Ottawa jewish bulletin 2008 10 27(inaccessible)

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Anger greets Olmert’s proposed concessions on Jerusalem, Syria and the West Bank

By Leslie Susser JERUSALEM (JTA) – A Rosh Hashanah-eve interview in which outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Israel should give up the Golan Heights for peace with Syria and nearly all of the West Bank for peace with the Palestinians sparked a political storm in Israel.

Prime minister-designate Tzipi Livni, who was set to succeed Olmert as soon as she formed a coalition government, quickly distanced herself from most of Olmert’s key pronouncements, which included an assertion that it would be megalomaniacal for Israel to attack Iran unilaterally.

Politicians on the right lambasted Olmert for his dovish message, and left-wingers slammed him for not going public with his vision before he was a lame duck.

Some Israeli analysts saw evidence in Olmert’s transformation from one-time super-hawk to unmitigated dove of a final collapse of the ideology of Greater Israel, which advocates holding on to as much conquered territory as possible.

Olmert, who is stepping down amid a corruption investigation, in the interview published by the Israeli daily Yediot Achronot, made

volume 73, no. 3

october 27, 2008

the following points: • It is presumptuous to think Israel can stop Iran’s nuclear drive when powers such as the United States, Russia, China, Britain and Germany seem unable to do so.

• Israel has a very short window of time in which it can take “historic steps” in its relations with the Palestinians and the Syrians.

• For peace with the Palestinians, Israel will have to withdraw from most of the West Bank, including Eastern Jerusalem, and grant compensation on a one-to-one basis for whatever land it keeps.

“Without this, there won’t be peace,” he insisted.

• For peace with Syria, Israel will have to return the Golan Heights.

• Israel is very close to agreement both with the Palestinians and Syria and, if Olmert had stayed on, he would have had a good chance of closing the deals.

• The main security problem Israel faces today is missiles, and having the border a few hundred yards one way or the other won’t make any difference.

• Years of conservative thinking by the Israeli establishment have undermined peace prospects.

“When I listen to you, I know (Continued on page 2)

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Israeli students visit Temple Israel

Eight students and one teacher from Emek Hahula High School of Kfar Blum in Northern Israel held a Mifgash in Ottawa with Temple Israel Grade 10 students during Sukkot as part of the Gesher Chai program of P2K, which twins Ottawa Jewish schools with schools in Northern Israel. The Temple Israel students will return the visit in March. Pictured with the Israeli and Canadian students are Emek Hahula teacher Idit Wielgus (front row, left), Ottawa P2K chair Ron Weiss (back row, centre) and Temple Israel teacher and organizer Annette Paquin (back row, right).

Harper wins another minority (JTA) – Canada’s stridently pro-Israel prime minister won re-election, but is still shy of the majority he sought in Parliament.

Stephen Harper defied an election law his own Conservative government had passed that fixed a federal election date for more than a year from the October 14 election. In calling an early vote, the prime minister sought to transform his minority government into a majority.

Indeed, at the outset, polls showed Harper was poised to win a majority, but that momentum dwindled through the campaign. Still, he strengthened his party’s minority standing in the House of Commons, to 143 seat from 127.

Thousands of Jewish voters were forced to cast ballots at advance polls, as the election took place on the first day of Sukkot. Some Jewish observers derided the prime minister for scheduling the election on Sukkot – even as he courted Jewish voters.

Harper has repeatedly voiced strong support for Israel, and Canada was the first country to withhold funds from the Hamas-led government in Gaza.

With the defeat of Liberal Susan Kadis by Conservative Peter Kent in Thornhill, just north of Toronto, Canada’s four Jewish members of the previous Parliament will be reduced to three – all of them opposition Liberals – when the new Parliament convenes.

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Page 2 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – October 27, 2008

Olmert is no longer seen as relevent to peace process (Continued from page 1)

why we didn’t make peace with the Palestinians and the Syrians for 40 years and why we won’t make peace with them for another 40 years,” he recalled saying at a recent forum with the country’s top policymakers.

If the interview was meant to constitute Olmert’s political legacy, his presumptive successor was quick to reject it.

Livni, the foreign minister, said Olmert was wrong to go public with Israel’s final negotiating positions while

she is in the midst of intensive negotiations with the Palestinians.

“We agreed negotiations should take place in the negotiating room, not on the pages of a newspaper,” she said at a Foreign Ministry conference in Jerusalem after Rosh Hashanah.

Olmert also was roundly criticized on the right for saying too much and on the left for doing too little.

Yuval Steinitz of the Likud Party took issue with Olmert’s contention that, in an age of missiles, Israel

could afford to give up hundreds of yards on its borders.

“Ignoring the difference between rockets fired from long distances and an enemy perched on hills above Jerusalem shows just how little he understands basic security issues,” Steinitz said.

Yossi Beilin of the Meretz Party castigated Olmert for “revealing his true position on the national interest only when he has nothing to lose.”

Those sentiments were echoed overseas, where Olmert’s conciliatory positions were welcomed but

In a recent interview, outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Israel should trade the Golan Heights (above) for peace with Syria.

(JTA photo: Brian Hendler)

with wonderment at why he hadn’t said as much earlier.

The New York Times summed up the sentiment in an editorial October 3 titled “Mr. Olmert’s Belated Truths.”

“It is tragic that he did not do more to act on those beliefs when he had real power,” the editorial said.

Olmert is the fourth Israeli prime minister to start his political life as a hawk in the vein of the Likud or its predecessor, Herut, and then to surprise observers later with the extent of his willingness to make far-reaching concessions.

Herut founder Menachem Begin returned the Sinai to Egypt; Benjamin Netanyahu withdrew Israeli forces from Hebron, concluded the Wye River agreement with the Palestinians and negotiated with Syria over withdrawing from the Golan; and Ariel Sharon pulled back unilaterally from the Gaza Strip.

Olmert, it seems, has now set the stage for an Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and the Golan Heights.

Olmert confidants argue that the frank expression of his views has positive elements for future peacemak-

ing and diplomacy. They say it has created a strong incentive for the various Arab parties to negotiate peace and has shown the international community how far Israel would be willing to go – a possible public relations advantage if peace efforts fail.

Moreover, they say, Olmert has put peacemaking and its time constraints squarely on the public agenda.

Critics, however, reject these claims. They point out that Olmert’s stated readiness for full withdrawal on all fronts encourages Arab parties to cling to maximalist positions, not compromise. It also puts the next Israeli prime minister on the spot: If peace moves break down, they say, the next prime minister will be blamed for not going as far as Olmert would have.

Livni bristled at the implication that peace would be achievable under Olmert if he could have stayed on and, if she failed to achieve peace during her tenure as prime minister, she would be to blame.

Most importantly, Livni, Olmert’s likely successor, also came out against the substance of Olmert’s key positions.

In a meeting in Jerusalem with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, Livni said she opposed the framework of Olmert’s offer to the Palestinians. She said she was against making farreaching proposals for a quick fix and that negotiations should be allowed all the time they needed to ripen into a well-constructed and lasting deal.

As well, Livni was critical of Olmert’s position on Iran.

In the Yediot interview, Olmert dismissed as “megalomania” the notion that Israel would or should unilaterally attack Iran. Olmert said the international community, not just Israel, should take the steps necessary to arrest Iran’s suspected nuclear weapons program.

Livni said Olmert’s remarks sent the wrong message to Tehran and that Israel should be sending the message to the Iranians that all options are on the table.

Despite her sharp criticism, Foreign Ministry officials said Livni does not think Olmert’s comments will have a serious impact on the peace process.

“Olmert is not relevant anymore,” a senior ministry official told JTA. “What he says doesn’t matter.”

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, 21 Nadolny Sachs Private, Ottawa, Ontario K2A 1R9; by e-mail to: mregenstreif@ottawajewishbulletin.com.

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – October 27, 2008 – Page 3

Page 4 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – October 27, 2008

Max and Tessie Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies

The Carleton University Zelikovitz Centre Welcomes the Return of Rabbi Chaim Tabasky For a Week of Jewish Learning November 13 to 18, 2008 Rabbi Chaim Tabasky, Bar-Ilan University Co-sponsored by the Soloway Jewish Community Centre, Congregation Machzikei Hadas, and Congregation Beit Tikvah.

Rabbi Chaim Tabasky teaches Talmud at the Machon HaGavoa L’Torah (Institute of Advanced Torah Studies) at Bar Ilan University. He has taught extensively in Jerusalem Yeshivot both for men and women, especially in programs for English-speaking academics: Yeshivat HaMivtar and Michlelet Bruria – Rabbi Chaim Brovender dean; Yeshivat Darchei Noam; Michlala l’Banot in Bayit v’Gan; Nishmat: MaTan

Three Evenings of Torah Study: 1. Anger, Spite and Cruelty in Family Relations; Biblical teachings and Modern Applications, Thurs., Nov 13, 7:00-9:00 pm, Carleton University, Tory Building Room 446.

2. Two Torah-based Analyses of the Interaction between Divine Providence and Free Will in Ethical Decisions a) The Role of God in the Murder of Hevel (Abel) , Sun., Nov 16, 7:30pm Congregation Beit Tikvah, 15 Chartwell Ave., Nepean b) The Role of God in the Selling of Joseph, Tues., Nov 18, 7:30pm Congregation Beit Tikvah, 15 Chartwell Ave., Nepean

Two-part series: An Encounter with Talmud Study 1. Part One: Sunday, Nov 16, 12:30-3:30 pm Soloway Jewish Community Centre The workshop will focus on textual study of a section of Talmud – in order to learn about structure, method, Talmudic logic and a Halachic idea. Even those with little or no background will be encouraged to engage the Talmudic texts and the sages in a creative and inspiring dialogue (the workshop will include Havruta study).

2. Part Two: Monday, Nov 17, 7:00pm-10:00 pm Soloway Jewish Community Centre This workshop can be taken as a follow-up or as a stand-alone session. Its aims are the same as those of An Encounter with Talmud (Part One).

Shabbaton with Rabbi Tabasky Friday, Nov. 14 and Saturday, Nov. 15 Congregation Machzikei Hadas.

1. Shabbat Dinner: Youth after Trauma: New Religious Manifestations among Israeli Youth after Gaza and the Second Lebanon War, Fri., Nov. 14 2. Shabbat morning: Drash on the Parsha, Sat., Nov. 15 3. Saturday Evening, Melaveh Malka, Talk: The Current Controversy surrounding Conversions, Sat. Nov. 15, 7:30pm To make reservations for Shabbaton events, please call the Machzikei Hadas Office at (613) 521-9700

Except for the Shabbaton meals, all events are free and open to the public For more information, please email jewish_studies@carleton.ca or call 613-520-2600, ext. 1320 www.carleton.ca/jewishstudies

Israel in brief Labor appears on board with Kadima (JTA) – Israel’s Labor Party reportedly has agreed to join Kadima’s coalition government.

On October 13, just before the holiday of Sukkot began in the evening in Israel, Labor and Kadima reportedly reached an agreement under which Labor will join Tzipi Livni’s governing Kadima Party as a senior partner.

Labor leader Ehud Barak will become senior deputy prime minister, a newly created position, while Livni will be prime minister. The agreement was expected to be signed later that week, according to Israeli media reports.

The move brought Livni her first major governing partner, but she still needed more to complete her coalition and take office as prime minister.

The partnership with Labor likely will make it harder for Kadima to bring another large party, the Orthodox Shas Party, into the coalition.

Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu, the chairman of the Likud Party, met October 13 with Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, the spiritual leader of Shas, to argue against Shas joining a Livni government.

Livni: Peace process will move forward (JTA) – Tzipi Livni said the peace process will move forward and that Israel will be able to face challenges better with a stable government.

The Israeli prime minister-designate, who is working to form a new government coalition, made her first national policy address October 5 at the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s conference on policy and strategy.

“Israel wishes to arrive at peace with all of her neighbors – the Palestinians, Syria, Lebanon and the Arab nations,” Livni said.

“We have proven our willingness not only by embarking on diplomatic processes but by evacuating Gaza.”

She added: “The process should continue and we should press ahead and conduct ourselves correctly. Don’t let incidental dates or political changes get in the way of a responsible process.”

Livni said the government must achieve both financial and political stability, and took a swipe at other political parties that are making budgetary demands in order to agree to join the coalition.

“We must maintain financial stability in order to safeguard the economy. We must also preserve the political balance; we must achieve political stability quickly,” Livni said.

“Therefore, we are in need of a government that will maintain the equilibrium, a government that can transcend partisan demands.”

Earlier at the same conference, Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad alMaliki said that Israel had failed to live up

to the commitments it made at the Annapolis peace summit in 2007.

“We believed in what was promised – that this year would be different,” he said.

“But we are already in October, and we are losing hope that by the end of the year we will see the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel and the end of the occupation.”

Al-Maliki warned that the failure to come to a peace agreement would lead to the domination of Hamas and a return to violence.

Critically ill Iranian being treated in Israel (JTA) – An Iranian teenager has arrived in Israel for emergency brain surgery. The 13 year-old-boy flew to Israel via Turkey, where he had undergone unsuccessful treatment for brain cancer, on October 10 after receiving special permission from the Shin Bet security service and Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit, Ynet reported.

The boy’s father and grandmother were given special permission to accompany him.

Sheba Medical Center officials said the boy’s cancer has spread to his central nervous system and spinal cord.

The hospital near Tel Aviv will start aggressive chemotherapy to treat the aggressive cancer. Ze’ev Rothstein, the hospital’s chief administrator, told Ynet that “the boy’s chances are rather slim, but there are always surprises. It’s too early to be pessimistic. We’re not going to give up so easily.”

Israel declassifies Yom Kippur War documents (JTA) – Top Israeli army officials did not know what was happening in the field during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, according to newly declassified documents.

On October 7, Israel’s Defense Ministry declassified documents relating to the investigation of failures of the war.

The deliberations of the Agranat Committee, established to investigate the conduct of the military and the government during the war, including testimony of senior officers such as Ariel Sharon and Moshe Dayan, were made public nearly 35 years to the day after the outbreak of the war.

Former prime minister Ariel Sharon, who commanded the 53rd Division during the war, told the committee that the higher command “had no idea of what was happening on the ground,” according to a report in Ha’aretz.

Sharon also discussed his plan to cross the Suez Canal, which led to Israel’s victory.

Dayan’s testimony was reminiscent of issues that arose following the 2006 Second Lebanon War, including not calling up reservists right away and nor anticipating a full-scale war.

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – October 27, 2008 – Page 5

Inez Zelikovitz bequests to benefit three Canadian Hadassah-WIZO projects

By Terry Schwarzfeld Ottawa CHW Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW) has announced that Ottawa philanthropist Inez Zelikovitz is making a very generous donation of $100,000 to the Hadassim Children and Youth Village by putting CHW in her will. And her generosity to CHW extends even further as she is also making bequests to the Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem and the Hadassah-WIZO Canada Research Institute for research on autistic spectrum disorder.

Inez and her late husband, Joseph, had no children of their own and promised each other they would leave all of their assets to charity. Inez had always thought that Joseph would outlive her and be the one to designate the beneficiaries of their lifetime of hard work.

Sadly, Joseph developed Alzheimer’s disease and Inez helped him through his last difficult years. Joseph passed away in 1998 and Inez, faithful to their promise, began to research which organizations would be listed in her will.

These gifts were carefully chosen according to Joseph and Inez’s values and interests and are a lasting testament to the love and respect they had for each other and their understanding of and dedication to our community.

The Canadian Hadassah-WIZO Hadassim Children and Youth Village, just outside of Netanya, was chosen for a variety of reasons. It is a regional high school for more than 900 students in Grades 7 to 12 and home and school for 200 children and youth who live in the family units and dormitories.

The residents of Hadassim come from troubled families, many of whom are unable to protect and care for them. These students have had difficulties in other schools and many have suffered negligence and abuse. At Hadassim, these students are given a home, education, professional support and an opportunity to form friendships, develop talents and lead a normal teenaged life.

