with needed psychological support.
A number of volunteer groups, most
(Continued on page 31)
Exercise: What’s in it for me?
We live in a fast-paced culture. From instant messages to
instant food, we have become increasingly accustomed to instant gratification.
Exercise provides delayed gratification. Most of the benefits of exercise happen over time. Often, we are not even
aware of all of the good things that exercise is doing for us
because many of the benefits are internal. So some people
just don’t bother to exercise.
But there are compelling reasons to be physically active.
I want to share some of them with you. I want to empower
you with knowledge that will leave you wanting to exercise!
Exercise provides many benefits for your physical and
mental health. Exercise reduces risks from a variety of diseases and can also slow the progression of some diseases.
Let’s explore three types of exercise and their key benefits.
Cardiorespiratory exercise, also known as cardio or aerobic exercise, develops cardiorespiratory fitness, including
strengthening the heart and increasing lung capacity. The
heart is a muscle and needs to be exercised to remain healthy.
Examples of cardio exercise are walking and stair climbing, which you can incorporate into your day-to-day life, and
sports, such as running, cycling and swimming. You can also
get a cardio workout using a treadmill, elliptical or stationary bike, or by taking aerobics classes.
Heart disease is the number one cause of premature death
in Canadian adults. You can reduce your risk of heart disease
by performing cardio exercise. Cardio reduces hypertension,
resting heart rate, and LDL (bad) cholesterol, and increases
HDL (good) cholesterol.
Cardio is also beneficial because it burns fat, resulting in
a leaner body which, in turn, reduces the risk of developing
Type 2 diabetes. Cardio increases energy and endurance,
making sports as well as everyday activities less fatiguing.
Cardio can also reduce the risk of certain cancers such as
breast and colon cancer. It can lessen the symptoms of some
chronic diseases such as arthritis. Some studies suggest that
cardio may even prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s
disease and dementia, and slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease.
Cardio also benefits mental health by increasing levels of
mood enhancing brain chemicals. Going for a brisk walk or
jog may lift your mood and alleviate anxiety, stress and mild
depression.
Resistance training, also known as strength training, develops your muscles and increases your strength.
Examples of resistance training are push ups, pull ups and
sit ups. You can do resistance training using dumbbells, machines or your own body weight.
Benefits include an increase in lean muscle mass and an
improved metabolism. Your body will become more efficient
at burning fat and you’ll even burn more calories while at
rest. Another benefit is improved bone density, which lowers
your risk for osteoporosis. Stronger muscles also improve
your balance and coordination, thereby reducing your
chance of falling and injuring yourself. Stronger muscles
make everyday activities, such as lifting and carrying items,
easier.
Some women never do resistance training because they
are afraid to develop massive muscles. In fact, women do not
naturally develop big muscles because they have significant-
Focus
on Fitness
Gloria
Schwartz
ly less testosterone than men.
Flexibility training, also called stretching, is often neglected. Stretching is important for several reasons. It can increase flexibility. It can improve athletic performance. It can
decrease the risk of injuries by helping your joints move
through the full range of motion.
Daily activities requiring flexibility include bending
down to tie your shoe, reaching overhead to get something
from a cupboard, gardening and getting in and out of a chair
or car. If you golf, curl, bowl or participate in just about any
sport, flexibility training can help improve your game. An
added bonus is that stretching feels really good and is a nice
way to relax after a cardio or strength training workout.
If you would like to experience a better quality of life, and
increase your chance of living longer, I urge you to incorporate cardiorespiratory, resistance and flexibility training,
along with a healthy diet, into your lifestyle. And don’t just
do it. Do it like you mean it!
If you’re overweight, over 40, or have a medical condition, please check with your doctor before beginning any
new type of exercise.
Send
your
questions
and
comments
to
[email protected]
Activist works to preserve Jewish way of life in Ukraine
My brother Joel and I attended a meeting in Toronto,
February 9, on preserving cemeteries, synagogues and mass
grave sites in the Galician region of Ukraine. What really
attracted us to make the trip was that one of the two speakers was a dynamic Ukrainian Jew named Meylakh
Sheykhet.
We first met Meylakh by chance in 2005 in the city of
Lviv (formerly known as both Lvov and Lemberg). We
were at the beginning of our two-week journey through
Poland and Ukraine, visiting the shtetlach that were important to our family history. While strolling through the former Jewish Quarter, we noticed an obviously observant Jew
crossing the street towards us.
Like many of us in North America, we believed no one
was left practising Judaism in that part of the world. Our
guide, Alex, knew the man, introduced us to him, and we
were pleasantly surprised to find out that he spoke English
very well. After only a minute or two, he apologized to us
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for having to leave for an appointment and disappeared into
a waiting car.
Realizing we had missed an opportunity to find out
about life as a Jew in modern day Ukraine, we asked Alex
if there was any way we could meet with Meylakh sometime during our stay. Alex said he could probably arrange a
meeting for the following day. Without giving us more details, Alex told us we would not be disappointed if we were
able to get together with Meylakh.
Meylakh’s apartment was on the second floor of a five
or six storey building – one of a group of identical buildings
on the street. We walked to the entrance and were shocked
by the rundown condition of the place. It reminded me of
the poor tenement apartments we see on American police
shows that house drug dealers and criminals. It really was a
scary place.
The apartment was up a flight of stairs. When we entered, we were surprised to see that it served as an office as
well with several people, both teenagers and adults, at
work. Meylakh greeted us, and took us to a room at the end
of the hallway. The room had a couple of computers and fax
machines, so it was obviously a workplace.
Meylakh started to tell us a little about what he does and
gave me his business card. He represents an organization
called Union of Councils for Soviet Jewry, American Jewish Organisation for Human Rights. The card gives his
Ukrainian contact numbers as well as an address in Wash-
ington, D.C.
After offering us refreshments, he started telling us
about what he does and what life is like for the remaining
Jews in Ukraine. We found out that he fights for the rights
of the Jewish population, as well as for those who assisted
the Jewish community during the Second World War. He
also provides social services like Meals on Wheels and
counselling for Jewish Ukrainians.
Meylakh is obviously committed to his way of life and
believes he has to preach the Orthodox teachings to preserve Jewish religion and culture. We were very moved by
what he had to say and amazed by how he was able to accomplish despite all of the obstacles he faced. Most of his
support comes from the United States.
