Ottawa jewish bulletin 2010 02 08(inaccessible)

Plant A Tree For All Reasons

Jewish National Fund of Ottawa Tel: (613) 798-2411 Fax: (613) 798-0462

✡

ottawa jewish

To Remember • To Congratulate • To Honour • To Say “I Care” •

Moe and Martin

page 17

www.ottawajewishbulletin.com Ottawa Jewish Bulletin Publishing Co. Ltd. •

bulletin volume 74, no. 8

february 8, 2010

21 Nadolny Sachs Private, Ottawa, Ontario K2A 1R9

•

Publisher: Mitchell Bellman

•

shevat 24, 5770

Editor: Michael Regenstreif $2.00

Irving Greenberg Family Cancer Centre launched; first patients expected in April

By Benita Baker It was standing room only, January 22, at the grand opening of the Irving Greenberg Family Cancer Centre at the Queensway Carleton Hospital. Clearly, the opening of the facility – which will reduce wait times and serve 1,300 cancer patients per year from Ottawa and the Valley – was a highly anticipated event.

Although the centre will not begin caring for patients until early-April, the opening ceremony celebrated the completion of construction and the official turning over of the centre to the Ottawa Hospital Regional Cancer Program.

On hand were numerous local and provincial politicians, including Premier Dalton McGuinty, whose government committed $82.5 million to the centre, and Ot-

tawa West-Nepean MPP Jim Watson. Standing out among the crowd of well wishers was the jubilant husband and wife team of Barbara Crook and Dan Greenberg.

“It’s almost mind-boggling to be inside this building that bears my father’s name,” said Greenberg, whose family reportedly donated $9 million to the building.

Irving Greenberg, founder of Minto Developments Inc., died of cancer 19 years ago. He was the son of impoverished immigrant parents who amassed a fortune in real estate and generously shared it with the arts, education, healthcare and the Jewish community.

Greenberg described his dad as “a caring husband, uncle, father, employer and human being,” who challenged those around him to keep growing and developing.

“He cherished both family and

community,” said Greenberg to the roar of applause.

The successful launch of the Irving Greenberg Family Cancer Centre also marks a milestone for healthcare collaboration in Ontario.

“We can move mountains in health care through simple collaboration and partnerships,” said Dr. Jack Kitts, president and CEO of the Ottawa Hospital, about the unique partnership of the Queensway Carleton Hospital and the Ottawa Hospital.

“Transparency, openness, the willing to adapt, the willingness to cooperate – that’s why it was successful,” said Queensway Carleton Hospital President and CEO Tom Schonberg in his remarks. “Can you believe that our collective dream is today a reality?”

Dan Greenberg (left) is congratulated by Premier Dalton McGuinty at the grand opening of the Irving Greenberg Family Cancer Centre.

(Photo: Trevor Lush)

(Continued on page 2)

Ian Sherman named Business Person of the Year

By Benita Baker In recognition of his outstanding professional and volunteer accomplishments, the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce named tax accountant Ian Sherman its 2009 Business Person of the Year.

“I am delighted about this award,” said Sherman. “I was especially proud as a member of the accounting profession to be recognized by the Chamber of Commerce in this manner.”

The Ottawa Business Achievement Awards annually singles out

individuals who display the remarkable combination of business acumen along with leadership in the workplace and the community.

For the 51-year-old Sherman, a tax partner at Ernst & Young since 1996, the award joins an impressive list of accolades that honour his 25-year career as a chartered accountant and community volunteer.

This past June, Sherman was a finalist for Ernst & Young’s Chairman’s Values Award, a peer-voted tribute that recognizes employees

who make a positive difference the workplace. In September 2006, he was elected a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario, the highest designation the institute confers.

But the Business Person of the Year Award is not only about business accomplishments. Community leadership is an integral criterion of the award and it is here that Sherman also shines. From coaching hockey to fundraising to event organizing, he has been an active volunteer for many years.

He served on the executive committee of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa and sat on several committees. For the past nine years, Sherman has been a member of the executive committee of the Jewish Community Centers of North America Association.

Sherman is the driving force behind several fundraising events that have become a vital source of income for several local charities.

He originated the Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner, the Soloway (Continued on page 2)

Ian Sherman

World Class Outsourcing ... and more!

613-744-6444

Publications Mail Registration No. 07519

Providing quality service to the National Capital Region since 1947!

613-744-5767

613-244-7225

613-244-4444

www.boydgroup.on.ca

Page 2 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 8, 2010

Greenberg cancer care centre ‘a great legacy’ (Continued from page 1)

Both executives highlighted the unwavering support of the Ontario government in the project and paid tribute to Dr. Hartley Stern, now executive director of the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal, who, as CEO of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre, had the idea to create a west end facility.

“He truly has been a leader in this region and the province for advancing cancer care,” said Schonberg. “It was his initial vision that brought this all to bear.”

The Irving Greenberg Family Cancer Centre will specialize in breast, prostate and colorectal cancers by providing diagnosis, treatment, surgery and ambulatory support. It will house three radiation treatment machines, two clinics and 33 chemotherapy spaces.

With the state-of-the-art facility, Ottawans, who once experienced the worst cancer wait times in the province, will now have access to faster and improved care. Considering that aging increases the risk

and occurrence of cancer, and that Ottawa is the fastest-aging region of the province, the centre will be seeing a growing number of patients.

Given the alarming cancer statistics – every week 3,300 Canadians are diagnosed with cancer; 40 per cent of females and 45 per cent of males will contract cancer in their lifetime – the Irving Greenberg Family Cancer Centre could not have come at a better time.

“My father would have been very proud of this partnership that can bring cancer care much closer to many residents,” said Greenberg.

“One of the very best things that happened to Ottawa happened in 1913,” said McGuinty. “That’s when Dan’s grandparents emigrated from Russia to Ottawa. They came with nothing and this family keeps giving us so very much.

“What a great legacy this centre is and it is an honour to have it carry the name of a wonderful man devoted to his family.”

(Left to right) MPP Jim Watson, Queensway Carleton Hospital President and CEO Tom Schonberg, Dan Greenberg and Premier Dalton McGuinty hold the “key” to the Irving Greenberg Family Cancer Centre.

(Photo: Trevor Lush)

Giving back to the community comes naturally (Continued from page 1)

Jewish Community Centre’s Annual Golf Tournament and Send-a-Child-to-Camp Campaign, as well as the Ottawa Senators Founda-

tion Annual Gala.

These initiatives, which helped to raise almost $3 million, are what brought Sherman to the attention of Bob Fisher, private banking

Naomi Bulka Memorial Blood Donor Clinic – February 15 The 2010 Naomi Bulka Memorial Blood Donor Clinic will be held on Family Day – Monday, February 15, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm – at the Canadian Blood Services office, 1575 Carling Avenue.

A blood donation is a great gift. One donation can save up to three lives!

To schedule an appointment, call 1-888-2-DONATE (24-hour hotline). For questions about the Naomi Bulka Memorial Blood Donor Clinic or to volunteer, call Harrison Freeman at 613-224-2771.

Remember, “Blood, it’s in you to give.”

manager at Scotiabank, who nominated Sherman for the Business Person of the Year award.

“I was confident that he would be an excellent candidate,” said Fisher, who is responsible for nominating the past four award winners.

“I was right. He is an outstanding guy.”

Giving back to the community comes naturally to Sherman, an Ottawa native, who grew up very close to his mother Bea’s family, the Shinders. His Uncle Sol, a former president of the Vaad Ha’Ir, was his role model. What Sherman saw in Sol was a successful lawyer, a family man and a community leader. Combine that with lively discussions about community at Shabbat dinners hosted by

his grandparents Harry and Sylvia Shinder, and it is easy to understand why, at a young age, Sherman decided he wanted to be just like his uncle.

Sherman also cites Ottawa lawyer Ron Prehogan, a former Federation chair, as a mentor. It was Prehogan who encouraged Sherman to get involved in the Jewish Community Centre (JCC). That began an 11-year association with the JCC that culminated in Sherman serving as its chair.

Working for the Jewish community earned Sherman an early hat trick of volunteer awards – the Young Leadership Award (1999) from the United Jewish Communities of North America; the Freiman Fam-

ily Young Leadership Award (1999) from the Jewish Federation of Ottawa and the Ben Karp Volunteer Service Award (2002/2003) from the Soloway JCC. Sherman is quick to point out that he could not commit to his extensive volunteer work without the support of his employer and his family. He and wife Randi (née Goldstein) met at Camp B’nai Brith and will be celebrating their 25th anniversary in June.

They have three sons – Jonathan, 20, and Matthew, 18, both attend McGill University, while Adam, 16, is in Grade 10 at Sir Robert Borden High School.

“Randi is a huge part of the modest success I have achieved,” he said. “My boys have also been encouraging. I try to use my community work as a role model. I stress to my boys to give back to the community.”

His family was by his side at the awards gala when his name was announced as Business Person of the Year.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would win,” said Sherman. “I was

incredibly humbled. It was exhilarating. I was so proud.”

Ottawans will not soon forget Sherman’s accomplishment. On June 3, in an official ceremony at the World Exchange Plaza, a step engraved with his name will be unveiled announcing to all who pass that Ian Sherman was Ottawa’s 2009 Business Person of the Year.

“Where there is help there is hope”

Offering cancer patients and their families hope and support (613) 323-GLOW 200 Isabella St. Suite 403 Ottawa, ON K1S 1V7

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 8, 2010 – Page 3

Page 4 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 8, 2010

Questioning of Women of the Wall leader sparks protests

By Ben Harris JERUSALEM (JTA) – The Conservative synagogue movement has launched a campaign to protest the recent questioning and possible prosecution of a leader of the group Women of the Wall.

For more than two decades, the group has been organizing regular women’s prayer services at the Western Wall and pressing for expanded worship rights at Judaism’s holiest pilgrimage site. Last month its chair, Anat Hoffman, was summoned to a Jerusalem police station for questioning.

According to Hoffman, also director of the Reform movement’s Israel Religious Action Center and a former member of the Jerusalem City Council, she was questioned by police about her role in Women of the Wall, fingerprinted and told that her case was being referred to the attorney general for

Allan Taylor ■ GROUP PLANS ■ LIFE INSURANCE ■ DISABILITY INSURANCE ■ PENSION and RRIFs 613-244-9073

prosecution.

“I think it was a meeting of intimidation,” Hoffman told JTA. Micky Rosenfeld, a spokesman for the Israel Police, confirmed the basics of Hoffman’s account. But Shmulik Ben-Ruby, a spokesman for the Jerusalem police, denied that the matter has been referred to prosecutors.

He said that Hoffman and her group are suspected of having acted to “hurt the feelings” of worshippers at the wall.

“We are still checking and will see what will be the end in the investigation,” BenRuby added.

Hoffman’s questioning threatens to further exacerbate tensions between North American Jewish groups and more conservative elements within the Israel’s Orthodoxcontrolled religious establishment.

She told JTA that she hopes to “wake the American Jewish giant” in an effort to prevent the attorney general from moving ahead with prosecution. If convicted, Hoffman said, she faces prison time or a fine of about $3,000.

The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, the movement’s congregational

Conservative Jewish women wear prayer shawls and carry Torah scrolls at the Western Wall on Dec. 18, 2009. The right of women to pray aloud at the holy site is one of several issues exacerbating tensions between Israeli Orthodox authorities and non(Photo: Yossi Zamir/Flash 90/ JTA) Orthodox Jews in the Diaspora.

arm, issued a statement declaring that Hoffman’s arrest and fingerprinting, “opens a new and ominous chapter in intra-Jewish relations in Israel.”

The group urged members to send a letter to Israel’s ambassadors in Washington and Ottawa, Michael Oren and Miriam Ziv, to inform them of “the gravity of this issue” and press their government to “take immediate steps to end the harassment of women seeking to pray with dignity at the Western Wall, Judaism’s most holy place.”

Hoffman’s questioning comes nearly two months after another Women of the Wall member, Nofrat Frenkel, was arrested after she and other women began reading from a Torah scroll in the course of the group’s regular prayer session at the wall, timed to coincide with the start of the new Hebrew month.

Frenkel and Hoffman were informed that they were in violation of an Israeli Supreme Court ruling that, citing concerns about public safety, denied women the right to read from the Torah in the regular women’s section of the wall. The ruling resulted in the designation of a nearby site, known as Robinson’s Arch, as the place

for women to pray as a group with a Torah scroll.

Hoffman scoffs at the solution, calling it “separate, but it’s not equal.” A Torah scroll the group uses was damaged by rain at the site, which lacks a covered space like the men’s section at the wall.

“It is not a place of prayer,” she said. “It is a place

where we are praying, and a tour guide is walking with a tour, showing them the different archaeological artifacts.

And most important, we can’t read Torah there in safety because it rains on our head.”

Rabbi Avi Shafran, a spokesman for the fervently Orthodox group Agudath Israel of America, defended the limitations on women’s prayer groups.

“People of all faiths, after all, are welcome at the Kotel – as they should be,” he wrote in an opinion essay distributed via e-mail. “Out of respect, though, for the Jewish historical and spiritual connection to the place, public services there should respect a single standard of decorum.

And that standard should be, as it has been, millennia-old Jewish religious tradition.

Promoting a “particular view of feminism,” Shafran added, “should not compel them to act in ways that they know will offend others, to seek to turn a holy place into a political arena.”

Athens Rugs Ltd. Carpet • Vinyl Ceramics • Hardwood Floor

1365 Cyrville Road Ottawa, Ontario K1B 3L7 Tel: 613-741-4261 Fax: 613-741-2944

Paul Dewar, MP/Député Ottawa Centre Working for you! / Au travail pour vous!

I am pleased to: • provide assistance with federal agencies • arrange letters of greetings for special occasions • answer questions about federal legislation • listen to your feedback

Je suis heureux de: • vous aider à traiter avec les organismes fédéraux • vous écrire des lettres de félicitations pour des occasions spéciales • répondre à vos questions sur les lois fédérales • vous écouter

304-1306 rue Wellington St. 613.946.8682 / dewarp@parl.gc.ca www.pauldewar.ca

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 8, 2010 – Page 5

70th Anniversary Season

... featuring the amazing ICE PALACE arena and the best all-weather facilities in the camping world! Warm atmosphere, great food, top leadership & much more ...

T.C. James in the 1940s holding his grandson John MacCraken.

Ottawa builder opened his home to Jewish refugees in 1940-41

By Joel Yan In 1940, T.C. (Thomas Charles) James knew of the terrible times being experienced by the Jews of Poland and other European countries. He heard that some Jews had managed to escape from Europe and were granted refuge in Canada. When he found out that some of the refugees would be coming to Ottawa, he made a personal decision to offer refuge to these families in need.

James went down to Union Station on several occasions when he knew the train from Halifax was arriving and would watch out for Jewish immigrants getting off. Usually, they would be met by someone from the Ottawa Jewish community who would welcome them and help them get settled. However, sometimes he noticed there were families who were not met by anyone and he stepped forward.

“It was on at least three, possibly more occasions, when families came home with him,” said his grandson, John MacCraken.

“He had a large house on Monkland Avenue and he and his wife had three daughters who were still at home, as well as a maid, so they had a capacity there to house, feed and look after people. Some of these Jewish families spent a couple of weeks, some four or five weeks, and at least one family stayed for about three months.”

In offering refuge, James became a nonJewish victim of anti-Semitism. He had a neighbour who didn’t approve of James opening his home to Jewish people and accused James of running a boarding house. The neighbour started a petition against what James was doing, but was not successful in stopping him.

In addition to the petition, James was also shunned. People would walk out of their way to avoid him on the sidewalk. MacCraken

said he personally observed such shunning in the late-1940s when walking with his grandfather to shop in the Glebe.

MacCraken also remembers a funny scene in the kitchen of the Monkland Avenue home when he was a young boy in the 1940s. Three of his aunts, his mother and grandmother were all in hysterics trying to get a yarmulke to stay on James’ bald head.

“They got it to stay on somehow. He and my grandmother had been invited to a Bar Mitzvah. They had a good time.”

MacCraken thinks the invitation might have been from one of the families that stayed at the James home.

That memory is what prompted MacCraken to ask me about the importance of wearing a yarmulke, which then led to this story about his grandfather helping Jewish families.

Who was T.C. James and what moved him to be so generous?

We think that James was a good man and a man of action. He was a prominent contractor in Ottawa who built several churches, including Southminster United Church, as well as the Sunnyside Fire Station, the Mayfair Theatre and several apartment buildings along Bank Street near his home in the Glebe.

Unfortunately, MacCraken and James’ other living relatives do not know the names of any of the families who were housed with the James family in 1940-41. My hope is that through this article, one or more readers will step forward and share any information they might have. It would be meaningful for the descendants of T.C. James to meet any members of the families that took refuge at 25 Monkland Avenue.