Athletics are one of the ways in which the students are given the opportunity to excel. They learn to be team players and build self-confidence. In fact, the senior girls’ basketball team has been Israeli National Champion for the past two years!

Inez has several compelling reasons to support this project.

Inez grew up with Hadassah-WIZO. Her mother, Henrietta Weiss, was an active and dedicated member of Ottawa’s Lillian Freiman Chapter. After she passed away, the Henrietta Weiss Chapter was named for her.

Inez Zelikovitz

Joseph was a natural athlete who excelled at every sport he tried. In high school, he was both a track star and a star player for Lisgar Collegiate’s basketball team.

He went on to a successful professional football career with the Ottawa Roughriders. Joseph’s amazing accomplishment of seven interceptions in a single game is a record that still stands today.

With her donation to refurbish the gymnasium at Hadassim, Inez is tying together the memory of her mother, her support of Israel and Joseph’s love of sport.

Inez is making this generous donation to the Hadassim Children and Youth Village by putting Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW) in her will.

And her generosity to CHW extends even farther than this. She is also making bequests to the Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem and the Hadassah-WIZO Canada Research Institute for research on autistic spectrum disorder.

The names of Joseph and Inez Zelikovitz now grace the entrances to buildings in Ottawa and Israel and serve as a lasting memory to their wisdom, love and generosity.

CHW is extremely fortunate to have Inez Zelikovitz as a friend.

Inez Zelikovitz chose to make CHW a beneficiary of her estate, leaving for posterity a testament to her love of Israel and the Jewish people. For further information on making a bequest to Canadian HadassahWIZO and planned giving opportunities in the organization, contact Debbie Baylin, Ottawa treasurer, at 613-521-9092.

Page 6 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – October 27, 2008

Holocaust education must persist so that Never Again means ‘Never Again’ Editor’s note: JFO Chair Jonathan Freedman has arranged to share his column, on occasion, with the chairs or presidents of the community’s major beneficiary agencies or committees so they can provide some insight into their operations.

The Holocaust devastated European Jewry and completely annihilated hundreds of Jewish communities in Eastern Europe. In 1933, the Jewish population of Europe was more than nine million. But, by 1945, the Nazis and their collaborators had murdered nearly twothirds of European Jewry in their Final Solution to what they called the “Jewish problem.”

As the number of Holocaust survivors continues to dwindle, there will be no one left in the near future to give eyewitness testimony to those most horrific events of the 20th century. Consequently, we must continue to find ways to ensure that the memory of those who died in the Holocaust, and those who survived, are kept alive for future generations – so that we never forget and so that Never Again means ‘Never Again.’

The Shoah (Holocaust) Committee of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa has spent the past five years creating programs that educate the Jewish and broader communities about the Holocaust. This year, 20 programs are scheduled to take place throughout Ottawa offering a multitude of opportunities to deepen one’s knowledge, understanding and connec-

Federation Report Toby Herscovitch and Bella Kraitberg Interim co-chairs Shoah (Holocaust) Committee of Ottawa tion to the many enduring lessons of the Holocaust.

One of those lessons is about everyday heroes and the will to survive. The trials and tribulations experienced by ordinary people and the courage they showed in the most harrowing of circumstances are reflected in many of our programs and provide great insights about life and survival for us all.

The 2008 Holocaust Education Program was officially launched with the remarkable story of the Stermer family, who were among a group of 38 who eluded the Nazi threat by hiding in a cave system in western Ukraine.

Their saga is just one among many compelling stories that make up our Holocaust Education Program.

The Ottawa Public Library has generously provided venues for several book launches, readings and films on Holocaust survival themes. Two of our committee members will read from their parents’ personal stories. Elly

Bollegraaf will read from her mother’s recently published book, A Long Labour, a story about her struggles to survive with a baby and toddler in tow during the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands. And Mina Cohn will read from her father’s unpublished memoirs.

There will also be programming highlighting Righteous Gentiles such as the SS man whose story of fighting brutal authority to save Jewish lives is told in the book Simon’s Quest, and Captain Laszlo Ocskay, a Hungarian officer who saved hundreds of Jews in Budapest, whose story is told in a film documentary. Many of these special programs are being organized in conjunction with foreign embassies whose citizens are being profiled.

The program also includes unique events organized by collaborating institutions including the award-winning one-man play …and stockings for the ladies, at the Canadian War Museum, which explores the experiences of a Royal Canadian Air Force officer who helped

rebuild the shattered lives of Jewish refugees in a displaced persons camp in Germany after the war. Some of these performances are dedicated to school students in keeping with our aim of involving schools in our programming.

Students from Hillel Ottawa have worked hard to bring you some dynamic programs, including a lecture, The Holocaust and Resistance in Canada, by renowned Canadian historian and author Irving Abella. Students will also be on hand to share their experiences from the 2008 March of the Living at our Moving Sights and Sounds event showcasing the sunning photographs of photographer Peter Waiser taken during the 2008 Adult March of the Living, followed by musical strains from the ghettos.

We will also mark the 70th Anniversary of Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass) with a special commemoration on Parliament Hill.

The keynote speaker will be former MP David Kilgour, who will address human rights issues.

We thank all our generous partners and sponsors whose names are listed in our program of events. On behalf of the Shoah Committee, we look forward to meeting you at several of these exciting programs and events.

The Holocaust Education Program continues until November 23. For the full program schedule and locations, visit jewishottawa.com or call 613-798-4696, ext. 253. Most events are free of charge.

Recognizing ‘the blessings that unite us’ Around Rosh Hashanah, I read with some considerable interest about the debate within the Muslim community concerning “Moonsighting,” as the Ottawa Citizen called it, “determining the exact time of the new moon that ends Ramadan and starts the festival of Eid.” Traditionally, the new crescent moon must be sighted by eyewitnesses, and this has given rise to disputes over how and by whom the correct sighting can be authorized. This in turn leads to different Muslim communities celebrating the festival on different days.

There were two aspects to this story that piqued my interest. The first is that it parallels disputes within our own tradition.

Much of the Talmud’s tractate Rosh Hashanah deals with how and by whom the New Moon may be declared, traditionally also by eyewitnesses, which in turn would determine the observance of the chagim, the holidays.

One of the most famous disputes between Rabbinic Judaism and the community (or communities) that produced the sectarian texts of the Dead Sea Scrolls was in their determination of the holiday of Shavuot. This community, as well as that which produced the Book of Jubilees and other post-biblical works, followed a 364-day solar calendar, as opposed to the 354-day luni-solar calendar of the rabbis. Indeed, the Talmud describes the various ways in which sectarian groups would try and disrupt the rabbinic declarations of the New Moon.

The second element of the story was the

From the pulpit Rabbi Charles Popky Agudath Israel comment of Ottawa’s new imam, Khaled Abdel-hamid. Having only recently arrived, he was thrown into the midst of the controversy, but responded with what I feel is a wonderful comment: “We all recognize that there will always be some disagreements on this topic and it is important that we all respect this fact and endeavour to focus on the blessings that unite us.”

What a great response! Not all that different from our tradition’s comment on the disputes between the House of Hillel and the House of Shammai: “Both these and these are the worlds of the Living God, Eilu v’Eilu divrei Elohim hayyim.”

Now I am a big believer in the legitimate differences within the Jewish community.

Despite our proclamations of living in a “post-denominational era,” we do have real differences in how we understand, interpret and apply the ideals and values of our tradition. And, even if as individuals we may find it difficult to fit perfectly into any given denominational box, we generally do find ourselves most at home within a particular segment of the community.

Our challenge, first of all, is to respect the differences, to acknowledge that someone with whom we disagree – and may believe to be totally wrong! – can actually be just as serious about, and committed to, Judaism as are we. Secondly, we have to concentrate on “the blessings that unite us,” supporting the causes that we share, such as Jewish education, the State of Israel, and our many efforts in Tzedakah and Tikkun Olam. We do a pretty good job of that here in Ottawa, but it is always worth emphasizing.

Perhaps, too, just as we can appreciate similarities between Judaism and Islam, all religious peoples can learn to see the many points of similarity in the human religious response. Then, despite the very real and very significant differences in our traditions, we may also begin to see “the blessings that unite us,” and work together to fulfil the words of Zechariah that we read on Sukkot, “And the Lord shall be sovereign over all the earth; in that day there shall be one Lord with one name.”

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Tel: (613) 798-4696. Fax: (613) 798-4730. Email: bulletin@ottawajewishbulletin.com. Published 19 times a year. © copyright october 27, 2008 PUBLISHER: The Ottawa Jewish Bulletin Publishing Co. Ltd. EDITOR EMERITUS: Barry Fishman ACTING EDITOR: Michael Regenstreif PRODUCTION MANAGER: Brenda Van Vliet BUSINESS MANAGER: Rhoda Saslove-Miller STAFF REPORTER: Liana Shlien ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Seymour Diener, chair; Anna Bilsky; Stephen Bindman; Mark Buckshon; Jack Cramer; Diane Koven; Louise Rachlis; Michael Wollock.

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Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – October 27, 2008 – Page 7

Observations from the election that was In the headline and introduction to the column below, Alan Echenberg suggests nothing too much changed in the Sukkot election that Prime Minister Stephen Harper insisted was needed a year in advance of the fixed election date – that his government passed – despite the fact that the Conservative government had yet to lose the confidence of Parliament.

The party standings remain the same as before the election, but the dynamics are somewhat different. Harper’s Conservatives and Jack Layton’s New Democratic Party (NDP) increased their numbers in the House of Commons with the Bloc Québécois down marginally and the Liberals down big-time. After the last election, the Liberals could have combined with either the Bloc or the NDP to bring down the government – which, of course, they never did – but all three opposition parties will now have to combine to accomplish that. None will be in any hurry.

Harper said he called the election because Parliament had become dysfunctional. Hardly. The Liberals bent over backwards, from the time of the last election in 2006, to allow him to get anything he wanted passed in the House. And, if certain committees weren’t functioning properly, it was generally because of Conservative obstructionism that he could have ended with a snap of his fingers.

Acting Editor Michael Regenstreif The reason Harper called the election was he read the polls and thought the time was ripe to lock in a majority before the looming economic downturn hit. The economic downturn hit faster and harder than expected and he blew his majority by alienating Quebec voters over petty cuts that hit hard at the province’s identity politics.

Heading into the election campaign, the Conservatives were poised for big seat gains at the expense of the Bloc. After passing the recognition that the Québécois form a nation – which is not the same as saying that Quebecers form a nation – and seeing support for Quebec separatism fall to historic lows, Harper had pretty much pushed the Bloc into electoral irrelevance.

But then he got petty over a few million dollars in arts cuts that may have played well to his unwavering base in Alberta, but which people in Quebec saw as an assault on their culture. Voilà, the Bloc day was saved and the Conservative majority was gone.

Speaking of the Conservative base in Alberta, the NDP broke through there capturing the former Tory stronghold of Edmonton-Strathcona. This is on top of the party’s retaining Outremont, the former Liberal stronghold in Montreal that Thomas Mulcair captured in a by-election last year. That the NDP actually won seats in Alberta and Quebec is remarkable.

In Ottawa, not one seat changed hands with Conservative, Liberal and NDP incumbents winning seemingly easy reelection in neighbouring ridings. I suspect that the local strength of opposition MPs like Paul Dewar in Ottawa Centre and David McGuinty in Ottawa South and government-side members like John Baird in Ottawa West-Nepean and Pierre Poilievre in Nepean-Carleton had as much to do with their victories as the national campaigns of their parties.

Over the past couple of years, there was speculation that Harper’s unwavering support for Israel would lead many Canadian Jews to swing their traditionally Liberal votes to the Tories. That seems to have been the case in Thornhill, a suburban Toronto-area riding that is home to the largest proportion of Jewish voters in Ontario. Liberal Susan Kadis, who is Jewish and who won the riding with big majorities in 2004 and 2006, was overtaken

by Conservative Peter Kent, a well-known broadcaster.

That Liberal-to-Conservative swing among Jewish voters didn’t come close to unseating Liberal Irwin Cotler in the Montreal riding of Mount Royal, the Quebec riding with the highest proportion of Jewish voters. Despite a majority that fell 10 percentage points to 55.7 from 65.6 in 2006, Cotler still finished more than 10,000 votes ahead of Conservative Rafael Tzoubari, his Israeli-born challenger.

Alan Echenberg notes that the Liberals are broke and can’t afford another divisive leadership race. But, even if they can’t afford it, they’re going to have one.

Despite increasingly diminished returns in the past three elections, the Liberals still consider themselves a party of power and, after their showing on election night, it is obvious that the earnest Stéphane Dion would either step down or be forced out in a leadership review next May. One thing that made this election historic was that only 59.1 per cent of Canadians voted; the lowest voter turnout in a federal general election since Confederation. More people couldn’t be bothered to vote – or, in effect, said none of the above – than voted for any party. That’s something all of the parties need to think about before the next election.

Suppose they held an election and nothing happened?

Not too much, anyway.

In September, Prime Minister Stephen Harper declared the 2.5-year-old minority Parliament to be unworkable.

In search of a more workable mandate, he violated his own fixed-election-date legislation to dissolve that Parliament and send Canadians to the polls for the third time in four years.

Five weeks, $300 million, one pooping puffin controversy, two roundtable debates, dozens of negative ads and one international economic crisis later, did he get that mandate?

Well … kinda.

Sorta.

In his third kick at the can as party leader, Harper’s Conservatives gained a few seats, but still fell short of a majority government. And, thanks to some ill-received policies and poorly executed strategies, the party failed to build upon its big Quebec breakthrough in the last election, once again winning 10 seats in that province.

The NDP, under Jack Layton, also picked up a few more seats, but fell far short of the goal Layton publicly and repeatedly set. He said he was running for prime minister, but ended up once again as the leader of the fourth party in the House of Commons.

With the help of some Conservative self-

Alan Echenberg inflicted wounds, Gilles Duceppe’s Bloc Québécois won by holding steady. Once again, the Bloc showed that rumours of its death were greatly exaggerated, as it won the lion’s share of Quebec seats for the sixth straight election. More than any other factor, it is the Bloc’s enduring ability to hold onto dozens of Quebec seats that accounts for the fact that Canadians have elected minority governments in the past three elections.

The Green Party won a plethora of publicity and media attention, a seat at the table of the televised leaders’ debates for leader Elizabeth May and, in the end, exactly zero seats in the House of Commons.

And then there is the Liberal Party.

Oh, the Liberals.

It was one of the worst election results ever for the Grits, once known as Canada’s natural governing party. The Liberals won only eight seats west of Ontario, suffered a net loss of seats in their Atlantic Canada stronghold and made some marginal gains in

Quebec, where they continued to be almost exclusively limited to the island of Montreal.

But the most telling results for the Liberal Party came in Ontario. A decade ago, the party regularly won almost all of the available seats in this province. This time around, it didn’t even take most of those 106 seats.

Conservative candidates won almost half of all Ontario ridings, the NDP increased its seat count in the province by almost 50 per cent taking away Liberal seats in Northern Ontario and the Liberal Party was in retreat everywhere save its electoral fortress of Toronto.

Even in the country’s largest city, the Conservatives began showing signs of breaching the Liberal castle walls. They took several seats in the suburban 905 region – named for its area code – just outside Toronto.

And Conservative star candidate Peter Kent won the riding of Thornhill, which borders the city of Toronto.

Thornhill happens to be the riding with the largest per-capita Jewish population in the province. It also happens to be the one riding the provincial Progressive Conservative party picked up in its wretched campaign during last year’s Ontario election.

Picking through the entrails of this year’s federal vote, there were several other signs the Conservative Party has made some head-

way in winning over the support of the traditionally big-L Liberal Jewish vote (and that of other so-called ethnic communities).

