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Ottawa team wins hockey tournament in Israel

By Roger Greenberg Was the First Annual Roger Neilson Memorial Hockey Tournament just an average hockey tournament?

Not a chance!

Starting with the fact that it took place in Metulla, Israel.

The tournament, January 26 to 28, featured six teams competing for the honour of hoisting the trophy and was the fourth international tournament organized by the Israeli Recreational Hockey Association (IRHA).

This was the first time an Ottawa team participated in an IRHA tournament.

Well, a team that was organized in Ottawa – as it included Ottawans Steve Baker, Mitchell Bellman, Jeff Hunt, Peter Hudson,

Dave Nicol, Mitch Miller, Shawn Rivers, Bob Wener and me. Also with us were Hart Searle from Calgary, Sol Kassorla from New York, Rod Black from Toronto, and Ralf Wener and Esther Silver from Israel.

From our first game against an American team, we knew we had an advantage when the starting line of Bellman (left wing), Rivers (centre) and Hunt (right wing) produced two goals.

Our second game was opened

by Canadian hockey legends Paul Henderson and Darryl Sittler, with Jon Allen, Canada’s ambassador to Israel, dropping the puck. The hockey legends were treated to an NHL style opening goal when Rod Black set me up for a highlight (Continued on page 2)

Ottawa’s championship team from the First Annual Roger Neilson Memorial Hockey Tournament in Metulla, Israel (front row from left to right): Bob Wener, Mitch Miller, Esther Silver, Hart Searle, Ralf Wener; (back row) Dave Nicol, Roger Greenberg, Jeff Hunt, Sol Kassorla, Peter Hudson, Shawn Rivers, Steve (Photo: Nim Gluckman) Baker, Mitchell Bellman and Rod Black.

Israel’s finance minister spends day in Ottawa

By Diane Koven “The crisis is not yet over, but we feel we will cross the economic crisis without too much damage,” said Yuval Steinitz, Israel’s minister of finance, at the conclusion of one-day visit to Ottawa, February 4, to meet with his Canadian counterpart, Jim Flaherty.

Steinitz also met with other ministers and officials, and with representatives of Ottawa’s business and Jewish communities. He was on a North American tour that also included stops in New York, Boston and Toronto.

“We [also] came out with a ... taxation plan. We raised taxes, but

made a seven-year commitment to reduce taxes. This will give us some kind of an advantage as we did the opposite of most countries,” he said.

“We think we are on the eve of significant economic growth, focused mainly on promoting hightech industries and biotechnology, advanced agriculture devices, satellites and many other things.

We think we should promote cooperation with Canadian companies,” said Steinitz, a member of the Likud Party.

He suggested that joint funding could be put in place to assist (Continued on page 2)

Israeli Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz, second from left, with Minister of Public Works Rona Ambrose, Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty and Israeli Ambassador Miriam Ziv during a visit to Ottawa, February 4.

(Photo: Peter Waiser)

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Page 2 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 22, 2010

‘First hockey tournament that I’m going to gain weight’ (Continued from page 1)

score! (Yes, I know that, as a defenceman, I’m supposed to stop pucks, not score goals.)

Before the start of the tournament, and in between games, we toured Beit She’arim National Park, the Tel Dan Nature Reserve, and archaeological sites that reminded us that Jewish culture has existed in Israel for thousands of years. We visited Misgav Am, a kibbutz right on the Lebanese border, and an IDF field intelligence unit, which reminded us that, although Israel seeks peace with its neighbours, Israel still has to defend its borders against daily threats to its citizens.

As a team, we ate together … and ate together … and then had a snack. “This is the first hockey tournament that I’m going to gain weight,” was overheard from some of the veterans of recreational hockey tournaments. Welcome to an Israeli breakfast, lunch and dinner.

It was just your average tournament – where participants came from North America and Israel to play hockey.

Some of the Israelis, including IRHA founder and tournament (Continued on page 12)

Ottawa’s Mitch Miller prepares to faceoff with Uri Eisner, captain of the Israeli team, before the championship game of the First Annual Roger Neilson Memorial Hockey Tournament. Stanley Morais (centre) of EL AL, the official airline of the tournament, is flanked by hockey legends Darryl Sittler and Paul Henderson.

(Photo: Nim Gluckman)

CIC expects visit to increase bilateral partnerships (Continued from page 1)

start-ups of both Israeli and Canadian companies doing business with each other and in each other’s countries.

In addition to his meet-

ing with Jim Flaherty, Steinmetz held talks with Rona Ambrose, minister of public works; Stockwell Day, president of the Treasury Board; Peter Kent, minister of state for foreign affairs of the

Americas; Jason Kenney, minister of immigration; and Vic Toews, minister of public safety. He also met with Opposition Leader Michael Ignatieff.

His message was one of

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optimism and enthusiasm – both about the state of Israel’s economy, and the many possibilities for business and economic co-operation with Canada.

“Steinitz was taken aback by the warmth and intensity of friendship demonstrated by government [ministers],” said Shimon Fogel, CEO of the CanadaIsrael Committee.

“He carried that message back to his cabinet colleagues. I think it will be a catalyst for a real exponential increase in bilateral partnerships.”

Jacques Shore, vice-

president of the Canada-Israel Chamber of Commerce, was among the business and community leaders who met with Steinitz at a reception held at the residence of Israel’s ambassador to Canada, Miriam Ziv. He said Steinitz “was astounded by the pro-Israel voices amongst the ministers he met with” in Ottawa.

Steinitz, said Shore, was “able to convey the message of a strong and vibrant economy against a backdrop of living in a difficult neighbourhood. He did extremely well in sharing information about the buoyancy in Israel’s economy ...

“His mission here was to be able to express this message, to extol the virtues of doing business in Israel and to seek new partners in Israel ...

“It gave me pleasure to see the minister of finance make this concerted effort to come to Canada and share the good news of what

is happening in Israel today.”

At an earlier business roundtable, Steinitz met with representatives of various companies including MDS Nordian, Belair Networks and Cyrus Echo.

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Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 22, 2010 – Page 3

Page 4 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 22, 2010

Recovering the lost history of Caribbean Jewry

By Sarah Phillips Casteel Department of English Carleton University In January, I attended The Jewish Diaspora of the Caribbean, a conference hosted by the Jewish community of Kingston, Jamaica, and co-organized by the City University of New York. The conference’s aim was to explore the history, culture and identity of Caribbean Jewry and to document the contributions of Jews to Caribbean society.

The history of Caribbean Jewry is long and rich – the Jamaican community recently celebrated its 350th anniversary of continuous Jewish worship – but is not widely known. Although the Caribbean may now be perceived as an obscure outpost of the Jewish diaspora, papers presented by distinguished historians Jonathan Israel and GÊrard Nahon showed that, during the colonial era, Sephardic communities such as those in Curaçao and Jamaica were important centres of Jewish life. They formed part of a dynamic economic, religious and cultural network that linked Amsterdam, Hamburg and London to New World Jewish communities in the Caribbean and North America.

The presence of Jews in the Caribbean can be traced back to two key moments of historical trauma and uprooting: the wave of expulsions from the Iberian Peninsula in the 1490s and the rise of Nazism in the 1930s. The Inquisition resulted in the creation of numerous Jewish settlements across the Caribbean,

Ainsley Henriques, leader of the Jewish community in Jamaica, addresses a crowd at the island’s only shul January 15, 2010.

(Photo: Gil Shefler)

traces of which remain in the form of synagogues and cemeteries such as Hunt’s Bay Cemetery in Jamaica, where the graves date from the 1670s.

Arriving at the opening session of the conference, I expected to find a small gathering of scholars who shared a common interest in recovering this largely forgotten history. Instead, I was surprised to discover that the large room was packed with an extremely diverse audience that included scholars from North America, Europe, Israel and the Caribbean, along with high school, under-

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graduate and graduate students, as well as Jewish community representatives from various parts of the Caribbean and beyond. Reporters from a number of papers including The Wall Street Journal and The Jerusalem Post were on hand to document the proceedings, as was a documentary film crew. This media presence reflected the unprecedented nature of the conference, which organizer Ainsley Henriques joked, was “the largest gathering of Sephardic scholars since the Inquisition.�

Perhaps most strikingly, the conference was also attended by members of the AfricanCaribbean diaspora who were tracing their Jewish roots. Several papers addressed concubinage between Jewish slave owners and black slaves and noted the second-class treatment of Euro-African members of Caribbean Jewish communities (as reflected in the marginal spaces allotted to them in synagogues and cemeteries). Jewish slaveholding, together with the mixing of populations that has characterized Caribbean society more broadly, accounts for the commonness of Jewish

names such as Levy among the present-day black population of Jamaica (slavery in Jamaica, as elsewhere in the British Empire, including Canada, was abolished in the 1830s).

The Jewish presence is so pervasive that two Jamaicans separately insisted to me that “Jamaica is a Jewish island.�

The attention the conference garnered signals a growing interest in the Caribbean as an important site for the study of Jewish cultural formations. This recognition has been made possible by a number of recent shifts in the frameworks through which we understand Jewish history and culture: from an Ashkenazi-centred Jewish historiography to one that gives equal attention to the Sephardic Jewish world, from a consideration of Jewish-American colonial history that is confined within national borders to one that frames this history within a larger Jewish Atlantic, and from an understanding of Jews as racially homogenous to a recognition of the diversity of Jewish populations.

This diverse character was on display at Shabbat services at the United Congregation of Israelites whose Shaa’re Shalom synagogue features the sand floor that is the hallmark of Sephardic synagogues in the Caribbean. The cantorial singer of the congregation is a dark-skinned black man with a sonorous voice who traces his lineage back to Isaac Mendes Belisario, an important 19th century Jamaican Jewish painter.

The Kingston Jewish community’s diversity as well as its founding in 1969 of Hillel Academy, a non-denominational community school, bespeaks the inclusive and flexible conception of Jewish identity that has been necessary for the survival of Caribbean Jewry. The remarkable energy that the Jamaican Jewish community has devoted to documenting and preserving its past through the publication of numerous scholarly volumes, the creation of a Jewish Heritage Centre and the organization of this conference will hopefully ensure its continued survival.

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Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 22, 2010 – Page 5

Josh Engel is newest partner at GGFL

By Benita Baker When Josh Engel was just beginning his career as an accountant, his late father Abe introduced him to an acquaintance, saying “Meet my son Josh; he works at Ginsberg Gluzman, Fage, Levitz and Engel.”

“I was so embarrassed,” he recalled.

“Here I was, the most junior employee in the firm, and my father was announcing that I was a partner.”

Abe Engel could predict the future. On January 1, Engel became the newest partner at Ginsberg Gluzman Fage & Levitz (GGFL). And, while they are not changing the corporate name, the firm clearly has as much confidence in Engel’s abilities as his father did.

Born and raised in Ottawa, Engel knew from the time he took his first accounting course at Sir Robert Borden High School that he wanted to be an accountant.

“I liked how logical accounting was,” he said.

Except for a brief stint in Toronto, Engel has spent his 14-year career with GGFL. Working for a large multinational accounting company didn’t suit him. He preferred a work environment where all the employees knew each other and called each other by their first name.

“I am so proud to be associated with this firm and the people in it,” said Engel.

The reputation of the firm and its founders, in particular the late Gerald Levitz, was also a huge draw.

“Gerry was known as the consummate professional,” said Engel. “I wanted to be associated with him and his firm.”

From the outset, Engel knew his goal was to become partner in the firm. He also knew what it takes to achieve that goal. In addition to being good at his job, earning the respect of co-workers as well as clients and bringing in new business, GGFL puts a lot of emphasis on giving back to the community.

That’s where GGFL partner, and active volunteer, Jeffrey Miller played a pivotal role in Engel’s career. Engel describes Miller as his mentor, because he encouraged Engel to use his professional skills for the benefit of the Jewish community.

For six years, Engel sat on the board of directors of Tamir as treasurer. He is currently acting in the same capacity for the board of Camp B’nai Brith, happily giving back to the camp that gave him “the best years of my life” as both a camper and staff member.

“The firm has great faith and confidence in Josh,” said Miller. “He has developed into a professional who understands our values of being a leader, both in the office

Jewish Community Service Awards Members of the Jewish community are invited to nominate individuals to receive the following community awards at the Annual General Meeting of the Federation in early June.

Gilbert Greenberg Distinguished Service Award The Gilbert Greenberg Distinguished Service Award is the highest tribute that the Ottawa Jewish Community can bestow on an individual for exceptional service over the course of many years.

Initiated in 1980, it bears the name of the late Past President of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, Gilbert Greenberg, who exemplified the qualities of leadership, which the award endeavours to recognize.

Freiman Family Young Leadership Award The Freiman Family Young Leadership Award recognizes an individual or an organization within the Jewish community, under the age of 40, who has contributed actively to the Jewish community in the two or more years following his/her participation in the Young Leadership Development Program, or as a young leader rendered exceptional service to the Jewish community.

Josh Engel (Photo: Michelle Valberg)

and in the community.”

The 37-year-old University of Western Ontario graduate hails from a well-known Ottawa family. His late father, Abe, was a local businessman and the executive director of State of Israel Bonds. His mother, Cynthia, was editor of the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin for 12 years and remains a regular contributor to the Bulletin and to the Ottawa Citizen. Twin brother Eric and sister Stephanie now live in Toronto.

In the office, Engel is known as the guy who makes coming into the office fun. In fact, his bio on the GGFL web site refers to his “hearty sense of humour.”

“I’m pretty easy going,” he said. “I try to keep it light-hearted here. We have a serious job to do, but we can have fun doing it.”

That cheerful demeanor, combined with a solid work ethic and a demonstrated commitment to the firm, its clients and the community, made Engel a likely choice for partner.