I am grateful to John MacCraken for sharing this wonderful family story of human generosity.

Parents of children in grades 1, 2, 3 & 4: “ONE FREE WEEK” Special Offer !

STAFF APPLICATIONS: Qualifed candidates graduating high school or higher are invited to apply for positions as activity Instructors in the areas of Landsports, Watersports and Creative Arts.

www.mishmar.com toll free: 866-481-1875

Page 6 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 8, 2010

We need to develop a new model for supplementary schools For the past 18 months, the Jewish Federation of Ottawa has been investing time, money and expertise into our community day schools, the institutions that were Hillel Academy and Yitzhak Rabin High School.

Today, they are merged into one Ottawa Jewish Community Day School, and continue their efforts to develop a centre of excellence. I have received only positive comments from parents who have told me they love the school. Yasher Koach to Lisa Miller and Sabina Wasserlauf, chairs of the board, and to Donna Palmer-Dodds and her team of administrators, teachers, volunteers and parents.

The original plan for educational revitalization and system-wide change for the better in Ottawa’s Jewish schools came out of the 2007 Symposium where it was resolved that Jewish education should be a main priority for the Federation. Although we started with our community day schools, it was always our intention to address challenges in our Jewish supplementary schools as well.

The challenges we face in supplementary school Jewish education include a shrinking demographic of students for a large number and variety of supplemental schools and

Federation Report Donna Dolansky Chair other after-school activities. As a result, there is a need for increased funding, when, in fact, there are fewer students. From an allocations point of view, we are spending a disproportionate amount of Federation money on too many schools.

There is substantial value in an afternoon school system. For many, it represents the only academic option to learn Hebrew, about Israel, Jewish rituals, history and culture, and in providing a connection to the Jewish community.

Our schools strive to fulfil a tall order in being able to prepare a child for Bar or Bat Mitzvah and beyond, and impart a positive Jewish identity and the knowledge and Jewish values and ethics that will serve him or her well in adulthood. And all this in a very short period of time, since most afternoon schools consist of six hours per week or less over the course of the academic year.

We need to examine the existing system and develop a new model that helps nurture the next generation of engaged Jews who are unable to attend a day school, but who still want a Jewish education and a connection to Jewish community, heritage and culture.

The Jewish Outreach, Identity and Education (JOIE) committee of Federation, chaired by Jacquie Levy, and staffed by our planner, Jeff Bradshaw, have taken on the task of informing themselves of the challenges and opportunities in supplemental Jewish education, and have made a proposal to the Federation Board.

Their idea has three parts: to perform an environmental scan, by meeting with the schools’ administrators, parents and teachers; to examine “best practices” in other communities, especially across North America; and to prepare a report with recommendations to revitalize Jewish education in Ottawa, followed by an implementation plan.

The JOIE committee has already met with the six afternoon schools – Ottawa Talmud Torah Afternoon School, Ottawa Modern Jewish School, Star of David Hebrew School, Temple Israel Religious School, Chabad Hebrew School and Torah High Ottawa – and will follow with a survey of

all users of the schools. The purpose is to gather information from the schools to begin to build a picture of the current state of Jewish supplemental education in Ottawa. They also plan to hold town hall meetings with the community to gather information and feedback.

I will keep you posted on developments.

As always, if you would like to volunteer, or give us your input, I can be reached at jfochair@rogers.com.

Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund One of the challenges of writing this column is that, by the time it is in print, some topics will be old news.

As of this writing, the earthquake in Haiti is very much in the news. Almost immediately after the disaster, the Jewish Federation mobilized and began soliciting donations on our website, earmarked for relief for the people of Haiti. This is truly an example of Tikkun Olam.

The difficult situation for Haiti and its people will continue for some time. We can all help, even with just a small donation.

Visit jewishottawa.com or call 613-7984696, ext. 232, to make a donation to the Federation’s Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund.

Thank you.

The message of the first Bar Mitzvah ever I’m writing as the festivities celebrating my son’s Bar Mitzvah wind down. A Bar Mitzvah is when a Jewish boy enters the camp of Israel, accepting the yoke of Torah and mitzvot, thereby assuming his responsibility as a Jewish adult. During the celebrations, I pondered on the message that we ought to share to the next generation at this important juncture.

I turned to the Book of Genesis to read about the first Bar Mitzvah ever, the Bar Mitzvah that Abraham made for his son, Isaac. “The child grew and was weaned.

Abraham made a great feast ...” The Midrash explains that this great feast was made in honour of Isaac’s Bar Mitzvah and that Abraham invited all the great personalities of the time, including a giant named ‘Og.’ The Midrash continues: “They said to Og, ‘Did you not say that Abraham was a sterile mule and is incapable of having a child?’ Og replied, ‘What’s his present? A small and lowly being. I could lift my finger against him and crush him.’ To which God intervened and said to Og: ‘Why are you making fun of this gift? By your life, you will live to see thousands and tens of thousands of his descendants, and you will eventually fall by his hand,’ as it states, ‘And God said to Moshe, do not fear him, for I have delivered him into your hand.’”

Indeed, Og lived a long time and witnessed the growth and development of the Jewish people and eventually died through the hands of Moses.

From the pulpit Rabbi Menachem Blum OTC Chabad My beloved teacher, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, wrote some notes for a Bar Mitzvah he was attending in 1942. In it, he explains that, when Og claimed Abraham could not rear a child, he was not so much referring to the physical ability to rear children as to his ability to rear a generation that would continue in his spiritual path.

While attending Isaac’s Bar Mitzvah, Og was now challenged, for he had always maintained that Abraham would never be able to rear children in his faith. It was clear to all now that Abraham had succeeded in rearing Isaac to follow in his spiritual path.

Og was known for worshipping the strength of the body while totally ignoring the importance of spirituality. He was a strong man. The Torah states that his bed was made of iron. He believed that physical strength, without any regard for spirituality, should be the only priority when educating youth.

When challenged at Isaac’s Bar Mitzvah, Og responds: “This is a present,” that is to say, the education of Isaac until this age had been a present from Above. He ar-

gued that there is no way that Isaac would continue growing in this path and that he would never be established – for with his little finger, he could destroy him.

So God intervenes and responds, “Are you making fun of this present? You will fall into the hands of the thousands of his children.” Physical strength and health can only stand on the firm foundation of faith and spirituality.

This proved to be the case when, eventually, Og fell into the hands of the descendants of Isaac for their physical strength

rested on solid spiritual foundations. Physical strength and victory in battle are dependent on the health of the soul and that has been the secret of Jewish survival.

In our challenging times, when disaffiliation is rampant and assimilation on the rise, what better message can we pass on to the next generation? The message of Abraham to all of us, his children, that a firm foundation and commitment to spiritual health should be the focus of our lives.

That is what will ensure our success and survival as the Jewish people.

Owned by The Ottawa Jewish Bulletin Publishing Co. Ltd., 21 Nadolny Sachs Private, Ottawa, K2A 1R9.

Tel: (613) 798-4696. Fax: (613) 798-4730. Email: bulletin@ottawajewishbulletin.com. Published 19 times a year. © copyright 2010 PUBLISHER: The Ottawa Jewish Bulletin Publishing Co. Ltd. EDITOR: Michael Regenstreif PRODUCTION MANAGER: Brenda Van Vliet BUSINESS MANAGER: Rhoda Saslove-Miller ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Seymour Diener, chair; Anna Bilsky; Stephen Bindman; Mark Buckshon; Jack Cramer; Diane Koven; Louise Rachlis; Michael Wollock.

The Bulletin cannot vouch for the kashrut of the products or establishments advertised in this publication unless they have the certification of the Ottawa Vaad HaKashrut or other rabbinic authority recognized by the Ottawa Vaad HaKashrut.

Local subscription $30.00. Out-of-town $36.00. International $50.00. $2.00 per issue.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs.

ISSN: 1196-1929

PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40018822 PAP REGISTRATION NO. 07519 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: OTTAWA JEWISH BULLETIN 21 NADOLNY SACHS PRIVATE, OTTAWA, ON K2A 1R9 email: bulletin@ottawajewishbulletin.com

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 8, 2010 – Page 7

Jewish community quick to respond to the people of Haiti I don’t usually deal with the same topic two issues in a row. Sometimes, though, the topicality of the subject matter demands follow-up. Such is the case of the crisis in Haiti following the massive earthquake that struck the impoverished Caribbean country on January 12.

Because of the Bulletin production schedule, my January 25 column was written on January 15, just three days after the disaster wrought so much damage and took such a heavy human toll.

Much of the world had already begun responding to the emergency there – and the Jewish world, in Israel and in the Diaspora, was in the vanguard of those responding to the emergency.

In that column, I noted that the Jewish Federation of Ottawa had reacted quickly to the situation in Haiti and established a Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund so that members of our community could direct their donations to the emergency relief efforts.

Ottawa’s Jewish community began responding immediately. In the first two weeks – this column is being written on January 28 – the fund received more than $37,000 in donations, funds that will be matched by the federal government and allocated to Canada’s relief efforts in Haiti.

Editor Michael Regenstreif The emergency in Haiti will be ongoing for months, indeed years, to come as that country – the poorest in the Western Hemisphere before the earthquake – rebuilds from the devastation. Donations to the Federation’s Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund are still welcome and much needed. Visit jewishottawa.com or call 613798-4696, ext. 232 to make a donation.

The Federation’s fund, like similar funds set up by other Jewish federations in Canada, is being channelled through United Israel Appeal Canada to IsraAid, the highly regarded co-ordinating body of Israeli and Jewish organizations active in development and relief work around the world. IsraAid has been at the forefront of relief efforts in Haiti over the past several weeks.

Israel, as noted, was among the first countries to respond to the dire situation in Haiti after the earthquake. The Israeli response included an Israel Defense

Forces (IDF) emergency field hospital that, according to many media reports, was the most impressive and effective medical facility operating in Haiti in the days after the earthquake.

Interviewed from Haiti on CNN, Dr. Nancy Snyderman, a surgeon who is the chief medical reporter for NBC, said that the emergency treatment being provided by the international aid teams was basic and primitive.

It was only at Israel’s emergency field hospital, she said, that advanced, sophisticated medicine was being practised, and where the most difficult cases were being brought.

For moving accounts of the work done in Haiti by the Israelis, see the story on page 10 that features an interview with Dr. Ofer Merin, the chief of the IDF field hospital, and the journal entries on page 16 written by Arele Klein, a ZAKA paramedic dispatched from Israel to Haiti.

I mentioned in my previous column that one of the Jewish Community Campus employees feared for the life of her sister who was in Haiti and couldn’t be reached in the days after the earthquake.

I can report now that, days later, she was finally able to reach her sister who was safe.

Bulletin deadlines I pointed out that my column for the January 25 issue was written on January 15 and that this column was being written on January 28. Because of several factors, our production schedule dictates that the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin submission and ad deadlines are usually 19 days before the official publication date.

Our official publication dates are always Mondays. The Bulletin actually goes to print no later than noon on the Monday a week before so that it can be mailed in time to reach local subscribers on or before the official date of the issue.

Often, for one reason or another, we have to finish work on an issue by the previous Friday – 10 days before the official publication date. We don’t have 19 days after the deadline to put out the paper – we actually have about seven or eight working days.

That’s why it’s important to get your submissions and ad bookings in by deadline – before deadline is even better.

The deadline and publication schedule for the next four issues or so can always be found on our back page.

By the time you read this, work on the February 22 issue of the Bulletin will be well underway.

Hillel Academy: a good school then, a great school now You may have noticed several advertisements and articles about Ottawa’s Jewish schools in the past couple of issues of the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin. Now is a significant time for many parents who are choosing where to send their children to school. My husband and I are going through this with our eldest who is trying to decide where to go to high school.

It brings me back to a similar decision, 10 years ago, when we were trying to decide which elementary school to send her to. That decision is brought to mind even more frequently for me, as I have just marked my first year as Hillel Academy’s communications director. Part of my job is to encourage parents such as my younger self to choose Hillel.

Hillel Academy has changed incredibly since my daughter first started. I thought then that it was a good school. Now, I think it is a great school, which is why I wanted the job. It’s one I can believe in.

The changes – incredible technology, a much stronger French program, enriched

Nicola Hamer math – are all the sorts of things I try to report to let people know that Hillel Academy is a vibrant, modern school. I am delighted that my younger daughter, only in Grade 2, will get the full benefit of those advances.

But that isn’t why I think the school is great. I think it’s great because my eldest daughter, who is cautious and quiet, blossomed in a school where everyone knew her and supported her, joining clubs, becoming a lunch monitor and learning to speak confidently in front of a crowd.

I think it is great because my son, who was clearly struggling at the end of Grade 1, got a professional educational assess-

ment the moment we expressed concern to the vice-principal. She made sure it happened before the school year’s end, and promised us that the recommendations would be implemented.

We worried that he wouldn’t be able to handle the Judaic studies and Hebrew on top of the Ontario curriculum, but he loved the school so much we wanted him to stay.

He now gets daily support in Hebrew, uses an AlphaSmart Neo supplied by the school and is in enriched math. Despite his ADD and learning disability, he is now a confident and thriving Grade 5 student.

I asked him if he minded my mentioning his problems publicly.

“No,” he said. “Tell them if your kid has learning problems, the teachers totally understand and do everything they can to help you figure them out.”

I think it is a great school because I’ve seen students knocking on the office door of the principal or head of school asking for help with another student, or with some other concern, and seen them imme-

diately welcomed in as though they were the most important thing in the world – which they are.

I think it is great because I have students who pop into my office and ask me to help them find their shoes, or open their juice box, or help with a Band-Aid. They have full confidence that, even though it isn’t my job, I’ll help them. And I have full confidence that, if the principal finds me poking through lockers until I find the shoes, she’ll understand that, even though it isn’t exactly my job, it still is my job.

Ten years ago, when we made the choice to give Hillel Academy a try, we paid about $6,000 for one child to attend.

Now, we have three children at the school and pay almost $10,000 each. I am not saying it isn’t difficult. But it has been worth it because Hillel really is a family. I saw it as a parent and now I see it as a staff member. At Hillel, they really love their kids, and that is worth every penny.

Alan Echenberg will return in the March 8 edtion of the Bulletin..

Letters welcome Letters to the Editor are welcome if they are brief, signed, timely and of interest to our readership. The Bulletin reserves the right to refuse, edit or condense letters.

The Mailbag column will be published as space permits.

Send your letters to Michael Regenstreif, Ottawa Jewish Bulletin, 21 Nadolny Sachs Private, Ottawa, Ontario K2A 1R9; or by e-mail to bulletin@ottawajewishbulletin.com.

Page 8 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 8, 2010

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Administrative and Accounting Assistant Hillel Lodge is a nationally accredited long-term care home whose mission is to meet the needs of seniors who can no longer live independently. The Long-Term Care Foundation is the fundraising arm of the Lodge. The Administrative and Accounting Assistant will be responsible for administering the Hillel Lodge Long-Term Care Foundation Office as well as providing financial and bookkeeping support to the Hillel Lodge Manager of Finance.

The successful candidate will have a post-secondary certificate in accounting or bookkeeping or the equivalent, experience providing financial and bookkeeping support, and be familiar with a variety of software programs, including word processing, Excel and accounting software. Good interpersonal skills, sound judgment, discretion, tact and the ability to multi-task are essential. Experience working in health care or a not-for-profit environment would be an asset.

To apply, please forward your résumé to Hillel Lodge, 10 Nadolny Sachs Private, Ottawa, K2A 2G7 (attention Human Resources Committee) or by e-mail to jnm@ggfl.ca by Friday, 26 February 2010.

A complete position description or further information may be obtained by e-mailing jnm@ggfl.ca.

Friendship Circle receives gift from YRHS students

By Diane Koven for Friendship Circle Students at Yitzhak Rabin High School (YRHS) have been busy raising money for a variety of good causes. The students are organized into a system of four houses, each of which is teamed with a particular group or charity.

Throughout the school year, the students raise funds on behalf of their house’s partners.

On December 4, as a Mitzvah Day activity, the YRHS students organized a volleyball-a-thon with the Grade 7 and 8 students of Hillel Academy.

“The students all gathered at the SJCC and played volleyball. They were encouraged to get involved in the spirit-side of the game,” said YRHS Principal Cynthia Bates.

They collected pledges totalling well over $2,000 that day.

Kfir House, one of YRHS’s four houses, supports the Friendship Circle, which received one-quarter of the funds raised at the volleyball-a-thon. Team captain Shirley Argoetti, a Grade 11 student at YRHS, proudly presented the cheque for $588 to Devora Caytak, director of Friendship Circle.