The Conservatives took several ridings with diverse multicultural populations from the Liberals in Ontario and British Columbia. And in Toronto proper, ridings like Eglinton-Lawrence, York Centre, and Willowdale – ridings with significant Jewish populations that are usually among the safest Liberal seats in the country – featured much tighter races.

In 2006, Liberal Joe Volpe won Eglinton-Lawrence by defeating his Conservative rival by more than 11,000 votes. This time around, Volpe’s margin of victory was reduced to 2,200.

Within hours – minutes even – of the final vote count, quotes from anonymous Liberals began appearing in the media calling for the head of leader Stéphane Dion.

Fighting his first election as leader, Dion failed miserably to reverse his party’s slide of the past few years.

But the nearly bankrupt and disunited Liberals can ill-afford another lengthy, expensive and divisive leadership race.

After all, we’ve ended up with another minority Parliament, and Canadians may be going to the polls yet again before too long.

Alan Echenberg is TVOntario’s Parliamentary bureau chief.

Page 8 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – October 27, 2008

Moishe’s Grill: Kosher meat restaurant opens at Soloway JCC Chuppah for Rent Have you been searching for a nice Chuppah at a reasonable cost?

Well look no further!!

This is a one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted Chuppah.

Price includes delivery, setup, take-away and a white canopy.

NOTE: The flowers and tulle shown in the picture are not included.

2008 Season Special Pricing

$250 www.randrarchcreations.ca email: rlreid@sympatico.ca phone: 613-445-0838

Moishe’s Grill opened on the second floor of the Soloway Jewish Community Centre last month giving Ottawa a fully kosher meat restaurant. The café that previously occupied the space was a dairy facility.

Moishe’s Grill is operated by the proprietors of Montreal’s Prime Grill, a very popular Mediterranean-style kosher restaurant on the Queen Mary Road strip. The menu at Moishe’s Grill features popular Israeli-style fare ranging from salads, sandwiches and falafel to grilled items including steak. Sushi is also available.

The Bulletin will have a feature article on Moishe’s Grill in November.

(OJB Photo: Michael Regenstreif)

Israel in brief Second Temple-era sarcophagus discovered (JTA) – Archeologists discovered a sarcophagus fragment identified with one of the high priests who served in the Second Temple.

The fragment made of hard limestone, discovered in salvage excavations along the security fence

Jeff Greenberg

200-1335 Carling Avenue Ottawa, Ontario K1Z 8N8 Phone: 613-725-1171 Private Fax: 613-248-4781 Toll Free: 1-800-307-1545 Email: greenje@magma.ca

www.jeffreygreenberg.com

north of Jerusalem, bears the inscription “Ben HaCohen HaGadol.”

Though it is impossible to tell which priest’s son the inscription refers to, the sarcophagus should probably be identified with one of the priests that officiated in the Second Temple between the years 30 CE and 70 CE, according to a news release from the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Pools and cisterns, public and residential buildings, and agricultural installations that range in date from the end of the Second Temple period to the early Islamic period have been discovered during the course of the excavations.

The area is associated with the tribe of Benjamin where the priests resided

during the Second Temple period. The fragment apparently was moved from its original location approximately 1,000 years ago and was used in the construction of a later Muslim building that was erected atop the ruins of the houses from the Second Temple period.

Synagogue near Temple Mount reopened (JTA) – A synagogue near the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Muslim Quarter was reopened.

The Ohel Yitzhak Synagogue was abandoned in 1938 by a group of fervently Orthodox, or Haredi, Jews called the Shomrei Hachomot, or Guardians of the Walls, in the face of Arab violence.

It is also known as the Ungarin Shul since it was founded by Hungarian Jews

in 1904, according to the Jerusalem Post. American philanthropists Irving and Cherna Moskowitz bought the property rights to the synagogue, which is located about 100 yards from the Temple Mount, and funded the refurbishing.

The Temple Mount, home also to the Dome of the Rock mosque, has been at the centre of tension between Jews and Arabs, particularly in the past two decades.

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What’s happening at

Congregation Beth Shalom Sunday, November 2

Holocaust Suite event

Thursday, November 6

Kibitz Club Luncheon

Friday, November 7

Kabalat Shabbat Service & Dinner

Monday, November 17

Book Club

Sunday, November 23

Street Smarts Program/Reptiles Rock

Saturday, November 29 Saturday Night Fever Dance Watch for more upcoming events. Everyone is Welcome!

For more information, please contact the synagogue at 613-789-3501, ext. 223 or info@bethshalom.ca www.bethshalom.ca

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – October 27, 2008 – Page 9

Community to commemorate 70th anniversary of Kristallnacht

Advertorial

JEWISH NATIONAL FUND More than trees 613.798.2411

Brian Pearl president

2008 Negev Dinner canvasser campaign kickoff at Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre a great success On Monday, September 22, almost the entire campaign team, including the canvassers for this year’s Ottawa JNF Negev Dinner, met with Honouree Barbara Crook to kick off this year’s campaign at the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre. Dan Greenberg was off fishing and sent his greetings (but not his regrets). Ron Prehogan, one of the Chairs of this year’s Dinner, introduced the other outstanding Chairs: Jeff Polowin, Mike Cullen and Colleen McBride-O’Brien, who are leading this year’s fundraising work.

Barbara delivered an inspiring talk about the importance of this year’s JNF project to support the water reservoir at Mishmar HaYarden in the Upper Galilee.

The Barbara Crook and Dan Greenberg Reservoir at Mishmar HaYarden is located north of Lake Kinneret, about 10 km east of Sefad. The reservoir, which holds about 150,000 cubic metres of wastewater that is purified and recycled for agricultural use, is vitally needed to help address the drought that has thrown Israel into its most severe water crisis since independence in 1948.

Barbara also reminded canvassers to tell people about our exciting speaker. Ambassador Dennis Ross is a fascinating orator who has an amazing depth of knowledge and experience in Middle East diplomacy for the American government under Presidents Clinton and Bush (the first). Currently, Ambassador Ross is Counselor and Ziegler distinguished fellow of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. He is the first Chairman of a new Jerusalem-based think tank, the Institute for Jewish People Policy Planning, funded and founded by the Jewish Agency. Ross is also a Special Advisor on the Middle East to Senator Barack Obama.

As the kits were handed out to our canvassers, Tribute Gift Chairs Martin and Jane Gordon and Jackie Sitwell briefed them on the messages to donors about the Negev Dinner and our Honourees, about the worthiness of their project and the importance of the work of the JNF in Israel. Your generosity when they call is very important to the success of the 2008 Ottawa JNF Negev Dinner. Your donations are greatly appreciated and they will be included in the souvenir booklet prepared for the dinner.

Please join us on November 24 for the Negev Dinner honouring Dan and Barbara. And when a JNF canvasser calls, please also consider making a donation. The invitations for the 2008 Negev Dinner will arrive by mail at your homes soon. Because the seating is limited, I remind you that an early RSVP is the only way to be certain of obtaining tickets.

Sefer Bar Mitzvah inscription In memory of Steffen Wreschner, a victim of the Shoah, by Ian Samuel Jason Byerley and family 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).

Seventy years ago, on the nights of November 9 and 10, 1938, organized anti-Jewish riots began in Germany and Austria.

Jews were attacked in the streets and in their homes and rioters burned or destroyed synagogues, cemeteries, hospitals and schools. More than 7,500 Jewish businesses were vandalized or looted. Close to 100 Jews were killed in the riots with hundreds more injured. More than 30,000 Jews were arrested and deported to concentration camps.

For the Jews of Germany and Austria, those two nights forever changed their world.

The attacks came to be known as Kristallnacht or Night of Broken Glass and were a turning point in history marking an intensification of the Nazis’ anti-Jewish policies that would culminate in the Holocaust – the systematic, state-sponsored murder of Jews.

As the number of survivors around the world continues to diminish, who will be left to remember and commemorate this historic event?

That is what Ottawa survivor, Vera Gara, was thinking when she took it upon herself to organize a 70th anniver-

On Kristallnacht, 70 years ago, rioters burned or destroyed Jewish properties.

sary commemoration of Kristallnacht.

“We are living in difficult times and people should continue to learn about what happened on that day, and on all the days, weeks and months that followed during the war,” says Gara.

“November 9, should not go unnoticed. In five years time, when it is the 75th anniversary of Kristallnacht, who knows what my health will be like, as is the case with all survivors.”

Gara – who is no stranger to event planning of this nature having successfully or-

ganized a similar event 20 years ago – has organized a special commemoration for Sunday, November 9. Former MP David Kilgour will provide the keynote address for what Gara hopes will be a large gathering of people on Parliament Hill.

Kilgour will talk about human rights issues and will be joined by Rabbi Howard Finkelstein, Cantors Shneur Bielak, Yair Zubar, Pinchus Levinson and Moshe Kraus, and by MP Paul Dewar and many Ottawa Holocaust survivors who will all participate in the event.

The 70th Anniversary Kristallnacht Commemoration will be held on Parliament Hill in the West Block, room 200, starting at 6:30 p.m. Free transportation to Parliament Hill will be available from the Soloway JCC, 21 Nadolny Sachs Private. It will leave at 6 pm sharp.

To reserve a seat on the bus contact Lisa Krug at 613798-4696, ext. 253 or lkrug@jewishottawa.com.

Transportation will also be available from Machzikei Hadas Congregation, 2310 Virginia Drive. Call 613521-9700

Page 10 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – October 27, 2008

HOLOCAUST EDUCATION PROGRAM 2008 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 23 A program of the Shoah (Holocaust) Committee of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa (Stermer Family) Chapters Pinecrest 2735 Iris St. will feature a selection of Holocaust books from October 22 to November 22, 2008.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21 TO SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2 Play: … and stockings for the ladies Canadian War Museum, Barney Danson Theatre 1 Vimy Place, (819) 776-8600 For times, dates and cost of public and student performances: http://www.warmuseum.ca/cwm/exhibitions/egenisme/deadlymedicine04e.html SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26 @ 7 PM LAUNCH EVENT Survivor Talk: From Darkness to Light: A Harrowing Story of the Stermer Family’s Survival Soloway JCC, 21 Nadolny Sachs Private Free admission. To reserve seats contact: (613) 798-4696, ext. 253 lkrug@jewishottawa.com TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28 @ 7 PM Book Launch: Simon’s Quest, first-hand testimony by Simon Schweitzer. Read by Simon’s son, Irwin Schweitzer Chapters, Pinecrest, 2735 Iris St., (613) 596-3003 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29 @ 7 PM Book Reading/Talk - Dr. Erwin Koranyi, Dreams and Tears: Chronicle of a Life Centrepointe Library, 101 Centrepointe Drive WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29 @ 7:30 PM A Religious Panel: Torat Hayyim - Torah of Life, Living Jewish Values During the Shoah Discussion with Rabbi Arnold Fine, Rabbi Charles Popky and Rabbi Howard Finkelstein Chapel, Agudath Israel Congregation 1400 Coldrey Avenue, (613) 728-3501 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30 @ 7 PM Lecture by Irving Abella: The Holocaust Resistance in Canada University of Ottawa, Fauteux Hall, Room 133 57 Louis Pasteur THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30 @ 7 PM Lecture with Father Patrick Desbois - Holocaust

By Bullets Canadian War Museum, Barney Danson Theatre 1 Vimy Place, (819) 776-8600

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2 @ 3:00 to 5:00 PM Moving Sights and Sounds: 2008 Adult March of the Living with photos by Peter Waiser and discussion with students who went on the 2008 March of the Living Soloway JCC, 21 Nadolny Sachs Private SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2 @ 7 PM Esti Mayer, Artist: Discussion of her work the Holocaust Suite Beth Shalom Congregation, 151 Chapel St.

Nepean Centrepointe Branch 101 Centrepointe Dr. (613) 580-2710 For additional information Anna Rijk, Netherlands Embassy (613) 237-5031 ext. 231 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6 @ 4:00 to 5:30 PM Survivor Dr. Truda Rosenberg will read from her memoir.

Paterson #201, Carleton University

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4 @ 4:00 TO 5:30 PM Survivor Talk: Survival and Passive Resistance in Theresienstadt with Vera Schiff University of Ottawa, Simard Bldg. Room 422 60 University

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6 @ 6:30 PM Film Documentary: Captain Laszlo Ocskay: The Forgotten Hero. One of the Filmmakers will be present Main Ottawa Public Library 120 Metcalfe St. (613) 580- 2945 Light refreshments will be served.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4 @ 7 PM Book Reading/Talk: A Long Labour: A Dutch Woman's Holocaust Memoir. Elly Bollegraaf will read from her mother’s (Rhodea Shandler) memoir.

Main Ottawa Public Library, 120 Metcalfe (613)-580-2945

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6 @ 7 PM Panel of Authors: Hannah Shani, Mina Cohn Living to Tell: Different Experiences of Holocaust Survival Ottawa Public Library, Hazeldean Branch 50 Castlefrank Rd. Registration requested call: (613) 836-1900

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5 & THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6 Author Readings and Multi-media Presentation for Grades 7 and 8 Debbie Spring: The Righteous Smuggler

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7@ 6 PM Hillel Ottawa - Jewish Campus Life Shabbat Dinner

TIMES AND LOCATIONS: Wednesday, November 5 @ 10:30 AM Cumberland Branch Library, 1599 Tenth Line (613) 580-2954 Wednesday, November 5 @ 1:30 PM Alta Vista Branch, 2516 Alta Vista Dr. (613) 737-2837 Wednesday, November 5 @ 7 to 8:30 PM - Open to Public The Righteous Smuggler Book Signing by Debbie Spring and Wim Geerts, Ambassador of the Netherlands Chapters Pinecrest, 2735 Iris St. (613) 596-3003 Thursday, November 6 @ 10:30 AM Wim Geerts, Ambassador of the Netherlands, will join in the discussion with Debbie Spring and will answer questions from a Dutch perspective.

Survivors, university students and professors will share a Shabbat dinner.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9 @ 6:30 PM 70th Anniversary Commemoration of Kristallnacht Keynote Speaker - The Honourable David Kilgour Parliament Hill, Room 200, West Block Free transportation from the Soloway JCC. Bus will depart @ 6 pm sharp.To reserve bus seating contact: (613) 798 -4696, ext. 253 by November 1.

Free transportation also available from Machzikei Hadas Congregation.Please call (613) 521 - 9700.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11 @ 6:30 PM Survivor Talk and launch of Documentary with Eva Olsson Sir Robert Borden High School, 131 Greenbank Rd. Tickets $5 adults and $2 students. Tickets sold at door.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23 @ 2 PM Documentary: Perla: The Last of the Seven Dwarfs Soloway JCC, 21 Nadolny Sachs Private *Unless otherwise indicated, all programs are free of charge.

For more detailed schedule visit www.jewishottawa.com or call (613) 798-4696, ext. 253

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – October 27, 2008 – Page 11

Jewish bereavement group to begin in November

By Marlene Goldfarb Cherun, MSW RSW Jewish Family Services During the recent High Holidays, we took stock of the year that ended and looked with hope and confidence towards the New Year.

For those who have experienced the loss of a loved one, the holidays can be an especially challenging time. Regardless of whether the loved one’s death was recent or years ago, the pain may return and overwhelm. The absence of a loved one may also evoke other losses, leaving the grieving person feeling profoundly vulnerable.

For this reason, Jewish Family Services (JFS), in collaboration with the Soloway Jewish Community Centre, is once again offering a Jewish bereavement support group facilitated by Maxine Kossy, an educator and experienced grief counsellor. She will be assisted by Marina Vinokurov, a counsellor at JFS. “A bereavement group can help us work through the pain and move towards the future in a healthier way,” says Kossy.

“Although it may feel unlikely, living through a challenging time can become an

opportunity for personal growth,” added Vinokurov.

Throughout the years, the Jewish bereavement group has assisted participants in exploring their feelings within a Jewish context.