“Josh is a personable young man with excellent people skills,” said Miller. “People think that accountants are dry, but, to be good at the job, you must have an entrepreneurial spirit and be good at relating to people.”

Sadly, Engel’s father did not witness his son’s career highlight.

“My father was not one for large emotional outbursts,” said Engel. “But I am sure he would have looked at me, smiled proudly and, with his eyes welled up with tears just a little bit, he would say ‘way to go kid!’”

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The Shem Tov Community Volunteer Award presented by the Ottawa Citizen “There are three crowns: the crown of Torah, the crown of priesthood, and the crown of kingship; but the crown of a good name excels them all.”

- Rabbi Shimon The Shem Tov Community Volunteer Award was created to recognize an outstanding and active volunteer with the Jewish community who, through many years of service, has contributed to the enrichment of Jewish life in Ottawa.

Address Recommendations by March 31, 2010 to: Chair of the Community Award Selection Committee Jewish Federation of Ottawa 21 Nadolny Sachs Private, Ottawa, Ontario K2A 1R9 or email: dpaterson@jewishottawa.com For more information, please visit www.jewishottawa.com

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Detail community involvement and special contributions

Page 6 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 22, 2010

Camp B’nai Brith celebrates the 75th summer of our lives Here in the depths of winter, with winter break behind us and months of snow and cold still ahead, it is sometimes hard to believe that summer will ever come. But, for those of us involved in Camp B’nai Brith of Ottawa (CBB), summer is always foremost on our minds.

It takes 45 weeks of work every year to give our kids the summer of their lives, year after year. The same is true of 2010, but this is a special year.

This is the 75th summer of CBB, the 75th summer of our lives. And we are celebrating with a bang!

CBB finished 2009 on a really high note. Registration was up last summer, particularly in our junior camp, which was up 55 per cent. Financially, 2009 was the best in many years for the camp. Most importantly, the summer of 2009 was simply amazing. Director Jonathan “Piv” Pivnick led a terrific team that left smiles on every camper’s face.

A lot of firsts were had in 2009. For the first time ever, CBB produced a yearbook with contributions from almost every staff member and camper. All CBBers received a yearbook when leaving camp, or shortly after.

Federation Report Michael Polowin Camp B’nai Brith In the next few weeks, campers will receive a DVD with the end of summer slideshow so they can remember their great summer and look forward to 2010.

CBB recently held our first Baseball and Basketball Night with community members raising sponsorship dollars for the privilege of playing CBB staff. For the record, the old guys won big in baseball while losing a squeaker in basketball.

Most importantly, more than $40,000 was raised to send underprivileged kids to camp. On that subject, the tough economy in 2009 led to a record number of kids being helped. More than 30 Canadian kids, and a dozen Israeli kids, were fully or partially subsidized to come to CBB last year.

2010 will be an even bigger year.

Our 75th summer will see lots of new

with the tried and true. We’ve frozen our prices for the 2010 summer. Our new program director, Darren Morenstein, a Grade 5 Hillel Academy teacher and CBB alumnus, returns to jazz up our program.

He joins fellow teacher Justin Shulman as another assistant director.

Piv has built a great office team. There are new motorboat engines for the ski program, tetherball courts in all of the unit areas, a new beach volleyball court in upper camp and, most exciting of all, thanks to some generous donors, five new sailboats and a new outdoor ball hockey rink!

We’re seeing the effect of the hard work being done throughout the year.

Registration is up 50 per cent over this time last year, and registration from Montrealers has tripled!

And, this year, CBB is not just for kids.

From June 18 to 20, a lot of older kids will descend on CBB to celebrate our 75th summer as we hold a reunion to celebrate all that CBB means to the community and to all of us.

If you are a CBBer, over 18 (even if you don’t want to admit it) and want to be young again, if only for a moment, visit

cbbottawa.com and register (or join us on Facebook)!

Most importantly of all is the effect that CBB has on our community all year round. Study after study conclusively demonstrate that Jewish residential camping has an enormously positive effect on rates of future affiliation, synagogue membership, contributions to Federation campaigns and marriage within the faith.

CBB has played this role for 75 summers. Many of our present and past community leaders are CBB alumni. CBB brings our children together and helps them value their heritage while immersing them in so much fun they don’t even realize they are doing something good for themselves.

This is a message I have been bringing to our shuls over the past few months.

I’ve already spoken at Beth Shalom, Temple Israel, Agudath Israel, and at Beth Israel in Kingston, and will be happy to bring the message to your shul as well.

Our board, director and staff value the role CBB plays in our community. We look forward to welcoming you, your children and grandchildren in 2010 for the summer of our lives.

Tikvah: Things can always get better when we have hope Megillat Esther tells the story of the attempted destruction of the Jewish people by the wicked Haman, and the miraculous way in which they were saved by God. In the middle of the story, however, we are interrupted with the saga of how King Achashverosh neglected to properly reward Mordechai for saving his life and ordered Haman to parade Mordechai through the streets of Shushan as compensation.

While this is a wonderful story that makes us feel good to see our guy on top, what does it have to do with the main theme of Megillat Esther, which is the salvation of the Jewish people?

This was in no way a victory parade for the Jews; the threat of annihilation was still hanging over them. In fact, immediately afterward, Mordechai himself returns to his sackcloth and ashes, as he was still in the midst deep mourning.

What then is the purpose of dedicating an entire chapter of the Megillah to this seemingly insignificant episode?

There is a concept in Judaism that, in order to merit for a miracle to take place, one cannot be in a state of total despair. No matter how desperate a situation is, one must find the strength to believe that things can be better if God so desires.

As it says in the Talmud tractate Brachos, “Even if a sharp sword rests upon a man’s neck, he should not despair of salvation.”

A glimmer of hope must always remain in our hearts and minds to trigger divine assistance. In the Purim story, the Jews were

From the pulpit Rabbi Ari Galandauer Young Israel desperate and hopeless as a result of the evil decrees that were legislated against them. Haman had the king’s signet ring and all the power and authority that came with it.

What then could possibly inspire the Jewish people and give them hope?

Suddenly, out of nowhere, in the midst of sorrow and despair, a grand parade is announced. And who is the star of the show? Who is being honoured by no less than the king himself? Mordechai Hayehudi – our guy!

Of all the possible candidates that the king might wish to honour, no one would have guessed that it would be Mordechai.

One can only imagine the feelings that must have come over the Jewish people at that time. The feeling that perhaps all is not lost.

If our man can be elevated and honoured in such a grand way, while Haman is being humiliated, then there is hope that a complete salvation is possible. Once hope resurfaces among the Jewish people, divine assistance is then put into effect.

So often in life, as individuals and as a community, we are faced with challenges and difficulties.

This year is no exception. There is devastation in different parts of the world and tremendous challenges for the State of Israel, and there are difficult situations that members of our own community are going through.

We must continue to be united in the face of these challenges.

We stand strong, for example, in our efforts to bring relief to the people of Haiti.

We take pride in our unwavering support for the State of Israel. And we are there to support our friends and neighbours in their time of need. Why? Because we have hope

– because we believe, as the Megillah teaches us, that things can always get better when we have hope.

As the poem, “Tikvateynu,” written by Naftali Hertz Imber in 1878, expresses, “As long as deep within the heart, a Jewish soul stirs, and forward, to the ends of the East, an eye looks out, towards Zion. Our hope is not yet lost, the hope of 2,000 years, to be a free people in our land, the land of Zion and Jerusalem.”

There is good reason why this poem became the lyrics for “Hatikvah,” Israel’s national anthem.

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Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 22, 2010 – Page 7

Israeli Apartheid Week is not about working for peace Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) is coming soon to a campus near you.

Carleton University and the University of Ottawa will be among campuses in about 40 cities worldwide on which fervent anti-Zionist groups will be hosting speakers and performers and showing films aimed at delegitimizing the State of Israel during the first week of March.

I believe strongly in the need for Israel and the Palestinians to continue working toward a peace agreement and a two-state solution that will allow both sides to live peacefully and securely, free from repression and free from terrorism. There are Israelis and, yes, Palestinians who are working toward that goal and I applaud their efforts.

But IAW is not about working toward peace or solutions in the best interests of the Palestinian and Israeli peoples. It is a propaganda week in support of destroying Israel’s right to exist.

Apartheid was a system in which only the minority white population of South Africa enjoyed all political and state power. The majority black population was denied the vote and all other manner of democratic and human rights. South Africanstyle apartheid is not the system in place in Israel.

Israel is a western-style democracy in

Editor Michael Regenstreif which all of its citizens have an equal vote.

Arabs are elected to the Knesset and serve in the diplomatic corps and the judiciary (including the Supreme Court). Arabs are students and professors in Israeli universities and patients and doctors in Israeli hospitals. Israel has a free press and Arabic is an officially recognized language there.

To be sure, Israel is not a problem-free society – what country is? – but, it is not an apartheid regime.

Vanessa Redgrave, long a pro-Palestinian activist, agrees. Redgrave – who used the 1977 Academy Awards ceremony as a platform to denounce Israel – now recognizes Israel as a legitimate democracy and points out that referring to Israel as an apartheid regime is counterproductive to peace and to justice for the Palestinian people.

“If attitudes are hardened on both sides, if those who are fighting within their own communities for peace are insulted, where

then is the hope? The point finally is not to grandstand but to inch toward a two-state solution and a world in which both nations can exist, perhaps not lovingly, but at least in peace,” wrote Redgrave last October in The New York Review of Books.

I suppose it’s ironic that the IAW opening event this year is being held at Carleton’s Azrieli Theatre. The venue was endowed by, and named for, David J. Azrieli, an Israeli-Canadian businessman, architect and philanthropist. A past-president of the Canadian Zionist Federation, Azrieli is a Holocaust survivor who fought in the 1948 War of Independence. As a developer, Azrieli has been active in both Canada and Israel. Among the other facilities that bear his name is the massive Azrieli Center in Tel Aviv.

You’d think that IAW organizers might want to avoid the symbolism of holding their event in a theatre named for such a staunch Israeli-Canadian Zionist.

There really isn’t anything to be gained in trying to shut down IAW activities or in arguing with IAW activists. You can’t have rational discussions with ideologues. And the pro-Israel student leaders at Carleton and uOttawa understand this.

The focus of pro-Israel students needs to be on the great majority of their fellow students who not already enveloped by

anti-Zionism. The pro-Israel students also understand this and that’s why they’re holding their own series of positive events this week – Israel, A Partner Week.

Tel Aviv and Toronto Stock Exchanges; McGuinty to visit Israel In our story on the recent visit to Ottawa by Israeli Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz, Shimon Fogel, CEO of the Canada-Israel Committee, predicts the visit will lead to an increase in bilateral partnerships between Canada and Israel.

It didn’t take long for the announcements to begin. Less than a week after the visit, the Tel Aviv and Toronto Stock Exchanges signed a memorandum of understanding that will see the two stock exchanges develop channels of communication; advance opportunities for cross listing; support their respective regulatory authorities in developing a mutual recognition agreement; explore the development and listing of financial instruments tracking the other’s market indices; and initiate joint conferences.

And Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty announced that he will lead a trade mission to Israel in May that will focus on the health-care and high-tech sectors. McGuinty will also visit Ramallah and Bethlehem on the West Bank during the trip.

March of the Living: Where are Ottawa’s marchers?

This April, eight local Jewish teens – all girls by happenstance – will board a plane that will take them on a trip of a lifetime.

Not because it’s an all-inclusive vacation, or for high school credits, or to help the less fortunate.

These young people, with their parents’ support, have chosen to visit a massive gravesite. Not just any gravesite, but one that they are tied to, if not through family, then by faith and heritage.

They will touch down in Warsaw and within hours be visiting towns and villages once alive with Yiddishkeit. And they will do the March – the March of the Living. On Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, our Ottawa teens will join thousands of others from around the world.

Together with Holocaust survivors and chaperones, they will march in a powerful silent tribute for three kilometres from Auschwitz to Birkenau. They will visit Treblinka, the former Jewish quarter of Warsaw, and synagogues. They will listen to survivors recount their stories, sometimes standing in the barracks in which they took place.

After an emotional week in Poland, the group moves on to Israel to participate in the celebration of Yom Ha’Atzmaut, marking the anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel.

This is the 21st year the March of the

Benita Siemiatycki Living is taking place. Groups from Montreal and Toronto go every year, while Ottawa sends a group with other smaller Canadian communities – known as Coastto-Coast – every second year.

The Ottawa participants this year are smart, enthusiastic and eager to explore the roots of their Jewishness. But it begs the question: why only eight? Edmonton and Calgary, with Jewish populations significantly smaller than Ottawa’s, are sending 17 and 21 respectively. Winnipeg, with a Jewish population comparable to ours, is sending 30 students on the March of the Living.

Yes, we’re a smaller Jewish community than Montreal and Toronto, which send about 200 students on the March each year, but surely we can do better. Previous March of the Living groups from Ottawa have included more than 15 students.

Despite publicity in the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin, e-newsletters, presentations to Jewish student groups and information evenings, only eight students registered.

Past participants spoke to their peers about the importance of going, about how the trip changed their lives, about listening to the stories of survivors, about a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Yet, very few expressed any interest.

During the recruitment process, the chaperones and I, as the Federation staff representative, spoke to many kids and parents. There were two main, and very valid, reasons offered as to why students wouldn’t go.

At $5,500, the trip is costly, and not a top priority when allocating household funds. However, subsidies were available.

Missing two weeks of school was also a common reason. In our experience with past participants, teachers look favourably at educational trips of this nature and make accommodations to make up for work missed.

Students in Grade 12 have usually received their university acceptances by April and are just required to meet a minimum grade average.