“I did enjoy this event because we got to compete against each other in a volleyball-a-thon and raise

Friendship Circle director Devora Caytak (left) receives donation from YRHS student Shirley Argoetti, captain of Kfir House.

money at the same time to help children with special needs,” said Argoetti. “Since I am the captain of Kfir, I worked hard on getting my house members to get their pledges in as soon as they can.”

Although Friendship Circle has been Kfir House’s designated charity since September, Argoetti herself has been a volunteer with Friendship Circle for about a year.

The Friendship Circle, a program of the Jewish Youth Library, matches volunteers with special needs children for social and recreational outings.

The children benefit, and so do the families who are given an often much-needed break and some time to focus on the other family members.

The Ottawa Friendship Circle has enriched the lives of many Jewish children with special needs. Sigal Baray, co-ordinator of Friendship Circle, has made it possible for the volunteers and their partners to enjoy a wide variety of activities together, geared specifically to the needs and capabilities of each child.

Many of the young volunteers continue participating because they so enjoy spending this special time together.

“Kfir House is very proud of the efforts of all its members to raise such a significant amount of money for such a worthy cause,” said Bates.

Call 613-729-7712 for further information about the Friendship Circle.

Na’amat Passover wine sale benefits women and children in Israel

By Annette Paquin Na’amat Canada Ottawa Orders are now being taken for the Aviva Chapter of Na’amat Canada Ottawa’s annual kosher wine sale benefitting women and children in Israel.

A large selection of red, white and rosé wines of varying sweetness – from such countries as Israel, Australia and Chile – to delight guests at any seder table is available.

There is also a variety of Kosher for Passover liqueurs.

Na’amat Canada Ottawa supports a vast network of social and educational services in Israel including Na’amat’s 250 daycare centres serving more than 18,000 youngsters and technical and agricultural high schools that

meet the needs of teens challenged by the public school system. Women’s shelters, including the world renowned Na’amat Glickman Center in Tel Aviv, provide shelter and counselling to women in crisis.

Locally, Na’amat participates in the School Supplies for Kids project, which supplies packages to children living with their mothers in domestic violence shelters in Canada.

By supporting the Aviva Passover Wine Sale, customers receive an excellent selection of Kosher L’Pesach beverages at fair prices and also support families and children in Israel. Orders must be placed by February 24.

Contact Deana Schildkraut at 613-7269595 or naamat.ottawa@sympatico.ca to receive a list of available products..

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 8, 2010 – Page 9 Advertorial

JEWISH NATIONAL FUND More than trees 613.798.2411

Brian Pearl president

The 2010 Manitoba-Israel Water Experts Symposium, Water Protection and Conservation in the Face of Crisis, hosted in Jerusalem by KKL-JNF An extraordinary example of collaboration between Canada and KKL-JNF took place this January in Jerusalem.

The Second Manitoba-Israel Water Symposium opened on Sunday, January 10 with distinguished guests from Canada and Israel meeting to discuss “Water Protection and Conservation in the Face of Crisis.”

Among the Canadians were Christine Melnick, Manitoba’s minister of water stewardship; Vic Toews, president of the Treasury Board of Canada; and Jon Allen, Canada’s ambassador to Israel. Among the Israelis were Uzi Landau, Israel’s minister of national infrastructures; and Professor Uri Shani, director-general of the Israel Water Authority. The symposium was hosted by Efi Stenzler, KKL-JNF world chairman; Avraham Duvdevani, KKL-JNF co-chairman; and Yael Shaltiel, KKL-JNF director-general.

Vic Toews opened his remarks with his belief that there is no better place than the State of Israel for a scientific conference on the subject of water. He attributed great importance to the expanding co-operation between Canada and Israel regarding water and noted that Canada could learn much from Israel about how to relate to our relative abundance of water resources in a better way. The minister concluded by stating that Israel and Canada have had close and warm relations for more than 60 years and the symposium is a fantastic opportunity to continue this partnership.

From Monday, January 11 until Thursday, January 15, water scientists from Israel and Manitoba travelled together to meet at professional symposium sessions in Northern Israel and take water-related tours in the area. The sessions focussed on opportunities for mutual research, exchange of knowledge and promotion of joint research on water resources management. So far, four successful projects, including the first joint Canada-Israel Symposium in Manitoba in 2008, have already been instituted and it is hoped that more will be launched.

On behalf of Ottawa JNF, I want to thank our patrons, sponsors and volunteers who took part in our annual Tu Bi’Shevat Telethon, which took place on Sunday, January 31, and to offer a special Todah Rabah to the Ottawa Jewish community once again for their great response when we called. A Yasher Koach to Steve Gordon and the Regional Group for once again allowing us to use their premises and for being such gracious hosts! For those who have yet to hear from us, please respond generously when we call on behalf of JNF in our Telethon wrap-up this month.

I also want to add a very quick reminder about our Negev Dinner honouring Sara Vered at the Fairmont Château Laurier on March 22. Since the Château Laurier has limited seating capacity, and the room is filling up very quickly, please reserve your tickets early. Tickets for this year’s Negev Dinner are $318 per person, including a $118 tax receipt.

Sefer Bar Mitzvah Inscriptions Jared Harrison Roth by his proud parents, Riva Levitan and Richard Roth; and Isaac Eitan Sider-Echenberg by his proud parents, Justine Sider and Alan Echenberg.

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).

Shalom Bayit Women’s Seder dedicated to raising awareness of domestic violence in community

By Sarah Caspi Jewish Family Services The Shalom Bayit Committee has spent the last several years educating our community on the issue of domestic abuse in the Jewish community.

Increasingly, we are taking our message to younger women as we recognize that dating violence is a growing reality in young girls’ lives. Jewish Women International of Canada (see www.jwicanada.com) reports that 35 per cent of women surveyed indicated they had experienced at least one physical assault by a male dating partner.

Our aim is to help women of all ages to know the characteristics of a healthy relationship, to recognize the warning signs of abusive relationships and to know where to go when they need help.

The Shalom Bayit Women’s Seder is one way we have used to help get our message across.

Our first seder was held in 2005 with 16 women gathered around a dining room. Last year, we had more than 240 participants. This increase resonates with us and validates our message that domestic abuse is an important issue to our community.

An event that not only brings women together, but also uses the power of the Passover seder, serves as a reminder that many women in our own community are not free and do not live a life of shalom bayit.

We have also seen a shift in the diversity of women who attend, includ-

ing women of various religious affiliations and income levels. Each year, an increasingly diverse group of Jewish women gathers to learn about how domestic abuse affects our community and of the importance of talking about this significant issue with the hopeful goal of seeing an end to domestic violence one day soon.

With a goal of increasing the participation of the young people, we are dedicating the 2010 Shalom Bayit Seder to the young women in our community. We are now busy working on ways to engage young women, from those who are celebrating their Bat Mitzvah to those who are young adults and enrolled in post-secondary schools. We are asking that mothers bring their daughters, aunts bring their nieces, mentors bring their students, so all can learn about healthy relationships, the realities of abuse in our community and, most importantly, that our Jewish community is not afraid to address this difficult topic.

And that, if they are ever in a relationship they need help with, there are places to go for help.

Despite much greater awareness about domestic abuse in the community over the past five years, the question – “Does abuse really happen in the Jewish community?” – is still asked.

Because of the work of the Shalom Bayit Committee, and the availability of Shalom Bayit services through Jewish Family Services (JFS), the question is asked less often. Our Ottawa

Grenfell Catering Delights (formerly Jack Edelson Catering)

613-723-2215, 19 Grenfell Cres. #9 www.GrenfellCatering.com

Chef Cau Say Le has for over 30 years provided outstanding

party sandwich platters for the Jewish Community With loaves of: - Sockeye Salmon - Tuna - Egg - Lox & Cream Cheese - Peanut Butter & Banana - Meats Great for any occasion $35.95 per loaf

Shiva Funeral Meals (typical menu, $29.95 per person)

- hardboiled eggs - assort. bread rolls & bagels - cream cheese & butter - tuna & egg salad platters - smoked salmon platters - Israeli salad - Caesar salad - spinach mandarin salad - fruit salad - assort. cookies & squares - soft drinks - paper goods - tea & coffee - server optional

Also available (please call to discuss):

Brunch Menus / Catered Dinners / Dairy Dinners / Deli Platters and our famous egg rolls with a selection of chicken, smoked meat & vegetable

Jewish community knows that Shalom Bayit counselling is available and women call. JFS workers are asked to speak at various community events and now, more than ever, our community is asking “What can we do to help?” This is a big step that we, as a community, can be proud of.

The primary goal of our Women’s Seder is to bring awareness of the issue of domestic violence, and that there are women in our community living in abusive relationships. The message our seder promotes is echoed in our Shalom Bayit Haggadah, which has been specifically designed to bring this awareness to all.

To honour our continued presence in the community, the Shalom Bayit Committee is working hard on a revised edition of the Haggadah. This new and unique Haggadah is not just for women. It is dedicated to bringing awareness to the issue of abuse to all, so that we all can have a part in ending violence against women.

“It’s Not Your Fault, It’s Not Okay, You Are Not Alone” is at the core of all we do and is why this Shalom Bayit Seder is so powerful.

The Fifth Annual Shalom Bayit Seder takes place Wednesday, March 24, 6:00 pm. Visit jfsottawa.com for more information. For tickets, call 613-722- 2225, ext. 406, or e-mail shalombayitseder@jfsottawa.com.

If you or someone you know needs help, call 613-722-2225, ext. 246, and speak in confidence to a trained counsellor.

Page 10 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 8, 2010

IDF field hospital in Haiti ‘overwhelmed’

By Rita Poliakov Canadian Jewish News Editor’s note: This interview with Dr. Ofer Merin, chief of the IDF field hospital in Haiti, was conducted while Merin and his team were on the ground in Haiti.

When Dr. Ofer Merin and his medical team arrived in Haiti, they were met by hundreds of patients.

Some had chest injuries, others had open wounds, but one thing was clear.

“If they’re not treated, they’ll die,” Merin, the chief of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) field hospital in Haiti, said in a phone interview from Port-auPrince, Haiti during the IDF mission there.

Merin’s team left Israel on January 15 and returned from Haiti on January 28.

Merin was in charge of some 120 IDF nurses, physicians and medics, one of the largest medical units

dispatched to Haiti following the January 12 earthquake. His unit arrived in Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, three days after the country was hit by the strongest earthquake it has experienced in 200 years.

Merin’s medical team was joined by about 120 rescue workers on the 14hour flight to Haiti. They landed in Port-au-Prince on the afternoon of January 15, but had to wait for a separate cargo plane packed with medical equipment to arrive before setting up the field hospital.

“The cargo plane landed at four in the morning, [and] we started to build up the hospital. By 10 am [January 16], we received the first patients,” Merin said.

While flying to Haiti, Merin and his team talked logistics. Upon arrival, they were shocked.

“There were hundreds

Mazal Tov! Engaged!

Debbie Goldstein and Mark Goldstein are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Ilana Ann Goldstein, to Jacen Maxwell Goldfarb, son of David and Heather Goldfarb. A May 22, 2011 wedding is planned.

You Have ?

Heard

An earthquake survivor in Port-au-Prince who gave birth to a son at the Israeli field hospital on January 17 decided to name him ‘Israel’ as a token of appreciation for the country that helped her.

(IDF photo)

and hundreds of wounded people on the streets,” he said, adding that patients began to line up before the hospital had been set up.

Merin’s days started early, at about 5 am, and although they were supposed to end at 12 am, it was hard to turn down a patient.

“I’m just up all the time; patients come in the day, evening, night. They just keep on coming,” Merin said. “We are overwhelmed with patients.”

The field hospital often saw more than 100 people every day and performed around 50 surgeries per day.

Most patients had to wait up to 10 hours for what could be life-saving treatment.

Merin, a surgeon at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem who worked in a Toronto hospital for several years, said many of the injuries were orthopedic, such as fractures and open wounds.

Those with more serious injuries probably died before they could be treated, he said.

When Merin landed in Haiti, he found unique challenges.

“The hospital ... is a reserve hospital, which is meant for ... soldiers. It doesn’t have any people treating any children, illnesses, women giving birth,” he said, adding that experts and equipment were

Ian Murray

Advanced Hearing Aid Clinic We are pleased to announce that IAN MURRAY, Hearing Instrument Specialist, has now joined our team.

Please contact Ian at our Carling Ave clinic

613-728-HEAR (4327)

Top 5 reasons to choose First Memorial … ✡ Our Funeral directors will meet you in the comfort of your home. ✡ Our service is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. ✡ Our organization is the largest service provider to the Jewish community in North America. ✡ Continuity assured throughout the funeral process. ✡ Our directors specialize in Jewish funeral customs.

Top 5 reasons to preplan …

1663 Carling Avenue 1364 Wellington Street NOW OPEN AT 266 Metcalfe St. (Corner of Metcalfe & Lewis St.) www.advancedhearingaidclinic.com

✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡

Your plan is transferable to over 2200 locations in North America.

Freeze your costs against inflation.

Offers peace of mind for you and your family.

Flexible payment options.

Ottawa’s original “Low Cost Provider”.

Proudly Serving the Community Since 1969

Tel: 613-860-2424

brought in for the mission.

Apart from healing wounds and binding broken bones, the hospital helped about 10 women give birth in the first few days. Merin was also seeing patients as a result of local violence. In the first week, the hospital treated about seven or eight people with gunshot wounds.

During their time in Haiti, the hospital, which has an emergency room, a neonatal unit for newborns, X-ray machines and blood-test labs, began seeing some repeat patients, but didn’t have the resources to treat many in-patients, Merin said.

“We’re working in a very different environment than any of us are used to. We’re getting patients that we would keep for days [in regular hospitals]. We’re doing our best to discharge them,” he said.

“We cannot afford to keep too many in-patients.

We can manage 40. We’re getting 50 or 60. We can not go beyond these numbers.”

After the first three or four days, the field hospital started to run out of equipment.

“No one thought we’d [see] those numbers [of patients],” Merin said, adding that staff was sent to the city’s abandoned hospitals to gather more supplies.

“There was no point of time since we came here that we didn’t ... treat people because of a shortage of equipment,” he said.

After the initial earthquake, there were several aftershocks, the largest of which was a 6.1 magnitude quake that hit about 56 kilometres from Port-auPrince. While Merin’s field hospital wasn’t affected, he did see several patients who were.

At the time of the interview, Merin didn’t yet know how much longer his unit would be in Haiti, but he knew why they were there.

“To help people in need,” he said.

Congregation Beit Tikvah of Ottawa

RAFFLE WINNERS 1. Eva Eichler: two airline tickets to Israel 2. Marcia Cantor: dinner for 10 courtesy Creative Kosher Catering 3. David Slipacoff: original oil painting

by Israeli artist Yehuda Rodan 4. Joanna and Ira Abrams: weekend in a 2-bedroom condo at Mont Tremblant 5. Barbara and Alan Goldrosen: one night at the Westin Hotel 6. Shalom Katz: two tickets to a Sens hockey game 7. Anna Rabinovitch: two pairs of tickets to the NAC English Theatre 8. Anna Lee Chiprout: a Sonicare toothbrush 9. Alana Azaria: gift certificate to the Electrical and Plumbing Store

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 8, 2010 – Page 11

Historic conference brings together Jewish educators from community schools and all denominations

By Rabbi Howard Finkelstein Yitzhak Rabin High School For the first time in North American Jewish history, the educational arms of the day school movement representing the community school network, and the modern Orthodox, Conservative and Reform movements, convened from January 17 to 19 in Teaneck, New Jersey to confront educational issues and problems at the North American Jewish Day School Leadership Conference.

Meeting together in friendship, camaraderie and professional concern to demonstrate conclusively and convincingly that the future of Jewish life in North America lies in

the hands of their representative schools were RAVSAK, the Jewish Community Day School Network; the Institute for University-School Partnership of Yeshiva University; the Solomon Schechter Day School Movement; the Progressive Association of Reform Day Schools. The conference was sponsored by the Kohelet Foundation, PEJE (Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education) and the Covenant Foundation.

In sum, one reform educator from Miami indicated to me that all Jewish schools are engaged in holy work emboldened and humbled at the same time with the task of ensuring our children’s Jewish

future.

It should be stated emphatically that theological differences among the various movements in Jewish denominational life were not on the agenda of this conference, but the exploration of ways to improve the transmission of Jewish values and the concept of kedusha (holiness) was. The barriers of theological discord among the movements was set aside by the commonality of approaches suggested and recommended to solve issues regarding student recruitment, student retention, student ennui in Judaic studies, and the need to revitalize Jewish educational programs to make them relevant and meaning-

ful to students in order to encourage and foster true Jewish continuity in the next and subsequent generations.