The group examines participants’ experiences of loss, allows members to discuss Jewish rituals of grieving, as well as helps participants consider creating new rituals for celebrating holidays that both honour and acknowledge the loss of loved ones.

The facilitators’ skills and warmth enable them to guide the participants throughout this journey, as well as offering a supportive, accepting, respectful and non-judgmental atmosphere. In the words of a past group member, “The group became a safe place for me to express a whole range of emotions associated with my loss”; a comment echoed by many participants of past Jewish bereavement support groups.

For further information about the Jewish bereavement support group, contact Marina Vinokurov of JFS at 613-722-2225, ext. 301.

There is a fee associated with this program; however, subsidies are available.

Zelikovitz Centre fall schedule

By Jacqueline Shabsove Zelikovitz Centre After hosting a captivating set of lecturers from around the world earlier this year, the Max and Tessie Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies at Carleton University is busy preparing a series of enlightening events for the fall season.

Directly after the Zelikovitz Centre celebrates its third anniversary on October 27, the Centre will be hosting a three-night Israeli film festival featuring short documentaries from the Ma’ale School of Television, Film, and the Arts in Jerusalem. The films will be shown at Carleton University.

Three films on the theme of gender will be shown Thursday, October 30, 5:30 pm, in Tory Building, Room 240. Then, three films on the theme of identity and culture will screen Tuesday, November 4, 5:30 pm, in Paterson Hall, Room 303. Rounding up the festival will be a look at a Holocaust documentary film on Thursday, November 6, 5:30 pm, in Tory Building, Room 446.

After the resounding success in January of A Week of Jewish Learning with Rabbi Chaim Tabasky from Bar-Ilan University, the Zelikovitz Centre, along with the Soloway Jewish Community Centre (SJCC), Congregation Machzikei Hadas and Congregation Beit Tikvah, is delighted to welcome him back. This distinguished scholar will be presenting a set of outstanding lectures from November 13 to 18.

Rabbi Tabasky will begin Three Evenings of Torah Study with a lecture on “Anger, Spite and Cruelty in Family Relations: Biblical teachings and Modern Applications” at Car-

leton University on Thursday, November 13, 7:00 to 9:00 pm, in Tory Building, Room 446.

The Torah study lectures then continue at Congregation Beit Tikvah with “The Role of God in the Murder of Hevel (Abel)” on Sunday, November 16, 7:30 pm, and “The Role of God in the Selling of Joseph” on Tuesday, November 18, 7:30 pm.

Rabbi Tabasky’s Shabbaton series will take place Friday and Saturday, November 14 and 15 at Congregation Machzikei Hadas.

After a Shabbat dinner on Friday, Rabbi Tabasky will be lecturing on “Youth after Trauma: New Religious Manifestations among Israeli Youth after Gaza and the Second Lebanon War.” On Shabbat morning, Rabbi Tabasky will offer a Drash on the Parsha while Saturday evening’s schedule will include Melaveh Malka and a talk on the current controversy surrounding conversions beginning at 7:30 pm.

Rabbi Tabasky will also be offering a twopart Encounter with Talmud Study at the SJCC. Part one of this series, on Sunday, November 16, 12:30 to 3:30 pm, will examine a section of the Talmud and will educate participants about structure, method, Talmudic logic and a Halachic idea. Part two, on Monday, November 17, 7:00 to 10:00 pm, can be taken as a follow-up to part one, or as a stand-alone session.

These lectures are sure to provide individuals with an in-depth look into Biblical and Talmudic interpretations, as well as an examination of contemporary topics in Jewish Studies.

These events are all free and open to the public. For more information, contact jewish_studies@carleton.ca or 613-5202600, ext. 1320.

Page 12 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – October 27, 2008

Remembrance Day display highlights Ottawa AZA

By Laurie Dougherty Ottawa Jewish Archives For Remembrance Day, the Ottawa Jewish Archives honours our Jewish War Veterans by creating a display at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre. This year, the display focuses on Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA) which was the young men’s wing of B’nai Brith. Many of the members of this group joined the armed forces just as soon as they were of age.

One of the AZA members highlighted in the display is Don Snipper, a photo reconnaissance expert. His pilot’s log book was donated by his son, Jon Snipper, along with other items after he was contacted during the research for the display.

AZA was first chartered in 1924 under a Supreme Advisory Council located in Omaha, Nebraska. The movement was created in reaction to the rising excess and lack of focus of youth in the postwar jazz age in the United States. The founders of AZA wanted to use Hebrew letters to define this new movement

of young Jewish men. The first Aleph represents Ahavoh (brotherly love), Zadik represents Tzedakah (benevolence) and the second Aleph represents Achdoos (harmony).

Alephs, as the brothers were called, strived to carry out acts that exemplified the seven cardinal virtues of AZA: patriotism, Judaism, filial love, charity, conduct, purity and fraternity.

The Moses Bilsky Chapter of AZA held a Parents Day in May 1934 to celebrate filial love. According to the Ottawa Mazir, the chapter’s first publication, mothers received a rose, fathers a cigar and all attended a banquet in their honour.

In the years prior to the Second World War, the Moses Bilsky Chapter and the Dr. Maurice Brody Chapter were formed. Members between the ages of 16 and 21 paid their dues, attended regular meetings and participated in cultural, religious, social and athletic programs. Alephs received crests, pins and a publication called the Shofar.

When membership of a chapter reached 25, delegates

An AZA initiation, circa 1940, at the Capitol Hotel on Rideau Street. Pictured (left to right): Norman Torontow, Max Vechter, Issie Rose, Manny Lightstone, Mike Greenberg, Percy Levine, Meyer Karon, Max Ginnis, Henry Feller, Moe Cardash and Dave Sair.

(Photo: Ottawa Jewish Archives)

were eligible to attend a yearly conference. One year, Milton Shaffer and Percy Feller hitchhiked all the way to Washington D.C. to attend the event.

As important as the conference was, it was the AZA Sweetheart Ball that most of the members looked forward to each year. As an AZA sweetheart, one of Esther Rafel’s (Mrs. Matt Ages) re-

sponsibilities included finding dates for members who wanted one. AZA even had a form that members could fill out indicating preferences for eye colour, height, dance style, etc. of their potential dates.

The 1944 convention program noted that the goal of AZA had changed from “directing the busy minds of young men to socially useful

functions” to gearing towards the war effort. The program also stated that, “the seven virtues were anathema to fascism. Without democracy, AZA couldn’t exist. AZA stands for Benevolence, Brotherly Love and Harmony. Without victory, these ideals of democracy are unattainable.”

When war was declared, all of the eligible men in the Moses Bilsky Chapter joined

up. Their exceptional enlistment record was recognized by the Canadian government in a special booklet, Canadians All, in 1941. It is clear from the correspondence of the Moses Bilsky Chapter that it was very difficult to keep membership going, especially in the executive positions as Alephs were enlisting on a weekly basis. Sam Ages took over as mazkir (secretary) of the Moses Bilsky Chapter from Bernard Ginsberg in May 1942. One month later, he notified his superior that he had joined up too.

The Dr. Maurice Brody Chapter of AZA won the Regional Best Chapter award and the Herzl Trophy in 1944. This chapter held a Nite of Nites Floorshow & Dance in 1943 under the direction of Ralph Fonberg with proceeds going to a Chinese relief fund. Ottawa chapters raised funds for an overseas mobile canteen under the fraternity’s name in memory of Mrs. A. J. Freiman.

It took several months and many attempts to fundraise the $2,700.00 pledged to reach this wartime goal.

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – October 27, 2008 – Page 13

SAY IT WITH TREES 613-798-2411

●

To remember

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To congratulate

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To honour

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To say I care

TREES HAVE BEEN PLANTED Condolences to: The family of the late Toby Appel in memory of your father Toby Appel by Tom and Alannah Grossman and by Barbara, Sydney, Roberta and Jane The family of the late Caren Aronowitz in memory of your beloved sister by Lily Tobin Yetta Arron in memory of your husband Larry Arron by Shirley Marcus Joan Bercovtich in memory of your beloved mother Pearl Scope by Louis and Deborah Davis and by Alan and Margo Blostein and family Shirley Berman in memory of your sister Edith Lang by Laura and Gordon Spergel Bert Blevis and family in memory of your brother by Ricarda and Graham Smith Linda and Gail Chernin and families in memory of your father and our cousin by Carol and Laurie Pascoe Jan Cracraft in memory of your husband Frank L Cracraft by Anne and Ken Mozersky The family of the late Marion Dewar in memory of your beloved mother by Alannah and Tom Grossman The family of the Late Marjorie Eckford in memory of a wonderful nurse, sister and aunt Marjorie Eckford by Norman Barwin Terry Garwood in memory of your mom, Fran by Fern, Arielle and Elie Dorothy Goldwater in memory of your husband Jack Goldwater by Shirley and Philip Teitelbaum Malca Hirsch in memory of your mother Toba Hirsch by the Yiddush Class Molly Hirsch in memory of your mother Tonia Hirsch by Deborah and Louis Davis Mona Kaplan in memory of your husband Sam Kaplan by Sharon Abron Drache Linda and Athan Katsos in memory of Sadie Goldberg by Sally, Karen and Pam Maser Mildred Kenton in memory of Egon Kenton by Rose and Morrie Konick Merle Koven and family in memory of Phil Koven by John and Gladys Greenberg Keith, Sue and Scotty McLaren in memory of Marion Kilby by Jay Flesher Dr. Maureen Molot in memory of your father Toby Appel by Stephen and Gail Victor, by Lisa and Fred Cogan The Murray family in memory of your beloved husband and wonderful father, Scott Murray by Lynne O’Neil Dorothy Nadolny in memory of your brother Larry Arron by Lisa and Fred Cogan Susan Nathanson and family in memory of Rick Nathanson by Barbara Nathanson Pleet and Pinchas Pleet Carol Nemow in memory of your mother Lillian Katznelson by Sharon Abron Drache Barry Padolsky in memory of your father Abe Padolsky by Alannah and Tom Grossman

Leona Pinkus in memory of Fred Pinkus

by Sheldon and Sonia Shaffer Fran Ross in memory of your father Abe Fleming by Carol and Mark Froimovitch Paula Silver, Jordan and Sarena in memory of Dr. Stephen Silver by Ketty and Morris Samel Ricarda Smith in memory of your father Max Brauer by Penny Prud’homme Laura and Gordon Spergel in memory of your brother Egon Kenton by Bert Palmer The Stevenson family in memory of your mother and grandmother Devina Stevenson by the Kardish famililes and the staff of the Rideau Bakery.

The Strickland family in memory of David Strickland by Raymond I Goldman Shirley Teitelbaum in memory of your brother Jack Goodman by Vita and Stan Winthrop, by Diana and Alvin Malomet Adeena Wisenthal and family in memory of your father Hyman Wisenthal by Anne, Mike, David and Jacob Cuttler Refuah Shleima: Shelli Kimmel by Marcia Cantor Shana Tova: Judy and Yaacov Ben-Israel and family

by Carol and Laurie Pascoe Dr. and Mrs. Isia Bursuker and family by Lisa and Fred Cogan and the guys Andrew and Les Cogan by Best Parents Greg Cogan by Best Parents Howie and Rebecca Cogan and family by Best Parents Jeffrey Cogan and Mira Ola by Best Parents Michael Cogan by Best Parents Barbara Crook and Dan Greenberg by Lisa and Fred Cogan and family Simmy Gardner by Lisa and Fred Cogan and family Sam and Roslyn Gershon by Betty and Sid Finkelman Bev and David Gluzman by Lisa and Fred Cogan and family Carol Greenberg and family by Lisa and Fred Cogan and family Diane Crouse and Oliver Javanpour and family by Lisa and Fred Cogan and family Erwin Koranyi by Lisa and Fred Cogan and family Alex Lightstone and Nina Politzer and family by Leo, Aviva, Nava and Noam Lightstone Laya and Leslie Lightstone and family by Leo, Aviva, Nava and Noam Lightstone Libbie Lightstone by Leo, Aviva, Nava and Noam Lightstone Sam and Elisheva Lightstone and family

by Leo, Aviva, Nava and Noam Lightstone Boris and Malka Mirsky by Leo, Aviva,

Nava and Noam Lightstone Chaim Mirsky by Leo, Aviva, Nava and Noam Lightstone Michael and Bracha Mirsky and family

by Leo, Aviva, Nava and Noam Lightstone Judi and Harvey Nightingale by Lisa and Fred Cogan and family Zelaine and Sol Shinder by Lisa and Fred Cogan and family In Honour of: David Baker Happy 40th Birthday Uncle David by Chloe and Beck Magda and Peter Benedek on your 40th Anniversary by Ketty and Morris Samel Bev and Danny Cantor thinking of you by Ethel and Irving Taylor Ilene Cohen Happy Special Birthday by Susan, Charles, Jaclyn and Paul Schwartzman Esther and Harry Froman Happy Anniversary by Ethel and Irving Taylor Jamie Gaon Mazel Tov on your Bat Mitzvah by Grandad and Janet Maureen Katz on your special birthday by Carol and Laurie Pascoe Leon Leckie on your special Birthday by Lea and Yitzhak Kalin Roslyn Margles Happy Birthday by Harry Liner and Rita Engels Malca Polwin Happy Birthday by Ethel and Irving Taylor Linda Rossman Happy 60th Birthday by Linda Slotin Mike Sargent in appreciation by Ann Bernick France and Jacques Sibille Todah Rabah

by Lea and Yitzhak Kalin Mildred Silver Happy Special Birthday by The Segals and Schwartzmans Melissa Springer Happy Birthday by Auntie Ethel and Uncle Irving Taylor Ethel Taylor thinking of you and sending you healing energy by David and Rochelle Greenberg Mazel Tov to: Alyce and Allan Baker on the birth of your two little miracles Audrey and Griffen by David and Rochelle Greenberg Lorraine and David Berk on the birth of your granddaughter Izzy Mazine by Margo, David, Aaron and Gail Kardish Rabbi Mendel and Dina Blum on the birth of your daughter by Marcia and Barry Cantor Rena and Max Cohen on the birth of your new granddaughter by Marcia and Barry Cantor Sandi Fishbain on the engagement of Jeff to Barb by Marcia and Barry Cantor, by Beverley and Abe Feinstein Dale and Ruth Fyman a madele-Mazel Tov by the Yiddish Class Reisa and Allan Glenns on your 40th

Anniversary by Margo, David, Aaron and Gail Kardish, by Sheryl, Harvey, Mallory and Ryan Kardish, by Alan and Margo Blostein Judy and Arnell Goldberg on your marriage by Ricki and Barry Baker Lea and Yitzhak Kalin on your 60th Anniversary by Meyer, Rena and Zev Kalin Joan and Russell Kronick on the birth of your granddaughter by Barbara and David Slipacoff and family, and by Barbara Sugarman and Sydney Kronick Freda Lithwick on your special birthday

by Margo, David, Aaron and Gail Kardish, by Max Zelikovitz, by Joni Swedlove and Robert Horlick Bonnie and Chuck Merovitz on the birth of your grandson, Jack by Marcia and Barry Cantor, by Rosalie and Harold Schwartz and family Mara and Isaac Muzikansky on the birth of your grandson Zachary David by Marcia and Barry Cantor Jacob Osterer on your Bar Mitzvah by Betty and Sid Finkelman Dina and Mel Segal on the birth of your first grandchild by Graham and Rysia Smith Linda Steingarten on the birth of your grandson Gideon Isaac by Graham and Ricarda Smith Sally Taller on your special birthday by Beth and Morton Roodman Gail and Stephen Victor Mazel Tov on the birth of your first grandson by Marcia and Barry Cantor Muriel and Michael Wexler on the birth of their first grandchild Sophie by Marcia and Barry Cantor Esther and Alan Williams on the birth of your grandson by Graham and Ricarda Smith Joshua Wine on your Bar Mitzvah by Rabbi Arnold and Mrs. Chevy Fine David and Marlene Wolinsky on your 30th Wedding Anniversary by Susan, Charles, Jaclyn and Paul Schwartzman Shira Hannah Yellin on your Bat Mitzvah

by Elly, Al, Rena and Jenna Bruner Helen and Rick Zipes on the birth of your grandchildren Audrey and Griffin by Marcia and Barry Cantor Pinchas Zukerman on your 60th birthday

by Rochelle and David Greenberg and Abigail

Tree purchases are $18 and are fully tax receiptable.