He invited us for Shabbat dinner the following evening,
but we had to decline as we were scheduled to be away
from Lviv by then.
The next day, we were in the town of Grzymalow where
my Diener family lived. Visiting the town hall, we asked if
they had any Jewish records. One of the women showed us
a letter and we were surprised to see that it was from Meylakh Sheykhet. It was a protest by his organization over the
fact that construction had been done, and was continuing to
be done, on the grounds of the Jewish cemetery destroyed
by the Nazis. The letter had a map of the town attached,
which showed the large area where the cemetery had been
before the War. We were amazed to see this letter written by
the man we had spent time with the previous day.
This gentleman left a great impression on us. In Toronto, he spoke about his projects, and the support his organization needs from Jews around the world. A group called
the Synagogue Project has been formed in Toronto to promote awareness and to foster connections between our Jewish communities and those of Central and Eastern Europe.
If you would like more information on Meylakh
Sheykhet and his work, contact the Jewish Genealogical
Society of Ottawa at [email protected].
Multifaith Housing Initiative works
to ease lack of affordable housing
Last November, I found myself grooving to Sufi rock in
a conga line before being beckoned to dance in the middle
of an approving group of revellers from an array of cultural and religious backgrounds. It was National Housing
Day, and the event was an awareness-raising dinner hosted by the Ottawa-based Multifaith Housing Initiative
(MHI).
Barbara Levine, chair of the MHI development committee and a member of my shul, Agudath Israel, had invited
me. I was pleased to learn more about an important organization that toils a bit below the radar to address one of the
most pressing social problems of our time.
There is a shortage – some would say a crisis – of affordable housing in Ottawa. For people experiencing various hardships, whether it is substance-abuse recovery, mental illness or simply poverty, housing is one of the most important factors in helping maintain and nurture a stable life.
Without a home, and kitchen, of one’s own, people are
more likely to fall prey to the cynicism and sometimes violent dangers of street life, and the scourges of poor nutrition
and ill health.
MHI is a coalition of individuals and faith-based groups
seeking to remedy the problem of lack of access to affordable housing, through advocacy and awareness. But MHI
goes even further by owning and managing 42 affordable
rental units around Ottawa.
MHI is not just any housing organization. By specifically comprising faith organizations, individuals come togeth-
er with an overarching spiritual aim of bettering the lives of
their fellow Ottawa residents.
I recently spoke with Fran Klodawsky, the president of
MHI. Fran is a member of Temple Israel and a Carleton
University professor of geography and environmental studies who found her way to MHI through her passion for affordable housing and her Temple involvement.
“If each of us, in our own little boxes, tries to repair the
world, it’s not as effective as if we expand the box in which
we’re working for the big goal in mind,” Fran said.
Fran sees access to decent housing as being a basic
human right.
MHI has signed onto the Charter for Compassion, a
statement written by theologian Karen Armstrong that rests
on the golden rule, which, in the Jewish tradition, is expressed as “Love thy neighbour as thyself.”
MHI includes members from the Christian, Jewish,
Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and Unitarian communities. Of Ottawa’s shuls, only Temple Israel and Adath Shalom are currently MHI member organizations – which entails an annual $100 contribution. Rabbi Steven Garten of Temple Israel
is one of the faith-leader patrons of the organization and
took a leading role in the multifaith prayer meeting that preceded the dinner event. I hope other Ottawa synagogues, including my own, will consider joining as well.
Increasingly, we see Jewish groups being formed to engage individuals in tikkun olam – not just for Jewish ends,
but for more universal goals as well. American Jewish
Values, Ethics,
Community
Mira
Sucharov
World Service, AVODAH and Hazon are thriving examples
of the good that can come when people join together, inspired by their ethno-religious identity, to extend the notion
of tikkun olam outward.
A group like MHI also enables us to reflect on the
crossover between social action and social justice. Creating
one more housing unit for a needy individual is a laudable
act. But one could argue that striving to address the root of
the housing crisis problem is even more important. MHI
strives to combine social action with social justice through
hands-on work, along with advocacy and awareness, thus
trying to chip away at the structural causes leading so many
Canadians to be without adequate housing.
MHI’s goal over the next three years is to double the
number of individuals and families they can house. It’s a
worthy and important goal. Fran tells me that volunteers are
greatly appreciated for tasks ranging from painting and
building to working one-on-one with tenants, to getting involved with the annual Tulipathon (MHI’s walkathon).
Visit multifaithhousing.ca for more information about
MHI. To get involved, as an individual or as an organization,
contact MHI at 613-686-1825 or [email protected].
Mira Sucharov, an associate professor of political science
at Carleton University, blogs at Haaretz.com.
Iranian regime seeks legitimacy and shift in balance of power
By all accounts, the opposition and general population in
Iran saw the 2009 presidential election as a soft coup,
which reconfigured the power centres and created a very
slim layer of hands-on leadership.
Domestically, for the past several years, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Revolutionary Guard Corp
(IRGC) cohorts have led a rebranding exercise redefining
conservatism – not only what it means, but also who could
be part of this breed.
In the run-up to Iran’s parliamentary elections on March
2, there has been proactive control over the media and
growing dissent that is evident from headlines in the last
couple of months:
• New assault on journalists, bloggers arrested ahead of
elections
• Iranian intelligence minister warns against election
turmoil
• Khamenei predicts “public intervention,” urging massive turn-out that will be enemy-busting
• Iranian Intelligence Minister Heydar Moslehi has announced the arrest of several “election disrupters” in Tehran
• General Mohammad Ali Jafari, the head of the Iranian
Revolutionary Guards Corps, has warned that the “enemy”
is planning “street disturbances and social protests” around
the upcoming parliamentary elections
• IRGC chief has openly admitted that the political and
cultural situation in Tehran is far from ideal, one that poses
security threat to the regime. He has also threatened that
IRGC and Basij cannot remain indifferent and they have
plans to address the situation
• Iranian security forces have arrested 50 people over
the past two weeks in Khuseztan
• The security forces are telling elders of the tribes in the
region to bring people to the voting booths
• Turning Internet off during the anniversary of the election preventing communication
• President Ahmadinejad prompting that a significant
World
Affairs
Oliver
Javanpour
announcement is eminent
In a speech broadcast on state television marking the
33rd anniversary of Iran’s Islamic revolution, Ahmadinejad
told a large crowd in Tehran’s Azadi Square on February 11
that “all needs of the Iranian nation” would be met by its
nuclear scientists in the near future.
Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas’s Gaza chief, was present at the
Ahmadinejad speech having been flown in from Kuwait on
an Iranian private jet to observe the festivities. He has been
resisting pressure from Iran, Hamas’s principal backer, to
express support for President Bashar al-Assad of Syria. The
Hamas leadership outside Gaza recently left its base in
Damascus and is looking for a new home.
Haniyeh has also been trying to capitalize on the new atmosphere in the Middle East after a wave of uprisings and
the subsequent rise of Islamist parties in the region. Hamas,
as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, feels a growing
sense of legitimacy and is trying to break its political isolation and seek its fortunes elsewhere.
It isn’t clear whether Haniyeh realized why he was
brought to Tehran to join Ahmadinejad on the podium
watching the military march, but the message to Israel was
very clear.
It is becoming clearer that, domestically, the theocracy
will be slowly shifting toward an authoritarian military. It is
not clear how long the religiously dominated Majlis (Iranian parliament) will continue, but there are signs that, per-
haps, after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, there will be much less
emphasis on the supreme leadership and more power will
be transferred to the president.
What Iranians on the street talk about is the weakness of
the American president and his misguided policies. What
the regime thinks is that this is its golden opportunity to get
as many concessions from the U.S. as possible before the
American election in November.
The street also knows there is little trust between the ruling layer and the rest. In fact, the trust levels have decreased
further since the blast that completely destroyed a major
missile-testing site and killed a Revolutionary Guard commander, Hassan Moqaddam, known as the ‘architect’ of
Iran’s missile program on November 12, 2011. Making
matters worse, it looked as if some of Khamenei’s closest
confidants and guards had encouraged him to be there that
day at the base near Malard. The regime is feeling the pressure from within and, perhaps, a realization that there may
be influential moles within the IRGC as well as the supreme
leader’s office.
Given the state of things, both domestically and internationally, the Iranian regime appears to be holding all the
cards. The sanctions are hurting the population, but not the
IRGC, the regime, or any of the internal or external players
on the regime’s payroll. It appears the IRGC and Ahmadinejad will have some sort of viable weaponized nuclear capability by November.
For Iranians, the time has come to shift the balance of
power in the Middle East from the Saudis and the Israelis
to themselves. They seek legitimacy. And such legitimacy
could occur on Iranian terms by setting up a normal, direct
relationship with the United States, on equal terms, after the
U.S. election in November. I believe the question is what
Iranians would settle for, and not how much the U.S. and Israel are prepared to give up.
Oliver Javanpour is a public policy and international relations adviser in Ottawa.
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In memory of:
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The Board of Directors of the Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation
acknowledges with thanks contributions to the following funds as of
February 14, 2012.
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ISRAEL CULTURAL PROGRAM FUND
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ANNE AND LOUIS ARRON
MEMORIAL FUND
Birthday wishes to:
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Arron.
JACK AND DORIS BAYLIN
ENDOWMENT FUND
In memory of:
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Rony and Dekel Podolsky; by Dawn and
Charlotte Vetter; by Merle and Rickey Moses;
and by Lois and Brian Demone and family.
IRVING AND ESTHER BELLMAN
MEMORIAL FUND
In memory of:
Joseph Lieff by Joyce and Seymour Bellman.
Anita Dubinsky by Mitchell Bellman and
Nicola Hamer.
RONALD BODNOFF
MEMORIAL FUND
In observance of the Yahrzeit of:
Doris Torontow, a dear mother by Rhoda
Bodnoff.
ARTHUR AND LINDA COGAN FUND
FOR YOUNG WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP
Birthday wishes to:
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Farber.
MAX AND GRETE COHEN
MEMORIAL FUND
Speedy recovery to:
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SID AND BARBARA COHEN
COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT FUND
Mazal Tov to:
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of their grandson Adam to Shiron by Sid and
Barbara Cohen.
SANDI AND EDDY COOK
ENDOWMENT FUND
In memory of:
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family.
NATHAN AND REBA DIENER
ENDOWMENT FUND
Speedy recovery to:
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DOLANSKY FAMILY FUND
In memory of:
Anita Dubinsky by Bernie and Donna
Dolansky.
CYNTHIA AND ABE ENGEL
ENDOWMENT FUND
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Norman Zagerman by Cynthia Engel.
SAM AND SUSAN FIRESTONE
ENDOWMENT FUND
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Joseph Lieff by Sam and Susan Firestone.
FLORENCE FAMILY
MEMORIAL FUND
Mazal Tov to:
Avrum and Ann Smith on the birth of their
grandson Brendan by Sandy Shaver.
STAN AND LIBBY GLUBE
FAMILY FUND
Birthday wishes to:
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EVA, DIANE AND JACK GOLDFIELD
MEMORIAL FUND
In memory of:
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FRITZI AND MAX (CHIEF) GREENBERG
MEMORIAL FUND
In memory of:
Jack Baylin by Linda and Murray Greenberg
and family.
Anita Dubinsky by Linda and Murray
Greenberg and family.
HY AND PAULINE HOCHBERG
ENDOWMENT FUND
Mazal Tov to:
Anita Landis on the occasion of her grandson’s Bar Mitzvah by Pauline Hochberg.
Norman Zagerman by Pauline Hochberg.
In memory of:
Jack Baylin by Pauline Hochberg.
JEREMY KANTER
MEMORIAL FUND
In memory of:
Joseph Lieff by Evelyn Eisenberg.
Fay Shulman by Evelyn Eisenberg.
LIBBY AND STAN KATZ FAMILY
COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT FUND
Birthday wishes to:
Stan Katz by Barbara and Len Farber and
family.
ARTHUR AND SARAH KIMMEL
MEMORIAL FUND
Birthday wishes to:
Albert Schmier by Roslyn and Arnie
Kimmel.
In memory of:
Arthur Max by Daniel and Marilyn Kimmel.
KRANTZBERG KRANE FAMILY FUND
Speedy recovery to:
Norman Zagerman by Clair Krantzberg.
LEON AND BYRTHA LECKIE
MEMORIAL FUND
Remembering:
With happy memories of my wonderful
father by Robin Leckie.
Birthday wishes to:
Ester Leckie by Norm, Robin and Joss
Leckie.