Various sessions at the conference focussed on curriculum design and execution, the use of technology in teaching Judaic texts, the role of prayer in our schools, administrative development, as well as pluralism. The conference was attended by educators from all walks of life who discussed with each other various approaches they have taken to deliver educational product to their students.

Top speakers from across the denominational spectrum addressed issues of importance to

teachers, parents, students and administrators. But, most importantly, it was the interface and interaction of educators from different walks of life and observance that was most impressive.

The future of North American Jewry bodes well with the establishment of such conferences in which Klal Yisrael is enhanced by Jewish educators working together in common purpose to ensure that our Jewish students will pass the transmission of the values of our faith to future generations.

As the Psalmist writes, “How good and pleasant it is for our brothers and sisters to sit together.”

(Psalms 137)

Shalom TV now available on demand from Rogers Shalom TV, North America’s first Jewish cable television network, is now available to Rogers digital cable subscribers in Ontario.

Programs are offered free on the multicultural on-demand service (Channel 800).

“We are thrilled to bring Shalom TV to Canada’s largest Jewish population,” said Rabbi Mark S. Golub, president and executive producer of Shalom TV. “Canadians can

watch Shalom TV’s unique spectrum of programming – everything from our Jewish Film Festival, Israel and interviews with the leading figures on the world Jewish scene to Shabbat TV Kids and Jewish Studies.”

Shalom TV, a mainstream, non-profit Jewish network, features a wide array of Jewish programs including a weekly Jewish Film Festival; exclusive presentations of

programs from the 92nd Street Y in New York; news from and about Israel; a weekly Israel mini-tour and other features about the State of Israel; Jewish cooking; arts and culture; comedy and music; and meetings with leading figures from every sector of the Jewish community who are helping to shape modern Jewish life.

Shalom TV also features Jewish pro-

grams for children and for those interested in Jewish learning.

Visit shalomtv.org for further information about the Shalom TV network and for program descriptions and schedules.

Editor’s note: The Shalom TV network should not be confused with Shalom Ottawa, the local Jewish community program seen monthly on Rogers Channel 22.

Page 12 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 8, 2010

Analysis: Can West Bank improvements hold in 2010?

By Leslie Susser JERUSALEM (JTA) – In Israel and the West Bank, 2009 was the year that ended without a bang – and people were grateful for it.

For the first time in a decade, Israel experienced a year without a suicide bombing. According to official Israeli figures, five Israelis were killed in incidents in or with attackers originating from the West Bank. By comparison, 17 Israelis were killed by West Bank terrorism in 2008 and 429 in 2002, at the height of the second Palestinian intifada.

Shooting attacks were down to 22 in 2009 from 83 the previous year, while the use of explosive devices fell to 13 from 54. Of the 633 recorded terrorist incidents in 2009, more than 90 per cent were considered minor – including the throwing of stones or Molotov cocktails.

The decline is owed to both Israeli and Palestinian practices.

The security fence Israel erected in the West Bank is proving to be a highly effective barrier against terror spilling over from the West Bank into Israel proper.

Inside the West Bank, besides the deployment of roadblocks and checkpoints, Israeli troops have honed a successful modus operandi around Palestinian cities: During the day, they usually stay out of sight and, at night,

acting on real-time intelligence, they move in on would-be terrorist cells.

More important than enhanced Israeli anti-terror capabilities, however, is the sharp decline in Palestinian efforts to wage terrorist attacks.

Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas, in power since 2005, has consistently opposed the use of violence as a means of attaining Palestinian goals.

He argues it is ineffectual and ultimately self-defeating when pitted against Israel’s military superiority.

Terrorism also does not sit well with PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad’s two-year state-building project, which requires a modicum of stability and a great deal of international support.

The West Bank also is in the midst of a major economic boom, which a new round of terrorist attacks would undermine.

Underpinning the newfound calm is the successful training and deployment of local Palestinian forces, responsible for law and order in major West Bank cities.

Since 2006, U.S. Lt.-Gen. Keith Dayton has been building a Western-style gendarmerie intended to provide the security foundation for the would-be Palestinian state. The carefully vetted recruits are sent on intensive four-month training courses

An architectural image of Rawabi, the first planned Palestinian town, which developers hope to start building soon.

(JTA Photo: Bayti Real Estate Investment Company)

at a base near Amman, Jordan, run by U.S., Canadian, British and Turkish instructors, and return to the West Bank imbued with new Western standards of policing.

The results on the streets have been dramatic: Armed gangs have disappeared and crime rates are down, and there is a new can-do social and economic atmosphere fueled at least partly by the new sense of law and order.

In the context of local Palestinian politics, the National Security Force, known derogatively as “Dayton’s Army” by its detractors, is very much an arm of Abbas’ Fatah Party. As such, it is helping to keep a lid on violence by its more radical Hamas rivals. This also helps

explain the decline in terrorist acts against Israelis in 2009.

The establishment of the new security force is an integral part of Fayyad’s statebuilding plan. Not only are Dayton’s men set to provide the security nucleus of the emerging Palestinian state, their uniformed presence on the streets is perhaps the most overt sign for Palestinians that their state indeed may be on the way, again reducing the incentive for Palestinian violence.

The law and order imposed by the combined efforts of the Israel Defense Forces and the Palestinian security force has enabled Israel to eliminate dozens of roadblocks and checkpoints, allowing more freedom of

movement. This has helped accelerate the economic boom in the West Bank, itself one of the strongest brakes on Palestinian terrorism.

By any standards, the boom in 2009 has been impressive. Economic growth in the West Bank reached seven per cent – far higher than in Israel or the West.

Tourism to Bethlehem, which doubled to one million in 2008, was up to nearly 1.5 million in 2009. New car imports increased by 44 per cent. Gleaming new shopping malls opened in Jenin and Nablus. Palestinian developers are planning to build the first modern Palestinian city, Rawabi.

Law and order, the boom and the state building all

What’s happening at

Congregation Beth Shalom Friday, February 12

Shabbat Dinner (with speaker Dr. Isra Levy)

Saturday, February 27 Youth Shabbat Purim Festival/coffee house Battle of the guitar heros!

Sunday, February 28 Purim Celebration for Russian Seniors Wednesday, March 17 Meet Jim Watson (joint program at Agudath Israel) Watch for more upcoming events

Everyone is Welcome!

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

augur well for peacemaking over violence.

“One of the things holding back progress towards a permanent settlement is an Israeli concern that there is no one on the other side capable of cutting a lasting deal,” Shlomo Brom, director of the program on IsraelPalestinian relations at the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Strategic Studies, told JTA. “But the more you go forward on the statebuilding project, the more you will be able to overcome that lack of confidence.”

Yet, as encouraging as today’s trends are, it all could unravel very quickly.

With Israeli-Palestinian peace talks deadlocked for more than a year, Palestinian leaders have begun showing a degree of ambivalence toward terrorism. In late-December, Abbas commemorated the 50th anniversary of the birth of female terrorist Dalal Mughrabi, and the governor of Ramallah named a square in her honour. Mughrabi was one of the leaders of a 1978 bus hijacking in which 38 Israelis, including 13 children, were killed.

Also in late-December, Abbas dubbed as “holy martyrs” three terrorists shot dead by IDF forces after killing a Jewish settler in a roadside shooting.

Security experts estimate that potential Palestinian militants have about 120,000 weapons hidden underground in the West Bank, all of which could come out should the situation deteriorate. That’s aside from the possibility that in a crisis, Palestinian security forces could turn their guns on Israel; that happened when the second intifada broke out in 2000.

Past experience shows that economic prosperity alone is no guarantee of peace and quiet. Both previous Palestinian intifadas, in 1987 and 2000, erupted at a time of economic growth.

Whether the West Bank terrorism statistics rise or fall in 2010 could depend on whether or not serious peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians get off the ground.

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 8, 2010 – Page 13

Bronwyn Steinberg directs Purim Shpiel, Megillah on the Roof

By Pamela Rosenberg for Soloway JCC Bronwyn Steinberg makes her Soloway Jewish Community Centre (JCC) directorial debut with Megillah on the Roof, the Soloway JCC’s third annual Purim Shpiel.

In her final year of the master of fine arts program specializing in directing for the theatre at the University of Ottawa, Steinberg became involved with the Purim Shpiel through her friend, and past Shpiel director, Emily Pearlman.

It’s a much different process than anything else she has worked on, she says, but, “it’s been a lot of fun.�

Megillah on the Roof recounts the story of Mordechai, Queen Esther, King Achashverosh, Vashti

and Haman through the familiar tunes of Fiddler on the Roof, the famous Broadway musical and blockbuster film. “The music is challenging in this one. Although the tunes are familiar, the songs are not necessarily easy to sing,� Steinberg says. “Aviva Lightstone [musical accompanist] is doing a great job on that.�

The cast is made up of community members. While some are veteran Shpielers, some are taking to the stage for the first time, so Steinberg makes the process relaxed, without professional pressure. “Directing a Shpiel is different,� she says. “It’s not a classical text with strict timing. It’s more free form and everyone brings their own

Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advertisement in the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin.

energy to their part. We get to play with it. Directing community theatre reminds me what it’s all about.�

In an effort to add her own directorial signature to the show, Steinberg has been working to create a unified vision of the story in which the people of Anatevka have actually got together to tell the Purim tale themselves.

The audience feels like they are in the Russian village with Tevya and his friends. “I have tried to justify the combining of the two stories as being a bit more than just telling a Purim story,� explains the director. “The Purim story is not that different from the Fiddler story and the pogroms are not all that different from what Haman was doing. I wanted to use the parallels and make it part of the storytelling.�

The cast of 13 includes Golda Feig Steinman as Queen Esther and John Kershman as Achashverosh.

Evan Weiner joins the cast this year as Mordechai, Joel Yan plays Haman and Donna Strauss returns as Vashti.

Narrators Sylvia Kershman, Dayna Strauss and David Michaelson will do

The cast and crew of Megillah on the Roof (front row from left to right): Bronwyn Steinberg, Golda Feig Steinman, David Michaelson, Debi Shore, John Kershman, Sylvia Kershman, Roslyn Brozovsky Wollock Aviva Lightstone; (back row) Tova Lynch, Evan Wiener, Jan Jones, Dana Strauss; Marsha Kaiserman; (missing from photo) Donna Strauss and Joel Yan.

double duty as choristers.

Chorus members are Jan Jones, Tova Lynch, Marsha Kaiserman and Debi Shore.

Returning for a third year is Producer Roslyn Brozovsky Wollock.

In addition to school and the Purim Shpiel, Steinberg is currently finishing an internship at the National Arts Centre as directing intern with Peter Hinton and has recently worked on productions of A Christmas Carol and Mother Courage. She is also beginning rehearsals for the uOttawa production of Blood Relations, a Governor General Award-winning play

by Sharon Pollock that she

will direct.

The Purim parody comes to life on the stage in the Soloway JCC social hall on Sunday, February 21, 7:00 pm. Tickets are available at the Soloway JCC front desk at $10 (Soloway JCC mem-

R ESPECT. T RADITION. Kelly Funeral Homes has a long tradition of respecting your traditions.

Our dedicated professionals are proud to help local families uphold a rich heritage. Learn how advance planning can ensure those traditions are carried out as they should be.

Call today for information: 613-828-2313

KELLY FUNERAL HOMES www.kellyfh.ca

~Proudly Serving the Ottawa Community ~

" &$

Shlep - drag (rhymes with “hep�)

Shlepper - one who shleps

bers and seniors) and $20 (non-members). Refreshments will be served.

For more information, call Roslyn Brozovsky Wollock at 613-798-9818, ext. 254, or by email at rwollock@jccottawa.com.

MARK S. BORTS Insurance & Financial Services Mark S. Borts, B. Comm., CFP, CLU, CH.F.C, RHU Telephone: 613 565 6275 Facsimile: 1 866 267 5635 Cell: 613 851 1198 mark@bortsfinancial.com Suite 950-130 Slater Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6E2

Page 14 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 8, 2010

Sinai Scholars

Hlya Zeifman, one of 20 uOttawa and Carleton students who completed the fall semester Sinai Scholars Society course on the Ten Commandments, receives her certificate from Rabbi Chaim Boyarsky of the Chabad Student Network. Twenty other students are enrolled in the Sinai Scholars program this semester.

Hillel Academy class raises money for Haiti earthquake relief On their own initiative, the Grade 3 class at Hillel Academy visited other classes at the school and raised more than $500 from fellow students for Haiti earthquake relief.

(Front row from left to right): Stefanie Ages, Sammy Tanner, Jessica Huniu; (middle row) Justin Siegman, Yoav Cohen, Isaac Glassman, Oren Baray, Benjamin Dodek, Jonathan Miller; (back row) Tommy Sachs, Alex Puzakov, Adam Freedman, Harel Bayaz, Noah Luden; and (missing) Dalia Miller.

Temple Israel Religious School students perform community service Chabad Student Network helps out at Ottawa Mission The Chabad Student Network of Ottawa participated in Mitzvah Day in December by preparing meals at the Ottawa Mission. The students also held a clothing drive to benefit the needy.

JET on Campus visits New York Grade 7 students at Temple Israel Religious School enjoy a break after helping serve 120 hot meals at Parkdale United Church’s In from the Cold program on January 16. Working at In from the Cold is a part of the Grade 7 program at Temple Israel.

Rabbi Avraham and Ayala Gross led a group Ottawa students on a week-long learning and touring trip to New York City organized by JET on Campus during winter break.

(Front row left to right): Shima Vigodda, Rabbi Gross, Fabien Malouin, Dina Agulnik, Yael Gang, Sam Levine and Amanda Horwitz; (back row) Mitch Goldenberg, Lawrence Brass and Daniel Levin.

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 8, 2010 – Page 15

TIC KETS NOW ON SALE Please contact 613-580-2700 or visit www.centrepointetheatre.com.

For more information, contact 613-725-3519, ext. 111.

TA M I R P R E S E N T S

Hillel Academy recycles The Hillel Academy Environmental Club will be receiving two grants of $1,000 each from the Metro Green Apple Program. The grant program encourages greener living in schools. The Environmental Club already instituted a recycling program in the school and will take the lead on two new projects: developing a composting program and a bird nesting project.

Grade 4 teacher Deanna Coghlin is pictured with Environmental Club members (left to right) Shoshana Hussen, Benjamin Kofsky, Ethan Geist and Michael Melamed.

Merivale High School presents multicultural show

Jaimie Fine, president of the Jewish Culture Club at Merivale High School, carries the Israeli flag during the annual Multicultural Show at the school in December. The show celebrates Merivale High School’s cultural mosaic and involves hundreds of students in a display of heritage music, dance and fashion.

(Photo: Irv Osterer)

CENTREPOINTE THEATRE THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2010 7:00 PM www.tamir.ca

613-725-3519

Page 16 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 8, 2010

First Person

Journal from Haiti: Doing disaster relief

By Arele Klein ZAKA PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (JTA) – Arele Klein, a volunteer for the ZAKA disaster relief organization in Israel, shares his experiences and thoughts in the following journal from the earthquake zone in Haiti.

Thursday, January 14, 10 am Two days after the quake, the phone call comes in from ZAKA Operations Commander Haim Weingarten: “You’ve been selected as a member of ZAKA’s delegation to the earthquake disaster in Haiti. We’re talking about a very difficult incident on the scale of the tsunami. Volunteers should be physically fit, mentally prepared and with experience.

Please give your permission and ask for your wife’s approval.”

As a ZAKA volunteer of long standing, I have no hesitation. I give a positive answer on the spot, on the condition that my wife agrees.

I go home, tell my wife about the mission and ask for her approval.

“My head says no, my heart says yes,” she says.

With that, I receive her blessing.

12 pm All members of the delegation arrive at the Home Front Command base for briefings, vaccines and medications against all kinds of diseases that might break out in the disaster area. Only then do I begin to understand what I am about to do. Fear of the unknown begins to creep into my thoughts.

Overnight, aboard the 14-hour flight from Israel to Haiti It’s a good opportunity to meet new friends from the Israeli delegation, the Home Front Command, rescue specialists, medical professionals, members of the Israel Police Forensic Unit and others. There are a lot of good people with the volunteer-

human beings, people just like me, in such a state of sheer helplessness and horror.

ZAKA volunteer Arele Klein, right, at the Israeli field hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, days after the January 12 earthquake.

(ZAKA photo)

ing spirit who want to help, assist and rescue.