JNF thanks you for your generous contribution.

Please accept our apologies if we misspelled or omitted anyone’s name or contribution.

Page 14 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – October 27, 2008

Volunteer spotlight

The kids graduated, but Dad’s still at school

By Benita Siemiatycki One of the perks of being a parent of school-aged children is that, if you want to volunteer, opportunities abound. Classrooms are always in need of parent helpers, whether on a regular basis or for specific class projects. In schools where a board of directors or similar body works alongside the principal and staff to set policies, board members play a vital role in their children’s education. In fact, parents make up the bulk of the volunteer base in any school.

One such parent is Morrie Paul, who joined the Ottawa Modern Jewish School (OMJS) Board of Directors in 1998. Over a 10-year period, he’s held almost every position.

While his two children, Keila and Gabriel, went through the OMJS system, Morrie was a board member, treasurer, registrar and vice-president. In 2006, he became co-president with Shelley Rivier. He also chaired the finance committee for several years, which involved setting school budgets, looking for efficiencies, dealing with accountants and keeping the books in order. Over and above that was individual fundraising and community work undertaken by the school that Morrie assisted with.

Although Gabriel, his youngest child, graduated last June, Morrie currently serves as past president, which means he still at-

Although his children have graduated, Morrie Paul remains dedicated to the Ottawa Modern Jewish School.

(OJB photo: Benita Siemiatycki)

tends board meetings. It doesn’t feel the same, he admits, as when his children travelled with him to school on Sunday mornings. But their absence hasn’t diminished

his staunch support of OMJS, citing why his children were enrolled there – as a nonaffiliated school, OMJS is the only connection to the Jewish community for many of its families.

Morrie’s dedication to OMJS goes beyond the school itself.

“I think it’s important to be involved in Jewish education,” says Morrie. “Jewish education is the backbone of the Jewish community. It’s important to make a contribution in that respect. To help our young people develop a sense of history, of who they are, of their identity.”

He continues, “I think it’s important to be involved in your kids’ lives, which was an important aspect of the volunteering for me. So that I can see what’s going on with my kids at school, so that I can be there for my kids during this journey.”

For a few years, going to OMJS on Sunday mornings was a family affair. Morrie’s wife, Shaina Lipsey, volunteered for various school programs and taught one year.

Their daughter Keila, now 17, worked as a teaching assistant after she graduated.

Growing up in Montreal, Morrie observed his parents devote their lives to helping others. No matter where they lived, whether in Montreal, Israel, or Nanaimo, B.C., where Morrie’s father currently lives (his mother passed away in 2004), volun-

teering for both Jewish and secular causes was their norm.

“It was always a very important part of their lives,” says Morrie. “And it always struck me how important a part of their life that it was to give back to the community and how fulfilling it was for them.”

In addition to OMJS, Morrie also volunteers through the Government of Canada Charitable Workplace Campaign, was the manager for Gabriel’s hockey team, served meals at the Mission with Keila, and helped out at the Special Olympics.

At the core of Morrie’s contributions is the belief that Tikkun Olam is an important Jewish value.

“Whether as a public servant in Ottawa, working overseas on development projects, or doing volunteer work, I have always been motivated by wanting to contribute to making the world a better place,” he says.

Professionally, Morrie’s background is in environment and agriculture. Work took him to Ethiopia, Botswana and Indonesia prior to moving to Ottawa in 1990. He is currently director of corporate development for Agriculture Canada.

Benita Siemiatycki of the Jewish Ottawa InfoCentre profiles community volunteers in the Bulletin. Many organizations are in desperate need of volunteers. Call the InfoCentre at 613-798-4644 for information.

Jewish Book Month

Memories of Jewish life in pre-Holocaust Poland to be presented in slide show and discussion

By Roslyn Brozovsky Wollock SJCC Adult Program Manager An unlikely artist, Toronto resident Mayer Kirshenblatt picked up a paintbrush for the first time in 1990 at the age of 73 and began to paint everything he could remember about his hometown of Apt (Opatow) in Poland and his childhood there.

The result was more than 250 paintings – the first was of his mother’s kitchen.

Mayer found life in Apt fascinating and, as a result, not much was left unnoticed by his inquiring mind.

Nearly 200 of the paintings, with text by Kirshenblatt and his daughter, New York University professor Barbara KirshenblattGimblett, were collected in a book, They Called Me Mayer July: Painted Memories of a Jewish Childhood in Poland Before the Holocaust.

The book won a J.I. Segal Book Award for 2008 from the

Jewish Public Library of Montreal.

The two, who were profiled in the July 21, 2008 edition of the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin, are coming to Ottawa to present a slide show and discussion about They Called Me Mayer July on Monday, November 10.

The literary memorial, or Yizkor book, reclaims, as only memory can, the life of a town which, before the Holocaust, bustled with the business of living Jewishly – from the vibrant shops of the marketplace, to the synagogues, to the batei midrashim to the Merchants’ and Artisans’ Association.

They all played a vital role in daily shtetl life and are recalled in Kirshenblatt’s paintings. The book is a remarkable life-affirming record of Jewish life in prewar Poland.

The book is filled with funny anecdotes about Mayer’s friends and family.

In it are descriptions of where people shopped, what school was

like for the children and which crops the farmers grew. He tells us about the rope maker, the potter, the hat maker, the brush factory, the leather tannery and the saw mill.

There are tales about doing laundry, making shoes and how the oven in their house worked.

Births, funerals, religious services, the escapades of the town drunk and the town prostitute are all covered.

“It is my mission to teach people what life was like before the war,” states Kirshenblatt, now 92.

“We were poor, but we had culture, people with various professions, industry, and it is no more and never will be again.

“What was most important about it? Life itself!”

This Jewish Book Month event, presented by the Greenberg Families Library, takes place Monday, November 10, 7:30 pm, at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre. Admission is free. Call 613-798-9818, ext. 254 for information.

By Mayer Kirshenblatt and Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – October 27, 2008 – Page 15

A Jewish singer towers over Texas country music scene

By Ruth Ellen Gruber (JTA) – Think Jews and country music and you’ll probably come up with Kinky Friedman, the cigarchomping front man of the iconoclastic Texas Jewboys, who is also a humourist, mystery novelist and failed but flamboyant candidate for Texas governor.

The real Jewish king of country music, however, is Ray Benson, the nine-time Grammy-winning leader of the western swing band Asleep at the Wheel.

At six-foot-seven, Benson has been described as a “Jewish giant” and “the biggest Jew in country.”

Now 57, Benson was born in Philadelphia but has lived in Austin for 35 years.

He talks with a twang, plays golf with Willie Nelson, has

recorded more than 30 albums and was named Texas Musician of the Year in 2004.

By his own estimate, he is the only Jewish singing star in the country music scene.

“Kinky’s not a countrywestern singer – he’s Kinky!” Benson laughed during a conversation with JTA this summer at the annual Country Rendez-Vous Festival in south-central France, where Asleep at the Wheel wound up a five-nation European tour.

Unlike Friedman, however, who makes playing with stereotypes part of his inyour-face persona, Benson has – until now – kept his religious identity out of the limelight.

“I didn’t want to be

known as a Jewish countrywestern singer. I wanted to be known as a countrywestern singer who happens to be Jewish,” he said.

“You don’t usually tell your religion or politics on stage,” he added. “Because I’m six-foot-seven and people don’t think Jews are tall, and because, I guess, I don’t look like the stereotypical Jew, most people don’t know I’m Jewish.”

Benson grew up in a Reform Jewish home in suburban Philadelphia. He and his sister put together a folk group and he was only 11 when he played his first professional gig.

Benson founded Asleep at the Wheel in 1970 along with several friends, including his former Philadelphia schoolmate Lucky Oceans, a

The Friendship Circle, a Jewish Youth Library program that works with families with special needs children, prepared for Rosh Hashanah with an apple-picking event at Apple Hill Tree Farm on Sunday, September 21.

Ray Benson and members of Asleep at the Wheel perform at the Country RendezVous Festival in Craponne sur Arzon, France, in July 2008.

(JTA Photo: Ruth Ellen Gruber)

pedal steel guitar player born Ruben Gosfield, who now lives in Australia.

The band based itself in West Virginia and California before moving to Austin in 1973. Over the decades, Benson has remained the anchor of the group, while some 90 musicians have moved in and out of its lineup.

On the road much of the year, the band has played everywhere from down home dance halls to the White House. They were, in fact, scheduled to perform there on September 11, 2001.

Earlier this year, they played at an Austin fundrais-

Active Jewish Adults (AJA) 50+ members tour the Geoffrey James photography exhibit at the National Gallery of Canada on September 24.

er for Barack Obama where the Democratic presidential nominee joined them onstage for a chorus.

In the 1970s, when the band first started touring, Benson recalled, country music was a “southern, conservative, Christian, white domain – period,” and he repeatedly came up against offhand prejudice and ignorance about Jews and Judaism.

He cites, as an example, a member of Tammy Wynette’s entourage, who blamed “the Jews in New York” for failing to promote her career and had a hard time believing Benson when he told him he was Jewish.

Then there’s the wife of a musician who had never heard of Judaism as a religion.

“I asked her what she thought a Jew was, and she said, ‘Someone who’s cheap,’” Benson recalled.

“So the stereotypes were there, and they’re still there,” he said.

“I always felt myself to be an ambassador,” he added. “I’m not a great practicing Jew on a daily basis, but I’m Jewish. And so I try to bring to them that we’re just people.”

Recently, for the first time, Benson started doing this publicly, making explicit reference to his Jewish identity on stage.

The revelation comes as part of “A Ride with Bob,” a

musical that Benson cowrote, based on the life of his musical hero, Bob Wills, the western swing pioneer, who died in 1975.

Benson stars in the play, along with members of Asleep at the Wheel. Since its premiere in 2005, it has played to audiences all over Texas and elsewhere, including a sold-out performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington.

The premise is an imagined conversation between Benson and Wills. In it, Wills asks Benson how “a Jewish boy from Philadelphia” can play western swing music. Benson responds: “The same way that a white, hayseed hillbilly from the West Texas panhandle” can play, as Wills did, blues and jazz.

“Basically, in this play, I confront the issue, and I let the cat out of the bag. Hey, I’m Jewish and happen to be the leader of the ‘modern kings of western swing,’” Benson said. “In the context of the play, I was able to reveal this and also give it context.”

The point he wanted to make, he said, is that it doesn’t matter where you come from or what your religion or background is in terms of music, art or other creative endeavours.

“What’s important is what’s in your heart or what’s in your mind or what’s in your talent.”

Page 16 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – October 27, 2008

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – October 27, 2008 – Page 17

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Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – October 27, 2008 – Page 19

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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 wellbeing.

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 September 24 and October 2, 2008 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.

Tania Firestone Family Fund In Memory of: Larry Arron by Susie and Phil Firestone Abbey Evenchick by Susie Caplan Firestone and Phil Firestone Friedberg and Dale Families Fund In Memory of: Peter Braun by Elaine Friedberg, Bob and Jonathan Dale In Honour of: Elaine Brodsky Have a very happy special birthday by Elaine Friedberg and Bob Dale Janet and Jonathan Isserlin Congratulations on Ben and Leanna’s marriage by Elaine Friedberg and Bob Dale Malcolm and Vera Glube Family Fund In Honour of: Vera and Malcolm Glube Wishing you a very happy and healthy New Year by Bev, Bryan, Alison and Robbie Glube Nell Gluck Memorial Fund In Memory of: Toby Appel by Dr. Michael Henry Moe Greenberg and Elissa Iny Greenberg Family Fund In Honour of: Daphne and Stanley Arron We wish you a peaceful and healthy New Year with love by Elissa and Avraham Iny Randi, Neil, Samantha and Benjamin

Shinder We wish you and your family a peaceful and prosperous New Year full of fun and good health with love by Elissa and Avraham Iny Jackie and Michael Shulman We wish you and your family a peaceful and prosperous New Year full of fun and good health with love by Elissa and Avraham Iny Millie Weinstein We wish you a peaceful and healthy New Year with love by Elissa and Avraham Iny David, Harvey, Victor Kardish Family Fund In Memory of: Stephen Dworkin by Gale, Victor and Sydney Kardish Dorothy and Maurie Karp Endowment Fund In Honour of: Claire and Irving Bercovitch Mazal tov and best wishes on the birth of your new granddaughter

by Dorothy and Maurie Karp Morris and Lillian Kimmel Family Fund In Honour of: Lily Feig and family Shana Tova and all the best for a healthy and happy New Year by Janet, Steve, Tobin and Aaron Kaiman Anna Heilman and family Shana Tova and all the best for a healthy and happy New Year by Janet, Steve, Tobin and Aaron Kaiman Esthel and Larry Huniu Shana Tova and all the best for a healthy and happy New Year by Janet, Steve, Tobin and Aaron Kaiman Morris Kimmel Shana Tova and all the best for a healthy and happy New Year by Janet, Steve, Tobin and Aaron Kaiman; and Lea and Yitzhan Kalin Brenda, Nathan, Jesse and Daniel Levine Shana Tova and all the best for a healthy and happy New Year by Janet, Steve, Tobin and Aaron Kaiman Levenson/Polowin Feeding Fund In Memory of: Rabbi Michael Levenson by Ingrid and Gerry Levitz Ida and Sidney Lithwick Fund In Memory of: Larry Arron by Helene, Charlie, Brigitte and Jeremy Huot; Carol, Howard, Stuart and Jonathan Lithwick; Ida Lithwick; and Marilyn Lithwick Pencer Family Fund In Honour of: Mary Pencer Congratulations on reaching this milestone, you are an inspiration to us all! With love by Marcia, Irwin, Laura, Matthew and Daniel Pencer

Schachter/Ingber Family Fund In Memory of: Rabbi Michael Levenson by Rachel, Howard, Davida and Josh Schachter, Fania Ingber and Abie Ingber

tov on the birth of your son by Shelley and Morris Schachnow

Stephen and Debra Schneiderman Family Fund In Memory of: Moshe Benlolo by Debra, Stephen, Stacey and Jordon Schneiderman Rabbi Michael Levenson by Debra and Stephen Schneiderman In Honour of: Morris Kimmel and family Best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year by Debra and Stephen Schneiderman and family

IN MEMORY OF: Larry Arron by Elaine and Arnold Agulnik Beloved sister of Shirley Berman by Lea and Yitzhak Kalin Moshe Benlolo by the Residents, Board and Staff of Hillel Lodge; Dee and Yale Gaffen and Mitzi Merson; Stephen Dworkin by Ingrid and Gerry Levitz Abe Fleming by Francoise and Ron Vexler Rabbi Michael Levenson by the Residents, Board and Staff of Hillel Lodge Antonia Steenbakkers by Julia Fogg; and Janice Daoust