HARRY AND ZENA LEIKIN
ENDOWMENT FUND
Mazal Tov to:
Lewis and Penny Leikin in the birth of their
grandson by Stan and Libby Katz.
Continued on page 28
FOUNDATION DONATIONS
ERNEST AND IDA LEVITZ
MEMORIAL FUND
Mazal Tov to:
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In memory of:
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JOSEPH AND EVELYN LIEFF
ENDOWMENT FUND
In memory of:
Joseph Lieff by Jeff and Enid Gould; by Irma
Sachs; by Ron and Jennifer Vered and family; by
Debbie and Benjamin Redner; by the Sanders
family; by the Sommers family; by the Bresler
family; by Zelda Freedman; by Lin, Arthur, Jake
and Jessica Goldberg and by Ron Cherney and
Deborah Ferris.
Jack Baylin by Evelyn Lieff.
Birthday wishes to:
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Bert Blevis by Evelyn Lieff.
Barbara Cohen by Evelyn Lieff.
ARNOLD AND ROSE LITHWICK
MEMORIAL FUND
Birthday wishes to:
Joe and Ibby Shuster by Harvey and Yvonne
Lithwick.
SAMUEL AND LEEMA MAGIDSON
ENDOWMENT FUND
In memory of:
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and family.
Sylvia Goldin by Roslyn and Arnie Kimmel
and family.
RHODA AND JEFFREY MILLER
FAMILY FUND
In memory of:
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MEMORIAL FUND
Birthday wishes to:
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ZIPES KARANOFSKY FAMILY
ENDOWMENT FUND
In memory of:
Anita Dubinsky by Rick and Helen Zipes.
JACK AND HONEY MONSON
ENDOWMENT FUND
In memory of:
Jack Baylin by Roslyn and Arnie Kimmel; by
Nettie Forsiuk; by Susan and Philip Firestone;
Stan and Libby Katz; by Evelyn Monson and
Robert Elder; by Heidi and Steve Polowin; by
Jack, Cynthia and Max Weinstein; by David and
Debbie Weinstein; by Chick and Rose Taylor; by
Daniel and Marilyn Kimmel; by Ingrid Levitz;
and by Wendy and Jess Zelikovitz.
MAX AND PEARL SMOLKIN
FAMILY FUND
Mazal Tov to:
Paul and Nancy Smolkin on the birth of their
granddaughter Mia Ruth by Bob and Sheila
Smolkin.
THE WOMEN’S COLLECTIVE
PHILANTHROPY PROGRAM
Providing support for services and programs
that directly benefit women and children.
FRANCES AND MORTON ROSS
FAMLY FUND
In memory of:
Rhoda Abbey by Frances and Morton Ross.
Anita Dubinsky by Frances and Morton
Ross.
CLAIRE AND SAM TANNER
MEMORIAL FUND
Moishe Borak by Lana and Stephen Tanner.
SHELLEY AND SID ROTHMAN
FAMILY FUND
In memory of:
Jack Baylin by Shelley Rothman and family.
HAROLD SHAFFER MEMORIAL FUND
Sonia and Sheldon Shaffer by Clair
Krantzberg.
FAY AND JOSEPH SHULMAN
ENDOWMENT FUND
In memory of:
Jack Baylin by Nadine and Brian Mordfield.
Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation
Legacy Challenge Fund
Everyone has the ability to create a Jewish legacy
The OJCF Legacy Challenge
asks you to consider making a gift
to the Foundation in your estate
plans and wills. Leaving a gift in
a will or as part of your estate
plans helps ensure the vibrancy
and long-term sustainability of
our community for years to come,
creating a lasting and personal
legacy.
The OJCF Legacy Challenge
is your chance to personally
commit to the ongoing growth
and vitality of our shared
community. We hope you will accept this challenge.
What is the OJCF
Legacy Challenge Fund?
If you decide to name the Ottawa Jewish Community Foun-
dation as recipient of a bequest
through your will, the OJCF
Legacy Challenge Fund will
pay for the professional/
legal services to help create this
bequest or codicil up to a
maximum of $1,000.
Who is eligible?
All donors choosing to leave
$10,000 (or more) or 1% (or
more) of their estate to the Ottawa
Jewish Community Foundation
are eligible to participate in the
OJCF Legacy Challenge.
For more information on how
this challenge program works,
please visit www.OJCF.ca or
contact Jared Isaacson at
613-798-4696 extension 248 or
email [email protected].
DORIS AND RICHARD STERN
FAMILY FUND
In memory of:
Nathan Buchwald by Doris and Richard Stern.
THE TARANTOUR FAMILY FUND
Sonia and Sheldon Shaffer by Ann Lazear
and family.
IRVING AND ETHEL TAYLOR
ENDOWMENT FUND
R’fuah Sh’lemah:
Irving Taylor by Sheila and Larry Hartman;
by Marilyn and William Newman; by Sy and
Barbara Gutmajer; and by Stan and Libby Katz.
HENRY (HANK) TORONTOW
39TH BOY SCOUTS
Birthday wishes to:
Jerry Torontow by Jean Naemark and family.
STEPHEN AND GAIL VICTOR
ENDOWMENT FUND
Speedy recovery to:
Warren Maybe by Sandy Marchello.
MILDRED AND PERCY WEINSTEIN
ENDOWMENT FUND
In memory of:
Jack Baylin by Millie Weinstein.
HALTON/WEISS FAMILY FUND
In memory of:
Steffi Halton by Mindy Finkelstein and Roy
Hanes and family; by Pam Wolfman and P2G
Vancouver Team; by Neil and Debi Zaret; by
Paul and Nicole Wittes; by Barbara and Len
Farber; Marjorie and Michael Feldman; by
Lorne, Laurie, Zak and Ben Shusterman; Todd
and Suzanne Kennedy; by Randi and Ian Sherman; and by the Staff and Board of Directors of
the Soloway JCC.
WOMEN’S COLLECTIVE
ENDOWMENT FUND
In memory of:
Anita Dubinsky by Rhoda, Joe, Shayna, Yoni
and Josh Levitan.
THE SAUL AND EDNA GOLDFARB
B’NAI MITZVAH PROGRAM
RYAN JEREMY BAKER
B’NAI MITZVAH FUND
Mazal Tov to:
Margie Kardash on her new grandson Harry
by Benita and Steven Baker.
In memory of:
Beatrice Lesser by Benita, Steven, Alexander
and Ryan Baker.