So, why are other smaller communities more successful than Ottawa at getting the numbers? They pay the same fee, and their students also miss two weeks of school. It seems apathy has crept into our younger generation, as well as their parents. Ottawa does not have a large Holocaust survivor population, so perhaps trips like March of the Living have a hard time recruiting when

families do not have survivors among them.

No doubt Montreal and Toronto have the largest survivor populations in the country.

Yet, communities with small numbers of survivors are sending impressive numbers of young people on the March. Why are students from other areas of Canada more motivated?

If we are ever to achieve a world where “Never Again” really means never again, then our young people (and those of other faiths too) must learn about the Holocaust.

This is especially true for those who don’t have familial ties to that dark period. Not only is it a lesson in genocide and intolerance, it’s an indelible piece of history that defines modern Judaism.

From all accounts, this trip strengthens the students’ ties to Judaism and to Israel.

For some, it’s the only opportunity they have to hear first-hand accounts from survivors. With even child survivors of the Holocaust reaching an age that makes travel difficult, it won’t be long before survivor accompaniment will be a thing of the past.

In two years, the recruitment process will start again for April 2012. Hopefully, the tide of apathy will shift and parents will recognize the gift they are giving their children by sending them on the March of the Living.

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

Page 8 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 22, 2010

Soloway JCC offers a variety of summer day camps

By Pam Rosenberg for Soloway JCC The highly qualified counsellors and staff at all Soloway Jewish Community Centre (JCC) Summer Camps play a key role in guiding campers through new experiences and ensuring everyone has a safe summer full of exploration, education and great times.

Soloway JCC Summer Camps staff are ECE (Early Childhood Education) qualified with bachelors of education. Many are camp alumni who are there because they love camp.

“Our staff has such positive experiences that they come back every summer, providing a sense of community and consistency,” says Soloway JCC Day Camps Director Shayna Leikin. “Camp staff is sincerely sad at sum-

mer’s end and count down the days until they can return the next summer.”

In the off-season, Leikin, a former JCC camper herself, teaches senior kindergarten at John Young Elementary School in Kanata.

“The JCC Day Camp played a pivotal role in my childhood and development, and it’s incredibly exciting to be the director for the second summer. I am so grateful for this opportunity.”

In an effort to simplify and streamline the registration process, and to give the camps names that really reflect the spirit of each program, the directors have changed the names of the camps for this season.

And, although Junior Jocks, the sports camp for kids entering Grades 1 to 4, has been changed to Kef Kids

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(Fun Kids), the camp itself is still centred on playing games, sports, learning skills and working on team building and sportsmanship.

Regular, more traditional, day camps for kids aged from two up to those entering Grade 4 offer action-packed days of arts and crafts, drama, music and games. Instructional and free swim are part of each day. There is more flexibility this summer in terms of half- or full-days and each week has an exciting new theme.

Just Clowning Around, the first theme of the summer, is a week dedicated to getting the sillies out. Week two is all about Wild Things, followed

by Deep in Discovery where curious minds will discover everything from dinosaurs to outer space.

From July 19 to 23, campers will learn about healthy cooking and eating with A Taste of Summer.

Once Upon A Time is a week about dreams coming true, dressing up and make believe.

The summer winds down with Beat the Heat, a week about water games, and the final theme, Walking on Sunshine, has campers reliving the most popular themes of the summer.

The CIT (counsellor-intraining) program has been revamped to stress structure, professionalism and meaningful learning experiences. The program gives teens the necessary skills to work with groups of children while developing leadership, communication and problem-solving skills.

They will create action plans to set goals for the summer and complete reflection sheets sharing their experiences.

Two new specialty camps this year are The Great Adventure, for 10- to 13-yearolds, which includes daily trips to such summer hot

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spots as a water slide, gokarting and an overnight at Camp B’nai Brith; and One More Week, which, says Leikin, is a direct result of parental feedback.

“Parents were concerned that the eighth week specialty camps were predominantly geared toward older campers, leaving campers aged three to five in the lurch. And we agreed.”

The new camp is a half- or full-day of sports, music, arts and crafts, drama and swimming, all supervised by ECE experienced staff in a safe and nurturing atmosphere.

Kids entering Grades 2 to 7 with a taste for adventure love the thrill and variety of Travelling Sports Camp, a truly unique camp which of-

fers a different experience every day of the week.

This year’s stops include tubing, tennis, wave pools, windsurfing, canoeing, trampoline, bowling and gymnastics. And that’s just in the afternoons. The day begins with sports instruction and instructional swim at the Soloway JCC. “The variety of daily adventures makes the JCC Travelling Sports Camp an amazing experience for all its participants,” says Soloway JCC Summer Camps Executive Director Jon Braun. “All of our instructors are university students who love kids and camp because they are all former sports campers themselves and they haven’t forgotten all the wonderful experiences they shared while attending Travelling Sports Camp.”

For Braun, a favourite thing about Travelling Sports Camp is the family feeling among the staff and campers.

“It’s extremely joyful and satisfying to see the kids having so much fun, experiencing a new sport every day and to see all the kids encouraging and cheering each other on. It’s not about winning or losing, it’s about the thrill of the ride.”

Visit jccottawa.com for more information about Soloway JCC Summer Camps or contact Shayna Leikin or Jon Braun at 613798-9818, ext. 267.

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Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 22, 2010 – Page 9

Commitment to social justice and Jewish values motivate Cara Gold

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JEWISH NATIONAL FUND More than trees 613.798.2411

Brian Pearl president

Annual JNF Tu Bi’Shevat Telethon again a great success and Negev Dinner is nearly sold out!

On behalf of Ottawa JNF, I want to say Todah Rabah to the Ottawa Jewish community for your great generosity again this year when we called for our annual Tu Bi’Shevat Telethon on Sunday, January 31. A special thank you to our Patrons and Sponsors and, especially, to the volunteers who come out and phone for us each year. Without your outstanding help, the Telethon would not be possible.

And 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 or write during our Telethon wrap-up this month. It looks very much like we are going to equal or better last year’s effort, a result that keeps Ottawa in the top echelon of donors-per-capita for the JNF Telethon in Canada. Special kudos to our Chairs, Jane and Martin Gordon, who came in especially from their new home in Israel!

In his recent letter, KKL/JNF World Chairman Efi Stenzler told us that, at the Tu Bi’Shevat events across Israel, approximately 800,000 trees were planted from the seedlings grown in KKL-JNF nurseries. This number hits a new record – the greatest number since KKL/JNF was founded. In addition, with your help and that of JNF donors from around the world, KKL-JNF set up over 200 projects during 2009 involving an investment of approximately NIS 320 million. Over and above our regular ongoing work in water reservoirs, river restoration, paving bicycle paths and helping to establish new communities, KKL/JNF has also engaged this year in sophisticated issues concerning water conservation, global warming and solar energy.

Our Negev Dinner honouring Sara Vered at the Fairmont Château Laurier on March 22 is rapidly approaching. Since the Château Laurier has limited seating capacity, the number of remaining seats is shrinking fast, so please reserve your tickets now. Tickets for this year’s Negev Dinner are $318 per person, including a $118 tax receipt. I am very happy to say that the Ottawa business community has responded magnificently to the fundraising efforts of our planning and fundraising committee. JNF looks forward to a successful and meaningful celebration on March 22.

Sefer Bar/Bat Mitzvah Inscriptions Marlin Pearl, daughter of Susan Marcovitch and Sandy Pearl, by her proud grandparents, Gita and Gerry Pearl; Jasmin Katz, daughter of Liz Pearland Stewart Katz, by her proud grandparents, Gita and Gerry Pearl.

On a daily basis you can plant trees for all occasions. An attractive card is sent to the recipient.

To order, call the JNF office (613.798.2411).

By Michael Regenstreif Ottawan Cara Gold is now in Israel, spending five months at the Hava and Adam Environmental Educational Center and Ecological Farm near Modi’in.

Gold is there participating in an Eco-Israel program for English-speaking, Jewish young adults, between 20 and 30. As noted on the Eco-Israel web site (tinyurl.com/eco-israel), the program is centred on cultivating “a new land ethic and renewing the Jewish people’s traditional approach to its ancient, sacred ecological relationship with the Land of Israel.”

“I’m going there to learn about Judaism and agriculture and about how they connect,” said Gold in an interview with the Bulletin prior to her departure for Israel. She attributes at least part of her interest in agriculture to the fact that her great-grandparents had a farm on which her grandmother grew up.

The Eco-Israel program is the latest in a series of fixed-term programs Gold has undertaken since graduating from the University of King’s College in Halifax with an honours degree in international development studies and Spanish. While a student at King’s, Gold participated in exchange programs that also took her to the University of Havana in Cuba and the University of Salamanca in Spain.

Before leaving for Israel, Gold spent a year-and-ahalf in Chicago, first with AVODAH: the Jewish Ser-

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Cara Gold (Photo: Michael Regenstreif)

vice Corps, and then as a resident of Moishe House, during which time she volunteered for Ginko Gardens, a community garden whose entire crop is donated to local food banks, and took a five-week leadership training program for community organizers.

AVODAH (avodah.net), Gold explained, recruits young Jewish adults committed to social justice issues who live communally – five to 10 people per house – for the one-year program in such urban locations as Chicago, New York, New Orleans and Washington. The AVODAH fellows work for grassroots anti-poverty organizations and participate in workshops and training sessions aimed at developing leaders who will continue to work for social change and social

justice from a Jewish perspective.

Gold’s AVODAH placement in Chicago was with an interfaith worker justice organization.

“My job was to co-ordinate a network of workers’ centres dealing with such issues as wage theft, something many people have experienced,” she said.

Finishing her year with AVODAH last August, Gold stayed on in Chicago for the remainder of 2009 as a resident and activist with that city’s Moishe House.

The Moishe House program (moishehouse.org) creates Jewish communities

for young people in their 20s. Gold was one of five residents of the house who were responsible for creating a gathering place in the Moishe House for their Jewish peer group through such programs as speakers, Shabbat gatherings, happy hours and other social events.

When Gold returns to Ottawa from Israel, she hopes to help launch a Moishe House here.

And she also wants to work with her older sister, Rachel, also an AVODAH alumnus, on expanding the Jewish service corps to Canada.

What’s happening at

Congregation Beth Shalom 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)

Tuesday, March 30 Sunday, April 4

Community Passover Seder Passover Chinese Food Buffet Dinner

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

Page 10 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 22, 2010

JET on Campus visits Monsey and NYC

By Mitch Goldenberg for JET While walking beneath the glimmering lights of Times Square with about a dozen new friends, I realized that I had made the right decision to go on JET’s New York City trip during winter break. Actually, maybe it was when I was strolling on Liberty Island, or perhaps atop the Empire State Building, or maybe while walking around the fascinating Living Torah Muse-

um in Brooklyn.

Whenever it was, I look back on my experiences and treasure people I met, the places I went and the lessons I learned on the road. My sixday trip to Monsey, N.Y. for Shabbat and to the Big Apple for touring with fellow Jewish students from Ottawa and Los Angeles was more amazing than I could have expected.

On our first night in Monsey, we volunteered at the hectic Tomchei Shabbos

warehouse. Tomchei Shabbos is an organization that provides food to impoverished families for Shabbat and holidays. We worked among dozens of people donating their time to fill boxes with all kinds of food for families in need. Having the opportunity to volunteer with others working hard and selflessly for such a worthy cause was certainly a pleasure.

One of my favourite parts of the trip was Friday night at

Mailbag I found the article by Joel Yan describing the magnanimity of the late, non-Jewish, Ottawa builder, Thomas C. James gripping (Ottawa builder opened his home to Jewish refugees in 1940-41, February 8).

Nearby Mr. James’s Monkland Avenue home, lived my mother’s sister, Lena, the late Mrs. Archie Coplan, in her big home on Clemow Avenue. For the duration of the war, she had two families, both named Spiro, from London, England, living with her. My aunt was a very generous

person. She was also the perennial president of the Lena Florence Chapter of Hadassah.

Lionel Metrick 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.

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dinner followed by dancing, singing, learning and storytelling. It was also our first opportunity to meet and hang out with the students from Los Angeles. Our groups really bonded.

On Sunday, we packed up our vans and journeyed into New York City. Staying at the Carlton Hotel on Madison Avenue was a treat with its gigantic rooms and midtown Manhattan location.

I must say there really is nothing like the kosher restaurant selection in New York City. Chinese food, pizza, hamburgers, veal,

shawarma … You name it, I probably ate it in Manhattan.

I also found the diamond I aspire to give my bride-to-be.

During our tour of the diamond cutting shop, I held a rock worth over $2 million!

Maybe I’ll be able to afford it if NBC News likes the newsreel I performed while on a tour of Rockefeller Center.

Back at the hotel, we heard a variety of speakers on various topics in Judaism including the Ten Commandments and the Discovery Seminar.

In all, I had a great time on the JET trip to New York. It was an incredible week.

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 22, 2010 – Page 11

Israel Bonds event honours three, celebrates interfaith dialogue

By Sarah Silverstein for State of Israel Bonds It may have been freezing outside with the remnants of a blizzard, but the atmosphere inside Congregation Machzikei Hadas, January 28, was warm and welcoming as State of Israel Bonds presented its second interfaith tribute dessert reception, To Build and Be Built.

About 300 people – members of various synagogues and churches, First Nations communities, and many dignitaries – celebrated interfaith dialogue, a love for Israel, and honoured Anna-Lee Chiprout, MP James Lunney and Pastor John Raymer of the Peace Tower Church, three people who have done much to enhance interfaith relations and support for the State of Israel.

A theme of the event was the recognition that it is not just the Jewish community that feels passionately about Israel, that Israel has many dedicated friends in the Christian community who show their support through travel, advocacy, investing in Israel Bonds and by sharing their passion with others.