Friday, January 15, Erev Shabbat We land at the destroyed Port-au-Prince airport, and I immediately begin to understand what this is about. Planes carrying aid from around the world land one after the other. I see the collapsed buildings and inhale the acrid smell of decomposing bodies. It’s a smell that is too familiar to us as ZAKA volunteers, but I’ve never encountered it so overwhelmingly.

Kabbalat Shabbat I find myself, together with the members of the Israeli delegation, on a soccer field – our makeshift base. Amid the turmoil and

commotion, a minyan for Shabbat prayers forms. The head of the IDF delegation, Brig.

Gen. Shalom Ben Aryeh, joins Rabbi Shaul Ofen and others in prayer. The words of the prayers take on an even deeper significance and meaning: “O King who causes death and restores life.”

We still haven’t managed to unpack the containers, so all that we brought for Shabbat remains packed away. We receive an assignment of two challahs and can only dream of the fish and meat we normally eat on Shabbat.

At least our situation is better than that of the other ZAKA delegation that arrived directly from Mexico; they only have canned goods.

Saturday, January 16 The sophisticated field hospital is built overnight, under incredibly difficult conditions. We are ready to begin work.

The ZAKA delegation is assigned to work in the field hospital as paramedics. We are also given responsibility for the deceased. I still haven’t had time to breathe, but word already has spread and a long line of Haitians awaits treatment.

Words cannot describe the pain and sorrow that confront us – such difficult images, so hard to bear. Men, women and children are in various states of injury, from light to critical, many with severed or dangling limbs, all waiting in line quietly. The calm is chilling.

There are no cries or screams, just a line of Haitians waiting.

The ZAKA volunteers receive severed limbs for burial – hands, feet and other body parts – in numbers that are impossible to count. I feel a strong need to put my feelings on hold, to try to work like a robot. But the strategy doesn’t work for long. When no one notices, I move away from the tent and break down, crying for the sorrow and grief that has descended on the people of Haiti. Here are

Sunday, January 17, 12 pm A Haitian child, who appears to be around 10, the same age as my own son, arrives at the hospital after being rescued from one of the collapsed buildings, hovering between life and death. His mother muttered words and phrases in a language I can’t understand. But her eyes, streaming with tears, express everything. After 30 minutes spent attempting to save his life, I inform her that her son died.

The intensity of her cries pierces the air with pain.

Like all ZAKA volunteers, we are used to receiving expressions of gratitude from both religious and secular people with phrases such as “Good for you” or “You’re doing holy work.” But there can be no comparison to the extent of the Kiddush Hashem (sanctification of God’s name) that the ZAKA delegation is doing here in Haiti.

The public address system in the field hospital never seems to stop in its calls for our presence: “Arele from ZAKA, please report.

Sami from ZAKA, please report.” From the commander on down to the individual soldiers, everyone understands the importance of, and praises, the work of the ZAKA volunteers.

We have made such warm and friendly personal connections here. I think to myself, why do we need to fly so far to realize how special the people are in Israel?

Monday, January 18, 4 am As we attend to a woman in labour with twins, the first baby is still-born. Trying to figure out how to deliver the terrible news to the mother, I am surprised when the monitor jumps to life, showing that the second child is alive.

We cannot count the number of bodies we’re transferring for burial in a mass grave.

The human brain cannot absorb the quantity of bodies we’ve seen in these first few days in Haiti. I discover a strange sight at one of the mass graves: Families have a special tune that they sing at the graveside, a song that moves back and forth from song to tears, singing and crying. Who can understand it?

I receive a four-year-old boy for treatment accompanied by his 16-year-old brother, the only survivors of a family still buried beneath the rubble of their home. Again the scene repeats itself: There was nothing to do but pronounce the four-year-old child dead. When I announce the painful news, his brother cries out in anguish and, in total despair, begins running toward the mountains. He does not want to receive his brother’s body.

We continue to receive the injured; they wait patiently in line for treatment. We work like machines, but the line only seems to get longer. But who can stop at the sight of people so desperate for help?

Arele Klein, 39, a married father of two, has volunteered with ZAKA for 16 years.

Haiti is his first international assignment.

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 8, 2010 – Page 17

The ‘unlikely friendship’ of Moe and Martin

By Stephen Bindman Editor’s note: A version of this article originally appeared in the Beth Shalom Bulletin.

The remarkable, yet unlikely friendship between a 30-something Quebecker from Gatineau and a retired Orthodox Jewish furrier in his late-80s began in the summer of 2007 with a trip to Loblaws for kosher meat.

Martin Vaillancourt was in the process of converting from Catholicism to Judaism and was looking for a mitzvah to perform. He had a car and offered to drive people to appointments or do errands for them.

Rabbi Gary Kessler referred him to Moses (Moe) Cardash, a long-time Beth Shalom member and regular Minyaner.

The rest, as they, say, is history.

“I had his number for about two weeks when I looked in the fridge and saw I needed meat,” recalls Moe. “So, I phoned him. ‘I hate to bother you,’ I said, ‘but I need some meat. Can you be so kind as to take me to the butcher shop at Loblaws?’”

Half an hour later, Martin picked up Moe at his apartment.

“He put me in his car and drove me there.

I went in and bought what I needed. I wanted to give him a barbecued chicken for his efforts, but he wouldn’t accept. To this day, he hasn’t accepted anything. He does it as a mitzvah and I’m telling you it’s some mitzvah!”

Since then, the two have become virtually inseparable. They finish each other’s stories and laugh hysterically at each other’s jokes.

“He’s my right-hand man. Without him, I’m lost,” says Moe who came to Canada from Romania when he was a baby.

“I have to say he’s my best friend,” says Martin, who recently completed a certificate in business management from the University of Ottawa, but chooses to drive a cab to help pay for his return to university to continue with business studies.

“He’s a great man. I have learned a lot from Moe – in terms of modesty, in terms of giving to charity. He’s a very, very good man.

I know that, if I need to talk to someone, or I need a comment or anything, I know I can call Moe or I can see Moe. “I know that, when I see him, he really truly appreciates it when I am with him and it is the same for me. You cannot ask for more from a friend. I just really appreciate when I am with him. For me, the age difference is nothing,” adds Martin.

“He’s a mensch!” says Moe of Martin.

Moe maintains close relationships with his two sisters, Betsie and Lillian, who live in Washington, D.C. During recent hospitalization and recuperation periods, Moe’s sisters were at his side in Ottawa to cook and care for him.

But, they do live in Washington D.C. and, in their absence, it is Martin who is there for Moe. Martin, who keeps in frequent touch with Moe’s sisters, has become part of the family.

Shabbat regulars at Beth Shalom know that, come Shabbat, Moe and Martin will be

The close friendship of Moe Cardash (left) and Martin Vaillancourt began when Cardash needed a ride to Loblaws to buy kosher meat.

(Photo: John Fink)

there – Moe tucked in an alcove in his electric wheelchair and Martin, wrapped in his new tallit, in the aisle seat closest to him.

On Shabbat mornings, Martin shows up at the Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre at 7:30 am and helps Moe get ready. They have breakfast, then wait for the Para Transpo bus to take them to their sanctuary, literally.

When Moe gets an aliyah, he steers his wheelchair to the bimah and Martin goes up to the Torah and stands in his place while Moe recites the brachot.

“I can’t imagine myself to be at shul without Moe. Something would be missing. After his challenges with his health, he wanted to go back to shul almost immediately. We had to tell him, ‘OK, you have to relax.’ Shul for Moe is very important. For me, it is too, to go to shul with him,” says Martin.

During the week, Martin visits Moe several times, helping with his mail and with the bills. Sometimes, they go out for a meal – to Red Lobster for fish or East Side Mario’s for vegetarian pizza.

When Moe was honoured on Remembrance Day by Governor General Michaëlle Jean for his service during the Second World War, it was a proud Martin who helped him don his uniform and make it to the War Memorial.

Moe has had a rough patch of health. He suffered a heart attack in 2008 and had both legs amputated last year. Through it all, Martin has been by his side.

He arrived at Moe’s apartment from his Gatineau home at the same time as the ambulance on March 24, 2008 when Moe took ill and has been with him at the hospital, the rehabilitation centre, and now the Perley.

“Moe is an incredible man. I’m very proud of him. All the therapists saw his medical files and said, ‘Wow, that’s quite a challenge.’

Everybody was surprised at all the effort and the progress he has made.

“He’s a true inspiration of courage – how he took that major event in his life [the amputation of his legs]. He was so serene. It is amazing. He’s quite something.”

Jason Moscovitz, another regular visitor at the Perley, has marvelled at both the friend-

ship between the men and Moe’s incredible inner-strength and resolve during his illness.

“It is easy to see how Moe has helped Martin,” says Moscovitz.

“Being with Moe is learning the greatest life lessons about courage, modesty and humility. Moe never complains.

“Ask Moe how he is and he says, ‘Thank God.’ “To spend time with Moe at the Perley is to see a man treat caregivers and fellow residents with the greatest respect and dignity. I can understand why Martin would say Moe is

his best friend. Martin is a lucky guy to have a friend like Moe.” When his conversion was completed, Martin chose the Hebrew name Moshe – after Moshe Rabbeinu, and his buddy Moe. Says Moe: “When he was converted, they put the tallit over his head and I said, ‘You know Martin, I‘ll have to learn from you a few things [about Judaism] that I never knew before.”

A few months after they met, Moe asked Martin about his reasons for converting to Judaism.

“I cannot explain it. It is just inside of me,” says Martin, who has never visited Israel, but plans to as soon as he can.

“When I was in my late teens, I was very curious about the Jewish people and Israel.

With time, I just realized that it was inside of me and that I had to make the move. I just knew that I had to be buried in a Jewish cemetery.

“When we say in the Shema, that God is one, I really believe that with all my heart.”

These two great friends have another thing in common – they are both bachelors.

“I’m looking for a good Jewish woman,” says Martin, who returned to university in January to complete a second business certificate.

“You’ve got to go to Toronto and Montreal where there are a lot of Jewish woman,” advises Moe. See, Moe is always full of useful advice!

Page 18 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 8, 2010

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 January 6 and 20, 2010 inclusive.

HONOUR FUNDS Unlike a bequest or gift of life insurance, which are realized some time in the future, a named Honour Fund (i.e., endowment fund) is established during your lifetime.

By making a contribution of $1,000 or more, you can create a permanent remembrance for a loved one, honour a family member, declare what the Lodge has meant to you and/or support a cause that you believe in.

A Hillel Lodge Honour Fund is a permanent pool of capital that earns interest or income each year. This income then supports the priorities designated by you, the donor.

Ruth and Irving Aaron Family Fund In Honour of: Anna-Lee Chiprout Mazal tov on receiving your prestigious award from State of Israel Bonds by Ruth and Irving Aaron R’fuah Shlema: Leah Melamed Wishing you a complete and speedy recovery by Ruth and Irving Aaron Bill and Leona Adler Memorial Fund In Honour of: Esther Matin Mazal tov on becoming a great bubby again by Elayne Adler, Farley, Jordan and Benjamin Stenzler Sylvia Kaiman Mazal tov on your special birthday

by Elayne Adler, Farley, Jordan and Benjamin Stenzler Samuel and Jean Akerman Memorial Fund R’fuah Shlema: Arnell Goldberg by Sheila and Larry Hartman Rickie Saslove by Sheila and Larry Hartman Elsie Baker Endowment Fund In Honour of: Mel Baker Mazal tov “Bro” on your new home

by Polly, Jack and Sammy Moran

engagement to Sarah Rabinowitz by Elaine Friedberg and Bob Dale Abby and Issie Rabinowitz Mazal tov on Sarah’s engagement to Alex Gordon by Elaine Friedberg and Bob Dale Malcolm and Vera Glube Endowment Fund In Memory of: David Appotive by Vera and Malcolm Glube Lily Kramer by Vera and Malcolm Glube Sonny Segal by Vera and Malcolm Glube

Levine families R’fuah Shlema: Morris Kimmel by Claire and Irving Bercovitch; Diana and Alvin Malomet and Jeff Greenberg and family Bill and Phyllis Leith Family Endowment Fund In Memory of: Lilly Kramer by Arlene and Seymour Isenberg and Lisa, David, Sydney and Zachary Leith Rosenthal/McCormick Family Fund In Memory of: Lillian Kahan by Helen Rosenthal Irma and Harold Sachs Family Fund In Honour of: Myrna and Norman Barwin With grateful appreciation by Irma Sachs R’fuah Shlema: Rickie Saslove by Irma Sachs

Nell Gluck Memorial Fund In Honour of: Mr. and Mrs. Mordechai Bendat Mazal tov on your special anniversary, wishing you many happy years together by Julia Gluck, Ted and Jess Overton Ruth and Dale Fyman Mazal tov on the birth of your granddaughter Adina Schwartzberg. We wish you much nachas from your growing family by Maureen and Henry Molot Murray Major Mazal tov on your recent birthday “Bis hundert zwanzig” by Julia Gluck, Ted and Jess Overton Mr. and Mrs. Murray Major Mazal tov on the engagement of your son David to Jody by Julia Gluck, Ted and Jess Overton Miriam and Victor Rabinovitch Mazal tov on the birth of your grandson Jacob Harry Blecker. We wish you much nachas from your growing family by Maureen and Henry Molot Odile Shiroky Best wishes for a full recovery by Julia Gluck, Ted and Jess Overton

Schachter/Ingber Family Fund In Memory of: The beloved grandmother of Marnie and Marc Welikovitch by Rachel, Howard, Davida and Josh Schachter In Honour of: Laurie Edelman There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of the people you love. You have truly learned to tap this source and you have truly defeated age. Happy 60th birthday to our chosen and special cousin by Rachel, Howard, Davida and Josh Schachter Rachel and Howard Schachter Thank you for everything by Maggie and Bob Lederman

Moe Greenberg and Elissa Greenberg Iny Family Fund In Memory of: Sonny Segal by Elissa and Avraham Iny In Honour of: Roz and Arnie Kimmel Mazal tov on the birth of your grandson by Elissa and Avraham Iny

Skulsky Family Memorial Fund A generous donation to this fund was made by Elaine and Stephen Wiseman

Frank and Lily Hoffenberg Family Fund In Memory of: Everett King by Dr R Hoffenberg David, Harvey and Victor Kardish Family Fund In Memory of: Joy Ostrega by Gale, Victor and Sydney Kardish

Jack and Betty Ballon Family Fund In Honour of: Betty Ballon Best wishes for a very happy 102nd birthday by Anna and Rudy Fliegl

Dorothy and Maurie Karp Endowment Fund In Honour of: Betty Ballon Mazal tov on your 102nd birthday, all my love and best wishes by Dorothy Karp R’fuah Shlema: Pearl Moskovic by Dorothy Karp

Friedberg and Dale Families Fund In Honour of: Laurie and Steve Gordon Mazal tov on Alex’s

Morris and Lillian Kimmel Family Fund In Observance of the Yahrzeit of: Eileen Baron by the Kimmel, Kaiman and

Label and Leona Silver Family Fund In Memory of: David Appotive by Leona and Label Silver R’fuah Shlema: Marvin Avery by Leona and Label Silver

Ralph and Anne Sternberg Memorial Fund In Memory of: Alla Livshitz by Laya and Ted Jacobsen Samuel (Sonny) Segal by Laya and Ted Jacobsen In Honour of: Stephanie Dancey Mazal tov to you, Wayne and Cory on the purchase of your dream home with waterfront on Chemong Lake. May you enjoy many healthy and happy years in your new abode, love Mommy Laya and Daddy Ted Marjorie and Michael Feldman Mazal tov on the birth of your grandchild. Also, in appreciation for a perfect brunch, a sublime combination of delicious food, interesting people and comfortable places on which to sit, warmest wishes by Laya and Ted Jacobsen Annie and David Garmaise Mazal tov on the birth of your granddaughter Adele warmest wishes

by Laya and Ted Jacobsen Francine Shier Mazal tov on your (censored/deleted) birthday warmest wishes by Laya and Ted Jacobson

Harvey Slipacoff In appreciation for being such a mensch by Laya and Ted Jacobsen R’fuah Shlema: Sam Schrier May you return to excellent health as bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as ever by Laya and Ted Jacobsen Eric Weiner and Arlene Godfrey Family Fund In Memory of: David Appotive by Arlene Godfrey, Eric, Melissa and Laura Weiner Anna and Samuel Wex Family Fund In Memory of: Lily Kramer by Laila and Richard Wex and family Toby and Joel Yan Family Fund In Honour of: Etta Kaner and David Nitkin In appreciation for your generous hospitality by Toby and Joel Yan Ayala and Dan Sher Mazal tov on the recent marriage of your children by Toby and Joel Yan Andria Spindel In appreciation for your generous hospitality by Toby and Joel Yan Fahimeh and Mark Yan In appreciation for your generous hospitality by Toby and Joel Yan Feeding Program In Memory of: Mozes Brajtman by Mara and Isaac Muzikansky Music Therapy Program In Honour of: Eric Elkin Wishing you a happy and health birthday and many more by Judy and Gerry Goldstein

*********** IN MEMORY OF: Herb Goldenberg by Annette and Jack Edelson Lily Kramer by Arlene and Norman Glube; Bev, Bryan, Alison and Rob Glube and Shirley and Norman Levitt Joy Ostrega by Bev and Bryan Glube and Simi and Stephen Silver Sonny Segal by Arlene and Norman Glube Fuzzy Teitelbaum by Ruth and Myron Poplove

IN HONOUR OF: Bev and Dan Cantor and family Mazal tov on the opening of the new Butchery by Andrea and Allan Solman Eric Elkin Happy Birthday by Rhoda and Mike Aronson Evelyn Hoffman Mazal tov and best wishes on your 80th birthday by Betty and Sid Finkelman Shirley and Paul Seiler Mazal tov and best wishes on your special anniversary by Betty and Sid Finkelman

R’FUAH SHLEMA: Morris Kimmel by Ruth and Myron Poplove Rickie Saslove by Zelda and Leoan Zelikovitz The Foundation thanks Dorothy and David Torontow and family for dedicating a leaf on the Tree of Life in loving memory of Harry and Sarah (Gottdank) Torontow

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 – February 8, 2010 – Page 19

Members of Ottawa’s Group of 35, circa 1974. Please contact the Ottawa Jewish Archives if you have memories or stories about the group or are able to help identify people in the photo.