RYAN GOLDBERG B’NAI MITZVAH FUND
In memory of:
Jack Baylin by Ernie, Reva, Robyn and Ryan
Goldberg; and by Len and Mary Potechin.
DAHLIA AND ZACHARY SHABSOVE
B’NAI MITZVAH FUND
In memory of:
Sion (Sam) Benlolo by Adrienne and Charles
Shabsove.
With sympathy to:
Natalie Feldberg on the loss of her father by
Adrienne and Charles Shabsove.
Contributions may be made online at
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at 613-798-4696 extension 274, Monday to
Friday or by email at [email protected]. Attractive cards are sent to convey the appropriate sentiments. All donations are acknowledged with a charitable receipt. We
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Erratum
The Foundation apologizes
for an error published in the
Grossman Klein Families Fund,
in the February 20, 2012 Ottawa
Jewish Bulletin.
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Try it TODAY!
Homemade ricotta is delicious
The other day, I told my husband I was planning to make
my own ricotta cheese.
“Why?” he asked, looking at me like I was from another planet. As in why bother making it when you can buy it?
Until recently, when I was away on holiday out for dinner, I would have asked the same question.
One of the appetizers we ordered was homemade fresh
ricotta cheese, served on toasted baguette slices with a dollop of blueberry jam. The slightly salty, creamy ricotta contrasted so beautifully with the sweetness of the blueberry
jam.
Since my first bite, I have become obsessed with learning how to make my own ricotta. Fresh ricotta has a rich
and milky sweet taste and moist texture. Most ricotta from
Homemade Ricotta Cheese
This recipe comes from the September 2009 issue of
Cook’s Illustrated. The real key to good ricotta is to
handle it as little as possible. Don’t stir too hard, and be
very gentle with the curds once they form. You could
also make this with skim milk, but it will not be as
creamy and delicious!
16 cups homogenized milk (whole milk)
1 teaspoon table salt
1/2 -3/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 5-6 lemons)
Heat milk and salt in 7-quart Dutch oven over medium-high, stirring frequently with rubber spatula to prevent scorching, until milk registers 185 F. on instant
read thermometer, about 15 minutes.
Remove pot from heat. Using rubber spatula, slowly
stir in 1/2 cup lemon juice until fully incorporated, 15
seconds. Allow milk to stand, undisturbed for 5 minutes.
After 5 minutes, milk should separate into white solid
curds and translucent liquid whey. If after 5 minutes
whey is still milky and opaque, add 2 more tablespoons
lemon juice, gently stir to combine and let rest 5 minutes
longer. Check separation again and repeat with another 2
tablespoons juice until whey is no longer opaque (depending on your milk, whey may appear different shades
of yellow or blue). Once milk is separated into curds and
whey, allow pot to rest for 20 minutes.
Line colander or large strainer with double layer of
cheesecloth and set over sink. Using large spoon, carefully spoon curds into colander. Discard whey. Using
rubber spatula, gently fold curds over themselves until
liquid no longer runs out of colander and curds have
texture of grainy cream cheese. Use immediately or
transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to
3 days.
the supermarket is made with gums or stabilizers to prevent
the ricotta from weeping. These additions often make for a
gummy and grainy ricotta.
In Umbria last fall, I learned that, technically, ricotta is
not a cheese at all, but a cheese by-product. Ricotta is made
from the whey drained from such cheeses as mozzarella,
provolone and other cheeses. The word ricotta means
cooked again, a reference to the production method used to
make it.
Unless you are busy making your own cheese at home,
it is unlikely you have some excess whey floating around.
But, not to worry, you can make it without whey. Combine
whole milk with salt and heat to 185 F. Take it off the heat,
stir in some lemon juice and let sit for 5 minutes. At that
point, you should see curds beginning to form. Let it sit for
another 20 minutes and then spoon off the curds and discard
the whey.
The first time I tried it, I was awed by the chemical re-
Made
with Love
Cindy Feingold
action. Basically, the acid in the lemon juice and the heat
cause the proteins in the milk to clump together forming
curds that separate from liquid whey. I was quite blown
away at how easy this was to make.
Homemade ricotta is delicious slathered on good toasted
bread and treated with a little dollop of something sweet
like preserves or just a simple drizzle of honey. It is also
wonderful with pasta. Below is a recipe for Whole Wheat
Penne with Ricotta and Peas. So, go ahead and channel
your inner Little Miss Muffet. You too could soon be eating
your curds and whey!
Whole Wheat Penne with Ricotta and Peas
Serves 4
4 cups uncooked whole-wheat penne pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 large shallots, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 cup fresh homemade ricotta cheese
1/2 cup milk (2% is fine, do not use fat free)
1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
Salt
Pepper
2 cups frozen baby green peas, unthawed
Fresh basil, coarsely chopped, for garnish
Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add
shallots and sauté until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
Add garlic and cook for another 2 minutes.
When water is boiling, cook penne according to package directions. When there is about 1 minute left in the
cooking time, add the frozen peas.
Cook pasta and peas together for additional minute,
scoop out about 2 cups of cooking water and reserve.
Drain pasta and peas and set aside.
Whisk ricotta and milk into shallots and garlic. Mix in
Pecorino Romano cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
Add penne and peas to the skillet and toss well.
If sauce looks too thick, add a bit of the reserved
cooking water.
Spoon into bowls and garnish with fresh basil.
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256.
Art book tells the Purim story
in mosaics and commentary
The Hidden and the Revealed:
The Queen Esther Mosaics of Lilian Broca
By Lilian Broca, Sheila Campbell
and Yosef Wosk
Gefen Books
167 pages
“A Biblical Thriller, Told for Centuries” is the title of
Sheila Campbell’s chapter of The Hidden and the Revealed:
The Queen Esther Mosaics of Lilian Broca. Campbell summarizes the story of Esther as a series of events hidden and
revealed “in the manner of any good thriller.”
And Esther’s story is a thriller, fraught with tension as
Haman’s plot is hidden and revealed to Mordechai, to Esther and then to the Persian king. As events unfold, we see
Esther evolve into a brave leader, undertaking tasks she
would never have thought possible. Campbell’s analysis of
each of the mosaics in artist Lilian Broca’s series about
Queen Esther tells the story with the added richness
brought by an art historian’s knowledge of other art telling
the same story. She reflects on Broca’s focus on the changes
in Esther’s character at the points in the story that Broca has
chosen to portray, changes that make a leader out of a follower.