Label and Leona Silver Family Fund In Memory of: Stephen Dworkin by Leona and Label Silver Chaike Kaiserman by Leona and Label Silver Ralph and Anne Sternberg Memorial Fund In Honour of: Marion Dewar To celebrate the spirit and to honour the memory of Ottawa Mayor Marion Dewar, who left a cherished legacy of compassion and grace. May her memory be a blessing for all who loved her by Laya and Ted Jacobsen Sandy Fishbain Mazal tov on your birthday with warmest wishes by Laya and Ted Jacobsen Rabbi Steven Garten Mazal tov on your special birthday with warmest wishes by Laya and Ted Jacobsen Judy Mendelsohn Mazal tov on your birthday with love from Laya and Ted Jacobsen William Saunders Mazal tov to our dear friend Bill on his milestone birthday by Laya and Ted Jacobsen Judith Slipacoff Mazal tov on your birthday with love from Laya and Ted Jacobsen Sarah and Arnie Swedler Family Fund In Honour of: Sarah Swedler In recognition of your being honoured for all your volunteer work at Hillel Lodge with best wishes by Mera and Bill Goldstein R’fuah Shlema: Laya Shabinsky by Sarah and Arnie Swedler Archie and Lillian Taller Memorial Fund In Honour of: Morris Kimmel Wishing you a healthy and happy New Year by Gaye, Joel, Adam, Juline, Jayson and Daniel Taller Anna and Samuel Wex Family Fund In Memory of: Tonia Hirsch by Anna and Sam Wex In Honour of: Joan and Russell Kronick Mazal tov and our very best wishes on the birth of your granddaughter, Olivia by Anna and Sam Wex Residents Feeding Program In Memory of: Chaike Kaiserman by Mara and Isaac Muzikansky Kiddish Fund In Honour of: Rabbi Levy and Mrs. Dina Teitlebaum Mazal

****************

IN HONOUR OF: Naomi and Allan Cracower Mazal tov on your anniversary and wishing you a Shana Tova by Lea and Yitzhak Kalin Lilly Feig Shana Tova and all the best for health and happiness in the New Year by Zahava, Barry, Miriam and Asher Farber Raina and Chaim Feig Shana Tova and all the best for health and happiness in the New Year by Zahava, Barry, Miriam and Asher Farber Ruth and Dale Fyman Mazal tov on the birth of your granddaughter and Shana Tova to you and your family by Esty and Fern Bybelezer; and Francine and Allen Schwartzberg Arlene and Norman Glube Wishing you a very happy and healthy New Year by Bev, Bryan, Alison and Robbie Glube Libby Glube Wishing you a very happy and healthy New Year by Bev, Bryan, Alison and Robbie Glube Linda and Steven Kerzner and family Shana Tova and all the best for health and happiness in the New Year by Zahava, Barry, Miriam and Asher Farber Shelli and Steven Kimmel and family Shana Tova and all the best for health and happiness in the New Year by Zahava, Barry, Miriam and Asher Farber Joy and Seymour Mender and family Wishing you a happy New Year. Thank you for all the things you have done for my family. Good health always and G-d bless by Sophia Morbe Margo and Judah Silverman and family Shana Tova and all the best for health and happiness in the New Year by Zahava, Barry, Miriam and Asher Farber Golda and Ned Steinman and family Shana Tova and all the best for health and happiness in the New Year by Zahava, Barry, Miriam and Asher Farber Rabbi Levy and Mrs. Dina Teitlebaum Mazal tov on the birth of your son and wishing you and your family a very healthy and happy New Year by Esty and Fern Bybelezer Dr. Mark Wolynetz Wishing you a Shana Tova and a healthy and good year by Esty and Fern Bybelezer Hillel Lodge gratefully acknowledges generous donations made by: Rose and Morrie Konick Elizabeth Lendel

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 Debra or Rhonda at 613-728-3900, extension 111, 9:30 am to 3:30 pm Monday to Thursday, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm Friday. You may also e-mail your orders to donations@hillel-ltc.com. E-mail 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.

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – October 27, 2008 – Page 21

Contrasting the Canadian and American elections By the time this column appears, the Canadian election will be behind us, and the U.S. race will be in its home stretch.

And, at the time of this writing, an MP-hopeful and a sitting MP have just left my living room after downing a glass of municipal tap water to energize them along the campaign trail.

Those politicians must not know quite what to do with me.

I was clearly keen to be canvassed – being excited by the election process as a consummate student of politics – and even sympathetic to their message. For both philosophical and pecuniary reasons, my eyes lit up when they promised me a tax break if I bought the energy-efficient washer and dryer that I’ve been longing for. But, still, I was undecided.

I’ll be honest. I watch, wistfully, the culture wars being fought south of the border, sometimes wishing we Canadians had a de facto two-party system that would let me be a latte liberal with an ‘Obamamama’ sticker affixed to my California Cruiser bicycle. Our four (or five) party system doesn’t allow me to wear my politics on my sleeve in the same self-satisfied way that I would be able to do, were I American.

Many have theorized about how the American system works in practice, particularly when economic interests don’t line up with voting preferences. In an article published on the Edge Foundation website at edge.org, University of Virginia psychologist Jonathan Haidt asks why people vote Republican – and, specifically, why many working class voters favour that party when its policies tend to hurt them economically.

Haidt suggests that the Republicans have successfully tapped into the desire of citizens to see themselves as part of a collective, while embodying the values of group loyalty, purity and respect for authority.

On the other hand, the Democrats, as he sees them, value care and fairness, and prize the rights of the individual. More to the point, the Democratic vision is to have voters weigh the merits of various policy options. But “most Democrats,” Haidt argues, “don’t understand that politics is more like religion than it is like shopping.”

The urge to be part of a community is fundamental. My daughter’s preschool is teaching select passages from Pirkei Avot this term. One teaching states that “one not separate oneself from one’s community.” Historically, this would have been essential to Jews attempting to maintain communal identity while pressures for assimilation – if only to escape antiSemitism – would have been high. And certainly for a

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preschooler whose world appears as narrow as her classroom, learning to navigate the dynamics of one’s own group rather than abandoning it altogether is an essential life skill. I recall envying my friend Nadine, who, in high school, managed to juggle dual friendship circles – she was active in a youth movement whose members mostly lived across town – while the rest of us remained narrowly dependent on the vagaries of our particular schoolyard dynamics.

In some ways, this divide between a party that stresses social mores, including well-defined social roles, and one that focuses more on how to redress inequalities, parallels the relationship between the American and Canadian political systems.

Witness the two-lectern format of the U.S. debates, with Democrats lining up behind Barack Obama and Joe Biden, Republicans rooting for John McCain and hoping Sarah Palin wouldn’t serve as such obvious Saturday Night Live fodder as she had on prime time the week earlier, and non-voters simply hoping for high entertainment.

In contrast, the Canadian debate featured a more nuanced roundtable format. And while it was perhaps easy for Conservative supporters to rally behind Stephen Harper while the other prime-ministerial hopefuls attacked his policies – Harper being the incumbent and sole non-progressive around the table – voters who prefer a more progressively ordered society had to much more finely parse the ideas being presented by the other four parties in order to know how to vote.

Self-other identity is cozy (and addictive). Policy analysis is tricky. But, ultimately, one needs to figure out what one stands for without the security of a bumper-sticker clique.

Sure, Facebook offers users the chance to join groups such as Jews for Obama, Rabbis for Obama or the Republican Jewish Coalition.

But, somehow, the sense of belonging that accompanies a ‘we-are-right-and-they-are-wrong’ mentality (the feeling that Republicans have successfully tapped into and that Democrats ignore at their peril, according to Haidt) must be trumped by a reasoned assessment of how best to order our society. Otherwise, we risk having crumbling national walls on which to paint our many clever slogans.

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Volunteer Corner is courtesy of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa. All beneficiary agencies are invited to list their volunteer opportunities.

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Can YOU make the difference?

If so, contact Lisa Bogdonov, Volunteer Coordinator of the Thelma Steinman Seniors Support Services unit: 613-722-2225, ext. 327 or Lbogdonov@jfsottawa.com.

• An elderly woman in the Carling & Woodroffe area needs help with grocery shopping on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.

• A disabled woman downtown needs help with paperwork approximately 2-3 times per month for 1-2 hours.

• An elderly gentleman in Riverside South needs transportation to and from the General Hospital to visit his wife.

• A woman downtown needs help taking a few boxes to the storage locker in her building and with organizing it a little.

• A woman who needs to participate in a therapeutic swimming program at Jack Purcell needs a ride to and from her home in Alta Vista.

• An elderly woman in the Byward Market area needs a friendly visitor to share coffee visits, trips to museums, art galleries, etc.

• An elderly lady who likes crafts & sewing would love to meet someone with similar interests to help her get out of the house once in a while.

• A gentleman who enjoys long walks and Torah study could use an occasional companion. Campus area.

• An entertaining lady who uses a scooter is looking for someone to accompany her to Carlingwood shopping centre (walking distance).

• Transportation: Drivers are needed to transport seniors to and from medical appointments, social opportunities, grocery shopping, and the like.

• Kosher Meals on Wheels: Drivers who can deliver on short notice are always at a premium, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

• Friendly Visiting: Requests come in constantly from family members needing a visitor for a shut-in. Weekly, bi-weekly or ad-hoc opportunities. Chat over coffee, take in a show, go bowling …

• TeleShalom: We are currently seeking volunteers to place weekday morning reassurance calls to isolated seniors. Each call takes approximately 2-3 minutes and can be done from your home, office or cell phone.

• Presenters: JFS hosts several monthly seniors’ luncheon programs.

We are looking for specialists, artists, musicians, and others who can present for about 45 minutes in exchange for a hot lunch in great company.

• Share Your Expertise: We receive requests for things like filling out forms, putting up a Sukkah, changing dishes for Passover, and the like. If you have an expertise to share with someone in need, please let us know.

• Miriam’s Well: This distribution program needs helpers to pack and hand out fresh fruits and vegetables on the first Monday of every month.

Please note: Mileage incurred by volunteers is always reimbursed by JFS.

THE BESS AND MOE GREENBERG FAMILY HILLEL LODGE • Bingo anyone? If you’re free on Monday nights, join us!

• Love computers? Teach our residents a great skill. Flexible timing.

Contact us!

• Student special: Your gain is our gain: Do your community hours helping our residents! Daily or weekly, at a time that suits you! University students welcome (please note: children under the age of 14 require adult accompaniment).

• Special mitzvah anyone? Bring a resident to Shabbos services (Saturdays at 9:15 am) and enjoy the fantastic Oneg with friends. Great cholent!

• Newly retired? Put Hillel Lodge volunteering in your plan. Residents welcome visitors, program assistance, all kinds of options. Pick a day, a time of day, a type of event – whatever suits your schedule. Try it out now.

• Don’t get the summertime blues. Spend time with us at concerts, BBQs, Wii tournaments and bingo.

• Thirsty? Serve drinks to residents every day at 11:30 am. A half hour gets you lots of smiles.

• Free on Fridays? Oneg Shabbat every week at 10:30 am and bingo at 2:00 pm – come join us.

• Want cashier experience in a friendly atmosphere? Come to Hillel Lodge at lunch (11:45 am to 1:30 pm Monday to Friday).

• Culture maven? Accompany our residents to museums, concerts and plays (Wednesday and Thursday afternoons).

• Tuesday special: Enjoy our special events every week at 2:15 pm.

• Shopping experts? Have fun while accompanying residents to shopping at a mall (Monday mornings).

To inquire further, please call 613-728-3900 ext. 191 or email judithw@hillel-ltc.com Students welcome (please note: children under the age of 14 require adult accompaniment)

Page 22 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – October 27, 2008

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A community without cantorial music is like a motion picture without a score

By Cantor Daniel Benlolo Editor’s note: The September 15 edition of the Bulletin included a JTA article that discussed “the death of Orthodox cantoring.” Many Orthodox congregations, particularly in the United States, are no longer employing cantors.

In this response, Cantor Daniel Benlolo of Congregation Beth Shalom discusses the wonders of cantorial music and his own efforts to keep the cantorial arts alive and vital in the congregation and in our community.

Peaceful, relaxing, exciting, festive, invigorating – these are only a few of the emotional responses that music can produce in us.

Music has the power to cause emotions to well up within us.

These feelings are spellbinding and seem to come from nowhere. Music is an extremely versatile medium of communication; it touches our very soul and leaves its imprint on us. It might not be possible to put into plain words or express this reaction in ordinary language. It can only be felt.

One day, as I was leading residents of a nursing home in a rendition of the old favourite, “My Yiddeshe Mama,” I noticed some of

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Cantor Daniel Benlolo believes cantorial music creates a mystical experience that defies explanation.

(Photo: Paul Sheffrin)

the nurses and caregivers flocking to the side of a certain resident. Still singing, I made my way through the crowd and noticed the resident whispering the lyrics of a song that clearly never left his heart and soul. Tearyeyed and incredulous, the staff turned to me and said that this resident hadn’t spoken a word for as long as they could recall.

Lay listeners may not be able to discern exactly which instruments are being played, or the key of a certain piece, yet they have no problem appreciating music as a whole. An experienced listener, on the other hand, may be able to transcribe every note, but might still be at a loss to understand why the music is so intrinsically pleasing.

Cantorial music, in particular, creates a mystical experience that defies logical explanation. Chazzanim, the cantors of old and new, stir the emotions and awaken intense feelings in our listeners.

We evoke memories of family and our Jewish heritage. We fashion new and innovative melodies and intertwine them with the old to elicit soulfulness, joy and a sense of tranquility.

This music is created from the heart and fashioned by emotion.

The wonderfully written and thought-provoking article that appeared in the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin about cantorial music and its future begs us to ask why, then, there are so few Orthodox chazzanim remaining and why even fewer are entering the world of chazzanut.

The Cantors World website – cantorsworld.com – provides us with this outlook: “Just five years ago, had you asked the Holocaustsurviving generation if the classic Jewish music of back then would make a comeback, responses would have been dubious, at best.

But Cantors World has made great strides in reviving chazzanut, and promoting it in a way that a vast following of young and old, both religious and secular has ensued. What once was an age-old art, expected only – if anywhere – in the synagogue, can now be found in prestigious concert halls around the world. It has brought Jewish music recognition and respect in the secular world.”

But the question remains, what does one do to “keep the music alive?”

In my own way, I strive to keep our beautiful musical heritage alive in my community. I keep it alive by producing community choirs

that bring to life long lost cantorial pieces, by organizing concerts that reach out and appeal to both Ashkenazic and Sephardic cultures, and by communicating the art and beauty of chazzanut through cantorial classes. A CD I put together with members of the Beth Shalom Choir will be made available to the community and will enable the listener to lead weekday services.

It will also include synagogue liturgical melodies. In an upcoming project, young people in my congregation will lead part of the services in hope that, one day, they will acquire the indescribable feeling of praying to God through music. I look forward with optimism that the trend will shift the other way.

A personal note: In the midst of writing this article, the world has lost a great man and a great paytan (poet/singer) at the ripe age of 97 years. My father, Moshe, was the catalyst that propelled me into the world of chazzanut.

It was while sitting next to my father in synagogue and feeling a reverberation piercing through me as he sang whole-heartedly to God, that I discovered my calling.

It is that emotion that I try to emulate through my music.

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – October 27, 2008 – Page 23

FOUNDATION DONATIONS A gift forever

Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation Donations To make a donation and/or send a tribute card, call Carolene Preap (613-798-4696 ext. 232) e-mail: cpreap@jewishottawa.com • website: www.OJCF.ca

The Board of Directors of the Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation acknowledges with thanks contributions to the following funds as of October 3, 2008.

MARJORIE AND BEN ACHBAR COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Larry Arron by Marjorie and Ben Achbar.

IRVING AND BETTY ALTMAN ENDOWMENT FUND Happy and healthy New Year to: Betty Altman and family by Helen Hochberg.

ANNE AND LOUIS ARRON MEMORIAL FUND In memory of: Esther Maslin by Daphne and Stanly Arron.

Join us in building our community by supporting these local agencies AJA 50+ ENDOWMENT FUND In appreciation to: Ozzie Silverman by AJA 50+.

In memory of: Earl Blevis by AJA 50+.

GREENBERG FAMILIES LIBRARY ENDOWMENT FUND Speedy recovery to; Rhoda Levitan by Roger Greenberg and Cindy Feingold.

HILLEL ACADEMY ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Larry Arron by Michelle and Richard Sachs.

Stephen Dworkin by Michelle and Richard Sachs.