(Photo courtesy of Ottawa Jewish Archives)

From the Archives

Group of 35 led protests and actions on behalf of Soviet Jewry during 1970s

By Susan Landau-Chark for Ottawa Jewish Archives In May 1971, a group of blackclad Jewish housewives from London, England’s northwest suburbs stood outside the Soviet Embassy and attempted to deliver a petition on behalf of Raisa Palatnick to the wife of the Soviet ambassador.

In three short years, this small group of dedicated Jewish women, known as the Group of 35, had become an international organization with active groups in England, France, the United States and Canada.

In July 1974, a group of Ottawa women met in the home of Edie Koranyi to form a 35-ers group.

The first chair of this group was Simone Goldberg.

“When we meet on the 30th, I’ll probably be screaming like a maniac and biting my fingernails off at the shoulder blades,” wrote Goldberg in a memo reminding the 35-ers about an upcoming demonstration.

By October 1976, more than 100 women were listed as participants in Ottawa’s Group of 35.

The women dressed in plain black only: sweaters, slacks, hose, shoes and headscarves, and engaged in a variety of actions to draw attention to the plight of Jews in the

Soviet Union. On one occasion, to protest the sentence imposed on Dr. Mikhail Shtern, who had been charged with taking bribes from patients, Ruth Berger noted that the Group of 35 delivered “baskets filled with eggs and dead chickens to the [Soviet] embassy gates, to mock the charges.”

Besides the very visible demonstrations, the Group of 35 sent books and records to the U.S.S.R.; made phone calls to specific refuseniks in the Soviet Union, and to their families, providing invaluable moral support; helped with the secretarial work required to maintain visibility both in the media and to those in the Soviet Union; and engaged in letter-writing campaigns to members of Parliament, to the Soviet Union and to the media.

What was taking place in the Soviet Union that Jewish housewives in Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and abroad felt compelled to stand outside a Soviet embassy or consulate on cold days, and hot, demonstrating and delivering petitions?

After Stalin’s death in 1953, Soviet Jews held to the hope that the Communist promise of equality, freedom and an end to discrimination would also apply to them.

This was not to be.

Blame was placed on the Jews for the economic problems of the Soviet Union. Most synagogues were closed; communications with Jewish communities outside the Soviet Union and with Israel were monitored; Jewish activists and leaders were imprisoned; it was illegal to study Hebrew or possess books and papers relating to Judaism; and emigration was forbidden.

Applying for an exit visa meant dismissal from one’s position. As it was illegal to be unemployed in the Soviet Union, those unable to find work were charged with “parasitism,” which led to imprisonment. Soviet Jewry was at risk of disappearing.

When refusenik Natan Sharansky was finally released, he recalled being interrogated by KGB (Soviet secret police) Colonel Volodin who said, “What do you think? That your fate is in the hands of these people and not

ours? They’re nothing more than students and housewives.”

“I remind people,” Sharansky said, “that in the end, the army of students and housewives turned out to be mightier than the army of the KGB.” These events took place more than 35 years ago, and the Ottawa

Jewish Archives is planning an early summer display about Ottawa’s Group of 35. In preparation, we would like to hear your memories and stories about the group.

Please contact the Ottawa Jewish Archives at 613-798-4696, ext.

260.

BrazeauSeller LLP becomes corporate sponsor of Federation Campaign The Jewish Federation of Ottawa has announced that Ottawa law firm BrazeauSeller LLP has become a corporate sponsor of the Federation’s Annual Campaign.

“Our firm is extremely proud of its long-standing contributions to the Ottawa Jewish community, including chair positions on the boards of various organizations, including the Federation itself,”

says firm partner Ron Prehogan.

“Becoming a corporate sponsor enables us to further assist the good work of the Federation and its beneficiary agencies.”

The Jewish Federation of Ottawa Annual Campaign launched in September 2009 with a goal of raising $5 million. Funds raised by the Campaign support 24 Jewish agencies in Ottawa.

Birthright Israel information session Birthright Israel sends thousands of young Jewish adults, aged 18 to 26, from all over the world on first-time trips to Israel for 10 days as a gift in order to strengthen the sense of solidarity among world Jewry; and to

strengthen participants’ personal Jewish identity and connection to the Jewish people. Registration for Birthright Israel begins on February 17.

An information session on Birthright Israel and the applica-

tion process will be held Wednesday, February 10, 7:00 pm at the Joseph and Rose Ages Family Building, Social Hall A, 21 Nadolny Sachs Private.

RSVP for information session: fgreenspoon@jewishottawa.com.

Page 20 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 8, 2010

Biography of Mordecai Richler by acclaimed novelist M.G. Vassanji Mordecai Richler

By M.G. Vassanji Penguin Canada 236 pages One of the reasons the death of a great writer hits the consciousness of the nation so profoundly is that one knows that his last novel will forever be the final one. So, when a new biography emerges, there is a part of us that, perhaps, secretly hopes it will contain a hidden offering from the artist himself.

Mordecai Richler died in 2001, four years after his final novel, Barney’s Version, one of his finest, won the Giller Prize. And, while this is not the first biography of Richler – The Last Honest Man, Michael Posner’s 2004 oral biography is excellent – this latest offering carries the imprimatur of Penguin’s Extraordinary Canadians series, and is written by Canadian novelist and two-time Giller Prize winner M.G. Vassanji.

There is not much that is new here, but Vassanji brings concise prose and sober sympathy to his subject. From the start, Vassanji, who was raised in Tanzania, lays claim to a similarity of place: “We both grew up in an urban colonial setting, in closed, religiously observant, jealous communities.”

As Vassanji shows us, Richler is the consummate Jewish Canadian author, using the tiny universe of Montreal’s St. Urbain Street as the foreground for much of his fiction, though his ethnic identity never obscures his national voice. Indeed, toward the latter part of his career, Richler took on such weighty issues as Quebec nationalism in his non-fiction writing. Around this time, he also wrote about Israel, reflecting on his Habonim background in light of contemporary Israeli-Palestinian politics.

While Vassanji notes that Richler’s wry commentary on Canadian politics made him a darling of the Canadian

right, his musings on Israel in This Year in Jerusalem (1992) are more measured. Vassanji furnishes a lengthy quote from that book: “I was grateful that, for once in our history, we were the ones with the guns and they were the ones with the stones. But … I also found myself hoping that if Jerry, Hershey, Myer, and I had been born and bred in the squalor of Dheisheh [refugee camp] rather than the warmth of St. Urbain, we would have had the courage to be among the stone-throwers.”

The volume takes us through Richler’s life, segments of which are smartly interwoven with analyses of Richler’s writing. Vassanji describes how the characters often related quite directly to Richler’s own life, while also tracing the novels’ critical and popular reception. The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz brought him fame. Some deemed Son of a Smaller Hero to be anti-Semitic; accusations Vassanji says “seem gross overstatements by today’s standards.” Joshua Then and Now represents the pull between “the weight of his Jewish heritage” and a yearning for “an inheritance … weightier than the construction of a transcontinental railway, a reputation for honest trading, good skiing conditions.” (Quotes from Joshua Then and Now cited by Vassanji.)

Vassanji does not spare us details of Richler’s often painful childhood. His paternal grandfather had written in his will that the 14-year-old Mordecai should not be allowed to touch his coffin. He witnessed his mother engaging in an extra-marital affair, the bitterness of which carried through his adulthood spiralling to a bitter falling out between mother and son that never healed. His first marriage ended in divorce.

Book Review Mira Sucharov Against this difficult background, Richler managed to find true love with his second wife. His marriage to Florence was, by all accounts, a fulfilling one and is loosely documented in Barney’s Version. Fans of Richler’s Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang might feel slightly privy to his family life, with each of the five children being characters. And, while Florence had converted to Judaism prior to marrying her first husband, the issue of her non-Jewish background never seemed far from the surface.

Engaging the universal thirst for underdog stories, Vassanji describes the difficult path on which Richler tread toward his success. Early letters to his father from London and Paris, where Richler spent 20 years, included regular appeals for funds.

As a writer, Richler maintained a disciplined work routine, only enjoying his famed scotch at the end of his work day. Which brings us to Richler’s practised decadence.

The Richler-tribute font commissioned by the Giller Prize and Random House soon after his death featured a glass of scotch and a cigar, along with a tomato and his trademark reading glasses as dingbats.

Was it the drinking and smoking that made us lose out on another couple of novels? Perhaps. But, at least, we can still visit Noah Adler, Jake Hersh, Joshua Shapiro, Duddy Kravitz, Barney Panofsky and Jacob Two-Two, who, like the best old friends, can satisfy our longings at least until the next biography of one extraordinary Canadian

Los Angeles comedian Avi Liberman to perform at Purim-à-Paris party

By Ferris Hamilton for Ottawa Torah Centre Chabad “It will be a perfect party that will blend entertainment for both adults and children this year” explains Rabbi Menachem M. Blum, executive director of Ottawa Torah Centre Chabad (OTC), when describing the Purim party planned this year by OTC and the Soloway Jewish Community Centre (JCC).

For more than 10 years, OTC has organized a family party for Purim with a different theme each year. From the Hawaiian Luau to a Purim Fiesta, Purim Around the World has drawn hundreds of participants.

“These events bring families together in an exciting celebration of fun for all ages,” says Rabbi Blum. “Our holidays have to come to life and have to leave a lasting impact”.

France is this year’s destination as we celebrate Purimà-Paris at the Soloway JCC. The program will begin with the traditional reading of the Megillah of Esther along with a simultaneous slide show. The Soloway JCC social hall will be decorated in French style and participants will be treated to hors d’oeuvres, French pastries, wine tasting and an all-you-can-eat crèpe station.

The special guest entertainer for children and adults will be Israeli-born, Los Angeles-based comedian Avi Liberman. Visit aviliberman.net for a biography of the comedian.

It all takes place on Saturday, February 27, 7:30 pm, at the Soloway JCC, 21 Nadolny Sachs Private. Admission is

$18 for adults, $10 for children.

For more information or reservations, call OTC at 613823-0866 or visit ottawatorahcentre.org.

Comedian Avi Liberman will perform at Purim-à-Paris, the OTC-SJCC Purim party, February 27.

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 8, 2010 – Page 21

Why should Jewish literacy matter?

This is a revealing period in the calendar for gauging Jewish practice and identity. These four weeks are bookended by two holidays, Tu B’Shevat and Purim. With its certificates to the Jewish National Fund, and its melodious paeans to the trees, Tu B’Shevat tends to hang out in the wings. But Purim, with its costumes and carnivals, treats for the kids, and alcohol for the adults, and its poppy seed, prune and short crust pastry for everyone, takes centre stage.

Most cities hold community-wide Purim carnivals which help bring together the religious, secular, affiliated, and not. But, I would wager that whether or not your kids celebrated Tu B’Shevat last week depends only on whether or not they attend some form of Jewish school (day or supplementary).

Why does it matter whether our kids celebrate – or even know about – Tu B’Shevat? Playwright and author David Mamet has written angrily about Jews “who are humble in their desire to learn about Kwanzaa and proud of their ignorance of Tu B’Shevat.” Without adopting Mamet’s judgmental approach to the issue, we can still ask: why should Jewish literacy matter?

Some say that Jewish knowledge is simply a divine imperative. It is a mitzvah to study Torah and observe Jewish ritual. That’s fine as far as it goes, but if you don’t already adopt a theocentric view, which can easily descend into circular reasoning (do it because it says so), that logic quickly wears thin. Without discounting a divine-based perspective, here is my own secular-humanist and rational-strategic take on the value of Jewish literacy.

“The seasons, they go round and round.” Observing ritual helps mark time, and provides a sense of celebration (or sacredness) to temper the ordinariness of the everyday.

Lighting Shabbat candles and reciting the Kiddush before

passing challah around the table helps mark the end of the workweek. Lighting Chanukah candles punctures the darkness of winter and dipping eggs in saltwater ushers in spring. Jewish education teaches kids the how-to, and amplifies whatever is being done in the home. In celebrating in a school context, kids are reminded that Jewish identity is most meaningful when it spans the private and public realms.

Anyone here speak Jewish? Jewish literacy is a language, just like any other. Some of Jewish life is experienced through formal language (Hebrew and Yiddish), but the rhythms of Judaism provide a set of conceptual lenses through which to experience life. Just as knowing more than one language can improve certain verbal and conceptual understandings, being conversant in one’s religious and cultural heritage simply adds to the texture of existence.

Being part of the conversation. Unlike some who tout intermarriage as a grave threat to Jewish continuity, I follow Edgar Bronfman in believing that intermarriage has the potential to result in a net increase of Jewish kids (the math is counterintuitive, but it works) – if we apply a big-tent Judaism approach. Assuming, then, that Jewishness will selfperpetuate if we worry more about Jewish life than about Jewish love, let’s give our kids the tools to be part of the dialogue. It’s an exciting one, with no dearth of issues to delve into: same-sex marriage under the chuppah, medical ethics, gender roles, Diaspora Jewish identity, conversion politics, ethical kashrut, and Israel’s political and cultural life, to name a few. Without Jewish literacy, it’s hard to break into the conversation.

Turning a Jewish 13. This final reason is the most practical. Some synagogues simply won’t grant a child a Bar or Bat Mitzvah without the completion of some Jewish schooling. In Ottawa, these rules have become a grapevine

Values, Ethics, Community Mira Sucharov that badly needs to be untangled.

Temple Israel requires prospective Bar and Bat Mitzvahs to have completed at least four years of three-and-a-half hours per week of Jewish school. For a Shabbat Bar or Bat mitzvah, Agudath Israel requires five years of four hours per week. Or Haneshamah (formerly the Ottawa Reconstructionist Havurah) requires two years of two hours per week. Ottawa Torah Centre Chabad requests that prospective Bar and Bat Mitzvahs partake of a one-year program of study through the centre while Beth Shalom recommends five years of four hours per week. Beit Tikvah leaves it to the rabbi’s discretion, while Machzikei Hadas, Young Israel and Adath Shalom have no restrictions in place.

Based on 2001 census data and current Federation figures, I estimate that two-thirds of the Jewish kids in Ottawa are not receiving any form of Jewish education. Is Jewish literacy simply not a value for their families? Or are we not delivering education as effectively and attractively as we could?

I suggest that we begin further community conversations on contemporary approaches to pedagogy, more synagogue involvement to create cross-cutting affiliations, and potential amalgamation. In the meantime, mark your calendars for Sunday, March 14, at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre, when Jewish Education Rocks will showcase Jewish educational options.

And, if you missed Tu B’Shevat, there’s always next year.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp increases its influence The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC) further tightened its reign of power during the recent election exercise in Iran. The show of force on the streets by the Basij militia, on orders of the IRGC, was a clear signal that the IRGC has acquired a position in the machinery and governance structure of the country. Unlike the Iranian regular forces, the IRGC has significant and audacious confidence in itself and control over the machinery of government.