Rabbi Yosef Wosk contributes what he calls a “combination of essay, poem, and narrative conversation” that
speaks in the voice of the mature Esther. Rabbi Wosk presents the story of Esther as she might have told it herself,
with seven pages of historical notes to back up and illuminate his interpretation for those who want to know more
about how we know Esther’s history. Rabbi Wosk’s work is
followed by the Scroll of Esther, in Hebrew and English.
Broca’s contribution to the book is her stunning mosaic
panels. We see the panels as drawn and painted sketches, as
works in progress, and as finished mosaics. We see them in
their entirety and in detail. Each photograph has been chosen carefully to illustrate a point, in the story or in the
process of creating the works. Each photograph builds the
story of Esther, overlaid by the story of Lilian Broca and
her art.
Broca came to Canada by way of one of those circuitous
routes that Jews often follow. Born in Romania, she immigrated to Israel in 1958 and arrived in Canada in 1962.
While the years in Bucharest formed her affinity for the
glow of Byzantine art, Montreal’s Sir George Williams
University – now Concordia University – provided Broca
with the opportunity to study fine arts. It even provided the
unlikely, but catalytic, opportunity to assist one of her professors in completing a glass mosaic. Now a well-established Vancouver artist, Broca has turned to biblical women
to help illustrate her concerns for societal and feminist issues. Her first biblical series, which took seven years, focused on Lilith, who she interpreted “as the messenger of
and hope for human courage and egalitarianism.” This second series, which also took seven years, tells Esther’s story
Book Review
Diane
Crouse
in 10 shining panels of glass.
Broca took her discovery that one of the earliest written
references to mosaics actually appears in the biblical Book
of Esther as a sign that it “was the right time to return to
mosaics and, hence, Byzantium.”
The result is an ancient story told in an ancient medium,
but with a modern message. For Broca, the story of Esther
is a story that “encourages women to believe in their own
strength.” She also sees it as the “exemplification of a successful intermarriage of two people from different cultures,
namely Jewish and Persian.”
One of the most beautiful things about this book is
Broca’s description of mosaic techniques. She writes with
love about techniques for laying the tesserae, the small
cubes of marble, stone and glass that create the play of light
in mosaics. The Esther series is made “mostly of vitreous
and smalto glass, plus 24-carat gold sandwiched between
two thin layers of transparent glass.” Broca takes us to the
Orsoni factory in Venice where she “grows giddy” at the
brilliance and the range of colours of smalti available. She
shows us how the mosaics are created, tessera by glowing
tessera.
Having described her medium and techniques, Broca
does something that she says she normally does not like to
do. She describes the symbolism of her panels and how she
determined what to include in each. She explains details,
such as the lion in the “Esther’s Offering” panel. A lion
motif representing both the Lion of Judah and the Persian
lion mythology “becomes the newlyweds’ unifying symbol” as well as a symbol of royalty and courage. Small details, such as the word “secret” written in the Middle Farsi
of Esther’s time, reinforce the theme of hiding and revealing.
Each viewing of the panels reveals new insights and provokes new thoughts.
“I hope my mosaics have brought new light to fascinating, multifaceted story of Esther,” writes Broca.
They have.
If your phone is so smart, why ain’t it rich?
I recently read an article about a new modus operandi of
thieves who steal high-end cars.
They hack into the car’s computer – it’s connected to the
Internet – and steal the lock security information and the
GPS location. They then disable the lock and enable the
start mechanism while informing a colleague of where to
go get the car. And, voilà, the car is gone. These guys steal
not your identity, but your car! Your car needs an antivirus. At least these thieves are probably young smart guys
exercising their entrepreneurship skills.
As the article notes, some cars have become “smart
phones on wheels.”
This is probably true of other high-end modes of transportation. Jets are smart phones with wings. Trains are
smart phones on tracks and boats are smart phones with
outboard motors. All you need are a few implants and you
can become a smart phone on legs. It reminds me of the age
of dinosaurs when, instead of smart phones, you could have
spoken of reptiles that swam, that flew and that travelled on
land. Alien visitors from other planets will conclude that
smart phones are the dominant life form on earth. The only
rejoinder I can think of is, “If your phone is so smart, why
ain’t it rich?” But that sounds weak, even to me, as I am apparently neither rich nor smart.
Humour me,
please
Rubin
Friedman
By the way, my own car is smart enough to recognize a
signal from a fob in my pocket when I curl my fingers
around the door handle and it unlocks. It gives onlookers
the impression the car recognizes my touch. This inspired
me to imagine a future when my car would only unlock if
it had a sample of my DNA. In order to unlock the door, I
would have to spit on my windshield. In such a future, people would have to chew gum when out of the car in order to
have enough saliva to get back in. At least no one could
hack it.
Last week, while lying on the couch with nothing to do
but contemplate the nature of the universe, I was reading a
book by Steven Pinker about how the meanings of our
words relate to the structures of language and the structures
of thought. For instance, there is a difference between how
“tell” and “say” are used that one can’t catch all the time. It
is possible to hear both of these phrases without interpreting them differently. “He told it to me,” and “He said it to
me,” are both OK.
While the two verbs seem to relate to the same activity
of talking, they aren’t the same.
“He told me he was going” is OK, but “He said me he
was going” isn’t. Try other verbs like ‘wrote,’ ‘whispered,’
‘murmured’ and see what fits. If you can figure out why,
you’re a linguist.
I wish I could have stopped there. But, as they say, one
thought leads to another and the phrase, “contain yourself,”
flew into my consciousness. This is a strange kind of command. After all, what do you usually contain besides yourself? And, if it wasn’t contained in you already, where
would it be? In an external hard drive? On a high shelf, out
of reach? How does this command to contain oneself make
sense? Where does this self usually hang out? I finally realized it was in my self-contained house.
These thoughts were the highlights of my week. I tried
to refrain from telling you them, or saying them to you, but
my eagerness to share overcame my reticence. I just couldn’t contain my self and it spilled all over the page.
Marie Stovicek prepares to retire
after 22 years with Early Beginnings
By Pamela Rosenberg
Soloway JCC
Walking into the Early Beginnings daycare early in the morning you’ll smell the
aroma of fresh baked goods and see little children file in and get ready for their day.
And for the past 22 years, you’d see daycare director Marie Stovicek with a smile on
her face greeting the first children to arrive.