HILLEL LODGE LEGACY FUND In memory of: Moe Held by Linda and Ron Morris; and by Sorin Edelstein.

SOLOWAY JEWISH COMMUNITY SUMMER CAMP SCHOLARSHIP FUND In memory of: Peter Braun by Dawn Paterson; and by the Rymberg family.

Stephen Dworkin by the Rymberg family.

AKIVA EVENING HIGH SCHOOL ENDOWMENT FUND SHIRLEY AND SHIER BERMAN FUND FOR OTTAWA JEWISH ARCHIVES ROSE AND LOUIS ARCHBAR MEMORIAL FUND MENDEL AND VALERIE GOOD HOLOCAUST CONTINUING EDUCATION FUND HY HOCHBERG MEMORIAL LECTURE FUND JEWISH COMMUNITY CEMETERY HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL FUND JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES ENDOWMENT FUND JEWISH STUDENTS ASSOCIATION - HILLEL

JEWISH YOUTH LIBRARY OF OTTAWA ENDOWMENT FUND DAVID “THE BEAR” KARDASH CAMP B’NAI BRITH MEMORIAL FUND ADINA BEN PORAT MACHON SARAH TORAH EDUCATION FUND OTTAWA JEWISH CEMETERIES ZICHARON FUND OTTAWA JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY FUND OTTAWA MODERN JEWISH SCHOOL FUND OTTAWA POST JEWISH WAR VETERANS FUND DORIS BRONSTEIN TALMUD TORAH AFTERNOON SCHOOL FUND OTTAWA TORAH INSTITUTE TORAH EDUCATION FUND MARTIN GLATT PARLIAMENT LODGE B’NAI BRITH PAST PRESIDENTS’ FUND RAMBAM MAIMONIDES JEWISH CONTINUITY FUND GABY SASSOON FOR VICTIMS OF TERROR IN ISRAEL MEMORIAL FUND SOLOWAY JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTRE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FUND JEWISH MEN’S SOFTBALL LEAGUE FUND SARA AND ZEEV VERED ISRAEL CULTURAL PROGRAM FUND SOLOWAY JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTRE ENDOWMENT FUND SOLOWAY JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTRE YOUTH SERVICES FUND TORAH ACADEMY OF OTTAWA TORAH EDUCATION FUND YITZHAK RABIN HIGH SCHOOL FUND IN MEMORY OF EVA WINTHROP

YETTA AND LAWRENCE ARRON ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Larry Arron by Laurie and Andrea Arron; and by Carole and Norman Zagerman.

IRVING AND ESTHER BELLMAN MEMORIAL FUND In memory of: Stephen Dworkin by Mitchell Bellman and Nicola Hamer and family.

TILLIE AND HARRY CHERM MEMORIAL FUND Birthday wishes to: Donald Cherm by Sylvia and Sol Kaiman.

ARTHUR AND LINDA COGAN FUND FOR YOUNG WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP In memory of: Toby Appel by Arthur and Linda Cogan.

Birthday wishes to: Dr. Norm Barwin by Arthur and Linda Cogan.

Happy and healthy New Year to: Ethel and Irving Taylor by Arthur and Linda Cogan.

Danny Cantor by Arthur and Linda Cogan.

Marcia Cantor by Arthur and Linda Cogan.

Rhoda Levitan by Arthur and Linda Cogan.

David and Adele Loeb by Arthur and Linda Cogan.

Congratulations to: Josee Posen on receiving her doctorate by Arthur and Linda Cogan.

Sandi and Eddy Cook on the birth of their grandson by Arthur and Linda Cogan.

SANDI AND EDDY COOK ENDOWMENT FUND Speedy recovery to: Rhoda Levitan by Sandi and Eddy Cook.

Laya Shabinsky by Sandi and Eddy Cook.

In memory of: Moshe Benlolo by Sandi and Eddy Cook.

SELMA AND BARRY DAVIS ENDOWMENT FUND Mazal Tov to: Ethel and Irving Taylor on their three granddaughters’ graduation by Selma and Barry Davis.

NATHAN AND REBA DIENER ENDOWMENT FUND Anniversary wishes to: Lily and Jerry Penso on their 50th wedding anniversary by Reba Diener.

MORRIE AND HELEN EISEN ENDOWMENT FUND Happy and healthy New Year to: Moe Greenspoon by Helen Eisen.

JEFFREY AND LOIS EISEN FAMILY FUND In memory of: Abe Padolsky by Jeff and Lois Eisen.

LESLIE AND CORNELIA ENGEL ENDOWMENT FUND Birthday wishes to: Saritte Engel by Michael Atkin.

SAM AND SUSAN FIRESTONE ENDOWMENT FUND Happy and healthy New Year to: Sandi and Eddy Cook by Sam and Susan Firestone.

Peter and Pam Stelcner by Sam and Susan Firestone.

Continued on page 24

Page 24 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – October 27, 2008

FOUNDATION DONATIONS Peter and Debra Szirtes by Sam and Susan Firestone.

Phil and Susan Firestone by Sam and Susan Firestone.

Ida Firestone by Sam and Susan Firestone.

Irving and Claire Bercovitich by Sam and Susan Firestone.

Bruce Bercovitch by Sam and Susan Firestone.

Jason and Sabrina Bercovitch by Sam and Susan Firestone.

Brian and Alicia Bailey by Sam and Susan Firestone.

Lawrence and Sharon Weinstein by Sam and Susan Firestone.

Stuart and Lori Chadnick by Sam and Susan Firestone.

Norman Lieff and Francine Greenspoon by Sam and Susan Firestone.

Mark and Cindi Resnick by Sam and Susan Firestone.

Stephen and Jocelyn Greenberg by Sam and Susan Firestone.

Joany and Andy Katz by Sam and Susan Firestone.

David Resnick and Elissa Lieff by Sam and Susan Firestone.

Beverly and Irving Swedko by Sam and Susan Firestone.

Norman and Elsa Swedko by Sam and Susan Firestone.

Howie and Donna Nadolny by Sam and Susan Firestone.

Sam and Susan Firestone by Pamela, Jeremy, Max and Isaac Rosenberg In memory of: Moshe Benlolo by Susan and Sam Firestone.

Happy and healthy New Year to: The Schwartzman family by Bev, Bryan, Alison and Rob Glube.

Happy and healthy New Year to: Linda and Steven Kerzner by Pauline Hochberg and family.

HOWARD HERZL GOLDBERG SCHOLARSHIP FUND Happy and health New Year to: Eileen Goldberg by Helene, Shawn, Chaim and Aaron Goldberg

DOROTHY AND HY HYMES ENDOWMENT FUND Birthday wishes to: Susan Lieff by Dorothy and Hy Hymes.

STAN AND LIBBY GLUBE FAMILY FUND Birthday wishes to: Sid Lithwick on his 95th birthday by Bev, Bryan, Alison and Rob Glube.

HY AND PAULINE HOCHBERG ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Jules Loeb by Pauline Hochberg.

IBOLYA AND HOWARD GOLDBERG FAMILY FUND Happy and healthy New Year to: Julia and Sean Guttmann and family by Helene, Shawn, Chaim and Aaron Goldberg.

Ibolya Goldberg by Helene, Shawn, Chaim and Aaron Goldberg.

Sheila Guttmann by Helene, Shawn, Chaim and Aaron Goldberg.

Ina and Herb Scheer by Helene, Shawn, Chaim and Aaron Goldberg.

Eileen Goldberg by Ibolya Goldberg.

Sheila Guttman by Ibolya Goldberg.

Julia and Sean Guttmann and family by Ibolya Goldberg.

Mr. Shawn and Dr. Helene Goldberg and sons by Ibolya Goldberg.

R’fuah Sh’lemah to: Ethel Taylor by Ibolya Goldberg.

JEFFREY AND ENID GOULD FAMILY FUND Mazal Tov to: Enid and Jeff Gould on the engagement of Andrew to Kendra by Sally and Morton Taller.

Saul and Edna Goldfarb B’nai Mitzvah Fund ❏ Is your child between the age

of 12 and 18 years of age? ❏ Has your child recently celebrated or is about to celebrate their bar or bat mitzvah? ❏ Has your child been wondering how they can become an active philanthropic member of the Jewish community? ❏ Is your child looking for a way he or she can practise tzedakah?

If you answered yes to one or more of the questions above, the Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation is the perfect tool for your child to fulfill their philanthropic needs, and will give your child the opportunity to get involved in the life-long practice of tzedakah. In addition they will be answering the call of “Tikkun Olam”, to tend to the well-being of our community.

For as little as $250.00, your child can open a B’nai Mitzvah

Fund which will grow with them throughout their life and forever, continuing to give tzedakah in their name. Saul and Edna Goldfarb, founders of the B’nai Mitzvah Club, are prepared to match any amount from $250 up to $1000 that your child donates to set up his or her own fund. In accepting these matching funds, your child agrees to select a Jewish agency in Ottawa or Israel as the named beneficiary agency to receive the income derived from their B’nai Mitzvah Fund.

We invite your child to join the B’nai Mitzvah Club. Call us today at 798-4696 ext 252. It will be a decision that will change and enhance their lives forever!

CHERYL AND ANDRE IBGHY ENDOWMENT FUND Mazal Tov to: Ruth and Reuven Malz and family on the arrival of Kiarra Lily by Cheryl and Andre Ibghy and family.

LIBBY AND STAN KATZ FAMILY COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT FUND Happy and healthy New Year to: Cila Farber by Libby and Stan Katz.

ARTHUR AND SARAH KIMMEL MEMORIAL FUND In memory of: Moshe Benlolo by Daniel and Marilyn Kimmel.

JACOB AND ESTHER KIZELL MEMORIAL FUND Mazal Tov to: Lisa and Jeffrey Flesher and family on Benjamin Jack’s Bar Mitzvah by Geety Freedman.

SHARON KOFFMAN ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND In memory of: Larry Arron by Sandra Zagon.

Congratulations to: Dan Greenberg on receiving the JFS Elaine Rabin Social Service Award by Sandra Zagon.

MELVIN KOSTOVE MEMORIAL FUND Birthday wishes to: Moe Greenspoon by Valerie Eisen, Mark, Lorne and Butch Zinman Mazal Tov to: Bonnie and Chuck Merovitz on the birth of their grandson by Valerie Eisen, Mark, Lorne and Butch Zinman ISSIE AND EDITH LANDAU ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Margaret Colwin by Edie Landau and family.

In observance of the Yahrzeit of: Louis Goldberg, a dear father by Edie Landau.

Rose Landau, a dear mother-in-law by Edie Landau.

Anniversary wishes to: Jessie and Stan Goldstein on their 50th wedding anniversary by Edie Landau.

NORMAN AND ISABEL LESH ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Larry Arron by Norm and Isabel Lesh.

Mazal Tov to: Irving and Claire Bercovitch on the birth of their granddaughter by Isabel and Norm Lesh.

Jason and Sabrina Bercovitch on the birth of their daughter by Isabel and Norm Lesh.

RHODA AND JOE LEVITAN AND FAMILY COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT FUND R’fuah Sh’lemah to: Rhoda Levitan by Sherri and Jack Torjman; and by Joany and Andy Katz.

JOSEPH AND EVELYN LIEFF ENDOWMENT FUND Mazal Tov to: Sandi and Eddy Cook on the birth of their grand-

son by Evelyn and Joe Lieff.

In memory of: Peter Braun by Norm Lieff and Francine Greenspoon.

Happy and Healthy New Year to: Dr. Susan Lieff by Blossom Ried DAVID LOEB FAMILY FUND In memory of: Jules Loeb by Carole and Norman Zagerman.

ANNE (BLAIR) AND HYMAN MAYBERGER ENDOWMENT FUND Happy and healthy New Year to: Anne Blair by Shelley and Morris Schachnow and family.

BONNIE AND CHUCK MEROVITZ FAMILY FUND In memory of: Stacie Mendel’s brother by Bonnie and Chuck Merovitz and family.

Roslyn Cogan by Bonnie and Chuck Merovitz and family.

Abe Fleming by Bonnie and Chuck Merovitz and family.

Mazal Tov to: Joan and Russell Kronick on the birth of their granddaughter by Bonnie and Chuck Merovitz.

JEAN AND MAX NAEMARK ENDOWMENT FUND Mazal Tov to: Jean Naemark on the birth of her great-grandson

by Bea Torontow.

Birthday wishes to: Pearl Torontow by Bea Torontow.

OTTAWA JEWISH COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT FUND Happy and healthy New Year to: The Worb family by Julie, Jacob and Willie Miller The Miller family by Julie, Jacob and Willie Miller The Rogul family by Julie, Jacob and Willie Miller Lianne Miller by Julie, Jacob and Willie Miller Sam Miller by Julie, Jacob and Willie Miller GERALD AND MARY-BELLE PULVERMACHER FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND Birthday wishes to: Jonathon Wiseman on his 30th birthday by Gerry and Mary-Bell Pulvermacher.

FRANCES AND MORTON ROSS FAMLY FUND In memory of: Abe Fleming by Dr. Oscar and Goldie Herscovitch; by Beverly Greenberg; and by Gerald Sheff and Shanitha Kachan.

SAMUEL AND RUTH ROTHMAN MEMORIAL FUND In memory of: Toby Appel by Corinne and Sheldon Taylor.

Peter Braun by Corinne and Sheldon Taylor.

Happy and healthy New Year to: Danny Cantor and family by Corinne and Sheldon Taylor.

Mazal Tov to: Mendy Taller on the recent marriage of Nathalie

by Corinne and Sheldon Taylor.

SHELLEY AND SID ROTHMAN FAMILY FUND Mazal Tov to: Lois and Jeffery Eisen on the marriage of Allan to Natalie Goldman by Shelley Rothman and family.

Continued on page 25

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – October 27, 2008 – Page 25

FOUNDATION DONATIONS In memory of: Rabbi Michael Levenson by Shelley Rothman and family.

HERMINA SCHACHNOW MEMORIAL FUND In memory of: Moshe Benlolo by Charles Schachnow and family.

FAY AND JOSEPH SHULMAN ENDOWMENT FUND Happy and healthy New Year to: Brian and Nadine Mordfield by Fay Shulman; and

by Marcia and Charles Rak. Sarah and Maurice Rak by Marcia and Charles Rak.

Ida Gaffen by Beth and Morton Roodman.

JUSTIN WAKTER MITZVAH FUND In memory of: Norman Taller by Sally and Morton Taller.

Happy and healthy New Year to: Lynda, Alex, Justin and Tara Wakter by Sally and Morton Taller.

Anne and Henry Steinberg by Sally and Morton Taller.

THE TARANTOUR FAMILY FUND In memory of: Moshe Benlolo by Anne Lazear and family.

MIRIAM AND LOUIS WEINER ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Myer Vexler by Miriam and Lou Weiner.

MILDRED AND PERCY WEINSTEIN ENDOWMENT FUND Congratulations to: Jessica and Mark Borenstein on the birth of their son Jack by Millie Weinstein.

LORNE AND LAURIE SHUSTERMAN FAMILY FUND In appreciation to: Ezra Miller by Lorne and Laurie Shusterman.

ROBERT WENER AND LYNNE ORECK WENER FAMILY FUND Mazal Tov to: Bob Wener on his new position by Solly Patrontasch.

JACK AND LINDA SMITH ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Rabbi Michael Levenson by Leslie Smith and family.

ZIPES KARANOFSKY FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Mary Maheral by Helen and Rick Zipes.

David Balmer by Helen and Rick Zipes.

JAY B. TALLER MEMORIAL FUND In memory of: Toby Appel by Connie and Gerald Steinberg.

Moses Taller by Sally and Morton Taller.

Archie Talor by Beth and Morton Roodman.

Matti Wasserberger by Beth Roodman.