The IRGC has come a long way since 1979, when Ayatollah Khomeini created it to keep the regular armed forces at bay. Khomeini did not trust the armed forces and needed insurance against military coups. While much smaller (125,000) than the Iranian armed forces (900,000), the IRGC enjoys a unique subsidiary in the Basij militia, whose numbers are said to be in the millions across the country. Today, the IRGC is not only a sophisticated military and political force, but also the owner of a vast and complex network of companies and corporations, especially in the field of nuclear planning and development. It is better equipped than the Iranian armed forces, not only due to large appropriations by the government, but also through its access to the billions of dollars its global commercial interests generate. It was even able to hastily arrange a joint Iranian-Russian military exercise in the Caspian Sea with a large number of ships from both sides in July 2009.

This event could be interpreted as the tit-for-tat response to Israel’s sending its subs through the Suez Canal in June 2009.

The IRGC, highly suspicious of ordinary people and intellectuals, does not seem to enjoy the confidence of the middle and upper classes in Iran, nor does it enjoy the full confidence of the ranks of the armed forces. Its relationships with Qum and some influential clerics have been eroded to the point of animosity. However, as long as it enjoys the confidence of the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the Guardian Council, it can han-

World Affairs Oliver Javanpour

dle the lack of support in other quarters.

The IRGC has been increasing its influence and presence in all aspects of the Iranian administration. Federally, it has secured its supporters appointments to various high-ranking positions or election to parliament. A great number of governors appointed in provinces and those appointed to the helms of high profile crown corporations are former IRGC members and sympathizers. Today, the IRGC and its subsidiaries are involved in significant decision-making processes for the country – from economic, to aerospace and high-technology research and development, to defence, to countering internal uprisings, and management of public and foreign relations.

It would be misleading to present the IRGC’s assistance in installing Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in his second term as president as a military coup. This had been percolating for some time. In fact, it should have been rather clear that the IRGC, as a major driver of Iranian militarization, could not afford to have any of the theocrats, reformers or moderates at the helm of the country. With Iran, by most accounts, being six months to a couple of years away from becoming a nuclear nation, it could not tolerate the signals that reformers and mullahs at the helm would have bent to international pressures and made some concessions. Ahmadinejad was the only candidate the

IRGC brass could trust. So it was natural, since Ahmadinejad was himself a member of the force, for the IRGC to support his installation. While consolidating its power base, the IRGC ensured it had a man in office who could withstand international pressure on the nuclear and military fronts.

Through the show trials of the reformists, and foreign and dual-citizenship Iranians, the IRGC and the Iranian government are signalling to the rest of the world, especially the United States, that it is not interested in dialogue or engagement, at least not for now. The country has every intention of setting its own agenda, ignoring the ineffective responses from the West.

As Iran’s sphere of interest and influence grows, so does the IRGC’s. With contacts and contracts in Central Asia, Persian Gulf countries, Africa and Central and South America, it is investing heavily in development projects or multi-billion dollar mega projects. These unique involvements, in partnerships through Iranian government machinery and the control of mega-multinational corporations, make the IRGC a significant player in Iranian and international commerce and in foreign relations. The IRGC spends a great deal of its resources in the management and health of its assets, domestically and around the world. Threats to its power are also interpreted as threats to its financial holdings.

Notwithstanding the current supreme leader’s age and potential replacement process, perhaps the next significant play for the IRGC may come when Iran completes the building of its first bomb. The transformation, which began a decade ago with clerics using the IRGC to remain in control, has now come full circle with the IRGC using the clerics to achieve the same ends.

All this leaves the Iranian government with very little interest and energy for being engaged externally.

Page 22 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 8, 2010

Our Grizzly New York adventure – part one In mid-January, Roger and I headed off to New York City for a weekend with our friends, the Grizzlys. We decided to go together to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary and their 20th.

Their real name, of course, is not Grizzly. That is my pet nickname for them as they share many of the same personality traits as grizzly bears.

As you may know, grizzly bears hibernate for the winter.

In preparation, they must eat heavily for several weeks prior to the hibernation period as they will be living off their stored fat for several months. Apparently, this was the weekend Mr. Grizzly intended to pack on his necessary pounds (and he took us along as hostages). I’ll be sharing our adventure with you over two columns because there was too much good eating to pack into just one column.

We started planning in the fall. I chose the hotel, but Mr. Grizzly asked if he could plan all our meals and entertainment. Since I’m usually the one to book all the restaurants and activities when my family goes on holiday, I was thrilled to take a backseat and let someone else do the planning.

We arrived in New York in late-morning and went straight to the hotel to meet friends. We stayed at the London Hotel in midtown Manhattan on West 54th Street, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues. When we arrived, we found Mr. Grizzly at the check-in desk, requesting a higher floor, as grizzly bears prefer to locate their dens up high, in areas of deep snowfall. As there was no snow at all in NYC that weekend, Mr. Grizzly settled on a suite on the 43rd floor.

As January is off-season in New York, we were able to get an amazing (for New York City) rate of $249 a night. All the rooms are suites consisting of a bedroom and small living room. The bathrooms were marble and mosaic tile. The sheets were the softest Italian cotton and the closets were

Sensational Sandwiches

by Janis specializing in party sandwiches (minimum order 4 dozen pieces)

lunches, meetings, shivas, office parties, clubs, showers, conferences Janis King

(613) 237-9494

A million dollar view!

Made with Love Cindy Feingold huge with lots of hangers. I am not a light packer and always have to ask for extra hangers. As my daughter says, “I like to have options!”

After check-in, we were off to lunch. Mr. Grizzly chose Il Gattopardo (it means ‘the leopard’ in Italian). Located just a few short blocks from our hotel at 33 W. 54th Street, it was a charming Southern Italian restaurant.

We started off with a bottle of Gavi, a delicate, fresh Italian white wine – perfect for lunch. Then the waiter brought rosemary olive oil bread accompanied by butter with sea salt.

As we consulted our menus, he brought an amuse bouche (a little food gift from the chef) of deep-fried arborio rice balls stuffed with smoked mozzarella. Everything was wonderful and fresh and we all shared our food so we got to taste a large variety of items from the menu. I think our favourite was the Eggplant and Buffalo Milk Ricotta Cakes with spicy tomato sauce.

After lunch, it was time for shopping. There are some big sales in New York City in January. Mrs. Grizzly and I went with the boys to help them choose some appropriate attire for the winter hibernation season. Then we managed to shake the boys and go off on our own for some real shopping.

Dinner that night was at Gordon Ramsay at the London, the restaurant at our hotel.

Riding the elevator down to dinner, Roger asked me what the restaurant’s specialty was.

“A cussing chef,” I replied.

The restaurant is presided over by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. He is best known for berating his staff on the Food Network show, The F Word. The one time I watched it, he scared me. However, he has a reputation for preparing wonderful food. We were not disappointed. Mr. Grizzly chose the seven-course tasting menu. The rest of us decided on just three courses.

The dining room was hushed and kind of grown up. Mr. Grizzly is neither of those things, so our dinner was lively and lots of fun. Our waiter was fantastic, knowledgeable without being stuffy.

For me, the highlight of the dinner was when the waiter came over to the table and put down a small bowl and an-

Amuse bouche of deep-fried arborio rice balls stuffed with smoked mozzarella at Il Gattopardo.

nounced that this was the “pre-dessert.” What a concept! It was a soft white chocolate ganache with white rum gelée, coconut foam and mango and lime sorbet. It was an unbelievable taste combination.

For dessert, Mrs. Grizzly and I had a sampling of three cheeses and Roger and Mr. Grizzly shared an apple tarte tatin with vanilla bean ice cream. And then, they rolled over the Bon Bon trolley. It sat in the corner of the dining room and I had been watching it all evening. Although we were full, we managed to find room for cotton candy, home made marshmallows, salted caramels and an assortment of chocolates.

Mr. Grizzly asked for a few salted caramels to take back to his room, in case he was hungry during the night.

A word of warning: The toilets in the bathroom beep repeatedly when you sit down on them. I never did find out why. After dinner, our waiter rolled us out of the restaurant and into the short elevator ride up to our Italian cotton covered pillows. A good night’s sleep was needed to get ready for day two of our adventure.

To be continued next issue.

Winner of “The Consumer’s Choice” Award for 11 consecutive years!

Voted Best Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturer in the Ottawa Region For all your kitchen and vanity design needs, contact

111 Echo Drive - $999,000 Energetically welcoming and professionally repainted throughout! This bright two bedroom condo offers spectacular views of the Canal and features a renovated kitchen with large principal rooms and a spacious family room, two 5-piece bathrooms & much more! Only 3 units per level!

Exceptional recreation facilities with on-site staff! Two underground parking spots! Immediate possession available. www.111Echo.com MLS® 741007

JEFF GREENBERG SALES REPRESENTATIVE ROYAL LEPAGE TEAM REALTY (613) 725-1171 www.JeffreyGreenberg.com

Aviva Ben-Choreen at 613-836-5353 ext. 321 2415 Carp Road

The Ottawa Jewish Bulletin Publishing Co. Ltd. collects and uses your personal information primarily for the purpose of providing you with the products and services you have requested from us.

The Ottawa Jewish Bulletin may also contact you from time to time to ask about

your account or to conduct market research and surveys in an effort to continually improve our product service offerings.

To enable us to more efficiently provide the products and services you have requested from us, the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin may share your personal information

www.laurysenkitchens.com

with the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, the Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation and the Soloway Jewish Community Centre.

If you would like more information, or to speak to the Privacy Officer, please call 613-798-4696, ext. 256.

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 8, 2010 – Page 23

FOUNDATION DONATIONS Our future is in your hands

Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation 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

Join us in building our community by supporting these local agencies JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES AGENCY FUND Mazel Tov to: Miriam Bloom and Victor Rabinovitch on the birth of their grandson by Cathy and Dan Sigler.

AJA 50+ ENDOWMENT FUND AKIVA EVENING HIGH SCHOOL ENDOWMENT FUND ADINA BEN PORAT MACHON SARAH TORAH EDUCATION FUND SHIRLEY AND SHIER BERMAN FUND FOR OTTAWA JEWISH ARCHIVES DORIS BRONSTEIN TALMUD TORAH AFTERNOON SCHOOL FUND BARRY FISHMAN OTTAWA JEWISH BULLETIN SCHOLARSHIP FUND MARTIN GLATT PARLIAMENT LODGE B’NAI BRITH PAST PRESIDENTS’ FUND MENDEL AND VALERIE GOOD HOLOCAUST CONTINUING EDUCATION FUND GREENBERG FAMILIES LIBRARY ENDOWMENT FUND HILLEL ACADEMY ENDOWMENT FUND HILLEL ACADEMY CHILDREN OF THE BOOK AWARD FUND HILLEL LODGE LEGACY FUND JEWISH COMMUNITY CEMETERY HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL FUND JEWISH MEN’S SOFTBALL LEAGUE FUND JEWISH STUDENTS ASSOCIATION - HILLEL FUND

JEWISH YOUTH LIBRARY OF OTTAWA ENDOWMENT FUND DAVID “THE BEAR” KARDASH CAMP B’NAI BRITH MEMORIAL FUND OTTAWA JEWISH CEMETERIES ZICHARON FUND OTTAWA JEWISH COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT FUND OTTAWA JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY FUND OTTAWA LODGE B’NAI BRITH #885 PAST PRESIDENTS FUND OTTAWA LODGE B’NAI BRITH #885 PRESIDENTS SCHOLARSHIP FUND OTTAWA MODERN JEWISH SCHOOL FUND OTTAWA POST JEWISH WAR VETERANS FUND OTTAWA TORAH INSTITUTE TORAH EDUCATION FUND RAMBAM MAIMONIDES JEWISH CONTINUITY FUND SOLOWAY JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTRE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FUND SOLOWAY JEWISH COMMUNITY SUMMER CAMP SCHOLARSHIP FUND SOLOWAY JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTRE ENDOWMENT FUND SOLOWAY JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTRE YOUTH SERVICES FUND TORAH ACADEMY OF OTTAWA TORAH EDUCATION FUND SARA AND ZEEV VERED ISRAEL CULTURAL PROGRAM FUND YITZHAK RABIN HIGH SCHOOL FUND IN MEMORY OF EVA WINTHROP

The Board of Directors of the Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation acknowledges with thanks contributions to the following funds as of January 20, 2010.

APPOTIVE FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Joy Ostrega by Carolyn and Stephen Appotive and family.

David Appotive by Carolyn and Stephen Appotive and family; by the Holtzman family and Ben Shedletsky; by Ross Munro; by Mary Scrivener;

by Velma Clement; by Gryphin Advantage Inc.; by the Legate family; by Liz, Jack and Neil Zwicker; by Marie Bissonnette and Peter Leclair; by David, Karine and Dylan Gaum; by Arlene, David and Michael Holmes; by Evelyn Viner; and by Barbara and Jerry Soloman and family.

MYRNA AND NORMAN BARWIN FOUNDATION OF THE PINCHAS ZUKERMAN MUSICAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND In memory of: Lily Kramer by Norm and Myrna Barwin.

CAYLA AND MICHAEL BAYLIN ENDOWMENT FUND Birthday wishes to: Goldie Cantor by Cayla and Michael Baylin.

In memory of: Pat Murray by Cayla and Michael Baylin.

Charlie Taren by Cayla and Michael Baylin.

Mazel Tov to: Maureen and Jeff Katz on the birth of their grandson by Cayla and Michael Baylin.

ALEX AND MOLLIE BETCHERMAN MEMORIAL FUND In memory of: Adrian Ste Maria by Joy Rosenstein, Bonnie Greenberg, and Ronald Singer.

Birthday wishes to: Mina Cohen by Joy Rosenstein and Bonnie Greenberg.

MARTIN AND ELLIE BLACK ENDOWMENT FUND Birthday wishes to: David Finestone by Marty and Ellie Black.

RONALD BODNOFF MEMORIAL FUND In observance of the Yahrzeit of: Doris Torontow, a beloved mother, daughter and sister by Rhoda Bodnoff and family.

BUZELAN AARON FAMILY FUND In memory of: Cocoa Buzelan by Carol, Evan and Miriam Diamond.

TILLIE AND HARRY CHERM MEMORIAL FUND Birthday wishes to: Sylvia Kaiman by Brenda Wolf; by Elayne, Eric, Mitch and Galya Schwartz; and by Miriam Levitin.

SANDI AND EDDY COOK ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Joy Ostrega by Sandi and Eddy Cook.

Sylvia Carlebach by Sandi and Eddy Cook.

Thinking of you: Michael Clark by Sandi and Eddy Cook.

Congratulations to: Josh Engel on becoming a Partner of GGFL by Sandi and Eddy Cook.

NATHAN AND REBA DIENER ENDOWMENT FUND Birthday wishes to: Mindy Wertheimer by Dayra and John Diener.

ALFRED AND KAYSA FRIEDMAN ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Frank Shaker by Alfie and Kaysa Friedman.

FRAN AND SID GERSHBERG FAMILY FUND In memory of: Lily Kramer by Fran and Sid Gershberg.

EVA, DIANE AND JACK GOLDFIELD MEMORIAL FUND In memory of: Marlene Roth by Anita and Ed Landis and family.

Birthday wishes to: Murray Elliot by Anita and Ed Landis and family.

HERB AND DENA GOSEWICH ENDOWMENT FUND Speedy recovery to: Arnell Goldberg by Herb and Dena Gosewich.

Mazel Tov to: A.J. and Ruth Freiman on the engagement of their daughter Arielle to Matt by Herb and Dena Gosewich.

ZELDA AND JOHN GREENBERG ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: David Appotive by Margot Greenberg.

LARRY AND SHEILA HARTMAN ENDOWMENT FUND R’fuah Sh’lemah to: Lenny Cogan by Larry and Sheila Hartman.

Zelaine Shinder by Larry and Sheila Hartman.

HY AND PAULINE HOCHBERG ENDOWMENT FUND In observance of the Yahrzeit of: Hy Hochberg, a dear husband, father and grandfather by Pauline Hochberg.

ARTHUR AND SARAH KIMMEL MEMORIAL FUND Mazel Tov to: Steve and Sarit Nagy on the birth of their grandson Jack Zev Kimmel by Norman and Isabel Lesh.

Dr. and Mrs. Stuart Kotler on the birth of their new granddaughter Madelyn Harper Gitner by Roz and Arnie Kimmel.

ISSIE AND EDITH LANDAU ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Rita Ketzman by Edie Landau and family.

MAYER AND ROSE LANDAU MEMORIAL FUND In observance of the Yahrzeit of: Nancy Segal by Sally and Morton Taller.

NORMAN AND ISABEL LESH ENDOWMENT FUND Mazel Tov to: Lee and Roslyn Raskin on their grandson’s Bar Mitzvah by Norman and Isabel Lesh.