Israel is very fortunate to have such loyal and supportive friends.

State of Israel Bonds honoured Pastor John Raymer (left), Anna-Lee Chiprout and MP James Lunney for their interfaith work and support for Israel at an interfaith reception, January 28, at Congregation Machzikei Hadas.

“It was gratifying to see the outpouring of support for Israel by our Christian participants,” said State of Israel Bonds Ottawa Co-Chairs Steve Fremeth and Maxine Rabinovitch. “More people should know how many friends we have outside our own Jewish community.”

Among the speakers at the event was Israeli Ambassador Miriam Ziv, who brought greetings from the State of Israel and spoke proudly about honouree Anna-Lee Chiprout, a member of the Embassy of Israel staff.

Other speakers included Ian

Sadinsky, who MCed the evening and honourary co-chairs Rabbi Reuven P. Bulka and David Kilgour.

Each of the honourees received standing ovations when presented with their plaques and all spoke of feeling humbled by their awards.

All three also spoke of the close friendships they have formed through interfaith work and travel to Israel.

The evening included a performance by composer Ruth Fazal, whose music is inspired by her Christian faith and incorporates many of King David’s psalms. Her gentle voice was powerful and inspiring. Fazal concluded with a slow and exceedingly beautiful rendition of “Oseh Shalom,” which she played on the violin.

Marcia Cantor, Ottawa executive director of State of Israel Bonds, was the final speaker.

“Israel’s opponents advocate disinvestment from Israel,” she said. “Israel’s friends and supporters can counter that suggestion by doing the opposite and investing in Israel.”

Cantor added, for a limited time, Israel Bonds are being offered for a two-year term along with three- and five-year terms, and are fully eligible for RRSPs, RESPs and the new tax-free savings accounts.

For more information about purchasing Israel Bonds, contact Cantor at the State of Israel Bonds office at 613-792-1142.

Page 12 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 22, 2010

Hockey tournament provides lifelong memories (Continued from page 2)

organizer Danny Spodek, had made aliyah from North America.

Others, like Leonid Sandler, came to Israel from the former Soviet Union.

The Canada Centre in Metulla has two official locker rooms – so a six-team tournament could have posed an issue. No problem. Two teams were assigned to each locker room with the other two teams relegated to ‘renovated’ water closets.

Sandler played for the Israeli team, decked out in green, and we were in white with blue trim (some suggested, rather cruelly, that we looked a bit like the Leafs), and we shared a locker room. He remembered Paul Henderson’s Goal of the Century in the Canada-Soviet Union series of 1972 – but from a different perspective.

Sandler was genuinely happy that we had a team from Ottawa with a number of non-Jewish players. It was the first time gentiles had played in an IRHA tournament.

It’s interesting that we sometimes speak softly about Israel, concerned not to stir the pot. But, let me tell you, the non-Jewish players on our team made a huge impact on the Israelis we met.

They were the first to donate time and energy to make sandwiches to support the efforts of Leket Israel, an organization that distributes food to soup kitchens, homeless shelters and seniors’ centres for needy people of all faiths all over Israel, as well as to make financial contributions to support Leket.

They were visibly upset that the children of the HaNadiv School in Metulla have a need for a bomb shelter. They shared the joy of those same children who, speaking in English, expressed their love for music and for computers, their passion for sports, including hockey, and how thankful they were that we came to visit their school and their city on the border with Lebanon.

They were the first to be

amazed at how safe travelling in Israel could be – and how much fun it is. Maybe the Jewish guys on the team take Israel for granted.

Just an average tournament?

We played six games in three days. And we won all six. During the championship game, when our Canadian team had a slight lead on the Israeli team and the crowd started cheering “Israel, Israel, Israel,” I suspect many of our guys would not have been unhappy if the Israeli team had won.

Then, without speaking about it, we all knew that the best way to honour their effort was to play to win. After winning the game 6-3 (much closer than the Vegas oddsmakers were predicting), we shook hands, hugged and posed for pictures.

Rod Black was chosen as our team’s MVP. Jeff Hunt had the most game-winning goals in the tournament and our defence stopped more shots than most NHL goalies.

And, with the tournament over, we donated most of our equipment to the IRHA. At the closing banquet, we remembered Roger Neilson and the impact he had on hockey in Israel and around the world by showing the video, Missing You, provided

by Chad Schella of the Ottawa Senators. We remembered the events of September 1972 and how, just a few weeks apart, Jews and the entire civilized world mourned the murders of 11 Israeli Olympians in Munich, and then

Canadians celebrated the Goal of the Century.

The closing banquet fell on Paul Henderson’s 67th birthday and he was treated to video birthday greetings from Ken Dryden, Vladislav Tretiak and Phil Esposito, as well as from his three daughters and many of his grandchildren. It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable week in Israel’s Galilee region.

It was amazing to hear most of

the players on our team talking about what we’ll do next year to defend our title.

We really weren’t Jews and non-Jews, we weren’t from Ottawa or New York or wherever – we were the White Team. We came to play. We wanted to win. We all fell in love with Israel again for the first time.

Yes, it was just an average hockey tournament – with lifelong memories.

Roger Greenberg about to send the puck up the ice during tourna(Photo: Nim Gluckman) ment play.

Hillel Academy kindergarten visits Hillel Lodge On Friday morning, January, 29, kindergarten students from Hillel Academy walked over to Hillel Lodge to lead an Oneg Shabbat for the residents. One of the Lodge residents they met that morning was Eileen Goldberg, who, with her late husband, Ben, and 12 other sets of parents helped found the school in 1949.

Pictured: Eileen Goldberg surrounded by Hillel Academy kindergarten students and teacher Ann-Lynn Rapoport.

(Photo: Stan Goldberg)

Ottawa’s team visits HaNadiv Elementary School in Metulla. The students and teachers were presented with Ottawa 67’s medals.

(Photo: Mitch Miller)

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 22, 2010 – Page 13

Page 14 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 22, 2010

Emunah: Rashi’s Daughters author Maggie Anton in Ottawa, April 21

By Leah Cohen Emunah Women of Ottawa Maggie Anton, author of Rashi’s Daughters: A Novel of Love and the Talmud in Medieval France, will speak at Emunah Women of Ottawa’s Family-in-Israel program on April 21.

Anton had been scheduled to speak at last year’s Family-in-Israel event, but was forced to postpone her visit due to the unfortunate passing of her father the day before she was to be here.

Rashi’s Daughters: A Novel of Love and the Talmud in Medieval France is a trilogy of

historical novels, each with one of Rashi’s daughters as protagonist. Book I – Joheved was published in 2005; Book II – Miriam in 2007; and Book III – Rachel in 2009.

Anton has also authored a prequel, Rashi’s Daughter, Secret Scholar, published in 2008.

Anton uniquely interweaves details of medieval Jewish life in France and Talmudic discussions with lively, action-packed plots.

Her fiction, exploring how female characters pushed the envelope in their day by studying Talmud, evokes a question that is relevant for us today: What is the role of

women in Judaism in 2010?

Ottawa readers who have read one or more of Anton’s books are invited to be part of a panel that will put forward questions in advance to the author in order to elicit a rich discussion. Send an e-mail to me at leahle1@yahoo.ca or to Gladys Zarecki at gladys.zarecki@ocdsb.ca to indicate interest in participating as a panellist and to pose questions.

Emunah Women of Ottawa’s Family-inIsrael program with Maggie Anton takes place Wednesday, April 21, 7:30 pm, at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre.

Rashi’s Daughters author Maggie Anton.

It’s Purim, let the joyous revelry commence

By Linda Morel NEW YORK (JTA) – Purim is a busy holiday. It starts with an evening reading of the Megillah of Esther, followed the next morning by the second reading of a story that rivals the pace of a best-selling novel. The plot features a brave and beautiful heroine, a despotic king, a clever uncle and a villain who is de-

Mazal Tov

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stroyed by his own evil plans.

After the morning reading, many people visit family and friends to distribute mishloach manot, packages filled with two baked goods and a drink. They also give matanot l’evyonim, donations to the needy.

Finally, there’s the highlight of any Jewish holiday – a delicious meal. But, unlike most Jewish celebrations, where dining occurs at night, the Seudat Purim is a feast served midday, often lingering until evening.

The idea of consuming a meal during daylight hours was decided in the fourth century by the scholar Rava, who thought the timing would prevent Purim from becoming a regular workday.

Bearing out Rava’s worst fears, the lavish luncheon now passes under the radar screen of many, and it is mostly observant Jews who throw Seudat Purims. However, because Purim falls on a Sunday this year, February 28, it’s an opportunity for the celebration to reach a larger audience.

But how do you get started?

“There’s no such thing as a traditional Seudat Purim,” says Janet Andron Hoffman, a social worker from Teaneck, N.J. Hoffman finds that most families develop their own style of hosting the celebratory lunch. However,

the meal begins like other Jewish holidays – by breaking bread and reciting blessings.

If you’re thinking of guidelines, the Seudat Purim must start midday and end at sundown. Most important, the luncheon should be joyous because it commemorates the Jews of ancient Persia defeating their enemies.

Drinking plays heavily in the Purim story, which opens when King Achashverosh of Persia gets drunk at a party and asks his wife to show off her good looks. She refuses, so the king banishes her.

Achashverosh then holds a contest to select a new wife. From hundreds of applicants he chooses a nice Jewish girl named Esther. She’s the niece of Mordechai, a prominent Jew who suggested that Esther enter the contest. He warns her not to reveal her religion at court.

In the next scene, Mordechai overhears that the King’s vizier, Haman, is plotting to annihilate the Jews. Mordechai implores Esther to save the Jewish people by intervening with her husband. She organizes a three-day event at which everyone gets drunk.

Achashverosh becomes enraged when people he has not summoned request an audience, so Esther gathers her courage and approaches him.

Risking her life, she drops two bombshells: she reveals her religion and exposes Haman’s evil plot. Upon hearing the news, the king becomes so outraged he hangs Haman on the gallows the vizier had prepared to murder the Jews.

An ecstatic Mordechai and Esther host a huge celebration. From then on, they want Jews to observe Purim by exchanging packages of food and drink, and by making charitable donations.

“This is what I love about my religion,” Hoffman says. “Even in the act of rejoicing, we’re still thinking about people in need. It’s built into the holiday.”

The foods eaten at Seudat Purim luncheons are rife with symbolism.

Seeds and nuts are customarily cooked into holiday foods. The Talmud relates that Esther as queen ate only seeds and nuts in the palace of King Achashverosh because she had no access to kosher food. Some experts believe she subsisted on chickpeas, too.

Many families buy an especially long, braided challah, commemorating the rope used to hang Haman. As turkey is generally known as a stupid animal and Achashverosh was a foolish king, turkey often is the entree of choice on Seudat Purim menus.

Hamantaschen is the most well-

known Purim food because its shape is reminiscent of Haman’s triangular hat. While hamantaschen is often filled with preserves and chocolate, poppy seeds were the traditional filling.

The drinking of alcoholic beverages is not only suggested, but encouraged. In the Talmud, Rava said at Purim that people should drink to the point of not remembering whether it is Mordechai or Haman they are praising or cursing. If that degree of drunkenness is not appealing, a Seudat Purim is an occasion to serve your best wines.

Among all Jewish celebrations, this special meal is a time to express joyous revelry and release.

The bottom line is, a Seudat Purim is great fun.

Hoffman has a large house and more than 20 in her extended family, so she has hosted the festive lunch many times. With her three children now in their 20s, her Purim celebrations have evolved as her children have grown.

“The Seudat Purim is an opportunity to be with my family,” Hoffman says. “We love each other and have fun together; we’re lucky in that way.

“We celebrate with food, wine and merrymaking. We’re all together. What could be better than that?”