THE SAUL AND EDNA GOLDFARB B’NAI MITZVAH PROGRAM STACEY SAMANTHA KATZ B’NAI MITZVAH FUND In memory of: Fred Pinkus by Joany and Andy Katz.

Contributions may be made online at www.OJCF.ca or by contacting Carolene Preap at 613-798-4696 extension 232, Monday to Friday. We have voice mail. Our e-mail address is donation@ojcf.ca. Attractive cards are sent to convey the appropriate sentiments. All donations are acknowledged with an official receipt for income tax purposes.

We accept Visa, MasterCard and Amex.

Bulk packages of Tribute Cards available at the OJCF! Bulk packages of 18 cards or more can be purchased for a donation of $15 per card.

This is a $3 savings per card!!

Ordering in bulk makes donating to your fund, to your family fund or to your favourite agency’s fund easy and cost effective Call today to purchase your cards in support of your Jewish community.

613.798.4696. extension 232

www.OJCF.ca

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Page 26 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – October 27, 2008

The fastest wit in the wild West Rabbi Harvey Rides Again

By Steve Sheinkin Jewish Lights Publishing 2008 128 pages. Ages 8-12.

Two years ago, I reviewed a graphic novel with strange black and white cartoon-like images and an equally unusual skinny hero. Titled The Adventures of Rabbi Harvey: A Graphic Novel of Jewish Wisdom and Wit in the Wild West, it got me chuckling, chortling and laughing from the get-go.

Although I didn’t expect a sequel, I was pleased and a tiny bit anxious when Rabbi Harvey Rides Again appeared in my mailbox.

Would it, could it, be as good as the first book? Would its humour run dry or the characters grow stale? Would the hero I called “the thinking man’s Jerry Lewis,” find new ways to make me laugh?

I’m delighted to report that Rabbi Harvey Rides Again is every bit as good as the first book, maybe even a little better. Or perhaps I’m just reading about this funny looking, intelligent guy who rights social wrongs, answers questions, encourages folks and takes on crooks and Bad Bubbe in the political and social environment of the current American election campaign.

This time, I’m imagining a rabbinically trained Barack Obama with a beard and a wicked sense of humour. Yep, it works. Perhaps we should let him in on the joke? If putting faith into action is what American politics is all about, Rabbi Harvey of Elk Springs, Colorado, is a unique role model.

For example, when the governor of Colorado and his political pals reject a hungry Rabbi Harvey wearing his old clothes, but greet him warmly when he reappears a bit later in a new suit, the rabbi knows just what to do. Well, almost.

But he does put those politicos in their place.

As for trickle-down economics, Rabbi Harvey’s version

Kid Lit Deanna Silverman

of multiply economics stops it in its tracks. By wit alone, he uses the robbers’ own greed to once again rid Elk Springs of those deadly – and dumb – shoot-‘em-up outlaws, Wasserman and son. Anyone for birthing scissors and gold pocket watches? How about dying guns?

While I can’t claim Rabbi Harvey deals with climate change, he does rule in favour of the wind and uses the cold to change the mind of a stingy woman. In doing all that, he also finds a teacher for the school, cooks a few meals, sings some songs and perhaps has a girlfriend. But we’ll have to wait for the next sequel to be sure of the girlfriend.

If you haven’t got the picture so far, here are a few more clues. Think classic Jewish wisdom and trickster humour.

Add the shtick of the Wise Men of Chelm and some aphorisms and adages from the Talmud and Pirkei Avot. Now remember the rapid fire, tongue-in-cheek mishegas of Mel Brooks, Sid Caesar and Danny Kaye. Put the resulting image in an old-fashioned, rootin’-tootin’ Western movie.

The result: Rabbi Harvey Rides Again.

Oh, my, I almost forgot to say he’s a keen role model for kids too. Imagine asking a group of children to take on a case that, well just maybe, is stumping Rabbi Harvey. Yep, he gives it a try. Or perhaps it’s just that the rabbi is too humble to compete with King Solomon in public?

In 10 short graphic stories, Rabbi Harvey takes on all

By Steve Sheinkin

challengers with fast banter, snappy one-liners, strange images, a Talmudic trick or two and the aw-shucks modesty of Gary Cooper. Nothing is straight forward, but, somehow, witty trails bring happy endings. You’ll start chuckling on page one and won’t stop until the book is finished as Rabbi Harvey Rides Again.

So, who did you like in the great Canadian debates?

If you watched the Canadian political debates, you will realize that the leaders were all playing to their supporters, trying to project an image and trying to help create a narrative about the exchange that their supporters would be able to sell to others. Here is my synopsis.

Elizabeth May looked like she had worse hair than the male leaders and during the debates kept interrupting and attacking Steven Harper with pointed broadsides accusing him of fraud on environmental issues.

To her enemies, she looked like the embodiment of something strange, violent and whimsical: the crazy woman from the wilderness.

To May’s supporters, she showed no fear in speaking truth to power and showing that the emperor had no clothes. She was dramatic and charismatic and mastered substance! Who

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cares what she looks like for God’s sake? That’s just so sexist!

Harper looked prime ministerial: aloof, objective, calm and confident, well dressed, well combed and well briefed.

To his enemies, he looked like a cold, calculating machine, repeating memorized lines with little or no emotion and unwilling to admit the illogic of his positions and the emptiness of his repeated phrases. He was a little too smarmy and smooth.

To his supporters, Harper looked like the lone hero fighting off wolves in the wilderness, the staunch defender of their principles, his steely eyes causing his enemies to quail, if not desist, in their dastardly attacks. He did a good job of defending against all those attacks, eh?

Stéphane Dion looked only a little professorial with his steel rimmed glasses and rheumy eyes, but his clothes fit him and he was not dishevelled.

To his enemies, he was a guy who can’t really get across in English and who was panicky, shrill and trying to attack at every opportunity because his ideas, too complicated for the ordinary person, weren’t selling.

To his supporters, Dion was able to communicate his vision and his emotional commitment to it in French and could clearly hold his own in English when criticizing Harper. He’s obviously so much more intelligent and truly believes in his vision for Canada. Ah, if he were only a little more at ease in English, the election would be in the bag!

Jack Layton was dapper, his moustache neatly trimmed and the bald spot on his head apparently polished. It looked so shiny.

To his enemies, he is a glib blowhard who has a cynical thing to say about everything, going on and on about the working man while his own outfits look like they come from Holt

Humour me, please Rubin Friedman Renfrew; a dangerous demagogue who would lead our country to perdition.

To his supporters, Layton has a tremendous sense of humour and timing and made mincemeat out of Harper. His quick, rapier-like comments that pinpointed Harper’s weaknesses make him obviously superior to everyone else. He is so good he could be a comedian. And don’t Canadians consider him to be a strong leader? That’s good enough for us.

Finally, there is the silver-haired Gilles Duceppe; charming, very European in his clothes and looking good in a blue suit.

To his enemies, he has no business being in national debates.

Everything he says has the purpose of weakening Canada and setting anglophones and francophones against each other. Taking cheap shots is all he does in the debates because he is not really committed to the country. He can afford to simply criticize because that’s what he does no matter who is in power.

To his supporters, Duceppe is smooth and impressive. He has greater facility in getting his points across in English compared to Dion who seems so stiff. Anyway, he’s one of les nôtres isn’t he? I love it when he socks it to the Anglos!

So which of these stories did you like? And who did you vote for?

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – October 27, 2008 – Page 27

Made with Love

Say, I do like brussels sprouts!

There are very few vegetables I won’t eat. Although I have tried many times, I just can’t eat beets.

I have tried them roasted, boiled, grilled and even puréed in soup. I have tried red ones, golden ones and striped ones.

But, hard as I try, I just can’t seem to swallow that earthy mouthful. I have a file folder where I keep recipes that appeal to me and that I may get around to trying one day. It is packed with delicious-sounding beet recipes. I really want to like beets, but I just can’t seem to do it.

Brussels sprouts, on the other hand, I never really wanted to like. I had them once, didn’t like them and crossed them off my list.

Then I married a brussels sprouts lover. In the interest of

Maple-Glazed Braised Brussel Sprouts Serves 4 This recipe was adapted from the November 1995 issue of Cook’s Illustrated. Braising – cooking food with a small amount of liquid in a tightly covered pan – produces perfectly cooked brussels sprouts. It keeps them tender and they stay bright green. The addition of maple syrup was my idea and it really complements the slightly nutty flavour of brussels sprouts.

1 pound brussels sprouts 1/2 cup water 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons butter or pareve margarine 1/3 cup pure maple syrup Rinse brussels sprouts. Trim stem end and any loose leaves.

Bring sprouts, water and salt to boil in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Lower heat, cover and simmer (shaking pan once or twice to redistribute sprouts), until knife tip inserted into a brussels sprout centre meets no resistance, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain well.

Melt butter in medium skillet over medium heat.

Whisk in maple syrup. Cook until bubbly, about 30 seconds. Stir in sprouts, coating well with butter-maple mixture. Cook, stirring frequently, until heated through, about 3 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Serve.

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full disclosure, I should let you know that he also loves liver.

For the first 20 years of our marriage, I refused to cook brussels sprouts.

Then, on his 50th birthday, I decided to surprise him and make him brussels sprouts for dinner.

Some guys get a surprise party or a sports car.

Roger got brussels sprouts.

I spent several hours researching how to cook them and discovered a method in Cook’s Illustrated that promised delicious sprouts. They recommend braising, which refers to cooking food with a small amount of liquid in a tightly covered pan. Since Roger loves maple syrup, I decided to braise the sprouts and glaze them with maple syrup. He loved them.

Now, every year on his birthday, he gets Maple Glazed Braised Brussels Sprouts. I even eat one or two.

Cindy Feingold

Then, in September, I had a brussels sprouts epiphany.

I was at a dinner party at my girlfriend Marla’s house. It was an outdoor buffet and the backyard was candlelit. I helped myself to a large spoonful of everything on the table. When we sat down to eat, I took a forkful of what looked like very finely shredded coleslaw.

It was amazing. I ate all of my coleslaw and then snuck some off Roger’s plate. When I went back to the buffet table to get more, the bowl was empty. Everyone loved that salad. Then I found out that it was not coleslaw at all. It was Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Pecorino and Almonds.

I felt like that character in Green Eggs and Ham. I spent my whole life thinking I do not like brussels sprouts, and then I tried them raw.

Say, I do like brussels sprouts! And you will too.

Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad with Pecorino and Almonds The idea for this salad came from the October 2005 issue of Gourmet Magazine. Marla changed it from the original by using slivered almonds instead of walnuts. Either would be delicious.

The original recipe also called for shaving the brussels sprouts with a hand-held, adjustable blade. Marla figured that would take way too long so she just used the slicing disc of the Cuisinart; it worked perfectly.

1 1/2 lb brussels sprouts 1 cup slivered almonds (3 1/2 oz), toasted 1/2 cup finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese 1/4 cup olive oil

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Wash brussels sprouts and trim off any loose outer leaves and slice off about ½ inch from the stem end.

Slice brussels sprouts thinly, using the slicing disc of the Cuisinart Food Processor.

Brussels sprouts can be sliced 3 hours ahead and chilled, covered.

Transfer sliced brussels sprouts to a large bowl. Mix in cheese, olive oil and lemon juice. Taste for seasoning.

Add salt and pepper, if desired.

Just before serving, toss in slivered almonds.

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Page 28 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – October 27, 2008

WHAT’S GOING ON October 27 to November 9, 2008 ON-GOING PROGRAMS Deadly Medicine: Creating the Master Race exhibition, through display and specific programs, looks at how the Nazis used eugenics to justify mass murder and, ultimately, the Holocaust, Canadian War Museum until November 11. Info: 819-776-8600.

Holocaust Education Program 2008, sponsored by the Shoah Committee of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa. For complete program until November 23 see www.jewishottawa.com.

CANDLELIGHTING BEFORE Oct 31 Nov 7

✡ ✡

5:33 pm 4:23 pm

WEEKLY EVENTS TUESDAYS Israeli Folkdancing for Children and Adults, no experience or partner required. Hillel Academy, 31 Nadolny Sachs Private, 6:30 pm. Info: 613-722-9323.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30 CHOICES, sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Ottawa Women’s Division, with guest speaker Ruth Andrew Ellenson, Agudath Israel Congregation, 1400 Coldrey Avenue, 6:00 pm.

Info: 613-798-4696, ext. 270.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2 The World of Yiddish Today, sponsored by the SJCC, first of two lectures by Professor Rebecca Margolis (second on Nov. 16), which looks at how Yiddish is used in secular circles worldwide, 10:30 am. Info: 613-798-9818, ext. 254.

Newcomers’ Tea, sponsored by the Ladies’ Reception Committee of the Jewish Federation of Ot-

tawa, 5-65 Whitemarl Drive, 2:30 pm. Info: 613-727-1917.

History of Jews in China, sponsored by Emunah Women of Ottawa, supper and talk by Mr. Su Zhe, first secretary in the Embassy of People’s Republic of China in Canada, 11 Clemow Avenue, 6:00 pm. Info: 613-241-5613.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3 Kosher: A Diet for the Soul, sponsored by Ottawa Torah Center Chabad, Loblaws and the Ottawa Vaad HaKashrut, three-week seminar on the ins and outs of the kosher diet, Loblaws College Square, Woodroffe Avenue and Baseline Road, 8:00 pm. Info: 613843-0497.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5 Members Meeting, Jewish Federation of Ottawa, 7:00 pm.

Info: 613-798-4696, ext. 236.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6 The Kibbitz Club, sponsored

For a further listings visit www.jewishottawa.org/ calendar/planitjewish

by Jewish Family Services and Congregation Beth Shalom, topic: Preventing Falls, 151 Chapel Street, 12:00 pm. Info: 613-7893501, ext. 223.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9 “Introduction to Recon-

structionist Judaism,” sponsored by the Ottawa Reconstructionist Havurah, an informative seminar presented by rabbinical student David Katz, 9:30 am. Info: 613-239-4988.

Kristallnacht – 70th Anniversary Commemoration of

the Night of Broken Glass, sponsored by the Shoah Committee of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, with keynote speaker The Honourable David Kilgour, Parliament Hill, West Wing, room 200, 6:30 pm. Info: 613-7984696, ext. 253.

COMING SOON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10 “They Called Me Mayer July: Painted Memories of a Jewish Childhood in Poland before the Holocaust,” sponsored by the Greenberg Families Library, Mayer Kirshenblatt discusses his early life in pre-war Poland through his colourful paintings, 7:30 pm.

Info: 613-798-9818, ext. 254.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12 11th Annual Celebrity Sports Dinner, sponsored

by SJCC, “A Tribute to Team Canada,” money raised goes to the Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre Foundation, the Sens Foundation, Rogers House and the SJCC, Civic Centre Salons, 5:30 pm.

Info: 613-798-9818, ext. 242.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23 Chanukah Gift Fair, sponsored by the Vered Israel Cultural Centre, 9:30 am.

Info: 613-798-9818, ext. 243.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24 Jewish National Fund of Ottawa Negev Dinner, honouring Barbara Crook and Dan Greenberg; keynote speaker Ambassador Dennis Ross, special adviser to Senator Barack Obama and lead negotiator on Israeli-Palestinian issues for former U.S. presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, Museum of Civilization, 6:00 pm.

Info: 613-798-2411.

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 Community Campus of Ottawa Inc. Organizations which would like their events to be listed, no matter where they are to be held, should make sure they are recorded by Benita Siemiatycki, calendar coordinator at 613-798-4696 ext. 227. We have voice mail. Accurate details must be provided and all events must be open to the Jewish public. You may fax to 798-4695 or email to bsiemiatycki@ewishottawa.com.

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Condolences Condolences are extended to the family of: Lillian Gould Berestein, Florida Alyce Cohen Moshe Grossman Bela Lipnowski David Molot Max Steinberg Harry Torontow Steve Waserman Shirley Weiner Shelley Wolf May their memory be a blessing always.

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