RON AND RUTH LEVITAN ENDOWMENT FUND Mazel Tov to: Ron and Ruth Levitan on their grandson Jared Roth’s Bar Mitzvah by Grace and Jim Hillel; and by Continued on page 24

Page 24 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 8, 2010

FOUNDATION DONATIONS Norman and Sandra Slover.

JOSEPH AND EVELYN LIEFF ENDOWMENT FUND R’fuah Sh’lemah to: Pearl Moskovic by Joe and Evelyn Lieff.

IRVING AND ELLEN LITHWICK ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Ellen Lithwick by Brenda and Arnold Zaltas; by Yvonne and Harvey Lithwick and family; by Helene and Sid Diament; by Sam and Sylvia Diament; by

Freda Abramson; by Bernie, Karyn, Gillian, Zachery and Max Farber; and by Diane Lerner and Ken Bodenstein.

SAMUEL AND LEEMA MAGIDSON ENDOWMENT FUND Birthday wishes to: Trudy Wiseman by the Kimmel family.

NORMAN AND ANNE MIRSKY MEMORIAL FUND In memory of: Sonny Segal by Millie and Steve Mirsky.

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

George Joseph Cooper Scholarship Award Members of the Ottawa Jewish community, including previous applicants and nominees, are invited to apply or nominate someone to receive the G.J. Cooper scholarship award to be presented at the Annual General Meeting of the Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation on June 9th, 2010.

This scholarship recognizes a member of the Ottawa Jewish Community who is between the ages of 18-30, who has displayed leadership qualities, academic excellence and an interest in the Jewish Community.

The scholarship award is to be used for formal education or apprenticeship in the artistic, literary or social sciences.

Please provide the following in your application or nomination by April 1st, 2010 along with an application form: 1. A resume of the applicant or nominee’s contributions to community life.

2. Proof of enrolment by the applicant or nominee in an academic or apprenticeship program for the following school year.

3. A letter of reference that focuses on the elements required to qualify for the scholarship.

4. Proof of the applicant or nominee’s academic excellence An “Application Form” can be obtained online at www.OJCF.ca If you do not have internet access, you may call 613.798.4696 extension 252 or drop in at the address below.

Address applications or nominations to: G.J. Cooper Scholarship Award c/o Chair of the Scholarship Committee Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation 21 Nadolny Sachs Private Ottawa, ON K2A 1R9 www.OJCF.ca • info@ojcf.ca

PEARL AND DAVID MOSKOVIC ENDOWMENT FUND R’fuah Sh’lemah to: Pearl Moskovic by Abe and Feinstein.

Beverly

PREHOGAN FAMILY FUND IN MEMORY OF AARON HARRY COHEN In memory of: Lucy Mergler Bercovitch by Lewena and Brian Steinberg.

SHELLEY AND SID ROTHMAN FAMILY FUND Mazel Tov to: Josh Engel on becoming a Partner of GGFL by Shelley Rothman.

RICKIE AND MARTIN SASLOVE FAMILY FUND Mazel Tov to: Claire and Irving Bercovitch on their granddaughter’s Bat Mitzvah and Irving’s birthday by Rickie and Martin Saslove.

R’fuah Sh’lemah to: Morris Kimmel by Rickie and Martin Saslove.

Herbie Taller by Rickie and Martin Saslove.

Irma Sachs by Rickie and Martin Saslove.

In appreciation to: Brenda Levine by Rhoda Miller.

JACK AND SARAH SILVERSTEIN FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND Mazel Tov to: Riva Levitan and Richard Roth on their son Jared’s Bar Mitzvah by Jack and Sarah Silverstein.

MAX AND PHYLLIS STERNTHAL FAMILY FUND In memory of: Ken Diamond by Max and Phyllis Sternthal.

Speedy recovery to: Rickie Saslove by Max and Phyllis Sternthal.

BARBARA AND GERALD THAW ENDOWMENT FUND Birthday wishes to: Dorothy Nadolny by Barbara and Gerald Thaw.

SONIA AND ARTHUR VINER MEMORIAL FUND In memory of: David Appotive by Gladys and John Greenberg.

MILDRED AND PERCY WEINSTEIN ENDOWMENT FUND R’fuah Sh’lemah to: Rickie Saslove by Millie Weinstein.

IRVING AND DIANE WEXLER FAMILY FUND Speedy recovery to: Jack Boidman by Diane Wexler and Carol Segal and family.

THE SAUL AND EDNA GOLDFARB B’NAI MITZVAH PROGRAM RYAN GOLDBERG B’NAI MITZVAH FUND Birthday wishes to: Ernie Potechin by Mary and Len Potechin.

HAYLEY OSTREGA MITZVAH FUND In memory of: Joy Ostrega by Jared Roth.

JARED ROTH MITZVAH FUND Thank you to: Everyone for their well wishes on the occasion of my Bar Mitzvah by Jared Roth.

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.

In Appreciation I would like to thank all my friends and relatives for their good wishes by means of cards, donations and phone calls wishing me good health after my recent by-pass surgery.

Irving Taylor

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 8, 2010 – Page 25

Jewish fraternity is committed to community service National Lampoon’s Animal House, the 1978 hit film, and many other movies, have depicted university fraternity life as consisting of excessive boozing and womanizing.

These films often portray academic life as a farce and academia as an oppressive regime.

The reality of fraternity life, at least for Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) – the Jewish fraternity founded in 1913 at New York University and which now has 140 chapters in the United States, Canada and Israel – is very different. The Ottawa chapter of AEPi has a strong history of providing community service on campus through various events.

AEPi worked on the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Telethon in 2009 and will do so again this year. “We brought 10 people last year and it looks like our numbers will be even higher this year,� said Zach Cantor, Ottawa’s AEPi vice-president. “Knowing how important two hours of our personal time can be to help those who need, I don’t see how anyone could say no to donating their time.�

The brothers have a couple of tasks for this event. They

spend an hour on-air handling the phones, a job that entails taking down donations from callers. They also contribute in less glorified ways, helping to put up and strike down the telethon’s set.

Last year’s University of Ottawa Heart Institute Telethon raised more than $5 million and expectations for the 2010 edition, Sunday, March 28, from 9:00 am to 6:50 pm on CTV, are even higher.

For Cantor, helping out with the telethon is a no-brainer. “We have all been affected, either personally or by knowing someone who has been affected by cardiovascular problems, and this is a great way to give back to an organization that does so much good in preventing and treating these issues. It’s an easy thing to do to help them do what they do best, and to save lives,� he explained.

Cantor began volunteering for the Heart Institute Telethon even before joining AEPi. Now he’s made the event a staple for AEPi members who share similar philanthropic ideals.

This is just one of the great causes AEPi is involved

Campus Life Justin Dahan

with. With the tragedy in Haiti still fresh, AEPi plans to team up with Hillel Ottawa on campus to raise money for rescue and rebuilding operations after the earthquake there.

The actual event has yet to be planned, but Hillel and AEPi are sure to come up with innovative ideas to raise money. The two Jewish student organizations have always had a good relationship and such a worthy cause is another opportunity to continue working together to help those in need.?

The things I can’t shut out of my brain My mind has been preoccupied with minutiae over the past month. It is getting to be crunch time in deciding how my program, which deals with ways to deal with prejudice, will spend money.

There are so many things to consider. My brain gets more active than usual and I cannot seem to shut it off. Which is why I tend to be hyper-alert and notice things that I would not always pay attention to.

A friend sent me an article about a school in Colorado that has been celebrating Martin Luther King Day every Friday before the holiday for five years by serving southern fried chicken and how that has caused a huge controversy. Some people wrote in calling the practice insensitive, while some others, including some African Americans, said the controversy was overblown since there was apparently evidence that King actually did like southern fried chicken. So, eat whatever you like, but be careful in explaining its symbolic significance.

For Jews, this is an old story. We eat dairy on Shavuot, matzah on Passover, honey during the High Holidays, pomegranates during Sukkot, latkes during Chanukah and haman-

Humour me, please Rubin Friedman taschen for Purim.

Eating hamantaschen is something I’ve never understood. After all, why would we remember Haman on Purim by eating his pockets?

Some recent articles have talked about the movie Avatar as being typically racist because some white man becomes the messiah for the Navi, the indigenous people of a far-off planet. I have seen the movie and don’t think that analysis quite fits the facts.

The white man, who is the hero, actually has to become one of the Navi. Far from being some macho white hero, he is actually a paraplegic without the use of his legs. He is accepted among the Navi only because the life force of the planet has an affinity for him, and he for it. In fact, he is transformed into one of them and plays the role of saviour

in a Navi body, as a slender creature with blue skin and a tail, about 10 or 12 foot tall.

He doesn’t look anything like either Jesus or Mel Gibson.

Another friend wanted to know what the plural of mouse is when referring to the device attached to a computer. I think it’s probably mouses, as mice would refer to whole passel of little furry animals with tails, pointy noses with whiskers and two large sharp upper front teeth – something more likely to chew through your cable than help you surf the net.

Mouse, the animal, functions in English like louse, the beastie, and not like louse, the slob. So if you find a small insect in your hair, it is likely a louse that lays eggs and gives you cooties – or lice. If you find a louse in your blouse, you ask him to change into something more appropriate and kick him out of the house – and you never worry about lice in your blice and kicking them out of your hice.

This is the kind of month it has been. And now I have to get back to my budget. Where is that lousy mouse?

MOVING? Don’t miss one issue!

Call in your change of address TODAY!

613-798-4696, ext. 256

CARLSON WAGONLIT TRAVEL SPECIAL 2010 GROUP DEPARTURES

June 1-4, 2010 ANNUAL CANYON RANCH SPA IN THE BERKSHIRES ESCORTED BY SANDRA GRANATSTEIN September 30, 2010 GREEK ISLANDS & TURKISH DELIGHTS 2 nights Istanbul, 7-night cruise on the Wind Spirit, 1 night Athens ESCORTED BY CLAUDIA VIANI OCEANIA CRUISES BRAND NEW SHIP “MARINA�

INAUGURAL SAILINGS NOW AVAILABLE Call us for special 2 for one plus free air promotions Sandra Granatstein Ottawa@carlsonwagonlit.com 130 Albert St. Suite 714, Ottawa, ON, K1P 5G4

613-238-4040

& # #

! "

# $%

!"#$% &'(#)$%

'%*+ !#",-$%

Page 26 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 8, 2010

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 8, 2010 – Page 27

Page 28 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 8, 2010

WHAT’S GOING ON February 8 to 21, 2010 SUNDAYS Mazeltots, sponsored by Westboro Jewish Montessori School, for ages 4 and under; 192 Switzer Avenue, 10:00 am. Info: 613-729-7712.

MONDAYS & THURSDAYS Motorin’ Munchkins gym dropin for children aged 1-5 years with parent or caregiver accompaniment, sponsored by SJCC Ganon PreSchool, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Info: 613-798-9818, ext. 280.

TUESDAYS Israeli Folkdancing, learn dances, have fun, no experience or partner necessary; Hillel Academy, 31 Nadolny Sachs Private, 7:00 pm.

Info: 613-722-9323.

WEDNESDAYS Coffee Club for parents of children aged 0 to 3. Children get to play, parents enjoy coffee and con-

CANDLELIGHTING BEFORE Feb 12 ✡ Feb 19 ✡

5:07 pm 5:17 pm

versation, sponsored by SJCC Ganon Pre-School, 9:00 to 11:30 am. Info: 613-798-9818, ext. 280.

Chill and Grill with Chabad Student Network, 29 Gilmour Street, 6:00 pm. Info: 613-601-7701.

FRIDAYS Shabbat Shalom with SJCC Ganon Pre-School, for ages 0 to 5 years with parent or caregiver accompaniment, 9:30 am. Info: 613798-9818, ext. 280.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8 Monday Matinée for Seniors featuring “Mama Mia,” sponsored by Jewish Family Services. All welcome, Valley Stream Manor, 2 Valley Stream Drive, 1:30 pm. Info: 613722-2225, ext. 325.

Adina Ben-Porat Annual Memorial Lecture, sponsored by Ottawa Torah Institute and Machon Sarah High School. Topic: “The Morality of War: A Jewish Ethical Perspective” with speakers Rabbi Eliezer Ben-Porat and Aaron J. Sarna, former government trade negotiator. Info: 613-737-5006.

Young Couples Class, sponsored by Jewish Education through

Torah, part of Jewish Unity Live.

Learn the 18 Effective Tools to Highly Effective Living, Aptowitzer residence, 564 Highcroft Avenue, 8:00 pm. Info: 613-798-9818, ext. 247.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10 Talk by Survivor Alex Levin, author of Under the Yellow and Red Stars, sponsored by the Vered Jewish Canadian Studies Program and the Azrieli Foundation. Attendees will receive a set of Series 2 of the Azrieli Holocaust Survivor Memoirs, University of Ottawa, Lamoureux Hall 220, 145 Jean-Jacques Lussier, 6:00 pm. Reservations required. Info: 613-562-5800, ext. 2955.

Birthright Israel Information Evening, an opportunity to find out more about this free trip to Israel for young adults aged 18 to 26, 7:00 pm. Registration for trip begins February 17. Info: 613-798-4696, ext.

255.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11 Hillel Academy Kindergarten Open House for the 2010-2011 school year, 31 Nadolny Sachs Private, 9:00 am and 7:30 pm. Info: 613-722-0020.

For more community listings, visit ottawa.planitjewish.com

Lomir Reydn Yiddish, a Yiddish-speaking group for seniors, sponsored by Jewish Family Services, 2255 Carling Avenue, Suite 300, 10:00 am. Info: 613-722-2225, ext. 325.

Gymboree at the SJCC for mothers and babies, sponsored by Shalom Baby, 10:30 am. Info: 613798-9818, ext. 243.

Guys’ Night Out, sponsored by Jewish Federation of Ottawa. Enjoy laughs, drinks and gambling, The Velvet Room, 62 York Street, 8:00 pm. Info: 613-798-4696, ext. 241.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12 Shabbat Dinner at Congregation Beth Shalom. All welcome.

Guest: Dr. Isra Levy, medical officer of health, City of Ottawa, 151 Chapel Street, 5:45 pm. Info: 613-789-3501.

Student Shabbat Experience, sponsored by JET on Campus, home of the Gross Family, 15 Sandcliffe Terrace.

Info: campus@jetottawa.com.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14 1st Annual Beit Tikvah Cholent Cook-Off. Register a team or be a

judge for the “People’s Choice Cholent,” 15 Chartwell Avenue, 12:00 pm. Info: 613-723-1800.

An Afternoon of Jewish Song, choral music presented by Ottawa’s Musica Ebraica Chamber Choir, Temple Israel, 1301 Prince of Wales Drive, 2:00 pm. Info: 613-224-7073.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17 Let’s Do Lunch with programming for seniors, sponsored by Agu-

dath Israel Congregation and Jewish Family Services. Topic: Riding tips from OC Transpo, Agudath Israel Congregation, 1400 Coldrey Avenue, 12:00 pm. Info: 613-7283501.

Jewish Student Career Clinic, sponsored by Jewish Family Services. Topic: Cover letter preparation, Hillel House, 284 Laurier Avenue E., 5:00 pm. Info: 613-7222225, ext. 500.

COMING SOON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23 Malca Pass Discussion Club. After River by Donna Milner will be reviewed by Jack Schecter, Agudath Israel Congregation, 1400 Coldrey Avenue, 7:30 pm.

Info: 613-829-2455.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Hillel Academy School-Wide Open House, 31 Nadolny Sachs Private, 8:30 am.

Info: 613-722-0020.

Soloway Jewish Community Centre Annual General Meeting, 7:00 pm.

Info: 613-798-9818, ext. 221.

Unless otherwise noted, activities take place at The Joseph and Rose Ages Family Building, 21 Nadolny Sachs Private.

This information is taken from the community calendar maintained by the Jewish Ottawa InfoCentre. Organizations which would like their events to be listed, no matter where they are to be held, should send the information to InfoCentre coordinator Benita Siemiatycki via e-mail at bsiemiatycki@jewishottawa.com or fax at 613-798-4695. She can also be reached by telephone at 613-798-4644. Accurate details must be provided and all events must be open to the Jewish public.

Condolences Condolences are extended to the families of: Moshe Krieger Pearl Moskovic Colleen Snipper

May their memory be a blessing always.

The CONDOLENCE COLUMN is offered as a public service to the community.

There is no charge.

For a listing in this column, please call Carolene Preap, 613-798-4696, ext. 232.

Voice mail is available.

BULLETIN DEADLINES FEBRUARY 17 FOR MARCH 8 MARCH 3 FOR MARCH 22 MARCH 17 FOR APRIL 5 APRIL 7 FOR APRIL 26 APRIL 21 FOR MAY 10 MAY 5 FOR MAY 24 MAY 26 FOR JUNE 14