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Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 22, 2010 – Page 15

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 20 and February 3, 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 Memory of: Ellen Lithwick by Hy Bloom Pearl Moskovic by Hy Bloom; and Estelle Backman R’fuah Shlema: Phyllis Silverman by Hy Bloom Bill and Leona Adler Memorial Fund In Memory of: Ann Merrill by Marilyn Adler Pearl Moskovic by Elayne Adler and Farley, Jordan and Benjamin Stenzler Jenny and Murray Citron Endowment Fund R’fuah Shlema: Morris Kimmel by Murray Citron Friedberg and Dale Families Fund In Memory of: Irv Singer by Elaine Friedberg and Bob Dale In Honour of: Janet and Jonathan Isserlin Mazal tov on the birth of your granddaughter by Elaine Friedberg and Bob Dale Skip Kronick Best wishes for a happy 65th birthday by Elaine Friedberg and Bob Dale Malcolm and Vera Glube Endowment Fund In Memory of: Pearl Moskovic by Vera and Malcolm Glube

In Honour of: Peg and Bob Cohen Love and best wishes on your 50th anniversary by Vera and Malcolm Glube Gunner Family Fund In Memory of: Pearl Moskovic by Estelle and Sol Gunner Dorothy and Maurie Karp Endowment Fund In Memory of: Pearl Moskovic by Dorothy Karp Morris and Lillian Kimmel Family Fund In Memory of: Morris Levine by the Kimmel, Kaiman and Levine families Pearl Moskovic by the Kimmel, Kaiman and Levine families Irv Singer by the Kimmel, Kaiman and Levine families In Honour of: Franceen Shier Happy birthday by Morris Kimmel R’fuah Shlema: Morris Kimmel by Nancy Pleet and Evan Pleet Rickie Saslove by Morris Kimmel, and the Levine and Kaiman families Joan and Russell Kronick Family Fund In Memory of: Sonny Segal by Joan and Russell Kronick Fuzzy Teitelbaum by Joan and Russell Kronick Levenson-Polowin Feeding Fund In Memory of: Pearl Moskovic by Inez Zelikovitz Irma and Harold Sachs Family Fund In Memory of: Pearl Moskovic by Irma Sachs Stephen and Debra Schneiderman Family Fund In Memory of: Ann Merrill by Debra and Stephen Schneiderman Pearl Moskovic by Debra and Stephen Schneiderman In Honour of: Rabbi Levy and Mrs. Dina Teitlebaum Mazal tov and best wishes on the Bar Mitzvah of your son Mendel by Debra and Stephen Schneiderman

R’fuah Shlema: Rickie Saslove by Debra and Stephen Schneiderman Skulsky Family Memorial Fund A generous donation to this fund was made by Stanley Wax Harold and Lillian Shoihet Memorial Fund In Honour of: Yoheved and Dov Ber Shapiro Mazal tov on the birth of your son Aryeh Yehuda Lieb by Dovid Shoihet and Miriam Sabo Lauren and Rabbi Zischa Shaps Mazal tov on the marriage of Yoey and Sora Minna by Dovid Shoihet and Miriam and Mayer Sabo R’fuah Shlema: Chuck Rotenberg by David Shoihet and family Sarah and Arnie Swedler Family Fund In Honour of: Irina Goldenberg and Eric Zunder Mazal tov on the birth of Mia Nicole by Arnie Swedler R’fuah Shlema: Leonard Cogan by Arnie Swedler Rickie Saslove by Arnie Swedler Zelaine Shinder by Arnie Swedler Milton and Mary (Terry) Viner Family Fund In Commemoration of the Yahrzeit of: Dora Schaenfield beloved sister, by Millie Schaenfield Bubi Fanny Belfer by Millie, Fran and Stephen Schaenfield Anna and Samuel Wex Family Fund In Memory of: Lily Kramer by Anna and Sam Wex and family Feeding Program In Honour of: Neima Langner and Rick Davies Mazal tov on the birth of your first grandson by Mara and Isaac Muzikansky R’fuah Shlema: Rickie Saslove by Carol and Larry Gradus Music Therapy Program In Honour of: Eric Elkin Mazal tov on your 65th birthday, wishing you health and happiness by Yvonne and Yehuda Azuelos; and Judith and David Kalin Recreation Program R’fuah Shlema: Rickie Saslove by Evelyn Greenberg ********** IN MEMORY OF: Ann Merrill by the Residents, Board and Staff of Hillel Lodge Pearl Moskovic by Claire and Irving Bercovitch; Arlene and Norman Glube; Debi and

David Shore; Etta Karp; Ruth and Dale Fyman; Evelyn and Issie Hoffman; Esty Bybelezer; Noreen and Sid Bosloy; Ingrid Levitz; Beverly Friedman; Goldie Cantor; Bela and Hans Adler; Helen Rosenthal; and Sylvia Monson Joy Ostrega by Ruth and Dale Fyman Doris Segal Kutner by Sara Kerzner Irv Singer by the Levitz family; and Goldie Cantor IN HONOUR OF: A Touch of Klez With thanks for performing at Nina’s wedding in July 2009 and Ben’s wedding celebration in October by Molly Hirsch and Eric Elkin Molly Hirsch and Eric Elkin Mazal tov on Natalie and Ben’s marriage by Ethel and Bernie Rosenblatt Eric Elkin Happy 65th birthday by Rachel and Gerry Pernica Ruth and Dale Fyman Mazal tov on the birth of your granddaughter by Estelle and Ian Melzer; and Esty Bybelezer Marsha and Murray Kaiserman Mazal tov on the marriage of Aaron to Laurie by Ruth and Dale Fyman Maureen and Henry Molot Mazal tov on the birth of your granddaughter Neshama Yehudit by Ruth and Dale Fyman Miriam and Victor Rabinovitch Mazal tov on the birth of your grandson by Estelle and Ian Melzer Roz and Lee Raskin Mazal tov on your grandson Sam’s Bar Mitzvah, may you have much joy and nachas by Lillian and Mark Zunder; and Noreen and Sid Bosloy Rita Ryant Wishing you a happy and healthy birthday by Toba Shuster Rita and Maurice Ryant Thinking of you with all my love and best wishes by Jean Naemark Leah and Issie Scarowsky Mazal tov on your daughter’s marriage and thank you Issie for all you do in the shul and taking photos of all the events at Hillel Lodge by Helen Rosenthal Issie Scarowsky Thank you for your photographic efforts by Molly Hirsch and Eric Elkin Sunny and Sheldon Shaffer Belated congratulations and best wishes for new beginnings at Amica by Ingrid Shapiro Rabbi Zischa and Mrs. Lauren Shaps Mazal tov on the marriage of Yoey to Sora Minna by Ruth and Dale Fyman Rabbi Levy and Mrs. Dina Teitlebaum Mazal tov on your son Mendel’s Bar Mitzvah by Helen Rosenthal Lillian and Mark Zunder Mazal tov on the birth of your new granddaughter by Debi and David Shore R’FUAH SHLEMA: Judi Kerzner by Debi and David Shore Rickie Saslove by Debi and David Shore; Claire and Irving Bercovitch; Bea and Murray Garceau; Ethel and David Malek; and Audrey and Irwin Kreisman Sheldon Shaffer by Ingrid Shapiro

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.

Page 16 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 22, 2010

Coming soon, our new web site: www.hillellodge.ca

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ife at the odge

Hillel Lodge thanks its many volunteers

By Natalie Silverman-McPhee Having spent more than 30 years as a volunteer, I know what sacrifices being a volunteer can involve. I had less time to spend with my own family, and I often had to incur babysitting, transportation and meal costs.

However, in terms of achievement, joy and just plain fun, volunteering made my life seem like “a dream come true”, because it added so much, not only to the

people I worked with, but also to me.

Now, as a resident at the Lodge, I’m so grateful to the many volunteers who help me and my fellow residents smile, laugh, learn, and enjoy life. Our volunteers do so much for us and with us that it’s hard to imagine life without them.

As one example, we have two “trusty” computers with Internet connections in the Lodge’s common areas. Although many of us never had the opportunity to become computer-literate before coming to the Lodge, several volunteers have since helped us learn how to use them. Now, people can send us e-mails, some serious but mostly with funny jokes and happy stories. Laughter, after all, is the very best medicine!

Then there’s wonderful Yitzak Nayvelt, the 91-year-old resident, who, through his still marvellous accordion skills, regularly shares his love of old Klezmer music with young musicians. He also performs in on-site concerts for us, and is so good that it’s like being at a real concert! It’s Yitzak

and the other volunteers who entertain us – including violinist Sol Gunner; pianists Evelyn Greenberg and Susan Krongold; sultry songstress Suzanne Bernard; Sidney and Carolyn Katz and the other Bingo volunteers; entertainers Aviva Lightstone, Joel Yan, EIO George, and Daniel Benlolo; and multi-talented Debi Shore — who make our events as fun as they are. And we could never forget Merle, who makes movie nights possible.

as well as for fun-filled Mother’s Day and Father’s Day Breakfasts.

The Auxiliary also provides lovely Shabbat flowers and candles for the dining room tables.

Hillel Lodge is so incredibly fortunate to have so many amazing volunteers bringing joy into our lives.

That’s why we residents are so thankful to them for making the Lodge OUR VERY SPECIAL HOME.

Not all volunteers come to entertain. We really appreciate the ones who help with essentials, like feeding residents who can’t feed themselves. We also have volunteers who lovingly push people in wheelchairs to activities they couldn’t otherwise attend.

Then there are the Auxiliary volunteers, who, through their fund-raising projects, provide us with equipment the Lodge couldn’t otherwise afford, as well as with great fish tanks.

Some of the money raised by the Auxiliary is used so we can attend synagogue lunches when there are speakers or entertainers;

If you want to make a difference in people’s lives (including your own), give volunteering at Hillel Lodge a try. The time commitment can range from a few hours per month to regular weekly or bi-weekly visits. To become a volunteer, please contact Marilyn Adler, our Manager of Recreation and Volunteer Programs.

Hillel Lodge is proud of the quality care we provide to our residents. To make a donation, please contact the Long-Term Care Foundation at (613) 728-3900 extension 111 or e-mail us at donations@hillel-ltc.com.

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 22, 2010 – Page 17

Bob Dylan examined through a Jewish lens Bob Dylan: Prophet, Mystic, Poet

By Seth Rogovoy Scribner 324 pages Bob Dylan, born Robert Allen Zimmerman in 1941, unquestionably among the greatest and most influential songwriter-performers of all time, has been the subject of seemingly countless numbers of biographies and book-length analyses over the past 40 years. These books have covered his life and music from myriad angles – I know, I’ve read a bunch of them.

But Seth Rogovoy’s Bob Dylan: Prophet, Mystic, Poet is the first book to examine Dylan’s life and music with a perspective that encompasses his Jewish upbringing, the influence of Jewish texts on his songwriting, and his sometimes confusing and contradictory relationship with Judaism and religious practice. According to Rogovoy, “Consciously or not, Bob Dylan has in large part adopted the modes of Jewish prophetic discourse as one of his primary means of communication, determining the content of his songs, the style of delivery, and his relationship to his audience.”

Young Bobby Zimmerman grew up in Minnesota, first in Duluth, then in the small town of Hibbing, where he was in close contact with his Yiddish-speaking grandparents, where he attended Hebrew school at an Orthodox synagogue, Agudath Achim, and where his mother and father were presidents of her Hadassah and his B’nai Brith chapters. He also spent five summers in the 1950s at Camp Herzl, a religious Zionist camp in Wisconsin. Rogovoy makes the case that, in addition to the rock ‘n’ roll, blues, country and folk music that fascinated him, Dylan’s Jewish upbringing had a significant impact on his canon of songs.

There are some Dylan songs in which the Jewish influence

Book Review Michael Regenstreif is obvious. The opening scene in “Highway 61 Revisited” is a modernized version of the biblical story of God commanding Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. But Rogovoy points out that there are many more songs in which the Jewish influence is pervasive but not necessarily obvious. While “All Along the Watchtower,” famously covered by Jimi Hendrix, for example, has often been (mis)interpreted as oblique musings, Rogovoy convincingly shows that the lyrics are a midrashic paraphrasing of Isaiah 21:4-9.

There are many other examples. Rogovoy points out that key passages in “Blowin’ in the Wind,” one of the early songs that established Dylan’s reputation as the ‘voice of his generation,’ a designation he came to quickly reject even if his growing legions of fans didn’t, were based on verses from Ezekiel, Isaiah and Genesis, while “I Pity the Poor Immigrant” recasts phrases from Leviticus as if they were being spoken by a prophet on behalf of God. As an artist, Dylan has gone through any number of periods in the almost-five decades he’s been an important songwriter.

Certainly, the most perplexing period for his Jewish fans was from 1979 to 1981 or ’82 when he embraced evangelical Christianity. Rogovoy devotes a long chapter to this period arguing that the album Slow Train Coming, the first and most popular of Dylan’s Christian albums, “is as noteworthy for its lack of

Salinger challenged us to appreciate the world in all its complexity Before J.D. Salinger published The Catcher in the Rye in 1951, there was his 1948 short story, “A Perfect Day for Bananafish.” When Salinger died last month at 91, I found myself reflecting on the story whose title I had long ago forgotten – but whose plot had remained with me since my Grade 8 English class. While Catcher gained a level of fame that could only be dreamed of by most authors, “Bananafish” had a more explosive impact on me. Taken together, both works lead us to question the role of despair, authenticity and certainty in helping us make sense of the world.

“Bananafish” is mostly about the ending. In it, newlywed Seymour Glass concludes the piece by retreating to his Florida hotel room and shooting himself in the right temple. Some interpretations blame his sudden actions on his emotionally detached wife; others on the trauma he suffered as a Second World War veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress. But it is clear that something in Salinger’s invented world – bookended visually by a beachfront hotel and an ocean containing the bananafish of Seymour’s imagination, and temporally by the war and the pursuit of the American dream – was seriously amiss.

But, for me at age 13, puzzling out the plot and parsing the wordplay took a backseat to obsessing over the ending. As an extroverted 13-year-old with well-articulated goals and dreams, the notion of suicide induced terror in me. I irrationally feared that it was something that could just happen – like cancer or car crashes, a phobia which Salinger’s inclusion in our reading list silently aggravated.

What made Salinger’s offerings particularly problematic for

my adolescent angst – which is, perhaps, ironic given that Catcher deals in the currency of teenage questioning – was the tension between presenting troubled characters who are seriously ill and those who are voices of clarity calling out a structurally flawed world. I was (and still am) too much of an optimist to consign the world to permanently wrecked status. I was (and still am) too naturally gregarious to position myself as a detached voice on the sidelines, silently seeing everyone else as “phony” (what Holden Caulfield obsesses over in The Catcher in the Rye). I’d die of loneliness, otherwise. The result of my early experience with Salinger, then, was a sort of generalized and paralyzing anxiety.

If we think of adolescence as the first – and thus most powerful – simultaneous realization of human mortality and individual agency, we can gain insight into the challenges that Salinger’s writing poses for the human condition. Ultimately, Salinger advocates authenticity and certainty – both decent antidotes to the terror of mortality and the moral challenges of agency, but both possessing problematic implications.

In Catcher, Caulfield famously prides himself on exposing peddlers of artificiality. And in “Bananafish,” with his comfort zone being with children rather than with adults with whom he turns corrosive, Glass is certain that his version of reality is the only correct one. But I lack that certitude of personal authenticity. I also try to allow for other versions of reality to have some truth. (Professionally, I try to identify multiple narratives in my research area of choice – the Israeli-Palestinian morass.)