For almost as long as there has been an Early
Beginnings Multicultural Child Development
Centre, Marie has been there at the helm.
But, this month, Marie is preparing for a
new morning routine as she puts down her
crayons and gets ready for retirement.
Originally a kindergarten teacher from
Czechoslovakia, Marie came to Canada 40
years ago. She learned to speak English and,
in 1974, obtained her ECE (early childhood
education) equivalency and continued to
work in the field she loved.
Marie’s passion for Early Beginnings is
apparent in the faces of the children, the look
and feel of the classrooms, her attention to detail, and the quality of her staff, all of which
give the program its outstanding reputation
and a coveted waiting list that expectant
mothers get their names on before their babies even see the light of day.
But what is it that truly makes Early Beginnings a special place? If you ask the staff,
they attribute it to Marie’s experience, leadership and love for the children. If you ask
Marie she says it’s the staff.
“Mostly everybody that works at Early
Beginnings is here for many years. This is a
testimony to our staff’s dedication and it explains our family atmosphere,” said Marie.
“As parents drop their children off, they know
we are a group of people who make a difference in their child’s lives.”
Assistant director Sandy Deyo has been
with the daycare for almost 20 years. She said
Marie does a tremendous job of running the
daycare.
“I have worked closely with Marie since I
became her assistant and have learned so
much from her,” said Sandy. “When she first
told me she was retiring, I had mixed feelings. I was thrilled for her, but, at the same
time, a little sad. I’m going to miss her … All
of us will.”
Early Beginnings is unique in that it is a
multicultural program with a strong Jewish
flavour. Located on the Jewish Community
Campus, the children visit Hillel Lodge and
have access to the gymnasium and swimming
pool at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre (JCC). While 70 per cent of the children
are from Jewish families – the homemade
food is strictly kosher and all the major Jewish holidays are celebrated – the door is open
to everyone and they welcome diversity.
For Dena Kingstone, the Early Beginnings
Multicultural Child Development Centre
board president, it’s a special place. Her el-
dest daughter, now in university, is an Early
Beginnings alumna and her younger daughter
is in the senior kindergarten program. She appreciates the Jewish environment that reinforces holidays, values and showing respect
and kindness to others. And, as a parent of
Jewish children born in Canada, China and
Vietnam, the multicultural aspect is important.
“It means a lot to me to have all aspects of
my children’s backgrounds celebrated. Marie
and her team have figured out how to balance
the Jewish underpinnings of the daycare with
the multicultural flavour of its constituents,”
said Dena.
“Marie has positively impacted the lives
of hundreds of families in her more than 20
years of services” said Soloway JCC President and COO Barry Sohn. “She is a caring
and competent educator/administrator who
will be missed. I wish her the very best in her
retirement and want to express how grateful
we are for all she has accomplished at the
centre and in our community.”
Marie has agreed to be a special adviser to
the board. While she will no longer be at
Early Beginnings, the positive impact she has
made in the classrooms, in the hearts of her
staff and on the children over the past 22
years will remain.
“Marie is like a great orchestra conductor,
making sure everything comes together flawlessly,” said Dena. “She has nurtured Early
Marie Stovicek retires this month after
22 years as director of the Early Beginnings Multicultural Child Development
Centre. She will be honoured, March 25,
at the Soloway JCC.
Beginnings as if it was her own, and our community is richer for it.”
A celebration honouring Marie will take
place Sunday, March 25, 2:30 pm at the
Soloway JCC. In keeping with Marie’s love
of children, the festivities are geared toward
children of all ages.
Parents, children, staff and colleagues,
past and present, are all welcome. Send
RSVP to [email protected] by March
22.
Israeli social workers ‘saw into our hearts’
of them Japanese, have worked to
fill that hole, running communitybased support programs focused
mainly on fun activities for children
and the elderly. A few, however,
have dug in deeper.
IsraAID, a humanitarian organization funded by a number of North
American Jewish federations, is one
of them. Arriving in Japan shortly
after the disaster, IsraAID’s small
team of volunteers has supplied
medical relief items, provided training to handle post-traumatic stress
disorder and organized art, music,
movement and drama therapy sessions for residents of the many small
towns devastated by the tsunami.
The sessions – which utilize a
mostly nonverbal approach to help
people express their feelings – have
been so successful that IsraAID is
now planning to operate a training
centre for at least another year-anda-half. The NGO was honoured for
its work recently by the Japanese
Chamber of Commerce in New
York.
“Israel, sadly, is pretty much a
trauma lab,” said Meirav Tal-Mar-
Yuriko Kohata (centre), who saved her father and her son from the
tsunami, is comforted by IsraAID project co-ordinator/translator
Celia Dunkelman (left) and therapist Osnat Nisanov at a workshop
in one of Iwanuma’s many temporary housing sites.
(Photo: Boaz Arad)
galit, an IsraAID volunteer and
movement therapist who works
with domestic abuse victims and
residents of the rocket-stricken Israeli town of Sderot.
“We have extensive experience
in this field, and the tools we use
here have been proven effective
worldwide,” he added. “We make
cultural adaptations, of course, but,
in the end, we are all human and we
share the same fears and the same
dreams.”
It is a tight operation, effectively
run by two people: project manager
Yotam Polizer, a 28-year-old social
worker who spent the last few years
volunteering in Nepal; and project
co-ordinator Celia Dunkelman, an
energetic Indonesian-Jewish musician who grew up in Japan and functions as both translator and co-ordinator. Polizer shuttles almost weekly
between workshops in affected
towns and meetings with Ministry of
Health officials in Tokyo.
“The main idea behind our activities is to supply the Japanese with
the therapeutic tools and the knowhow to help them deal with the trauma themselves,” Polizer said. “We
locate local community leaders and
professionals from the health and
education sectors, and work directly
with them. They then use what they
learn and pass it on to many more
people than we can reach on our
own.”
One of these local leaders is
Chiho Shimura, an independent
event organizer from Tokyo who
was so shaken by the disaster that
she left her business to volunteer
with survivors in her native Ishinomaki, a port city of 164,000. Ishinomaki was so badly devastated by
the tsunami that nearly a fifth of its
population now lives in temporary
housing.
Some survivors, tired of waiting
for the temporary shelters to be constructed, returned prematurely to
their partially destroyed houses, living in some cases with no heat or
running water. Shimura has been
running a support centre for them,
supplying warm clothes, mobile
heaters and food.