And I happen to lack the confidence that my experience of life

Christian material as it is for any blatant references to Jesus.”

The album’s hit song, “Gotta Serve Somebody,” writes Rogovoy, “fits comfortably within a Jewish world view in which mankind’s utmost duty is seen as serving God.” While Dylan’s embrace of Christianity was well known and publicized through recordings and concerts devoted exclusively to songs from that period, his return to Judaism, circa 1982 or ’83, was not overtly publicized. Rogovoy describes how Dylan’s return was engineered by his concerned mother and a still-observant boyhood friend, and through a year of study with a Lubavitcher rabbi in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. (To this day, there are semi-regular Dylan sightings, particularly around the High Holidays, at Chabad centres in places Dylan happens to find himself.)

And, of course, the book abounds with many examples of songs from his-post Christian period, which Rogovoy is able to explain from a Jewish perspective. A scene in “Jokerman” describes tashlich, while another reflects David on the run from King Saul. “I and I,” which uses Rastafarian terminology, says Rogovoy, is a meditation on the relationship between God and Moses, while the unambiguous “Neighborhood Bully” is a “thinly veiled paean to Israel and Jewish peoplehood.”

Rogovoy’s analysis of the Jewishness of many of Dylan’s songs continues through to the 2009 album Together Through Life. What Rogovoy couldn’t have counted on was the curveball of a Christmas album Dylan released at about the same time the book hit the stands.

Maybe Rogovoy will update the paperback edition of Bob Dylan: Prophet, Mystic, Poet to point out that Dylan did the album as a food bank charity benefit (tzedakah) and that there’s a long tradition of Jewish artists who’ve done Christmas music.

“White Christmas,” probably the most famous of all secular Christmas songs, was, after all written by the Jewish songwriter Irving Berlin (born Israel Baline).

Bob Dylan: Prophet, Mystic, Poet offers a fascinating perspective on Dylan and his songs. A basic familiarity with the songs is probably a prerequisite to appreciating it.

Values, Ethics, Community Mira Sucharov is truly authentic (at least currently, although I recognize that that might evolve). And, while my lack of certainty over the correct version of reality is more of an intellectual commitment than a given (I admit that I lapse from time to time), neither are positions that I would want to give up easily.

To grasp Salinger is to acknowledge that the world is flawed. But it’s also to presume that one has the ability to identify solutions. How else to make sense of protagonists who remove themselves from the fray – either via studied aloofness or through the unspeakable – if one cannot clearly see alternatives that the characters could not?

It is no coincidence that Salinger, the grandson of a rabbi, lived for decades in near seclusion. How does one continue a legacy of such fictional detachment – so divorced from the natural optimism of theological conviction, such as he created?

A generous interpretation would be that Salinger challenged us to appreciate his cutting irony not as an indictment of the world, but as an invitation to enjoy it in all its complexity. How to straddle this line wasn’t evident to me as an adolescent struggling with the notions of death and self-control. While art is not political manifesto, the best kind moves the spirit to action. The question remains how stories can inspire us to apply solutions to social problems in a manner that is more fluid than fixed; more tentative than arrogant.

Page 18 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 22, 2010

Israel in Olympics to win, or not at all

By Marcy Oster JERUSALEM (JTA) – Two weeks before the European Figure Skating Championships in Tallinn, Estonia, in mid-January, Israeli skater Tamar Katz was sick in bed and going crazy.

Though she had already qualified in international competition for the 2010 Winter Olympics, the tougher standards of Israel’s Olympic Committee required that Katz finish in the top 14 in Europe to punch her ticket to the Winter Games in Vancouver. Katz said that, while she felt weak before leaving for Estonia, she felt good when she took the ice.

But Katz made a mistake in her performance, missing her triple lutzdouble loop combination, the highest scoring element in her program.

She finished 21st – half a point away from qualifying for the finals, where her free skate routine might have propelled her into the top 14.

As a result, Israel did not send Katz to Vancouver.

Stories like Katz’s are “heartbreaking,” acknowledges Efraim Zinger, secretary general of Israel’s Olympic Committee. “But, in the end, you either did it or not.”

About a decade-and-a-half ago, Israel began applying demanding new standards to limit its Olympics delegation to athletes with a legitimate shot at a medal. Consequently, only three Israeli athletes will be competing this month in Vancouver – downhill skier Mikail Renzhin, and the brother-sister ice-dancing duo of Alexandra and Roman Zaretsky.

It is Israel’s smallest delegation to the Winter Games since 1998, when the nation also sent three athletes. Israel sent five athletes to each of the last two Winter Games – in Turin, Italy, in 2006 and Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2002. Israel’s firstever appearance in the Winter Games was in 1994 in Lillehammer, Norway, when one Israeli athlete participated.

The policy of the Israeli Olympic Committee has proven controversial.

“I think the Israel Olympic Committee should not be harder on the athletes than the International Olympics Committee,” Shlomo Glickstein, professional director of the Israel Tennis Association, told JTA. “It’s tough enough to get into the Olympics.”

In the lead-up to the Summer Games in Beijing two years ago, Israeli tennis star Dudi Sela was ranked 71st in the world – well within the top 100 required to qualify for the Olympics. But, because Sela fell

Alpine skier Michael Renzin (left) and the brother-sister ice-dancing team of Roman and Alexandra Zaretsky comprise Israel’s Winter Olympic team in Vancouver.

(Photo: Olympic Committee of Israel/Flash90/JTA)

short of Israel’s own Olympic Committee standards – he needed to be among the top 50 in his sport to qualify – he was forced to stay home.

Zinger argues that, while some Israeli athletes are left behind, the policy – which applies to the Summer Games, too – has enabled Israel to invest the lion’s share of its resources into athletes the committee

thinks have a chance at winning medals.

Until the late 1980s, Israel was sending teams “just to participate,” Zinger said. Now, he says, “We decided that we are going to win.”

Glickstein says the notion that the policy is about saving money is absurd, maintaining that it takes just a few thousand extra dollars to send an athlete to the Olympics – most of

which is paid by sponsors.

Rather, Glickstein says of committee members, “They don’t want to be ashamed.”

Israel picked up its first two medals in the 1992 Summer Games, a silver and a bronze in judo, and has won five since, including a gold in sailing in 2004. All the medals have come in the Summer Games.

Katz is angry about being left behind.

“No country wants to take away a slot. They are usually happy to send their athletes,” she told JTA. “It is an honour for me to represent my country. I thought it would be the same for my country as well. I was shocked. I did everything to make it to the Olympics.”

A Facebook group, Tamar Katz should be allowed to compete at the 2010 Olympics, garnered more than 1,800 members and generated hundreds of e-mails to the Israel Olympic Committee.

Born in the United States to Israeli parents, Katz lived in both Israel and the U.S. as a child. In Israel, she lived in the northern city of Metulla, near the country’s only ice skating rink at the Canada Centre. In the U.S., she lives and trains in Monsey, N.Y. and receives a stipend from the Israel Skating Federation.

Israel supports about 80 top-cali-

bre athletes in several sports. The support includes training, expenses to attend international competitions, hiring coaches and providing full medical coverage and treatments not covered by regular Israeli national health care, as well as stipends and performance-based incentives.

Many athletes argue that merely appearing in the Olympics, even without winning anything, is a good way for younger athletes to gain experience for the next Olympics. But Zinger says Israeli athletes can get the same experience from appearing in other international competitions.

Katz disagrees, saying Olympic exposure helps with the judges.

“If they want me to medal in 2014, they should have sent me now,” she said.

Last December, the committee decided on the goals and targets for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. They include winning medals, improving the success rate of female athletes and attaining a medal in gymnastics, a sport Israel has yet to master.

As for the Winter Games now taking place in Vancouver, Zinger says that, while Israelis would be thrilled to hear “Hatikvah” played at a medal ceremony, they know “Israel is not really a winter sport country.”

Vancouver’s Jewish community participates in Olympic festivities

By Ben Harris (JTA) – Rabbi Shmuel Birnham’s road to becoming the official Jewish clergyman of the 2010 Winter Olympics began at an interfaith service with the Dalai Lama.

During the Tibetan leader’s 2004 visit to Vancouver, Hong Chian, a local Buddhist doctor, invited Rabbi Birnham to be one of the Jewish representatives at the service. When the Olympics rolled around, Chian, who serves on the multifaith committee for the Olympics, called on Rabbi Birnham again – this time to head up the team of Jewish clergy providing spiritual support services to visiting athletes.

As head of a team of rabbis serving the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Rabbi Birnham is helping to arrange services at both the Vancouver and Whistler Olympic villages and provide counselling to athletes who, having trained for much of their lives for a brief shot at Olympic glory, may find themselves facing crises for which spiritual guidance would be helpful.

Rabbis and cantors will be on call for the duration of the Olympics for that purpose.

“I ran track at Dickinson College,” said Rabbi Birnham, of the Conservative Congregation Har El in West Vancouver. “Even at that measly low level, I have a sense of what goes on. I cannot imagine the pressure of a once-in-a-lifetime chance.”

Rabbi Birnham is among a number of members of the city’s 30,000-strong Jewish communi-

ty supporting the athletes and Jewish tourists who have descended on Vancouver, the most Jewishly active city ever to host the Winter Olympics.

Synagogues have organized Shabbat dinners for visitors and the Greater Vancouver Jewish Federation held an event, February 14, to introduce the community to the three participating Israeli athletes.

A local Jewish woman who competed in the 1972 Munich Olympics was among the last torch bearers to carry the Olympic flame on its way to B.C. Stadium for the opening ceremonies.

Karen James, the Women’s Philanthropy chair of Vancouver’s federation, carried the flame about 1,000 feet, February 12, in downtown Vancouver.

James swam the 200 individual medley in Munich and placed “17th or 18th.” She can’t remember exactly.

At the 1972 Games, James was returning to the Olympic Village after hours when, rather than walk around to the main gate, she and her friends took a shortcut over a fence. Some dark figures nearby decided to climb with them.

The next morning, James said, she awoke to the sound of helicopters and remembers watching Israeli athletes and coaches taken hostage by Palestinian terrorists being led out to a bus.

Eleven Israelis died later in a failed rescue attempt at a nearby airport.

James lit a candle in their memory, February 14, when Israel’s 2010 Olympians visited the

Jewish Community Centre.

“The Olympics – in general ever since then – I have mixed feelings,” James said. “I always sort of sit with that ambiguity.”

As part of the Jewish community’s observance of the Olympics, the Vancouver Holocaust Centre is running an exhibit for the duration of the Winter Games highlighting Canada’s dilemma over whether to participate in the so-called Nazi Olympics – the 1936 Games in Berlin. It was in Berlin that many features of the modern Olympics were introduced, including the idea of a torch relay, according to the centre’s executive director, Frieda Miller.

“We were very careful not to make a direct link between those Games and the contemporary Games,” Miller told JTA. “It’s not a polemic. We do not pass judgment. We present the dilemmas and the situation as is and let people make their own analogies.”

The history of Jewish Vancouver dates to 1872, with the arrival of the city’s first Jewish settler, Louis Gold. Vancouver’s second mayor, David Oppenheimer, was a German-born Jew who generally is considered the city’s founding father. The first synagogue was built in 1916.

Today, there are 12, in addition to six day schools, three Chabad centres and a kollel.

Like the athletes themselves, Vancouver’s Jews are experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase their city and community to the world.

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 22, 2010 – Page 19

FOUNDATION DONATIONS Our future is in your hands

Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation

IRVING AND BETTY ALTMAN ENDOWMENT FUND In observance of the Yahrzeit of: Bella Altman Leikin, beloved mother and Bubbie by Betty Altman, Morie and Alissa, Eric and Kanako, and Jamie.

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 SHIRLEY AND SHIER BERMAN FUND FOR OTTAWA JEWISH ARCHIVES Mazel Tov to: Reva Berman on receiving an above and beyond award by Shirley and Shier Berman.

MENDEL AND VALERIE GOOD HOLOCAUST CONTINUING EDUCATION FUND In appreciation to: Anna Heilman by Harry Prizant, Sarah Silverstein and 2010 March of the Living Group.

GREENBERG FAMILIES LIBRARY ENDOWMENT FUND Mazel Tov to: Miriam and Victor Rabinovitch on the birth of their grandson by Rose and Rubin Friedman.

Rachel and Gerry Pernica on the birth of their grandson by Rose and Rubin Friedman.

HILLEL ACADEMY ENDOWMENT FUND Best of luck to: Josh Engel on becoming a Partner of GGFL by Cally and Sid Kardash.

JEWISH YOUTH LIBRARY OF OTTAWA ENDOWMENT FUND In appreciation to: Donna Palmer-Dodds by Devora and Josef Caytak.

David Burger by Devora and Josef Caytak.

Yehuda Simes by Devora and Josef Caytak.

Gavriel Scarowski by Devora and Josef Caytak.

Bram Bregman by Devora and Josef Caytak.

Michael Regenstreif by Devora and Josef Caytak.

Diane Koven by Devora and Josef Caytak.

Mazel Tov to: Levy and Nechama Teitlebaum on their son Mendel’s Bar Mitzvah by by Devora and Josef Caytak.

AJA 50+ ENDOWMENT FUND AKIVA EVENING HIGH SCHOOL ENDOWMENT FUND ADINA BEN PORAT MACHON SARAH TORAH EDUCATION FUND DORIS BRONSTEIN TALMUD TORAH AFTERNOON SCHOOL FUND BARRY FISHMAN OTTAWA JEWISH BULLETIN SCHOLARSHIP FUND MARTIN GLATT PARLIAMENT LODGE B’NAI BRITH PAST PRESIDENTS’ FUND

The Board of Directors of the Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation acknowledges with thanks contributions to the following funds as of February 3, 2010.

HILLEL ACADEMY CHILDREN OF THE BOOK AWARD FUND HILLEL LODGE LEGACY FUND JEWISH COMMUNITY CEMETERY HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL FUND JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES AGENCY FUND JEWISH MEN’S SOFTBALL LEAGUE FUND JEWISH STUDENTS ASSOCIATION HILLEL 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

APPOTIVE FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: David Appotive by Tracy and Philip Berthelet; by Debra Barbesin and Robert Pangborn; and by Sally and Morton Taller.

ANNE AND LOUIS ARRON MEMORIAL FUND In memory of: Hugh Shabsove by Daphne and Stanley Arron.

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

Fuzzy Teitelbaum by Norm and Myrna Barwin DR. GERALD BLOOM MEMORIAL FUND In memory of: John Simmonds by Ethel Bloom and Sam Charron.

Pearl Moskovic by Ethel Bloom and family.

RONALD BODNOFF MEMORIAL FUND In memory of: Pearl Moskovic by Rhoda Bodnoff.

TILLIE AND HARRY CHERM MEMORIAL FUND In memory of: Pearl Moskovic by Sylvia and Sol Kaiman.

Birthday wishes to: Mollie Fine by Donald Cherm and Robert Lebans.

DAVID AND QUEENIE COHEN MEMORIAL FUND In observance of the Yahrzeit of: David Cohen, a dear father and grandfather by Judith and David Kalin.

ISRAEL AND POLLY COHEN ENDOWMENT FUND Birthday wishes to: Lillian Zunder by Anna and Ronny Cantor.

Mazel Tov to: Roz and Arnie Kimmel on the birth of their grandson Jack by Anna and Ronny Cantor.

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

NATHAN AND REBA DIENER ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Joy Ostrega by Barbara and Joel Diener and family.

Michael Boitman by Barbara and Joel Diener and family.

DOLANSKY FAMILY FUND Mazel Tov to: Reuven Bulka on receiving the ‘Key to the City’ by Bernard and Donna Dolansky.

CYNTHIA AND ABE ENGEL ENDOWMENT FUND Mazel Tov to: Josh Engel on becoming a Partner of GGFL by the Bellack family; and by Audrey Taylor.

BARBARA AND LEN FARBER ENDOWMENT FUND Mazel Tov to: Barbara Farber on receiving an Honorary Degree from Algonquin College by Sally and Morton Taller.

BENJAMIN AND FREDA FEINSTEIN MEMORIAL FUND In memory of: Pearl Moskovic by Evelyn Greenberg and Leslie.

GILBOA/MAOZ FAMILY FUND In memory of: Pearl Moskovic by the Gilboa family.

ANN GLUZMAN MEMORIAL FUND In appreciation to: Miriam Ziv and Ariel Kenet by Cally and Sid Kardash.

In memory of: Ned Better by Cally and Sid Kardash.

IBOLYA AND HOWARD GOLDBERG FAMILY FUND Condolences to: Armand Lahmany on the loss of his father by Shawna and Helene Goldberg.

Fred Birnbaum on the loss of his mother by Shawna and Helene Goldberg.

In memory of: David Appotive by Shawna and Helene Goldberg.

EVA, DIANE AND JACK GOLDFIELD MEMORIAL FUND In memory of: Pearl Moskovic by Morley Goldfield, Gary Goldfield and family.

HERB AND DENA GOSEWICH ENDOWMENT FUND Condolences to: The Winestone family on the loss of their mother by Herb and Dena Gosewich.

In memory of: Hugh Shabsove by Herb and Dena Gosewich.

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

JEREMY KANTER MEMORIAL FUND In memory of: Pearl Moskovic by Evelyn and Lou Eisenberg.

Speedy recovery to: Chuck Rotenberg by Evelyn and Lou Eisenberg.

ARTHUR AND SARAH KIMMEL MEMORIAL FUND In memory of: Pearl Moskovic by Roz and Arnie Kimmel.

PHILLIP AND ETTIE KIMMEL MEMORIAL FUND In memory of: Pearl Moskovic by Joyce and Milton Kimmel.

ANNICE AND SYDNEY KRONICK FAMILY FUND In memory of: Irwin Singer by Debi and Neil Zaret.

Birthday wishes to: Marlene Cohen by Debi and Neil Zaret.

ISSIE AND EDITH LANDAU ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Mary Goldberg by Edie Landau, Jerrold and Michael.

Continued on page 20

Page 20 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 22, 2010

FOUNDATION DONATIONS GEORGE LESH MIRACLE FUND In memory of: Pearl Moskovic by George Lesh.

RON AND RUTH LEVITAN ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Pearl Moskovic by Ron and Ruth Levitan.

NATHAN AND LAURIE LEVITIN MEMORIAL FUND In memory of: Pearl Moskovic by Brenda Wolf.

JOHN AND ESTELLE LIBERMAN ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Irwin Singer by John and Estelle Liberman.

JOSEPH AND EVELYN LIEFF ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Pearl Moskovic by Joseph and Evelyn Lieff.

David Appotive by Joseph and Evelyn Lieff.

IRVING AND ELLEN LITHWICK ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Ellen Lithwick by Margo and Sidney Friedman.

CHUCK AND BONNIE MEROVITZ FAMILY FUND In memory of: Pearl Moskovic by Chuck and Bonnie Merovitz.

RHODA AND JEFFREY MILLER FAMILY FUND Mazel Tov to: Lillian and Mark Zunder on the birth of their granddaughter by Rhoda, Jeffrey, Howard and Sarah Miller.

PERCY AND SHELLEY OSTROFF FAMILY FUND Speedy recovery to: Charles Rotenberg by Percy and Shelley Ostroff.

PEARL AND DAVID MOSKOVIC ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Pearl Moskovic by Mitchell Bellman and Nicola Hamer; by Dan and Marilyn Kimmel; by Sol and Zelaine Shinder; by Edie Landau; by Cally and Sid Kardash; by Libby and Stan Katz; by Frances Ruda; and by Gerri and Morrie Kranztberg.

BENJAMIN, BESSIE AND ANN POLOWIN MEMORIAL FUND In memory of: Norma Miller by Chuck and Malca Polowin.

NORMAN AND EVELYN POTECHIN ENDOWMENT FUND Mazel Tov to: Norman and Evelyn Potechin on the marriage of their granddaughter Shoshi by Judy Wolfe.

GERALD AND MARY-BELLE PULVERMACHER FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND Birthday wishes to: Fran Dorsky by Gerry and Mary-Belle Pulvermacher.

Luana Fruchter by Gerry and Mary-Belle Pulvermacher.

Speedy recover to: Carole Long by Gerry and Mary-Belle Pulvermacher.

Condolences to: Jane Firth on the loss of her mother by Gerry and Mary-Belle Pulvermacher.

MOE AND SARAH RESNICK ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Pearl Moskovic by Roberta and Sam Goldmaker.

FLORENCE AND GDALYAH ROSENFELD ENDOWMENT FUND Anniversary wishes to: Florence and Gdalyah Rosenfeld on their 55th wedding anniversary by Libby and Stan Katz.

SAUL AND EDNA GOLDFARB B’NAI MITZVAH FUND

What do your “kids” really care about?

Do they care about hanging out with their friends? Playing sports?

Playing their musical instruments?

How about helping the homeless in their community? Fighting anti-Semitism? Supporting people with disabilities?

Through the Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation, our community’s youth can achieve both! They can be the active individuals that they are all while making a difference through tzedakah, one gift at a time.

Teens can make their Bar and Bat Mitzvah’s an extra special event by opening a B’nai Mitzvah Fund in their name. This gives them the vehicle to support causes dear to their hearts.

Forever!

You can make a difference in your child’s life by encouraging your son or daughter to establish a B’nai Mitzvah Fund. Their participation in the B’nai Mitzvah Club, which is for teens age 12 up to pre-post secondary, will affect the rest of their lives in a positive and philanthropic manner.

Now is the time to encourage your child to become a charitable, responsible member of the Jewish Community.

To obtain information on how to open a B’nai Mitzvah Fund for as little as $250, call the Foundation office today at 613-798-4696 extension 252 or email info@ojcf.ca. Additional information can be found on our website at www.OJCF.ca.

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 Marty Saslove.

Lillian and Mark Zunder on the birth of their granddaughter by Rickie and Marty Saslove.

In memory of: Pearl Moskovic by Rickie and Marty Saslove.

R’fuah Sh’lemah to: Rickie Saslove by Felicia, Mark, Lane, Miriam and Evan Saslove.

HERMINA SCHACHNOW MEMORIAL FUND In memory of: Pearl Moskovic by Shelley and Morris Schachnow, Ann Blair.

HERB GRAY AND SHARON SHOLZBERG-GRAY FAMILY FUND In memory of: Fuzzy Teitelbaum by Herb Gray and Sharon Sholzberg-Gray.

LORNE AND LAURIE SHUSTERMAN FAMILY FUND Mazel Tov to: Mauricio Bendayan on the completion of his service with The Golani Brigade of the IDF by Lorne and Laurie Shusterman.

JACK AND SARAH SILVERSTEIN FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND Mazel Tov to: Stephen Polowin on his new partnership by Jack and Sarah Silverstein.

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

BRENT AND RISA TAYLOR ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Bernie Edelstein by Risa, Brent and Shira Taylor.

Debbie, David, Alex, Rachel and Daniel Weinstein.

MILDRED AND PERCY WEINSTEIN ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Pearl Moskovic by Millie Weinstein.

ROBERT WENER AND LYNNE ORECK WENER FAMILY FUND In memory of: Morris Altman by Lynne Oreck-Wener, Bobby, Taryn, Eleni and Hart Wener.

Mazel Tov to: Robert Wener and Lynne Oreck-Wener on their daughter Taryn receiving her C.A. designation by Ingrid Levitz.

SAM AND HELENE ZARET MEMORIAL FUND Condolences to: Ian Groper on the loss of his father by Debi and Neil Zaret.

Elaine Smiley on the loss of her mother by Debi and Neil Zaret.

ZIPES KARANOFSKY FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND Condolences to: Mr. and Mrs. Gary Kirsh on the loss of their father by Rick and Helen Zipes.

Happy retirement to: Rona Shaffran-Tannenbaum by Rick and Helen Zipes.

PINCHAS ZUKERMAN MUSICAL EDUCATION FUND Birthday wishes to: David Finestone by Chuck and Bonnie Merovitz.

In memory of: Andy Phillips by Evelyn Greenberg and family.

Colleen Snipper by Evelyn Greenberg.

THE SAUL AND EDNA GOLDFARB B’NAI MITZVAH PROGRAM RYAN JEREMY BAKER B’NAI MITZVAH FUND In memory of: Lilly Melamed by Benita and Steven Baker.

RUTH AND JOSEPH VINER ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Pearl Moskovic by Ruth and Joe Viner.

RYAN GOLDBERG B’NAI MITZVAH FUND In memory of: Sarah Messing by Ernie, Reva, Robyn and Ryan Goldberg.

MIRIAM AND LOUIS WEINER ENDOWMENT FUND Speedy recovery to: Rickie Saslove by Miriam and Louis Weiner.

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.

JOSEPH AND SONIA WEINSTEIN MEMORIAL FUND In memory of: Mort Krieger by Cynthia and Max Weinstein; and by

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

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 22, 2010 – Page 21

A witty, modern version of the Tower of Babel story Tower of Babel

By A.S. Gadot Illustrated by Cecilia Rebora Kar-Ben Publishing 32 pages. Ages 5-9.

Kid Lit

Bible stories are fair game for any writer brave enough to take them on. Usually, the changes authors make take the form of using contemporary language, adding a hint of gender equality or a bit of humour, and such. Rarely do they extend to the degree of witty, irreverent modernization found in A.S. Gadot’s Tower of Babel.

In the Bible, the story of the Tower of Babel is extremely short. God takes umbrage at the people’s desire to oneup him by building a tower that reaches into the sky. The key components of the biblical story are that all the people on earth live in the same place, speak the same language, start building a tower to “make a name for ourselves,� and end up, quite literally, babbling (speaking in myriad languages) and being scattered throughout the earth.

Gadot’s Tower of Babel includes those elements, but there are several departures from the Bible story (including that God is not mentioned).

One is that Gadot’s story takes place a long, long time ago, but definitely not in biblical times.

A second is that the motivation for building the tower is simply to do something new and different. Life is so good in the land of Shinar that it becomes boring. The notion of becoming important because of the tower is an add-on bonus.

A third is that the story contains a delightful mix of concepts from a wide variety of timeframes up to and including the Internet.

Put all that together with the rigid logic and obvious humour of a Chelm story and the end result is a laugh-outloud Tower of Babel. Kids go to school. Adults work their jobs, look after their homes and gardens, and go to cafĂŠs where they discuss such tediously boring philosophical issues as, “Is a pocket with a hole in it – and nothing else – empty or full?â€?

What to do for excitement? Numerous suggestions are made, but the ultimate idea comes from a young lad. “Let’s build a tower that will reach heaven! A tower that will make us important and powerful!�

Everyone springs into all sorts of actions. The tower grows taller and taller and taller. Celebrations mark major

Deanna Silverman

achievements: the 20th floor, 50th floor, 100th floor.

In their exuberance, the people decide they are so close to heaven, “We will rule the earth and the sky!�

Immediately – thunder, lightning, rain, and hail overwhelm them until, finally, the storm ends. But that was only the beginning of their troubles. Now they are groups of babbling craftspeople who can’t understand each other. Ultimately, each linguistic group sets off, in its own unique way, to populate the earth.

Cecilia Rebora’s full-colour illustrations enhance the zaniness of the story without overpowering it. Dozens of individuals of every age and description, along with their pets, thrive in the boring, then exciting, land of Shinar.