“I had a storm raging inside me
for a very long time,” she said.
“And then, in the first IsraAID
workshop I participated in, it finally came out. I cried like I have
never cried before, and it was so relieving. We’ve had Japanese social
workers come here and talk to people, but they were not able to do
what the Israelis have done. They
immediately saw into our hearts.
They definitely saw into mine.”
IsraAID, Shimura added, is different from the other aid groups that
have come to Ishinomaki, delivered
their donations, made a speech,
took some pictures and left.
“They don’t just keep coming
back,” she said. “They come whenever we need them, even on the
weekends. They have become a part
of this place.”
WHAT’S GOING ON
March 5 to 18, 2012
WEEKLY EVENTS
MONDAYS
Motorin Munchkins for children 5 and under, sponsored by
the Family Life Centre. Children
must be accompanied by an adult,
9:00 am to noon. Info: 613-7989818, ext. 294.
TUESDAYS
Mommy and Me Playgroup
for babies and toddlers up to 3
years of age, Rambam Day
School, 31 Nadolny Sachs Private,
11:00 am to 12:00 pm. Info: 613806-7700.
Israeli Folk Dancing, no partner necessary, Ottawa Jewish
Community School, 31 Nadolny
Sachs Private, 7:00 pm. Info:
[email protected].
CANDLELIGHTING
BEFORE
WEDNESDAYS
Playgroup for babies and
toddlers, sponsored by the Family Life Centre. Children must be
accompanied by an adult, 9:00 to
11:30 am. Info: 613-798-9818,
ext. 294.
Mar 9
✡
5:41 pm
Mar 16
✡
6:50 pm
Mar 23
✡
6:59 pm
Mar 30
✡
7:08 pm
FIRST SEDER
Apr 6
✡ 7:17 pm
SECOND SEDER
Apr 7
✡
AFTER
8:20 pm
FRIDAYS
Shabbat Shalom for children
5 and under, sponsored by the
Family Life Centre. Children must
be accompanied by an adult, 9:30
to 11:00 am. Info: 613-798-9818,
ext. 294.
WEDNESDAY
MARCH 7
Purim Carnival presented by
Congregation Beth Shalom. Join in
the fun with a raffle, dinner, games,
costume parade, kids’ activities,
Megillah reading and prizes, 151
Chapel Street, 5:30 pm. Info: 613789-3501, ext. 223.
Purim African Style, sponsored by Ottawa Torah Centre. The
fun for both children and adults includes a Jungle Cat World Animal
Show, African hair braiding,
African-style dinner, Megillah reading. Come in your best African attire (or any costume), Cedarhill
Golf and Country Club, 56
Cedarhill Drive, 6:00 pm. Info: 613843-7770.
THURSDAY
MARCH 8
Happy
Purim!
For more community listings,
visit ottawa.jewishottawa.com
Select Calendar/Upcoming Events
and Click to See More
SUNDAY
MARCH 11
Irving Layton: A Centenary
Celebration, presented by the
Vered Jewish Canadian Studies
Program of uOttawa. Participants
will include writers and MPs Irwin
Cotler and Mauril Bélanger. Hosted by Prof. Seymour Mayne, reception to follow, University of Ottawa, Simard Hall, Room 129, 60
University Street, 2:30 pm. Info:
613-562-5800, ext. 1148.
SUNDAY
MARCH 18
Concert by Yair Dalal, composer, violinist, oud player and
singer, who draws on his extensive
knowledge of Iraqi, Jewish and
Bedouin music. Co-sponsored by
the Vered Israel Cultural & Educational Program, Shusterman Visting Artist Program, and the School
for Studies in Arts and Culture &
Religion program, Carleton University, 7:30 pm. Info: 613-798-9818,
ext. 243.
COMING
SOON
SUNDAY, MARCH 25
A Touch of Klez and Musaica Ebraica
perform a benefit concert in support
of the Kosher Food Bank,
Machzikei Hadas Congregation,
2310 Virginia Drive, 7:00 pm.
Info: 613-234-1649.
TUESDAY, MARCH 27
Guys’ Night Out, presented by the
Jewish Federation of Ottawa, Velvet Room,
62 York Street, 7:00 pm.
Info: 613-798-4696, ext. 241.
SUNDAY, APRIL 1
7th Annual Shalom Bayit Women’s Seder,
sponsored by Jewish Family Services,
Agudath Israel Congregation,
1400 Coldrey Avenue, 5:00 pm.
Info: 613-722-2225, ext. 406.
Unless otherwise noted, activities take place at The Joseph and Rose Ages Family Building, 21 Nadolny Sachs Private.
This information is taken from the community calendar maintained by the Jewish Ottawa InfoCentre. Organizations which would like their events to be listed, no matter where they are to be held, should send the information to InfoCentre coordinator Benita Siemiatycki via e-mail at [email protected] or fax at 613-798-4695. She can also be reached by telephone at 613-798-4644. Accurate details must be provided and all events must be open to the Jewish public.
Condolences
Condolences are extended to the families of:
Helmut Max Kallmann
Rochelle Levitt,
Montreal (sister of Weldon Cleiman)
Arthur Max
Ethel Murray
Gloria Roseman
Jack Weinman
Shirley Winer
May their memory be a blessing always.
The
CONDOLENCE
COLUMN
is offered
as a public service
to the community.
There is no charge.
For a listing
in this column,
please call
613-798-4696,
ext. 274.
Voice mail is available.
BULLETIN
DEADLINES
MARCH 14
FOR APRIL 2
APRIL 4
FOR APRIL 23
APRIL 18
FOR MAY 7
JEWISH
MEMORIAL
GARDENS
Your
one-stop
resource
centre for
funeral
planning
613-688-3530
Another steady and happy year for my family.
I invested with Romspen on the advice of a friend 18 years ago. Throughout I have
consistently added to my Romspen account. At one point I took some investment dollars
out to put into mutual funds, but I was sorry. It didn’t compare to the consistent returns
and peace of mind that the Romspen fund gives me. Everyone in my family is a Romspen
investor. We like the personal service we get any time we call. I feel fortunate that we are
physically, spiritually and financially healthy.
Juliana Phan
Call to receive an information package or visit www.romspen.com.
Commercial First Mortgages • Monthly Income Distribution • R RSP and R R I F Eligible
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