Tower of Babel is a book that will be pored over and enjoyed again and again.

Awards Mazal Tov to the writers, illustrators and publishers of books I reviewed in 2009 that won awards or were named as competition finalists.

The JPS Illustrated Children’s Bible was the 2009 National Jewish Book Award Winner in the category of Illustrated Children’s Books. It was also named a 2010 Sydney Taylor Book Award winner for Readers of All Ages.

Nachshon Who Was Afraid to Swim and Benjamin and the Silver Goblet were named 2010 Sydney Taylor Honor Books for Young Readers.

Naomi’s Song was named a 2010 Sydney Taylor Award Honor Book for Teen Readers.

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By A.S. Gadot Illustrated by Cecilia Rebora

Elvina’s Mirror was named a 2010 Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable Book for Older Children.

Clay Man: The Golem of Prague and Nachshon Who Was Afraid to Swim were finalists in the 2009 National Jewish Book Awards.

Page 22 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 22, 2010

Our Grizzly New York adventure – part two Last issue, I chronicled the first part of the trip Roger and I took in January to New York City with our good friends, the Grizzlys.

Grizzly is not their real name, it’s my pet nickname for them because they share many of the same personality traits as grizzly bears. Grizzly bears hibernate for the winter and, in preparation, eat heavily for several weeks so they can live off the stored fat for several months. This was the weekend Mr. Grizzly intended to pack on his necessary pounds, and he took us along as hostages!

Here is the second part of our adventure.

Day two dawned gloriously sunny and unseasonably warm at +10 C. Both Roger and Mr. Grizzly are early risers, so they left the hotel at about 7:30 am to forage for food for their mates. They brought back large lattes (extra hot) from Starbucks and breakfast goodies from Le Pain Quotidien on 53rd Street at Fifth Avenue. They chose mini raisin-walnut baguettes, apple crumble muffins and organic granola parfait with Greek yogurt, honey and fresh berries.

Mr. and Mrs. Grizzly are art lovers. So, after breakfast, they took me to the Fuller Building on East 57th Street.

This gorgeous art deco building houses a number of New York’s most important galleries. We spent a happy morning viewing some breathtaking paintings, photographs and sculptures.

We met up with Roger for lunch at Jean Georges on Central Park West. Their lunch special of two courses for $29 is renowned among foodies in the know. While you may not consider a $29 lunch to be cheap, it is a fantastic bargain for a Michelin-starred restaurant.

We began with a little amuse bouche (a gift from the chef) of a trio of little bites. A Camembert fritter, a tiny shot glass filled with wild mushroom broth and a perfect mouthful of tuna tartare. Most memorable was the goat cheese royale with roasted beet marmalade and crushed pistachios. Roger loved the baby roasted brussels sprouts with avocado, pistachios and mustard vinaigrette.

Of course, the meal ended with a bonbon trolley! I had been watching the waiter manning the trolley. As he approached each table, he opened a huge glass jar filled with handmade pink marshmallows and lifted one out with tongs. Then he proceeded to cut each one in half with very fancy silver scissors. I inquired whether marshmallow cutting was a position you had to be promoted to. He said it was an entry level job. I may apply!

That night, we had a pre-theatre dinner at the Bar Room at the Modern (in the Museum of Modern Art at 9 West 53rd Street). This is a casual, bustling place with a really fun vibe. The menu features small plates of rustic Alsatian

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Made with Love Cindy Feingold cuisine. This trend towards small plate dining is something we noticed in almost every restaurant we visited during our stay. Instead of the traditional appetizer, main course and dessert, a lot of restaurants are now presenting you with a menu of small plates. You choose two or three of these to have for dinner. The popularity of this trend is due to people being more educated about food and wanting to try a greater variety.

To begin, Mr. Grizzly had a Modern martini, featuring cilantro-infused Tanqueray gin and fresh lime juice. If you are a cilantro lover, this one’s for you! Mrs. Grizzly ordered a champagne cocktail. I have only seen really stylish women in the movies drinking those. Mrs. Grizzly is my most elegant friend!

We ordered a tarte flambé Alsatian for the table to share as one of our dishes. This was a thin crust tart, covered with applewood smoked onions, crème fraîche and fromage blanc. I am still dreaming about it! The crispy Atlantic cod with celery and Granny Smith apple salad was also outstanding.

After dinner, we went to see God of Carnage on Broadway. It is a very dark comedy starring Jimmy Smits, Annie Potts and Christine Lahti. The story is about two pairs of parents. One couple’s child has hurt the child of the other at a public park and they meet to discuss the matter in a very civilized manner. However, as the evening goes on, the parents become increasingly childish, resulting in utter chaos. I always feel better about my own family when I see a play about a family more dysfunctional than mine.

After drinks and caramel corn with Aleppo pepper at Gilt Bar at the Palace Hotel (made famous by the TV series Gossip Girl), we waddled off to bed, cosseted in our Italian cotton sheets for one last night.

Our final meal in New York was brunch at Perry Street.

The restaurant is on the ground floor of an all-glass condo building in the West Village overlooking the Hudson River.

Apparently, getting a reservation there is quite a coup! Mr. Grizzly shared his secret that lunch reservations are easier to secure than dinner.

If you go, you must try the house made burrata (fresh Italian cheese made with buffalo mozzarella and cream) with a cranberry compote, olive oil and grilled sourdough bread. The rice cracker-encrusted tuna was also outstanding. We ended our trip on a sweet note with warm Valhrona chocolate cake with vanilla bean ice cream.

Shockingly, when I got home, I discovered I had lost a pound. Must have been all those small plates!

Can I prorogue paying my taxes?

I have been contemplating a word that has been much in the news lately – prorogue. It turns out the word has an interesting history and comes originally from Latin pro (forward, for, before) and rogare (to ask). Strangely, it is related to interrogate. Isn’t it ironic that Stephen Harper was trying to avoid an interrogation when he asked for a prorogation?

The meaning of the word prorogare was also interesting because it could mean the opposite of what we think it means today. So prorogatio meant an extension of the appointment and authority of a governor, not an interruption or pause in it. Maybe Harper thought getting a prorogation meant he could rule for another five years.

Prorogue also means to put off and to delay. Canadians are taught from early childhood to ‘never prorogue until tomorrow what you can do today.’ Perhaps this might help explain the outrage in the populace since Harper was seemingly breaking this cardinal rule. Hey, if he can put off calling Parliament back, maybe I can put off paying my taxes.

Nowadays, of course, this staid parliamentary term just refers to the interruption and ending of a session of Parliament so that all business, bills, committee hearings and so on are ended and have to be reintroduced or started up again once Parliament resumes. Prorogation became so common that Liberal governments constantly used it when they thought they were getting into hot water. That is why their suggested reforms to the process are kind of lukewarm. The NDP, which has never actually been in power, is ready to abolish it without any thought. If the Liberals and Conservatives use it, it must be bad.

And no, prorogue does not refer to a professional sinner

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Humour me, please RubinFriedman of some kind. Oh, if it were only so exciting! But the word has been in English for almost a thousand years and is listed as an Old English verb, prorogen, which also sounds kind of Yiddish – Az ir vilt es speter tun, kent ir prorogen (If you want to do it later you can put it off). I think it might also mean that you like rogalakh but will have to check it in my Websterman dictionary.

Apparently, for my friends who work with parliamentary committees, this is a welcome break. It gives them time to catch their breath. They understand prorogation as a sort of a recess. And we all know what the kids do at recess.

They will return with long faces when the teacher rings the bell.

For all the lawyers and bureaucrats who work feverishly under enormous pressure to prepare bills and their associated regulations, this will, I suppose, be for them a source of both relief and frustration. But they should not worry.

When Parliament returns, they will get to do it all over again. Resurrect those communications plans and news releases, photocopy those speeches. Who knows? They may come in handy. Just change the name of the minister as you likely have a new one.

In the end, it matters not too much as all the ministers will speak with one voice and it will be Stephen Harper’s.

He is an excellent ventriloquist and can even take on the folksy tone of Stockwell Day. And as there is a strong likelihood of an election call soon after Parliament returns, I don’t know why he doesn’t just prerogue it this time. Oh well, maybe he’ll just prorogue his decision.

Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 22, 2010 – Page 23

Page 24 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – February 22, 2010

WHAT’S GOING ON February 22 to March 7, 2010 WEEKLY EVENTS 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 drop-in for children aged 1-5 years with parent or caregiver accompaniment, sponsored by SJCC Ganon Pre-School, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Info: 613-7989818, ext. 280.

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

CANDLELIGHTING BEFORE Feb 26 ✡ Mar 5 ✡

5:27 pm 5:36 pm

7:00 pm. Info: 613-722-9323.

WEDNESDAYS Coffee Club for parents of children aged 0 to 3. Children play, parents enjoy coffee and conversation, sponsored by SJCC Ganon Pre-School, 9:00 to 11:30 am. Info: 613-798-9818, ext. 280.

FRIDAYS Shabbat Shalom with SJCC Ganon Pre-School, for ages 0 to 5 years with parent or caregiver accompaniment, 9:30 am. Info: 613-798-9818, ext. 280.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23 SJCC Annual General Meeting, open to all members, 7:00 pm. Info: 613-798-9818, ext. 221.

Malca Pass Book Discussion Club, reviewer Jack Schecter will discuss After River

by Donna Milner, sponsored by Agudath Israel Congregation, 1400 Coldrey Avenue, 7:30 pm.

Info: 613-829-2455.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24 Wonderful Wednesdays, sponsored by Jewish Family Services and Congregation Machzikei Hadas; topic: OC Transpo Ridership Tips, 2310 Virginia Drive, 12:00 pm. Info: 613-521-9700.

For more community listings, visit ottawa.planitjewish.com

work: Groovy Megillah, buffet, live band, breakdancing, Cartier Suites Hotel, 180 Cooper Street, 8:00 pm. Info: 613-601-7701.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28 Shalom Ottawa, community program on Rogers 22, 12:00 pm

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25 School-Wide Open House for parents interested in learning about Hillel Academy, 31 Nadolny Sachs Private, 8:30 am. Info: communications@hillelacademy.ca.

Lomir Reydn Yiddish, conversation group for seniors, 2255 Carling Avenue, suite 300, 10:00 am. Info: 613-722-2225, ext. 325.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27 Young Adult Purim Party, sponsored by Jewish Education through Torah. Come in costume; prize for “Best-dressed,” Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre, 1233 Wellington Street West, 8:00 pm.

RSVP/Info: 613-798-9818, ext. 247.

Purim in the Sixties, sponsored by Chabad Student Net-

(repeated Saturday, March 6).

Purim Extravaganza, sponsored by Jewish Education through Torah and the SJCC: Megillah reading, costume parade, entertainment, crafts, games, refreshments. 12:30 pm.

Info: 613-798-9818, ext. 247.

FRIDAY, MARCH 5 Shabbat Dinner with singing, everyone welcome, preceded by a congregant-led participatory Kabalat Shabbat Service, Congregation Machzikei Hadas, 2310 Virginia Drive, 5:45 pm. Info: 613-521-9700.

COMING SOON MONDAY, MARCH 8 Seniors and Income Tax, presentation by the Canada Revenue Agency of tax issues that impact seniors, sponsored

by Jewish Family Services, 2255 Carling Avenue, suite 300, 11:00 am.

Info: 613-722-2225, ext. 325.

SUNDAY, MARCH 14 Jewish Education Festival, sponsored by Ganon Pre-School: Explore all the Jewish education options available in Ottawa. 9:30 am.

Info: 613-798-9818, ext. 280.

Israel & Palestine: Facing the Obstacles, a talk given by world-renowned scholar on the ArabIsrael conflict Prof. Neil Caplan of Montreal,

sponsored by Canadian Friends of Peace Now and Temple Israel, 1301 Prince of Wales Drive, 10:00 am (9:30 am breakfast).

Info: 613-224-1802.

MONDAY, MARCH 22 JNF Negev Dinner honouring Sara Vered, Fairmont Château Laurier, 1 Rideau Street, 6:00 pm.

Info: 613-798-2411.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24 5th Annual Shalom Bayit Seder, sponsored by Jewish Family Services, Congregation Agudath Israel, 1400 Coldrey Avenue, 6:00 pm.

Info: 613-722-2225, ext. 406.

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

This information is taken from the community calendar maintained by the Jewish Ottawa InfoCentre. Organizations which would like their events to be listed, no matter where they are to be held, should send the information to InfoCentre coordinator Benita Siemiatycki via e-mail at 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.

Diversify your investments with a steady monthly income.

2009 2008 2007 2006

8.73% 9.92% 10.5% 10.3%

Annualized Compounded Return Income distribution to investors is on the 15th of every month.

The Fund is RRSP and RRIF eligible. Audited by KPMG.

Condolences

The Romspen Mortgage Investment Fund lends money, investors’ money, by providing short-term first mortgages on commercial real estate across Canada. Romspen is now the largest private commercial mortgage lender in the country. Investors profit by receiving a steady monthly income.

The Fund’s success is due to management’s risk-averse lending practices, mortgage diversification with strict administration, and years of experience and proven performance. Learn more by visiting our website. Call us and we will send you an information package.

The

Sam Charron

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

Mina Dover-Cohen

There is no charge.

Leon Leckie

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

Condolences are extended to the families of:

Nelli Shteynberg Irwin (Irv) Singer

May their memory be a blessing always.

162 Cumberland Street, Suite 300 Toronto, Ontario M5R 3N5

Voice mail is available.

1.800.494.0389 www.romspen.com

BULLETIN DEADLINES 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

JUNE 30 FOR JULY 19 JULY 28 FOR AUGUST 16